Victorinox Spartan PS: black is the new black.
Reading Time: 4 minutes2017 is almost half way and Victorinox is delivering amazing new launches. This time we took a focus on a new great launch around the Spartan collection. It is called Victorinox Spartan PS. Delivered with black or white scales, the new Spartan has all stainless steel elements in black thanks to a process known as Polispectral. The result is super classy. Victorinox Spartan, ultimate Icon of Design From a construction point of view, we can easily identify the well known Victorinox Spartan. 13 functionalities for the perfect essential companion for any occasion. From the far end of a forest to the cosiness of a New York office, The Victorinox Spartan will never let you down on those moments you need the most. toothpick tweezers lanyard blade, large blade, small can opener screwdriver 3 mm bottle opener wire stripper screwdriver 6 mm reamer, punch and sewing awl corkscrew key ring The…
La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion, Hyper-luxury
Reading Time: 6 minutesLa Prairie has a strong know-how in luxury skincare. The caviar collection became the ultimate icon in terms of hyper-luxury. There is no doubt that La Prairie invented the ultimate luxury in terms of cosmetics with the Skin Caviar collection. Back in 1998, La Prairie settled the foundations of what would become a true icon in the cosmetic industry: the Skin Caviar Luxe Cream. Based in the cutting edge technology developed since 1987, La Prairie established all the codes for a luxury cosmetic product. From colors to texture, scent, active ingredients it was a true revolution in the old powdery cosmetic market. Modern cosmetology was born. 19 years later, the caviar collection developed very well. The extension towards the White Caviar collection allowed the Swiss brand to tackle a very important growing market: Skin enlightening. For years, products were old in this segment and there was not much to say in…
Baselworld 2017 – 5 great watches you need to know.
Reading Time: 4 minutesWith Baselworld 2017 starting, all the Swiss watchmaking industry will be celebrating the best creative minds and extraordinary watches. Last year was not the greatest year of all for the Swiss Watchmaking industry. Thanks to a good holiday season, Swiss watchmakers ended up the year at -9.7%. It could have been much worse. The segment of +CHF 8’000 were responsible for the biggest part of these negative results with -11.6%. Watches between CHF 500 to CHF 3’000 only decreased by 3.9%. The total exports for 2016 is at CHF 19.4 billion. So there are big expectations for 2017. Here are 5 great watches that show that the Swiss watch industry has a strong future. Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Astorite Astorite dial, white mother-of-pearl center, 18K red gold applied ring. 18K red gold case set with 232 diamonds, total of 1.23 carats. Self-winding mechanical movement. Power reserve of 68 hours. Diameter 35…
Victorinox Spartan: 120 years of the ultimate icon of design.
Reading Time: 8 minutesThere 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…
Luxury on a Budget: 5 Surprisingly Affordable Ways to make your House look Expensive
Reading Time: 3 minutesYou 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 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…
What to Pack for That Summer Cruise You’ve Always Dreamed of Taking
Reading Time: 5 minutesMany 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…
Exclusive Interview with Jean-Marie Schaller – CEO of Louis Moinet
Reading Time: 10 minutesThe 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…
Top Reasons to Consider Window Tinting in Your Home
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe 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…
Why Traveling Power Couples Should Marry in the NYC Area
Reading Time: 4 minutesAs 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…
Victorinox Forester Wood 2017, full review.
Reading Time: 3 minutesVictorinox 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. 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: blade, large bottle opener Screwdriver 5 mm, lockable wire stripper…
Manufacture Royale, new launches 2017 – Freedom of creation is priceless.
Reading Time: 7 minutesBaselworld 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. 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…
From Mountains of Work to Mountains of Snow: London to the Alps
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe 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 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…
Skin Care Tips for age 40 and Up
Reading Time: 4 minutesYour 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: Natural antioxidant production starts to decrease in the 20s. Collagen production, skin repair, and skin absorption slow down in the 30s. Natural life cycle of skin…
Baselworld 2017, Press conference
Reading Time: 3 minutes3, 2, 1… we declare Baselworld 2017 opened. The international Watch fair starts with the traditional Press conference. After a 2016 business year quite tough for the Swiss watch industry, Everybody expects to see a better incoming year. Swiss Watch brands are ready to take the challenge. Facing all difficulties there is only one answer: Innovate, Create and be brave. 2016, a battlefield with severe losses The environment confronting the Swiss watch industry remained dif cult throughout the year 2016. Swiss watch industry exports fell for the second year in succession. Their value stood at 19.4 billion francs, 9.9% lower than in 2015. With this result, the industry has returned to its 2011 level and seen an end to the growth of 15% achieved between 2011 and 2014. Here are some key interesting charts with details of how 2016 concluded. Representing two-thirds of export sales, watches priced at over 3,000 francs (export…
Sisley Izia, a fragrance for all the facets of a woman
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen Sisley launches a new fragrance, it is an outstanding moment for the brand. Each Sisley fragrance has a specific story and represents a personal chapter of the French brand story. Izia tells the story of five women united by one irreducible fragrance. Along with Isabelle d’Ornano, Amandine Clerc-Marie, Christine d’Ornano, Quentin Jones and Sonia collectively created Izia as one would sketch a work of art. With Izia, Sisley draw a magnificent garden filled with extraordinary roses. Izia, pronounced Ijia, is a Polish diminutive for Isabelle. Handwritten letters signed by Isabelle d’Ornano to members of her family are peppered with these two sing-song, childlike syllables. Here the video explaining the project. Isabelle d’Ornano reveals her passionate story for Roses and deep written from her family roots. Sisley is a true family business as all members are involved. To represent the new face of the new fragrance, Isabelle d’Ornano has chosen Sonia…