Victorinox Spartan: 120 years of the ultimate icon of design.

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Victorinox Spartan: 120 years of the ultimate icon of design.
Reading Time: 8 minutes

Victorinox-officer-knife-spartan

There are icons of design that crosses decades without really getting old They are timeless. Here is the story of probably one of the most well known iconic objects, translating the very best of design, innovation, functionality and quality: The Victorinox Spartan. LuxuryActivist asked one of the most passionate people about Victorinox, Trond Ole Mojlanen, to write the following success story.

June 12th 1897 – The birth of a legend

The year 1897, June 12 official registration for the elegant “Officer’s knife”. It is the start of the phenomenon. The Founder Karl Elsener was a master with knives and the development of this registration opened up a complete new era of pocket knives. Without any doubt the special spring system made it possible for this new development. The Spartan 91mm today with red iconic handle scales and Victorinox emblem is the descendant of the 1897 knife. With Victorinox we have a very special evolution for the 91mm Swiss Army Knives. The Founder made Officers and Sportsmen knives and by 1909 he had several models with the inlay cross and shield…The inlay cross and shield can already be seen in the 1903 Founders catalogue.

By 1902 they got toothpick, nickel silver tweezers and with or without Bail option. From 1909 all his knives should have the inlay cross and shield to distinguish them as a Swiss product and from copies. It was also part of the 25 year Silver Jubilee.

In 2012 Victorinox introduced a Spartan limited edition that at the time represented 115 years of iconic design. It is important to have in mind the different dates found in the manuals that follow Swiss Army Knives in the boxes. It is so that the Company releases dates and historic facts that can be used for the better understanding of this knife. Dates, evolution and milestones are very important for this understanding. This you can see used with knives, fragrances, watches, travelling products and more.

Victorinox-Spartan-2012-icon-of-design

If anyone would ask what is the key milestone after 1897? The answer for this is simple and it is the invention and development of stainless steel that is a simple answer but very heavy for the historic view. Words cannot express how important this was and the pioneering feats done for this. Over the years I have come to love stainless steel more and more on pocket knives. This is because it is simply the absolute best choice based on the functionality and for the maintenance issues. Because it got stainless steel components it will only require some maintenance from time to time and it only need some oil on the friction parts. By 1920-1923 and because of pioneering work we get the Victorinox name and we get the stainless steel available. The steel became good enough in the coming years. The reason for the pioneering feats was to make stainless steel that could be hardened and this was absolutely not an easy task at the time.  It was done for the preparation to be able to become better and evolve. With Victorinox it is a continuation of the Company philosophy. Today Victorinox is a global Brand because of this driving force that continues today. By 1931 a milestone was achieved with the order to set up the electrical hardening plant in Ibach.

Victorinox-Stainless-Steel

Victorinox-factory-Ibach

During the history from 1897 until today we have several design and evolution changes in the construction and handle materials used, still it continues to have the iconic design. Very close after the 1897 invention we see a new problem and this was copies made elsewhere. It was for several reasons that the Founder incorporated designs for the identification of his products to be Swiss. Today this problem with fakes is no less and represents a continued problem.  The Spartan continues to be a competitor on the world market and it is part of a Global Brand product range. It got all the values incorporated and it is unbeatable.

120 years later, The Victorinox Spartan is still amazing

It is an enormous fact that we are talking about the Spartan knife today 120 years after the creation! Not only can we follow such a history we can use it with complete functionality and quality for whatever task or challenge today. The tang stamp, emblem with iconic design represents the key factors for the identification of the SAK in your hand.

There is a constant quality development for the Spartan knife and the 91mm Swiss Army Knives that during its history can be found as a best seller at several time windows in the history. You cannot go wrong by having a Spartan in the pocket.  If we look upon the selection of tools on it we get 12 functions and only 59 grams in weight. There is strength with the combination of the tools that some forget. It got two knife blades with one smaller. Both blades are usually called pen blades by knife people and these can see a huge amount of different tasks. Because you have two blades you can increase the versatile abilities because the little blade can be used for even greater precision tasks and it can be used in combination with the larger blade when you are whittling. There are today many wood carvers that use these for such.  The little blade can be used to sharpen pencils and to erase words written by scratching it away.

The current Spartan is very competitive and it is the number one minimalist choice with Swiss Army Knives. It gives much value for the money. It is enough for most EDC tasks! The constant quality development and the functionality go hand in hand and one example is the can- opener that had in 1897 a different design.  It opened the can different and it could not be used like the one today for flat or Phillips head screws.  It is also so that the other functions from the original continued such changes and achieved and added more functions on them.  This is to continue the functionality and to be able to be the reliable companion where ever you are. Today it got 12 functions and therefor added several in the history. This is a good thing and at the same time it continues to have many similarities and iconic design from the 1897 design. This is very cool and I enjoy it.

Today there are not many limitations for designs, colors and artwork that can be used on the handle scales.

Victorinox-Spartan-colors

The thing with Swiss Army Knives is that they also have the tendency to fit much more than many know. I have seen the Spartan used by geologists, fishermen, wood carvers, in survival packs for professionals, used for gifts by various Companies, airport security, security services, by electricians and much more. 90% of most cutting tasks for EDC are precision cuts done by a sharp edge and do not require larger blades than you find on the 91mm category. The blades are slim and sharp and therefor they will be able to do precision chores.  It is a companion for life and it is also easy to sharpen and only require some maintenance.  It is very versatile as well. Victorinox follow a simple recipe and focus very much on the iconic design, quality and functionality on the 91mm products. This is very true.  It is said that the Company do not have any secrets for its success because they follow this simple recipe. For sure there are secrets to the quality and products without any doubt.

The Spartan knife is a heavy Icon with The Company and it is part of the main line 91 mm selections. When you look on the time line and development of the history with pictures shown then it is the Spartan you see. This knife got what is called the standard functions and these are used on the main line of knives with added scissors, wood saw and other. This is because the standard functions are very important for the iconic design, functionality and quality. If people get a Climber model or a Huntsman model then the Spartan functions is with and continues to represent the origin.

The Spartan is versatile and it got two knife blades like i already mentioned, it also got an awl that developed in the history to be able drill with. The combination awl and knife blades are very versatile. The corkscrew can be used for more than opening bottles. It can be used for opening knots as well. On the internet you can see people performing what is called tricks. This is people that find new possibilities for use. With imagination and to be able to improvise it is possible to use it for a great deal of challenges or tasks ahead.

During the 1980s the Spartan is mentioned to be a best seller across the world and sold from an incredible number of places. It carries the legacy!

Trond Ole Mojlanen
Trond-Ole-Mojlanen

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

Luxury on a Budget: 5 Surprisingly Affordable Ways to make your House look Expensive

LuxuryActivist
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Reading Time: 3 minutes

You don’t have to spend a fortune to create an upscale look in your home. Nor do you have to spend massive amounts of money to upgrade your home or keep it up to date with the latest design trends. We’re not going to address home renovations like fake granite countertops or replacing all of your appliances. Here are five affordable ways to make your house look expensive for relatively little effort.

Paint Your Floors

Luxury-homes

If you have worn wood floors, one option for making them look new again is to simply paint them with porch paint. Porch paint should be used in place of wall paint because it is designed to handle foot traffic. This same trick can be used on vinyl floors. You’ll give the floors a new look in a matter of hours and you’ll achieve it without taking away the option of replacing the floor later if desired.

New Light Fixtures

One way to update drab rooms is to replace ugly light fixtures. Removing the fan you never dust and clean dirty glass covers to make the room brighter. There are many options at the local hardware store and you may find that your home looks better simply by being better lit. One detail people forget about light fixtures is the fact that they, too, can be purchased used. For example, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore sells light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and other items salvaged from torn down homes or donated by hardware stores. You could find an antique light fixture like a chandelier at an affordable price.

Crown Molding

Luxury-Crown-Molding

Crown molding hides the joint between your walls and the ceiling. This is an attractive detail that makes the room appear more upscale. It grabs your attention if it is a different color than the walls and ceiling. And it alters the color scheme of a room without the hassle of repainting it. If you don’t want to use crown molding to liven up a room, consider putting wallpaper up. Installing wallpaper on one wall of a room can dramatically alter its look while making the rest of the room seem brighter.

Quality Posters in Place of Paintings

One of the easiest ways to make your house look luxurious is to add framed paintings around your home. A cheap alternative to this is to add scenic posters in frames. These certainly look better than taping printed posters to the walls. A personalized alternative is having family photos altered to resemble paintings, then printed and framed.

Add Window Dressings

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Many people move into a home and leave the blinds that were already there. They limit light and visibility, but they don’t look very good on their own. Install curtains instead. The curtain rods and curtains should match for every window in the same room, though you are free to choose different curtains and rods for each room.

Making your home look like a million bucks doesn’t have to be expensive. So if you want to improve your house’s decor on the cheap, you should definitely consider making one or two of the additions mentioned above.

Carol

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

What to Pack for That Summer Cruise You’ve Always Dreamed of Taking

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What to Pack for That Summer Cruise You’ve Always Dreamed of Taking
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Summer-Cruise-Esential-guide

Many of us dream of that Mediterranean cruise, but somehow never seem to have enough to actually book the trip. You have finally saved enough money for that summertime cruise you’ve always dreamed of and now that the time is near, you don’t know what to pack! After all, you’ve never been on a cruise before and this one is going to be for 14 days and nights, visiting some of the most exotic ports you can imagine.
So, what do you pack and perhaps even more importantly, how do you pack? There is only so much room for what you can bring aboard with you and traveling to and from your port of departure/arrival will almost always be by air. With luggage restrictions on most airlines, it can be difficult choosing what to bring and what to leave behind. Here are a few tips on packing for that cruise you’ve been dreaming of for so very long.

Tips for Traveling Light

One of the things which many first-time passengers aren’t aware of is that there are amenities onboard most luxury cruise ships that can help them bring less on the trip. For example, there are laundry facilities onboard cruise ships so you might want to bring fewer articles of clothing. Since you can do your laundry on the ship, you only need a few different outfits, some for beachwear, some for semi-formal dining (you’ll never know when you just might get invited to dine with the captain at his table!) and then some comfort wear for those times you’ll be in port wandering about gathering souvenirs to bring back home to your envious friends and family members.

Guide-croisieres

travel-guide

You Probably Can’t Smoke on Deck So Leave the Cigarettes at Home

While there may be some cruise lines that still have smoking areas aboard ship, others may prohibit it altogether. With an ever increasing amount of information on just how dangerous smoking and second hand smoke is for those around them, smokers are unable to find anywhere to light up. You might want to consider investing in a vaping device such as an Evod starter kit because vaping is still much more acceptable than smoking. As word gets out and more people are well informed, it may even one day be legal in more public places. Until then, you can probably safely pack your ecig or vaping device to puff on at designated areas on the ship and on shore.

Sunscreen and Shades

Don’t let that cool ocean breeze fool you onboard a ship! The sun will still reflect off the water and many first-timers get badly burned by those dangerous rays from the sun. Bring with you the highest number sunscreen you can find and perhaps a wide-brimmed Panama hat and a pair of high quality shades to protect your delicate eyes. It’s tempting to stare out over the ocean, but those damaging rays can do a number on your eyes when reflected off the water.

sunglasses-guide

GPS Enabled Mobile Phone

Okay, so you’re going to be aboard a ship so why would you ever need a GPS enabled cell phone? Actually, most cruises stop at several ports for passengers to get in a bit of shopping but they are very strict about leaving on time. You don’t want to spend your budget meeting up with the ship at the next port, do you? Always have a mobile phone with you when leaving the ship. Yes, airtime may be costly, making that call through rival towers, but at least you’ll be able to safely navigate your way back to the port.

Anti-Nausea Medication

Until you’ve gotten your sea legs under you, be prepared for bouts of seasickness. It happens to the best of us and you don’t want to ruin a good portion of your cruise in the head. Dramamine is one well-known brand that isn’t all that expensive and there are other off-label generics formulated with the same medication that come even cheaper.

So here you have a list of what to bring and a few tips on how to pack so that you can start organizing now. By the time you are ready to set sail, you’ll have everything you need to make this one of the most enjoyable times in your life. Just be prepared to spend some time getting those sea legs under you and you’ll do just fine. It’s the trip of a lifetime so if you leave prepared, you’ll have everything you need to make it as enjoyable as you’d always dreamed it would be. And by the way, that mobile phone we mentioned? Make sure it has a great camera as well. You’ll want to bring home memories won’t you? That’s all you’ll need!

Carol

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

Exclusive Interview with Jean-Marie Schaller – CEO of Louis Moinet

Arsene Wargas
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Reading Time: 10 minutes

The spirit of a luxury house is often represented by the personality and the charisma of its leader. Louis Moinet’s CEO Jean-Marie Schaller translates this idea. LuxuryActivist had the opportunity and privilege to meet Mr Schaller in the heart of Baselworld effervescence. We wanted to know more about him and this magnificent watch brand.

Louis Moinet was one of the greatest watchmakers ever – his inventiveness, passion and willingness to pass on his wisdom mean his contribution to horology is immeasurable. His spirit lives on thanks to Jean-Marie Schaller who, as founder and creative director of the Louis Moinet brand, revived the prestigious name of the inspirational master watchmaker. Louis Moinet pursuits its path of greatness and loyal to the spirit of Mr Moinet, the Swiss brand perpetuates the legacy of exceptional timepieces. LuxuryActivist wanted to meet Mr Schaller for an exclusive interview that you can read here:

LuxuryActivist (LA): How did you get to Watchmaking? 
Jean-Marie Schaller (JMS): Did you read Asterix? It’s like Obelix, “I fell into the pot when I was young”. I come from the Jura region. My family is very catholic and I used to go to church. As a child I also used to watch all those people working in watchmaking workshops. There were not many brands in the Jura but there were many factories of watch cases, dials, etc… I used t0 watch those people getting out of those workshops with the same look as when we go to church. A look of dignity when we placed all our soul into something. I have a commercial background but watchmaking for me is about heritage, when we place all our guts and soul into it.

LA: With a remarkable career in companies like Siber Hegner, Perrelet or even Lacoste, how did you get the idea to revive the Maison Louis Moinet?
JMS: It was something that pursued me. I do not know if you believe in destiny, sometimes I do and sometimes i don’t but in this case I think it was my destiny to do it. When I was working for Siber Hegner I had the chance to launch Daniel Roth who was completely unknown at that time – 1991. When the Chaumet brothers had Breguet (end of the 70s), they mandated François Baudet to relaunch Breguet from almost nothing. He hired a watchmaker for the mission who was Daniel Roth. To reestablish Breguet, Daniel Roth studied all the brand archives and it was at this time that he understood the importance of Louis Moinet in the history of watchmaking. Louis Moinet was a very interesting person because he was a gifted artist and a good technician. Hew was as well very modest as his only interest was to make progress in his art. So Daniel Roth was the first person who talked to me about Louis Moinet. He told me that Louis Moinet was a perfect brand for me. He knew I wanted to have my brand one day. He said I needed to take over Louis Moinet. I did not do anything at that time. Then in the second half of the 90’s, I was given Marketing classes when I launched Perrelet. One of my students was like my younger brother, so he followed my advice to trademark a historical brand and he registered Louis Moinet. After a little while I ended up buying the brand and since then the story restarted. To make a long story short: it was my destiny.

“Louis Moinet was my destiny” – Jean-Marie Schaller

LA: Last year justice was done with the official accreditation by the Guinness for the paternity of the Chronograph invention. How did the process happen?
JMS: It required a lot of proof and a lot of time. When we acquired this piece (talking about the first chronograph by Moinet) we knew it was the first chronograph but we did not announce straight away. It took us 9 month before talking to the press about it. During this time we have established an unequivocal file about it. Imagine a small independent watchmaker claiming such paternity we would expect that many people would challenge that. To accomplish this, we used all the archives we had about Louis Moinet and especially 30 letters we bought for CHF 80’000 that were written in the years 1920’s. Those letters were useless until this point when this Compteur de Tierces was sold. Thanks to the letters we knew it was dated around 1815 to 1816 because Louis Moinet talks about it twice. That was a first proof. The second proof was the fact that this piece was done in Paris and that it is made of Silver and there is a watch hallmark. At that time hallmarks were very regulated and thanks to it we could identify the period: 1815 to 1819. This was before Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec who developed the first marketed chronograph at the behest of King Louis XVIII in 1821. After this, we mandated a specialized watchmaker to dismantle the piece and analyse it. Obviously after the press conference and the announcement there are always people to challenge this claiming but we had all the proves. Having this Guiness certification is a fantastic thing. It is the credibility of the case that is stated thanks to the Guinness.

Jean-Marie-Schaller-CEO-of-Ateliers-Louis-Moinet

LA: What makes the particularity of Louis Moinet compared to competing watchmakers? What elements make the uniqueness of a Louis Moinet watch?
JMS: We do not create a watch for a marketing reason. As explained, I have the love for watchmaking and this is all that counts. We do not have a business plan, everything is in my mind. It is the heart who rules. We are a small independent brand with a big name to manage. Let’s consider a few customers only:  if everything is fine for them or not it makes a CHF 5 million turnover difference. For us this difference is huge. That is why I do not want to establish annual objectives and then struggle to get there. We have small means, we work without any banks, we make our living from our sales. In this context we are true creators. It is our mission to surprise the public, like entertainers. we always need to find something that put a smile on their faces, that seduce them. This is the mission of the creator-watchmaker. Then the mission of the “farmer” is to make sure at the end of the year there is money in the account. This is my “marketing strategy”.

“We do not create a watch for a marketing reason (…) It is the heart who rules“, Jean-Marie Schaller

LA: How would you describe the Louis Moinet client?
JMS: They are loyal customers who generally have ten of our watches already. We got a great success in the Middle-east with the Royal families. There are markets like Oman in which Louis Moinet is a name of reference because her majesty bought several hundreds of our watches. They represent gifts to important people. So our company name is present at a high level. Then there are what I call the “new collectors”. People who like to wear their watches. They are in Russia, Portugal, Brazil, Middle-East or the US. We started several years ago a strong work in Asia and very recently we got the first results. In all cases they are customers who like to have beautiful watches, something different. They come to Louis Moinet and ask: “what is new? What would you have that would surprise me?”.

LA: The Swiss Watch Industry had a more than a complex year in 2016. How did it went for Louis Moinet?
JMS: It was a very stable year. Same sales, same volume of pieces produced in comparison to 2015. We used to stop our financial year in June but last year we decided to stop it in December in order to be in a more calendar year.

LA: What are the specific qualities required to run a watch brand in difficult times?
JMS: I do not know if this question is for me. You should ask this question to CEO’s of bigger brands. At Louis Moinet we are an “Atelier”. For a small company as ours the most important thing is to keep the enthusiasm, to always keep the aim for innovation and find the means to succeed doing it as it can easily be a lot of money. It is like having a six bullet barrel and you have 6 enemies in front of you. You bet not fail one single shot.

Jean-Marie-Schaller-Louis-Moinet

LA: How do you see the watch industry evolving in the coming years? What do you think is the case for Swiss watchmaking to differ?
JMS: I think the big Swiss Watch brands should cultivate the love for watchmaking. For a person like me who loves beautiful watches, I am often surprised to see  I do not find anything worth it when I pass by a watch shop window. Some companies remain in a certain complacency. Sometimes what we see in certain brands is too commercial. It is like a Formula 1 race. We expect to see colors, noise, suspense… This is what we should find as well in watchmaking. 20 years ago, watchmaking was much more fun than today. Currently a lot of creations are standardized. I would love to see more daring. I lot of people are afraid of risking something. One example: The chronometry contest. Louis Moinet won the contest with our Tourbillon. It is a fantastic thing. We could assume we have the best tourbillon of the world. But if you are critical, you could ask me who were the other participants? There were 7 or 8 tourbillons of independent watchmakers and Chopard as well. The big brands does not participate to the chronometry contest. Why? It should be the most beautiful contest of the year. It was the case in the 70’s. Big brands are afraid of loosing and being exposed to critics. It is an example that reflects the current attitude.

LA: Last question, What can we wish you for this 2017 Baselworld?
JMS: Success! To being able to share this happiness of making beautiful watches to the higher possible number of people.

JMS: And what can we wish you in return? 
LA: To make such beautiful encounters as this one every time!

If you wish to listen to the audio recording (in French) of the interview, click here below:

Louis Moinet is a beautiful jewel in the Swiss crown of watchmaking. Jean-Marie Schaller is a passionate person and his love for watches is driving the Louis Moinet business to a nice zone in which the brand has a strong and bright future. We would like to thanks Mr Schaller for his time during Baselworld and we truly hope he had a fantastic watch fair. You can see more about Louis Moinet by visiting the official website here: http://www.louismoinet.com

In Swiss watchmaking, creativity seems endless. With passion, courage and innovation, Swiss watch brands have a bright future, no matter economics or geo-politics.

Arsène Wargas

Info sourced in Baselworld during our exclusive interview with Mr Jean-Marie Schaller. Many thanks for his time and kind welcome. A warm thanks to Aurelie Jordi and Jonathan Richard to make our experience at Louis Moinet a great one. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only, courtesy of Louis Moinet and http://www.arabianbusiness.com 

Top Reasons to Consider Window Tinting in Your Home

LuxuryActivist
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Top Reasons to Consider Window Tinting in Your Home
Reading Time: 3 minutes

window-tinting

The design world always seems to be bringing out the latest and hottest trend that people are jumping on, but not all of these are practical or even attractive. For those wishing to create a space that is unique, luxurious, and comfortable, we’ve come across a trend that may just work for you. Window tinting is no longer just for your luxury auto, as it can now be used in your home as well.

Ideal for Climate Control

While many assume it’s the look of the window tinting that is helping to make this a “trend”, it’s actually very much about the climate control that it offers. For those people who live in areas that experience extreme heat and lots of sunshine, the air conditioner can seem like it’s constantly running. Not everyone enjoys the feel of a/c running all day long, or the fact it gets pretty expensive. This is where window tinting can help. By having your windows tinted in your home professionally by a company such as All About Window Tinting, you’ll be able to control the temperature in your home much better. You’ll see a reduction in your energy bill immediately, and your a/c unit will last longer since it won’t be having to work as hard.

Save Your Furniture

Here’s another factor that people don’t always think about and that’s sun damage. We know what sun damage is and we know we can get it by being out in the sun, but did you know the items in your home can also suffer from sun damage? Think about your curtains, furniture, and flooring that is exposed to the sun as it pours in through the windows. Over time, the sun begins to fade these items, and usually in uneven ways. This leads to you needing to replace the furniture and flooring much earlier than necessary. With window tinting you’ll find that these items will maintain their great condition for much longer periods of time. The tint will protect them from harmful rays, keeping your furnishings looking fresh and new.

window-tinting-brands

Protect Your Health

Here’s another big benefit, possibly the most important of all. Window tinting can actually protect your health. Those same UV rays that are responsible for fading your furniture, walls, curtains, and floors can also be harmful to you. UV rays are, of course, connected to skin cancer, so it’s important to either use sunscreen or cover up to protect yourself. Most people aren’t going to walk around their house with sunblock on, so it just makes sense to add a protective coating to your windows. In fact, many of these window films have even garnered approval and recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation based in the United States.

So Much More Than Looks are Involved

When it comes to window tinting, it is about so much more than looks. Tinting can protect your health, prolong the life of your furniture/flooring/drapes, and cut back on your electricity costs. It seems like a win-win all around.

Carol

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

Why Traveling Power Couples Should Marry in the NYC Area

LuxuryActivist
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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Power-couples-wedding-NY

As a power couple, you are used to the finer things in life. As frequent travelers, you are used to seeing some astonishing locations. When it is time for you to get married, there is no better place in the world than the New York City area. It offers all you could want in a location. Not so sure? Read on to learn more about why you should consider the Big Apple or the surrounding area for your wedding:

Best Wedding Professionals

The New York metro area is home to some of the best wedding professionals in the world. You can hire the same photographers whose works appear in magazines and hang in museums. You can hire the chefs who appear on television or who cook for the restaurants that you can’t get into without red carpet notoriety. You can hire the wedding planners to the stars and the bakers who create what looks more like sculpture than cake.

Even though the best is available doesn’t mean that you can afford them. Even the one-percenters can struggle to afford some of these professionals. If you still want some of the best but want to save a little money, head across the river. From cakes to wedding videography, NJ has some exceptional options for a lower price than what you might find in Manhattan proper. Some will travel into the city for your wedding, or you can save a little more by picking a venue on the other side of the river.

Sophisticated Settings

No matter what type of wedding setting you want, the NYC area has something to offer. Want a beautiful garden wedding? Get married in one of the numerous locations available in Central Park. Want a glamorous wedding? Get married at one of the many stately buildings or ritzy hotels in the city. Want a traditional church wedding? Get married at one of the famous cathedrals. Whether you’re getting married in Manhattan, one of the other boroughs, or one of the many cities within the metro area, you have your choice of wonderful and sophisticated locations for your wedding or your reception.

Unbeatable Backdrop

No matter where you get married in the NYC area, you will have an unbeatable backdrop for your celebration. The New York City skyline is one of the most famous in the world, and it is one of the most breathtaking. The best thing about the skyline? You don’t have to actually get married in the city to enjoy it. In fact, if you get married in one of the outer boroughs, like Brooklyn, or in one of the NJ cities across the river, you will have a better view of the skyline. You’ll have a little distance, which will let you take more of it in.

new-york

Easy Access

As a traveling power couple, you likely have a lot of friends from all over the world. When you choose a wedding location, it needs to be a place that is easy for most people to get to. What’s so great about the NYC area is that it is a major travel hub. The JFK International Airport has direct flights to most cities in the world. In fact, it is often the airport that most people fly through for their layover and connecting flight. Since many people can fly to the area direct, they will also save a little money on their travel.

Entertainment Options

When people travel for your wedding, they don’t want to show up just for your ceremony and reception and then leave. They’d like to enjoy themselves a little during their trip. Choosing the NYC area for your wedding ensures that your guests have plenty of entertainment options, no matter how long their stay will be. Guests can visit some of the most famous landmarks in the world, some of the best museums in the world, and some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. They could easily spend a month or more in the city and still find things to do. Your wedding day should be as special as you are. Choosing the NYC area for your wedding will ensure that you have a glamorous and beautiful wedding that reflects who you are as a high-profile couple who enjoys the finer things in life.

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. 

Victorinox Forester Wood 2017, full review.

José Amorim
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Victorinox Forester Wood 2017, full review.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Victorinox is one of the Swiss biggest ambassadors in the world. The Swiss company represents the strong values of quality, design, functionality and innovation. All these four pillars allow Victorinox to create new products since 1884. This year they reveal a new addition to the pocket tool collection: the new Victorinox Forester Wood.

Victorinox-Forester-wood

Victorinox-Forester-wood-review

A Victorinox pocket knife is the perfect companion of each occasion. Obviously its natural habitat is outdoors but actually it can also be a useful tool in your day-to-day life. Its style and compact design will fit perfectly your daily life, no matter if it is in the heart of a big city or in the middle of a forest. With the new Victorinox Forest Wood, you will discover a great pocket tool, with essential functionalities that will serve you well. Ten functionalities as essentials for your life:

  1. blade, large
  2. bottle opener
  3. Screwdriver 5 mm, lockable
  4. wire stripper
  5. wood saw
  6. can opener
  7. screwdriver 3 mm
  8. reamer, punch
  9. corkscrew
  10. key ring

Some interesting features I found is the large blade. Int gives a feeling of strength and provides a clean cut with a very secure gesture. Also the wood saw is very helpful for small bricolage. From cutting some small pieces of wood to light the fireplace, to cut a few pieces of a painting frame or even to cut the christmas tree into pieces after christmas… trust me it is really useful. Let’s be honest, you never find your screwdriver when you need one. Here they will always be accessible, Another important detail, important for your safety, is the safety-locker you can find in the screen-driver/bottle-opener and the big blade. By locking these tools in the opened position, it procures much more safety in their usage. With some training, you will be able to unlock the tools with just one hand.

Victorinox-Forester-wood-details

Victorinox-Forester-wood-detail-big-blade

Last ut not least, the Victorinox Forester wood scales are made of Walnut wood. Walnut is a straight-grained hardwood that ranges from chocolate brown (when it’s from the center of the tree) to yellow (from the outer portion of the tree). A top pick for head-boards, ornate antique-style dining tables, and mantels, walnut is typically clear-coated or oiled to bring out its color. The wood has a low level of shrinkage when drying, and suffers very little seasonal movement. Walnut is straight-grained and remarkably easy to work with in almost every application. The wood cuts and sands evenly, finishes nicely, glues well, and can be steam-bent with stable and predictable results. In the Victorinox Forester Wood, the scales in walnut wood brings a soft and warm touch, making the usage of this pocket tool as comfortable as safe. It is really an object that you want to keep in the palm of your hand.

Victorinox-Forester-wood-walnut-scales

With this new addition to the pocket tool collection, Victorinox shows how stylish and useful their design can be. You can visit the official website https://www.victorinox.com and learn more about this product and the universe of this amazing brand.

José Amorim

Info source at LuxuryActivist product test and official Victorinox information. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

Manufacture Royale, new launches 2017 – Freedom of creation is priceless.

Arsene Wargas
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Reading Time: 7 minutes

Baselworld is finished and we must confess it was a nice edition. At LuxuryActivist we discovered or rediscovered great watchmakers. With the creation of the new space called “Les Ateliers”, Baselworld celebrate the high value of independent creators and Manufacture Royale is for sure one of the best.

Manufacture Royale, great heritage that builds the future.

manufacture-royale-watches

In 1770, French philosopher Voltaire supports the establishment of watchmaking workshops in Ferney-Voltaire near Geneva and Manufacture Royale is established. It is then an important producer of timepieces and the famous Jean-Antoine Lépine, clockmaker to the king, is one of its watchmakers. Manufacture Royale also made objets d’art such as table watches. The Manufacture gently disappeared from the news but was revived recently in 2010. In its modern era, Manufacture Royale produces modern watches with great Haute Horlogerie complications, manufactured in-house. Currently they also produce and manufacture watches elements for several other brands, showing a strong in-house know-how and a great network of artisans.

Manufacture Royale during Baselworld 2017, state of the art.

Manufacture Royale was our first meeting at Baselworld this year. It was the opportunity to discover the new space called Les Ateliers. The watch show committee brought the creative independent brands into the main hall. It is an interesting move, like a bet that perhaps one day some of these brands will be seen at the prestigious ground-floor of the same hall. With Manufacture Royale we saw a passionate and realistic speech. It was a day-dream yet with the two feet strongly positioned on the ground. Four main pieces were shown, all of them would capitalize in the brand’s heritage and DNA. The watches were amazingly creative and high-qualitative.

  • 1770 Flying Tourbillon Squelette
  • 1770 Haute Voltige
  • 1770 Micromegas Revolution Couleurs
  • ADN

With these novelties, Manufacture Royale see 2017 as a good year in which they capitalize on their strength and once more they will please collectors and watch aficionados from all over the world.

Manufacture Royale 1770 Flying Tourbillon Squelette

Manufacture-Royale-Flying-Tourbillon-Squelette-models
Manufacture-Royale-Flying-Tourbillon-Squelette
This was the first model presented to us and that Chocolate color is just amazing. By combining a Tourbillon and a true work of skeleton the movement, Manufacture Royale presents a decent watchmaking mastery. Each element is built, designed, placed to be highlighted and to underline the different functionalities of the watch.
Certain elements of the watch like the bridge, manipulate, the barrel and the tourbillon cage are CVD treated in a special way. There is a fine deposit of a transparent metal oxide that allows manufacture Royale to obtain this specific brown shade with deep reflections. In order to contrast the look, the barrel is signed with the initials of Manufacture Royale and is openworked which allows to reveal its spring. The Flying tourbillon is doing one rotation per minute, on ceramic bearings. The balance wheel is showed with adjusting screws and the escapement wheel and pallet are in silicon This watch has 167 components and its manual winding caliber offers a 4 days power reserve.

Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige Dragon

Manufcture-Royale-Haute-Voltige
This is an interesting timepiece. Manufacture Royale decided to play with contrasts. Different colors and materials will blend in order to create an original look. The escapement and balance wheel are unusually positioned on the dial side, producing a hypnotic spectacle and giving material form to passing time. The balance wheel is red anodized aluminium and it provides an interesting 3D effect on the dial. The dial itself has an interesting khaki color with very elegant reflections. A beautiful detail is the secondary dial that contains a sun stamp surrounded with a metal circle.
If you travel, there is one very interesting functionality to bear in mind. The hours and minutes of the two timezones are completely independent. This means you can define the second timezone as accurately as possible. Some regions around the world have 30mn difference, so when you are in India, you might get GMT+5.30. This configuration is impossible to have with a standard GMT functionality.

Manufacture Royale 1770 Micromegas Revolution Couleurs

Micromegas-colors
Manufacture-Royale-Micromegas-Couleurs

This watch is a state of the art and you can see it just by looking at it. The Manufacture Royale 1770 Micromégas Révolution proposes innovative and spectacular watch kinetics. Although a few rare multiple tourbillon watches do exist, it is the first to combine two cages with different rotation speeds. One completes an exceptionally rapid rotation in just 6 seconds whereas the other opts for the traditional minute. A torque stabiliser averages out the two for enhanced precision.
This hypnotic ballet is completed by the oscillations of a micro-rotor. The hours are indicated on an off-centred dial, like a regulator, whereas the minutes are indicated by a skeleton wheel. The sculptural 45mm case remains true to the style of the 1770 collection. Two sidebars, held by hexagonal screws, surround the middle case, forming elegant, slender horns. Its strong features are highlighted by a fluted bezel. The sapphire crystal caseback is closed by four screws and reveals the splendid hand finishing of the MR08 calibre.

Manufacture Royale ADN

MANUFACTURE-ROYALE-ADN
Manufacture-Royale-ADN
The Manufacture Royale ADN watch is a fascinating watchmaking creation, imposing its style through the Brand’s identity codes.

  • The dynamic forms
  • Three-dimensional architecture
  • Strength of design
  • Singular character
  • Sculptural aesthetic
  • Perfect mechanism
  • Contemporary vision

What can make a watchmaker the most proud is the highlight of its know-how. In this watch, you can find the very best of Manufacture Royale in terms of technique, design and creative philosophy. Certain elements are definitely important to observe. That is why this model is called ADN, which is DNA in French, relating to the fact that you can find the essential spirit of the brand in this watch.

The watch case
You will probably recognize the inspiration for this new watch case. Its intriguing design is inspired by the Opera and Androgyne models at the heart of the brand’s revival. Nevertheless you can see that the design has been rounded up to make it softened. In configures a very interesting SteamPunk style with a very modern look.

The watch movement
The ‘ADN’ model is built around the exclusive MR09 calibre. It is a manual wound mechanical movement that indicates a first time zone on a dial at noon and a second time zone at four o’clock. There is an astonishing jumping hour digital display with an analogue minute display featuring a sword-shaped hand. The periodical jump of a disc reveals the hour through an aperture at the exact place where the number is traditionally positioned on the dial. It is quick, intuitive and fun to read.
One important element of this watch is a one-minute flying tourbillon mounted on ceramic ball bearings. Its balance with regulating screws oscillates at 21,600 vibrations per hour for a power reserve of at least 80 hours.

As we can see, Manufacture Royale is an astonishing watchmaker. Inspired by the spirit of Voltaire, its founder, today Manufacture Royale cultivates its garden in order to bloom amazing flowers as astonishing timepieces. If you wish to learn more about the amazing universe of Manufacture Royale, please connect to their official website:
http://www.manufacture-royale.com

In a world where true creations are often limited, Manufacture Royale shines with talent. And at the end, this is the true spirit of Swiss Watch making.

Arsène Wargas

Info sourced by LuxuryActivist team at Baselworld 2017. Special thanks to Pia de Chefdebien to the insights provided. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

From Mountains of Work to Mountains of Snow: London to the Alps

LuxuryActivist
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Reading Time: 4 minutes

alps-holidays

The immense beauty of the Alps makes them an alluring getaway for those who live and work in prime central London. To those who are stressing under mountains of work, the bright sunshine and fresh snow of the Alps can seem a world away. However, whether you want a short break or an extended skiing holiday, the mountains are closer than one might think. Those who have invested in luxury London real estate are in a prime position to take advantage of the city’s numerous travel links to the mountains. We’ve outlined the three most comfortable and convenient ways to reach the pistes in 2017.

Eurostar

Eurostar-london-Paris

Residents of Central London who desire a ski holiday without taking to the air should embark the Eurostar Ski Train, which is the most direct way of getting to the Alps. It leaves London St Pancras station every Saturday morning during the ski season and travels to Moutiers, Aime and Bourg St Maurice, which services resorts in the Tarentaise region of the French Alps. The Ski Train makes it possible to reach the exclusive resorts of the French Alps, such as Courchevel, Val d’Isère, Méribel and Les Arcs. The journey takes 7-8 hours, plus transfer time to your resort. Despite the seemingly long duration, it cuts the time spent travelling to airports and waiting to board a flight. Plus, there is a great atmosphere on board the train, which makes the journey rather enjoyable. A Standard Premier (first-class) ticket comes with complimentary lunch, afternoon tea and drinks. The train enables one to enjoy the wonderful mountainous scenery in a comfortable setting. Alternatively, travellers can take regular, scheduled trains – which run daily via Eurostar – and change trains in Paris. It is possible to take the overnight train with couchettes or a daytime TGV train from Paris to the French Alps. Many extra trains run at the weekends during the skiing season. Some resorts, such as Chamonix, rely on a different route and so necessitate specially scheduled trains. The train is a stress-free means of travelling for residents who own or rent property in Prime Central London.

Private Jet

private-jet-travel

The only way a flight can be more convenient than the Eurostar is if you charter seats on a private aircraft. This is the ultimate way to fly in comfort to and from Geneva. The luxury starts as soon as you arrive at the airport with complimentary drinks, newspapers and children’s entertainment. A dedicated concierge passenger & crew service will cater for your every need. Small business airports, such as Farnborough, allow free parking for the week, as well as free Wi-Fi. Queues are non-existent. The journey from Waterloo is just 33 minutes by train, followed by a nine-minute taxi ride. Alternatively, travel from central London to Farnborough Airport by car in just one hour. A helicopter will cut your transfer to just 12 minutes. Jet charter passengers must arrive just 15 minutes before a flight. Flying on a private charter jet is a huge time-saver and is considerably less stressful than joining the crowds at Gatwick. Although it’s a luxury, it’s not altogether unaffordable. If you arrive early, the fixed-base operator (FBO) will normally have private executive lounges in which you can relax or work. You can even fly with your pet in the cabin, as long as your pet has the appropriate documents for travel.

Flights from London City Airport

London-City-airport

Those who work in the City or Canary Wharf will benefit from flights leaving London City Airport on Friday evening straight after work. If you are organised, you can enjoy two full days of skiing before heading back to work. There are up to three flights a day from London City Airport to Geneva, and three a week to Chambery. The key lies not just in booking the right flight, but also in picking the right resort – one that involves only a short transfer at the other end. The luxury ski resorts of Megeve and Les Gets are an hour’s drive from Geneva, but Monts Jura is only 20 minutes away. It’s so close that you can see its 60km of marked runs out of the aeroplane window. Of course, if you have longer than a weekend, the Alps are your oyster to explore!

Zahra Pettican

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

Skin Care Tips for age 40 and Up

LuxuryActivist
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Reading Time: 4 minutes

beauty-tips-after-40-years-old

Your skin care needs change as you get older, but is it really necessary to go the extra mile with your beauty regimen once you reach a certain age? The following article will discuss tips on skin care at age 40 and beyond.

Cells Function Differently with Age

According to the observations made by principal Olay scientist Dr. Frauke Neuser, cells function differently with each decade. In other words, the signs of aging are a combination of cell processes that change over time but seem to appear “overnight.”

Cell Processes and How it Affects Your Skin

A two-year gene research study done on over 200 women of different ethnic groups revealed five different cell processes that slow down or stop at different age milestones:

  1. Natural antioxidant production starts to decrease in the 20s.
  2. Collagen production, skin repair, and skin absorption slow down in the 30s.
  3. Natural life cycle of skin cells declines in the 40s.
  4. Skin barrier function weakens, which creates dry skin and greater loss of moisture retention in the 50s.
  5. All of the above processes dramatically accelerate in your 60s.

Skin experts from Siberian Health believe that the rate of aging depends on your race and your lifestyle. However, it’s possible to noticeably improve your skin’s appearance, texture, moisture level, and collagen production by using the following skin care tips:
1. Wash with a cleanser at least once a day. Dermatologists suggest using a cleanser designed specifically for your skin type. If you have normal, combo, dry, oily or hypersensitive skin, choose your cleanser based on these factors. Choose a cleanser that boosts cell regeneration (turnover) to increase your skin’s absorption of anti-aging products. It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to remove makeup and grime from your skin at the end of the day. Aging skin tends to be drier, so use mild, non-acidic face cleansers.

2. Most face serums contain effective anti-aging ingredients like stabilized vitamins C, fruit acids, green tea extract, vitamin E (Tocopherol) and resveratrol which should be applied in the morning. On the other hand, a face serum with retinol (concentrated derivative of vitamin A) is recommended to use at night. Retinol prevents the breakdown of collagen, speeds up cell turnover, and stimulates collagen production. If a retinol based serum irritates your skin, substitute it with a serum containing a milder form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate.
Extra tip: Using serum formulas that contain peptides also helps stimulate the formation of new collagen, which creates the appearance of more youthful, supple skin.

beauty-tips-women

3. Use an All-In-One Moisturizer. Wearing a daytime moisturizer with SPF is the most important step to prevent fine lines, age spots, and discoloration. Look for moisturizers that filter both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 30. Use a separate moisturizer or night cream with peptides before bedtime based on your skin type.

4. Use an Eye Balm. An eye balm product that contains skin plumping properties to address crow’s feet or dark circles around the eyes that can refine deep creases, boost collagen production and gradually fade dark circles.
Extra tip: niacinamide, (vitamin B3) is considered to be the most essential skin care ingredient since it improves skin texture, skin hydration, minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and reduces the appearance of “skin shadows”.

5. Use an Exfoliating Product. Avoid sun damage and deep wrinkles from becoming even worse by using a sloughing acid or collagen-stimulating product to remove dead skin cells and reveal healthy, glowing skin.
Conclusion
As you can see, skin care involves several things, not just the prevention of lines and sun spots. Really, it’s what’s happening below your skin’s surface that eventually causes visible signs of aging. Using the appropriate skin care ingredients for your skin type and your age will go a long way toward helping you look younger.

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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