Luxury Activist | Since 2010

Hermès Arceau Robe Du Soir, Beautiful!

Watches

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3 October 2018

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Hermès has a fantastic gift to combine watchmaking and poetry. Here is an outstanding work made on a 41 mm-diameter Arceau watch: 2,200 tiny juxtaposed leather squares form a horse profile inspired by the Hermès “Robe du Soir” silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018. Set against an electric blue backdrop and matching strap, the colourful fragments are lit up by the rose gold glow of the round case with its asymmetrical lugs and slim leaf-type hands. This horological creation imbued with the Hermès saddle- and leather-making heritage is issued in a 12-piece limited numbered edition.

Hermès has year after year celebrated watchmaking craftsmanship with a specific focus on dials. Very often the French luxury house developed its own techniques, some of them carefully built in order to bring true wonders. For the Arceau Robe du Soir, it took a full year and a half of R&D to master the technique allowing to decorate the watch dial. It is a true miniature work of art composed of thousands of variously colored leather squares. A real work of mosaic. No less than 3’500 tesserae are cut out from the finest selected full-grain calfskin. This means, according to the brand, no less than 2’200 leather little squares that compose the equestrian motif picked up from the Hermès Robe du Soir silk scarf.

The Hermès Arceau is an iconic watch from the brand collection. It was originally designed by Henri d’Origny in person in 1978. The recognizable round case with its stirrup-inspired asymmetrical lugs translate all the classicism of this watch. In this new “mosaic” version, we rediscover the Arceau line through a different angle. This new rose gold Arceau and its amazing dial has an unique style with vibrant colors. The horse with its vivid hues stands out beautifully against the electric blue background. Let’s underline the fact that the watch bracelet follows this same shade. The watch case contains a self-winding Manufacture Hermès movement that can be admired through the sapphire crystal back-case. In order to acquire one of this model, you will need to run fast as there will only be 12 units produced as a very exclusive limited edition. Here are the technical detailed specs of this watch:

MOVEMENT

Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement Mechanical self-winding
Swiss made Diameter: 26 mm
Thickness: 3.7 mm
Power reserve: 50 hours
Number of jewels: 28
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour / 4Hz
Decoration: Mainplate with circular-grained and snailed finishing,
bridges and oscillating weight satin-brushed and adorned with
‘sprinkling of Hs’, Hermès Paris engraving
Functions: Hours, minutes

CASE

Shape / Size: Round, 41 mm diameter
Material: Rose gold
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment Water resistant: 3 bar

DIAL

Leather mosaic. Motif inspired by a Hermès silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik

BUCKLE

Rose gold pin buckle

STRAP

Electric blue Swift calf skin

Hermès watchmaking approach is pretty unique. Rather than focusing on trying to control and measure time in all sorts of ways, Hermès explores a different approach. The French luxury house develops a whole universe made of emotions, always trying to surprise us with unparalleled attachment to details and a beautiful story. With Arceau Robe du Soir, We have this continuous pursuit of state of the art craftsmanship that allows Hermès to out-stand in such a competitive market.

Arsène Wargas

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

When Balmain copies Mugler…. Real Scandal !

Fashion

José Amorim

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1 October 2018

0

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Paris fashion week has always its part of glory but also its part of scandalous decadence. The scandal came from Balmain SS19 collection. When watching the fashion show, several people got astonished by recognizing several iconic models from Thierry Mugler back in the 70’s, the 80’s and the 90’s. We could have call it inspiration, homage? Well Thierry Mugler, himself, call it copy. Here are the images he shared on this instagram stories:

It is obvious that by comparing the different models, there was more than a simple inspiration. When Olivier Rousteing was appointed Artistic Director of Balmain in 2011, he was just 25 years old. It was a challenge and a great opportunity for the talented fashion creator for explore the fullness of his talent at the service of one of the most beautiful fashion houses.

Balmain was founded in 1945 by Pierre Balmain. From the outset, Monsieur Balmain’s boldly feminine and opulent signature style offered a startling contrast to the utilitarian looks of the day, creating a distinctive, super-feminine DNA for the house, which relied on richly embroidered fabrics, nipped-in waists and longer, often fuller skirts—and quickly transforming the Parisian house into a favorite of both European and Hollywood royalty.

Balmain was, along side with Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga and Jacques Fath, the fourth mousqueteer that revitalized fashion post-war. His style was unique and fearless. That is why strong women with personality such as Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Sophia Loren wore his designs onscreen and off.

While Olivier Rousteing is respecting a certain idea of volumes and design from the brand heritage, his exploration towards a more modern, maybe more urban audience is not always of good taste. Remember the collaborations with Kim Kardashian and Kayne West? Not sure Pierre Balmain would be delighted with such a cheap imagery. H&M does it better.

After watching the all SS19 fashion show there are really 3 looks that are really shocking as copies from Mugler past designs:

Obviously the entire collection has a 70’s/80’s inspiration, especially with the oversized silhouettes. Shoulders and volumes are very generous which is not a bad thing. The line crossed by Olivier Rousteing was to copy Mugler’s designs up to a scandalous level. For the metal bustier some people can say it is a copy others might say it is an inspiration. It was accessorized differently. But the other two designs are openly copies of Mugler designs. At LuxuryActivist, we must say we are pretty much shocked about it. Shame on you Olivier Rousteing.

José Amorim

Info sourced by the author for luxuryativist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Luxury Women’s Outerwear That’ll Keep You Snug and Stylish

Fashion

LuxuryActivist

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28 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As winter is just around the corner, it is vital to start thinking of ways to keep yourself warm once temperatures plummet. It means looking beyond cozy sweaters and thinking of the different outer garments that will help to keep the cold at bay. To ensure you feel both comfortable and chic during the colder months, here are the luxury women’s outwear options that will keep you both snug and stylish.

Find the Perfect Coat

If you want to wrap up warm this winter, the first purchase you will need to make is a stylish coat. If you want to invest in a coat that will stand the test of time, so you can wear it with confidence for many years to come, you should pick up a classic design that will complement almost every garment in your closet, such as a trench, duffel, or peacoat. View the many different styles available at Gloverall. Think carefully about the color and style of your coat to ensure you pick a complementary scarf shade and style.

Buy a Cozy Scarf

A cozy scarf is the ultimate winter accessory. Not only will it help to keep your body warm during a cold winter snap, but it can also add a splash of color and texture to your style. For cold temperatures, invest in a comfy knitted design; however, if you are looking for the best design for slightly warmer temperatures, a silk scarf will be the perfect option.

Don’t Forget Your Winter Hat

You will lose the most body heat in the area of the body that is exposed to the elements. It doesn’t matter how warm your coat or scarf might be, as you could easily feel the cold on your head without a winter hat. When temperatures start to drop, it is important to put on the accessory to protect your body from chilly weather conditions. It will help to keep your body warm, and you can even opt for a design and color that complements both your coat and scarf.

Choose the Best Pair of Gloves

Cold hands will definitely send a shiver down your spine! Keep your whole body warm by putting on a high-quality pair of gloves. To keep your hands warm, you should pick up a pair that features thermal insulation. Leather is also a comfortable choice, as it is naturally resistant to the cold, so red raw hands will not be an option this winter. Always keep them in your handbag to pop on should the weather take a turn for the worst.

Invest in Warm Footwear

Many women make the big mistake of wearing flimsy footwear during the colder months, which can pose a serious risk to their general health and circulation. If you want to remain warm this winter, you should invest in stylish boots that feature a fur lining, so your feet will feel warm and snug. You also should wear a thick pair of socks for extra warmth.

Carol

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

BYREDO ELEVENTH HOUR, WHEN EVERYTHING COMES TO AN EDGE – FRAGRANCE REVIEW.

Fragrances

LuxuryActivist

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27 September 2018

1

Reading Time: 4 minutes

If there is one fragrance that you need to know this month, it is ELEVENTH HOUR by BYREDO. The Swedish born brand launched another wonder, that you will crave for in case your nose come across it. More than a fragrance, it is an original creation with a contemporary olfactory structure. No chance this Eau de Parfum will leave you with a heart of stone.

BYREDO, more than just a brand

When Ben Gorham founded BYREDO in 2006, his dream was stronger than any difficulty encountered when you build a new beauty brand. His creative mind was filled with ideas and scents brought back from his travels. When he went to India, his mother hometown, the shock of smells was a strong trigger for his imagination and BYREDO was born. Many people ask me what does it means BYREDO. Generally we say the name stands for “By Redolence”, which means the way something smell. Eg: “enjoy the redolence of the blooming rose flowers on your street”.

Inspired by this trip, BYREDO’s scented candles and perfumes have been developed with an understated approach, using simple composition of the highest quality raw materials. Working with the best, Ben Gorham applies a highly demanding accomplishment on each product the brand develops. No less than 32 fragrance references are present in the brand’s website, in addition to beauty products and fashion accessories. Last year, BYREDO launched a collection of leather accessories, from handbags, to card holders or even travel perfume cases .

BYREDO ELEVENTH HOUR, When Everything Comes To An Edge

BYREDO fragrance collection is like a beautiful book store. Each creation is an invitation to discover a marvelous story that will be translated into a scent. Your imagination will trigger deep emotions that then will make you loyal to the BYREDO olfactory universe. The recent launch of the brand is ELEVENTH HOUR.

The ELEVENTH HOUR is a edgy story to the end of times. It is about that precise moment where everything shifts to another situation. When oceans will rise, the highest places will be the last refuges and zones that were once considered hostile to humans will become shelters. Eleventh Hour is an exploration around the smell of things ending, a journey to the end of Time, the last perfume on Earth.

We generally say that olfaction is one of the most powerful senses of all. It can trigger very intense and deep emotions. The ELEVENTH HOUR is about this intense feeling of experiencing something strong. You will be captivated by the scent, for sure one of a kind. This story starts with a very interesting spicy freshness thanks to the Ban Timmur, a plant that grows in the nepali highlands. The olfactory story pursuits into a heart of delights. A wild fig note will perfectly blend with a rum note that provides richness and strength. Last but not least a beautiful Tonka bean note will emanate a soft yet intense aura of energy, supported by texturized modern woods. ELEVENTH HOUR is a well balanced and structured olfactory work that deploys an interesting story of textures and beautiful raw materials.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOkSYPjigI/?hl=en&taken-by=officialbyredo

“I wanted to travel until I did not have to search anymore. Today I know that life is a journey that brings you to the end of the world, a return to the harmony we have lost.” Thus speaks the great Swiss explorer Ella Maillart, who in 1951 was one of the rare Westerners to reach Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha.

BYREDO has an unique fragrance creation approach.

When evaluating BYREDO fragrance collection, there is a paradox in it. In one side of things we can sense a very personal story, a story presented as an invitation to a special journey. In the other side, there are universal symbols and smells that will appeal to a great number of people, if you decide to embrace the journey.

Based on the work that BYREDO has been doing lately, we can only wish they continue to amaze us with such an understated luxury claim. Less is more and in this case, it represents a lot!

José Amorim

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

The Three Most Astonishing Pearl Stories

Luxury

LuxuryActivist

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27 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Heather Carlson of www.PearlsOnly.com

The pearl is one of the most valuable jewels in the world to this day. Known as the Queen of Gems, it is a symbol of elegance, wealth, and social status that is hard to replicate. Because some of these treasures are incredibly valuable, they gain global fame. In this article, we will discuss three of their stories.

1- La Peregrina

Few jewels represent old Hollywood glamour as beautifully as the La Peregrina pearl does. Also known as the King Philip II pearl, it should not be confused with the equally famous La Pelegrina. The latter was offered by King Philip IV to his daughter Maria Theresa with the occasion of her 1660 wedding with Louis XIV, the renowned Roi Soleil or Sun King.

What makes La Peregrina stand out even when compared with its paronym counterpart is its rich and tumultuous history that began roughly 500 years ago. Its name translates into English as “pilgrim” or “wanderer”, which is a perfect denomination for a gemstone that has traveled across the entire world during its five centuries of existence.

Its origins are closely connected to South America. One story claims that a slave from the Gulf of Panama exchanged it for his freedom with Vasco Nunez de Balboa in 1560. Another tale attributes its birthplace to Venezuelan fishery in 1574. The pearl reached Spain and came into the possession of King Philip II, who then gifted it to his wife Queen Mary I of England. In case her name doesn’t ring a bell, we’re talking about Mary Tudor, better known as Bloody Mary in popular lore. When she died, the pearl returned to Spain as part of the Royal Family’s collection of Crown Jewels.

French Emperor Napoleon III briefly owned it at the beginning of the 19th century, then returned to England. In 1873 James Hamilton, Duke of Abercorn, bought it. La Peregrina remained in his family’s possession until it was auctioned off just a few decades ago, in 1969. What happened that fateful year is what made the pearl go down in history. Hollywood superstar Richard Burton purchased for his equally famous and gorgeous wife, the iconic Elizabeth Taylor Burton paid 37,000 dollars for the gemstone at Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York. The pearl already came encrusted in a diamond and platinum setting, so Taylor commissioned renowned jewelry design house Cartier to create a necklace around it. Upon its final purchase in 2011, it cost an anonymous buyer a whopping 11.8 million dollars.

2- Abernathy Pearl

Lovingly nicknamed the Little Willie Pearl, the Abernathy pearl was discovered in 1967 in Scotland’s River Tay. It was named after the professional diver who found it, William Abernathy. It is a freshwater pearl produced by a mussel from the Margaritifera margaritifera species, and it is comparable to an average marble in size.

The Abernathy pearl is perfectly spherical in shape, which is rather coveted for gemstones of its nature. Its color is a beautiful pinkish white due to its white hue and faintly pink overtones. It has a striking luster which is uncommon for freshwater jewels. Its iridescence reminds of the glimmer characteristic to its saltwater counterparts.

William Abernathy refused to sell the Little Willie Pearl for a long time. Instead, he had a deal with a renowned jeweler in Perthshire to keep it on display. He considered it to be a part of Scotland’s history, a country that is historically known for its pearls. Many people visit its exhibition to this day for this reason.

3- Pearl of Allah

Also known as the Pearl of Lao Tzu, the Pearl of Allah has the most intricate history of them all. The air of legend and mystery surrounding it began in 1934, when an indigenous diver from the Palawan island of the Philippines dried when trying to retrieve it from the ocean. His fellow tribesmen found his body trapped in the giant Tridacna clam that produced the treasure.

When they brought the clam to the surface and popped it open to recover the corpse, they found something else alongside it: a massive 14-pound pearl with a glistening satin-like surface. In awe of its greatness, the chieftain of the Muslim tribe discovered what looked like the face of the Prophet Muhammad on it, so he named it Pearl of Allah.

It just so happened that a Filipino-American adventurer known as Wilburn Dowell Cobb was visiting the island during that time and saw the pearl. It was love at first sight, and Cobb simply had to have it. However, the chief was reluctant to allow him to purchase it for religious reasons, but he had a change of heart once the man rescued his son.

In 1936, the tribe chief’s soon fell ill with an awful case of malaria. Cobb administered modern medicine to him, which restored the boy’s health. As a token a gratitude, he was offered the pearl, which he cherished until his dying day in 1979. He took it back to America with him in 1939, where it was put on display in the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum of oddities on Broadway.

Thirty years later, Wilburn Dowell Cobb told the Mensa bulletin how he met a Chinese man named Li who revealed to him that the Pearl of Allah was actually an artifact called the Pearl of Lao Tzu.

The face of the Muslim Prophet was in fact three separate faces depicting the founder of Taoism himself together with his “friends” Buddha and Confucius. Li then allegedly went on to appraise the pearl at a whopping price of 3.5 million dollars, then proceeded to disappear entirely. This raised the market value of the item tremendously, but it was all a lie.

Unfortunately, this is just the first in a long string of deceit and fabrications surrounding the item’s history. After Cobb’s death, renowned conman Victor Barbish purchased the pearl together with one Peter Hoffman. Over the years, Barbish fabricated stories about it, one more ludicrous than the other, culminating with the claim that Obama Bin Laden himself tried to purchase it as a gift for Saddam Hussein.

Take a moment and let that soak in. Perhaps the most ironic fact of them all is that the Pearl of Allah or Lao Tzu isn’t even a real pearl at all, according to gemologists. It lacks the nacre surface that gives saltwater and freshwater pearls their value. If anything, it resembles a lump of white porcelain more than a pearl. Still, its unique history and the web of lies around it earned it a market value of tens of millions.

Final Thoughts

Our world is filled with wonder. When you stop and think about how something as simple as an oyster can produce a priceless treasure whose fame circles the globe, it becomes even more evident than before. Any of these three stories is testament to what the power of beauty or clever marketing can do for an object.

Heather Carlson

info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Best SUV in 2018 & 2019, The Editor’s selection

José Amorim

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26 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 6 minutes

The Automobile industry is a fantastic business that echoes around the world. It was always a symbol of progress, technology and many times an ostentatious symbol. One important segment is the luxury SUV segment that has experienced tremendous growth in the past 10 years. Originally, SUVs were meant to be useful and professional vehicles restricted to certain people (adventurers, explorers, farmers…). With the arrival of luxury SUVs, the whole segment was leveled up in terms of pricing but also in terms of market share.

The Global SUV Market, An Interesting Growing Market

Last year, the Global SUV market grew to 26.6 million cars produced. This volume of production is supposed to reach almost 51 million cars by 2023. This important growth is explained by:

Increasing consumer inclination towards compact SUVs
Rising consumer demand for a car that is comfortable and can perform the occasional off-roading
Growing adoption of hybrid and electric SUVs

Moreover, increasing investments by leading auto manufacturers such as Jeep, Toyota, Honda, etc., in their SUV product lines is expected to positively influence the global SUV market in the coming years. At the New York Auto show, automakers unveiled another flock of SUVs ranging from a revamped Toyota RAV4, Toyota Motor Corp’s top-selling model in 2017, to flashy new luxury Cadillac and Lincoln SUVs. Premium brands such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Maserati that once dealt exclusively in low-slung sports cars are getting into the game.

What About The Luxury SUV Segment?

Luxury SUV is a marketing term used for specific types of SUVs to promote a sense of exclusivity and increase the brand value of such vehicles. Luxury SUVs are often offered at significantly higher price tags as compared to other types of SUVs. SUVs are vehicles with a high ground clearance, capability for an all-wheel or four-wheel drive, high center of gravity, high seating, and tall interior packaging. SUVs are termed light trucks because of their utility-based design. These vehicles are characterized by their high fuel consumption and increased curb weight. A majority of the SUVs are made with the towing capacity to increase their utility.

Technavio’s market research report identifies that the increasing preference for safety and comfort will be one of the primary growth drivers for the global luxury SUV market till 2021. The need for additional safety features in the luxury vehicles is increasing due to the rising number of road accidents. As a result, the number of potential buyers for luxury SUVs will continue to increase in the forthcoming years. Technavio’s market research analysts predict that in terms of units, this market will grow of about 25% by 2021. The luxury SUV market is highly competitive. The major market players are trying to develop and introduce technologically advanced models of luxury SUVs. The vehicle manufacturers in the SUV cars market are encouraged to develop luxury electric SUVs due to the increased fuel economy standards. The top 20 Key vendors in this market are:

Audi
BMW
Daimler
Jaguar Land Rover
Volvo
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Bentley
Cadillac
GMC
Infiniti
Lamborghini
Lexus
Lincoln
Maserati
Porsche
Rolls Royce
Tesla
Toyota
Volkswagen

Our Editor’s Top 5 Best SUVs in 2018-2019

At LuxuryActivist.com we have made a sharp choice of the best 5 Luxury SUVs we would recommend. The choice is made based on performance, exclusivity, design and price. Hopefully you will feel inspired for your next purchase. Follow the selection.

Mercedes AMG GLE 63S, Hyper Luxury With A Rocket Engine

Since AMG became a world renowned automobile preparer and designer, it brought some spice to the Gentle Mercedes. The AMG GLE 63S is an amazing luxury SUV, definitely focused on performance. The dynamics begin when anticipation accelerates the driver’s pulse. And it can easily be increased: Under the hood of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S lurk 585 horsepower (430 kW) – they master every gait, from quiet trot to unleashed gallop, thanks to the DYNAMIC SELECT driving program selection. Meanwhile, its interior is comfortable and full of precise details.

Bentley Bentayga, Get Luxury Off-Road

Bentayga is unlike any other sport utility vehicle in the world. It is also the fastest SUV ever built. This powerful, all-terrain, all-purpose car offers an exceptional driving experience. As well as having the most technically advanced engine in its category, it has Mulliner Driving Specification fitted as standard and a choice of more paint colours than any other SUV. Bentayga brings together outstanding performance and unparalleled levels of luxury on and off-road. With its all-new W12 petrol engine, Bentayga has redefined what an SUV engine can do. The Bentayga 6.0 litre engine achieves 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds (0 to 100 km/h 4.1 seconds) and accelerates to a top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h), making it the world’s fastest SUV.

2019 Lexus LX 570 Three Row , Design And Efficiency

With generous eight-passenger seating and unmatched off-road capability, the three-row 2019 LX 570 can tackle even the toughest terrain. Meanwhile, the available Mark Levinson® 19-speaker system provides the perfect soundtrack for your daily adventures. A 5.7-liter V8 with 403 lb-ft of torque adds to the power behind the prestige. From Crawl Control to Multi-Terrain Select, advanced systems on the LX are ready to tackle off-road challenges.

2019 Range Rover Sport – Luxury and Dirty Roads

If there is one brand who knows what a dirty road is… well, this is Range Rover. Over the past decades, it has dominated the market for adventure SUV and in the last 10 years, Range Rover has spiced up its game by adding a luxury and design touch into their cars. Next year, Range Rover will be presenting a new version of its Sport model. A powerful SE V6 3.0L, developing 340hp for a top speed of 209km/h and a 0-100km/h within 7,2s.

2019 Audi SQ8 – The Monster Within

Launched in June 2018, the Audi Q8 came as an outsider in the niche world dominated by BMW X6, the Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe and of course the Porsche Cayenne. With a solid 2018 business around this new model, Audi is already thinking in expand the line. The first evolution for 2019 is the addition of the “S-badge” into the line. Audi already started working on a SQ8 for 2019 and we believe the result will be really impressive. The SQ8 will definitely become the top model for Audi and will challenge many of their competitors. Some rumors say that Audi is also working on a RS version that would push even further the boundaries of the Q8 line. We should expect to see the SQ8 model presented at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Until then, see here some exclusive footage of the SQ8 speed testing at the legendary Nurburgring track.

One last thought for the Porsche Cayenne. It is the mythical luxury SUV that has lost a bit of breath in the recent years but still occupies a key position in this highly demanding market.

José Amorim

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for reproduction purposes only.

The World’s Most Romantic Drives

Luxury Traveller

LuxuryActivist

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25 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Those of us who really like to drive will automatically seek out the roads that deliver the best thrills. What’s important here is that combination of driver and machine working in perfect harmony; the sweep of the road, the shifting of gears. Certainly any road is better if it also offers nice scenery but that’s not always a priority. The trouble is, it’s not all that romantic is it? There are times in our lives when personal relationships take priority. We meet someone, we fall in love and look forward to that first holiday away together. A romantic tryst on the road to who knows where?

It’s Better By Car

We could fly to new destinations but the driver within knows that the best way to get the most out of a holiday is to go your own way and take the car. Better still, make the occasion even more special by renting a supercar or a classic car for the holiday drive of a lifetime on some of the most romantic roads in the world.

England

It is too easy to dismiss that which seems familiar. There are some very exciting places in the world but how often do we think about truly exploring our own home countries. It is surprising how varied the UK can be. We have rugged highlands and dales, flat open, windswept country and wild moorland; but for a romantic idyll it has to be the soft, rolling hills of the Cotswolds. With quiet flowing rivers and quintessentially English villages, this area of England is redolent with romance. It is accessible with plenty of hotels and places to stay. Taking the A46 from Painswick travel up the valley where you have great views of the surrounding area. There are many smaller country lanes leading off the main road that will take you to the tiny villages such as Slad, especially noteworthy as home to author Laurie Lee and the famous book Cider with Rosie. It doesn’t get more romantic than that.

Alsace, France

If you speak of love then thoughts turn to that most romantic country, France. The Route des Vins d’Alsace takes you and your partner through the picturesque countryside and the wonderful wineries and vineyards of Alsace. Majestic views enhance the local wines. Stretching for over 170 kilometres from the foot of the Vosges mountains, this drive offers quaint villages and is especially lovely in the Spring.

West Coast USA

No honeymoon trip to the USA is complete without driving one of the many scenic areas this continent has to offer, and one of the finest is the Pacific Coast Highway. This has to be the apogee of the American road trip culture. With the right car this is one of the finest drives on the globe offering majestic coastal scenery. Beware though, this road can be challenging at some points, so by all means enjoy the view but always keep eyes on the road. This is truly supercar territory, perhaps with the Beach Boys as your soundtrack.

The Romantic Road, Germany

If, as the Germans do in this example, you specifically call a road ‘romantic’ then it jolly well better live up to its name. The Romantische Strasse takes you through the charming regions of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. Based on an old Roman road from centuries ago, like a modern day Hansel and Gretel you and your beloved will savour a fairytale journey with the story book castle that is Neuschwanstein en route. Stunning!

Carol

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Our Top 5 European Road Trips

Luxury Traveller

LuxuryActivist

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25 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Europe. It’s a familiar continent yet it offers a wide and varied number of cultures. Turn a corner and there’ll always be something new to discover. Whether it’s castles or cathedrals, scenic beauty or gritty realism, Europe offers something for everyone. Travelling by road is by far the best way to see all these European treasures be it in your own car or a classic car or even from behind the wheel of a supercar rental. Driving gives us the option to stop where we please thanks to a wealth of hotels, gîtes and pensions. Driving for pleasure is a wonderful way to spend a holiday and it’s always good to seek out those special routes. Some are very well known but there are others on the list that offers up new vistas and surprises.

Route Napoleon

This historic drive was originally taken in 1815 by the eponymous French Emperor, although he probably did it on a horse. The beauty of this journey is thanks not only to the fabulous scenery and views but also because the current roads seem built especially for keen drivers, thanks to cambered corners and smooth surfaces.

The Road of Death

The ‘Ruta de la Muerte’ is also less evocatively known as the N340 on the south coast of Spain. This hair-raising road is now bypassed by a major highway for safety’s sake but where’s the fun in that? Depart from Malaga and end up on the coast road at which point the enthusiast driver will not only encounter huge trucks, sozzled Spaniards and boozy, beery Brits but also some magnificent coastal scenery as the road twists, turns and narrows. Fortunately, the new road has taken away a lot of the traffic but care is still needed. It’s a great drive all the way to Balanegra.

Trollstigen

Many countries have their own favourite ‘road of death’, which is a bit harsh perhaps but does at least give fair warning to visiting motorists. In Norway for example, they have the Trollstigen (The Troll Ladder). This stretch of road climbing up through the mountains is not especially long, but this justifiably famous National Tourist Route from Geiranger to the bottom of the Romsdal Valley covers a route of some 100km. It takes drivers through the mighty nature of Fjord Norway and offers breathtaking views, steep mountain slopes and high waterfalls, but care is always needed in the Norwegian climate. Is it any wonder that trolls get such a bad press?

The Amalfi Coast

That this is possibly one of the most famous drives in the world should not distract from the fact that it deserves the accolade. In 1953, the writer John Steinbeck wrote, “we hit the coast, a road, high, high above the blue sea, that hooked and corkscrewed on the edge of nothing, a road carefully designed to be a little narrower than two cars side by side.”

Of course, since those golden days of Ferrari motoring, the modern world has intruded but it still remains one of the best routes, especially at the point when the passengers glimpse the Isle of Capri glistening in the Mediterranean.

Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse

There’s little wonder that sports car enthusiasts head to this high Alpine road which passes through the Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria. This one’s a bit of side trip being only about 48km in length yet it repays the driver with stunning views over the range of thirty-seven mountains as the road climbs to 2,504 metres, drawing drivers in with a series of no less than thirty-six challenging hairpin bends. Ideal territory for classic sports car hire.

Who said Europe was just about motoring rules and regulations?

Carol

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

A Brief History About The Hands Of A Watch – Types and Origins.

Watches

Arsene Wargas

-

22 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 6 minutes

It is hard to find good information about watch hands despite the fact they are very important in watch making. In deed, how can you see time without them and how can you celebrate watchmaking accuracy, know-how and performance without them? Nevertheless we it is hard to find good information about the different types, the history and who is doing what. Here is what we know.

Hands Of A Watch, A Bit Of History

It is said that the first hands factory in Switzerland was founded in 1812. It was Wagnon Frères in Geneva. The founder is Charles Wagnon and his grand-son, Ami Wagnon exhibited the company products in Paris in 1878, in Zürich in 1883 and in Chicago in 1893. By 1896, Wagnon Frères were producing around 400 different sorts of hands. By the the years 1900’s, there were more than 60 factories in Switzerland producing hands for the most beautiful watchmakers. Today, there are maybe 10 remaining. The oldest hands factory still functioning in Switzerland is Fiedler SA in Carouge, founded in 1848 in Geneva by Valentin Leisenheimer. Theodore Fiedler works in the factory since 1907 and by 1918 he purchases the factory and the Leisenheimer business. At that time, there were only 10 employees. Decades later, the business moved to Carouge and now counts around 90 people with a very stable business.

The Making Of Watch Hands

Hands are made from metal strips. The metal can be precious like gold or platinum as well as stainless steel. You need to count more than twenty manufacturing steps, obviously depending on the product, to make good watch hands. Here are some of the important ones:

Pre-Drilling the cannon hole (to insert the future axis)
Cannonade by stamping
setting the surface with a diamond cutter
Cutting the hands by punching, riveting, striking and finishing of the head and hand’s body.
Polish
Galvanic bath for coloration
Quality control
Packaging

Different types of hands, a watchmaking important detail

Part of the overall watch design, the hands of time will for sure bring an outstanding look to the watch dial. From color to shape, metal or design, it will sign off the dial with a specific look. Here are the most common different shapes of hands you can find in the market.

Alpha Hands

They have a large base and then get the stem thinner. They have been used in different watches to provide a dynamic and sharp precision of time. Generally you find it in motorsport watches for example containing a chronograph, allowing a certain level of precision.

Baton Hands

Baton hands are generally used in minimalistic watches or very classy and elegant ones. They are also called stick hands as they have a elongated shape from the base to the edge. You can obtain a very chic result if you play with a contrasted color of the dial (as per the example here above).

Breguet Hands

they are also called the Pomme hands, by the round shape near the hand’s tip. They are called the Breguet hands because Abraham Louis Breguet invented it. Breguet has created tremendous heritage in watchmaking, so certain watch parts, designs or shapes are still called by the name of his inventor. This shape of hands confirm a classical look to the watch as well as a slight hint of poetry every time you check what time is it.

Cathedral Hands

These hands were historically placed in military and pocket watches. Their shape reminds a cathedral window. Some historical models had even skeletonized hands making it even more “cathedralic”. Later across the years, other watches used these hands as it let a lot of space for luminescent product. This hands shape provides a great visibility in the dark. last thing to note is the hour hands which is also called “bee” hand because of its shape that reminds a bee.

Dauphine Hands

This kind of hands were developed in the late 40’s and they are still quite popular. The word Dauphine comes from the French and several stories try to explain its origins. One of the stories tells that the name Dauphine is given to the wife of the prince, also called in French “dauphin”. We tend also to say that Dauphine came from the english Dolphin and that the shape of the hands are as the silhouette of a Dolphin. No matter the stories, what we can say, is that Dauphine hands are very modern and sharp. The base is large and finish very spiky, like a long triangle.

Lance Hands

Lance hands are a bit like the alpha hands but generally they are thinner. The base neck is longer, which brings a look like a knight’s spear. It is an interesting alternative to classical design. The edges are sharp which make them more modern and sleek.

Leaf Hands

This type of hands are very beautiful and very elegant. As the base and the end are thinner than the middle, it looks like a leaf shape. The leaf hands will procure a great allure to your watch dial.

Syringe hands

This one is a very specific shape, mainly used by Patek Philippe for decades. It is called Syringe hands because as you can see in the above image, the hand is manufactured in the form of a barrel with a very spiky pointer, like a syringe needle. It does reflects a certain classicism. Nevertheless, the spiky needle on top of the hands can also be quite interesting for chronometers as a mark of precision. It does remain rare to see them today, only a few brands, a part from Patek, would use these hands. One interesting advantage of such a large hand body is that you can place a lot of luminescent product, providing a great visibility at night.

Spade Hands

Here is probably the most classical hands shape of all. The spade hands takes its name from the cards game and the “spade” family. We would see this type of hands in pocket watches and traditional clocks. Nowadays we can still find some brands proposing this type of hands but in very classical models. There is a long tradition in Germany for clocks so this heritage is still very present.

Sword Hands

The Sword hands have an interesting design feature. This Sword shape hands provides a bold look, very powerful and they can be full as well as skeletonized. Omega and Cartier have a tradition to use the Sword hands for their masculine lines as a strong symbol of virility and dynamism.

I hope you had a better clarity on a topic not that easy to find information. There are many other watch hands but the above are definitely the most common used ones. Two small pieces of metal that transmit all the ingenuity of the watchmaker.

Arsène Wargas

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

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A Career in Fashion Modeling

Fashion

LuxuryActivist

-

22 September 2018

0

Reading Time: 4 minutes

A Career As a Fashion Model. Many people the world over are fans of the fashion scene. There are so many people who enjoy flipping through glossy fashion magazines on a regular basis. They subscribe to these widely known publications for many reasons as well. They like to check out all of the latest looks hitting runways in New York City, Milan, Italy, Paris, France and beyond. They like to see all of the latest offerings that are available through prominent designers, too. There are many individuals who have simple penchants for fashion. There are others who are particularly keen on the field. Some people love fashion so much that they actually try to pursue careers as models. Aspiring designers often work on their fashion design portfolio options. Aspiring models, on the other hand, often work hard on taking the best pictures possible.

Going After a Modeling Career in the Modern World

Attaining success as a fashion model these days isn’t exactly easy. Competition in the modeling world can be pretty fierce, to say the least. People who want to land positions as fashion models have a lot of work in front of them. They need to work on ensuring that they fill visual niches. There are certain models who are suited for advertisements that cater to outdoorsy and sporty crowds. There are others who are appropriate for advertisements that accommodate the “couture” scene. If you want to thrive in modeling, you have to ensure first that your look makes sense for your individual aims and wishes.

Social media is a major aspect of the modeling scene in this day and age, too. Models who want to get noticed by all of the most respected modeling agencies in New York, New York and Los Angeles, California need to have presences on social networking platforms like Instagram. Executives in the modeling industry often seek out new talents via Instagram. They look for models who possess certain looks that are suitable for their aims and clients. They search for models who have popularity on their sides, too. It often looks good for models on Instagram to have high follower counts. Models who want to gain traction on Instagram should concentrate on strategic tags use. They should concentrate on posting content that’s appealing and fresh, too. Frequent posts can even help. Models who are barely active on Instagram often are unable to get the interest of devoted followers out there.

Networking abilities are also paramount for individuals who want to soar as fashion models. If you want to go after a vocation as a model, you have to have strong communication abilities. Some models choose to network by attending modeling schools in their areas. Others choose to network by going to all kinds of events and conferences for the industry. These things give them the chance to meet professionals who are part of the vast field. They give them the opportunity to establish contacts. There have been so many models who have gotten gigs as the result of meeting professionals at events of all varieties. These events frequently take place in major metropolises such as New York City, Chicago, Illinois and Miami, Florida.

Modeling Careers and Ample Experience

Ample experience is useful for people who want to model professionally. Models need to know how to walk in the right manner. Walking on a runway isn’t in any way the same as walking down the street. Models have to know how to hold their heads high. They have to be able to gaze at the camera in certain ways. Modeling is all about understanding the nuances that are associated with posture. Elegant posture is often an asset for models who are looking to make it big in the industry. Models should never slouch or walk around like they lack self-confidence.

Models who want to soar should also create websites for themselves. They can use these sites in conjunction with their social media presences. Modeling websites should include plentiful images from different angles. They should include resume information as well. If a model has in the past done any work for a widely known client, she should list it on her site for everyone to view. Models who are seasoned often are able to get the attention of people who have influence.

Liz Becker

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

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Hands Of A Watch, A Bit Of History

The Making Of Watch Hands

Different types of hands, a watchmaking important detail

Alpha Hands

Baton Hands

Breguet Hands

Cathedral Hands

Dauphine Hands

Lance Hands

Leaf Hands

Syringe hands

Spade Hands

Sword Hands

Going After a Modeling Career in the Modern World

Modeling Careers and Ample Experience

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