13 Secret Beaches for a Clandestine Getaway

You won’t have to share the sand at these hidden paradises around the world.

By Sandra Ramani 09/04/2019

Beaches, like travellers, come in all styles. There are the sleek and sophisticated ones, the powdery-soft stretches that make all the “most beautiful” lists and star in countless Instagram posts. There are the party ones, home to lively day clubs and DJ-fueled parties, and the boho-chic ones that chill out with bonfires and sing-a-longs. Exotic ones in far-flung locations are vibrant with colour and culture, while rocky ones may seem prickly at first, but end up revealing their own treasures.

But our favourite beaches are the ones you have to work for—the little-known stretches of sand around the world that require a real effort to find. Here, we spotlight 13 such spots—beaches that are local secrets, hidden away, and totally private. They aren’t just exclusive or reserved for a lucky few, but real discoveries, like the beach in Australia that requires a two-day return hike, or another one in Bermuda that only exists for a few hours of the day at low tide. From Mykonos to Mozambique, these 13 beaches are so special, you might not want to share (and good thing, you won’t have to).

Mopion Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

While the “secret” of the Grenadines appears to have already gotten out, there are still some less-discovered—and off-the-beaten-path—places hidden along this Eastern Caribbean gem. Tiny Mopion Island, or as locals call it, “Sandy Island,” is the perfect spot for a true castaway experience, as there’s nothing there but a thatch-roofed palapa and two cushy loungers. The islet is ringed by coral (making it a great launch pad for snorkelling and diving), so you can only access it via a narrow channel—meaning you’ll have to ride in on a dingy from your private boat.

Where to Stay: Less than two kilometres from Mopion, the private island resort of Petit St. Vincent is the closest place to stay. The property offers complimentary half-days on the isolated beach, complete with a breakfast or lunch picnic and a walkie-talkie to radio the staff when you’re ready to be “rescued.”


Mopion Island comes with nothing but a whole lot of sand and a palapa for two.
Photo: Petit St. Vincent

North Point and South Point Beaches, Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Gorgeous white-sand beaches abound in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, and many of them are only accessible via some private and exclusive way. Some of our favourite beaches in the region, though, are right on Benguerra—mainly because you’re pretty much guaranteed to never see another person while you’re there. Reachable via helicopter from mainland Mozambique, and set just south of the larger island of Bazaruto, Benguerra is only home to a few resorts—so when one hotel is planning on setting up a “castaway” picnic for their guests, it coordinates with the others to make sure no one else will be there. Among the scenic choices for your exclusive beach day are North Point—a sandy strip bordered by the ocean on one side and a calmer bay on the other—and South Point, a wide, dune-topped beach dotted with giant pieces of bleached driftwood that look like they were strategically placed there for a fashion shoot. Spend the day searching for shells and ghost crabs, spotting flamingos, and cooling off in the Indian Ocean.

Where to Stay: AndBeyond Benguerra Island takes guests to North and South Point for a cushy dune-top picnic complete with pillow-topped beach beds and gourmet eats. The resort can also whisk guests to hidden-away spots for exceptional diving adventures or traditional dhow boat.


AndBeyond Benguerra Island offers the ultimate castaway picnic.
Photo: AndBeyond Benguerra Island

Madame Zabre Beach, Desroches Island, Seychelles

Though there’s only one hotel on Desroches Island, it isn’t technically private—which is part of what makes staying there such a special experience. Located a 35-minute flight from the capital of Mahé in Seychelles’ less-visited Outer Amirantes group, the 933-acre island is home to two villages—one Indian, one Creole—with a total population of about 100. In-between, there’s also the Island Conservation Society, which focuses on land restoration, wildlife protection, and operating a sanctuary and breeding centre for the indigenous Aldabra giant tortoise. And ringing all this is a series of tucked-away beaches and sandy spots of varying sizes. One particular favourite is Madame Zabre Beach, a powder-soft cove shaded by palm trees. To reach it, you’ll need to bike across the island’s airstrip, through unmarked forested pathways, until you reach a small copse framing the postcard-perfect shores. Keep a lookout for giant turtles along the way.

Where to Stay: Guests of the island’s sole resort, Four Seasons Desroches Private Island, can hop on their personal bike to visit the villages and sanctuary, then continue peddling—picnic hamper in tow—to enjoy Madame Z’s beach for the day.


Madame Zabre Beach.
Photo: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Private Beqa Lagoon Islands, Fiji

The island of Vitu Levu in Fiji is already a serene escape on which you can explore natural wonders and experience unique cultural traditional and rituals. But if you want an even more remote hideaway, though, it’s also a good base from which to stake claim to your own strip of sand. Each day during receding tide, tiny sandbanks emerge from the ocean, revealing their pristine white sands for only four or five hours at a time. Get there quickly to enjoy these temporal havens, where you can dip in the blue-green waters and enjoy a Champagne-fueled picnic before it’s time for the sand to retreat back underwater.

Where to Stay: Nanuku, Auberge Resorts Collection can sail you to one of these “disappearing” spots and set up an unforgettable picnic. Or, if you’d like a bit more time on a private beach, rent out the resort’s two-acre private island in the Beqa Lagoon system of coral reefs. The refuge can be booked for day trips or a magical overnight experience and is only available for exclusive use.


Tiny Beqa Lagoon is for guests of Nanuku Resort only.
Photo: Nanuku, Auberge Resorts Collection

Mosquera Islet, the Galápagos Islands

On Mosquera, “do not bathe while a male is nearby” is a warning that refers to the more aggressive members of the island’s only residents: sea lions. Located between the islands of Baltra and North Seymour, the narrow islet rises up from the sea ringed by a reef of lava rocks and coral and is fronted by a white-sand beach that’s popular both with human visitors and one of the region’s largest sea lion colonies. Only accessible via a wet beach landing, Mosquera is also a top-notch snorkelling and diving site, offering easy access to a world of tropical fish, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and more. Along with the limited physical accessibility, the island is restricted to those on naturalist-guided walks and other specially-authorized permit holders, so you’ll never find crowds lined up on the beach—save for the sunning sea lions, of course.

Where to Stay: Set on the central Galápagos island of Santa Cruz, the luxe Pikaia Lodge—a stylish spot that also happens to be completely carbon neutral and built using recycled materials—has three house yachts that can ferry guests to Mosquera and other spectacular islands in the area.


Sun yourself on a stretch of sand next to Mosquera Islet’s lazy sea lions.
Photo: Pikaia Lodge

Accidental Beach, Edmonton, Canada

In 2017, something magical appeared in Edmonton, Canada. As construction was underway on two new bridges across the Edmonton River Bank, locals began to notice a beautiful stretch of sand suddenly appearing further back along the North Saskatchewan River. When it continued to grow into a decent-sized beach, a few intrepid folks ventured through the brush to check it out. Word slowly began to get out about this secret spot—an unexpected find in this Alberta town—and thus began an epic struggle between citizens and bureaucrats, pleasure-seekers and inconvenienced homeowners that continues to this day.

But what’s wonderful is that the beach endures. After disappearing that first winter, the “Sand District,” as locals dubbed it, popped up again in summer 2018, and is expected to appear this summer season, as well. There’s a significant movement to keep it as a permanent site; the rocks that were placed in the river during the bridge construction could be adjusted and left there safely, ensuring a full-time beach. While those plans continue to be debated, the beach will most likely still be around for another two years, until construction wraps up—so try and catch this Canadian “Atlantis” while you can.

Where to Stay: Set in a 1910 former financial trust building, downtown Edmonton’s Union Bank Inn is full of history, character, and standout dining spots; choose from rooms in historic or contemporary styles.


Accidental Beach lives up to its name in the middle of Edmonton River Bank.
Photo: Kory deGroot

Bremer Island, Northern Territory, Australia

Arnhem Land may just be one of Australia’s last great frontiers. Bordered by the Arafura Sea, the Gulf of Carpentaria, and Kakadu National Park, the vast, 97,000-square-kilometre natural wonderland is dotted with gorges and rivers, waterfalls and rocky outcrops, as well as a wealth of ancient indigenous cultural sites. The territory also remains under Aboriginal ownership and protection, which means that visitors are required to obtain a permit (via a hotel or tour operator) to enter.

All of this makes exploring the beaches of Bremer Island off the northeastern tip of Arnhem Land an extra-special experience. Hop a 15-minute seaplane flight or a private boat transfer from the mainland to reach the island, which is ringed by pristine beaches that are usually empty, save for nesting sea turtles and rich birdlife.

Where to Stay: The only tourist spot on Bremer is the Banu Banu Beach Resort, a six-tent eco-resort built in concert with the Yolgnu people—so not only are the beaches exclusive, but they also offer plenty of opportunities to interact with locals, who are happy to show you how to spearfish or weave baskets the traditional way.


Australia’s Bremer Island isn’t just beautiful—it’s a cultural experience.
Photo: Tourism Northern Territory

Fragia Beach, Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is hardly an undiscovered destination, but even the popular hot spot has a few secrets. Case in point: Fragia Beach, which until a few years ago was not open to the public. Set on the island’s more remote southeastern side, the wide, sandy beach is tucked among a series of other “locals’ secret” spots, including Pano Tigani, hidden gem Tsagari beach, and the wide cover of Lia Beach. Fragia, though, is even more of a find, as its most easily accessed by boat (the land approach requires a keen sense of direction and a patience for unmarked dirt roads.) Once there, you’ll find sparkling Aegean Sea waters and an expansive, protected crescent of sand.

Where to Stay: Make a day of it with a cover-to-catch experience courtesy of Grace Mykonos, Auberge Resorts Collection, which includes a private sail on a traditional caïque fishing boat, casting for fresh seafood, a visit to Fragia Beach for a dip, and an intimate barbecue back at the hotel.


Hard-to-find Fragia Beach is unknown among Mykonos’s tourists.
Photo: Grace Mykonos, Auberge Resorts Collection

Hog Bay Beach, Bermuda

Beautiful beaches abound in Bermuda, but Hog Bay stands out as much for its elusive nature as its aesthetic qualities. First, you’ve got to navigate getting there, hiking over steep, rocky, and hilly terrain along a woodland trail in the 32-acre Hog Bay Park nature reserve. Then, once you arrive, the beach may not even be around, as it only exists during low tide. Assuming all the stars align, you’ll find a gorgeous expanse of blush-hued sand leading to clear-and-cool water, and dotted with a few craggy boulders. In addition to providing a secluded spot for sun worshipping, picnics, and a mid-day snooze, the beach is great for snorkelling—so even if you miss low tide and arrive to find just the sea, you can jump right in to explore the underwater world.

Where to Stay: The 240 acres of the recently redone Rosewood Bermuda include a golf course, spa, several dining and drinking options, and a long, serene stretch of pink-sand beach.


Hog Bay Beach’s big secret is that, for most of the day, it doesn’t even exist.
Photo: Bermuda Tourism Authority

Klein Curaçao, Curaçao

A historic lighthouse, palm trees, and a couple of huts are all you’ll find on Klein Curaçao—along with a long, wide stretch of empty beach. Set 12.8kms off the southeast coast of the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, the 1.7-square-kilometre “Little Curaçao” has no inhabitants, and it’s only accessible by helicopter or a two-hour boat ride. Once there, you’re rewarded with one of the longest and most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, as well the chance to snorkel past vibrant coral and scuba dive to shipwrecks and underwater caves. While most visitors just hang out for the day, locals like to camp for the night along the beach, under a canopy of stars; most luxury hotels or tour operators on Curaçao can make that happen.

Where to Stay: Check in to one of the 23 suites and villas at Baoase (many with private plunge pools), and enjoy easy access to the sea, not to mention a pretty spectacular beach right in front of the resort.


Little Curaçao has no inhabitants and is only accessible via boat or helicopter.
Photo: Wikipedia

Satellite Island, Tasmania, Australia

It takes a somewhat epic journey to reach this wild hideaway—which only recently became accessible to the public—but it’s worth it. After getting to mainland Australia, then to its southern island of Tasmania, hop in a car in capital city Hobart and drive along a windy road that takes you through coastal towns and tiny inlets. About 90 minutes later, you’ll take a ferry from the town of Kettering to Bruny Island, where you’ll continue to drive along the coastline (this time stopping to snack on fresh oysters, artisan cheese, and other Bruny specialties.) In the village of Alonnah, the Island Keeper will load you up onto another ferry for the five-minute trip across the appropriately storybook-sounding D’Entrecasteaux Channel—and, finally, to Satellite Island. (Of course, you can also arrive by helicopter, but the long way is definitely part of the decompressing experience.)

Once there, wander along cliff walks and down to the water’s edge, where you can enjoy lunch at the Boathouse, beach-comb for treasures, cast for shellfish and crayfish right off the jetty, or shuck oysters plucked fresh from the sea. The beaches include a mix of pebbly strips and sandy coves; you can kayak or jump into the pristine Tasman Sea waters from either, then come back at night for a bonfire and glass of Tasmanian wine.

Where to Stay: The only accommodation on-site, Satellite Island is an exclusive-use luxury lodge with room for up to eight guests in the Summer House, Boathouse, and one posh tent. The houses come stocked with kayaks, fishing equipment, snorkels, stand-up paddleboards, and more to enjoy on and off the beaches.


The long haul to Satellite Beach is well worth it.
Photo: Kate Alstergren

Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, Australia

With more than 500 kilometres of coastline, this South Australia island (set
about a 20-minute flight from Adelaide) has no dearth of scenic beaches for swimming, sunning, and catching waves. Stokes Bay, though, is where you go for solitude—and a bit of adventure. You’ll need to walk through a labyrinth of caves and rock tunnels (on an uneven path nicknamed “The Secret Tunnel”) before reaching the gleaming white-sand beach on the quiet north coast. The picturesque spot is protected from the surf by giant rocks—resulting in what feels like a big, warm private swimming pool. And while you probably won’t see another soul while you’re there, you’ll find plenty of company in the native wildlife—including a number of the island’s namesake kangaroos.

Where to Stay: The perennial award-winning Southern Ocean Lodge is a contemporary, all-suite island resort complete with gourmet dining, lots of complimentary perks, and unbeatable coastal views.


You might find some kangaroo tracks in the sands of Stokes Bay.
Photo: Gab Rivera

Refuge Cove, Victoria, Australia

Victoria’s Wilson’s Promontory National Park is full of natural wonders and several stunning (and less-visited) beaches. Fairy Cove, for example, is only accessible by foot at low tide, when two nooks come together to form the pristine beach. It’s mainly only visited by locals, who come to sunbathe atop the granite boulders dotting the cove. For those who really want to earn their beachside fun, though, there’s Refuge Cove, which is only accessible to boaters with special permits (and even then, with tons of restrictions) and to hikers up for a 33km trek with two nights of camping. The hike will take you over steep slopes and river crossings, and up to panoramic lookout points. At the end, you’ll descend onto a white-sand beach bordered by wooded slopes and sparkling waters.

Where to Stay: After your hike and camp-out, reward yourself with a stay in one of Wilson’s luxury Coastal View Cabins, which come equipped with jetted soaking tubs, pillow menus, foldable glass doors to take in the views—and the possibility of visits from koalas, wallabies, or kangaroos.


Refuge Cove can be all yours—if you’re willing to work for it.
Photo: FreeAussieStock.com

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How Off-the-Rack Suits Got Sophisticated Enough to Win Over Bespoke Guys

Ready-to-wear tailoring has never been better, and it offers even the most particular dressers a fast, easy platform for experimenting with their look.

By Aleks Cvetkovic 18/02/2025

The world moves fast—and for once, tailoring is moving a little bit faster.

Guys around the globe are rediscovering their love of suits, but many have determined that they can’t stomach the monthslong wait for bespoke. The good news? Ready-to-wear tailoring has never been better.

That’s in part because bespoke makers are beefing up their off-the-rack offerings. Anderson & Sheppard’s shop-in-store at N.Y.C.’s Bergdorf Goodman—the first outpost beyond its London flagship— opened in December with, among other things, a sharp wool-and-cashmere jacket in a delightful shade of teal. Huntsman’s recent fall-winter collection, billed as its most comprehensive assortment yet, offered everything from tuxedos to shooting breeches. Even Leonard Logsdail, Hollywood’s highly esteemed bespoke purveyor, is experimenting with hem-and-go models.

But non-custom tailors are upping the ante, too. Some of the best ready-to-wear suits on the market come from such brands, whose wholly distinctive points of view provide a welcome departure from the rigidity of many bespoke tailors’ house styles. The preponderance and diversity of such high-quality, easy-to-access threads has recast off-the-rack suits as the ultimate way to experiment with your look, not just a way for some to get dressed on the cheap. What’s more, it reflects the new reality that even people who suit up regularly might want to show up looking different on Thursday night than they did on Tuesday morning.

“Life nowadays is much more fluid,” says Chris Modoo, a London-based stylist who once worked as a tailor on Savile Row. “Things happen, invitations appear. You might get an invite for a black-tie party in the South of France for next Saturday.” Ready-to-wear is the obvious solution when you’re in a last-minute menswear quandary, but “it also means you can try new things.”

One maker worth a test-drive is Husbands Paris, founded by Nicolas Gabard, who sees his role as an “archivist of the past.” His look, inspired by stylish men such as Yves Saint Laurent, David Hemmings, and Gary Cooper, is unabashedly striking—think long, fully canvased jackets, broad lapels, structured shoulders, and wide-leg, high-waisted trousers. These wares are made in small workshops in Italy and Portugal, where craftspeople infuse them with high-end details such as hand-sewn buttonholes and silk bar tacks, a form of stitching that reinforces seams and pockets.

Thom Sweeney L.A. store Brett Wood

They’re the kind of touches any menswear enthusiast can appreciate—even if they’re the trees to Gabard’s style forest. Clothes like this are designed as a form of wearable self-assurance, enhancing what Gabard calls a “classically masculine” silhouette: broad shoulders, slim waist, narrow hips.

“Of course, tailoring has to fit well, but it also has to bring something else,” he says. “More and more [Husbands] customers want to be confident, powerful, and sexy in their outfit.”

When you want to look more suave than soigné, turn to the indie Milanese brand Massimo Alba, which is known for its chic casualwear but made its name with easygoing tailoring. “A great suit is not just about the way it fits but about the way it makes you feel,” says the eponymous label’s founder of his relaxed approach. “For me, the essence lies in balance, between structure and softness, elegance and ease. In my opinion, a suit should adapt to the wearer, not the other way around.”

Alba’s creations are cut from plush materials such as corduroy and flannel, featuring natural shoulders and only the lightest of canvasing in the chest, which results in a less-formal look. Which is not to say they aren’t workhorses: Daniel Craig wore one of Alba’s Sloop suits to dodge bullets in 2021’s James Bond film No Time to Die. “I always focus on fabrics that move with the body, details that whisper rather than shout, and cuts that allow for freedom,” Alba adds.

And freedom is precisely what this newfound inventory of great ready-to-wear tailoring provides. Modoo advises some clients to look to bespoke tailors for investment-level garments, such as morning suits, tuxedos, or the dark, serious stuff you might need for a funeral or odd courtroom appearance. “You know you’re going to wear these for 10 or 15 years,” he says. Let the new class of distinctive ready-to-wear step in when you want to try something that just wouldn’t make sense as a bespoke order. “Your pink-velvet blazer for the Christmas party? How well does that need to fit?”

London bespoke tailor Caroline Andrew is one of many who admits ready-to-wear has its place. Courtesy of Caroline Andrew

Fortunately, with so many options available, the fit is easier to dial in. You can expect most high-end operations to make a long list of changes, from ensuring that the seat of the trousers drapes appropriately to cutting working buttonholes on the jacket. For a peerless experience, you can always reach for garments from one of the many talented bespoke tailors offering ready-to-wear. At Thom Sweeney, such clothes are “all influenced by our bespoke cut,” says Thom Whiddett, who cofounded the brand with Luke Sweeney in 2007. “You try on [our ready-to-wear] jacket, and you immediately get a sense of the proportions and shapes that we put into a bespoke garment.”

That alluring sense of near-instant gratification is the point. For some, nothing will ever replace the distinguished feeling of slipping into a bench-made suit—and plenty are willing to wait for it.

“You have to mentally buy into the process and enjoy it,” says Caroline Andrew, a London bespoke specialist. “The journey is just as important as the finished product.” But ready-to-wear sets the time-strapped tailoring enthusiast down a different path: discovering new facets of your personal style at a record pace.

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Tom Brady Wears a Jacob & Co. Watch Decked in Yellow Sapphires to the Super Bowl

The $740,000 Caviar Tourbillon was an opulent choice for the former NFL star.

By 17/02/2025

Tom Brady was on the field tonight at the 59th annual Super Bowl game, and while the retired NFL hero—a seven-time Super Bowl winner (the most of any footballer in history)—wasn’t playing, he came dressed to impress with a $116,400 Jacob & Co. watch on his wrist.

Brady, who is a notable watch collector, recently sold off several of his timepieces at a Sotheby’s auction called “The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady” this past December. Those timepieces ran the gamut from a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 to a unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with his name spelled out in diamonds across the salmon-colored tapisserie dial. His Rolex Daytona sold for over $1.5 million, and, in total, his auction raked in around $7 million. So, he’s well-equipped for a new watch purchase.

Whether or not he owns the six-figure sapphire stunner or it was a paid spot, the watch certainly stood out against his conservative but immaculately fit gray suit. “Tom Brady is the epitome of excellence, both on and off the field,” said Benjamin Arabov, CEO of Jacob & Co, in a press release sent out by the company shortly after Brady’s appearance. “We’re thrilled to see him wearing two of our most prestigious timepieces on the biggest stage in sports. The Billionaire Mini Ashoka and Caviar Tourbillon embody the precision, luxury, and innovation that define Jacob & Co. We’re honored to have him represent the artistry and craftsmanship behind every piece we create.”

Like much of Brady’s wrist candy, his 44 by 15.8 mm Caviar Tourbillon is not easy to come by. It is limited to just 18 pieces. It features hours, minutes, and a one-minute flying tourbillon in the JCAA43 movement with 216 components and 72 hours of power reserve. The movement itself is set with 338 brilliant-cut diamonds, while a total of 337 yellow sapphires adorn the case and dial. The clasp is decorated with another 18 baguette-cut yellow sapphires, and the crown comes with 14 baguette-cut yellow sapphires and one rose-cut yellow sapphire. As far as gem setting goes, this is one extraordinary piece, but it certainly seemed like a surprising choice for Brady, who was otherwise dressed like he just stepped out of a boardroom or a Ralph Lauren catalog.

Benjamin Arabov, son of Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabov, is now the CEO of the company. The 32-year-old recently took to Instagram to post that he was looking for a rebranding agency with experience in visual identity and packaging. As far as marketing goes, however, with Tom Brady, he’s golden.

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This Vintage Rolex Day-Date Has an Ultra-Rare and Coveted ‘Bark’ Design

The ultra-cool piece from Wind Vintage also comes in pristine condition with a desirable patina.

By Paige Reddinger 17/02/2025

Over the last four years there has been a resurgence in interest for 18-karat yellow gold watches. Much of that is due to fatigue over the long-running craze for steel tool watches, but it is also in part due to the rising value of gold (which shows no sign of slowing), rendering these once undesirable pieces increasingly worth collecting. Add to that the fact that, in some niche and stylish circles, unusual bracelet treatments, gem-setting, and interesting dials are becoming increasingly appealing and you have a new wave of watch collecting emerging. Steel sports watches are still the bread and butter for most dealers, but as pockets of interest in more unusual timekeepers, often from younger and fashion-forward collectors, continue to rise we’re seeing some really fun pieces pop up on the market. Case in point: This 1980s Rolex Day-Date in 18-karat yellow gold with a sapphire and diamond dial from Wind Vintage currently available exclusively on The Vault.

It wasn’t that long ago that dealers had a hard time unloading an all-gold gem-set piece. Eric Wind, the notable dealer and founder of Wind Vintage, says five years ago he would have sold this piece for around $23,000 to $28,000. The asking price today? $45,000. “It is very rare,” he tells Robb Report. “I think that was all clearly hand-done. Funnily enough, bark watches were not very desirable in the past. You know, even five to 10 years ago, they were very, very hard to sell. But, over the last three to five years, there’s been such an emergence and interest in jewellery and watches and work like that engraving and other kind of artistic forms that the watches took.” The style of engraving he is referring to on this watch can be seen on the bezel and middle links of the bracelet that is referred to as “bark” for its rough tree-like appearance.

“Bark” engraving on the bezel and bracelet of the Wind Vintage 1980s Rolex Day-Date
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

And while the bracelet is certainly a notable feature that will stand out in a sea of Submariners and Daytonas, the dial is also worth bragging about. Its diamond minutes track and sapphire hour markers are executed in what is known as a “string dial” because it looks like a string of pearls. “They’ve become very popular,” says Wind. “They were very expensive back in the 80s, just because of the cost of the stones, and there are just not many that exist on the planet.” Likewise, Wind says the canary yellow matte dial is not something he comes across often, having only seen a couple of others.

An up-close look at the patina and “bark” engraving on this 1980s Day-Date from Wind Vintage.
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

Part of what makes this watch so hard to find on the market is that pieces like this often didn’t survive past their ’80s heyday. “A lot of times these watches were so undesirable that dealers would replace the bezel inserts and put on fluted inserts, or smooth bezels or fluted bezels and melt down the bracelets or polish the center link so they looked like a standard Day-Date. Those dealers should have learned that what goes around, always comes around. Now with these interesting Rolex watches on the rise, they’ll become even harder to find.

A Wind Vintage 1980s Day-Date with “bark” engraving and a gem-set “string dial”
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

If you’re interested in the piece and want to speak to Wind about it IRL, he will be at Robb Report’s House of Robb event in San Francsico today during the NBA All-Star weekend.

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Soccer Star Kylian Mbappé Is Now an Investor in Watch Marketplace Wristcheck

Just like Jay-Z.
Published on February 7, 2025

By Abby Montanez 11/02/2025

Kylian Mbappé just went from brand ambassador to investor.

The celebrated French footballer, who currently plays for Real Madrid, has taken a stake in luxury watch trading platform Wristcheck, Hypebeast reported lat week.

Off the filed, the 26-year-old soccer star is a known timepiece collector and has served as an ambassador for Swiss marque Hublot since 2018. With this new partnership, the forward joins a growing group of influential backers, including Jay-Z. The rapper and business mogul took an equity stake in the Hong Kong-based company last summer as part of a recent funding round of $7.9 million.

“I’m thrilled to join Wristcheck as an investor through Coalition Capital,” Mbappé said in a press statement. “As a Hublot ambassador and someone passionate about watches and innovation, I see Wristcheck as a platform that truly understands the next generation of collectors. They’re reshaping the watch industry with a forward-thinking approach that blends technology, transparency, and creativity.” Mbappé did not immediately respond to Robb Report‘s request for comment on his new business endeavor.

Kylian Mbappé is an investor in online watch shop Wristcheck.
Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Launched in 2020 by renowned horophile and Instagram personality Austen Chu, Wristcheck offers a platform for collectors to buy and sell pre-owned watches that have been authenticated by Swiss-trained watchmakers. Since it was founded, the company has raised more than $21.6 million in funding from investors including the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners GBA, and K3 Ventures.

Mbappé, meanwhile, has achieved remarkable success in his soccer career. He won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, becoming the youngest player to score in a final since Pelé. At PSG, he has secured multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups. Individually, Mbappé has earned the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award and regularly features in top European scoring charts. And in 2020, he was ranked the world’s highest-paid player, surpassing rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

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Sotheby’s Will Put on the Largest Auction of Breguet Watches in Decades This Fall

To celebrate the revered watchmaking house’s 250th anniversary, the sale includes rare collectibles belonging to living Breguet family members.

By Paige Reddinger 11/02/2025

Interest in Breguet has experienced a quiet resurgence among savvy collectors who appreciate the brand’s deep-rooted watchmaking heritage. This growing enthusiasm will soon take center stage with an upcoming auction that shines a significant spotlight on the storied Maison.

Founded in Paris 250 years ago, Abraham-Louis Breguet was one of the most influential watchmakers in history, best known for inventing the tourbillon and the automatic winding system—along with many other groundbreaking innovations. His legacy continues to inspire modern masters such as F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour. You can see Breguet’s influence pointedly in pieces like F.P. Journe’s famous Chronomètre à Résonance timepiece, voted one of Robb Report‘s 50 Greatest Watches of All Time.

Now, Sotheby’s has announced “the largest sale of Breguet timepieces in three decades.” Though the auction won’t take place until November, the auction house is already working to build anticipation. In the meantime, it might be wise to brush up on the most coveted Breguet references.

Breguet 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact watch made for King George IV Breguet

What may pique collectors’ interest is the sale is being curated in conjunction with Breguet and Emmanuel Breguet, the vice president and head of patrimony, who happens to be a descendant of the original Monsieur Breguet. So far, the only timekeeper publicly associated (at least visually) with the auction is the 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact watch made for King George IV. Still, it hints at the historic level of pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks that will be on offer. Abraham-Louis Breguet was a frequent supplier of high-end and state-of-the-art timepieces for royalty, including Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and King George III.

Other highlights include an open-faced montre à tact (a watch that replicates the internal hour hand on the cover of the pocket watch via an arrow so that time could be read via touch) with a calendar and moonphase indications that was the inspiration for the Ref. 3330. A pendulette with alarm, perpetual calendar and repeater, and a two-color gold open-faced tourbillon watch is said to be a part of the sale, although no images were provided as of press time. More info on what will be in the sale will come this spring.

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