Expensive Places

Breitling has chosen David Beckham as the face of its Transocean Chronograph Unitime worldtimer watch.

The Transocean Chronograph Unitime watch is a high-performance selfwinding chronograph. Universal time function enabling permanent readings of the time in all 24 timezones thanks to a patented mechanism and an ultra-user-friendly crown-operated correction system. It guarantee comfort and elegance for first-class travelers.

Beckham stars in the Breitling advert featuring a highly evocative visual shot by renowned American photographer Anthony Mandler. On the runway of the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, the striking image shows Beckham standing in front of a private jet wearing his Transocean Chronograph Unitime.

Transocean Chronograph Unitime

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The GRAHAM Silverstone Vintage 30 is powered by an automatic bi-compax chronograph, the new Silverstone collection bears the colours of a certain vintage. Silverstone Vintage 30 features 47 mm steel case, calibre G1734, automatic chronograph, Date at 7 o’clock, 27 jewels, 28’800 A/h (4Hz), Incabloc shock absorber, 48 hours power reserve, black or off-white dial, Steel bezel with “Clous de Paris” high grip pattern, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both faces, see-through sapphire crystal case back, integrated light brown leather strap.

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Hermitage Plaza is a 2.2 billion euro project to develop what would be Europe’s tallest buildings. The ambition to create two 320 metre-high towers, slightly less than the Eiffel Tower was criticized by local groups because bring more modern high-end residential construction in a city best-known for its grand 19th-century buildings.

The scheme brings together a hotel, spa, panoramic apartments, offices and serviced apartments, as well as shops and cafes at the base. The generously proportioned apartments are located on the upper floors to take advantage of both the spectacular views and the retail and leisure facilities provided by the hotel below, with penthouses occupying an entire floor plate.
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Cornwall Terrace is the world’s most expensive terraced house and it has gone on sale for $160million. It is located on the Outer Circle road around The Regent’s Park. The house has eleven reception rooms, seven bedrooms and a leisure complex with gymnasium and swimming pool, set in landscaped grounds of 0.453 of an acre complete with mews wing, garaging and forecourt parking. The property is spread across 21,500 sq/ft so $7487 per sq/ft.


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Falcon 2000LXS launched today by Dassault Falcon will replace Falcon 2000LX in 2014.

With full fuel, the Falcon 2000LXS will have a payload of 2,190 pounds; a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 42,800 lbs with a balanced field length of 4,675 feet, which is over 1,000 feet better than some aircraft in its category.

The cabin sound level within the Falcon 2000LXS has been lowered by two decibels compared to its predecessor. It will be delivered standard with an entirely new FalconCabin HD+ cabin management system that places more controls and greater convenience into the hands of passengers, making the transition from the office to the aircraft as seamless as possible. The system provides high-definition viewing on monitors up to 22 inches with functions that can be controlled from anywhere in the aircraft via an iPod Touch or iPhone. A dedicated application allows passengers to control video playback, operate optional electronic window shades and adjust the lights, temperature and other cabin parameters to their liking..

At M.80, the Falcon 2000LXS will offer a range of 4,000 nm (standard aircraft, full fuel, 6 pax, NBAA IFR reserves, 85% Boeing Annual Winds). It will climb directly to 41,000 feet in 19 minutes, reach a mid-cruise altitude of 45,000 feet and have a certified ceiling of 47,000 feet. With a typical end-of-flight profile, the Falcon 2000LXS will need just 2,260 feet of runway to land, no longer than that needed for a turboprop aircraft.

The Falcon 2000LXS will be certified in the first half of 2013 with deliveries beginning in 2014.

The highlight of the Sothebys Hong Kong auction (October 9th) was the Diamond Necklace by Nirav Modi that sold for $5.1 million.

This amazing Diamond Necklace is made of thirty-six graduated brilliant-cut diamonds ranging from 1.25 to 6.19 carats, each spaced by a smaller brilliant-cut diamond, the diamonds together weighing 88.88 carats, mounted in platinum, length approximately 430mm.

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced the single largest order of Phantom Series II in the Asia Pacific region: Sands China Ltd -developer, owner and operator of multi-use integrated resorts in Macao - has confirmed the order of five highly bespoke Phantom Series II Extended Wheelbase cars in the first quarter of 2013, while retaining options to expand its fleet in the near future. Sands China currently owns a Phantom Series I car.

Samuel Sun, General Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Macau, added, “We are thrilled to announce the order of five Phantom Series II Extended Wheelbase cars to Sands China Ltd. We are optimistic that this is the first of more corporate orders to come and remained committed to offering all our customers peerless motor cars with unrivalled service experience.”

Sands China’s Phantom Series II Extended Wheelbase cars will be finished in Paiza Brown – one of the company’s unique corporate colours. The cars will also feature bespoke elements such as partition walls. Further details will be made available on delivery of the cars.

Jaquet Droz unveils The Bird Repeater, an authentic automaton with a cam system directly inherited from the century of Enlightenment, and it calls upon the resources of all the decorative crafts of the Jaquet Droz Atliers d’Art, La-Chaux-de-Fonds.

In a stunning visual show, The Bird Repeater represents a pair of Blue Tits, symbolic of Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s native Jura region, together over the nest containing their fledglings. No less than eight different animation mechanisms act in synchronism.

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Batman franchise attract luxury makers as well. Montegrappa, Italy’s oldest manufacturer of fine writing implements, announce that it will develop new collections inspired by DC Comics characters, beginning with Batman.
There will be 1939 Batman fountain pens and 1939 Batman roller balls, the number signifying the year of his first introduction. All of the pens’ components are made of aluminium with a black anodised finish, except for the clip, which is fashioned from ruthenium-plated brass. These materials give the pens a dark grey hue evoking the colour of Batman’s original costume. The pens’ surfaces are also engraved with bats in flight. The fountain pen terminates in an 18k gold nib bearing the celebrated Batman logo.

Also, there will be 500 sets that also include cufflinks and a wristwatch. These are exclusive to the box sets. The cufflinks are jet-black representations of the Batman logo in three dimensions, with the bat shape cut out to expose a surface of carbon fibre. The folding grip carries the Montegrappa name.
Based on the Montegrappa NeroUno watches, the matching wristwatch is powered by a Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement, housed in a 42mm stainless steel case secure against water ingress to 5atm. The case is finished in black PVD, with six screws securing the back.

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London, one of the most expensive place in the world, is ready for Halloween. From today Saturday 27th October to Sunday 4th November 2012 (inclusive) London’s most iconic landmark, the EDF Energy London Eye launch The Witch Academy, a Halloween Storytelling Experience. This magical school of mysticism and sorcery for children and their families will conduct classes throughout the October half-term break each year. Youngsters will need to work together to find the two missing witches to graduate at The Witch Academy and enjoy a bespoke experience on the London Eye.

The first ever Witch Academy will focus on story-telling in its opening year. Children will be invited to take part in a spooky inter-active Halloween Storytelling Experience on board the EDF Energy London Eye. Chanting spells and taking part in a variety of exciting activities, children will be called upon to use their best magic skills to free the Head Witch of the Order. She has been hidden by an evil professor in one of the famous landmarks that can be seen from the London Eye.

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