# MenWith Magazine — Full Content Index > MenWith Magazine (also known as MenWithClass / @menwithclass) — the definitive destination for luxury lifestyle editorial. > Generated: 2026-11-07 > Total articles: 948 > Website: https://menwith.com > Instagram: @menwithclass — one of the world's largest luxury lifestyle communities This document contains the full text of all published articles from MenWith Magazine, the editorial platform of the @menwithclass community. For individual article access, use: https://menwith.com/article-content?slug={slug} --- ## Bulgari Brings Roman Discipline to Miami Beach - URL: https://menwith.com/bulgari-brings-roman-discipline-to-miami-beach - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-11-05 - Tags: Bulgari Hotels **Summary:** Bulgari is set to debut its first U.S. hotel in Miami Beach by 2029, transforming a 1950s Modernist landmark through disciplined Milanese design and refined Italian culinary standards. Bulgari chose a quiet corner of waterfront property for its American debut, set back just enough from the pastel theatre of Ocean Drive to observe the surroundings on its own terms. Scheduled to open in 2029, the project marks the twelfth address for Bulgari Hotels and its first ground break inside the United States. The site itself carries genuine weight. It occupies a 1950s Modernist landmark that once served as a winter retreat for Old Hollywood figures, formally registered as a contributing structure within the National Register Architectural District. Miami often encourages foreign brands to overcompensate. Visitors routinely encounter hotels that mimic the city's flashier instincts, amplifying brass fixtures, saturated tropical motifs, and round-the-clock volume until everything feels like an upscale nightclub lobby. Selecting an authentic mid-century structure on the water suggests an entirely different appetite. The property holds history from the fifties and sixties, an era when wintering in South Florida meant understated leisure under wide awnings rather than choreographed spectacle. Bulgari and the Modernist Foundation Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel will lead the architectural restoration and interior design, continuing a partnership that has shaped every address in the collection. That continuity matters. The Milanese firm works with strict structural restraint, favouring stone, dark woods, and disciplined geometry over decorative excess. Placing those Northern Italian design principles into a 1950s American building creates a rare architectural dialogue. Modernism in Miami took on a softer, maritime character than its European counterparts, leaning into sun protection, horizontal bands, and wide ocean terraces. Citterio and Viel understand how to preserve those historical bones while inserting modern Italian precision. The plans account for one hundred rooms, with a deliberate emphasis on suites. Limiting the inventory to a tight scale ensures the property avoids the crowd density that dilutes so many beachfront developments nearby. The layout includes an outdoor swimming pool, extensive spa rooms, and fitness spaces. Each amenity reflects the hospitality group's preference for calm environments where daylight and proportion establish the mood. Even on a lively strip near the Art Deco district, the layout prioritises spatial clarity. Culinary Precision with Niko Romito Food and drink across the estate will run under the direction of Chef Niko Romito. His culinary philosophy mirrors the architecture, stripping classic Italian cooking down to essential ingredients and intense broths. Romito avoids heavy sauces and decorative plates, focusing entirely on clean flavour profiles and technical execution. His presence in South Florida introduces an exacting European culinary standard to a city often driven by celebrity nameplates and theatrical table presentations. Roman jewellers understand that value compounds through patience. The timeline stretches out toward 2029, allowing the restoration to treat the original concrete and historical facades with genuine technical care. Preserving a building of this pedigree demands careful engineering rather than rapid cosmetic refurbishment. The arrival of Bulgari on the American coastline marks a mature shift for high-end hospitality in South Florida. Taking a mid-century Hollywood hideaway and refining it through disciplined Milanese architecture offers guests a composed sanctuary within walking distance of the beach. It sets a durable standard for what transatlantic luxury looks like when history leads the conversation. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bulgari-brings-roman-discipline-to-miami-beach — Citation: "Bulgari Brings Roman Discipline to Miami Beach" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-05. https://menwith.com/bulgari-brings-roman-discipline-to-miami-beach --- ## Glenfiddich and Aston Martin Reveal a 28-Year-Old Single Malt - URL: https://menwith.com/glenfiddich-and-aston-martin-reveal-a-28-year-old-single-malt - Author: Tom - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-11-05 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Glenfiddich and Aston Martin debut a 28-year-old single malt, blending heritage Scotch with automotive-inspired design. The limited release features a unique cask-layering process. Glenfiddich laid down casks in Dufftown in the late 1990s, right around the time Aston Martin revealed Project Vantage to the world. That concept car set the course for the V12-powered DB7 Vantage and the original Vanquish. Nearly three decades later, those two timelines meet in the Glenfiddich 28 Years Old, a limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky built around patience, cask selection, and industrial design. The spirit arrives after twenty-eight years of maturation in oak. Announced in Dufftown on November 4, 2026, the bottle will reach shelves in January 2027. Distribution remains focused, landing exclusively across the United States and inside major international airport retail hubs. Glenfiddich and the Architecture of the Cask Malt Master Brian Kinsman constructed the profile through a sequence of active casks. American oak forms the foundation of the liquid. Kinsman moved that spirit into virgin American oak for a secondary maturation, extracting deep spice alongside vanilla sweetness. The virgin wood operates with heavy influence, altering the texture early in the blending process. Kinsman then integrated spirit matured in European oak Oloroso sherry hogsheads. This addition supplies rich dried fruit character and weight to the body. To balance the heavy wood and sherry sugars, traditional ex-bourbon barrels contribute crisp orchard fruit notes, keeping the profile aligned with the house style that has defined Glenfiddich across its 139-year history. Kinsman described the technical challenge as an exercise in layering active woods. "For Glenfiddich 28 Years Old, I wanted to bring Glenfiddich and Aston Martin's philosophy of perpetual motion to life," Kinsman explained. "Working with highly active casks gave me the opportunity to explore how different layers of oak influence could come together, while preserving the vibrant fruit notes synonymous with Glenfiddich." Industrial Form and British Racing Pedigree Packaging for the release came directly out of the Aston Martin design studio in Gaydon. Flowing lines travel across the exterior shell, suggesting vehicle speed and bodywork panels. The presentation box uses layered surfacing to create physical depth, playing with light across carved edges to echo the long maturation inside the cellar. The visual details lean into motoring heritage. Aston Martin applied its signature Podium Green paint across the presentation case, paired with brushed copper elements and the Glenfiddich stag emblem. The metallic copper finish pulls the eye toward the center of the structure, framing the bottle as a mechanical display. Stefano Saporetti, Director of Brand Diversification for Aston Martin, noted the shared ground between both houses. "This special edition celebrates the values that unite Aston Martin and Glenfiddich: craftsmanship, creativity and continual refinement," Saporetti stated. "The result is a beautifully crafted collector's piece that reflects the heritage, ambition and enduring character of both brands." Both companies paired the product announcement with an explicit reminder regarding road safety, advocating that nobody should drink and drive. When the bottles arrive in global travel retail and American markets in January 2027, collectors will encounter a rare cross-industry collaboration anchored in the late 1990s and finished with modern design discipline. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/glenfiddich-and-aston-martin-reveal-a-28-year-old-single-malt — Citation: "Glenfiddich and Aston Martin Reveal a 28-Year-Old Single Malt" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-05. https://menwith.com/glenfiddich-and-aston-martin-reveal-a-28-year-old-single-malt --- ## The Acoustic Ambition of Audemars Piguet - URL: https://menwith.com/the-acoustic-ambition-of-audemars-piguet - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-11-05 - Tags: Audemars Piguet **Summary:** Audemars Piguet unveils five new references, blending the acoustic precision of Supersonnerie minute repeaters with the tactile elegance of natural stone dials in Royal Oak and Code 11.59 collections. Audemars Piguet has introduced five new references across the Royal Oak and Code 11.59 collections, focusing the release on mechanical chiming and mineral surfaces. Three of these pieces feature the manufacture's Supersonnerie minute repeater complication, while two compact additions explore natural stone dials. The selection highlights how high complication and material discipline continue to anchor modern Swiss watchmaking. The core of the release rests on the Supersonnerie architecture that Audemars Piguet spent nearly a decade developing before its introduction in 2016. Traditional minute repeaters attach their chiming gongs directly to the movement mainplate, an arrangement that absorbs vibrations and limits acoustic projection. The Supersonnerie routes these components differently, fixing patented gongs to a dedicated soundboard that acts like the body of a classical string instrument. All three new chiming watches run on Calibre 2953, a hand-wound movement introduced in 2019 that delivers 72 hours of power reserve. The calibre positions a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and carries forward the engineering of earlier calibres 2937 and 2874SS. The resulting strike produces clear chime tones and sustained volume across the case. The Acoustic Architecture of Audemars Two of the chiming executions sit inside 42 mm Royal Oak cases, retaining the octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet geometry established by the model. One pairs a lightweight titanium case with a smoked green sunburst dial. Titanium has a lower density than noble metals, making it an effective acoustic medium for chiming complications. The companion Royal Oak introduces pink gold to the Supersonnerie line for the first time, matched with a rich brown Grande Tapisserie dial pattern. Gold dampens sound differently than titanium, altering the resonance of the chime while adding physical presence on the wrist. The third minute repeater takes form within Code 11.59. Cased in 18-carat white gold, the watch features a fully polished case middle that catches light along its octagonal profile. A smoked sapphire dial reveals the movement components beneath, offering visual depth to accompany the mechanical strike. Stone and Surface in Modern Watchmaking Alongside the chiming references, Audemars Piguet expanded the Code 11.59 line with two 38 mm references fitted with natural stone dials. Watchmakers turned to hard minerals during the 1970s, cutting wafer-thin sections of stone to create dials with organic patterns. These two pieces bring that mid-century material practice into contemporary proportions. One reference features an 18-carat pink-gold case framed around a black onyx dial. Diamond hour markers punctuate the dark surface, giving the face a clean, restrained presence. Onyx requires delicate handling during fabrication, as any micro-fracture during cutting ruins the entire slice. The second 38 mm execution pairs yellow gold with a gold obsidian dial. Natural mineral veins run through the volcanic glass, shifting in tone as light moves across the crystal. Both stone models house the automatic Calibre 5909, providing a 60-hour power reserve for everyday wear. Mechanical watchmaking thrives when technical ambition meets material curiosity. By pairing internal acoustic soundboards with natural mineral dials, these five references ground complex horology in physical, tactile reality. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-acoustic-ambition-of-audemars-piguet — Citation: "The Acoustic Ambition of Audemars Piguet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-05. https://menwith.com/the-acoustic-ambition-of-audemars-piguet --- ## RIMOWA and the Quiet Power of Repair in Shanghai - URL: https://menwith.com/rimowa-and-the-quiet-power-of-repair-in-shanghai - Category: Style - Published: 2026-11-04 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** RIMOWA’s new Shanghai flagship introduces the RE-CRAFTED repair program and bespoke customization, emphasizing long-term durability and circular luxury in the heart of the metropolis. RIMOWA has opened its first flagship store in Shanghai at the Kerry Center, bringing a distinct kind of permanence to a city that moves at breakneck speed. Behind an imposing glass facade, the space covers more than two hundred square meters of clean lines and pale wooden accents. The German luggage maker, owned by LVMH, treats the opening as an anchor point for services that change how luxury aluminum pieces exist in the world. Most luxury store openings lean heavily on spectacle, yet this room relies on clarity. Cabinets and shelving sit with architectural order, displaying hard-sided cases beside small leather goods. There are leather luggage tags debossed with a custom motif inspired by the classical pavilions of Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden. A limited edition Original Cabin Monogram suitcase stands out with a purple and blue gradient that captures the neon glow of the metropolis after dark. Why RIMOWA Chooses Circularity The core of the Kerry Center address is operational rather than purely decorative. For the first time in China, RIMOWA introduces its RE-CRAFTED program to travelers. The system handles the repair, reuse, and recycling of pre-owned aluminum cases, keeping scarred shells in active circulation. Dents and scratches carry personal history, and the workshop structure exists to keep those physical stories alive on the road. Longevity becomes practical through this setup. Travel luggage faces rough treatment in transit hubs worldwide, and airport baggage systems exert harsh mechanical friction. Having a dedicated flagship that welcomes battered metal shifts the entire conversation around luxury ownership. The value remains tied to function and maintenance across decades. Alongside restoration, the Shanghai flagship offers the Crafted for You customization service. Until now, clients could only access this program in Cologne, Germany. The service invites customers to specify the exact dimensions and proportions of their Classic suitcase. Tailoring luggage proportions to specific travel habits turns an industrial travel object into an individual companion. The Long Route Forward Aluminum luggage remains compelling because metal records time honestly. Plastic cracks under pressure, while aluminum bends, holds its seal, and carries surface marks like an open notebook. By establishing repair stations and custom sizing in central Shanghai, the brand grounds its modern presence in tactile reliability. The Kerry Center flagship reflects a mature approach to global retail expansion. Travelers who check suitcases into cargo holds understand that the best gear is equipment that survives the return flight. Every flight scuff becomes part of the texture, ready for the next departure gate. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rimowa-and-the-quiet-power-of-repair-in-shanghai — Citation: "RIMOWA and the Quiet Power of Repair in Shanghai" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-04. https://menwith.com/rimowa-and-the-quiet-power-of-repair-in-shanghai --- ## Bel-Air Welcomes the 2026 Winter Holidays Across Twelve Acres - URL: https://menwith.com/bel-air-welcomes-the-2026-winter-holidays-across-twelve-acres - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-11-03 - Tags: Dorchester Collection **Summary:** Experience the 2026 holiday season at Hotel Bel-Air with garden dining, outdoor cinema screenings, and festive gourmet packages across their iconic twelve-acre estate. Bel-Air Estates has held the grounds of Hotel Bel-Air since 1946, spanning twelve acres of canyon gardens minutes away from Beverly Hills and Hollywood. The 103-room property, part of the Dorchester Collection, has arranged its holiday calendar for late 2026 around garden dining, seasonal pastry work, and outdoor film screenings. Guests booking the seasonal stay package receive a welcome cocktail alongside a $150 credit applicable toward on-site dining or treatments at the Spa by Valmont. Thanksgiving dining begins in The Restaurant between 11am and 8pm. The kitchen serves a three-course menu priced at $295 for adults and $95 for children aged twelve and under, built around maple-glazed heritage turkey and pecan pie beneath twinkling garden lights. For hosts remaining at home, the property introduces a complete takeout package designed for up to twelve guests. Priced at $975, the package includes a whole roasted organic turkey, winter truffle risotto, and a classic pecan pie. Specialty drinks appear on dining menus beginning November 1. Guests can order the Cocoa Buzz, a spiked hot chocolate, or the Egg-Eneezer Scrooge eggnog across all venue outlets. At the Patisserie, the kitchen provides Hanukkah jelly donuts, build-your-own gingerbread man kits, seasonal house-made pies, and traditional Bûche de Noël, followed by a dedicated dessert menu arriving December 1. Open-Air Cinema and Lawn Gatherings at Bel-Air The Front Lawn hosts the return of the Movies Under the Stars series in mid-December. General admission tickets cost $100 per person and include access to a snack station stocked with popcorn, chocolate, candy, and warm spiked hot chocolate. For larger parties, the hotel provides private fire pits priced at $1,000, accommodating groups of up to six people under the garden trees. The cinema program features three titles on consecutive evenings. Screenings begin on Wednesday, December 16, with Elf, followed by A Christmas Story on Thursday, December 17. The series concludes on Friday, December 18, with The Holiday, set against the outdoor greenery and perimeter string lighting. Afternoon tea takes place in The Living Room beside an open fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree. Service runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout December at 3pm, priced at $140 per guest with a glass of champagne alongside seasonal teas. Christmas Feasts and New Year Celebrations From December 19 through December 25, pastry chefs at The Restaurant present a dedicated dessert paying tribute to the property's resident swans. Christmas Eve service features a five-course dinner from 5pm to 9pm, accompanied by roaming carollers singing between 6pm and 9pm, priced at $275 per adult and $95 for children twelve and under. Each guest leaves with a boxed pastry takeaway. Christmas Day dining continues with a four-course menu served from 11am to 8pm at $275 per adult and $95 per child. Santa Claus visits the dining room between 11am and 3pm, while carollers perform from 12pm to 3pm. The meal finishes with an artisanal pastry gift presented to every table. New Year's Eve festivities divide between The Restaurant and the hotel lounge. The Restaurant serves an à la carte menu under glowing illuminated branches from 5:30pm to 10pm, concluding with an intimate midnight champagne pour. In the lounge, service operates from 3pm to 1am with a $150 minimum spend per person, offering a champagne and caviar selection between 3pm and 10pm. Entertainment features a solo pianist from 3pm to 9pm before a live jazz band performs through 1am. The Restaurant reopens on New Year's Day from 11am to 3pm, serving garden brunch favourites to welcome January. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bel-air-welcomes-the-2026-winter-holidays-across-twelve-acres — Citation: "Bel-Air Welcomes the 2026 Winter Holidays Across Twelve Acres" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-03. https://menwith.com/bel-air-welcomes-the-2026-winter-holidays-across-twelve-acres --- ## Aquarius Secures Fourth Major Honour at the 2026 ISS Awards - URL: https://menwith.com/aquarius-secures-fourth-major-honour-at-the-2026-iss-awards - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-11-03 - Tags: Royal Huisman **Summary:** The 65-metre ketch Aquarius secures its fourth major 2026 accolade, winning Best in Sail 40m+ at the ISS Awards for its exceptional naval architecture and performance. Aquarius took top honors in the Best in Sail 40m+ category at the 2026 International Superyacht Society Design and Leadership Awards on 28 October in Fort Lauderdale. The Florida presentation marked the fourth major peer distinction for the 65-metre ketch within the current season. The vessel previously earned the overall title of Sailing Yacht of the Year at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards, alongside the BOAT Design and Innovation Award for naval architecture and Robb Report's Best of the Best recognition. The project began when experienced owners returned to Royal Huisman with an explicit development brief. Having logged extensive sea miles aboard a 56-metre ketch from the Dutch shipyard, they sought to retain the core handling characteristics and aesthetic balance of their previous yacht while gaining substantial internal volume and open-water sailing power. Recommissioning the same shipyard, naval architects, and styling studio for a second custom build established direct continuity from the initial hull to the current one. Scaling the Aquarius Platform Translating that brief into working naval architecture fell to Dykstra Naval Architects and project manager Godfrey Cray. The finished yacht measures 65 metres, or 212 feet, overall. That increase in length yields 45 percent more interior volume compared to the earlier 56-metre hull. The expanded internal volume accommodated larger living spaces, increased utility storage, and expanded machinery rooms designed for long-distance cruising without requiring mid-voyage provisioning. To keep the structural displacement manageable across a 65-metre waterline, the hull was built in lightweight Alustar aluminum. The material gives the platform high rigidity while controlling overall weight, directly aiding acceleration and handling in varied sea conditions. Mark Whiteley Design handled both the exterior lines and interior joinery, creating clean profiles, balanced deckhouses, and functional deck spaces that maintain operational efficiency during long offshore passages. The Engineering Behind the Ketch Rig Sailing a displacement yacht of this scale requires substantial mechanical leverage. The rig package, engineered and manufactured by Rondal, features carbon fiber spars paired with integrated sail handling systems. Captive winches, below-deck furlers, and powered controls allow the crew to hoist, trim, and reef wide spreads of canvas from central consoles, eliminating loose deck lines and ensuring quick responses during unexpected squalls. Beneath the waterline, the naval architecture incorporates an adjustable lifting fin keel. The keel deploys deep into clean water during ocean crossings, creating substantial righting moment against the tall Rondal carbon rig. When raised, the reduced draft permits access into shallow anchorages, bays, and harbour basins that remain inaccessible to fixed-keel vessels of equivalent length. The platform demonstrated its sailing dynamics under competitive conditions at the 2026 St. Barths Bucket regatta. Maneuvering a 65-metre performance ketch around tight island courses tested load management, crew ergonomics, and sail balance under race rules. Data gathered across the regatta confirmed the hydrodynamic calculations and sail plans mapped out during early engineering phases. The International Superyacht Society awards, established in 1990, represent one of the oldest peer-reviewed programs in large yacht construction. By collecting the Best in Sail 40m+ trophy in Fort Lauderdale, Aquarius closed out the 2026 awards calendar with four premier titles across design, architecture, and construction. The yacht now continues active worldwide cruising operations. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aquarius-secures-fourth-major-honour-at-the-2026-iss-awards — Citation: "Aquarius Secures Fourth Major Honour at the 2026 ISS Awards" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-03. https://menwith.com/aquarius-secures-fourth-major-honour-at-the-2026-iss-awards --- ## Laurent Ferrier and the Grand Sport Tourbillon Iceberg - URL: https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-and-the-grand-sport-tourbillon-iceberg - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-11-03 - Tags: Laurent Ferrier **Summary:** Laurent Ferrier debuts the Grand Sport Tourbillon Iceberg, a titanium sports watch featuring a frosty opaline dial and a hidden, award-winning tourbillon movement. Laurent Ferrier approaches sports watch architecture from an uncommon vantage point. When a watchmaker spends decades competing at the highest tiers of endurance racing, including a podium finish at Le Mans in 1979 in a Kremer Porsche 935, his idea of track heritage tends to register differently. The new Grand Sport Tourbillon Iceberg demonstrates how clear that perspective remains. The watch brings a cool, opaline blue palette to the maison's titanium sports case while keeping its crowning mechanism hidden entirely on the reverse. Looking at the front of this piece, you see an unhurried landscape. The opaline dial carries a frosty hue with faint blue glints, paired with signature ruthenium-treated white gold Assegai hands and drop hour markers. Tone-on-tone lettering sits quietly above the center point. At six o'clock, a snailed small seconds subdial provides rhythm. The watch refuses to telegraph its mechanical complexity to anyone standing across the table. The case form balances generous curves with sharp automotive discipline. Measuring 44 millimetres in diameter and 13.4 millimetres thick, the Grade 5 titanium housing blends a cushion bezel with a tonneau middle. Polished flanks catch ambient reflections along the edges, while satin-brushed surfaces follow the longitudinal lines of sports car bodywork. Because the case and integrated three-link bracelet use titanium throughout, the total weight registers at a remarkably nimble 118 grams. The Laurent Ferrier Calibre LF619.01 in Pure Focus Turning the piece over changes the conversation instantly. The sapphire exhibition back reveals calibre LF619.01 in complete view, displaying the tourbillon assembly that won Laurent Ferrier top honors at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in both 2010 and 2023. The movement runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour with over 80 hours of power reserve, utilizing two opposing balance springs to cancel out gravitational drag on the balance staff. The finishing standards on the movement are extraordinary. Hand-beveled interior angles, thirty in total, demand hours of patient file work at the bench. Ruthenium-coated bridges feature horizontal satin-brushing that suits the modern mood of titanium, anchored by a long-blade click borrowed from nineteenth-century chronometer pocket watches that offers an audible click under the ball-shaped crown. The one thing I keep returning to is the case dimension. At 44 millimetres, the Grand Sport carries substantial presence across the wrist. The featherweight titanium and absence of traditional protruding lugs help it settle comfortably during active wear. Even so, I would have welcomed a case dialed down to 41 or 42 millimetres, giving this serene Iceberg dial an even tighter, more architectural density. That single preference aside, the execution here remains thoroughly compelling. Laurent Ferrier created an integrated sports watch that values internal engineering over external theater. By keeping the tourbillon private for the wearer alone, the Iceberg secures its own distinct territory on the wrist. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-and-the-grand-sport-tourbillon-iceberg — Citation: "Laurent Ferrier and the Grand Sport Tourbillon Iceberg" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-03. https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-and-the-grand-sport-tourbillon-iceberg --- ## The Archives: The Uhlenhaut Coupé - URL: https://menwith.com/the-company-car-the-mercedes-benz-300-slr-uhlenhaut-coupe - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-11-02 - Tags: archive-template, archive-episode:grand-touring, archive-reel:https://mrpjsuyugpihwfjqggwg.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/archive-films/209a5af2-48a9-46be-afc5-1d39624fa45a.mp4 **Summary:** The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, remains the world's most expensive car after selling for €135 million in 2022 to fund environmental scholarships. The engineer who could drive Rudolf Uhlenhaut was born in London in 1906, the son of a German banker and an English mother. He joined Daimler-Benz as a graduate in 1931, and by thirty he was running its racing department. Most engineers listened to their drivers. Uhlenhaut got in the car. He tested the Silver Arrows himself, flat out, and he was genuinely quick. Mercedes still tells one story about him, and calls it outrageous itself. Over lunch during testing at the Nürburgring, Juan Manuel Fangio was grumbling about the handling. Uhlenhaut rose from the table, took the car out, and came back faster than the team had managed in the Grand Prix. Fangio, he suggested with a wink, just needed more practice. One more detail is worth keeping in mind. The man who built some of the fastest cars of his era never owned a car of his own. Two coupés for Mexico The 300 SLR was Mercedes' Grand Prix car turned into a sports car, its straight eight enlarged to three litres. In open form it won the 1955 Mille Miglia with Stirling Moss at the wheel, and went on to take that year's World Sportscar Championship. Uhlenhaut's department gave it a roof. Three chassis were meant to get closed bodywork, drawn by Friedrich Geiger, and two were completed. The doors lifted upwards like the 300 SL road car's, but underneath sat a racing car: three hundred horsepower, when Mercedes' fastest road car made 215, and a top speed close to 180 mph. The target was the Carrera Panamericana, the road race across Mexico that Mercedes had won one-two in 1952. On highway straights that ran for miles, a closed car would pay off. The season that ended early In June 1955, one of the team's 300 SLRs was caught up in the disaster at Le Mans, and Mercedes withdrew its cars from the race. In the aftermath, the Carrera Panamericana was cancelled. Mercedes still won the championship that autumn, then walked away from motorsport in October. Most people assume Le Mans ended it. The bigger reason was back in Stuttgart: five hundred people were tied up in racing, holding back the production cars, and the board wanted them back. Neither coupé ever started a race. The first, trimmed in blue, came closest. Uhlenhaut drove it to the Swedish Grand Prix and on to Monza, and it ran practice laps in Northern Ireland and in Sicily, where Moss damaged it before the Targa Florio. The second, trimmed in red, was only finished on 28 December 1955, with nothing left to race. The commute So two of the fastest cars in the world had nowhere to go. Uhlenhaut took the blue one as his company car, and the man who never owned a car now drove a racing car to work. An outsize silencer went on so it could use public roads. Even so, his secretary is said to have reminded him one morning that it was past eleven, with a noon meeting in Munich, two hundred kilometres away. As Mercedes tells it, he got into the coupé and arrived on time. In 1956 the company lent the blue car to two journalists, Robert Braunschweig of Automobil Revue and Gordon Wilkins, who drove it more than two thousand miles across Europe. Wilkins was clear about one thing in his report: "this car is not for sale, and in this form never will be." Stuttgart, May 2022 For sixty-seven years Mercedes kept both. Offers came in over the decades, some went a long way up the company, and every one was politely turned down. Then the board changed its mind. On 5 May 2022, inside the Mercedes-Benz Museum, RM Sotheby's held an auction for a small group of invited collectors. The bidding opened above the price of the Ferrari 250 GTO that had set the auction record in 2018. The hammer fell at 135 million euros, nearly three times the old auction record. It is still the most valuable car ever sold. The money became the starting capital of the Mercedes-Benz Fund, which gives scholarships to young people working in environmental science and decarbonisation, and the buyer agreed the car would still appear in public on special occasions. The car that left was the second one, the coupé with the red interior. The blue one, the car Uhlenhaut drove to work, never left the company. It still stands in the museum in Stuttgart. Built to win in Mexico. He used it for the commute. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-company-car-the-mercedes-benz-300-slr-uhlenhaut-coupe — Citation: "The Archives: The Uhlenhaut Coupé" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-11-02. https://menwith.com/the-company-car-the-mercedes-benz-300-slr-uhlenhaut-coupe --- ## Thompson Rome Opens In The Eternal City - URL: https://menwith.com/thompson-rome-opens-in-the-eternal-city - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-10-31 - Tags: Thompson Hotels, Hyatt, Rome Travel, Fabio Fioravanti, Giò Pomodoro, LYVE Restaurant **Summary:** Thompson Rome debuts in a historic 1940s building near Piazza Venezia, blending modernist architecture with contemporary Italian art and Mediterranean fine dining by chef Fabio Fioravanti. Rome has no shortage of extraordinary hotels, but its latest arrival offers something distinctly different. Thompson Rome has officially opened its doors, marking the Italian debut of Hyatt's lifestyle-driven Thompson Hotels brand. Located just moments from Piazza Venezia, the new property brings together historic architecture, contemporary art and refined hospitality in one of the city's most fascinating buildings. Originally constructed in the 1940s, the building once served as the headquarters of the Italian Communist Party. Today, it has been carefully transformed into a sophisticated 69-room hotel, preserving its architectural character while introducing a modern approach to luxury. The restoration has revealed some remarkable details, including an original marble staircase and previously concealed artworks by celebrated Italian sculptor Giò Pomodoro. These historic features now sit alongside bespoke furnishings, natural materials and a carefully curated collection of Italian art. Art plays a central role throughout the property, with works by Francesco Del Drago, Giangaetano Patanè and Guido Strazza displayed across guest rooms and communal spaces. A rotating artist-in-residence programme will further connect the hotel with Rome's contemporary creative scene. The hotel's 69 rooms and suites have been designed to feel more like private Roman residences than traditional hotel accommodation. Warm tones, understated detailing and custom-made furniture create an intimate atmosphere, while selected rooms offer balconies overlooking the surrounding historic streets. Among the 19 suites, the standout is the Thompson Suite, offering 104 square metres of interior space alongside an impressive 80-square-metre private terrace overlooking Rome's rooftops. Dining is another defining element of the experience. At LYVE Restaurant, executive chef Fabio Fioravanti presents a contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine, with a particular emphasis on seafood and coastal ingredients. Having previously worked with the Alain Ducasse group, including at the three-Michelin-starred Le Louis XV in Monaco, Fioravanti brings more than two decades of international culinary experience to the Italian capital. Above the city, LYVE Rooftop offers a different perspective on Rome, combining panoramic views with carefully crafted cocktails, Italian aperitivi and a menu designed for sharing. Meanwhile, the Lobby Lounge provides a more relaxed setting for everything from morning coffee to evening drinks. Beyond its rooms and restaurants, Thompson Rome is introducing a programme of cultural experiences, including culinary workshops, guided tastings and an immersive photography concept known as Empire of Light, inviting guests to discover the Eternal City from the hotel's seventh floor. Situated on Via delle Botteghe Oscure, within walking distance of the Pantheon, Roman Forum and Colosseum, the property offers an ideal starting point for exploring Rome's historic centre. With its combination of architectural heritage, contemporary creativity and understated luxury, Thompson Rome introduces a compelling new address to the city's hospitality scene, proving that even in a destination as timeless as Rome, there is always room for something new. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/thompson-rome-opens-in-the-eternal-city — Citation: "Thompson Rome Opens In The Eternal City" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-31. https://menwith.com/thompson-rome-opens-in-the-eternal-city --- ## Datograph in Platinum Proves That Weight Has Gravity - URL: https://menwith.com/datograph-in-platinum-proves-that-weight-has-gravity - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-31 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne celebrates the Datograph's legacy with a limited 950 platinum edition. This 50-piece release features an integrated bracelet, baguette diamonds, and the complex L952.1 movement. Datograph models carry a distinct physical presence, and the newest expression from A. Lange & Söhne emphasizes that mass with deliberate conviction. Twenty years after the original reference arrived in 2006, the manufacture has rendered the complication in 950 platinum with a matching integrated bracelet. Limited to fifty examples, the watch pairs an intricate mechanical architecture with a black dial anchored by baguette diamonds. Lange chose to build the entire bracelet from solid platinum, matching the 41.0-millimeter case. The links employ five rows of alternating polished and matted surfaces with lateral chamfers, giving the watch an unmistakable density on the wrist. Measuring 13.5 millimeters thick, the piece occupies space with absolute authority. The Geometry of the Dial Dial balance in the Datograph family relies on an equilateral triangle. The twin aperture of the Lange outsize date sits at twelve o'clock, establishing the apex. Below the horizontal center line, two rhodié auxiliary registers form the base. On the left, the counter groups the running seconds, the day of the week, and a day-night indicator. On the right, another subdial displays the jumping minute counter, the month, and the four-year leap-year cycle. The moon phase rests at six o'clock, calibrated to track the lunar cycle with an error of one single day after 122.6 years of continuous operation. Eleven hand-applied baguette-cut diamonds mark the hours across the black surface, totaling approximately 0.13 carats. Lange doubled the stones at twelve o'clock while omitting them at four and eight o'clock to keep the calendar displays completely legible. The stones add clear geometric accents against the dark surface without disturbing the mathematical harmony of the layout. Calibre L952.1 and Mechanical Logic Turning the case reveals the manually wound calibre L952.1 through the sapphire crystal back. The movement contains 556 individual parts, assembled twice by hand according to manufacture tradition. The calendar mechanism accounts for 223 of those components. The chronograph operates via a traditional column wheel, coordinating switching sequences across long levers required by the spread-out dial layout. Actuating the flyback pusher resets and restarts an elapsed measurement instantaneously. The column wheel governs the precise jumping minute counter, which advances cleanly at the exact completion of each sixty-second sweep. Operating the complex perpetual calendar remains straightforward. A dedicated rapid-correction pusher at ten o'clock advances all date indications and the moon disc simultaneously, protected by an internal safety mechanism that prevents accidental adjustments. Individual recessed pushers in the case band permit isolated corrections when necessary. Every mechanical program inside the watch anticipates the future. The calendar calculations account for leap years automatically until March 1, 2100, when the Gregorian calendar requires a manual adjustment of one day. The cold weight of solid platinum gives tangible permanence to that horizon. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/datograph-in-platinum-proves-that-weight-has-gravity — Citation: "Datograph in Platinum Proves That Weight Has Gravity" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-31. https://menwith.com/datograph-in-platinum-proves-that-weight-has-gravity --- ## Rolls-Royce Marks 120 Years of the Silver Ghost - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-marks-120-years-of-the-silver-ghost - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-31 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce celebrates 120 years of the iconic Silver Ghost, the model that defined the brand's mechanical excellence and endurance through legendary trials and historic global service. Rolls-Royce introduced the 40/50 H.P. at London's Olympia Motor Show in November 1906, establishing an operational benchmark that defined early twentieth-century motoring. Henry Royce engineered the mechanical platform to resolve the structural frailties common to pioneer automobiles. Commercial Managing Director Claude Johnson, known across the industry as CJ, recognized that commercial survival required public demonstration. He chose chassis 60551, painted it silver, installed silver-plated fittings, and christened it the Silver Ghost. Clients adopted the designation for every subsequent chassis, anchoring the identity of the marque to a single mechanical philosophy. Royce focused his development on a smooth-running six-cylinder engine, pairing it with a versatile chassis capable of carrying varied coachwork configurations. British production ran from 1906 through 1925 at Derby, totaling 6,173 chassis. An additional 1,703 rolled out from the American assembly plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, followed by ten specialized chassis in 1927. Factory mechanics paired specific spring rates and damping arrangements directly to the weight and profile of each individual coachbuilder commission, spanning formal limousines to open tourers. The Engineering Logic of Rolls-Royce Competitive trials served as Johnson's primary verification method during an era when long-distance travel remained unpredictable. The model secured early titles at the Scottish Reliability Trial, the Austrian Alpine Trial, and the Spanish Grand Prix. Experimental test driver Ernest Hives demonstrated the mechanical ceiling of the platform in 1911 by entering chassis 1701 into the London-Edinburgh Trial. Mechanics deliberately sealed the gearbox in top gear for the entire journey. Chassis 1701 recorded fuel economy figures exceeding 24 mpg, reached 78.2 mph in a subsequent half-mile test, and later clocked 101.8 mph at Brooklands fitted with streamlined bodywork, marking the first Rolls-Royce to clear the 100 mph threshold. That demonstration unit earned the nickname The Sluggard from Johnson, though its structural endurance proved repeatable across eras. Historical specialists retraced the 1,800-mile route of the 1913 Alpine Trial in 2013 with 47 original examples, including chassis 1701. In 2021, the same chassis repeated its London-Edinburgh run with the transmission once again locked in top gear, matching the exact operational conditions recorded 110 years earlier. Today, chassis 1701 sits on display inside the Goodwood manufacturing plant, representing the mechanical origin point for the brand's contemporary standards. Trials and Everyday Service Private client logs documented the daily operation of the vehicle across varied global topographies. Opera singer Dame Nellie Melba took formal delivery of chassis 1500 at the Ritz Hotel in London during 1911, deploying the tourer across Britain, France, and Australia. Another private owner designated his vehicle The Dreamer after observing that his passenger consistently fell asleep over rough road surfaces. In 1911, the Government of India acquired eight landaulette chassis to transport King George V and Queen Mary, with factory personnel provided to manage operation and maintenance during the state visit. Prominent figures across aviation, industry, and statecraft acquired chassis during the nineteen-year production cycle, including Tommy Sopwith, Paris Singer, Baron Alfred de Rothschild, Sir Winston Churchill, and Howard Hughes. During the First World War, military units converted production chassis into armored patrol cars. T. E. Lawrence commanded a detachment of these modified vehicles across open desert terrain, famously writing that their mechanical stamina exceeded the value of rubies. In continental Europe, Queen Marie of Romania used a designated motor car to coordinate field hospitals and distribute relief supplies along front lines. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu first applied the phrase the best car in the world to the model, commissioning sculptor Charles Sykes to create the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot for his personal Silver Ghost in 1911. A century and two decades after its Olympia debut, the 40/50 H.P. stands as the historical architecture upon which modern luxury transport established its technical expectations. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-marks-120-years-of-the-silver-ghost — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Marks 120 Years of the Silver Ghost" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-31. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-marks-120-years-of-the-silver-ghost --- ## WITH Gregory Kissling: The Year of the Tourbillon - URL: https://menwith.com/with-gregory-kissling-the-year-of-the-tourbillon - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-10-30 - Tags: Breguet, Gregory Kissling, Tourbillon, Haute Horlogerie, Classique 7357, Guillochage **Summary:** Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling discusses the brand's heritage and the evolution of the tourbillon, highlighting the new Classique 7357 and Tradition 7047 models as pinnacles of mechanical savoir-faire. On 26 June 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon. Two hundred and twenty-five years later, Gregory Kissling, CEO of Breguet since October 2024, welcomed us back to the house's boutique in Geneva to talk about that invention and the watches Breguet has built around its anniversary. "This year we really wanted to celebrate this incredible invention," he said. A Beauty in Motion The tourbillon began as an answer to a pocket watch problem. Carried upright for most of the day, a pocket watch lost precision to gravity, so Breguet placed the regulating organ inside a rotating cage. He tried rotations of one, four and six minutes, and different escapements along the way. Over his lifetime he made 40 tourbillon timepieces, 35 of them pocket watches. "What is very interesting is that we had to wait a century before other watchmakers came out with a tourbillon," Kissling said. "It shows you the technological lead our founder had at the time." On the wrist, which rarely holds one position for long, the tourbillon's original purpose matters less than it did in a pocket. What it has never lost is the view: a cage in constant rotation, the balance beating inside it, one of the most mesmerising sights in watchmaking. Breguet now has eight tourbillon calibres, varying in cage, inertia, frequency and material. Keeping the craft alive is the harder part. Finishing, assembly and fine-tuning all demand the best watchmakers, and the result has to look as good as it performs. "A tourbillon is a beauty in motion. It's a mechanical art," he said. "This is absolutely our duty, to preserve this savoir-faire." That commitment to savoir-faire reaches all the way to the tools. For the secret signature on its enamel dials, Breguet still works with a pantograph from 1820. "A tool that was used by our founder to make the secret signature on the enamel dial." Classique Tourbillon 7357 Kissling began with the Classique 7357, a reinterpretation of the reference 3350, the first tourbillon wristwatch made by the modern Breguet, launched in 1989. The brief was to keep its identity intact. "We didn't change anything, but at the same time, we changed every single component." Size is the first thing you notice: 35 millimetres across and less than nine millimetres thick. "The trend is definitely going smaller," he said. The lugs now take their cue from the Souscription, and the coin edge on the case is no longer stamped but cut by guillochage, more than 80 lines, each needing three to five passes on the machine. The off-centre time display remains, but the distance between the dial and the tourbillon cage has been reworked to leave more room for guilloché. Clous de Paris fills the centre, while a barleycorn pattern runs out across the dial and continues onto the main plate. Above the cage, the tourbillon bridge has been redesigned, domed and bevelled by hand. The watch carries the Poinçon Breguet, with a daily precision of plus or minus two seconds and magnetic resistance up to 600 gauss. Turn it over and the movement is decorated with the Dents de Vaulion, named after a peak in the Vallée de Joux, home to Breguet's manufacture. "So you have a duality between the Clous de Paris, because Breguet started his career in Paris in 1775, and Swiss expertise." A platinum version sits alongside it, with a dark grey dial and rhodium-plated chapter rings. For Kissling, the metal is a tribute. "Abraham-Louis Breguet was the very first watchmaker to use platinum," he said, pointing to the perpetual watch of 1780. Tradition Tourbillon Fusée Chaîne 7047 The Tradition Tourbillon Fusée Chaîne is limited to 25 pieces in platinum. Kissling introduced it with a line from Sir David Salomons, one of the greatest Breguet collectors, who owned the Marie Antoinette, number 160: "To carry a fine Breguet watch is to feel that you have the brains of a genius in your pocket." He took it one step further. "With this timepiece on your wrist, you can claim to have not one brain, but two: Abraham-Louis Breguet with the tourbillon, and another genius, Leonardo da Vinci, with the fusée and chain." The mechanism exists to deliver a constant force. By regulating the torque leaving the barrel, it steadies the amplitude of the balance wheel, and with it the rate. It also takes the tourbillon back to where it started. "The very first tourbillon pocket watch had this kind of fusée and chain," he said, "for exactly that reason." The chain itself is 25 centimetres long, with 77 links and 232 components, each link coated in Bleu de France by atomic layer deposition. "After assembly, we massage the chain for one hour, because you don't want any friction between the links." Around it, a movement of almost 500 components is skeletonised, its bridges finished with hand-polished, rhodium-plated bevels against the blue. Breguet makes the chain in-house, and the challenge, he said, is colour. "The challenge is making the entire chain with every link the same colour. The assembly is also quite challenging. But very impressive to see." Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Behind the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral sits a question few people think to ask: why did Breguet call his invention a tourbillon at all? Today the word suggests a whirlwind or a vortex of water. "At the time of the invention, it was linked to astronomy, to the cosmos, to the planetary system." The watch takes that idea literally. At six o'clock, a flying tourbillon removes the upper bridge, and a mystérieuse construction hides the gears between the movement and the cage. "When you look at it, it's as if the tourbillon is in total weightlessness," he said. "The tourbillon was invented to defy gravity, and in total weightlessness, you have no gravity." The dial is made from aventurine glass, discovered in seventeenth-century Murano when copper oxide found its way into the firing, which is how it earned its name: "aventurina, by chance." Breguet grinds a block of it into powder and applies it in more than five layers of grand feu enamel, each fired above 800 degrees Celsius. It reads black until the light catches a green hue, and no two dials are alike. Underneath, the solid gold movement carries the Quai de l'Horloge pattern, a nod to the Île de la Cité, where the house began in 1775. The Sidéral is crafted in platinum and limited to 50 pieces. Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante 5887 The Marine collection traces back to 1815, when Breguet was appointed watchmaker to the French Royal Navy and went on to deliver more than 70 marine chronometers. "It was the GPS of its day," Kissling said. Without satellites, longitude depended on a sextant and an accurate clock, and a single second could mean an error of around 400 metres. "You can have a rock or no rock when you navigate." Navigators read the stars at night, and so the dial shows the sky above Paris at midnight on 26 June 1801. Clients can replace it with their own. "The client enters a location, a date, a birthday or a wedding, and a time," he explained. An app on the Breguet website generates that sky, and an artisan paints it onto a sapphire dial, working on both its front and back, more than 450 stars over the course of a week. Inside is what Kissling calls the most complex movement in Breguet's core collections. A tourbillon sits at five o'clock beside a running equation of time, with a second minute hand tipped by a small sun to show true solar time. The two times align only four times a year, drifting apart by as much as 14 minutes behind and 16 ahead. "To be very accurate, you also need a perpetual calendar," one that accounts for the leap year. On the back, the Royal Louis, an eighteenth-century ship of the French Royal Navy, is engraved by hand in bas-relief, three months of work. A peripheral rotor keeps it in view, and a compass rose on the barrel cover points north. The 5887 is crafted in platinum and limited to 25 pieces. Expérimentale 1 The Expérimentale 1 closed the 250th anniversary year and points toward the next chapter. Its case is Breguet gold, an alloy inspired by the founder's own, "not completely yellow, not completely rose, somewhere in between," with palladium added so the colour holds and a hardness greater than stainless steel. The movement was designed from scratch. Its display borrows from a marine chronometer, the reference 3448, in a regulator layout that reads seconds first, then minutes, then hours, in order of priority. The seconds at twelve o'clock are driven by what Kissling calls the very first 10 hertz tourbillon. Driving it takes four mainsprings: two barrels in series, each holding two springs separated by sapphire. That much energy creates its own problem, plenty of torque when fully wound and far less at the end of the power reserve. The solution reaches back to Breguet's first patented invention, the constant force escapement of 1798, three years before the tourbillon. The founder combined the two in four experimental pieces, and that discovery became the starting point. The new version adds magnetism. "At Breguet, we like using magnetism. We tame magnetism." Magnetic repulsion between the escape wheels and the lever gives the balance wheel the same energy from start to finish. Kissling frames it as an answer to three enemies of precision: gravity, handled by the tourbillon; shocks, which can reach 100 to 200 G from simply setting a watch on a table and 5,000 if it falls, handled by frequency; and falling torque, handled by constant force. "Five hertz is good, but ten hertz is better," he said. The result is plus or minus one second a day, the best category of the Poinçon Breguet and five times better than COSC certification. Getting there meant solving two problems at once. The first was the magnetic track itself, refined through simulation and testing across different escape wheels. The second was the magnet, and the best candidate turned out to be samarium cobalt, set in a non-magnetic environment built from non-ferrous materials including grade 5 titanium, LIGA and silicon. "We knew the goal, but the route was not straight, like every new development." Not to Copy the Past Breguet is also moving further upstream. Earlier this year, the house announced a department on a campus dedicated to fundamental research, the stage before R&D. "The roadmap is already on the table," he said. The magnetic escapement may one day leave the experimental line for the core collection. "Delivering a constant force to the balance wheel is a dream for any watchmaker." When asked how he pushes Breguet forward while respecting its heritage, he returned to the founder's own experiments. "The idea is not to copy the past, but to be inspired. We discovered that Breguet combined these two inventions, and we asked ourselves why. The reason was to increase, again and again, the chronometric performance of the timepiece. We take that spirit with the means of today: materials, technology, and talented people who can design new things. The idea is to forge the path of watchmaking. That's our duty, and this is why we continue to experiment. And number two is already in the pipeline, so stay tuned." — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-gregory-kissling-the-year-of-the-tourbillon — Citation: "WITH Gregory Kissling: The Year of the Tourbillon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-30. https://menwith.com/with-gregory-kissling-the-year-of-the-tourbillon --- ## Ruinart Explores Scale and Living Landscapes with Tadashi Kawamata - URL: https://menwith.com/ruinart-explores-scale-and-living-landscapes-with-tadashi-kawamata - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-10-30 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Ruinart partners with Tadashi Kawamata for a monumental Art Basel Paris installation, exploring environmental change through reclaimed wood and ongoing ecological dialogue. Ruinart anchored its presence at Art Basel Paris under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, presenting a monumental installation by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata. The newly commissioned work arrived during an intense week of contemporary art presentations across the capital, marking another phase in the house’s sustained cultural initiatives. Kawamata built the work using reclaimed wood and gathered furniture, materials that have long defined his artistic practice. The construction intentionally disrupts established points of reference through deliberate shifts in physical scale. By assembling everyday wooden objects into an expansive architectural structure, Kawamata highlights the temporary nature of human builds when positioned against environmental change. Ruinart and the Conversations with Nature Program The Grand Palais project forms the central piece of the ongoing Conversations with Nature series. Through this annual commissioning platform, the house invites an artist to examine the relationship connecting humanity and natural ecosystems. Kawamata uses raw structural timber to examine environmental transformation directly inside the historic exhibition hall. Hospitality formed an additional component of the presentation during the Paris fair. Across town at Cheval Blanc Paris, the house organised focused gastronomic gatherings. These dedicated dining sessions paired selected cuvées alongside custom culinary preparations developed specifically for the contemporary art gathering. The Champagne Landscape at the Cellier in Reims The curatorial focus now moves from Paris into the Champagne region through a dedicated museum exhibition titled Ars in Campania. Mounted at the Cellier in Reims, the presentation runs from October 24, 2026, through February 28, 2027. The project is presented in close collaboration with the City of Reims. Independent curator Alice Audouin organised the exhibition, selecting 22 artists represented in the Ruinart collection. The roster features work by Eva Jospin, Julian Charrière, Tomás Saraceno, and Pascale Marthine Tayou. Each creator addresses the specific regional terrain through distinct material processes and conceptual strategies. The works in Reims document Champagne as an active terrain shaped by natural history and atmospheric pressures. The pieces trace tangible connections between the chalk subsoils left by a prehistoric sea and the immediate realities of contemporary climate shifts. The artists interpret the geography through sculpture, organic textures, and environmental observation. The dual presentations in Paris and Reims formed part of a coordinated series of cultural events staged by LVMH Maisons during the autumn art calendar. By linking Kawamata’s ephemeral construction under the Grand Palais glass with the geological and climatic investigations inside the Cellier, the program tracks environmental transformation across two related stages. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ruinart-explores-scale-and-living-landscapes-with-tadashi-kawamata — Citation: "Ruinart Explores Scale and Living Landscapes with Tadashi Kawamata" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-30. https://menwith.com/ruinart-explores-scale-and-living-landscapes-with-tadashi-kawamata --- ## Oyster P60: A New Era of Luxury Exploration - URL: https://menwith.com/oyster-p60-a-new-era-of-luxury-exploration - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-29 - Tags: Oyster Yachts, Berret Racoupeau, Motor Catamaran, Bluewater Cruising, Superyacht Design **Summary:** The Oyster P60 is a 19.42-meter luxury motor catamaran designed for long-distance ocean exploration with a 3,500 nautical mile range and expansive 121-square-meter living spaces. British luxury yacht builder Oyster Yachts has unveiled the Oyster P60, marking a significant new chapter in the company's more than 50 years of maritime heritage. Known for its world class sailing yachts, Oyster is now bringing its expertise in long distance exploration and exceptional craftsmanship into the world of motor powered catamarans. Developed in collaboration with renowned naval architecture studio Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design, the P60 combines the stability and spaciousness of a multihull with the endurance of a true ocean explorer. Measuring 19.42 metres in length and 9.35 metres in width, the yacht has been designed for owners who want to travel further without compromising on comfort or luxury. Designed to Cross Oceans One of the Oyster P60's most impressive features is its remarkable cruising range. With a fuel capacity of 6,000 litres and two 300 horsepower engines, the yacht is designed to achieve up to 3,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 8 knots. This extraordinary capability would allow the P60 to complete the longest passage of the Oyster World Rally, travelling approximately 3,000 nautical miles from the Galápagos Islands to the Marquesas Islands without refuelling. For those seeking faster journeys, the yacht offers a cruising speed of 8 to 12 knots, with a projected maximum speed of 19 knots. At 12 knots, the estimated range remains an impressive 1,000 nautical miles. The P60's efficient twin hull design, elevated bridgedeck clearance and substantial fuel reserves have all been developed with extended offshore cruising in mind. Optional solar panels and a large lithium battery system further enhance onboard independence, reducing reliance on generators while anchored. A Floating Residence Designed for Comfort Beyond its impressive technical capabilities, the Oyster P60 places considerable emphasis on lifestyle and comfort. The yacht offers approximately 121 square metres of social living space, creating an environment that feels closer to a luxurious waterfront residence than a conventional 60 foot yacht. The 33 square metre flybridge serves as an elevated entertainment area, featuring a central helm station, bar, comfortable lounge seating and a raised daybed overlooking the ocean. At the stern, a generous 40 square metre cockpit provides a versatile outdoor environment that can transition between an elegant dining area, a relaxation space and a practical setting for fishing or watersports. A hydraulic tender platform can also be lowered to create direct access to the surrounding water. Inside, the panoramic saloon features expansive glazing, carefully selected materials and beautifully crafted furniture. The open layout connects the interior with both the forward and aft outdoor spaces, creating a seamless relationship between indoor luxury and life at sea. The owner's suite measures approximately 18 square metres and features private access to the aft deck. Depending on the selected configuration, the yacht can accommodate two or three additional guest cabins, alongside dedicated crew accommodation. Owners can also choose between different galley arrangements, allowing the interior to be tailored to their preferred cruising lifestyle. A New Direction for Oyster Yachts The introduction of the P60 represents an important expansion for Oyster Yachts, bringing the company's established philosophy of bluewater exploration to an entirely new category. While the British shipyard has built its reputation around premium sailing yachts, the P60 demonstrates how its approach to engineering, craftsmanship and long distance cruising can translate into a sophisticated motor yacht. Owners will also benefit from the wider Oyster ownership experience, including technical support, training opportunities and access to the brand's exclusive international community. With its ambitious cruising range, expansive living spaces and elegant design, the Oyster P60 is more than simply a new model. It represents a new way to experience luxury exploration, where the freedom to cross oceans meets the comfort of a private floating residence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/oyster-p60-a-new-era-of-luxury-exploration — Citation: "Oyster P60: A New Era of Luxury Exploration" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-29. https://menwith.com/oyster-p60-a-new-era-of-luxury-exploration --- ## Capucines and Seven Years of Art at the Grand Palais - URL: https://menwith.com/capucines-and-seven-years-of-art-at-the-grand-palais - Author: Tom - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-10-29 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Louis Vuitton’s Artycapucines retrospective at the Grand Palais showcases seven years of artist collaborations, bridging fine art with luxury leather craftsmanship. Capucines leather greeted visitors inside the Grand Palais from the interior of raw shipping crates. The installation marked seven years of Louis Vuitton’s Artycapucines initiative during Art Basel Paris 2026, where the house participated as an associate partner. Fourteen artists formed the core of the retrospective, which opened to the public on October 23. Every creation on display documented a direct dialogue between individual studio practices and the technical capabilities of leather artisans. The Grand Palais gave the collection an imposing cultural setting, framing these specialized bags as genuine artifacts of modern material culture. Display plinths across the exhibition hall used brushed aluminum and natural cotton canvas. These utilitarian materials evoked the physical mechanics of moving fine art across oceans and continents. The design referenced the earliest trunks built by Louis Vuitton, objects conceived specifically to protect delicate possessions in transit. Packing crates and preservation cases became the visual language of the gallery, reminding viewers that utility sits at the base of every luxury object. Organizers positioned each finished bag directly beside the original painting or sculpture that sparked its creation. That physical pairing established the Capucines as a serious object of inquiry. Visitors could trace how a brushstroke or carved surface traveled from an artist’s private studio into a structured leather silhouette. Seeing the source artwork next to the leather goods highlighted the technical translation achieved by the artisans. The Capucines as an Architectural Object Since 2019, the Capucines handbag has served as a consistent foundation for external collaborators. The design carries clean vertical lines, an arched top handle, and distinctive hardware that define its physical identity. Those firm proportions provide the stability needed to host radical visual ideas. The geometric discipline of the bag allows diverse creators to test their visual theories without compromising the handbag's essential form. Artisans pushed leather far beyond conventional leathercraft to realize these projects. They integrated detailed embroidery, complex assemblage, and sculptural molding directly into the hides. Every edition required new mechanical calculations, expanding what the workshop bench could produce. The resulting pieces turned functional hides into surfaces capable of holding complex dimensional compositions. Color and textural experimentation transformed the skin of each bag into an active surface. Heavy relief work sat alongside delicate needlework across the gallery space. The fourteen artists brought distinct graphic vocabularies to the table, and the craftspeople adapted traditional tools to meet those demands. Hand stitching supported intricate structural layers, demonstrating how classical leatherworking adapts to modern conceptual demands. Keith Haring and the Continuity of the Trunk Keith Haring took center stage in the 2026 retrospective with a collection dedicated entirely to his work. His recognizable dancing figures and energetic black outlines energized the leather panels. The animated iconography felt sharp against the rigid leather, preserving Haring’s kinetic visual rhythm through exacting craftsmanship. Each motif remained faithful to his widely recognized public murals and graphic drawings. A weathered travel trunk dating from the 1930s stood directly beside the modern Haring creations. Haring had written his signature across its surface during the 1980s. Placing this archival trunk in the gallery highlighted a long history of direct relationships with artists, connecting twentieth-century street energy with modern luxury production. The trunk showed that this creative exchange possessed genuine historical roots. Archival evidence like that trunk confirmed that creative partnerships belonged to the identity of the house decades before the Artycapucines program launched. Haring’s bold script on vintage wood and canvas demonstrated an enduring curiosity about outside culture. That continuity validated the newer editions sitting just feet away, illustrating how archival encounters inform present-day design strategies. A Coordinated Presence in Paris Beyond the Grand Palais, a coordinated cultural presence unfolded throughout Paris during Art Basel. Group parent LVMH orchestrated initiatives across several of its premier houses. Maison Ruinart, for example, returned to Cheval Blanc Paris with an intimate dining experience, blending culinary hospitality with contemporary cultural appreciation. Together, these events demonstrated how luxury groups engage the international art crowd on multiple sensory levels. Seven years of creative work gathered under the glass roof of the Grand Palais underlined the durability of the Capucines design. When a leather silhouette can accept sculptural relief, intense pigment, and heavy embroidery while maintaining its structural balance, it transcends seasonal fashion. The project showed that rigorous artisanal discipline gives contemporary ideas their physical permanence. The exhibition left an impression of craftsmanship functioning as an active, living bridge between art history and contemporary luxury. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/capucines-and-seven-years-of-art-at-the-grand-palais — Citation: "Capucines and Seven Years of Art at the Grand Palais" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-29. https://menwith.com/capucines-and-seven-years-of-art-at-the-grand-palais --- ## Valhalla Spider Arrives with 1,079PS and Open-Cockpit Speed - URL: https://menwith.com/valhalla-spider-arrives-with-1-079ps-and-open-cockpit-speed - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-28 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** The Aston Martin Valhalla Spider debuts as a 1,079PS hybrid supercar, hitting 217 mph with an open-cockpit design and advanced F1-derived aerodynamics. Valhalla brings extreme open-cockpit performance into production reality. Aston Martin announced the Valhalla Spider in Gaydon on 28 October 2026, delivering the fastest open-cockpit supercar the marque has ever manufactured. Capable of reaching 350 km/h, or 217 mph, with the roof removed, the mid-engined hybrid achieves the same maximum speed whether open to the elements or sealed. The car makes its global premiere this weekend at the 2026 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. Following the launch of the coupe earlier this year, the Spider preserves the foundational engineering while providing an open-air driving experience. Aero and the Valhalla Cockpit Managing airflow at 217 mph requires careful hardware calibration. Valhalla Spider features a dedicated wind deflector that clips into place above the windscreen header when the roof panel is detached. The deflector pulls cooling air directly toward the roof-mounted engine snorkel while lifting oncoming turbulence clear of the cockpit. Engineers reprofiled the intake snorkel for this roof layout, setting it 35 millimetres taller than the coupe iteration. When stored, the three-piece wind deflector folds into newly packaged 15-litre sill storage compartments built into the carbon architecture. Weather equipment includes a removable black fabric roof as standard, engineered for speeds up to 124 mph, or 200 km/h. Aston Martin also provides an optional carbon fibre hard top for full aerodynamic capability at the 217 mph top speed. A dedicated rain cover handles static protection when parked outdoors. Inside the cockpit, carbon fibre Touring Seats come standard to improve passenger access under the roofline. Drivers desiring track support can specify the original coupe carbon seats at no additional cost. Dihedral doors feature frameless glass, smooth kinematics, and extra curvature along the top glass edge to ease cabin entry. Engineering the Hybrid Powertrain A mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine anchors the powertrain, using a flat-plane crankshaft to produce 828PS. Delivering 207 horsepower per litre, the engine sets the record for the highest specific output of any combustion powerplant produced by Aston Martin. Three electric motors and a High-Performance Battery supply an additional 251PS, taking overall vehicle output to 1,079PS and 1,100Nm of torque. Two electric motors drive the front axle with Electric Torque Vectoring to sharpen handling. A third motor sits within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, assisting the rear wheels alongside an electronic differential. Front and rear axles operate with no mechanical connection between them. The Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control system coordinates individual wheel torque, overseeing suspension, braking, steering, and powertrain behavior across four selectable drive modes. Aerodynamic balance relies on movable active wing surfaces and underbody airflow management, maintaining over 600 kilograms of downforce with the roof fitted. Collaborating with Aston Martin Performance Technologies, the consulting division of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team, engineers crafted the central passenger tub using resin transfer moulding and autoclave curing. Revised Electronic Stability Programme calibrations adjust responses across roof-mounted and open driving modes. Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Adrian Hallmark outlined the car's role: "Valhalla Coupe broke so much new ground. Our first production mid-engined supercar. Our first plug-in hybrid. The first to feature our bespoke flat-plane crank V8 engine, and the first to use our all-new 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. It also pioneered a fresh design language and achieved a unique blend of exemplary on-road feel and engagement matched by extraordinary on-track capability." Hallmark added: "Valhalla Spider builds on those impressive 'firsts', preserving the aesthetic beauty and dynamic bandwidth of Valhalla Coupe while introducing the expanded opportunities for enjoyment and engagement that can only be found in an open-cockpit supercar. High speed or low speed. Rain or shine. Roof on or roof off. Road or track. Valhalla Spider ticks every box." Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/valhalla-spider-arrives-with-1-079ps-and-open-cockpit-speed — Citation: "Valhalla Spider Arrives with 1,079PS and Open-Cockpit Speed" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-28. https://menwith.com/valhalla-spider-arrives-with-1-079ps-and-open-cockpit-speed --- ## Baume & Mercier Timeless Elegance - URL: https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-timeless-elegance - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-26 - Tags: Baume & Mercier, Clifton Baumatic, Hampton, Joia, Swiss watchmaking, horology **Summary:** Baume & Mercier unveils a festive collection featuring the Clifton Baumatic, Hampton, and Joia lines, emphasizing Swiss craftsmanship, Art Deco design, and a five-day power reserve movement. As the festive season approaches, Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier presents a selection of four distinctive timepieces that celebrate the art of watchmaking, timeless design and personal expression. Bringing together models from its Clifton, Hampton and Joia collections, the Maison offers a refined perspective on contemporary luxury, where craftsmanship and understated elegance take centre stage. Leading the selection are two interpretations of the Clifton Baumatic, both inspired by the sophisticated aesthetics of 1950s watchmaking. The limited-edition Clifton Baumatic M0A10870 introduces an ice-blue guilloché dial, complemented by a subtle crosshair detail and a 39 mm stainless steel case. Its integrated three-row bracelet and carefully balanced proportions give the watch a contemporary character while maintaining the timeless appeal associated with the Clifton collection. Offering a more traditional expression of elegance, the Clifton Baumatic M0A10771 features a gradient blue lacquered dial that transitions from darker edges towards a lighter centre. Paired with a blue alligator leather strap, the 39 mm timepiece brings a sophisticated finishing touch to everything from tailored suits to more relaxed everyday looks. Both Clifton models are powered by Baume & Mercier's self-winding Baumatic manufacture movement, delivering an impressive five-day power reserve. Visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, the movement combines mechanical precision with traditional decorative finishing, highlighting the craftsmanship that defines the collection. Complementing the two Clifton models is the Hampton XS M0A10862, a compact interpretation of Baume & Mercier's signature rectangular watch design. Drawing inspiration from Art Deco architecture, its polished stainless steel case measures 28 x 17.75 mm and is adorned with 28 brilliant-cut diamonds. A sculpted black dial and geometric steel bracelet create a distinctive combination of architectural elegance and jewellery-inspired design. Completing the selection is the Joia M0A10850, a contemporary reinterpretation of the Maison's heritage in women's jewellery watches. Inspired by a historical design from the 1980s, the 28 mm stainless steel timepiece features 40 brilliant-cut diamonds, a silver-toned dial and a textured steel bracelet. Its black agate-set crown adds a subtle finishing detail, reinforcing the collection's emphasis on thoughtful craftsmanship. Together, the four timepieces reflect Baume & Mercier's approach to luxury, where refined proportions, carefully selected materials and enduring design take precedence over passing trends. While the Clifton Baumatic models offer a particularly compelling choice for the modern gentleman, Hampton and Joia bring a complementary sense of elegance to the collection. Whether worn as an everyday signature or reserved for special occasions, each watch represents an appreciation for the finer details. With this latest selection, Baume & Mercier reminds us that true luxury is not defined by extravagance, but by craftsmanship, character and a sense of style that stands the test of time. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-timeless-elegance — Citation: "Baume & Mercier Timeless Elegance" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-26. https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-timeless-elegance --- ## The Archives: Paul Newman's Daytona - URL: https://menwith.com/the-archives-paul-newmans-daytona - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-10-26 - Tags: archive-template, archive-episode:the-chronograph, archive-reel:https://mrpjsuyugpihwfjqggwg.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/archive-films/79e3384f-409a-41c4-ab03-c7b2e649a407.mp4, archive-align:right **Summary:** Paul Newman's iconic Rolex Daytona 6239, gifted by Joanne Woodward, became a horological legend after selling for $17.8 million, cementing its status as the world's most famous vintage watch. Three words on the back In 1969 Paul Newman played a racing driver in Winning. His wife on screen was his wife off it, Joanne Woodward. Somewhere around the making of that film, she bought him a Rolex Daytona, reference 6239, built the year before. She had the caseback engraved with three words: DRIVE CAREFULLY ME. It reads like a note left on a kitchen table. No date, no occasion, no name beyond a single word only he would need. Hold on to it, because it matters more than anything on the front of the watch. The dial nobody asked for Woodward chose the version most buyers were walking past. The trade called it the exotic dial: square-tipped markers in the sub-dials, Art Deco numerals and colours reversed against the main dial. Next to the plainer Daytonas of the period it looked busy, and it sold slowly. Newman wore his anyway, every day, from 1969 to 1984. He raced in it, and the cameras kept finding it. Collectors noticed. Over time, every Daytona with that dial became a "Paul Newman". Rolex never gave it the name. The people who wanted one did, and a dial that had been hard to sell became the one everybody was hunting. The film ended, the racing didn't Winning was supposed to be a role. For Newman it became a second career. He won four SCCA national championships, and in 1979, at fifty-four, he finished second overall at Le Mans. He kept going long after most drivers stop. In 1995, aged seventy, he shared the car that won its class at the 24 Hours of Daytona. The watch, by then, had been gone for over a decade. For a man who drove like that, his wife's three words were never a figure of speech. A summer afternoon in 1984 James Cox was eighteen and dating Newman's daughter, Nell. That summer he was rebuilding the family treehouse. Newman asked him the time, and Cox admitted he didn't own a watch. So Newman took the Daytona off his wrist and handed it over. "If you can remember to wind this each day," he told him, "it tells pretty good time." No ceremony, no story attached. Within the collector world, meanwhile, the original Paul Newman simply vanished. For decades it was talked about as one of the great lost watches, while it sat with a young man who had been given it to tell the time. Thirty-three years later Cox kept the watch for thirty-three years. In October 2017 it came to Phillips in New York, with a signed letter from Nell Newman confirming its history, and Aurel Bacs took it to the rostrum. It sold for 17.8 million dollars, at the time the highest price ever paid for a wristwatch at auction. Part of the proceeds went to the Nell Newman Foundation. The record has since been passed. What hasn't changed is why that particular Daytona mattered. Other Daytonas carry the same dial, and the market knew exactly what it looked like. It had never seen the back of this one. Drive carefully. Me. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-archives-paul-newmans-daytona — Citation: "The Archives: Paul Newman's Daytona" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-26. https://menwith.com/the-archives-paul-newmans-daytona --- ## Audemars Piguet Wants to Know Where Its Watches Go Next - URL: https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-wants-to-know-where-its-watches-go-next - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-26 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, The Watch Keepers, Certified Pre-Owned, Royal Oak, Horology, Watch Authentication **Summary:** Audemars Piguet launches 'The Watch Keepers,' a certified pre-owned platform providing authenticated sales, expert condition grading, and a two-year warranty directly from the manufacture. Many fine watches outlive their first owner’s interest in them. A Royal Oak bought a decade ago may already be on its second or third wrist. Today the manufacture introduced The Watch Keepers, its own end-to-end service for Certified Pre-Owned AP timepieces. It’s a digital platform where registered users buy and sell authenticated watches, and nothing gets listed until it has been back in the care of AP’s own watchmakers. From Wrist To Listing Selling starts online. You register, verify the serial number and prove ownership. To qualify, the watch must be at least two years past its first sellout date. An insured courier then takes it to AP’s Customer Service facilities, where watchmakers authenticate it, cross-reference it against the archive registers and assess its condition. From there, AP shoots high-resolution photos and writes the listing itself, with information only the manufacture can provide. A five-point grading system assesses the aesthetic condition of the case, dial and bracelet. You review it, choose between a set price or bidding, and decide when it goes live. Until the sale closes, the watch stays your property, kept securely at AP. Buyers can browse the full catalogue with an account, but must complete the same registration before they can transact. Every watch ships with a Watch Keepers travel pouch, a certificate of authenticity and a two-year warranty covering proper functioning. The Archive Is The Asset Once you’ve produced watches yourself, you learn how much of a watch’s story lives in the brand’s own records. A dealer can open a caseback. Only the manufacture can open the archive, and that cross-reference is the strongest thing on this platform. Putting a manufacture’s own grade on condition is a smart call too. It’s the part of a pre-owned purchase buyers trust least. One Question AP presents the platform as a virtual home, with color-themed rooms and Expert Watch Keepers guiding you as digital avatars. I like that real AP team members stand behind those avatars. Whether a seasoned collector wants to walk through rooms, or simply wants the reference, the grade and the photos as fast as possible, I’ll judge once I’ve used it. For newcomers, whom AP clearly wants to welcome, the guided approach may be exactly right. I’m a believer in certified pre-owned, because the idea is right: our watches deserve care long after the first owner moves on. Nobody is better placed to give it than the house that made them, and AP has stepped up to do exactly that. The rollout starts in Europe and Switzerland before expanding region by region. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-wants-to-know-where-its-watches-go-next — Citation: "Audemars Piguet Wants to Know Where Its Watches Go Next" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-26. https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-wants-to-know-where-its-watches-go-next --- ## Glenmorangie and the Fifty-Year Wait - URL: https://menwith.com/glenmorangie-and-the-fifty-year-wait - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-10-26 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Glenmorangie unveils a rare 50-year-old single malt, matured under Dr. Bill Lumsden. Each of the 149 bottles features a bespoke porcelain vessel by artist Peter Pincus. In the 1970s, some of the last malt produced on Glenmorangie’s own distillery floor maltings was distilled in the Scottish Highlands. The liquid was then laid down in casks, beginning a journey that would span five decades, watched over by a single Master Distiller. When Dr. Bill Lumsden joined LVMH-owned Glenmorangie in 1995, that whisky was already approaching its 20th birthday. Dr. Lumsden, the distillery’s Master Distiller, recognized its potential for a much longer maturation. He identified and set aside a small number of casks, beginning a decades-long observation. A Decades-Long Watch The decisive moment came in 1999. Dr. Lumsden brought together the whisky, which had matured mainly in bourbon casks with a smaller portion from sherry casks. He transferred the entire blend into a single old bourbon cask. There it would remain for another 25 years, under his watch, until he decided it had reached its peak. The result is a liquid with notes of baked orange, raisins, and nutmeg on the nose. The palate delivers caramel, Assam tea, and clove, with a finish of oak tannins that speaks to its five decades of maturation. Only 149 bottles of the Glenmorangie 50 Years Old have been produced. Art as a Vessel Each of the 149 bottles is accompanied by a handmade porcelain case, a project that took more than three years to complete. Glenmorangie collaborated with American ceramic artist Peter Pincus, who worked with his partner Laurie in their studio to create the vessels. Drawing on the whisky’s tasting profile, Pincus developed a palette of 50 different pigments and experimented with new ceramic techniques. The process yielded a unique design for every single case. While each piece is individual, the 149 cases can be assembled together. Their distinct patterns join to form a single, continuous composition, an artwork titled "Together in Spirit". Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/glenmorangie-and-the-fifty-year-wait — Citation: "Glenmorangie and the Fifty-Year Wait" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-26. https://menwith.com/glenmorangie-and-the-fifty-year-wait --- ## Why the Nautilus Broke Its Own Rules at Auction - URL: https://menwith.com/why-the-nautilus-broke-its-own-rules-at-auction - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-25 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Patek Philippe's Nautilus has evolved from a steel icon to an auction powerhouse, with rare precious metal, gemstone, and commemorative editions now commanding record-breaking secondary market prices. Nautilus collecting began with an uncompromising belief in stainless steel. When Gérald Genta shaped the Reference 3700 in 1976, the porthole case and integrated bracelet presented a deliberate industrial aesthetic. Five decades later, auction results at Sotheby's reveal that the highest prices attach to precious metals, rare gems, and commemorative dials. The five most expensive examples sold since 2022 demonstrate how modern desire shifted. Collectors consistently chase the moments where the manufacture pushed past traditional boundaries to create exceptionally restricted editions. The Power of the Nautilus Dial and Provenance Leading the auction hierarchy is the Reference 5711 Tiffany Blue, which achieved 20.4 million Hong Kong dollars in April 2023, translating to 2.6 million dollars. Created in 2021 as a limited run of 170 pieces, the watch marked 170 years of partnership between Patek Philippe and Tiffany and Co. Antoine Norbert de Patek established that commercial alliance with Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1851. The turquoise lacquered dial closed out the fifteen-year production run of the steel Reference 5711, powered by the automatic caliber 26-330 SC. Second in the auction rankings is the Reference 5723/112R-001, which commanded 900,000 dollars in December 2024. Finished in 18-karat pink gold, the 40.5 mm case features a bezel set with baguette rubies and a chocolate brown dial with matching ruby hour markers. Tiffany and Co. originally retailed this piece in 2018. It relies on the caliber 324, applying high jewelry discipline directly to Genta's original sports silhouette. Platinum commands an equally devoted following in this market tier. The Reference 5711/111P-001 realized 6.5 million Hong Kong dollars in September 2026, equal to 824,000 dollars. Produced circa 2018, this 40 mm piece carries 32 baguette sapphires on the bezel alongside twelve sapphire dial markers and an automatic caliber 324 SC. A discreet diamond set at six o'clock on the bezel signifies the platinum case construction. Patek Philippe kept this sapphire model outside standard catalogues, allocating fewer than ten examples per configuration to selected collectors. The reference forms part of an ultra-rare family that also featured diamond, ruby, and emerald variants. Extreme discretion in distribution created immense secondary market demand. Commemorative Scale and Decorative Craftsmanship Anniversary pieces also establish high benchmarks. The Reference 5976/1G-001 achieved 630,000 Swiss francs in May 2022, equivalent to 761,000 dollars. Released in 2016 in a run of 1,300 examples for the 40th anniversary of the collection, the white gold watch expanded to 44 mm across. It paired a flyback chronograph caliber 28-520 with a blue sunburst dial displaying baguette diamond markers and an embossed 1976-40-2016 inscription. Artistic craft provided the foundation for the fifth entry, the Reference 5720 Diamond and Enamel Dragon, which brought 5.7 million Hong Kong dollars in April 2024, or 728,000 dollars. Built circa 2012 for the opening of the Shanghai branch, the 40 mm white gold watch features a five-clawed dragon across the dial and bezel. The design incorporates ten distinct enamel colors alongside hand-engraved clouds and 1,648 diamonds totaling 9.358 carats, powered by caliber 324. These sale figures demonstrate that collectors place their greatest capital behind extreme executions. The standard steel sports watch proved the strength of the case geometry. The secondary market places its ultimate premium on the rare editions that dressed that geometry in gold, enamel, and stones. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-the-nautilus-broke-its-own-rules-at-auction — Citation: "Why the Nautilus Broke Its Own Rules at Auction" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-25. https://menwith.com/why-the-nautilus-broke-its-own-rules-at-auction --- ## How Rosewood Reinvents Winter Island Rituals at Kona Village - URL: https://menwith.com/how-rosewood-reinvents-winter-island-rituals-at-kona-village - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-10-24 - Tags: Rosewood Hotels **Summary:** Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, replaces traditional winter tropes with authentic Hawaiian cultural rituals, from wood-pole tree lightings to ocean-arrival Santa visits along the Kona coast. Rosewood anchors its holiday calendar along the black lava rock of Kaʻūpūlehu with a deliberate sense of place. On the shoreline of Kahuwai Bay, holiday traditions discard the usual snowbound tropes in favor of open skies and salt air. The resort welcomes guests across one hundred and fifty thatch-roofed hales, staging gatherings that stretch from late November through the first days of January. Winter holidays at beach destinations often feel like awkward imports. Resorts frequently attempt to recreate continental winter through artificial means, creating a strange disconnect between geography and celebration. At Kona Village, A Rosewood Hotels property, the celebration draws directly from the land itself. The approach honors the history of the ancient fishing settlement that stood on this ground long before modern travel existed. Rosewood Crafts an Authentic Island Holiday Consider the centerpiece of the property during mid-December. The annual tree lighting ceremony on December 13th bypasses imported pine trees entirely. Instead, craftsmen construct a towering cone of natural wooden poles, dressing the timber structure with handwoven wreaths and finishing the peak with a rustic wooden star. Neighbors from the surrounding community gather alongside guests on the lawn to watch the illumination. That deliberate alignment with local culture runs through daily life across the property. Guests begin mornings with sunrise canoe paddles out into the calm ocean swells. Afterward, cultural guides lead walking tours through nearby petroglyphs carved into volcanic stone. In the Kaʻuluola Cultural Center, artisans teach ancestral techniques including lei making, ʻohe kāpala stamping, and pua hulu featherwork. Culinary gatherings also look inward toward the Pacific. Thanksgiving week introduces wood-fired culinary stations during Pūlehu Night, accompanied by live local music along the coast. Later in December, the kitchen hosts Paniolo Pāʻina on December 22nd, a communal feast built around open flames that pays respect to the long ranching lineage of Hawaiʻi Island. International craft finds its way into the bay through focused collaborations. Tokyo cocktail institution Bar BenFiddich, led by Hiroyasu Kayama, relocates its Shinjuku farm-driven mixology to the Kona shoreline for two evenings in late November. In December, Michelin-recognized chef and vintner Dustin Valette arrives for dedicated dinners alongside an educational visit to the Hawaiian Vanilla Co. upcountry. Nighttime Rituals Under Pacific Skies The resort leans into darkness as an active setting for rest. On December 23rd, sound practitioners lead a Supermoon Sound Bath, filling the coastal air with resonant singing bowls beneath the clear sky. Families join together for evening yoga sessions dressed in sleepwear, while athletes take to the tennis complex for glow-in-the-dark pickleball matches during the Moonlight Match tournament. When Christmas morning arrives, children and parents assemble along Kahuwai Bay at nine sharp to watch Santa arrive by boat across the water. That evening, Moana restaurant serves a holiday dinner spotlighting local ingredients through dishes like taro and crab cakes, savory pumpkin risotto, and chocolate peppermint mousse. The year concludes at Kīpuka Nanea with island seafood towers, caviar, and champagne, before fireworks erupt over Hoʻea Lawn at midnight. Celebration works best when it submits to the ground beneath your feet. By stripping away artificial holiday clutter, Kona Village offers something lasting. The real gift here is daylight on salt water and the sound of trade winds moving through thatched roofs. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/how-rosewood-reinvents-winter-island-rituals-at-kona-village — Citation: "How Rosewood Reinvents Winter Island Rituals at Kona Village" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-24. https://menwith.com/how-rosewood-reinvents-winter-island-rituals-at-kona-village --- ## Bugatti and the Architecture of Pure Scale - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-and-the-architecture-of-pure-scale - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-23 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Explore the engineering grandeur of the Bugatti Type 41 Royale, a masterpiece of scale and luxury. Discover how Ettore Bugatti’s vision for monarchs defined a century of automotive excellence. Bugatti measured the Type 41 Royale at more than six meters from bumper to bumper, setting the wheels roughly 4.3 meters apart. When the machine surfaced in British motoring circles in June 1926, observers referred to the immense prototype simply as The Golden Bugatti. That presence arrived with purpose. Ettore Bugatti wanted to construct an automobile for emperors and monarchs, working with proportions that ignored standard manufacturing boundaries entirely. Only six examples ever left the workshop. The original prototype carried an engine displacing approximately 14.7 liters before production settled on a definitive 12.8-liter straight-eight. Producing around 300 horsepower, the aviation-derived block moved roughly 3.5 tons of metal, leather, and wood up to a maximum speed of 200 km/h. Engineering on that scale required dry-sump lubrication and intricate valve gear to function with mechanical authority. The Bugatti Approach to Singular Engineering The mechanical chassis served as a foundation for independent European coachbuilders, including Kellner, Weymann, Park Ward, Binder, and Weinberger. The Coupé Napoléon remains the clearest study of how that balance worked. Originally fitted with a fixed-head Weymann body, the car suffered extensive damage in a crash during the early 1930s. Jean Bugatti stepped in to reshape the damaged chassis, establishing an enclosed passenger salon beneath a glazed roof while the driver sat exposed ahead. Personal patronage shaped every single body. Armand Esders, a Parisian textile industrialist who became the first private client to secure a chassis, commissioned a roadster body directly through Jean Bugatti. Esders informed the factory that his driving took place exclusively under natural daylight, prompting the design team to eliminate headlights entirely. Henri Binder later acquired the chassis and rebodied the mechanical base into an armor-plated Coupé de Ville, which is preserved today by the Autostadt. Ettore Bugatti approached instrument placement with equal precision. In 1932, he commissioned Breguet to produce a series of nine mechanical chronographs designed for the center of the Royale steering wheels. Engraved with the words Spécial pour Bugatti, each dial integrated an eight-day power reserve and a tachometer alongside elapsed time counters. That horological union accompanied tactile details like whalebone control knobs, polished walnut rims, and the standing elephant mascot cast by Rembrandt Bugatti. A Century of Form and Movement The economic crash of the period swiftly halted wider commercial plans. Ettore Bugatti had planned a larger production run, yet market forces capped total output at the six chassis completed in Alsace. Scarcity created an enduring collector market over subsequent decades. When Christie’s offered the Kellner-bodied example at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November 1987, the winning bid reached £5.5 million, setting an auction record for any automobile up to that date. During the Bugatti Festival in September 2026, three surviving cars returned to Molsheim for a joint exhibition. The Coupé Napoléon, preserved within the Musée National de l’Automobile in Mulhouse, stood alongside the Binder Coupé de Ville and the Park Ward limousine delivered to a British owner in 1933. Seeing three surviving chassis together confirms the ambition behind Ettore Bugatti’s vision, where mechanical force found clear physical expression. That design trajectory runs directly toward the brand’s modern era through the Veyron, Chiron, and Tourbillon. What began a hundred years ago on an absurdly long wheelbase remains the clear definition of the marque: extraordinary technical parameters built to command immediate respect on the open road. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-and-the-architecture-of-pure-scale — Citation: "Bugatti and the Architecture of Pure Scale" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-23. https://menwith.com/bugatti-and-the-architecture-of-pure-scale --- ## AMG Defines Its Electric Future With the GT SUV - URL: https://menwith.com/amg-defines-its-electric-future-with-the-gt-suv - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-23 - Tags: Mercedes-AMG, AMG GT SUV, Electric Performance, AMG.EA Platform, Luxury EV, High-Performance SUV **Summary:** Mercedes-AMG unveils its first in-house electric SUV, the GT, featuring the 1,153hp AMG.EA platform. It blends high-performance dynamics with simulated V8 acoustics for a 2027 US debut. The next chapter for Mercedes-AMG has arrived in the form of the GT SUV. It is the first full-size sport utility vehicle to be developed entirely in-house by the Affalterbach performance division. This is not a modified Mercedes-Benz platform. It is a ground-up statement of intent, built on the brand’s electric architecture. Following the recently unveiled AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, the SUV is the second model based on the new AMG.EA electric performance platform. The shared foundation signals a clear strategy. AMG is building a distinct family of electric vehicles, applying its engineering philosophy to the formats that are coming to define the market. The full-size GT SUV is a direct entry into that conversation, with its US arrival slated for the summer of 2027. Three versions will be offered. The lineup begins with the dual-motor GT53 and moves to the tri-motor GT55 and GT63 models. In the top specifications, one motor drives the front axle while two independent motors power the rear wheels, allowing for precise torque distribution. The peak output for the GT63 reaches 1,153 horsepower, enabling a 0 to 60 mile per hour time of 2.6 seconds. The engineering focus extends beyond straight-line acceleration. A new AMG Active Ride Control+ suspension system manages body movements using hydraulic dampers and adjustable air springs, completely replacing traditional anti-roll bars. The system is designed to keep the vehicle level through corners and reduce dive under braking, aiming for both dynamic composure and long-distance comfort. Perhaps the most debated aspect of any electric performance car is its sound. AMG addresses this with a system called AMGForce Sport+. It generates simulated V8 sounds for the GT55 and GT63, and six-cylinder sounds for the GT53. The brand states the audio is derived from recordings of real engines, with the character changing based on driving style. Drivers can also use steering-wheel paddles to trigger simulated gear changes, an attempt to restore a layer of mechanical interaction. The exterior design follows the language of its sedan sibling, scaled to a larger form. A sharp roofline, muscular arches, and frameless windows define the profile. Inside, the cabin is driver-focused with a pair of large displays and an optional screen for the front passenger. A three-person rear bench and folding seats provide utility, with 21.4 cubic feet of cargo space and an additional front trunk. With the GT SUV, AMG has established its blueprint for a high-performance electric future. The vehicle is a container for the brand’s most advanced thinking on power, handling, and the sensory experience of driving, all applied to the vehicle type that now commands the most attention. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/amg-defines-its-electric-future-with-the-gt-suv — Citation: "AMG Defines Its Electric Future With the GT SUV" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-23. https://menwith.com/amg-defines-its-electric-future-with-the-gt-suv --- ## Morgan Opens Its Design Studio to Fifty Drivers - URL: https://menwith.com/morgan-opens-its-design-studio-to-fifty-drivers - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-22 - Tags: Morgan **Summary:** Morgan Motor Company launches 'Bespoke as Standard,' offering fifty buyers direct collaboration with factory designers to customize their vehicles before production begins at the Malvern facility. Morgan has spent over a century building cars by hand at Pickersleigh Road in Malvern, Worcestershire. Since 1909, the factory floor has operated on a steady rhythm of wood shaping, panel beating, and hand assembly. Now the company is introducing Bespoke as Standard, a dedicated program that gives fifty buyers direct access to the factory design team before assembly begins. The initiative runs through the end of 2026. Under the arrangement, customers choose their colors, leathers, and trims through an authorized dealer, then submit that specification directly to the factory design studio. Chief design officer Jonathan Wells and his team review each submission, helping refine color, material, and finish before officially signing off on production. Buyers who want a closer dialogue can work directly with the designers rather than keeping communication strictly within the dealership. Managing director Matthew Hole points to limited runs like the Midsummer Coupe as the foundation for this method. That project proved how personal collaboration between stylists and clients can shape an entire vehicle build. The Factory Floor at Malvern Morgan has long permitted a loose degree of tailoring, yet this structure codifies what was once informal. The program eliminates surcharges on solid, metallic, and paint-to-sample finishes. Standard palette leather interiors, carpets, and convertible hood choices are also bundled into the base configuration at no extra expense. Assembly workers on the factory floor will also participate in the personal documentation of each vehicle. Participating clients can request the Malvern craftspeople to sign the underside of the car bonnet during production. Each finished sports car receives a dedicated build plaque signed by Hole alongside a bound photographic book capturing its assembly steps. Eligibility varies depending on geographic market. Buyers in the United Kingdom, Europe, and select international territories can order the Plus Four, Supersport, or Supersport 400 through the program. United States buyers participate exclusively through the Plus Four model range. Morgan Expands Small-Batch Production The program arrives alongside a broader commercial push for the Malvern firm. Morgan recently opened retail operations in Qatar, widening its footprint in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the original Midsummer barchetta reached the end of its planned fifty-car run, leaving room for the newer nine-car Midsummer Coupe series that followed the June prototype. Taking design cues from custom coachbuilding and applying them to fifty standard production slots alters how collectors perceive ownership. The fifty allocated builds are scheduled for customer handover in spring 2027, with retail orders closing at the conclusion of 2026. Read more about motors here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/morgan-opens-its-design-studio-to-fifty-drivers — Citation: "Morgan Opens Its Design Studio to Fifty Drivers" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-22. https://menwith.com/morgan-opens-its-design-studio-to-fifty-drivers --- ## WITH GB1: Bringing It Home - URL: https://menwith.com/with-gb1-bringing-it-home - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-10-22 - Tags: America's Cup, Sir Ben Ainslie, Dylan Fletcher, GB1, Royal Yacht Squadron, AC75, North Sails Apparel **Summary:** GB1, led by Sir Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher, is preparing for the next America's Cup in Naples after becoming the Challenger of Record. The team is refining its AC75 design to secure Britain's first win. Britain has challenged for the America’s Cup 23 times, more than any other nation, and never won it. The competition began in British waters, with a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron. Two years ago, the British team came closer than any in modern history. In Barcelona, in October 2024, it beat Luna Rossa 7-4 to win the Louis Vuitton Cup, earning the right to race Emirates Team New Zealand for the Cup itself. No British boat had raced in the Match since Sovereign in 1964. New Zealand won 7-2, but the two points Britain took were its first in a Match in 90 years. As New Zealand crossed the finish line on 19 October, the Royal Yacht Squadron’s challenge for the next Cup was accepted, making it Challenger of Record. That team now races as GB1, and the next Cup will be held in Naples, the first time it is raced in Italy. Two years to the day after Barcelona, La Roche-Posay Racing Team became the first to launch an AC75 in the Bay of Naples. GB1 is rebuilding its own boat for a five-person crew and aims to sail it before the end of the year. The Louis Vuitton Cup opens on 22 May. We were in Naples a month ago for the AC40 Preliminary Regatta, as guests of North Sails Apparel. On the official practice day, with the sea breeze filling in across the bay, we spoke with Sir Ben Ainslie, helm Dylan Fletcher and Jemima Lines. Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Principal Ainslie has won the Cup before, just not for Britain. “I was lucky. I won it with America many years ago,” he said. “But it’s always been a goal to win it with Britain. It’s the one sporting trophy Britain’s never won, so that’s a big motivation for us.” He founded the British team in 2014, a year after that win, and took it to Barcelona ten years later. In Naples, his focus was less on the result than on what the week could teach the team. “It’s the specifics of the race course and trying to understand the nuances of that, which will help for next year. The designers will be monitoring the conditions. That’ll help them with some of the key design decisions they’re making between now and the Cup.” The week had opened with a scare. During practice, GB1 collided with a Tudor Team Alinghi chase boat, damaging a foil arm. “No one really wants to see something like that happen, because it’s dangerous,” Ainslie said. Then the team principal gave way to the teammate. “Other than Dylan having a black eye, which is probably good for him, toughens him up a bit. But joking aside, no one was injured.” Alinghi lent GB1 their spare foil arm, and the shore crew worked through the night to get the boat back on the water. He was also looking past the senior crew, to the Athena Pathway and the Women’s and Youth team racing as GB2. “They’ve got a lot of talent in that squad, so I’m really interested to see how they get on.” Dylan Fletcher, Helm Fletcher wore the bruise lightly. “A little bump. All part of the job occasionally, unfortunately,” he said. “We weren’t expecting them to be there. There were some things going on, bit of a perfect storm. We’ll be racing this weekend, so we move on.” An Olympic gold medallist in the 49er, he co-helmed alongside Ainslie in Barcelona and now leads the boat as GB1’s helm. He was clear about what the regatta was for. “As much as we want to win this event, the reality is, it’s all about winning next year. That’s what really counts. But at the end of the day, we want to win every race and we want to win the event.” The scoreboard was harder that weekend. With the repair still in the background, GB1’s best day came on the Sunday, with back-to-back fourth places, while Luna Rossa took the title in front of a home crowd. Next year brings something new. For the first time, the AC75s will fleet race, with seven boats on the course. The boats have changed underneath, too. “We’ve lost the cyclors, so the power delivery is quite different this time round. You have an electric motor that spins up rather than the cyclors having to pedal harder or slower,” he said. “With the weight reduction, the boats will take off in a little bit less wind, but that weight reduction actually makes them a bit slower when you’re up and foiling. So it’ll be interesting, as ever with the design of the America’s Cup, what teams turn up with next year.” Asked to choose between the two boats, he didn’t hesitate. “The AC40 is a fantastic boat, but I love the AC75. It’s an absolute weapon. It really feels like a big yacht, whereas the 40 feels like a little go-kart in comparison.” On his wrist was a Richard Mille from the Nadal line, with a function that disengages the winding. The brand joined GB1 as a partner that same week. “It keeps it safe when you’re playing tennis like Nadal,” he said. “Although not something I have to worry about with my tennis skills.” Off the water, he shoots on a Sony. Jemima Lines, Sailor Lines is the first woman selected for a British America’s Cup team in 90 years. The last was Phyllis Sopwith, who kept time on deck aboard Endeavour in 1934 and Endeavour II in 1937. The 2027 rules now require at least one woman aboard every AC75. When that was put to her, she laughed. “Oh, I mean, when you put it like that. What an honour to be joining the team.” She came up through the RYA Youth Sailing Pathway, then spent six years campaigning in kite foil racing toward the Olympics. By 2023 she was among the world’s top 15, and at the Paris Games she caddied for Ellie Aldridge, who won gold. A mechanical engineer, she works at GB1 as both a sailor and a member of the design team. In Naples she wasn’t racing, but was there in a performance support role. “I’m an engineer. I’m also a mountain guide. I’ve commentated for kite foil racing after I stopped competing, did a bit of coaching,” she said. “Lots of things, really.” On the difference between the boats, she reached for the same comparison as Fletcher. “The AC75 is a lot bigger. It’s a much bigger beast, and the way we do the roles within the boat is quite a bit different. The AC40s are more like a crazy fast go-kart.” What she looked forward to most that week was simple. “Just seeing the nine boats, the fleet racing around the course. It will be such a special moment for Naples and for the sport.” The kite hasn’t gone anywhere. “I’ll always keep up with it. It’s more of a hobby now,” she said. “A lot of the sailors are wing foilers as well. So on our days off, you’ll probably see a lot of them just around here, wing foiling and letting off some steam.” North Sails Our time in Naples came through North Sails Apparel, which dresses GB1 on the water and off it. The connection to the Cup runs deeper than clothing. Lowell North, a sailor and aerospace engineer, founded North Sails in 1957, and since 1980 the company has supported every Defender and Challenger in the America’s Cup Match. The apparel line followed in 1989, built on the same technical thinking. For this Cup, North Sails Apparel is the event’s Official Technical Apparel Sponsor and GB1’s Official Technical Clothing Supplier and Licensing Partner. That support extends to the Athena Pathway’s Women’s and Youth teams. A capsule collection drawn from the GB1 race kit is already out, and a second follows in spring 2027, ahead of the Cup. “At this level, every detail matters,” Ainslie said of the partnership. “Having world-class technical apparel that performs in the toughest conditions gives our athletes and team the confidence to focus on what matters most.” — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-gb1-bringing-it-home — Citation: "WITH GB1: Bringing It Home" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-22. https://menwith.com/with-gb1-bringing-it-home --- ## Leica And Formula 1 Unite For The Q3 43 - URL: https://menwith.com/leica-and-formula-1-unite-for-the-q3-43 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Tech - Published: 2026-10-21 - Tags: Leica Q3 43, Formula 1, Jenson Button, Carbon Fibre, Maestro IV, APO-Summicron **Summary:** Leica and Formula 1 have launched the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition, a premium compact camera featuring carbon fibre, Microvelour, and a bespoke 'Leica Look' profile inspired by motorsport engineering. Two worlds defined by precision have come together as Leica Camera and Formula 1 announce a new licensing partnership, introducing the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition. Unveiled in Los Angeles on October 20, 2026, the special edition brings elements of motorsport engineering into one of Leica's most celebrated compact cameras, combining German craftsmanship with materials and design details inspired by the racetrack. The collaboration marks a new chapter for both brands, built around their shared appreciation for engineering, performance and the importance of capturing a decisive moment. While Formula 1 operates in fractions of a second, Leica has spent more than a century perfecting the art of preserving them. Inspired By The World Of Formula 1 At first glance, the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition retains the familiar silhouette of Leica's premium compact camera. A closer look, however, reveals a series of distinctive modifications inspired by the materials and functionality found inside a modern Formula 1 cockpit. The most notable addition is genuine carbon fibre, a material closely associated with motorsport for its strength, rigidity and low weight. Specially manufactured and tested in Germany, the carbon fibre appears across several components, including the wireless charging handgrip, thumb rest and soft release button. The camera body is finished in black Microvelour, a textured, non-slip material designed to resemble the tactile surfaces of a Formula 1 steering wheel. Subtle red accents on the shutter release and thumb rest function button take inspiration from the colour coded controls used by racing drivers, adding both visual contrast and a functional reference to the sport. Official Formula 1 branding appears on the engraved top plate and matching lens cap, while a specially designed rope strap featuring both brands' logos completes the package. The camera is presented in exclusive packaging with a red interior, reinforcing its motorsport identity. Rather than simply placing a racing logo on an existing camera, Leica has incorporated the collaboration into the materials and physical experience of using it. The Technology Behind The Design Beneath its distinctive exterior, the Formula 1 Edition retains the photographic capabilities of the Leica Q3 43. At its heart is a 60 megapixel full frame BSI CMOS sensor, paired with Leica's APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. lens. The fixed 43mm focal length offers a natural perspective close to human vision, making it particularly suited to documentary photography, portraits and capturing the atmosphere surrounding a race weekend. The lens combines exceptional optical sharpness with an f/2 maximum aperture, allowing photographers to isolate subjects against softly rendered backgrounds. An integrated macro mode provides additional flexibility for capturing smaller details, from mechanical components to the intricate surfaces of a racing car. Leica's Triple Resolution Technology allows photographers to select between 60, 36 and 18 megapixels while maintaining the full sensor area. The Maestro IV processor supports fast image processing, while hybrid autofocus combines phase detection, contrast measurement and depth mapping. The camera also supports video recording up to 8K, alongside an ISO range extending from 50 to 100,000. Beyond its familiar technical specifications, Leica has introduced an exclusive photographic profile called the Formula 1 Leica Look. Developed specifically for this edition, the profile increases contrast and colour saturation to reflect the visual intensity of motorsport. Available through the Leica FOTOS app, the look can be transferred directly to the camera, previewed during shooting and applied to JPEG images without additional editing. A Collaboration Unveiled In Los Angeles The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition made its official debut at the Leica Store and Gallery in Los Angeles, where Formula 1 presenter Ariana Bravo and 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button introduced the collaboration. The presentation was accompanied by an exhibition featuring 26 motorsport photographs by Italian photographer Callo Albanese, whose work explores the visual world of Formula 1. The exhibition highlighted the relationship between photography and motorsport, where timing, perspective and attention to detail can transform a fleeting moment into a lasting image. For Leica, the partnership represents more than a special camera design. It brings together two disciplines where technology serves a larger purpose, whether that means achieving the fastest lap or capturing a moment that might otherwise disappear. The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition is available from October 21, 2026, through Leica Stores, the official online store and selected retailers. With a retail price of $9,950 in the United States and €8,500 in the Netherlands, it occupies an exclusive position within the Q3 family. The result is a camera that celebrates the engineering culture of Formula 1 while remaining unmistakably Leica, bringing the spirit of the racetrack into the hands of photographers. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/leica-and-formula-1-unite-for-the-q3-43 — Citation: "Leica And Formula 1 Unite For The Q3 43" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-21. https://menwith.com/leica-and-formula-1-unite-for-the-q3-43 --- ## Certina Brings Bold Colour To The DS Action Diver 38mm - URL: https://menwith.com/certina-brings-bold-colour-to-the-ds-action-diver-38mm - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-21 - Tags: Certina, DS Action Diver, Powermatic 80, Nivachron, ISO 6425, Padel **Summary:** Certina debuts the DS Action Diver 38mm, a PVD-coated sports watch featuring the Powermatic 80 movement, Nivachron technology, and padel-inspired orange or teal accents. Certina is bringing a fresh sense of energy to its DS Action collection with the introduction of the new DS Action Diver 38mm. Combining a blacked out design with vibrant orange accents, the latest release draws inspiration from the fast paced world of padel, where precision, movement and performance define every moment. The new model, reference C048.807.33.051.02, introduces a distinctive visual identity to Certina's established diving watch collection. Its black PVD coated stainless steel case, matte ceramic rotating bezel and contrasting orange details create a modern sports watch that feels equally at home on the wrist during everyday activities as it does in more demanding environments. A Design Inspired By Performance The DS Action Diver 38mm takes inspiration from Certina's connection to padel, a sport the Swiss watchmaker has actively supported since 2021. The collection reflects the speed, determination and precision associated with the game, translating these characteristics into a bold yet functional design. The 38mm stainless steel case features a black PVD coating, complemented by a black dial with an orange lacquered flange and matching accents. Super-LumiNova on the hands and hour markers ensures excellent readability, while a domed sapphire crystal with an anti reflective coating protects the dial. One of the model's most versatile features is its choice of two different straps. The watch comes with both a black DLC coated stainless steel bracelet and an orange silicone strap, allowing the wearer to move between a more understated appearance and a distinctly sportier look. Swiss Engineering Beneath The Surface Inside the DS Action Diver 38mm is Certina's Swiss Made Powermatic 80.611 automatic movement, offering an impressive power reserve of up to 80 hours. The movement incorporates Nivachron technology, designed to improve resistance to magnetic fields and enhance reliability in everyday conditions. As a professional diving watch, the model is certified according to ISO 6425:2018 and offers water resistance of up to 300 metres. Its screw down crown and caseback contribute to its robust construction, while the latest DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance provides additional protection against shocks, vibrations and impacts. The enhanced construction includes a reinforced dial, securely fixed movement and strengthened sapphire crystal, reflecting Certina's continued focus on durability and technical performance. A New Chapter For DS Action The introduction of the new DS Action Diver 38mm represents a continuation of Certina's approach to combining traditional Swiss watchmaking with contemporary sports inspired design. Alongside the orange edition, Certina is introducing a second version featuring teal accents, offering a different interpretation of the same black case design. Both models retain the same automatic movement, diving certification and interchangeable bracelet options. With its compact proportions, distinctive colour combinations and proven technical capabilities, the DS Action Diver 38mm offers a compelling choice for those seeking a versatile sports watch with a more expressive character. The new Certina DS Action Diver 38mm is available worldwide from October 2026 through authorised Certina retailers, with a recommended retail price of CHF 865. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/certina-brings-bold-colour-to-the-ds-action-diver-38mm — Citation: "Certina Brings Bold Colour To The DS Action Diver 38mm" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-21. https://menwith.com/certina-brings-bold-colour-to-the-ds-action-diver-38mm --- ## Five Luxury Hotels Worth Traveling For In 2027 - URL: https://menwith.com/five-luxury-hotels-worth-traveling-for-in-2027 - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-10-21 - Tags: Delano London, The Cape Town EDITION, Park Hyatt Riviera Maya, Luxury Hospitality, V&A Waterfront, Travel Trends 2027 **Summary:** Explore five highly anticipated luxury hotel openings for 2027, including the Delano London, The Cape Town EDITION, and the first all-inclusive Park Hyatt resort in the Riviera Maya. The world of luxury hospitality is entering an exciting new chapter. From historic European landmarks to contemporary coastal retreats, several remarkable hotels are preparing to welcome guests between late 2026 and early 2027. Each brings its own interpretation of modern luxury, combining architecture, design, culture and exceptional hospitality. Among the most anticipated openings are Delano's arrival in London, EDITION's first property in Africa, Park Hyatt's new Mexican retreat, The Standard's debut in Portugal and an intimate boutique hotel overlooking Amsterdam's famous canals. Together, these five destinations offer a glimpse into the future of luxury travel, where thoughtful design, local character and memorable experiences are becoming just as important as the destination itself. Delano London, United Kingdom Opening: December 2026 Preview, Official Launch Early 2027 Three decades after the original Delano Miami Beach became one of the defining hotels of its generation, the brand is preparing to introduce its distinctive identity to London. Overlooking Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, Delano London will feature just 67 rooms, with more than half designed as suites. Fourteen of these will offer exceptional views across the surrounding parkland. Designed by Archer Humphryes Architects, the hotel will combine understated luxury with the brand's signature approach to culture, design and entertainment. Beyond its accommodation, guests can look forward to Lana Lusa, a restaurant inspired by Portuguese heritage and Mediterranean living, alongside the return of the legendary Rose Bar. The property will also introduce The Source by Delano wellness concept, a curated art collection and an exclusive members club offering access to experiences across London and beyond. With its intimate scale and prestigious location, Delano London is positioning itself as one of the capital's most interesting new luxury addresses. The Cape Town EDITION, South Africa Opening: October 27, 2026 EDITION Hotels is expanding into Africa for the first time with a striking new property at Cape Town's celebrated V&A Waterfront. Located at Quay 7, The Cape Town EDITION will feature 142 guest rooms, 27 suites and five culinary destinations. A rooftop pool and bar will offer sweeping views of the waterfront, while the hotel's architectural centerpiece, known as The Drum, will connect its public spaces through a monumental sculptural staircase. Art will play an equally important role in the experience. Developed in partnership with Southern Guild, the hotel's collection will celebrate contemporary South African creativity, with curated works displayed throughout the property. The culinary offering will be led by Shale, a restaurant headed by chef Phil Carmichael, who previously worked at Berners Tavern at The London EDITION. Combining contemporary architecture, local craftsmanship and a strong connection to Cape Town's creative scene, the property promises a distinctive new expression of the EDITION experience. Park Hyatt Riviera Maya, Mexico Opening: November 2026 Set within a protected mangrove landscape along Mexico's Caribbean coastline, Park Hyatt Riviera Maya will introduce an entirely new concept for the prestigious hospitality brand. The 148 room oceanfront retreat will become Park Hyatt's first all inclusive resort, bringing its renowned personalized service and refined design philosophy to a more comprehensive luxury experience. The property draws inspiration from its natural surroundings, incorporating locally sourced materials, regional craftsmanship and artwork by artists from the Yucatán Peninsula. Guests will have access to seven restaurants and bars, beachfront swimming pools, a spa garden with hydrotherapy facilities and a selection of watersports and wellness experiences. Exclusive access to El Tinto Golf Course adds another dimension to the resort's offering. With residential style accommodation and dedicated Resort Ambassadors, Park Hyatt Riviera Maya aims to combine the freedom of an all inclusive escape with the individual attention traditionally associated with the brand. The Standard Lisbon, Portugal Opening: First Quarter 2027 The Standard is bringing its unmistakable approach to hospitality to Portugal, transforming the historic Palácio Santa Clara in Lisbon's atmospheric Alfama neighborhood. Overlooking the Tagus River, the new property will feature 170 rooms alongside 24 apartment style suites housed in a separate building. The interiors, developed by celebrated designer Jaime Hayon in collaboration with Verena Haller and The Lifestyle Group's Hyatt Design Team, will introduce a playful contemporary aesthetic within the historic surroundings. Dining and nightlife will be central to the experience. The hotel will feature Um Dois Três, an all day restaurant and social destination, alongside the street facing Café Ladra and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views across Lisbon. An extensive spa with four temperature controlled pools, a sauna and steam room will provide a quieter contrast to the hotel's social spaces, while an outdoor swimming pool will overlook the waterfront. With its combination of heritage architecture, bold interiors and cultural programming, The Standard Lisbon looks set to become a new gathering place for both international travelers and the city's creative community. The Zetter 717 Amsterdam, Netherlands Opening: First Quarter 2027 For travelers who prefer intimacy over scale, The Zetter 717 Amsterdam offers a different interpretation of five star hospitality. Located within a historic canal house on Prinsengracht, in Amsterdam's UNESCO listed Canal District, the boutique property will feature just 24 bedrooms. Originally constructed in 1810 in the Empire style, with elements dating back to the Dutch Golden Age, the building has been reimagined by award winning designer James Thurstan Waterworth. The interiors will celebrate the building's architectural heritage through a carefully layered selection of antique mirrors, reclaimed timber, aged brass and richly textured fabrics. Two intimate public spaces will form the heart of the hotel. The Garden Room will offer breakfast in a botanical setting overlooking a private garden, while The Library will provide a relaxed environment for drinks and small plates, surrounded by books, warm colors and carefully selected furnishings. Rather than pursuing grand statements, The Zetter 717 Amsterdam embraces the charm of residential living, creating a luxury experience that feels personal, considered and deeply connected to its surroundings. As luxury hospitality continues to evolve, these five openings illustrate the growing importance of individuality. Whether through architectural heritage, contemporary art, exceptional dining or a stronger connection to local culture, each property offers its own interpretation of what makes a hotel worth traveling for. For those already planning their next escape, the coming year promises an exceptional selection of new destinations. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/five-luxury-hotels-worth-traveling-for-in-2027 — Citation: "Five Luxury Hotels Worth Traveling For In 2027" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-21. https://menwith.com/five-luxury-hotels-worth-traveling-for-in-2027 --- ## Mercedes Marks 140 Years With a 140-Car Parade and the AMG GT SUV - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-marks-140-years-with-a-140-car-parade-and-the-amg-gt-suv - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-20 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes celebrated 140 years of history with a 140-car parade and the debut of the high-performance, all-electric AMG GT SUV built on the new AMG.EA platform. Mercedes gathered 15,000 visitors at its museum grounds in Stuttgart on October 17 for The 140 Festival. The gathering commemorated the patent Carl Benz registered in 1886, marking 140 years of motoring history with a continuous line of machinery spanning fourteen decades. The gathering brought together brand collectors, staff, and international guests around the central campus. The centrepiece of the public program was a moving motorcade of 140 vehicles, organised chronologically from the origin of the automobile to current series production. The procession traced the technical progression of the Stuttgart firm through individual running chassis, beginning with an operating replica of the original Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Historical competition cars and design studies followed in sequence. The parade featured the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé alongside the rotary-powered C 111 experimental prototype from the late 1960s. Modern electric production vehicles brought the motorcade into current series manufacturing, giving attendees a direct line of sight through every era of body construction and powertrain architecture. The Electric Architecture of Affalterbach The anniversary weekend served as the stage for the world premiere of the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV. The vehicle represents the first full-size utility vehicle engineered entirely in Affalterbach rather than adapted from an existing passenger architecture. It enters the portfolio ahead of AMG reaching its 60th operating year. The model rests on the dedicated AMG.EA electric platform, engineered specifically for high-output applications. Mercedes will offer the production vehicle across three technical specifications, led by a flagship model equipped with three axial flux electric motors. The powertrain generates a combined 1,169 horsepower, enabling acceleration from stationary to 100 kilometres per hour in 2.5 seconds. Electrical charging capacity reaches 710 kilowatts on compatible direct-current infrastructure. This charging system accepts sufficient power to add 450 kilometres of operating range within a ten-minute stop. The platform deployment establishes the performance division's proprietary hardware direction for future battery-electric production series. Three Mercedes Sedans Across Six Continents The festival concluded the nine-month global transit of three current-generation S-Class sedans. Dispatched from Stuttgart on January 29 to mark the anniversary date of the original Benz patent, the trio carried the names Bertha, Carl, and Gottlieb. The cars returned to their origin point during Saturday's events. The three sedans covered more than 65,000 kilometres each across 55 countries and six continents. The route crossed 67 international border controls and traversed alpine passes reaching elevations of 5,800 metres above sea level. The 140 vehicles from the anniversary parade escorted the three world-tour cars across the final kilometres leading directly into the museum courtyard. The Stuttgart schedule concluded on Sunday with open public access throughout the museum facilities, presenting workshop discussions with company technical specialists. The 140-year commemoration continues through the rest of 2026, incorporating openings of new Mercedes-Benz Studios globally and a documentary publication chronicling the 65,000-kilometre expedition across the globe. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-marks-140-years-with-a-140-car-parade-and-the-amg-gt-suv — Citation: "Mercedes Marks 140 Years With a 140-Car Parade and the AMG GT SUV" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-20. https://menwith.com/mercedes-marks-140-years-with-a-140-car-parade-and-the-amg-gt-suv --- ## Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Mindset of Mastery - URL: https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-and-the-mindset-of-mastery - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-19 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre connects Olympic swimmer Wang Shun's mastery of the individual medley with the brand's philosophy of collective expertise in watchmaking. Both value precision, adaptation, and considered simplicity. Success in the individual medley is about mastering four different conversations in the water. The discipline, a sequence of four distinct strokes, demands more than singular strength. It requires a swimmer to adapt their rhythm and technique on command, to move seamlessly from one form of motion to the next. This is the world of Olympic swimming champion Wang Shun. His career has been built around this versatility. Years of training allow the body to respond instinctively to change, while experience teaches when to conserve energy and when to accelerate. It is a constant calibration of control and adaptation, played out in fractions of a second. This is the territory Jaeger-LeCoultre explores in its latest chapter of The Hour Before, a series of conversations with its Friends of the House. The episode with Wang Shun brings together the worlds of elite swimming and mechanical watchmaking, finding common ground in their shared relationship with time and precision. The brand sees a reflection of its own philosophy in Wang’s approach. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture-Atelier functions by bringing numerous specialised crafts together under a single roof. Each department has its own expertise, yet all contribute to a single, unified creation. This idea of collective mastery through diverse skills forms the core of the brand’s identity. The connection extends to personal style. The source material notes Wang’s preference for considered simplicity and balance, an approach that mirrors Jaeger-LeCoultre’s own design language. The Maison’s creations often express their refinement through purity of form and subtle details, rather than overt display. The Reverso, an icon worn by Wang, embodies this spirit of distinctive yet personal character. More than a simple interview, The Hour Before is conceived as a moment of connection. The format has Wang Shun engage with the assembly of a Reverso case while he reflects on his journey. The conversation moves from the language of watchmaking to his own values and the mental control required for competition. The physical act of handling the watch components becomes an entry point into a deeper discussion. The repetition of training finds an echo in the precise gestures of a watchmaker. Through this quiet, focused interaction, the abstract idea of mastery becomes a shared and tangible experience. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-and-the-mindset-of-mastery — Citation: "Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Mindset of Mastery" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-19. https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-and-the-mindset-of-mastery --- ## Bugatti's Aluminum Masterpiece Returns - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-aluminum-masterpiece-returns - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-18 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti's aluminum Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, chassis 8.100, returns to Molsheim for certification and refurbishment, emphasizing its unique polished aluminum body and original vision. A unique Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse has returned to the Molsheim workshop where it was first built. Known as chassis 8.100, its defining feature is a body made entirely of exposed, polished aluminum. The project was originally commissioned by a collector with a taste for rare models, requiring a level of craft that pushed the boundaries of the Veyron era. The material itself is the focus. Light moves across the sculpted surfaces, revealing the purity of the car’s form from every angle. Inside, an interior of ‘Carmine Red’ leather was chosen to ground the metallic exterior. The car is powered by the 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine, producing 1,200 PS and 1,500 Nm of torque, ensuring its performance matches its visual presence. A Return to Original Intent More than a decade after it first left the Atelier, the roadster’s homecoming was for a specific purpose. It became a subject of La Maison Pur Sang, a Bugatti program dedicated to preserving the legacy of its creations. The car underwent a comprehensive certification process and careful refurbishment. The work focused on returning the vehicle to its original vision. This involved the meticulous removal of later personalizations added during its life away from Molsheim. The goal was to reveal once more the singular concept with which it was first designed and built, safeguarding the car’s specific character and provenance. Stewardship as a Service The existence of La Maison Pur Sang formalizes a deeper relationship between the marque and its collectors. The program supports owners by researching and certifying historic and modern models, tracing a car’s history to maintain its authenticity for the future. It allows for a vehicle to be returned to its intended specification or modernized, depending on a customer's wishes. This process suggests that ownership of a Bugatti is a form of stewardship. The home of the brand remains central to this connection, offering its expertise to ensure a car's story continues with accuracy. For chassis 8.100, this meant entrusting it to a new custodian after its restoration was complete. Now residing on the French Riviera, the aluminum-bodied Veyron stands as both a technical achievement and a piece of automotive sculpture. Its journey through the La Maison Pur Sang program shows a commitment to managing a vehicle’s legacy long after it has been sold, with a new chapter only just beginning. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-aluminum-masterpiece-returns — Citation: "Bugatti's Aluminum Masterpiece Returns" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-18. https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-aluminum-masterpiece-returns --- ## The $82,000 Biver Watch That Sold Out Via Text Message - URL: https://menwith.com/the-82-000-biver-watch-that-sold-out-via-text-message - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-18 - Tags: Biver **Summary:** An $82,000 Biver watch sold out via text, highlighting a shift in luxury collecting towards access and community over just the timepiece itself. In July, the head of watches at New York boutique Material Good, Yoni Ben-Yehuda, sent a text message. It was a simple description of a new timepiece from Biver, sent to a dedicated group chat of collectors. Before a single image was shared, members began wiring deposits. The watch, priced at $82,000, is now sold out until 2029. This transaction reveals a shift in high-end collecting. The object itself, while meticulously crafted, is not the only asset being acquired. For a certain type of collector, the real purchase is access. The watch is the key, but the community is the prize. A Club With a Price of Admission This behavior is becoming a feature of the independent watchmaking landscape. Brands like F.P. Journe and Simon Brette often have entire production runs allocated before a public announcement is even made. For collectors, the goal is to get in early, to place a bet on a watchmaker based on trust in their craft and the taste of the retailer. The group chat, called “Leave It to Biver,” is more than a forum for horology. It is a social circle where members share photos from family weddings and ask for bagel recommendations. The price of admission is owning a Biver watch. Selling the watch means you are removed from the group. It is an exclusive club, and the brand is what brought its members together. The Object of Entry The watch itself is the Biver AB, the brand’s first model in stainless steel. It is positioned as a sport watch, with a more muscular presence than previous releases. The bezel and lugs are larger, and the bracelet links are constructed to add a distinct dimension and movement on the wrist. Founded by industry figure JC Biver and his son Pierre, the brand is known for its use of luxurious materials. The AB continues this practice, even within its steel frame. The inner section of the dial is crafted from sandblasted yellow gold, the outer track is onyx, and the movement is made of white gold. These are the discreet signatures of the house. One collector, Jeremy Roizin, made a substantial financial commitment to the watch without ever seeing it in person. When a friend of his wanted an introduction to the brand, he was told about the new sport model. His friend’s response was immediate: “Cool. Take a deposit.” The act of purchasing is an act of faith, not in an object, but in the people who make it and the circle it lets you enter. The watch will arrive eventually. The sense of belonging arrives instantly. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-82-000-biver-watch-that-sold-out-via-text-message — Citation: "The $82,000 Biver Watch That Sold Out Via Text Message" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-18. https://menwith.com/the-82-000-biver-watch-that-sold-out-via-text-message --- ## KAI Zao's 14-Sided Tower Is An Ascent Into Yamagata - URL: https://menwith.com/kai-zao-s-14-sided-tower-is-an-ascent-into-yamagata - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-10-17 - Tags: Hoshino Resorts **Summary:** KAI Zao, a new luxury ryokan in Yamagata, Japan, offers a 14-sided architectural journey mirroring spiritual mountain ascent. It integrates local history, safflower trade, and therapeutic onsen for total rejuvenation. In Japan’s Yamagata Prefecture, a 14-sided tower is rising amidst the Zao mountain range. This is KAI Zao, the newest onsen ryokan from Hoshino Resorts. The structure’s geometry is a deliberate choice, designed not just for its 360-degree views but to architecturally guide guests through a narrative. The hotel itself is a sequential journey, mirroring the spiritual ascent of a sacred mountain, a practice long rooted in the region’s history. The concept, termed "A Spiral Journey of Total Rejuvenation," is built from the ground up, starting with the very elements that define Yamagata. The area is known for three things: the spiritual heritage of Sangaku Shinko, or mountain worship; the historic wealth derived from the benibana safflower trade; and the therapeutic, strongly acidic hot springs. KAI Zao integrates these elements into a single, cohesive experience. A Structured Immersion This journey begins with the onsen. The hotel structures the bathing process to manage the intensity of Zao’s famous sulfur waters. Guests begin with a preparatory bath containing no spring water, acclimate in a 50% concentration, and finally immerse in the pure, 100% free-flowing thermal spring. It is a system of managed detoxification, designed to prevent bath fatigue while optimizing the water’s benefits. The physical ascent continues through saunas and indoor air bathing, culminating on the top floor. Here, a rooftop garden and an outdoor hot tub await. The tub’s design is a likeness of the nearby "Okama" crater lake, bringing the natural geography into the final stage of the wellness sequence. Regional Craft and Cuisine The 14-sided architecture creates unique trapezoidal guest rooms, each with distinct ceiling heights and views that frame the landscape. Inside, the story of Yamagata continues through local craftsmanship. Woodwork by Tendo Mokko, handtufted rugs by Yamagata Dantsu, and washi paper lampshades colored with benibana safflower petals connect the space to its regional identity. Dinner is another chapter. The "Benibana Sansai Kaiseki" menu merges the sophisticated dining traditions of the region’s safflower merchants with the nourishing philosophy of shojin, or monastic vegetarian cuisine. In semi-private dining rooms, guests are served a kaiseki course centered on mountain ingredients. The main dish, a hot pot called "Gassan Nabe," combines wild mushrooms, Japanese parsley, and duck meat in a broth deepened with locally harvested mitten crab. A Quiet Reflection The journey at KAI Zao finds its conclusion in a quiet, personal act. As part of the KAI Cultural Discovery program, guests are invited to a haiku writing experience. After an introduction to the region’s history over safflower tea, guests compose a 17-syllable poem using glass pens and seasonal inks. It is a moment of reflection, the final step in a process designed to restore body and spirit through a deep, structured engagement with place. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/kai-zao-s-14-sided-tower-is-an-ascent-into-yamagata — Citation: "KAI Zao's 14-Sided Tower Is An Ascent Into Yamagata" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-17. https://menwith.com/kai-zao-s-14-sided-tower-is-an-ascent-into-yamagata --- ## The LeBron James Maybach Is More Than a Car - URL: https://menwith.com/the-lebron-james-maybach-is-more-than-a-car - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-17 - Tags: LeBron James Maybach, Mercedes-Maybach S680, Manufaktur Made to Measure, Gooding Christie's Retromobile, LeBron James Family Foundation, I Promise Program, custom luxury car, charity auction **Summary:** LeBron James' custom Mercedes-Maybach S680, built via Manufaktur, is up for auction. Proceeds benefit his Family Foundation, making it a unique collector's item and philanthropic tool. A Mercedes-Maybach S680 built for LeBron James will headline the inaugural Gooding Christie's Retromobile sale in New York next month. The car is a product of the Manufaktur Made to Measure program, a platform that allows for a level of personalization beyond standard options. The sale itself, however, presents a model that is just as custom as the car. This is not a vehicle from a past collection. James commissioned two nearly identical S680 models through the same bespoke process. He is keeping one. The other, its direct twin, was set aside from the beginning for charity. The structure of the arrangement means the winning bidder acquires something different from a second hand car. They receive a collector piece built to the same specification as a personal commission, with its narrative tied directly to the LeBron James Family Foundation. The car's specification is shared between the two builds. A light-ivory paint covers the exterior, while the interior is finished in Stormy Weather Blue Nappa leather with porcelain contrast stitching. Under the hood is a 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 621 horsepower. The details are where the project becomes specific to its commissioner. Personalization appears throughout the vehicle. James's crown logo is found on the headrests, dashboard, and floor mats. It also replaces the standard V12 badge on the front fenders, a direct substitution of a personal emblem for a technical one. The geographic coordinates of his hometown, Akron, Ohio, are inscribed on the center console, anchoring the German car to a specific American place. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the foundation's I Promise Program, which supports students and families in Akron. Michele Campbell, the foundation's executive director, described the car as a way of "channeling LeBron's love for cars into his game-changing blueprint for community building." The statement frames the auction as a function of his work, not a byproduct of his fame. The auction will take place at the Javits Center on November 20 and 21. Before the sale, the Maybach will be on public display, first at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan from November 9 to 16, and then at the Javits Center from November 19. It positions the car as both a collector's object and an instrument of philanthropy, created as one from the start. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-lebron-james-maybach-is-more-than-a-car — Citation: "The LeBron James Maybach Is More Than a Car" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-17. https://menwith.com/the-lebron-james-maybach-is-more-than-a-car --- ## Where We're Going: The Tesla Roadster Takes Flight - URL: https://menwith.com/where-we-re-going-the-tesla-roadster-takes-flight - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-16 - Tags: Tesla **Summary:** The Tesla Roadster's latest demonstration showcased its ability to fly, inspired by "Back to the Future" and 80s wedge supercars. Utilizing SpaceX thrusters and advanced aerodynamics, it achieved unprecedented acceleration and flight capabilities. At 19:55 Central time on Thursday, a white wedge drove up a curved wall at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, and kept going until it hung upside down from the ceiling. Then it let go. Jets of compressed gas rolled it once through the air, and it landed on its wheels. Nine years after Tesla first showed a second generation Roadster, the car finally arrived, and it arrived flying. Whether the hour was chosen on purpose depends on who you ask, but the internet made up its mind quickly. Read 7:55 pm on a 24 hour clock and you get 1955, the year Marty McFly lands in once the DeLorean hits 88 mph. Tesla’s teaser for the night showed the Roadster’s lit tail against a field of stars with the words “Where we are going,” and Musk reposted it with three of his own: timing is everything. Anyone who grew up on Back to the Future could finish Doc Brown’s sentence. Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads. The Wedge Comes Back Gone is the soft, flowing 2017 prototype. In its place sits something long, low and cut from straight lines, and the reference points are not subtle. Tesla says it explored the Lamborghini Countach alongside Lockheed’s SR-71 Blackbird, and its own design notes add the F-35. Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen calls the result an aerospace aesthetic. The doors open upward on scissor hinges, the headlights are hidden, a single taillight runs the full width of the tail, and the aero sits flush until it is needed. The Countach connection runs deeper than the doors. Marcello Gandini drew it at Bertone, and from 1974 on it defined what a supercar was supposed to look like: flat, angular, slightly absurd, and impossible to ignore. Through the 1980s it was the car on the bedroom wall. The DeLorean belonged to the same decade and the same Italian school of wedges, drawn by Giorgetto Giugiaro and made immortal by a film. One car gave a generation its idea of speed. The other gave it the idea of a car that could leave the ground. Tesla’s Roadster borrows from both. It takes the stance and the drama of the Countach, then adds the promise the DeLorean only ever kept on screen. Even the finish leans into the story. The paint, called Ano White, is said to borrow from coatings used to protect rockets, and the tinted glass is meant to read like the gold visor of a spacesuit helmet. The Show The ceiling run was only the opener. Next, the unmanned Roadster built up speed on flat ground and launched itself over a lineup of Tesla’s own range: Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, Cybercab and, tallest of all, the Semi. Somewhere above the truck it rolled again and set down cleanly. Later it lifted off from a standstill, no ramp, no run up. On the ground, it went from zero to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds. “Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Musk posted afterwards, over a clip of the car clearing the row. How It Actually Flies This is where the SpaceX half of the collaboration earns its place. The thrusters run on cold gas, compressed air stored in carbon fibre overwrapped pressure vessels, the same family of tanks SpaceX flies on its rockets. Tesla says every usable void in the car is packed with them. More gas means more flight time. The clever part is what the thrusters solve. Every fast car eventually hits the same wall: tyres can only transmit so much force before they let go. Tesla claims its thrusters push four to five times what the tyres can handle, which means acceleration is no longer capped by grip at all. The car simply pushes itself. A second system does the opposite job. Fans pull air from under the car hard enough to hold it to a ceiling, even when it is standing still. That is the trick behind the upside down run. In Track Mode the Roadster lowers itself and deploys active wings, moved by the same actuators Tesla developed for its Optimus robot. Inside, the brief was weight. The seats are moulded into the chassis in a fixed position, steering is by wire through a yoke, and the structure leans on magnesium, titanium and carbon fibre. It seats two. Three Cars, One Name The Roadster comes in three versions, and the distinction matters. Performance is the road car, with active aero and the suction system. Thrust adds rear mounted thrusters and arrives as a limited release. Rocket is the one from the stream: a single seater with thrusters around the whole perimeter for lift and rotation, offered by invitation only and, by Tesla’s own account, not approved for public roads. When someone in the audience asked whether the car was street legal, Musk answered with a smile: it depends on your street. The Question Worth Asking None of this takes away from the engineering. Cold gas thrusters that work in atmosphere, fans strong enough to hold a car upside down and wings driven by robot actuators have each existed somewhere before, but never together in one car. Getting all of it to fly in public, live, is a genuine achievement. What is less clear is what the owner of a Roadster will actually experience. The flight belongs to the Rocket, and the Rocket is not really a road car. Most buyers will get the Performance version, which is extraordinary in its own right, but will not clear a Semi on the way home. Then again, the Countach was never practical either. You could barely see out of it, and almost nobody who had it on their wall ever drove one. Its job was to show what was possible, and that is exactly the job this Roadster has taken on. Musk says it will enter production at Giga Texas in 2028, and that it will be the last Tesla built for a human to drive. In 1985, the future was a DeLorean lifting off into the sky in the final scene of a film. Forty-one years later, the closest thing to it lifted off from a ramp in Texas. Where we’re going, it seems, we still need a road. At least to take off from. Read more about motors here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/where-we-re-going-the-tesla-roadster-takes-flight — Citation: "Where We're Going: The Tesla Roadster Takes Flight" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-16. https://menwith.com/where-we-re-going-the-tesla-roadster-takes-flight --- ## Porsche Mission S: A New Era Begins - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-mission-s-a-new-era-begins - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-15 - Tags: Porsche Mission S, Porsche 911 GT1, Porsche 550 Spyder, Porsche 928, Sportwagenschmiede ’35, MagSafe **Summary:** Porsche's Mission S concept previews a new mid-engine super sports car platform, blending heritage with modern design and driver-focused tech. It prioritizes physical controls and adaptive instrumentation over large screens. Porsche has unveiled the Mission S, a striking new concept that offers a glimpse into the future of the German manufacturer's design philosophy. More than a design study, the Mission S represents a significant step in Porsche's long term strategy, introducing the vision for a new mid engine super sports car platform positioned above the legendary 911. Presented as part of Porsche's strategic realignment, known as Sportwagenschmiede ’35, the Mission S combines the brand's unmistakable design heritage with a more contemporary interpretation of performance, technology, and driver engagement. Unlike previous experimental hypercars, Porsche intends to establish a permanent super sports car offering above the 911, with the Mission S providing an early indication of what that future could look like. A Design Rooted in Porsche Heritage The Mission S made its world premiere on October 15, 2026, at a historically significant location in Queens, New York. Overlooking the Manhattan skyline, the same pier served as the backdrop for iconic photographs of the Porsche 550 Spyder in 1953. That connection is far from coincidental. The 550 Spyder played an important role in establishing Porsche's identity as a manufacturer of lightweight, performance focused sports cars, particularly in the American market. With the Mission S, Porsche revisits that philosophy through a modern design language defined by clean surfaces, sculptural proportions, and an unmistakable silhouette. The exterior draws inspiration from several of Porsche's most celebrated models. Its rounded headlights and pronounced front fenders reference the 911, while the low front section takes inspiration from the legendary 911 GT1. The flowing roofline recalls the 959, and the distinctive rear architecture incorporates design elements associated with Porsche's endurance racing heritage. Even the wheels pay tribute to the past, reinterpreting the characteristic dial design of the Porsche 928 through a contemporary approach focused on lightweight construction. The result is a concept that feels both familiar and entirely new, preserving the visual identity that has defined Porsche for generations while introducing a more progressive design direction. A New Approach to Driver Engagement While the exterior makes a strong visual statement, the interior reveals an equally significant change in philosophy. Rather than following the industry's increasing dependence on large digital displays, Porsche has deliberately reduced the number of screens inside the Mission S. The cabin takes inspiration from historic models such as the 356 and 550 Spyder, combining a minimalist dashboard with traditional physical controls and carefully integrated digital technology. At the centre of the driver's experience are five circular instruments positioned behind the steering wheel. The central rev counter features an analogue needle with a digital display behind it, creating a connection between traditional Porsche instrumentation and modern functionality. One particularly interesting feature is the instrument cluster's ability to physically adapt to different driving modes. Depending on the selected setting, the rev counter can move closer to the driver, while the surrounding instruments change their arrangement to prioritise relevant information. Porsche has also eliminated the conventional central infotainment display. Instead, the Mission S features a retractable smartphone holder compatible with MagSafe technology, allowing drivers to use their own devices for navigation and additional information when needed. The redesigned My Porsche App provides access to vehicle functions and even allows drivers to personalise the instrument displays with digital interpretations of historic Porsche designs. This approach reflects a broader philosophy: technology should enhance the driving experience rather than dominate it. Motorsport Inspiration Meets Modern Innovation The Mission S incorporates numerous references to Porsche's motorsport history, extending beyond its overall proportions and exterior design. Its mid engine architecture establishes the foundation for a performance focused platform, while the cooling system takes inspiration from the distinctive radiator fan design associated with the Porsche 917. An integrated active rear wing further emphasises the relationship between aerodynamic functionality and visual design. Inside, the seats introduce innovative solutions, including integrated seatbelt buckles and repositioned electric adjustment controls. These details are intended to improve ergonomics while maintaining the purposeful character associated with Porsche's racing heritage. The concept's colour palette also draws from the manufacturer's motorsport identity. Specially developed finishes include Firn White Metallic, Light Red Metallic, Black Chrome, and Special Black, offering a contemporary interpretation of the white, grey, and red tones historically associated with Porsche competition cars. Together, these elements reinforce the idea that the Mission S is not simply about introducing a new design language. It is about reconnecting modern sports car development with the principles that established Porsche's reputation. The Future Beyond the 911 Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Mission S is what it represents for Porsche's future product portfolio. The company has confirmed its ambition to develop a permanent mid engine super sports car platform positioned above the 911, creating a new offering within its performance lineup. According to Porsche CEO Michael Leiters, the Mission S provides an early indication of the design elements and ideas that will influence the brand's future vehicles. Rather than developing another limited production hypercar, Porsche is exploring a more versatile platform intended to become a lasting part of its portfolio. For now, the Mission S remains a vision model, with Porsche yet to reveal detailed performance specifications, powertrain information, production timelines, or pricing. Nevertheless, its significance is clear. By combining the visual character of its most celebrated sports cars with a renewed emphasis on driver engagement, Porsche is outlining a future in which technological progress and traditional sports car values can coexist. The Mission S is more than a preview of a potential new model. It is an early look at how Porsche intends to redefine its identity for the next generation. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-mission-s-a-new-era-begins — Citation: "Porsche Mission S: A New Era Begins" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-15. https://menwith.com/porsche-mission-s-a-new-era-begins --- ## Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo: Back to the Porthole - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-classic-fusion-tributo-back-to-the-porthole - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-15 - Tags: Hublot, Classic Fusion Tributo, Carlo Crocco, MDM Genève, Art of Fusion, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Jeff Koons **Summary:** Hublot revives its 1980 original with the Classic Fusion Tributo, featuring gold, rubber, and a porthole bezel. Two new models offer distinct gold and onyx variations, honoring founder Carlo Crocco and his foundation. In 1980, nobody in Swiss watchmaking had put gold on rubber. Carlo Crocco did it anyway. Under the MDM Genève name, he showed a watch called Hublot at the Basel Fair: a gold case, a black rubber strap, a bezel fixed by twelve screws like a ship’s porthole, and a dial with almost nothing on it. Luxury reduced to its essentials, and a clean break from every rule of the time. That gesture became the Art of Fusion, and it has carried Hublot into ceramic, sapphire and materials of its own invention. A brand built on a contrast has never needed to please everyone, and forty-six years on, the contrast still holds. Precious metal against rubber. Black against gold. Restraint on the dial, intensity in the materials. The Original, Rebuilt With the Classic Fusion Tributo, Hublot goes straight back to that first watch. Gold case, black rubber strap, black dial. The case grows from 36 to 38 mm while keeping its proportions, and in Geneva ahead of the launch, it felt immediately familiar. Twelve screws, now slightly domed and tactile, still mark the time on a dial without indices. The date sits at 3 o’clock, exactly where Crocco placed it. Where the original ran on quartz, the Tributo is automatic, with roughly 50 hours of power reserve and an open-worked rotor shaped as the Hublot “H” visible through the sapphire caseback. Conceived, developed and assembled in Nyon, it carries the face of 1980 with everything the Manufacture has learned since. Two Golds, Two Attitudes Yellow gold tells the story. A black lacquered dial with a subtle charcoal effect, a yellow gold rotor, and a gold MDM print at 6 o’clock linking back to Crocco’s original signature. Those letters also stand for Main Dans la Main, the foundation he started in 1998 for vulnerable children and communities. White gold dresses up. A polished black onyx dial, black screws and a black tungsten rotor, drawn from Italian tailoring. Heritage on one side, evening wear on the other. What gives the release its weight is Crocco himself. Back in Nyon, seeing what the Manufacture has built, he called handing Hublot over “the best decision I ever made.” Hublot is marking it with a CHF 100,000 donation to his foundation. The Same Canvas, Inflated We also had an early look at the Jeff Koons pieces, and side by side with the Tributo they make a fascinating pair. The Classic Fusion Balloon Dog takes the same design language and gives almost every part the look of being inflated from within: rounded case and crystal, domed dial details, a crown shaped like a balloon valve, across three limited editions. One watch strips the Classic Fusion back to what Crocco drew in 1980. The other hands it to an artist as a blank canvas and lets him take it over completely. Both are unmistakably Classic Fusion, and that range is the real proof of the design. Crocco’s idea was a single fusion. Forty-six years later, it is strong enough to be returned to its purest form and turned into one of contemporary art’s most recognisable sculptures in the same season. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-classic-fusion-tributo-back-to-the-porthole — Citation: "Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo: Back to the Porthole" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-15. https://menwith.com/hublot-classic-fusion-tributo-back-to-the-porthole --- ## The Character of a City After Summer - URL: https://menwith.com/the-character-of-a-city-after-summer - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-10-15 - Tags: The Set Collection **Summary:** Cities reveal their true character as summer crowds depart. Autumn offers a richer, more authentic travel experience, from London's culture to Shanghai's contrasts and the Greek Isles' serene beauty. A city’s energy changes with the seasons. The shift from summer to autumn is especially distinct. The air cools, the peak-season crowds begin to thin, and a place’s intrinsic rhythm starts to re-emerge. This is not the off-season. It is a period with its own character, a time that offers a different texture of travel. Hotels from The Set Collection are positioned to access this specific mood. London London’s pulse moves from its green spaces back into its cultural heart. The languor of long days in the Royal Parks gives way to a renewed energy in its galleries and theatres. This reawakening is palpable in Theatreland, the district where Hotel Café Royal has been a fixture for some 160 years. Its gilded rooms have absorbed the conversations of generations, including regulars like Oscar Wilde. The hotel remains a central point for London's autumn cultural calendar, with events like the Frieze art fair drawing patrons back into the city's creative orbit. After a gallery visit, the hotel’s Green Bar or its Michelin-starred dining at Alex Dilling become part of the city's revived evening life. Shanghai Autumn brings a literal and figurative clarity to Shanghai. As the summer haze lifts and humidity drops, the city becomes exceptionally walkable. This is the ideal time to explore its Haipai culture, a unique architectural and social blend of Eastern and Western influences. The Jing’an district, home to The Upper House, serves as a starting point for walks that reveal the city’s striking contrasts. Traditional lilong lanes sit beside towering glass and steel structures, while the nearby Jing’an Sculpture Park offers a different perspective. This season also delivers specific sensory details, from the sight of seasonal chrysanthemums blooming in the Yu Garden to the taste of hairy crab, a delicacy chef Tony Ye of Sui Tang Li pursues for his signature soup dumplings. The Greek Isles On the Greek islands, the mood also recalibrates. The insistent beat of the Mykonos summer party scene fades, allowing the island’s more restorative qualities to come forward. The days are reclaimed for purposes beyond waiting for nightfall. From Myconian Deos, a hotel set above Mykonos Town, the evening transition becomes a spectacle in itself. The hotel is designed for privacy, with individual pools and terraces offering a quiet place to watch the sunset. Nightlife remains an option, with complimentary buggies available for trips into town, but it is no longer the default. The mild October air, averaging around 22°C, means the days can still be spent at the beach, like the secluded Almiriki Beach Club reserved for hotel guests on Agrari. Santorini undergoes a similar change of pace. Cooler temperatures make the island’s extensive network of walking routes more inviting. The well-known trail between Fira and Oia offers a way to engage with the landscape on a more physical level. Arriving by sea as autumn begins reveals hillsides reawakening with green after the dry heat of summer. It is an opportunity to experience the island beyond its iconic postcard image of whitewashed walls and blue domes, to see it on its own terms. The season between seasons is defined by what becomes visible when the summer spectacle recedes. It is the culture, the natural pace, and the more subtle details of a place. It is the experience of a city settling back into itself. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-character-of-a-city-after-summer — Citation: "The Character of a City After Summer" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-15. https://menwith.com/the-character-of-a-city-after-summer --- ## IWC Finds New Meaning in Gold for the Year of the Goat - URL: https://menwith.com/iwc-finds-new-meaning-in-gold-for-the-year-of-the-goat - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-15 - Tags: IWC Schaffhausen **Summary:** IWC's Year of the Goat watch features a gold dial symbolizing prosperity, with subtle goat motifs hidden within its movement. Limited to 500 pieces, it blends luxury with cultural heritage. For its annual Chinese New Year edition, IWC Schaffhausen has introduced a notable shift in its approach. The new Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Year of the Goat continues a tradition for the brand, yet it departs from the rich burgundy dials that have distinguished previous releases. This year, the focus is a gold-colored dial, a choice that recalibrates the watch from a seasonal tribute to a deeper exploration of cultural symbolism. The decision to use gold is deliberate. In Chinese culture, the color is tied to concepts of fortune, prosperity, and prestige. Where past editions used color to set a festive mood, this piece uses it to convey a specific set of values. The warm, gold-colored dial, framed by a brushed titanium case and a black ceramic bezel, gives the performance-oriented chronograph a character that aligns with the traits associated with the Goat zodiac: elegance and gentleness. Limited to 500 pieces, the watch maintains its technical identity. The 41mm case houses the IWC-manufactured 69385 caliber, a robust mechanical chronograph movement. Contrasting black subdials are arranged in the brand’s characteristic vertical layout, ensuring readability. A black calfskin strap completes the composition, which can be changed without tools using the integrated EasX-CHANGE system. A Symbol of Auspiciousness The upcoming Chinese New Year on February 6th, 2027, marks the beginning of the Year of the Goat. The sign carries profound significance in Chinese history. In ancient Chinese, the character for goat, “yáng,” was used interchangeably with the character for auspiciousness. This historical connection has shaped the modern perception of the goat as a symbol of beauty and kindness, qualities considered typical of people born under this zodiac sign. IWC integrates this symbolism throughout the watch. A subtle detail appears in the day and date window at 3 o’clock. On the 8th day of each month, the numeral is replaced by the Chinese character for “goat.” It is a quiet acknowledgment, a detail intended for the owner to discover. The Hidden Motif The most direct symbolic reference is visible only through the sapphire glass case back. The gold-plated oscillating weight is sculpted to depict a small herd of three goats. This motif has served as a symbol of bliss in China for thousands of years, with origins tracing back to the “Book of Changes” (“I Ching”). In this ancient text, “yang” represents positive energy and the start of a new cycle. The three-goat theme has appeared on cultural artifacts since the Han dynasty. By integrating this enduring motif into the watch’s movement, IWC places a piece of ancient symbolism at the mechanical heart of a modern chronograph. It is a detail hidden from view when the watch is on the wrist, a private connection between the object and its cultural history. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/iwc-finds-new-meaning-in-gold-for-the-year-of-the-goat — Citation: "IWC Finds New Meaning in Gold for the Year of the Goat" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-15. https://menwith.com/iwc-finds-new-meaning-in-gold-for-the-year-of-the-goat --- ## Azimut’s Magellano 27M and a New Measure of Innovation - URL: https://menwith.com/azimut-s-magellano-27m-and-a-new-measure-of-innovation - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-10-14 - Tags: Azimut Yachts **Summary:** Azimut's Magellano 27M wins the Design Innovation Award 2026, celebrated for blending stylistic breaks with a focus on livability and onboard experience. The Azimut Magellano 27M has been named the winner of the Design Innovation Award 2026. Presented at the Genoa International Boat Show, the prize recognized the third-generation crossover in the superyacht category for vessels over 24 meters, singling it out from a field of its peers. An award of this nature often celebrates a single, radical gesture. Here, the jury’s reasoning points to something more integrated. Their citation for the Magellano 27M acknowledged its success in combining a “break with stylistic conventions” with a clear “vocation as a vessel designed for living.” The recognition suggests a shift in priorities, where true innovation is found in the balance between a strong aesthetic identity and the quality of the onboard experience. The break from convention is visible in the yacht’s profile. The Magellano 27M carries its volume with a certain uprightness, favoring a powerful, purposeful stance over the aggressively swept-back lines common in the category. It has presence, but its form appears driven by function rather than fashion. The result is a vessel that looks capable of serious passage-making, with lines that suggest stability and endurance. This aesthetic is paired with an interior philosophy centered on livability. The jury noted the “seamless harmony with high-quality interior spaces,” a quality that turns the yacht from a machine for travel into a place to be. While details of the internal layout are specific to each build, the overall design intent is clear. Spaces are designed to be used, not just admired. As the third generation of the line, the Magellano 27M represents an evolution of Azimut Yachts’ crossover concept. The award, promoted by Confindustria Nautica and I Saloni Nautici, affirms that this direction has found its moment. The yacht’s strong identity comes from its refusal to choose between being a rugged explorer and an elegant home on the water. In rewarding the Magellano 27M, the jury has offered a quiet commentary on the state of yacht design. Innovation, they seem to suggest, is most meaningful when it serves the fundamental human desire for comfort, space, and a genuine connection to the sea. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/azimut-s-magellano-27m-and-a-new-measure-of-innovation — Citation: "Azimut’s Magellano 27M and a New Measure of Innovation" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-14. https://menwith.com/azimut-s-magellano-27m-and-a-new-measure-of-innovation --- ## Benetti and the New Architecture of Power - URL: https://menwith.com/benetti-and-the-new-architecture-of-power - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-14 - Tags: Benetti Yachts **Summary:** Benetti's Clear Waves concept redefines luxury yachts by prioritizing wellness and biological optimization on the upper deck. This "human performance lab" integrates advanced technology for self-care and sustainability. For decades, the layout of a superyacht followed a predictable logic. The best views and the most space were reserved for living and entertaining. The spa, if it existed, was usually an afterthought tucked away on a lower deck. Benetti’s new 70-metre concept, Clear Waves, proposes a fundamental reversal. It takes the wellness area out of the basement and places it on the upper deck, the yacht’s most prestigious real estate. This is more than a shift in floor plans. It signals a reordering of priorities in the highest echelons of wealth. The yacht is evolving from a floating palace into a human performance lab. The design, a collaboration with LUCA DINI Design & Architecture and The Longevity Suite, is built around a single idea. The time spent on board should be an opportunity for biological optimization. It suggests the new pinnacle of luxury is not just owning a piece of the world, but achieving a certain mastery over the self. A Sanctuary of Control The architectural heart of the Clear Waves concept is a monumental Glass Dome. Spanning two decks and covering 400 square metres, it erases the boundary between the interior and the sea, offering uninterrupted 360-degree views. Yet this transparency is deceptive. The dome is a meticulously controlled environment, a biosphere for its occupants. More than 60 percent of its surface integrates translucent photovoltaic panels, generating its own energy. The glass itself is engineered to filter reality, blocking UV and infrared radiation while managing temperature. Air is continuously purified and circulated through a system designed to eliminate drafts. It is a space designed for total connection with the surrounding landscape, but from within a perfectly managed bubble. Luca Dini calls it a “sanctuary of wellbeing,” a place where naval architecture serves the owner’s quality of life. The Body as a Project This philosophy of control extends to the human body. The partnership with The Longevity Suite brings the language of biohacking into the core of the experience. This is not about conventional relaxation. It is about active intervention. The yacht offers a program of technologies designed for recovery and self-care, including a Cryosuite, Dry Floating pods, and Near Infrared Therapy. The goal, as The Longevity Suite’s CEO Luigi Caterino puts it, is to use the privacy and focus of a yacht to better understand one’s own biology. The body becomes the final frontier of optimization. Every element, from the air to the light to the food, is calibrated to support physical and mental balance. The yacht becomes a tool for extending not just leisure, but life itself. Longevity and the Planet The project also reframes sustainability as a personal concern. Benetti Yachts frames environmental care and personal longevity as “two sides of the same coin.” Taking care of the individual over time becomes philosophically linked to taking care of the planet. This thinking is reflected in the yacht’s engineering. An advanced hybrid propulsion system is ready for HVO biofuel and methanol, validated by Lloyd’s Register. A sophisticated power management system coordinates energy from the engines, battery storage, and over 250 square metres of solar panels. Heat recovery and water treatment systems further contribute to overall efficiency. The commitment to a lighter footprint on the environment runs in parallel with the ambition to manage one's own biological footprint. Clear Waves is a compelling look at where extreme luxury is headed. It pictures a future where the greatest status symbol is not a possession, but a state of being. The yacht is no longer just a way to see the world. It is a way to create your own. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/benetti-and-the-new-architecture-of-power — Citation: "Benetti and the New Architecture of Power" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-14. https://menwith.com/benetti-and-the-new-architecture-of-power --- ## Inside The NOMOS Glashütte Forum 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-the-nomos-glashtte-forum-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-13 - Tags: NOMOS Glashütte, Forum 2026, DUW 4701, Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer, Metro date power reserve ice blue, Uwe Ahrendt, Matthias Wesselmann, Michelle Sachs **Summary:** NOMOS Glashütte's Forum 2026 showcased innovation with new watches and a DUW 4701 caliber. Investments in advanced manufacturing and discussions on AI's impact highlighted their forward-thinking approach. Where Tradition Meets Innovation: NOMOS Forum 2026 In the heart of Germany's watchmaking capital, NOMOS Glashütte welcomed more than 130 guests from 22 countries for the seventh edition of its annual Forum. Held over two days in October, the event brought together journalists, content creators, retailers, and watch enthusiasts for an exclusive look into the craftsmanship, innovation, and future direction of the independent German watchmaker. With visitors traveling from as far as Mexico, the United States, and China, this year's gathering reflected the increasingly international presence of NOMOS Glashütte. What began as an opportunity to share the brand's watchmaking expertise has evolved into an important annual meeting point for the global watch industry. A Closer Look At German Watchmaking One of the central highlights of Forum NOMOS Glashütte was the opportunity for guests to explore the manufacturer's production facilities. Visitors were introduced to the brand's Chronometry department and the specialist manufacturing site responsible for producing components for its in house movements. These facilities represent the technical foundation behind NOMOS watches, where traditional craftsmanship meets increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes. Over the past two years, NOMOS has invested approximately €3 million in new production machinery, strengthening its independence while improving precision and efficiency. Among the latest additions are advanced cleaning systems, two wire EDM machines, a jewel setting machine with sorting equipment, and a new milling center capable of combining several production steps into one. Beyond improving accuracy, these investments also contribute to more efficient energy consumption. With its production site already operating on a carbon neutral basis, NOMOS continues to demonstrate how modern technology can support responsible watchmaking. As CEO Uwe Ahrendt explained during the Forum, the company's growing international presence has made investments in independent manufacturing increasingly important, particularly as markets such as the United States and China continue to develop. Eleven New Watches And A New Movement While craftsmanship remained at the heart of the event, the future of NOMOS Glashütte was equally important. During the Forum, guests received an exclusive preview of eleven new watches scheduled for introduction before the end of 2026. Among the first releases was the Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer dark, introduced on the second day of the gathering. The model expands the brand's growing collection of travel focused watches, combining the functionality of a worldtimer with the understated design language for which NOMOS has become known. Another highlight was the introduction of new Metro models in ice blue, officially launched on October 8. Particularly noteworthy is the Metro date power reserve ice blue, which introduces the new manually wound DUW 4701 caliber. The movement represents another development in NOMOS Glashütte's commitment to producing its own mechanical movements, reinforcing the manufacturer's position as one of Germany's most distinctive independent watchmakers. With additional releases expected throughout the remainder of the year, the Forum offered an early indication of the direction NOMOS intends to take its collections. Beyond The World Of Watches The Forum also explored subjects extending beyond traditional watchmaking. Media expert Matthias Wesselmann discussed the growing influence of generative artificial intelligence on consumer purchasing behavior, examining how retailers, journalists, and content creators may need to adapt as technology changes the way customers discover and evaluate luxury products. In contrast, Berlin based master gilder Michelle Sachs offered an insight into one of the world's oldest decorative crafts. As one of only a small number of master gilders practicing internationally, Sachs shared her knowledge of working with gold, highlighting the precision, patience, and expertise required to preserve traditional craftsmanship. Together, these presentations reflected a broader conversation about the relationship between heritage and innovation, a theme that remains central to NOMOS Glashütte's identity. A Global Future Rooted In Glashütte Now in its seventh edition, Forum NOMOS Glashütte has established itself as more than a traditional industry gathering. It represents an opportunity to connect international perspectives with the expertise of a watchmaking region whose reputation has been built over generations. As NOMOS continues to expand globally, its commitment to independent manufacturing, technical development, and traditional German craftsmanship remains central to its identity. With eleven new watches, a newly introduced movement, and continued investment in production, the 2026 Forum offered a clear indication of what lies ahead for the German manufacturer. For NOMOS Glashütte, the future may be increasingly international, but its foundations remain firmly rooted in the small Saxon town where every watch begins. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-the-nomos-glashtte-forum-2026 — Citation: "Inside The NOMOS Glashütte Forum 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-13. https://menwith.com/inside-the-nomos-glashtte-forum-2026 --- ## Louis Vuitton Dresses Real Madrid - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-dresses-real-madrid - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2026-10-13 - Tags: Louis Vuitton, Real Madrid, Pharrell Williams, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Monogram, Formalwear **Summary:** Louis Vuitton and Real Madrid extend their partnership for the 2026/27 season with a new collection by Pharrell Williams. The line features formalwear and travel essentials blending French luxury with club identity for players. Louis Vuitton and Real Madrid are continuing their partnership for the 2026/27 season, introducing a refreshed collection of formalwear and travel essentials designed under the creative direction of Pharrell Williams. Bringing together two globally recognised names, the collaboration combines French luxury craftsmanship with the identity of one of football’s most successful clubs. Originally announced in June 2025, the partnership sees Louis Vuitton serve as Real Madrid’s official formalwear and travelwear partner, dressing the men's and women's football teams alongside the men's basketball squad. The latest collection builds on that relationship with updated silhouettes, personalised details and a sophisticated approach to dressing beyond the pitch. A New Era of Football Fashion Drawing inspiration from Louis Vuitton's Trunk collection, introduced earlier this year, the new wardrobe balances traditional tailoring with relaxed contemporary pieces. Among the standout additions is a reversible nylon jacket featuring a discreet exterior with embroidered Real Madrid branding and Louis Vuitton detailing. Turned inside out, the jacket reveals the House's signature Monogram pattern, offering two distinct looks. The travel collection also introduces a navy sweater featuring Vuitton lettering, a beige polo shirt, a reversible belt and a navy cap. Each piece reflects the understated luxury that has become central to the collaboration. For more formal occasions, Louis Vuitton continues to emphasise precision tailoring. A new blue striped shirt joins the collection, alongside a black cashmere coat featuring a detachable Monogram scarf. Personalised interior labels incorporate both brands' signatures and the initials of individual players. Designed for Champions The campaign features some of Real Madrid's most recognisable players, including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. Beyond the clothing, Louis Vuitton has developed a selection of personalised leather goods and travel accessories celebrating the 130th anniversary of its iconic Monogram. Through the House's Mon Monogram personalisation service, selected luggage pieces feature Real Madrid's signature white and gold colours, individual initials and exclusive club detailing. The result is a wardrobe designed to accompany the players from international travel to official appearances, reflecting both the demands of modern athletes and Louis Vuitton's longstanding connection to the art of travel. An Exclusive Partnership While the collection reflects Louis Vuitton's established design language, the customised Real Madrid pieces remain exclusive to the club's players and representatives. However, selected designs that inspired the wardrobe, including certain outerwear pieces and luggage styles, are available through Louis Vuitton's regular collections. As luxury fashion continues to strengthen its relationship with professional sport, the collaboration demonstrates how football has evolved into a global platform for personal style. For Real Madrid, it represents another chapter in the club's identity beyond the pitch. For Louis Vuitton, it reinforces the House's position at the intersection of fashion, culture and sport. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-dresses-real-madrid — Citation: "Louis Vuitton Dresses Real Madrid" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-13. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-dresses-real-madrid --- ## NIGO Designs Exclusive Gulfstream G500 Private Jet - URL: https://menwith.com/nigo-designs-exclusive-gulfstream-g500-private-jet - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-13 - Tags: NIGO, Gulfstream G500, NOT A GARAGE, HUMAN MADE, KENZO, NIGO JET, Private Aviation, Shared Ownership **Summary:** NIGO, in partnership with NOT A GARAGE, has designed a unique Gulfstream G500, the NIGO JET, featuring a distinctive matte exterior and custom interior. This initiative also introduces a shared ownership model for the aircraft. Japanese fashion designer and creative director NIGO is taking his unmistakable design philosophy beyond fashion and into the skies. In collaboration with NOT A GARAGE, the founder of HUMAN MADE and artistic director of KENZO has introduced the NIGO JET, a Gulfstream G500 shaped by his creative vision, from its distinctive exterior to the smallest details inside the cabin. The project introduces a different approach to private aviation, combining a uniquely designed aircraft with an exclusive shared ownership model. Rather than purchasing an entire private jet, prospective buyers will have the opportunity to acquire ownership interests in an aircraft created under the direction of one of fashion's most influential figures. A Private Jet Designed by NIGO Known for his influence on global streetwear and luxury fashion, NIGO has built a career around transforming familiar objects into highly desirable cultural statements. From founding A Bathing Ape in the 1990s to establishing HUMAN MADE and becoming artistic director of KENZO, his creative vision has consistently extended beyond traditional fashion boundaries. The NIGO JET represents another step in that evolution. Based on the Gulfstream G500, the aircraft features an exterior and interior developed under NIGO's creative direction. Its distinctive matte exterior gives the jet a contemporary appearance, moving away from the conventional glossy white aesthetic commonly associated with private aviation. Inside, the same design philosophy continues throughout the cabin, creating a cohesive visual identity that reflects NIGO's personal approach to luxury, craftsmanship, and design. The aircraft features three separate living areas, a fully equipped galley, and a lavatory, allowing passengers to transition comfortably between working, dining, and relaxing during longer journeys. Fourteen panoramic windows, among the largest in business aviation, fill the cabin with natural light. Gulfstream's advanced cabin technology also provides a quiet environment, low cabin altitude, and a continuous supply of 100% fresh air. The result is an aircraft designed to make the journey itself as important as the destination. Performance Meets Luxury Beyond its distinctive appearance, the NIGO JET benefits from the impressive capabilities of the Gulfstream G500, one of the most advanced aircraft in its category. With a maximum range of approximately 9,816 kilometers, the aircraft is capable of connecting major international destinations without requiring a fuel stop, including routes from Japan to Los Angeles or Sydney, depending on operating conditions. Its maximum operating speed reaches approximately 980 km/h, while its maximum operating altitude of 51,000 feet, equivalent to 15,545 meters, allows it to fly above much of the commercial air traffic. These capabilities make the aircraft particularly suitable for international business travel, private holidays, and longer journeys where comfort, privacy, and efficiency are equally important. According to NOT A GARAGE, the NIGO JET is also expected to become the first Gulfstream G500 based in Japan, marking another significant milestone for the project. A New Approach to Private Jet Ownership Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the NIGO JET is how NOT A GARAGE intends to make the aircraft available. Rather than selling the entire jet to a single individual, the company is introducing a shared ownership structure that allows multiple buyers to acquire ownership interests in the same aircraft. This approach provides access to a uniquely designed private jet without requiring an individual owner to manage the full complexity of aircraft operations. NOT A GARAGE and its aviation partners will oversee aircraft operations, maintenance, insurance, crew arrangements, and safety requirements, including inspections and servicing under Gulfstream's maintenance programs. Owners will be able to arrange flights through the NOT A HOTEL application, which will also manage passenger information, passport details, and onboard preferences. The aircraft is scheduled to begin operations in December 2027, operating primarily from Narita International Airport in Tokyo and serving both domestic and international destinations. The proposed ownership period is eight years, although detailed pricing, management fees, and operating costs have not yet been publicly announced. Prospective owners can already register their interest through the official NOT A GARAGE website, where a waiting list has been established for the exclusive aircraft. An Experience Beyond the Aircraft The NIGO JET concept extends far beyond the aircraft itself, with NOT A GARAGE developing a complete travel experience designed around convenience, privacy, and personalization. For owners traveling from central Tokyo, the company plans to arrange private chauffeur transportation to Narita or Haneda Airport. Upon arrival, passengers will have access to dedicated business aviation facilities, allowing security procedures and, where applicable, immigration and customs formalities to be completed away from the main commercial terminals. A private vehicle will then transport passengers directly to the aircraft. Once onboard, the experience continues with dining options supervised by chefs from NOT A HOTEL. Passengers will be able to request customized menus, catering from preferred restaurants, traditional Japanese cuisine, sushi experiences, and selected wines or champagne. Even smaller personal touches, such as birthday cakes and special celebrations, can be arranged in advance. The entire experience is designed to be managed through a single digital platform, connecting transportation, aviation, and hospitality. For NIGO, the project represents an expansion of his creative universe into an entirely new category. For NOT A GARAGE, it introduces a different perspective on private aviation, where design, ownership, and hospitality become part of the same experience. With its distinctive appearance, advanced performance, and unconventional ownership model, the NIGO JET demonstrates how the boundaries between fashion, design, and luxury travel continue to evolve. Scheduled to take flight in December 2027, the aircraft offers a glimpse into a future where private aviation is defined not only by performance and exclusivity, but also by individual creative expression. Aircraft imagery represents the proposed design. Certain specifications and details may change before the planned launch. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/nigo-designs-exclusive-gulfstream-g500-private-jet — Citation: "NIGO Designs Exclusive Gulfstream G500 Private Jet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-13. https://menwith.com/nigo-designs-exclusive-gulfstream-g500-private-jet --- ## Mercedes-Benz and adidas Rework the Samba - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-and-adidas-rework-the-samba - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-12 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes-Benz and adidas unite for a limited-edition Samba OG, featuring S-Class interior stitching details. This collaboration marks the start of future joint projects. The upper carries a diamond pattern. It is a detail taken directly from the interior stitching of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, applied to the classic form of an adidas Samba. The two German companies have created a joint version of the shoe, the adidas Samba OG x Mercedes-Benz, set for a limited release on October 13. The project is part of the 140-year anniversary of Mercedes-Benz. It also serves as the starting point for future collaborations between the two brands. The Samba itself began its life as a football shoe, eventually taking the step from the pitch to the street. For this version, the Mercedes star is found on the shoe’s tongue. It will be released in three colorways: Magic Beige, Grey Five, and Black. The design choices were meant to feel like a natural extension of both brands, which share long histories and distinct identities. A Self-Evident Product Christina Schenck, who is responsible for communication at Mercedes-Benz AG, describes the process as finding a way to unite the two companies. She calls the result a product that “feels right and self-evident for both.” The collaboration aimed to integrate details without losing the shoe's fundamental character. Michael Batz at adidas notes that they started with one of their most well-known models and gave it details from Mercedes-Benz. He says the outcome is “still clearly Samba, but with a completely unique character.” The Start of a Conversation The history of Mercedes-Benz dates back to 1886, when founders Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz invented the first automobile. The company's Swedish operations are based in Malmö, where a joint Swedish-Danish organization of around 250 employees work. This sneaker release is positioned as more than a single product. It is the declared startpoint for more joint projects between Mercedes-Benz and adidas. The limited edition adidas Samba OG x Mercedes-Benz will be available online and in select adidas stores from October 13. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-and-adidas-rework-the-samba — Citation: "Mercedes-Benz and adidas Rework the Samba" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-12. https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-and-adidas-rework-the-samba --- ## Every Frame a Memory: Inside Wetzlar for the 2026 Leica Oskar Barnack Award - URL: https://menwith.com/every-frame-a-memory-inside-wetzlar-for-the-2026-leica-oskar-barnack-award - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Culture - Published: 2026-10-11 - Tags: Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Graciela Iturbide, Damir Faizulin, Laila AnnMarie Stevens, Wetzlar, Leica cameras, Napalm Girl, Clayton Sisterhood Project **Summary:** The 46th Leica Oskar Barnack Award celebrated powerful imagery, honoring Graciela Iturbide and Nick Ut's iconic photos. Damir Faizulin won for his Dagestan series, Laila AnnMarie Stevens for her Clayton Sisterhood Project. Some images change the course of history. Others exist because an artist saw something nobody else could, or because a documentary photographer travelled somewhere remote and brought back a glimpse of another way of living. Placed side by side, they do something rare: they bring people together, and they tell stories in a way nothing else can. Celebrating that mix is the whole point of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, and this year I travelled to Wetzlar, the home of Leica, for its 46th edition. The Ones That Got Away Graciela Iturbide, the Mexican photographer inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame this year, spoke about the images she captured, but also about the ones she missed. A couple getting married walked through her frame while she was shooting something else. Chickens on a bike, of all things. She never got the shot, yet the moment stuck with her, and she can still replay it in detail. For more than five decades, Iturbide has photographed indigenous communities and the strong women at their centre, far from her own Mexico City. Her 1986 portrait Na’ Lupe Pan, taken in Juchitán, Oaxaca, was named this year’s Leica Picture of the Year. “I think that any photographer is an investigator,” she says. “Photography is a pretext to know the world, to know life. To know yourself.” Her story goes to the core of what an image is. A memory. A moment we might otherwise have forgotten, or one we want to live again. Photographs can also hold the opposite: the horrors of humanity that had to be documented and shared. In 1972, Nick Ut captured a young girl running from a napalm attack in Trang Bang on his Leica M2. Known as Napalm Girl, it became the defining image of the Vietnam War and helped change American opinion on it. The Winners For all its global reach, the evening felt like a family occasion. Andreas Kaufmann could not be there in person but sent a warm video message, while Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Art Director of Leica Galleries International, and her daughter Charlotte Ebner-Kaufmann shared a moment on stage with Leica CEO Andreas Voll. Russian photographer Damir Faizulin took the main award for his series Preserving Nature as Preserving Ourselves, and shared the stories behind his three favourite images. His long-term project takes us to the mountains of Dagestan in the North Caucasus, one of the most ethnically diverse regions in Russia, and documents a place in upheaval, where nature, traditions and cultural identity are all changing at once. Born in Uzbekistan in 1986, Faizulin came to photography after a career as a martial artist and professional wrestler. He has worked on independent projects since 2020, and LOBA was the first international competition he ever entered. “It’s important to me that a photograph does not simplify reality, but rather helps us recognise its complexity,” he says. In the Newcomer category, American photographer Laila AnnMarie Stevens won with Clayton Sisterhood Project. Shot in black and white, the series follows her two sisters and four nieces after they moved from Queens, New York, to a shared house in Clayton, North Carolina, and reflects on queer kinship and the legacy of strong, self-assured Black women. Stevens was born in 2001 and had her work published in The New York Times at just 20. New this year, the LOBA Women Grant went to Italian photographer Valentina Sinis. The surprise of the evening came from within Leica itself. Its employee choir took the stage and, if I may say so, sounded surprisingly good. Inside The Factory Wetzlar also gave me a rare look at how Leica builds its cameras, and the parallels to watchmaking are hard to miss. Each camera is assembled piece by piece, with human hands involved at every stage. Lens elements have their edges painted black by hand to control the light bouncing inside the lens. On the M lenses, someone applies a paste and turns the focus ring back and forth by hand, for up to five minutes, until it moves exactly as it should. Only then is it lubricated. Some parts are measured and quality controlled down to the nanometre. Others are signed off by feel alone. Leica needs both, and you notice it the moment you hold the finished product. The lenses themselves are shaped with methods most people would never guess. One uses a magnetic, iron-laden fluid to polish the glass. Another heats the glass in a 700 degree oven and presses it into shape, while accounting for the fact that it keeps moving as it cools, so the final form differs from the mould. Leica makes those moulds in-house too, from tungsten carbide, one of the hardest materials on earth, finished with hand-applied layers of diamond paste. Before leaving, I watched the team service and restore a camera from the 1960s. Sixty years on, it was being brought back to life by the same hands that build the new ones. The 2026 Shortlist - Damir Faizulin, Preserving Nature as Preserving Ourselves (Winner) - Laila AnnMarie Stevens, Clayton Sisterhood Project (Newcomer Winner) - Saher Alghorra, Witnessing Gaza - Todd Antony, Buzkashi - Anush Babajanyan, The Aral Sea and the Battered Waters of Central Asia - William Keo, Extramuros - Slava Lyu-Fa, Inner Distance - Benedikt Renč, Cairo - Elliot Ross, A Question of Balance - Annie Sakkab, We Used to Watch the Rivers Go By - David Sládek, People of Šumiac — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/every-frame-a-memory-inside-wetzlar-for-the-2026-leica-oskar-barnack-award — Citation: "Every Frame a Memory: Inside Wetzlar for the 2026 Leica Oskar Barnack Award" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-11. https://menwith.com/every-frame-a-memory-inside-wetzlar-for-the-2026-leica-oskar-barnack-award --- ## Aston Martin Opens Its Doors on Berkeley Square - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-opens-its-doors-on-berkeley-square - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-10 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin Q London, a new flagship showroom on Berkeley Square, offers bespoke personalization services and showcases exclusive models. It aims to be a luxury destination, blending hospitality and high-end retail. A striking chandelier casts light across the reception area, its undulating cascade of slender pendulums running the full width of the space. This is the entrance to the new Aston Martin Q London, a flagship location that opened on October 1, 2026, at 14 Berkeley Square in Mayfair. The 18th-century square has a history with the motor trade stretching back over 75 years. For Aston Martin, this new 587m² space reaffirms a physical presence in the capital. The building's street frontage, clad in Portland stone, is marked by the brand’s iconic wings logo, continuing an architectural language first established at the Q New York showroom on Park Avenue. The location is operated by H.R. Owen and is designed as a destination for the brand’s in-house personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin. This service ranges from unique stitching and leather choices to special models like the Valen, Valour, and Valiant, and extends to one-off commissions such as the Aston Martin Victor. The opening of the space also coincided with the global debut of the new Aston Martin DBX GT, an interpretation of the marque's SUV. A Space Beyond the Showroom Inside, beyond the glazed frontage, a reception area leads to a dramatic double-height central section defined by a series of bronze-clad arches. The ground floor can display up to four Aston Martin models, arranged near an informal seating area, a coffee bar, and displays of merchandise. The design draws on hospitality and high-end retail, creating an environment that feels more like a private members' club than a conventional dealership. “Aston Martin Q London will play a uniquely important role in the world of Aston Martin,” says Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Hallmark. He notes that the space offers an excellent backdrop for the product range and a “prominent window in one of the world's most pre-eminent luxury shopping destinations.” A bespoke concealed guest elevator and a glass and limestone staircase provide access to the lower floor. This area, with its timber panelling and flooring, creates a warm ambience for private appointments and will also serve as an occasional event space. The Aston Martin Personalization Suite The lower level is where deeper consultations happen. A private room is supported by a materials library containing over 500 physical samples, from body and trim colours to leather and stitch patterns. This library offers a tactile counterpoint to the digital visualisation tools, allowing customers to physically interact with the materials for their commission. Alongside the physical samples is the brand's next-generation digital configurator. A screen measuring approximately eight metres wide by three metres high provides a near full-size image of any Aston Martin model, from the core line-up to specials like the Valhalla. The system uses design data directly from the Design Studio to ensure the play of virtual light across rendered surfaces is as accurate as possible. Ken Choo, CEO of H.R. Owen, calls the opening an “important milestone for our Group,” adding, “we are proud to bring Aston Martin back into this exceptional address.” The goal is to provide a direct relationship between customers and the Q by Aston Martin team. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, sees the showroom as a reflection of the brand's philosophy. “Most importantly, Aston Martin Q London is also a richly evocative and engaging luxury destination in the heart of London. It is the perfect place to introduce new customers to the brand.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-opens-its-doors-on-berkeley-square — Citation: "Aston Martin Opens Its Doors on Berkeley Square" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-10. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-opens-its-doors-on-berkeley-square --- ## The Shared Logic of Cars and Clocks - URL: https://menwith.com/the-shared-logic-of-cars-and-clocks - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-10 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** Luxury cars and A. Lange & Söhne watches share a philosophy of uncompromising craftsmanship and enduring design. Both are built with meticulous attention to detail, aiming for mechanical perfection and lasting value. A 1938 Delahaye 165 Cabriolet sat on the lawn at Fort Adams, its Figoni et Falaschi coachwork looking as purposeful as it did the day it was built. The car, part of the Pearl Collection, earned the Vanderbilt Cup for “Best of Show” at the 2026 Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance. Presenting the award was Wilhelm Schmid, the CEO of A. Lange & Söhne. The moment captured a relationship that runs deeper than simple sponsorship. For the German watchmaker, appearing at concours events is a long-held tradition. The house has supported the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for fifteen years and the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace for nine. Its four-year affiliation with the Audrain Concours is part of a consistent pattern. These are not marketing experiments. They are declarations of a shared philosophy. The easy explanation is to point to common values like craftsmanship or heritage. But the connection is more specific. It has to do with how an object earns its permanence. “There are no shortcuts to excellence,” Schmid says. He speaks of the designers, engineers, and owners whose collective dedication creates “something more than just a car.” The same could be said for a watch. It is an argument about the power of refusing to compromise. A German Approach to Time That refusal was on display in Newport. The company presented a gallery of its chronograph collection, linking the function of short-time measurement to Newport’s own history as the site of America’s first circuit race. Yet the watches themselves suggest a purpose beyond pure utility. The DATOGRAPH, a modern classic, sat alongside the TRIPLE SPLIT in 950 platinum, a movement capable of comparing multiple times for up to twelve hours. These are not simple stopwatches. They are intricate machines, expressions of a distinctly German approach to horology. They represent a quest for mechanical perfection that has produced thirteen different chronograph movements since 1999. Each one is a complex solution to a complex problem, engineered and finished with an intensity that seems to defy market logic. The Human Element To make this idea tangible, an engraver from the Glashütte manufacture was present, demonstrating the hand-finishing of a balance cock. This small, intricate component, unique to every watch, is a signature of Saxon watchmaking. Watching the process reveals the human skill involved. It is slow, deliberate work that cannot be rushed or automated. It is the philosophy of the brand, distilled into a single, focused act. This year’s Audrain Concours, with a record 185 cars at the new Fort Adams venue, became a backdrop for this conversation. The cars, many built sixty or more years ago, are compelling for the same reason a Lange chronograph is. They are the result of skill, passion, and a dedication to craft that creates an enduring fascination. The Delahaye, like the watches in the nearby gallery, is a physical reminder of what happens when something is built not just for a moment, but for generations. It shows that the most powerful designs are often just a series of very good decisions, executed without exception. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-shared-logic-of-cars-and-clocks — Citation: "The Shared Logic of Cars and Clocks" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-10. https://menwith.com/the-shared-logic-of-cars-and-clocks --- ## Born in 1926: Rolex, The CHI Geneva And A Century of Split Seconds - URL: https://menwith.com/born-in-1926-rolex-the-chi-geneva-and-a-century-of-split-seconds - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-10 - Tags: Rolex Oyster, CHI Geneva, Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Kent Farrington, Steve Guerdat, Martin Fuchs, Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final **Summary:** Rolex's Oyster watch centenary coincides with the CHI Geneva's 100th anniversary. Elite riders like Kent Farrington, Steve Guerdat, and Martin Fuchs compete in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, highlighting precision and legacy. In 1926, Rolex launched the Oyster, its first waterproof wristwatch. That same year, the CHI Geneva was founded. A hundred years on, the two meet again. From 9 to 13 December, the world's best horse and rider combinations return to the indoor Palexpo arena for the last Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, with the Oyster's centenary as the backdrop. A shared birthday makes a good headline. The century in between makes the story. The Clock Inside The Rider Few sports are decided by time as completely as show jumping, and few riders explain it better than Kent Farrington. The American returns to Geneva to defend his Rolex Grand Prix title, won last December with a flawless double clear aboard Greya. His description of a jump-off sounds almost horological: "With experience, you develop an internal clock. You know whether you are ahead or behind on the time allowed, whether you need to take a bigger risk or ride more conservatively." Precision, in other words, is learned long before it is measured. Farrington credits years spent with different horses for building that judgement, and Geneva is where he wants to use it. To him, the show feels like the culmination of the season, with a crowd and atmosphere that match the field. Home Ground For two Swiss riders, Palexpo is more than a venue. Twenty years ago, Steve Guerdat found a horse called Jalisca Solier, and within months the pair had won the Rolex Grand Prix. "It was completely unexpected," he recalls. "That win was really the start of my career." Victories followed with his Olympic gold medal horse Nino des Buissonnets in 2013 and 2015. With 16 class wins, Guerdat is now the most successful rider in the event's history, and he arrives this year as the newly crowned individual World Champion. Martin Fuchs wrote his own chapter. He became the first rider to achieve consecutive wins at the CHI Geneva, with Clooney 51 in 2019 and Leone Jei in 2021. When Clooney's career at the top level came to an end, Fuchs chose Geneva for the farewell. In 2022, in front of a full house on its feet, he rode the grey gelding into the arena one final time. "While there will hopefully be many more CHI Genevas for me," he says, "there will only ever be one retirement ceremony for Clooney." Geneva runs in the Fuchs family too. Generations before him competed there, which he says makes every return feel more special. Twenty-Five Years Of The Top 10 The week's most anticipated class marks its own anniversary. The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final turns 25, with Rolex as partner since the very first edition. Only the ten highest-ranked riders in the world qualify, earned through a full season of consistent results. Fuchs remembers watching it as a child. "Even at a young age that class stood out to me," he says, recalling the rider presentations, the interviews and the tension that builds through the week. He competed in it several times without reaching the podium before finally winning in 2024, a victory he counts among the most meaningful of his career. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum knows the feeling. In 2004 she became the first woman to win the Top 10 Final, riding her legendary Shutterfly, and she won it again in 2006. Her first parade into Palexpo still stays with her: "hearing the crowd. It gave me goosebumps." Guerdat, meanwhile, remains the only rider to claim the title three times. Last year's edition showed how fine the margins are. Scott Brash won by just 0.16 seconds over Farrington, with Richard Vogel in third. Three Rolex Testimonees on the podium, with first and second split by less than a fifth of a second. A Partnership Measured In Decades Rolex's bond with equestrian sport began in 1957, when British show jumper Pat Smythe became its first Testimonee in the discipline. The brand became Presenting Sponsor of the CHI Geneva in 1996 and title sponsor of the Rolex Grand Prix in 2000. More than a decade ago came the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, linking The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament and the CHI Geneva. Brash is still the only rider to have completed it, winning three Majors with Hello Sanctos across 2014 and 2015. For Rodrigo Pessoa, Geneva carries a family history. His father moved from South America to Europe in the 1960s and settled in the city, and the show has stayed close to both of them ever since. Pessoa, a multiple Major winner, has lifted both the Rolex Grand Prix and the Top 10 Final trophy there. He also has a line about Rolex headquarters that any watch lover will understand: "Everything is shiny, pristine and feels very Rolex." What The Stopwatch Can't See Victory in Geneva may come down to hundredths of a second. Yet the riders keep returning to something the clock never records. Guerdat puts it best when he talks about his horses: you can't speak to them, so you learn through time and observation, until "you build a kind of language together. That relationship comes before the sport itself." A century of the Oyster, a century of the CHI Geneva. Both are measured in time. Both, in the end, were built on trust. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/born-in-1926-rolex-the-chi-geneva-and-a-century-of-split-seconds — Citation: "Born in 1926: Rolex, The CHI Geneva And A Century of Split Seconds" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-10. https://menwith.com/born-in-1926-rolex-the-chi-geneva-and-a-century-of-split-seconds --- ## Brad Pitt and the Unscripted Mercedes - URL: https://menwith.com/brad-pitt-and-the-unscripted-mercedes - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-10-10 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Brad Pitt stars in Mercedes-AMG's "Too Hard to Resist" campaign, showcasing the GT 4-Door Coupé's performance beyond the script. The partnership highlights the car's driveability and AMG's electric future. Brad Pitt is the new face of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé. The partnership launches with a global campaign titled “Too Hard to Resist,” built around a simple, effective narrative. The story is not just about a celebrity endorsement. It is about a car that refuses to be a prop. The campaign, filmed in Los Angeles, is a classic Hollywood production. There are cameras, a film crew, and a script. Then Brad Pitt gets behind the wheel of the new Mercedes. The plan dissolves. He does take after take, turning the controlled environment of a film set into a personal playground. The car shifts from set dressing to the center of the action. This architecture has already been tested. In 2025, a concept car called the AMG GT XX, using the same technology, ran for nearly eight days on Italy’s Nardò test circuit. It covered over 4,000 kilometers, averaging more than 500 kilometers a day. The message is clear. This is a car built to be driven, not parked on a soundstage. A Deliberate Pairing With this campaign, Pitt becomes a global ambassador for the new GT 4-Door Coupé. Mercedes-AMG notes his combination of ambition and performance as a natural fit for the brand. The collaboration launches globally this October, as part of the 140-year anniversary of Carl Benz’s patent for the automobile. It marks a new chapter, both for the brand's electric direction and for how it chooses to tell that story. Some scripts, it seems, are written to be abandoned. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/brad-pitt-and-the-unscripted-mercedes — Citation: "Brad Pitt and the Unscripted Mercedes" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-10. https://menwith.com/brad-pitt-and-the-unscripted-mercedes --- ## Jaguar Type 01 Begins A New Era - URL: https://menwith.com/jaguar-type-01-begins-a-new-era - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-07 - Tags: Jaguar Type 01, JEA platform, Meridian Soundbar, Kvadrat textiles, Ultrafabrics NeoGrain, JLR Solihull, electric grand tourer **Summary:** Jaguar's Type 01 marks a new era as an all-electric grand tourer, boasting 1,030 PS, 450 miles of range, and a minimalist cabin. This model signifies a complete brand reinvention, designed and manufactured in Britain. Jaguar has finally revealed the car that will define its future. The new Type 01 is an all electric four door grand tourer and the first production model created under the British marque’s dramatically reinvented identity. Unveiled in New York, Type 01 translates much of the radical thinking behind the Type 00 concept into a production car. The proportions remain deliberately dramatic, with a long bonnet, low roofline, extended rear section and huge 23 inch wheels creating a silhouette that feels far removed from the conventional luxury EV. This is not simply Jaguar replacing one generation of cars with another. Type 01 represents an attempt to reposition the entire brand. More Than 1,000 PS Underneath the dramatic body sits Jaguar Electric Architecture, known as JEA, a dedicated platform developed specifically for the new generation of electric Jaguars. A tri motor all wheel drive system produces up to 1,030 PS, making Type 01 the most powerful production Jaguar ever created. Jaguar quotes acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in as little as 3.2 seconds. Performance is supported by intelligent torque vectoring, four corner air suspension, active dampers and all wheel steering. Jaguar has also engineered the car around a 50:50 weight distribution and low centre of gravity, aiming to retain the sense of balance and effortless speed historically associated with its grand tourers. Despite its substantial proportions and performance, Jaguar says Type 01 is also the most aerodynamic production car in its history, with a drag coefficient of 0.23. Active vanes and a three stage deployable rear spoiler help manage airflow while remaining hidden when they are not required. Up To 450 Miles Of Range Type 01 uses an 850 volt electrical architecture and offers up to 450 miles of range, depending on specification and testing cycle. Charging performance is equally significant. Jaguar says the car can recover as much as 200 miles of range in just 13 minutes when connected to a suitable 350 kW charger. It gives Jaguar the foundations for what the Type 01 is intended to be above everything else: a genuine electric grand tourer capable of covering serious distances. A Cabin Built Around Experience Inside, Jaguar continues the minimal and architectural approach established by the exterior. A single 24 inch glass OLED display stretches from directly ahead of the driver towards the centre of the dashboard, combining instrumentation and infotainment. A smaller seven inch interface provides additional controls between the driver and front passenger. Jaguar has also integrated a full width Meridian Panoramic Soundbar across the base of the windscreen, supported by additional speakers and active road noise cancellation. Materials play an important role in the cabin. Kvadrat wool blend textiles are combined with a choice of leather or Ultrafabrics NeoGrain, while anodised elements running through the interior take inspiration from the changing appearance of brass. Even the panoramic roof becomes part of the experience, using virtual blinds alongside configurable cabin lighting and fragrance settings. Jaguar Starts Again The name itself explains the importance of the car. “Type” connects the model with Jaguars of the past, including names such as E Type, while “0” represents zero tailpipe emissions and “1” signifies the first model of a completely new generation. There are still recognisable references to Jaguar history, particularly in the enormous bonnet and grand touring proportions. But Type 01 is clearly not designed as a nostalgic recreation of the brand’s greatest hits. Instead, Jaguar has chosen to make a clean break. Type 01 will be designed, engineered and manufactured in Britain, with production beginning at JLR’s Solihull facility in 2027. Its electric drive units and battery packs will be produced in Wolverhampton, while body panels will come from Halewood. Orders are expected to open in early 2027, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for the second half of the year. Whether Jaguar’s radical transformation proves successful will take years to answer. But with Type 01, the vision that initially appeared almost entirely conceptual has become real. And subtle, it certainly is not. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaguar-type-01-begins-a-new-era — Citation: "Jaguar Type 01 Begins A New Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-07. https://menwith.com/jaguar-type-01-begins-a-new-era --- ## Riva and the New Architecture of Escape - URL: https://menwith.com/riva-and-the-new-architecture-of-escape - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-10-02 - Tags: Riva **Summary:** The Riva 130' Bellissima redefines luxury yachting with its full-wide-body design, prioritizing spacious living over speed. It's an architectural escape, offering a private, self-contained world at sea. The first thing you notice about the Riva 130’ Bellissima is its posture. Where classic speedboats are lean, all tension and forward momentum, the Bellissima is broad and settled. It occupies its space on the water with the calm authority of a building. This is not a blade designed to slice through the waves. It is a piece of architecture designed to master them. The name, Bellissima, suggests a certain kind of beauty. But the yacht’s most defining feature is not its aesthetic grace, but its volume. It is the first planing flybridge from Riva to feature a full-wide-body design, a decision that fundamentally changes the relationship between the vessel and the sea. The objective here is not speed, but space. The result is a yacht with three real decks and interiors that feel impossibly generous. This shift reveals something important about how desire moves. The classic Riva runabout, a flash of polished mahogany and chrome, was about the thrill of arrival. It was a tool for being seen, for making an entrance. The Bellissima represents a different psychology entirely. It suggests the ultimate luxury is no longer about where you are going, but about the world you can create for yourself, wherever you are. From Motion to Place A yacht like this is not a vehicle in the traditional sense. It is a destination. The design philosophy prioritizes the experience at anchor over the performance underway. The wide-body hull maximizes interior square footage, transforming the living spaces from cabins into rooms, and from a salon into a great room. It is a floating penthouse, and every design choice serves this new function. The expansive glass panels seen in the living areas are not just windows. They are walls that frame the ocean, bringing the seascape inside without sacrificing comfort or control. The connection to the outside is visual, curated. The “advanced technology” mentioned is less about horsepower and more about the systems that make this possible: stabilizers that create stillness in a moving sea, climate control that perfects the air, insulation that provides silence. The Architecture of Seclusion This pursuit of volume is a trend across the superyacht industry, but Riva’s execution is particularly telling. A brand built on the romance of speed is now a master of crafting serene, habitable space. The Bellissima is a response to a market that increasingly values privacy and self-sufficiency above all else. It is less a boat and more a private island, mobile and completely self-contained. Every element, from the layout of the three decks to the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor lounges, is designed to create a world apart. This is not about escaping from the world, but rather replacing it with a better, more controlled version. The fine craftsmanship is not just in the finish of the wood or the quality of the leather, but in the perfect engineering of this private reality. The Riva 130’ Bellissima shows us that the ultimate expression of freedom is perhaps no longer movement, but stillness. It is the ability to create a perfect, unchanging environment, even in the middle of a shifting sea. The yacht sits at anchor, a calm and confident statement, a world complete in itself. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/riva-and-the-new-architecture-of-escape — Citation: "Riva and the New Architecture of Escape" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-02. https://menwith.com/riva-and-the-new-architecture-of-escape --- ## Burgess at Monaco Yacht Show: The New Shape of Yachting - URL: https://menwith.com/burgess-at-monaco-yacht-show-the-new-shape-of-yachting - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-10-02 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** The Monaco Yacht Show reveals a shift in superyachting towards integrated ecosystems, managing a vessel's entire lifecycle from build to lifestyle. This evolution includes collaborative partnerships, advanced yacht features, and a focus on sustainability and talent development. More than a kilometre of brokerage yachts sat in the water at Monaco this year. The figure from Burgess offers a sense of scale, but the real story of the 35th Monaco Yacht Show was in the system behind the fleet. The event made clear that the business of superyachting has shifted, moving from one-off sales to a fully integrated service that manages a vessel’s entire existence. An Integrated Ecosystem Onshore, the brokerage’s stand operated as a hub for partners. Aston Martin provided guest transport. Tender firms LEKKER and Saxdor offered transfers across the port. The collaborations point to a broader view of ownership, where the yacht is the centrepiece of a much larger lifestyle. The yachts themselves reflected this evolution. Hidden swim platforms, dedicated dive rooms, and hybrid-ready platforms were common themes. So were interiors developed with automotive and global design names. These are not simply features, but responses to a new generation of owners seeking more than just space and speed. From Brokerage to Build Management The line between brokerage and new build is where this new model becomes most visible. PANGEA, the first hull of the Amels 80 series, was a case in point. Sold by Burgess after the 2022 show, its build was then managed by the firm’s technical services team. With two more hulls sold and managed by the company, Burgess has gained deep knowledge of the platform. Benetti’s semi-custom platforms show a similar logic. The B.Now 67, with its distinctive Oasis Deck connecting a recessed pool to an open sea terrace, is designed for a specific kind of relaxed living. The firm’s involvement in recent deliveries like the 50m XWAVE and 44m PAPER MOON shows a close working relationship with the shipyard, allowing clients to step into a proven design with scope for customisation. Responsibility for the yacht’s impact is also becoming part of the service. The show’s Blue Wake programme, managed by the Water Revolution Foundation, assessed exhibitors on environmental criteria. Burgess was recognised for its own Sustainable Seas Programme and its work with the Blue Marine Foundation to protect and restore Mediterranean seagrass. The ecosystem extends to people. For the third year, cadets from the UKSA joined the firm as tender crew and show runners. The initiative provides practical industry experience, with last year’s entire cohort finding work after the show. It is an investment in the next generation of maritime professionals. As the industry looks toward the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the model on display at Monaco is set. The value is no longer just in the yacht, but in the network that builds, manages, and sustains it. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/burgess-at-monaco-yacht-show-the-new-shape-of-yachting — Citation: "Burgess at Monaco Yacht Show: The New Shape of Yachting" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-02. https://menwith.com/burgess-at-monaco-yacht-show-the-new-shape-of-yachting --- ## Aston Martin DBX GT Brings Grand Touring Luxury to the Super-SUV - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-dbx-gt-brings-grand-touring-luxury-to-the-super-suv - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-10-02 - Tags: Aston Martin DBX GT, Super-SUV, Grand Touring, Luxury SUV, 727 PS V8, DBX S, Watchmaking inspiration **Summary:** The Aston Martin DBX GT redefines the super-SUV with a focus on grand touring luxury, featuring enhanced comfort, refined aesthetics, and a quieter cabin, while retaining its potent 727 PS V8 engine. Aston Martin has introduced the new DBX GT, expanding its high-performance SUV range with a model designed around refinement rather than outright aggression. Where the DBX S puts its sporting intentions firmly on display, the DBX GT takes a different approach. The performance remains – and there is plenty of it – but Aston Martin has focused on making the experience quieter, smoother and considerably more luxurious. It is, in many ways, the grand touring interpretation the DBX name has been waiting for. Quiet Luxury, Aston Martin Style The changes begin with the exterior. A new double-vane grille replaces some of the visual aggression of the DBX S with a more sophisticated treatment, available in either bright or dark finishes. The metal vanes extend towards the outer vents and daytime running lights, visually widening the front of the car. Along the sides, Aston Martin has redesigned its signature side strakes with a two-piece metal construction combining polished and satin finishes. Interestingly, the treatment was inspired by techniques traditionally associated with watchmaking – a small detail that feels particularly appropriate for the kind of craftsmanship Aston Martin is trying to emphasise here. The lower front bumper, side sills and rear diffuser are all finished in body colour as standard, while a new set of 22-inch forged wheels comes in a Satin Titanium diamond-turned finish. At the rear, four newly designed exhaust outlets sit horizontally in pairs, giving the DBX GT a broader stance without making the design excessively theatrical. Understatement is very much the point. A Cabin Designed Around Comfort The bigger transformation happens inside. Both the front and rear seats have been redesigned, with revised cushioning and bolsters intended to combine support with greater long-distance comfort. Aston Martin has even added a 10 mm layer of memory foam to the seat cushions. The rear receives particular attention. Two individually sculpted seating positions create an experience closer to the front seats while the DBX GT retains five-seat practicality. A panoramic glass roof is standard. Materials are equally important. Semi-aniline leather, deep-pile carpets, anodised metal switchgear and GT-specific upholstery combinations are joined by extensive quilting, perforation and embroidery. Aston Martin says each front seat alone uses 691 metres of thread and 3,297 perforations, requiring more than four and a half hours of craftsmanship. But luxury here isn't only something you can see. Additional sound-deadening material has been introduced around the doors, wheel arches and luggage compartment, while acoustic laminated rear side glass further isolates the cabin. Aston Martin reports a 13 percent improvement in its Articulation Index – essentially making conversations easier while travelling. The result should be a DBX that feels noticeably calmer on long journeys. 727 PS Is Still Waiting Underneath Don't mistake refinement for restraint. Under the bonnet sits the same bespoke 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 introduced in the DBX S, producing 727 PS and 900 Nm of torque. The engine uses turbocharger technology shared with Aston Martin's mid-engined Valhalla supercar, helping make the DBX GT one of the most potent combustion-powered SUVs on the road. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and continues to 193 mph – approximately 310 km/h. Carbon-ceramic brakes measuring 420 mm at the front and 390 mm at the rear are fitted to deal with that performance, while the faster steering ratio from the DBX S is retained. So despite its more luxurious character, the GT hasn't abandoned the dynamic ability that defines the current DBX. Softer When You Want It, Serious When You Need It Aston Martin has instead concentrated on changing how that performance is delivered. The suspension receives unique damper calibration and new internal damper valves designed to better filter high-frequency imperfections from rough road surfaces while maintaining body control during harder driving. Throttle response has also been recalibrated for more progressive inputs, while the nine-speed wet-clutch automatic transmission has been tuned for smoother and more consistent shifts. Even the exhaust has received its own GT-specific treatment. Changes to the rear muffler are designed to produce a cleaner and richer V8 note while reducing unwanted metallic frequencies. In GT mode, the soundtrack remains deliberately restrained. Switch into Sport or Sport+ and the V8 is allowed to make itself considerably better known. Standard 22-inch wheels are paired with Pirelli Scorpion Zero All-Season tyres to prioritise ride comfort and reduced road noise. Buyers wanting a more performance-focused setup can specify optional 23-inch wheels with either Pirelli P Zero summer tyres or Scorpion Zero All-Season rubber. A Different Kind of DBX The DBX GT isn't about making Aston Martin's SUV faster or more dramatic. Instead, it takes the extraordinary performance already available in the DBX S and wraps it in something more discreet. There is still a 727 PS V8 beneath the bonnet and supercar-rivalling acceleration available beneath your right foot. But the redesigned seats, quieter cabin, revised suspension and restrained exterior details suggest a car intended to make 500 kilometres feel as natural as an empty mountain road. In a market where performance SUVs increasingly compete to look more aggressive than the one parked beside them, Aston Martin has gone in the opposite direction. The DBX GT doesn't need to advertise what it can do. And perhaps that's exactly the point. First customer deliveries of the Aston Martin DBX GT are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-dbx-gt-brings-grand-touring-luxury-to-the-super-suv — Citation: "Aston Martin DBX GT Brings Grand Touring Luxury to the Super-SUV" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-02. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-dbx-gt-brings-grand-touring-luxury-to-the-super-suv --- ## Patek Philippe 5978P: The Calendar That Speaks Italian - URL: https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-5978p-the-calendar-that-speaks-italian - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-10-01 - Tags: Patek Philippe **Summary:** Patek Philippe unveils the 5978P, a limited-edition platinum perpetual calendar chronograph with an Italian calendar display. It features an innovative instantaneous jump mechanism and the classic CH 29-535 chronograph caliber. Milan gets a watch this October that could only belong to Milan. For the WATCH ART Grand Exhibition, Patek Philippe has built the Reference 5978P-010, an instantaneous perpetual calendar chronograph in platinum, limited to 120 pieces. Its calendar reads in Italian. Its strap carries the colours of the Italian flag in three small stitches. And beneath the dial sits a pairing the Manufacture has never made before. Some history first. In 1941, the Reference 1518 became the first wristwatch to unite a perpetual calendar with a chronograph. Patek Philippe has returned to the combination ever since, and from 2011 the Reference 5270 carried it with a movement built entirely in-house. The 5978 keeps the idea and changes how the calendar behaves. Thirty milliseconds A conventional perpetual calendar moves gradually, its indications easing forward over the hours around midnight. Patek's instantaneous system works the other way round. It gathers energy for hours, then releases it in a fraction of a second, and day, date, month and leap year jump together in 30 milliseconds. It does this reliably even with only ten hours of power left in reserve. Weight is the real difficulty. To keep everything legible, the indications sit on disks, and disks are far heavier than hands. Then comes February. At the end of a 31-day month the date advances one step; at the end of February in a common year it has to cover four. Too little energy and the disks stop short. Too much and they overshoot. Patek answered with two patents, first presented in the Reference 5207 Grand Complication in 2008. A large lever of 15 parts drives the jump, while two jumper springs working in opposite directions keep the energy spent constant, whatever the distance travelled. The mechanism went on to power the Reference 5208 and the Reference 5308. Never before, though, has it been paired with the manually wound CH 29-535 chronograph. A chronograph with breeding Unveiled in 2009, the CH 29-535 is the more classical half of the story, and arguably the more beautiful. Six patents refine it. A column wheel sits under a polished protective cap, in the Patek tradition, alongside a horizontal clutch whose wheels have patented tooth profiles that reduce wear and avoid point-to-point contact. Even the gear depth is set differently: rather than the usual eccentric, a large eccentric cap on the column wheel defines the clutch lever's limit, which allows a finer adjustment. Combined with the calendar, the new caliber CH 29-535 PS QI counts 500 parts, all of it visible through a sapphire caseback engraved "Patek Philippe Milano 2026". Navy, red and white gold On the dial, a navy-blue sunburst darkens to black at the rim. Its centre is slightly concave and textured, and the snailed counters at 3 and 9 o'clock sit on a level of their own, so the layers do the work of separating information. Three apertures follow an arc across the top for day, date and month, each framed in white gold, with the date window cut slightly larger than its neighbours. A moon phase sits at 6 o'clock, joined by two small round windows for day and night and the leap-year cycle. Red brings the energy. The central chronograph hand, in red-lacquered Pfinodal, and the hand of the instantaneous 30-minute counter cut across an otherwise formal face of white-gold batons and dauphine hands. Around it all is a Calatrava case of 42 mm in hand-polished platinum, with a concave bezel, hollowed incurved lugs and rectangular pushers softened at the corners. As on every Patek Philippe platinum model, a single diamond is set at 6 o'clock. The strap question A composite strap on a platinum grand complication will surprise some collectors, and a few will reach for leather on day one. Patek's reasoning holds, though. This is a chronograph with a sporting temperament, and the navy composite with its fabric motif and red stitching says so plainly. Look closely and the topstitching ends in green, white and red. It is the kind of detail you notice in the second week of ownership, not the first. Eighty-five years later The 1518 answered whether a calendar and a chronograph could share a wrist. The 5978 asks something quieter: how quickly a calendar can change its mind. Patek's answer is thirty milliseconds, in Italian. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-5978p-the-calendar-that-speaks-italian — Citation: "Patek Philippe 5978P: The Calendar That Speaks Italian" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-10-01. https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-5978p-the-calendar-that-speaks-italian --- ## Loro Piana and The Library of Solutions - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-and-the-library-of-solutions - Published: 2026-09-30 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana's SS27 collection, presented in Milan's Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, reimagines classic menswear with noble materials and functional elegance. The exhibition highlighted the brand's savoir-faire and timeless design philosophy. In Milan, inside the Palazzo di Brera, Loro Piana’s _Grande Unita_ scarves were presented as precious objects. They sat within display cases in the Bibliotheca Nazionale Braidense, each one accompanied by a poem recounting the story behind its creation. During Milan Fashion Week, Loro Piana, a Maison within the LVMH group, used this space of historical resonance to reveal its Spring/Summer 2027 collection. In the Maria Teresa room, new bags and accessories were arranged on library ladders. Nearby, original sketches of the house’s archetypal designs were on display, connecting the new pieces to an established lineage. Streamlined Men's Classics The men’s wardrobe follows the same logic. Streamlined classics are reinvented using noble materials and discreet hues. The offering includes a camel blazer, a balmacaan coat, a trench coat, and a safari field jacket. Each piece suggests its elegance begins with its function. Further into the library, the historic Salla Lettura provided the setting for an immersive staging of the brand’s savoir-faire. Visitors were invited on a journey through the collection’s fabrics, exploring the finish of the garments. The art of screenprinting and the making of signature Loro Piana prints were also part of the experience. The choice of the Bibliotheca was an argument in itself. By placing its work among books and history, the Maison framed its clothing as something more than seasonal. The garments, like the setting, are presented as a repository of expertise, designed for a life in motion. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-and-the-library-of-solutions — Citation: "Loro Piana and The Library of Solutions" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-30. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-and-the-library-of-solutions --- ## Why Loro Piana Built a Cathedral to Knitwear - URL: https://menwith.com/why-loro-piana-built-a-cathedral-to-knitwear - Published: 2026-09-30 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana's new knitwear manufacture in Ghemme emphasizes craftsmanship and sustainability. The brand invests in training artisans and preserving traditional skills for future generations. For the first time in more than thirty years, Loro Piana has built a new manufacture. The decision to construct an 8,000-square-meter facility in Ghemme, Piedmont, dedicated entirely to the single art of knitwear, is a quiet but significant move. This is a brand making a deliberate choice to anchor its future in something physical, local, and slow. The choice of Ghemme is a return to roots. LVMH-owned Loro Piana first established a spinning mill on this same site back in 1987, tapping into a regional expertise in textiles passed down through generations. The new center gathers every part of the knitwear journey, from research on materials like vicuña and Baby Cashmere to the final assembly, under one roof. It is a consolidation of knowledge in a specific place. An Academy for the Future The most telling detail is not the advanced machinery or the scale of the operation. It is the preservation of the original caretaker’s house. This small structure has been given a new purpose as the home of the Accademia dei Mestieri. This is an academy created to train the next generation of artisans in the specialized crafts of knitwear. This investment in teaching is the core of the story. It signals a belief that the ultimate value of a luxury object lies in the skill of the hands that made it. In an industry often distracted by ephemeral marketing, Loro Piana is building a system to ensure its foundational knowledge survives and deepens. The brand is investing in people, and in the continuity of their craft. A Statement in Structure The building itself reflects this philosophy. Designed with generous openings for natural light, its use of wood, glass, and hand-finished surfaces creates a direct relationship with the surrounding Piedmont landscape. It is a workplace designed to feel connected to its environment, not isolated from it. The facility also looks toward a more considered future, operating without fossil fuels and incorporating systems for rainwater recovery. These are not just technical specifications. They are choices that align the building with a long-term perspective. The decision to build something permanent is a powerful counter-narrative to the culture of digital immediacy. It suggests the most compelling stories are the ones built to last. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-loro-piana-built-a-cathedral-to-knitwear — Citation: "Why Loro Piana Built a Cathedral to Knitwear" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-30. https://menwith.com/why-loro-piana-built-a-cathedral-to-knitwear --- ## Mercedes Reveals PETRONAS Livery for Formula 1’s Return to Malaysia - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-reveals-petronas-livery-for-formula-1-s-return-to-malaysia - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-30 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Mercedes unveils a special PETRONAS-inspired livery for F1's return to Malaysia's Sepang circuit. The W17 will feature green accents, celebrating their partnership, as they aim for a strong performance with a new upgrade package. The Mercedes W17 will carry a special design for the Bahrain Grand Prix. As Formula 1 stages its return to Malaysia, the car will feature shades of green alongside its usual black, a design choice made to honor the team’s title partner, PETRONAS. The race weekend takes place at the Sepang International Circuit, a track that previously hosted Grands Prix between 1999 and 2017. For Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, the location gives the event a particular weight. “This weekend has extra significance for us because of our long-standing relationship with PETRONAS,” Wolff said. The return of Formula 1 to Sepang is a moment he views as significant for the sport itself. A Return with Significance Wolff acknowledged the work required to bring the Grand Prix back to the Malaysian calendar. “It's fantastic to see Formula 1 returning to Sepang and we should also recognise the effort that has gone into making this Grand Prix happen,” he stated. “It has required strong collaboration between Malaysia and Bahrain, and that deserves credit.” While the livery honors a partnership, Wolff’s attention remains on the competition ahead. “Once the cars are on track, though, our focus is on the job ahead,” he noted. The Sepang Test The circuit itself presents a distinct set of problems to solve. “Sepang is a demanding circuit that asks every question of the car,” Wolff explained. He described it as one of the calendar’s most complete tests. According to the Mercedes team principal, success in Malaysia requires “performance in the high-speed corners, good traction, strong tyre management and consistency in hot, challenging conditions.” To meet that challenge, the team is not just arriving with a new look. Wolff confirmed that Mercedes will bring an update package to the W17, one they hope will be “another step forward.” The objective for the weekend is clear and pragmatic. “Our focus is on understanding the package quickly, executing the weekend well, and aiming to put ourselves in the fight at the front,” Wolff concluded. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-reveals-petronas-livery-for-formula-1-s-return-to-malaysia — Citation: "Mercedes Reveals PETRONAS Livery for Formula 1’s Return to Malaysia" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-30. https://menwith.com/mercedes-reveals-petronas-livery-for-formula-1-s-return-to-malaysia --- ## NOMOS Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer dark: The Night Shift - URL: https://menwith.com/nomos-club-sport-neomatik-worldtimer-dark-the-night-shift - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-29 - Tags: NOMOS **Summary:** The NOMOS Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer dark offers a new black enamel dial with luminous city ring and home time display, enhancing nighttime legibility for travelers. Its slim profile and 10 ATM water resistance make it a practical and elegant choice. The worldtimer I have worn since launch now comes in black enamel, and for the first time its city ring and home time display glow in the dark. Some watches earn their place on the wrist by being clever. The Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer earned its place on mine by being easy. I have worn it since it launched, and what keeps it there is how little it asks of me. One click of the pusher and local time moves on. Home stays reassuringly visible at 3 o'clock. Nothing to calculate, nothing to set. NOMOS has now given that watch a night shift. Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer dark puts a high gloss enamel black dial behind everything, and the effect is one of subtraction. The dial fades back, and what remains in off white is precisely what a traveller needs: the hands, the hour markers, the city ring and the home time subdial. Nothing competes with the information. Calling it a new colourway would undersell it. Until now, Superluminova on this watch stopped at the hands and hour markers. Here it extends to the city ring and the home time indicator, cast as precise luminous elements with a particularly high concentration of pigment, so both glow blue with an even afterglow once the light goes. On a worldtimer, that matters more than it sounds. The complication is at its most useful at exactly the hours when you can least see it: arriving somewhere new after dark, or wondering whether it is too late to call home. Now the whole display reads at night, not just the time. Underneath sits the automatic caliber DUW 3202, developed and produced in-house by NOMOS in Glashütte, with a gold globe on the rotor as a quiet nod to what the watch does. Turn it over and the sapphire caseback shows Glashütte ribbing, temperature blued screws and perlage. For all that, the watch measures just 9.9 millimetres in height, among the slimmest worldtimers currently available. After years of wearing mine, that is the detail I would defend first. It slips under a cuff and never announces itself as a complication. The Sport in the name is earned too. A screw-down crown gives 10 ATM of water resistance, and a red ring appears when the crown is not fully secured, a small piece of honesty that tells you everything about how NOMOS thinks. Dark becomes the fourth version in the core collection, alongside silver, blue and a white silver-plated dial. The silver has already collected both the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Award. I have always reached for mine without thinking, which is the highest compliment I can pay a travel watch. It just learned to work after sunset. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/nomos-club-sport-neomatik-worldtimer-dark-the-night-shift — Citation: "NOMOS Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer dark: The Night Shift" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-29. https://menwith.com/nomos-club-sport-neomatik-worldtimer-dark-the-night-shift --- ## Four Daytonas Sold For $49.4M, Every Dollar to Charity - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-four-seasons-four-daytonas-49-4-million-every-dollar-to-charity - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-29 - Tags: Rolex **Summary:** Four unique gem-set Rolex Daytonas, representing the seasons, fetched $49.4 million at Phillips auction. All proceeds benefit the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. Four unique gem-set Cosmograph Daytonas, one for each season, sold individually at Phillips in London last night. No buyer's premium, no commission. All proceeds go to the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. Four lots. Four watches that will never be made again. £37.3 million, or $49.4 million, raised in a single evening. Aurel Bacs took the rostrum at Phillips in London for the Rolex Four Seasons sale, the auction house's first charity auction with Rolex. Phillips puts the result at the largest single consignment ever offered at a charity auction. With the buyer's premium waived, the hammer prices are the donation, split between two foundations tied to two of the brand's most recognisable Testimonees. Roger Federer founded the Federer Foundation in 2003 to give children in Southern Africa and Switzerland the chance to learn, play and thrive, with a focus on early and foundational learning. Re:wild was launched by a team of conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, and works with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and on-the-ground organisations to protect and restore the natural world. Rolex brought both under its Perpetual Planet Initiative for the occasion: education on one side, the planet on the other. The initiative has had a big year. Rolex's $100 million gift supports National Geographic's Museum of Exploration, which reopened in Washington, D.C. in June, and the sale lands only days after a new season of Planet Visionaries, the brand's podcast hosted by Alex Honnold, premiered during Climate Week in New York. One Watch, Four Readings Every piece shares the same architecture. The case comes in a different precious metal, the dial is cut from natural stone, the hour markers and bezel carry coloured gemstones, and 54 brilliant-cut diamonds run along the lugs and crown guards. Inside sits the calibre 4131, the current Daytona movement, with roughly 72 hours of power reserve and Superlative Chronometer certification. What changes is the season, and Rolex let the stones do the telling. Spring arrives in 18 ct white gold with a chrysoprase dial, its counters in lepidolite. Purple sapphires set the markers and all 36 trapeze-cut stones of the bezel. It sold for £6.8 million ($9 million). Summer is the warmest of the four, in 18 ct Everose gold. A turquoise dial meets counters in heart of ruby, framed by pink sapphires in pink gold settings and on the bezel. It became the top lot of the night at £10.3 million ($13.65 million). Autumn turns to 18 ct yellow gold and a dial of mookaite, the earthy jasper that reads like fallen leaves. Green tourmalines form the markers and bezel. Look at the counters and you find chrysoprase again, the same green stone that carried the Spring dial, returning as the year closes. It fetched £10.2 million ($13.5 million). Winter is the only one in 950 platinum, and the choice feels deliberate. Blue has long belonged to platinum at Rolex, and here it comes as a blue opal dial with lapis lazuli counters. Diamonds replace coloured stones on the markers, while the sapphire bezel shifts from blue to fuchsia across its 36 stones, the cold edge of the year already leaning toward spring. It sold for £10 million ($13.2 million). Beyond The Room Phillips knows what a Daytona can do in a saleroom. In 2017, in New York, the house sold Paul Newman's own Daytona for $17.75 million, and the watch world has been measuring against it ever since. Last night gave it a new set of numbers to talk about. Bacs called it a historic moment for watchmaking, and the phrase carries weight coming from the man who has sold most of the records that matter. Yet the achievement of the evening sits outside the saleroom. Four collectors now own the only examples of watches Rolex will not repeat, and the money they paid leaves the watch world entirely, headed for classrooms in Southern Africa and wild places that need defending. It rounds off a year Rolex opened by marking a century of the Oyster case, and one in which the Daytona already had its moment at Watches and Wonders with the Rolesium reference 126502 and its white grand feu enamel dial. For a brand that rarely makes a spectacle of itself, the Four Seasons said a great deal. It showed what the Daytona can become in stone and colour, and gave that craft a purpose far larger than a wrist. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-four-seasons-four-daytonas-49-4-million-every-dollar-to-charity — Citation: "Four Daytonas Sold For $49.4M, Every Dollar to Charity" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-29. https://menwith.com/rolex-four-seasons-four-daytonas-49-4-million-every-dollar-to-charity --- ## The New Breguet Marine Begins on a Riverbank in Paris - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-breguet-marine-begins-on-a-riverbank-in-paris - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-28 - Tags: Breguet **Summary:** The new Breguet Marine collection honors its Parisian origins with a dial featuring the "Quai de l'Horloge" guilloché. These watches blend nautical legacy with modern design, featuring intricate details and a nod to navigation. Most nautical watches tell a story of the open sea. The new Breguet Marine collection begins its story on a riverbank in Paris. Its dial carries the “Quai de l’Horloge” hand-guilloché, making its debut on the Marine, with lines drawn from the contours of the Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis that double as rolling waves. The name is an address: the quay where Abraham-Louis Breguet set up his workshop, and where his marine chronometers were made. A watch built for exploration now carries its place of origin on the dial. Few references could suit the Marine better. Its history is anchored in Breguet’s 1815 appointment as Watchmaker to the French Royal Navy, a serious commission to create scientific instruments for navigation. His chronometers sailed on expeditions across the Pacific and, in 1840, reached Antarctica. The modern Marine has always carried that legacy, translating the spirit of adventure into a contemporary sports watch. The two new models, the three-hand 5517 and the Chronographe 5527, build on this history with intelligence. Each dial is hand-guilloché on a gold base, treated to create different shades and then lacquered, giving the ice blue, black, blue and grey versions a remarkable depth. On the 5517, the tip of the seconds hand forms a “B,” a reference to the “Bravo” maritime signal flag, a detail carried onto the central chronograph hand of the 5527. Waves return at the crown. Through the sapphire caseback, the gold oscillating weight follows the lines of a ship’s rudder. Every gesture here is quiet and coherent. Placing the date at six o’clock brings symmetry to the dial and lets the guilloché breathe. Breguet numerals and the Maison’s “apple” hands, codes shared with the first marine chronometer, anchor the sporty design firmly in Breguet’s language. Even the rubber strap repeats the Quai de l’Horloge pattern, carrying the texture of the dial onto the wrist. The Chronographe 5527 adds a flyback function, measuring seconds with a large central hand while counters at three and nine o’clock display the chronograph minutes and small seconds. As a true timing instrument, it sits naturally in a collection born from navigation. Its 42.3mm case has presence, and the fluted caseband keeps it elegant. By connecting the Marine to the Quai de l’Horloge, Breguet has given the collection a new heart. The sea was always part of its story. Now every watch also carries the Parisian address where that story began, on every new expedition. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-breguet-marine-begins-on-a-riverbank-in-paris — Citation: "The New Breguet Marine Begins on a Riverbank in Paris" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-28. https://menwith.com/the-new-breguet-marine-begins-on-a-riverbank-in-paris --- ## Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta In Naples - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-preliminary-regatta-in-naples - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-27 - Tags: Louis Vuitton America's Cup, Naples, GB1, Sir Ben Ainslie, AC40, North Sails, Jemima Lines, Castel dell'Ovo **Summary:** The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples served as a crucial final test for teams. GB1, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, showcased their momentum and historical achievements. Naples doesn't ease you in. You arrive, and within an hour the city has already made its case: scooters threading impossible gaps, laundry strung between balconies, a coffee that costs almost nothing and tastes like it should cost more. We came for sailing, invited by North Sails and GB1 for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta. What we left with was something closer to a crash course in how this city lives. Our cliché diet settled quickly. Limonata by day, pizza by night, and espressos in between. The race that decides the order For the teams, Naples carries weight. PR2 is the final chance to sharpen their racing and settle the pecking order before the main event returns here in 2027. Every boat sails the same equalised one-design AC40, capable of more than 45 knots, so what separates them is crew, decision-making and nerve. Eight fleet races run across the event, three every afternoon in quick succession, before the two highest scorers meet in a single winner-take-all final. The America's Cup has always lived by one line: there is no second. GB1 arrives with momentum. Founded by Sir Ben Ainslie in 2014, after his America's Cup victory with the USA the year before, the British challenge has raced Bermuda, Auckland and Barcelona. Barcelona was the breakthrough: first British team in 60 years to reach the America's Cup Match, first in 90 years to score points in it, and the first ever to win the Louis Vuitton Cup. This time they also sail as representatives of the Challenger of Record, the Royal Yacht Squadron. Castel dell'Ovo Some venues make a press conference feel like an event. Castel dell'Ovo sits on the former island of Megaride, now joined to the city, looking straight out over the Gulf of Naples. Its name traces back to a legend about Virgil, said to have hidden a magic egg in the fortress to keep it standing. Break the egg, the story goes, and both the castle and Naples would fall into disaster. Neapolitans still treat the tale with a half smile. Walking through it, the scale is what stays with you. Thick stone, open terraces, and a view of the bay that makes the racecourse look like it was designed around it. Inside, trophies sat on display for the press conference, and it was hard not to see the setting as part of the message: this competition takes its history seriously. Between sessions I caught Dylan Fletcher, GB1's skipper and helm, still wearing a bruised eye from earlier in the week. During training on the Bay of Naples, GB1's AC40 had collided with a Tudor Team Alinghi chase boat, leaving Fletcher with a facial injury and a damaged foil arm on the boat. Alinghi lent the team a spare, and GB1 was back on the water the next day. Fitting, then, that his wrist carried a Richard Mille from the Nadal line, a watch engineered to take shocks. Lunch at the club GB1 hosted us for lunch at their partners yacht club, and it was the most human part of the trip. Away from cameras, the team felt like what it is: a group of specialists who happen to spend their lives on the water. Jemima Lines made history as the first British woman selected for an America's Cup team in nearly 90 years. An engineer, a sailor and openly in love with maths, she speaks about the boat the way a watchmaker speaks about a movement. Every surface has a reason. Every number is a decision someone made. Sir Ben joined us at lunch. I first interviewed him over FaceTime for an earlier piece, and this time we spoke in person. The conversation turned to what it means to lead as team principal, balancing the sailors, the designers and the pressure of the programme. It also turned to the weight he carries into Naples: Britain has chased the America's Cup since 1851 and never brought it home. The dinner If the regatta showed me British precision, dinner showed me Italian conviction. What followed was, without question, the most Italian discussion I have ever witnessed. A grandmother's secret pesto recipe, defended like a family crest. A serious, passionate argument that tomatoes taste completely different depending on which region they come from. Everyone had an opinion, and every opinion came with a hand gesture. Food in Italy isn't just a meal. It's identity, served warm. On the water Nothing beat the boat. Watching an AC40 on a screen tells you almost nothing; sitting close to the action tells you everything. The yachts lift out of the water and the sound changes, a hiss rather than a splash. Helicopters hung above us the entire time, filming, circling, adding to the sense that you are inside the broadcast rather than watching it. At that speed, with wind and waves pushing back, you understand why every detail matters, down to what the crew wears. North Sails dresses GB1 for exactly this: conditions that demand performance and punish anything that doesn't deliver it. Out there, clothing isn't styling. It's equipment. Leaving Naples Most sporting events feel like they happen in a venue. Naples felt like a place that happened to host a race. The bay, the castle, the arguments over pesto and the boats flying past at 45 knots all belong to the same story: a city that does everything with intensity, welcoming a sport that demands nothing less. Interviews with Dylan Fletcher, Jemima Lines and Sir Ben Ainslie are coming soon. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-preliminary-regatta-in-naples — Citation: "Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta In Naples" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-27. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-preliminary-regatta-in-naples --- ## Feadship HIVE Rethinks Life at Sea - URL: https://menwith.com/feadship-hive-rethinks-life-at-sea - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-09-27 - Tags: Feadship, HIVE, Monaco Yacht Show, Studio De Voogt, Jan Schaffers, ContraWave technology, Voith Schneider Propellers, HVO **Summary:** Feadship's 115m HIVE concept redefines superyacht living with a four-deck central 'heart' for flexible social spaces and innovative features like an underwater lounge and 20m pool. Feadship has unveiled HIVE at the Monaco Yacht Show, a 115 metre concept that represents the largest concept design in the Dutch shipyard’s history. Rather than beginning with the conventional layout of a superyacht, HIVE started with a different question: how will the people on board actually want to live? Created by Studio De Voogt under Senior Designer Jan Schaffers, together with Feadship’s naval architects and engineering specialists, HIVE combines ambitious architecture with technology designed to be technically achievable. A Four Storey Heart The defining feature of HIVE is a vast central space spanning four decks. On the main deck, it can transform between an expansive saloon, stage and auditorium, while terraces open towards both sides of the yacht. Curved staircases connect balconies and more intimate areas above, creating what Feadship describes as a shared heart for life on board. The concept takes inspiration partly from the social salons of 1930s Paris, with spaces intended for conversation, culture, entertainment and exchange. The flexibility continues throughout the yacht. Service pantries, furniture storage and a green room allow the central area to accommodate everything from everyday family life to performances, lectures and larger gatherings. From Underwater Lounges to a 20 Metre Pool Beyond its central space, HIVE introduces a collection of environments designed around very different experiences. A two storey beach lounge leads to a dining area positioned at water level with space for 24 or more guests. At the bow, a circular glass enclosed library opens onto a secluded garden. The owner’s deck is home to a 20 metre pool featuring Feadship’s patented ContraWave technology. The pool continues indoors as a suspended glass bottomed infinity pool, creating another visual connection between the yacht’s different levels. Below the surface sits an underwater lounge offering expansive views into the sea. Higher up, an observation lounge features a retractable glass roof designed for unobstructed views of the night sky. A Different Kind of Superyacht HIVE’s exterior marks another evolution for Studio De Voogt. Its long, low silhouette builds on ideas explored through earlier Feadship concepts Pure and C, particularly the rethink of the traditional bridge. Instead of dedicating the forward superstructure to a conventional wheelhouse, HIVE uses a virtual command centre supported by cameras and sensors. Retractable glass wing stations provide direct exterior visibility when manoeuvring at close quarters. This allows the forward areas to be given over to the owner’s accommodation and observation lounge. Large expanses of glass and integrated terraces further blur the boundaries between decks, giving the yacht a more unified architectural profile rather than the stacked appearance traditionally associated with vessels of this scale. Built Around Technology That Exists Although HIVE remains a concept, Feadship has developed it around technologies that either already exist or are actively being developed. Its DC electrical architecture combines three 900 kW variable speed generators running on HVO with fuel cells and a substantial 5 MWh battery bank. Zero emission operation could be supported by either seven 75 kW solid oxide fuel cells or nine 250 kW PEM fuel cells paired with a methanol reformer. Voith Schneider Propellers replace conventional rudders, providing omnidirectional thrust with an emphasis on manoeuvrability, dynamic positioning and low noise. With a beam of 17.5 metres, HIVE is designed for a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. Its projected range reaches 9,500 nautical miles when operating on HVO, or 5,000 nautical miles using methanol. HIVE ultimately feels less like an exercise in making a superyacht bigger and more like an exploration of what that additional scale can actually enable. At 115 metres, Feadship has used the space to rethink how owners and guests gather, retreat, entertain and experience the ocean. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/feadship-hive-rethinks-life-at-sea — Citation: "Feadship HIVE Rethinks Life at Sea" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-27. https://menwith.com/feadship-hive-rethinks-life-at-sea --- ## Longines Finds Its Modern Voice in Blue - URL: https://menwith.com/longines-finds-its-modern-voice-in-blue - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-26 - Tags: Longines **Summary:** Longines' new Spirit collection embraces a unified matt blue, showcasing modern pilot watch design with technical substance. The collection offers both automatic three-handers and hand-wound flyback chronographs, blending heritage with contemporary appeal. A new watch collection is often introduced with variety. Different dial colours, a mix of materials, a range of functions. The new additions to the Longines Spirit collection do the opposite. They arrive in a single, uniform shade of matt blue, a decision that feels less like a simple colourway and more like a statement of intent. With these four new pilot watches, Longines is showing it understands that true identity comes from clarity, not just choice. This is the brand defining the modern chapter of its aviation story with discipline and technical substance. The Spirit collection, first introduced in 2020, was created to connect Longines’ rich history of equipping explorers like Amelia Earhart and Richard Byrd with a contemporary audience. These new models, two Spirit Pilot three-handers and two Spirit Pilot Flyback chronographs, are the most confident expression of that mission yet. They wear their heritage lightly, translating the functional demands of early aviation into watches designed for today. The simpler of the two, the Longines Spirit Pilot, is a study in refined utility. Its 39 mm stainless-steel case is a versatile size, with ergonomics designed for comfort. The dial is clean and legible, with applied Arabic numerals and silvered hands providing strong contrast against the matt blue background. Inside, the self-winding calibre L888.4 is an exclusive, COSC-certified chronometer movement with a 72-hour power reserve and significant magnetic resistance. It is a robust, reliable engine for a watch meant to be worn every day. Its more complex sibling, the Spirit Pilot Flyback, is the clear star. Housed in a 39.5 mm case, it celebrates a complication Longines patented in 1935. The flyback function, operated by a column-wheel mechanism, is a piece of genuine horological history from the brand’s own archives. A bidirectional rotating bezel with a blue ceramic insert adds modern functionality and texture. This is where the collection’s ambition becomes fully visible. The one thing I keep returning to is the movement choice for the Flyback. It is powered by the hand-wound calibre L792.4. On its own, this is a superb decision for an enthusiast. It creates a daily ritual and allows for a thinner profile. The transparent case back proudly displays the intricate, exclusive movement. Yet it also creates a philosophical split. The three-hand watch is automatic, a modern convenience. The chronograph requires manual winding, a romantic gesture. For a collection so aesthetically unified, it presents two different ideas of what a modern pilot’s watch should be: one a tool of convenience, the other an object of engagement. Even with that question lingering, the execution of the Flyback is compelling. The choice of a hand-wound movement is deliberate, rewarding the owner with a view of the column-wheel architecture and a more direct connection to the machine. It confirms the watch as a serious piece of mechanical engineering, not just a stylish chronograph. Paired with its COSC certification and 100 metres of water resistance, it is as capable as it is beautiful. Ultimately, these four blue-dial watches feel like a turning point for the Spirit collection. They are technically sharp, visually cohesive, and carry their history with an easy confidence. Longines is demonstrating that it can build exceptional, modern instruments that stand on their own merit. The past provides the inspiration, but the execution is entirely of the moment. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/longines-finds-its-modern-voice-in-blue — Citation: "Longines Finds Its Modern Voice in Blue" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-26. https://menwith.com/longines-finds-its-modern-voice-in-blue --- ## The LVMH Method: How To Build A Universe On A Train - URL: https://menwith.com/the-lvmh-method-how-to-build-a-universe-on-a-train - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-09-26 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH redefines luxury by weaving disparate brands into a singular universe, using curated experiences like a train journey to sell a desirable lifestyle, not just products. A watchmaker, a perfumer, a trunkmaker, and a department store board a train. This is not the setup for a joke. It is the new logic of luxury, as demonstrated by LVMH. The journey itself, a trip to the Goodwood Revival for sixty guests aboard the restored Art Deco carriages of the British Pullman, was the point. By placing Zenith, Guerlain, Moynat, and Samaritaine in this moving theatre, the group revealed a strategy that runs much deeper than cross-promotion. For years, luxury conglomerates have operated as holding companies, managing a portfolio of distinct and often disconnected brands. The primary challenge was to preserve the unique heritage of each Maison while ensuring its profitability. This event suggests a fundamental shift in that thinking. The goal is no longer just to manage a collection of brands, but to weave them into a single, coherent worldview. Engineering a Shared Context The choice of setting was deliberate. The British Pullman, with its polished wood and historical resonance, is a powerful tool for creating context. It provides a backdrop of classic elegance that instantly connects the objects within it. A Zenith Revival timepiece, a new interpretation of Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue, and a Moynat trunk do not naturally belong together. On this train, their coexistence feels inevitable. This is influence by association. The mechanical precision of Zenith watches borrows narrative weight from the hand-craft of Moynat’s canvas personalization. The ephemeral art of Guerlain’s perfumery gains a sense of permanence. Samaritaine, hosting workshops in a carriage designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, acts as the curator of this world, a place of taste and discovery. The experience becomes a lesson in how to see these disparate products as elements of a single, desirable life. The Cabinet as a Conclusion The event culminated in a "Cabinet of Curiosities" installed in a carriage once used by British royalty. This was the thesis made physical. It presented the collected items not as merchandise from four different companies, but as the possessions of a single, imagined collector. The display collapses the distance between the brands, turning them into components of a lifestyle. This is the real product LVMH is selling. The objects themselves are almost secondary to the universe they are being asked to populate. The journey, the dinner, the shared stories, all work to construct a very specific identity for the consumer. The invitation is to become the person who lives this way, for whom a watch, a perfume, and a piece of luggage are not separate purchases but expressions of a singular taste. The day was called The Art of Collecting. The true art on display, however, was the art of context. The group is teaching its audience a new way to desire, where the story is the product and the object is the souvenir. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-lvmh-method-how-to-build-a-universe-on-a-train — Citation: "The LVMH Method: How To Build A Universe On A Train" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-26. https://menwith.com/the-lvmh-method-how-to-build-a-universe-on-a-train --- ## Bentley Torcal Opens a New Chapter - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-torcal-opens-a-new-chapter - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-09-23 - Tags: Bentley Torcal, Bentley electric SUV, Robin Page, Dynamic Symphony, 800 volt architecture, Merino wool automotive fabric, Bentley Continental T, Bentley Flying Spur **Summary:** Bentley unveils the Torcal, its first all-electric SUV and new model line. Designed in Crewe, it blends Bentley's luxury and performance with advanced EV tech, featuring up to 888 PS and a unique "Dynamic Symphony" sound. Bentley has officially unveiled the all new Torcal in London, introducing not only its first fully electric production model but an entirely new model line. Designed, engineered and built in Crewe, the Torcal is a five metre luxury SUV intended to establish the design, technology and material direction for the next generation of Bentleys. Rather than allowing electrification to define the car, Bentley has approached the Torcal as a Bentley first. That means effortless performance, extensive craftsmanship and long distance comfort remain at the centre of the experience, only now paired with an 800 volt electric architecture and some of the most advanced chassis technology the marque has developed. A New Bentley Design Language Under Design Director Robin Page, the Torcal introduces a noticeably more progressive interpretation of Bentley’s traditional proportions. A long wheelbase, short overhangs and prominent front end create what the company calls “upright elegance”, while the familiar sense of an extended bonnet remains despite the absence of a combustion engine. The front also introduces a distinctive illuminated diamond grille, while inspiration from cars such as the Continental T has been reinterpreted through modern lighting technology. At the rear, pronounced haunches and a cabin that narrows towards the back give the Torcal a muscular stance Bentley describes as a “resting beast”. Inside, the familiar wing inspired dashboard architecture remains, but Bentley has introduced new textures and materials alongside physical controls for frequently used functions. The seats are completely new, offering 16 way adjustment, heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters and massage as standard. Optional wellness technology can continuously adjust pressure distribution and cabin temperature during longer journeys. Up to 888 PS and 1,350 Nm The headline numbers belong to the Torcal S. With Launch Control engaged, its dual electric motors produce 888 PS and 1,350 Nm, making it the highest torque Bentley ever produced. Zero to 100 km/h takes 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 260 km/h. The standard Torcal is hardly restrained, delivering 821 PS and 1,194 Nm. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds before continuing to 250 km/h. Both use a 113 kWh net capacity battery operating at 800 volts. Bentley quotes a range of up to 600 kilometres WLTP, while charging at up to 400 kW can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in around 16 minutes. Around 161 kilometres of range can be added in seven minutes. Perhaps more significant than the straight line performance is the chassis. The Torcal becomes the first Bentley equipped with fully active suspension, combined with adaptive two valve dampers and standard electronic all wheel steering. Bentley says the objective was to give the car the comfort of a Flying Spur while retaining the dynamic character associated with the Continental GT Speed. Giving an EV a Bentley Sound Bentley has taken an unusual approach to one of the biggest challenges facing performance EVs: sound. Instead of simply reproducing the note of a combustion engine electronically, musicians were brought in to create what Bentley calls the Dynamic Symphony. Drums, viola and bass guitar were used to build a soundtrack inspired by the rhythm of Bentley’s 6¾ litre V8. The resulting sound changes according to speed and torque demand, becoming more prominent in Sport mode while remaining completely switchable for drivers who prefer silence. Even smaller details received similar attention. The indicator sound originates from a recording of a hammer striking leather inside Bentley’s upholstery workshop, while another interface sound was created using a crystal glass. Luxury Through New Materials Electrification is only one part of Bentley’s attempt to redefine its future. The Torcal also introduces a wider selection of materials, including what Bentley says is the world's first 100 percent Merino wool automotive fabric, developed together with British textile specialist Fox Brothers and certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. Mulliner has also created Ombré Walnut from as many as 1,000 individually selected layers of responsibly sourced walnut offcuts and recycled craft paper. Another new finish, Sunburst Aluminium, takes inspiration from the engine turned dashboards found in historic Bentleys. Technology is equally prominent. Curved OLED displays, facial recognition, a mobile phone based digital key and an augmented reality head up display all feature, while four Experience Modes adjust everything from lighting and climate to sound and the amount of digital information presented to occupants. The Torcal represents a major transition for Bentley, but its most interesting aspect may be how deliberately the company has avoided making electricity the entire story. The performance figures are suitably dramatic, yet the focus remains on craftsmanship, comfort, materials and the sensory details that have traditionally defined the marque. For Bentley, the Torcal is less about creating an electric alternative to its existing cars and more about establishing what a Bentley can become in the electric era. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-torcal-opens-a-new-chapter — Citation: "Bentley Torcal Opens a New Chapter" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-23. https://menwith.com/bentley-torcal-opens-a-new-chapter --- ## 7Pines Resort Ibiza: The Quiet Side of the Island - URL: https://menwith.com/7pines-resort-ibiza-the-quiet-side-of-the-island - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-09-23 - Tags: 7Pines Resort Ibiza, Es Vedrà, Cone Club, Ikisaki, Nikkei cuisine, Ibiza sunsets, Cala Conta **Summary:** 7Pines Resort Ibiza offers a tranquil escape on the island's west coast, boasting stunning Es Vedrà views and a Mediterranean village ambiance. It balances proximity to Ibiza's energy with serene resort experiences, including exceptional dining and spa. Ibiza has a way of showing you completely different versions of itself. On the west coast, beyond the beaches of Cala Conta and surrounded by pine forest, the pace changes considerably. This is where you find 7Pines Resort Ibiza, positioned high on the cliffs with the Mediterranean below and Es Vedrà rising dramatically from the sea in the distance. We visited in September, when Ibiza was still very much alive but the intensity of peak summer had started to fade. At 7Pines, that balance felt almost perfect. You are close enough to experience everything the island is famous for, yet once inside the resort, very little of it seems to matter. A Resort Built Around the View 7Pines feels less like a traditional hotel and more like a small Mediterranean village. White buildings and suites are spread between the pine trees, connected by paths that lead toward restaurants, pools and terraces overlooking the sea. We stayed in a spacious three room apartment, offering considerably more space than a conventional hotel room and making the resort particularly interesting when travelling as a family or for a longer stay. Inside, the approach is understated and distinctly Mediterranean. But as with much of 7Pines, the real luxury is found outside. Es Vedrà seems to follow you around the property. You see it from the terraces, restaurants and pools, appearing between buildings as you walk through the resort. Rather than treating the landscape as a backdrop, 7Pines feels designed around it. And once evening arrives, that becomes even more apparent. Sunset at Cone Club Few things define Ibiza quite like its sunsets, and Cone Club has one of the finest settings from which to experience them. Positioned at the edge of the cliffs with an uninterrupted view toward Es Vedrà, the restaurant becomes particularly special as the afternoon light begins to disappear. We spent one evening here over a three course dinner, moving through fresh tomato dishes, meat and seafood while the sun slowly descended directly in front of our table. Soft electronic music played in the background as the sky changed colour over the Mediterranean. There are places where the sunset feels like something you happen to catch during dinner. At Cone Club, it feels like part of the reservation. By the end of the evening, we had largely stopped taking photographs. Sometimes the better option is simply to watch. The following morning brought us back to the same spot for breakfast. In daylight, the atmosphere changes completely, but the view remains just as difficult to ignore. Days Between the Pool and Spa The rhythm during the day is deliberately uncomplicated. One of the best places to spend it is around the adults only infinity pool, where the water appears to merge with the Mediterranean and Es Vedrà once again dominates the horizon. Lunch here brings Asian influenced flavours alongside cocktails, swimming and very little reason to check the time. We also spent part of our stay at the spa for a massage. After several days experiencing Ibiza, it provided exactly the kind of reset the resort seems designed for. Even the gym continues 7Pines' obsession with its surroundings, making the landscape part of an experience that would usually be hidden somewhere inside a hotel. It is these smaller details that make the property work. 7Pines does not need to constantly remind you that you are staying somewhere special. The setting does most of that work on its own. Japanese Precision Meets Peru at Ikisaki Another highlight was lunch at Ikisaki, the resort's Nikkei restaurant. The concept brings together Japanese technique and Peruvian influences through dishes designed for sharing, accompanied by a strong cocktail offering and, naturally, another Mediterranean backdrop. After the more relaxed atmosphere around the pool and the sunset experience at Cone Club, Ikisaki shows another side of the resort's dining. It feels contemporary and energetic while remaining connected to the slower rhythm that defines the rest of 7Pines. It was one of the strongest dining experiences of our stay. The Best of Both Ibizas Perhaps the greatest strength of 7Pines is that staying here does not require choosing between Ibiza's two personalities. Ibiza Town is around half an hour away by car, while San Antonio and many of the west coast's best known destinations are considerably closer. You can leave the silence of the resort behind for the energy the island is famous for and return to something completely different a few hours later. We experienced that contrast on our final night. After spending the day at 7Pines, we headed out to close the season at Ushuaïa for the final Swedish House Mafia show of their residency. Thousands of people, enormous production and electronic music at full volume. Then, later that night, we returned to the silence of the pine trees at 7Pines. The contrast could hardly have been greater. And perhaps that is the best way to understand the resort. 7Pines allows you to experience the Ibiza that never sleeps without requiring you to live in it around the clock. In September, with the Mediterranean still warm and the island gradually becoming quieter, that combination is difficult to beat. Ibiza gives you the energy. 7Pines gives you somewhere to get it back. Menwith stayed as guests of 7Pines Resort Ibiza. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/7pines-resort-ibiza-the-quiet-side-of-the-island — Citation: "7Pines Resort Ibiza: The Quiet Side of the Island" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-23. https://menwith.com/7pines-resort-ibiza-the-quiet-side-of-the-island --- ## Roger Dubuis Closes the Merlin Trilogy With the Metamorph - URL: https://menwith.com/roger-dubuis-closes-the-merlin-trilogy-with-the-metamorph - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-22 - Tags: Roger Dubuis, Metamorph Merlin, Excalibur Knights of the Round Table, Haute Horlogerie, RD821 calibre, Arthurian mythology, pink gold **Summary:** Roger Dubuis concludes its Merlin trilogy with the Metamorph, a Haute Horlogerie masterpiece transforming mythology into intricate detail. The watch features a 57-block forest dial and hand-engraved case, showcasing craftsmanship beyond extravagance. Roger Dubuis has never been interested in interpreting traditional watchmaking quietly. With the new Excalibur Knights of the Round Table, The Metamorph Merlin, the Geneva manufacture closes its trilogy dedicated to Merlin with a watch that transforms mythology into an extraordinarily detailed piece of Haute Horlogerie. We were given a private preview of the watch during our recent visit to Roger Dubuis in Geneva, before its official reveal. Seeing it up close makes a considerable difference. The amount of work hidden within the dial, the individually sculpted knights and especially the engraving surrounding the case becomes far more apparent in person. There is an unusual level of depth here, with details revealing themselves as the watch moves and the light changes. It also gave us a closer understanding of just how much craftsmanship sits behind what, at first glance, could simply be seen as one of Roger Dubuis' typically extravagant creations. The Final Form of Merlin For more than a decade, Roger Dubuis has used its Knights of the Round Table collection to reinterpret Arthurian mythology through watchmaking. Its latest chapter completes a trilogy centred around Merlin. The Omniscient Merlin arrived in 2024 and focused on the wizard's wisdom, followed by the Enchanter Merlin in 2025 and its exploration of his mystical powers. The Metamorph Merlin now turns to his ability to shapeshift. Central to the story is the mythical white stag, used as a symbol of transformation and of the passage between visible and invisible worlds. Rather than simply placing these references onto the watch as decorative motifs, Roger Dubuis has built them into its architecture. A Forest Built From 57 Blocks The dial is perhaps the clearest example. Inspired by the mythical forest associated with Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, it is constructed from 57 individually crafted blocks positioned at different heights. The geometric landscape combines green CVD coated elements, polished pink gold, transparent glass and Crystalium. The hexagonal forms continue a visual language first introduced earlier in the Merlin series, originally inspired by the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway. Here, however, they have been transformed into an abstract forest. Rather than literally depicting trees and woodland, the effect comes through layers, materials and reflections. Deep greens dominate the dial while transparent sections, polished surfaces and pink gold interrupt the landscape as light passes across it. It is this three dimensionality that was particularly striking when seeing the watch in Geneva. From different angles, parts of the dial seem to disappear while others suddenly become prominent. Around this landscape stand the collection's familiar 12 Knights of the Round Table. Each pink gold figure measures approximately six millimetres tall and requires around three days of hand finishing by a specialist engraver. Sculpting, engraving and black patina give each knight its own texture, stance and character. The Story Continues Around the Case For the first time in the collection, Roger Dubuis has extended this level of storytelling onto the case itself. The 45 mm pink gold case is entirely hand engraved with scenes depicting Merlin in different forms. One shows him as the mythical white stag, while another presents Merlin as a wise figure holding a book, connecting the final watch back to the theme of knowledge explored at the beginning of the trilogy. These micro relief engravings are among the details that are easy to underestimate in photographs. Up close, the case feels less like a housing for the dial and more like another part of the artwork. Even the crown contributes to the theme. Sword inspired guards reference Excalibur, while green detailing connects it visually with the forest represented on the dial. Haute Horlogerie Beneath the Storytelling Behind the elaborate exterior sits Roger Dubuis' automatic RD821 calibre. The movement comprises 172 components, operates at 4 Hz and provides a 48 hour power reserve. It is developed, manufactured and hand finished in house, with 14 different finishing techniques applied in accordance with the requirements of the Poinçon de Genève. The certification extends the obsessive attention to detail beyond what can immediately be seen from the front. Through the open caseback, a skeletonised 360 degree oscillating weight takes inspiration from stained glass windows found in medieval castles, continuing the Arthurian theme on the reverse of the watch. Limited to just 28 pieces, the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table, The Metamorph Merlin feels like an appropriate conclusion to the trilogy. It is unmistakably Roger Dubuis: theatrical, technically ambitious and deliberately excessive. But after seeing the watch up close in Geneva, it is the smaller details and the sheer amount of work behind them that leave the strongest impression. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/roger-dubuis-closes-the-merlin-trilogy-with-the-metamorph — Citation: "Roger Dubuis Closes the Merlin Trilogy With the Metamorph" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-22. https://menwith.com/roger-dubuis-closes-the-merlin-trilogy-with-the-metamorph --- ## Tankoa Defines Its Boutique Approach With Two World Premieres - URL: https://menwith.com/tankoa-defines-its-boutique-approach-with-two-world-premieres - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-09-22 - Tags: Tankoa Yachts **Summary:** Tankoa Yachts unveils two distinct world premieres at the Monaco Yacht Show: the 45m M/Y Singolare and the 52m M/Y Spirit. This dual debut highlights their boutique approach, showcasing both platform refinement and full-custom builds. The Tankoa Yachts shipyard arrives at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show with two world premieres. The decision to unveil a pair of new vessels at once is a deliberate one, signaling a clear intent to define its position at the industry’s most significant event. The story here is the calculated diversity of the offering. The 45-metre M/Y Singolare and the 52-metre M/Y Spirit are presented as siblings, yet they embody very different paths to a bespoke yacht. Their joint debut is a physical argument for the Italian builder's boutique philosophy, showcasing a capacity to execute highly individual projects. A Platform for Leisure M/Y Singolare is an interpretation of the builder’s T450 platform. Designed by Cassetta Yacht Designers, the yacht uses its sub-500 GT volume to create a series of spaces dedicated to life on the water. An infinity-edge beach club dissolves the boundary between the vessel and the sea, complemented by an open-air cinema for evenings at anchor. The focus on experience continues with a panoramic gym and sauna. Inside, interiors by Debora Aguiar are arranged around a full-beam owner’s suite and four guest cabins, completing a vision of a refined private resort. A Custom Vision of Wellbeing Moored nearby, M/Y Spirit offers a different perspective. This 52-metre yacht is a full-custom design from the keel up, penned by Vitruvius Yacht Design under Philippe Briand. Its entire concept is centered on wellbeing. The yacht’s most distinct feature is a full-beam gymnasium that opens onto an aft terrace with a plunge pool, creating a private wellness deck. With six guest cabins and interiors by FM Architettura, the design is holistic. This philosophy extends to its mechanics. A full-hybrid propulsion system allows for a cruising speed of 15 knots, suggesting that quiet, efficient operation is integral to the onboard atmosphere. Presenting these two yachts together is a statement of capability. Tankoa demonstrates that its hands-on approach applies equally to refining a proven platform and to creating something entirely new. The two distinct silhouettes in the harbor are a clear picture of a shipyard defining itself not by a single look, but by its range. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tankoa-defines-its-boutique-approach-with-two-world-premieres — Citation: "Tankoa Defines Its Boutique Approach With Two World Premieres" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-22. https://menwith.com/tankoa-defines-its-boutique-approach-with-two-world-premieres --- ## A Guide to Corsica, From The Deck - URL: https://menwith.com/a-guide-to-corsica-from-the-deck - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-09-22 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Discover Corsica's unspoiled beauty from a yacht, exploring dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and UNESCO sites like Scandola. Experience its blend of French-Italian culture and rich history. The view of Bonifacio from the water is the one that stays with you. The medieval town is perched on a dramatic limestone cliff, its architecture overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. From the deck of a yacht, you see the island as it was always meant to be seen: a fortress coastline, a port of call in the middle of the sparkling Mediterranean. This is Corsica, an island with over a thousand kilometres of coastline defined by a blend of French and Italian influences. It is famous as Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace, but its true character is found in its wild landscapes and unspoiled anchorages. Many of its best coves and pristine beaches are accessible only by sea, a geographic reality that has preserved its nature. The Northern Approach A seven-day charter often begins on the northwest coast at Calvi. The city is known for its massive 13th-century Genoese citadel and the local belief that Christopher Columbus was born here. Arriving by water, the citadel towers above red-tiled roofs, framed by forested mountains and a crescent of white sand beach that stretches for six kilometres. In summer, the port becomes a hub for festivals, with jazz beats heard from the water. From Calvi, the landscape turns otherworldly at the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the remnant of a volcano that collapsed into the sea millions of years ago. Exploring by tender is the only way to navigate the colourful canyons and coves, where deep orange cliffs rise from the water. At the reserve’s southern edge is Girolata Bay, a favorite anchorage for swimming and diving among red rock cliffs. The small village of Girolata is also only accessible by boat. The Southern Beaches Further south, a charter can stop at Porto-Vecchio, a bustling port with Roman origins and a 16th-century Genoese citadel. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with boutique shops and cafés. The port provides access to some of Corsica’s most idyllic beaches, including Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Cala Rossa, and Pinarello, all known for their impossibly blue waters and soft sand. Palombaggia is a firm favorite, stretching three kilometres and defined by red rocks and umbrella pine trees. The neighboring Cerbicale islands are a UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve, offering the chance to sight crested cormorants. Below the surface, the waters hold mullet, octopus, and the famed salema porgy, a golden-striped fish that is a hallucinogen if consumed. En route to Sardinia, the Lavezzi Islands Nature Reserve emerges as a scattering of granite boulders and islets. This 80,000-hectare protected area includes the famous dive site 'Grouper City', named for the massive fish species that can reach 100kg. The only inhabited island, Cavallo, is fiercely protected. Not even a single sunlounger is permitted on its coastline. Beyond The Anchorages The island offers more than just beaches. The clear waters off Calvi allow divers to explore the wreck of a B17 American bomber. For hikers, the famous GR 20 trail crosses the island over 180km, but shorter routes like the 90-minute Tête de Mort loop above Ajaccio offer panoramic views. The island’s naval history is visible in its 16th-century clifftop towers and fortified towns, best seen at Bonifacio, Corte, and Calvi. Corsica is also known for its produce and wine. A charter with a firm like Burgess can arrange intimate private meals at rustic, family-run restaurants nestled in the hills. At Saleccia beach, local fishermen can be seen unloading their fresh catches of succulent octopus and squid from small boats bobbing on translucent waters. It is a reminder of the island’s connection to the sea, a connection best understood from the water itself. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-guide-to-corsica-from-the-deck — Citation: "A Guide to Corsica, From The Deck" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-22. https://menwith.com/a-guide-to-corsica-from-the-deck --- ## A Hole-in-One, A First-Time Winner, and a Festival at Wentworth - URL: https://menwith.com/a-hole-in-one-a-first-time-winner-and-a-festival-at-wentworth - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-22 - Tags: BMW M **Summary:** Frédéric Lacroix won an electric BMW iX5 with a hole-in-one at the BMW PGA Championship, while J.J. Spaun secured his debut title. The event featured a festival atmosphere with celebrities, music, and fan challenges. For most pros at the BMW PGA Championship, the 14th hole presented a choice. Before the tournament, each player could select their preferred car from a list of ten BMW models, a personal prize waiting for a perfect shot. For Frédéric Lacroix, the choice was made for him. The French pro scored a hole-in-one on the par-3 during the final round, securing the new all-electric BMW iX5. While Lacroix won the car, it was American J.J. Spaun who claimed the main title. In his debut at the Wentworth Club, Spaun triumphed at the DP World Tour’s flagship event, a tournament now in its 22nd year with title partner BMW. More than 120,000 fans attended over the week, from September 15th to the 20th. A Field of Champions The leaderboard was consistently crowded with major winners and past champions. The home crowd had plenty to follow, with English players like reigning PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, Major winner Matt Fitzpatrick, and former BMW PGA champions Danny Willett, Tyrrell Hatton, and Luke Donald in the field. Crowd favourite Tommy Fleetwood was also competing. They faced a formidable international contingent. Defending champion Alex Noren of Sweden, who was seeking a third title after wins in 2017 and last year, was joined by Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Ryan Fox, all previous winners of this event. The field’s depth was further underscored by the presence of Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and American Major winners Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. The Festival of Golf The week began with the traditional Celebrity Pro-Am, pairing professionals with stars from sport and entertainment. This year’s lineup included football legends Gareth Bale, Robbie Fowler, John Terry, and Eden Hazard. In the Championship Village, visitors could see the new all-electric BMW i3 and the iX5 up close. A Trackman challenge called BRING YOUR M GAME invited fans to test their skills in three areas mirroring the brand’s performance ethos: Power, Precision, and Performance. Every participant received a personalized BMW M bag tag, with the best player each day winning a BMW Driving Experience. The event’s atmosphere extended beyond the course with live concerts each evening. DJ Tony Perry performed on Friday, followed by The Kooks on Saturday. Singer Ella Eyre closed out the championship on Sunday night, cementing the week as a genuine festival of golf. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-hole-in-one-a-first-time-winner-and-a-festival-at-wentworth — Citation: "A Hole-in-One, A First-Time Winner, and a Festival at Wentworth" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-22. https://menwith.com/a-hole-in-one-a-first-time-winner-and-a-festival-at-wentworth --- ## José Mourinho Finds a Lesson for Football in Formula 1 - URL: https://menwith.com/jos-mourinho-finds-a-lesson-for-football-in-formula-1 - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-22 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** José Mourinho draws parallels between football and Formula 1, highlighting F1's open approach to pressure and its drivers' ability to transition between relaxed states and intense focus. For José Mourinho, the new Madring circuit was not just a destination. It was part of his daily commute. The Real Madrid manager watched the hybrid track take shape each day on his way to the club’s nearby training ground, a constant reminder of the Spanish Grand Prix arriving on his doorstep. His visit to the race, then, carried a different weight. Mourinho is a long-time fan of Formula 1 and a familiar face in the paddock, with previous appearances at events like the British Grand Prix. Yet this was the first race at a track he had seen grow from the ground up, a collision of his professional world and his personal passion. The weekend schedule was a portrait of a life lived at the peak of competitive sport. On Saturday, Mourinho led Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory, with goals from stars like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Twelve hours later, he was on the grid. It was here, moving between two arenas of immense pressure, that he found his most telling observation. An Education in Pressure Mourinho, a man who has managed giants like Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, sees a fundamental difference in how the two sports handle their most critical moments. He believes football has something to learn from the culture of Formula 1. He notes that F1 drivers operate with a certain openness. In the build-up to a race, they are accessible. They meet people, handle media, and engage with their surroundings. Mourinho contrasts this with football’s tendency to create a protective bubble. “We close each other off, I believe, too much, also because of tradition,” he explained. The ability to transition from a relaxed state to one of intense focus is what he finds compelling. “I think we have to learn with them, the way they can be relaxed, and half an hour later they can be in the car fighting for their lives, because they take risks.” For a manager with more than 25 major trophies, it is a significant insight into the psychology of performance. A Familiar Face Mourinho’s presence in the paddock is more than a casual visit. He is well-connected, citing a close friendship with F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali as his entry point into the sport’s inner circle. His relationships extend to the drivers themselves. He has known many of them for years and was seen catching up with figures like four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, for whom he presented a pole position award at Silverstone in 2025. This familiarity gives his observations a different kind of authority. He is not just an outsider looking in; he is a peer studying a different discipline. He admits he has no idea how he would fare as a team boss in Formula 1. Instead, he comes to listen and to learn, asking questions and absorbing the process. His visit was brief, constrained by his own match day, but his perspective offers a rare glimpse into the shared DNA of elite sport, and the subtle differences that define them. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jos-mourinho-finds-a-lesson-for-football-in-formula-1 — Citation: "José Mourinho Finds a Lesson for Football in Formula 1" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-22. https://menwith.com/jos-mourinho-finds-a-lesson-for-football-in-formula-1 --- ## Breitling Brings Back the Navitimer Miles Davis Made His Own - URL: https://menwith.com/breitling-brings-back-the-navitimer-miles-davis-made-his-own - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-22 - Tags: Breitling **Summary:** Breitling honors Miles Davis with a limited-edition Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41, capturing the essence of his iconic ref. 806 Mk5. This tribute features a reverse-panda dial, "Twin Jet" emblem, and the hand-wound Caliber B09. The invitation carried a single image: the shadow of a trumpeter against a stage curtain. On the evening of September 2, it brought guests to The Leopard Room at the Hotel d'Angleterre in Geneva, a bar on the Quai du Mont-Blanc with live jazz most nights. For once, the band shared the room with a watch. Breitling had come to unveil the Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Miles Davis, a 500-piece limited edition marking the centennial of the trumpeter's birth. Two CEOs addressed the room. Georges Kern, who led Breitling from 2017 until May and now heads its parent group, House of Brands, noted that this was the first speech Jean-Marc Pontroué had given as the brand's new chief. In a 1985 interview with Spin, Bob Dylan called Miles Davis his "definition of cool." What stayed with him was Davis in small clubs: playing his solo, turning his back on the crowd, setting down his horn and walking off while the band played on, then returning for a few notes at the end. Dylan tried the same thing at a couple of his own shows. The audience assumed he was ill. Davis carried that command offstage, into the sharp Italian suits, the sports cars, and a mid-1960s Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 Mk5. By then he had already reshaped jazz with Birth of the Cool and Kind of Blue. A pilot's chronograph was still an instrument in those years. On Davis, it read as style. What Carries Over From the Mk5 "Our goal wasn't to recreate a historic watch," says Pontroué, "but to capture the essence of the Navitimer that Miles Davis made his own." The case keeps the original's 41 mm diameter, and the dial keeps its monochrome reverse-panda layout. Davis's ref. 806 Mk5 was the first Navitimer to pair that dial with the "Twin Jet" emblem, which set it apart from the versions sold directly to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The tribute revives the logo and finishes the design in cream-colored Super-LumiNova®. Powering it is the hand-wound Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09, fitting for a reference from the years before the automatic chronograph arrived. It sits behind an open sapphire-crystal caseback engraved with "One of 500" and "Miles Davis Centennial." The Navitimer's Other Wearers According to Romy Hebden, Breitling's Global Director of Public Relations & Heritage, Davis belonged to a generation that took the Navitimer beyond its aviation roots. Racing drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill wore it in the 1960s, and Serge Gainsbourg followed in the 1980s. "It evolved from a professional instrument into an authentic expression of individuality and style," she says. Gainsbourg's influence returns on the bracelet. First seen in the 1960s and popularized by him, the rally-inspired steel Air Racer comes back with its vented design and new hinged links for comfort. A hand-colored gradient brown calf-leather strap is the alternative. The Breitling Social Club Each of the 500 pieces includes two years of membership to the first Breitling Social Club, planned for Williamsburg, New York, in late 2027 as a physical space for collectors, artists, and enthusiasts. Membership for life comes with the Lifetime Club Member Set, limited to 50 numbered editions: three Navitimer tributes in stainless steel, 18k yellow gold, and platinum, in a presentation case modeled on a traditional trumpet case. The lining is blue, for Kind of Blue, and a miniature red trumpet rests inside. "Miles never separated style from self-expression," says the Miles Davis Estate. "His Navitimer wasn't a prop, it was something he chose because it spoke to him." Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitling-brings-back-the-navitimer-miles-davis-made-his-own — Citation: "Breitling Brings Back the Navitimer Miles Davis Made His Own" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-22. https://menwith.com/breitling-brings-back-the-navitimer-miles-davis-made-his-own --- ## Novak Djokovic Is Hosting an Intimate Retreat in Morocco - URL: https://menwith.com/novak-djokovic-is-hosting-an-intimate-retreat-in-morocco - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-09-21 - Tags: Novak Djokovic, Amanjena, Marrakech, Aman Resorts, Wellness Retreat, Tennis Masterclass, Breathwork, Meditation **Summary:** Novak Djokovic hosts an intimate wellness retreat in Morocco, sharing his performance philosophy, including tennis, meditation, and breathwork. Guests gain direct access to his routines for mental clarity and discipline. Novak Djokovic is taking his approach to performance beyond the tennis court once again. From 18 to 20 December 2026, the 24 time Grand Slam champion will personally host Stillness and Strength: A Novak Djokovic Retreat, an intimate three day wellness experience at Amanjena on the outskirts of Marrakech. The retreat marks Djokovic's second in person programme with Aman, following his inaugural gathering at Amanyara in Turks and Caicos. This time, the setting shifts to Morocco, where a strictly limited number of guests will be given direct access to the routines, rituals and mindset that have shaped one of the most successful careers in tennis history. Inside Djokovic's Approach to Performance As Aman's Global Ambassador and Wellness Advisor, Djokovic has increasingly brought his personal philosophy on longevity, recovery and mental resilience into the hospitality brand's wellness offering. Stillness and Strength is designed around the relationship between physical performance and mental clarity. Djokovic himself will guide guests through practices he has incorporated into his own career, with the programme combining tennis masterclasses, meditation, breathwork and restorative rituals. Rather than focusing solely on athletic performance, the retreat explores how discipline and presence can translate into everyday life. Aman describes the programme as an opportunity to understand how Djokovic approaches moments of pressure, using stillness and ritual to respond with greater clarity. It is also notably different from some of the existing Djokovic programmes available across Aman properties. While his Detoxification and Mobility and Recovery programmes have been created in collaboration with him, they do not necessarily include Djokovic in person. At Amanjena, he will personally host the experience. A Rare Setting Outside Marrakech The choice of Amanjena feels particularly suited to the concept. Its name translates to "peaceful paradise", and the resort sits among palms and olive trees just outside Marrakech, around 20 minutes from Marrakech Menara Airport. Inspired by Morocco's architectural heritage, Amanjena is defined by its terracotta pavilions, courtyards, reflecting pools and gardens. Despite its secluded atmosphere, the resort remains within easy reach of Marrakech's medina and Djemaa el Fna, while the Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert offer an entirely different landscape beyond the city. Wellness already forms an important part of the property, with spa treatments and Moroccan hammam rituals complemented by active experiences including tennis and access to the nearby Amelkis Championship Golf Course. For Djokovic's retreat, however, the clay tennis court will inevitably become one of Amanjena's most interesting spaces. Three Days With a Champion What makes Stillness and Strength unusual is not simply the programme, but the level of access. Guests are not attending a wellness retreat carrying Djokovic's name from afar. They will be participating in an experience hosted by Djokovic himself and shaped around the methods he credits with helping him balance the physical and mental demands of elite competition. Attendance is strictly limited and advance registration is required, making the December retreat one of Aman's more exclusive wellness experiences of the year. For three days in Morocco, the emphasis will not just be on learning how one of tennis's greatest players trains, but on understanding the quieter practices behind the performance. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/novak-djokovic-is-hosting-an-intimate-retreat-in-morocco — Citation: "Novak Djokovic Is Hosting an Intimate Retreat in Morocco" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-21. https://menwith.com/novak-djokovic-is-hosting-an-intimate-retreat-in-morocco --- ## Max Verstappen vs. 100 Karts - URL: https://menwith.com/max-verstappen-vs-100-karts - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-21 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Max Verstappen conquered a unique challenge, overtaking 100 karts in 30 laps at Silverstone. His exceptional race vision and pace secured a dominant victory in the Red Bull production 'Max vs 100'. “It’s a long way! A very long way!” Max Verstappen smiled, moments before the 1800 start time. He had just walked from the front to the very back of the grid at Silverstone. Ahead of him sat 100 go-karts. Behind him, nothing. The challenge, a Red Bull production called ‘Max vs 100’, was simple enough to state. Overtake and eliminate every competitor from 101st place within 30 laps. The event, broadcast live on Disney+, was the culmination of two practice days for the field of challengers, a mix of Red Bull athletes and content creators. Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad oversaw their preparation. Verstappen himself arrived with only enough time for three or four laps on the custom 2.5km circuit, which blended Silverstone’s kart venue with sections of its Formula 1 layout. The First Lap As the lights went out, Verstappen shuffled his kart forward to gain momentum. He ducked and dived through the pack heading into Turn 1, navigating a bottleneck that took out several rivals. He then strategically used the grass to bypass a series of spinners. It was a calculated chaos. His progress continued until a Full Course Yellow was called for incidents elsewhere. The assumption was he had picked off 30 or 40 karts. When the timing screens updated, the number was 64. Verstappen had climbed to 37th position in a single tour. “Not a bad first lap, then!” he chimed on the radio when informed of his progress. “Before the race, I said, ‘Let’s be bold and say that I will pass 40 people in Lap 1’, and then they told me what it was at the end,” Verstappen later reflected. “It was a good effort.” The Hunt After the restart, the climb was methodical. By Lap 4, he was 25th. By Lap 6, he sat 10th. A lap later, he was fifth. The field of 101 steadily shrank until only three others remained on track. F1 journalist Jacky Martens, YouTuber Zac Alsop, and Red Bull Ford Powertrains technician Lewis Osler. The trio joked over their radios about forming a roadblock, but the four-time F1 World Champion’s pace was absolute. After 14 laps and just 35 minutes of racing, he had caught and passed them all. His fastest lap, a 2m 20.673s, was 2.6 seconds quicker than the next best time, set by Martens. “That was simply lovely,” Verstappen chuckled over the radio. “It’s my first win of the year, so I’ll take this one!” Track Designer and Race Director David Terrien watched from the sidelines. “Going through the traffic of such a big field, no one has done it,” he commented. “He sees something we don’t see. He sees a gap that’s going to open, and it’s not open yet. So, I think that’s a race vision. That’s something he has that most of the drivers don’t have.” For Verstappen, it was another unique event to add to a list that includes driving an F1 car down a mountain. “I think it’s great that with Red Bull, they always come up with some crazy, fun things, and it suits me as well,” he said. When asked if the race could become a tradition, his response was immediate. “That’s what I said! I was like, ‘Maybe 200’, and then we’ll see again.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/max-verstappen-vs-100-karts — Citation: "Max Verstappen vs. 100 Karts" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-21. https://menwith.com/max-verstappen-vs-100-karts --- ## Rolls-Royce and the Language of Abalone Shell - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-and-the-language-of-abalone-shell - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-21 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce uses abalone shell marquetry for the first time to capture a hummingbird's shimmer in a bespoke Phantom. This intricate process took nine months and six iterations to master. For the first time in its history, Rolls-Royce has employed abalone shell in its marquetry. The material makes its debut inside a one-of-one Phantom Extended, a Private Commission named the Phantom Hummingbird. The choice was not a search for novelty. It was a specific solution to a difficult problem: how to capture the fleeting, iridescent shimmer of a hummingbird’s feathers. The natural world is a frequent source of inspiration for the company’s Bespoke commissions, but this project, conceived as a tribute to a client’s wife, required a new vocabulary. The hummingbird’s colours come from microscopic structures in its feathers that act like prisms. To replicate that effect, the craftspeople at Goodwood turned to abalone, whose nacreous inner surface produces a similar blue-green lustre as it interacts with light. Mastering the material took time. The shell is unusually fine and brittle, and the development period lasted more than nine months. The Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers, and artisans worked through six different iterations before discovering a suitable technique. The final process involves carefully reducing the thickness of the shell fragments before they are lacquered and set into the veneer, balancing the material's natural beauty with the durability required of a motor car. A Tribute in Miniature The delicate marquetry appears in two compositions inside the cabin. On each of the rear Picnic Tables, a hummingbird takes flight. Each bird is formed from 53 individual pieces of abalone shell and mother-of-pearl, with 18 pieces contained in the wings alone. Between the two rear seats, a botanical motif of 84 pieces unfolds across the Rear Waterfall panel. Every piece is laser-cut slightly larger than its final size, then filed to its precise shape by hand. The edges are worked until they meet with no visible seam, a level of precision achievable only by human touch. After the painstaking fitting process, completing the three panels required a further 45 hours of work. A Cohesive Vision The commission, brought to life through the Private Office in Dubai, extends its theme to the entire vehicle. The marquetry is set against a background of Ash Burr veneer, with Silver Birch selected from a single log for its complementary grain. The interior is trimmed in Creme Light leather with Moccasin and Tan details, resting on Seashell carpets under the Starlight Headliner. On the exterior, the Phantom is finished in a two-tone scheme of Wildberry over White Sands. A hand-applied Coachline in White Sands traces the length of the car, punctuated by a small, painted hummingbird in flight. It is a quiet echo of the intricate work held within. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-and-the-language-of-abalone-shell — Citation: "Rolls-Royce and the Language of Abalone Shell" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-21. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-and-the-language-of-abalone-shell --- ## The Ingenieur SL Was A Failure. IWC Is Right To Celebrate It. - URL: https://menwith.com/the-ingenieur-sl-was-a-failure-iwc-is-right-to-celebrate-it - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-18 - Tags: IWC Schaffhausen **Summary:** IWC celebrates the Ingenieur SL, a Gérald Genta design initially overlooked but now highly sought-after. New anniversary models echo its unique brushed dial and engineering focus. When Gérald Genta designed the Ingenieur SL for IWC Schaffhausen in 1976, the market met it with a collective shrug. Reference 1832 was not a commercial success at launch, and between 1976 and 1983 only 598 pieces were made. Today it ranks among the most sought-after watches in IWC's history. Half a century later, the brand is celebrating a launch that did not go to plan, and few things say more about a brand's confidence than that. Genta conceived it at the height of his creative powers. The 1970s were the decade in which the luxury steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet emerged as an entirely new category in Swiss watchmaking, and the SL, successor to the first generation of Ingenieur models, belonged squarely to it. Five screws secured the bezel. A structured dial and an integrated bracelet completed the form, while beneath the steel sat a soft-iron inner case to protect the movement from magnetic fields. Every element answered to the name on the dial. Perhaps that was the problem: in its moment, a watch this faithful to engineering may simply have looked severe. Recognition took decades. Collectors found their way back to the SL long after production ended, and the small run that once signalled indifference became the source of its pull. The design had not changed. The eyes looking at it had. In 2023, the SL became the blueprint for the modern Ingenieur, which has since grown into a full collection spanning steel, titanium, 18-karat 5N gold and ceramic, up to a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon. The Other Dial For the anniversary, IWC passed over the famous face. Most people know the 1832 by its structured dial, yet IWC also made one variant with a brushed silver-plated dial, and both new editions look back to it. The Ingenieur Automatic 40 50th Anniversary and the Ingenieur Automatic 35 50th Anniversary trade the grid of the modern collection for that brushed surface, set with rhodium-plated hands and metal hour markers filled with Super-LumiNova. Below the Ingenieur name, where the lightning bolt normally sits, is the number 50. Alexia Genta, daughter of Gérald Genta and co-founder of the Gérald Genta Heritage Association, put the fifty years simply: “it amazes me how his work continues to inspire so many people decades later.” Two Sizes, Two Characters Both editions are stainless steel, with a bracelet attached via its middle links and a five-screw bezel, satin-finished with polished edges. From there they part ways. The 40mm keeps its bracelet fully satin-finished and carries the most direct link to 1976: a soft-iron inner case, just as the original had, around the IWC-manufactured 32111 caliber, whose double pawl winding system builds a 120-hour power reserve. The 35mm polishes its middle links and opens a sapphire case back onto the Caliber 47110, finished with circular graining, Geneva stripes and a gold-plated oscillating weight. Each reference is limited to 1,150 pieces, which puts the anniversary at nearly four times the entire run of the original. Fifty years ago, the Ingenieur SL stopped at 598. Its birthday runs to 2,300, with the years written where the lightning used to be. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-ingenieur-sl-was-a-failure-iwc-is-right-to-celebrate-it — Citation: "The Ingenieur SL Was A Failure. IWC Is Right To Celebrate It." — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-18. https://menwith.com/the-ingenieur-sl-was-a-failure-iwc-is-right-to-celebrate-it --- ## TAG Heuer Brought F1 Back to Madrid - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-brought-f1-back-to-madrid - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-18 - Tags: TAG **Summary:** TAG Heuer reignited F1 in Madrid with the inaugural 2026 Grand Prix at the new MADRING circuit. The event showcased LVMH's savoir-faire, from watchmaking to rosé, celebrating precision and luxury. A week ago, dinner was served on the pit lane. The setting was part of the inaugural FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2026, an event marking the return of Formula 1 to Madrid after a hiatus of more than 40 years. As Title Partner, TAG Heuer orchestrated a weekend of activities that extended well beyond the circuit itself. The race weekend was built around the new MADRING circuit, a track making its debut on the F1 calendar. For its parent company, LVMH, the Grand Prix was an opportunity to create a world within the event, a space called Maison LVMH. Savoir-Faire and Hospitality Inside, guests were given an introduction to the group’s specific crafts. Artisans from both Louis Vuitton and TAG Heuer were present, demonstrating the techniques and expertise central to their respective Maisons. The experience was designed to give a direct look at the precision and fine watchmaking that anchor the brands. The art of hospitality was also a focus. Château d’Esclans contributed to the environment at Maison LVMH, serving its Whispering Angel rosé. The program of events continued away from the track, with a party held on Saturday night at the Madrid nightclub Club Métropolis for guests of the brand. A New Winner for a New Circuit On the track, the inaugural race saw a first-time winner for the circuit. Kimi Antonelli, driving for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, secured victory. His win made him the first driver to stand on the top step of the podium at the MADRING circuit. Through the combined efforts of TAG Heuer and Maison LVMH, the Grand Prix became a platform to show the different facets of the group. The weekend offered a view into fine watchmaking, detailed craftsmanship, and the specific way the company approaches hospitality, all set against the backdrop of Formula 1. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-brought-f1-back-to-madrid — Citation: "TAG Heuer Brought F1 Back to Madrid" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-18. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-brought-f1-back-to-madrid --- ## Porsche’s 550 Spyder Returns as an Electric Junior - URL: https://menwith.com/porsches-550-spyder-returns-as-an-electric-junior - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-09-17 - Tags: Porsche 550 J, Hedley Studios, Electric Junior Car, Porsche Motorsport, Carrera Panamericana, Hans Herrmann, Mille Miglia **Summary:** Porsche's iconic 550 Spyder is reimagined as an officially licensed, 80% scale electric junior car by Hedley Studios. Limited to 250 units, this collectible offers a drivable automotive sculpture. Few cars capture Porsche’s early racing spirit quite like the 550 Spyder. Now, more than seven decades after the lightweight racer made its mark on motorsport, the silhouette is returning in an unexpected form. Created by Hedley Studios in collaboration with Porsche, the new Porsche 550 J is an officially licensed, fully electric reinterpretation of the original 550 Spyder. Built at approximately 80 percent scale and limited to just 250 examples, it sits somewhere between a highly detailed automotive sculpture and a genuinely drivable machine. The project arrives as Porsche celebrates 75 Years of Porsche Motorsport, with Hedley Studios receiving extensive access to the company’s archives during development. A Smaller 550 With Serious Detail The 550 J measures approximately 2.9 metres long and 1.2 metres wide, while still offering space for two occupants. Underneath its compact body is a steel space frame chassis, while the exterior is constructed from carbon fibre. Rather than attempting to reinvent the shape, Hedley Studios has stayed remarkably close to the proportions and visual identity of the original. The low windscreen, rounded bodywork, exposed cockpit and minimalist character immediately connect it to the 1950s racer. Power, however, comes from something entirely modern. A 48 volt electric drivetrain produces approximately 8 kW in standard specification, while the optional RS Package raises output to as much as 16 kW. Top speed is around 80 km/h. Despite those very usable figures, this is not a miniature Porsche designed for the morning commute. The 550 J is not road legal and is instead positioned as an exclusive collector’s piece for enthusiasts who want something significantly more interactive than a static display car. Inspired by the Car That Helped Create Carrera The choice of the 550 Spyder carries considerable significance. Porsche developed the original specifically for motorsport, making it the first Porsche created from the outset as a racing car. The 1954 version combined an aluminium body with a 1.5 litre four cylinder boxer engine producing 110 hp. Thanks to its low weight and compact mid engine layout, it was capable of approximately 220 km/h. Its defining moment came at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. Hans Herrmann and Jaroslav Juhan drove two 550 Spyders across the gruelling 3,077 kilometre event, ultimately finishing third and fourth overall while securing their class victory. After five days of racing, only 36 seconds separated the two Porsche drivers. That performance against considerably more powerful machinery became an important part of Porsche history. The Carrera name that remains part of the brand today was subsequently adopted in recognition of the success achieved in the Mexican road race. The original 550 also built its reputation at events such as the Mille Miglia, where its exceptionally low profile became part of Porsche folklore after Herrmann and his co driver passed beneath a closing railway barrier during the race. Only 250 Will Be Made Hedley Studios will hand build every 550 J at its facility in Bicester, UK, with production limited to 250 examples. Customers can choose classic Porsche Silver or a selection of heritage inspired finishes in blue, white, yellow and red. More extensive customisation is available through the Bespoke programme, including historic and contemporary colours as well as motorsport inspired liveries. That ability to personalise the car should make each example considerably more individual, particularly given the visual history available from Porsche's racing archive. More importantly, the 550 J does not simply borrow the general appearance of a famous Porsche. It has been developed with Porsche's involvement and is officially licensed by the manufacturer, with Porsche opening its corporate archives to Hedley Studios and providing guidance throughout development. The result is an unusual celebration of one of Porsche's most important racing cars. It is smaller, electric and unable to legally venture onto public roads, yet the philosophy behind it remains surprisingly close to that of the original: lightweight proportions, simplicity and a focus on the person sitting behind the wheel. The Porsche 550 J is available to order through Hedley Studios now. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsches-550-spyder-returns-as-an-electric-junior — Citation: "Porsche’s 550 Spyder Returns as an Electric Junior" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-17. https://menwith.com/porsches-550-spyder-returns-as-an-electric-junior --- ## Hublot Turns Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog Into a Watch - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-turns-jeff-koons-balloon-dog-into-a-watch - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-16 - Tags: Hublot, Jeff Koons, Classic Fusion, Balloon Dog, Luxury Watchmaking, Art Collaboration **Summary:** Hublot collaborates with artist Jeff Koons to create the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog watch, featuring an "inflated" design inspired by Koons' iconic sculptures. Available in red, blue, and silver, each limited to 200 pieces. Hublot has never been particularly interested in playing it safe. For its latest collaboration, the Swiss watchmaker has joined forces with American artist Jeff Koons to translate one of contemporary art’s most recognizable forms into something that can be worn on the wrist. The result is the Hublot Classic Fusion Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons, a 42mm interpretation of Koons’ famous Balloon Dog sculpture, available in red, blue and silver. Each version is limited to 200 pieces. We were given an early opportunity to see the watches up close during a visit to Hublot in Geneva. And while the concept undoubtedly makes for one of the more unusual watches we have encountered recently, seeing it in person also reveals just how seriously Hublot has approached the details. Turning Balloon Dog Into Horology Koons created his Balloon Dog works between 1994 and 2000 as part of his Celebration series. The sculptures take something inherently temporary, a balloon animal, and recreate it as a monumental, mirror polished object designed to appear almost impossibly perfect. For Hublot, simply placing a reference to the artwork on the dial was never going to be enough. Instead, the architecture of the Classic Fusion has been extensively reworked to create the impression that the watch itself has been inflated. The normally relatively flat profile has been transformed through rounded surfaces, convex shapes and deliberately swollen proportions. Even the sapphire crystal features a raised domed surface, while Hublot's familiar H shaped titanium screws have received inflated heads. The dial continues the same visual language with rounded appliqués and three dimensional Super LumiNova inserts. It is an odd watch, there is really no getting around that. But that is also part of its appeal. Up close in Geneva, what stood out was how much attention has gone into recreating the visual language of Koons' Balloon Dog rather than simply borrowing its name. The Details Make the Difference Look closer and some of the most entertaining references begin to appear. At 10:30 on the case sits a flexible rubber detail designed to resemble the tail of a balloon animal. The crown has meanwhile been shaped to reference the inflation valve of a balloon, while the seconds hand features a miniature Balloon Dog counterweight. The padded metallic strap continues the inflated appearance, as does the oscillating weight visible through the caseback. Even the presentation box follows the concept, with a chromed Balloon Dog matched to the colour of the respective watch. It is this level of commitment that makes the collaboration more interesting in person. Rather than taking a conventional Classic Fusion and adding a few artistic references, Hublot has reshaped individual components around the same idea. The red and blue editions use polished anodized aluminium, chosen in part for its ability to reproduce the vivid saturated colours associated with Koons' work. The third version is rendered in highly polished stainless steel, creating the most direct visual connection to the reflective surfaces of the original sculptures. Three Editions, 200 Pieces Each All three watches measure 42mm across and 11mm thick, with water resistance rated to 50 metres. Inside is Hublot's self winding HUB1710 movement, composed of 185 components and operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It provides approximately 50 hours of power reserve and includes a date window positioned at three o'clock. The red version is reference 542.UR.8170.NR.JKN26, the blue 542.UB.5170.NR.JKN26 and the stainless steel version 542.SX.0820.NR.JKN26. Each is limited to just 200 examples. Pricing is identical across the three versions at CHF 20,800, EUR 24,600, USD 25,100 or GBP 19,700. The Classic Fusion Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons is certainly not a conventional exercise in luxury watchmaking. It is playful, strange and deliberately excessive. Yet after seeing the watches at Hublot in Geneva, the lasting impression is less about how unusual they are and more about the amount of work involved in making every small component feel connected to Koons' original creation. For a watch inspired by something filled with air, there is an impressive amount going on beneath the surface. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-turns-jeff-koons-balloon-dog-into-a-watch — Citation: "Hublot Turns Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog Into a Watch" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-16. https://menwith.com/hublot-turns-jeff-koons-balloon-dog-into-a-watch --- ## Glacier Blue and Five Days: Two New Cliftons from Baume & Mercier - URL: https://menwith.com/glacier-blue-and-five-days-two-new-cliftons-from-baume-mercier - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-16 - Tags: Baume & Mercier, Clifton, Glacier Blue, Baumatic, Perpetual Calendar, Limited Edition, Dress Watch **Summary:** Baume & Mercier unveils two limited edition Clifton watches in a new glacier blue hue. The 39mm model features a date complication, while the 40mm version boasts a perpetual calendar, both powered by the 5-day power reserve Baumatic movement. A dress watch has fewer places to hide than a sports watch. No bezel to break up the case, no bracelet geometry doing the heavy lifting, no tool function to excuse a compromise. What remains is the dial, the movement behind it, and whether the two feel like they belong to each other. Baume & Mercier has added two Cliftons that get judged on exactly those terms, and both arrive in a colour the collection has not used before. Glacier blue is the new hue, and it is a careful one. Cold rather than navy, pale enough to read as grey in low light, and laid over a guilloché pattern so the surface never sits flat. Both references share it. Both are limited editions. The similarity ends at the complication. Clifton 10870 The simpler of the pair runs 39 mm with a date, powered by the Baumatic BM13-1975 A. Its dial is the clearest expression of what glacier blue is meant to do: guilloché underneath, a sunburst minute track running the outside edge, and a single Arabic numeral at 12 o'clock as the only departure from the rhodium-plated trapezoid indexes. Those indexes are faceted rather than flat, which is the detail that makes the dial move. Turn the wrist and each one lights separately. Alpha hands sit above them, a shape the collection has leaned on for years and one that suits a dial with this much surface interest, because the hands stay legible without adding their own noise. The three-row bracelet is satin-polished steel and comes off without tools. On a 39 mm dress watch, that flexibility matters more than it does on a sports piece. This is a watch that will spend most of its life under a cuff and some of it out in the open, and the ability to move between steel and leather in a minute is the difference between one watch and two. Clifton 10872 The second is the more ambitious proposition. A perpetual calendar in 40 mm, running the Baumatic BM13-1975 AC2, with the calendar laid across sunburst counters rather than squeezed into a corner of the dial. Arabic numerals mark 2, 4, 8 and 10 o'clock, with the same faceted trapezoid indexes and alpha hands between them. Perpetual calendars usually fight their own dials. Four indications, a moon, a minute track and two hands is a lot to organise in 40 mm, and most attempts either crowd the centre or push the counters so far out that the balance goes. The layout here works because the counters are sunburst, so they separate from the guilloché field by texture rather than by a printed border. You read the difference before you read the information. The strap is blue alligator, tool-free like the other. It is also the one decision worth questioning. The 39 mm three-hander gets a steel bracelet as standard; the perpetual, which is the more serious watch of the two and the one likelier to be worn every day of a five-day working week, arrives on leather alone. A steel option would suit how a perpetual actually gets used. The movement is the argument Both watches run the Baumatic, and the case for these Cliftons rests there more than anywhere else. Baume & Mercier introduced the calibre in 2018, and its headline figure has not aged: 120 hours of power reserve, five full days from a fully wound movement. The brand rates it to 1,500 gauss, well above the standard threshold for an antimagnetic watch. Five days reads like a specification on the 10870 and like a genuine function on the 10872. Anyone who has owned a perpetual calendar knows the real cost of the complication is not the setting, it is the restarting. Leave it in a drawer over a long weekend and you are working through months and leap years to get it right again. A movement that survives Friday evening to Monday morning without help removes that entirely, which is a more useful thing to engineer than another tenth of a second of accuracy. Finishing on the Baumatic has always sat above what the collection's positioning would suggest. Circular graining, textured mainplate, decorated rotor. Visible through a sapphire back on a watch that is not asking to be a showpiece. Where they land These are not loud watches, and they are not trying to be. The Clifton has always been the part of the range that looks backwards for its proportions and forwards for its mechanics, and the glacier-blue pair holds that line. One is the watch you wear every day and never think about. The other is the one you set once and then leave alone for years. Both made in limited numbers, which is the only part of the story that will decide itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/glacier-blue-and-five-days-two-new-cliftons-from-baume-mercier — Citation: "Glacier Blue and Five Days: Two New Cliftons from Baume & Mercier" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-16. https://menwith.com/glacier-blue-and-five-days-two-new-cliftons-from-baume-mercier --- ## Rolex Brings Back the Padellone, With a Calendar That Jumps at Midnight - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-brings-back-the-padellone-with-a-calendar-that-jumps-at-midnight - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-15 - Tags: Rolex Padellone, Perpetual Padellone, Rolex Calibre 7190, Haplos system, Annual calendar watch, Moonphase watch, Everose gold watch, Platinum watch **Summary:** Rolex revives the "Padellone" with the Perpetual Padellone, featuring an instantaneous annual calendar and moonphase. Its new Haplos system and Calibre 7190 movement showcase Rolex innovation. In the late 1940s, a 38 mm watch was large enough for Italian collectors to name it after a frying pan. Reference 8171 displayed a complete calendar with moonphase, and the nickname Padellone, Italian for large frying pan, stayed with it. Rolex has now made the nickname official. The Perpetual Padellone joins the Perpetual collection, launched in 2023 with the 1908, and carries an instantaneous complete annual calendar: date, day, month and moonphase alongside hours, minutes and seconds. Reading The Dial Most of the dial carries a grained finish, giving way to fine satin around the edge, where the date scale is inscribed in black. A blue centre hand with a crescent moon at its tip points to the current date. Two apertures at 12 o'clock show the day and month, in English. Below, at 6 o'clock, a blue enamelled disc completes one rotation every lunar month, or 29.53 days. Its full moon and new moon are made from meteorite, the new moon treated with a dark blue PVD coating, while the silver stars are pad printed. Measuring 39 mm, the case wears a divided bezel, fluted along its lower part and domed above. A gentle chamfer runs along the top edges of the lugs, and correctors for the calendar sit on the sides of the case. Two Components And A Month Disc A new system named Haplos drives the calendar, and its logic is remarkably lean. Only two components are coupled to the date mechanism: an additional carrier finger and an annual lever. The programming for the year is written onto the reverse of the month disc, which tells the lever which month it is, so the watch knows whether to count to 30 or 31. February, as with any annual calendar, remains the owner's business. At midnight, date, day and month change instantaneously. Rolex has filed patent applications for both the Haplos system and the instantaneous change. Calibre 7190 Developed and manufactured by Rolex and exclusive to this watch, calibre 7190 beats at 5 hertz and is protected by 30 patent applications, two of them unique to it. It is based on calibre 7135, which debuted in the Land-Dweller in 2025, and shares its regulating system, including the silicon Dynapulse escapement. Like the other movements in the 71XX family, it is thinner than most Rolex calibres. Holding that frequency takes strength at the heart of the oscillator. The coils of the silicon Syloxi hairspring are made especially thick here, giving it the rigidity and power the movement needs to beat at 5 hertz. Power reserve reaches approximately 66 hours. Through the sapphire case back, the bridges show Rolex Côtes de Genève, which differs from the traditional pattern by a slight polished groove between each band, beneath a cut-out oscillating weight in yellow gold. Three Versions Everose gold comes with a grained, intense white dial, either on the Settimo bracelet or a matt brown alligator strap. Platinum takes a grained, ice blue dial and a matt black alligator strap. Both straps are lined in green calfskin, finished with tone-on-tone stitching and closed by a Dualclasp. Each link of the Settimo is built from seven very small, slightly contoured elements, polished on every surface, so the bracelet follows the shape of the wrist and feels particularly light. Its Crownclasp folds away out of sight, leaving the surface uninterrupted. At midnight, the date, the day and the month move together. The moon carries on at its own pace. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-brings-back-the-padellone-with-a-calendar-that-jumps-at-midnight — Citation: "Rolex Brings Back the Padellone, With a Calendar That Jumps at Midnight" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-15. https://menwith.com/rolex-brings-back-the-padellone-with-a-calendar-that-jumps-at-midnight --- ## The Space Between the Marks: A Closer Look at Sam Francis - URL: https://menwith.com/the-space-between-the-marks-a-closer-look-at-sam-francis - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-09-15 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Sam Francis's prints were collaborations, not reproductions. His use of color and white space created dynamic, abstract compositions, showcasing lithography's expressive potential. On a 1960 lithograph by Sam Francis, titled Lover Loved Loved Lover, a small inscription reads “pour M. Matthieu.” It is a printer’s proof, dedicated to Emil Matthieu, the man whose workshop in Zurich produced the print. This detail, a personal note from artist to craftsman, reveals something essential about how Francis worked. His prints were not reproductions. They were collaborations. Color was never simply descriptive in the work of Sam Francis. It shaped space and gave his compositions a sense of motion. Throughout his career, Francis developed a form of abstraction known for its chromatic intensity, yet his compositions rarely feel contained. Pigment spreads and pools across the surface, while large areas of untouched paper give the colors room to move. This approach, informed by his years in Paris and his engagement with Japanese aesthetics, gave white space a role equal to pigment. The Language of Lithography Editions available through Sotheby's Buy Now marketplace show this process in detail. Francis treated printmaking as a significant part of his practice. Lithography was especially suited to his methods, as it could capture both spontaneous marks and carefully controlled layers of color. It allowed him to retain the looseness of his painting while experimenting with how colors interacted on paper. The aforementioned Lover Loved Loved Lover, recorded in the Sam Francis Archive as SF-14, exists outside the standard edition of 18. Published in Bern by Kornfeld and Klipstein, it shows the artist using the medium for its own expressive potential. Another work, the 1964 lithograph Sun Up (SF-63), is an artist’s proof from an edition of 75. Its title reinforces a sense of emergence, but the visual energy comes from the relationship between pigment and the exposed sheet of paper. Late Works and New Textures Francis continued making prints into the final years of his career. The Papierski Portfolio, created in 1992, offers a view of his late lithographic language. Works like Untitled (SF 355) and Untitled (SF 351), from editions of 50, show a more distilled version of his ideas. The marks are more isolated, giving each one greater visual weight against the BFK Rives paper. These prints reflect his relationship with The Litho Shop, Inc. in Santa Monica, a key collaborator during his West Coast period. Lithography was central, but it was not his only medium. Late aquatints like Untitled (SFE 118), created between 1993 and 1994, offer a different experience. The surfaces are denser and more atmospheric, with greater tonal depth. This work, from an edition of 20, shows an artist still experimenting with technique into his final years, moving between methods to see how each could change the relationship between color and paper. The editions document decades of this experimentation. Francis developed a language where the unprinted sheet could matter as much as the marks placed upon it. In his strongest prints, neither element functions alone. The white space changes how the color is perceived, while the pigment determines how the surrounding emptiness behaves. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-space-between-the-marks-a-closer-look-at-sam-francis — Citation: "The Space Between the Marks: A Closer Look at Sam Francis" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-15. https://menwith.com/the-space-between-the-marks-a-closer-look-at-sam-francis --- ## Bugatti Is No Longer Just Selling Cars - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-is-no-longer-just-selling-cars - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-15 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti shifts from selling cars to manufacturing legacy with its Programme Solitaire, focusing on co-creation and client vision. The Brouillard exemplifies this, becoming a souvenir of an immersive ownership journey. The Bugatti Brouillard was delivered in private. Before the crowds at Chantilly Arts & Élégance saw it, before it paraded past the Château and collected an award, the car was unveiled to its owner inside the Dôme of the Great Staples. This sequence of events was not an accident. It suggests a fundamental shift in what a company like Bugatti actually sells. The car is the first creation from the new Programme Solitaire, a venture that formalizes the act of co-creation. The goal is to build a car from a client’s personal vision, making the development process itself an immersive, emotional journey. The finished automobile is almost a souvenir of that experience. The real product is the story, the relationship, the feeling of being written into the history of Molsheim. In an age where extreme performance is becoming more accessible, heritage brands must find new territory. Bugatti appears to have found its answer. It is moving beyond the transaction of selling an object and into the business of manufacturing legacy. The Brouillard, a one-of-one masterpiece, is the first piece of evidence. From Customer to Custodian The language the brand uses is telling. The owner is referred to as a “custodian,” beginning their “ownership journey.” This reframes the relationship. One does not simply buy a car like the Brouillard. One becomes its caretaker, responsible for carrying its story forward. This elevates the owner from a consumer to a patron of the marque. The choice of venue reinforces this idea. Chantilly Arts & Élégance is not a conventional auto show. It is a garden party set against one of France’s great cultural landmarks, complete with hot-air balloon rides and horse-drawn carriages. Staging the handover here frames the car as a piece of high culture, an artifact of French elegance as much as an engineering achievement. A Dialogue Between Generations To make the point clear, Bugatti created a dialogue between its past and present on the Château grounds. The Brouillard was joined by a curated selection of modern masterpieces like the Veyron and W16 Mistral, but also a remarkable collection of pre-war automobiles. Models like the Type 35, Type 51, and Type 13 Brescia were not just there as static displays. They created a lineage. This curation places the new car directly in conversation with the machines that built the Bugatti legend. It presents Programme Solitaire as the continuation of Ettore Bugatti’s original vision, anchored in a history of beauty and performance. The message is that commissioning a car through this program is a way of adding a new branch to that family tree. After the private celebration, the Brouillard emerged into the public sphere, where it promptly won ‘Best of Show’ in its class. The final image from the weekend was of its owner parading the one-of-one creation around the iconic Le Notre’s Water Mirrors. It was the perfect conclusion. The car was no longer a concept or a project. It was a celebrated piece of automotive history, with a story already attached, driven by the person who helped write it. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-is-no-longer-just-selling-cars — Citation: "Bugatti Is No Longer Just Selling Cars" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-15. https://menwith.com/bugatti-is-no-longer-just-selling-cars --- ## The 1976 Chopard That Set Diamonds Free Is Back - URL: https://menwith.com/the-1976-chopard-that-set-diamonds-free-is-back - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-15 - Tags: Chopard, Happy Diamonds, Caroline Scheufele, Golden Rose of Baden-Baden, 1976 watch, ethical gold, Chopard 10.01-C **Summary:** Chopard revives its iconic 1976 Happy Diamonds watch, featuring loose diamonds on a black onyx dial. The Heritage collection reintroduces original sizes with modern ethical gold and innovative movements. Sunlight breaking on the spray of a Black Forest waterfall makes an unlikely brief for a watch. In 1976 it became one. Chopard took that picture of scattered, moving light and asked what a diamond might look like if nobody held it in place. Happy Diamonds was the result: stones left loose on the dial, sliding with every turn of the wrist. Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director, traces the idea back home. "I grew up with this idea, first expressed by my mother, that diamonds are happier when they are free," she says. "This deeply poetic vision has never left me." Recognition came the same year, when the original took the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden, at the time regarded as the highest distinction for innovation and excellence in jewellery and watchmaking. With Happy Diamonds Heritage, Chopard returns to that starting point. Alongside new jewellery, the collection brings back the two earliest watches for the first time, in the same pair of sizes the originals were conceived in. Two Sizes, One Shape Cushion cases carry the geometry of the 1970s, a form caught somewhere between a circle and a square. Rounded edges soften the structure, and the outline suggests movement before a single stone has shifted. Black onyx fills the dials, as it did on the first models. Polished to a mirror, the stone absorbs light so the diamonds can reveal it, each one reading as a single point of brilliance suspended in the dark. Sealed between two sapphire crystals, they travel freely across the dial with every gesture. The 34 mm In 18-carat ethical yellow gold, the larger model holds 21 diamonds. Behind them, visible through an open caseback, sits the Chopard 10.01-C, a hand-wound Manufacture calibre introduced in 2024. At 15.70 mm across and 2.90 mm thick, it ranks among the smallest and thinnest mechanical movements in the world, keeping hours and minutes with a 45-hour power reserve. The diamonds ask nothing of it. They run entirely on the wearer. Smaller and more intimate, the 24 mm carries nine diamonds and a quartz movement, with the same light at a gentler scale. The Capsule Most of the work never shows. The metal is first stamped into shape, then polished by hand to a soft finish along every curve, and each component is assembled and refined by hand. Hardest of all is the setting. The diamonds sit within a proprietary gold capsule between the two crystals, and they must move without effort while remaining perfectly guided. That balance is the whole watch. Since 1976 the stones have been moving. On a wrist at rest, they wait. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-1976-chopard-that-set-diamonds-free-is-back — Citation: "The 1976 Chopard That Set Diamonds Free Is Back" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-15. https://menwith.com/the-1976-chopard-that-set-diamonds-free-is-back --- ## The €800,000 Night at the LVMH Prize - URL: https://menwith.com/the-800-000-night-at-the-lvmh-prize - Category: Style - Published: 2026-09-15 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** The LVMH Prize awarded €800,000 to three designers, with Julie Kegels winning the top prize. Mentorship and resources are included. At the Fondation Louis Vuitton on September 4th, Jennifer Lawrence, dressed in Dior, presented the 2026 LVMH Prize. The award, and its 400,000€ endowment, went to the 27-year-old Belgian designer Julie Kegels for her namesake womenswear brand. The prize also includes a year of mentorship from a team of LVMH experts. Two other designers were recognized with significant awards. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, also in Dior, revealed the winner of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize: Zane Li. The 25-year-old Chinese designer will receive a 200,000€ endowment for his brand Lii. The Savoir-Faire Prize, presented by actress Urassaya Sperbund in Louis Vuitton, was awarded to Anil Padia. The 35-year-old Kenyan designer receives 200,000€ for his womenswear brand, Yoshita 1967. The Jury and The Vision The winners were selected by a jury of twelve creative directors from LVMH houses. The panel included Jonathan Anderson, Sarah Burton, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nicolas Ghesquière, Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo, and Pharrell Williams. They were joined by executives Delphine Arnault, Pietro Beccari, Jean-Paul Claverie, and Sidney Toledano, with Thai actress Urassaya Sperbund as a special guest juror. Delphine Arnault described the work of the main laureates. Julie Kegels was chosen for her “multi-faceted, contemporary wardrobe that champions individuality.” The Karl Lagerfeld Prize went to Lii for designs that “seamlessly blend sportswear with couture influences.” Yoshita 1967 earned the Savoir-Faire Prize for an “artisan- and community-led fashion project that champions handiwork.” A Structured Ecosystem The support extends beyond the endowments. All three winners receive a specific mentoring program. Anil Padia’s Yoshita 1967 will also benefit from a collaboration with Maison Vermont, the embroidery specialist, providing 50,000€ worth of embellishments for his next collection. Each winner also gains an allowance for the Nona Source platform, which upcycles materials from the Group’s brands. Kegels will have a 20,000-euro allowance, while Li and Padia will each have 10,000 euros to work with. The group also recognized emerging talent at the student level with the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Graduates. Three graduates, María Alborés from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Candice Morin of IFM in Paris, and Louis Presencer from Central Saint Martins in London, were each awarded a 10,000 euro grant, with their schools receiving the same. The graduates will begin their careers inside the group, joining the studios of Dior womenswear, Celine menswear, and Louis Vuitton men’s accessories, respectively. In her closing remarks, Delphine Arnault thanked the high-profile presenters and the jury. “I would like to warmly congratulate all the finalists and applaud their unique talent and exceptional creativity,” she stated. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-800-000-night-at-the-lvmh-prize — Citation: "The €800,000 Night at the LVMH Prize" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-15. https://menwith.com/the-800-000-night-at-the-lvmh-prize --- ## TAG Heuer Took The Lead In Madrid - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-took-the-lead-in-madrid - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-14 - Tags: TAG Heuer, Formula 1, Gran Premio de España, Carrera Chronograph Sport, Madrid, Ayrton Senna, Manu Campa, Gordon Ramsay **Summary:** TAG Heuer dominated Madrid's F1 return as Title Partner, showcasing the Carrera Chronograph Sport and its motorsport heritage through city-wide activations and exclusive events. Formula 1 made its long-awaited return to Madrid this September, and few brands were more visible throughout the weekend than TAG Heuer. As Title Partner of the inaugural Formula 1 TAG Heuer Gran Premio de España 2026, the Swiss watchmaker turned the occasion into a celebration of motorsport, watchmaking and its decades-long relationship with racing. It was a fitting role for a brand whose history is so closely intertwined with motorsport. TAG Heuer's presence stretched far beyond traditional trackside branding, with the partnership taking over parts of Madrid before the cars had even hit the circuit. Madrid Is Back Ahead of the race weekend, Madrid's historic Real Casa de Correos at Puerta del Sol became the canvas for an immersive projection celebrating Formula 1's return to the Spanish capital. Across three evenings, the landmark was transformed with light, racing imagery and TAG Heuer's signature red, culminating in the messages “Madrid is Back” and “Madrid is Designed to Win.” The installation connected one of the city's most recognizable clocks with TAG Heuer's own role as Official Timekeeper of Formula 1. That presence continued at the circuit, where TAG Heuer branding appeared across the main straight, bridges, broadcast graphics and the podium — making the watchmaker part of the visual identity of Madrid's new Grand Prix. Carrera Returns To Its Natural Habitat While Formula 1 provided the stage, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Sport was one of the watches at the centre of the weekend. The latest collection was presented inside TAG Heuer's Paddock Club pop-up alongside pieces from the Monaco and Formula 1 collections. Guests could also explore the brand's motorsport history, stretching from Jo Siffert in 1969 and Niki Lauda in 1976 to Ayrton Senna's Spanish Grand Prix victory in 1989. It is difficult to imagine a more appropriate setting for the Carrera. Motorsport has been embedded in the collection since Jack Heuer introduced the original Carrera in 1963, and the latest Chronograph Sport translates that relationship into a thoroughly modern sports chronograph. For Madrid, the collection appeared with silver, black and blue dial configurations, accompanied by a special TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Sport Spain Limited Edition created to commemorate Formula 1's return to the country. The limited edition also received a bespoke case designed by Spanish contemporary artist Manu Campa and was available to purchase during the weekend. Beyond The Circuit TAG Heuer's involvement wasn't limited to watches and timing. Guests were given access to experiences ranging from Oracle Red Bull Racing garage visits and track tours to hot laps and grid access. Away from the circuit, Formula 1 continued into central Madrid through installations and displays, effectively turning the city itself into part of the race weekend. The weekend also included a dinner inside the Formula 1 garage with Gordon Ramsay and an event at Club Metrópolis overlooking Madrid, attended by Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar and Team Principal Laurent Mekies, followed by a performance from Spanish electronic duo MËSTIZA. Designed To Win For TAG Heuer, Madrid represented more than another race on the Formula 1 calendar. It offered an opportunity to bring together two sides of the brand that have always been closely connected: precision watchmaking and motorsport. And with the Carrera Chronograph Sport occupying centre stage throughout the weekend, TAG Heuer didn't simply put its name on Formula 1's return to Madrid. It took the lead. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-took-the-lead-in-madrid — Citation: "TAG Heuer Took The Lead In Madrid" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-14. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-took-the-lead-in-madrid --- ## Ferrari's Sketch Body Turns Metal into Canvas - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-s-sketch-body-turns-metal-into-canvas - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-13 - Tags: Ferrari Lifestyle **Summary:** Ferrari's Sketch Body project transforms car components into art, featuring designer Flavio Manzoni's original sketches on 812 Competizione parts. This initiative blurs the lines between automotive engineering and artistic expression. It begins with a quick, almost instinctive stroke across paper. The gesture is fluid, the line unmistakable. This is the hand of Flavio Manzoni, capturing an idea before it is constrained by the realities of matter. It is the first moment of creation, a vision taking shape. From this initial gesture, Ferrari has developed Sketch Body, a new project announced from its home in Maranello. The concept brings the creative process full circle. Hoods and spines are taken from the Ferrari 812 Competizione Tailor Made, removed from their original function to become a three-dimensional surface for art. The first creative mark, Manzoni’s sketch, is then applied back onto the component it helped create. The line that began as a thought on paper returns to inhabit the final, engineered form. The process transforms a piece of a car into an object that tells the story of its own origin. From Component to Collectible Sketch Body represents a new chapter for the Ferrari Lifestyle Collectibles project. Previous entries like Components, Red Pieces, and Drivers’ Pieces were more directly tied to the world of racing and the car as a machine. They were fragments of the finished product, preserved for their function and history. This new series moves the project into a more overtly artistic dimension. The objects are not just preserved. They are interpreted, reinterpreted, and transformed. They exist in the space between the first intuitive thought and the final, manufactured reality of a road car. A Narrative Space The result is an object with a new purpose. The metal surface becomes a canvas where the designer’s line expands, following the curves and embracing the tension of the volumes. It is no longer a simple mechanical component but a bridge between an idea and its physical form. The work offers a tangible trace of the journey from a blank page to a finished automobile. It is a dialogue between light and matter, where the initial gesture does not end but continues to live within the form it generated. As Ferrari describes the works, “In the Sketch Body works, the surface transforms into a narrative space: a canvas in which the line inserts itself and expands, following the curves, accommodating the tensions of the volumes, and engaging in dialogue with light and matter.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-s-sketch-body-turns-metal-into-canvas — Citation: "Ferrari's Sketch Body Turns Metal into Canvas" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-13. https://menwith.com/ferrari-s-sketch-body-turns-metal-into-canvas --- ## Jaeger-LeCoultre Revisits Its Most Complicated Calibre - URL: https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-revisits-its-most-complicated-calibre - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-13 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre's Duometre Grande Complication A Grande Sonnerie boasts 1,300 components and a year-long assembly. This new interpretation refines acoustic quality with titanium and tuned gongs for a richer Westminster chime. It takes a full year simply to assemble and regulate the movement. This is the reality behind the new Duometre Grande Complication A Grande Sonnerie from Jaeger-LeCoultre. The process involves four distinct phases and a total of 16,000 different operations to bring its 1,300 components together. The watch is a new interpretation of Calibre 182, a movement first introduced in 2009 that combined a Grande Sonnerie with a perpetual calendar and flying tourbillon. The chiming functions are extensive. Four hammers strike four gongs to play the Westminster melody, the same one heard from London's Big Ben. The four notes are E, C, D, and G. In Grande and Petite Sonnerie modes, the watch sounds the quarter-hour melody first, followed by the hours. The minute repeater follows the more traditional sequence of hours, quarters, then minutes. The barrel powering the chimes holds enough energy for 7.5 hours of continuous chiming in Grande Sonnerie mode, a total of 616 notes. For this new version of Calibre 182, development focused on refining the acoustic quality. The gongs have been lengthened for greater resonance, and the inner case body is now crafted from titanium to enhance the sound's depth. A minuscule change to the gong shape also allows the watchmakers to tune the fundamental note and the six other notes that comprise the chord, creating a more melodious sound. Two key mechanisms govern the chimes. The first is a tower-shaped component called the 'strike sequence governor', visible between 8 and 9 o'clock. A second tower, nicknamed the "tour infernale" by the watchmakers for its complexity, governs the six permutations of the four notes that create the different melodies. It provides the information for which quarter melodies to play and the number of hours and minutes to strike. Despite its 15 complications, which include a retrograde perpetual calendar and a flying tourbillon, the watch is designed to be intuitive. A display at 6 o’clock shows the selected mode: Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, silence, or time setting. A new security mechanism also prevents a user from triggering the minute repeater again before a previous chiming sequence is complete, protecting the intricate mechanics from damage. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-revisits-its-most-complicated-calibre — Citation: "Jaeger-LeCoultre Revisits Its Most Complicated Calibre" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-13. https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-revisits-its-most-complicated-calibre --- ## Baume & Mercier Riviera Brings 1973 Back in Blue - URL: https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-riviera-brings-1973-back-in-blue - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-12 - Tags: Baume & Mercier Riviera, Riviera 10846, Dodecaagonal case, Quartz watch, Blue dial, 1973 design **Summary:** The Baume & Mercier Riviera 10846 revives the iconic 1973 dodecagonal design in a refined 39mm case. Its sun-satin blue dial and quartz movement emphasize wearable elegance over mechanical complexity. Some watches are defined by what sits inside the case. Others are recognizable before you even get close enough to read the name on the dial. The Baume & Mercier Riviera belongs firmly in the latter category. First introduced in 1973, the Riviera established its identity around an unconventional twelve-sided case, a silhouette that has remained at the heart of the collection ever since. More than fifty years later, the Riviera 10846 returns to those original proportions and ideas without simply recreating a watch from the past. Back to 39mm At 39mm across and just 7.65mm thick, the Riviera 10846 has a noticeably restrained profile. The polished and satin-finished stainless-steel case retains the collection's signature dodecagonal geometry, but here the bezel is free from the exposed screws seen on many modern Riviera models. The result feels cleaner and closer in spirit to the collection's beginnings. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal sits above the dial, while water resistance is rated to 5 ATM, or approximately 50 metres. The Blue Makes the Watch The defining detail of this particular reference is undoubtedly its dial. Finished in sun-satin blue, it changes character depending on the light, while the Riviera's wave motif introduces another layer of texture beneath the surface. Rhodium-plated riveted indexes and Roman numerals sit above it, paired with grey dauphine hands and a discreet date window at three o'clock. Paired with a dark blue calfskin strap, the monochromatic approach works particularly well. The strap can also be swapped without tools using Baume & Mercier's interchangeable system, making it easy to change the character of the watch. Quartz, Deliberately Inside is the ETA F06.115 quartz movement, providing hours, minutes and date alongside a claimed five-year battery life. It may be an unexpected choice for anyone accustomed to mechanical watches at this level, but it also makes sense in context. The 10846 is less about displaying mechanical complexity and more about preserving the Riviera's design in an uncomplicated, wearable package. And arguably, that's where this version makes its strongest case. More Than Five Decades Later The Riviera has survived since 1973 because Baume & Mercier gave it something many watches never receive: a silhouette of its own. The 10846 doesn't attempt to reinvent it. Instead, the smaller proportions, screw-free twelve-sided case, blue textured dial and matching leather strap strip the design back to what made the Riviera distinctive in the first place. More than fifty years later, the shape still does most of the talking. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-riviera-brings-1973-back-in-blue — Citation: "Baume & Mercier Riviera Brings 1973 Back in Blue" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-12. https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-riviera-brings-1973-back-in-blue --- ## The Tag Heuer Carrera Gets Sharper By Getting Smaller - URL: https://menwith.com/the-tag-heuer-carrera-gets-sharper-by-getting-smaller - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-11 - Tags: TAG Heuer **Summary:** Tag Heuer's new Carrera Chronograph Sport shrinks to 42mm, enhancing wearability and elegance. This redesign refines ergonomics and returns to the original's clarity, offering a sharper, more versatile daily timepiece. The most important numbers for the new Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Sport are not on its tachymeter scale. They are 42, 48.6, and 14.17. These are the new dimensions, in millimeters, for the case diameter, lug-to-lug distance, and thickness. Each is a reduction from the previous generation. In an industry often driven by adding more, Tag Heuer has chosen to subtract. This single decision says everything about the renewed purpose of one of its most important chronographs. For years, the sport watch category has been on a trajectory of expansion. Bigger cases, bolder designs, more aggressive presence. The new Tag Heuer Carrera pushes back. By shrinking the case from 44mm to a more universal 42mm and, crucially, refining the thickness and length, the watch moves from a weekend-only piece to a genuine daily consideration. It is a recalibration toward elegance and ergonomics, a recognition that true performance is as much about comfort and control as it is about outright presence. The watch simply sits better, feels more composed, and looks more considered on the wrist. This is a return to the founding principles of the Carrera. Jack Heuer’s 1963 original was an exercise in clarity, designed for legibility at speed. The new Chronograph Sport understands that legacy. The redesign is comprehensive, from the brushed case sides that give it a more technical feel to the thinner, more structured bezel with its polished ceramic insert. Every change appears to serve the goal of creating a sharper, more defined instrument. An Instrument With Options The collection launches with five distinct personalities, all built on this improved architecture. A classic sunray blue and a contemporary teal green offer vibrant choices, while the silver dial with black counters delivers the iconic panda configuration that feels central to any racing chronograph’s story. A final black opalin version with red accents offers the most direct link to motorsport instrumentation. Together, they form a confident and varied lineup. Underpinning the design is the in-house Calibre TH20-00, an impressive movement with an 80-hour power reserve, visible through the open caseback. The refined H-link bracelet now features a taper and an easy adjustment system, further committing to the theme of everyday usability. These are not superficial updates. They are fundamental improvements that enhance the ownership experience. A Question of Character The one thing I keep returning to, however, is the dial. Specifically, the decision to replace the previous model’s indexes with applied Arabic numerals. The brand’s logic is that they sharpen readability and add a more assertive sporting character. They are certainly legible. Yet, the original Carrera's identity was built on the clean, architectural purity of its baton markers. They gave the watch a functional elegance that felt distinct. The question is whether the new numerals, in their effort to be overtly sporty, trade some of that unique Carrera character for a more generic chronograph language. It feels like a decision to state the watch's purpose, when the name, the history, and the new, sharper case already do so with more subtlety. I would have liked to see this exceptional new case paired with a dial that leaned more into the collection's architectural roots. Still, this is a matter of aesthetic preference, not a flaw in execution. The overall achievement is clear. The Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Sport is a smarter, more refined, and vastly more wearable watch than its predecessor. It feels like a turning point, where the brand has stopped chasing scale and started focusing on perfecting the details that matter. The result is a chronograph that feels confident in its own skin, perfectly timed for its launch as Formula 1 arrives on the streets of Madrid. It puts the Carrera back in the fast lane, precisely where it belongs. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-tag-heuer-carrera-gets-sharper-by-getting-smaller — Citation: "The Tag Heuer Carrera Gets Sharper By Getting Smaller" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-11. https://menwith.com/the-tag-heuer-carrera-gets-sharper-by-getting-smaller --- ## Everything Worth Knowing From Geneva Watch Days 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/everything-worth-knowing-from-geneva-watch-days-2026 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-09 - Tags: Geneva Watch Days 2026, Universal Genève, Breitling, Zenith, Daniel Roth, Gallet, Gerald Charles, Vianney Halter **Summary:** Geneva Watch Days 2026 showcased 71 brands with a focus on "subtraction" and collaboration. Notable revivals included Universal Genève and Gallet, alongside innovative designs from Zenith and Daniel Roth. Geneva Watch Days does not gather the industry into a hall. It scatters it across a city and lets you find it. The Pavilion at the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc anchors the week, but the meetings happen in hotel suites along the quai, in boutiques on Rue du Rhône, in showrooms tucked into the Old Town. You book, then you walk. The weather held all week, which turns the walking from a tax into the best part of the day. Seventy-one brands this year, a record, up from seventy last year. Nobody frames this as a pandemic workaround anymore. We did the official inauguration, the auction and a run of private dinners and events, among them Breitling's jazz night, where new CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué gave his first speech since taking over in May. Throwing a jazz night in the same week you launch a Miles Davis Navitimer is not subtle, and it did not need to be. The format is what makes it. No trade-only badge, no ticket for the public areas, run largely by volunteers as a nonprofit. A collector who flew in for the week and someone who wandered off the quai on a Thursday afternoon look at the same watch in the same room. Watches and Wonders cannot do that and does not try to. As for the watches, the theme was subtraction. The most interesting decisions this year involved taking something away rather than piling something on. Zenith removed the chronograph from the Chronomaster. Daniel Roth built a dial by masking and removing instead of printing and applying. Doxa introduced titanium by making it permanent rather than staging it as a limited event. Sizes came down almost everywhere. In a year when the market is still finding its feet, restraint reads as confidence. Collaboration became the default alongside it. Bulgari opened the Octo Finissimo to Vianney Halter. MB&F built its third M.A.D. around Vincent Calabrese. Massena LAB worked with Atelier Wen and again with Halter. MING went to J.N. Shapiro. The pattern is not new. The density this year was. And the dead came back. Gallet at two hundred, Universal Genève heading home to Rue du Rhône, Dennison making watches instead of cases for other people. Revivals are usually the least interesting story at any fair. This year they were among the best. It is always a pleasure to be back in Geneva. This was no exception. Highlights of Our Week Universal Genève The Watch Couturier is back, and this was the best half hour of the week. The Polerouter Date in blue is a modern reading of the design Gérald Genta drew in 1954, following the Polerouter and Compax launched in April on the new in-house UG-110 micro-rotor. But the one I keep thinking about is the Cabriolet in stainless steel, revived from a 1933 original. The case is hinged and reversible, so it turns within its carriage, which is where the name comes from. Flip it and a transparent back puts the hand-wound UG-111 on full display, or you can have that surface engraved or hand-painted instead. Blue lacquered dial, numerals inlaid in Bifur, the Art Deco typeface A. M. Cassandre drew in 1929, on a nine-row steel bracelet. Nothing on it that does not need to be there. A perfect watch, and one of my two favourites of everything I tried all week. The brand now sits alongside Breitling and Gallet under one roof, which makes this a bigger year for that group than any single release suggests. Gerald Charles The sharpest argument of the week about what a hand is still for. Masterlink is the brand at its most engineered: integrated bracelet, tight tolerances, 38mm case under 8mm thick, a shape that only resolves because every dimension is controlled. The Atelier Edition drops a hand-hammered Maillechort dial into the middle of it. One artisan in Geneva, hundreds of individually controlled strikes, facet by facet, no two dials the same and none correctable once struck. Twenty-five pieces in each of Golden Rose, Rhodium and Golden Yellow. Get the ratio wrong on something like this and it reads as texture applied to a finished object. Here it reads as two disciplines holding their ground. The Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin was my other favourite of the week. In black on rubber it is the one that stays on the wrist: steel case, black sunburst dial that runs warmer or cooler with the light, HNBR vulcanised rubber carrying the Clous de Paris motif on top and the GC logo tapisserie underneath. Genta's asymmetric polygon is assembled from thirty-five separately machined components rather than cut from a block, which is why the corners catch the light the way they do. Case back, lugs and strap sit on one straight line, so it lies flat on the wrist. Rubber on a Genta case should feel like a compromise, except the strap is Genta's design too. It is the reason the thing works seven days a week. Bvlgari Titanium ran through everything, and the headline is the Octo Finissimo Dual Time x Vianney Halter. First time the collection has opened to an outside watchmaker, and both parties gave something up to make it work. Halter's Antiqua language, all porthole apertures and split indications, sits inside Octo Finissimo geometry without either winning. At 9.7mm it is thick by Finissimo standards, and that is the correct trade. Thirty pieces in titanium, fifteen in pink gold. The Octo Finissimo Dazzle went the opposite direction, with nearly every surface laser-engraved in a fragmented pattern lifted from the camouflage wraps carmakers use to hide a silhouette during road testing. Bulgari describes it as defying its own legibility, which is a rare thing to say out loud about your own product. Eighty pieces, still 5.15mm thin. The Aluminium line also arrived in titanium as the Titanio GMT and Chronograph. Breitling Miles Davis owned a mid-1960s Navitimer ref. 806 Mk5. For the centenary of his birth, Breitling built the tribute around that watch rather than around the man, and it is far stronger for it. The Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 is 41mm steel and 13mm thick, the same dimensions Davis wore, with a reverse panda dial, cream Old Radium Super-LumiNova, and the Twin Jet emblem Breitling introduced around 1965 on watches sold through its own retail network to set them apart from the AOPA versions. Davis's Mk5 was the first Navitimer to combine that logo with the reverse panda dial. Hand-wound COSC-certified calibre B09, with a quiet nod to Davis engraved in the caseback surround. Five hundred pieces, plus a fifty-piece set in steel, yellow gold and platinum. Most tribute watches reach for the person and end up with a signature on a caseback. This one reached for the object. The Novelties Zenith took the chronograph out of the Chronomaster for the first time. The Solo Sport asks whether frequency alone can carry the identity, and answers yes. Calibre 3620 at 5Hz, 40mm steel, ceramic bezel, and a ceramic dial repeating a 45-degree Z motif that is essentially frequency drawn as a graphic. Shark-tooth minute track from the archive. Konstantin Chaykin brought the best backstory of the week. The SC02C is a chronograph developed with Roscosmos, tested outside the ISS across four spacewalks since 2018, most recently on 27 May this year. Twenty-eight civilian pieces, with owners asked to keep reporting on how they perform. Built on the Poljot 3133 deliberately, because proven architecture was the right call for something going into vacuum. The strap extends to fit over a spacesuit. MING showed the cleverest watch of the show. The 57.05 Comet splits worldtimer cities across two rings, inner for places that ignore daylight saving, outer for those that observe it. One click moves only the latter forward an hour. Patent pending, and the obvious question afterwards is why every worldtimer does not do this. Also the 37.06 Lightning with J.N. Shapiro, titanium dials engine-turned in Los Angeles then heat-coloured by hand in Kuala Lumpur, where roughly one in three survives. De Bethune made the most beautiful object of the week in the DB25 Digitale. A random guilloché centre worked to mimic the ripple of the lake outside, interrupted by a blued titanium Starry Varius field, with a spherical moonphase at the heart of it. MB&F headlined with HM12 The Guardian, a transformer wristwatch with face-shield complication, jumping hour and flying tourbillon. M.A.D.Editions brought the M.A.D.3, built around Vincent Calabrese's Baladin, where the hour aperture travels around the dial rather than snapping. Calabrese is 82 and invented the Golden Bridge. Turn it over and the rotor gradually reveals a line: it is fairly easy to please others, far more difficult to be proud of oneself. Bremont extended the Terra Nova Jumping Hour with an all-new 35mm case, the collection's first dress scale, and burgundy as the second British colourway. Separately, the Supernova Chronograph is going to the lunar south pole aboard Astrolab's FLIP rover, and staying there. Gallet returned at two hundred, manufactured by Breitling. The Flying Officer is back as the world traveller's watch it originally was, alongside the Multichron Pilot and Multichron Sport, plus Classics tributes to the Yachting Big Eye, the Multichron 45 and the Silverlight on the hand-wound B09. Girard-Perregaux extended an anniversary a year past the anniversary and earned it. The Laureato Fifty Tourbillon puts a new in-house micro-rotor calibre and the tourbillon front and centre at 39mm, with Clous de Paris on dial and caseback and a choice of blue grand feu enamel or rose gold. Daniel Roth made subtraction literal. On the Extra Plat Rose Gold Gilt the numerals and signature are negative space, masked while the surrounding surface is electroplated black, then revealed when the masking lifts, over a pinstripe guilloché hand-cut on a rose engine by one artisan. Laurent Ferrier proved a colour change can transform a watch. The Classic Moon Dusk moves to yellow gold with a taupe-to-chocolate gradient, but the reason to care is the moonphase: a gold-sheen obsidian disc under an anise-yellow plique-à-jour enamel bridge, enamel with no backing, held by its own frame alone. Twenty pieces. Greubel Forsey brought the GMT Balancier Convexe down in size and up in usability, and showed the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture, built over five years, whose movement retires this year. Ferdinand Berthoud opened a new decade with Mesure du Temps 1787 and its first chapter, the Chronomètre FB 2TV, revealing almost the whole movement dial-side on the new FB-TV.FC. The FB 3SPC.4-1 took the house somewhere more contemporary in ceramised titanium. Doxa put titanium into the permanent collection rather than staging it as a limited edition, which is the more interesting decision. Five SUB 300 Ti5 references, and the WhitePearl's fully luminous dial genuinely lights a room. Corum brought ceramic to the Admiral for the first time in three interpretations, including a skeletonised anthracite. A collection built on signal flags finally has a material that suits the brief. Mauron Musy marked ten years of its gasket-free nO-Ring seal by printing fragments of founder Christophe Musy's handwritten development notes across the open-worked dial, unedited, so no two watches show the same working-out. The strap carries the same handwriting. Massena LAB and Atelier Wen made the Inflection Shuò, the first Atelier Wen with a Swiss-made dial, hand-tremblage engraved on solid gold with Chinese calligraphy replacing the Roman half of a California layout. Fifty pieces. Massena also showed Old Soul with Vianney Halter, who had a busy week. Louis Moinet put three meteorites on the dial of the Moon Meteor, with the moon running its cycle on two more fragments and a hand-painted astronaut as the fixed reference point. Twelve pieces. Stellarium took the same instinct into luminescent miniature painting. Speake-Marin showed the Tourbillon Royal Blue, 42mm of red gold with a flying tourbillon at 1:30 and power reserve at 7:30. Five pieces. Czapek set twin balance wheels beating in opposite directions in the Place Vendôme Complicité, with sapphire bridges set with rubies in gold chatons. Ten pieces, born out of a friendship with Bernhard Lederer. Urwerk returned the UR-150 in yellow gold as the Golden Scorpion, its retrograde minute hand crossing a 240-degree arc before snapping back in a hundredth of a second. Gérald Genta built the Geneva Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian around sound, with thin case walls and a refined internal architecture to let the chime breathe, on the in-house GG-002 with hand-tuned gongs. L. Leroy revived an 1810 tact watch as the Vox Temporis, a single hand over a rotating dial with minutes revealed on demand. Minute repeater and flying tourbillon, fifteen pieces. Renaud Tixier completed the Organica triptych with Monday in Black and Bordeaux, the botanical dial curves drawn from three components of the RVI2023 calibre, so the ornament is structural rather than decorative. Alto delivered the ART 02 as one uninterrupted form, case and bracelet and sapphire merged, on a new micro-rotor calibre developed with Cercle des Horlogers driving the seconds counter-clockwise. Frédérique Constant put a mechanical movement into the Moneta for the first time and let you see it. Grained salmon-to-black dial, fluted bezel under the sapphire. Quietly one of the most sensible watches of the week. Oris brought the Big Crown Pointer Date to 29mm, its smallest in modern history, and kept it mechanical rather than defaulting to quartz on the way down. Bianchet showed two ceramic readings of the UltraFino Tonneau on the 3.85mm UT01, engineered to 5,000G. A tourbillon built for a life with movement in it. Quick Updates Alpina ran the Startimer Pilot Solarmetre for ten months on light. Hautlence reversed its own method with KUBERA, form first, complication second. L'Épée 1839 made The Football, a full-scale ball in 882 components. Krayon showed Parhelion Anywhere, a sapphire gradient drawn from an optical phenomenon in Greenland. Louis Erard handed a dial to straw marquetry artist Bernardo d'Orey. Trilobe unveiled Château Trente-Deux, the first hundred paired with a grand cru. Perrelet turned the turbine into a roulette wheel. Emmanuel Bouchet marked a decade of Complication One with the Fusion, its first in sapphire. Beda'a opened its first boutique in Doha with two Angles editions. Bell & Ross put meteorite in the BR-X5. Réservoir gave the case its own identity with Mark II. Dennison returned with the ALD Collection by Emmanuel Gueit. Otsuka Lotec showed No. 8. NAOYA HIDA & Co. brought the hand-engraved NH TYPE3B. Maurice Lacroix showed the AIKON-IC Frozen Carbon. MicroMilSpec presented the Fieldmaster. Furlan Marri showed the Disco Onyx Diamonds. Fears brought the Brunswick 39 Perpetual Calendar. BA111OD showed the Chapter 7 Skeleton. Beauregard continued the Ulysse with the Saint-Pétersbourg dial. Singer Reimagined hosted at its Geneva workshop with the Heritage V72. Tutima showed the Patria 6600-23. Claude Meylan brought the Tortue 6085 AV. Unimatic kept to the Classic collection. Byrne showed a set of two. Bimbu led with the Patrium. Completing the roster: Akhor, Amida, Artisans de Genève, Beaubleu, Behrens, Cédric Johner, David Candaux, Kerbedanz, Keris, Lederer, Linde Werdelin, MARLI New York and Stollenwurm SA, plus Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo. Some are small enough that a launch is not a given. Stollenwurm makes around twenty watches a year, a maximum of twelve of any design. Not every brand here needs a novelty to justify the room, which is another thing this fair gets right. Final Thought The most important mechanism of the week was MING's daylight saving bezel, because it solves a problem a real person actually has. The boldest decision was Zenith's. The best object was the De Bethune DB25 Digitale. The best backstory, comfortably, was Chaykin's chronograph coming home from the ISS. My two favourites of everything I tried were the Universal Genève Cabriolet in stainless steel and the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin. Neither is the most complicated watch in this article. Both are the kind you would actually wear. Five days, no exhibition hall, and a lot of walking between the quai and the Old Town. The watches were good and several were important. What stays with me is the same thing every year: the ateliers doing the most interesting work are run by the most interesting people, and in Geneva you get to walk between them. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/everything-worth-knowing-from-geneva-watch-days-2026 — Citation: "Everything Worth Knowing From Geneva Watch Days 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-09. https://menwith.com/everything-worth-knowing-from-geneva-watch-days-2026 --- ## Bugatti's Three Royals Return Home - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-three-royals-return-home - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-09 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Three Bugatti Type 41 Royales reunited at Molsheim for the marque's centenary celebration. The event also featured modern hypercars and a parade of classic Bugattis. On the historic grounds where the legend began, three Bugatti Type 41 Royales stood together. A century after the model's birth, the Coupé Napoléon, the Coupé de Ville Binder, and the Packard Royale returned to Molsheim. The reunion brought home half of the six Royales still in existence, including Ettore Bugatti’s personal car, the Coupé Napoléon, whose final form was shaped by his son, Jean. The Royale was conceived as an automotive absolute. It was a car of monumental proportions built for emperors, kings, and queens. This gathering offered a rare glimpse into Ettore's uncompromising vision, with each of the three cars telling a different part of the Royale’s story. Their presence at the Bugatti estate was the centerpiece of the Molsheim Festival. While the Royales anchored the weekend, the festival also mapped the marque’s more recent history. A Petit Tour brought together 20 modern Bugatti hyper sports cars, including the Tourbillon, Chiron, and Veyron. The drive, designed for current owners, began at the YONA Hotel in Obernai and wound through the wine routes and mountain roads of Alsace. Along the way, theatrical scenes brought moments from the company's history to life. The tour stopped at the Maison Cattin winery and the Domaine Haslach Château before concluding with a 1920s-inspired dinner at the Bugatti Château. There, with the three Royales as a backdrop, guests joined Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles, and Hendrik Malinowski, Bugatti Managing Director, for an evening meant to recreate the hospitality Ettore Bugatti once showed his own clients. The following morning, the celebration expanded. Owners of 70 other classic Bugatti cars joined for a breakfast on the Molsheim grounds, surrounded by the Royales. The broader collection included an exceptional group of Type 35s, one a 1927 Grand Prix example, alongside a 1934 Type 57 Stelvio and a Type 57 C Cabriolet by Gangloff. These cars then departed for their own tour of Alsace, organized by the Enthousiastes Bugatti Alsace club. On Sunday, the festivities moved to the heart of Molsheim, where the cars paraded through town. During an award ceremony, the 1934 Type 57 Stelvio was presented with the “Prix Bugatti Automobiles.” Christophe Piochon also received the prestigious “Bretzel d’Or,” an award often called the Alsatian equivalent of the Legion of Honour, which was marking its own 50th anniversary. “The Bugatti Festival is always a deeply meaningful moment for the marque, because it brings together our modern era and our customers with the incredible history that defines Bugatti,” Piochon said. “This year, with the 100th anniversary of the Royale, that connection was even more powerful. To see three Royale automobiles in Molsheim, especially at the home of the brand, alongside historic Bugatti creations, passionate collectors, customers and enthusiasts, was a moving reminder of what makes Bugatti unique.” " — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-three-royals-return-home — Citation: "Bugatti's Three Royals Return Home" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-09. https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-three-royals-return-home --- ## Aston Martin’s First Road Bike Is Here - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-first-road-bike-is-here - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-09 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin unveils the AMB 002 Roadster, a road-legal motorcycle born from its partnership with Brough Superior. Featuring a titanium frame and automotive-inspired design, it's a limited-edition luxury machine for collectors. The frame of the AMB 002 is milled from a solid billet of titanium. It forms a structural spine for the motorcycle and weighs just five kilograms. This single component is central to the bike’s design, a collaboration between Aston Martin and Brough Superior that now includes its first road-legal machine. Announced from Gaydon, the AMB 002 Roadster follows the track-only AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro, introduced in 2019 and 2022. It marks a new phase for the partnership, aimed at road riders and automotive collectors. Production will be strictly limited to 300 individually built motorcycles, with the first deliveries scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027. An Automotive Influence The design work comes from the Aston Martin Design Studio, and the influence is clear. The brand’s iconic side-strake is reimagined, piercing the side fairing and extending forward to frame the headlamp. Twin oval exhausts feature ribbed heat sinks that echo the finisher design on the Vanquish, DB12 S, and DBX S. The rear light blades are the same type seen on the tails of the Vulcan, Valkyrie, and Valhalla hypercars. “Having created two of the most remarkable track-only motorcycles ever built in the AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro, it was always a long-term dream to make an Aston Martin motorcycle for the road,” said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer. He describes the AMB 002 as a “vivid expression of our shared passion for sculptural, visceral, covetable machines.” The bodywork uses precisely sculpted carbon fibre panels. The fuel tank and side fairings have a pebble-smooth shape, while crescent-shaped gills are cut into the flanks to aid engine cooling. Touches like a keyless function, a backlit ignition button, and hand-crafted saddle leather seat pads are drawn from Aston Martin’s series production road cars. A Bespoke Heart At the center of the AMB 002 sits an all-new 1083cc four-stroke water-cooled V-Twin. It develops 130bhp and 110 Nm of torque, tuned for strong low and mid-range response. The engine is designed, machined, and assembled at Brough Superior's headquarters in Toulouse, France. Its cases are CNC-machined from billet for weight reduction and structural efficiency. That new V-Twin is housed within the titanium backbone frame, contributing to a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a total weight of just 190kg. The front suspension is a distinctive double-wishbone ‘Fior fork’ design, an evolution of the system used on the AMB 001 Pro. This setup separates steering and braking forces, maintaining control and stability, especially when braking into a corner. Thierry Henriette, President of Brough Superior, describes the result as creating “the impression of becoming one with a lightweight, precise blade, propelled by our all-new, even more powerful engine.” For Aston Martin, the project extends beyond a single product. “What began as an ambitious union of two historic British names has evolved into a powerhouse of luxury co-creation,” commented Stefano Saporetti, Director of Brand Diversification. “This is a partnership that has successfully transitioned from a milestone debut to a proven, long-term driver of brand value.” Initial orders are now being taken. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-first-road-bike-is-here — Citation: "Aston Martin’s First Road Bike Is Here" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-09. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-first-road-bike-is-here --- ## A New Vision for ORO at Hotel Cipriani - URL: https://menwith.com/a-new-vision-for-oro-at-hotel-cipriani - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-09-08 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Hotel Cipriani's ORO restaurant unveils a new vision with interiors by Peter Marino and Head Chef Vania Ghedini. Ghedini's menu blends Venetian ingredients with Moroccan influences, inspired by "La Dolce Vita" and the lagoon. From the water’s edge on Giudecca Island, the restaurant ORO looks out across the Venetian lagoon. The view from Hotel Cipriani evolves with the changing light, a constant presence that has now inspired a new chapter for the Michelin-starred dining room. The Space Reimagined The first part of this story begins with the room itself. Celebrated New York architect Peter Marino was brought in to reinterpret the interiors, blending the spirit of La Dolce Vita with the glamour of the Art Biennales that animated Venice in the 1950s and 1960s. The design is intended to capture the city’s romance and its deep connection to the sea. Within this updated space, Belmond, part of LVMH, has introduced a new culinary direction. The appointment of Vania Ghedini as Head Chef of ORO signals the shift. Her selection was made by the restaurant’s Culinary Creative Director, Massimo Bottura, placing her at the forefront of this next phase. Cuisine of Place and Memory Chef Ghedini’s approach is one of focused contrasts. Each dish is described as complex in its execution but simple in its final presentation, with a clear emphasis on uniting texture and flavour. The foundation of her cooking is rooted in the unique ingredients sourced from the Venetian lagoon, the surrounding Veneto region, and beyond. This season, she unveils ORO LUCE, a new à la carte menu. Its inspiration is drawn directly from the heritage of Venice and the specific sense of conviviality found in Italian life. Yet, the flavors are not purely Venetian. Ghedini infuses the local cuisine with Moroccan influences, a direct result of the years she spent in Morocco before returning to Italy. It is this personal history that adds another layer to the dining experience at Hotel Cipriani, located just a short boat ride from St. Mark’s Square. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-new-vision-for-oro-at-hotel-cipriani — Citation: "A New Vision for ORO at Hotel Cipriani" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-08. https://menwith.com/a-new-vision-for-oro-at-hotel-cipriani --- ## From P19 to History: Antonelli's Improbable Mercedes Victory at Monza - URL: https://menwith.com/from-p19-to-history-antonelli-s-improbable-mercedes-victory-at-monza - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-07 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Kimi Antonelli achieved a historic F1 win at Monza from P19, overcoming a penalty and a mid-race scare to secure his seventh victory of the season. For Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team, Sunday’s 53-lap race at Monza began with prospects that seemed unlikely at best. A penalty for taking new power unit components placed the Italian driver P19 on the starting grid for his home Grand Prix. A win felt distant. History suggested it was nearly impossible. The race was disrupted early by a dramatic crash involving Charles Leclerc at the final corner, which brought out a red flag. In the reset, Antonelli found himself already up to P12. The order had shifted, and a path forward began to clear. Following the restart, he quickly moved through the field, positioning himself for an unexpected challenge. The Hunt “After the second restart I was up there and I knew I could have a shot for the win,” Antonelli said. “Definitely I believed in it.” He soon found himself behind his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, battling for the lead. The pair circulated with the aid of a powerful tow, making it difficult for either driver to break away. The critical moment came during a mid-race Virtual Safety Car. The Mercedes team called Antonelli into the pits for fresher tyres. Russell stayed out. The strategic divergence set the stage for the final laps. “With fresher tyres I was able to increase the pace,” Antonelli explained, as he began to close the gap to his teammate, whose own tyres had started to struggle. The Final Laps As the race neared its conclusion, the two Mercedes drivers almost made contact at the first chicane. Antonelli was forced to take to the gravel on the exit. “It was quite scary during the moment,” he admitted. The move appeared to have cost him his opportunity. He recovered quickly. With just four laps remaining, he used his pace advantage to blast past Russell on the run to the Ascari chicane and take the lead. The comeback was complete. The victory marked the first for an Italian driver at the Italian Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti won in 1966, a gap of 60 years. It was also a win from the second-lowest starting position in Formula 1 history. The result was Antonelli’s seventh win of the season and extended his lead in the drivers’ standings over Russell to 66 points. Immediately after the race, he called it a “dream coming true.” Reflecting on the near-miss that preceded his winning move, he was candid. “I thought I could still do the corner but once I went over a bit of gravel I went straight, and I was like maybe I've lost my chance, but then luckily we still had the pace and managed to bring it home.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/from-p19-to-history-antonelli-s-improbable-mercedes-victory-at-monza — Citation: "From P19 to History: Antonelli's Improbable Mercedes Victory at Monza" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-07. https://menwith.com/from-p19-to-history-antonelli-s-improbable-mercedes-victory-at-monza --- ## Baume & Mercier Fields Two Entrants for the Gran Premio Storico d’Italia - URL: https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-fields-two-entrants-for-the-gran-premio-storico-d-italia - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-07 - Tags: Baume Mercier **Summary:** Baume & Mercier partners with Gran Premio Storico d’Italia, releasing two limited edition watches: the motorsport-inspired Riviera and the elegant Classima. A single red “60” marks the top of the minute track. It is the only note of color on the otherwise classical dial of the new Classima 10898, a subtle reference to the world of motorsport. This detail anchors a new partnership for Baume Mercier, which has been appointed Official Timekeeper for the 2026 Gran Premio Storico d’Italia. From October 2nd to the 4th, the Mugello Circuit will host the event, organized by HVM Racing in collaboration with Ferrari Corse Clienti. The gathering brings together collectors, drivers, and enthusiasts to celebrate historic racing machines. To mark the occasion, Baume Mercier has released two limited edition timepieces, each offering a distinct interpretation of the partnership through its emblematic Riviera and Classima collections. The Riviera 10897: A View from the Circuit The Riviera 10897 channels the energy of the track directly. Its 41 mm stainless-steel case is defined by the collection’s signature dodecagonal architecture, with alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces. The opaline white dial serves as a backdrop for green snailed counters and vivid red chronograph hands, a color scheme that echoes the visual identity of the Gran Premio Storico d’Italia. A small marking on the dial reads “Official Timekeeper GPSI,” cementing the connection. The watch is powered by an automatic Valjoux 7753 movement, which operates at 4 Hz and provides a 48-hour power reserve. Its functions include a chronograph, small seconds, and a date aperture at the 4:30 position. Details like Super-LumiNova on the hands and indexes ensure legibility. The watch is fitted with an integrated black rubber strap featuring a canvas decor and is water-resistant to 100 metres. A personalized sapphire case back reveals the event’s identity and offers a view of the 27-jewel mechanical movement beneath. For practicality, it includes Baume & Mercier’s fast strap interchangeability system, which allows for tool-free changes. The Classima 10898: An Elegant Approach The Classima 10898 takes a more restrained path. Its polished stainless-steel case measures a slender 6.2 mm in thickness and 42 mm in diameter. The black sunray satin-finished dial preserves the collection’s traditional codes with Roman numerals and leaf hands. The single red “60” is the primary nod to motorsport on the dial itself. Further racing references appear on the black calfskin strap, which is finished with a carbon effect, red edges, and red stitching. The watch is powered by an ETA F06.115 quartz movement with an autonomy of four years and is water-resistant to 50 metres. Like its counterpart, the Classima features a personalized case back bearing the Gran Premio Storico d’Italia logo and is fitted with interchangeable bars for easy strap changes. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-fields-two-entrants-for-the-gran-premio-storico-d-italia — Citation: "Baume & Mercier Fields Two Entrants for the Gran Premio Storico d’Italia" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-07. https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-fields-two-entrants-for-the-gran-premio-storico-d-italia --- ## Rolex Creates Four Unique Daytonas for Charity - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-creates-four-unique-daytonas-for-charity - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-06 - Tags: Rolex Daytona, The Four Seasons, Federer Foundation, Re:wild, Phillips Auction, Roger Federer, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cosmograph Daytona **Summary:** Rolex unveils four unique "Four Seasons" Daytona watches for charity auction. Crafted with precious metals, natural stones, and gemstones, each piece benefits the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. Rolex has revealed four extraordinary and entirely unique versions of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, created for a special charity auction taking place in London on September 28, 2026. Known collectively as The Four Seasons, the watches represent Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter through four radically different combinations of precious metals, natural stone dials and gemstone settings. More importantly, none of them will enter the regular Rolex catalogue. Each is a unique piece, offered individually through Phillips, with all proceeds benefiting the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. Four Seasons, Four Unique Daytonas Spring begins with an 18 ct white gold case and bracelet, paired with a chrysoprase dial and contrasting lepidolite chronograph counters. Purple dominates the gem setting, with 36 trapeze cut purple sapphires around the bezel weighing approximately 5.57 carats. Another 11 purple sapphires form the hour markers, while 54 brilliant cut diamonds decorate the lugs and crown guard. Summer takes a considerably warmer direction. Its case and bracelet are made from Rolex's proprietary 18 ct Everose gold, surrounding a turquoise dial with counters crafted from heart of ruby. Pink sapphires appear throughout, including 36 trapeze cut stones on the bezel weighing approximately 4.32 carats. Pink sapphire hour markers and diamond set lugs complete what is arguably the most immediately striking combination of the four. Autumn switches to 18 ct yellow gold. Here, Rolex has chosen a mookaite dial with chrysoprase counters, producing an earthy yellow and green palette. The bezel is set with 36 trapeze cut green tourmalines totalling approximately 4.32 carats, matched by green tourmaline hour markers. Winter arguably delivers the most dramatic interpretation. Its case and bracelet are crafted from 950 platinum, with a blue opal dial contrasted by deep blue lapis lazuli counters. The bezel features 36 trapeze cut sapphires arranged in a gradient running from blue to fuchsia, weighing approximately 5.57 carats. Diamond hour markers replace the coloured stones used by the other three models. All four watches share another extravagant detail: 54 brilliant cut diamonds, totalling approximately 0.86 carats per watch, set into the lugs and crown guards. Daytona Mechanics Remain Underneath Despite the unconventional materials, these are still modern Cosmograph Daytonas at their core. Each is powered by Rolex calibre 4131, the manufacture's self winding chronograph movement introduced with the current generation Daytona. It provides approximately 72 hours of power reserve and carries Rolex's Superlative Chronometer certification. That makes The Four Seasons particularly interesting. Rather than creating four decorative objects loosely based on the Daytona, Rolex has applied some of its most elaborate gem setting and dial craftsmanship directly to its most famous chronograph. Natural stone also means subtle variations in colour, texture and pattern are inherent to the material, adding another layer of individuality to watches that will already exist as single examples. Federer, DiCaprio and a Bigger Purpose The project forms part of Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative and connects two of the brand's Testimonees, Roger Federer and Leonardo DiCaprio. The Federer Foundation, established in 2003, focuses on providing educational opportunities for children, particularly across Southern Africa and Switzerland. Re:wild, launched by conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, works to protect and restore biodiversity and wild ecosystems through partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and conservation organisations. All proceeds from the four watches will go to the two organisations. Rolex CEO Jean Frédéric Dufour describes the initiative as an extension of the company's definition of excellence, where the impact created beyond the product itself matters alongside the quality of the watch. A Very Different Kind of Rolex Auction The Rolex Four Seasons auction will be conducted by Phillips in London on Monday, September 28. Each Daytona will be offered as its own lot rather than the four watches being sold as a single collection, creating the intriguing possibility that the complete Four Seasons set will immediately be separated between different collectors. Rolex has not published auction estimates for the watches. That may ultimately be one of the most interesting aspects of the sale. Unique modern Rolex watches created directly by the manufacture are extraordinarily unusual, while the Daytona already occupies a special position within the collector market. Add natural stone dials, extensive gem setting, unique configurations and a charity auction backed by Rolex itself, and there is effectively no conventional market reference for what these four watches are worth. On September 28, the collectors in the room will decide that for themselves. Cover image created with AI for illustrative purposes. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-creates-four-unique-daytonas-for-charity — Citation: "Rolex Creates Four Unique Daytonas for Charity" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-06. https://menwith.com/rolex-creates-four-unique-daytonas-for-charity --- ## The Jacket That Changes Hands, Zegna’s Su Misura FW26 - URL: https://menwith.com/zegnas-su-misura-fw26 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-09-05 - Tags: Zegna Su Misura, Mads Mikkelsen, FW26, Made-to-measure, Menswear, Trofeo fabric, Abito #1, Falcon Jacket **Summary:** Zegna's Su Misura FW26 redefines made-to-measure by focusing on garment longevity and inheritance, exemplified by Mads Mikkelsen altering a jacket for his son. This approach emphasizes enduring quality and personal history over fleeting trends. Most made-to-measure begins with an empty body and a length of cloth. Su Misura FW26 begins somewhere else entirely: with a garment that has already been lived in. Global Ambassador Mads Mikkelsen walks into the tailor’s shop, seeing the jacket he already owns, and asks for it to be altered for his son. The fitting is not the start of something. It is the continuation of something. That reversal is the whole idea. Su Misura has every reason to sell itself on access, on the hundreds of possible alterations, on the linings and buttons and the finishing details that make the wardrobe unrepeatable. All of that is real, and all of it is available. Zegna has chosen instead to talk about what happens years after the last fitting, when the piece stops being an object you commissioned and becomes an object someone else needs. Inside the house this thinking has a name: the family closet. Exceptional pieces are worn, kept, and eventually passed on. Anyone who has opened a father’s wardrobe understands the logic immediately. The garments that survive are rarely the ones bought for a moment. They are the ones built with enough intention to outlast the reason they were made, and enough character that a second wearer recognises something in them worth keeping. A made-to-measure jacket is designed around one man’s shoulders. The proposition is that the shoulders can change, and the jacket still holds. Watchmaking has been making this argument for a century. A mechanical watch is the one object a man is expected to hand over, and the industry built an entire value system on that expectation: movements serviceable indefinitely, cases that age rather than wear out, the quiet assumption that the first owner is not the last. Clothing almost never gets to claim the same thing, because clothing is usually designed to be replaced. Su Misura is one of the few places in menswear where the claim holds up, and unlike a watch, a suit has been shaped around a specific body. Which makes the handover more personal, not less. Three pieces sit at the centre of Su Misura, and each of them makes sense on that longer timescale. Trofeo came out of the Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Mill in 1965, made from Australian superfine merino and built around a balance that is difficult to strike: soft in the hand, resilient in wear. Sixty years later it behaves the same way, which is the only real proof a fabric can offer. Abito #1 traces back to the founder’s own suits in the 1930s, cut in 100% Australian wool, and is recognised as Zegna’s first suit. The Falcon Jacket begins in Oasi Zegna, the hundred square kilometres of Italian Alps that hold the house’s values, and draws on the animal that came to embody it, and on an ability to see beyond what is directly in front of you, a quality the founder admired. Heritage pieces are usually presented as reasons to buy. Framed this way, they read as reasons to keep. Then there is the tailors perspective. He has watched men stand in front of the mirror before the moments that reorganise a life. Before a proposal. Before a speech. Before fatherhood. Every time, a small silence arrives, and in it the man looks at himself differently. His work exists for that silence. He moves through each stage of the alteration and thinks aloud about what the job actually asks of him, and his conclusion is that people misunderstand the craft as being about cloth. It is about the quarter inch. The pitch of a shoulder. The roll of a lapel. Hours go into a single seam, not because the wearer will notice it, but because he will feel it without ever knowing why. Then comes the line everything turns on. He is not just shaping a beautiful suit, he says. He is shaping the shoulders that will carry a great life. “A man in a suit thinks differently” could easily have been a claim about how a man is seen. Read alongside the tailor, it becomes a claim about interiority. The suit does not change the room’s opinion of him. It changes his posture toward what he is about to do. Anyone who has dressed for something consequential knows the feeling and has never quite had language for it. La Mania del Sarto arrives alongside it, a closer study of the tailor’s world: the objects, the rituals, the accumulated small habits of the workroom. Fitting, given that the argument being made here is essentially about time. Time in the making, time in the wearing, time in the handing over. Objects like these are almost always shown at their most perfect, which means at their newest. Su Misura FW26 does the opposite. It puts forward a jacket at its most valuable precisely because it has been used, and asks to be judged on a timescale that no single season can contain. A man takes his jacket to be altered for his son, and nothing is said out loud about what is happening. Nothing needs to be. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/zegnas-su-misura-fw26 — Citation: "The Jacket That Changes Hands, Zegna’s Su Misura FW26" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-05. https://menwith.com/zegnas-su-misura-fw26 --- ## Certina Goes Deeper Than Ever With the DS Super PH2000M - URL: https://menwith.com/certina-goes-deeper-than-ever-with-the-ds-super-ph2000m - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-03 - Tags: Certina, DS Super PH2000M, Dive Watch, 2000m Water Resistance, Titanium Watch, Powermatic 80, Sea Turtle Conservancy **Summary:** Certina's DS Super PH2000M pushes dive watch limits with 2,000m water resistance. Built with titanium and Powermatic 80, it honors the brand's deep diving heritage. Certina has spent decades building watches around durability, water resistance and genuine underwater capability. With the new DS Super PH2000M, the Swiss brand takes that philosophy further than it ever has before. Rated to an extraordinary 2,000 meters, the DS Super PH2000M becomes the deepest rated PH watch Certina has produced. But rather than simply chasing an impressive number, the watch connects directly to a diving lineage that stretches back more than half a century. From 200 Meters to 2,000 Certina introduced its DS Concept in 1959, creating the foundation for watches designed around increased protection against water, shocks and demanding environments. Its PH diving watches followed during the 1960s. PH refers to hydrostatic pressure, an appropriate designation for a family designed specifically to operate beneath the surface. The early DS PH200M was capable of reaching 200 meters, while the DS 2 Super PH1000M pushed that figure to 1,000 meters in 1970. The new DS Super PH2000M effectively doubles that benchmark. Water resistance now reaches 200 bar, equivalent to 2,000 meters or roughly 6,560 feet. Titanium Built for Extreme Conditions A watch capable of handling that pressure inevitably requires serious construction. Certina has chosen Grade 2 titanium for the 43mm case, giving the DS Super PH2000M considerable strength while keeping weight under control. The case measures 16mm thick, proportions that reflect its purpose as a genuine extreme depth diving instrument. A ceramic rotating bezel surrounds the sapphire crystal, while extensive Super LumiNova ensures visibility when light disappears underwater. The watch also introduces Certina's latest evolution of its Double Security philosophy, DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance. The system builds on the protection that has defined DS watches since 1959, further strengthening the watch against severe impacts. Despite its substantial specifications, titanium makes the watch considerably easier to wear than its dimensions might initially suggest. Powermatic 80 Underneath Inside sits the automatic Powermatic 80.611, offering an 80 hour power reserve. The movement also incorporates a Nivachron balance spring, developed to provide increased resistance against magnetic fields while supporting the reliability and precision expected from a watch designed for demanding environments. It is a familiar movement architecture within the wider Swatch Group, but here it feels particularly appropriate. The emphasis is on endurance, practicality and long intervals between winding rather than unnecessary complication. A Modern Expression of Certina's Diving DNA The DS Super PH2000M arrives in four configurations, combining different dial treatments with ceramic bezels and options including titanium, rubber and textile straps. There is also an STC edition connected to Certina's longstanding partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Limited to 1,959 pieces, the number references both the introduction of Certina's DS Concept and the founding year of the conservation organization. That model stands out with a turquoise dial fading toward black, paired with a black ceramic bezel and turquoise detailing. The DS Super PH2000M is deliberately excessive for almost anyone who will wear it. Few owners will ever approach a fraction of its 2,000 meter capability. But that is arguably the point. At a time when many modern dive watches primarily borrow the aesthetics of professional equipment, Certina has built one whose engineering goes far beyond what its owner is ever likely to demand. The DS Super PH2000M isn't simply inspired by the brand's diving history. It continues it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/certina-goes-deeper-than-ever-with-the-ds-super-ph2000m — Citation: "Certina Goes Deeper Than Ever With the DS Super PH2000M" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-03. https://menwith.com/certina-goes-deeper-than-ever-with-the-ds-super-ph2000m --- ## Piaget Gives the Polo Its Voice - URL: https://menwith.com/piaget-gives-the-polo-its-voice - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-02 - Tags: Piaget **Summary:** Piaget's new Polo Minute Repeater integrates a grand complication into its sport-chic design. Featuring a hand-finished gold dial and Caliber 1290P, it offers exceptional sound and ultra-thin wearability. The dial for the new Piaget Polo Minute Repeater required over 150 hours of development, with another 50 hours dedicated to the hand finishing of each individual piece. It’s a measure of the work involved in placing a grand complication inside the brand’s modern sports watch. With this release, Piaget continues a pursuit of ultra-thin chiming watches that saw a milestone in 2013 with the Polo Emperador. The new Minute Repeater brings that expertise to the Piaget Polo collection, integrating a complex movement into a watch known for its sport-chic wearability. The Caliber At its heart is the caliber 1290P, a movement conceived and assembled entirely at the manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées, where Georges-Édouard Piaget founded the Maison in 1874. Its 430 components demand weeks of work. Bridges are hand-beveled, the mainplate receives a subtle guilloché pattern, and the minute-repeater hammers are polished by hand to a mirror finish. Winding efficiency is handled by a platinum micro-rotor, chosen for its physical properties and coated in blue PVD to match the dial. A Dial of Gold and Light The dial itself is executed in gold, with a hand-guilloché soleillé finish that creates a sunray effect across its surface. A delicate opaline track on the outer edge provides a visual counterpoint. Revealing parts of the repeater mechanism is a crafted gold fillet that transitions from a straight to a domed profile as it winds across the dial. At four o’clock, a smoked blue sapphire ring sits above the inertia wheel, the repeater’s dedicated regulator. The ring is inscribed with “La Côte-aux-Fées,” making the watch’s origin part of its display. The Fifth Octave A minute repeater is ultimately defined by its sound. The caliber 1290P was engineered to produce 64 decibels of intensity with three harmonic partials. Hours are struck at G sharp and minutes at A sharp, both in the fifth octave. The chiming slide is positioned at nine o’clock and activates with a downward motion, a specific solution that resulted from a complete reimagining of the movement architecture. All of this is housed within an 18-karat white gold case measuring 48mm in diameter but just 9.30mm thick. It maintains the Polo’s signature shape-in-shape design and is water resistant to 3 ATM, an unusual degree of resilience for a chiming watch. The piece is delivered on a blue textured calfskin strap with an additional leather bracelet. Only five numbered pieces will be made this year, a figure dictated by the labor involved. The watch joins the perpetual calendar and flying tourbillon as the latest grand complication in the Piaget Polo line. A separate High Jewellery version is also being introduced, with a bezel of baguette-cut blue sapphires, a case of baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds, and a fully openworked dial that puts its 70-plus hours of handcraft on display. It’s an expression of the founding principle Georges-Édouard Piaget established in 1874: "always do better than necessary." Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/piaget-gives-the-polo-its-voice — Citation: "Piaget Gives the Polo Its Voice" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-02. https://menwith.com/piaget-gives-the-polo-its-voice --- ## From Mongolia to Chad: Inside LVMH’s Work on the Ground - URL: https://menwith.com/from-mongolia-to-chad-inside-lvmh-s-work-on-the-ground - Published: 2026-09-02 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH expands its environmental strategy with regenerative projects in Mongolia's cashmere sector and Chad's cotton cultivation, focusing on ecosystem health and community livelihoods. In Mongolia, at the 17th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Frédéric Arnault took the stage. The CEO of Loro Piana was there on August 24 to open Business4Land Day, representing a faction of the luxury world increasingly focused on the origins of its raw materials. The presence of LVMH at COP17 was not a symbolic gesture, but a continuation of its work in the country’s cashmere sector. Loro Piana has long been an actor in Mongolia, and in 2025 it launched a five-year programme named Resilient Threads. Its first results were presented at the conference. The project is built on the One Health concept, an idea central to LVMH’s environmental strategy, which treats the health of ecosystems, animals, and local communities as interconnected parts of a single system. The goal is what the group calls triple performance: environmental, social, and economic. This approach extends to its decade-long support for the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), which develops certification standards for cashmere in both Mongolia and China. At the SFA Herder Sustainability Awards 2026, LVMH is sponsoring the “Best Cooperative for Land Management Award” category, recognizing the work of local herders. From Supply Chains to Ecosystems The initiatives in Mongolia are part of a broader strategy detailed in the group’s LIFE 360 environmental roadmap. In 2025 alone, actions by LVMH and its Maisons led to the preservation or regeneration of 4.3 million hectares of plant and wildlife habitats. The stated goal is to reach 5 million hectares by 2030. Hélène Valade, the LVMH Environmental Development Director, participated in discussions at COP17 about the regulatory challenges in fashion and financing land restoration. The group is a signatory to the UNCCD’s Business4Land programme and a member of its Champions’ Council, a network of experts and ambassadors. LVMH also coordinated the programme’s first national hub, the Business4Land French Hub. A New Initiative for LVMH in Chad Alongside its work in cashmere, LVMH announced a new project focused on regenerative cotton cultivation in Chad. The initiative is a partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), an organization founded in 2020 by His Majesty King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales. This new phase builds on a pilot program that ran from 2022 to 2024, where LVMH and the CBA tested regenerative agroforestry practices with cotton farmers. The CBA will provide scientific and technical expertise, while LVMH has committed to supporting the integration of this cotton into its supply chains, creating a direct market for the producers. “We are grateful for LVMH’s support for our work on cotton,” said Marc Palahí, CEO of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance. “It will enable us to share practical lessons and research findings on landscape regeneration, strengthening livelihoods and opening up new market opportunities.” Hélène Valade framed the project as a direct extension of the group’s larger goals. “A successful first phase, conducted between 2022 and 2024, enabled us to identify best practices,” she stated. “This new stage, with the support of the CBA and local partners, will aim to share them with as many farmers as possible.” Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/from-mongolia-to-chad-inside-lvmh-s-work-on-the-ground — Citation: "From Mongolia to Chad: Inside LVMH’s Work on the Ground" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-02. https://menwith.com/from-mongolia-to-chad-inside-lvmh-s-work-on-the-ground --- ## Laurent Ferrier Captures Dusk in Yellow Gold and Obsidian - URL: https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-captures-dusk-in-yellow-gold-and-obsidian - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-02 - Tags: Laurent Ferrier **Summary:** Laurent Ferrier's Classic Moon captures dusk in yellow gold and obsidian. Its opaline gradient dial and unique moon phase complication evoke a celestial night sky. For its new Série Atelier piece, Laurent Ferrier begins with yellow gold. The warm tone of the precious metal is the starting point for the entire composition of the Classic Moon, informing a color palette of taupe, chocolate, and deep brown. The watch is meant to capture the moment the sun’s last rays give way to night. The Classic case itself follows the lines the Maison is known for, with a pebble-shaped silhouette inspired by 19th-century pocket watches. Its polished surfaces and delicately curved lugs extend the watch's fluidity, designed to sit flush on the wrist. A generous ball-shaped crown, a signature of the house, handles winding, time setting, and date correction. A Dial of Fading Light The dial has an opaline gradient finish, moving from a light-catching taupe center to a rich brown at the edge. This transition evokes the fading light of dusk. The indications are placed for clarity. Finely transferred white Roman numerals and baton indexes contrast with the dial’s depth. A minute track in a lighter taupe guides the eye, while the chocolate-toned logo blends into the composition. At 12 o’clock, two bevelled windows for the day and month reveal an opaline chocolate disc with white lettering. Around the dial, pale yellow date numerals are punctuated by an ochre “31”. The hours, minutes, and small seconds are indicated by iconic Assegai-shaped hands, crafted from white gold and painted white. A central date hand in polished yellow gold echoes the warmth of the case. A Celestial Complication Within the small seconds counter is Laurent Ferrier’s first moon phase complication. The moon disc is made from gold sheen obsidian, a deep black stone with subtle green, brown, and golden reflections. The moons and stars are engraved, then hand-painted and enhanced with white Super-LumiNova® before being fired at high temperature. Artisans apply further nuances to create depth, revealing lunar craters and textured star surfaces. Crowning the night sky is a moon bridge crafted in anise-yellow aplique-à-jour enamel. The technique involves creating a delicate lattice of translucent enamel without a metal base, allowing light to pass through. This gives the bridge a transparent, almost suspended quality above the obsidian disc. A slender white-painted white gold hand indicates the seconds, while “N” and “S” markers note the reversed phases between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The LF126.02 Calibre The Classic Moon uses the manual winding LF126.02 calibre, developed to combine an annual calendar with a precision moon phase. The calendar automatically distinguishes between 30- and 31-day months, requiring only one adjustment per year on March 1st. Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the movement is equipped with a long-blade click inspired by vintage pocket watches, producing a distinct clicking sound when wound. All components feature traditional hand-finishing, including rhodium-plated Côtes de Genève on the bridges, a circular-grained main plate, and hand-bevelled interior angles. The screw heads are fully mirror-polished. This new Classic Moon is part of the Série Atelier collection, a series that allows for new interpretations of the Maison’s iconic models. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-captures-dusk-in-yellow-gold-and-obsidian — Citation: "Laurent Ferrier Captures Dusk in Yellow Gold and Obsidian" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-02. https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-captures-dusk-in-yellow-gold-and-obsidian --- ## A Deeper Blue for the De Bethune Jump Hour - URL: https://menwith.com/a-deeper-blue-for-the-de-bethune-jump-hour - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-02 - Tags: De Bethune **Summary:** De Bethune's DB25 Digitale reimagines the jump hour with a striking random guilloché blue dial and a 42mm titanium case. Its layered design and coherent movement showcase the brand's signature innovations. The surface of the new DB25 Digitale is covered in a deep blue, irregular pattern. De Bethune calls it a “random” guilloché, and the texture gives the watch its visual center. A Return to Form The jump hour complication has been part of the brand’s story for some time. It first appeared in 2006 with the DBD, a watch with a restrained, almost severe dial. The idea evolved in 2014 with the DB28 Digitale, which added a spherical moon phase but kept much of the austere character of the original, with a dial largely covered in white guilloché. The DB25 Digitale moves in a different direction. It brings back the heat-blued titanium that has become a signature for the manufacture. The Grade 5 titanium case measures 42mm in diameter and 11.9mm thick, making it more wearable than its predecessors. A Layered Dial The dial itself is built in layers. At its heart is a flat, polished titanium disc set with tiny golden pins that form a starry sky. This element frames the spherical moon phase, with a large aperture for the jumping hour sitting directly above it. The same starry-sky motif repeats around the outer edge of the dial. Between these two polished blue sections, the wavy, random guilloché pattern takes up most of the surface. A thin ring of white guilloché, this time in a hobnail pattern, frames the rolling minutes display and provides a point of contrast. Coherence in Motion Inside is the third generation of the hand-wound DB2144 calibre. For the first time, the movement’s polished titanium deltoid bridge features the same random guilloché pattern as the dial. This detail brings a new coherence to the watch, connecting its front and back visually. The movement’s twin-barrel construction provides a five-day power reserve from a full wind. It also contains much of the technology De Bethune is known for, including its proprietary titanium-and-gold balance wheel and a triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-deeper-blue-for-the-de-bethune-jump-hour — Citation: "A Deeper Blue for the De Bethune Jump Hour" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-02. https://menwith.com/a-deeper-blue-for-the-de-bethune-jump-hour --- ## From Engineer to CEO: The Rise of John Ternus - URL: https://menwith.com/from-engineer-to-ceo-the-rise-of-john-ternus - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Tech - Published: 2026-09-02 - Tags: John Ternus, Apple CEO, Tim Cook, Apple Silicon, Hardware Engineering, Product Design, Apple Vision Pro **Summary:** John Ternus, an engineer with 25 years at Apple, now leads the tech giant as CEO, succeeding Tim Cook. His deep hardware expertise shaped iconic products and Apple Silicon. John Ternus has spent most of his career building Apple products. Now, he is responsible for building Apple’s future. On September 1, 2026, Ternus officially became CEO of Apple, succeeding Tim Cook after 15 years at the top. Cook remains at the company as executive chairman, but day to day leadership now belongs to a man whose career has been defined less by corporate celebrity and more by engineering. It is a significant change for one of the world’s most influential companies. But Ternus is hardly an outsider arriving to rewrite the playbook. He has spent 25 years inside Apple, rising from its product design team to become the executive responsible for the hardware behind some of the most recognizable products ever made. Before Apple Ternus studied mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania before beginning his career as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems, a company working with virtual reality hardware. In 2001, he joined Apple's Product Design team. The timing is worth remembering. This was before the iPhone, before the iPad, before the Apple Watch and before Apple became the technology giant we recognize today. Ternus joined a company that was still rebuilding itself around a new generation of products. Over the following quarter century, he would help engineer many of them. Building the Apple We Know Today Ternus steadily moved through Apple's hardware organization before becoming vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013. His responsibilities grew alongside Apple's product portfolio. He oversaw engineering work across every generation and model of iPad and became deeply involved with products including AirPods, Mac, iPhone and Apple Watch. Perhaps most importantly, he became one of the key leaders behind Apple's transition of the Mac away from Intel processors and toward Apple silicon. That transition fundamentally changed the Mac. By designing its own processors, Apple gained greater control over performance, efficiency and the relationship between hardware and software. It was exactly the kind of project that reflected Ternus' career: enormously important to Apple's future, technically complex and largely happening behind the scenes. Taking Control of Apple Hardware In 2021, Ternus joined Apple's executive team as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. The promotion placed him in charge of Apple's hardware engineering organization and eventually gave him oversight across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Vision Pro and other products. His influence extended beyond simply making devices faster or thinner. Ternus helped drive Apple's work around product reliability and durability, while also overseeing developments in materials and manufacturing. These included recycled aluminum used across several product lines and advances such as 3D printed titanium components for Apple Watch Ultra. Repairability also became a larger part of Apple's hardware strategy during his leadership. It gave Ternus something few potential successors to Tim Cook could match: direct experience with almost the entire physical Apple ecosystem. The Long Road to the Top By the middle of the decade, Ternus had also become increasingly visible outside Apple's engineering organization. Those who followed Apple's launches had already seen him presenting major products and explaining the technology behind them. Gradually, one of Apple's most important executives was also becoming one of its most recognizable. Then came the announcement. In April 2026, Apple confirmed that Tim Cook would transition to executive chairman and that Ternus would become the company's next CEO. The board unanimously approved the succession following what Apple described as a long term planning process. On September 1, the transition became official. Twenty five years after joining Apple's Product Design team, John Ternus became CEO. His Biggest Product Yet Ternus inherits an Apple that is dramatically larger than the company he joined in 2001. But he also inherits enormous expectations. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the technology industry. New computing platforms are emerging. Apple's next generation of hardware will need to prove that the company can once again define entirely new product categories rather than simply perfect existing ones. That makes Ternus an interesting choice. Steve Jobs was fundamentally a product visionary. Tim Cook was renowned for operations, scale and execution. Ternus comes from another part of Apple's DNA: engineering. After spending decades helping turn ideas into physical products, his next challenge is considerably larger. The product is Apple itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/from-engineer-to-ceo-the-rise-of-john-ternus — Citation: "From Engineer to CEO: The Rise of John Ternus" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-02. https://menwith.com/from-engineer-to-ceo-the-rise-of-john-ternus --- ## The Tag Heuer Monza Is an Anniversary Watch Without the Nostalgia - URL: https://menwith.com/the-tag-heuer-monza-is-an-anniversary-watch-without-the-nostalgia - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-01 - Tags: Tag Heuer **Summary:** The new Tag Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph eschews nostalgia, using forged carbon and modern engineering to honor its heritage. This limited edition celebrates the brand's present design and performance capabilities. Each forged carbon case has its own marbled texture. A unique pattern of grey and black that means no two watches are exactly the same. It is a modern, technical material, born from the world of contemporary motorsport. This is the first decision you notice with the new 50th anniversary Tag Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph, and it tells you everything about its intent. Anniversary watches are usually an exercise in nostalgia. Brands reach into their archives, find a beloved model, and produce a near-perfect replica. It is a proven formula because it is safe. It sells history, a tangible piece of a story collectors already know and love. The story of the Monza, born in 1976 to celebrate Niki Lauda’s Formula 1 championship with Ferrari, is certainly a story worth telling. Tag Heuer chose a different path. Instead of recreating the past, they used it as a reference for a watch that is firmly grounded in the present. This limited edition of 500 pieces is built upon the contemporary Monza platform introduced in 2023. It is an act of self-assurance. A statement that the brand’s current design language is strong enough to carry the weight of its own heritage. A Modern Foundation The decision to use forged carbon for the 42mm case is deliberate. The material is known for its low weight and high strength, qualities prized in modern racing. It immediately connects the watch to the performance culture of today, not just the memory of 1976. The cushion shape is a clear nod to the original, but its execution in this material feels entirely of the moment. The dial follows the same logic. The layout, with its matte black chronograph counters and flashes of red, recalls the historic color codes. Yet the details are contemporary. The angled date window at 9 o’clock is a feature of the modern Monza architecture. The flange includes both a tachymeter for speed and a pulsometer for heart rate, acknowledging the watch’s functional roots as a tool for timing. Nothing here feels like a compromise. The visual cues of the past are integrated, not just applied. They serve a design that stands on its own merits. Engineered for Today This philosophy extends to the mechanics. Turning the watch over reveals the manufacture Calibre TH20-12, a COSC-certified automatic movement. It is a serious piece of engineering, and its inclusion reinforces the idea that this is a performance object, not a commemorative trophy. The flyback function is particularly telling. It allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single push, a complication valued in motorsport where timing consecutive laps requires instant response. It is a feature for people who intend to use the watch, not just admire it. The perforated calfskin strap with red stitching is another subtle link to classic racing, but it is attached to a thoroughly modern machine. By skipping the easy path of a 1:1 reissue, Tag Heuer made a more interesting point. The best way to honor a legacy is to build upon it. This Monza celebrates a moment in history by showing how far the brand has come since. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-tag-heuer-monza-is-an-anniversary-watch-without-the-nostalgia — Citation: "The Tag Heuer Monza Is an Anniversary Watch Without the Nostalgia" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-01. https://menwith.com/the-tag-heuer-monza-is-an-anniversary-watch-without-the-nostalgia --- ## Hublot Finds a New Language in Texture - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-finds-a-new-language-in-texture - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-01 - Tags: Hublot **Summary:** Hublot's Big Bang Original Soft Touch redefines luxury with an innovative textured rubber finish across the entire watch, offering a new tactile sensory experience. This material mastery explores a quieter, more subtle form of innovation beyond visual impact. Some watches are designed to catch the eye from across a room. The latest from Hublot is made for a more personal distance. The Big Bang Original Soft Touch introduces a material innovation defined by how it feels, a first for a brand that has built its reputation on being seen. The entire watch, from the case and bezel to the dial and strap, is finished in an exclusive textured rubber compound. It is not a coating. The texture is integrated directly into the material through a dedicated overmoulding process. This is an engineering decision, a choice to build a surface rather than apply one. The result is a watch with a remarkably soft finish, a new sensory experience for the Big Bang Original. Hublot offers this new expression in two of its most significant colorways. The All Black version takes a concept first introduced in 2006 and gives it a new dimension. The idea was always to use the absence of color to reveal form and architecture. Now, that same deep black titanium case is enveloped in a material that invites touch. The perception changes completely. It is the same philosophy, felt differently. A Shift in Material Philosophy The brand’s history is one of material bravado. They mastered colored ceramics, sapphire cases, and proprietary alloys like Magic Gold. These were breakthroughs of visual impact and technical performance. The Soft Touch represents a different kind of exploration. It suggests that material mastery can be quiet, even subtle. This is especially clear in the All Red model. The introduction of vividly colored high-tech ceramic in 2018 was a major statement for Hublot, proving that durability and intense color could coexist. Here, that same visual intensity is translated into a tactile one. The titanium case is molded by the unique rubber, turning a bold color into an equally distinct sensation. It’s a compelling way to revisit a past success without simply repeating it. Architecture Meets Sensation This new material is applied to a solid foundation. The 43 mm watch is a refined version of the original 2005 Big Bang, powered by the in-house Unico chronograph caliber. The movement is a statement of the manufacture’s expertise, with a column wheel, dual-clutch architecture, and a 72-hour power reserve. The skeletonized tungsten rotor, open-worked in the shape of an H, remains visible. The design integrates the new finish cohesively. The dial features the same material signature with a carbon pattern, raised counters, and beveled edges that create a layered, three-dimensional effect. The rubber-clad crown and rectangular pushers feel like natural extensions of the case. Even the strap, which uses the One Click interchangeability system, maintains a perfect integration with the case. Every element works together. This is not a reinvention of Hublot. It is an expansion of its vocabulary. For years, the brand has communicated through bold shapes and vibrant materials. Now, it is exploring how a watch can communicate through touch. It is a quieter conversation, but one that shows a new layer of maturity. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-finds-a-new-language-in-texture — Citation: "Hublot Finds a New Language in Texture" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-01. https://menwith.com/hublot-finds-a-new-language-in-texture --- ## GPHG 2026: See All 84 Nominees, And Our 20 Favorites - URL: https://menwith.com/gphg-2026-all-watches-and-nominees - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-09-01 - Tags: GPHG 2026, Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, Chopard, Audemars Piguet, Parmigiani Fleurier, Blancpain, Breguet, Rexhep Rexhepi **Summary:** The GPHG 2026 nominations feature 84 timepieces across 14 categories, selected by an industry Academy. Winners will be chosen by a jury in November. The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève published its nominations this morning. Eighty-four timepieces, seventy-eight wristwatches and six clocks, cut down from the 320 models that 194 brands entered. Fourteen categories. Nineteen prizes still to be awarded, including the "Aiguille d'Or". The mechanics are worth understanding, because they explain the shape of the list. The Academy, roughly a thousand members drawn from the industry, retail, media and collecting, voted over the summer to produce this shortlist. In November, a jury chaired by Wei Koh will meet behind closed doors in Geneva and handle all eighty-four pieces in the metal. The Academy then votes again, digitally, and that second vote carries one third of the final result. So the shortlist reflects a broad consensus, and the winners will reflect a negotiation between that consensus and six or seven people in a room with a loupe. Winners are announced on Saturday 7 November at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, livestreamed on gphg.org. Before then, the watches travel. Mumbai opens the tour from 28 September to 1 October with Ethos Watches, a first for the city. Bangkok follows from 15 to 18 October at The Forum in the Gaysorn Amarin, with PMT The Hour Glass, marking the GPHG's return to Thailand since 2019. Geneva's Musée d'Art et d'Histoire shows the complete set, clocks included, from 29 October to 15 November. London closes the year from 18 to 23 November at Watches of Switzerland, showing the winners. What The Vote Is Telling Us Chopard entered six watches and had all six nominated. Nobody else on this list managed that. Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari and Parmigiani Fleurier each take four. Bovet 1822, H. Moser & Cie and Piaget each take three. Eight more brands landed two apiece, among them Ferdinand Berthoud, Grand Seiko, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Vuitton and TAG Heuer. Two things stand out beyond the arithmetic. Blancpain is back, and it did not return with a Fifty Fathoms. It returned with a grande sonnerie. Its last GPHG prize was in 2015, the Artistic Crafts award for the Villeret cadran Shakudō. Read that alongside Breguet taking the Aiguille d'Or last year and a pattern starts to form about where Swatch Group is placing its attention. The other is geography. Massena LAB from New York, Christopher Ward from England, Ming out of Kuala Lumpur, Beda'a from the Middle East, Naoya Hida and Otsuka Lotec from Japan. Compare that to the nominee lists of the 2010s and the change is not subtle. Christiaan van der Klaauw, meanwhile, walked away with two nominations. Our Twenty 1. Rexhep Rexhepi, Chronograph Flyback Chronograph Chronograph mechanisms are asymmetrical by nature, which is exactly what makes this one difficult. Rexhepi laid the movement out vertically, barrel at the top and balance at the bottom, holding the symmetry that has run through his work since the first Chronomètre Contemporain. Column wheel, horizontal clutch, an instantaneously jumping minute counter, 320 parts, 72 hours. The grand feu enamel dial with smoked sapphire counters comes from the enamel studio across the street from his case workshop. It is his first complication under his own name, following Men's Watch Prize wins here in 2018 and 2022. 2. Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-thin Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 Chronograph Five years of development and a new patented calibre 8100. This is the first Royal Oak to carry a flyback chronograph and a flying tourbillon together, and both sit inside the 39mm Jumbo case at 8.1mm, in titanium and bulk metallic glass. An instant-jump minute counter joins the hour counter. Limited to 150. 3. Parmigiani Fleurier, Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux Chronograph At rest it reads as a three-hand Tonda PF. No counters, no subdials, nothing to suggest a complication. One press of the monopusher at 7:30 deploys chronograph hands from beneath the time display, a second stops them, a third resets and makes them disappear. Calibre PF053, five coaxial hands, triple clutch, 60 hours. Third in the hidden-complication line after the GMT Rattrapante and the Minute Rattrapante. 4. TAG Heuer, Monaco Evergraph Chronograph The new calibre TH80-00 discards the cam-and-lever and column-wheel switching used in essentially every other chronograph, replacing it with bi-stable compliant structures, flexible parts that bend microscopically to trigger the functions. Produced using LIGA and paired with TAG Heuer's carbon hairspring, it runs at 5Hz with a 70-hour reserve. The 40mm grade 5 titanium case shows an inverted construction, with barrel, gear train and balance on the dial side. 5. Chopard, L.U.C Grand Strike Mechanical Exception Grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie and minute repeater, with a 60-second tourbillon, in a dial-less 43mm white gold case. The gongs are machined from the same block of sapphire as the front crystal, so the crystal itself becomes the speaker. 686 components, 11,000 hours of development, ten patents. COSC certified and Poinçon de Genève, which Chopard says makes it the most comprehensively certified grande sonnerie made today. 6. Blancpain, Grande Double Sonnerie Mechanical Exception The most complex watch Blancpain has built, and its first appearance on a GPHG shortlist in over a decade. Four hammers and four gongs, with a pusher that switches between the Westminster chime and an original melody written by musician Eric Singer. Grande and petite sonnerie, minute repeater, flying tourbillon and retrograde perpetual calendar in one movement. Eight years, 1,053 components, twenty-one patents filed and thirteen built in. 7. Daniel Roth, Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton Essential Every Daniel Roth since the revival has been a remake of something Roth made himself. This one is not, because the Extra Plat was never skeletonised in his era. The double-ellipse rose gold case measures 38.6 by 35.5mm at 6.9mm, and the new hand-wound DR002SR runs on solid gold bridges, hand-finished at La Fabrique du Temps. 8. Audemars Piguet, Neo Frame Jumping Hour Essential Not a Royal Oak, and not a [Re]master either. The Neo Frame opens a new collection, drawn from the rectangular jump-hour watches AP made around 1929. Rose gold, 32.6 by 34mm, 8.8mm thick, with Streamline Moderne gadroons down both flanks and a black PVD-treated sapphire panel in place of a dial. Jumping hour and trailing minutes read through apertures, on the automatic calibre 7122. 9. H. Moser & Cie, Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Cosmic Rain Mechanical Exception Repeater hammers and gongs almost always live on the back of the movement. Moser moved them to the dial side, so the strike is watched as it is heard, and set the gongs on a single plane to clear the flying tourbillon and its hand-formed cylindrical hairspring. Calibre HMC 909, fully skeletonised, 415 components, 90 hours. The offset subdial is aventurine glass with mother-of-pearl inlay. 40mm titanium, twenty pieces. 10. MB&F, SP One Platinum Essential Sketched in 2018 as "Three Circles", shelved, then pulled back out during the pandemic. Barrel, balance and inclined dial are three circles of identical diameter, suspended beneath sapphire domes so the movement reads as floating inside a small amphitheatre. Conical gearing tilts the dial at 6 o'clock toward the wearer. In-house hand-wound calibre, 2.5Hz, 72 hours. At 38mm it is the smallest and slimmest watch MB&F has made. 11. Konstantin Chaykin, ThinKing Mystery Mechanical Exception. The GPHG lists it as Thinking Mystery; the brand styles it ThinKing. While Piaget, Bulgari and Richard Mille passed the thinness record between them, Chaykin built a 1.65mm watch and then did the harder thing, turning it into a series of twelve. The lower half of the case serves as the mainplate. Time is read on two fully transparent sapphire discs with no visible spokes, a mystery display added to a construction already at its physical limit. 12. Ulysse Nardin x Urwerk, UR-FREAK Complication Urwerk's wandering satellite hours mounted onto Ulysse Nardin's rotating Freak carousel, in a crownless titanium case set by turning the bezel. Calibre UN-241, silicon balance and escapement, Grinder automatic winding, one hundred pieces. Two houses built on refusing the conventional dial, finally in the same case. 13. Louis Vuitton x De Bethune, LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius Mechanical Clock Breguet invented the sympathique clock in 1795 so that a watch left in its cradle overnight came back wound and set. Denis Flageollet has rebuilt the principle for a modern GMT wristwatch: 763 components, a remontoir d'égalité, eleven days of power, and a docking cradle hidden under an engraved rose gold dome. The clock winds the watch over nine to twelve hours and resets it every two. Two will be made. 14. Bvlgari, Octo Finissimo 37 Satin-Polished Titanium Time Only Bulgari did not simply shrink the case. Bringing the Octo Finissimo from 40mm to 37mm required a new movement, the BVF 100, three years in development, 2.35mm thick with a platinum micro-rotor and a 72-hour reserve, up from 60 in the larger model. The satin-polished titanium version stands 6.45mm tall. 15. Parmigiani Fleurier, Toric Petite Seconde Time Only The knurled bezel is the collection's signature, but the work is in the dial: 18-carat white gold, hand-hammered rather than printed or lacquered, so the surface reads differently from every angle. Inside, the hand-wound PF780 is built entirely in rose gold, one of very few movements made that way. 16. Naoya Hida & Co., NH Type8A Time Only Hida built a movement that pushes the small seconds far from the centre, which let him take the case down to 31mm, with the Calatrava 96 and the Breguet 3210 as his proportional references. German silver dial, engraved Breguet numerals, new hand-wound calibre 2326SS. Around twenty will be made across 2026 and 2027. 17. Berneron, Quantième Annuel Calendar and Astronomy Berneron's Mirage Sienna took the Audacity Prize here in 2024. His second watch goes the other way: round, symmetrical, with mainplate and bridges in gold. The calibre 595 encodes February into the programme wheel as a 29-day month and removes the forbidden window entirely, so the calendar can be corrected at any hour without risk. 476 components, 100 hours. 18. Laurent Ferrier, Sport Traveller Slate Grey Sports Laurent Ferrier moved its dual-time complication into the titanium Sport case. Two pushers on the left jump the local hour forward or back without stopping the movement, home time sits at 9 o'clock and the date at 3. The new LF275.01 micro-rotor calibre uses a 950 platinum rotor and runs 72 hours. 42mm grade 5 titanium, 100m. 19. MING x J.N. Shapiro, 37.06 Lightning "Petite Aiguille" Every grade 2 titanium dial is engine-turned by hand on a rose engine in Josh Shapiro's Los Angeles workshop, then sent to Kuala Lumpur where Ming Thein heat-colours it with a butane torch. No paint and no lacquer, so the orange-to-violet-to-blue gradient is a function of temperature and timing alone. Roughly one dial in three does not survive the process, which is why the caseback names both men. 38mm steel at 10.9mm, hand-wound Sellita for MING calibre, 42 hours. 20. Beda'a, Angles Guichets Challenge Founded by Hader Al Suwaidi with Sohaib Maghnam directing design, Beda'a is the Middle East's presence on this year's list. Time is read through two windows: sun and moon crossing an hour scale over a full 24 hours, minutes stepping below in five-minute increments. Making that work meant regearing a Peseux 7001 to run at half speed. Octagonal 37mm case, 6.3mm thick. The Full List, By Category Time Only - Bvlgari, Octo Finissimo 37 Satin-Polished Titanium - Chopard, L.U.C 1860 - Laurent Ferrier, Classic Origin Beige Naoya Hida & Co., NH Type8A Parmigiani Fleurier, Toric Petite Seconde - Piaget, Piaget Polo 79 Sodalite Watch Essential - Audemars Piguet, Neo Frame Jumping Hour - Daniel Roth, Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton - Grand Seiko, Hand-engraved Manual-winding Spring Drive MB&F, SP One Platinum Parmigiani Fleurier, Tonda PF Minute Rattrapante Arctic Rose - Stéphane Pierre, L'Impétrant Complication - Cleguer, Inspiration One Czapek, Time Jumper - Dominique Renaud, Pulse60 Titanium Black Lederer, CIC 39 InVerto Titanium - Ulysse Nardin x Urwerk, UR-FREAK - Vianney Halter, Behrens x Vianney Halter: KWH Mechanical Exception - Blancpain, Grande Double Sonnerie Chopard, L.U.C Grand Strike - Christiaan van der Klaauw, CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Silicium - Ferdinand Berthoud, Naissance d'une Montre 3 - H. Moser & Cie, Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Cosmic Rain - Konstantin Chaykin, Thinking Mystery Gemset - Bovet 1822, Récital 23 - Bvlgari, Serpenti Aeterna - Chopard, L'Heure du Diamant - Franck Muller, Round Triple Mystery Skeleton - Piaget, Swinging Pebble - Tiffany & Co., Paradise Bird Toucan Tourbillon - Arnold & Son, Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Platinum - David Candaux, DC6 Night Forest - Ferdinand Berthoud, Chronomètre FB 2TV - Girard-Perregaux, Laureato Fifty Three Gold Bridges - Louis Vuitton, Escale Worldtime Flying Tourbillon - Sylvain Pinaud, 30s Tourbillon Chronograph - Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 "150th Anniversary" - H. Moser & Cie, Endeavour Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Date - Louis Moinet, 1816 Chronograph - Parmigiani Fleurier, Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux - Rexhep Rexhepi, Chronograph Flyback - TAG Heuer, Monaco Evergraph Calendar and Astronomy Audemars Piguet, 150 Heritage - Berneron, Quantième Annuel - Bovet 1822, Récital 31 - Christiaan van der Klaauw, CVDK Venus Annual Calendar - Krayon, Anyday Rose Gold - Parmigiani Fleurier, Toric Perpetual Calendar 30th Anniversary Sports - Chopard, Zagato Lab One Concept - Grand Seiko, Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver - H. Moser & Cie, Streamliner Pump - Hermès, H08 squelette - IWC Schaffhausen, Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume - Laurent Ferrier, Sport Traveller Slate Grey Jewellery - Bvlgari, Tubogas Manchette - - Chopard, Mystery Nut - Dior Montres, Dior Grand Bal Nuit des Indes - Franck Muller, Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower - Jacob & Co, Billionaire Double Tourbillon Angel-Cut Diamonds - Piaget, Flowing Curves Cuff Watch Artistic Crafts - - Andersen Genève, Celestial Voyager VK Edition - Audemars Piguet, Établisseurs Nomade - Bovet 1822, Monsieur Bovet Tribute to Edouard Bovet - Bvlgari, Serpenti Misteriosi - L.Leroy, Vox Temporis - Louis Vuitton, Tambour Taiko Arty Automata "Petite Aiguille" - Christopher Ward, Loco Classic - Frédérique Constant, Classic Worldtimer Manufacture - Massena LAB, Noctograph by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès - MING x J.N. Shapiro, 37.06 Lightning - Otsuka Lotec, No.8 - TAG Heuer, Monaco Chronograph Challenge - Beaubleu, La Pièce No.2 - Beda'a, Angles Guichets - Favre Leuba, Chief Skeleton - Frédérique Constant, Classics Moneta Handwinding - Seiko, King Seiko VANAC - SpaceOne, SpaceOne x Baltic Seconde Majeure Mechanical Clock - Carl Suchy & Söhne, Table Waltz Tourbillon Mirror Edition - Chopard, The Beehive Chiming Table Clock L'Épée 1839, The Gekko - La Vallée, Cosmo - Louis Vuitton x De Bethune, LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius - Miki Eleta, Frog Queen Where This Leaves Us A chronograph forced into symmetry. A grande sonnerie that plays a melody written by a rock musician. A 1.65mm watch made twelve times over. A calendar rebuilt so it cannot be broken by its owner, and a clock that resets a wristwatch on an idea from 1795. The through line is not complexity. Plenty of complicated watches were entered and did not make this list. What the Academy has rewarded is intent, work that could only have come from the house that made it. That is harder to fake than a part count. Winners on 7 November. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/gphg-2026-all-watches-and-nominees — Citation: "GPHG 2026: See All 84 Nominees, And Our 20 Favorites" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-01. https://menwith.com/gphg-2026-all-watches-and-nominees --- ## Mulliner Creates a One-Off Bentley To Mark 80 Years at Crewe - URL: https://menwith.com/mulliner-creates-a-one-off-bentley-to-mark-80-years-at-crewe - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-09-01 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Mulliner crafts a unique Bentley Continental GT Azure in Barnato Green to honor 80 years of Crewe production, inspired by a 1950 Mark VI. A new Continental GT Azure finished in solid Barnato Green will be displayed at the British Motor Museum on August 29th. The unique Bentley was created by Mulliner’s designers and artisans to mark the 80th anniversary of production at the company’s Crewe factory, which began in 1946. The event, hosted by the RREC, the International Club for Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts, will feature cars from members across the globe. The new Continental GT will be shown alongside the car that directly inspired it: a two-tone green and black Mark VI from 1950, part of Bentley’s own Heritage Collection. A Conversation in Green and Black Mulliner drew its color palette from the historic Mark VI. The Continental GT Azure’s body is painted in solid Barnato Green, with a contrasting Mulliner Black roof that mirrors the two-tone finish of the original. The modern car features Azure exterior brightware and a carbon-fibre Styling Specification. It sits on 22-inch ten-spoke wheels, which are black-painted and bright-machined, with black brake calipers behind them. The Mark VI was the very first model built at the Pyms Lane factory in Crewe after it was converted from building Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engines in 1946. Production ran until 1951, with 4,001 cars built in total, making it the most successful Bentley of its time. Customers could choose between a standard steel bodyshell designed by J.P. Blatchley or a rolling chassis for independent coachbuilders. The heritage car that inspired this project is one of 241 four-door saloons built by H.J. Mulliner, then an independent firm. An Interior Eighty Years in the Making Inside, the new Continental GT Azure uses Cricket Ball main hide and Beluga secondary hide, a nod to the classic red interiors of the past. The upholstery showcases modern craft with contrast stitching, diamond quilting, and embroidered Azure emblems. The original 1946 Mark VI was trimmed in Connolly leather, walnut veneer, and wool pile carpet. The dashboard of the Azure directly references the burr walnut of the Mark VI. It features a dark stained burr walnut veneer laid over Grand Black piano veneer, with a chrome pinstripe separating them and extending into the doors. The driver can use the Bentley Rotating Display to switch between a high-definition touchscreen, analogue dials, or a clean panel of veneer. Modern equipment includes the Front Seat Comfort and Wellness specifications, an air ioniser, and a Naim for Bentley audio system. The connection between the two cars is made explicit on the treadplates. They feature graphic outlines of both the Mark VI and the Continental GT, along with the inscription ‘Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of production in Crewe, 1946-2026’. The heritage Mark VI was powered by a 4,257cc six-cylinder B60 engine, known for its reliability and often covering over 100,000 miles without a major overhaul. The specific H.J. Mulliner-bodied car in the collection was delivered in January 1950 to its first owner, William Lount of Alabastine Co Ltd. It joined the Bentley Heritage Collection in 2021. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mulliner-creates-a-one-off-bentley-to-mark-80-years-at-crewe — Citation: "Mulliner Creates a One-Off Bentley To Mark 80 Years at Crewe" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-01. https://menwith.com/mulliner-creates-a-one-off-bentley-to-mark-80-years-at-crewe --- ## McLaren Connects Two Eras of Ambition at Laguna Seca - URL: https://menwith.com/mclaren-connects-two-eras-of-ambition-at-laguna-seca - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-09-01 - Tags: McLaren Racing **Summary:** McLaren celebrated its racing heritage at Laguna Seca, uniting the original M6A with the new MCL-HY. This event highlights McLaren's return to endurance racing, echoing its foundational ambitions. At Laguna Seca, two papaya cars sat separated by nearly sixty years of history. During Monterey Car Week, McLaren Racing placed its all-new MCL-HY Hypercar alongside the original M6A, creating a physical link between two defining moments for the brand. The choice of location was deliberate. Laguna Seca was the circuit where Bruce McLaren himself secured his first Can-Am victory in 1967. He was behind the wheel of the very same M6A that appeared on the California tarmac, a machine that would go on to win the championship that season. The M6A holds a specific place in the company’s story. It was the first McLaren car to race in the now-famous papaya livery. More significantly, it was the first true works car to be designed and built entirely in-house. It was a statement that McLaren could build its own cars, race them, and win. A New Statement The MCL-HY’s appearance at Monterey marked its first public outing in the United States. The McLaren Hypercar Team diverted the car from its intensive endurance testing program, which began after its launch in May, specifically to showcase it to owner-drivers and media in California. The connection between the two vehicles is made explicit by the new car's design. The MCL-HY’s 2026 testing livery is a direct inspiration from the M6A, visually tying the brand’s future in sports car racing to its foundational moment almost six decades prior. The Road to Endurance Racing This reunion of past and future serves as a prologue for McLaren’s return to the premier class of sports car racing. From 2027, the McLaren Hypercar Team will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the MCL-HY. The program is being assembled under the direction of individuals like James Barclay, with drivers including World Champion Laurens Vanthoor already announced for the team. The gathering at Laguna Seca was more than a photo opportunity. It was a restatement of the original ambition that drove Bruce McLaren to build the M6A. The goal remains the same: to design, build, and race cars capable of winning on the world stage. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mclaren-connects-two-eras-of-ambition-at-laguna-seca — Citation: "McLaren Connects Two Eras of Ambition at Laguna Seca" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-09-01. https://menwith.com/mclaren-connects-two-eras-of-ambition-at-laguna-seca --- ## A Pilot And A Tank Meet At Cartier - URL: https://menwith.com/a-pilot-and-a-tank-meet-at-cartier - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-29 - Tags: Cartier Santos-Dumont, Cartier Tank, Louis Cartier, Alberto Santos-Dumont, 1904, 1917, yellow gold watch, dress watch **Summary:** Cartier's enduring appeal lies in its mastery of shape, proportion, and intent, exemplified by the Santos-Dumont and Tank watches. These iconic designs, born from practical needs and historical context, prioritize aesthetic integrity over technical specifications. Cartier is the hardest brand to write about honestly, because Cartier is the brand where the usual arguments stop working. You cannot lead with the movement. You cannot lead with the tolerances. You cannot lead with the water resistance, and please do not lead with the resale. What is left is shape, proportion and intent, which happens to be the only thing that has ever really mattered. Cartier has known this longer than anyone. It is a house with taste, and taste is the rarest thing in this industry because it cannot be bought, engineered or licensed. It is also, quietly, the second largest watch brand in the world by sales, behind only Rolex, and the fastest growing name in the top ten. Two decades ago the watch world liked to file Cartier under jewellery. The watch world was wrong, and the market has since corrected it. We spent an afternoon in the Stockholm boutique. One watch went on the wrist and stayed there. The Santos-Dumont In Yellow Gold Start with why it exists. In 1904, Alberto Santos-Dumont told his friend Louis Cartier that he could not read a pocket watch while flying. Both hands were busy. Cartier's answer was a watch fixed to the wrist, one of the first ever made, and it came out of a working problem rather than a design brief. The two men stayed close for the rest of their lives, which is the part of the story people usually skip. A hundred and twenty years later, almost nothing about the drawing has moved. The bezel still carries its exposed screws, and they are there because they held the thing together before anyone thought of them as a signature. The dial corners are rounded, the horns curve straight out of the case with no visible break, and the whole watch reads long and flat rather than large. In yellow gold on the alligator strap, it does something a steel Santos cannot. Gold takes the polish on the bezel and throws light back hard, then the case flank drops into shadow half a millimetre later. Under boutique lighting the watch flickers between two finishes as the wrist moves. Silvered dial with a satin sunray centre, Roman numerals, blued steel sword hands, a beaded crown with a sapphire cabochon sitting in it like a full stop. Inside is the hand-wound caliber 430 MC, barely two millimetres tall, which is the entire reason the case can stay just over seven millimetres thick. An automatic would have added height and the height would have broken the proportion. Cartier chose the line over the convenience, and winding it in the morning is not a compromise, it is the terms of the relationship. Water resistance is 3 bar. That is not a shortcoming, it is a statement of where the watch belongs, which is a dinner, a wrist and a cuff. The Most Elegant Watch Is Named After A War Machine Say the name out loud. Tank. The most refined dress watch ever drawn, the one that goes under a French cuff at a state dinner, the one worn by Jackie Kennedy and Andy Warhol and half the best dressed men of the last century, is named after an armoured vehicle built to crawl across a battlefield. The year is 1917. Louis Cartier is in Paris, the war is grinding through its third winter, and the machine everybody is talking about is the Renault FT, the small French light tank with a fully rotating turret that changed how the war was fought. The account most often told, and the one Cartier has never discouraged, is that Louis saw those tanks himself on the Western Front and could not let the shape go. Look at a Tank from above and you can still read the drawing. The two brancards running down each side are the treads. The case sitting between them is the body of the machine. The chemin de fer minute track around the dial repeats the ladder of the tracks in miniature. He kept the geometry and threw away the violence. The first prototype went to General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, in 1918. When the watch reached the public in 1919 as the Tank Normale, Cartier made six of them. Six. The most copied case shape in watchmaking began as half a dozen hand-built pieces sold in Paris. That is what makes it permanent. Every other house of the era was still shrinking pocket watches and hanging them off a strap. Louis Cartier looked at the ugliest object of his lifetime, found the line inside it, and made it beautiful. Round watches tell you the time. The Tank tells you that someone decided something. Everything since is a variation on that decision. Louis, Américaine, Française, Cintrée, Must. What The Afternoon Actually Said Two watches, thirteen years apart, both from the same hand, both made because somebody could not do something and asked Louis Cartier to fix it. One in 1904, one in 1917. A pilot who could not check the time, and a machine crossing a trench. Cartier does not sell nostalgia. It sells the proof that a good idea, drawn correctly the first time, does not need to be redrawn. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-pilot-and-a-tank-meet-at-cartier — Citation: "A Pilot And A Tank Meet At Cartier" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-29. https://menwith.com/a-pilot-and-a-tank-meet-at-cartier --- ## The End of the Either/Or Superyacht - URL: https://menwith.com/the-end-of-the-either-or-superyacht - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-28 - Tags: Baltic Yachts **Summary:** The Baltic 121 Alice redefines superyachts by blending high performance with family comfort. Its innovative design allows for easy handling and a luxurious, biophilic interior, dissolving the old racing vs. cruising dichotomy. A thirty-seven metre superyacht is not supposed to be simple. Yet the new Baltic 121 Alice can leave the dock and be under sail in just a few minutes. This single detail explains more about the vessel than its all-carbon construction or its dimensions. It signals a fundamental shift in the thinking behind what a large sailing yacht is for. For decades, the category has been defined by a choice. Owners could have a stripped-down, high-strung racing machine that required a professional crew and a singular focus. Or they could have a heavy, comfortable cruiser built for long-range passage making at a more sedate pace. Alice was conceived to dissolve that distinction entirely. Drawn by Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design, which handled both the naval architecture and the exterior, she was designed from the outset to be a fast, responsive performance yacht that is also a safe, comfortable and reliable home for a family on the open water. A Machine Built for Ease The yacht's character comes from a series of deliberate engineering decisions. The all-carbon structure, built at Baltic Yachts' yard in Jakobstad, Finland, provides the significant weight savings and structural efficiency needed for high performance. A telescopic keel adjusts from a shallow 4.15 metres for accessing quiet anchorages to a deep 6.4 metres for stability and power offshore. This is versatility made structural. Yet it is the sail handling that truly defines the experience. With a captive halyard, in-boom furling for the mainsail, and furling headsails, the yacht is designed to be managed by a limited crew. The power is always there, but its deployment has been made uncomplicated. According to its delivery captain, Ryan Taylor, Alice performs and manoeuvres like a much smaller high-performance sailing yacht. The potential to be a star on the superyacht regatta circuit exists, but it is a capability held in reserve, not the yacht's sole reason for being. An Interior That Breathes This philosophy of integrated capability extends to the interior. The brief from the owner to designer Adam Lay was for a natural, textural space that felt robust and inviting. The result is a calm, tactile environment that grounds the advanced engineering in something human. Extensive glazing in the deckhouse creates panoramic views, bringing light deep into the living spaces and connecting those inside with the sea outside. Materials were chosen for the way they feel and the way they age. Brushed walnut, textured veneers, and natural fabrics work together to create an atmosphere that is more about sanctuary than spectacle. The closer you look, the more interesting the surfaces become. This is a space designed for living in, not just for looking at. Subtle references to the natural world are woven throughout the cabins. Textured veneer inserts create an effect like ripples on water. Wall lights are inspired by the shape of tree branches. This biophilic character is a deliberate counterpoint to the yacht's high-tech carbon shell, a constant reminder of the environment it was built to explore. The execution of this vision comes down to the builders themselves. The owner's representative, Daniel Calascione of A2B Marine Projects, calls boat building an emotional art, and finds an extra passion for it in Finland. That is the human element that transforms advanced composites and complex systems into a coherent whole. Each boat, he notes, carries a piece of its builders' hearts. As Alice left Finland to begin her life at sea, she represented more than just a new vessel. She is a physical argument for a new kind of luxury, one where ultimate capability and family life are no longer in opposition. It is a home designed to cover immense distances, explore new coastlines, and reward its family wherever it goes. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-end-of-the-either-or-superyacht — Citation: "The End of the Either/Or Superyacht" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-28. https://menwith.com/the-end-of-the-either-or-superyacht --- ## Tiffany & Co. Puts a Gold Bird Inside Its Chronograph - URL: https://menwith.com/tiffany-co-puts-a-gold-bird-inside-its-chronograph - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-28 - Tags: Tiffany & Co., Tiffany Timer, Chronograph, Jean Schlumberger, Bird on a Rock, Zenith El Primero, Limited Edition **Summary:** Tiffany & Co. releases the second Tiffany Timer, a 100-piece limited edition chronograph in titanium and platinum, featuring a gold Jean Schlumberger bird on its rotor. Tiffany & Co. introduced its first stopwatch in 1866 and opened a watchmaking manufacture in Geneva eight years after that. The second edition of the Tiffany Timer, arriving in September in titanium and platinum, marks 160 years of that history in a run of 100 pieces. It follows the first edition released earlier this year, a platinum case with a Tiffany Blue dial, limited to 60. Tiffany began retailing watches in 1847, and Charles Lewis Tiffany recognised early how much demand there was for finely made, high-precision timepieces. The Tiffany & Co. Timing Watch followed in 1866, now recognised as the firm's first stopwatch. Two years later it was renamed the Timer, coinciding with the opening of a Tiffany watch assembly workshop in Switzerland. The Geneva manufacture came in 1874, producing complicated pieces including chronographs and calendar watches. The name on this watch is the one Tiffany settled on in 1868. The Timer measures 40 mm in satin-brushed titanium with a platinum bezel. Its chronograph pushers curve to follow the profile of the case and serve as crown protectors, one shape doing two jobs. Sunray dark blue fills the dial, with Tiffany Blue on the sub-dial markers, the outer chronograph seconds track and the date, evoking the hues of Tiffany's Blue Books over the years. Indexes are steel, hands are white gold. Turn the watch over and the register changes entirely. Through the sapphire caseback, perched on an open-worked winding rotor, sits a recreation of the bird from Jean Schlumberger's Bird on a Rock brooch, faithful to his original design. It measures 1.4 centimetres in width, sculpted by hand from a solid piece of 18k yellow gold, then polished by hand with diamond abrasives and sticks of gentian wood to build different degrees of shine across its contours. Schlumberger drew that bird to perch on a cut stone. Here it perches on the component that does the work. Beneath it runs a customised El Primero 400, the integrated column-wheel chronograph Zenith launched in January 1969 as the first automatic of its kind. The balance runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour, which lets the chronograph resolve to a tenth of a second. Layout is the caliber at its most legible: chronograph seconds around the dial periphery, chronograph minutes at three, chronograph hours at six, running seconds at nine, with the date set into a window at six. Power reserve is 50 hours. The caseback carries the engraving "Limited edition of 100," and it faces the wrist. Whoever buys one will be the only person who ever sees the bird move. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tiffany-co-puts-a-gold-bird-inside-its-chronograph — Citation: "Tiffany & Co. Puts a Gold Bird Inside Its Chronograph" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-28. https://menwith.com/tiffany-co-puts-a-gold-bird-inside-its-chronograph --- ## PUMA x Porsche: The Pattern That Never Needed Explaining - URL: https://menwith.com/puma-x-porsche-the-pattern-that-never-needed-explaining - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-08-27 - Tags: PUMA, Porsche, Pepita, Porsche 356, Porsche 911, PUMA Motorsport, Speedcat, PUMA Suede **Summary:** PUMA x Porsche's collaboration leverages the iconic Pepita check, a timeless pattern deeply rooted in Porsche's heritage. This partnership focuses on integrating the pattern authentically into PUMA's archive silhouettes, emphasizing subtle design over overt branding. Some design details need a badge. Pepita never did. The black and white check first appeared on the seats of the Porsche 356, then carried into the first-generation 911, and somewhere in that handover it stopped being upholstery and became shorthand. There was no logo stitched into the corner, no wordmark to help you. Just a small woven check running through a seat center, doing the quiet work that the best details always do: telling the right people everything, and everyone else nothing. That is why this collaboration works. Not because two large brands agreed to put a pattern on a hoodie, but because this particular pattern has already proven it can survive being moved. The Pattern Earned It Pepita is not a Porsche invention. It is a small-scale check with a long textile history, the kind of thing that turns up in menswear every few decades and never really leaves. What Porsche did was claim it. Through the sixties, that check sat inside cars that were still finding out what they were going to become, and by the time the 911 was established, the fabric was as identifiable as the silhouette. Porsche has understood the value of this for a while. Pepita came back on the 911 Sport Classic, then again across the Heritage Design models, always presented as a reward rather than an option. It is the detail you specify when you have nothing left to prove to the person in the passenger seat. So a collaboration built entirely around it is not a stretch. It is closer to an inevitability. Minh Trang Luong, Apparel Designer for PUMA Motorsport, confirms the check was never something the team searched for and eventually landed on. "Pepita was a key element of the Porsche brief," she says, calling it a timeless connection to the brand's heritage. Finding the idea was not the work. Moving it without losing it was. Archive Meets Archive The reason this lands better than most car-brand apparel is that PUMA did not arrive empty-handed. The Speedcat exists because of motorsport. Thin sole, low profile, shaped by what a driver actually needs on a pedal box. The Suede has been in continuous cultural service since 1968. The T7 has the same late-sixties fingerprint. These are not blank canvases borrowed for the season, they are shapes with their own case histories, and putting Pepita across them creates a conversation rather than a decal. Holding a check steady across surfaces that different is the harder part of the job. Luong describes the apparel, footwear and accessories teams staying in regular contact to keep the scale aligned, with certain products carrying constraints of size and application the others did not. "We always aimed to preserve a consistent Pepita expression across all categories," she says. Making a woven seat pattern read at the same size on a shoe and on a jacket panel is closer to engineering than styling. The collection runs the check through the full range: T7 jacket, Speedcat, Suede, hoodies and more. Restraint shows in the palette. Black and white, as it was, with no attempt to modernize something that was already finished. The jacket goes further and hides it. Pepita sits in the lining, which means it vanishes the moment the piece is worn. "We wanted to create a discovery moment," Luong says. "From the outside, the jacket presents a clean, sophisticated, tonal aesthetic. Once opened, it reveals an iconic pattern, delighting the wearer with a hidden reference to Porsche's rich legacy." The Verdict The trap with automotive collaborations is that they usually sell the badge. You get a logo, a colorway named after a paint code, and a price that assumes you will pay for proximity. This does the opposite. There is very little shouting here. The Pepita does not announce which car it came from, which means the pieces work whether or not you can date a 911 by its bumpers. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/puma-x-porsche-the-pattern-that-never-needed-explaining — Citation: "PUMA x Porsche: The Pattern That Never Needed Explaining" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-27. https://menwith.com/puma-x-porsche-the-pattern-that-never-needed-explaining --- ## The New Texture of Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-texture-of-luxury - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-27 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's Torcal redefines luxury interiors with Merino wool and recycled walnut veneer. This shift prioritizes tactile comfort, sustainability, and heritage over predictable finishes. For a century the grammar of a luxury car interior has been written in leather and wood. Polished, perfect, predictable. A certain glossy finish became the universal signifier of expense, and Bentley helped write that grammar. With the Torcal, the brand is proposing a new vocabulary. Some context before the material, because it explains the material. Torcal is Bentley's first fully electric car and the fourth model line alongside Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga. It arrives in London on 23 September. Everything known about the cabin so far comes from Bentley's own pre-reveal releases, which makes the choices it is choosing to lead with worth reading closely. Chairman and CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser recently described what has defined a Bentley across 107 years: effortless performance, comfort, British handcraftsmanship in natural materials, and a soundtrack with soul. Torcal has no soundtrack. Remove the engine from a Bentley and you remove the thing that carried most of the emotional weight, which leaves the surfaces to carry all of it. Wool, in that light, is not a decorating decision. It is load-bearing. A Different Kind of Warmth Bentley says the Torcal introduces Merino wool to the cabin, developed as a durable flannel with Fox Brothers, the Somerset clothmaker that has been weaving in Wellington since 1772 and remains one of the few mills producing cloth entirely in England. Wool in cars is not itself new. A wool flannel of this construction, engineered for the wear a car actually takes, is the narrower and more interesting claim. The appeal is straightforward once you touch it. Wool is warm, breathable, and soft in a way that cool stretched hide is not. Leather looks expensive from across the room. Wool only makes sense at arm's length, which is a different bet about where luxury lives. Bentley has also specified Responsible Wool Standard certification, and six new colourways developed to sit alongside the cloth. The Thousand Layers Wood gets the same treatment. Bentley's Ombre Veneer is made from walnut off-cuts and recycled paper, pressed into what the brand describes as up to a thousand individual layers, producing a gradient that runs from deep black to natural walnut. Anyone who has produced a decorative surface at volume knows where the difficulty sits, and it is not the first example. Getting one gorgeous panel is a Tuesday afternoon. Getting the gradient to land in the same place on the four hundredth car, with off-cuts that vary by tree and by season, is the actual engineering problem. Watchmaking learned this on stone dials and marquetry, where the material's irregularity is the whole appeal and also the reason yields collapse. Consistency, not beauty, is what separates a show piece from a production option. Whether Bentley has solved it is a question for the cars, not the press images. Metal keeps its place, handled with the same logic. Mulliner's Sunburst Aluminium is a technical, tactile finish that recalls the engine-turned dashboards on older Bentleys. Engine turning, in a car with no engine, is either a lovely piece of continuity or a slightly wistful one. Either way it does the job of making the cabin read as evolution rather than rupture. The Question for September One thing Bentley has not yet addressed. Leather has a known second act: it creases, it darkens, it acquires a story, and that story survives three owners and fifteen years. Nobody yet knows how a wool flannel cabin ages, because nobody has run one that long in a car. Bentley is asking buyers to trust a material whose patina has no track record. Given how much of a Bentley's value has always lived in how the interior wears rather than how it looked in the showroom, that is the detail worth pressing on when the covers come off in London. Torcal's larger argument, though, is already clear. Visual perfection is being traded for something sensory and considered. Physical controls are returning to the cabin, coordinated through a system Bentley calls the Curation Engine, which sets light, sound, air and information together across four modes. Read alongside the wool and the walnut, it points the same direction. When the car stops making noise, luxury has to be something you feel. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-texture-of-luxury — Citation: "The New Texture of Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-27. https://menwith.com/the-new-texture-of-luxury --- ## Alcaraz Returns, With His Wrist In Focus - URL: https://menwith.com/alcaraz-returns-with-his-wrist-in-focus - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-08-26 - Tags: Rolex **Summary:** Carlos Alcaraz returns to tennis after a wrist injury, aiming to defend his US Open title. The tournament also marks a significant history for Rolex's involvement in tennis. Carlos Alcaraz has not played a competitive match since April. Before the season stopped he was 22-3 and had completed the career Grand Slam in January at the Australian Open, the youngest man ever to do it. Then came Barcelona. He won his opening match, withdrew with an injury to his right wrist, and vanished for four months. No Roland-Garros. No Wimbledon. No Toronto, no Cincinnati, the tournament he had won a year earlier and initially targeted for the comeback before deciding the wrist needed longer. On 20 August he posted three words: "Here we go." He is still ranked No. 2, having held that position through an absence that cost him the points from two majors, and he arrives at Flushing Meadows from 30 August to 13 September to defend a title he won more comfortably than anyone has in years. Alcaraz dropped a single set at last year's US Open. One, across the entire fortnight. Asked what separated that win from the rest, he points at the building rather than his own game: Arthur Ashe, he says, is "a stadium that pushes you," and what he remembers is feeling the crowd behind him at every significant moment of the final. A revealing answer from a player whose reputation rests on shot-making. He chose to remember the noise. Whether a wrist untested at full speed for four months survives a fortnight of best-of-five on the fastest surface in tennis is the question the entire draw is built around. The most recent evidence is a training block in Murcia with Holger Rune, which is a serious opponent to test it against and not much of a sample size. The field will not make it easy. Taylor Fritz arrives from a win in Washington, Ben Shelton from back-to-back titles in Canada, and between them they are trying to become the first American to take the singles title since 2003. That drought runs deeper than New York: no American man has won any major since Andy Roddick's win here that year. Coco Gauff lifted the Cincinnati trophy for the second time last week and joins Iga Świątek, Mirra Andreeva and Sloane Stephens as major winners in the women's draw, with Belinda Bencic, Maria Sakkari and Qinwen Zheng still chasing a breakthrough at this level. Stéfanos Tsitsipás is still chasing his first. 1978, Twice Rolex's press material buries the most interesting thing in it. In 1978 the US Open left the green clay of the West Side Tennis Club, moved to the site it occupies today, and became the first hard-court Grand Slam. The same year, Rolex entered tennis by partnering with Wimbledon. Two starting lines drawn in the same twelve months, one for the tournament's modern identity and one for the watchmaker's, and they have run in parallel ever since. Rolex is now Official Timekeeper of all four majors, this one included. Chris Evert connects the two dates. She had won the three previous US Opens on the old surface, and in 1978 she adapted to the faster one and won again, six titles in all. An 18-time major champion and now a Rolex testimonee, her praise for the brand is specifically about memory: Rolex, she says, has not forgotten who was there in the early years. Coming from someone who won her first US Open before Rolex had any involvement in the sport, that carries more weight than the usual ambassadorial line. The Roll Call Rolex publishes a list of testimonees who have won the US Open: - Rod Laver (1962, then still the U.S. National Championships, and 1969) - Chris Evert (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982) - Stefan Edberg (1991, 1992) - Pat Rafter (1997, 1998) - Justine Henin (2003, 2007) - Roger Federer (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) - Angelique Kerber (2016) - Sloane Stephens (2017) - Iga Świątek (2022) - Carlos Alcaraz (2022, 2025) - Coco Gauff (2023) - Jannik Sinner (2024) Twenty-six titles between 1962 and 2025, with a champion in every edition since 2022. Read closely, it is a recruitment record more than a sponsorship one. Laver's first title came in the amateur era, sixteen years before Rolex entered tennis at all, so Federer's five consecutive wins belong to the brand in a way that earlier one cannot. The distinction flatters Rolex rather than the reverse. Keeping champions is easy once they are champions. Finding them first is the difficult part, and the current roster shows the method still running: alongside Alcaraz, Świątek, Gauff, Sinner and Andreeva sit João Fonseca and Victoria Mboko, neither of whom has won anything of this size yet. What The Clock Is For This is the tournament that introduced equal prize money for men and women, night sessions, the tiebreak and electronic line-calling. In 145 years it has changed surface, changed home and changed the rules of the sport around it more often than any of its three rivals. A brand whose entire philosophy is inscribed on the case of every watch it makes has attached itself to the one major that keeps rewriting itself. The pairing works. Permanence is not the absence of change. It is what survives it, which is roughly what Alcaraz is about to find out about his own game. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/alcaraz-returns-with-his-wrist-in-focus — Citation: "Alcaraz Returns, With His Wrist In Focus" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-26. https://menwith.com/alcaraz-returns-with-his-wrist-in-focus --- ## Longines Adds A Monopusher To The Master Collection - URL: https://menwith.com/longines-adds-a-monopusher-to-the-master-collection - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-25 - Tags: Longines **Summary:** Longines unveils a rare monopusher chronograph in its redesigned Master Collection, featuring a classic single-pusher design and a pulsometer scale for $3,900. The collection also sees a revised Chrono Moonphase. Longines began rolling out the redesigned Master Collection earlier this year, but that first wave was time and date only. The complications arrive now: a reworked Chrono Moonphase, and the first monopusher chronograph the collection has ever carried. Chrono Monopusher Of the new pieces, the monopusher is the one I'm drawn to. Specifically the frosted blue barleycorn dial, which has a cool, almost icy clarity that the warmer silver opaline version softens. Rhodium plated numerals and hands against that cold surface give it a sharpness, and of the two it is the version that looks least like a heritage reissue. Every chronograph function, start, stop and reset, runs through a single pusher fitted into the crown. This is not a common configuration, and its inclusion here reads as a deliberate choice rather than a specification exercise. A single pusher is classic, functional watchmaking. It asks for a certain economy of thought from the engineer and from the wearer. It also has real history with this brand. Longines built one of the first monopusher chronographs designed for the wrist in 1911, when almost everything else in the category still relied on a pocket watch movement, and followed it in 1913 with the calibre 13.33Z, recognised as the first compact chronograph movement in the world. The chronographs that followed put Longines on the wrists of Amelia Earhart and Richard Byrd. Bringing the architecture back now, with a pulsometer scale that recalls its use by doctors before electronics took the job, is a nod to a particular kind of competence. It is a tool, executed with grace. Two references: frosted blue and silver opaline. Both are 41mm in stainless steel, 12.6mm thick, 48.6mm lug to lug, with the concave bezel that now defines the collection. There is no date, which is the right call on a dial already carrying a pulsometer scale. The movement is the L799.5, built by ETA exclusively for Longines: manual winding, column wheel, silicon balance spring, 68 hours of reserve at 28,800 vph, visible through a sapphire caseback. Leather strap, anthracite or brown, with a triple folding clasp and micro-adjustment. $3,900. Column wheel chronographs are supposed to cost more than this. The column wheel itself is part of the reason, since it is harder to produce than a cam and needs more careful setting in assembly, but it has never been the part of the bill that explains a five figure price. What explains that is margin, positioning and distribution. Longines can sell one at $3,900 because ETA builds the calibre in group at volume, and because the tooling was amortised across the L788 family that ran before it. The difference goes to the buyer rather than into the gap between cost and price. Chrono Moonphase The Chrono Moonphase follows a logic of improvement rather than reinvention. The outgoing 40mm and 42mm cases consolidate into a single 41mm, now 13.8mm thick against 14.2mm, sharing the monopusher's 48.6mm lug to lug. The dial carries the work. The sloped rehaut is gone in favour of a flat construction, numerals and the winged hourglass are applied rather than printed, and the typography has been unified across a surface holding eleven indications: chronograph, triple calendar with pointer date, 24 hour indicator and moonphase. That layout comes from Longines' own history. The museum in Saint-Imier holds a 1911 quarter repeater chronograph with full calendar and moonphase that is the direct ancestor of this dial. The calibre is unchanged and did not need changing: the L687.5, ETA built on a Valjoux 7751 base with a column wheel and silicon balance spring, 66 hours. Bracelet and alligator strap are both $4,250, both with micro-adjustment. The three hand models, which arrived earlier this year, take the same treatment across 30mm to 41mm. Reshaped cases with the concave bezel, shorter bracelet links, micro-adjustment clasps, and the dial flange removed for a more open surface. These are the adjustments of a brand that knows exactly what it has. My Take Mechanical monopushers are rare at any price and close to absent below five figures. Longines is one of very few houses positioned to build one at this level, because it owns the history to justify it and sits inside the group that can manufacture it at cost. Those two things rarely occur in the same company. If I have to pick one, it is the frosted blue Monopusher. Not because it is the more complicated watch, because it is the simpler one. A single pusher, no date, one scale, and a manual calibre the brand can trace to 1911 with receipts. At $3,900 the price and the object describe each other, which happens less often in this segment than it should. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/longines-adds-a-monopusher-to-the-master-collection — Citation: "Longines Adds A Monopusher To The Master Collection" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-25. https://menwith.com/longines-adds-a-monopusher-to-the-master-collection --- ## Two Yachts, One Owner: The Logic Behind the CASA Fleet - URL: https://menwith.com/two-yachts-one-owner-the-logic-behind-the-casa-fleet - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-08-25 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Scott Blum's CASA fleet offers a unique opportunity to own two distinct yachts, CASA and PLAYA, for an expanded luxury lifestyle at sea. This curated pairing provides unparalleled operational capability and value. Scott Blum’s life on the water began at age 10, racing laser boats and sailboats. His history includes everything from wake surf boats to Hinckley Picnic boats and a couple of superyachts. “So I’m pretty much a boat guy,” he says. This experience led him to a particular conclusion about how to live at sea, a philosophy embodied by the yacht CASA. A Proven Concept for Sale The fleet represents a rare purchase opportunity. Instead of building a similar pairing from the ground up, a buyer can acquire a complete system where the operational thinking is already in place. Broker Samuel Artmann of Burgess notes that the value is in the combined operation. Both yachts will be at anchor during the upcoming September boat shows. CASA is on the market for EUR 6,500,000, while PLAYA has an asking price of EUR 5,500,000. Artmann describes the opportunity clearly. “It’s the additional lifestyle and operational capability created when the two are operated together. The character of the primary yacht remains, but the owner has dramatically expanded what is possible at sea.” Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/two-yachts-one-owner-the-logic-behind-the-casa-fleet — Citation: "Two Yachts, One Owner: The Logic Behind the CASA Fleet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-25. https://menwith.com/two-yachts-one-owner-the-logic-behind-the-casa-fleet --- ## Where Style Meets Structure - URL: https://menwith.com/the-worlds-most-stylish-architects - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-08-25 - Tags: Tadao Ando, Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Vincent Van Duysen, Villa Savoye, Barcelona Pavilion, Church of the Light, Modern Architecture **Summary:** Architects' personal styles often mirror their designs, from Tadao Ando's minimalist aesthetic to Le Corbusier's intellectual flair. This connection highlights how taste and discipline shape both buildings and personal brands. Architecture is ultimately an expression of taste. Proportion, material, colour and restraint all reveal something about the person making the decisions. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that some of architecture's most influential figures have developed personal styles that feel remarkably close to the buildings they create. For some, the connection is obvious. Tadao Ando's understated wardrobe belongs naturally beside his austere concrete spaces. Vincent Van Duysen seems to dress in the same muted palette from which he creates his interiors. For others, the relationship is more philosophical. Here are six architects whose style extends well beyond the buildings they designed. Le Corbusier — The Intellectual Modernist Few architects have created a personal image as instantly recognisable as Le Corbusier. The round black glasses, bow ties, heavy frames and carefully considered tailoring became part of his identity. There was an intellectual eccentricity to his appearance: formal, but never entirely conventional. The same could be said of his architecture. Completed in 1931 outside Paris, Villa Savoye became one of the clearest demonstrations of Le Corbusier's ideas about modern architecture. The house was elevated above the landscape on slender pilotis, while horizontal windows, an open interior plan and a roof garden challenged traditional ideas about what a home should look like. It appears remarkably simple, yet almost everything has been considered. That relationship between discipline and individuality also defined Le Corbusier himself. He understood the power of creating a visual identity long before the term personal brand entered our vocabulary. His buildings were designed to be recognised. So was he. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — Less, But Better Mies van der Rohe believed architecture should be reduced to its essential elements. His own appearance followed a similar logic. Dark suits, white shirts and precisely framed glasses formed an almost uniform-like wardrobe. There was little interest in decoration for decoration's sake. Instead, quality, proportion and restraint did the work. The Barcelona Pavilion, designed with Lilly Reich for the 1929 International Exposition, remains perhaps the purest representation of that philosophy. Rather than filling the pavilion with architectural gestures, Mies allowed materials to become the decoration. Marble, onyx, glass and chrome were arranged with extraordinary precision, creating a space that still feels contemporary nearly a century later. This is an important distinction in understanding Mies. Minimalism did not mean inexpensive or plain. Removing unnecessary elements made the quality of everything remaining even more important. His famous principle of less is more therefore applied just as comfortably to a beautifully cut dark suit as it did to a sheet of marble positioned within the Barcelona Pavilion. Tadao Ando — The Quiet Minimalist Tadao Ando followed an unusual path into architecture. Before becoming one of Japan's most celebrated architects, he worked as a boxer and educated himself in architecture largely through travel, observation and drawing. That unconventional background perhaps explains some of the independence found in his work. Ando's personal style is understated. Simple clothing, neutral colours and practical silhouettes rarely compete for attention. His architecture operates in much the same way. There are few materials more closely associated with an architect than exposed concrete is with Tadao Ando. Yet the concrete itself is rarely the point. At the Church of the Light in Ibaraki, Osaka, completed in 1989, Ando cut a cruciform opening into a concrete wall behind the altar. Daylight passes through it, creating a cross without the need for conventional ornamentation. Concrete, darkness, light and empty space become the architecture. It demonstrates one of Ando's greatest abilities: knowing what can be removed. His personal appearance carries a similar confidence. There is no need for excessive decoration when the fundamentals are right. Norman Foster — Modern British Precision Norman Foster belongs to a different school of modernism. Where Ando often reduces architecture towards silence, Foster has spent much of his career exploring what technology and engineering can make possible. His personal style reflects some of that thinking. Foster has long favoured an understated combination of tailoring, roll-necks and functional pieces. It feels polished without being overly formal and contemporary without chasing trends. His architecture follows a similar balance. Few projects demonstrate this better than 30 St Mary Axe, better known as The Gherkin. Completed in London in 2004 by Foster + Partners, its distinctive aerodynamic form emerged partly from environmental and structural considerations. The building's diagonal steel structure and ventilation strategy helped create something technically sophisticated that simultaneously became an instantly recognisable part of London's skyline. That combination is central to Foster's work. Technology is present, but rarely simply for spectacle. Engineering becomes part of the aesthetic. There is precision behind the apparent simplicity. Bjarke Ingels — Breaking the Architect's Uniform Bjarke Ingels represents a noticeably different generation of architect. The traditional image of the architect — dark suit, black roll-neck, serious expression — has never particularly suited him. Ingels is more likely to appear in sneakers, T-shirts, casual jackets and relaxed tailoring. His approach feels informal, energetic and comfortable with contemporary culture. His buildings often possess the same willingness to break convention. VIA 57 West in Manhattan is a good example. Completed in 2016, the building combines characteristics of a European courtyard block with the scale of a Manhattan skyscraper. From certain angles it resembles a pyramid; from others, a conventional tower almost disappears. The result is difficult to place within a traditional architectural category. That is precisely the point. Ingels has built much of his career around questioning the assumption that practical architecture needs to be predictable. Sustainability, density and function can coexist with humour and experimentation. His personal style communicates something similar. The rules still exist. He simply doesn't feel particularly obligated to dress — or design — according to them. Vincent Van Duysen — Quiet Luxury Before the Hype If there is one architect whose wardrobe could almost become a material palette for his buildings, it is Vincent Van Duysen. The Belgian architect and designer has developed an aesthetic based around muted colours, tactile materials, restrained forms and warmth. His personal style follows remarkably similar principles. Relaxed tailoring, earthy tones, knitwear and natural fabrics create an appearance that feels sophisticated without appearing overly styled. Long before quiet luxury became a fashion trend, Van Duysen was essentially applying its principles to architecture. His residential work is particularly revealing. At projects such as Casa M in Portugal, architecture is not treated as an object that needs to dominate its surroundings. Natural materials, carefully framed views and restrained interiors create spaces designed to become better through use rather than demand immediate attention. Van Duysen's work also demonstrates why minimalism doesn't necessarily need to feel cold. Texture becomes important. So does light. Stone, timber, linen and plaster introduce depth without relying on decoration. The same principle makes his personal style compelling. Nothing appears particularly loud. Everything appears considered. Can You Dress Like You Design? There is a temptation to draw the connection too literally. Le Corbusier did not design buildings because they matched his glasses, nor does Tadao Ando choose a jacket because it resembles exposed concrete. The more interesting relationship exists underneath the surface. Architects spend their careers developing opinions about proportion, colour, materials, function and beauty. Those preferences don't necessarily disappear when they leave the studio. Mies van der Rohe's restraint, Ando's simplicity, Foster's precision, Ingels' informality and Van Duysen's appreciation for texture all appear, in different ways, in both their work and the way they present themselves. Perhaps great personal style and great architecture ultimately ask many of the same questions. What should remain? What can be removed? And which details are worth getting exactly right? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-worlds-most-stylish-architects — Citation: "Where Style Meets Structure" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-25. https://menwith.com/the-worlds-most-stylish-architects --- ## Genesis GV90 Is the Brand’s New Electric Flagship - URL: https://menwith.com/genesis-gv90-is-the-brands-new-electric-flagship - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-22 - Tags: Genesis GV90, Genesis Neolun Concept, Electric SUV, Luxury SUV, Korean Moon Jar, eMP platform, Bang & Olufsen **Summary:** Genesis unveils its electric flagship SUV, the GV90, based on the Neolun Concept. It features a restrained design inspired by Korean moon jars, a 123.5 kWh battery, 490 kW output, and a luxurious, tech-filled cabin. Genesis has spent the past decade establishing itself as a genuine alternative in the luxury market. Now, the Korean marque is aiming higher. The new GV90 is its first full size flagship SUV and arguably the clearest expression yet of what Genesis wants modern luxury to become. Unveiled in San Francisco and based on the Neolun Concept first shown in 2024, the production GV90 retains many of the ideas that made the concept so interesting. It is enormous, fully electric and packed with technology, but Genesis has deliberately avoided turning it into another aggressively styled luxury SUV. Instead, the inspiration comes from something considerably more traditional: the Korean moon jar. A Different Approach to Flagship Design At 5,285 mm long and 2,030 mm wide, with a 3,245 mm wheelbase, the GV90 has the proportions expected from a flagship SUV. Yet its surfaces remain remarkably clean. Genesis describes the philosophy as one of restrained elegance. Decorative elements have been reduced, the rear spoiler has disappeared entirely and flush lighting helps preserve the purity of the shape. Up front, Micro Lens Array headlights create the familiar Genesis Two Line signature, while forged wheels measuring up to 24 inches give the SUV the presence its size demands. The more dramatic GV90 Neolun takes things further with the Neolun Arch Gate. Its opposing coach doors use a hidden B pillar arrangement to create a huge uninterrupted opening into the cabin. Genesis says it is the world's first independently opening and closing hidden B pillar coach door system. Despite removing the conventional pillar, Genesis has engineered high strength dual steel beams into the structure, alongside a heavily reinforced passenger compartment. An Electric Flagship With 490 kW Underneath is Genesis' flagship specific eMP platform and a 123.5 kWh battery, currently the largest fitted to an electric vehicle within Hyundai Motor Group. Combined output from the front and rear motors reaches 490 kW, equivalent to around 666 hp, with 800 Nm of torque. Genesis estimates approximately 500 km of range for the seven seat version based on its internal testing. Connect the GV90 to a 350 kW fast charger and Genesis says charging from 10 to 80 percent takes 22 minutes. Performance is only part of the equation. Dual electronic limited slip differentials distribute power across all four wheels, while multi chamber air suspension, electronically controlled dampers and rear wheel steering are designed to make this very large SUV feel considerably more composed and manageable. The rear wheels can turn by as much as five degrees, reducing the turning circle to something Genesis compares with a midsize vehicle. More Private Lounge Than Traditional SUV The cabin is where the GV90 makes its strongest argument for flagship status. Genesis has approached the interior as a bespoke living space rather than simply filling it with increasingly large screens. Natural wood, genuine stone, leather and even wool cashmere are available, while indirect Ambient Glow lighting runs through the cabin. There is still plenty of technology. A 23.6 inch OLED display can rise 90 mm when the vehicle is parked, transforming into a larger 24.6 inch cinematic screen. A 25 inch head up display replaces the need for a conventional instrument cluster, while the Pleos Connect infotainment system incorporates an AI assistant and access to third party apps. The GV90 also does away with the traditional start button. Opening the vehicle initiates its systems, while pressing the brake pedal prepares it for driving. A 25 speaker Bang & Olufsen Premier 3D system with Dolby Atmos handles the audio, while seats equipped with 15 individual air cells provide an advanced massage function. In the GV90 Neolun, the front seats can even rotate 180 degrees while parked, creating a face to face lounge configuration. For passengers who want the full chauffeur driven experience, the four seat Neolun Executive Suite goes further still. It adds a real wood veneer floor inspired by Korean ondol underfloor heating, a refrigerator, integrated tables, privacy blinds and a six zone Smart Vision Roof with individually adjustable transparency. Luxury Without Simply Adding More Perhaps the most interesting thing about the GV90 is that Genesis is not trying to imitate an established European flagship formula. The Korean influence is visible throughout, from the moon jar inspired exterior to the ondol influenced heating and the brand's "Son nim" philosophy of treating every customer as an honoured guest. Even the safety technology contains some significant firsts. The GV90 features 12 airbags, including what Genesis describes as the world's first Roof Airbag. During a severe rollover, the airbag deploys across the panoramic roof to help protect occupants. A special GV90 Neolun First Edition will sit at the very top of the range, combining the four seat Executive Suite with exclusive two tone paint combinations, 24 inch body coloured forged wheels, wool cashmere trim and unique detailing. The GV90 is a statement of intent from a brand that is no longer simply trying to establish itself in the luxury segment. Genesis now wants to define its own version of it. And with coach doors, rotating lounge seats, 666 hp and an interior inspired as much by Korean architecture and hospitality as traditional automotive design, the GV90 certainly doesn't look like Genesis playing it safe. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/genesis-gv90-is-the-brands-new-electric-flagship — Citation: "Genesis GV90 Is the Brand’s New Electric Flagship" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-22. https://menwith.com/genesis-gv90-is-the-brands-new-electric-flagship --- ## Lewis Hamilton’s Different Summer - URL: https://menwith.com/lewis-hamilton-s-different-summer - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-08-22 - Tags: Ferrari F1 **Summary:** Lewis Hamilton spent his summer break training intensely with Ferrari HP, aiming to elevate his performance. He feels fitter than ever and optimistic about the team's progress and unity. Lewis Hamilton approached the summer break differently this year. Instead of switching off, the Scuderia Ferrari HP driver used the three weeks to work. He described it as an opportunity to raise the bar, training intensively and analyzing the first half of the season. It was, in his words, “probably the most different break I’ve ever had in my career.” He arrived in Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix, which kicks off the second part of the season, in what he considers top form. The work was not just for the sake of it. The intention was to return with a higher level of preparation for the races ahead. Speaking to the media, Hamilton’s assessment of his team’s position was positive, though he stressed that there is still work to do. He pointed to a growing collaboration within the garage, noting that the group is now “really in sync.” This sense of unity, he explained, is a combination of many factors. Solid Foundations The progress is built on tangible changes. Hamilton mentioned adjustments to the car, but also to the team’s internal processes. “We have built solid foundations and we need to keep building on them,” he said, giving a clear view of the work happening inside the Ferrari F1 team. This progress comes against the backdrop of new regulations that have proven to be a significant challenge for the entire grid. “Everyone has made mistakes along the way,” Hamilton acknowledged. With the second half of the season underway, his focus is on clean execution. The Zandvoort Test The immediate objective is the Dutch Grand Prix. Zandvoort is a circuit where Hamilton has won in the past, but never in a Formula 1 car. It’s a specific goal he would love to achieve, calling it an “incredible circuit.” He also noted the unique energy of the event, crediting the fans for creating a “really special atmosphere throughout the weekend.” It adds another layer to the challenge and the potential reward. After a break defined by work rather than rest, the driver’s personal state reflects his ambition. The three weeks of training were designed for this moment. As Hamilton himself stated, “I’ve come back fitter than I’ve ever been.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lewis-hamilton-s-different-summer — Citation: "Lewis Hamilton’s Different Summer" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-22. https://menwith.com/lewis-hamilton-s-different-summer --- ## Inside La Maviglia, Puglia's 202-Hectare Golf Estate - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-la-maviglia-puglia-s-202-hectare-golf-estate - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-08-22 - Tags: La Maviglia, Puglia, Luxury Golf Resort, Italy Travel, Medical Spa, Championship Golf Course, Maruggio, Ultimate Collection Ltd **Summary:** La Maviglia, a luxury golf estate in Puglia, Italy, will feature 70 suites, 35 villas, and a 5,000 sqm medical spa by 2027. The 202-hectare property boasts an 18-hole championship course integrated with ancient olive trees and trulli. Seventy suites, thirty-five villas and a 5,000-square-metre medical spa, laid out across an olive estate on the Ionian coast and organised around eighteen holes. Construction is underway at La Maviglia, a 202-hectare resort outside Maruggio in the province of Taranto, with opening scheduled for 2027. The completed estate will hold 70 suites, 35 villas, a 20-room golfers' lodge, four restaurants, a wellness and medical spa of 5,000 square metres, and a private beach club. An 18-hole championship course occupies 75 of those hectares and sets the position of everything else. The property belongs to Ultimate Collection Ltd, a Swiss company registered in Kilchberg. Nicola Cortese is credited as founder and leads the project. He has said the site took longer to find than the resort has taken to plan, and that its quiet and its size were what convinced him. The masterplan bears that out. Where the oldest olive trees, the dry-stone walls and the macchia scrub already stand, the new building goes around them. Where It Sits The estate lies under a kilometre from the Gulf of Taranto, on the Ionian coast, near a protected stretch of shoreline at Monaco Mirante. The land falls inside the Primitivo growing zone, with Manduria and its vineyards immediately inland. Scheduled flights reach Bari and Brindisi. Taranto-Grottaglie, roughly 40 kilometres north, takes private and cargo traffic. The Course Städler & Reinmuth Golfdesign have laid out a par 72 over 75 hectares. Giles Wardle is designing the irrigation. Agronomy is by Turfgrass, whose client list includes Adare Manor, host venue for the 2027 Ryder Cup. Players get a driving range playable from both sides and a separate area for the short game. Three excavated lakes bring water into play at several points, with at least one green sited on a lake edge. Olive and fig trees over a century old have been left standing and the routing passes around them. Trulli, the round stone huts found throughout the region, sit within the property and have been kept as playing features. One hole runs past an 18th-century neoclassical triumphal arch with the Ionian visible behind it. The developer has named several holes as signature holes and states an ambition to host tournaments. The Clubhouse, The Suites, The Villas Masseria Maviglia, a fortified 16th-century farmhouse, is being restored and lightly extended to serve as the clubhouse. It will take a restaurant, a bar and lounge, members-only facilities, shops, and event space indoors and out. The gatehouse and the ground-floor arcade are being kept as found. Accommodation in the hotel is suites only, from 60-square-metre junior suites up to three-bedroom presidential suites of 400 square metres. All 70 open onto outdoor space of their own, and twelve come with a pool. Four food outlets are planned: fine dining, a pool restaurant, a breakfast and bar complex, and a restaurant serving the spa. The 35 villas run from two to six en-suite bedrooms and 120 to 650 square metres, each with a pool and a gated garden on a plot between 1,000 and 5,000 square metres. Four clusters take their names from what surrounds them: Uliveto among the olives, Macchia in the scrub, Trullo beside the stone huts, Primitivo in the vines. Several are built around trulli already on the site. Oppenheim Architecture is responsible for the interiors, working in plaster, local limestone and timber, with openings framed on the olive trees. Enea Landscape Architecture is handling the grounds. Visualisations are by Harris & Kalinka. The Spa And The Working Estate The spa runs to 5,000 square metres. Inside are rooms for consultation and treatment, changing and wet facilities, quiet rooms, sports facilities, and a lap pool set outdoors under cover. The site plan puts golf on three sides of the accommodation, so suites and villas face fairway. The buildings that run the estate sit at the northern and western edges: maintenance and logistics, a farmhouse, a solar array, a helipad. One security lodge controls the main entrance. The developer commits to generating power on site, farming vegetables organically, making wine and pressing olive oil. The vineyards and olive groves were productive land before the course was routed through them. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-la-maviglia-puglia-s-202-hectare-golf-estate — Citation: "Inside La Maviglia, Puglia's 202-Hectare Golf Estate" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-22. https://menwith.com/inside-la-maviglia-puglia-s-202-hectare-golf-estate --- ## New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson Acquires Stake In Aston Martin - URL: https://menwith.com/new-york-jets-owner-woody-johnson-acquires-stake-in-aston-martin - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-08-21 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, has acquired a minority stake in Aston Martin F1 and joined its board as Vice Chairman. He aims to leverage his sports expertise to boost the team's North American presence. Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Aston Martin has appointed Woody Johnson to its Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. The move follows the American billionaire’s acquisition of a minority stake in the Formula 1 team. Johnson brings years of experience from the highest levels of professional sports. He purchased the NFL’s New York Jets in 2000 and also holds a 43% stake in the Premier League side Crystal Palace. His business interests are complemented by a background in diplomacy, having formerly served as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. A Strategic Appointment The appointment comes as Aston Martin sits 10th in the constructors’ standings. The team has ambitions to improve its position, supported by recent upgrades introduced at the Hungaroring and an updated power unit, developed with partner Honda, set to debut this weekend. Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll confirmed that Johnson will not undertake any day-to-day management duties, which remain with Stroll. “I am extremely happy to welcome Woody to the Aston Martin family,” Stroll said. “His experience, passion and investment further strengthen our position as we enter the next phase of our competitive journey.” Stroll added, “His deep appreciation for our brand, combined with his commitment to innovation and commercial opportunity, makes him an ideal partner as we look to the future.” A Shared Ambition Johnson’s own comments point to a clear alignment with the team’s direction. “During my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, I have developed a deep appreciation for Aston Martin's rich history, as well as Stroll’s strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit,” he stated. A key part of the new partnership is a shared focus on expanding the sport’s presence in North America. “We also share a commitment to growing the fanbase in the United States and introducing even more fans to the excitement of Formula 1,” Johnson noted. His immediate goal is clear. “I am excited to partner with him and contribute to the continued development of the team, with the ambition of building an organisation capable of competing at the very highest level of the sport.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/new-york-jets-owner-woody-johnson-acquires-stake-in-aston-martin — Citation: "New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson Acquires Stake In Aston Martin" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-21. https://menwith.com/new-york-jets-owner-woody-johnson-acquires-stake-in-aston-martin --- ## Max Verstappen Signs Through 2030, Betting on a Red Bull Rebuild - URL: https://menwith.com/max-verstappen-signs-through-2030-betting-on-a-red-bull-rebuild - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-08-21 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Max Verstappen commits to Red Bull until 2030, aiming to rebuild the team's dominance despite current challenges. His loyalty stems from trust in new leadership and a shared vision for future success. On Thursday morning at his home track in Zandvoort, Max Verstappen put an end to any speculation. The four-time World Champion has committed to Red Bull until the end of the 2030 season, a decision that will see him break the record for the longest-ever stint with a single team in Formula 1. The new agreement extends an existing contract that ran through 2028. It also arrives at a difficult moment for the team. Red Bull currently sits fourth in the pecking order and has not secured a victory this season. Verstappen himself has been candid about his frustrations with the 2026-specification cars. The Team Over the Car While his management held conversations with McLaren, the fundamental question for Verstappen was whether to continue in Formula 1 at all. Once he decided to stay, the choice of team was clear. The brand brought him into the sport in 2015, and he has raced with the primary squad since 2016. He has said he does not feel the need to drive for multiple constructors, unlike many of his rivals. This level of loyalty is built on experience. He has seen firsthand how Red Bull handles adversity. Last season, the team developed its way out of a difficult start to help him overcome a 104-point deficit and fight for the championship down to the final race. That comeback occurred under the leadership of Laurent Mekies, who took the helm from Christian Horner last summer. Verstappen has spent considerable time with Mekies and his boss, Oliver Mintzlaff, and is aligned with their plans for the team's future. The performance of Red Bull's new power unit has also served as a significant vote of confidence. More Than a Driver For Red Bull, retaining Verstappen was critical. Mekies was understandably pleased to secure the most sought-after driver on the grid. Losing him would have been a difficult blow, but Verstappen’s belief in the new leadership’s plan provides both internal and external validation for the team's direction. After more than a decade, his influence extends far beyond the cockpit. He is involved in high-level strategic decisions and has become part of the team's fabric. His commitment makes Red Bull a more attractive proposition for retaining and recruiting talent, and strengthens their commercial position. The relationship also accommodates his interests outside the sport. Red Bull will continue to allow him to pursue his passion for endurance racing, where he runs his own team. The new contract, believed to include improved financial terms and potential escape clauses, provides security for both sides. For now, Verstappen is all in on the challenge of returning Red Bull to the top. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/max-verstappen-signs-through-2030-betting-on-a-red-bull-rebuild — Citation: "Max Verstappen Signs Through 2030, Betting on a Red Bull Rebuild" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-21. https://menwith.com/max-verstappen-signs-through-2030-betting-on-a-red-bull-rebuild --- ## Bugatti Applies a Watchmaker’s Finish to a One-Off Veyron - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-applies-a-watchmaker-s-finish-to-a-one-off-veyron - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-21 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** A one-off Bugatti Veyron celebrates 20 years with watchmaker-inspired finishes and a unique color scheme. The La Maison Pur Sang program allows for bespoke updates while preserving authenticity. A finish traditionally reserved for the movements of fine watches now adorns the center console. The technique, Côte de Genève, has been applied to a large, three-dimensional automotive surface, a showcase of a specific kind of craftsmanship from Bugatti. The car is a one-of-one Veyron, created to mark 20 years of the model. It serves as the definitive example of the brand’s La Maison Pur Sang program. First introduced at Rétromobile in Paris in 2020, the service was established to preserve, restore, and certify Bugatti vehicles. It also provides a path for owners to update their cars with new materials and configurations, guided by the company’s specialists in Molsheim. A New Stance This Veyron wears a color combination never seen on the model before. The paintwork pairs ‘Rouge Rembrandt’, a color developed for the Tourbillon, with the Chiron’s ‘Petrol Blue’. The new colors are applied to the Veyron’s original silhouette, along with new three-dimensional mesh elements for the front, side, and rear air intakes. The car’s posture has also been updated. Bugatti reinterpreted its Machiavelli wheel design in a larger format, allowing the Veyron to use tires in Chiron dimensions. The new wheels measure 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear, giving the car a more contemporary stance while keeping a visual link to its original design language. Interior Details Inside, the cabin is finished in ‘Magnolia’ leather. Bespoke ‘Mocassin’ stitching, created for the project, is hand-crafted onto the steering wheel and gear selector. Between the seats, a special emblem honors the Veyron’s 20-year anniversary. The program's philosophy is one of balance. It aims to preserve the essence of the original car while giving owners a way to add a personal dimension. For some, this means meticulous restoration to factory condition. For others, it is a more expressive process. The goal is to protect the authenticity and provenance of each automobile, ensuring its value is maintained. With the car’s unveiling at Pebble Beach, Bugatti also launched a new configurator for the Veyron. It makes select features from the project available to other owners beginning their own journey with La Maison Pur Sang. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-applies-a-watchmaker-s-finish-to-a-one-off-veyron — Citation: "Bugatti Applies a Watchmaker’s Finish to a One-Off Veyron" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-21. https://menwith.com/bugatti-applies-a-watchmaker-s-finish-to-a-one-off-veyron --- ## One Calibre, Two Arguments: Glashütte Original's New Senator Chronographs - URL: https://menwith.com/one-calibre-two-arguments-glashtte-originals-new-senators - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-20 - Tags: Glashütte Original, Senator Chronograph Navigator, Senator Chronograph, Calibre 37-24, Panorama Date, Chronograph, Pilot's watch, Maritime watch **Summary:** Glashütte Original unveils two Senator Chronographs, the Navigator and the classic, both featuring the automatic Calibre 37-24 and Panorama Date. Each model offers distinct dial designs inspired by historical pilot and maritime observation watches. Glashütte's claim on the chronograph is older than most people assume. The Saxon town was building wristwatches with short-time measurement more than eighty years ago, and in the early 1940s its watchmakers produced the UROFA calibre 59, the first modern Glashütte wristwatch chronograph. Its construction followed technical principles that ran ahead of the standards of the period. The two watches Glashütte Original launches this month are the current answer to the same brief. Both are 41 mm in stainless steel. Both run the automatic Calibre 37-24. Both carry a Panorama Date. The distance between them sits entirely in the dial, and it is a real distance. The Navigator The Senator Chronograph Navigator descends from the pilot's watches of the 1940s, and it wears that lineage honestly. The dial is matt deep black lacquer with solid luminous Arabic numeral appliqués, engraved luminous hour markers, and hour and minute hands coated in Super-LumiNova. The central chronograph seconds hand, the 30-minute counter and the small seconds are finished in white lacquer, which is the whole point: at speed, in bad light, you need the running time and the measured time to separate instantly. The recessed counters carry a vinyl record finish, a detail that shows up under raking light and disappears at a glance. Logo, inscriptions, minute track and the rehaut tachymeter scale are printed in glossy white, and the tachymeter gives you average speed off the central seconds hand. The pilot's crown is the giveaway. Oversized, gripped, engraved with the mirrored 'G', flanked by mushroom pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock. These are operating decisions dressed as design ones. A navigation watch had to work through gloves and vibration, and the hardware here reflects that inheritance rather than gesturing at it. The Senator Chronograph The lighter model looks back further, to the observation watches Glashütte produced in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries for maritime navigation. Those were robust precision pocket watches built to be read against a chart, and the dial follows that logic. Galvanic silver with a fine grainé finish. Applied solid gold Roman numerals with a blue coating. Blued steel hands for hours, minutes, small seconds and the 30-minute counter, with a blue-coated central chronograph seconds hand. The 30-minute counter and small seconds sit in exact symmetry, and at 6 o'clock the Panorama Date is framed in white gold. The case is 41 mm across, 12.9 mm high and 48.5 mm lug to lug. Glashütte Original calls the profile slim. What the numbers actually show is efficiency: the calibre alone stands 8 mm tall, so the case wraps it in under 5 mm of steel. For an integrated automatic chronograph carrying a date, that is tightly built. On The Wrist I handled this one with both the alligator and the synthetic strap, and the thing that stays with me is the blue. Photographs flatten it. In the metal, the coated gold numerals and the blued hands behave like two different colours depending on where the light is coming from. Held at one angle they read as a deep, almost black navy against the grainé silver, and the dial reads as a monochrome. Tilt the wrist a few degrees and the same numerals fire bright and electric. It happens fast and it happens constantly, so the dial keeps moving through the day in a way a printed marker never does. This is what applied solid gold appliqués with a blue coating buy you, and it is the reason the specification sheet matters. The depth comes from the material. Calibre 37-24 This is where the money went. The 37-24 is an integrated column-wheel chronograph with flyback, 34.2 mm across and 8 mm high, carrying central chronograph seconds, a 30-minute counter, small seconds and the Panorama Date. Integrated means the chronograph was designed into the movement from the start, which is the harder and more expensive route, and the one that produces the crisp pusher feel people pay for. Flyback means a single press stops, resets and restarts the timing. It exists because pilots needed successive intervals timed without a three-button sequence, and it remains the most useful chronograph complication in daily use. The specification underneath is serious: 4 Hz, 70 hours of running time, 47 jewels, a silicon balance spring for magnetic and thermal stability, solid gold regulating screws on the balance rim, and Glashütte Original's swan-neck fine adjustment. The silicon spring and the gold screws together tell you the manufactory wanted modern stability with traditional regulation, and paid for both. Through the sapphire case back: bevelled edges, polished steel components, blued screws, the three-quarter plate with Glashütte stripe finish, and a newly developed heavily skeletonised rotor with a 21-carat gold oscillation weight carrying the mirrored 'G'. Glashütte Original produces up to 95% of its own movement components in-house, along with its dials. On a watch where the dial does this much of the work, that vertical integration stops being a marketing line and starts being the explanation. A Detail That Matters Both watches come on black or blue Louisiana alligator, a sand-coloured synthetic strap, or a stainless steel bracelet, all with a tool-free quick-change system. Glashütte Original has now extended that mechanism to the folding clasp, so the clasp moves between straps without tools. It is a small piece of engineering and it will get used more than the flyback. Quick-change lugs solved half the problem and left owners with a clasp married to one strap. This closes it. Swapping between the alligator and the synthetic took seconds. Both are available worldwide from August 2026, through Glashütte Original boutiques and authorised retailers. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/one-calibre-two-arguments-glashtte-originals-new-senators — Citation: "One Calibre, Two Arguments: Glashütte Original's New Senator Chronographs" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-20. https://menwith.com/one-calibre-two-arguments-glashtte-originals-new-senators --- ## Montenegro Is The Adriatic, Distilled - URL: https://menwith.com/montenegro-is-the-adriatic-distilled - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-08-18 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Explore Montenegro's stunning Bay of Kotor by yacht, from ancient walled cities to the exclusive Sveti Stefan island. Discover luxury marinas, local cuisine, and breathtaking Adriatic vistas. A Montenegro yacht charter begins just past Tivat, where the bay narrows before revealing a wider body of water. It opens in either direction like the wings of a butterfly. As you enter, an islet appears, home to the blue-domed, 15th-century church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Its reflection shimmers on the water, which here is often as still as glass. The bay narrows again further south, framed by tall mountains that feel more like a Norwegian Fjord than the Mediterranean. The Walled Cities At the very end of the bay, the medieval town of Kotor is built directly beneath steep limestone cliffs. The city, founded by the Romans in 168 BC, is surrounded by fortified stone ramparts built under Venetian rule in the 1400s. A walk up the more than 1,300 stone steps of the Kotor city walls is a 300-meter ascent, leading to a lookout point with expansive views over the placid bay. Even a ten-minute walk up the path reveals the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, a mountainside chapel built in 1518. Nearby, Perast is a waterside town of Baroque palaces and historic sandstone mansions, settled by wealthy mariners during the Venetian Republic. The town can get busy, so the best times to go ashore are early morning or late evening. During peak daytime hours, you can retreat to the yacht for the watertoys and on-board facilities. A quick tender ride away is Our Lady of the Rocks, the artificial island created over centuries by local sailors dropping rocks and sinking seized ships around a reef. The Riviera and The Retreat Cruising south out of the bay leads to the Adriatic coast and the 2,500-year-old town of Budva. Its Old Town, with red-tiled roofs and stone buildings, juts out into the sea on a small peninsula. Budva is also a center for nightlife, with open-air clubs active into the early hours. Just beyond the city walls are the secluded shores of Mogren Beach. The coast’s most recognizable feature is Sveti Stefan. Here, two red-sand beaches frame a narrow road leading to a fortified island that dates to the 15th century. The island itself is home to the luxury resort Aman Sveti Stefan, with hand-restored stone buildings. While only hotel guests can step onto the island, the beaches are public, and the causeway offers one of Montenegro’s best viewpoints. The resort’s spa offers treatments using local herbs, and dinner can be had in Villa Miločer, once the residence of Montenegro’s royal family. The Modern Marina While known for its wild beauty, Montenegro is also well-suited for superyachts. In Tivat, Porto Montenegro is one of the Adriatic’s leading marinas. The waterfront is home to a luxury hotel, boutiques, restaurants, and the Buddha-Bar Beach club, which has an infinity pool overlooking the bay. It serves as an ideal base for cruising deeper into the Bay of Kotor or exploring the coast. Experts at Burgess can arrange charters that begin or end here. The food follows suit. In the Bay of Kotor, the seafood restaurant Konoba Catovica Mlini is built into an old mill. In Kotor town, you can find the local cake called krempita, a puff pastry with a rich custard filling. At Forza Porto in Porto Montenegro, the terrace overlooks the marina. The country also has a surprising wine scene, with vineyards like the waterfront Savina Winery and Plantaze, the largest in Montenegro, thriving in the local microclimate. The best time for a yacht charter is between May and October, with July and August being the hottest months. A different season runs from January to March, when it’s possible to ski at one of nearly a dozen resorts with 61 kilometers of slopes, all within a few hours' drive of the coast. With its compact coastline, a private yacht charter here is endlessly rewarding. Your captain will know these cruising grounds intimately, guiding you to hidden gems that are otherwise inaccessible. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/montenegro-is-the-adriatic-distilled — Citation: "Montenegro Is The Adriatic, Distilled" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-18. https://menwith.com/montenegro-is-the-adriatic-distilled --- ## Bentley's New Monterey Playbook - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-s-new-monterey-playbook - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-18 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley launches 'Stazione Remota' with Tutto Bene, blending cars, coffee, and Italian/Californian lifestyle. The event features historic and new models, including a preview of the Bentayga X concept. This Saturday in Carmel Valley, Bentley will host a new, invite-only gathering called ‘Stazione Remota’. It marks the beginning of a partnership with Tutto Bene, a project from Milan design studio BorromeodeSilva and automotive culture hub Race Service. The event is the first of what will be an annual addition to the Monterey Car Week calendar, designed for a mix of VIP clients and car enthusiasts. The collaboration is a deliberate move. Ben Whattam, Bentley’s Marketing Director, explained the intent. “Combining cars, and not just Bentleys, with friends old and new, outstanding coffee and new conversations is one of the ways we continue to make Bentley more relevant and more accessible.” Carlo Borromeo of BorromeodeSilva defines the philosophy behind Tutto Bene with a simple motto. “Our motto is ‘Slow Down to Go Fast’: we propose a friendly, inclusive and relaxed approach to the classic event formula, where Californian and Italian aesthetics and lifestyles blend seamlessly to generate something new and universal.” A Century of Horsepower The cars on display at Stazione Remota will cover a wide spectrum. The new Supersports, the driver-focused model in the Continental range, will be shown in a ‘Dragon’ livery of Black Crystal and Dragon Red II that transitions across the car’s width. Representing the lineage is a 1926 Super Sports known as ‘Smoky’. One of the original 18 cars, it was modified for racing in 1934 with a 4½ litre engine replacing its original 3 litre unit. Lowered and streamlined, it was raced 40 times in the 1930s by driver Kit Baker-Carr. The car is on loan from a private owner, marking its first visit to the United States in its 100-year history. Alongside the historical machines will be the Bentayga X concept, a preview of a potential off-road Bentley. Another Bentayga, finished in pink and dark green for Joe & The Juice, features a fully operational espresso bar in its trunk. Guests can also experience a vinyl lounge hosted by a live DJ, and a fleet of modern Continental GT and Bentayga models will be available for test drives. Eight Events Across the Peninsula Stazione Remota is one of eight different activations for Bentley during Monterey Car Week. The brand’s hub is the Home of Bentley, located 250 yards from The Lodge at Pebble Beach. It will serve as a showcase and a retail point for the 1919 Collection of merchandise for a second and final time. Bentley returns to The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering for the 23rd time, displaying four new models including the Supersports, Flying Spur S, GTC S, and Bentayga Artenara. Other events include a Beach Dinner with live acoustic music, the annual Signature Party hosted by Chairman and CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser, and a presence at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. For Borromeo, the partnership is a natural fit. “Few brands embody automotive legacy the way Bentley does. Over a century of engineering ambition and design innovation, always pushing forward without losing sight of where they came from. That spirit of restless, purposeful creativity is exactly what Tutto Bene stands for, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner to help shape this new chapter of car culture.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-s-new-monterey-playbook — Citation: "Bentley's New Monterey Playbook" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-18. https://menwith.com/bentley-s-new-monterey-playbook --- ## The First Ferrari Luce Just Sold for a Staggering $40 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/the-first-ferrari-luce-just-sold-for-a-staggering-40-million - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-16 - Tags: Ferrari Luce, Ferrari Foundation, RM Sotheby's, Monterey Car Week, Chassis 0, electric Ferrari, charity auction **Summary:** The first production Ferrari Luce, a groundbreaking electric model, sold for $40 million at RM Sotheby's. This "Tailor Made" Chassis 0 sets a record for the marque's electric era and benefits the Ferrari Foundation. Few cars have divided opinion quite like the Ferrari Luce. As the first fully electric production car from Maranello, it represents one of the biggest departures in Ferrari’s history, and its unconventional design has generated plenty of debate since its unveiling. Now, the Luce has made headlines for an entirely different reason. During RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on August 15, the very first production example, known as Ferrari Luce “Tailor Made” Chassis 0, sold for an astonishing $40 million. From $1.1 Million to $40 Million Ahead of the auction, RM Sotheby’s listed the car with a value in excess of $1.1 million. What followed was one of the most remarkable results of this year’s Monterey Car Week. Bidding eventually reached $40 million, placing the Luce among the most valuable cars ever sold at public auction. The extraordinary result isn’t simply about the car itself. Chassis 0 represents a genuine milestone for Ferrari: the first production example of the company’s first fully electric model. For collectors, that provenance is almost impossible to replicate. A One-of-a-Kind Ferrari The car was created through Ferrari’s Tailor Made personalization programme and features a unique specification designed around the Luce name, Italian for “light.” More importantly, its Chassis 0 designation permanently establishes the car as the starting point of Ferrari’s electric production era. Whether the Luce eventually becomes one of Ferrari’s defining models or remains one of its most controversial, this particular example will always occupy a unique place in the company’s history. $40 Million for Charity There is another important reason behind the extraordinary price. The Luce was offered as a charity lot, with the proceeds benefiting the Ferrari Foundation and its educational initiatives. Charity auctions have previously produced spectacular prices for highly desirable cars, but $40 million takes this particular sale into another league. The result also comfortably surpassed another major Ferrari charity sale: a Daytona SP3 that previously achieved $17.8 million. Ferrari’s Electric Era Has Its First Collector Icon The Luce may still divide Ferrari enthusiasts, but Chassis 0 has already secured its place in automotive history. At $40 million, someone has effectively paid not only for a Ferrari, but for the first physical chapter in what could become an entirely new era for Maranello. Love it or hate it, the Ferrari Luce has officially become impossible to ignore. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-first-ferrari-luce-just-sold-for-a-staggering-40-million — Citation: "The First Ferrari Luce Just Sold for a Staggering $40 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-16. https://menwith.com/the-first-ferrari-luce-just-sold-for-a-staggering-40-million --- ## A Week In Ibiza - URL: https://menwith.com/a-week-in-ibiza - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-08-15 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Explore Ibiza's hidden coves, glamorous beach clubs, and historic Old Town from the luxury of a yacht. Experience a tailored wellness retreat or hike to panoramic island views. The first anchorage of the day in Ibiza can be Ex Portitxol. The hidden, horseshoe-shaped cove on the island’s wild northern coast is reachable only by boat or a determined cliffside hike. Arriving by water in the early morning means having the clear, calm bay entirely to yourself. It’s a version of the island that exists quietly alongside its more famous counterpart. Other quiet spots reward exploration by sea. Cala Llentrisca is a pebbly, secluded bay lined with traditional fishing huts. From here, a short cruise across the Balearic waters leads to Formentera. The pace on the smaller island is slower. A captain can drop anchor off the Caribbean-blue shallows of Ses Illetes, allowing for a tender ashore to a relaxed restaurant for a long lunch. The afternoon can be spent drifting between beaches or exploring the coastline by paddleboard before the return to Ibiza for sunset. The Social Anchor The island’s social energy is just as accessible. On the shores of Cala Nova, Atzaró Beach offers daybeds and the facilities of its adjoining hotel and restaurant. Blue Marlin, located on Cala Jondal, draws a glamorous crowd for its chilled daytime atmosphere and open-air dance parties that begin after dark. For a different mood, Sunset Ashram sits on the cliffs of Cala Conta, providing a bohemian setting to watch the sun go down with a cocktail. The view of Es Vedra from Cala d’Hort beach at sunset is an island ritual. The 400-meter-high rocky island is the source of local myths, from being the site of the lost city of Atlantis to the source of siren songs. A charter broker from Burgess can book the front row booths at a cliffside club well in advance to secure the view. An Older Current Inland and away from the coast, Ibiza’s Old Town, Dalt Vila, offers a different perspective. The 2,500-year-old walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of whitewashed buildings and winding cobbled streets. After dark, the historic stone ramparts are lit against the night sky, revealing views over the old fishing port. It’s a side of the island grounded in a much longer history. That history is also present in its restaurants. In a small cove, Es Xarcu has served supremely fresh fish from its terrace for more than 40 years. In Ibiza Town, Ca n’Alfredo has been a local institution since 1934, serving traditional food like sofrit pagès, a classic meat stew, and arròs a la marinera. For a more contemporary approach, La Gaia at Ibiza Gran Hotel holds a Michelin star and two Repsol Suns for tasting menus focused on local produce. The Island Itself A yacht charter also serves as a private base for wellness. The day can begin with a guided yoga session on deck while anchored in a quiet bay. Specialist practitioners can be brought on board for everything from a Swiss massage to breathwork sessions, creating a tailored retreat on the water. It’s an experience built around privacy and mindfulness. The island’s terrain is woven with hiking trails through aromatic forests and green hills, with the scent of olive groves and salty sea air. A tender can drop you in a secluded cove for a day of exploring on foot, passing Moscater Lighthouse or wandering along the banks of Santa Eulalia, the only river in the Balearics. The highest point in the entire Balearic archipelago is Sa Talaia. Its name means ‘watchtower’. The summit sits at an elevation of 475 meters, reached via a 2.4-kilometer trail that takes about an hour and a half to complete. On a clear day, the view takes in Formentera, the Illots Ponent Natural Reserve, and even the mainland coast of Spain. At the end of a long hike, the best way to cool off is a cold plunge into the sea from the stern of your yacht. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-week-in-ibiza — Citation: "A Week In Ibiza" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-15. https://menwith.com/a-week-in-ibiza --- ## The Bugatti Destrier First Public Apperance - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-destrier-first-public-apperance - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-15 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti unveils the one-of-one Destrier, a bespoke sculpture of speed born from the Bolide's chassis. This Programme Solitaire creation blends extreme engineering with bespoke elegance for its owner. The week in Monterey began not with a public spectacle, but with a private presentation. Inside the Maison BUGATTI at Pebble Beach, a single customer and his family saw their car, the Destrier, for the first time. They were joined by the Bugatti team that brought it to life, including CEO Mate Rimac, Managing Director Hendrik Malinowski, and Director of Design Frank Heyl. It was a moment that reflected the deeply personal journey behind the car's creation. Conceived as a pure sculpture of speed, the Destrier uses the technical underpinnings of the Bolide, Bugatti’s most extreme track car. The project’s goal was to transform that foundation into an object of seamless proportion and elegance. The result is a one-of-one creation, built entirely around the vision of its owner. Programme Solitaire The Destrier was born from Programme Solitaire, an offering that sits beyond even the brand’s Sur Mesure customization service. This program is reserved for singular, one-of-one masterpieces, continuing a coachbuilding tradition that has shaped Bugatti’s identity for more than a century. The Destrier follows previous creations like the Brouillard and F.K.P. Hommage, opening a new chapter for the exclusive service. This philosophy of fusing grace with performance introduces a new design language for the marque. The car is finished in a bespoke, multi-layered color called “Sapphire Celeste,” created exclusively for this vehicle. Its brightwork components feature a hammered surface finish, a subtle reference to the hand-beaten armor of a medieval knight. Inside, the car moves away from the Bolide’s stripped-back, motorsport-focused cockpit. The cabin draws instead on the quiet warmth of a tailor’s atelier. Every material was individually selected and each surface crafted specifically for its single owner, a process handled in collaboration with representatives from Bugatti Greenwich. From Private Roads to Public Debut Before its public reveal, the Destrier’s owner and other members of the Bugatti family took part in an intimate Bugatti Petit Tour. The drive coursed along the Californian coastline and its dramatic Pacific vistas, starting from Spanish Bay and heading towards Big Sur before returning to the Maison BUGATTI. The week culminated with the car's public premiere at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. Introduced by Mate Rimac and Frank Heyl, the Destrier was unveiled to international media and collectors before being exhibited on the Concours’ Concept Lawn. The presentation gave guests a chance to explore the design philosophy behind transforming Bugatti's most extreme engineering into a work of pure elegance. “This moment in Bugatti’s story represents a deeply meaningful moment for our treasured marque, for Programme Solitaire and, above all, for the customer whose vision inspired this extraordinary creation,” said Mate Rimac. “Destrier shows the breadth of what Programme Solitaire can achieve, standing proudly as the creation of an entirely singular Bugatti with its own spirit, and its own place in the brand’s history. To see it showcased privately at the Maison BUGATTI, finally unveiled publicly at The Quail and presented on the Concept Lawn at the Concours, was to see the full emotion of coachbuilding brought to life.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-destrier-first-public-apperance — Citation: "The Bugatti Destrier First Public Apperance" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-15. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-destrier-first-public-apperance --- ## Aston Martin Valen: The Engineering Behind 850PS - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-valen-the-engineering-behind-850ps - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-14 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** The Aston Martin Valen boasts an 850PS V12, making it the most powerful front-engined car in the brand's history. Its carbon fibre body, lightweight construction, and advanced chassis tuning deliver extreme performance and a thrilling driving experience. The name is derived from the Latin word 'valens', meaning strong or powerful. For the Aston Martin Valen, a machine built around an 850PS V12 engine, it feels appropriate. Unveiled in Monterey, California, the Valen is the latest special project from the brand's bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin, following cars like Valour and Valiant. It stands as the most powerful front-engined car in the company's 113-year history. The car is built around a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, now delivering 1000Nm of torque from just 2500rpm. Its bodywork is composed entirely of carbon fibre. Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark described the intent plainly. "Valen's world-beating performance required a design to capture the raw motion and unmatched output of our V12 powertrain," he said. "With more power, less weight, and a spectacular soundtrack, the dramatic design is backed up by equally dramatic performance.” According to Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s Director of Vehicle Performance, the project was an exercise in focus. "Everything we've done to the powertrain and chassis has been driven by the same objective; to intensify the character and capability to deliver a truly thrilling experience that's accessible to all skill levels, but keen drivers will absolutely relish.” This is reflected in the drive modes. Sport and Sport+ use a shorter throttle map for more immediate response, while Track mode uses a longer, more progressive delivery for precision. The hardware is just as specific. The Valen uses a solid-mounted rear subframe, along with model-specific springs, helper springs, and Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers. The steering calibration was tuned to increase the feeling of agility and make the car behave as if it were shorter and lighter. The brake booster maintains a firm pedal for the 410mm front and 360mm rear carbon ceramic brakes, allowing for precise modulation. Obsession with Weight and Sound A central focus of the program was a significant weight reduction of up to 110kg compared to the core V12 platform. This was achieved through the use of motorsport-inspired materials, including carbon fibre, aluminium, titanium, and magnesium. An optional lightweight pack, which features machined-from-solid aluminium suspension arms and titanium chassis bolts, saves 16.9kg alone. Lightweight magnesium wheels are standard, fitted with Pirelli P Zero R tyres developed specifically for the Valen. The tyres, 275/35 ZR21 at the front and 325/30 ZR21 at the rear, incorporate Pirelli’s Cyber™ Tyre technology. The system, developed with Bosch Engineering, shares real-time tyre data with the car’s ESP, ABS, and traction control, allowing the systems to continuously adapt their thresholds. The car’s soundtrack comes from a new lightweight titanium exhaust system. The quad-pipe design features four tailpipes formed with 3D printed titanium. The upper two exits are always open, while the lower two are valved, opening depending on the drive mode. The system was tuned to reduce lower frequencies while amplifying higher tones, with the upper outlets designed to generate resonance at high engine speeds, akin to organ pipes. A Provocative Form The design features deeply recessed, slimline headlamp units hooded beneath the sharp edge of a plunging bonnet. The traditional side strake is sharpened and elongated, becoming part of a large functional vent that extends almost the full length of the door. Sharp saw-tooth vortex generators are positioned on the trailing edge of the sills to pull high-speed airflow from beneath the car, reducing lift. For Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, the car was a chance to push the brand’s visual language. “Valen gave us the opportunity to explore and express more extreme emotions through a new form language and surface treatment,” he stated. “Valen is a provocative front-engined supercar exuding increased potency and sporting intent, yet still celebrating the elevated luxury, meticulous detailing and unmistakable design signatures expected of a flagship Aston Martin.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-valen-the-engineering-behind-850ps — Citation: "Aston Martin Valen: The Engineering Behind 850PS" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-14. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-valen-the-engineering-behind-850ps --- ## Ferrari Showed Two Futures In Monterey - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-showed-two-futures-in-monterey - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-14 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** Ferrari's CZ26 and Luce showcase contrasting futures: one prioritizing radical design with extensive engineering, the other embracing electric power and manufactured sensation. The front of the Ferrari CZ26 is a wall. Not a raked nose, not a wedge, not the pointed shovel every supercar has worn since the SF90. A vertical leading edge, flat to the airstream, holding a full-width grille with the lighting hidden inside it. Ferrari calls the edge unprecedented, which is marketing language for something that is nonetheless true. It is also, aerodynamically, close to the worst thing you can do to a fast car. A blunt vertical face builds a wall of high pressure in front of it and drags that pressure down the length of the body. Every shape decision in the last decade of performance and electric cars has been made to avoid exactly this, which is why so many of them have converged on the same slippery form. So the interesting question is not whether the CZ26 looks good. It is what Ferrari had to spend to keep the face they wanted. What The Shape Cost The list is in the technical notes and it is longer than a one-off usually needs. The central radiator pack was reoriented and given dedicated bypass ducts. The entire underbody was redesigned, along with the vortex generator system beneath it. An air curtain system was built into the outer sections of the front bumper to manage the wake coming off the front wheels. At the rear, a large upper spoiler and a dedicated diffuser were developed to put the downforce back. Even the engine cover was redrawn with new vents to get the heat out. None of that is styling. That is a full aerodynamic development programme, run on a car that will be built once, in order to make a shape work that the airflow did not want. Which is the opposite of how most of this industry now operates. The dominant method is to let the metric choose the shape and then decorate what comes out. Ferrari picked the shape first and paid for it in engineering. Whatever you think of the result, that is a company using its competence to buy a design decision rather than to satisfy a number. The 1970s Reference Is Doing Real Work Ferrari points to Italian industrial design of the 1970s, and it would be easy to read that as a mood board. It isn't, quite. The 1970s Italian tradition that matters here is the one where the object shows you what it does. Where a control looks like a control, a vent looks like a vent, and the housing is the shape of the function rather than a lid placed over it. On the CZ26 the side intakes, the diffuser, the carbon elements extending the arches and the light clusters all emerge from the main surface instead of being applied to it. The car is trying to look like the sum of its jobs. That is a coherent position, and it is a rarer one than it sounds. Most performance cars today are covered in vents that do nothing and creases that exist to break up a surface. Two Ferraris, One Week The CZ26 was presented in Monterey on 13 August. In the same city, in the same week, Chassis 0 of the Luce went under the hammer at RM Sotheby's, expected to clear a million dollars for the Ferrari Foundation. Two cars, four days, one badge, and two completely different answers to what a Ferrari is for. The Luce has four motors, more than a thousand horsepower, and accelerometers on the rear axle that pick up powertrain vibration and amplify it into the cabin so the driver hears something. The CZ26 has a twin-turbo V8, three electric motors, and an underbody rebuilt from scratch to defend a flat front face. One car manufactures the sensation. The other engineers the cause. I have argued before that the industry is repeating watchmaking's mistake by competing on the metrics the new technology wins. The CZ26 is the other half of that argument, and it is the more useful half, because it is a working example of the way out. Fewer cars. More difficulty. Difficulty made visible. That is precisely the move Swiss watchmaking made when it stopped defending accuracy and started selling tourbillons, and it is the reason mechanical watches still account for 86 percent of Swiss export value while keeping worse time than a cheap quartz. Ferrari already runs this programme. Special Projects takes about two years per car, with the client in the room through design and verification. It is treated inside the company as an expression of client privilege, a reward for the top of the list. On the evidence of this car it is something more useful than that. It is the part of Ferrari where the constraint is taste rather than volume, and where the engineering exists to serve a decision instead of a target. What It Doesn't Solve One car does not make a strategy. Special Projects builds a handful a year against roughly thirteen thousand deliveries, and there is no version of it that scales. And the CZ26 is still an SF90 underneath. Extensively re-engineered, but not a new car. What is new is the skin and the aerodynamic work required to hang it there. There is also something slightly melancholy about it. The most interesting design decision Ferrari made this year will sit in one collection, seen in the flesh by a few hundred people, while the car everyone will actually encounter is the one that plays its engine through the cabin. Ferrari knows how to make an object worth arguing about. It made one this month. It just made it for a single client, in a week when it was also selling the other future for charity, four days and one auction catalogue away. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-showed-two-futures-in-monterey — Citation: "Ferrari Showed Two Futures In Monterey" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-14. https://menwith.com/ferrari-showed-two-futures-in-monterey --- ## IWC and Mercedes-Benz Mark 140 Years With A New Kind of Calendar - URL: https://menwith.com/iwc-and-mercedes-benz-mark-140-years-with-a-new-kind-of-calendar - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-13 - Tags: IWC Schaffhausen **Summary:** IWC and Mercedes-Benz celebrate 140 years with a Big Pilot's Watch featuring a revolutionary bi-directional perpetual calendar set by the crown. Limited to 140 pieces, it showcases advanced engineering and a shared heritage of innovation. A perpetual calendar can now be adjusted forward and backward using only the crown. This is the central engineering story inside the new watch from IWC Schaffhausen. The mechanism, called the Perpetual Calendar ProSet, was first shown at Watches and Wonders in Geneva and now finds its home in a piece celebrating a long-standing partnership. The watch is the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz, a reference created to mark the carmaker’s 140th anniversary. It arrives as Mercedes-Benz celebrates under the theme “140 Years of Innovation,” a nod to the patent Carl Benz filed for the first automobile in 1886. The collaboration between the two companies has lasted for 22 years, beginning with Mercedes-AMG in 2004 and later extending to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in 2013. Limited to 140 pieces, the watch features a 42-millimeter stainless steel case, both brushed and polished. Its black dial is set with solid gold appliqués and gold-plated hands, with a minute track printed in white. The aesthetic is clean, but the engineering is where the story deepens. “What began as a partnership has grown into a friendship, built on mutual respect and deep admiration for each other’s work,” says Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. He frames the collaboration as one rooted in shared values of engineering, performance, and design. Mathias Geisen, a member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz, echoes this. “Since 1886, Mercedes-Benz has never simply measured time, but defined eras,” he notes. “Together with IWC Schaffhausen, we celebrate a shared belief that true progress is born from craftsmanship, innovation, and attention to every detail.” A Calendar Reimagined IWC’s history with mechanical calendars includes the perpetual calendar developed by watchmaker Kurt Klaus in 1985. The new Perpetual Calendar ProSet is a complete reimagining of the complication. The module is based entirely on gears and is protected by four patents. Its ability to be set bi-directionally through a single crown position, without pushers or complex menus, required components with highly intricate geometries. To achieve this, IWC uses the LIGA process, a microstructuring technology based on lithography and electroforming. The dial displays the date, month, and day of the week on subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The four-digit year is shown between 7 and 8 o’clock. At 12 o’clock, the Double Moon® display shows the moon phase for both hemispheres and is calculated to deviate by only one day after 1,040 years. The movement is the IWC-manufactured 82665 caliber, which uses a Pellaton automatic winding system to build a 60-hour power reserve. On the sapphire-glass case back, a historic logo commemorates the occasion. It is the first joint emblem of Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. from 1926, combining the Benz laurel wreath with the DMG three-pointed star. The watch is fitted with a black rubber strap that can be changed using the integrated EasX-CHANGE® system. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/iwc-and-mercedes-benz-mark-140-years-with-a-new-kind-of-calendar — Citation: "IWC and Mercedes-Benz Mark 140 Years With A New Kind of Calendar" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-13. https://menwith.com/iwc-and-mercedes-benz-mark-140-years-with-a-new-kind-of-calendar --- ## Koenigsegg CCGT1 Brings a Lost Racing Dream Back to Life - URL: https://menwith.com/koenigsegg-ccgt1-brings-a-lost-racing-dream-back-to-life - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-13 - Tags: Koenigsegg CCGT1, Koenigsegg CC850, Christian von Koenigsegg, GT1 racing, Monterey Car Week, Ghost Fibre, Light Speed Transmission **Summary:** Koenigsegg revives its lost GT1 racing dream with the CCGT1, a road-legal hypercar based on the CC850. It offers track-focused performance and a nod to the original CCGT's unfinished racing ambition. More than two decades after Koenigsegg’s original GT1 ambitions were cut short, the Swedish hypercar manufacturer is bringing the story back to life. Unveiled in Monterey, California, the new Koenigsegg CCGT1 is a modern tribute to the one off CCGT race car, combining road legal usability with what the company describes as its most exhilarating track experience yet. The Race Car That Never Got to Race The story behind the CCGT stretches back to the earliest days of Koenigsegg. Christian von Koenigsegg had endurance racing in mind while developing the first CC prototype, carefully considering the dimensions required by contemporary Le Mans GT1 regulations. That ambition eventually resulted in the CCGT. Developed with engineer and fabricator Dag Bölenius, the race car weighed around 1,000 kg and featured a naturally aspirated 5.0 litre Koenigsegg V8 producing 600 hp, the maximum permitted under GT1 regulations. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a magnesium sequential gearbox, while its aerodynamic package generated more than 600 kg of downforce. The potential was there. Test driver Loris Bicocchi helped set up the car and it demonstrated competitive pace from its first laps. But only two months after shakedown testing began, the FIA changed the GT1 regulations to require higher volume production cars. Koenigsegg's racing programme was cancelled before the CCGT could complete a single competitive lap. Only one example was ever built. A Modern CCGT for Road and Track Now Koenigsegg is revisiting that unfinished chapter with the CCGT1. Based on the CC850, the new car carries the original CCGT's philosophy into a fully homologated and road legal Megacar. It has been deliberately developed with two personalities, offering comfort and usability on the road while transforming into a far more focused machine on circuit. At its heart is Koenigsegg's twin turbo V8, enhanced with additional cooling to maintain peak performance during sustained track driving. For a more authentic GT1 inspired experience, the CCGT1 features a clutch pedal for take off and a sequential shifter controlling the nine speed Light Speed Transmission. A center console dial marked ASMR allows the driver to select between Auto, Sequential, Manual and Reverse. For those wanting a more traditional experience, the six speed gated ESS shifter from the CC850 is also available as an option. The CCGT1 also introduces Koenigsegg's newly developed Ghost Fibre, a material Christian von Koenigsegg says builds on the history of the company's Trevita project. The CCGT Finally Gets Its Moment The timing of the CCGT1 is particularly fitting. The original CCGT has now been fully refurbished by the Koenigsegg Legend Division under the care of its current US based owner. It is preparing to finally make its competitive debut in GT1 Historic racing, facing the cars it was originally intended to compete against two decades ago. The new CCGT1 will be limited to just 70 examples, matching the production number of the CC850 on which it is based. According to Koenigsegg, every example had already been allocated before the car was publicly revealed. For Koenigsegg, this is more than another limited edition Megacar. It is the revival of a racing story that never received the opportunity to properly begin. Two decades later, the CCGT name finally gets its second chance. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/koenigsegg-ccgt1-brings-a-lost-racing-dream-back-to-life — Citation: "Koenigsegg CCGT1 Brings a Lost Racing Dream Back to Life" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-13. https://menwith.com/koenigsegg-ccgt1-brings-a-lost-racing-dream-back-to-life --- ## Cadillac Brings Its Hand-Built Philosophy to the Escalade IQ - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillac-brings-its-hand-built-philosophy-to-the-escalade-iq - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-13 - Tags: Cadillac **Summary:** Cadillac offers a bespoke design experience for the Escalade IQ, allowing owners to collaborate with designers for unique, hand-built customizations. This ultra-luxury service extends the CELESTIQ's philosophy to the flagship electric SUV. For an additional $54,995, a select number of Cadillac ESCALADE IQ owners will gain access to a concierge-led design experience previously reserved for the brand’s CELESTIQ program. The new service, called Curated by Cadillac ESCALADE IQ, moves the all-electric SUV into a more personal space, built around direct collaboration with company designers. The program extends the logic of the hand-built CELESTIQ to the brand’s flagship SUV. “Curated by Cadillac ESCALADE IQ gives clients the chance to create a vehicle that reflects their individual taste by working alongside expert Cadillac designers,” said Kristian Aquilina, vice president of Global Cadillac. Each client is assigned a dedicated design concierge who works with them and their dealer to manage the customization. The process includes guided configurator sessions built around specific inspirations and personas to keep the personalization intentional. A New Level of Customization The options are extensive. Clients can choose from a palette of more than 160 premium exterior colors. The finishes include solids, metallics, tri-coats, and more specialist frosts and mattes. One preproduction model was shown in a combination of Selene Luxe Frost, Tigerlilly, and Manhattan Metallic. Inside, the choices expand to 44 colors for creating combinations across all three rows of seating, the center console, and the floor mats. An interior shot of a concept vehicle showed a cabin finished in Vecchio with accents of Sheer Gray and Santorini Blue. The underlying vehicle remains the Escalade IQ, with its estimated 465 miles of range and a 55-inch Horizon display. With Velocity Max engaged, the SUV produces up to 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0–60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The Artisan Center Every Curated by Cadillac ESCALADE IQ will be hand-painted and hand-built by artisans for the 2027 model year. The work will take place at the Artisan Center in Warren, Michigan. Each vehicle receives a unique VIN and an exclusive serialized builder’s badge, confirming its place in the ultra-low volume series. The program is available for vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada, with deliveries expected to begin in the second half of 2027. A concept version will be on display at The Quail, a motorsports gathering in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, on August 14, 2026. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillac-brings-its-hand-built-philosophy-to-the-escalade-iq — Citation: "Cadillac Brings Its Hand-Built Philosophy to the Escalade IQ" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-13. https://menwith.com/cadillac-brings-its-hand-built-philosophy-to-the-escalade-iq --- ## Cadillac's CELESTIQ Night Test is Performance Without Theater - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillac-s-celestiq-night-test-is-performance-without-theater - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-13 - Tags: Cadillac **Summary:** Cadillac's CELESTIQ Night Test embodies "performance without theater" with its stealthy design and minimalist luxury interior. This one-of-one commission highlights bespoke craftsmanship and a singular creative vision. A Jade lighting bezel frames the headlamps on the Cadillac CELESTIQ Night Test. It has a stealthy dark finish, designed to diffuse light rather than reflect it, a choice that sets the tone for the entire vehicle. The body is cloaked in Caspia Metallic paint, a high-gloss finish that works against the dark-finish 23-inch wheels. The combination is an exercise in restraint, intended to suggest silent velocity under a dark sky. Performance Without Theater The car’s name and its details are inspired by the unseen work that precedes a world-class performance. Cadillac's vision for this car channels the focus of a lone athlete or a musician practicing where nothing can distract. The brand describes the guiding principle as performance without theater. Inside, this mission-driven minimalism continues. Seats are finished in a high-contrast combination of Backen Black and Sheer Gray leather. Carbon fiber accents and brushed metal details contribute to an interior that feels like a precision instrument, built for focus. A One-of-One Commission Like every CELESTIQ, this example is a one-of-one commission. It was hand-assembled at the Cadillac Artisan Center in Warren, Michigan, from an individually curated palette of colors, materials, and finishes. The vehicle is built using both U.S. and globally sourced parts. The CELESTIQ Night Test will make its public debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, a key event during Monterey Car Week. It serves as an illustration of how a bespoke vehicle can embody a singular creative vision. The entire commission is meant to create a disciplined and undeniable atmosphere. A vehicle built around the idea that every champion is born in private. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillac-s-celestiq-night-test-is-performance-without-theater — Citation: "Cadillac's CELESTIQ Night Test is Performance Without Theater" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-13. https://menwith.com/cadillac-s-celestiq-night-test-is-performance-without-theater --- ## A Dashboard Clock, a Porsche 911, and the Louis Vuitton Art of Travel - URL: https://menwith.com/a-dashboard-clock-a-porsche-911-and-the-louis-vuitton-art-of-travel - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-12 - Tags: Louis Vuitton **Summary:** Singer and Louis Vuitton collaborated on two custom Porsche 911s, integrating LV's luxury travel aesthetic into every detail, from dashboard clocks to bespoke luggage. It started with a dashboard clock. Singer, the Californian atelier known for its Porsche 911 commissions, asked Louis Vuitton for a timepiece. What arrived in Monterey today is two complete cars. La Fabrique du Temps built the clock in Switzerland: detachable, mechanical, convertible into a desk clock, drawn from the Tambour and carrying twelve polished and engraved letters around the bezel that spell the name of the house. Once it sat in the cockpit, the brief refused to stay small. "It quickly became apparent to us that this collaboration with Singer could extend to the personalisation of every functional element of the vehicle," says Jean Arnault, Louis Vuitton Watch Director. The instrument display alone took a year. Louis Vuitton's designers redrew the speedometer, rev counter and gauges to Tambour codes, down to the hands, the dial terminations and the index systems. Vivid cobalt blue, bursts of bright orange for the lettering. The Classic Coupé The first car sits on a Type 964 coupé chassis, running a 4.0L naturally aspirated air-cooled flat six through a six speed manual to the rear wheels, with carbon-ceramic brakes and a speed-activated rear wing. Singer restored it at the California facility. Lightweight carbon fibre bodywork carries Saffron, a shade held in the Louis Vuitton archives for over a century and a half and used across the packaging for the last twenty years. It also lands close to Bahama Yellow, the hue attached to Singer's earliest commissions. The cobalt blue that runs against it traces to the travel trunks the house built for Citroën in 1924, which already used cobalt reinforcements inside. The yellow reads as the saddle-stitch thread on Louis Vuitton leather goods. Colour has identified racing cars since the Gordon Bennett Cup introduced national liveries in 1900, so the choices are not incidental. The demonstration tyres run cobalt, pulled from the handles and ribbons on the house's packaging. The rear engine air intake grille hides a geometric motif formed from an L and a V. The fuel and oil caps use the typography Louis Vuitton reserves for watch components. Inside, VVT-inspired leather lines the cabin, the same leather the house uses for handles, shoulder straps, edging and labels. Louis Vuitton's artisans specified the seat leather; Singer's team executed the work. The door handle edges take the edge-dyeing treatment from Louis Vuitton bags. Diamond embossing on the seats, front boot trim and rear engine compartment echoes the malletage lining of a trunk. Every ventilation eyelet is cut and finished by hand into a Monogram flower, a motif that returns on the sun visor and headrests. Singer replaced every plastic fitting with hand crafted components. Knobs, switches, locks, pull tabs and vents in metal, predominantly rhodium plated, each one hand finished with polishing and satin techniques taken from watchmaking, the colours achieved by anodising or electroplating. "Every transition between materials, every metallic reflection, every knurled surface, every mechanical interaction and every graphic element has been meticulously considered, often at an almost microscopic level," says Octave Chany, Project Lead Designer at Singer. The capsule around the car runs to a grained leather racing jacket with Monogram flower eyelets across the chest, denim in a cotton and silk blend, the LV Rally car shoe or the LV Remix Derby, perforated driving gloves, and a carbon and glass fibre jet helmet. A bespoke roof rack takes a trunk, a surfboard or skis. The surfboard is built in Angers, sent to the Atlantic coast for resin and fins, and inlaid with Monogram marquetry in blond oak and walnut. The skis come from the French Alps in wood, titanal and steel. The Classic Turbo Cabriolet Nicolas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of Women's Collections, conceived the second car once the coupé was finalised. Type 964 cabriolet chassis, 3.8L twin-turbocharged flat six with air-to-water intercooling, six speed manual, selectable drive modes, whale tail rear wing. Singer built this one in England. The bodywork answers Calcaire Lutétien, the white limestone of Paris and of the house's own headquarters at Pont Neuf. Precious wood forms the bumpers and trim, which set a real problem for the engineers. "Automotive design is a passion that has always lived within me," Ghesquière says. The brief was a car open to the world, blending the nautical and the automotive. Here the clock leaves the instrument binnacle and takes the centre of the console, on natural leather, ringed by warm golden gauges, its dial finished in the exact shade of the bodywork and matched by a golden ignition key. The gearshift trim beneath it evokes the Noé through a natural leather drawstring. The Louis Vuitton signature sits on the dashboard and returns after dark in the tail lamps. The rear luggage compartment opens to reveal a teak-inspired deck built with the same varnishing technique used on runabout decks. It holds fitted luggage and the lightweight soft top. Wood panels the rear engine bay and the front boot, where a three part trunk slots together and lifts out as three individual cases. Leather straps with pin buckles hold the front and rear hoods, reading at once as motorsport, trunk making and watch straps. Ghesquière's capsule answers the car rather than accompanies it: a made to measure parachute silk suit with the house's second initial worked into raised V seams, braided leather driving gloves, the LV Sneakerina, gold and acetate sunglasses. Time is kept twice. The dashboard clock finds its wrist echo in a 40mm Tambour Automatic in ceramic and yellow gold, and both rest in a paired Coffret Trésor, a case Georges Vuitton first made in 1896. What It Actually Means Read the release quickly and this looks like a livery exercise. It is not. Louis Vuitton has not put its colours on a car, it has specified how the car is built: which metal, which finish, which polishing technique, which typography on a fuel cap. That is a house crossing from decoration into engineering, and the two facilities involved tell you how seriously both sides took it, since the coupé was built in California and the cabriolet in England. It is also less of a departure than it looks. In 1897 Georges Vuitton was already building trunks that bolted to car bodies, flat-packed for stacking, locked with patented mechanisms and skinned in Vuittonite canvas that could be dyed to match the paint. In 1909 Pierre and Jean Vuitton built their own car on a Stabilia chassis. Louis Vuitton spent forty years matching itself to the automobile before industrial standardisation ended bespoke coachwork in the 1940s. What is genuinely new is the co-branding. Neither house had ever put its name on a shared object until now. The open question is whether this holds. Singer took the Central Feature Marque slot at Goodwood this year and does not need the association. Louis Vuitton has run Concours d'Élégance events, a design award and the Classic Run rallies before, all of which ended. Two cars is a statement. A programme would be a category shift, and nothing announced today tells us which one this is. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-dashboard-clock-a-porsche-911-and-the-louis-vuitton-art-of-travel — Citation: "A Dashboard Clock, a Porsche 911, and the Louis Vuitton Art of Travel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-12. https://menwith.com/a-dashboard-clock-a-porsche-911-and-the-louis-vuitton-art-of-travel --- ## Stableford Is LA’s Most Exclusive New Golf Escape - URL: https://menwith.com/stableford-is-las-most-exclusive-new-golf-escape - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-08-12 - Tags: Stableford, Los Angeles, Private Golf Club, Luxury Lifestyle, Golf Simulators, Wellness, Networking **Summary:** Stableford redefines exclusive golf in LA, blending elite play with luxury hospitality, wellness, and modern design. This private members club offers year-round access to advanced simulators, coaching, and networking, catering to a modern, lifestyle-focused golfer. For decades, the world's most exclusive golf clubs have been hidden behind historic gates and decades-long waiting lists. Now, a new concept is taking shape in West Los Angeles, combining elite golf culture with luxury hospitality, wellness and modern design. The result is Stableford, a private members club created for those who see golf as more than just a sport. A New Era Of Private Golf Clubs Rather than focusing solely on the course, Stableford is designed as a complete lifestyle destination. Members gain access to state-of-the-art golf simulators, professional coaching, premium practice facilities and exclusive tournaments, all within a sophisticated indoor environment that can be enjoyed year-round. The club also places a strong emphasis on community, creating a space where entrepreneurs, executives, creatives and golf enthusiasts can connect beyond the fairway. Networking, social events and curated experiences are just as important as lowering your handicap. Luxury Beyond The Game Stableford blends the atmosphere of an exclusive hotel with the energy of a modern private club. Alongside its golf facilities, members can enjoy elevated dining, stylish lounges, wellness amenities and carefully designed interiors that encourage both relaxation and conversation. Instead of spending an entire day driving to and from a traditional country club, members can seamlessly integrate golf into their daily routines while still enjoying a premium luxury experience. Designed For Modern Golf Enthusiasts As golf continues to attract a younger and more lifestyle-focused audience, concepts like Stableford reflect how the sport is evolving. The club caters to professionals who value flexibility without compromising exclusivity, offering an experience that feels equally suited for business meetings, evening cocktails or sharpening your swing. With luxury hospitality, cutting-edge technology and an emphasis on meaningful connections, Stableford represents a fresh vision for what the next generation of private golf clubs can become. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/stableford-is-las-most-exclusive-new-golf-escape — Citation: "Stableford Is LA’s Most Exclusive New Golf Escape" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-12. https://menwith.com/stableford-is-las-most-exclusive-new-golf-escape --- ## The Story Behind Lando and Oscar’s LEGO Helmets - URL: https://menwith.com/the-story-behind-lando-and-oscar-s-lego-helmets - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-08-11 - Tags: McLaren Racing **Summary:** Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collaborated with LEGO for a unique helmet design for McLaren's 1000th Grand Prix. The project involved detailed driver input for both helmets and minifigures, culminating in a last-minute update for Lando Norris's World Champion number. Lando Norris dialled into the meeting from the racetrack, eating his breakfast. The call was with the LEGO Group, and on the agenda was the design of a helmet he would wear at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. It was one of several meetings, some in person, some over video, that formed a two-year project between the Danish toymaker and McLaren Racing. The idea first emerged two years ago. For five years, LEGO had been recreating McLaren Formula 1 cars. In 2022, they even built a life-sized MCL36. The new proposal flipped the process. A LEGO design would appear on track, created to mark McLaren’s 1000th Grand Prix. Dan Meehan, Design Director at the LEGO Group, called it “one of the coolest things that I’ve ever worked on.” Early sketches from December 2024 proposed a two-sided helmet. One half would replicate the team’s special 1000th Grand Prix livery. The other half would be a collaboration with the driver. Lando Norris chose to keep his distinctive blob aesthetic, while his teammate Oscar Piastri opted for a completely new design. A Personal Touch The drivers were also central to the design of their own LEGO minifigures. Typically, driver figures appear in race suits. Norris and Piastri wanted theirs in the casual clothes they wear in the paddock on a Thursday. Lando’s look was inspired by his arrival at a previous Monaco Grand Prix on a moped, featuring a leather jacket, black T-shirt, and a McLaren necklace. Oscar’s reflects his Australian heritage, with a summer fit of thongs and a T-shirt he’d wear in his native Melbourne. “It's got thongs, a T-shirt, and the hair is pretty much perfect as well,” Piastri said of his figure. Discussions about the drivers’ hair were so detailed that Meehan joked, “If we can’t decide on one, then we’ll pick a hairstyle, and you’ll have to get that haircut to match the minifigure!” The co-creation process began in earnest about six months after the initial idea, with workshops at the McLaren factory. Meehan and his colleagues brought white LEGO race helmets built specifically to be drawn on. As they worked, Model Design Master John Ho digitized the designs to speed things up. Beatrice, a graphic designer with a fashion background, created a range of outfits for the drivers to choose from for their minifigures. From Concept to Champion Translating the fluid helmet graphics into hundreds of straight-lined LEGO elements required what Meehan calls “a little bit of mad genius.” The team, including a graphic designer and huge McLaren fan named Colin, had to create new parts, like single-element visors, to make the build feel genuine. The complexity was a challenge for John Ho and the building instructions team, who wanted to ensure as many people as possible could build the final product. As production neared, the team faced a complicated obstacle. “There was this realisation that, ‘wait a minute, someone's going to be World Champion here, which means that they’re probably going to change their race number,’” Meehan recalled. The sets, featuring Lando’s Number 4 and Oscar’s Number 81, had a production deadline of the Brazilian Grand Prix. This left little time to make a change if a driver won the championship and took the Number 1. In the end, Lando Norris did become World Champion. The team had to call in favours. After a few late nights, they managed to change Lando’s number from 4 to 1. The update was applied to the helmet itself, the minifigure, his signature on the plate, and all the packaging. They received his new signature just two days after he won the title. The effort ensured that when Norris and Piastri drove the streets of Monte Carlo for McLaren’s 1000th Grand Prix, fans at home could be building the very helmets they were wearing. “This is a genuine co-creation, from the original sketches all the way through to the prototypes and the actual helmets,” Meehan said. “It’s a real pinch-me moment. And to see them in Monaco, on track, is amazing.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-story-behind-lando-and-oscar-s-lego-helmets — Citation: "The Story Behind Lando and Oscar’s LEGO Helmets" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-11. https://menwith.com/the-story-behind-lando-and-oscar-s-lego-helmets --- ## Aston Martin Honors Its Racing Roots With a Trio of DB12 S Models - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-honors-its-racing-roots-with-a-trio-of-db12-s-models - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-11 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin's Q division honors racing roots with three DB12 S Coupes, inspired by 1951 DB2 racers, for Monterey Car Week. Rosso Red. Speed Yellow. Ellwood Blue. These are the three accent colors that define a new collection of DB12 S Coupes from Aston Martin, presented for the 2026 Monterey Car Week. The three-of-a-kind series was created by the brand's bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance. The event, held on California's Monterey Peninsula, is spotlighting early 1950s sports cars and the evolution of performance design. Aston Martin's contribution is a direct reference to its own racing history from that period. A Nod to 1951 The inspiration comes from three specific cars. In 1951, the Aston Martin Racing Team campaigned a trio of DB2 race cars bearing the British registration letters 'VMF'. Each car featured a uniquely colored grille, a detail that provided the starting point for the new DB12 S Coupes. The modern interpretations, built three quarters of a century after the originals raced, are finished in Carbon Black exterior paint. The grille vanes are painted to match their respective inspirations: VMF 63 (Rosso Red), VMF 64 (Speed Yellow), and VMF 65 (Ellwood Blue). Further details include a '75' fender roundel graphic, painted carbon fibre side strakes, and a painted carbon fibre Aeroblade. A subtle DB2 foil overlay at the rear completes the exterior revisions. Inside, the Q by Aston Martin team added color-coordinated contrast stitching to the Aston Martin wings on the headrests. The front seatbacks feature DB2 silhouette embroidery, while the rear seatbacks gain '75' roundel graphics. The start/stop rotary and paddle shifter tips are also painted, and bespoke '75' sill plaques reference the DB2 inspiration. “Being given the opportunity to create something bespoke for this incredibly special occasion has been a real honour for the team,” said Vittorio Gabba, Head of Q at Aston Martin. “I hope and believe these very special models are a fitting tribute to what has become one of the largest automotive occasions.” Beyond the Concours The DB12 S trio is just one part of the brand's presence in Monterey. Activities begin on Wednesday, 12 August, with Astons On The Avenue, an event on Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea organized with the Aston Martin Owners Club. The gathering showcases a range of the marque's sports cars and supports the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. For invited guests, the House of Aston Martin returns as an exclusive clubhouse. Located adjacent to the Poppy Hills Golf Course, the property serves as a retreat supported by partners including Bollinger, Bowers & Wilkins, Breitling, Glenfiddich, and Elemis. On display will be the Valhalla supercar and the recently launched Vantage S and DBX S models. A heritage DB2 will also be shown, connecting directly to the 'VMF' tribute cars. Also making its debut is the Vanquish 25 Special Edition. This limited-production model from the Q team marks the 25th anniversary of the original V12 Vanquish, taking cues from its launch specification and detailing. Andrea Baldi, Aston Martin's Chief Commercial Officer, noted the importance of the week. “The globally significant celebration of automotive excellence that is Monterey Car Week is the ideal background for the unveiling of our very special DB12 S 'VMF' cars,” he said. “But, beyond these carefully crafted tributes to the sporting roots of the event, we will of course be at the historic centre of the luxury automotive world which is the perfect place to celebrate our own heritage in the shape of the Vanquish 25 Special Edition, as well as looking to our exciting and dynamic future.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-honors-its-racing-roots-with-a-trio-of-db12-s-models — Citation: "Aston Martin Honors Its Racing Roots With a Trio of DB12 S Models" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-11. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-honors-its-racing-roots-with-a-trio-of-db12-s-models --- ## Nick Mason’s McLaren, Seinfeld’s Porsche, and The First Ferrari EV Lead the Monterey Sale - URL: https://menwith.com/nick-mason-s-mclaren-seinfeld-s-porsche-and-the-first-ferrari-ev-lead-the-monterey-sale - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-08-11 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Monterey Car Week's RM Sotheby's auction features rare automotive gems, including Nick Mason's McLaren F1 GTR, Seinfeld's Porsche, and the first Ferrari EV. A 1996 McLaren F1 GTR wears a Pop Art-inspired livery of scarlet and yellow. It is the only GTR race car to receive a factory livery, and it was acquired directly from McLaren in 1999 by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. The car, a one-owner machine with an estimated value over 35,000,000 USD, is a fixture of the upcoming RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale. The auction, held from August 13 to 15, is the centerpiece of Monterey Car Week. The lots presented by Sotheby's range from vintage bicycles to Le Mans competitors, drawing a global audience of collectors. American Ambition Among the American cars is a 1948 Tucker 48, born from Preston Tucker’s vision to reinvent the postwar automobile. Only 47 of the original 51 cars he built survive. This example, chassis number 19, has never had a full nut-and-bolt restoration and retains its original engine. Its estimate is between 1,000,000 and 1,300,000 USD. A 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, one of just five originals, also heads to auction. Developed in secret, it was driven by some of the most recognized names in American racing, including A.J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and Delmo Johnson. The car has since been a veteran of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. “The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is one of the most significant post-war American sports cars we have ever had the honour of bringing to market,” explains RM Sotheby’s President, Gord Duff. “It might look something like a production car, but underneath that familiar bodywork lies one of the most advanced racing cars of its era.” European Form The catalogue also features a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe. After taking control of Talbot, Anthony Lago collaborated with coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi to create the Art Deco-inspired bodies. This car, one of eleven original “New York”-style Teardrops, competed in the 1939 ‘24 Hours of Le Mans’ and carries an estimate of 7,000,000 to 8,000,000 USD. Another lot, a 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, counted Fred Astaire and Elvis Presley among its owners. Conceived as a sports car for the American market at a target price of $5,000, its final cost swelled to $10,500 after mechanical and styling improvements. This example is one of just 251 Series II models built between 1956 and 1959. The Driver's Choice A 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster originally ordered by Jerry Seinfeld is also on offer. It is one of 469 built for the United States that year and one of only 37 finished in special-order Maritime Blue. Seinfeld sent the car to Porsche experts Andial for Carrera RS-specification engine components, upgrading it to produce approximately 300 horsepower. It shows 10,779 miles and is accompanied by an original title copy in Seinfeld’s name. From the collection of former Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld comes a 1989 Porsche 959 Sport. One of just 29 built, the Sport model saved 220 pounds by removing the adaptive suspension, air conditioning, stereo, and passenger-side mirror. Showing fewer than 3,000 miles, it has received a comprehensive mechanical overhaul by Porsche Classic. Engineering Extremes The auction includes a 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the result of Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piëch’s ambition to build the world’s fastest road car. Launched in 2005, its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 engine produces 987 horsepower, managed by 10 radiators. This car is the 74th example produced for the U.S. market. A 2018 RUF CTR3 Clubsport represents the work of a company that began as a humble gas station. One of only seven Clubsport examples, it features an alloy spaceframe chassis and Kevlar-carbon bodywork. The car is finished in Oak Green Metallic over quilted black leather and green tartan upholstery. Ferrari is represented by a 2023 Daytona SP3, the third model in the brand’s Icona Series. This two-owner example, configured via the Atelier programme, is finished in Giallo Triplo Strato with Nero racing stripes and has covered just 227 miles. A Beginning and a Heritage It is worth sitting with what that lot is doing in this room. The Talbot-Lago is worth what it is worth because it ran Le Mans in 1939. The 507 because Elvis drove it. The F1 GTR because Nick Mason bought it and kept it. Every other car here has been priced by time, by who touched it and what it survived. Chassis 0 has none of that. It is expected to bring more than double its list price on the strength of being first, which is a bet that the history will arrive later. Sometimes it does. The Veyron in this same catalogue was a curiosity in 2008 and is now a milestone. But the cars that hold their meaning tend to be the ones that earned it in period, not the ones that were designated significant at launch. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/nick-mason-s-mclaren-seinfeld-s-porsche-and-the-first-ferrari-ev-lead-the-monterey-sale — Citation: "Nick Mason’s McLaren, Seinfeld’s Porsche, and The First Ferrari EV Lead the Monterey Sale" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-11. https://menwith.com/nick-mason-s-mclaren-seinfeld-s-porsche-and-the-first-ferrari-ev-lead-the-monterey-sale --- ## Van Cleef & Arpels Builds Its Vision of Life in Madrid - URL: https://menwith.com/van-cleef-arpels-builds-its-vision-of-life-in-madrid - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-10 - Tags: Richemont **Summary:** Van Cleef & Arpels opens its first Madrid boutique, a luxurious 450 sqm space in a historic building. The design emphasizes nature and immersive experiences, showcasing the brand's heritage and iconic creations. The new home for Van Cleef & Arpels in Madrid is on Calle de José Ortega y Gasset 8. It is the Maison’s first boutique in the city, and its second in Spain, following an opening in Barcelona in 2023. The address is more than a location. It is a statement of intent inside a historic building chosen to house the brand’s particular world. The building’s façade is embellished with a floral decoration set against a patina, a motif that speaks to nature, a theme central to the house since its beginning. Numerous windows draw abundant natural light across the boutique’s 450 square metres, spread over two floors. The design is meant to feel warm and immersive from the moment you step inside. An Architecture of Atmosphere Visitors are met with a space where every detail is part of a larger narrative. The original molded ceilings and a glass canopy on the first floor have been preserved, grounding the new boutique in the building’s character. A staircase, finished with exquisite plasterwork and a pearlescent patina, guides guests between the two levels. The decor was designed specifically for this location. Each room is meant to create a distinct feeling. The main area features handmade silk floral wallpaper and beige wall coverings. A more intimate Poetic Salon is organized around a central mirror. This experience continues through other dedicated salons, including a luminous glass atrium known as “the winter garden,” which holds a reception area and a Bar Lounge. On the basement level, a green-toned salon creates a visual link back to the floral themes of the entrance, completing a deliberate journey through the space. A Story Told in Stone and Silk This boutique is an anchor for the Maison’s history in a new city. To celebrate the opening, it will host the “Welcome to the World of Van Cleef & Arpels” patrimonial exhibition. The collection showcases the brand’s creative spirit and expertise through the decades, from its stringent selection of gemstones to its signature innovations like the Mystery Set, the Minaudière, and the Alhambra motif. The brand, now part of the Richemont group, was born in Paris at 22 Place Vendôme in 1906. Its inspirations remain consistent: nature, love, couture, and dance. They are the sources of a universe the brand describes as enchanting, built on a foundation of expert savoir-faire. It all began with the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef and Esther Arpels. Both came from families of jewelry merchants. The Maison was the result of their union, a story of love that became a legacy in high jewelry. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/van-cleef-arpels-builds-its-vision-of-life-in-madrid — Citation: "Van Cleef & Arpels Builds Its Vision of Life in Madrid" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-10. https://menwith.com/van-cleef-arpels-builds-its-vision-of-life-in-madrid --- ## LUURA BRINGS A NEW KIND OF LUXURY TO PAROS - URL: https://menwith.com/luura-brings-a-new-kind-of-luxury-to-paros - Published: 2026-08-09 - Tags: Luura – Cliff, Paros, Elie Khouri, Sophie Khouri, Vivium, Morgans Originals, Elastic Architects, Lambs and Lions, Artemis Baltoyanni, Francesco Clemente, Claire Tabouret **Summary:** Luura – Cliff, Paros, a new luxury retreat opening August 2026, blends contemporary Cycladic design with art and Mediterranean living. It features 39 suites, curated art, and dining by Lenea and Mimi Kakushi. LUURA BRINGS A NEW KIND OF LUXURY TO PAROS A new cliffside retreat brings contemporary Cycladic design, art and Mediterranean living to one of Greece’s most desirable islands. Paros has steadily established itself as one of the Mediterranean’s most compelling alternatives to its more famous Cycladic neighbours. Now, a new arrival is adding another reason to make the journey. Opening for its first season in August 2026, Luura – Cliff, Paros is a new luxury retreat perched above Agia Irini on the island’s western coast, overlooking the Aegean and neighbouring Antiparos. It is the first property from Luura, a new hospitality brand created by father-and-daughter duo Elie and Sophie Khouri through their family company Vivium. The hotel also joins Morgans Originals, marking the collection’s debut in Greece. A MODERN TAKE ON CYCLADIC DESIGN Rather than attempting to reinvent the visual language of the Cyclades, Luura embraces it. Designed by Elastic Architects, with interiors by Lambs and Lions, the property draws inspiration from traditional island architecture. Whitewashed volumes, thick walls and softly rounded forms are spread across the clifftop landscape, giving the property the character of a small Cycladic village rather than a conventional resort. The interiors continue the restrained approach, combining natural materials, warm textures and carefully selected furniture with the simplicity of the surrounding architecture. 39 SUITES ABOVE THE AEGEAN Exclusivity comes partly through scale. Luura – Cliff comprises just 39 suites, all featuring private outdoor terraces and views towards the Aegean. Nineteen also include their own private pools. At the centre of the property is a larger swimming pool overlooking the sea, alongside dedicated spa and wellbeing spaces. Its location above Agia Irini is an important part of the experience. From the property, guests look across the water towards Antiparos and the sunsets that define Paros' western coastline. ART BECOMES PART OF THE EXPERIENCE Art plays an unusually prominent role throughout Luura. Curated with independent art advisor Artemis Baltoyanni, the collection combines pieces from the Khouri family's private collection with works by established and emerging international and Greek artists. The collection includes names such as Francesco Clemente, Claire Tabouret, Tschabalala Self, Sofia Mitsola and Kostas Paniaras, alongside pieces commissioned specifically for the hotel. Rather than functioning simply as decoration, the collection has been integrated into the architecture and interiors, adding another layer to the property's identity. MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOURS MEET 1920s OSAKA Food is another major part of the Luura experience. Lenea takes a contemporary approach to Mediterranean cuisine, focusing on seasonal ingredients and the flavours of the region. Alongside it is Mimi Kakushi, bringing its distinctive interpretation of 1920s Osaka to Paros. The concept has already established an international reputation through its Dubai location, adding an unexpected Japanese influence to the otherwise Mediterranean setting. Together, the two restaurants give Luura a culinary identity that extends well beyond the traditional hotel restaurant. DISCOVERING PAROS BEYOND THE HOTEL Luura's ambitions aren't limited to what happens within the property. Experiences are designed around Paros itself, from sailing towards secluded bays and exploring the island's whitewashed villages to discovering its food, landscapes and local traditions. It reflects a broader evolution in luxury travel. Increasingly, the most interesting hotels aren't attempting to isolate guests from their surroundings. Instead, they are becoming a gateway to them. For Paros, that approach feels particularly appropriate. The island has become increasingly desirable while retaining much of the character that originally attracted travellers: beaches, traditional villages, small communities, restaurants, art and a slower Mediterranean rhythm. A NEW CHAPTER FOR PAROS With its restrained architecture, serious art collection, intimate scale and enviable position above the Aegean, Luura – Cliff arrives with all the ingredients expected from a contemporary luxury retreat. But its greatest strength may be its approach to Paros itself. Rather than competing with the island, Luura appears designed around it — offering a quieter interpretation of Mediterranean luxury where architecture, food, art and location become equally important. And as Paros continues its rise among Europe's most desirable summer destinations, Luura – Cliff offers a glimpse of what the island's next chapter could look like. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/luura-brings-a-new-kind-of-luxury-to-paros — Citation: "LUURA BRINGS A NEW KIND OF LUXURY TO PAROS" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-09. https://menwith.com/luura-brings-a-new-kind-of-luxury-to-paros --- ## The Bugatti Destrier Is A Sculpture Built On Speed - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-destrier-is-a-sculpture-built-on-speed - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-06 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** The Bugatti Destrier, a one-off commission, reimagines the Bolide's extreme engineering as a low-slung sculpture. It blends haute couture interiors with the W16 powertrain, prioritizing proportion and craftsmanship. A Destrier was the finest and strongest warhorse a medieval knight could command. It is also the name Bugatti has given its third Solitaire project, a car that shares the posture of a powerful animal poised to pounce, even when standing still. The one-off commission began with a question. What if the most extreme engineering package the marque has ever created, the foundation of the Bugatti Bolide, was freed from its relentless pursuit of downforce? What form would emerge if the wings, vents, and aerodynamic addenda were stripped away? The result is a car of pure proportion, standing just one meter tall. It is dramatically lower than any other Bugatti model. The wheels, 20-inch at the front and 21-inch at the rear, appear monumental against a body that has been pared back to its essential volumes. The cabin crouches low between the two front wings, creating an extreme posture normally found only in early design sketches. One Chassis, Two Expressions This idea has a precedent in the marque’s history. The Type 57 chassis once formed the basis for both the streamlined Type 57G and 57C “Tank” racers that won Le Mans in 1937 and 1939, and the Type 57SC Atlantic, a car widely held to be among the most beautiful ever built. A race car and an objet d'art from a single foundation. The Destrier and Bolide continue that tradition. A hand-laser-engraved dedication plate above the windscreen depicts both the Type 57G Tank and the Type 57SC Atlantic, making the connection permanent. The Destrier’s bodywork introduces new vocabulary. The signature Bugatti C-line, usually an unbroken curve of brightwork, now pauses just before the front wheel well, allowing bare bodywork to show through before it resumes its path. The horseshoe grille is wider than on the Bolide, while at the rear, a blended wing echoes the Chiron Profilée, closing the silhouette with quiet grace. The car is finished in “Sapphire Celeste,” a multi-layered color created exclusively for its owner. Diamond-inspired sparkle in the paint elevates the car's sculptural form, contrasted by polished aluminum brightwork. It is a quiet echo of history. The celebrated Type 57SC Atlantic chassis 57591, the “Pope” Atlantic, was originally blue before being repainted black. A Tailor's Atelier Inside, the Destrier moves far from the Bolide’s stripped-back cockpit and into the quiet warmth of a tailor's atelier. Three materials define the cabin. Leather and nubuck in a warm brown called “Ambre Voyageur” are joined by an advanced 3D-knitted textile. Drawing on techniques from haute couture, the textile forms seamless surfaces threaded with fine copper yarns. These create sparkling highlights woven into a circular “halo-line” pattern flowing around the cabin. The hammered brightwork finish from the engine bay returns on the door opener, air vents, and steering wheel hub. A small French flag sits at the heart of the cabin. Beneath the sculpted bodywork sits the Bolide’s complete W16 powertrain. It is Bugatti’s quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre engine, producing 1,600 PS. The detail is offered almost in passing. The Destrier's story is one of proportion and craftsmanship, not outright performance. As one of its creators noted, “Destrier is not a car you understand with your head, it is a car you feel with your heart.” The car will be unveiled during Monterey Car Week, culminating at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16, 2026. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-destrier-is-a-sculpture-built-on-speed — Citation: "The Bugatti Destrier Is A Sculpture Built On Speed" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-06. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-destrier-is-a-sculpture-built-on-speed --- ## The €62 Million Sanlorenzo LEMON TREE Is About Living On The Water - URL: https://menwith.com/the-62-million-sanlorenzo-lemon-tree-is-about-living-on-the-water - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-06 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** The €62M Sanlorenzo LEMON TREE superyacht offers unparalleled water-level living with a three-sided opening beach club and a private owner's deck. Its design prioritizes seamless flow and connection with the sea. The stern of the LEMON TREE opens on three sides. Its terraces fold down to meet the surface, creating a private sanctuary at water level. It’s an immediate signal of the yacht’s entire design philosophy, a direct connection with the sea. Delivered by Sanlorenzo in 2021, the 61.5-meter superyacht has been listed for sale exclusively with Burgess for EUR 62,000,000. Its design is a joint effort, with contemporary interiors by Francesco Paszkowski and a sleek, functional exterior shaped by the shipyard’s in-house team. The result is a vessel built around openness. A Design of Seamless Flow The interior of the LEMON TREE is defined by clean lines and a calming palette, with spaces that flow into the outdoors. On the main deck, the lounge’s full-height glazing keeps the environment bright and inviting. Forward is a formal dining area, while aft, a large glass-bottomed pool can be covered to become an extended sunpad. The bridge deck above is centered around a generous aft guest area. It offers a relaxed lounge, a sit-up bar, and spaces for sun lounging, with the flexibility for al fresco dining. Walkaround side decks and glass guardrails enhance the sense of space and the views. An elevator provides direct access down to the main deck. The beach club itself is more than just a swim platform. The three-sided opening reveals a fully integrated wellness space, complete with a hammam, gym, and lounge, blending resort-style living with life at sea. The Owner's Private Retreat The entire upper deck is dedicated to the owner. This creates a private retreat anchored by a forward-facing master suite with 180-degree views through full-height windows. Sliding doors open onto a foredeck terrace with its own pool. The suite also includes his and hers bathrooms, a study, and a walk-in dressing room. Aft on the owner's deck, a sky lounge with panoramic windows opens onto a shaded area with dining, a bar, and more lounging space. The foredeck is also engineered as a touch-and-go helipad, adding another layer of utility. LEMON TREE accommodates 14 guests across seven cabins. Below the owner's deck, the main deck hosts two double cabins and three convertible cabins. A massage room offers flexibility as an optional guest or staff cabin. Powered by twin 1,875hp MTU engines, the yacht has a top speed of 16.5 knots and a transatlantic range of 5,000 nautical miles at 11 knots. Zero-speed stabilisers ensure comfort both underway and at anchor. Maintained in excellent condition and ready for immediate cruising, the yacht is currently lying in the West Mediterranean. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-62-million-sanlorenzo-lemon-tree-is-about-living-on-the-water — Citation: "The €62 Million Sanlorenzo LEMON TREE Is About Living On The Water" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-06. https://menwith.com/the-62-million-sanlorenzo-lemon-tree-is-about-living-on-the-water --- ## Hispano Suiza’s Approach to Invisible Performance - URL: https://menwith.com/hispano-suiza-s-approach-to-invisible-performance - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-06 - Tags: Hispano Suiza **Summary:** Hispano Suiza's Carmen Sagrera uses advanced software to enhance driver connection, not add features. Its HSDD system discreetly manages performance for a natural, engaging driving experience. The software inside the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera processes over 200 million instructions per second. It analyzes the steering wheel's position, the yaw angle of the chassis, damper travel, and acceleration across three axes in real time. This constant stream of data is not used to add more functions or fill more screens. It is used to make the technology disappear. For Hispano Suiza, the goal is a different kind of automotive technology. One that remains in the background, at the service of the driver, enhancing the connection between the person and the machine. This philosophy is embodied in the Carmen Sagrera, the third hypercar in the Carmen range. It is a fully electric vehicle that produces 820 kW, or 1,115 horsepower, and 1,160 Nm of torque. It moves from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds. Empowering the Driver The car's performance is managed by a proprietary system called Hispano Suiza Driver Dynamics, or HSDD. This is the central brain that coordinates stability, torque management, power distribution, and the vehicle’s driving modes. It integrates a suite of functions, including the Grip Enhancement System for traction and an Active Yaw Modulation system for stability control. HSDD also includes an Electronic Torque Stabiliser, which manages energy regeneration from braking. It can apply negative torque to the rear wheels independently to improve stability and help extend the car’s range. A thermal management layer oversees the motors and battery to balance performance during use. A Human Calibration The calibration of these systems was developed through simulations and extensive testing on both circuits and public roads. The process was led by test driver and former Formula 1 driver Luis Pérez-Sala. The objective was to preserve a generous margin of freedom for the driver, ensuring the electronic interventions deliver a progressive and natural response. The result is an experience where the driver can feel the vehicle’s character without the sense that electronics have taken over. The systems are designed to support with precision and discretion, respecting the driver's judgment at all times. Juan Fernández, the Chief Technical Officer at Hispano Suiza, describes the thinking. “At Hispano Suiza, we understand technology as a tool to intensify driving pleasure, not to replace it.” He explains that the HSDD system coordinates every intervention so it acts only when necessary. The action is meant to be “in a precise, natural way that is entirely consistent with the character of the vehicle.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hispano-suiza-s-approach-to-invisible-performance — Citation: "Hispano Suiza’s Approach to Invisible Performance" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-06. https://menwith.com/hispano-suiza-s-approach-to-invisible-performance --- ## LVMH Unlocks Its Ateliers for Les Journées Particulières - URL: https://menwith.com/lvmh-unlocks-its-ateliers-for-les-journ-es-particuli-res - Published: 2026-08-06 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH opens 69 ateliers globally for Les Journées Particulières, showcasing craftsmanship from Dior to Fendi. Experience the 'Source of Dreams' theme firsthand. At 30 Avenue Montaigne, the address has been Dior’s since 1947. It is one of 69 locations that will open to the public this autumn for three days, from October 16 to 18, 2026. The occasion is the sixth edition of Les Journées Particulières, an event that offers access to the workshops, cellars, and family homes behind some of the world's most protected Maisons. The event was originally created in 2011 by Antoine Arnault, who handles Image & Environment for LVMH. This year, 46 Maisons across 12 countries will participate under the theme "At the Source of Dreams," inviting visitors to trace the origins of their creations through nature, culture, and craftsmanship. Arnault gathered press in France and Italy to announce the event. "This new edition reflects what deeply drives us," he stated. "An uncompromising demand for quality in every aspect, the local roots of our Maisons, and the desire to share a living culture that belongs to each and every one of us." France: Dior and Guerlain In Paris, La Galerie Dior offers an immersion into the history of the house, retracing Christian Dior's founding inspirations. The experience extends to the gardens and landscapes that shaped his imagination, from Granville to the Château de La Colle Noire. Nearby, visitors can see the ateliers, the "beehive" where seamstresses and artisans perpetuate the exacting standards of haute couture. Maison Guerlain will open its Réserve des Sublimes, a sanctuary for its heritage that is usually closed to the public. The space holds iconic objects, including the first Bee Bottle, created in 1853. It is here the story of the house's olfactory signature, the Guerlinade, unfolds. The blend of iris, jasmine, bergamot, rose, vanilla, and tonka bean is a direct link between the careful selection of materials and the hand-finished details of each bottle. Italy: Fendi in Rome In Rome, Fendi's headquarters are located inside the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. The house will host an exhibition titled "A Fairy Tale of the Future – Ten Years of Fendi Couture 2015/2025," dedicated to the first decade of its couture work. The selection of garments showcases the convergence of design, embroidery, arabesque, and intarsia. The exhibition avoids a chronological path. It instead creates a dialogue between the creative visions that have shaped Fendi Couture, presenting the atelier as a space where mastery and experimentation continually reinvent the language of the craft. Switzerland: La Fabrique du Temps The journey continues to Switzerland, where La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton opens its doors. Founded by master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, the atelier is where the brand's exceptional timepieces come to life. Visitors will discover the high-precision work of artisans at the crossroads of watchmaking tradition and creative freedom. The workshop operates with a deep respect for the rules of the trade, a meticulous eye for detail, and what the house describes as the patience of craftsmanship, all while holding an ambition to push technical boundaries. These locations are just a preview of the full program. A complete Catalogue of Experiences is available for those looking to explore all the venues opening this October. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lvmh-unlocks-its-ateliers-for-les-journ-es-particuli-res — Citation: "LVMH Unlocks Its Ateliers for Les Journées Particulières" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-06. https://menwith.com/lvmh-unlocks-its-ateliers-for-les-journ-es-particuli-res --- ## Hennessey’s Blackbird Is A Wager On Analog - URL: https://menwith.com/hennessey-s-blackbird-is-a-wager-on-analog - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-05 - Tags: Hennessey **Summary:** Hennessey's Blackbird hypercar embraces analog driving with no screens, a manual transmission, and a V8 engine. Inspired by the SR-71, it prioritizes driver connection over digital complexity. The new Hennessey Blackbird has a physical ignition key. Its cabin is built around a large, central analog tachometer. There are zero screens. These details are not accidental. They are the entire point. From its facility in Sealy, Texas, Hennessey Special Vehicles has revealed its third hypercar, a touring-focused model that measures performance by a different metric. Where the Venom F5 explored the limits of speed, the Blackbird is built for the quality of connection between the driver, the machine, and the road. It is a deliberate move away from digital complexity. A Mechanical Heart At the center of the car is an all-new 6.2-liter V8 developed with Ilmor Engineering. The engine is naturally aspirated, projected to produce between 800 and 850 horsepower and spin beyond 9,000 rpm. All of that power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed gated manual transmission with an exposed linkage. The projected performance figures are a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph, built on a bespoke carbon tub and carbon-fiber body with a target weight below 3,000 pounds. The car’s name and philosophy come from the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The influence is visible in the hypercar's long stance and disciplined surfacing. A crisp chine line runs along the body side, echoing the pinched surfaces of the reconnaissance aircraft. The most direct reference is a pair of active vertical stabilizers. They deploy automatically at 71 mph and sit at an angle of +/- 71 degrees, linking the car’s design directly to its namesake. Engineered for the Drive Other aerospace cues add depth. The diamond-shaped quad-exhaust is inspired by the Bell X-1, the aircraft piloted by Chuck Yeager on the first supersonic flight on October 14, 1947. Formula One-style side pods and LMP1-inspired winglets ground the design in motorsport. The Blackbird is engineered for long-distance usability, designed to cover more than 800 miles in a single day. The cabin is larger than the Venom F5’s, with gullwing doors, four cup holders, and storage for two full-size carry-on bags plus additional space in the rear-quarter and cabin. An optional Sky Glass roof, with an asymmetrical shape inspired by the SR-71 canopy, adds to the sense of interior space. Hennessey will build 71 examples, priced from $2.5 million before taxes. The car will make its public debut on August 14 at The Quail in California, with more than two-thirds of the production run already allocated. Customer production is planned for 2029-2030. The project is guided by a clear statement from company founder and CEO, John Hennessey. “Blackbird isn’t just the next chapter in the Hennessey story, it represents the beginning of a new book,” he said. “This is not a numbers car. We set out to create an unparalleled emotional experience, from the first time you see it to the moment you take the wheel and feel the connection between driver and machine.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hennessey-s-blackbird-is-a-wager-on-analog — Citation: "Hennessey’s Blackbird Is A Wager On Analog" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-05. https://menwith.com/hennessey-s-blackbird-is-a-wager-on-analog --- ## Aston Martin Revives Its Past, One Color at a Time - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-revives-its-past-one-color-at-a-time - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-08-05 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin revives iconic 60s/70s paint colors on five bespoke 'Heritage Edition' commissions, blending past and future luxury. A shade of yellow called Pale Primrose once covered the sales brochure for the 1958 Aston Martin DB4. Corgi later chose the same color for its model car, the toy that would become the basis for the iconic James Bond DB5 of the mid-1960s. That specific color now returns, applied to the bodywork of a 2027 DB12 Volante, one of five cars in a new collection. The project is a collaboration between Aston Martin Newport Beach and the marque's bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. Together, they have created the 'Heritage Edition', a set of five one-of-one commissions celebrating paint colors from the 1960s and 1970s. Each finish was remastered with the brand's latest paint technology for the current sports car line-up. More Than Paint The work extends beyond the exterior. Inside, each car features bespoke Q perforated fluted seats, a detail used for the first time in the new Vantage and Vanquish models. An embroidered Q Heritage Aston Martin logo sits on the center armrest, and exclusive 'Heritage Edition' sill plaques mark each commission. The DB12 coupe, DB12 Volante, and Vanquish also receive Dark Walnut Open Pore Wood Inlays. “Every Aston Martin tells a story, and these Heritage Edition commissions celebrate some of the colours that helped define the marque during one of its most celebrated eras,” said Jeff West, General Manager of Aston Martin Newport Beach. His team worked with Q to pair the historic finishes with today’s cars, creating what he calls “a collection that bridges Aston Martin's extraordinary heritage with its uncompromising future.” A History in Color The collection's DB12 Volante, with its 671-horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, wears the aforementioned Pale Primrose. Its coupe counterpart, also powered by a 671-horsepower V8, is finished in Pacific Blue. The shade first appeared on the DB4, DB5, and DB6. Q by Aston Martin revived it after studying an original sample from a historic DB6 color configuration brochure. The flagship Vanquish coupe is presented in Tudor Green, a metallic finish associated with the brand’s 1970s models. The color now wraps a car powered by a new 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 824 horsepower and capable of 214 mph. The final two cars are based on the new Vantage. The coupe is finished in Winchester Blue, a color named for the cathedral city in Hampshire and popular on the V8 Vantage of the 1970s. The Vantage Roadster receives a coat of Mink Silver, a pale metallic that appeared on over 100 DB6 models during the 1960s. Both modern Vantage models use a 656-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. These are the only five current Aston Martin products in the world to be painted in these specific heritage colors. Each of the five 'Heritage Edition' cars is a one-of-one commission, available exclusively through the Newport Beach dealership. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-revives-its-past-one-color-at-a-time — Citation: "Aston Martin Revives Its Past, One Color at a Time" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-05. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-revives-its-past-one-color-at-a-time --- ## The Dealer Who Saw What Andy Warhol Was Building - URL: https://menwith.com/the-dealer-who-saw-what-andy-warhol-was-building - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-08-05 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Irving Blum's $1,000 decision to keep Warhol's 32 Campbell's Soup cans together as one piece was pivotal. This foresight preserved the work's integrity, marking a turning point in Warhol's career and cementing its place in art history. A friend suggested he paint something everybody would recognize, “like Campbell’s Soup.” In 1962, Andy Warhol took the advice. He created a series of 32 canvases, one for each flavor of soup the company offered. The works were hand-painted, with projections of the cans traced onto the canvas, but they were designed to mimic a mechanical process. Each one carried subtle imperfections, a human touch beneath a uniform surface. The works were first shown at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles. The art dealer, Irving Blum, saw something in them that departed from Warhol's earlier comic-strip paintings. He arranged an exhibition, placing the 32 canvases on grocery store shelves along the gallery walls. The public was mostly indifferent, but the art world took notice. A dealer in a nearby gallery even began selling actual cans of soup, advertising them as a cheaper alternative to Warhol's paintings. The $1,000 Decision Blum sold a few of the individual canvases, including one to his friend, the actor Dennis Hopper. But he quickly had a change of heart. He recognized the works were not 32 individual paintings, but one single piece. They needed to stay together. He bought back the few he had sold and approached Warhol with an offer. The deal was for $1,000, paid out in installments over 10 months, for all 32 works. Warhol, who had conceived of them as a set, was delighted. As journalist Sara McCorquodale later wrote, this decision was critical. "This made it different; it made it a statement," she noted in 2015. Blum’s foresight preserved the work’s integrity. The initial exhibition is now seen as the turning point in Warhol's career. The work captured something about the new America, a culture that embraced consumerism. Before the year was out, Manhattan socialites were attending events in soup can-printed dresses. Years later, after Warhol’s death, Blum sold the complete set to New York's Museum of Modern Art for a price reported to be upwards of $15 million. Becoming a Machine Warhol himself wanted “to be a machine.” He soon turned to silkscreen printing to achieve the highly finished, mechanized look he desired from the beginning. He continued to create soup cans and other works, including his famous portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Mao Zedong. At a 1964 exhibition called The American Supermarket, individual Warhol soup can paintings were selling for $1,500 each. The value of his editions has only grown. A complete set of his 1968 screenprint series, *Campbell’s Soup I*, sold at a Sotheby's Prints & Multiples sale for £849,000. Today, prices for his sought-after editions often start around 30,000, with rare complete portfolios reaching much higher. At that same 1964 exhibition, Warhol also sold real cans of Campbell’s Soup. He signed them, and they sold for $6.50 each. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-dealer-who-saw-what-andy-warhol-was-building — Citation: "The Dealer Who Saw What Andy Warhol Was Building" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-05. https://menwith.com/the-dealer-who-saw-what-andy-warhol-was-building --- ## Lamborghini Revuelto Miura 60° Homage Celebrates 60 Years of an Icon - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-revuelto-miura-60-homage-celebrates-60-years-of-an-icon - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-03 - Tags: Lamborghini Revuelto, Lamborghini Miura, Miura 60° Homage, Centro Stile, Ad Personam, Monterey Car Week, V12 hybrid supercar **Summary:** Lamborghini's Revuelto Miura 60° Homage celebrates the iconic Miura's 60th anniversary with heritage-inspired design and hybrid supercar performance. Limited to 99 units, it features classic colors and interior details. Lamborghini is celebrating one of the most important cars in automotive history with the introduction of the Revuelto Miura 60° Homage. Created to mark the 60th anniversary of the iconic Miura, the exclusive special edition combines heritage inspired design with the performance of Lamborghini's flagship hybrid supercar. Limited to just 99 examples worldwide, the Revuelto Miura 60° Homage has been developed through Lamborghini's Ad Personam personalization program in collaboration with Centro Stile. The model will make its world premiere during Monterey Car Week, offering collectors one of the brand's rarest modern creations. A tribute to the world's first super sports car When the Miura debuted in 1966, it forever changed the automotive world. Widely regarded as the first true super sports car, its revolutionary mid engine layout, unmistakable styling and exceptional performance established Lamborghini as a leader in high performance design. The Revuelto Miura 60° Homage draws inspiration directly from that legacy. Buyers can choose from nine historic Miura inspired exterior colours, including Rosso Arancio, Arancio, Giallo, Verde Scandal, Verde Metallic, Blu Tahiti, Blu Notte, Nero Noctis and Bianco Monocerus. Two exclusive liveries recreate one of the Miura's signature styling elements, featuring a contrasting lower body finished in either Oro Elios with shiny gold wheels or Grigio Nimbus with matte titanium diamond wheels. A dedicated Miura 60 logo, gloss black Lamborghini badging, black brake calipers and matte black exhaust tips complete the exterior. A cabin inspired by the original Inside, Lamborghini continues the tribute with details inspired by the classic Miura. The seats feature a modern interpretation of the iconic cannelloni upholstery pattern, while premium leather extends across the centre tunnel, doors and rear bulkhead. Exclusive Miura 60 embroidery is positioned between the seats, while every car receives an individually numbered carbon fibre plaque reading "Miura 60° – Serie Speciale 1 di 99", highlighting the exclusivity of the limited production run. Owners of original Miuras will also have the opportunity to recreate their historic vehicle's original colour combination through Lamborghini's Ad Personam program. Hybrid performance worthy of the badge Beneath the retro inspired styling sits Lamborghini's most advanced powertrain to date. The Revuelto combines a naturally aspirated 6.5 litre V12 with three electric motors, producing a combined 1,015 CV and 807 Nm of torque. Performance is every bit as dramatic as expected, with 0–100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 350 km/h. The Revuelto Miura 60° Homage is more than a special edition. It is a celebration of the car that redefined the supercar segment, while demonstrating how Lamborghini continues to blend its heritage with the future of performance. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-revuelto-miura-60-homage-celebrates-60-years-of-an-icon — Citation: "Lamborghini Revuelto Miura 60° Homage Celebrates 60 Years of an Icon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-03. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-revuelto-miura-60-homage-celebrates-60-years-of-an-icon --- ## Transcend Connect Redefines Luxury River Cruising With a Floating Boutique Hotel Concept - URL: https://menwith.com/transcend-connect-redefines-luxury-river-cruising-with-a-floating-boutique-hotel-concept - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-08-01 - Tags: Transcend Connect, Transcend Cruises, River Yacht, Luxury Charter, Bespoke Travel, Tillberg Design, Hybrid Propulsion **Summary:** Transcend Connect redefines luxury river cruising as a floating boutique hotel for private charters and exclusive events. The customizable vessel offers bespoke experiences on Europe's Rhine and Danube rivers. Luxury travel continues to evolve beyond traditional cruises, and Transcend Cruises is positioning itself at the forefront of that shift with Transcend Connect. Rather than competing with conventional river cruise operators, the company has created a purpose-built vessel designed almost entirely around private charters, exclusive events and tailor-made luxury experiences. Set to sail Europe's iconic Rhine and Danube rivers, Transcend Connect introduces a concept that feels closer to a floating luxury hotel than a traditional cruise ship. A River Yacht Designed Around You Unlike standard river cruises with fixed itineraries and onboard programming, Transcend Connect has been developed from the ground up as a fully customizable experience. Every aspect, from the daily schedule and dining concepts to entertainment, branding and onboard spaces, can be adapted to suit each individual charter. The ship is aimed at luxury brands, private celebrations, corporate retreats, incentive travel, destination weddings and exclusive group experiences rather than individual cabin bookings. It represents a growing trend where personalization becomes the ultimate luxury. Boutique Hotel Comfort on the Water Designed by Sweden's renowned Tillberg Design, the interiors focus on contemporary elegance with open social spaces, refined suites and flexible venues that can transform throughout the day. A morning strategy session can seamlessly become an afternoon wine tasting before evolving into an intimate gala dinner overlooking Europe's most picturesque river landscapes. The vessel accommodates approximately 120 guests across spacious suites while maintaining an intimate atmosphere that feels far removed from larger cruise ships. The emphasis is on calm sophistication, residential comfort and seamless service. More Than a Cruise Transcend Cruises describes Connect as a platform rather than simply a ship. Guests unpack once while exploring multiple destinations, yet every experience onboard is designed around the specific goals of the group. Whether launching a luxury product, hosting a private celebration or organizing a high-end executive retreat, the vessel becomes an extension of the host's vision. The company has also integrated hybrid propulsion technology and sustainable design principles into the vessel, reflecting the growing demand for environmentally conscious luxury travel. A Different Direction for River Cruising As luxury hospitality brands increasingly move into the cruise sector, Transcend Cruises is taking a distinctly different approach by focusing exclusively on bespoke charter experiences instead of traditional passenger cruises. The result is a product that sits somewhere between a superyacht, a boutique hotel and an exclusive private venue. For travelers seeking highly personalized experiences rather than conventional itineraries, Transcend Connect could represent one of the most interesting additions to Europe's luxury travel landscape in the years ahead. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/transcend-connect-redefines-luxury-river-cruising-with-a-floating-boutique-hotel-concept — Citation: "Transcend Connect Redefines Luxury River Cruising With a Floating Boutique Hotel Concept" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-01. https://menwith.com/transcend-connect-redefines-luxury-river-cruising-with-a-floating-boutique-hotel-concept --- ## The Car Industry Is Having Its Quartz Crisis - URL: https://menwith.com/the-car-industry-is-having-its-quartz-crisis - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-08-01 - Tags: Seiko Astron, Swiss watchmaking, quartz crisis, Apple Watch, electric vehicles, BYD, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Ferrari **Summary:** The car industry faces a "quartz crisis" as EVs excel in metrics legacy manufacturers mastered, mirroring the Swiss watch industry's struggle with quartz technology. Value has shifted to components like batteries, challenging traditional automakers. In 1969 Seiko released the Astron. It cost as much as a small car and kept time better than any mechanical watch ever made. Within five years quartz was cheaper too, which was the part that mattered. Swiss watchmaking employment fell from around 90,000 in 1970 to 33,000 by 1984. The standard telling is that the incumbents were too slow. They were first. Neuchâtel had a working quartz prototype in 1967, before the Astron reached a shop. At Basel in 1970 two dozen Swiss brands launched watches on a shared movement, the Beta 21, among them Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Six thousand were built. Then it was abandoned. Quartz was not a watchmaking problem, it was a semiconductor problem, and the Swiss industry of 1970 was a network of small workshops facing Intel and Texas Instruments. Being first bought them nothing. ASUAG and SSIH, the two great conglomerates, were insolvent by the early 1980s and merged under pressure from the banks. What The Swiss Got Wrong For two hundred years the case for a Swiss watch was performance, and the claim was true. Observatory trials, chronometer certification, an entire apparatus for establishing who was best. It was the hardest engineering problem in the country and Switzerland had solved it better than anyone alive. The error was assuming performance meant mechanism. Precision was never a property of gears. It was a property of whatever oscillated most reliably, and in 1969 that stopped being a balance wheel. The competence was real and it was tied to a substrate, which is the worst kind to hold when the substrate moves. What survived was a redefinition. A tourbillon does not make a watch more accurate today. A minute repeater does not tell the time better. The industry moved from performance as a measured result to performance as a visible feat, and kept the pride by changing what the pride was for. Swiss watch exports were worth 25.6 billion francs last year, 86 percent of it mechanical, every piece of it keeping worse time than an airport Casio. The lesson held. When Apple Watch arrived in 2015 the industry was tested again. By 2019 Apple was shipping 30.7 million watches against 21.1 million for every Swiss brand combined. This time nobody converted a house. A few brands built connected watches, most stayed out, and mechanical value held. They were never the same market, and the industry had already paid to learn it. The Same Mistake, In Metal Electric drivetrains are better on most of the metrics the car industry trained its customers to care about, so that is where the legacy manufacturers are competing. Range, acceleration, screens, drag. Every one is a losing position. BYD began as a battery company and still makes its own cells, which it supplies to Mercedes, Toyota and Ford. European carmakers are assemblers sitting on a supplier network, the same shape Swiss watchmaking had in 1970, facing the same problem: the value has moved into a component they do not make. And the metric is deforming the product. Range rewards low drag, low drag rewards one shape, and recent electric cars keep resolving into the same smoothed pebble. Mercedes has admitted it. The EQS was built around a drag coefficient of 0.20, Gorden Wagener has conceded it arrived ten years early, there will be no second generation, and the EQ line is being retired. And Then There Is The Luce Ferrari sells performance and always has. But the expertise is mechanical, and an electric powertrain does not reward what Maranello is world class at. A Tesla Model S Plaid ran the quarter mile in 9.23 seconds against a LaFerrari's 9.74, and nobody has ever cross-shopped the two, because the number was never the product. The demonstration that produced it was. Which is what makes the Luce revealing. Accelerometers on the rear axle pick up powertrain vibration and amplify it into the cabin, and five power levels simulate the feeling of continuous acceleration. Performance in the theatrical sense, without the mechanism that earned it. A tourbillon with no tourbillon. It sold, and quickly. Just under 500 cars in two months. But Ferrari delivered 13,640 vehicles last year and sells by allocation to a list longer than the run, so filling 500 slots at 550,000 euros tests the waiting list, not the car. And Ferrari instructed dealers not to push its combustion collectors toward it, which is the detail that decides the argument. You do not ringfence your existing customers from your new product if you believe the new product is the business. You do it when you know exactly what they are buying and that this is not it. Luca di Montezemolo, who ran the company for two decades, said the Luce should not carry the prancing horse. That is not an argument about engineering. What Follows This is not an argument against electric cars, or about the whole market. Lucid, Rivian and BYD have no inherited meaning to protect and are free to compete on the metrics, which is why they are good at it. The problem belongs to the houses whose value was built on something an electric powertrain does not reward. Among the legacy houses, the winners will not be the ones with the best electric cars. Not one legacy house survived the quartz crisis by making the best quartz watch. The middle goes first, as it did in 1979. Jaguar is the clearest case: it discontinued its entire combustion range before the replacements existed, spent a year selling almost nothing, and has now delayed the Type 00 again. The rebrand took the blame, but the sequencing was the decision that mattered. And combustion becomes smaller, more expensive and more deliberate, which is already happening: Ferrari has cut its 2030 electric target from 40 percent to 20, with no second electric car before 2028. The point is narrower than it looks. Performance is not one thing, and when the substrate moves a company has to decide which half of the word it is keeping. Watchmaking needed a decade of insolvencies and sixty thousand lost jobs to work that out. The car industry is sitting the same exam now, and it has the answers in front of it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-car-industry-is-having-its-quartz-crisis — Citation: "The Car Industry Is Having Its Quartz Crisis" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-08-01. https://menwith.com/the-car-industry-is-having-its-quartz-crisis --- ## Genoa CFC Have Gone Back To 1893 - URL: https://menwith.com/genoa-cfc-have-gone-back-to-1893 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-07-31 - Tags: Genoa CFC, Genoa Cricket and Athletic Club, Genoa 1893, Genoa away kit, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, Musei di Strada Nuova **Summary:** Genoa CFC's 2026/27 away shirt uses sepia tones to honor its 1893 founding, blending historical white with red and blue. The design reflects the club's evolution from British expatriates to its current identity. The easy version of this kit would have been a bright white shirt with a heritage crest and a line about the founders. Genoa have done something harder. The white on the 2026/27 away shirt is rendered in sepia, the off-white of a photograph that has been sitting in an archive for a century. A cleaner white would have looked sharper on a shop floor and sold more easily online. The sepia is the decision that makes the rest of the shirt mean anything, and it is the one that cost them something. The White Was Never Just White Genoa was founded on 7 September 1893 as the Genoa Cricket and Athletic Club, by British residents of the city. It was a club for Englishmen abroad, and for its first years Italians were not permitted to join. The shirts were white because England played in white. That is the whole point of the original kit and it is the detail most retellings leave out. A group of English expatriates in an Italian port, wearing their national team's colours, in a city that had spent five hundred years absorbing foreigners and their money. Football was not the first thing they played. Cricket and athletics came first, and association football was added later, in 1897. The name Genoa Cricket and Football Club survives as the record of that order of events, which is why a campaign about origins can point at cricket without inventing anything. The Colors Arrived Slowly The red and blue did not replace the white in one move, and this matters for reading the shirt. Genoa first went to white and blue vertical stripes around the turn of the century, and the red and navy halves that everyone now recognises arrived in 1901. Three shirts in eight years, from a club that had just won the first Italian championship in 1898 and would win two more by 1900. Which makes the design on the new away kit closer to a record than a metaphor. Red sits on the left, blue on the right, and rather than meeting in a hard line the two blend across the chest and the back of the collar. The club's present colors emerge out of the historic white instead of being printed on top of it. That is more or less what happened. Inside the back of the collar, 1893 is stitched in. Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco The campaign was shot at the Musei di Strada Nuova, between Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco. Strada Nuova, now Via Garibaldi, is a street of sixteenth century palaces built for Genoa's merchant families at the height of the republic's wealth. The two buildings the shoot sits between are named for the colours red and white. A red palace and a white palace, and a shirt that moves between white, red and blue. Nobody needs it explained, which is the mark of the choice being made by someone who understood the brief. It also puts the kit in front of the version of Genoa the founders would have arrived into. A port city with money, foreign business, and a long habit of letting outsiders in provided they were useful. The Read Most retro kits copy an old design and let nostalgia carry the rest. This one is closer to a restoration. The color is aged rather than reproduced, the modern palette is introduced as something that happened to the shirt over time, and the founding year is placed where only the person wearing it can see it. That last decision is the one worth noting. A club selling its history would have put 1893 on the chest. There is a larger thing sitting underneath all of this. Retro kits have become a growth category across European football, and they are most valuable to clubs like this. Because age is the one asset that cannot be bought quickly or at any price. A newly funded club can sign anyone. It cannot buy heritage. So the shirt is not nostalgia standing in for ambition. In a league where money now moves faster than anything else, it is the only thing on the balance sheet that nobody else can acquire. For one season, Genoa are choosing to wear it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/genoa-cfc-have-gone-back-to-1893 — Citation: "Genoa CFC Have Gone Back To 1893" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-31. https://menwith.com/genoa-cfc-have-gone-back-to-1893 --- ## TIAO Enters Asia’s Top 50 Bars List - URL: https://menwith.com/tiao-enters-asia-s-top-50-bars-list - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-07-29 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental **Summary:** TIAO, a Beijing bar blending hutong life with modern mixology, has entered Asia's Top 50 Bars list. The bar celebrates local flavors and cultural heritage in its cocktails and ambiance. In the historic northeast corner of Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing, a two-floor retreat named TIAO has, in two years, established itself on the global cocktail stage. The bar now holds a position on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 list, an achievement announced at a ceremony in Macau on July 28. TIAO is situated within the city’s historic Caochang hutongs, and its philosophy is anchored in the traditional residential life of these neighbourhood lanes. The bar’s approach blends this deep sense of place with modern artisanship, aiming to capture the communal warmth of its surroundings. Local Authenticity The team, led by Bar and Beverage Manager Miranda Xu and Head Bartender Matt Guo, focuses on local authenticity. Their method involves coaxing subtle cultural flavours into refined cocktails. One of the bar's signatures is the use of delicate tea-infused spirits, served alongside luxurious Beijing-inspired bar food. The cocktail list, including the signature Quicksilver, invites guests to explore the city’s past and present. Richard Langonné, Area General Manager for the hotel and Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing, views the recognition as a shared success. “It is a privilege to share the soul of Beijing's luxury hospitality with the wider world,” he says. “This recognition belongs entirely to our dedicated bar team, whose craft and passion breathe life into TIAO every evening, and to our local community and loyal guests who have shared this journey with us.” A Cultural Bridge For Langonné, the vision for TIAO has always been clear. “We have always envisaged TIAO as a cultural bridge – a sophisticated space where the timeless rhythm of the hutongs meets the global contemporary bar scene,” he notes. “This accolade gently reinforces our commitment to honouring our roots while continuing to craft enduring experiences for our guests.” To mark the milestone, TIAO will host an exclusive cocktail guest shift party on August 29. For one night, five of Asia’s top bartenders will take over the bar to craft a unique menu of tipples. The event will pair their mixology with the distinct atmosphere of the Qianmen location, offering a celebration of both the award and the bar’s place in Beijing’s cocktail circuit. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tiao-enters-asia-s-top-50-bars-list — Citation: "TIAO Enters Asia’s Top 50 Bars List" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-29. https://menwith.com/tiao-enters-asia-s-top-50-bars-list --- ## A Century of Cars Lined Pyms Lane to Mark 80 Years of Bentley - URL: https://menwith.com/a-century-of-cars-lined-pyms-lane-to-mark-80-years-of-bentley - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-29 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** 107 Bentleys lined Pyms Lane, Crewe, marking 80 years of production. A unique Mulliner GTC celebrated the milestone, while Bentley's 'Dream Factory' evolves for future electric models. The line of cars began with EXP3, the first Bentley ever delivered to a customer. It stretched down Pyms Lane in Crewe, a chronological display of the marque’s history. At the other end sat a 2025 Flying Spur Speed. In between, 105 other vehicles owned by members of the Bentley Drivers Club filled the gaps, representing every significant era from the W.O. Bentley cars and Derby years to the modern range, including iconic Blowers and the Bentayga. The gathering marked 80 years of car production at the company’s headquarters in Crewe. Owners travelled from across the world for the event, which also coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Bentley Drivers Club. The 107 cars returned to the place where generations of vehicles have been handcrafted since the first one rolled off the production line in 1946. A One-Off GTC To commemorate the milestone, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, Mulliner, created a unique Continental GTC. The car is finished in an exclusive paint called Supernova Purple Ombre, developed for the occasion by the brand's Paint Shop and CMF/Bespoke teams. The exterior color transitions from Supernova Purple to Supernova Purple Dark. The car features a bespoke '80' side graphic with a reverse ombré effect, complemented by contrasting wheel finishes. Inside the handcrafted cabin, the commemorative theme continues with embroidered '80' headrests. A bespoke airbrushed graphic on the fascia depicts the iconic Design Studio building, celebrating eight decades of Bentley manufacturing in Crewe. The Dream Factory The Crewe site was originally constructed in 1938 to build Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engines. Today, it serves as the heart of Bentley, integrating design, research and development, and manufacturing on a single campus. The company refers to it as the Dream Factory. The historic site is nearing the end of a significant transformation into what Bentley calls a next-generation Dream Factory. This project involves developing a digital, flexible, and innovative manufacturing facility. Recent additions include a new Design Studio, Engineering Technical Centre, and a Paint Shop that was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal earlier this month. Work is also underway to convert the oldest building on-site into an assembly facility for the company’s first electric car, with the global launch of the next Bentley, Torcal, approaching. Andreas Lehe, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, connected the eighty-year history to the company's future. “For 80 years, it is the extraordinary people of Crewe who have defined Bentley’s success,” he said. “As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we are equally focused on the future. Through our transformation into a next-generation Dream Factory, we are investing in world-class facilities, advanced technologies and sustainable manufacturing, ensuring that the unique skills and expertise of our people continue to set the benchmark for luxury automotive production for decades to come.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-century-of-cars-lined-pyms-lane-to-mark-80-years-of-bentley — Citation: "A Century of Cars Lined Pyms Lane to Mark 80 Years of Bentley" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-29. https://menwith.com/a-century-of-cars-lined-pyms-lane-to-mark-80-years-of-bentley --- ## Audi Q9 Debuts as the Brand’s Most Luxurious SUV Yet - URL: https://menwith.com/audi-q9-debuts-as-the-brands-most-luxurious-suv-yet - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-29 - Tags: Audi Q9, Audi SUV, Luxury SUV, OLED lighting, ChatGPT integration, Bang & Olufsen, V6 TDI, quattro **Summary:** Audi unveils the Q9, its largest and most luxurious SUV, featuring a spacious 7-seat interior, advanced OLED lighting, and ChatGPT integration. The flagship model redefines premium comfort and technology. Audi has officially unveiled the all-new Q9, the largest and most luxurious SUV in the brand's history. Positioned as the new flagship of the Audi lineup, the Q9 introduces a new level of premium comfort, cutting-edge technology and spacious practicality, marking Audi's first entry into the full-size luxury SUV segment. Designed to redefine the in-car experience, the Audi Q9 measures an imposing 5.31 meters in length and offers seating for up to seven passengers as standard. Buyers can also choose an exclusive six-seat configuration with electrically adjustable individual captain's chairs in the second row, creating a true business-class atmosphere. Automatic doors, premium materials and one of the most refined interiors Audi has ever produced further reinforce its flagship status. A Cabin Built Around Comfort The interior focuses on space and luxury. Every seat is electrically adjustable, while the front Sport Seats Plus can be equipped with heating, ventilation and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs offer exceptional comfort, and the third row remains spacious enough for adults thanks to the generous 3.14-meter wheelbase. Automatic soft-closing doors, obstacle detection and remote operation through the myAudi app add another layer of convenience. Audi also introduces its largest panoramic glass roof ever. Covering more than 1.5 square meters, it can optionally feature switchable transparency across nine independently controlled sections, while an illuminated version integrates with the ambient lighting system using 84 LEDs and 30 selectable colors. World-First Lighting Technology One of the Q9's standout innovations is its third-generation curved digital OLED rear lights. Audi claims this is the world's first production vehicle to feature curved digital OLED panels, improving visibility while creating a distinctive lighting signature. Complementing the rear lights are Digital Matrix LED headlights with advanced micro-LED technology capable of projecting lane guidance, pedestrian warnings and even turn signal graphics onto the road for improved safety. The SUV also introduces advanced communication lighting, including projected exit warnings for approaching cyclists and hazard displays integrated into the rear light signature. Technology Meets Everyday Luxury Inside, Audi equips the Q9 with a curved OLED display combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen. A dedicated 12.3-inch passenger display comes standard, while the infotainment system runs on Android Automotive with access to Audi's integrated App Store. Voice control has been significantly upgraded and now includes seamless ChatGPT integration, allowing drivers to search for information or control vehicle functions using natural language. Music lovers can opt for a Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 4D audio, featuring 22 speakers, integrated headrest speakers and seat-mounted actuators that allow occupants to physically feel the music. Powerful Diesel Launch Model At launch, the Audi Q9 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TDI producing 299 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque. Supported by Audi's latest MHEV Plus mild-hybrid system and an electric-powered compressor, the powertrain delivers improved responsiveness while reducing fuel consumption. Power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system. Adaptive air suspension comes as standard, with optional sport air suspension and all-wheel steering enhancing both comfort and agility despite the SUV's substantial dimensions. The new Audi Q9 is built in Bratislava and will arrive in Europe later this year, with pricing in Germany starting from €108,400 for the Q9 TDI 220 kW, firmly placing it among the most luxurious SUVs Audi has ever produced. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audi-q9-debuts-as-the-brands-most-luxurious-suv-yet — Citation: "Audi Q9 Debuts as the Brand’s Most Luxurious SUV Yet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-29. https://menwith.com/audi-q9-debuts-as-the-brands-most-luxurious-suv-yet --- ## Bentley's New Diamond Is Made of Light - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-s-new-diamond-is-made-of-light - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-28 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's new Torcal features a digital interface inspired by hand-cut crystal, capturing light for depth and texture. This echoes the car's exterior diamond grille, a modern take on a century-old Bentley motif. To create the digital displays for the new Torcal, Bentley commissioned a series of bespoke, hand-cut crystal objects. The work was done in collaboration with Cumbria Crystal, a workshop in England's Lake District. Designers then captured the light passing through the finished crystal pieces. The recordings became the foundation for the Torcal’s digital interface. This process was chosen to give the graphics a visual signature with depth, movement, and texture. The subtle variations and natural imperfections inherent in the hand-cut material bring a sense of warmth to the car's screens. The same attention to a core motif defines the car's exterior. The Torcal features a floating diamond grille, a sculptural and jewel-like form that marks a new interpretation of a century-old design signature. The diamond pattern has been a part of the Bentley identity since the 1920s. It began as a purely functional component. Wire mesh was stretched across tall radiators to protect them from stones and other road debris. The pattern soon moved inside the car. In several models from that era, brass switchgear was meticulously machined with a cross-hatched diamond design. The practical purpose was to improve grip, but the process also created a distinctive aesthetic that became woven into the brand’s design language. Over the following decades, the motif appeared on diamond-stitched seat upholstery, the mesh grille of the Brooklands coupé, and the intricate headlamps of the Bentayga. It became a core element of the 'embedded diamond' design language seen throughout the Continental GT’s interior. The new Bentley Torcal will be revealed in London on September 23. Its character, however, has already been shaped by a detail started in Crewe nearly a century ago. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-s-new-diamond-is-made-of-light — Citation: "Bentley's New Diamond Is Made of Light" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-28. https://menwith.com/bentley-s-new-diamond-is-made-of-light --- ## The New Objects of Summer Hosting - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-objects-of-summer-hosting - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-07-28 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Elevate summer hosting with unique, artisanal pieces that prioritize personality and conversation over perfection. Discover luxury tableware, glassware, and decor designed to become future heirlooms. When the table is cleared, a Ralph Lauren Fowler chess set appears. The board is inlaid with leather, its playing pieces plated in gold and nickel. It was made entirely by hand. The game itself is secondary. The object is there to be occupied, to keep guests engaged while the real work of hosting happens out of sight. It is one of several pieces in a new al fresco edit from Net-a-Porter that suggest a shift in how we think about entertaining. Dinner parties are rarely remembered for the food. The company and the conversation are what linger. According to Brigitte Chartrand, Net-a-Porter’s Chief Buying & Merchandising Officer, there is a “growing appetite for personality in the home.” She notes that customers are investing in elevated tableware and decorative pieces to mix with timeless staples, creating a more personal approach. These are not items for a glass cabinet, but future heirlooms intended to be used and talked about. Glass with Intent The approach begins with aperitivo hour. The Milanese label La DoubleJ, in partnership with Venetian glassmaker Salviati, produces rainbow-hued sets of tumblers and wine glasses. Chartrand says these designs “bring an element of fun” to the occasion. The spontaneity of the moment is reflected in the glassware itself. A different philosophy guides Laguna-B. Its late founder, Marie Brandolini d’Adda di Valmareno, was once gifted a collection of antique goti de fornasa, the imperfect cups made by Murano artisans from glass scraps. She designed her first pieces from her family’s palazzo, guided by what she called a “pure game of chance.” This idea of imperfection underpins the brand’s collections today, including the striped Berlingot line, which is based on one of Brandolini’s original 1996 designs. Generational Craft For the table itself, the selection at Net-a-Porter spans heritage brands and new voices. From Vienna, J. & L. Lobmeyr has been making museum-worthy glassware for more than 200 years. Once a purveyor to the Imperial Court of Austria, its pieces are now in the collections of MoMA and the V&A. Run by the family’s sixth generation, the house believes that “traditional knowledge facilitates innovation.” Each crystal piece is mouth-blown, cut, engraved, and polished by hand, passing through at least 18 hands before it is complete. This sense of history is also present in the ceramics of Astier de Villatte. The Parisian house, founded in 1996, produces its signature white ceramics in a traditional workshop, with each piece individually stamped by the artisan who made it. A recent collaboration with the label Sacai is inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gilded accents. Personal Significance As the evening continues, other details come into focus. Cushions from House of Lyria, a newcomer to Net-a-Porter, are handcrafted to order in a Tuscan workshop. Its creators, Riccardo Bruni and Nino Cerruti, compare their process to that of a chef. “Yarns,” they explain, “become ingredients in an ever-evolving recipe.” Wool and cashmere blankets from Missoni or scented candles from Loewe Perfumes in scents like Pistachio and Oregano set an olfactory tone. The smallest objects can carry the most weight. A sculptural candlestick trio by Fourth Street was made exclusively for Net-a-Porter by its founder, Rukaiya Daud. Like her brand’s signature egg sculptures, the design is meant to be interpreted. It “invites its future owner to assign their own personal significance, whether playful or profound.” Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-objects-of-summer-hosting — Citation: "The New Objects of Summer Hosting" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-28. https://menwith.com/the-new-objects-of-summer-hosting --- ## Hublot Is Now Building Drones to Find Ancient Computers - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-is-now-building-drones-to-find-ancient-computers - Published: 2026-07-28 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Hublot is now developing advanced underwater drones and detection systems to aid in the search for ancient artifacts, including the Antikythera mechanism, showcasing a unique blend of horological heritage and cutting-edge technology. Off the coast of Greece, the remains of a 2,000-year-old mechanism rest on the seabed. The device, widely considered the world’s first astronomical computer, was discovered at the Antikythera shipwreck. For more than a decade, Hublot has been involved with the mission to understand it, joining a team of archaeologists, divers, and engineers. The watchmaker’s support has grown from patronage into direct technical involvement. Through its Hublot Xplorations program, the Maison’s own engineering teams are developing technology for the expedition. They build underwater drones and sophisticated detection systems designed to map the ocean floor and identify artifacts still buried beneath the sediment. From Tribute to Technology This marks a clear evolution in the relationship. Hublot's initial connection to the project was horological. In 2012, the brand created a timepiece inspired by the ancient mechanism, a watch capable of reproducing its complex astronomical functions. A second model, the Antikythera SunMoon, followed a year later. Today, the work has moved beyond watchmaking. The company’s expertise is now a tool for archaeological research, helping to advance the study of one of history’s most significant technological discoveries. It is a different application of an engineering mindset. Eighteen Days on the Island The expedition itself has now become the subject of a documentary. Swiss content creator Anil Brancaleoni spent eighteen days on the remote Greek island with the research team. His film documents the collaboration between the specialists and offers a view into the daily life of a modern exploration mission. The project brings together ancient heritage with cutting-edge technology, a partnership that LVMH-owned Hublot is now helping to facilitate directly. The mission continues, with the brand's technology supporting the search for the secrets of the past. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-is-now-building-drones-to-find-ancient-computers — Citation: "Hublot Is Now Building Drones to Find Ancient Computers" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-28. https://menwith.com/hublot-is-now-building-drones-to-find-ancient-computers --- ## The New Mercedes-Maybach GLS Adds Calf Massages - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-maybach-gls-adds-calf-massages - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-27 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** The updated Mercedes-Maybach GLS elevates luxury with calf massages in executive seats and enhanced cabin insulation. Its V8 powertrain and advanced suspension ensure unparalleled comfort and performance. The Executive seats in the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS now offer, for the first time, a massage function for the calves. It is a small detail in what the company calls the model’s largest update since its 2019 introduction, and it points to a very specific philosophy of comfort. The front seats also receive a new vibration massage in the cushions. This focus on physical ease is part of a broader effort to insulate the cabin. The new GLS features better sound insulation and additional vibration damping. An electric air filter cleans the interior air approximately every 90 seconds. The Burmester® 3D Surround Sound system now uses 15 speakers and a more powerful amplifier to manage the acoustic environment. The Mechanics of Serenity The power behind this isolation comes from a developed 4.0-liter biturbo V8. It works with a 48-volt system to produce 612 horsepower, with an integrated starter-generator able to add another 23 horsepower. Maximum torque is 850 Nm. This powertrain is managed by an updated AIRMATIC air suspension, which works in concert with E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. The system analyzes and adapts the chassis up to 1,000 times per second. It can also use road data gathered by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles further up the road, preparing the suspension for bumps and imperfections before the GLS reaches them. A Revised Presence The exterior has been revised to reflect the updates within. The front is entirely new, centered around an illuminated Maybach grille that integrates the brand mark directly into the lit frame. At the back, reworked taillights are connected by a wide decorative panel to give the vehicle a broader stance. New individualization options include a two-tone paint finish in dark petrol metallic and verde silver metallic. The interior now incorporates the MBUX Superscreen, running on the new MB.OS operating system for faster functions and wireless updates. A generative AI-based MBUX Virtual Assistant is designed to handle more natural conversation and complex questions. Perhaps the most telling detail is found on the 23-inch forged wheels. They can be fitted with an optional self-balancing Mercedes-Benz emblem, a small hub cap designed to always remain upright as the wheel rotates. Orders for the new GLS begin at the end of July. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-maybach-gls-adds-calf-massages — Citation: "The New Mercedes-Maybach GLS Adds Calf Massages" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-27. https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-maybach-gls-adds-calf-massages --- ## Michael Rider's Vision for Celine is About Instinct - URL: https://menwith.com/michael-rider-s-vision-for-celine-is-about-instinct - Published: 2026-07-27 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Michael Rider's Celine SS27 collection emphasizes instinct and individuality, creating a wardrobe of versatile pieces that encourage personal styling and spontaneity. The collection balances heritage with modernity, reflecting a spirit of freedom and lasting style within the LVMH framework. For the Celine Men’s Spring-Summer 2027 show, Michael Rider imagined a collection built around a few great pieces. The wardrobe is conceived in a spirit of lightness, shaped by personality, instinct, and a sense of customization. It’s an approach that centers the individual over a prescribed look, suggesting a collection that comes alive when worn. The thinking behind the collection reflects the energy of the design studio. It evokes the pleasure of clothing and the feeling that music can create. Silhouettes are designed to suggest movement, openness, and possibility. Rider’s work for Celine here seems to be about capturing a mood, one where heritage and modernity can coexist with authenticity and personal styling. The result is a collection described as sincere, personal, and bold. It is a celebration of style, risk-taking, and spontaneity. Summer is presented as a time for momentum and exploration, a season grounded in freedom. The clothes are designed to look toward something lasting and larger than a single trend. The LVMH Framework Celine operates within the world of LVMH, a group that reported 80.8 billion euros in revenue in 2025. With a retail network of over 6,280 stores worldwide, the group’s scale is immense, encompassing more than 75 distinct Maisons, including Tiffany & Co. The stated mission is to ensure the long-term development of each house while respecting its individual identity, heritage, and expertise. This philosophy allows for different expressions of luxury across its six business sectors. While Rider explores a personal and instinctual vision at Celine, other Maisons are pursuing their own initiatives. Chaumet, for example, just unveiled its first High Jewelry creation made from traceable gold, a move that speaks to a different kind of focus within the group. Culture and Continuity The group’s strategy also extends into the cultural sphere. Louis Vuitton recently became the Principal Cultural Sponsor of The Frick Collection, a commitment that will last for the next three years. This type of long-term partnership reflects an investment in cultural legacy that runs parallel to the development of products. Each brand, from Celine to Louis Vuitton, builds on its own legacy while navigating the present. For Michael Rider's Celine, that navigation is expressed through a collection that blends propriety with freedom. It’s a quiet statement about the power of personal style, made within one of the largest luxury frameworks in the world. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/michael-rider-s-vision-for-celine-is-about-instinct — Citation: "Michael Rider's Vision for Celine is About Instinct" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-27. https://menwith.com/michael-rider-s-vision-for-celine-is-about-instinct --- ## La Caletta: Acqua di Parma x Laura Gonzalez, Summer 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/la-caletta-acqua-di-parma-x-laura-gonzalez-summer-2026 - Published: 2026-07-27 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Acqua di Parma's Summer 2026 collection, La Caletta, collaborates with Laura Gonzalez, inspired by coastal textures and artisanal bergamot extraction. La Caletta arrives as Acqua di Parma’s Summer 2026 collection, created with interior architect Laura Gonzalez and shaped by coral, rock formations, the sea and light. “La Caletta was born from the idea of a hidden place,” says Laura Gonzalez. “I imagined a quiet rocky ledge where the sea meets stone softly, where summer feels personal rather than demonstrative.” She frames it as elegance and independence distilled into an atmosphere, then translated for Acqua di Parma. Design cues inside La Caletta Gonzalez reinterprets Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo through the spirit of La Caletta, channeling the coastline’s textures into sculptural silhouettes and graphic patterns. The visual language travels across the collection, from the exceptional Acropora candle to bottle caps and labels that carry the same rhythmic geometry. Coral, stone and light guide the shapes, giving La Caletta a consistent line from object to object. Bergamotto La Spugnatura at the center At the heart of the collaboration sits Bergamotto La Spugnatura Eau de Parfum, crafted using an ancestral Calabrian artisanal method. The bergamot oil is extracted by hand from the peels using a sponge, a technique preserved by a handful of artisans. That process gives Bergamotto La Spugnatura what Acqua di Parma describes as exceptional intensity and vibrant nuances. La Caletta anchors that craft choice in a summer setting defined by restraint and precision, echoing Gonzalez’s brief for a personal rhythm. Creativity and craft since 1916 This meeting of creativity and craft has remained at the heart of Acqua di Parma’s identity since 1916. La Caletta extends that thread, linking Blu Mediterraneo’s world to a specific place imagined by Laura Gonzalez. “It’s about independence, choosing your own rhythm, and finding elegance in restraint,” Gonzalez says. “That discreet, almost secret kind of summer was my starting point.” Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/la-caletta-acqua-di-parma-x-laura-gonzalez-summer-2026 — Citation: "La Caletta: Acqua di Parma x Laura Gonzalez, Summer 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-27. https://menwith.com/la-caletta-acqua-di-parma-x-laura-gonzalez-summer-2026 --- ## Aston Martin Vanquish 25 Celebrates 25 Years of a V12 Icon - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-25-celebrates-25-years-of-a-v12-icon - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-25 - Tags: Aston Martin Vanquish 25, Q by Aston Martin, V12 Grand Tourer, Monterey Car Week, Skye Silver, 2026 Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin celebrates 25 years of the Vanquish with an exclusive V12 special edition. Limited to 50 units, it features bespoke design and the most powerful front-engined Aston Martin GT. Twenty five years after the original Vanquish made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin is celebrating one of its most iconic nameplates with an exclusive new special edition. Crafted by Q by Aston Martin, the new Vanquish 25 pays tribute to three generations of the British marque's flagship V12 grand tourer while adding bespoke design touches that make it one of the most exclusive modern Aston Martins ever built. Production is strictly limited to just 50 cars worldwide, split evenly between 25 Coupe and 25 Volante models. Buyers can also choose between 2+0 and 2+2 seating layouts, making each example even more personal through Aston Martin's bespoke division. A tribute to the original Vanquish The Vanquish 25 takes inspiration from the launch specification of the original 2001 model while reinterpreting its details with contemporary craftsmanship. Every car is finished in the exclusive Q Skye Silver paint, complemented by bespoke Aston Martin script detailing, Q Commission metal foil accents, stainless steel side strakes, unique Vanquish 25 badging and specially designed 21 inch forged wheels featuring a subtle V motif. Inside, the anniversary model receives its own perforation patterns, embroidered Vanquish 25 logos on the seatbacks, laser etched trim inlays and a striking red start button surrounded by bespoke rotary detailing. A black Alcantara headliner completes the cabin, while customers can choose between Onyx Black, Oxford Tan or Phantom Grey interior themes. Still Aston Martin's ultimate front engine GT Beneath the exclusive styling lies the latest generation Vanquish introduced in 2024, which remains the most powerful production front engined Aston Martin ever built. Power comes from a 5.2 litre twin turbocharged V12 producing 835 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. Combined with a bespoke chassis and extensive carbon fibre bodywork, the flagship delivers breathtaking performance with 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds and a 214 mph top speed. Rather than altering the mechanical package, Aston Martin has focused the Vanquish 25 on celebrating the model's heritage through craftsmanship, exclusivity and attention to detail. Debut at Monterey Car Week The Vanquish 25 will make its public debut during Monterey Car Week in California this August before customer deliveries begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. With only 50 examples destined for collectors worldwide, the Vanquish 25 stands as both a celebration of Aston Martin's V12 legacy and a reminder that the Vanquish remains one of the brand's most desirable grand tourers. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-25-celebrates-25-years-of-a-v12-icon — Citation: "Aston Martin Vanquish 25 Celebrates 25 Years of a V12 Icon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-25. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-25-celebrates-25-years-of-a-v12-icon --- ## Riva 96’ Argo Super launches in La Spezia with new layout - URL: https://menwith.com/riva-96-argo-super-launches-in-la-spezia-with-new-layout - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-07-25 - Tags: Riva **Summary:** The new Riva 96’ Argo Super boasts a redesigned layout for enhanced indoor-outdoor flow and natural light. Key updates include a reconfigured aft deck, a main deck day head, and refined interior spaces. Riva launched the first 96’ Argo Super in La Spezia on July 20, 2026, with Ferretti Group CEO Stassi Anastassov and the designers of Officina Italiana Design on the dock. At 28.79 metres long with a maximum beam of 6.50 metres, the flybridge arrives with clean, sleek contours finished in an Aluminium livery with Bright Black details. It evolves the Riva 90’ Argo and pushes for more natural light, a more efficient layout and stronger indoor‑outdoor flow. Riva’s aft and beach, rebuilt around the water The aft and beach areas have been reworked to make time at anchor simpler and more social. A generous sunpad with a handrail and cup holders is now integrated into the garage door. Open it and the Williams 435 tender and a jet ski sit ready to launch. The adjacent swim platform is fitted with a lift mechanism to ease water access and gear handling, turning the beach into a practical staging point. In the cockpit, added storage, a built‑in refrigerator and new adjustable backrests for two large sofas positioned lengthways beside the dining table refine daily use. Up on the flybridge, a new bar unit and mahogany‑topped tables set the tone for long afternoons. Inside: light, layout and a day head A day head now sits on the main deck. That single change unlocks space and flow across the boat. The salon is offered in two configurations. On this first yacht, the dining area is aft and the lounge is forward, so the main deck reads as one social space that connects to the cockpit with ease. The full‑beam master suite carries expansive glazing, with furnishings arranged to pull in the view and natural light. The materials palette shifts toward brightness and texture. Polished wengé wood meets pale matt oak, with mirrored surfaces and polished steel detailing adding a contemporary note aligned to the yacht’s elegant and sporty character. Relocating the day head to the main deck gives the lower level more room to breathe. In standard form, three guest cabins include a full‑beam VIP aft that uses the extra volume to deliver comfort and size comparable to a second master suite. An optional plan offers three VIP cabins plus a guest cabin with twin beds. Power, systems and the next stop Propulsion comes from two MTU 12V 2000 M96X engines, each producing 2,000 HP. On board, Seakeeper NG18 and NG10 gyroscopic stabilisers address roll at anchor and underway. Safety and handling support include the Watchit collision prevention system, Xenta’s X‑AID manoeuvring aid and virtual anchor system, plus a stern thruster. Design responsibility is shared in the familiar trio. Officina Italiana Design worked with the Strategic Product Committee and Ferretti Group’s Engineering Department, the same approach that has guided Riva creations for the last thirty years. The La Spezia shipyard, where the yacht was launched, builds models from 70 to 130 feet. The first 96’ Argo Super will make its official debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026. Anastassov summed up the moment with a line that connects past and present: “History does not make a brand iconic. The courage to reinvent it, generation after generation, does. For more than 180 years, Riva has set the standard for timeless beauty on the water. The new Riva 96’ Argo Super carries that legacy forward with a yacht that is unmistakably Riva—more innovative, more liveable and more connected to the sea than ever before.” Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/riva-96-argo-super-launches-in-la-spezia-with-new-layout — Citation: "Riva 96’ Argo Super launches in La Spezia with new layout" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-25. https://menwith.com/riva-96-argo-super-launches-in-la-spezia-with-new-layout --- ## The 8-Hour Flight That Just Shrunk The Atlantic - URL: https://menwith.com/the-8-hour-flight-that-just-shrunk-the-atlantic - Category: Aviation - Published: 2026-07-25 - Tags: Bombardier **Summary:** The Bombardier Global 8000 shattered the LA to UK speed record, flying 8h 46m at Mach 0.93. This business jet, fastest since Concorde, highlights Bombardier's commitment to speed and connectivity. A Bombardier Global 8000 recently completed the flight from Los Angeles to Farnborough, UK, in 8 hours and 46 minutes. The business jet arrived at its destination ahead of its public debut at the Farnborough International Airshow, having established a new city-pair speed record along the way. During the mission, the flight crew pushed the aircraft to a top speed of Mach 0.93. They managed this while navigating unfavorable tailwinds. The final time was 2.2% faster than the previous record set for the same trans-Atlantic route. The Global 8000 is billed as the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde. It has a confirmed top operational speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 nautical miles. Inside, the cabin maintains an altitude of 2,691 feet, the lowest in production business aviation. This flight adds to a list of speed records for Bombardier, building on the achievements of its predecessor, the Global 7500. According to Stephen McCullough, the company’s Executive Vice President of Engineering and Product Development, the performance is a core part of the aircraft’s identity. “Speed is without a doubt the Global 8000’s calling card,” McCullough stated. He noted that the record illustrates the jet’s ability to connect distant parts of the world more quickly than before. McCullough also pointed to the aircraft's other attributes, including its smooth ride and landing capabilities. The jet is designed to access up to 30% more airports than its closest competitor, expanding its operational map. The record-setting flight was not just a test. It was the aircraft's arrival for its public premiere at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow. Throughout the week, the Global 8000 is scheduled to take part in aerial displays, demonstrating its performance attributes to spectators. The aircraft can be visited at Chalet C603. The jet is a product of Bombardier, a company that designs and builds aircraft in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company, which supports a global fleet of over 5,200 aircraft, received a “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design in 2024. For McCullough, the ultimate function of the Global 8000 is clear. He describes it as having “the ability to bring the world closer and closer than ever before.” Read more about aviation here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-8-hour-flight-that-just-shrunk-the-atlantic — Citation: "The 8-Hour Flight That Just Shrunk The Atlantic" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-25. https://menwith.com/the-8-hour-flight-that-just-shrunk-the-atlantic --- ## Churchill’s Wartime Despatch Box - URL: https://menwith.com/churchill-s-wartime-despatch-box - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-07-25 - Tags: Christie's **Summary:** Winston Churchill's wartime despatch box, used during the critical year of 1940, sold for £139,700. This historical artifact carried vital documents during Britain's fight for survival in WWII. The black leather is embossed in gilt with the royal cypher of H.M. King George VI. Below it are the words ‘PRIME MINISTER’ and the number ‘II’. This is the exterior of a despatch box used by Sir Winston Churchill, a piece of history sold through Christie's for 139,700 GBP. It is documented as having been used by Churchill around 1940, the year he came to power as Prime Minister of Great Britain. He took office on May 10, following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain, at the head of a coalition government. The timing was critical. The Second World War was at a bleak turning point, with massive enemy advances leading to the fall of France and the evacuation of allied troops from Dunkirk. Britain was left to stand alone against the Axis Powers. It was against this grim backdrop that this box would have arrived daily, carrying the business of a nation at war. A Silent Witness to 1940 The box itself measures 16 ½ inches wide and 5 ¼ inches high, with a brass carrying handle at one end. Inside, the maker’s mark is embossed in blue ink: ‘JOHN PECK & SON/NELSON SQRE. BLACKFRIARS…’. It is a physical object that bore witness to decisions of immense consequence. Its contents would have included vital papers relating to the war, along with cabinet, foreign, and commonwealth documents that required Churchill’s immediate attention. The papers it held contained the details of a fight for the preservation of the free world. From a Private Collection After the war, the despatch box was preserved within the collection of the British Foreign Office, suggesting its historical importance was understood from early on. Around 1970, it was given to its current owner at the request of Margaret Hornsby-Smith, Baroness Hornsby-Smith. The box is part of a remarkable group of items from a single collection, all with direct provenance to Churchill. The group also includes a humidor given to him by Franklin D. Roosevelt, a 1915 despatch box from his time as Chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster, and a tin deed box from the same early period in his career. Only one other Prime Ministerial despatch box is known to have been offered at auction. That box, from the collection of The Baroness Thatcher, was sold by Christie’s in London on December 15, 2015. It achieved a price of £242,500, setting the world record for any despatch box at auction. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/churchill-s-wartime-despatch-box — Citation: "Churchill’s Wartime Despatch Box" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-25. https://menwith.com/churchill-s-wartime-despatch-box --- ## Range Rover GT Revealed as the Brand's Boldest Grand Tourer Yet - URL: https://menwith.com/range-rover-gt-revealed-as-the-brands-boldest-grand-tourer-yet - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-22 - Tags: Range Rover GT, Electric Vehicle, Grand Tourer, EMA platform, JLR, Luxury Cars **Summary:** Range Rover unveils the GT, its first grand tourer, built on the EMA platform. This electric-first model blends coupé-like design with Range Rover's signature capability and a minimalist, serene interior. Range Rover Introduces a New Chapter Range Rover has officially previewed the fifth member of its family, introducing the all-new Range Rover GT. Rather than creating another traditional SUV, the British luxury brand is stepping into the grand touring segment with what it describes as its most car-like model ever, combining elegant coupé-inspired proportions with the capability that defines the Range Rover name. The new GT is built on JLR's Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) and will launch first as a fully electric model. Hybrid powertrains are planned to join the lineup later, giving customers greater flexibility as the platform evolves. A Minimalist Interior Designed for Calm For the first time, Range Rover has revealed the cabin, showcasing a dramatic shift toward an even more minimalist design philosophy. A single central display is paired with a digital driver display, while hidden air vents stretch across the dashboard to create a clean horizontal layout. Premium woven textiles replace traditional trim in several areas, concealing speakers within the dashboard and reinforcing the cabin's serene atmosphere. According to Range Rover, every surface has been designed to reduce both visual and acoustic distractions, creating one of the quietest interiors the brand has ever produced. Rear passengers also benefit from class-leading legroom, highlighting the GT's long-distance touring focus. Electric Performance Meets Range Rover Capability While technical specifications remain under wraps, Range Rover promises that the GT will deliver effortless electric performance alongside the long-distance refinement expected from a grand tourer. At the same time, it aims to retain the off-road capability that has always separated Range Rover from conventional luxury GTs. Prototype vehicles are currently completing their final global testing programme, wrapped in a striking camouflage inspired by the landscapes surrounding Gaydon, where the vehicle has been developed. The pattern also reflects the advanced digital technologies hidden beneath the bodywork, with Range Rover describing the GT as its most technologically sophisticated vehicle to date. A New Direction for the Range Rover Family The Range Rover GT signals one of the most significant changes in the brand's modern history. Rather than simply electrifying an existing SUV, Range Rover is creating an entirely new interpretation of luxury mobility, targeting buyers who want the comfort and elegance of a grand tourer without sacrificing the versatility the brand is known for. More details, including performance figures, range and pricing, are expected to be revealed later this year ahead of its market launch. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/range-rover-gt-revealed-as-the-brands-boldest-grand-tourer-yet — Citation: "Range Rover GT Revealed as the Brand's Boldest Grand Tourer Yet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-22. https://menwith.com/range-rover-gt-revealed-as-the-brands-boldest-grand-tourer-yet --- ## The Hermès Bag Was Always for Men - URL: https://menwith.com/the-herm-s-bag-was-always-for-men - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-07-22 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** The Hermès Haut à Courroies, originally for riding gear, now leads men's luxury bag collecting. Its heritage and craftsmanship drive demand for HAC, Birkin, and Kelly bags, with prices reaching six figures. The Hermès Haut à Courroies was first designed in the late nineteenth century to carry riding boots and equipment. Its tall, structured silhouette was a piece of functional leather work, created by a Parisian harness workshop founded in 1837. This history is central to understanding why men's luxury bags have become one of the fastest-growing areas of collecting. Today, that origin story informs a market where collectors approach bags with the same eye they bring to fine watches or contemporary art. The focus is on craftsmanship, design, and daily function. While briefcases and travel bags remain staples, larger silhouettes like the Hermès Birkin 40 and Kelly 40 are being embraced alongside the foundational HAC. The secondary market reflects this demand. At Sotheby's, standard leather HACs generally sell for between $15,000 and $20,000. Limited editions command prices from $30,000 to $60,000, while the rarest pristine exotic examples can exceed $100,000. The Birkin 40 in leather follows a similar trajectory, typically selling for $10,000 to $20,000, with exceptional exotic versions realizing over $50,000. The Enduring Form The HAC occupies a unique place in the house's history. It served as the direct inspiration for the Birkin, which was introduced in 1984 as a more everyday silhouette. The HAC has remained remarkably true to its original, taller proportions, making it a natural choice for those drawn to a bag with a direct connection to the maison's equestrian roots. Some of the most sought-after pieces reward regular use. A Naturelle Vache Liegée HAC 40 from 1990, for example, was made from a leather designed to develop a rich patina over years of travel. The subtle marks, softening, and tonal variations become part of its story. Much like a well-worn pair of boots, the bag becomes increasingly individual to its owner over time. Contemporary Interpretations Hermès continues to evolve the silhouette for a new generation. The Limited Edition Bleu de Prusse Endless Road HAC 50 retains the bag's historic travel proportions but adds a contemporary graphic motif. Crafted from a combination of Togo, Swift, and Clémence leathers, it offers a more distinctive identity without compromising its practicality. The Black Evercalf Rock HAC 40 demonstrates another direction. Finished in smooth black leather, it introduces modern details like a removable chain pouch. It is a design that bridges the gap between classic tailoring and more expressive personal style, showing how a luxury bag can feel modern without abandoning the qualities that made the original HAC so enduring. Beyond the Workshop The shift extends beyond a single house. Collectors are also turning to Virgil Abloh’s influential Keepall designs for Louis Vuitton and oversized vintage Chanel Flap Bags. The common thread is an appreciation for distinctive design and generous proportions, regardless of brand. The visibility of actors, musicians, and professional athletes carrying these bags in airports and stadiums has also helped reshape perceptions. It has made luxury bags feel like a more natural choice for men. Confidence and individuality now guide how accessories are chosen, with some style leaders even adopting smaller silhouettes like the Mini Kelly. The decision is increasingly about which bag best suits a lifestyle, not which one fits long-held conventions about who should carry it. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-herm-s-bag-was-always-for-men — Citation: "The Hermès Bag Was Always for Men" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-22. https://menwith.com/the-herm-s-bag-was-always-for-men --- ## A.Wong’s Two Michelin Stars Arrive in Mayfair For Six Weeks - URL: https://menwith.com/a-wong-s-two-michelin-stars-arrive-in-mayfair-for-six-weeks - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-07-22 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental **Summary:** A.Wong's two Michelin-starred restaurant is temporarily relocating to Mayfair's Mandarin Oriental for six weeks. Experience their "Collections of China" menus in an intimate setting. For six weeks starting August 18, Chef Andrew Wong is moving his entire two Michelin-starred restaurant, A.Wong, from its Pimlico home to Hanover Square. The temporary relocation to the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is a practical one. Wong’s original location is undergoing a thoughtful refurbishment, scheduled for completion later in September. The move brings one of Britain’s most celebrated dining experiences to an intimate setting adjacent to the hotel’s signature Atrium Restaurant. The full A.Wong team will be on hand, presenting their renowned “Collections of China” menus for dinner service only. Both the signature and vegetarian tasting menus that earned the restaurant its accolades will be available. A Meeting of Philosophies Since taking the helm from his parents in 2012, Andrew Wong has built a reputation on meticulous research into China’s gastronomic heritage. His cooking melds traditional family dishes with ancient recipes and techniques, exploring the diverse flavours found within the country's 14 international borders. The approach uses both select Chinese and British ingredients to deliver a precise and creative culinary journey. The hotel, a boutique property with 50 rooms and suites, sits at the intersection of London’s art and fashion districts, near Bond Street and Savile Row. Hemal Jain, the hotel’s General Manager, sees the collaboration as a natural alignment. “We are incredibly proud to host this exciting pop-up with A.Wong at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair,” Jain stated. “A collaboration that celebrates both our shared Asian heritage and our unwavering commitment to delivering truly exceptional experiences.” A Limited Engagement The residency provides a rare opportunity to experience A.Wong’s boundary-pushing gastronomy within a different context. Guests of the pop-up can also access the hotel’s other amenities, including the Hanover Bar rooftop terrace, which serves artisanal cocktails with panoramic views over London. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and vitality pools as a tranquil urban retreat. For Jain, it’s a chance to partner with a chef he describes as revered and visionary. “We are thrilled to bring something so special and distinctive to our guests.” This temporary union of refined hospitality and focused gastronomy stands as one of the summer’s most anticipated dining experiences in London. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-wong-s-two-michelin-stars-arrive-in-mayfair-for-six-weeks — Citation: "A.Wong’s Two Michelin Stars Arrive in Mayfair For Six Weeks" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-22. https://menwith.com/a-wong-s-two-michelin-stars-arrive-in-mayfair-for-six-weeks --- ## At Spa, LVMH Looks Beyond the Podium - URL: https://menwith.com/at-spa-lvmh-looks-beyond-the-podium - Published: 2026-07-22 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH elevates its Formula 1 partnership beyond champagne celebrations, showcasing craftsmanship via La Maison LVMH and artisan demonstrations at Spa. The Virtuosos program offered employees an inside look, connecting their skills to the sport's high performance. Kimi Antonelli stood on the podium at the Belgian Grand Prix, holding the Moët & Chandon Silver Trophy. The scene is a familiar one in Formula 1. A driver, a victory, and the celebratory Jeroboam of champagne. For the second year, Moët & Chandon returned as the title partner for the race at Spa-Francorchamps, continuing a long history with the sport. This weekend, however, the partnership went deeper than the celebration. As part of a global partnership between LVMH and Formula 1, the experience extended far from the winner's circle. At the heart of the paddock, the group built La Maison LVMH, a space that first appeared in Miami, designed to feel like an elegant artisan’s atelier. Inside, the world of high performance met high craftsmanship. Louis Vuitton’s Formula 1 Trophy Trunk was on display alongside creations from other partner Maisons. The space was active, with live demonstrations from artisans representing TAG Heuer and Louis Vuitton, showing their craft to guests throughout the race weekend. A Different Kind of Team For the first time, a special group of guests were invited inside the ropes. Ten members of LVMH’s Virtuosos program were brought to Spa to experience Formula 1 from the inside. The program is the group’s highest internal distinction, recognizing excellence in creation, craftsmanship, and client experience among its employees. These artisans and specialists attended practice sessions, explored the paddock, and participated in an exclusive masterclass about the partnership. The goal was to draw a line between their own expertise and the values of Formula 1. It was an exercise in connecting the collective performance of a pit crew with the collaborative work of a watchmaking atelier. Craftsmanship in Every Corner The theme of craftsmanship extended to the hospitality. Moët Hennessy collaborated with acclaimed chef Yannick Alléno to create The Out Lap, an experience featuring live culinary performances. It was another layer of expertise, presented alongside the engineering on the track. The weekend culminated back on the podium with the Moët & Chandon Silver Trophy. Itself an object of design, the trophy is a contemporary piece that pays tribute to a historic one. It references the cup won by Jacques Villeneuve back in 1997, connecting this modern LVMH activation to a specific moment in the sport's past. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/at-spa-lvmh-looks-beyond-the-podium — Citation: "At Spa, LVMH Looks Beyond the Podium" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-22. https://menwith.com/at-spa-lvmh-looks-beyond-the-podium --- ## Breitling Top Time DB5 arrives in three limited editions - URL: https://menwith.com/breitling-top-time-db5-arrives-in-three-limited-editions - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-20 - Tags: Breitling **Summary:** Breitling honors the iconic Aston Martin DB5 with three limited edition Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 watches. Featuring design cues from the DB5, including a wooden inner ring, these timepieces blend automotive legacy with Breitling's watchmaking prowess. Breitling builds a wooden inner ring into the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5, a direct nod to the DB5 steering wheel that sets the tone for the entire watch. Introduced in 1963, the Aston Martin DB5 became a marker of British design and culture. The new collaboration brings that legacy to the wrist across three limited editions of the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5. In the 1960s, the Top Time was Breitling’s unconventional chronograph for a younger, speed-minded audience. A Top Time ref. 2002 appeared on Sean Connery’s wrist in Thunderball in 1965, worn alongside the Aston Martin DB5. It marked the first Q‑modified watch in the James Bond series and set a template for how watches and cars could share a design language. Design cues from the DB5, built by Breitling The case follows the cushion profile associated with 1960s Top Time models. Grooved corners and mushroom pushers complete the silhouette, while squircle subdials recall classic car gauges. The textures are restrained and clear, aimed at readability and feel. The wood-inlayed inner ring draws directly from the DB5 steering wheel. A hand-colored gradient leather strap mirrors the depth and tone of fine automotive upholstery. Together, they carry the tactile richness of an Aston Martin interior into a modern-retro chronograph format. “This chronograph blends form with true function,” says Pablo Widmer, Head of Product Design at Breitling. “As with the Aston Martin DB5, its beauty lies in its lines, materials, and finishings.” Three editions, three materials The collection arrives in three distinct executions. A stainless-steel version with a silver dial, limited to 1,022 pieces, offers the most direct line back to the original Top Time ref. 2002. A second edition pairs steel with a platinum bezel around a black lacquered dial, limited to 315 pieces, bringing high-gloss contrast and a sense of weight. The third edition is in 18k red gold with an onyx dial, limited to 250 individually numbered pieces. The dial is cut from natural onyx, marking the first time Breitling has used the stone, and it gives the watch a deep, mineral sheen. Caliber 01 and the open caseback Inside is the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01. The movement is COSC certified, built around a column wheel and vertical clutch for precise operation, and delivers a 70-hour power reserve. Through the sapphire-crystal caseback, a dedicated Aston Martin engraved rotor is visible. It is rhodium-plated or 18k red gold depending on the edition. Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands (Universal Genève, Breitling, and Gallet), frames the intent simply. “The Aston Martin DB5 is one of those rare designs that never fades. It still feels as relevant today as it did in the 1960s. With this Top Time, we capture that sense of timeless style.” Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin, describes the collaboration as an exchange of ideas between two design legacies. “Inspired by the enduring elegance of the Aston Martin DB5 and our shared heritage of iconic design, the watch captures a balance of beauty, precision, and performance,” he says. “Every detail has been carefully considered to reflect the character and authenticity synonymous with both brands. The result is a watch that feels contemporary today, yet timeless for generations to come.” Breitling context and the wider pursuit of speed Founded in 1884, Breitling is a Swiss watchmaker focused on air, land, and sea pursuits, with collections shaped by a modern-retro design language and movements certified as chronometers by COSC. The Top Time DB5 sits within that land lineage, where automotive references are part of the brief. On the same platform, separate headlines reference cycling tributes within the Top Time universe, a reminder that the theme of speed runs across disciplines for the brand. Aston Martin’s own story stretches back to 1913 with founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The DB5 remains one of the most recognizable expressions of that heritage, and this watch brings its material language into a wrist-borne format with measured detail. “These editions represent something truly distinct from anything we've created before,” Reichman notes. “The collaboration with Breitling brought together two brands with a shared appreciation for timeless design, craftsmanship, and innovation.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitling-top-time-db5-arrives-in-three-limited-editions — Citation: "Breitling Top Time DB5 arrives in three limited editions" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-20. https://menwith.com/breitling-top-time-db5-arrives-in-three-limited-editions --- ## Range Rover pairs a 1993 Classic with the new SV Ultra for Monterey - URL: https://menwith.com/range-rover-pairs-a-1993-classic-with-the-new-sv-ultra-for-monterey - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-20 - Tags: Land Rover **Summary:** A 1993 Range Rover Classic is reborn in Titan Silver, mirroring the new SV Ultra. This bespoke pair debuts at Monterey Car Week before auction. Range Rover finished a 1993 Classic in Titan Silver, the liquid‑metal shade introduced on the new SV Ultra. The paint mixes fine aluminium flake with advanced pigment technology to create a bright, iridescent surface. The Classic forms one half of a matched pair with a Range Rover SV Ultra. The duo will debut during Monterey Car Week, then cross the block at RM Sotheby’s The Monterey Auction on Friday 14 August. Preview opens at the Monterey Conference Center from 10.00am on 12 to 14 August. Exterior details aligned to SV Ultra The 1993 Classic rides on 16‑inch three‑spoke wheels in Satin Platinum Atlas with diamond‑turned contrast rims. A new Range Rover SV Ultra bonnet script and the deletion of exterior side trim give the body cleaner surfaces. Under the bonnet, a plaque notes its provenance as the first bespoke matched pair commission. At the Monterey preview, the first Range Rover SV Ultra built for the US market will sit alongside the Classic created in its image, presenting two generations shaped around the same idea. Inside the Classic, new materials in a familiar shape The cabin introduces Ultrafabrics to a Range Rover Classic for the first time, finished in a duo‑tone Orchid White and Cinder Grey scheme to mirror SV Ultra. The dashboard is upholstered in Cinder Grey with colour‑matched vents, and the steering wheel follows the same light‑over‑dark treatment. Seat uppers carry the laser‑crafted pattern and intricate mosaic perforation that debuted on SV Ultra, repeated across inserts and backrests. Door cards are reworked with brushed aluminium handles, colour‑matched speaker covers and coordinated finishers. 2,000 hours and a complete mechanical rebuild The project began with a US‑market County Edition. It retains its 3.9‑litre V8 paired with a four‑speed automatic gearbox. A team of specialists spent 2,000 hours across fabrication, paint, trim and final assembly to return the vehicle to form. Mechanical authenticity guided the process. The engine, transmission, suspension, steering and brakes were comprehensively rebuilt. The Classic Works team restored and refined each element to preserve the original character while improving reliability and overall refinement. Monterey schedule and sale The matched pair makes its public debut during Monterey Car Week. RM Sotheby’s will show the vehicles at the Monterey Conference Center from 10.00am on 12 to 14 August, with access for registered bidders and guests and public preview tickets available to purchase. The live auction begins at 5.30pm on 14 August. Revealed in Gaydon, UK on 20 July 2026 by Land Rover, the commission doubles as a live catalogue for the Classic division’s personalisation program. Options span custom embroidery and scripting, a range of leathers and sustainable non‑leather materials, and a Match to Sample service that can reproduce virtually any exterior colour. Clients can shape their own specification alongside in‑house design experts. “This Range Rover SV Ultra matched pair shows how it is possible to create a truly individualised Range Rover with our bespoke service, whether it’s a custom colour palette, interior trim or personalised details. Range Rover SV Ultra is the pinnacle of tailored distinction, and this commission is a reflection of how our process can elevate any generation of Range Rover while maintaining its essence.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/range-rover-pairs-a-1993-classic-with-the-new-sv-ultra-for-monterey — Citation: "Range Rover pairs a 1993 Classic with the new SV Ultra for Monterey" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-20. https://menwith.com/range-rover-pairs-a-1993-classic-with-the-new-sv-ultra-for-monterey --- ## Damen Yachting's New Xplorer 60 Is For Science, Not Just Scenery - URL: https://menwith.com/damen-yachting-s-new-xplorer-60-is-for-science-not-just-scenery - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-07-19 - Tags: Damen Yachting **Summary:** Damen Yachting's new Xplorer 60 will support scientific research in remote regions alongside private adventures. This expedition yacht is designed for owners seeking to explore less-travelled waters. The next Xplorer 60 will be used for more than just navigating conventional cruising grounds. Its owner intends to use the vessel to facilitate scientific research in some of the world’s most remote regions, a programme that will run alongside private adventures. The sale was announced by Damen Yachting, with the yacht scheduled for delivery in 2028. This project becomes the latest addition to the shipyard’s expanding Xplorer range, a line of yachts built for owners seeking to go further and stay longer in less-travelled waters. The sale follows the delivery of another Xplorer 60, AFTER YOU, in August 2025, signaling a continued interest in the platform. A Specific Mandate The transaction was handled by TWW Yachts, who represented the owner. According to Alex Heyes of TWW Yachts, the acquisition was driven by a very particular set of requirements. “The Owner brought a clear vision for how the yacht should support his fleet and future programme,” Heyes noted. This is the second Xplorer acquisition that TWW Yachts has represented for an owner with Damen Yachting. The process involved close work between the owner, his representatives, and the shipyard. The goal was to ensure the final vessel was perfectly suited to its purpose. As Heyes put it, they were able to “align the yacht with that intended use.” The Explorer Momentum The Xplorer 60 joins a proven fleet of expedition yachts from the builder. These include the 62-metre ANAWA, the 77-metre LA DATCHA, and the 58-metre PINK SHADOW. Each vessel underscores the growing relevance of yachts designed for capability and extended range. Jorrit Pilaar, Commercial Executive EMEA for Damen Yachting, sees the sale as a confirmation of this direction. “This sale is a strong endorsement of the Xplorer 60 design and of the momentum we are seeing across the Xplorer range,” he said. The underlying shift is clear. “Owners are increasingly looking for yachts that can take them further and support a more varied programme,” Pilaar added. For this specific owner and his distinct vision, the conclusion was simple. “For this Owner, the Xplorer 60 proved to be the right platform.” Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/damen-yachting-s-new-xplorer-60-is-for-science-not-just-scenery — Citation: "Damen Yachting's New Xplorer 60 Is For Science, Not Just Scenery" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-19. https://menwith.com/damen-yachting-s-new-xplorer-60-is-for-science-not-just-scenery --- ## Morgan's Flagship Supersport Is Now Available In The United States - URL: https://menwith.com/morgan-s-flagship-supersport-is-now-available-in-the-united-states - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-19 - Tags: Morgan Motor Company **Summary:** Morgan's flagship Supersport is now street-legal in the US, excluding California, thanks to Replica Vehicle legislation. This marks a major expansion for the luxury automaker. The Morgan Supersport has been approved for sale in the United States under the Replica Vehicle legislation established by the FAST Act. Following an extensive homologation program with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the path is now clear for the brand’s flagship to be sold across the country, with the exception of California. First unveiled in 2025, the Supersport joins the Plus Four and Super 3 in the American market. This approval marks a significant moment for Morgan Motor Company, allowing its latest and most advanced car to be commissioned by customers in one of its most important export markets. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/morgan-s-flagship-supersport-is-now-available-in-the-united-states — Citation: "Morgan's Flagship Supersport Is Now Available In The United States" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-19. https://menwith.com/morgan-s-flagship-supersport-is-now-available-in-the-united-states --- ## Range Rover Sport Electric Breaks Cover at Goodwood - URL: https://menwith.com/range-rover-sport-electric-breaks-cover-at-goodwood - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-18 - Tags: Land Rover **Summary:** Range Rover unveils its all-electric Sport at Goodwood, promising enhanced power and a visceral driving experience. This EV completes the Sport's powertrain lineup, set for a 2026 release. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Range Rover confirmed the arrival of its second all-electric vehicle. The new Range Rover Sport Electric was presented during a private preview event, signaling the next step in the brand’s electrification, following a series of curated events for the Range Rover Electric over the British Summer Season. The vehicle maintains the muscular form of the current Range Rover Sport, now built around a fully electric powertrain. The company states the new model will feature more power and torque, amplified by an advanced new chassis tune and a unique audio sound design. The objective is to deliver what the brand terms a visceral driving experience across any terrain. A Legacy of Performance Instead of a static display, the preview at the Goodwood Motor Circuit involved a series of driven challenges. These demonstrations were created as an homage to the marque’s past performance feats, such as the 999-step ascent at Heaven’s Gate in China and the climb of a spillway in Iceland. The exercise was designed to show the electric model's capability in a dynamic setting. The brand's official statement expanded on this approach. “Electric power brings a new edge to Range Rover Sport. The preview at Goodwood Festival of Speed is only a glimpse of how this model will redefine performance SUVs again later this year, combining the refinement and immediate performance of electric drive while further elevating the unmistakable character of Range Rover Sport our clients already know and love.” Electric Completes the Lineup The introduction of the pure-electric model later this year will complete the powertrain lineup for the Range Rover Sport. It joins a roster that includes a plug-in electric hybrid, a mild-hybrid V8 petrol, and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. This strategy provides a range of options within the same model family. As part of JLR's portfolio, the Land Rover brand is sold in 121 countries and includes the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Velar, and Evoque models. The company has stated that fully electric models will arrive before 2030. Further details on the new Range Rover Sport Electric are scheduled to be announced later in 2026. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/range-rover-sport-electric-breaks-cover-at-goodwood — Citation: "Range Rover Sport Electric Breaks Cover at Goodwood" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-18. https://menwith.com/range-rover-sport-electric-breaks-cover-at-goodwood --- ## LVMH and IFM launch the “Sciences & Creation” Chair - URL: https://menwith.com/lvmh-and-ifm-launch-the-sciences-creation-chair - Published: 2026-07-18 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH and IFM launch the "Sciences & Creation" Chair, a Specialized Master’s program exploring creativity at the intersection of fashion, science, and technology. The initiative aims to generate new knowledge and train future industry leaders. LVMH and Institut Français de la Mode are anchoring their new “Sciences & Creation” Chair with a Specialized Master’s course bringing together approximately 80 to 90 students, built to examine how creative work actually happens. The academic partnership is dedicated to studying the mechanisms of creation and their contemporary transformations. It sits at the crossroads of fashion, luxury, the humanities, cognitive sciences and emerging technologies, with a brief to generate new knowledge, enrich IFM’s programs and tighten the connection between research, talent and the Maisons of the Group. How LVMH and IFM will study creativity “Better understanding the mechanisms of creativity has become an essential challenge in supporting the transformations of our creative industries. Because knowledge is essential to inspiration, innovation and the passing on of expertise, we are convinced that dialogue between science, academic excellence and the savoir-faire of the Maisons can open up new perspectives. With the ‘Sciences & Creation’ Chair, we aim not only to shed light on the major challenges of tomorrow, but also to identify, support and train the talents who will shape the future of fashion and luxury,” said Maud Alvarez-Pereyre, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, LVMH. The Chair’s research is structured around three areas. “Creation and cognition” focuses on mental, perceptual and gestural processes, and the conditions that help intuition, expertise and inspiration emerge. “Computational models of creation” examines artificial intelligence systems, generative tools and new forms of human machine collaboration in practice. “Social sciences and anthropology of creation” studies the cultural, collective, symbolic and social dimensions of creative work, including the environments, networks and contexts that foster talent and the recognition of aesthetic innovation. From research to classrooms and Maisons The initiative will unfold through courses, workshops, support programs, business cases, scientific publications and conferences, combining research activity with education and immersion in the realities of the Maisons. Within IFM, several formats are planned across programs. A Specialized Master’s course in management will bring together approximately 80 to 90 students. A cross-disciplinary elective course will open to Master’s students in management and creation for 30 to 40 participants. A workshop and support program is designed for 2 to 6 design students. The partnership is positioned as a lever to strengthen the appeal, knowledge transfer and influence of creative professions. It will connect students with the professions, savoir-faire and transformations of the sector through key moments such as the INSIDE LVMH Days, immersive days of exchange between students and teams from the Group and its Maisons. Some initiatives may also involve the Maisons in educational projects or business cases, giving students real-life challenges and giving teams a fresh academic and creative perspective. IFM’s lens on the partnership “Creation lies at the very heart of fashion and luxury. With the ‘Sciences & Creation’ Chair, together with LVMH, we aim to open a space for research and knowledge transfer dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of creativity. Exploring the contribution of science, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence means helping prepare the future of our creative industries while remaining true to what makes them unique: excellence, culture and creativity,” said Sidney Toledano, President of Institut Français de la Mode. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lvmh-and-ifm-launch-the-sciences-creation-chair — Citation: "LVMH and IFM launch the “Sciences & Creation” Chair" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-18. https://menwith.com/lvmh-and-ifm-launch-the-sciences-creation-chair --- ## BMW Sees European Electric Growth Amid a Challenging Global Picture - URL: https://menwith.com/bmw-sees-european-electric-growth-amid-a-challenging-global-picture - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-18 - Tags: BMW M **Summary:** BMW electric vehicle growth in Europe and the US offsets declines elsewhere, driven by the new Neue Klasse platform and strong demand for models like the iX3 and i3. For BMW, the story of the first half of 2026 is one of regional divergence. While the company faces a significant sales decline in the Asia-Pacific region, its performance in Europe and the United States shows a different trajectory, largely propelled by its new generation of electric vehicles. Jochen Goller, the board member responsible for sales, points directly to the brand’s Neue Klasse platform as a source of momentum. “The Neue Klasse continues to show strong momentum,” Goller stated. “With the BMW iX3, we are on track to reach the next major milestone of 100,000 new orders.” Early demand for the second Neue Klasse model, the BMW i3, is also described as strong since its order books opened. A Tale of Two Markets Overall, the BMW Group delivered approximately 1.15 million vehicles to customers worldwide in the first six months of the year, a slight decrease of 4.2 percent. The details within that number are what matter. Sales in Europe rose by 5.4 percent, and the United States saw a 3.9 percent increase, with the BMW brand itself outperforming the general market there. This growth in Western markets stands against a difficult period in Asia. Sales in China dropped by 20.4 percent through the end of June. The company notes these figures reflect a global market with “mixed dynamics” and “challenges worldwide.” The Electric Shift The push towards electrification is most visible in the European numbers. During the second quarter, from April to June, the group recorded double-digit growth of 38.0 percent for its fully-electric vehicles across Europe, delivering 81,445 units. The BMW iX3 was available in this market first, contributing to the sharp rise. In Germany, this performance was strong enough to lift BMW to second place for registrations of fully electric vehicles in the second quarter. Looking at the individual brands, the core BMW brand saw its sales grow 1.5 percent in Europe and 4.7 percent in the US, with growth in America driven primarily by its X models. The company also unveiled a new BMW X5 in late June, anticipating it will generate further sales. During the same period, BMW M delivered 99,595 vehicles to customers, a 6.0 percent decline. The MINI brand, however, posted a significant year-on-year increase of 11.7 percent. This marks its sixth consecutive quarter of growth, with its fully-electric models cited as the primary driver. On the two-wheeled side of the business, BMW Motorrad delivered 102,847 motorcycles and scooters in the first half of the year, a small dip of 2.9 percent. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bmw-sees-european-electric-growth-amid-a-challenging-global-picture — Citation: "BMW Sees European Electric Growth Amid a Challenging Global Picture" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-18. https://menwith.com/bmw-sees-european-electric-growth-amid-a-challenging-global-picture --- ## Bentley’s Torcal Found Its Voice in a Drummer’s Rhythm - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-s-torcal-found-its-voice-in-a-drummer-s-rhythm - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-17 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's Torcal car sound is inspired by a drummer's rhythm and the unique imperfections of V8 engines, creating a modern yet characterful voice. The inspiration for the new Bentley Torcal's sound began with a unique experiment. Inside a studio, the company's development team set up parabolic speakers playing a recording of a Bentley V8 on one side, while a live drummer performed on the other. The Human Element The V8 and drummer experiment also highlighted an important characteristic of internal combustion engines. They are not perfectly uniform. Like a human musician, they contain subtle variations and tiny imperfections. These natural fluctuations introduce a distinctly human quality that contributes to their emotional resonance. The new composition for the Torcal carries this same feeling, creating a voice that is modern in its execution but echoes the character of Bentley’s most iconic engines. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-s-torcal-found-its-voice-in-a-drummer-s-rhythm — Citation: "Bentley’s Torcal Found Its Voice in a Drummer’s Rhythm" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-17. https://menwith.com/bentley-s-torcal-found-its-voice-in-a-drummer-s-rhythm --- ## A 10-Minute Bidding War Ends with a $50.1 Million T. Rex - URL: https://menwith.com/a-10-minute-bidding-war-ends-with-a-50-1-million-t-rex - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-07-17 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** A T. Rex skeleton named Gus sold for over $50.1 million at Sotheby's, becoming the most expensive dinosaur ever auctioned. This sale highlights the growing market for natural history collectibles among private collectors. The room at Sotheby's New York erupted in applause. After a ten-minute battle between seven bidders on phones, online, and in the room, the hammer fell. The final price for a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named Gus was over $50.1 million. The sale makes Gus the most expensive dinosaur ever sold at auction. The result more than doubled the low-end of its $20-30 million estimate, setting a new benchmark for natural history as a collectible asset. Five Years in the Making The journey to the auction block was a long one. The specimen was first excavated in Harding County, South Dakota, from the Hell Creek Formation, a layer of earth dating to the Late Cretaceous period. It took five years to prepare the 67-million-year-old skeleton for this moment. Officially, Gus is the largest and most complete T. Rex ever sold. Its scale and condition were key factors in the intense interest from collectors around the world. Surpassing the Apex Predator The sale at Sotheby's surpasses a recent high-water mark set in 2024. That year, a Stegosaurus fossil known as ‘Apex’ achieved a price of $44.6 million, establishing a new record at the time. With a final price of over $50.1 million, the sale of Gus confirms a rapidly escalating market for world-class natural artifacts. What was once the domain of museums is now a fixture of the world’s most significant private collections. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-10-minute-bidding-war-ends-with-a-50-1-million-t-rex — Citation: "A 10-Minute Bidding War Ends with a $50.1 Million T. Rex" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-17. https://menwith.com/a-10-minute-bidding-war-ends-with-a-50-1-million-t-rex --- ## Embraer Phenom 300EV Raises the Bar for Private Aviation Once Again - URL: https://menwith.com/embraer-phenom-300ev-raises-the-bar-for-private-aviation-once-again - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-17 - Tags: Embraer Phenom 300EV, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1, Prodigy Touch flight deck, Garmin G3000, light jet, private aviation, business jet **Summary:** The Embraer Phenom 300EV enhances its best-selling light jet legacy with upgraded engines, improved performance, and a refined cabin. This evolution offers faster speeds, extended range, and advanced avionics for superior private aviation. For more than a decade, the Embraer Phenom 300 has dominated the light jet market, earning a reputation for combining speed, efficiency and comfort better than almost anything else in its class. Now, Embraer has introduced the Phenom 300EV, an evolution that builds on that legacy with meaningful upgrades rather than a complete reinvention. The new aircraft continues to target owners and operators looking for a business jet capable of short runway performance, impressive range and one of the fastest cruise speeds in the segment. Instead of changing a formula that already works, Embraer has focused on refining nearly every aspect of the experience. More Performance Where It Matters Powered by a pair of upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1 engines, the Phenom 300EV delivers improved climb performance while maintaining its position as one of the fastest light jets in the world. The aircraft reaches a maximum cruise speed of 464 knots (859 km/h) and offers a range of approximately 2,010 nautical miles (3,724 km), making nonstop flights between destinations such as Miami and New York or London and Athens comfortably achievable under the right conditions. Improved takeoff performance also allows access to shorter runways, opening up a wider selection of airports and reducing travel times by bringing passengers closer to their final destination. A Cabin Designed Around Comfort Inside, the Phenom 300EV remains unmistakably Embraer. The cabin seats up to ten occupants, although a six to eight passenger configuration offers the most spacious experience. Large windows flood the interior with natural light, while redesigned seating, premium materials and quieter acoustics create an environment that feels far more refined than many aircraft in the same category. Advanced connectivity keeps passengers productive throughout the journey, while generous baggage capacity ensures the aircraft is equally suited for business trips and extended leisure travel. Smarter Technology in the Cockpit Pilots benefit from Embraer's latest version of the Prodigy Touch flight deck, based on the Garmin G3000 avionics suite. Enhanced automation, improved situational awareness and new safety systems reduce workload while increasing operational efficiency. The aircraft also incorporates predictive technologies and advanced weather capabilities that further enhance safety and streamline every phase of flight. Continuing a Remarkable Success Story The Phenom 300 family has consistently been the world's best-selling light jet for more than a decade, a rare achievement in private aviation where competition is fierce. With the introduction of the Phenom 300EV, Embraer isn't attempting to reinvent its flagship aircraft. Instead, it delivers a more capable, more refined and more technologically advanced version of an already proven platform. For owners, charter operators and corporate flight departments alike, the result is an aircraft that continues to define what a modern light business jet should be. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/embraer-phenom-300ev-raises-the-bar-for-private-aviation-once-again — Citation: "Embraer Phenom 300EV Raises the Bar for Private Aviation Once Again" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-17. https://menwith.com/embraer-phenom-300ev-raises-the-bar-for-private-aviation-once-again --- ## The Mechanical Souls of Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest - URL: https://menwith.com/the-mechanical-souls-of-theo-jansen-s-strandbeest - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-16 - Tags: Audemars Piguet **Summary:** Theo Jansen's "Strandbeest" sculptures, once wind-powered beach roamers, are now "fossilized" relics. Audemars Piguet Contemporary exhibits these mechanical marvels, evoking their past locomotion and "mechanical souls." They begin with simple materials. Plastic tubing, cable ties, and recycled water bottles. From these, Dutch artist Theo Jansen has spent nearly 35 years building his "Strandbeest" sculptures. These are not static objects. They are complex structures built with physics and engineering to achieve an uncanny, lifelike locomotion. For decades, these creatures roamed the Dutch beaches, powered by wind. Over time, Jansen’s experimentation allowed them to evolve. What began as rudimentary structures, barely able to stand, became fluid beings that could mimic biological movement. They learned to store wind power, change direction upon sensing water, and anchor themselves against oncoming storms. A Decade of Collaboration The relationship between Jansen and Audemars Piguet Contemporary, the brand’s art programme, started eleven years ago. In 2014, in a collaboration with the Peabody Essex Museum, the Strandbeests were presented on Miami Beach during Art Basel. The partnership continued, coinciding with the watchmaker’s 150th anniversary. Audemars Piguet Contemporary supported an exhibition at Plateforme 10 in Lausanne, bringing the work “home” to Switzerland. The show, which ran from July 1 to August 3, 2025, marked a new phase for the sculptures. The Fossilised Form After more than a decade since their first collaboration, Jansen proposed a new state for his creations: to ‘fossilise’ them. The once mobile sculptures were frozen in time, presented in Lausanne to evoke relics from the Mesozoic age. The exhibition gave a stoic sense of the scale and power the machines once possessed while walking autonomously on the beach. Two large-scale sculptures took center stage in the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts Auditorium, alongside sketches and materials that chronicled their complex construction. The poetic magic remained, but the potential for activation now belonged to their past. “They no longer seek the wind to propel them,” Jansen explained, “but instead invite contemplation of their mechanical souls.” For the artist, the moment represents a specific point in the creatures’ journey. “This exhibition represents both an end and a beginning,” Jansen stated. “The creatures have completed their evolutionary cycle on earth, yet their story continues through the eyes of those who visit them in the magnificent space of Plateforme 10.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-mechanical-souls-of-theo-jansen-s-strandbeest — Citation: "The Mechanical Souls of Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-16. https://menwith.com/the-mechanical-souls-of-theo-jansen-s-strandbeest --- ## Pass the Application, Buy the New Gold MoonSwatch - URL: https://menwith.com/pass-the-application-buy-the-new-gold-moonswatch - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-16 - Tags: Swatch **Summary:** The new gold MoonSwatch requires an application for one of 1,969 limited editions. Commemorating Apollo 11, it features 18K Moonshine™ Gold and a 1969-era pricing concept. To acquire the new Swatch MoonSwatch, you first have to fill out a form. The Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application, or ESTA, contains 32 questions, a process modeled after the one many travelers complete to enter the United States. The digital application will be available on the brand’s website starting July 16, and only 1,969 people will receive an approval, granting them the right to purchase the watch. The watch in question is the MISSION TO THE MOON 1969. It commemorates the Apollo 11 moon landing of July 21, 1969, and is limited to a corresponding 1,969 pieces. This is not the standard MoonSwatch. The dial, hands, crown, and pushers are all crafted from 11 grams of OMEGA’s 18K Moonshine™ Gold. A Price Set in The Past The gold itself has a story. It was sourced from old OMEGA spare parts, melted down in an in-house own foundry to create the specific alloy. The weight, 11 grams, is a direct nod to the Apollo 11 mission number. Its price, however, is a conceptual exercise. The watch will sell for 500 Swiss Francs. That figure is not based on the current market value of gold. Instead, it’s an approximation of what 11 grams of 18-karat gold cost on July 21, 1969. At the time, that was about 11 U.S. dollars, or 48 Swiss Francs, based on an exchange rate of 4.31 CHF per dollar. Details from The Archives The design pays tribute to the original gold OMEGA Speedmaster from 1969, a watch created to celebrate the success of the Apollo 11 mission. The new MoonSwatch features a vertically satin-brushed dial, gold-colored faceted indexes filled with black lacquer, and a vintage OMEGA logo and typography. The 42.00 mm case is rendered in matte black Bioceramic, with a matching black bezel featuring a gold-colored tachymeter scale. The crystal is a domed, bio-based material with an anti-scratch coating and a small “S” engraved in the center. The watch runs on a quartz chronograph movement and is water resistant to 3 bar. A few other details complete the package. The battery cover on the caseback features a golden moon, decorated with the date of the moon landing and a footprint, referencing the first step taken in the Sea of Tranquility. The black rubber strap has a textured, gold-colored underside inspired by the lunar surface. Each of the 1,969 pieces also carries a unique serial number, engraved on the side of the case at 9 o’clock and filled with golden lacquer. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pass-the-application-buy-the-new-gold-moonswatch — Citation: "Pass the Application, Buy the New Gold MoonSwatch" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-16. https://menwith.com/pass-the-application-buy-the-new-gold-moonswatch --- ## Pelé, Maradona, Kobe: Sotheby’s Is Auctioning Sports History - URL: https://menwith.com/pel-maradona-kobe-sotheby-s-is-auctioning-sports-history - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-07-15 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Sotheby's Sports Week features iconic jerseys from Pelé, Maradona, and Kobe Bryant, alongside other legendary memorabilia. This auction highlights the growing market for authenticated sports history. The jersey Kobe Bryant wore for Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals contains a specific history. It was his highest scoring performance in any finals game. Forty points. That piece of fabric is now at the Breuer in New York City as part of a two-week event from Sotheby's called Sports Week. The collection moves beyond a single moment or sport. It includes the shirt Pelé wore when he scored two goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup Final, securing Brazil’s first championship. There is also the captain's armband worn by Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup, a tournament defined by his 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century' moments. Sports Memorabilia has become one of the auction house's fastest-growing categories. From Hanger to Frame The handling of these items post-auction reflects their value. Experts recommend framing the most significant jerseys, preserving them for display. For other pieces, velvet hangers are suggested to keep the sleeveless, and sometimes slippery, material from falling. All authentication documents are meant to be kept with the item, solidifying its provenance for any future sale. Some pieces carry the weight of an entire season. A New York Yankees jersey signed by Derek Jeter was worn during the 2004 regular season and postseason. It has been matched to 74 different games, including the one where he hit his 150th home run. Elsewhere in the collection is the earliest known photomatched shirt worn by Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona, from a 2006 match where he scored his 12th career goal. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pel-maradona-kobe-sotheby-s-is-auctioning-sports-history — Citation: "Pelé, Maradona, Kobe: Sotheby’s Is Auctioning Sports History" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-15. https://menwith.com/pel-maradona-kobe-sotheby-s-is-auctioning-sports-history --- ## Mercedes-AMG's Electric CLA Simulates a Petrol Engine’s Feel - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-amg-s-electric-cla-simulates-a-petrol-engine-s-feel - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-15 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes-AMG's electric CLA 45 4MATIC+ uses AMGFORCE S+ for simulated petrol engine feedback, offering up to 680 hp and 670 km range. The new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ offers haptic feedback in the seats, designed to simulate the feeling of a classic petrol engine's gear shifts. It is part of a system called AMGFORCE S+, which also generates authentic engine sounds and virtual shifts to preserve a specific character behind the wheel, even as the powertrain goes fully electric. This new performance model from Mercedes arrives in two forms, a four-door Coupé and a Shooting Brake. Both are built on the same platform as the new CLA, a car that was named Car of the Year in 2025 and also recognized by Euro NCAP as the safest vehicle it tested last year. The drivetrain uses three compact axial-flux motors, a principle shared with the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door. Two motors power the rear axle and a third drives the front, producing a combined output of 680 hp, or 500 kW. This allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. A fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system distributes power between the wheels in real time. Range and Engineering The battery is a 94 kWh unit that operates on 800-volt technology. This provides a WLTP range of up to 670 kilometers for the Coupé and 640 for the Shooting Brake, enough to travel from Malmö to Stockholm on a single charge. With DC charging at up to 330 kW, it’s possible to add 270 kilometers of range in ten minutes. The chassis was developed specifically for this model, featuring adaptive AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension and seven available drive programs. Aerodynamics are managed by an active rear spoiler on the Coupé and an active roof spoiler on the Shooting Brake, which adjust to speed and drive mode to improve stability and reduce energy consumption. Digital Integration Inside, the car’s digital platform is MBUX, built on Mercedes-Benz’s own MB.OS operating system. The system integrates AI from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini. It is also supplemented with AMG-specific functions for drivers who wish to analyze or fine-tune the car’s handling characteristics. The combination of extreme electric performance with engineered sensory feedback shows how the brand is approaching its electric future. It is a clear effort to blend new technology with a familiar driving character. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-amg-s-electric-cla-simulates-a-petrol-engine-s-feel — Citation: "Mercedes-AMG's Electric CLA Simulates a Petrol Engine’s Feel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-15. https://menwith.com/mercedes-amg-s-electric-cla-simulates-a-petrol-engine-s-feel --- ## Rolls-Royce Returns to Saint-Tropez With Sixteen Bespoke Cars - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-returns-to-saint-tropez-with-sixteen-bespoke-cars - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-15 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce unveils sixteen bespoke vehicles, including the Spectre Series II, across four luxury Saint-Tropez locations. This Riviera Experience offers clients exclusive drives and insights into the marque's heritage and electric future. In the hills above Pampelonne Beach, the pine groves of La Réserve Ramatuelle frame a contemporary escape from the streets of Saint-Tropez. This July, it becomes one of four stages for the most extensive summer programme Rolls-Royce has ever staged on the French Riviera. The brand has arrived not with a single car, but with a fleet of sixteen Bespoke vehicles, including the new Black Badge Spectre Series II. The cars are presented across a quartet of the Riviera’s most defined addresses. Alongside La Réserve, the programme extends to the Mediterranean gardens of Airelles Château de la Messardière, the intimate retreat of Airelles Pan Deï Palais, and the beach club atmosphere of Nikki Beach. The approach is a simple one, articulated by Julian Jenkins, the marque’s Director of Sales & Brand. It is about bringing the cars to the places clients “already know and value.” This philosophy shapes a calendar of experiences that moves with the seasons, from Courchevel 1850 in winter to the North Coast of Egypt later this summer. The goal is to allow clients to experience the cars within the natural rhythm of their own lives. The Riviera Experience At each location, discreet hospitality spaces allow guests to connect with the brand. The full portfolio of motor cars is available for self-driven journeys along the sweeping coastal corniches. For those preferring to be driven, a fleet of four Rolls-Royce Cullinans provides transfers between the venues. The program extends beyond driving. Members of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, artisans, and engineers are present to offer insights into the craft behind the vehicles. The marque is also hosting a series of private dinners and receptions. In the heart of Saint-Tropez, evenings of pétanque will take place in the Place des Lices, played with a Bespoke Rolls-Royce boules set. A Rolls-Royce Presence with History The brand's connection to the Riviera is not a recent development. Sir Henry Royce himself spent many winters at his home in nearby Le Canadel, where he continued his engineering work. The house used by his designers and engineers, Le Rossignol, gave its name to the landmark Coachbuild Collection, Project Nightingale, which was announced earlier in 2026. The Saint-Tropez event is part of a larger global strategy. From August 14 to 22, the summer season continues with the Spirit of Marassi programme on Egypt’s North Coast. Set in a beachfront villa overlooking the Mediterranean, the focus will be on Bespoke commissioning and will mark the Middle Eastern debut of the Spectre Series II. It is a calendar built around presence. The availability of the Black Badge Spectre Series II, the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever created, for a simple drive along the coast, serves as a direct line between the marque’s heritage and its electric future. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-returns-to-saint-tropez-with-sixteen-bespoke-cars — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Returns to Saint-Tropez With Sixteen Bespoke Cars" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-15. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-returns-to-saint-tropez-with-sixteen-bespoke-cars --- ## Vacheron Constantin Writes Its Next Chapter in Nanjing - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-writes-its-next-chapter-in-nanjing - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-15 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's Nanjing boutique unveils a stunning ceramic art installation and interactive watchmaking displays, blending tradition with modern luxury. At the entrance to the reimagined Vacheron Constantin boutique in Nanjing, guests are met by a wall of deep-blue ceramic tubes. Created in collaboration with artist Xin Yaoyao, the installation reimagines the Maison's Maltese Cross in three-dimensional form. It fuses two traditional ceramic techniques, kiln-transmutation glaze and ice-crackle glaze, to create a surface that shifts with the light. The Mechanics of the Space The boutique is also designed for interaction. A dedicated Watchmaking Wall traces the journey of a timepiece from initial sketches to mechanical components and finishing techniques. Nearby, an open Strap Bar invites clients to personalize their watches through an engaging aesthetic experience. For a more immersive experience, clients are welcomed into a spacious VIP lounge. The room blends Eastern and Western sensibilities through an interplay of wooden screens and textured walls, creating a refined and harmonious environment. The creation of the Yunjin brocade is faithful to the spirit of the original painting, but reinterpreted with richer colors and more delicate patterns. Its production requires two artisans to weave in harmony on a traditional loom, a symbol of Eastern textile artistry at its pinnacle. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-writes-its-next-chapter-in-nanjing — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin Writes Its Next Chapter in Nanjing" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-15. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-writes-its-next-chapter-in-nanjing --- ## Sinner Defends Wimbledon - URL: https://menwith.com/jannick-sinner-defends-his-wimbledon-title - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-13 - Tags: Jannik Sinner, Wimbledon, Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer, Rolex, ATP Masters 1000 **Summary:** Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon title, becoming the tenth man in the Open Era to do so. He secured his fifth Grand Slam and 100th match win, joining an elite list of tennis legends. He nearly lost it on the first day. The champion opens Wimbledon. That is the tradition, and it is a strange gift: Centre Court to yourself, world number one beside your name, and nothing available to you but confirmation of what everyone already assumes. Sinner went five sets before the tournament had properly started, and had to come from behind to survive them. Thirteen days later he was back on the same grass, a set down again. He had come through Novak Djokovic in the semi-final in straight sets. Alexander Zverev took the first on a tiebreak, 9-7. Sinner took the next three. The final ran 3 hours 46 minutes: 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4. Defending The Title What it made him was the tenth man in the Open Era to defend the Wimbledon title. The list ahead of him includes Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz, which is to say it is not a list that grows quickly, and not a list anyone joins by accident. It was his fifth Grand Slam singles title and his 100th Grand Slam match win. Earlier this year he became the youngest man to complete all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. Speaking to the crowd afterwards, he stayed with the feeling rather than the record: "There is no better place to play tennis. You feel the nerves on Sunday morning when you wake up, it is very special, and you never know how many times you can come back." The fortnight More than 500,000 people came through the black gates of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club over the two weeks. The rain never came. The curfew nearly did, with match after match running towards the 11.00 p.m. cut-off in unbroken sunshine. The Royal Box Federer was there, eight titles behind him, more than any man has taken from this tournament. Next to him sat Stefan Edberg, who once coached him, and who won here in 1988 and 1990 with a serve-and-volley game that has since gone quietly out of the world. Edberg was asked what the title meant. He answered by describing the second before it arrived: "The moment before you serve on championship point is very special. Bouncing the ball, the silence of the 15,000 spectators, the sound of your breathing when you stand there alone with the chance to win. Nobody knows what will happen next." Rolex has been timing that silence since 1978, when it first partnered with the tournament. Sinner joined its family of Testimonees in 2020, which puts him in the same company as the men watching him from the box. He will be back in July for the landmark 2027 edition, with the chance to put his name on the honours board a third time. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jannick-sinner-defends-his-wimbledon-title — Citation: "Sinner Defends Wimbledon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-13. https://menwith.com/jannick-sinner-defends-his-wimbledon-title --- ## One Moment at Goodwood, Two Masters at Work - URL: https://menwith.com/one-moment-at-goodwood-two-masters-at-work - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-12 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** A professional driver and photographer capture a legendary moment at Goodwood with a sideways Bentley Supersports, showcasing skill and instinct. The Pymkhana Bentley Supersports is already sideways on the start line at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Its rear wheels spin, throwing a vast cloud of white tyre smoke into the air. The front wheels point toward one man, while the tail of the car edges toward the outside of the narrow driveway. It is a moment frozen by a camera, the work of two professionals operating on instinct. One of those men is Paul Rees, a professional driver behind the wheel of the 666 PS machine with all electronic aids switched off. The other is Mark Fagelson, an automotive photographer positioned 250 metres away. He has spent 10 years shooting for Bentley at the festival, and this year he secured a spot in one of its most sought-after positions. The Setup Fagelson describes the photographers’ area on the outside of the first corner as being the size of a small elevator, often with 20 people inside. “You have to be friendly with your fellow photographers and use every bit of persuasion to get to the front,” he explains. The effort gives him a direct view of the start line and a car beginning its charge up the Hill. His subject, the Pymkhana Supersports, makes the opportunity more compelling. “I think the Pymkhana Supersports might be my favourite Bentley ever,” says Fagelson. “It’s an amazing-looking car.” He arrived with a 400 mm high-resolution lens he describes as being “as long as my arm” and a camera that captures 20 frames per second. Still, he knows where the real work lies. “With a photo like that, half the work is done beforehand,” he says. “Then you’re in the hands of the driver.” That driver, Paul Rees, has two distinct jobs at Goodwood. “It’s a funny job,” he says. “In the timed shootout, I’ve got to be as precise and as fast as possible, which means trying not to be sideways. A few hours later, I’ll be doing a demonstation run, hanging the tail out in full-send mode.” Rees helped prepare this specific car for its role in the film *Supersports: FULL SEND* with Travis Pastrana, and it was modified to allow for simultaneous braking and acceleration. The Execution Off the start line, Rees uses this modification to control the car’s forward speed while keeping the rear wheels spinning. “I’ve got 666 PS going to the rear wheels and all the driver aids switched off, so the Supersports is ready to play,” he notes. “The Hill has a crown in the middle, which means it slopes down to either side. The car naturally falls one way, as soon as it does, I just encourage it a little more.” As the rear wheels began to spin, Fagelson started shooting. “Paul lit the tyres up on the start line, and just kept them lit,” he recalls. “I kept thinking, ‘He’s going to shut it off’, but he kept going. That’s what made the shot: the skill of the driver.” The smoke from the Pirelli tyres spread across the start area. “As soon as I saw the tyres light up and the smoke billowing out, I knew we’d got it. I was smiling while I was shooting because I knew I had something really good.” Rees maintained the burnout before accelerating up the Hill, drifting through the course, and finishing with more showboating for the crowd. Fagelson, who has been a professional photographer for 25 years, calls it his favorite Goodwood shot yet. “It felt like a one-time opportunity,” he says. “There’s a certain amount of pressure, no matter how experienced you are.” For Rees, that pressure shifts when the spectacle gives way to the stopwatch. “There are bragging rights if you set a really quick time, but the opportunity to be a zero rather than a hero is always there,” he says. “If you get it wrong, you do it in front of your peers and the whole automotive world. But if you get it right, it’s wonderful.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/one-moment-at-goodwood-two-masters-at-work — Citation: "One Moment at Goodwood, Two Masters at Work" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-12. https://menwith.com/one-moment-at-goodwood-two-masters-at-work --- ## Is 34.5mm Too Small? Vacheron Constantin's New Overseas Sparks a Bigger Conversation - URL: https://menwith.com/is-345mm-too-small-vacheron-constantins-new-overseas-sparks-a-bigger-conversation - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-12 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin, Overseas, 34.5mm, watch sizing, luxury sports watch, vintage proportions, calibre 1088 **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's 34.5mm Overseas challenges traditional watch sizing norms. This release sparks debate on whether smaller cases are the future of luxury sports watches, reflecting a collector shift towards vintage proportions. There was a time when the answer would have been obvious. A luxury sports watch measuring 34.5mm would almost certainly have been marketed towards women, while men's collections gravitated toward larger cases. For years, the industry pushed sizes beyond 40mm, with many brands treating 42mm or even 44mm as the new standard. Today, that conversation looks very different. With its latest Overseas Self-Winding, Vacheron Constantin has introduced a beautifully proportioned 34.5mm model. While the maison hasn't positioned it as a men's watch, nor exclusively as a women's watch, its release reflects a wider shift taking place across the luxury watch industry. Collectors are rediscovering smaller case sizes. Vintage-inspired watches between 34mm and 38mm have become increasingly desirable over the past few years. Much of that shift comes from an appreciation of classic proportions, where elegance and comfort often outweigh wrist presence. Many enthusiasts who once preferred 41mm or 42mm cases are now finding themselves drawn to 36mm or 37mm alternatives. The new Overseas sits right in the middle of that conversation. Mechanically, it offers everything enthusiasts expect from Vacheron Constantin. The in-house automatic calibre 1088 powers the watch, while the integrated bracelet, interchangeable strap system and refined finishing remain unmistakably Overseas. Nothing about the watch feels like a compromise simply because of its size. Instead, the biggest talking point is the diameter itself. At 34.5mm, some collectors will see it as the perfect modern interpretation of classic proportions. Others will still consider it too small for a contemporary sports watch, particularly on larger wrists. Perhaps that's exactly what makes this release so interesting. Rather than asking whether the watch is intended for men or women, it may be more relevant to ask whether our expectations around watch size have changed. As vintage collecting continues to influence modern design, traditional distinctions between "men's" and "women's" sizing are becoming less rigid than they once were. Vacheron Constantin hasn't simply released another Overseas. It has reignited one of the most interesting debates in modern watch collecting. So where do you stand? Is 34.5mm too small, or is it simply the next step in the return to classic proportions? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/is-345mm-too-small-vacheron-constantins-new-overseas-sparks-a-bigger-conversation — Citation: "Is 34.5mm Too Small? Vacheron Constantin's New Overseas Sparks a Bigger Conversation" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-12. https://menwith.com/is-345mm-too-small-vacheron-constantins-new-overseas-sparks-a-bigger-conversation --- ## Hennessy Crafts Its First Ready-to-Serve Cocktails - URL: https://menwith.com/hennessy-crafts-its-first-ready-to-serve-cocktails - Category: Style - Published: 2026-07-12 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Hennessy launches its first ready-to-serve cocktails, Henny-Rita, Henny Berry, and Henny Iced Tea. This move taps into the growing US RTD market, blending heritage with modern convenience. Henny-Rita, Henny Berry, and Henny Iced Tea. These are the names of the first ready-to-serve cocktails to ever carry the Hennessy name. After more than 260 years, the Maison is opening a new chapter by launching Hennessy Very Special Cocktails, a collection that marks the first time its cognac has been combined with other ingredients in a pre-mixed format. The new range is built around the brand’s Hennessy Very Special cognac and is being introduced exclusively in the United States starting this July. The move places the historic cognac house directly into one of the fastest-growing segments of the American spirits market, where ready-to-drink options continue to gain momentum with consumers. A Nod to History For Charles Delapalme, the President and CEO of LVMH-owned Hennessy, this innovation is also rooted in the Maison’s past. He notes that long before Prohibition, cognac was a central component in many cocktail recipes that would go on to become classics. This modern launch is viewed as a natural extension of that longstanding tradition. The Hennessy Blender's Touch The collection was developed by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, the Maison's eighth-generation Master Blender. His task was to create a ready-to-enjoy experience that preserved the balance, character, and aromatic richness of the cognac at its heart. The involvement of the Master Blender signals a commitment to craftsmanship within the new category. Each of the three expressions offers a distinct profile. The Henny-Rita is inspired by the Margarita. The Henny Berry is a blend of blackcurrant and blackberry with Mojito-like mint notes. The Henny Iced Tea combines the flavors of orange and black tea with what are described as pastry-like notes. With this launch, Hennessy aims to explore new ways of enjoying cognac, bringing its heritage to new audiences and different occasions. The brand states that by connecting its history of craftsmanship with evolving consumer habits, it is reaffirming the pioneering spirit that has guided its development since its founding. Read more about style here. DRINK RESPONSIBLY — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hennessy-crafts-its-first-ready-to-serve-cocktails — Citation: "Hennessy Crafts Its First Ready-to-Serve Cocktails" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-12. https://menwith.com/hennessy-crafts-its-first-ready-to-serve-cocktails --- ## The Coordinates and the Quarter-Million Stitches of Rolls-Royce - URL: https://menwith.com/the-coordinates-and-the-quarter-million-stitches-of-rolls-royce - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-10 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce unveils bespoke Phantom, Ghost, Spectre, and Cullinan models at Goodwood, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and unique inspirations from yachts to Savile Row suits. Inside the Phantom Extended Regatta, a set of geographic coordinates are engraved on the air vents. One marks Goodwood House, 50°52’12”N 00°44’24”W. The other, the Home of Rolls-Royce, 50°51’13”N 00°44’40”W. The two points sit within a mile of each other, fixing the car to the place it was made. Visible only when the vent is tilted forward, the detail sets the tone for the collection presented in the Stable Yard at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Phantom Extended Regatta is a commission inspired by the racing yachts of the English south coast. The exterior is finished in Regatta Blue over English White, recalling the line where a hull meets water. The interior continues the theme, with Navy Blue leather in the front and Grace White in the rear, suggesting deep water and canvas sails. RR monograms are embroidered in Turchese, the colour of clear inshore water. The craft is layered. Picnic tables finished as a yacht deck required around 120 hours of work, each composed of 16 bookmatched ‘planks’ of Royal Walnut. Between them run thin lengths of Black Bolivar wood, just two millimetres wide and cut from a single piece to avoid visible joins. At the heart of the cabin is a hand-painted Gallery artwork named Watercolour, created by an in-house artist who developed a new blending technique over two weeks to capture the movement of open water. A second commission, the Ghost Extended Savile Row, shifts the inspiration from sea to city. Conceived as a motor car dressed in suiting, its two-tone Midnight Sapphire and English White exterior is finished with a Champagne pinstripe Featureline. Inside, the seats feature a vertical run-stitch in Selby Grey to mimic pinstripes. An Arctic White insert on the seat back, requiring more than 16,000 stitches, evokes a pressed pocket square. The car’s boldest detail remains hidden. Lowering the rear centre armrest reveals an embroidered artwork inspired by the colourful linings of bespoke jackets. The design, a plan view of the trees in the courtyard at the Home of Rolls-Royce, is the most demanding single-frame embroidery the marque has ever created. The piece comprises seven colours, takes nine hours to construct, and includes 250,000 stitches from nearly two kilometres of thread. The UK public debut of Spectre Series II brings this philosophy into the electric era. The display model, finished in Dark Emerald and Black Diamond with a Mandarin coachline, introduces Placed Perforation, a technique that transforms leather into a canvas with patterns inspired by clouds in moonlight. A new Illuminated Fascia contains 8,108 individual lights in a wave pattern that draws from the mist settling over the nearby South Downs. A second, more dynamic Black Badge Spectre Series II will take on the festival’s Hillclimb. As the most powerful Rolls-Royce created, it delivers 500 kW of power and up to 1,100 Nm of torque. Its interior features Duality Twill for the first time on a Spectre, a contemporary rayon fabric made from bamboo. The material was inspired by the bamboo grove at Le Jardin des Méditerranées, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa. The collection in the Stable Yard is completed by a Cullinan commission, Bohemian Sunset. It draws its palette from the changing colours of the sky at dusk, presented in Iced Silver Haze with Mandarin details. Inside, a Bespoke Starlight Headliner transitions from orange to blue, mirroring the inspiration. The display, as Regional Director John Beckley notes, is meant to show how “design, engineering and Bespoke craftsmanship continue to evolve.” The story, however, is found in the details that are easy to miss. A set of coordinates known only to the owner. A quarter-million stitches hidden inside an armrest. Craft that reveals itself slowly, if at all. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-coordinates-and-the-quarter-million-stitches-of-rolls-royce — Citation: "The Coordinates and the Quarter-Million Stitches of Rolls-Royce" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-10. https://menwith.com/the-coordinates-and-the-quarter-million-stitches-of-rolls-royce --- ## The Rolls-Royce Ghost, Tailored for One - URL: https://menwith.com/the-rolls-royce-ghost-tailored-for-one - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-10 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** The Rolls-Royce Ghost Savile Row boasts intricate, tailor-inspired embroidery and a two-tone exterior, celebrating a shared heritage of bespoke luxury with Savile Row. Lowering the rear centre armrest of the Rolls-Royce Ghost Savile Row reveals an embroidery of 250,000 stitches. It took nine hours to create, using 1,830 metres of thread in seven different colours. It is the most demanding single-frame embroidery the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective has ever produced. The artwork is a plan view of the square trees and their cast shadows in the courtyard at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. It is hidden, like the colourful lining of a tailored jacket. The stitch style was developed specifically for this one-of-one commission, inspired by the interlocking threads of a woven fabric to give the embroidery the look and feel of cloth laid into leather. This language of tailoring informs the entire interior. The seats are finished in Navy Blue and Arctic White leather. A vertical run-stitch in Selby Grey, a nod to a pinstripe suit, is precisely aligned to the geometry of each seat. An Arctic White insert at the top of the seat back evokes a pressed white pocket square, each one incorporating more than 16,600 stitches embroidered tone-on-tone to resemble the warp and weft of cloth. Dressed for the Occasion The exterior of the Ghost Extended is finished in a Bespoke Midnight Sapphire over English White two-tone. The pairing references the classic British combination of a navy suit and a crisp white shirt, a look popularized in the early 1800s by Beau Brummell, the man regarded as the father of modern menswear. Instead of a hand-painted coachline, a slender Silver Featureline sits within the English White upper body, referencing the contrast of cufflinks or a fine timepiece against a shirt. The car sits on 22-inch nine-spoke part-polished wheels with body-coloured centres. The entire commission was informed by connoisseurs of the Savile Row tradition and will be presented at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. A Shared History The connection between the two institutions is historical. Rolls-Royce opened its first showroom in 1905 on Conduit Street in Mayfair, just moments from ‘the Row’. The marque’s co-founder, Charles Rolls, was known for his personal style. While nicknamed ‘Dirty Rolls’ at Cambridge for the engine oil that marked his clothes, he was also known to be immaculately dressed for formal occasions, down to the silver pocket watch in his waistcoat. Phil Fabre de la Grange, the brand’s Head of Bespoke, sees the project as a celebration of a shared philosophy. “Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Savile Row are united by a shared understanding of luxury,” he notes. “Both are founded on the principle that the finest commissions begin with the individual, whose ideas are brought to life through extraordinary craftsmanship.” The discipline extends to details many will never notice. The indicator stalk is wrapped in leather with Arctic White stitching. The volume control is wrapped in Arctic White leather, and the climate controls in Navy Blue. Even the umbrellas, stored within the doors, are Bespoke, with Navy Blue canopies, Selby Grey beading and Arctic White handles, completing a motor car tailored, quite literally, to measure. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-rolls-royce-ghost-tailored-for-one — Citation: "The Rolls-Royce Ghost, Tailored for One" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-10. https://menwith.com/the-rolls-royce-ghost-tailored-for-one --- ## Every Rule Has Its Exception: Breguet and 225 Years of the Tourbillon - URL: https://menwith.com/every-rule-has-its-exception-breguet-and-225-years-of-the-tourbillon - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-09 - Tags: Abraham-Louis Breguet, Tourbillon, Breguet, Haute Horlogerie, Watchmaking, Classique Tourbillon 7357, French Republican Calendar **Summary:** Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon in 1801, a groundbreaking mechanism to counteract gravity's effect on watch accuracy. 225 years later, Breguet celebrates this invention with four new timepieces. Gravity is not a preference. It is not a trend you can wait out. It pulls on a balance wheel the same way it pulls on everything else, and for the first three centuries of portable timekeeping it quietly ruined the accuracy of every pocket watch ever carried upright in a waistcoat. Abraham-Louis Breguet did not accept that. On 26 June 1801, dated 7 Messidor An IX under the French Republican calendar still in use at the time, he was granted a ten-year patent for a device he called the tourbillon. The idea was almost insolent in its simplicity. If gravity distorts a balance differently in each vertical position, then put the entire escapement inside a cage and rotate it, continuously, so that those positional errors average themselves out instead of accumulating. He did not defeat gravity. He out-thought it. Breguet's own campaign for this anniversary puts it more bluntly than we would: Sorry, Isaac. Two hundred and twenty-five years later, the invention belongs to everyone and the origin to one house. The mechanism has been adopted by nearly the entire industry, but the patent of 26 June 1801 carries only one name, and this year the Manufacture marks the date with four new tourbillons. It is worth understanding what they are actually celebrating before we get to what they made. The Invention Nobody Could Afford Breguet was, by any honest measure, the founder of modern horology. The list of things he either invented or refined into their final form reads like a syllabus: the pare-chute shock protection, the self-winding perpétuelle, the overcoil balance spring that still carries his name, the constant-force escapement of 1798, and then the tourbillon three years later. Much of this thinking crystallised during exile. When the Terror made Paris untenable, Breguet took refuge in his native Switzerland and returned in 1795 with his best ideas nearly ready. The tourbillon was the culmination of that period. What it was not, in his lifetime, was a commercial success. The mechanism was fiendishly hard to build and priced accordingly. Breguet produced only around 35 tourbillon watches in his lifetime, and fewer than ten are known to survive today. A handful sit in the Breguet Museum at Place Vendôme in Paris. So the invention that would go on to define haute horlogerie was, in its own time, a rounding error on the ledger. It became horology's most admired complication only after the man who made it was gone. That is the part worth sitting with. The tourbillon earns its status not through utility (modern metallurgy and silicon give watchmakers easier paths to accuracy now) but through what it demonstrates: the construction of a cage light enough to spin without wasting energy yet rigid enough to hold the regulating organ true, turning once a minute, in full view. It is difficulty made visible. That is precisely why it inevitably became a success, albeit centuries later. Four Watches, One Anniversary The 2026 quartet was unveiled on 26 June, to the day. They share a visual language: the anniversary shade of Bleu de France, commemorative engraving, and a recurring motif of the night sky as it appeared over Paris on the evening the patent was granted. Beyond that, they could hardly be more different, and that range is the point. One is a dress watch, one is an illusion, one is a mechanical showpiece, and one is a grand complication wearing a sports jacket. Classique Tourbillon 7357 This is the heart of the collection, and quietly the most interesting, because it is the only one that is regular production rather than a limited edition. It is a direct successor to Ref. 3350, and it keeps the thing that made the original special: a genuinely compact 35mm case, a full millimetre trimmer than its 1989 ancestor, under 9.2mm thick. In an era of oversized everything, restraint like this is the flex. The case comes in platinum or in Breguet gold, the proprietary warm alloy introduced for last year's 250th anniversary. The dial is solid 18K gold worked in two of the house's signature guilloché patterns, Clous de Paris at the centre and barleycorn around the edge, with the Arabic numerals Breguet himself was using in the late 18th century. Inside is the Calibre 187B, an evolution of that historic 558 movement, still beating at a slow and hypnotic 18,000 vibrations per hour, now with a 60-hour power reserve and modern defences against magnetism in the form of a silicon escapement and a Nivachron balance spring. Turn it over and the movement plate carries a new guilloché motif inspired by the Dent de Vaulion, the peak that looks down on the Vallée de Joux where the Manufacture sits, alongside two engravings: Brevet du 7 Messidor An 9 and Tourbillon 225e Anniversaire. Priced at CHF 140,000 in gold and CHF 154,000 in platinum, before tax, it is, by the standards of this world, the accessible one. Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 If the 7357 is about heritage, the Sidéral is about magic. First seen last year in Breguet gold, it returns in a 38mm platinum case carrying the house's first-ever flying tourbillon, driven by the Calibre 187M1. The trick is the mysterious display: the lower bridge and support that carry the tourbillon are cut from clear sapphire, so the point where the gears drive the cage vanishes from view. The result is a tourbillon that appears to hover, turning with no visible connection to anything. It is an old illusion, one Breguet had left alone for nearly two decades, and it still stops people mid-sentence. The dial answers the celestial theme with black aventurine enamel, its surface flecked with light like a fragment of night sky, and its rhodium-plated numerals and hands sit against it in cool contrast. Black and silver is a palette Breguet almost never uses, which is part of why it works. Limited to 50 pieces, at CHF 223,000. Tradition Tourbillon 7047 The 7047 is the mechanical heavyweight, and it hides nothing. The Tradition line puts the architecture of an old Breguet pocket watch movement on the front of the watch, so you read the time and admire the machine at once. Here that machine pairs a tourbillon with a fusee-and-chain transmission, a torque-regulating device whose geometry Leonardo da Vinci documented in his notebooks. A chain of 232 links winds across the movement to keep the power delivered to the escapement even, whether the mainspring is fully wound or nearly spent. For the anniversary, the whole thing is rendered in blue. The enamel time sub-dial is Bleu de France, the tourbillon and fusee bridges are finished to match, the chain itself is blue, and even the tourbillon endstone is a blue spinel where a ruby would normally sit. The titanium tourbillon cage, a feature of this movement since 2010, turns against a frosted base plate in a pale, glacial blue. The effect is unexpectedly modern for a movement rooted in the 18th century. This is the 41mm piece, powered by the Calibre 569 with a 55-hour reserve, limited to 25 pieces at CHF 246,300. Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante 5887 The last one is the surprise: a grand complication built into a sports watch. Behind a dial that looks almost calm, the 5887 runs a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, and a running equation of time (the shifting gap between clock time and true solar time), driven by the self-winding Calibre 581DPE at a modern 4Hz with an 80-hour reserve. The anniversary version is where the whole collection's celestial idea reaches its conclusion. The dial is grand feu enamel over a tinted sapphire base, and the enamel is loaded with luminous pigment, so the constellations and the moon it depicts are not decorative shorthand. They map the actual sky over Paris at midnight on 26 June 1801, and they glow. On the back, a hand-engraved depiction of the Royal Louis, an 18th-century French warship, sails across oceans rendered in Breguet gold, set against a rhodium-plated sky and sea. Housed in a 43.9mm platinum case, it comes as a 25-piece limited edition on a rubber strap (CHF 292,300) or a matching platinum bracelet (CHF 370,700), and each can be personalised to the sky of a date and place the owner chooses. Alongside the four watches, Breguet also showed No. 1176, Breguet's own third tourbillon ever made and his first four-minute example, sold in 1809. Two centuries of the same idea, in one vitrine. What it inherited, and what it does with it The easy way to mark an anniversary is to reissue the old thing and let the date do the talking. Breguet has not quite done that. The 7357 is the one that reaches furthest back, and even it has a new case, a new dial and a rebuilt movement. The other three take the tourbillon somewhere the founder never could have imagined it going: floating on sapphire, painted with a luminous star map, wrapped around a perpetual calendar on a platinum bracelet. That is the more honest kind of tribute. A patent from 1801 is not a museum piece to be dusted once every twenty-five years. It is an inheritance, and the question that matters is always the same one: what is being done with it. On this evidence, the answer is quite a lot. Newton, we suspect, would have understood the appeal. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/every-rule-has-its-exception-breguet-and-225-years-of-the-tourbillon — Citation: "Every Rule Has Its Exception: Breguet and 225 Years of the Tourbillon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-09. https://menwith.com/every-rule-has-its-exception-breguet-and-225-years-of-the-tourbillon --- ## Bugatti's President Drives the Veyron to Victory at Inaugural Schlumpf Concours - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-president-drives-the-veyron-to-victory-at-inaugural-schlumpf-concours - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-09 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti President Christophe Piochon drove a Veyron Super Sport to victory at the inaugural Schlumpf Concours. The event celebrated Bugatti's heritage, honoring the Royale's 100th anniversary and showcasing modern engineering. Christophe Piochon, the President of Bugatti Automobiles, took the wheel of a Veyron Super Sport and drove it on the autodrome at the Musée National de l’Automobile. This was not just a parade lap. He was competing in the inaugural Concours d’Élégance International Schlumpf, held in Mulhouse, and his drive secured first place in Category E for exceptional cars from 1996 to 2026. The event itself is a new annual celebration of automotive heritage, held on the verdant lawns of a museum that holds profound meaning for the marque. The Musée National de l’Automobile, home to the Collection Schlumpf, is one of the world’s most significant repositories of Bugatti history. The location in Mulhouse is just 100 kilometers from the brand’s historic home. A Century of Royale The weekend gathering created a dialogue between the brand’s modern era and its origins. The Bugatti Royale was honored on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Three examples from the Schlumpf Collection were present: the Coupé Napoléon, the extraordinary Esders restoration, and the Park Ward. The appearance of the Park Ward was particularly significant, as it moved on the track for the first time in more than four decades. The event’s official launch took place earlier this year on the streets of Monte Carlo during the Historic Grand Prix. There, the Musée entrusted the Coupé Napoléon to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco for a tour of the circuit. Christophe Piochon accompanied the Prince, forging a personal connection between the brand’s leadership and its history. Engineering Lineage The brand's modern engineering was also on display. The legendary W16 engine, the heart of Bugatti's contemporary hypercars, lay proudly next to the Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage. This vehicle, the second from the Programme Solitaire, pays tribute to Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Karl Piëch and the Veyron, the car that first carried the W16. The brand’s presence was felt across the concours categories. A recently restored Bugatti Type 38, with a body by Figoni, took first place in Category D, for vehicles built before 1930. The win served as another testament to the enduring craftsmanship rooted in the work of Ettore Bugatti himself. “Taking part in the first Concours d’Élégance International Schlumpf was a natural choice for Bugatti,” Piochon stated. “Driving the Veyron Super Sport to first place in its category made this occasion even more meaningful. It was a reminder that Bugatti’s heritage lives through the cars, through the people who care for them, and through the passion that continues to carry the brand forward.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-president-drives-the-veyron-to-victory-at-inaugural-schlumpf-concours — Citation: "Bugatti's President Drives the Veyron to Victory at Inaugural Schlumpf Concours" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-09. https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-president-drives-the-veyron-to-victory-at-inaugural-schlumpf-concours --- ## The Shape of a British Summer, by Range Rover - URL: https://menwith.com/the-shape-of-a-british-summer-by-range-rover - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-09 - Tags: Land Rover **Summary:** Range Rover's British Summertime Collection translates automotive design into luxury lifestyle objects, blending tennis culture and British craft. The Touring Woven Holdall is crafted from a rich tan leather, with hand-woven panels that recall traditional picnic basketry. Its silhouette was designed to subtly mirror the boat-like rear form of the Range Rover itself. This is the first signal that the brand's latest project is about translating automotive design into objects you can carry. The holdall is a highlight of the new Range Rover British Summertime Collection, a series of pieces timed for the height of the season. The project extends the brand's design language beyond the vehicle, guided by the philosophy of 'luxury in motion'. Inspiration comes from two distinct areas: the graphic precision of tennis culture and the tactile traditions of British craft. The palette follows, with crisp tennis whites, heritage greens, and accents of tennis ball yellow set against strawberries-and-cream hues. A lightweight blanket made from a blend of 60% cashmere and 40% wool translates a bird’s-eye view of Centre Court into a bold graphic textile. The piece is hand screen-printed in Italy and finished with a hand-whipstitched edge, bringing a specific seasonal moment into a physical form. A Geography of Craft The collection maps a specific geography of British making. Artisans in Stoke-on-Trent, a historic center for pottery, craft the collection’s ceramics from UK-sourced clay. In Macclesfield, another town with a long history in its field, specialist workshops digitally print the textiles, including the silk linings for the leather accessories. The tea sets from Stoke-on-Trent are offered in two distinct colorways. The Country House set uses a vibrant, multi-tonal palette, while the Country Garden version pairs deep green with soft sky blue. Both are unified by a delicate, hand-applied Sunset Gold edging, a direct reference to an optional exterior paint finish available for the Range Rover. Automotive Lines Throughout the collection, automotive design cues are applied with precision. The sculpted handles of the Touring Woven Holdall echo the brand’s graphic language, referencing both the Range Rover Motif and the vehicle’s trademark bodyside graphic. Smaller leather pieces, like the City Woven Purse and the Companion Woven Travel Case, maintain this approach with structured silhouettes inspired by the vehicle form and hand-finished edges. A partnership with heritage umbrella maker Fulton produced two pieces for the collection. The waterproof Terrace Parasol features soft sky-blue tones and a repeating Range Rover Motif, while the Signature Umbrella uses deeper hues for a more classic silhouette. Both include finely etched handles and bespoke poppers on their tailored slip cases. The intent is to extend the brand's design philosophy beyond the vehicle into a broader lifestyle context. “Inspired by the rituals and shared experiences of the British summer season,” the company stated, “we have created a collection that is both culturally resonant and thoughtfully crafted.” The connection is made complete in the smallest details. The real gold hardware on the leather goods was developed specifically to reflect the signature Sunset Gold finish. A piece of the car, rendered on a handle or a clasp, designed to be held. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-shape-of-a-british-summer-by-range-rover — Citation: "The Shape of a British Summer, by Range Rover" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-09. https://menwith.com/the-shape-of-a-british-summer-by-range-rover --- ## Sanlorenzo’s 74Steel Virtuosity Redefines What a Superyacht Can Be - URL: https://menwith.com/sanlorenzos-74steel-virtuosity-redefines-what-a-superyacht-can-be - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-08 - Tags: Sanlorenzo, 74Steel Virtuosity, Studio Paolo Ferrari, Zuccon International Project, superyacht design, custom yacht, underwater lounge, beach club **Summary:** Sanlorenzo's 74Steel Virtuosity redefines superyacht luxury with a living tree at its core and an expansive underwater lounge. This 73m vessel prioritizes imaginative design and natural integration over sheer size. When a yacht is designed around a living tree rather than an engine room, you know the rules have changed. With the launch of 74Steel Virtuosity, Sanlorenzo has introduced one of the most ambitious custom superyachts ever created, proving that modern luxury is no longer defined by size alone, but by imagination. At 73 metres in length and nearly 2,000 GT, Virtuosity is the second yacht built on Sanlorenzo's flagship 74Steel platform. While it shares its diesel electric architecture with the first hull, almost everything above the waterline has been reimagined through more than four years of collaboration between the owner, Sanlorenzo's Style Department and Studio Paolo Ferrari. A Yacht Built Around Nature The defining feature is impossible to miss. At the heart of the yacht stands a mature Ficus Nitida tree that rises through two decks via a large oval opening. Rather than adding greenery as decoration, Sanlorenzo designed the yacht around the tree itself, integrating irrigation, lighting and climate systems directly into the structure before construction even began. Natural light pours through dedicated skylights, creating an interior that feels more like contemporary architecture than traditional yacht design. The Ultimate Ocean Retreat The lower deck introduces one of Virtuosity's most remarkable spaces. The beach club stretches across approximately 230 square metres, making it around forty percent larger than the original 74Steel configuration. A 28 square metre glass bottom swimming pool floods the area with natural light, while the space transforms from a watersports hub during the day into an entertainment venue complete with a DJ station after sunset. Nearby, guests can unwind in a wellness area featuring a hammam, sauna, cryotherapy room and perhaps the yacht's most unusual feature, an underwater lounge where reinforced glass panels offer uninterrupted views beneath the surface. A Private World Above Deck The owner's private deck offers around 140 square metres of personal living space alongside a reflecting pool designed to mirror the surrounding sky rather than function as a traditional swimming pool. An aft cinema lounge creates a secluded retreat, while the redesigned sun deck houses a fully enclosed panoramic gym with floor to ceiling glazing, allowing guests to exercise while remaining connected to the sea. Designed by Zuccon International Project, Virtuosity also introduces a sharper, more dynamic bow profile compared with the first 74Steel, giving the yacht a sportier and more contemporary appearance without losing Sanlorenzo's unmistakable elegance. More than simply another flagship, Virtuosity represents a different way of thinking about life on board. It blends architecture, nature and engineering into a yacht that feels less like a floating palace and more like a carefully designed living environment. In a market where true originality is increasingly difficult to achieve, Sanlorenzo has delivered one of the most distinctive superyachts of the decade. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/sanlorenzos-74steel-virtuosity-redefines-what-a-superyacht-can-be — Citation: "Sanlorenzo’s 74Steel Virtuosity Redefines What a Superyacht Can Be" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-08. https://menwith.com/sanlorenzos-74steel-virtuosity-redefines-what-a-superyacht-can-be --- ## Zenith Puts Ancient Stone Inside a Carbon Chronograph - URL: https://menwith.com/zenith-puts-ancient-stone-inside-a-carbon-chronograph - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-08 - Tags: Zenith **Summary:** Zenith's DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II merges forged carbon with natural lapis lazuli. Its El Primero 9004 calibre boasts dual escapements for 1/100th-second chronograph accuracy. The deep matte texture of forged carbon meets the vivid blue of lapis lazuli. In the new DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II from Zenith, two materials from opposite ends of existence are brought together. One is engineered for performance and resistance. The other is natural, almost cosmic, formed over millennia. This is the second interpretation of the concept, following an earlier edition in steel and yellow gold. Limited to just 25 pieces, this version takes a darker, more technical approach. The 45mm case combines forged carbon and titanium, materials chosen for their lightweight properties and structural integrity. Their surfaces absorb light, giving the watch a stealth-like presence on the wrist and reinforcing the sharp geometry of the DEFY Extreme architecture. Precision and Geology Set within the openworked dial, counters made from lapis lazuli introduce color and depth. The stone’s natural pyrite inclusions create subtle golden reflections that catch the light at different angles. This raw, unpredictable element sits within a machine built for uncompromising performance. Legibility is maintained by yellow gold-plated applied indexes and hands, both coated with Super-LumiNova. The display is organized with small seconds at 9 o'clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, a 60-second counter at 6 o'clock, and a power reserve indicator for the chronograph at 12 o'clock. A Dual Escapement At the heart of the watch is the El Primero 9004 calibre. The movement is built around two independent escapements. One operates at 5 Hz, or 36,000 VpH, for standard timekeeping. A second, separate escapement beats at an extreme 50 Hz, or 360,000 VpH, dedicated entirely to the chronograph function. This dual architecture allows the chronograph to measure elapsed time to 1/100th of a second. The central chronograph hand makes a full rotation of the dial every second, a kinetic display that makes the measurement both visible and instinctively readable. The timekeeping module maintains a 50-hour power reserve, while the chronograph can run for 50 minutes. The watch is delivered with two strap options, a black rubber strap and a black high-performance Velcro strap, which can be swapped using an interchangeable system integrated into the case back. The DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II is available now through Zenith boutiques, its website, and authorized retailers. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/zenith-puts-ancient-stone-inside-a-carbon-chronograph — Citation: "Zenith Puts Ancient Stone Inside a Carbon Chronograph" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-08. https://menwith.com/zenith-puts-ancient-stone-inside-a-carbon-chronograph --- ## Vacheron Constantin Overseas Gets Smaller, Bolder - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-overseas-gets-smaller-bolder - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's Overseas collection expands with 34.5mm models featuring vibrant lacquered dials in red and pink-gold. These sport-chic timepieces emphasize versatility with interchangeable straps for modern wearability. Vacheron Constantin has introduced two new Overseas models, both defined by lacquered dials and a new case size. One arrives in deep, vibrant red. The other is a study in warm, pink-gold tones. Both signal a clear direction for the sport-chic collection. A Question of Size Both models share a new 34.5 mm case diameter. The size is a deliberate choice, intended to offer refined proportions suitable for a wider range of wrists. The design retains the collection’s key signatures, including the hexagonal Maltese Cross bezel and a bracelet with links inspired by the same motif. Versatility is central to the concept. Each watch is delivered with three options: a metal bracelet, a textured rubber strap, and an alligator leather strap. A tool-free interchangeable system allows the wearer to switch between them. The gold model comes with a white rubber and white alligator strap, while the steel version is paired with a deep red rubber strap and a shiny red alligator strap with tone-on-tone stitching. Continuity Over Nostalgia According to Christian Selmoni, the Maison's Legacy & Style Director, this move is about adapting to the present. "The evolution of the Overseas collection has always been guided by a desire to remain in tune with contemporary lifestyles while preserving its immediately recognizable identity," he explains. "Introducing more compact proportions is less about revisiting the past than about broadening the ways in which the watch can be worn and experienced today." Selmoni emphasizes that the core idea is daily wearability. He notes that authenticity of design and craftsmanship are paramount, but the ultimate goal is to reinforce the Overseas’s role as a "versatile companion." The philosophy is one of careful evolution. As Selmoni puts it, "Rather than nostalgia, this evolution reflects continuity — a natural bridge between heritage and modernity, expressed through design choices that respond to contemporary expectations while remaining faithful to the spirit of the collection." Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-overseas-gets-smaller-bolder — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin Overseas Gets Smaller, Bolder" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-overseas-gets-smaller-bolder --- ## How Nona Source Built a Business from Luxury's Leftovers - URL: https://menwith.com/how-nona-source-built-a-business-from-luxury-s-leftovers - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Nona Source, an LVMH initiative, transforms luxury fashion leftovers into valuable resources. Celebrating 5 years, it champions circularity by supplying high-quality deadstock materials to designers globally. On June 11, 2026, an installation named “L’Appartement” was unveiled at the Orangerie of the Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris. It was a showcase of what can be built from forgotten materials, with furniture and packaging all sourced from the same place. The project was a tangible demonstration of the work done by Nona Source, a platform celebrating its fifth anniversary. Nona Source was founded in 2021 as part of an internal LVMH program called DARE, which stands for Disrupt, Act, Risk to be an Entrepreneur. The premise was simple. It gives professionals access to the high-quality fabrics, leathers, and yarns left over from the production runs of luxury Maisons. In five years, that simple idea has found its scale. What began in a 30-square-metre Paris showroom now occupies a space of 120 square metres. Nona Source has brought more than 20,000 different material references back into circulation, sourced from over 25 luxury houses both within and beyond the LVMH group. The platform currently serves more than 2,500 clients, from emerging designers to established brands, across 50 countries. The interest is growing. In 2025 alone, visitor numbers rose by 30 percent compared to the previous year, and the platform surpassed 20,000 total orders. A New Chapter To mark the anniversary, Nona Source has introduced a new brand identity and a redesigned website. Hélène Valade, the Environment Development Group Director for LVMH, framed the moment directly. “In five years, Nona Source has established itself as the leader in circularity in the textile market,” she says. Valade sees the platform as “an accelerator of the circular economy for fashion Maisons, and a source of inspiring materials for young designers.” She adds that the new identity opens a new chapter, “with the ambition to be the spearhead of responsible creation, in the world of fashion and beyond.” The Potential of Deadstock The “L’Appartement” installation was designed to show the potential of these materials beyond clothing. The platform plans to expand its focus on leather and interior architecture, and will soon add haberdashery to its offerings. It also intends to strengthen its material traceability and transparency. Over the past five years, the company has worked to show that another model is possible. One where existing materials become a resource for the future, at the crossroads of desirability and craftsmanship. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/how-nona-source-built-a-business-from-luxury-s-leftovers — Citation: "How Nona Source Built a Business from Luxury's Leftovers" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/how-nona-source-built-a-business-from-luxury-s-leftovers --- ## Pagani Debuts the Huayra 70 Derecho at Goodwood - URL: https://menwith.com/pagani-debuts-the-huayra-70-derecho-at-goodwood - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: Pagani **Summary:** Pagani unveils the exclusive Huayra 70 Derecho at Goodwood, a bespoke creation celebrating Horacio Pagani's 70th birthday with striking Pearl Orange and Blue livery. Under direct sunlight, the main body of the car reveals warm golden reflections. The exclusive Pearl Orange paint invites a closer observation of the intricate Pagani fish-bone carbon fiber weave underneath. This is the Pagani Huayra 70 Derecho, a new few-off creation from the brand's Grandi Complicazioni division. The car made its world premiere at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It is the second of three Huayra 70 models made to celebrate the 70th birthday of founder Horacio Pagani. At the event, the Derecho was displayed at the new Pagani stand alongside a Pagani Zonda F Roadster and a Pagani Utopia Roadster. Other models, including the Huayra Codalunga Speedster and a track-focused Huayra R with the Tempesta package, took to the legendary hill climb. The name itself, Derecho, recalls a rare and powerful atmospheric phenomenon. It describes an organized storm system that generates straight-line winds of extraordinary intensity. Pagani uses the reference to synthesize the car's essence: a force that advances with continuity and precision. An Exterior Defined by Color and Material The bespoke project’s livery is a careful balance of Pearl Orange and Blue. The deep, transparent Inky Blue covers the lower sections and the interior monocoque, creating a perception of lightness. The main body is defined by the Pearl Orange. Solid-milled aluminum components are integrated into the bodywork, anodized in Glossy Titanium to act as precious details. This same finish is mirrored in the custom brand new Huayra 70 Titanium wheels, maintaining a delicate balance between sportiness and formal purity. A Coherent Interior Space Inside, the artisanal work continues with Ceramic White leather combined with Tricolore Blue leather. The two are united with sartorial precision using bespoke contrast stitching. A chromatic dialogue is maintained between the exterior and interior through targeted cues. The 12 o’clock stripe on the steering wheel and the gear knob are both painted in Pearl Orange, weaving a continuous thread through the vehicle. Lorenzo Kerkoc, Head of Grandi Complicazioni, explains the thinking. “The configuration of this car stems from the encounter between aesthetic research and material innovation. Every design choice, from the materials to the finishes, has been studied to express an authentic synthesis of sportiness and elegance.” Horacio Pagani connects this work to a larger philosophy. “When work is guided by curiosity, passion, and a sense of beauty, the desire to constantly improve arises naturally,” he commented. “Our daily commitment is to dedicate the utmost attention to every single detail, striving to approach that essential harmony between form and function, intellect and craftsmanship, just as Leonardo da Vinci taught us.” For Pagani, presenting the car at Goodwood is a privilege. It is, he says, “an opportunity to share the fruits of this labor with those who share our same profound love for the automobile.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pagani-debuts-the-huayra-70-derecho-at-goodwood — Citation: "Pagani Debuts the Huayra 70 Derecho at Goodwood" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/pagani-debuts-the-huayra-70-derecho-at-goodwood --- ## The New Rolls-Royce Showroom Is More Studio Than Store - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-rolls-royce-showroom-is-more-studio-than-store - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce's new Sydney showroom redefines luxury car buying, transforming it into a creative atelier. Inspired by the Australian landscape, it fosters Bespoke commissions for discerning clients. Inside the new Rolls-Royce showroom in Alexandria, Sydney, a Cabinet of Curiosities holds objects and materials drawn from the Australian landscape. It is not there for decoration. The collection is a source of inspiration, a starting point for clients beginning a Bespoke commission. This space, which officially opened on June 18, 2026, is the first in Australia to feature the marque’s new retail design. It was conceived as an answer to a shift in how its clients approach the brand. The opening was attended by Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and Irene Nikkein, the company’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific. The design philosophy moves away from a traditional showroom and toward something closer to a creative atelier. According to Nick Pagent, CEO of partner Autosports Group, the thinking is direct. “Our clients are among Australia’s most dynamic and creative individuals,” he said. “They don’t simply want a motor car – they want to commission a statement of who they are.” This showroom is an environment built for that purpose. It follows the successful opening of a similar space in Auckland in April 2025, strengthening Autosports Group’s presence across both Australia and New Zealand. The Commissioning Atelier At the center of the Sydney location is the Bespoke Commissioning Atelier. This is where the abstract ideas inspired by the Cabinet of Curiosities become tangible. Clients can work with an extensive range of materials, from rare wood veneers to specific embroidery threads, to develop their vision. The space is designed to be an immersive encounter with the craft from Goodwood. The goal is to transform the process of acquiring a car into a personal project, reflecting a consistent growth in demand from Australian clients for highly complex and ambitious commissions. A Local Interpretation While the design language is part of a global direction for Rolls-Royce, the Alexandria execution is meant to feel distinctly local. The brand notes influences from Sydney’s harbour light, natural space, and architectural profile. The entrance itself is artfully inspired by the iconic Pantheon Grille, with the Spirit of Ecstasy presiding over the interior. For Julian Jenkins, the showroom connects the brand’s present to its long history in the country. “The story of Rolls-Royce in Australia began with a Bespoke commission made ordered by Australian Archibald Black in 1906, and today we are proud to write its next chapter,” he explained. “While Goodwood remains our home, showrooms such as this bring the marque to life for our clients; it is where their vision of a Bespoke motor car is first imagined and where their Rolls-Royce journey begins.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-rolls-royce-showroom-is-more-studio-than-store — Citation: "The New Rolls-Royce Showroom Is More Studio Than Store" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/the-new-rolls-royce-showroom-is-more-studio-than-store --- ## The New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Goes Deeper On Detail - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-maybach-s-class-goes-deeper-on-detail - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** The updated Mercedes-Maybach S-Class offers a vegan interior option, enhanced ambient lighting, and new exterior details. It features electrified powertrains and advanced road-scanning suspension. For the first time, the interior of a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can be specified entirely without leather. The new vegan option uses a textile called Mirville, a material made from linen and recycled polyester. It is part of what the brand calls the most comprehensive update ever for its flagship model. The cabin refit includes new types of wood, improved ambient lighting, and a redesigned center console. These changes are intended to amplify the relaxed atmosphere that has become a Maybach signature. Outside, the car is identified by a larger Maybach grille, new light signatures, and additional illuminated details. The frame surrounding the grille now lights up, as does the Maybach emblem itself. The powertrains have also been updated. All six and eight-cylinder engines are now electrified with 48-volt technology. In Europe, the top model will be a new V8 that produces 612 horsepower, with an additional 23 horsepower provided by the integrated hybrid system. The plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e receives an updated six-cylinder engine and has an electric-only range of approximately 100 kilometers. A Ride That Reads The Road The car’s AIRMATIC suspension now uses Car-to-X data, pulling information from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the road ahead. This system allows the car to anticipate surface imperfections and adjust the damping before it reaches them, creating a smoother and quieter journey. This is also the first Maybach to feature the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS. It brings a new generation of the MBUX interface with Maybach-specific graphics, an AI-based voice assistant, and the ability to receive wireless updates over time. Historic Colors, Modern Choices The possibilities for personalization have expanded significantly. The MANUFAKTUR program now offers over 150 exterior colors and more than 400 color combinations for the interior, alongside a large selection of woods, leathers, and textiles. A further development, MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure, opens up even more options. Customers can now access hundreds of historic paint colors from the Mercedes-Benz and Maybach archives, or combine materials and stitching to their own specifications. To help navigate these choices, a new digital Visualiser function allows a client to see the finished car, in its exact configuration, before production begins. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-maybach-s-class-goes-deeper-on-detail — Citation: "The New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Goes Deeper On Detail" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-maybach-s-class-goes-deeper-on-detail --- ## Bentley’s 1919 Collection Is Only For Those Who Were There - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-s-1919-collection-is-only-for-those-who-were-there - Category: Style - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's 1919 Collection offers exclusive apparel, available only at Goodwood and Monterey Car Week. Designed by Mai Ikuzawa, it honors the brand's heritage and community spirit. A chore jacket in traditional Bentley Green, cut from a hardwearing cotton oxford fabric. This is the centerpiece of the new 1919 Collection from Bentley, an apparel range with a very specific purpose. The clothes are designed to be sold only at two locations during the 2026 season: the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week in California. The point is not just to own a piece of the brand, but to carry a tangible record of being present. The collection was created by Mai Ikuzawa, Bentley’s External Creative Director. Her background gives her a particular understanding of the bond between motorsport and its followers. Her father, Tetsu Ikuzawa, was a racer who competed in European Formula Two for Sir Frank Williams and was one of the first Japanese drivers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Her grandfather was an artist, giving her a perspective that spans both the pit lane and the studio. The Spirit of Community Ikuzawa’s design work is informed by this history, aiming to capture a specific feeling from the brand’s earliest days. “If you look back at the days of the original Bentley Boys and pioneering Bentley Girls, you’ll see that customers became part of the brand,” Ikuzawa explains. “It wasn’t just winning the race; it was how you celebrated too. I wanted to honour that spirit in the 1919 Collection.” The collection is meant to be a modern extension of that community. It uses a palette of Bentley Green, Black, and White to connect with the brand’s history, with each piece made in Japan under Ikuzawa’s personal supervision. The focus is on superior quality fabrics chosen for longevity and tactility. An Heirloom in the Making The chore jacket is designed to be an heirloom piece. Details include atelier-quality chain stitch embroidery in Heritage White thread, featuring the Bentley wings and the words ‘Bentley Motors Since 1919’. The buttons are copper. A removable Velcro label displays a ‘Full Send’ motif, a nod to a viral video featuring stunt driver Travis Pastrama and a rear-wheel drive Bentley Supersports. Alongside the jacket, the 1919 Collection includes a crew neck sweatshirt made from heavyweight 12oz reverse weave fabric, a short sleeve polo shirt, and an American-style tee-shirt. A classic six-panel cotton cap, a tote bag in heavy cotton canvas, and embroidered tab keyrings complete the range. The plan is for further seasonal releases, ensuring each garment remains exclusive and collectible. The intent is for each piece, especially the chore coat, to ‘wear in’ over time. The hardwearing fabric is designed to develop its own character through use, becoming a personal artifact for its owner, much like one of the company's cars. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-s-1919-collection-is-only-for-those-who-were-there — Citation: "Bentley’s 1919 Collection Is Only For Those Who Were There" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/bentley-s-1919-collection-is-only-for-those-who-were-there --- ## The IWC Ingenieur Gets A New Shade of Character - URL: https://menwith.com/the-iwc-ingenieur-gets-a-new-shade-of-character - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-07 - Tags: IWC Schaffhausen **Summary:** The IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 now features a vibrant "Pool" blue dial, reinterpreting the iconic 1970s Genta design with modern flair and a compact 35mm case. The new color is called Pool. It is a fresh, aquatic shade applied to the dial of the latest IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35, a watch whose lineage is rooted in the severe, clean architecture of mid-1970s design. The watch itself, reference IW324902, is built around a 35-millimeter stainless steel case with an integrated bracelet. The dial features the Ingenieur’s signature “Grid” pattern, a texture of small lines and squares that gives it a distinct visual depth. Rhodium-plated hands and applied indices are filled with Super-LumiNova for legibility in low light. A Legacy Re-Engineered The form dates back to 1976, when the artist and watch designer Gérald Genta created the Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832. It was a revolutionary design for its time, helping to establish the stainless steel luxury sports watch as a category. In 2023, IWC Schaffhausen brought the design back with the Ingenieur Automatic 40, re-engineering the model for modern standards of ergonomics and finishing. A more compact 35-millimeter version followed, and this new Pool-colored dial is the latest addition to that collection. The distinctive bezel remains, secured to the case by five functional screws, a defining code of the Ingenieur design. The Character of Color According to Christian Knoop, Creative Director at IWC Schaffhausen, the new color brings a specific energy. “Our new Pool color is a fresh, radiant aquatic shade that feels made for summer, and it brings a surprising and vibrant new expression to the Ingenieur,” he says. “The dial captures light in a beautiful way, and it perfectly complements the clean lines and the refined proportions of the Genta-inspired integrated bracelet design.” That play of light is achieved through a combination of surface treatments. The case and bezel mix satin-finished and polished areas, while the bracelet contrasts polished center links against satin-finished H-links. The bracelet attaches via the middle links, a choice made to improve the fit on the wrist. A sapphire crystal case back reveals the Caliber 47110, an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It is decorated with circular graining and Geneva stripes, and features a gold-plated oscillating mass. This Pool version joins a collection that already includes silver-plated, black, and deep blue dials in steel, as well as an 18-karat 5N gold model. On the crown, the “Probus Scafusia” stamp serves as a final detail, a mark of IWC’s commitment to craftsmanship from its home in Schaffhausen. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-iwc-ingenieur-gets-a-new-shade-of-character — Citation: "The IWC Ingenieur Gets A New Shade of Character" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-07. https://menwith.com/the-iwc-ingenieur-gets-a-new-shade-of-character --- ## Vacheron Constantin’s Vision of Exploration, From Seoul - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-s-vision-of-exploration-from-seoul - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-05 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's "Explore All Ways Possible" exhibition in Seoul showcased new Watches & Wonders 2026 releases, including the ultra-thin Calibre 2550 and Overseas Dual Time, alongside heritage pieces. On the first floor of Maison 1755 Seoul, visitors are met with a work of art called “Timeless Flow.” Created by leather craft artist Junsu Kim, the piece uses vegetable-tanned leather to reinterpret the aurora. Its organic curves, layered planes, and vertical flow of light are meant to be experienced over time, with perceptions shifting based on the viewer's distance and perspective. The installation was part of an exhibition held by Vacheron Constantin from June 4th to 5th, 2026. Titled “Explore All Ways Possible,” the presentation was the first in Korea to show the new creations from Watches & Wonders 2026, framing the Maison’s 271-year history as a continuous search for new horizons. On the fifth floor, the theme was interpreted through illustrations from Chinese-British artist Shan Jiang. His work brought together modern cityscapes and ancient stories, blending cultural elements from both the East and West. The pieces aimed to show exploration as a source of wonder, innovation, and knowledge, rendered with delicate expression and what the Maison calls a boundless imagination. A New Calibre, A New Horizon The new watches from Watches & Wonders 2026 were available for guests to try on. The Overseas collection is positioned as an invitation to discover new horizons, with the Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points expressing north, south, east, and west through its dial colors. At the heart of the new collection is the self-winding ultra-thin Calibre 2550. Developed over seven years, the movement measures just 2.4 mm thick yet provides an 80-hour power reserve. It is housed in the new Overseas Self-Winding Ultra-Thin. Other new pieces include the American 1921 from the Historiques collection, which features a grained dial with blue Arabic numerals and hands. A limited-edition Égérie Spring Blossom introduces a hand-painted miniature decoration on the strap, an approach the Maison has never attempted before. The Weight of 271 Years Alongside the new creations, a selection of heritage timepieces was displayed to provide historical context. The exhibition highlighted how Vacheron Constantin’s own journeys to Greece, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East became a source of inspiration for new techniques and ornamentation. These historical pieces, from chronographs to Art Deco surprise watches, show how opening new markets led to technical innovation and creative shifts in design. Each watch tells a story of a different region and culture, connecting the brand's past explorations with its present. The entire exhibition, from the art to the engineering, was guided by the words of François Constantin. His motto serves as the Maison’s guiding principle: “Do better if possible, and that is always possible.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-s-vision-of-exploration-from-seoul — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin’s Vision of Exploration, From Seoul" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-05. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-s-vision-of-exploration-from-seoul --- ## Jaeger-LeCoultre Translates Sound Into Scent - URL: https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-translates-sound-into-scent - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-05 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre translates watchmaking precision into scent with three new fragrances. "The Sound Maker" captures chiming complications through a woody-rose accord. The idea begins with an almost impossible brief: transform the vibrations of sound into a fragrance. For its newest olfactory project, Jaeger-LeCoultre sought to capture the acoustic heritage of its chiming complications, a legacy that started with a chapel built in Le Sentier by Pierre LeCoultre. The result is The Sound Maker, a fragrance built around a powerful woody-rose character. This is one of three new olfactory signatures created exclusively for the Maison by Scent Artist Nicolas Bonneville. The collaboration is part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Made of Makers™ programme, an ongoing creative dialogue that first began in 2024 with a collection that included The Timeless Stories and The Celestial Odyssey. This 2026 chapter offers a lighter, more luminous interpretation of the Maison’s sensory identity. A Shared Precision The project approaches perfumery with the discipline of watchmaking. Bonneville’s method relies on the principles of haute perfumery, using short formulas with high concentrations of noble raw materials. Each composition is designed with the same pursuit of precision found in the mechanisms assembled in the Vallée de Joux. Top, heart, and base notes are engineered to unfold with clarity and balance. The structure allows each ingredient to express its full character while contributing to a harmonious whole. It leaves a refined and enduring trail, or sillage, that is meant to linger elegantly. Three Expressions of Identity The Adventure Spirit is a woody-spicy fragrance inspired by the Maison’s history of exploration watches. It recalls the deep-sea expeditions and technical innovations behind the Memovox Polaris, Master Compressor, and Extreme Lab collections. The composition opens with an invigorating freshness from ginger extract, moves to a warm heart of sandalwood essence, and settles into dry mineral nuances grounded by moss. It evokes a contemporary adventurer rooted in the city but drawn to open landscapes. The second creation, The Dream Shaper, is floral and leathery. Its inspiration comes from the brand’s history of jewellery craftsmanship and technical miniaturisation, from the Duoplan and Calibre 101 to the modern Rendez-Vous collection. The scent begins with bergamot essence before revealing a soft, powdery floral heart of mimosa absolute. Smoky, suede-like nuances and black tea extract bring a quiet sensuality, reflecting a modern femininity that is independent and confident. Finally, The Sound Maker translates mechanical artistry into a woody-rose signature. From the first impression, mineral and smoky incense evokes the stillness of ancient stone. At its heart, a rose-metal accord vibrates with an unexpected intensity, creating a dialogue between warmth and brilliance. The fragrance deepens with dry woods and musk notes, leaving a trail like the lingering echo of a bell. These three fragrances are destined to become an additional signature of Jaeger-LeCoultre. They will be offered as a special treatment to clients and used in a variety of other initiatives, becoming part of the Maison’s extended universe. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-translates-sound-into-scent — Citation: "Jaeger-LeCoultre Translates Sound Into Scent" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-05. https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-translates-sound-into-scent --- ## Rolex and Le Mans: 25 Years Against the Clock - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-and-le-mans-25-years - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-07-05 **Summary:** At the start of the year, Nyck de Vries said it plainly: "Right now, at the top of my list is winning Le Mans. I want to write a small line of history in that book." Six months later, at 4.00 p.m. on a Saturday in June, he was one of 62 drivers accelerating into a race that would not release them fo At the start of the year, Nyck de Vries said it plainly: "Right now, at the top of my list is winning Le Mans. I want to write a small line of history in that book." Six months later, at 4.00 p.m. on a Saturday in June, he was one of 62 drivers accelerating into a race that would not release them for a full rotation of the Earth. When it finally did, he had his line. Everything at La Sarthe, the night stints, the fog over the Mulsanne, the mechanics asleep on tyre stacks, answers to one instrument: the clock. In 2026, Rolex marks 25 years as Exclusive Major Partner and Official Timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a role held since 2001, alongside a decade as Official Timepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship. A Partnership Built on Inheritance Rolex did not arrive at motor sport in 2001. The association goes back to the 1930s, when Sir Malcolm Campbell was setting World Land Speed Records on Daytona Beach with an Oyster on his wrist: a man attacking a measurable limit while wearing the instrument that measures it. From that image came the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Le Mans, together the Triple Crown of Endurance Racing. Le Mans is the oldest of the three, run since 1923. For more than a century it has stress-tested the fragile balance between a car's speed and its reliability, while demanding that drivers continuously refine their craft. The Circuit de la Sarthe measures 13.626 kilometres per lap, among the longest in modern motor sport, and no two laps are ever the same. The human thread is just as deliberate. Sir Jackie Stewart became a Rolex Testimonee in 1968. Tom Kristensen, winner of the race nine times and known simply as Mr Le Mans, joined in 2010. Mark Webber, the 2015 World Endurance Champion, followed. Kristensen took his debut win in 1997, and called two brands celebrating 25 years of partnership "truly special and a full circle moment for me." The prize is the detail I keep returning to. Each driver on the top step receives an Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, engraved with a single word: Winner. Among the silverware, it is the watch the drivers talk about. The 94th Edition De Vries had joined the Rolex family of Testimonees earlier in the year. Before the start, Kristensen pulled him aside. His message was simple: "It's up to you to make the difference." The #7 Toyota of de Vries, Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway started 14th on the grid. Over 86,400 seconds, 381 laps and 5,190 kilometres, they climbed through the field and crossed the line 10.6 seconds ahead of the #20 BMW, the fourth-smallest winning margin in the history of the event. Two cars, five thousand kilometres, and the gap between immortality and second place was shorter than a pit stop. "It feels like the stars were aligned," de Vries said afterwards. "Le Mans chooses you. There were so many times during the race where we felt like we had no chance at all, we were just focused on collecting points for the FIA World Endurance Championship. It proves that you should never give up and always hang in there." He became the third Dutchman to win, after Gijs van Lennep and Jan Lammers, and Toyota's sixth overall victory drew the manufacturer level with Bentley. A record crowd of more than 350,000 watched a Hypercar field in which Ferrari, BMW, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Alpine, Peugeot and debutant Genesis all arrived believing they could win. The Cadillac led for 128 laps and finished off the podium. History was made before the race began. During the test day, Rolex Testimonee Jamie Chadwick became the first woman to drive a Hypercar at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Her own reading of the moment looked forward: "There's a huge transition happening now, and not just with me. There are so many female drivers paving the way, we're going to see women at the highest level at Le Mans and ultimately on the top step of the podium." The Silver Anniversary The ACO marked its own 120th anniversary this year with the reopening of the M24 Motorsport Museum, a project Rolex partnered on shortly before the race, housing a century of prototypes and artefacts. It sits well beside the partnership's milestone. A Daytona must pass Rolex's Superlative Chronometer testing before it earns the green seal. A Le Mans winner must pass 24 hours of night, rain, traffic and fatigue before earning the engraving. On the Sunday afternoon, as the crowd flooded the track below the podium, de Vries, Kobayashi and Conway lifted the trophy and received their Daytonas. For de Vries, it was the exact prize he had named. The championship moves on to the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo. But for one Sunday at La Sarthe, the clock belonged to Toyota. By 10.6 seconds. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-and-le-mans-25-years — Citation: "Rolex and Le Mans: 25 Years Against the Clock" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-05. https://menwith.com/rolex-and-le-mans-25-years --- ## Bvlgari Opens a Dialogue Between Rome and Osaka - URL: https://menwith.com/bvlgari-opens-a-dialogue-between-rome-and-osaka - Category: Style - Published: 2026-07-05 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** In Osaka, the Roman Maison opens a new flagship where Italian marble meets textiles from Kyoto weavers and art from Makoto Ofune. The façade has the texture of traditional washi paper. A delicate lattice filters the natural light in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, giving Bvlgari’s new flagship a distinct presence before anyone steps inside. This is where the conversation begins. Bvlgari punctuated the screen with its eight-pointed star, a design code taken directly from the Maison’s historic Via Condotti boutique in Rome. The symbol firmly anchors the new Japanese location to its Roman heritage. Inside, the nearly 500 square meter space continues the exchange. Italian marble and travertine provide a classical foundation. These materials are paired with textiles created by Hosoo, a weaving house based in Kyoto, and wall coverings crafted using traditional Japanese techniques. A Meeting of Masters The new flagship presents the Maison’s jewelry collections on a curved counter made of travertine. Here, pieces from the Serpenti, B.zero1, and Bvlgari Tubogas collections are displayed alongside the Divas’ Dream creations. The space also serves as a gallery for works selected specifically for the Osaka store. Creations by Japanese artist Makoto Ofune are featured, extending the Maison’s appreciation for local craftsmanship. The most direct expression of the store’s identity is a decorative panel inspired by the cultural ties between Rome and Osaka. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bvlgari-opens-a-dialogue-between-rome-and-osaka — Citation: "Bvlgari Opens a Dialogue Between Rome and Osaka" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-05. https://menwith.com/bvlgari-opens-a-dialogue-between-rome-and-osaka --- ## With Tim Henman: The Moment Before The Serve - URL: https://menwith.com/with-tim-henman - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-07-04 **Summary:** At Wimbledon Park, a short walk from the queue that forms each morning of the Championships, a robotic arm is replaying serves struck on Centre Court within a second of the ball being hit. Tim Henman has come to face it. His own tennis began a long way from here, on a grass court in his family's gar At Wimbledon Park, a short walk from the queue that forms each morning of the Championships, a robotic arm is replaying serves struck on Centre Court within a second of the ball being hit. Tim Henman has come to face it. His own tennis began a long way from here, on a grass court in his family's garden. The Only Decision "I started playing at three. I had two older brothers, and my mum and dad both played, so I was brought up in an environment where we played sport all day, every day. Tennis was the one I enjoyed most. My mum brought me to Wimbledon for the first time when I was six, and that was when I made my one and only career decision. I wanted to play tennis." Not The Reason There was tennis history in the family before him, going back generations. "My great-grandmother and my grandparents played at Wimbledon. My mum was a good player, but she didn't play there. It's amazing to have that history, but it's not the reason I played. I played because I love tennis. My two older brothers didn't want to go into it, so it was purely my passion for the game. I grew up watching Wimbledon, and then I got the chance to play at Wimbledon in my career." The Pinnacle He played there for more than a decade. He now sits on the board of the club that runs it. "It's still the pinnacle of the sport. I never found it a pressure to play at Wimbledon. It was just so much fun. If I could have played my whole career on one court, it would have been Centre Court. Some of my best memories are there." "Now I have a different role. I'm involved in the event itself, and it's great to be able to put something back. We often talk about history, tradition and innovation at Wimbledon. We've got amazing history, our great champions, and traditions that are part of our DNA. But we're also looking to innovate. If you'd have said to me twenty years ago that there would be two roofs at Wimbledon, I'm not sure I would have believed it. It's always looking to improve and move forward." The Moment Before The machine at Wimbledon Park belongs to that same instinct. Returning a serve of that speed is its own discipline, and Henman spent a career at it. "There's a moment of calm before someone hits a serve. Then it's one of the fastest shots in tennis. We've seen serves hit up to 150 miles an hour, so you're looking to react. You've got to be incredibly quick to see the serve, get into position, try and get the ball back. Sometimes it becomes a guessing game, if your opponent is serving so fast and hitting the corners. It's a bit like a penalty shootout. As the ball's in the air, you've got to take an educated guess and hope you guess right." Effortless The robot takes the guesswork out of it on the other side of the net. It does not miss. "The machine makes it look so effortless. It's got this huge arm that elevates into position, and then it serves so fast and so accurately. If I had the choice between the best servers in the world I've ever played against and the Vodafone 5G+ serve, I think I would go with the 5G+ serve." Give Yourself Time For the players coming off the queue to stand where he once stood, he had one thing to pass on. "Give yourself time. Don't stand too close to the baseline if someone's serving fast. Give yourself a little bit more time, and keep the swing short. You don't have to take a big swing. You almost want to use a volleying technique, block the ball back and get into the rally. Give yourself time, and keep the swing short." Tim Henman joined Vodafone, Official Connectivity Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon, on day two of the tournament to try out its 5G+ Serve experience. Powered by Vodafone’s 5G+, it recreates live serves from Centre Court, bringing fans closer to the action. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-tim-henman — Citation: "With Tim Henman: The Moment Before The Serve" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-04. https://menwith.com/with-tim-henman --- ## Ferrari Built a Manual Gearbox Without a Manual Gearbox - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-built-a-manual-gearbox-without-a-manual-gearbox - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-03 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** Ferrari's 12Cilindri Manuale reintroduces a manual gearbox feel via a "Manuale By-Wire" system, translating driver input into electronic signals for an authentic driving experience. The kinematic mechanism generates clicks. It creates load variations, sending feedback through the gear lever to the driver. If the clutch pedal is not depressed, the system can mechanically inhibit the gear change. This is the core of the new Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale, a car that reintroduces a three-pedal layout by translating physical movement into an electronic signal. Unveiled in Maranello, this limited-edition series of the Ferrari 12Cilindri is built around a system named Manuale By-Wire. It pairs the car's naturally aspirated, 9,500 rpm V12 with the company's existing 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, controlled through an entirely new manual command architecture. There is no direct mechanical linkage between the lever and the gearbox. Instead, the driver interacts with a gear lever and a clutch-by-wire pedal, both developed entirely in-house. A Digital Reinterpretation of Analogue Feel The system was designed to preserve the physical sensations of a traditional manual. The gear selector module, machined from solid blocks and weighing less than 3.5 kg, uses advanced kinematics and sensors to replicate the mechanical loads felt during synchronisation and engagement. Even the acoustic effects of its movements were a point of focus during development. Expertise was drawn from across the company, including the team behind the Hypersail project, which developed a similar by-wire solution for the nautical sector. The clutch pedal operates on the same principle. A position sensor tracks the driver’s input, which is then translated into hydraulic actuation of the DCT clutch. An innovative passive mechanical system recreates the specific load-travel curve of a mechanically linked pedal. The result is behaviour consistent with a traditional gearbox. A correct shift is smooth, while a mistake can result in a jerk or a stall, preserving the satisfaction of authentic torque feedback. Crafted for the Driver Inside the cabin, the center tunnel has been redesigned around the manual controls. The iconic steel gear shift gate returns, its six-speed pattern featuring reverse at the top left. The steel plate is embellished with an anodised aluminium sculpture shaped like a tuning fork, incorporating the control panel and key housing. The round aluminium gear knob features backlit markings indicating the six gears and the active driving mode. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale is limited to 1,499 cars. The number is a reference to the displacement of the first Ferrari twelve-cylinder engine produced in 1947. This edition is aimed at collectors loyal to the front-engined V12 berlinetta layout who are seeking a more physical driving experience. Exclusive details distinguish the model. The side badge is laser-etched with the car’s logo, while the front splitter and rear wings have a pinstripe finish that pays homage to the Ferrari 365 GTB4. The car also receives a special finish for the scudetto, specially designed five-spoke forged wheels, and aluminium door sills engraved with the logo. The base 12Cilindri, with its 6.5-litre, 830 cv V12, has a top speed over 340 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 3.0 seconds. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-built-a-manual-gearbox-without-a-manual-gearbox — Citation: "Ferrari Built a Manual Gearbox Without a Manual Gearbox" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-03. https://menwith.com/ferrari-built-a-manual-gearbox-without-a-manual-gearbox --- ## With Björn Borg: The Court He Never Left - URL: https://menwith.com/with-bjrn-borg-the-court-he-never-left - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-07-03 - Tags: Björn Borg, Wimbledon, Centre Court, Grand Slam, Ilie Năstase, John McEnroe, Laver Cup, Rolex **Summary:** Björn Borg reflects on mastering grass courts, his five Wimbledon titles, and his reluctance to leave Centre Court. He discusses his early retirement and enduring connection to the tournament. Fifty years on from his first Wimbledon title, Björn Borg on the surface he was told he could not win on, and the one court he never wanted to leave. In the summer of 1976 a twenty-year-old arrived at Wimbledon with a game the grass had spent decades punishing, and left without having dropped a set. He had already won on clay, Roland-Garros at eighteen, the youngest man to take it at the time. The lawns asked the opposite question. They played low and fast and rewarded men who came forward, and Borg was a baseliner who preferred to wait. "Back then, the grass courts were very fast," he says. "I had to learn and figure out how to play my game. Once I did that, I finally felt comfortable on this surface." The turn, as he tells it, was a matter of timing. "I knew exactly when to come in and when to stay back, I found the motion, I found the rhythm," he says. "This was the key moment for me." Once he had the timing, the surface came to feel like his. He beat Ilie Năstase in the final, and at twenty became the youngest man to win Wimbledon since 1931. Năstase, who had just lost to him, gave the sport the line it has repeated for fifty years. "We're playing tennis, and he's playing something else." It was the first of five in a row. The run reached forty-one consecutive matches at the All England Club before McEnroe ended it in the 1981 final. The Reluctance The game remembers the stillness. Ice Borg: the flat face, the quiet hands, the walk between points that gave an opponent nothing to read. "Every time I won the Wimbledon title, I never wanted to leave Centre Court," he says. "The crowd was cheering me on." Five titles, and five times the coldest man on the grass was the one reluctant to go indoors. The trophy only sharpened the feeling. "Walking back to the dressing room with the trophy in your hands is such a special experience," he says, before the admission underneath it. "I had accomplished a lifelong goal. It was one of the best feelings ever." After The reluctance is worth holding onto, given what he did with the rest of it. The man who could not leave Centre Court left the whole game, and early. After the 1981 US Open final he walked off the court and out of the stadium before the ceremony, and went straight to the airport. In January 1983 he said he was finished, at twenty-six. The court kept its pull. From 2017 to 2024 he captained Team Europe at the Laver Cup, courtside again. Wimbledon has been played on grass since 1877 and remains the only Grand Slam contested on it. Rolex arrived as the tournament's Official Timepiece in 1978, midway through his five, in time to keep the clock on the last three of them and every summer since. The crown has kept time on the champions of the decades since, from Evert and Federer to Alcaraz and Sinner. Which is why he can still speak of the place in the present tense. "Somehow it feels like I'm still part of the tournament because of this relationship," he says. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-bjrn-borg-the-court-he-never-left — Citation: "With Björn Borg: The Court He Never Left" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-03. https://menwith.com/with-bjrn-borg-the-court-he-never-left --- ## Cadillac Arrives at Silverstone Wrapped in the Flag - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillac-arrives-at-silverstone-wrapped-in-the-flag - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Cadillac's F1 car sports a stars and stripes livery at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, celebrating American heritage and the 4th of July weekend. The team aims for a clean race to maximize performance after recent challenges. For the British Grand Prix, the Cadillac Formula 1 car will wear the red, white, and blue of the American flag. The special livery, one of several one-off designs on the grid from teams like McLaren and Williams, is a direct nod to the team's roots. It marks the 4th of July weekend, which coincides with America’s 250th birthday. The design covers the car in stars and stripes icons, a theme that will extend across the team's entire presence at Silverstone. Garage dressing, driver helmets, and team kit will all carry the same color scheme. The celebration of the team's identity goes beyond the track, with a display planned for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team x Jim Beam Pit Stop BBQ at ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans. Pride and Performance Dan Towriss, the squad’s CEO, frames the livery as a point of national pride. "The 4th of July weekend is a moment for us to show our continued pride in representing the United States on the global stage of Formula 1," he said. Towriss also noted the goal is to "allow new communities to discover the sport and share our passion." The bold statement at an iconic venue like Silverstone comes as the team looks to recover from a difficult weekend. The previous race in Austria was a challenging one for Cadillac, a weekend that saw George Russell take a win and Liam Lawson feel his Racing Bulls team had made a step forward. A Clean Weekend Team Principal Graeme Lowdon acknowledged the recent performance directly. “The Austrian Grand Prix was a challenge for us, but there is not one team in the pit lane that has not had similar days,” he commented. He confirmed the team has been “working incredibly hard to rectify the issues.” While the livery projects confidence, the team's immediate focus is on execution. Lowdon noted that upgrades brought to Spielberg were positive, and the goal for Silverstone is clear. “Our objective in Silverstone is to ensure that we have a clean weekend to maximise the performance potential we see.” Lowdon is realistic about the work ahead. “We appreciate it's a big task, especially coming so soon after Austria, but we will take every opportunity to learn, move forward and continue our progress as a team.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillac-arrives-at-silverstone-wrapped-in-the-flag — Citation: "Cadillac Arrives at Silverstone Wrapped in the Flag" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/cadillac-arrives-at-silverstone-wrapped-in-the-flag --- ## With Sir Ben Ainslie: The View From the Shore - URL: https://menwith.com/with-ben-ainslie-the-view-from-the-shore - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: Sir Ben Ainslie, Emirates GBR, SailGP, F50 catamarans, Robert Scheidt, Dylan Fletcher, Hannah Mills, Cornwall **Summary:** Sir Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor, now leads Emirates GBR as CEO after a decorated career. He oversees the high-intensity SailGP F50 catamarans from the shore, focusing on strategy and teamwork. Thirty years ago this summer, a teenager from Cornwall stood on an Olympic podium in Atlanta with a silver medal around his neck and felt, by his own account, devastated. That teenager was Ben Ainslie. Four successive Olympic gold medals would follow, along with eleven world titles and a place as the most successful sailor in Olympic history. For three decades, the shortest way to describe British sailing was to describe him. He no longer races. Instead, he leads Emirates GBR as CEO and team principal. When the boat is on the water, he stands on the shore but still helps the crew. Cornwall He learned the sport as a child, on the creeks near Falmouth, and spent the rest of his life getting as far from gentle as a sailor can. "I grew up in Cornwall, in the West Country, and got into sailing with my family. One thing led to another and I ended up qualifying for my first Olympics. I was eighteen, very young for a sport like sailing. I won a silver medal, and I remember being devastated I didn't win gold. Then I kept at it. For some reason I had a very strong motivation to be successful. With most things I'm reasonably relaxed, but with sailing I decided that was my thing." Hold on the word. Devastated, by a silver, at his first Games, at an age when most sailors are still trying to qualify. The feeling was there from the start, and it pointed in one direction. The Rivalry It found a target quickly. The man who took the gold ahead of him in Atlanta would become one of the great sailors of the era. "I had a strong rivalry with an amazing Brazilian sailor, Robert Scheidt. He won that gold medal, and he won more after it. He drove my desire to be at that level, to compete against him and ultimately beat him. That rivalry set me up for the rest of my career." He beat Scheidt for gold in Sydney four years later. Then he won three more, leaving the Laser for the heavier Finn as his body filled out, until winning at the Olympics became something he simply did. Off The Boat He drives no longer. Dylan Fletcher took the wheel, and last season steered the team to the title. "It's always a tough decision, deciding when to step down from competing. For me it's what I'd done my whole professional adult life, so it was a hard one." "But I had many other responsibilities and it felt like the right time. And finding Dylan Fletcher to replace me, he's a huge talent and has done a fantastic job. He came in and won last season, champions of SailGP. Dylan and the rest of the team performed brilliantly, right through to that final race. That was great to see." The Machine What he watches now is not the sailing most people picture. SailGP, in its sixth season, races thirteen national teams on identical F50 catamarans, close to shore, at speeds beyond a hundred kilometres an hour. "The F50s are phenomenal boats. They get to speeds over a hundred kilometres an hour, so it's super high intensity. At those speeds you're really hanging on. There's a balance between getting performance out of the boat and keeping it safe, because you don't want to wipe out. You're on edge." "I haven't driven a Formula 1 car, but I imagine it's a similar intensity. And it's a huge amount of teamwork. We've got six athletes on the boat and everyone needs to be perfect in their role." Because the boats are identical, the racing turns on the calls made on board. The trim, the timing, the reading of the wind. They are calls Ainslie used to make with his own hands. "They're equal, but they're highly technical. The skill is not only putting the boat in the right part of the race course but working together to make the adjustments. The strategy side is critical. We have an amazing strategist in Hannah Mills, a multiple Olympic gold medallist. She's responsible for where we put the boat on the race course, reading the wind, watching what the opposition are doing and communicating it clearly." From The Shore You could expect a man assembled almost entirely from the will to win, a man leveled by a silver as a teenager, to find this unbearable. He describes something else. "It's mixed emotions. I love sailing, so of course I'd love to be on the water, but that's not the case now and I'm comfortable with that. When the team is struggling, it's about how we support the athletes and get them back to the front of the fleet. And winning is amazing. It's almost more emotional watching from the shoreline than being on the race boat. When you're racing yourself you're so focused on the result that you don't have time to think about the emotion of it." There is the whole thing, in a line he almost throws away. For thirty years the winning came too fast to feel. From the shore, with nothing to do but watch, it finally reaches him. He gave up the wheel and got the feeling back. Who Gets To Sail Some of that energy now points outward, at who gets near the water in the first place. "There's a misconception that sailing is this super elitist sport, only for rich people. Actually the grassroots are huge. You don't need to own a boat, you don't need a wetsuit or any kit. Most clubs have fantastic initiatives to get young people into it. It's a really fun sport, and a very diverse one." Coming Home Next month it comes home. The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix returns to Southsea Common on the 25th and 26th of July, the team's home race and the start of the European leg, a year after Portsmouth's first event sold out to more than twenty thousand people. "We're really looking forward to the home event in Portsmouth, then we're about halfway through. We've got more events in Europe before we finish in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi, where we won last season. The priority is holding a top-three place to make the grand final, and then nailing that final race." The team are champions, sitting third for now, holding the top-three place that keeps them in the grand final. Ainslie will watch all of it from the edge of the water. I asked him where he most likes to sail when none of it is at stake. "I'd have to say Portsmouth, because that's our home event. But I love Sydney Harbour. It has a lot of history for me competitively, and just going out sailing around it on a summer's weekend. It's one of the iconic sailing venues anywhere in the world, and I love the city." The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix returns to Portsmouth on 25-26 July. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-ben-ainslie-the-view-from-the-shore — Citation: "With Sir Ben Ainslie: The View From the Shore" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/with-ben-ainslie-the-view-from-the-shore --- ## Rolls-Royce Builds a Phantom for the English Coast - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-builds-a-phantom-for-the-english-coast - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce unveils a one-of-one Phantom Regatta, inspired by the English South Coast and yachting. Its design features marine-blue hues, yacht-deck inspired picnic tables, and a dashboard artwork mimicking water currents. Each ‘eyeball’ air vent inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom Regatta is engraved with a set of geographic coordinates. They are visible only when the vent is tilted forward. The numbers fix the car to a single place, the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, and a specific geography. The one-of-one commission is a tribute to the English South Coast. The waters of the Solent and Chichester Harbour are visible from the Goodwood Estate, where the car will be unveiled during the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The area is also tied to the marque’s co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, whose home Elmstead was located in West Wittering, just eight miles from the company’s present-day headquarters. The exterior is finished in a hand-laid two-tone treatment. A deep marine Regatta Blue sits over an English White lower body, recalling the line where a yacht’s hull meets the water. The car sits on 22-inch fully polished disc wheels, their surfaces meant to echo the polished steel winches of a racing yacht. A Cabin of Sail and Sea Inside, the colorway evokes a yacht under full sail. The front cabin is appointed in Navy Blue leather. The rear suite uses Grace White, suggesting sailcloth and wake. Piping and contrast stitching on the seats and doors appear in both tones, while the RR monograms are embroidered in Turchese, a shade chosen to match clear inshore water. The picnic tables in the rear required around 120 hours of work to complete. They are finished to resemble a yacht deck, with each table composed of 16 ‘planks’ of Open Pore Royal Walnut. The wood was cut from the same section to ensure a uniform grain, then laid by hand from the centre outwards for a bookmatched effect. Between each plank runs a two-millimetre strip of Black Bolivar wood, cut as a single piece to mimic deck caulking. Currents and Watercolour by Rolls-Royce A piece named Watercolour extends across the full width of the dashboard. Created by the marque’s in-house artist, it uses specially developed paints on an open-pore wooden substrate. The artist developed a new blending technique over two weeks of trials to capture the movement of open water. Above, a Bespoke Starlight Headliner contains 1,307 hand-placed fibre optic stars. The pattern was inspired by the swirling tidal currents around the Isle of Wight. This detail is complemented by Illuminated Doors, completing the interior atmosphere. Phil Fabre de la Grange, the Head of Bespoke, describes the car as work inspired by the waters on the company’s doorstep. "It brings the spirit of yachting, its colours, materials, and sense of speed, into the calm of a Phantom Extended," he says. "More than this, it shows what Bespoke at Rolls-Royce can do: tell an elegant story in paint, leather, wood and metal, each crafted by hand to the highest possible standard." Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-builds-a-phantom-for-the-english-coast — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Builds a Phantom for the English Coast" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-builds-a-phantom-for-the-english-coast --- ## George Russell and The Weight of a 40-Point Gap - URL: https://menwith.com/george-russell-and-the-weight-of-a-40-point-gap - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** George Russell faces a 40-point deficit at his home British Grand Prix despite a recent win. The compressed Sprint format leaves no room for error as he battles Kimi Antonelli for the championship. George Russell arrives at Silverstone for his home race carrying the momentum from a win in Austria. It is a feeling that will last until he looks at the championship standings. The British Grand Prix marks the ninth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and the reality for Russell is a 40-point deficit to the leader, Kimi Antonelli. That number defines the weekend. While a recent victory provides a psychological edge, a 40-point gap is a formidable distance to cover. Antonelli has built a consistent lead, leaving Russell with the task of being nearly perfect, especially here, in front of a home crowd. A Weekend Without Margins The pressure is compounded by the weekend’s format. Silverstone is hosting the fourth Sprint of the season, a structure that compresses the entire event. Track action will come thick and fast, beginning with a single practice session tomorrow before Sprint Qualifying. For the teams, this means very little time to refine the car’s setup. For a driver like George Russell, it means there is no real chance to recover from a mistake or a reliability problem. The action is non-stop, and any small error carries amplified consequences. With two more Sprint weekends scheduled for Zandvoort and Singapore, mastering this format is critical to any championship campaign. The Paddock's Other Pressures Every driver arrives with their own set of circumstances. While Russell grapples with the championship mathematics, analysis continues around Charles Leclerc and his recent struggles to find form. Elsewhere, Lando Norris has been explaining whether he sees himself as a one-team driver. The paddock is a collection of individual narratives unfolding in public. But for this weekend, the central story is clear. It is about a driver, his home race, a recent win, and the stark reality of a 40-point gap that needs closing. The work for George Russell begins tomorrow. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/george-russell-and-the-weight-of-a-40-point-gap — Citation: "George Russell and The Weight of a 40-Point Gap" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/george-russell-and-the-weight-of-a-40-point-gap --- ## Dom Pérignon Finds Its Place - URL: https://menwith.com/dom-p-rignon-finds-its-place - Category: Style - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Dom Pérignon's 2018 vintage, under Cellar Master Vincent Chaperon, explores "Place" at the Révélations event. Artist Claudine Drai and cultural figures contribute to this dialogue on terroir and creation. The Dom Pérignon Vintage 2018 is the first to be crafted entirely under the direction of Cellar Master Vincent Chaperon. It was born from what the Maison calls an exceptionally generous year in Champagne, a detail that sets the stage for the wine’s character. This release anchors the 2026 edition of Révélations, the house’s annual exploration of the inspirations that shape its world. This year, the theme is simply “Place.” The event is an inquiry into the influence of terroir, landscape, and environment on the creation of a wine. For a brand like LVMH’s Dom Pérignon, where every vintage is a discrete creation, the idea of place is fundamental. The Maison suggests the 2018 vintage expresses a distinct harmony and fullness, a reflection of the balance found in its vineyards. An Artistic Resonance To deepen the exploration, Dom Pérignon invited French artist Claudine Drai to contribute her perspective. Her work, described as a poetic vision, was chosen to resonate with the efforts carried out in the Maison’s vineyards. It draws a line from the physical act of cultivation to the abstract world of art, connecting the two through a shared sensitivity to place. This dialogue between wine and art is a core component of Révélations. The event is designed as a forum for ideas, not just a presentation of a new product. It is about building a context around the wine, framing it within a larger cultural landscape. A Conversation in Place The guest list for the 2026 edition reinforces this intention. Figures from art and gastronomy, including Tilda Swinton, Olivier Saillard, Eneko Atxa, and Josean Alija, were invited to attend. Their presence is meant to enrich what the Maison calls an ongoing conversation between wine, culture, and contemporary creation. This gathering defines the spirit of Révélations. It is an acknowledgment that a wine’s identity is shaped by more than just its grapes. It is also shaped by the culture it inhabits and the conversations it inspires. In the end, the event returns to the soil. It is a reminder that each plot of land in Champagne contributes its own specific nuances to the final identity of the wine. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dom-p-rignon-finds-its-place — Citation: "Dom Pérignon Finds Its Place" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/dom-p-rignon-finds-its-place --- ## A 38-Foot T-Rex, A Pickleball Court, And The Man Who Never Saw It Finished - URL: https://menwith.com/a-38-foot-t-rex-a-pickleball-court-and-the-man-who-never-saw-it-finished - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** A 67-million-year-old T-Rex skeleton, "Gus," was meticulously assembled over five years. The 38-foot-long fossil, discovered in South Dakota, required a repurposed pickleball court for its reassembly. A pickleball court turned out to be one of the only spaces in town large enough for the job. Inside, a custom armature was built to hold nearly a thousand individual pieces of bone. This is how a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex named Gus was assembled. The story of Gus began in 2021 on a ranch in Harding County, South Dakota. A team had just finished one project and, on something of a whim, decided to spend a couple of days prospecting on stranger ground. Within hours, a metatarsal broke the surface. It was the first piece of what would become one of the most complete T-Rex skeletons ever discovered. Five Years, A Thousand Pieces Finding a dinosaur is rarely a clean extraction. The work that followed the initial discovery took five years. It was a process of excavation, mapping, and restoration, done bone by bone, by hand. The final skeleton, measuring 38 feet long, is considered 63% complete, with the bones accounting for 75 to 80 percent of the animal's total mass. The assembly took place far from the Hell Creek Formation where the bones were found. The meticulous reassembly of the creature from the Late Cretaceous period required a modern, and unusually large, space. The pickleball court was simply a practical solution. This kind of find has become a significant part of the high-end collecting world. Sotheby's recently handled the sale of a Stegosaurus skeleton, Apex, which set an auction record. Gus represents a discovery on a similar scale. A Promise Kept The T-Rex was named Gus in honor of Gary Licking, the rancher on whose land the first bone was found. Gary died partway through the five-year project. He never saw the finished mount. His widow, Dana, has remained close to the project. The team still brings her in. They make sure she sees the important pieces of Gus as they are prepared, connecting the monumental fossil back to the man it was named for. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-38-foot-t-rex-a-pickleball-court-and-the-man-who-never-saw-it-finished — Citation: "A 38-Foot T-Rex, A Pickleball Court, And The Man Who Never Saw It Finished" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/a-38-foot-t-rex-a-pickleball-court-and-the-man-who-never-saw-it-finished --- ## Patek Philippe Prepares Its Largest Ever Watch Art Exhibition With Exclusive Milan Debuts - URL: https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-prepares-its-largest-ever-watch-art-exhibition-with-exclusive-milan-debuts - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: Patek Philippe, Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026, Burano pocket watch, Sicilian Oranges clock, haute horlogerie, Rare Handcrafts, Calibre 89, Grandmaster Chime **Summary:** Patek Philippe unveils its largest watch exhibition in Milan, featuring over 500 masterpieces and exclusive Italian-debut timepieces like the 'Burano' pocket watch and 'Sicilian Oranges' clock. This October, Patek Philippe will open the doors to what promises to be the brand’s most ambitious exhibition ever. The WATCH ART Grand Exhibition Milan 2026, running from October 2 to 18, will transform Milan’s newly renovated CityOval into a 2,900 square meter celebration of haute horlogerie, craftsmanship and the history of one of Switzerland’s most respected watchmakers. As the seventh edition of Patek Philippe’s global Watch Art exhibitions, Milan was chosen for a reason. Italy has long been one of the manufacture’s most important markets, known for collectors who appreciate both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. The exhibition is designed to immerse visitors in the world of Patek Philippe, recreating iconic locations including the manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, the historic Rue du Rhône headquarters and the renowned Patek Philippe Museum. A preview of two extraordinary creations Ahead of the exhibition, Patek Philippe has revealed the first two unique timepieces that will be showcased among its prestigious Rare Handcrafts collection. The first is the “Burano” Ref. 992/193J-001, a one of one yellow gold pocket watch inspired by the colorful Venetian island of Burano. Its case combines hand engraved details with cloisonné, flinqué and paillonné enamel techniques, requiring an astonishing palette of 70 enamel colors to recreate the reflections of the island’s famous canals. The piece is accompanied by an elaborate jeweled stand and matching gold chain, highlighting the extraordinary artistic craftsmanship behind its creation. Equally impressive is the “Sicilian Oranges” Ref. 20179M-001 dome table clock. Featuring Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, miniature painting and multiple layers that create remarkable visual depth, the artwork depicts orange groves overlooking Palermo. Each enamel panel required between nine and eleven firings at temperatures exceeding 900°C, showcasing the extraordinary level of precision demanded by traditional enameling. More than 500 masterpieces under one roof Visitors can expect far more than these two exceptional pieces. The exhibition will bring together around 500 watches and objects, including the brand’s complete current collection, demonstrations from master artisans and watchmakers, 27 Rare Handcrafts creations and more than 90 historic pieces from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. Among the museum highlights are historic pocket watches created for the Italian market, the pocket watch of King Umberto I of Savoy, and the legendary World Time Ref. 1415 HU from 1948. Collectors will also have the rare opportunity to experience some of the manufacture’s most celebrated complications, including the Calibre 89, the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175, and the remarkable Star Caliber 2000, displayed together in a dedicated “Super Complications” room. Limited editions on the horizon Like previous Watch Art exhibitions, the Milan edition will also serve as the stage for several new limited editions spanning multiple collections. While Patek Philippe has yet to unveil those releases, the preview suggests that collectors visiting Milan this autumn can expect one of the most significant showcases in the manufacture’s recent history. With free admission, live demonstrations and an unprecedented gathering of historic and contemporary masterpieces, WATCH ART Milan 2026 looks set to become one of the defining watch events of the year. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-prepares-its-largest-ever-watch-art-exhibition-with-exclusive-milan-debuts — Citation: "Patek Philippe Prepares Its Largest Ever Watch Art Exhibition With Exclusive Milan Debuts" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-prepares-its-largest-ever-watch-art-exhibition-with-exclusive-milan-debuts --- ## ANNUA Opens Gran Hotel Margalida on Mallorca’s Most Dramatic Coastline - URL: https://menwith.com/annua-opens-gran-hotel-margalida-on-mallorcas-most-dramatic-coastline - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-07-02 - Tags: ANNUA Signature Hotels, Gran Hotel Margalida, Mallorca, Banyalbufar, Serra de Tramuntana, Virginia Nieto, Joan Escalas, Natura Bissé **Summary:** ANNUA opens Gran Hotel Margalida on Mallorca's dramatic coastline, blending contemporary design with Mallorcan heritage. The luxury boutique hotel features integrated wellness, local cuisine by Chef Joan Escalas, and curated experiences. ANNUA Signature Hotels has officially opened the doors to Gran Hotel Margalida, a new luxury boutique hotel overlooking the Mediterranean from the dramatic cliffs of Banyalbufar on Mallorca’s west coast. As the fifth property in the growing collection, it also represents the brand’s most ambitious project so far, introducing its first fully integrated wellness concept alongside a strong focus on contemporary Mediterranean design. Set where the UNESCO listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range meets the sea, the hotel embraces one of the island’s most breathtaking locations while offering an intimate experience with just 29 ocean facing rooms and suites. A Contemporary Take on Mallorcan Heritage Rather than creating another modern luxury resort, ANNUA has restored a historic property with a clear respect for its surroundings. Interior designer Virginia Nieto worked alongside architects Álvaro Onieva and Álvaro Mesonero Romanos to blend traditional architecture with clean contemporary interiors inspired by the Mediterranean. Natural stone, handcrafted ceramics, woven fibres and locally sourced materials define the spaces throughout the hotel. Every piece of furniture has been designed exclusively for Gran Hotel Margalida, while artisan details such as locally blown glass, bespoke ceramics and the island’s iconic Telas de Lengua fabrics reinforce its connection to Mallorca’s cultural heritage. Even the hotel’s signature sun washed yellow colour has been created exclusively for the property, adding warmth throughout the carefully curated interiors. Wellness With a Mediterranean View Gran Hotel Margalida also marks a milestone for ANNUA by introducing the brand’s first complete spa and wellness destination. Guests will find panoramic fitness facilities equipped by Technogym, dedicated Pilates studios and an outdoor yoga platform overlooking the Mediterranean. The spa combines advanced treatments from Natura Bissé with bespoke wellness rituals inspired by the surrounding landscape, while visiting practitioners throughout the year will introduce specialised therapies and personalised experiences. The philosophy is simple: wellbeing should become part of everyday life rather than an occasional escape. Dining Inspired by the Island The culinary programme is led by Mallorcan born Head Chef Joan Escalas, whose background includes one of the island’s acclaimed two Michelin starred restaurants. Seasonal ingredients sourced from local fishermen, farmers and producers shape a menu that celebrates the flavours of Mallorca. Guests can enjoy everything from bluefin tuna with traditional trempó to confit Mallorcan black pork, alongside fresh seafood at the Oyster Bar and relaxed lunches beside the pool. An extensive wine list highlights indigenous Mallorcan varieties while also featuring carefully selected bottles from Burgundy, Champagne and other renowned wine regions. More Than a Hotel Beyond its accommodation, Gran Hotel Margalida has been designed as a gateway to Mallorca itself. Private sailing excursions, guided hikes through the Serra de Tramuntana, olive oil tastings at the historic Son Moragues estate, vineyard picnics, artisan workshops and open air cinema evenings all form part of the guest experience. The expansive cliffside terraces also position the property as an exceptional venue for destination weddings and private events. With Gran Hotel Margalida, ANNUA continues to build a portfolio that favours intimate luxury over excess. Rather than competing with Mallorca’s largest resorts, it focuses on thoughtful design, craftsmanship and a slower pace of travel that feels deeply connected to its surroundings. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/annua-opens-gran-hotel-margalida-on-mallorcas-most-dramatic-coastline — Citation: "ANNUA Opens Gran Hotel Margalida on Mallorca’s Most Dramatic Coastline" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-02. https://menwith.com/annua-opens-gran-hotel-margalida-on-mallorcas-most-dramatic-coastline --- ## Baume & Mercier Begins a New Chapter with Italy's Damiani Group - URL: https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-begins-a-new-chapter-with-italy-s-damiani-group - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-07-01 - Tags: Richemont **Summary:** Baume & Mercier is now owned by Italy's Damiani Group, a luxury jewelry and watch distributor. The acquisition signals Damiani's expansion into hard luxury and a new chapter for the historic watchmaker. On July 1, 2026, the acquisition of Baume & Mercier was completed. The 200-year-old specialist watchmaker is now wholly owned by the Damiani Group, following a private transaction with Richemont that was first announced on January 22 of this year. The deal marks a significant shift for the historic watch Maison, moving it from a vast Swiss conglomerate to an Italian family-run luxury group. The Damiani Group, founded in Valenza in 1924, is known primarily for its prestigious jewellery brands, including Damiani, Salvini, Bliss, and Calderoni. The company, still led by the third generation of the founder’s family, also owns the historic Murano glassmaker Venini and Rocca, a premier multi-brand watch and jewellery distributor in Italy. The addition of Baume & Mercier signals a deliberate expansion into hard luxury and fine watchmaking. A Calculated Handover The seller, Richemont, operates a portfolio that includes specialist watchmakers like A. Lange & Söhne, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Vacheron Constantin. The decision to part with Baume & Mercier was framed as a strategic placement. The relationship between the two groups is not new. Damiani has been a distribution partner for Richemont, operating external boutiques and selling several of the conglomerate's watch Maisons through its Rocca stores. Nicolas Bos, the Chief Executive Officer of Richemont, described Damiani Group as a “valued historical partner.” He noted the group is “uniquely positioned to realise Baume & Mercier’s full potential,” citing the watchmaker’s strong footprint in Italy, its reliance on multi-brand distribution, and its accessible luxury positioning. For an interim period, Richemont will continue providing operational services as the Damiani Group integrates the Maison into its own operations. The Italian Strategy The Damiani Group’s plan for Baume & Mercier is one of focused growth. The new owners intend to enhance the Maison’s global visibility, building upon its existing strength in the Italian market. This strategy involves leveraging Damiani’s own extensive multi-brand distribution network while selectively opening mono-brand Baume & Mercier boutiques in strategic international locations over time. Guido Damiani, Executive President of Damiani Group, articulated the vision clearly. “This acquisition marks a significant milestone in strengthening our presence in the world of fine watchmaking and represents an important step in our long-term growth strategy,” he stated. He emphasized a plan to establish a more focused operating model and use the group’s expertise in the luxury sector to preserve the brand’s heritage. Expressing gratitude for the trust placed in his group by Richemont, Damiani looked toward the future. “We look forward to building a successful future for Baume & Mercier and to opening this exciting new chapter.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-begins-a-new-chapter-with-italy-s-damiani-group — Citation: "Baume & Mercier Begins a New Chapter with Italy's Damiani Group" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-01. https://menwith.com/baume-mercier-begins-a-new-chapter-with-italy-s-damiani-group --- ## Bugatti Makes Its Digital Bones Visible - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-makes-its-digital-bones-visible - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-07-01 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** The Bugatti W16 Mistral 'Blanc Éternel' draws inspiration from the 2011 Veyron Grand Sport 'L'Or Blanc,' reinterpreting its iconic lines digitally. This new commission celebrates Bugatti's heritage with a unique blend of history and modern design. The story of the W16 Mistral ‘Blanc Éternel’ begins 15 years ago. It started with a collaboration between Bugatti and Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, or KPM. The result was the Veyron Grand Sport ‘L’Or Blanc’, a car defined by fluid lines hand-applied over its surface by Frank Heyl, who is today the Bugatti Design Director. Those original lines were inspired by a KPM porcelain vase from Italian designer Enzo Mari. The idea was to use the streaks of light that quality specialists reflect across a car’s body to check for imperfections, turning them into a graphic composition. They traced and celebrated the car’s physical form. To mark the partnership, KPM and Bugatti have also created a limited collection of 1,000 handmade porcelain pieces, including the To-Drive Cup and Aviator Cup. “The W16 Mistral ‘Blanc Éternel’ is exceptionally beautiful because every line and every material has a purpose,” said Frank Heyl. “Our ambition for this unique commission saw us dive deeply into the essence of the Veyron Grand Sport ‘L’Or Blanc’, and write its next chapter through the entirely digital design language of the W16 Mistral. ‘Blanc Éternel’ respects Bugatti’s history without being constrained by it, fusing our heritage with individual taste in a way that feels wholly new.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-makes-its-digital-bones-visible — Citation: "Bugatti Makes Its Digital Bones Visible" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-01. https://menwith.com/bugatti-makes-its-digital-bones-visible --- ## Lamborghini Urus SE Performante Is the Fastest Super SUV Ever Built - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-urus-se-performante-is-the-fastest-super-suv-ever-built - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-07-01 - Tags: Lamborghini Urus SE Performante, Super SUV, Plug-in Hybrid, V8 Engine, AURA air suspension, Rally Mode, Revuelto inspired cockpit **Summary:** The Lamborghini Urus SE Performante redefines the Super SUV with 812hp plug-in hybrid power, achieving record speeds and enhanced dynamics. It blends electric range with V8 performance and advanced suspension for superior handling. When Lamborghini introduced the Urus, it redefined what a performance SUV could be. Now, the Italian marque is pushing that idea even further with the all new Urus SE Performante, a plug in hybrid Super SUV that combines record breaking performance with new levels of precision, technology, and everyday usability. Powered by a 4.0 liter twin turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor, the Urus SE Performante produces an astonishing 812 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Urus ever created. The result is breathtaking performance: 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.3 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h arrives in 10.8 seconds, and top speed reaches 312 km/h, officially making it the fastest Super SUV in the world. Hybrid Performance Without Compromise Unlike many hybrid performance cars that prioritize efficiency, Lamborghini has developed the Urus SE Performante to enhance performance first. The electric motor delivers instant torque while working seamlessly alongside the V8, creating stronger acceleration and sharper response throughout the rev range. The plug in hybrid system also allows more than 60 kilometers of fully electric driving, making the Urus surprisingly practical for everyday city use without sacrificing its aggressive personality. Sharper Dynamics On Every Surface One of the biggest technical upgrades is Lamborghini’s new AURA dual chamber air suspension, which dramatically improves both comfort and handling. Body roll has been reduced by more than 50 percent during spirited driving while ride comfort has improved by roughly 25 percent compared to the previous Urus Performante. A completely new Rally mode also joins Strada, Sport and Corsa, allowing drivers to enjoy the Super SUV on gravel roads and loose surfaces with confidence. Combined with updated all wheel drive software and predictive vehicle dynamics systems, the result is a vehicle that feels more agile and precise than ever before. More Carbon Fiber, More Presence Visually, the Urus SE Performante leaves little doubt about its intentions. Lamborghini has given the SUV its most extensive use of exposed carbon fiber to date, including a redesigned hood, front bumper, rear diffuser, wheel arches and aerodynamic spoilers. Larger air intakes improve cooling while also generating additional downforce, helping the Performante remain stable at high speeds. New 23 inch wheels and a wider stance further emphasize its aggressive proportions, while new color options including Giallo Crius and Verde Hydra Matt allow buyers to choose between bold performance or understated luxury. A Cockpit Inspired by Lamborghini’s Supercars Inside, the Urus SE Performante receives an updated cockpit inspired by the Revuelto. A new 12.3 inch infotainment display, revised graphics, carbon fiber detailing and aviation inspired controls reinforce Lamborghini’s signature “Feel Like a Pilot” philosophy. The cabin also introduces sustainable materials such as CorsaTex microfiber while maintaining the premium craftsmanship expected from the brand. With the Urus SE Performante, Lamborghini hasn’t simply made its Super SUV faster. It has refined nearly every aspect of the driving experience, combining hybrid technology, advanced aerodynamics, lightweight engineering and everyday usability into what may be the most complete high performance SUV on the market today. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-urus-se-performante-is-the-fastest-super-suv-ever-built — Citation: "Lamborghini Urus SE Performante Is the Fastest Super SUV Ever Built" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-07-01. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-urus-se-performante-is-the-fastest-super-suv-ever-built --- ## Mercedes-Benz Places Its History and Future Side by Side - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-places-its-history-and-future-side-by-side - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-30 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes-Benz showcased its automotive legacy and future at The Aurora event, pairing iconic historical models with cutting-edge electric concepts. The exhibition highlighted the brand's evolution from its earliest inventions to its vision for sustainable mobility. Twice each day at The Aurora event in Båstad, the sound of a supercharged 592 horsepower engine from 1937 filled the air. The noise came from a Mercedes W 125 Grand Prix car, started for attendees in the gardens of Norrvikens Trädgårdar. The gathering, held from June 26 to 28, marked the debut of Mercedes-Benz Classic at the Swedish exhibition, and the brand used the occasion to place its history in direct conversation with its future. The Silver Arrow racer was not displayed in isolation. Beside it stood the Vision EQ Silver Arrow, a 2018 concept car that interprets the pre-war racer’s form with modern technology and design. This pairing was a recurring theme. The event commemorated 140 years since Carl Benz patented the world’s first automobile in 1886, and the displays were arranged to draw clear lines between generations. An Icon Reimagined One of the most distinct pairings involved the C 111-II. The experimental car from 1970, with its Wankel engine, fiberglass body, and gullwing doors, became a design icon for the brand. Its characteristic gulorange paint was a product of its time. At The Aurora, it was shown with the Vision One-Eleven, an all-electric concept from 2023. The new car carries forward the same low, wide form and design language into the electric era. A Tribute to a Legend History at the event was also deeply human. Mercedes-Benz Classic honored the late Swedish rally driver Ewy Rosqvist (1929–2024) with a 300 SE Rallye. The car was identical to the one she drove to victory in the 1962 Gran Premio Argentina. Her win involved driving 5,000 kilometers on gravel roads at an average speed of 127 km/h. The collection reached back to the very beginning, with two replicas of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Visitors could see the 0.75 horsepower, single-cylinder engine in operation. A different kind of performance was offered by a 1955 300 SL Gullwing, presented in unusually well-preserved condition with its original paint and interior. The car was offered for sale through the brand’s Classic Center. For those wanting to move from observer to participant, an advanced driving simulator was available. The reward for the fastest driver was a test drive in a real Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, closing the distance between history and personal experience. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-places-its-history-and-future-side-by-side — Citation: "Mercedes-Benz Places Its History and Future Side by Side" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-30. https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-places-its-history-and-future-side-by-side --- ## The Copy That Saved the Original - URL: https://menwith.com/the-copy-that-saved-the-original - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-06-30 - Tags: Christie's **Summary:** A precise copperplate engraving by William J. Stone in 1823 preserved the fading Declaration of Independence, becoming the definitive visual record for future reproductions. In 1820, forty-four years after it was signed in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence was already showing its age. The original manuscript had been treated roughly during the Revolutionary War and its aftermath, and the ink was beginning to fade. This physical decay prompted a project of preservation, led by then Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, the son of signer John Adams. The country was in a period of renewed patriotism following the War of 1812. This mood produced what printing historian John Bidwell has called “heroic engravings” of the document. Notable examples by John Binns and Benjamin Owen Tyler were more inspirational than accurate, incorporating facsimiles of the signatures but taking artistic liberties with the text. Adams, according to Bidwell, believed the American people deserved a version “untainted by demeaning publicity and arbitrary artistic interventions.” An Exacting Commission Adams first approached Benjamin Owen Tyler for the work, but found his proposed fee of $150 too high. He then turned to William J. Stone, an engraver who had worked in the same shop that printed Tyler’s version. Stone’s skill in banknote engraving made him the ideal candidate for a task that demanded absolute precision. It took Stone three years to complete the copperplate engraving. The exact method he used is still a matter of some debate. While some have suggested a wet-ink transfer process, a close examination by specialist Seth Kaller comparing the original manuscript to Stone’s work suggests tracing was the more likely technique. More than a dozen small differences support this, including a decorative 45-degree line through the capital ‘T’ at the top of the Stone print that does not appear on the original. This level of forensic detail points away from a riskier wet process. By April 1823, the plate was finished. The State Department authorized a run of 200 copies to be printed on vellum. John Quincy Adams noted in his diary in October 1822 that while the signatures were done, Stone still had “much to labour” on the Declaration itself. A Declaration for Posterity Though the credit line on the engraving is dated July 4, 1823, distribution of the 201 vellum copies began in June 1824. A Congressional resolution on May 26 directed that the facsimiles be given out to honor the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Two copies each went to President James Monroe, the Vice-President, former President James Madison, and the three surviving signers: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Twenty copies were allocated for Congress, and two were presented to the Marquis de Lafayette. One of Lafayette's copies was later sold at Christie's in 1985. While Adams sought to create a definitive, apolitical record, a few copies may have served his own ambitions. During the hotly contested 1824 Presidential election, which was ultimately decided in the House of Representatives, Adams gave inscribed copies to Joshua Prideaux and Thomas Emory. Both were electors for Maryland, a state Adams found difficult to win. As historian Catherine Nicholson noted, one “can only speculate if the Stone engravings that Adams presented to influential politicians… had any impact on the presidential electoral vote.” The project ultimately secured the visual identity of America's founding document. William Stone’s copperplate became the source for all subsequent reproductions, including an 1833 edition by Peter Force for his history of the United States. Today, it is estimated that about a quarter of the original 201 Stone engravings survive, with a recent census counting 52 known copies. Of those, 27 are in institutional collections. With at least nine others held by a private collector who plans to donate them, approximately twelve remain in private hands. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-copy-that-saved-the-original — Citation: "The Copy That Saved the Original" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-30. https://menwith.com/the-copy-that-saved-the-original --- ## Sarah Burton’s New Givenchy Is A Private Conversation - URL: https://menwith.com/sarah-burton-s-new-givenchy-is-a-private-conversation - Category: Style - Published: 2026-06-30 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Sarah Burton's Givenchy SS27 collection, presented at Maison Givenchy, emphasizes intimacy and personal conversations. Artfully blended with Rachel Whiteread's works, it reimagines Givenchy archetypes with a focus on individual expression and heritage. The Givenchy Spring-Summer 2027 men’s collection was presented at the home of Maison Givenchy. The setting itself was a message, grounding the season in a sense of intimacy before a single look appeared. It was a choice to present a collection within the walls that hold its history. Creative Director Sarah Burton framed the collection around this idea of closeness. “I wanted this collection to feel very personal and intimate, and to reflect the conversations that I have with the friends of the House,” she said. Each look, therefore, becomes a document of these exchanges and personal affinities. The clothes carry this duality. The wardrobe shows different facets, at times pared-down and at others richly embellished. This approach gives new expression to Givenchy archetypes, revisiting emblematic, everyday pieces with a striking effect born from personal inspiration rather than market trends. A Dialogue with Art The presentation continued this theme of dialogue by placing the collection alongside several works by the British artist Rachel Whiteread. The contemporary masterpieces were not just a backdrop. They were part of the conversation, creating a link between the language of couture and the language of modern art. This is a quiet way of building a world around the clothes. It suggests a shared sensibility between the designer, the artist, and the wearer. The result is a collection that feels considered from every angle, connecting the clothes to a wider cultural context. An Ode to Joy The collection is described as an ode to joy, an expression of the art of couture that remains true to the heritage of Givenchy. It finds its energy in the personal touch of its creative director, translating her interactions into a tangible wardrobe. This intimate approach happens within the structure of LVMH, a family-run group with more than 75 Maisons. The group, which posted 80.8 billion euros in revenue in 2025 across a retail network of over 6,280 stores, is built on ensuring the long-term development of each brand's unique identity. Burton's method for Givenchy seems to be a direct application of that philosophy, finding the Maison's future in the most personal of places. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/sarah-burton-s-new-givenchy-is-a-private-conversation — Citation: "Sarah Burton’s New Givenchy Is A Private Conversation" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-30. https://menwith.com/sarah-burton-s-new-givenchy-is-a-private-conversation --- ## Benetti Launches M/Y Lumina, Unveils €100M Plan for Tuscan Dominance - URL: https://menwith.com/benetti-launches-m-y-lumina-unveils-100m-plan-for-tuscan-dominance - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-06-29 - Tags: Benetti Yachts **Summary:** Benetti launches the 44m M/Y Lumina, backed by a €100M Tuscan investment plan to expand production and reinforce its superyacht dominance. In Viareggio, the launch of a new Benetti yacht began with an ancient ceremony. The slipway launch, a ritual connecting master shipwrights of the past to the present, saw the 44-meter M/Y Lumina meet the water. The event marks a tangible moment in a much larger industrial strategy for the Azimut|Benetti Group, reinforcing Tuscany as the operational core of its superyacht division. The launch of this latest Benetti Class 44M model happens against a backdrop of significant growth. Over the last five years, the Azimut|Benetti Group has seen its production value double, climbing from €758 million in 2020 to a projected €1.56 billion in 2025. This trajectory underpins the company’s position as the world’s leading builder of superyachts for more than a quarter of a century. M/Y Lumina itself is a four-deck superyacht designed by Cassetta Yacht Designers. The build features exceptionally bright interiors and engineering focused on privacy and comfort during long-range cruising. Its delivery is scheduled for the summer of 2026. A €100 Million Bet on Tuscany The Group’s commitment to its Tuscan manufacturing heartland is being solidified with a new €100 million investment plan for the 2026–2028 period. This follows €77 million already invested in the region over the past three years. The area, with its 14 industrial sites in Viareggio, Livorno, Massa, and Pisa, is responsible for 70% of the Group’s global results. This new capital is aimed at expanding production capacity with larger sheds and new travel lifts, enhancing safety systems, and improving energy efficiency through photovoltaic installations. The investment also covers the redesign of executive offices, client reception areas, and the continued development of new yacht models, materials, and technologies. Operations for Lusben Refit will also see their facilities and capabilities strengthened. The People Behind the Production The increase in production volumes has required a parallel expansion of human capital. Between 2020 and 2026, the Benetti Yachts workforce in Tuscany has nearly doubled, with direct employees growing from 442 to 607. The impact on the wider supply chain is even more substantial. The Tuscan sites now register 3,800 daily presences, representing a consolidated network of over 1,000 companies working alongside the Group. To ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals, the Group actively supports the ISYL Foundation, or Italian Super Yacht Life. As a founding member, Benetti helps shape training programs and transfers its industrial knowledge to a new generation. Since 2015, over 600 graduates have moved from the school into professional careers within the industry. The strategy appears clear. It continues the mission set by founder Paolo Vitelli to create technologically advanced yachts, using the synergy with its local district as the foundation for its global leadership. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/benetti-launches-m-y-lumina-unveils-100m-plan-for-tuscan-dominance — Citation: "Benetti Launches M/Y Lumina, Unveils €100M Plan for Tuscan Dominance" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-29. https://menwith.com/benetti-launches-m-y-lumina-unveils-100m-plan-for-tuscan-dominance --- ## Aston Martin's New S-Models Lead a Power Play at Goodwood - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-new-s-models-lead-a-power-play-at-goodwood - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-29 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin unleashes its powerful new S-models, including the 700PS DB12 S, at Goodwood. The lineup also features hypercars and the F1™ AMR25, showcasing the brand's engineering prowess. The new DB12 S arrives at the Goodwood Estate in Sussex with 700PS and 800Nm of torque. The Super Tourer from Aston Martin is the most powerful non-hybrid, front-engine V8 model in its class, capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in 3.4 seconds. This performance is managed by a recalibrated 8-speed automatic gearbox with 120-millisecond shifts. The car’s dynamics are sharpened through improved damper software, an optimised Electronic Differential, and a thicker anti-roll bar. Standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes reduce unsprung mass and improve stopping power, all accompanied by a more muscular exhaust note. Depth and Breadth The lineup for the 34th annual Festival of Speed, running from July 9-12, extends into the realm of hypercars. The Valkyrie, the 1079PS / 1100Nm PHEV Valhalla, and the third-generation Vanquish will all make dynamic appearances. The new Vanquish marks 25 years of the nameplate, which stands as the pinnacle of the brand's front-engined sports car range. The connection to motorsport is made explicit with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team. The AMR25 will run on the world-famous hillclimb, with both Jak Crawford and Jessica Hawkins making their debut runs in a Formula One® car at the festival. Andrea Baldi, Aston Martin's newly-appointed Chief Commercial Officer, described the event as a landmark for the brand. He views the 2026 collection as a display befitting a celebration of automotive excellence. “The selection of 'S' models on show emphasises our commitment to engineering excellence and driving excitement on-road,” Baldi said. He added that seeing creations like the AMR25 and Valkyrie, “a true Formula 1® car for the road,” will “underscore the depth and breadth of our automotive ambitions.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-new-s-models-lead-a-power-play-at-goodwood — Citation: "Aston Martin's New S-Models Lead a Power Play at Goodwood" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-29. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-new-s-models-lead-a-power-play-at-goodwood --- ## Inside a £420 Million Week at Sotheby's London - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-a-420-million-week-at-sotheby-s-london - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-06-28 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Sotheby's London achieved a record-breaking £420.5 million in sales, highlighted by the £306.6 million Lewis Collection and a Modigliani nude selling for £48.2 million. The first lot set the tone. Oliver Barker, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, opened the bidding for Gustave Caillebotte’s Portrait de Paul Hugot. What followed was a fierce, ten-minute battle. Nine different collectors fought for the piece, which had not appeared at auction in more than thirty years. The hammer finally fell at £10.3 million, more than double its £4.5 million high estimate. This was the scene at Sotheby's London, where a two-day series of sales culminated in the highest season total ever recorded in Europe. The grand total reached £420.5 million. The centerpiece was the sale of Masterpieces from the Lewis Collection, which by itself became the most valuable single-owner collection ever sold at auction in London, realizing £306.6 million. The Lewis Collection Takes the Stage Seventy percent of the works from the Lewis Collection sold for prices above their high estimates. The star lot, Amedeo Modigliani’s nude portrait Nu assis au collier, went to an Asian collector for £48.2 million. The price set a new record for the artist in Europe for a work that had scandalized the Parisian art world when it first debuted. Lucian Freud’s monumental Sleeping by the Lion Carpet also appeared at auction for the first time. It had been part of the Lewis Collection since 1996, the same year it was painted. The piece sold for £29.3 million. Another highlight was Gustav Klimt’s full-length portrait, Bildnis Gertrud Loew (Gertha Felsőványi). Seven bidders pursued the painting, pushing its final price to £36.2 million. It was one of only five major Klimt portraits to sell at auction in the last twenty-five years. Records in Modern & Contemporary Art Following the Lewis Collection sale, Helena Newman, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe for Impressionist and Modern Art, took over the rostrum. The headline work of the Modern & Contemporary Evening Sale was Claude Monet’s Nymphéas, first shown in the artist's legendary 1909 exhibition at Galerie Durand-Ruel. Five bidders competed for the piece, which ultimately sold for £40.8 million, making it the most valuable Impressionist work sold at auction in Europe in over a decade. The contemporary works drew similar energy. Banksy’s large iteration of Love Is in the Air sold for £6.4 million, clearing its £5.5 million high estimate. An untitled work on paper by Mark Rothko, fresh from an exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., sparked its own spirited ten-minute bidding war before selling for £9 million. The combined evening sales set a new European record for the highest total achieved in a single night, reaching £393.4 million. The sales continued on Thursday, June 25, with the Day Auctions achieving a combined £27.1 million. George Condo’s Zombie Modernism led the Contemporary portion, selling for £832,000. Bidders also paid tribute to the late David Hockney, pushing a print of his iPad drawing, The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East, to £512,000. In the Modern Day Auction, a Pablo Picasso work on paper, Portrait of Dora Maar, sold for £1.3 million. “This season has truly been one for the history books,” Barker reflected after the sales concluded. “There is something singular about London in June. If there is one message to take home from this moment, it is that London’s capacity to inspire, to convene, and to lead on the world stage remains as powerful as ever.” Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-a-420-million-week-at-sotheby-s-london — Citation: "Inside a £420 Million Week at Sotheby's London" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-28. https://menwith.com/inside-a-420-million-week-at-sotheby-s-london --- ## Dior Samples Its Own Past - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-samples-its-own-past - Category: Style - Published: 2026-06-28 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Dior Homme Summer 2027 remixes house archives with a party-ready aesthetic. Jonathan Anderson uses deconstruction and optical illusions to reimagine classic codes. Sunglasses paved with rhinestones appear, followed by pants covered in sequins. Boots that look like disco balls reflect the light of a summer evening. The new Dior Homme Summer 2027 collection begins with an unapologetic party atmosphere. The soundtrack, assembled from familiar tunes sampled and remixed by the British producer Fred Again, provides the collection’s operating logic. Designer Jonathan Anderson applies a similar method to the clothes. He treats the house’s history as a library of sounds to be rearranged into something new. The approach is most visible in the collection's aversions to convention. A tuxedo is presented loose and deconstructed. Jackets are elongated until their hems become fringe. Even a simple pair of ripped jeans is reconsidered, threaded with fine silver chains. A Study in Illusion Materials are manipulated to create subtle deceptions. Japanese denim shirts are patchworked and meticulously re-stitched. Classic menswear patterns like pinstripes and houndstooth are not woven into fabric, but printed onto lightweight silk chiffon to create an optical effect. The technique creates moments of discovery. From a distance, a sequined coat appears to have a black and white polka dot pattern. Up close, the surface reveals its true texture. Metallic hues add light to an otherwise restrained palette, contributing to the visual sleight of hand. History Re-stitched The dialogue with the past is direct. A trompe-l’œil scarf is not draped but embroidered directly onto a silk shirt, its design replicating a Dior haute couture motif from 1979. A coat features scrolls embroidered in a style inspired by an 18th-century original. Even the house’s most emblematic codes are part of the remix. The cannage pattern appears on a soft denim tote, taking the signature out of its usual context. The parent company, LVMH, has overseen a period where such reinterpretations define the brand's current grammar. Amid the sequins and optical illusions, smaller details ground the collection. Flowers are tucked into buttonholes. Boots are quietly embellished with ladybirds. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-samples-its-own-past — Citation: "Dior Samples Its Own Past" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-28. https://menwith.com/dior-samples-its-own-past --- ## Berluti Finds Its Logic in The Little Prince - URL: https://menwith.com/berluti-finds-its-logic-in-the-little-prince - Category: Style - Published: 2026-06-28 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Berluti's SS27 collection draws inspiration from The Little Prince, translating literary philosophy into tangible luxury. The collection emphasizes subtle elegance and the art of patina, echoing the book's themes of essential beauty and enduring craftsmanship. The first impression inside the Fondation Simone et Cino Del Duca is not visual. It is the scent of wax and the distinct sound of footsteps, a sensory introduction to Berluti’s Spring-Summer 2027 presentation. The house chose to echo a line from Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince to frame the experience: “I shall know a sound of footsteps that will be different from all the others.” For the third consecutive year, Berluti has used this Parisian setting to unpack its creative process. This season, the guiding thread is a continuous dialogue with the famous novella. The presentation uses the book’s philosophy to articulate its own, translating abstract ideas into tangible objects, from shoes and leather goods to ready-to-wear. Another quote, displayed in the Salon Monceau, provides the core of the collection’s message: “It is only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Berluti applies this to a vision of elegance that exists in gesture, movement, and attitude, extending beyond simple appearances. This dialogue becomes literal on certain pieces. The iconic Alessandro lace-up, a cornerstone of the house, is adorned with the book’s famous rose. The Forestière jacket, another signature, features a narcissus that appears to be blooming from its pocket, grounding the literary references in the theme of a garden. A Painter's Approach to Leather The garden theme carries through to the leather goods, but with an additional layer of inspiration from the Impressionist art movement. The artisans at Berluti approach Venezia leather much like a painter, using successive applications of patina to build up color, transparency, and depth. The goal is to reveal the richness of the material gradually. A series of bags, including the Un Jour, Luti, Un Jour de Poche, and Toujours, are designed to evoke the feeling of a garden from first light to nightfall through their nuanced patinas. The new Galet Bloom shoe also draws from the natural world, translating the sculptural grace of the arum lily into its volumes. The shoe is finished with what the house calls an unprecedented patina, continuing the exploration of color and form. The Logic of Longevity Perhaps the most direct expression of the “invisible” essentials is the presence of a Berluti artisan at the presentation, surrounded by restored pieces. It serves as a quiet reminder of the bond between the Maison and its creations over time. Today, 97% of all Berluti products can be repaired in its workshop. This service, described as an ultimate luxury, allows the pieces to endure. It is a tangible commitment to longevity that underpins the more poetic themes of the season. The creative journey with The Little Prince is set to continue. Berluti will unveil a limited edition collection inspired by the book later this year, deepening a conversation that has already shaped an entire season. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/berluti-finds-its-logic-in-the-little-prince — Citation: "Berluti Finds Its Logic in The Little Prince" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-28. https://menwith.com/berluti-finds-its-logic-in-the-little-prince --- ## The Ritual Before the Race for Ferrari at Spa - URL: https://menwith.com/the-ritual-before-the-race-for-ferrari-at-spa - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-26 - Tags: Ferrari F1 **Summary:** Ferrari's 296 GT3 Evos participated in the traditional City Parade at Spa, a public ritual before the 24 Hours of Spa endurance race. Drivers engaged with fans before a crucial briefing at the Petit Théâtre. On the evening of Wednesday, June 24, eight Ferrari 296 GT3 Evos drove away from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The occasion was the traditional City Parade, the opening act for the 78th edition of the 24 Hours of Spa. Large crowds gathered in the Belgian town to greet the cars and their drivers, despite the high temperatures. The procession made its way to the centre of Spa, a public ritual before the private intensity of endurance racing. This event marks round three of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup, and the parade is a long-standing part of its culture, bringing the machinery of the race to the people who live in its shadow. The Drivers and The Theatre Six official Prancing Horse drivers will be competing in the Belgian classic. The roster includes Lilou Wadoux-Ducellier, Arthur Leclerc, Alessio Rovera, Nicklas Nielsen, Tommaso Mosca, and Miguel Molina. Once the cars were parked, the drivers took part in an autograph session for the assembled fans. Following the public engagement, the drivers attended the customary briefing. The meeting took place inside the historic Petit Théâtre du Centre Culturel de Spa. It's a moment where the modern demands of motorsport pause inside a room built for a different kind of performance. The Road to 24 Hours With the parade complete, the focus shifts entirely to the track. The schedule for the Ferrari F1 team and other competitors is dense. Thursday, June 25, begins with two free practice sessions, one from 10:10 to 11:40 a.m. and another from 3:20 to 4 p.m. The evening is dedicated to qualifying, which runs from 7:45 to 9:50 p.m. This session will set the lineup for the Superpole, scheduled for Friday afternoon between 3:05 and 3:55 p.m. The formalities and preparations lead to a single point. The race itself begins at 4:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-ritual-before-the-race-for-ferrari-at-spa — Citation: "The Ritual Before the Race for Ferrari at Spa" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-26. https://menwith.com/the-ritual-before-the-race-for-ferrari-at-spa --- ## The New Rules of Luxury Are Written in Porcelain - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-rules-of-luxury-are-written-in-porcelain - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-06-26 - Tags: The Ritz-Carlton **Summary:** Modern luxury prioritizes temporary, curated experiences over permanence. The Ritz-Carlton yacht's collaboration with Ginori 1735 exemplifies this, creating a narrative backdrop for unforgettable moments. A porcelain plate painted with a mythical sea god sits on a table. Beyond the table, the actual Mediterranean sea stretches to the horizon. This is the scene aboard the Ritz-Carlton yacht, Evrima, and it explains more about modern luxury than a thousand pages of brand guidelines ever could. The collaboration between The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and the Italian house Ginori 1735 is, on the surface, a design partnership. Three of the yacht’s outdoor spaces have been given a seasonal refresh with vibrant textiles and, most notably, Ginori’s Il Viaggio di Nettuno porcelain collection. It is a temporary takeover, a colorful overlay on an already exclusive experience. A Stage for the Story Luxury used to sell permanence. A heavy watch, a stone building, a family crest. A new kind of value is emerging, one based on the temporary. The limited run, the pop-up, the seasonal event. It is the art of making an immovable object, like a 624-foot yacht, feel like a new discovery. This is less a renovation and more a well-timed narrative injection. The choice of Ginori 1735 is deliberate. A brand with three centuries of history, now part of the Kering Group, it carries weight. The specific collection, designed by artist Luke Edward Hall, brings a playful, almost whimsical energy. The result is a backdrop. A perfectly composed setting for the kind of moments that travel well beyond the deck of the ship. Experience Over Ownership The execution is a thoughtful study in atmosphere. The Pool House is styled in an Azzurro palette of sky blues. The Mistral restaurant adopts the warmth of Mandarino oranges and coral. Down at the water’s edge, the Marina is bathed in the golden yellow of Zafferano. Each space is designed to complement a different time of day, a different mood. This is what the best hospitality brands are learning. Their role is evolving from simply providing a service to creating a world. They build the stage, provide the props, and then step aside. Here, the props are fantastical plates and brightly colored loungers. They are conversation starters. They are tangible pieces of a story. The collaboration is smart because it understands its audience. The guests on this yacht are not just consuming luxury. They are collecting experiences. The ability to purchase pieces from the collection for home delivery is a footnote. The real product is the memory, the photograph, the story you tell afterward. The success of this venture will be measured in more than just porcelain sales. It will be measured in the way it keeps a multi-million dollar asset at the center of the cultural conversation. It proves that in today's world, even the most solid luxury needs a dose of the ephemeral to feel truly alive. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-rules-of-luxury-are-written-in-porcelain — Citation: "The New Rules of Luxury Are Written in Porcelain" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-26. https://menwith.com/the-new-rules-of-luxury-are-written-in-porcelain --- ## Pershing Redefines Space with the New GTX90 - URL: https://menwith.com/pershing-redefines-space-with-the-new-gtx90 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-06-25 - Tags: Pershing **Summary:** Pershing's GTX90 redefines yachting with its Sport Utility Yacht concept, maximizing space and performance. Featuring expansive terraces, a spacious sportsbridge, and luxurious interiors, it offers unparalleled comfort and speed. The hull is finished in Pershing Anniversary Silver. It’s a color that sets the tone for the new Pershing GTX90, a project that debuted at BOOT Düsseldorf and continues the brand’s exploration of the Sport Utility Yacht concept. The design is a collaboration between the Ferretti Group’s Engineering Department and the studio Vallicelli Design, built at the Ferretti Group Plug and Mould facility. The exterior profile is defined by a near vertical bow and a continuous, convex sheer-line. These elements give the yacht a sleek silhouette, but the core idea behind the GTX90 is volume. It's an exercise in maximizing usable space without compromising the performance DNA Pershing is known for. This philosophy is most apparent on the main deck. At the stern, two side terraces open outwards, expanding the beam at the cockpit to create a single area with a total surface of 37 square meters. A garage is integrated into this space, designed to hold a tender and a jet ski. It’s a functional solution that transforms the entire aft section of the yacht into a waterside platform. Above, the sportsbridge covers an area of 33 square meters, a surface 43% larger than the average for boats in this class. The space is organized into three distinct zones. A sunbathing area sits at the stern, a dining space is positioned amidships under a hard top, and the central helm station is located forward. The main salon is accessed through a wide five-panel door, with four panels that open to create a continuous flow between the interior and the cockpit. Inside, the widebody superstructure allows for generous living spaces. A show kitchen with a bar counter is located aft on the port side, opposite a formal dining table. The central lounge area is furnished with a large L-shaped sofa, which can be specified as two separate couches. Below deck, the layout is optimized for four cabins, each with an en suite bathroom. The full-beam master suite is situated amidships, with the VIP cabin in the bow. The remaining accommodations include one guest cabin with a double bed and another with two singles. Power comes from two MAN V12 2200 engines, each producing 2,200 horsepower. Paired with two Castoldi TurboDrive 600 HCT waterjets, the propulsion system gives the GTX90 a projected top speed of 35 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots. The yacht can also be fitted with two Seakeeper NG18 gyroscopic stabilizers and will have CE Class A certification for operation in challenging sea conditions. Forward on the main deck, the helm station is fitted with three pilot seats and provides dual access to the side walkways, connecting the crew directly to the foredeck. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pershing-redefines-space-with-the-new-gtx90 — Citation: "Pershing Redefines Space with the New GTX90" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-25. https://menwith.com/pershing-redefines-space-with-the-new-gtx90 --- ## Porsche Moves the 911 into Its Customer Racing Future - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-moves-the-911-into-its-customer-racing-future - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-25 - Tags: Porsche **Summary:** Porsche introduces the 911 GT4 R, its first 911-based GT4 racer, featuring natural-fibre composites and a GT3-derived engine. This strategic move expands their customer motorsport offerings into a higher performance bracket. The doors, engine cover, and aerodynamic parts of the new Porsche 911 GT4 R are made from a natural-fibre-reinforced plastic. It is one of the first details to emerge about the car, a technical choice that sets a clear tone for the project. This is the first time Porsche has based a car for the global GT4 racing category on its 911 platform. The move expands the company's customer motorsport portfolio into a higher performance bracket, building on the technical foundation of the current 911 Cup car. For years, the 718 Cayman has been the brand's GT4 workhorse. This marks a significant shift. According to Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, the decision reflects a change in the sport itself. “GT4 has evolved from an entry-level segment into a highly competitive, globally relevant racing platform,” he says. The introduction of a 911-based car is a direct response to that evolution. The Mechanical Details The car is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine derived from the road-legal 911 GT3. In the racing version, it can produce up to 382 kW (520 PS) and 470 Newton metres of torque. However, GT4 regulations require a Balance of Performance (BoP) classification. The 911 GT4 R will be delivered from the factory with 53.7 millimetre air flow restrictors, which limit power to 316 kW (430 PS). Power is managed by a sequential six-speed dog-gearbox with paddle shifters. The chassis also differs from its 911 Cup sibling to meet regulations. The wheels are an inch narrower and use a five-hole pattern, standard on production models. Teams will have further setup options through dual-adjustable dampers and three selectable spring rates. A Calculated Porsche Strategy Since entering the GT4 category in 2016, Porsche has produced more than 1,500 customer racing cars based on the Cayman. The new 911 GT4 R is designed to build on that success, not replace it. “The new 911 GT4 R complements the existing Cayman range and offers ambitious teams another high-performance option,” explains Michael Dreiser, Director of Sales for Porsche Motorsport. The car adopts key body structures and aerodynamic optimisations from the 911 Cup program. The large rear wing is manually adjustable to eleven positions, and the cockpit is focused on the driver, with a 10.3-inch colour display, integrated data logger, and GPS system for performance analysis. Matthias Scholz, Director of GT Racing Cars, notes that the new car benefits directly from the development work already completed for the 911 Cup. “The 911 embodies Porsche’s motorsport DNA like no other car,” he says. “Transferring this to a GT4 car opens up new possibilities.” The new model will make its racing debut in the 2027 motorsport season, offering customer teams a direct link to the brand’s most iconic model. As Laudenbach puts it, the goal was to create a “unique offering in the market” by combining the 911's DNA with the proven GT4 concept. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-moves-the-911-into-its-customer-racing-future — Citation: "Porsche Moves the 911 into Its Customer Racing Future" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-25. https://menwith.com/porsche-moves-the-911-into-its-customer-racing-future --- ## A Single Conversation Led to Morgan’s New Midsummer Coupé - URL: https://menwith.com/a-single-conversation-led-to-morgan-s-new-midsummer-coup - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-25 - Tags: Morgan Motor Company **Summary:** A client's request for a fixed-head Morgan Midsummer led to a new coupé model, blending traditional coachbuilding with modern design and engineering. This limited series of nine unique vehicles showcases Morgan's bespoke capabilities. The Morgan Midsummer Coupé began with a single conversation. After the company revealed its Midsummer barchetta in 2024, a client approached the workshop on Pickersleigh Road with an idea. He wanted a fixed-head interpretation of the open-top car. Rather than simply enclose the original design, Morgan’s teams saw an opportunity to create something new, a project that would require its own design language and structural architecture. That initial proposal soon attracted a further eight commissions. The result is a strictly limited series of nine client vehicles, each developed as a unique interpretation of the core concept. The project represents a landmark for the company’s coachbuilding expertise and continues the creative collaboration between Morgan and the Italian design house Pininfarina, who worked together on the original Midsummer. A New Form The addition of a roof fundamentally changed the car’s profile. The fixed-head architecture allowed designers to rethink the vehicle’s proportions, creating a dramatic glazed canopy that flows seamlessly into the rear bodywork. This gives the Coupé a sense of purpose and elegance distinct from the barchetta it evolved from. Exterior details connect the car to its origins while establishing a new identity. Polished stainless-steel lower body panels provide a visual link to the Midsummer barchetta. New forged 19-inch aluminium wheels, Morgan’s most intricate design to date, sit at each corner. A central stainless-steel graphic runs the length of the car, creating a visual thread that ties the exterior to the interior. Wood, Metal, and Light Inside, the expansive glazed roof fills the cabin with natural light. Teak, a defining material of the original Midsummer, is used extensively to create visual continuity. It appears as an inlay on the newly developed aluminium gear selector and on the sun visors. These visors, along with the rear-view mirror, are mounted to a solid aluminium rail that spans the width of the cabin. The window switches are mounted directly within the roof structure. The prototype, known as the artists' proof, features teak throughout, but the nine subsequent commissions will offer clients alternative timber finishes and material combinations. This ensures each car will have its own distinct character, developed in a close creative partnership between Morgan and the owner. Modern Coachbuilding Creating a fixed-head car required significant structural development. The project centers on a new system that incorporates billet-machined aluminium A-pillars and bonded structural glazing. The windscreen and roof glass are bonded directly into the aluminium structure, allowing them to contribute to the vehicle’s overall rigidity. This modern approach works alongside traditional techniques. Each car’s centre body is hand-formed from flat aluminium sheets using an English wheel, with digital scanning and laser measurement systems providing constant reference. The traditional ash body frame remains a structural, load-bearing part of the architecture, a solution that brings aluminium, glass, and wood together. Despite the addition of a fixed roof, the Midsummer Coupé weighs only 2.5% more than a Supersport fitted with a hardtop. Power comes from a BMW 2.0 litre engine, available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The project demonstrates the growing capability of Morgan's special projects programme, which operates alongside its main production line to realize highly individual commissions. After its public debut, the artists' proof will join the Louwman Collection in The Hague, becoming part of one of the world's most significant automobile collections. It serves as the benchmark for the nine bespoke client cars that will follow, each a direct result of that first conversation. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-single-conversation-led-to-morgan-s-new-midsummer-coup — Citation: "A Single Conversation Led to Morgan’s New Midsummer Coupé" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-25. https://menwith.com/a-single-conversation-led-to-morgan-s-new-midsummer-coup --- ## Louis Vuitton Rides a New Wave in Paris - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-rides-a-new-wave-in-paris - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-06-24 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Louis Vuitton's SS27 men's collection merges dandyism with surfer style, featuring tailored pieces and technical wetsuits inspired by the sea. Pharrell Williams introduces the "dandy-surfer" archetype, blending precision with performance. Under the Paris sky, a set of towering waves formed the backdrop for the latest Louis Vuitton men’s show. For the Spring-Summer 2027 collection, the house explored the intersection of the sea and the shore, presenting a wardrobe built around an unlikely fusion of sensibilities. The vision comes from Creative Director Pharrell Williams, who proposes a new archetype: the dandy-surfer. It is a character defined by travel, performance, and a specific kind of savoir-faire. The collection aims to capture the serene rhythm of riding a wave, translating that energy into a form of unconventional elegance. Precision Meets Performance The collection’s narrative unfolds in the dialogue between sharply different clothing traditions. Precise tailoring shares the runway with monogrammed technical wetsuits. The rolling waves of the set lend their hues of blue and green to the palette, while textures give the impression of being weathered by sun and sea spray. Details draw directly from the coastline. Embroidered beads and shells appear on garments, recalling treasures found on the beach. Supple bags are designed to catch the eye, and a jacket crafted from patches serves as a record of surfing spots visited around the world. The surfboard itself is positioned as the ultimate summer accessory, carried alongside the collection’s other pieces. One standout item is a dazzling trunk that evokes the colors of a sunset over the ocean, reinforcing the theme of an endless summer. A New Lexicon Graphic elements fuse the lexicons of surf culture and skateboarding. Acid colors appear alongside checkerboard motifs. Stripes are used to play with the line of the horizon. The styling completes the look, with fluid pants paired with canvas sneakers for stepping lightly in the sand. Baseball caps and hoodies are worn in a way that lets long hair flow free. Beyond the runway, the production incorporated several environmental considerations as part of the LVMH Regeneration 2030 roadmap. Louis Vuitton is supporting Coral Gardeners to advance reef restoration in French Polynesia. The water used for the show’s wave effects was sourced from Eaux de Paris and returned to the sewer system through a closed circuit. The sand from the set will be donated to the beach volleyball courts at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, connecting the show’s unifying symbol of the wave back to the city itself. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-rides-a-new-wave-in-paris — Citation: "Louis Vuitton Rides a New Wave in Paris" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-24. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-rides-a-new-wave-in-paris --- ## Loro Piana's Chairman on Deck - URL: https://menwith.com/the-chairman-on-deck - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-24 - Tags: Loro-Piana **Summary:** Loro Piana's Deputy Chairman, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, competes in the Giraglia Regatta, embodying the brand's deep-rooted connection to sailing. The event highlights tradition, performance, and community on the Mediterranean. From Saint-Tropez, the course runs 241 nautical miles. More than 200 yachts, crewed by both amateurs and professionals from around the world, will make the offshore journey to Genoa. The pivotal point of the race, as it has been for 73 editions, is the Giraglia rock, a rugged outcrop off the northern tip of Corsica. This is the Giraglia Regatta, one of the Mediterranean’s most storied sailing events. For 2026, Loro Piana has taken the role of Title Sponsor, a move that aligns with the Maison’s decades-long connection to the sport. On the docks of Saint-Tropez, the brand’s presence is clear, with elegant lounges and a race village overlooking the port for owners and crews to gather. The real story, however, is found on the water. Pier Luigi Loro Piana, the Deputy Chairman of the Maison, is not just an observer. He is a competitor, once again racing aboard his yacht, My Song. His participation transforms the sponsorship from a corporate gesture into a personal one. A Tradition Made Real The company, now part of LVMH, often speaks of a family tradition embedded in its DNA. At the Giraglia, that tradition is being actively carried on. Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s presence on the race roster demonstrates a direct link between the brand’s leadership and the world it chooses to support. The values of performance and fair play are not just celebrated, but practiced by the family whose name is on the sail. The regatta week begins with four days of inshore races in the Bay of Saint-Tropez. This series of shorter competitions brings an international community of sailors together before the main event, the long-distance race to Genoa. It is a gathering of a specific tribe, one that Loro Piana has long been a part of. More Than a Lounge The Loro Piana Giraglia Lounge and Race Village are described as convivial spaces. With the brand’s own Deputy Chairman participating as a peer among the other boat owners and crews, these areas become more than just hospitality. They are a natural extension of the community itself. The Maison’s support for the regatta is an affirmation of its history. By sponsoring one of the Mediterranean’s most significant races, Loro Piana is reinforcing a connection that has been nurtured for decades. The passing on of unique savoir-faire, a value the brand champions, finds a clear expression here, on the decks of over 200 yachts making their way across the sea. And somewhere among them is My Song, with the family legacy not just on its sail, but at its helm. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-chairman-on-deck — Citation: "Loro Piana's Chairman on Deck" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-24. https://menwith.com/the-chairman-on-deck --- ## Bentley Adopts a New Rhythm With The Mulliner Bespoke Series - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-adopts-a-new-rhythm-with-the-mulliner-bespoke-series - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-23 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's Mulliner division launches 'The Bespoke Series,' a new annual collection for the Continental GT S. The first series features unique colour palettes and interior details, limited to 100 units. A small colour swatch sits on the centre console, showing all six available bespoke colours. It is a quiet detail, one of several that defines a new annual programme from Mulliner, the bespoke and coachbuilding division of Bentley. The initiative, called ‘The Bespoke Series’, is structured to reflect the seasonal cadence of a luxury fashion house. Each year, a new collection will be released. The process begins in the Bentley Design Studio, where designers forecast colour and material trends. These ideas are then brought to life at the company's Dream Factory in Crewe, England. The first series is limited to 100 numbered examples worldwide, available exclusively for the Continental GT S and its Convertible counterpart. All 100 cars share a distinct visual signature. A painted stripe in Beluga and Pearl Effect runs the length of the body. The cars are fitted with black painted 22-inch sports wheels featuring Mulliner self-levelling wheel badges. The S model’s Blackline specification darkens the grille and air intakes, which are complemented by gloss black mirror caps. ### Inside The First Collection The interior specification includes the Bentley Rotating Display, comfort seats, and mood lighting. Each car is individually identified with series numbering on the fascia and treadplates. A bespoke perforation pattern is applied to the seat uppers, doors, and rear quarters, while dark tinted chrome details appear throughout the cabin. 'By Mulliner' tags are fixed to the seats. The upholstery uses a Mulliner triple colour split. A bespoke accent colour, chosen from the six new exterior finishes, is paired with a Jet Black main hide and a Beluga secondary hide. The Design Studio made a conscious decision to use dark contrasting tones so that the chosen shade would stand out. ### A Palette of Six Finishes Six new exterior finishes define the collection, each one developed in-house. They combine deep pearlescent and subtle Chromaflair effects. For a car finished in the shimmering Salerno Blue, the colour continues inside as an accent on the seats, the embroidered Bentley emblem headrests, the steering wheel’s six o’clock marker, and the gearlever. The fascia and waistrails are executed in a dual-finish veneer of Salerno Blue over Beluga, separated by a dark chrome pinstripe. Another option, the extrovert Manuka Orange, is likewise carried into the cockpit as an accent hide. The same dual-finish veneer approach is used, with Manuka Orange over Satin Beluga. The other four new colours available are Snow Quartz, Midnight Prism Pearlescent, Spectral Green, and Bright Ruby Red. Each is paired with its own interior accent hide and corresponding veneer finish. A bespoke, fitted car cover is presented with each vehicle, made to follow the exact contours of the car beneath. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-adopts-a-new-rhythm-with-the-mulliner-bespoke-series — Citation: "Bentley Adopts a New Rhythm With The Mulliner Bespoke Series" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-23. https://menwith.com/bentley-adopts-a-new-rhythm-with-the-mulliner-bespoke-series --- ## TAG Heuer and TaylorMade Map the Course - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-and-taylormade-map-the-course - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-23 - Tags: Tag Heuer **Summary:** TAG Heuer partners with TaylorMade for a golf-centric smartwatch and putter. The Connected Calibre E5 tracks shots, analyzes performance, and offers golf-specific metrics, enhancing the player's game. The case of the new TAG Heuer Connected is made from grade 2 titanium, brushed and sandblasted. For the first time in the Calibre E5 collection, it appears without a black DLC coating, bringing its finish closer to the natural tones of a golf club. This is the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition, a watch shaped by the realities of the course. Launched from New York on June 22, 2026, the timepiece is the center of a collaboration between the Swiss watchmaker and golf equipment manufacturer TaylorMade. The collection also includes a Spider ZT x TAG Heuer putter and a full suite of co-branded accessories, from a duffle bag to golf gloves. Reading the Round The watch is powered by TAG Heuer OS, which uses advanced algorithms to automatically register every shot and its position without player interaction. This allows golfers to remain focused on their game. The data is then processed through TaylorMade’s performance analysis to deliver a strokes gained metric, a structured measurement that compares each round to a defined baseline. This analysis reveals where strokes are gained or lost, identifying which parts of the game require attention. Golf-focused complications keep key metrics visible, including longest drive, best score, and total birdies for the year. The AMOLED touchscreen with sapphire glass is supported by a battery offering up to 12 hours of dedicated golf tracking and fast charging that provides a full day of use in 30 minutes. The collaboration extends to the Spider ZT x TAG Heuer putter. It features a TAG Heuer logo sightline and topographic textures drawn from the watch face. The putter arrives with a premium co-branded headcover and a duo-logoed ball marker. Every detail is meant to shape how the game is experienced and understood. Each round leaves a trace, turning instinct into a readable pattern. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-and-taylormade-map-the-course — Citation: "TAG Heuer and TaylorMade Map the Course" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-23. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-and-taylormade-map-the-course --- ## The Trophy Not Even Champions Keep - URL: https://menwith.com/the-trophy-not-even-champions-keep - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-23 - Tags: Wimbledon, Gentlemen's Singles Challenge Cup, Roger Federer, Jannik Sinner, Rolex, Venus Rosewater Dish, Stefan Edberg **Summary:** Wimbledon champions don't keep the original trophy; they receive a replica. The original, engraved with all winners, symbolizes joining a lineage rather than outright ownership, mirroring the enduring value of fine timepieces. The engravers do not wait for the celebration to end. The second the final point lands on Centre Court, a small team begins engraving the new name. The work is finished within minutes, often before the champion has left the court. It is one of those quiet details that tells you what Wimbledon actually values: the record matters more than the moment, and the moment is shorter than you think. Because the champion does not keep the cup. He never has. The Gentlemen's Singles Challenge Cup was first presented in 1887, and it was built from the start so that no one could own it. The two trophies before it had both been won outright and carried home (William Renshaw kept one after winning three years running, then kept the next), so the All England Club made a third that could never be taken. The winner holds it on court, brings it to the champions' dinner that night, and then hands it back. What he takes home is a three-quarter-size replica. The original is polished once a year and spends the rest of its life behind glass in the Wimbledon museum. Sit with that, because it is the most interesting thing about the most famous prize in tennis. You spend a life chasing a cup, and the reward for catching it is one evening of holding it before you give it back. Every champion since 1877 is engraved on that trophy. The names ran out of room on the cup itself by 2009, and new winners are now cut into a black plinth at the base, but the principle has not changed in almost a century and a half. You do not win an object. You join a line of people, and you become its newest custodian until the next one arrives. You can read the whole evolution of the men's game in that line. Stefan Edberg is on it twice, for 1988 and 1990, from an era when the way to win Wimbledon was to follow your serve to the net and end the point in three strokes. Serve and volley was a craft, and it was the right craft for grass. It has almost entirely vanished from the modern game, which is worth remembering whenever people talk about progress in sport as if it only ever adds and never takes anything away. Roger Federer is on it eight times, more than any man in history. He is the bridge between the old game and the new one, the player who kept the artistry of the net era alive inside a baseline age. He became a Rolex testimonee in 2001, nearly a quarter of a century ago, and for the better part of two decades the sight of Federer holding silver at Wimbledon did more for the brand than any advertisement could. Jannik Sinner is the newest name, from 2025. He won it with a different game again: precision from the back of the court, margins measured in centimetres, almost no wasted motion. When he lifted the cup he was wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in Everose gold with a Sundust dial, which the watch world noted at once and has not stopped discussing since. Three men, three eras, one surface, one cup. None of them owns it. It works the same way on the other side of the draw. When Iga Świątek won her first Wimbledon in 2025, she lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish, a silver salver modelled on a Renaissance basin and made by the same Birmingham firm that built the men's cup. She does not keep that one either: the original stays at the club, the champion leaves with a replica, and her name joins the long line of women who held the dish for a year and handed it back. There is a watchmaker at the centre of this, and it is not an accident. Rolex has kept official time at Wimbledon since 1978, and the names of its tennis testimonees are engraved on these trophies too: Björn Borg, Rod Laver, Federer. The relationship is older than most of the players in the draw this fortnight. But the more interesting connection is not the sponsorship. It is the idea underneath it. A serious watch runs on the same logic as that cup. You do not really own a great timepiece. You service it, you wear it, you keep it running, and at some point you pass it to whoever comes after you, ideally still keeping perfect time. The value was never in possession. It was in being trusted to look after something for a while, and in handing it on in better shape than you were strictly required to. That is the quiet lesson sitting on top of Centre Court every July, under a small gold pineapple that nobody has ever fully explained. The champions understand it without being told. They lift the cup, they hold it for one night, and they give it back. The name stays. The object moves on. Everything worth inheriting works this way. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-trophy-not-even-champions-keep — Citation: "The Trophy Not Even Champions Keep" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-23. https://menwith.com/the-trophy-not-even-champions-keep --- ## A 39-Second Mark for an English Summer - URL: https://menwith.com/a-39-second-mark-for-an-english-summer - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-22 - Tags: Tag Heuer **Summary:** TAG Heuer's new Formula 1 Chronograph honors the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a green dial and a 39-second mark, celebrating a record-setting hillclimb. This limited edition timepiece captures the spirit of British motoring and the iconic event. A small red mark sits at 39 seconds on the dial of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph. It is a reference to a specific moment in time: the 39.08 seconds it took for driver Max Chilton to pilot the McMurtry Spéirling up the Goodwood hillclimb in 2022, setting a record that still stands. This single detail anchors the watch not just to motorsport, but to a very particular piece of English soil. Released to mark the brand's second year as Official Timing Partner of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the watch is a limited run of 500 pieces. Its most prominent feature is its color. The sunray brushed dial and ceramic fixed bezel are rendered in a deep green, a direct nod to the lush West Sussex countryside of the Goodwood Estate and the historical color of British motoring. The Heart of the Festival The festival itself, founded in 1993 by The Duke of Richmond, is centered around that hillclimb. The course runs for 1.86 kilometers, rising nearly 100 meters over an average gradient of almost 5%. For the 2026 event, which runs from July 9th to 12th, the theme is "The Rivals - Epic Racing Duels," a fitting context for an official timekeeper like TAG Heuer. Rob Diver, the Managing Director for TAG Heuer in the UK and Ireland, frames the partnership as a union of shared passions. "Returning for our second year... is an opportunity to celebrate the spirit, creativity and momentum that make Goodwood such an extraordinary global moment," he noted. That spirit, he added, is embodied in the new timepiece. A Collector's Piece Beyond the green dial and red accents on the second hand and pushers, the watch is built for function. Three silver "azurage" counters track the chronograph functions, while rhodium-plated indexes and hands filled with white Super-LumiNova ensure legibility. The watch is water resistant to 200 meters. The case back is engraved with the Goodwood Festival of Speed logo and the inscriptions "GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED SPECIAL EDITION” and "ONE OF 500," confirming its status as a collector's item tied to this year's event. The Duke of Richmond himself commented on the collaboration. "It's wonderful to see how the hillclimb at the heart of the Festival has inspired a brand with such rich motor racing heritage," he said, acknowledging the watch's direct connection to his family's estate. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-39-second-mark-for-an-english-summer — Citation: "A 39-Second Mark for an English Summer" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-22. https://menwith.com/a-39-second-mark-for-an-english-summer --- ## A Private Archive Inside the New Rolls-Royce Ghost - URL: https://menwith.com/a-private-archive-inside-the-new-rolls-royce-ghost - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-22 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** A bespoke Rolls-Royce Ghost Tourist Trophy commission honors Charles Rolls' 1906 Isle of Man victory with subtle design cues and embedded race details, creating a private archive on wheels. One pint and one ounce of fuel. That was all that remained in the tank of the Light 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce after four hours, six minutes, and 0.06 seconds of racing. The year was 1906, and at the wheel was Charles Rolls, with his riding mechanic Eric Platford. Their victory at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was a matter of precision as much as pace, a win defined by what was held in reserve. Some 120 years later, Rolls-Royce has returned to the Isle of Man with a car built to honor that moment. The Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy is a bespoke commission presented on the island where its story began. It takes its inspiration from that 1906 race, an event that tested endurance and mechanical sympathy over four laps of a demanding 40.38-mile course. Rolls started in fourth position and was leading by the end of the first lap. He finished with a 10-minute advantage, a testament to calculated risk and careful fuel management. John Beckley, the brand’s Regional Director, notes that the victory was “a test of judgement, nerve and faith in a finely prepared motor car.” The Colour of Victory The new Ghost commission reflects the original race car in quiet gestures. The exterior is finished in Dark Emerald, a direct reference to the green hue of the 1906 Light 20 H.P. A single Tan Coachline cuts across the paintwork, accompanied by a hand-painted motif of the number 4 in Arctic White, marking Rolls’ starting position. Inside, the story becomes more personal. The cabin uses a palette of Black and Tan leather, with Black Badge Technical Fibre and Mocassin lambswool. It’s here that the car reveals itself as a kind of private archive, embedding the details of the race directly into the design. An Archive on Wheels The rear Waterfall between the seats carries an embroidered outline of the Isle of Man Short Highroads Course. More details are concealed within the central ‘eyeball’ air vents. Engravings record the original car's registration (AX157) and chassis number (26350B). The race date, 27.09.1906, is there, too. So are the start and finish line coordinates: 54˚09’27.1” N 4°29’ 54.7” W. The chassis number appears again on the illuminated treadplates of all four doors. Alistair Barkley, a designer at Rolls-Royce, describes Charles Rolls as a “high-voltage Edwardian: experimental, audacious and moving faster than the world around him.” He adds that this Black Badge Ghost “carries that spirit with restraint.” Every detail is rooted in the history of the race, but the car itself remains contemporary and controlled. It is a car built around a collection of small, specific facts. A chassis number, a set of coordinates, and the memory of a race won not by brute force, but by discipline. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-private-archive-inside-the-new-rolls-royce-ghost — Citation: "A Private Archive Inside the New Rolls-Royce Ghost" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-22. https://menwith.com/a-private-archive-inside-the-new-rolls-royce-ghost --- ## Bentley Looks Back to Move the Flying Spur Forward - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-looks-back-to-move-the-flying-spur-forward - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-21 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's new Flying Spur blends retro single headlamps with modern design, introducing the powerful S model and bespoke Mulliner audio. For the first time since 1962, a Bentley sedan wears single front headlamps. The latest generation Flying Spur arrives with this clear nod to the past, part of a broader design update that aligns the four-door with the fourth-generation Continental GT family. The change is one of several surface enhancements to the front, sides, and rear of the car. The design team in Crewe integrated the radiator grille into the front bumper and removed the wing vent detail, leaving a smooth, clean front wing. Badging now sits behind the front wheel. At the rear, a new boot lid features more flowing surfaces, complemented by new rear lamps and a body-coloured number plate surround. New 22-inch wheel finishes are available as options on both Azure and S models. A new exterior paint, Dark Teal, joins the palette. The color is a mid-blue metallic with green undertones, designed to give the form language a graceful depth. Production of the new Flying Spur is scheduled to begin in Crewe this September, with the first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Return of S The new generation also marks the return of the Flying Spur S. This model is the most powerful version to carry the S badge, equipped with a High-Performance Hybrid powertrain delivering 680 PS and 930 Nm of torque. That represents a power increase of 130 PS over the previous generation S model. The performance figures are direct. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and continues to a top speed of 191 mph. This powertrain is paired with Bentley’s Performance Active Chassis, a setup that includes Active All-Wheel Drive, twin-valve dampers, and the 48V Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system. For the first time on a Flying Spur S, an electronic limited-slip differential is included. The S model’s character is defined by its visual details. The Blackline Specification is standard, adding a dark front lower bumper and gloss black matrix grilles. Black Bentley wings and lettering, Beluga black mirror caps, and dark-tinted full LED matrix headlamps complete the look. The rear features dark-tinted taillamps and tailpipe finishers for the sports exhaust. Craftsmanship and Sound Inside, the new Flying Spur offers five distinct seat styles, each requiring 12 hours of handcraftsmanship. Bentley’s trim specialists use either fluted or advanced quilted inserts. The Virtuoso Collection by Mulliner is also now available for the Flying Spur, offering a series of vehicles in three curated themes: Soprano, Tenor, and Bass. These models feature Champagne Gold detailing on the exterior badges and exhaust finishers, as well as throughout the interior, including on a specially edged key. The collection’s main feature is the Naim for Mulliner audio system, an option originally created for the coachbuilt Batur at a cost of £25,000, excluding taxes. Developed over a 15-year partnership with Naim, the system uses twenty-one speakers derived from Focal’s Grand Utopia speakers. The mid-range and tweeter drivers feature patented 'M'-profile cones made from a single piece, a design intended to provide rigidity, lightness, and damping for a linear frequency response with low distortion. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-looks-back-to-move-the-flying-spur-forward — Citation: "Bentley Looks Back to Move the Flying Spur Forward" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-21. https://menwith.com/bentley-looks-back-to-move-the-flying-spur-forward --- ## Henry Cavill's 1926 Longines at the Royal Ascot - URL: https://menwith.com/henry-cavill-s-1926-longines-at-the-royal-ascot - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-21 - Tags: Longines **Summary:** Henry Cavill sported a 1926 Longines chronograph at Royal Ascot, showcasing the brand's heritage and evolution. The event also highlighted the refined Longines Master Collection, blending tradition with modern appeal. At Royal Ascot this week, Henry Cavill wore a watch from 1926. This was not a prop. It was a vintage Longines monopusher chronograph, powered by the brand’s first wrist chronograph movement, the calibre 13.33Z. In a sea of modern timepieces, the choice was specific and revealing. It tells you much of what you need to know about how Longines sees itself, and its place in the world. The setting, of course, was deliberate. Royal Ascot is an institution built on heritage. Longines has been the Official Partner since 2007, a relationship that goes deeper than logos on a banner. The brand provides the event’s satellite-based tracking system, a technical partnership that speaks to a shared commitment to performance. It is a modern collaboration rooted in a long history with equestrian sport, one that began for the watchmaker back in 1878. Cavill, the brand’s Ambassador of Elegance, was joined by Friend of the Brand Sara Ali Khan, an actress with significant influence in fashion and youth culture. Together, they presented the award for the Royal Hunt Cup. The pairing is calculated. It bridges geographies and generations, connecting a deep European heritage with a contemporary global audience. It’s a move that acknowledges the present without disowning the past. An Evolved Collection This same logic of careful calibration is apparent in the watches presented at the event. Longines used the occasion to showcase its redesigned Master Collection. The line, first introduced in 2005, has been refined rather than revolutionized. The changes are subtle, focused on improving the details. Cases, bezels, and bracelets have been updated for a more contemporary feel, but the core identity remains. The collection offers a considered range of options. Sizes from 30mm to 41mm are available for men and women. The dials feature the signature barleycorn pattern, alongside mother-of-pearl and silver-toned variations. Powering the watches are exclusive automatic movements, the L592.5 and L888.5, both fitted with silicon balance-springs for improved precision and durability. These are practical, meaningful upgrades that serve the wearer, not just the marketing department. The Longines Method Some of the larger 41mm models even feature Eastern Arabic numerals, a detail that shows an awareness of a global clientele. It’s another small, thoughtful decision in a strategy built on them. The vintage watch on Cavill’s wrist and the new collection on display are not two different stories. They are two parts of the same one. Many brands struggle with their history. They are either trapped by it, endlessly reproducing past glories, or they run from it, chasing trends in a desperate bid for relevance. Longines appears to be doing something else entirely. It is simply continuing its work. The presence at Ascot, the choice of ambassadors, and the evolution of its core collection all point to a brand that understands its own timeline. It operates with a precision that is, fittingly, its own legacy. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/henry-cavill-s-1926-longines-at-the-royal-ascot — Citation: "Henry Cavill's 1926 Longines at the Royal Ascot" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-21. https://menwith.com/henry-cavill-s-1926-longines-at-the-royal-ascot --- ## Mercedes-Benz VLE 2027 Redefines Luxury Travel - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-vle-2027-redefines-luxury-travel - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-21 - Tags: Mercedes-Benz VLE, Electric Vehicle, Luxury Travel, V Class, Electric Van, Premium Mobility, Stuttgart to Rome **Summary:** Mercedes-Benz VLE 2027 redefines luxury travel with an electric lounge-like cabin, prioritizing space and comfort for long-distance journeys. Its electric platform enables over 1000km range, challenging traditional luxury vehicle perceptions. The future of luxury travel may not arrive in the shape of a sedan or SUV. Instead, Mercedes-Benz believes it could come in the form of the all new VLE, an electric vehicle designed to combine long distance comfort, advanced technology, and the spaciousness of a modern lounge. Positioned as part of Mercedes-Benz’s next generation van architecture, the VLE represents a significant shift in how the brand views premium mobility. While it shares its roots with the traditional V Class, the new model moves decisively upmarket, targeting customers who value comfort, flexibility, and exclusivity over conventional automotive categories. A New Vision of Luxury Luxury has evolved. For many buyers, space has become the ultimate luxury feature. The VLE embraces this philosophy with a cabin designed around passenger experience rather than simply transportation. Early previews reveal a sleek exterior with clean surfacing, aerodynamic proportions, and a more sophisticated presence than previous generations. Inside, Mercedes-Benz promises a highly digital environment featuring next generation infotainment systems, premium materials, and configurable seating layouts designed for both business and leisure travel. Whether serving as a chauffeur driven executive shuttle, a family grand tourer, or a luxury airport transfer vehicle, the VLE aims to deliver first class comfort in every seat. Electric Touring Without Compromise The VLE is built on Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated electric van platform, allowing for improved efficiency, longer range, and greater interior packaging. One of the most impressive demonstrations of its capabilities came during development testing, where Mercedes-Benz completed a journey of more than 1,000 kilometers from Stuttgart to Rome with only two charging stops. The route included highways, mountain roads, and dense urban environments, highlighting the vehicle’s ability to handle real world long distance travel. For luxury customers accustomed to covering significant distances, that level of practicality could prove just as important as the technology onboard. More Than a Van Perhaps the biggest challenge for the VLE is changing perceptions. In many markets, luxury has traditionally been associated with sedans and large SUVs. Mercedes-Benz believes there is room for something different. The VLE feels less like a van and more like a private lounge on wheels. It prioritizes comfort, space, and serenity in a way few traditional luxury vehicles can match. As electric mobility continues to mature, vehicles like the VLE may create an entirely new segment between executive transportation and luxury touring. Our Perspective We often associate automotive luxury with grand tourers, performance sedans, and ultra luxury SUVs. The Mercedes-Benz VLE challenges that thinking. If Mercedes-Benz delivers on its promises, the VLE could become one of the most desirable ways to travel long distances. Not because it is the fastest vehicle on the road, but because it may be the most comfortable. In a world where luxury increasingly means having more space, more time, and less stress, the VLE might be exactly what modern luxury buyers have been waiting for. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-vle-2027-redefines-luxury-travel — Citation: "Mercedes-Benz VLE 2027 Redefines Luxury Travel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-21. https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-vle-2027-redefines-luxury-travel --- ## The Craft That Nearly Vanished - URL: https://menwith.com/the-craft-that-nearly-vanished - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-20 - Tags: Laurent Ferrier **Summary:** Laurent Ferrier revives a nearly lost watch hand stamping technique for their Assegai hands, bringing depth and light interaction back to watchmaking. This revival was driven by a specialized approach, trust, and a dedicated machinist. Historically, watch hands were genuinely stamped. This gave them varying heights along their length, creating a three-dimensional form that modern techniques often lose. The process imbued them with depth and character, a quality that allowed them to interact with light in a way that flat, diamond-cut hands cannot. The Assegai hands from Laurent Ferrier are a direct link to this past. Named for the slender African spear, their elongated and refined silhouette was designed to match the applied indexes and gold numerals on the dial. The inspiration came from the pocket watches of the last century, seeking a visual coherence that required reviving a forgotten method. A Nearly Lost Technique To achieve this specific kind of depth, the workshops turned to Fiedler SA. The manufacturer was one of the few that still possessed the traditional expertise to give a watch hand a complex architecture, one capable of capturing and reflecting light with unusual intensity. But the knowledge was dormant. When Laurent Ferrier presented the project to Fiedler in 2009, the world was in a global financial crisis. The timing was difficult, and the news was worse. The specific type of manufacturing needed to create the Assegai hands had virtually disappeared from Fiedler’s workshops. The Human Element The revival of the craft did not come from a massive investment or a new technology. It was made possible by three specific factors. First, the modest annual production of Laurent Ferrier allowed for a highly specialized, small-batch approach that a larger brand could not entertain. The second was a deep relationship of trust, built over time with the manufacturer’s leadership, Mr. Chillier and his daughter, Isabelle. This personal connection provided the foundation for an unconventional request. The final element was the dedication of a single master machinist within Fiedler. His personal passion for the craft drove him to accept the challenge of bringing the old technique back to life. Without him, the project would have ended. Today, every set of Assegai hands is crafted from solid 18-carat gold. They receive specific treatments to achieve their distinct colors. The black hands are finished with a sleek ruthenium coating, while the white hands are delicately painted to create a flawless hue. Each one is a testament to a pursuit that balances tradition and modernity, made possible by a few people who refused to let a craft disappear. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-craft-that-nearly-vanished — Citation: "The Craft That Nearly Vanished" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-20. https://menwith.com/the-craft-that-nearly-vanished --- ## With Morgan Maillard: The Heritage of Vacheron Constantin - URL: https://menwith.com/with-morgan-maillard-the-heritage-of-vacheron-constantin - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-19 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Morgan Maillard, Overseas Ultra-Thin, Overseas Dual Time, Calibre 2550, Watches & Wonders 2026, Maltese cross **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's Overseas line, celebrating 30 years, introduces new ultra-thin and dual-time models. Style & Heritage Expert Morgan Maillard emphasizes the blend of design and technique, highlighting the collection's evolution and versatility. The Overseas is the watch Vacheron Constantin built to be worn everywhere. Born in 1996 and reshaped in 2016, it is the Maison's sports-luxury line: water-resistant, built around an interchangeable bracelet and straps, finished to the same standard as the rest of the house, and the Vacheron Constantin most people actually wear day to day. It turns thirty this year, and Watches & Wonders 2026 marked the moment with two new models that, at first glance, sit at opposite ends of what the collection can be, but in fact share much of the same DNA. Our guide to both is Morgan Maillard, the Maison's Style and Heritage Expert, who came to the role through the bench and still thinks like the watchmaker he trained to be. "For Vacheron Constantin, something is really important: we never compromise between design and technique. Both always go together," he says, a principle that runs through the whole Overseas line, where the engineering and the wearing are never far apart. A watch built to be worn The Overseas has always defined Vacheron Constantin's sportier, more versatile side, the counterpoint to the dress registers of the Patrimony and Traditionnelle. Its bezel carries the form of the Maltese cross, the Maison's emblem, and every model is built around a quick-change system that lets an owner swap between the integrated bracelet, rubber and leather in seconds, without tools. Maillard traces the line part by part. "The first bracelet was square. Then came the Maltese cross, which we still keep. Between the second and third generation you could change the strap, but you needed screws and to remove the bar. Now it's quick." What stayed fixed mattered as much: the screwed crown, the water resistance, the bezel. The proportions moved with taste. "The first one, in 'ninety-six, was thirty-seven millimetres, a big size then. Today that would be too small for most clients." Through all of it, he says, the watch stays recognisable. "Straight away on the wrist, it's an Overseas. But there's a small evolution all the time." What it offers is range on a single, familiar canvas, from time-and-date through dual-time travellers and chronographs up to ultra-thin perpetual calendars and tourbillons. The headline: seven years for 2.4 millimetres The first of this year's novelties is the Overseas Self-Winding Ultra-Thin, a 39.5mm platinum watch with a salmon dial and, at 7.35mm, the thinnest Overseas the Maison has made. It is limited to 255 pieces, a nod to the new movement inside it, the Calibre 2550, seven years in the making. Maillard is careful about what it was not. "This movement is not made to be a record breaker. We've shown we can do a world record. But we wanted a new experience of ultra-thin, where you're not afraid to use it. People always say an ultra-thin has to be delicate, that the power reserve is a day, maybe two. Now you have eighty hours. Leave it over the weekend, come back Monday like nothing changed." Eighty hours inside 2.4mm meant a part Vacheron Constantin had never built. He frames it as a problem to solve. "We wanted a bigger power reserve, and that's the mainspring. If we added a winding system on top, it wouldn't work. We needed a micro-rotor. We never made a micro-rotor. It's not for us, saying Vacheron Constantin never made one. It's for the client." The difficulty, he says, was never one part. "It was the association of everything, at the right place at the right moment. With Vacheron Constantin there's no rush. Quality comes before expectation." The salmon dial is its own quiet piece of continuity. "We had a steel watch with a salmon dial, very rare. Vacheron Constantin always made these in capsule collections, white metal and salmon dial. So we have this combination transmitted generation after generation." Platinum and titanium The Ultra-Thin did not arrive alone. Beside it came the Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points, a travel watch in full titanium offered in four colours, and worn together the pair plays a quiet trick. The platinum watch, for all its thinness, carries real weight; the titanium one all but disappears on the wrist. "It's a strange feeling when you wear both of them at the same time," he says. I had the same reaction handling them at Watches & Wonders; our full impressions here. He resists reading the lighter, more colourful watch as a break from character. "I don't think titanium is about being younger. It's a great material, and it gives you the pleasure of something very light." The precedent, he says, is older than most assume. "In 1938 Vacheron Constantin made a pocket watch in almost full aluminium, for a Canadian aluminium company, for employees after twenty-five years. Case, dial, hands, even the bridges, all aluminium. Nineteen grams. Vacheron Constantin has always been avant-garde with materials. We're just more discreet, so sometimes it's under the radar." From there comes the line that holds the rest together. "We don't follow trends. We listen to clients. A trend is made to go. Style is made to stay." From two hands to perpetual calendar The two novelties bracket the collection, but the middle is where its breadth shows. Last year the line gained two Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin references, one in pink gold with a matching dial and moon phase, the other in white gold with a deep burgundy lacquered dial. At 41.5mm and 8.1mm thick, both carry a self-winding perpetual calendar with moon phase that needs no correction until 2100, and a caseback that reveals a gold rotor engraved with a compass rose, the Overseas reminding you, even here, that it was made to travel. Each comes on a gold bracelet with interchangeable rubber straps, so a grand complication can still be worn to the beach house. That, alongside the dual-time Everest models, the steel chronographs and the tourbillons, is the point Maillard keeps returning to: the Overseas is one design that absorbs almost any horological intent without ceasing to look like itself. Three that feel like ten For all the engineering, what he most enjoys is watching people live with the watches. "What I love is that clients play with the bracelets. Everywhere I go, someone says, 'You see my new bracelet?' or 'You see this combination?'" The effect, he says, is a kind of multiplication. "For them it feels like ten new watches. At the end they maybe have three. I find that exceptional." His favourite version of it happens away from any boutique. "You go on vacation and take six or seven straps. You have an outfit for the whole trip, but you only brought one watch." That, more than any single reference, is what the Overseas is for: a Vacheron Constantin made not to be kept in a safe, but to be worn, swapped, travelled with, and used. Beyond the Overseas As one of the oldest watchmakers in continuous operation, Vacheron Constantin draws on an archive few can rival, and asked to pick a favorite from it, Maillard shares a somewhat lesser known timepiece. "We nicknamed it the Sole, like the sole of a shoe. Made in 1917, right at the start of wristwatches. Massive, wavy, around forty-seven millimetres. Recently some collectors in Paris put it on and said it looked so modern. At one point I'd like to bring it back. And at one point I love that it stays in its time. Sometimes you don't need to recreate something that was great." — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-morgan-maillard-the-heritage-of-vacheron-constantin — Citation: "With Morgan Maillard: The Heritage of Vacheron Constantin" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-19. https://menwith.com/with-morgan-maillard-the-heritage-of-vacheron-constantin --- ## A. Lange & Söhne Arrives in Lisbon With a Nod to Local Craft - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-arrives-in-lisbon-with-a-nod-to-local-craft - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-19 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne opens its 11th European boutique in Lisbon, celebrating local craft with Calçada Portuguesa mosaic floors and showcasing watchmaking artistry. In the reception area of the new A. Lange & Söhne boutique in Lisbon, the floor is a Calçada Portuguesa mosaic. The small stones, arranged by hand in a fan-shaped pattern, are a direct echo of the city’s own pavements. It is a detail that also serves as an allusion to the perlage finish found on the German manufacture’s movement plates and bridges, connecting the space on Avenida da Liberdade to both its immediate surroundings and the watchmaking workshops in Glashütte. This is the eleventh European brand boutique for A. Lange & Söhne, continuing a global expansion that recently saw new locations open in London, Singapore, Shanghai, and Chicago. The Lisbon address, situated on the city’s most distinguished luxury boulevard, occupies 141 square metres across two floors. It is a significant move, establishing a permanent presence in the Portuguese market. An Immersive Space Inside, the boutique is designed for quiet exploration. The space contains five separate consultation areas, including two lounges intended for private presentations. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing for spontaneous visits or scheduled appointments for more detailed discussions. The rooms feature carefully chosen exhibits meant to provide a deeper understanding of the brand. A floor-to-ceiling installation, the “Wall of Parts,” displays over 400 hand-finished individual components from a ZEITWERK mechanical digital watch. The display makes the technical complexity and finishing quality of the timepieces tangible. Elsewhere, oversized exhibits of moon discs reveal design aesthetics that are typically only visible through a watchmaker’s loupe. In the basement, the building’s historic vaulted ceiling has been preserved and integrated into the design. Framed by two brick arches, the area has been converted into an intimate cinema, a unique space for video presentations or exhibitions. A Considered Presence For Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid, the location is a deliberate choice. “With our new Lisbon boutique, we are showing our appreciation for the ever-growing community of collectors on the Iberian Peninsula,” he said. “The Portuguese capital is a city where our watchmaking artistry has been enthusiastically received for many years. It therefore seemed only natural for us to establish a presence here and celebrate the special bond between watch enthusiasts from the region and our watchmakers in Glashütte.” Every detail in the boutique is meant to reflect the aspiration of company founder Walter Lange: to “never stand still.” From the architecture to the educational displays, the space is designed to show how the manufacture works to enrich watchmaking with refined designs and functions. The new A. Lange & Söhne boutique is located at Avenida da Liberdade 215, 1250-143 Lisbon. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-arrives-in-lisbon-with-a-nod-to-local-craft — Citation: "A. Lange & Söhne Arrives in Lisbon With a Nod to Local Craft" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-19. https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-arrives-in-lisbon-with-a-nod-to-local-craft --- ## Porsche 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition Celebrates 75 Years in Britain - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-earls-court-51-edition-celebrates-75-years-in-britain - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-19 - Tags: Porsche 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition, Porsche 356, Earls Court Motor Show, Porsche GB, GT3 Touring, Porsche Design **Summary:** Porsche celebrates 75 years in Britain with the exclusive 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition. Inspired by the 1951 356, it features unique green paint, heritage interior, and manual transmission. Some anniversaries deserve more than a badge and a special plaque. To celebrate 75 years since Porsche first arrived in the United Kingdom, the brand has unveiled the Porsche 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition, a highly exclusive model inspired by the very first Porsche displayed on British soil. The story dates back to 1951, when the Porsche 356 made its British debut at the Earls Court Motor Show in London. That moment marked the beginning of Porsche's relationship with one of its most important markets, and now, 75 years later, the company has created a modern tribute to that historic car. A GT3 For Purists Rather than using a Turbo or GT3 RS as the foundation, Porsche chose the more understated GT3 Touring. The result is a car that prioritizes driving engagement over visual drama. Power comes from the familiar naturally aspirated 4.0 liter flat six, producing 507 horsepower and sending power exclusively to the rear wheels. A six speed manual gearbox is standard, making this one of the purest modern 911s available. Performance remains breathtaking, with 0 to 62 mph achieved in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph. Inspired By A 1951 Porsche 356 The Earls Court 51 Edition wears a bespoke Earls Court Green metallic finish inspired by the original 356 displayed in London in 1951. Silver accents on the mirrors, bonnet stripe, wheels, and exterior details reference the chrome trim found on early Porsche models. Inside, the heritage theme continues with green and beige leather, corduroy inserts, wood trim, and a wooden gear knob for manual-equipped cars. Porsche even added subtle tributes such as Union Flag details on the sun visors and Earls Court branding throughout the cabin. Just 51 Examples The "51" in the name serves a dual purpose. It references the year Porsche first appeared at Earls Court and also the total production run. Just 51 cars will be built, making it one of the most exclusive GT3 variants ever offered by Porsche GB. Each buyer will also receive a matching Porsche Design watch, a weekend bag, and a 1:18 scale model of their car. Prices start at £251,951, nearly £100,000 above a standard GT3 Touring. For enthusiasts, however, this is about far more than exclusivity. The Earls Court 51 Edition is a celebration of Porsche’s history in Britain, wrapped around one of the finest driver's cars currently on sale. More about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-earls-court-51-edition-celebrates-75-years-in-britain — Citation: "Porsche 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition Celebrates 75 Years in Britain" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-19. https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-earls-court-51-edition-celebrates-75-years-in-britain --- ## A Midsummer Dream on the Amalfi Coast - URL: https://menwith.com/a-midsummer-dream-on-the-amalfi-coast - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-06-19 - Tags: Riva **Summary:** Ferretti Group unveiled its largest yacht, the 54-meter flagship, during a "Midsummer Dream" event on the Amalfi Coast. The exclusive gathering celebrated Italian yachting and the "dolce vita" lifestyle for brand owners. As Swedes we know a thing or two about midsummer celebrations. This was different. A drone show illuminated the sky over the Amalfi Coast. The lights formed the shape of a new flagship, revealed during an event Ferretti Group called “Midsummer Dream.” The weekend was held for the brand’s owners against the backdrop of Borgo Santandrea, a five-star resort in Amalfi. The gathering began with a toast to mark the opening of a new Riva Lounge inside the resort. It joins a list of other Riva Destinations situated in well-known Mediterranean locations, intended to offer an experience of the brand’s aesthetic and the idea of a dolce vita lifestyle. The 54-Meter Flagship The centerpiece of the weekend was the majestic Riva 54Metri. At 54 meters, it is the largest yacht the company has ever built. Its presentation was the main event of the evening, following an elegant dinner. The new flagship is constructed entirely from aluminium. It was accompanied by a fleet of other boats representing the various brands within the Ferretti Group portfolio. A Curated Weekend The event was designed to celebrate Italian yachting and hospitality. During dinner, entertainment was provided by a tableau vivant and other artistic performances. Ferretti Group also brought in partners for the occasion. The official automotive partner was Range Rover, which showcased its Range Rover SV Intrepid model. The wine partner for the event was Marchesi Antinori. The evening culminated in a magical Beach White Party. The celebration by the sea was crowned by a breathtaking fireworks display framed against the Mediterranean sky. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-midsummer-dream-on-the-amalfi-coast — Citation: "A Midsummer Dream on the Amalfi Coast" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-19. https://menwith.com/a-midsummer-dream-on-the-amalfi-coast --- ## Mercedes-AMG Rebuilds Its V8 From the Inside Out - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-amg-rebuilds-its-v8-from-the-inside-out - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-18 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes-AMG re-engineers its V8 for longevity with the M177 EVO, featuring internal upgrades and mild-hybrid tech. This ensures performance while meeting global emissions standards. In Affalterbach, every AMG engine is still assembled by a single technician, following the principle of “One man, one engine.” This philosophy now applies to the M177 EVO, a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo that has been fundamentally re-engineered to survive. The first models to receive it are the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ and GLS 63 4MATIC+. The update is more than a facelift. It is a calculated effort to preserve the V8 in an era of tightening global regulations. Michael Schiebe, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG, is direct about the engine’s role. “Our V8 is central to our performance-DNA,” he states. “With the new generation M177 EVO, we have fundamentally revised the unit and secured its presence in our portfolio for the long term.” The M177 EVO Engine The engineering work focused on compliance without compromise. The M177 EVO produces 450 kW (612 PS) and 850 Nm of torque, numbers identical to its predecessor. The key changes are internal. A new flat-plane crankshaft reduces rotating mass for a sharper response. The intake camshaft is modified, the injection system is optimized, and a new exhaust aftertreatment system, including a worldwide standard particle filter, is fitted to meet current emissions standards. This V8 is paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) 2.0 adds a temporary boost of 17 kW (23 PS) and 205 Nm of torque. It also handles energy recuperation and allows for smoother engine restarts, contributing to both performance and efficiency. The result is a GLE 63 S that accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The larger GLS 63 4MATIC+ does the same in 4.2 seconds. Both models are limited to a top speed of 280 km/h. The sound is managed by a new AMG Performance exhaust system with adjustable flaps, allowing the driver to select a sound profile from subtle in “Comfort” mode to a more dynamic character in “Sport+”. Control and Capability Managing this power is a suite of AMG-specific chassis technologies. The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension and adaptive damping continuously adjust to the road. For more aggressive driving, the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL system uses electromechanical stabilizers on both axles to counteract body roll in corners, with sensors analyzing conditions up to 1,000 times per second. Traction is handled by the permanent AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, paired with an electronically controlled rear-axle locking differential. The system intelligently distributes torque to the wheel with the most grip, reducing slip without brake intervention. Drive shafts on both axles were developed specifically to handle the M177 EVO’s output. The system’s versatility extends to off-road use. In the “Trail” driving mode, the suspension raises the vehicle by 55 millimeters. The ride height can also be lifted by 20 millimeters with a button for clearing ramps or poor roads. Conversely, in “Sport” and “Sport+” modes, the body lowers by 10 millimeters to reduce drag and improve stability. According to Schiebe, the goal was an engine that “impresses with its agile response, high performance and pronounced revving ability – while at the same time meeting the increasingly demanding regulations worldwide.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-amg-rebuilds-its-v8-from-the-inside-out — Citation: "Mercedes-AMG Rebuilds Its V8 From the Inside Out" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-18. https://menwith.com/mercedes-amg-rebuilds-its-v8-from-the-inside-out --- ## The Two Souls of the Caribbean - URL: https://menwith.com/the-two-souls-of-the-caribbean - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-06-18 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Caribbean yacht charters offer two distinct experiences: the glamorous Leeward Islands for socialites and the adventurous Windward Islands for explorers. Choose your ideal luxury escape. The first decision in planning a Caribbean yacht charter is a choice between two distinct worlds. The Lesser Antilles are split, defined by the trade winds that have shaped their geography and character for centuries. To the north and west lie the Leeward Islands, a chain known for its vibrant social scene and polished glamour. To the south and east, the Windward Islands offer dramatic volcanic landscapes and a deeper sense of exploration. The Social Stage: The Leeward Islands The Leewards are the Caribbean’s playground. The islands are generally flatter, drier, and set closer together, making for effortless island hopping. This is where French sophistication meets a lively yachting scene, particularly in St Barth. Days here are spent moving between designer boutiques, romantic waterfront restaurants, and world-famous beach clubs. Nearby, St Martin and St Maarten offer a dual experience on a single island. The Dutch side is known for its nightlife, casinos, and shopping, while the French side provides a quieter atmosphere with gourmet dining and exclusive resorts. The circuit is completed by Antigua, where historic English Harbour becomes a global hub for sailors and superyachts during its famous regatta season. For first-time charter guests seeking a cosmopolitan and sociable trip, the Leewards are often the starting point. The Wild Interior: The Windward Islands The Windward Islands present a more adventurous side of the Caribbean. Facing the prevailing trade winds, these islands are more mountainous, receive more rainfall, and are covered in lush rainforests. The experience here is less about the social scene and more about a connection with the landscape. The chain stretches from Martinique and St Lucia down to St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. In St Lucia, the iconic Pitons rise directly from the sea. Grenada’s interior is a network of rainforest trails that lead to waterfalls and spice plantations. Further south, the Tobago Cays in St Vincent and the Grenadines are a protected marine park, offering some of the region’s most pristine snorkeling among pristine coral reefs and resident sea turtles. The turquoise waters of Salt Whistle Bay in Mayreau and the quiet anchorages of Bequia showcase the region’s unspoilt beauty. A Matter of Character The choice between the two island chains comes down to the kind of experience you want. The Leeward Islands are defined by shorter cruising distances and a rich blend of European and Caribbean cultures, perfect for those who enjoy chic beach clubs and vibrant nightlife. The ideal season for a charter in either region is during the dry months, from November to April. The Windwards appeal to those drawn to dramatic scenery, hiking, and diving. It is a region for an adventure-led style of luxury, from climbing St Lucia’s Pitons to discovering the untouched reefs of the Tobago Cays. According to the charter experts at Burgess, neither is objectively better. The decision rests on a preference for laid-back glamour or wild, natural beauty. Ultimately, the Windwards offer a different kind of prize. The reward is discovering hidden anchorages accessible only by yacht. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-two-souls-of-the-caribbean — Citation: "The Two Souls of the Caribbean" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-18. https://menwith.com/the-two-souls-of-the-caribbean --- ## Hublot Finds a New Voice in Pastel Ceramic - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-finds-a-new-voice-in-pastel-ceramic - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-17 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Hublot's Big Bang collection embraces pastel ceramics for 2026, featuring multi-colored and monochrome designs inspired by Mediterranean sunrises. The luxury watches showcase advanced ceramic technology and intricate movements. A single Big Bang case combines microblasted pink, mint green, and sky blue ceramic. The material, which Hublot has spent years developing, is light to the touch but extremely hard. This summer, the brand is using its technical process to explore a softer palette. Since 2017, the company has treated summer in the Mediterranean as a recurring theme, launching watches tied to the season. For 2026, the focus is on pastel ceramics, a shift from the intense, primary colors the brand first introduced in 2018. The new tones are meant to capture the light of a Mediterranean sunrise or sunset. Two Expressions of Summer The collection is led by two multi-colored Big Bang Summer models. The first is a 42mm Unico flyback chronograph, limited to 200 pieces. Its case is a fusion of polished pink and mint green ceramic, framed by a sky-blue ceramic bezel. The matte dial continues the pink and mint tones. It is priced at 34,300 USD. The second is a 44mm automatic tourbillon, limited to just 10 pieces. While it uses the same ceramic color combination for the case, its dial is a transparent pink sapphire crystal, exposing the HUB6035 movement underneath. The price is 119,000 USD. Both watches include three interchangeable rubber straps in sky blue, mint green, and pink, each with a white lining and the brand's One-Click system. A Monochrome Statement Alongside the multi-colored pieces, Hublot introduced a series of monochrome ceramics in peach, mint, and petrol blue. These appear on a 33mm Big Bang, which for the first time is offered without diamonds. The color covers the case, bezel, dial, and the structured rubber strap, creating a pure, uninterrupted aesthetic. Each is powered by a three-hand automatic movement and priced at 15,500 USD. The peach color also appears on a 42mm Big Bang with a titanium case and a peach ceramic bezel. This model uses the in-house Unico flyback chronograph movement, visible through a skeletonized peach dial. It is priced at 24,000 USD. The material itself is the product of a patented process that results in a ceramic up to 300 Vickers harder than traditional versions. The Unico caliber, first introduced in 2010, provides a 72-hour power reserve and integrates a flyback chronograph with a column wheel visible from the front. The tourbillon’s HUB6035 movement also has a 72-hour power reserve, with a micro-rotor visible on the dial side. Starting from January 1, 2026, watches become eligible for a warranty program that can extend international coverage up to ten years. A basic five-year warranty can be supplemented by an additional five years through registration in the Hublotista program. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-finds-a-new-voice-in-pastel-ceramic — Citation: "Hublot Finds a New Voice in Pastel Ceramic" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-17. https://menwith.com/hublot-finds-a-new-voice-in-pastel-ceramic --- ## The Vacheron Constantin Twin Beat Now Runs for 70 Days - URL: https://menwith.com/the-vacheron-constantin-twin-beat-now-runs-for-70-days - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-16 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar now boasts a 70-day power reserve thanks to a patented dual-frequency system and optimized winding mechanism. A single push-button set into the platinum case of the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar controls the flow of time. The watch, first introduced in 2019, was conceived with the user in mind, tackling the central vulnerability of a noble complication. A perpetual calendar is built to run without intervention until 2100, but only if the movement is kept wound. Letting it stop creates a practical problem that undermines the whole point. Vacheron Constantin’s solution, the result of four years of research, was a patented dual-frequency system. The hand-wound Calibre 3610 QP is equipped with two independent gear trains. When the watch is on the wrist, it runs in Active mode at a high frequency of 5 Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour, ensuring precision with a four-day power reserve. When the watch is set aside, the wearer can press the pusher at 8 o’clock to engage Standby mode. Active and Standby In Standby mode, the movement’s second gear train takes over, slowing the oscillation rate to an energy-saving 1.2 Hz, or 8,640 vibrations per hour. This allows the watch to maintain perfect time and calendar tracking while consuming minimal power. A mode indicator hand on the dial confirms the switch, which happens instantly without interrupting the calibre’s energy chain. The original design offered a power reserve of more than two months. Now, further development has optimized the Calibre 3610 QP. The power reserve in Standby mode has been extended to a full 70 days, a gain of five days. This improvement comes from a new, patented double-gear spring-winding mechanism for the instantaneously jumping perpetual calendar indications. The system requires four times less torque than conventional instant-jump mechanisms, making the date change significantly less demanding on the mainspring. Anatomy of a Calibre The 480-component movement, measuring just 6 mm thick, features three separate differentials. One manages the transition between the two gear trains, another channels energy to the 1.2 Hz balance wheel, and a third allows a single hand at 12 o’clock to display the power reserve for both modes on a dual scale. The hairspring for the Standby balance wheel was specially developed for this movement, measuring a minuscule 0.015 mm in thickness. The watch’s aesthetic is as considered as its mechanics. The 42 mm platinum case is 12.3 mm thick and follows the Traditionnelle collection’s design codes with a rounded shape and fluted caseback. The new openworked dial is split into two sections. An upper plate of 18k gold is finished in a slate-grey hue with a hand-guilloché radiating pattern. The lower sapphire section reveals the sandblasted mainplate, which is treated with a dark NAC galvanic coating. This two-tone effect continues on the back of the movement, where the anthracite grey of the fixed components contrasts with the golden yellow of the moving parts. The bridges are hand-bevelled and finished with Côtes de Genève. For readability, the day, month, and power reserve counters are laser-etched glass, giving them a frosted look against the darker movement and guilloché dial. The watch is fitted with a textured calfskin strap with a 950 platinum pin buckle. A Question of Philosophy According to Christian Selmoni, the Maison's Legacy & Style Director, the original 2019 Twin Beat was a concept watch reflecting the brand’s research into power reserve. He notes that innovation has been a core value since the company’s founding in 1755, inseparable from the aesthetic vision. The Maison has a history of creating workshops for grand complications and pioneering astronomical calendars, including complex Hebrew and Chinese perpetual calendars. The decision to refine the Twin Beat was a direct response to a real-world issue. “In recent years, as it has become a matter of prime importance to address users' concerns about issues relating to the power reserve of mechanical watches,” Selmoni states, “it was a natural step for us to undertake further development of Calibre 3610 QP.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-vacheron-constantin-twin-beat-now-runs-for-70-days — Citation: "The Vacheron Constantin Twin Beat Now Runs for 70 Days" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-16. https://menwith.com/the-vacheron-constantin-twin-beat-now-runs-for-70-days --- ## Bugatti and HONMA Translate Hypercar Design to the Fairway - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-and-honma-translate-hypercar-design-to-the-fairway - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-16 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti and HONMA merge hypercar luxury with golf precision. Expect ice-blue finishes, aerodynamic designs, and iconic Bugatti elements integrated into premium golf clubs. The first detail you might notice is the finish. On a new set of golf clubs, an ice-blue, two-tone paint technique is applied, the same method used on the bodywork of the Bugatti Tourbillon. This is the operating principle behind the new collaboration between French hypercar maker Bugatti and Japanese club maker HONMA: a direct translation of automotive design into the tools of sport. The two companies come from different worlds and different eras. Bugatti was founded in 1909, operating under the principle of its founder, Ettore Bugatti: "If comparable, it is no longer Bugatti." HONMA was established nearly half a century later, in 1958, in Yokohama, Japan, building a reputation on the precision of its master artisans. Now, they have produced a collection of clubs scheduled for a global launch on June 16, 2026. The collection is structured into three distinct lines. The BERES Super Premium Collection serves as the centerpiece, offered in 3, 4, and 5 Star tiers. The 5 Star version is the most exclusive, limited to just 20 sets worldwide. Here, the translation from car to club is most literal. Aerodynamic principles from Bugatti’s hypercars inform the design, while signature elements like the horseshoe grille, the C-line, and the new Tourbillon instrument cluster are integrated into the architecture of the clubhead. Built for Performance Where the BERES line is presented as a collectible, the Tour World Premium Collection is engineered for play. Based on HONMA’s professional TW777 line, it is framed as the track-focused equivalent of a Bugatti. The driver uses a titanium-carbon composite with a deep, low center of gravity for ball speed and control. The irons are made through a combination of precision milling and soft forging, designed for forgiveness and a solid feel at impact. The use of high-precision CNC milling is intended to produce a specific touch and a pure, crisp sound. A Putter Shaped by a Hypercar The final piece is the Super Premium Bugatti Putter, available in 4 and 5 Star models. Its overall shape references the rear profile of the Bugatti Tourbillon, while the design of the sole is inspired by the car’s tachometer. At address, the contour of the head is meant to evoke the flowing hood lines of a Bugatti, with curves extending through the sightline for alignment. The head is precision-milled for feedback and paired with an exclusive grip. The collaboration is positioned as a natural extension of the brand's world. “Sport, performance, and wellbeing are part of the personal interests within the Bugatti customer lifestyle, and we are delighted to introduce a range of products that truly resonates with their passions,” the company stated. “This partnership is a natural expression of our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and timeless craftsmanship.” The BERES and Putter collections will be available globally on June 16, with the Tour World collection following in late June. They will be sold at HONMA’s directly operated stores, authorized dealers, and online. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-and-honma-translate-hypercar-design-to-the-fairway — Citation: "Bugatti and HONMA Translate Hypercar Design to the Fairway" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-16. https://menwith.com/bugatti-and-honma-translate-hypercar-design-to-the-fairway --- ## Aman Rosa Alpina Turns the Dolomites Into Europe’s Ultimate Summer Playground - URL: https://menwith.com/aman-rosa-alpina-turns-the-dolomites-into-europes-ultimate-summer-playground - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-06-15 - Tags: Aman Rosa Alpina, Dolomites, Alta Badia, Maratona dles Dolomites, Four Peaks Alta Badia, Via Ferrata, Aman Spa, Aman Venice **Summary:** Aman Rosa Alpina transforms the Dolomites into Europe's premier summer playground, offering unparalleled access to iconic cycling, hiking, and climbing adventures with luxury accommodations and recovery. As Aman Rosa Alpina approaches its first anniversary this summer, the luxury mountain retreat is opening the doors to what may be one of Europe’s most compelling warm-weather destinations. Nestled in San Cassiano, within the UNESCO-protected Dolomites, the property combines world-class hospitality with direct access to some of the continent’s most iconic cycling, hiking and climbing experiences. A Front Row Seat to Cycling History For road cyclists, few destinations can rival Alta Badia. Guests staying at Aman Rosa Alpina can tackle legendary climbs such as Passo di Pordoi, Passo Gardena and Passo di Campolongo, while the resort’s team assists with everything from route planning to recovery treatments. The region also hosts some of cycling’s most celebrated events. Dolomiti Bike Day transforms mountain roads into a cyclist-only paradise, while the annual Maratona dles Dolomites challenges riders across seven mountain passes in a single day. Even for those not competing, the atmosphere and scenery make these events worth experiencing. Mountain bikers are equally well served. The Bike Beats Alta Badia trail network offers everything from flowing beginner-friendly routes to technical descents featuring jumps, rollers and Northshore sections spread across the stunning alpine landscape. The Four Peaks Challenge For guests seeking a more demanding adventure, Aman Rosa Alpina has created an exclusive four-night Four Peaks Alta Badia experience. Guided by a private mountain expert, participants prepare with training hikes and recovery treatments before attempting four iconic summits in a single day. Those who successfully conquer Sas dla Crusc, Piza dales Diesc, Lavarela and Conturines, covering approximately 2,000 metres of ascent, earn the coveted title of “Alta Badia Mountaineer.” Beyond the Trails The Dolomites have long been considered one of the world’s premier climbing destinations, particularly for their historic via ferrata routes. Aman Rosa Alpina offers guided experiences that combine technical climbing with panoramic mountain views, alongside sunrise hikes, alpine meadow walks and traditional rifugio lunches. One of the resort’s most unique experiences is access to the Pizzinini family’s private mountain cabin, where guests can enjoy an exclusive barbecue surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites. Recovery, The Aman Way After a day spent exploring the mountains, guests can retreat to the Aman Spa, which features indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, a yoga studio and a fully equipped gym. Signature treatments such as the Alpine Muscle Relief massage use local alpine ingredients designed to ease tired muscles and promote recovery. For those wanting to extend their Italian escape, Aman has also introduced a combined journey linking Aman Rosa Alpina with Aman Venice, creating a seamless blend of alpine adventure and Venetian elegance. As luxury travel continues to move toward meaningful experiences rather than simple relaxation, Aman Rosa Alpina’s first full summer season feels perfectly timed. Few places offer the opportunity to ride legendary mountain passes in the morning, summit alpine peaks in the afternoon and recover in world-class comfort before dinner. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aman-rosa-alpina-turns-the-dolomites-into-europes-ultimate-summer-playground — Citation: "Aman Rosa Alpina Turns the Dolomites Into Europe’s Ultimate Summer Playground" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-15. https://menwith.com/aman-rosa-alpina-turns-the-dolomites-into-europes-ultimate-summer-playground --- ## At 41, Lewis Hamilton Gives Ferrari Its Barcelona Victory - URL: https://menwith.com/at-41-lewis-hamilton-gives-ferrari-its-barcelona-victory - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-15 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Lewis Hamilton, at 41, secured his first Ferrari win in Barcelona, becoming the oldest F1 victor since 1970. The race saw mixed fortunes for Mercedes and Ferrari drivers, with an all-British podium. At forty-one years old, Lewis Hamilton became the oldest driver to win a Formula 1 race since Jack Brabham in 1970. The seven-time World Champion delivered his first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, bringing the Scuderia back to the top step of the podium for the first time since the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix. Hamilton arrived in Spain with two consecutive second-place finishes. After qualifying between the two Mercedes drivers, the team committed to a three-stop strategy under the hot Spanish sun. The decision allowed Hamilton to build a significant lead, and a well-timed Virtual Safety Car for his final pit stop let him rejoin the race in first place. He finished nearly 20 seconds ahead of the field. A Tale of Two Fortunes The day unfolded differently for Kimi Antonelli. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver entered the weekend with five straight wins and a 66-point lead in the championship standings. After qualifying third, he spent much of the race managing his tyres and battling his teammate, George Russell. Antonelli made a pass on Russell for second place with just five laps remaining. A lap later, his Mercedes suffered a mechanical issue, leaving him stranded and ending his race. It was his first failure to finish this season, and it prompted Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff to question the team's reliability and whether the intra-team fight had cost them a potential victory against Ferrari. Podiums and Problems Antonelli's retirement promoted Lando Norris to the podium. The McLaren driver had secured P4 in qualifying and ran a steady race, earning his first top-three finish since Miami. With Hamilton winning and Russell finishing second, the result was an all-British podium, the first since 1968. Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri also benefitted, claiming P5. While one side of the Ferrari garage celebrated, the other endured more frustration. Charles Leclerc’s difficult weekend began with a crash in Q3 after a sudden snap sent his car into the barrier. The team repaired the car, allowing him to start P10. He fought his way up to sixth before his own mechanical failure, reporting a loss of power steering as his car rattled over the gravel. It was his second consecutive retirement. The weekend also saw victories for Rafael Camara in the F2 Feature Race for Invicta Racing and Theophile Nael in F3 for Campos Racing. The track drew its share of notable guests, with Olympic medallists Chris Hoy and Steve Redgrave in attendance. Former footballer Patrick Kluivert was on the grid before watching the Netherlands' World Cup match, while MotoGP riders Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta took in the action on their weekend off. As Hamilton’s Ferrari crossed the finish line, tennis star Novak Djokovic was on hand to wave the chequered flag, making it to the race just before heading to London for Wimbledon. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/at-41-lewis-hamilton-gives-ferrari-its-barcelona-victory — Citation: "At 41, Lewis Hamilton Gives Ferrari Its Barcelona Victory" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-15. https://menwith.com/at-41-lewis-hamilton-gives-ferrari-its-barcelona-victory --- ## Range Rover Previews Its Electric Future at Wimbledon - URL: https://menwith.com/range-rover-previews-its-electric-future-at-wimbledon - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-15 - Tags: Land Rover **Summary:** Range Rover unveils its first all-electric model at Wimbledon, previewing the future of luxury EVs ahead of 2026 orders. The brand's expanded partnership with the tennis tournament highlights shared values of sustainability and prestige. On the grounds of the All England Club, a Range Rover Electric will be displayed in metallic British Racing Green. The vehicle’s appearance is an early preview, scheduled ahead of order books opening later in 2026. This first look is part of a renewed, multi-year partnership between Range Rover and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, continuing the brand’s role as the Official Vehicle Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon. The partnership brings together the tennis tournament and the British automotive brand, which describes the Range Rover Electric as delivering a new level of refinement through a serene cabin and effortless power. The decision to preview the brand’s first zero-tailpipe emissions vehicle at Wimbledon was described as a significant moment. “Wimbledon represents the very best of British sporting culture, and our continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to leadership, sustainability and modern luxury,” a Range Rover spokesperson noted. “Previewing Range Rover Electric at The Championships is an opportunity to showcase the future of our brand in an environment that embodies prestige and tradition.” An Electric Fleet Throughout The Championships, which run from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July 2026, a fleet of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-in electric hybrid models will support players and officials. These vehicles are expected to maximize their electric range of up to 75 miles by using the All England Club’s on-site charging infrastructure. This initiative aligns with Wimbledon’s own commitment to reduce emissions across its operations. The club’s charging network, powered by purchased renewable electricity, is designed to accommodate a growing number of hybrid and electric vehicles as it works toward a net-zero operational emissions target for 2030. The Indoor Tennis Centre features charging infrastructure powered entirely by purchased renewable electricity. A Shared Stage The collaboration extends onto the tournament’s most visible stages. Range Rover branding will again feature on the 'speed of serve' displays on both Centre Court and No.1 Court. The brand, part of the Land Rover portfolio, is sold in 121 countries and has been inspired by exemplary design since 1970. The Marketing & Commercial Director at the All England Club commented on the extended partnership. “We are delighted to extend our longstanding partnership with Range Rover as Official Vehicle of The Championships,” she stated. “The support from Range Rover allows us to showcase innovation, such as the early preview of Range Rover Electric, and offer the very best experience to players, officials and guests visiting The Championships.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/range-rover-previews-its-electric-future-at-wimbledon — Citation: "Range Rover Previews Its Electric Future at Wimbledon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-15. https://menwith.com/range-rover-previews-its-electric-future-at-wimbledon --- ## The F.P. Journe That Just Sold for $13.9 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/bought-before-it-existed-the-f-p-journe-that-just-sold-for-13-9-million - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-15 - Tags: F.P. Journe **Summary:** An F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance, part of the brand's original "Souscription" program, sold for $13.9M. This record-breaking sale highlights the value of origin stories and authentic connections in luxury watch collecting. In 1999, François-Paul Journe decided to launch his own brand. He had the vision, the skill, and a deep knowledge of 18th-century horology. What he did not have was the money to build the watches. So he did something that feels almost radical today. He asked a few trusted clients to pay for a watch that did not yet exist. This was the “Souscription” program. It was a simple arrangement, a direct pact between a watchmaker and his first believers. In exchange for a down payment, which would finance the workshop and components, twenty patrons would receive the first examples of his Tourbillon Souverain. It was a model built on trust, not marketing. The following year, when the Chronomètre à Résonance debuted, Journe reserved the first twenty examples for those same clients. From Patronage to Price Tag One of those watches, the Chronomètre à Résonance bearing the number 007, just sold at auction. The price was $13,922,000. The number is large enough to feel abstract, but its meaning is quite specific. It tells a story about what the market values most right now. The value is not just in the platinum and pink gold case or the intricate calibre 1499 movement. The value is in the origin story itself. It did not just beat its estimate. After nine minutes of bidding, 007 became the most expensive watch F.P. Journe has ever sold, the highest price paid at auction for any independent watchmaker, and the highest for any 21st-century watch at a commercial sale. Not everyone inside the brand is cheering. Pierre Halimi, who has run F.P. Journe in the Americas for decades, told a Robb Report panel last year that the numbers had become "stupid," too high, and that the brand was not happy about them. His worry was who they attract: buyers chasing the watch as an asset and little else, more interested in the price than the value. That is the tension sitting under 007. This F.P. Journe watch, fresh to the auction market, is one of only two Souscription examples made with a platinum and pink gold case paired with a pink gold dial. The other is believed to belong to François-Paul Journe himself. The watch is more than rare. It is a physical certificate of participation in the brand’s founding moment. The Mechanics of Belief The Chronomètre à Résonance was always more than a watch, some calls it a “philosophical manifesto.” Journe was the first contemporary watchmaker to successfully create a wristwatch with two independent oscillators that regulate each other through the phenomenon of resonance. It is a technical pursuit of absolute precision, a piece of mechanical poetry. That philosophy is now fused with its history. The watch’s two resonating balances, beating in sympathy, feel like a metaphor for the original relationship between Journe and his first twenty clients. A relationship built on mutual belief, working in harmony to create something stable and lasting. The nearly $14 million price is not an endpoint. It is a signal. It suggests that in a world saturated with luxury goods, the ultimate prize is an authentic connection to the moment of creation. The original patrons bought a watch. The new owner has acquired a piece of the story. The object has become a relic of its own birth. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bought-before-it-existed-the-f-p-journe-that-just-sold-for-13-9-million — Citation: "The F.P. Journe That Just Sold for $13.9 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-15. https://menwith.com/bought-before-it-existed-the-f-p-journe-that-just-sold-for-13-9-million --- ## Mercedes-Benz Museum Trades Cars for Culture This Summer - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-museum-trades-cars-for-culture-this-summer - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-13 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes-Benz Museum embraces culture this summer with film nights, local artist showcases, and family events, alongside celebrating automotive heritage. The summer program at the Mercedes-Benz Museum begins with Miranda Priestly. On August 21, the Open Air Kino series will screen “Der Teufel trägt Prada 2” against the building's unique architecture. The film features a Mercedes-Maybach S-Klasse as the limousine for Meryl Streep’s character, a placement supported by the brand’s “The Art of Arrival” campaign. It is the first of 15 film nights that will run through September 6, with ticket pre-sales having started on June 8. The cinema series is part of a broader cultural calendar for Mercedes. The “Stadtkultur am Mercedes-Benz Museum” program returns from July 10 to August 9, turning the space over to artists from Stuttgart and the surrounding region. The schedule includes everything from music and spoken word to club nights. Demand has been high, with four dates, including the “Mamagehttanzen Sommer Special” and all three “Old School Vibes” events, already sold out. A Focus on Family and Heritage On July 5, the museum will host a Family Day from 11 am to 6 pm. The event is free and features creative and sports activities for children, with partners including the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Forscherfabrik Schorndorf, and Strotmanns Magic Lounge. This day also connects to a new special exhibition, “130 Jahre Nutzfahrzeuge,” which opens on June 28 in the Collection 5 room. To mark the anniversary, the museum will offer ride-alongs in historical vans and trucks. The celebration of the brand’s history continues every Sunday until October with Classics & Coffee. The weekly gathering invites owners of classic automobiles to meet in the museum’s outdoor area starting at 9 am. On June 28, the event will have a special focus on commercial vehicles to complement the new exhibition. The Mercedes Home of Stuttgart The Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung Stuttgart, located next to the museum, will hold its own “Erlebnistag” or Experience Day on July 5. Running from 11 am to 6 pm, the event will focus on the brand’s products and services under the motto “Home of Mercedes-Benz.” It is a local expression of a wider theme for the company, which is currently celebrating 140 years of innovation since Carl Benz patented the first automobile. That anniversary is being marked by a transcontinental tour called “140 Years. 140 Places,” where three S-Klasse limousines are traveling to 140 global destinations. For the brand, the goal is to create a feeling of being welcome at home, a sentiment being put into practice on the ground in Stuttgart all summer. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-museum-trades-cars-for-culture-this-summer — Citation: "Mercedes-Benz Museum Trades Cars for Culture This Summer" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-13. https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-museum-trades-cars-for-culture-this-summer --- ## The First Man in Molsheim - URL: https://menwith.com/the-first-man-in-molsheim - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-13 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Patrick Burk, Bugatti's first Molsheim employee, was instrumental in the brand's rebirth, managing the estate and client relations for over 25 years. When Bugatti returned to Alsace at the turn of the millennium, it began with a single employee. Patrick Burk, a Facility Manager from nearby Saverne, was the only person on site. He had answered a job advertisement so discreet it mentioned no company name and no location. When he walked through the doors of the unrestored Château, he found a 23-hectare domain of open fields and buildings bearing the marks of time. There was no team. There was only the weight of a legend and the task of building something worthy of it. Burk lived on the grounds, behind the Château and the Remise Nord, watching over the property seven days a week. He became the company's sole point of contact with the outside world, the human link between a brand being reborn in Molsheim and its parent, the Volkswagen Group, in Wolfsburg. His children grew up there, their family life woven into the fabric of the place. “Bugatti was the priority,” Burk says. “24 hours a day, weekends included. Work never stopped.” The Foundation Stone Before the hypercars, there was construction. Before the clients, there were ceremonies to orchestrate. Burk’s role expanded with the needs of the day, from Chief of Construction to Guest Relations. One of his most vivid memories is laying the foundation for the new era. He was tasked with organizing the official ceremony for the Atelier’s first stone, hosting more than 300 guests on what was still an empty field. He handled every detail, acting as event organizer, host, and project coordinator. When his first president, Karl-Heinz Neumann, arrived with local officials, everything was in place. The rebirth was officially in motion. That period saw the conception of the Veyron under Neumann, a man Burk calls his mentor. The trust between them was direct. As a gesture of recognition for all he had done, Neumann placed the very first miniature model of the Veyron, a unique piece, directly into Burk’s hands. It was a symbol of the personal investment that defined the project. “I sacrificed time with my family, for the brand,” Burk reflects. “But I was willing to do so. I was extremely proud to work for Bugatti.” The Human Touch Burk’s quiet contributions often created the most lasting impressions. For Bugatti’s centenary celebrations, nearly 300 employees from Molsheim and Wolfsburg gathered at the Château. On his own initiative, Burk had secretly organized a fireworks display. At 11 o’clock, the sky above Alsace lit up. After the sustained applause, guests moved through the crowd to find the man responsible. “I was a little moved,” he says. “It was an unforgettable evening, and people still mention it when I run into them.” Over the years, he became one of the faces of the brand for visitors. He personally collected clients from the airport, gave tours of the domain, and shared stories he had gathered. He operated like a concierge at a fine hotel, ensuring guests experienced the spirit of the place. When visitors arrived, he recalls, their attention went to the cars and everything else “faded into the background.” Yet he shaped that background, creating an atmosphere where connections were formed. “I met incredible people,” he says. “Bugatti customers are human beings who enjoy sharing simple moments. I tried my best to always make sure they felt at home in Molsheim.” After more than 25 years, as the new Tourbillon moves toward production, Patrick Burk is closing his chapter in Molsheim. He was there when the Atelier rose from empty fields and when a new era of cars began to take shape. He is now moving to Corsica to spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. “I had a wonderful time,” he says. “I witnessed beautiful things, met so many people, and gave a lot of time and energy to Bugatti. In return, I always felt at home at the Château.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-first-man-in-molsheim — Citation: "The First Man in Molsheim" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-13. https://menwith.com/the-first-man-in-molsheim --- ## Louis Vuitton Marks a Decade with UNICEF in Silver and Ink - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-marks-a-decade-with-unicef-in-silver-and-ink - Published: 2026-06-13 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Louis Vuitton celebrates 10 years with UNICEF, expanding support to POWER4Girls and launching new Silver Lockit editions and a "REBONDS" publication featuring global figures. Since 2016, the Silver Lockit has served as a tangible link between Louis Vuitton and its work with UNICEF. The collection has become an enduring symbol of a partnership that is now entering its second decade, built around supporting children and young people across the globe. As the collaboration moves into its next chapter, LVMH's leading Maison is expanding its support. The focus shifts to POWER4Girls, a global UNICEF initiative active in more than 120 countries. The program is designed to help adolescent girls and young women access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, empowering them to take a greater role in shaping their own lives. A Symbol of Connection To mark the ten-year anniversary, Louis Vuitton is launching a series of initiatives centered on connection and exchange. Among them is a new edition of REBONDS, an iconic publication first released by the house in 1998. The book gathers more than one hundred figures from the worlds of culture, sport, fashion, and the arts. The entire project is built around a universal symbol, the ball, used here as an expression of unity. The new edition features a foreword written by Pietro Beccari, the Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, alongside Felix of Stray Kids, who serves as a Louis Vuitton Ambassador and a UNICEF Korea Ambassador. Craftsmanship for a Cause The anniversary is also being commemorated with new creations for the Silver Lockit collection. Alongside these pieces, the Maison has unveiled the Louis Vuitton Unity Time Object. This one-of-a-kind piece combines the brand’s watchmaking expertise with its celebrated trunk-making savoir-faire and a contemporary design sensibility. Together, the initiatives tie the house's history of craftsmanship to its commitment to supporting future generations. The work underscores a belief that creativity can be a powerful force for positive impact, channeled through objects that carry purpose. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-marks-a-decade-with-unicef-in-silver-and-ink — Citation: "Louis Vuitton Marks a Decade with UNICEF in Silver and Ink" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-13. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-marks-a-decade-with-unicef-in-silver-and-ink --- ## Elie Saab and Bombardier Rethink The Private Jet Cabin - URL: https://menwith.com/elie-saab-and-bombardier-rethink-the-private-jet-cabin - Category: Aviation - Published: 2026-06-13 - Tags: Bombardier **Summary:** Elie Saab and Bombardier merge haute couture with aviation, redesigning the Global 8000 jet cabin. The collaboration focuses on luxury materials and a fluid, personalized living space. The unveiling took place at Bombardier’s Aviator Lounge in Monaco, during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The project brought together the engineering of the Global 8000 aircraft with the design expertise of fashion house ELIE SAAB. The collaboration is a first of its kind, applying a haute couture philosophy to the interior of a business jet. For Bombardier, the goal was to create a new expression of private aviation. The Global 8000 is described as the world's fastest business jet, and this project sought to redefine its onboard experience. A Meeting of Two Worlds The partnership represents an alignment between two brands serving a global clientele. Éric Martel, President and CEO of Bombardier, noted that the timing allowed for a deeper exploration of the cabin's potential. “When we began discussions with ELIE SAAB, the Global 8000 was already well on the path to becoming a certified, operational aircraft,” Martel said. “This allowed us to go beyond concepts and rethink the cabin as a true living space, while fully respecting the performance and operational realities of the aircraft.” For ELIE SAAB, a house founded in Lebanon in 1982, the move into aviation was an intuitive one. The brand's creative universe already extends into interiors and furniture design. Elie Saab Jr., the company’s CEO, framed the project as an extension of the brand's world. “With Bombardier, we approached this collaboration with an haute couture mindset, elevating every material and detail into a carefully curated expression of luxury, precision and design excellence,” he explained. Haute Couture in The Air The cabin itself is designed as a harmonious and personalized environment. The interior is defined by clean architectural lines, rich materials, and a warm palette intended to enhance a sense of openness and fluidity. Natural light fills a space characterized by expansive sightlines. At the cabin's heart is a generous lounge area, designed to encourage connection and comfort. Behind the design's simplicity was a complex process. Bombardier's engineering teams worked directly with ELIE SAAB to ensure the couture-inspired elements could be translated into a fully certifiable aircraft interior that met all technical and safety standards. This new cabin is now available as an option for Global 8000 customers. For Elie Saab Jr., the project fulfills a larger ambition. “It is truly a new approach to private aviation,” he said, “where travel becomes a seamless continuation of refined living.” Read more about aviation here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/elie-saab-and-bombardier-rethink-the-private-jet-cabin — Citation: "Elie Saab and Bombardier Rethink The Private Jet Cabin" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-13. https://menwith.com/elie-saab-and-bombardier-rethink-the-private-jet-cabin --- ## Dior Opens a Spa at the Legendary Hotel Splendido - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-opens-a-spa-at-the-legendary-hotel-splendido - Published: 2026-06-12 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Dior unveils a luxurious spa at the iconic Hotel Splendido in Portofino, offering bespoke treatments inspired by the Rose de Granville and Christian Dior's vision of happiness and beauty. In Portofino, the new Dior spa is conceived as a refuge nestled between gardens and the sea. The location is the legendary Hotel Splendido, with views overlooking the Italian Riviera. It marks a new chapter for the hotel and a strengthening of the relationship between the Maison and Belmond. The space is designed as a haven of peace, a place for reconnection where time is meant to stand still. Treatments take place in the heart of the Belmond Hotel gardens, surrounded by Mediterranean plants and facing the horizon where the sea and sky meet. This project is part of a larger partnership vision from parent company LVMH. Toile de Jouy and Rose de Granville The treatment rooms themselves are furnished with the iconic Dior Toile de Jouy motif. Here, the brand offers a selection of facial massages and treatments centered around the Dior Prestige skincare line. These formulas are infused with the Rose de Granville, an ingredient noted for its regenerative properties. The objective of the treatments is to restore the skin’s radiant glow through these specific products and expert massage techniques. The bespoke experiences combine the house’s wellbeing know-how with its latest cutting-edge innovations. A Multi-Sensory Journey The approach is described as a multi-sensory journey. The techniques are designed to revitalize the skin and body, light up the face, and soothe the mind. It is a philosophy that connects back to the house's founder. “I dreamed of making women not only more beautiful but above all happier,” said Christian Dior. This sentiment is presented as the guiding principle behind the spa’s aim to elevate both beauty and wellbeing for its guests. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-opens-a-spa-at-the-legendary-hotel-splendido — Citation: "Dior Opens a Spa at the Legendary Hotel Splendido" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-12. https://menwith.com/dior-opens-a-spa-at-the-legendary-hotel-splendido --- ## Porsche Rules Out an Electric 911 - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-rules-out-an-electric-911 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-11 - Tags: Porsche 911, Michael Leiters, Electric Vehicle, Hybrid Technology, Combustion Engine, Porsche Taycan, Porsche Macan Electric **Summary:** Porsche CEO Michael Leiters confirms a fully electric 911 is not planned. The iconic sports car will continue with combustion engines and hybrid technology, preserving its heritage. For years, the question seemed inevitable. When would Porsche finally turn the 911 into an electric car? As governments tightened emissions regulations and manufacturers accelerated their transition toward EVs, many assumed that even Porsche’s most iconic model would eventually follow the same path. But according to Porsche CEO Michael Leiters, that future is not on the horizon. Speaking this week, Leiters made it clear that a fully electric Porsche 911 is not part of the company’s plans. Instead, Porsche intends to continue developing the model with combustion engines and hybrid technology, preserving the characteristics that have defined the 911 for more than six decades. The decision arrives at a time when Porsche is actively expanding its electric lineup. The Taycan has become one of the brand’s most important products, while the new Macan Electric represents another major step in Porsche’s EV strategy. Yet despite those investments, the company appears unwilling to fundamentally change the formula behind its most recognizable sports car. For Porsche, the 911 occupies a unique position within the automotive world. Few cars have maintained such a consistent identity across generations. While performance, technology and design have evolved dramatically since the model first appeared in 1964, the core experience has remained remarkably familiar. The distinctive rear-engine layout, the driving dynamics and even the sound of the flat-six engine have become inseparable from the 911 name. That heritage is a major reason why many enthusiasts have long been skeptical about the idea of a fully electric 911. While electric powertrains can deliver extraordinary performance, Porsche understands that speed alone has never been what defines the 911. The emotional connection between driver and machine has always been just as important. Instead of replacing the combustion engine entirely, Porsche is expected to continue exploring hybrid solutions that allow the model to meet future regulations without abandoning its character. The recently introduced hybrid technology in the latest 911 generation offers a glimpse of how the company may balance performance, efficiency and tradition in the years ahead. The announcement also highlights a broader shift taking place across the automotive industry. After years of aggressive electrification targets, several manufacturers are reassessing how quickly customers are willing to move away from traditional powertrains. For brands built on heritage and enthusiast appeal, maintaining identity has become just as important as embracing new technology. For now, Porsche's message is simple. The future may be electric for many vehicles, but the 911 will continue to follow its own road. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-rules-out-an-electric-911 — Citation: "Porsche Rules Out an Electric 911" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-11. https://menwith.com/porsche-rules-out-an-electric-911 --- ## LVMH Did More Than Sponsor Monaco - URL: https://menwith.com/lvmh-did-more-than-sponsor-monaco - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-10 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH leveraged the Monaco Grand Prix for a multi-brand showcase, highlighting Louis Vuitton's trophy trunk, TAG Heuer's timekeeping and watch debut, and Moët & Chandon's champagne sponsorship. The Monaco Grand Prix trophy did not arrive in a simple case. For the sixth consecutive year, it was delivered in a trunk crafted in Louis Vuitton’s historic workshops in Asnières. The piece was dressed in Monogram canvas, reimagined in the red of the Principality and marked with a “V” for victory. This trunk is the most visible symbol of a much deeper partnership. For the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2026, the Maison returned as Title Partner, working alongside Formula 1® and the Automobile Club de Monaco. The gesture is built on a simple, effective premise: Victory Travels in Louis Vuitton. The brand’s presence extended well beyond the finish line. For its guests, Louis Vuitton hosted a dedicated hospitality suite inside the Automobile Club de Monaco. Other experiences were held aboard the Orient Express Corinthian, tying the circuit’s energy to the Maison’s long history with the art of travel. This was an LVMH group effort. TAG Heuer, the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1, moored a boat in Monaco's harbor, styled completely in the watchmaker’s signature codes. The brand also used the moment to unveil the TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12, a limited edition watch created as a tribute to the circuit itself. Nearby, Moët & Chandon made its own visual statement. The Maison took over the Stade Nautique Rainier III, the iconic swimming pool complex in the heart of Port Hercule. From that prime vantage point overlooking the circuit, the name “MOËT” was displayed in bold capital letters for all to see. As the Official Champagne of Formula 1®, the brand’s role was fulfilled on the podium. The celebration of Kimi Antonelli’s victory was marked by Moët & Chandon, bringing the on-track performance and the group’s overarching presence together in a single, visible moment. From the trophy case to the champagne, LVMH used the weekend to demonstrate how its collection of Maisons can combine savoir-faire, celebration, and performance at one of the world’s most emblematic sporting events. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lvmh-did-more-than-sponsor-monaco — Citation: "LVMH Did More Than Sponsor Monaco" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-10. https://menwith.com/lvmh-did-more-than-sponsor-monaco --- ## Aston Martin's £58,750 Simulator Is Built Around The Valkyrie's Steering Wheel - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-58-750-simulator-is-built-around-the-valkyrie-s-steering-wheel - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-09 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin partners with Curv Racing Simulators for the AMR-C01-R, a £58,750 simulator featuring a Valkyrie steering wheel and limited to 24 units. The point of contact is an Aston Martin Valkyrie steering wheel. Each one is built to order, its side and rotary colour configurations open to personalisation. It sits at the center of the AMR-C01-R Hypercar Edition, a new racing simulator born from a partnership between Aston Martin and Curv Racing Simulators. Launched from Gaydon, the project celebrates the Aston Martin Valkyries competing in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. The simulator's production is limited to just 24 examples worldwide, each one hand-built to order in the UK. Its core is a carbon-fibre monocoque, designed to house the machine's technology within what the company calls an elegant, architectural silhouette. From The Cockpit The simulator was developed by Darren Turner, the founder of Curv Racing Simulators. His experience as a three-time Le Mans class winner and an Aston Martin high-performance test driver directly informed the design. The seating position, for instance, mirrors that of the actual Aston Martin Valkyrie. “When we started developing the Hypercar Edition, the focus was on the driving position, steering feel and racing experience,” Turner said. The goal was to create something believable. The simulator pairs a curved 49-inch display with NVIDIA RTX graphics to render the experience. Hypercar Liveries Two distinct race-inspired liveries are available, designated #007 and #009. Both are finished in Aston Martin Podium Green, with the choice of contrasting yellow or red accents. The look is a direct reference to the brand's Le Mans challengers. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, notes how the Valkyrie's character translates into the simulator. “The Aston Martin Valkyrie is one of the most extreme and uncompromising Aston Martins ever created,” he said. The simulator is “influenced directly by the Le Mans race cars, while retaining the sculptural form and proportion that sit at the heart of Aston Martin design.” The AMR-C01-R Hypercar Edition is priced at £58,750 plus taxes. For Turner, the objective was clear. “We wanted it to feel as close as possible to sitting in the Valkyrie Hypercar.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-58-750-simulator-is-built-around-the-valkyrie-s-steering-wheel — Citation: "Aston Martin's £58,750 Simulator Is Built Around The Valkyrie's Steering Wheel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-09. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-s-58-750-simulator-is-built-around-the-valkyrie-s-steering-wheel --- ## Axiom Space and Prada Reveal the Cooling System Behind the Next Generation Moon Suit - URL: https://menwith.com/axiom-space-and-prada-reveal-the-cooling-system-behind-the-next-generation-moon-suit - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Tech - Published: 2026-06-09 - Tags: Axiom Space, Prada, AxEMU, LCVG, spacesuit, lunar exploration, cooling system **Summary:** Axiom Space and Prada unveil the LCVG, a crucial inner garment for the AxEMU spacesuit. This advanced system regulates astronaut body temperature through integrated cooling tubes, ensuring comfort and safety during lunar missions. When most people think about a spacesuit, they focus on the outer shell. The helmet, the visor and the futuristic appearance tend to steal the attention. Yet one of the most important components is hidden beneath the surface. Axiom Space and Prada have now revealed the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, better known as the LCVG, designed to be worn inside the AxEMU spacesuit that will support astronauts during future lunar exploration. The garment serves as the astronaut’s personal climate control system. As astronauts work in demanding environments, their bodies generate significant heat. Without an effective cooling solution, temperatures inside a spacesuit could quickly become uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Keeping Astronauts Cool on the Moon The LCVG features a network of cooling tubes integrated throughout the garment. Water circulates through these tubes, helping regulate body temperature while removing excess heat generated during physical activity. The system also assists with ventilation, ensuring astronauts remain comfortable during long periods of exploration. Whether collecting samples, conducting experiments or navigating the lunar surface, maintaining a stable body temperature is essential for performance and safety. Prada’s Unexpected Role While Prada is best known for luxury fashion, the Italian house has brought advanced expertise in materials, manufacturing and design to the AxEMU program. The collaboration highlights how space exploration increasingly draws on knowledge from industries far beyond aerospace. Prada’s contribution has focused on helping create solutions that balance durability, functionality and comfort under extreme conditions. A New Era of Spacesuit Design The AxEMU spacesuit represents one of the most advanced spacesuit programs developed in recent years. Designed for future lunar missions, it aims to provide greater mobility, flexibility and performance than previous generations of suits. The unveiling of the LCVG offers another glimpse into the technology that will help astronauts operate on the Moon as humanity prepares for a new chapter of exploration. While it may not be the most visible part of the suit, the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment could prove to be one of its most important innovations. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/axiom-space-and-prada-reveal-the-cooling-system-behind-the-next-generation-moon-suit — Citation: "Axiom Space and Prada Reveal the Cooling System Behind the Next Generation Moon Suit" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-09. https://menwith.com/axiom-space-and-prada-reveal-the-cooling-system-behind-the-next-generation-moon-suit --- ## Heesen’s Project Ananda Answers One Question: How Should a Yacht Make You Feel? - URL: https://menwith.com/heesen-s-project-ananda-answers-one-question-how-should-a-yacht-make-you-feel - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-06-08 - Tags: Heesen Yachts **Summary:** Heesen's Project Ananda redefines yachting by prioritizing calm, clarity, and connection. Its design fosters fluid movement and layered privacy, creating an atmosphere of ultimate bliss at sea. A shell door opens at the yacht’s midpoint, transforming into a private boarding platform. From here, a glass elevator and a central staircase offer a direct route to the heart of the vessel. Guests arriving on Project Ananda are not led through busy social areas. They are welcomed into a calm, carefully choreographed space, a first indication of the yacht’s guiding philosophy. The 72-metre motoryacht is a collaboration between Heesen Yachts and Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Its name, Ananda, comes from a Sanskrit word for ultimate bliss or supreme joy. The entire project was conceived to create moments of calm, clarity, and connection at sea. An Interior Guided by Flow Inside, the layout is guided by three principles: connection to the sea, fluid movement, and layered privacy. Sinot’s interior concept is built on the themes of Serene, Nature, and Architecture. Spaces are finished in soft neutral tones, with curved partitions and diffused lighting creating a visually calm and balanced atmosphere. Materials like light oak, textured woods, and delicately veined stone introduce tactile richness. Refined metal finishes add structure and precision. Full-height windows and vertical voids connecting the Main and Upper Deck lounges dissolve the boundary between inside and out. The lower deck Spa is positioned amidships, serving as the emotional centre of the vessel. It offers a hammam, sauna, massage room, and relaxation spaces, all separated from the more active social zones. This sense of privacy extends to the accommodations. The Owner’s Deck was conceived as a private apartment, while a VIP suite on the Bridge Deck rivals it in both scale and quality, reflecting evolving patterns of yacht charter and use. Ultimately, Project Ananda is defined by the experience it creates. Exercising on the wellness-focused Sun Deck at sunset. The effortless movement between open social spaces. The quiet that comes when the yacht cruises under hybrid power, with only the sound of the sea for company. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/heesen-s-project-ananda-answers-one-question-how-should-a-yacht-make-you-feel — Citation: "Heesen’s Project Ananda Answers One Question: How Should a Yacht Make You Feel?" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-08. https://menwith.com/heesen-s-project-ananda-answers-one-question-how-should-a-yacht-make-you-feel --- ## Antonelli Finds Calm In Monaco's Chaos - URL: https://menwith.com/antonelli-finds-calm-in-monaco-s-chaos - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-08 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Kimi Antonelli dominated the chaotic Monaco Grand Prix with a lights-to-flag victory, extending his winning streak. The race saw numerous incidents, penalties, and retirements for other drivers. The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix ended with Kimi Antonelli in the harbour, celebrating with most of his Mercedes team. For the young Italian, it was the finish to a confident, lights-to-flag triumph. For nearly everyone else on the Formula 1 grid, the day was considerably more complicated. Antonelli arrived in Monte Carlo on a four-race winning streak from China, Japan, Miami, and Canada. After Ferrari showed pace in practice, he delivered what he called a “magic” lap in Saturday’s qualifying to take pole position from Max Verstappen. On Sunday, he managed the start perfectly, pulled away, and navigated a Safety Car and a red flag to secure his fifth successive victory. The win puts him 66 points clear of his nearest rival, Lewis Hamilton. A Story of Two Garages While Antonelli extended his championship lead, his Mercedes teammate George Russell was left, in his own words, “scratching his head.” A quiet qualifying was followed by two time penalties in the race. The first, five seconds for speeding in the pit lane, was not served correctly at his next stop. The stewards handed him a drive-through penalty, ending his chances of a P3 finish. At Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton turned a P3 start into a P2 finish, his second consecutive podium. He managed tyre issues and a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, which the team negated with a strategic stop under the Safety Car. It looked like a potential double podium for the Scuderia, with Charles Leclerc running close behind in third at his home race. Leclerc had already endured a slow stop when Ferrari double-stacked its drivers, but held his position. After the restart, as Antonelli disappeared up the road, the Monegasque driver’s brakes gave up. He drove straight into the barriers, a mirror image of an earlier crash by Lance Stroll. Over the radio, Leclerc stated he was not willing to “take the blame” for the incident, citing his car's troubles. Survival in the Midfield The theme of survival defined the day for many. Isack Hadjar scored his first podium for Red Bull, but it was a difficult drive to third. He defended from Russell for nearly half the race while dealing with graining on his front-left tyre. He reported to his team that something felt like it was “going to explode” and that he was unable to use first gear. He held on, inheriting the final podium spot after Leclerc’s crash and penalties were applied to others. His Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen, had no such luck. After qualifying on the front row, his car failed to get off the line at the start. He was forced to retire on the first lap. He was just one of many who failed to finish. Valtteri Bottas retired with Cadillac’s continued brake problems. Haas’s Ollie Bearman pitted for a new front wing on lap one and was out by lap 30. Lando Norris saw his McLaren, in its 1000th Grand Prix, suffer a lack of power before becoming the fourth retiree. The chaos continued. A crash from Aston Martin's Lance Stroll brought out a Safety Car, which became a red flag after Leclerc’s subsequent incident. On the final restart, Carlos Sainz was tagged by Nico Hulkenberg, who received a 10-second penalty. Sergio Perez lost Cadillac’s first potential point after a post-race penalty for being out of position dropped him to P15. Penalties for speeding in the pit lane were also handed to Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, and Oscar Piastri. Watching it all unfold under three days of sun were skiing stars Eileen Gu and Lindsey Vonn, along with actors Karen Gillan, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Michael Douglas. They witnessed a race with more incidents than a Hollywood script. But through the disorder, one driver wrote a simple, clear story. Kimi Antonelli’s winning streak continues. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/antonelli-finds-calm-in-monaco-s-chaos — Citation: "Antonelli Finds Calm In Monaco's Chaos" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-08. https://menwith.com/antonelli-finds-calm-in-monaco-s-chaos --- ## Mercedes-Benz Marks 140 Years With a 50,000-Kilometre Drive - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-marks-140-years-with-a-50-000-kilometre-drive - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-07 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Three new S-Class saloons are on a 50,000-kilometre journey across six continents, visiting 140 symbolic locations to mark a milestone anniversary. On January 29, 2026, three new S-Class saloons departed Stuttgart on a global drive. The journey, titled “140 Years. 140 Places,” will cover more than 50,000 kilometres across six continents, a physical marker for a symbolic anniversary for Mercedes. The route is designed to visit 140 locations, each chosen to reflect a part of the company’s history or its presence around the world. The drive is not a solitary one. Along the way, the convoy of new S-Class models is joined by classic vehicles, other current production cars, and local fleet vehicles, creating a rolling showcase at each stop. Across Continents The first stage of the journey took the cars across Europe, with stops in Switzerland, France, Spain, and Belgium. From there, the convoy crossed to South America, traveling through Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile before heading to North America. A series of hosts are documenting the drive for the brand's YouTube channel. Callum Mullin covered the European leg, Karl Shakur followed the cars through South America, and Benjamin Ortega is documenting the North American chapter. The tour is also being updated across the Mercedes-Benz Community hub and its social media channels. The Asian Leg The journey is now in Asia. The S-Class will be present in Seoul, South Korea, for the world premiere of the new electric C-Class. It will then travel to Beijing for Auto China before continuing to Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan. The trip is structured around both planned showcases and spontaneous meetups with customers, fans, and members of local Mercedes-Benz Clubs. These in-person moments and community celebrations are shaping the character of the tour as it unfolds from one continent to the next. The global drive is scheduled to conclude in October, when the three saloons return to Stuttgart, the city where the company’s story began. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-marks-140-years-with-a-50-000-kilometre-drive — Citation: "Mercedes-Benz Marks 140 Years With a 50,000-Kilometre Drive" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-07. https://menwith.com/mercedes-benz-marks-140-years-with-a-50-000-kilometre-drive --- ## Loro Piana’s Thirty-Year Ride in Rome - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-s-thirty-year-ride-in-rome - Published: 2026-06-06 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana celebrates over 30 years sponsoring Rome's prestigious Piazza di Siena equestrian competition, blending heritage with performance wear. The brand's deep roots in horsemanship inspire both athlete gear and refined lifestyle collections. In the historic Villa Borghese park in Rome, one of Europe’s oldest equestrian competitions took place. The event was the 93rd Concours de Saut International Officiel Piazza di Siena, drawing an elite field of international riders to the heart of the Italian capital. Among them were Edwina Tops Alexander, Lorenzo De Luca, and Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani. As members of the Loro Piana Jumping Team, they sported the Maison’s gold and blue colors, continuing a long-standing tradition between the brand and the sport. A Personal Foundation This partnership is not a recent development. For Loro Piana, the connection to the equestrian world is personal, rooted in the passions of the founders themselves. Both Pier Luigi and Sergio Loro Piana had a deep affinity for horses, a detail that has shaped the brand’s identity for decades. That personal interest became a professional commitment. Loro Piana has now been a partner of the Piazza di Siena competition for more than 30 years. It is a relationship built on shared values like discipline, perseverance, and the transmission of tradition from one generation to the next. From Performance to Wardrobe The Maison’s involvement goes beyond sponsorship. It extends directly to the athletes, with specially-designed Loro Piana garments created to support the performance of equestrians. These pieces utilize technical materials intended to function under the specific demands of the sport. That sporting aesthetic also informs a wider wardrobe inspired by the refined equestrian lifestyle. Iconic jackets and looks with elegant lines translate the brand’s history in the discipline into wearable pieces, connecting the performance-driven world of show jumping with a distinct vision of everyday elegance. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-s-thirty-year-ride-in-rome — Citation: "Loro Piana’s Thirty-Year Ride in Rome" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-06. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-s-thirty-year-ride-in-rome --- ## Mandarin Oriental Claims The London Summer Season - URL: https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-claims-the-london-summer-season - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-06-06 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental **Summary:** Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and Hyde Park offer luxury packages for the British summer season, combining Formula 1 and Wimbledon with exclusive access, dining, and styling experiences. A collection of contemporary sculptures and artworks will take over the Hanover Bar at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair this summer. The exhibition, curated by Silverstone’s Art Director, Renata Fernandes, captures the dynamism of Formula 1. It is the first indication that the hotel’s approach to the British summer season is about more than just securing a ticket. The Mandarin Oriental properties in Mayfair and Hyde Park have built a program around two pillars of British sport: The Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix and The Championships at Wimbledon. The idea is to provide a refined London base for two very different kinds of spectacle. From Trackside to Parkside For the Grand Prix, running from July 3 to 5, the package includes access to the Moët & Chandon Club at Fusion Lounge at Silverstone. Guests receive preferential suite rates, daily breakfast, and Grand Prix-inspired amenities in their rooms. A themed cocktail is served at the Hanover Bar in Mayfair or the Mandarin Bar in Hyde Park. Helicopter transfers from the city to the circuit can also be arranged through the concierge. The two hotels offer distinct environments for the race weekend. While Mayfair hosts the motorsport art exhibition, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park provides a quieter counterpoint. Guests there can use the Hyde Park Garden, an al fresco dining space with menus created by the team from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, for a quiet moment away from the energy of Silverstone. Beyond Centre Court at the Mandarin Oriental The focus shifts from July 29 to June 15 for The Championships. The Wimbledon offering secures priority access to Centre Court tickets. The experience is supported by in-suite amenities, daily breakfast, and either champagne with strawberries at the Mayfair hotel or a strawberries and cream dessert with English sparkling wine at the Hyde Park property. Style is also part of the arrangement. A Ralph Lauren Wimbledon-themed gift box is included, containing an invitation to the brand’s New Bond Street store for a personal styling session. The goal is to ensure guests are properly dressed for the occasion. For those staying at the Hyde Park hotel, the sporting experience extends beyond spectating. A collaboration with the Kensington Tennis Club allows guests to play and train on sought-after courts across West London, including St. Luke’s Square in Chelsea, King’s Road, and Holland Park Villas. Private sessions with the club’s elite head coaches are complemented by chauffeur-driven transfers in an Aston Martin DBX707. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-claims-the-london-summer-season — Citation: "Mandarin Oriental Claims The London Summer Season" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-06. https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-claims-the-london-summer-season --- ## TAG Heuer Turns a V12 Engine Into a Watch - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-turns-a-v12-engine-into-a-watch - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-05 - Tags: TAG Heuer, Monaco Speed 12, V12 engine, Louis Vuitton Watchmaking, Calibre TH84-00, La Fabrique du Temps, Spin Time, Formula 1 **Summary:** TAG Heuer's Monaco Speed 12 reimagines time display with a V12 engine concept, featuring rotating pistons instead of traditional hands. Limited to 50 pieces, it's a unique fusion of motorsport engineering and haute horlogerie. The relationship between TAG Heuer and motorsport runs deeper than most watch brands can claim. From Steve McQueen wearing a Monaco in Le Mans to the brand's current role as Official Timekeeper of Formula 1, racing has always been part of its DNA. Now, TAG Heuer is taking that connection even further with the unveiling of the new Monaco Speed 12. Debuting during the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026, the Monaco Speed 12 is a limited-edition timepiece designed to bring the drama and mechanical beauty of a 12-cylinder engine directly onto the wrist. A Monaco Like No Other At first glance, the watch remains unmistakably Monaco. The iconic square case is still present, crafted from Grade 5 titanium and topped with a sapphire crystal. But look closer and the entire concept becomes something entirely different. Instead of a traditional hour display, twelve piston-shaped indicators rotate around the dial. As the minute hand completes a full revolution, one piston returns to its resting position while the next rotates 90 degrees to reveal the current hour. The result is a display that feels more like watching an engine operate than reading a conventional watch. The open-worked architecture exposes much of the mechanism, while vertical grooves on the dial resemble the engine cover of a high-performance supercar. Even the minute hand takes inspiration from automotive dashboard instruments. Developed With Louis Vuitton's Watchmaking Specialists One of the most interesting aspects of the Monaco Speed 12 is what powers it. The watch is fitted with the automatic Calibre TH84-00, developed and produced by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. The movement builds upon the patented Spin Time concept created by master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini and has been reimagined specifically for this project. It's a collaboration that feels particularly fitting within the wider LVMH family. Rather than simply creating another skeletonized Monaco, TAG Heuer has delivered something that genuinely pushes the boundaries of how time can be displayed. Only 50 Pieces Worldwide Limited to just 50 individually numbered examples, the Monaco Speed 12 sits firmly in the realm of collector's pieces. Pricing starts at €77,000 in Europe, with deliveries scheduled to begin in December 2026. What makes this watch fascinating is that it doesn't merely reference motorsport through colors or branding. Instead, it takes one of the most iconic engineering concepts in automotive history—the V12 engine—and transforms it into a mechanical display of time. In a market filled with racing-inspired watches, the Monaco Speed 12 feels like one of the few that genuinely captures the spirit of the machine itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-turns-a-v12-engine-into-a-watch — Citation: "TAG Heuer Turns a V12 Engine Into a Watch" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-05. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-turns-a-v12-engine-into-a-watch --- ## Pharrell Williams Strips Back Moët & Chandon’s Ice Impérial - URL: https://menwith.com/pharrell-williams-strips-back-mo-t-chandon-s-ice-imp-rial - Published: 2026-06-05 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Pharrell Williams collaborates with Moët & Chandon on a limited edition Ice Impérial bottle, shedding its sleeve for a summer-inspired design. The Maison also unveils a new Riviera-themed pairing and a Spicy Mangosé cocktail. In 2010, Moët & Chandon created a champagne specifically to be poured over ice. It was a deliberate move, one that challenged the established codes of how champagne should be enjoyed. The blend, named Ice Impérial, was developed by Cellar Master Benoît Gouez with a clear purpose: to hold its intensity, freshness, and balance as the ice melts. This summer, that story continues. The Maison has unveiled a new limited edition bottle for Ice Impérial, created in collaboration with Pharrell Williams. For the first time, the bottle sheds its traditional sleeve, revealing a new design that celebrates the cuvée and the feeling of summer. The original concept from Gouez was a technical one. He engineered a champagne that would evolve in the glass, offering a consistent experience from the first sip to the last. This new collaboration with Williams builds on that foundation, exploring new ways to present the pioneering spirit of the Maison, which has been shaping its own path for more than 280 years. Summer on the Riviera To ground the launch, Moët & Chandon has partnered with La Tarte Tropézienne. The collaboration features a series of exclusive pairings inspired by the French Riviera, designed to complement the cuvée’s notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and stone fruit. The recipes are meant to capture the relaxed elegance of summer by the sea. A New Signature Serve Alongside the bottle, the Maison is introducing a new signature cocktail. Also imagined by Benoît Gouez, the Spicy Mangosé is a fresh interpretation of the cuvée designed for warm-weather occasions. The drink combines Ice Impérial with mango, agave, and a subtle hint of chili. It’s a tangible expression of the freedom this particular champagne has always represented. The project is part of a wider creative effort at LVMH to highlight talent and culture. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pharrell-williams-strips-back-mo-t-chandon-s-ice-imp-rial — Citation: "Pharrell Williams Strips Back Moët & Chandon’s Ice Impérial" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-05. https://menwith.com/pharrell-williams-strips-back-mo-t-chandon-s-ice-imp-rial --- ## The Quiet Moments Before Monaco - URL: https://menwith.com/the-quiet-moments-before-monaco - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-05 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Pre-Monaco moments reveal Kimi Antonelli's personal trophy ceremony and Lando Norris's Indy 500 visit. Oscar Piastri explores Isle of Man TT, while Lance Stroll attends an NHL game. In Emilia-Romagna, Kimi Antonelli received the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. The award, given only once to a driver for commendable performance in motorsport, is a significant marker, especially in a second season. The ceremony took place in his home country, with his family and the Mercedes team present, before the grid descended on Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix. The occasion was grounded in something more personal than an award. Antonelli drove his father's GT3 race car through Motor Valley, the heartland of Italian motorsport. Later, he was at Mugello for MotoGP, where he waved the chequered flag for Marco Bezzecchi's first home victory. With Antonelli leading the Formula 1 standings and Bezzecchi at the top of MotoGP, it marked the first time since 1952 that Italians led both championships at once. Across The Grid Last year’s World Champion, Lando Norris, spent his Monday after Montreal in Indianapolis. He joined the Indy 500 celebrations, congratulating winner Felix Rosenqvist before getting a tour of the oval from Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan. After a difficult weekend in Montreal, the trip seemed to serve its purpose. Norris later visited the Arrow McLaren centre with teammate Pato O’Ward, then played golf with Zak Brown and Christian Lundgard. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, found his way to the Isle of Man TT. He took in the action from a front garden, embracing the unique spirit of one of motorsport’s most unforgiving events. Hollywood actor Channing Tatum was also on the island filming a movie about the race. In a more unusual turn, it was announced that a new species of wasp discovered in Burmese amber, `Gwesped piastrii`, was named in his honor. Researchers felt the amber’s color recalled McLaren’s papaya livery. Lance Stroll, meanwhile, stayed in his home city after the Montreal race. The 27-year-old Aston Martin driver caught a Montreal Canadiens home game in the NHL Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. Though the Canadiens lost the series 4-1, Stroll met with some of the players before the game. Paddock Notes As the teams prepare for Monaco, McLaren is marking its 1000th race in Formula 1. Norris and Piastri spent time in Germany, driving a selection of McLaren cars on the Nordschleife despite damp conditions. Other teams are also making their presence felt, with Aston Martin revealing a special livery for the weekend. The sport itself continues to evolve, with the latest F1 Commission meeting resulting in an agreement on rule tweaks for the 2027 season. These moments between races are also filled with reflection on the sport's history. Jean Alesi recently looked back on his single Grand Prix victory from 1995, and the F1 Nation podcast released its preview of the Monaco race. Away from the track, life is simpler. Franco Colapinto celebrated his 23rd birthday with a giant slice of cake from his teammate Pierre Gasly in the back of a car. Carlos Sainz spent time on the water. George Russell attended a wedding with his partner, Carmen Montero Mundt. Valtteri Bottas was in supporter mode as his partner, Tiffany Cromwell, won the Australian Gravel Championships for a second time. Pierre Gasly watched PSG win the Champions League final on Saturday, leaping around the room in celebration. His dog, Simba, held in his arms, seemed considerably less thrilled by the whole thing. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-quiet-moments-before-monaco — Citation: "The Quiet Moments Before Monaco" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-05. https://menwith.com/the-quiet-moments-before-monaco --- ## Audi Nuvolari Is the Brand’s Boldest Statement in Years - URL: https://menwith.com/audi-nuvolari-is-the-brands-boldest-statement-in-years - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-04 - Tags: Audi Nuvolari, Audi supercar, 1001 hp, hybrid powertrain, carbon fiber, Formula 1, Tazio Nuvolari, 2027 production **Summary:** Audi's new Nuvolari supercar boasts 1,001 hp and F1-inspired hybrid tech, marking a bold return to performance. Limited to 499 units, it features a carbon-fiber body and advanced aerodynamics. For years, enthusiasts have debated whether Audi had lost some of the magic that once made the brand one of the most exciting names in performance cars. Between a heavy focus on electrification, a somewhat confusing model strategy and the departure from some of its most iconic products, the conversation around Audi has often felt cautious rather than passionate. The new Audi Nuvolari changes that. Unveiled as the most powerful and fastest production car in the history of the four rings, the Nuvolari arrives with a staggering 1,001 horsepower, a top speed exceeding 350 km/h and a Formula 1-inspired hybrid powertrain. Limited to just 499 examples worldwide, it is Audi's first true supercar of the modern era. A Supercar Built Around Performance Power comes from a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 800 horsepower, paired with three axial flux electric motors. Together they deliver a combined output of 736 kW, or 1,001 horsepower. The result is extraordinary performance: 0–100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds and 0–200 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Audi says many of the technologies have been directly influenced by its Formula 1 program, including active aerodynamics, energy recovery systems and advanced torque vectoring. The company’s new “quattro predictive ride” system continuously analyzes grip levels, steering input and vehicle dynamics to proactively optimize traction and stability. More Than Just Big Numbers What makes the Nuvolari interesting is not only the performance figures. Audi has developed an entirely new Audi Space Frame architecture combined with a carbon-fiber exterior, something the company has never offered in a production vehicle before. Nearly every exterior panel is made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer, helping reduce weight while increasing rigidity. The active rear wing, adjustable aerodynamic elements and Formula 1-inspired DRS system further highlight how serious Audi is about creating a genuine driver's car rather than simply another high-powered grand tourer. Why This Feels Important For Audi Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Nuvolari isn't its power output or its top speed. It's what the car represents. For the first time in quite a while, Audi appears willing to take risks again. The Nuvolari is emotional, ambitious and unapologetically performance-focused. It feels less like a product created to satisfy a market segment and more like a car created to remind people why they fell in love with Audi in the first place. The brand's greatest moments have always come when engineering ambition led the way. From the original quattro to the R8 and the Le Mans era, Audi built its reputation by doing things differently. The Nuvolari seems to carry that same spirit. Looking Ahead Named after legendary racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, the supercar is scheduled to enter production in the first half of 2027. Whether it becomes a future icon remains to be seen, but one thing is already clear. Audi needed a halo car. And the Nuvolari might be exactly the statement the brand needed to make. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audi-nuvolari-is-the-brands-boldest-statement-in-years — Citation: "Audi Nuvolari Is the Brand’s Boldest Statement in Years" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-04. https://menwith.com/audi-nuvolari-is-the-brands-boldest-statement-in-years --- ## Girard-Perregaux Laureato Finds Its Next Step - URL: https://menwith.com/girard-perregaux-laureato-finds-its-next-step - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-04 - Tags: Girard-Perregaux **Summary:** Girard-Perregaux's Laureato Fifty celebrates 50 years with new 36mm and 39mm models featuring stunning blue enamel dials and an in-house Calibre GP4800 movement. The first thing to notice is the color. A deep blue enamel, laid over a textured "Clous de Paris" pattern, creates a surface that shifts with the light. It is one of four new references from Girard-Perregaux, introduced fifty years after the Laureato first appeared. The collection, named Laureato Fifty, explores the watch's identity through two case sizes. The 39mm models continue a familiar proportion, while the 36mm returns to a dimension long appreciated by collectors. Alongside the in-house crafted blue enamel dial, the 39mm version is also available with an 18K rose gold-toned dial. The textured surface creates a play of warmth and shadow across the precious metal. The 36mm models follow this same path, with one version in rose gold-tone and another that combines a mirror-finished silver-toned dial with a bezel set with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds. A Half-Century of Coherence The Laureato first launched in 1975, a product of a pivotal moment in watchmaking. Four years earlier, Girard-Perregaux had developed the high-frequency quartz movement that established 32,768 Hz as an industry standard, and the Laureato housed this innovation within a distinct architectural form. An octagonal bezel on a circular plinth, a tonneau-shaped case, and an integrated bracelet defined its look. Through five decades and successive generations, the design has evolved. The third generation in 1995 introduced the automatic Manufacture calibre GP3100. The fourth, in 2003, brought more assertive proportions. This latest chapter continues that trajectory. "The Laureato endures through the strength of its architecture: a measured balance of lines and the movement within, naturally evolving with depth, presence and enduring character," says Marc Michel-Amadry, the Managing Director of Girard-Perregaux. The Engine of Momentum At the heart of the Laureato Fifty is the in-house Calibre GP4800. The automatic movement operates at 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. Visible through the sapphire caseback, its balance bridge is crafted in rose gold, a detail exclusive to this release. The movement, developed and assembled entirely in-house, receives ten distinct finishes. Polishing, sandblasting, anglage, Geneva stripes, engraving, and snailing are joined by circular satin-brushing, circular graining, sunray finishing, and straight graining. The bracelet, too, carries a micro-adjustment system offering up to 4mm of fine-tuning. The GP4800 is also a signal of intent. Since September 2025, the manufacture has unveiled three entirely new calibres in rapid succession: this one, followed by the Grand Complications Laureato Three Gold Bridges and the Minute Repeater GP9530. It suggests a clear sense of momentum, and a story that is far from complete. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/girard-perregaux-laureato-finds-its-next-step — Citation: "Girard-Perregaux Laureato Finds Its Next Step" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-04. https://menwith.com/girard-perregaux-laureato-finds-its-next-step --- ## Charles Leclerc’s New Ferrari Deal Is More Than A Contract - URL: https://menwith.com/charles-leclerc-s-new-ferrari-deal-is-more-than-a-contract - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-06-03 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Charles Leclerc inks a new Ferrari deal, extending his lifelong dream with the Scuderia. The contract signifies a shared ambition to bring a World Championship back to Maranello. For Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari has become a second family. The 28-year-old driver described his relationship with the team in deeply personal terms following the announcement of a new multi-year agreement that will keep him racing in red for the coming seasons. “It’s the team I’ve loved and dreamt of being part of since I was a child,” Leclerc stated. His new contract marks the latest chapter in a story that began long before his debut with the main team in 2019. The journey started with the Ferrari driver academy back in 2016, followed by a Formula 2 title in 2017 and a season with Sauber in 2018. Vasseur pointed to Leclerc’s talent and determination as key factors, along with the way he approaches his work with the Scuderia, “both on and off the track.” The shared ambition is the foundation of the continued partnership. “We know how much this project means to him and we are happy to continue working towards our shared goals,” Vasseur said. That singular goal is to bring a World Championship back to Maranello. For Leclerc, it is a duty he feels not just to the team, but to its followers. “I’m deeply grateful that we will keep pushing side by side,” Leclerc concluded, giving a final thought to the tifosi, “whose passion is the heartbeat of this Scuderia.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/charles-leclerc-s-new-ferrari-deal-is-more-than-a-contract — Citation: "Charles Leclerc’s New Ferrari Deal Is More Than A Contract" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-03. https://menwith.com/charles-leclerc-s-new-ferrari-deal-is-more-than-a-contract --- ## Spectre Series II: Rolls-Royce's Most Refined Electric Yet - URL: https://menwith.com/spectre-series-ii-rolls-royce-s-most-refined-electric-yet - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-06-02 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce's Spectre Series II boasts a new bamboo-woven interior and enhanced performance, with increased range and faster charging, reflecting owner usage. Rolls-Royce Refines the Spectre Rolls-Royce has updated its landmark electric super-coupé with greater range, recalibrated performance, and some of the most labour-intensive interior craft the marque has ever put into a production car. The Spectre Series II is a direct response to how clients actually live with the car: driven extensively, often solo, frequently as a daily companion. Rolls-Royce committed to this platform early, and the Series II update lands at a moment when the industry is actively debating whether electrification belongs in ultra-luxury at all. Data gathered by Rolls-Royce specialists informed the update. One European client covered more than 30,000 miles in two years. In response, engineering updates have increased total driving range by 18 percent to 390 miles and reduced charging times by up to 14 percent. A Canvas for Ambition The Spectre has become the marque's most significant Bespoke canvas after the Phantom, with some clients requesting more than 20 individual elements per commission. Series II expands that palette considerably. A new interior fabric, Duality Twill, is woven from bamboo-derived rayon and inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d'Azur, which neighbours Villa Mimosa, Sir Henry Royce's former winter home. Its embroidered pattern is an abstract take on the brand's interlinked 'R' initials, with a nautical influence reminiscent of interwoven rope. A single interior can incorporate up to 2.6 million stitches across 10 miles of thread, requiring up to 25 hours to construct. Placed Perforation leather is also new. Precision-cut patterns, 78,138 perforations in three different sizes, are arranged across the seats to form artwork inspired by clouds in moonlight. Extended to the illuminated door option, the pattern disperses softly toward each light source. Woodwork sees new treatments too. A high gloss Brindled Walnut veneer combines walnut from non-fruiting trees with residual eucalyptus fibres from paper production, forming a layered tiger stripe pattern sealed with a lacquer infused with fine glass flakes. The effect reads as particles suspended beneath the surface. Technical Refinements Performance has been recalibrated across both variants. The standard Spectre Series II produces 1,015 Nm of torque. The Black Badge version delivers 500 kW of power in Infinity Mode and up to 1,100 Nm in Spirited Mode, making it the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built. A new Iced Black Exterior Detailing option transforms most of the Black Badge's brightwork with a matte finish. Designers kept the Pantheon Grille vanes polished deliberately, preserving the car's identity within the darker treatment. Inside, a new clock draws on precision aviation instruments, prioritising legibility above all. Cast metal hands sit within a vitrine that also houses an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine in solid stainless steel. Chief Executive Chris Brownridge frames the update through the words of co-founder Sir Henry Royce: "Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing." The Spectre was first introduced in 2022. It remains the marque's second best-selling model globally. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/spectre-series-ii-rolls-royce-s-most-refined-electric-yet — Citation: "Spectre Series II: Rolls-Royce's Most Refined Electric Yet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-02. https://menwith.com/spectre-series-ii-rolls-royce-s-most-refined-electric-yet --- ## The Bugatti N1 Hides a 137-Inch Screen in Plain Sight - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-n1-hides-a-137-inch-screen-in-plain-sight - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-06-02 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** The C SEED BUGATTI N1 transforms from a sideboard into a 137-inch 4K MicroLED screen, inspired by Bugatti's automotive design. It offers a seamless, integrated viewing experience with advanced audio. At the push of a button, a process begins. It takes 45 seconds to complete. What starts as a minimal, sculptural object unfolds with engineered precision, revealing a screen that measures up to 137 inches. This is the C SEED BUGATTI N1, a collaboration that translates a hyper sports car's design philosophy into a piece of kinetic architecture for the home. Engineered and manufactured in Austria, the Bugatti N1 is the result of a partnership with C SEED. In its closed state, the unit presents as a refined sideboard. Its form is guided by the carmaker's principle of ‘Art, Forme, Technique’, with clean surfaces and balanced proportions. The design itself draws from the iconic ‘C-line’ that defines the side profile of Bugatti’s cars. Form and Function The concept is directly inspired by the Bugatti Tourbillon and its ‘screen detox’ approach. The N1 is designed to integrate into a living space, interacting with light and architecture rather than imposing itself. Only when activated does it reveal its function. The unfolding is a choreographed, multi-stage movement, driven by a center-sliding mechanism that ensures a perfectly balanced motion. When fully open, the display is a 4K MicroLED screen, available in 110-inch and 137-inch sizes. The use of MicroLED MiP technology provides deep blacks and high contrast while maintaining energy efficiency and generating minimal heat. C SEED’s patented Adaptive Gap Calibration works with HDR10+ and a specialized screen coating to create a seamless, low-glare viewing experience. Material and Movement The construction uses materials that reflect its automotive inspiration. Carbon fiber elements are incorporated for lightweight engineering, and the unit is available with original materials and finishes used in the Bugatti Tourbillon. An exclusive Sculpture Silver finish is offered, alongside bespoke color configurations. For architectural integration, the screen can rotate 180 degrees. The sound system, powered by Wisdom Audio, uses advanced planar magnetic technology. Its speakers are seamlessly integrated into the design, extending into position when the television is activated and retracting discreetly when it is turned off. The project is framed as an object existing at the border between interior design, art, and high-performance engineering. “With the C SEED BUGATTI N1 we did not want to create a better television,” a partner from C SEED noted. “We wanted to create something that no longer belongs to the television category. C SEED is not ‘just a TV,’ just as a Bugatti is not ‘just a car.’” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-n1-hides-a-137-inch-screen-in-plain-sight — Citation: "The Bugatti N1 Hides a 137-Inch Screen in Plain Sight" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-02. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-n1-hides-a-137-inch-screen-in-plain-sight --- ## Zenith and Naoya Hida Find Common Ground in the Calibre 135 - URL: https://menwith.com/zenith-and-naoya-hida-find-common-ground-in-the-calibre-135 - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-06-02 - Tags: Zenith **Summary:** Zenith and Naoya Hida collaborate on the G.F.J. Calibre 135, a limited edition platinum watch celebrating watchmaking heritage with unique Japanese craftsmanship. On a solid silver dial, a pantograph machine makes its mark. The three Arabic numerals are then passed to the Japanese engraver Keisuke Kano, who finishes each one by hand. Finally, the engravings are filled with blue Japanese urushi lacquer. This is how the new G.F.J. Calibre 135 from Zenith begins. The watch is a co-signed project with independent watchmaker Naoya Hida & Co., the first in a series called The Double Signed Program. The initiative invites select partners to reinterpret a celebrated Zenith model. This first collaboration is a 10-piece limited edition in a 39.5mm platinum case, born from a meeting between Zenith’s Chief Product Officer, Romain Marietta, and Naoya Hida in his Tokyo workshop. “The connection with Naoya Hida was immediate,” Marietta said, “rooted in a shared passion for the golden age of watchmaking.” A Meeting of Minds Naoya Hida founded his brand in 2018, building a reputation for a design language that is both precise and restrained. His work on the G.F.J. watch draws from the spirit of his own NH Type 1 and NH Type 2 models. The collaboration centers on the Calibre 135, a movement Hida has followed since the 1990s. The original Calibre 135 is one of watchmaking’s most awarded movements from the era of observatory chronometer competitions. Zenith revived the movement’s legend in 2022 with a series of ten restored Calibre 135-O movements, a project handled by master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. In 2025, for the manufacture’s 160th anniversary, a re-engineered version was placed at the heart of the new G.F.J. collection, named for founder Georges Favre Jacot. Benoit de Clerck, CEO of Zenith, noted Hida’s contribution. “What I particularly admire in Naoya Hida's work is his ability to express great depth through restraint. I am grateful for the intelligence and sensitivity he brought to the G.F.J.” The Substance of the Calibre 135 The watch’s details reflect this shared respect for craft. The slender hour and minute hands are milled from solid gold by an ultra-precise CNC machine, then hand-polished by a team led by master watchmaker Kosuke Fujita. The small seconds hand is steel, heat-treated to a deep blue. Through the sapphire case back, the hand-wound Calibre 135 shows its modern decoration. A dark ruthenium finish is accented with yellow gold-coloured markings over broad Geneva stripes. The movement beats at 2.5Hz and features a large variable-inertia balance wheel with a Breguet overcoil. It offers a 72-hour power reserve, a stop-second mechanism, and is regulated to +/-2 seconds per day, earning it COSC certification. The watch comes with three distinct straps. One is Himeji Kurozan leather, a Japanese material repeatedly lacquered with urushi. Another is Wagyu leather, refined by craftsmen at Kyoto Leather. The third is a deep indigo blue Japanese non-stretch denim from the Kaihara Denim mill. For Naoya Hida, the project was a long time coming. “I have been captivated by the Caliber 135 since discovering it in the 1990s. Being offered the opportunity to reinterpret the G.F.J. with Zenith was both a surprise and a delight. Passion is essential to watchmaking; it cannot exist without it. My greatest joy is being able to create a watch like this—one that truly means something to me.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/zenith-and-naoya-hida-find-common-ground-in-the-calibre-135 — Citation: "Zenith and Naoya Hida Find Common Ground in the Calibre 135" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-02. https://menwith.com/zenith-and-naoya-hida-find-common-ground-in-the-calibre-135 --- ## Why LVMH Is Investing in a Thousand-Year-Old Japanese Paper - URL: https://menwith.com/why-lvmh-is-investing-in-a-thousand-year-old-japanese-paper - Published: 2026-06-02 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH Métiers d’Art champions Washi, a thousand-year-old Japanese paper, in a Paris exhibition. The initiative supports artisanal excellence, blending tradition with contemporary design and fostering intergenerational craft transmission. For over a millennium, Washi has been an essential material in Japan. The traditional paper has a history woven into calligraphy, architecture, and design. This week, that same material is the focus of an exhibition in Paris, hosted by LVMH Métiers d’Art at its dedicated space, La Main. The exhibition, titled “Japanese Métiers d’Art - Celebrating the Artisanal Excellence of Japan,” runs from May 28 to June 3, 2026. While open primarily to professionals, a single day on May 30 was dedicated to the general public. Inside, a selection of works reveals the diversity of Washi, from its use in fashion and textiles to objects and interiors. The event highlights a dialogue between ancestral techniques and contemporary applications, showing how artisans, artists, and workshops are integrating rare gestures into the present. A Deeper Connection This exhibition is part of a wider initiative. In 2022, LVMH Métiers d’Art established an antenna in Japan specifically to strengthen ties with local craft actors. The goal is to support the transmission and visibility of their skills among the group's Maisons. With the support of the Kyoto Prefecture, this new show brings together artisans from the Tango region and other territories linked to Kyoto, demonstrating how Washi can be reinvented. The presentation features works by Horiki Eriko, a major figure in the contemporary expression of Washi. It also includes creations by young talents from a competition organized by the KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE, an initiative that supports the next generation of artisans. The Logic of Savoir-Faire The strategy is articulated by Yves Cauchon, the Director of LVMH Métiers d’Art. “Through this exhibition, we wish to highlight the diversity of the savoir-faire related to Washi and show how much this ancestral material continues to inspire contemporary creation,” he stated. “Preserving these traditions, while supporting their evolution, is at the heart of our approach.” This is not the first time LVMH has focused on Japanese craftsmanship. Two previous exhibitions have already been organized under this dynamic. “Ambient Weaving,” designed with the textile house Hosoo, focused on innovative silk weaving techniques. Another edition of “Japanese Métiers d’Art” was dedicated to Japanese denim, highlighting the work of anime and multimedia artist Shu Yonezawa. Between unique pieces, material experiments, and more industrial applications, the exhibition offers a sensitive and contemporary look at the creative power of Japanese métiers d’art. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-lvmh-is-investing-in-a-thousand-year-old-japanese-paper — Citation: "Why LVMH Is Investing in a Thousand-Year-Old Japanese Paper" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-02. https://menwith.com/why-lvmh-is-investing-in-a-thousand-year-old-japanese-paper --- ## A Price on Presence: The 78m Superyacht MALIA Lists for €110 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/a-price-on-presence-the-78m-superyacht-malia-lists-for-110-million - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-06-01 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** The 77.7m superyacht MALIA, a 2023 Golden Yachts build, is listed for €110 million. It boasts a striking design, expansive decks, a glass-edged infinity pool, and a luxurious interior with exotic finishes. The asking price is EUR 110,000,000. For that figure, the 77.7m superyacht MALIA enters the 75m+ market as a rare opportunity, listed exclusively with Burgess. Delivered by Golden Yachts in 2023, the vessel has been maintained by a single owner since its launch and is presented in near-new condition. Her profile on the water is striking, a function of her scale and design. The outdoor living spaces are arranged across multiple decks, each with a different perspective of the sea. A sun deck incorporates a bar, jacuzzi, and lounge areas. Below, the main deck features a glass-edged infinity pool, while the upper deck aft is set up for dining. An Interior of Scale and Detail Inside, the sense of space is defined by a substantial 2,165GT volume and full-height windows that connect the interior to the surrounding seascape. The design, by Studio Massari, is a showcase of intricate craftsmanship. More than 250 different finishes were used throughout, including a selection of exotic woods and precious stones. Specific features include sculptural, illuminated wave installations in the main and upper saloons. A cascading chandelier is entwined around the central spiral staircase, creating a focal point between decks. An elevator also connects the levels for seamless movement throughout the yacht. The yacht MALIA accommodates up to 17 guests in a flexible arrangement of eight cabins. The owner’s full-beam master suite is located on the main deck, complete with a private lounge. A neighboring twin cabin is positioned nearby, suitable for children. Two additional VIP cabins are also on the main deck, while the lower deck houses one twin and three king-sized double cabins. A Sea-Level Retreat One of the yacht’s core features is its expansive beach club on the lower deck. The space opens on three sides with fold-down sea terraces, creating a large swim platform with direct access to the water. The area is appointed with relaxed seating and a wet bar. Discreetly incorporated within the beach club is a private wellness suite. This sea-level retreat contains a hammam, a sauna, and a massage suite, offering a full spa experience just steps from the ocean. The award-winning yacht is equipped for both private ownership and continued charter use. A helipad allows for seamless arrivals and departures. Available by separate negotiation, a Wajer 38S chase tender can be included as an addition to the package. MALIA is currently lying in the West Mediterranean and available for inspection. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-price-on-presence-the-78m-superyacht-malia-lists-for-110-million — Citation: "A Price on Presence: The 78m Superyacht MALIA Lists for €110 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-06-01. https://menwith.com/a-price-on-presence-the-78m-superyacht-malia-lists-for-110-million --- ## Vacheron Constantin’s 270-Year Journey Arrives in Shenzhen - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-s-270-year-journey-arrives-in-shenzhen - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-31 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's "Explore All Ways Possible" exhibition in Shenzhen celebrates 270 years of exploration and watchmaking innovation, featuring heritage timepieces and the 30th-anniversary Overseas collection. The exhibition space for Vacheron Constantin is at MIXC Shenzhen Bay, a landmark described as a vital gateway connecting China to the world. Here, from May 31 to June 14, 2026, the Maison presents “Explore All Ways Possible,” an exhibition built around the theme of exploration that has defined its work since its origin in 1755. The journey for visitors unfolds across five immersive spaces. It begins with an introduction to the Maison's boundless curiosity before moving into “Heritage,” which uses rare archival imagery and historic timepieces to trace a path from Geneva to the four corners of the world. The narrative continues through cinematic storytelling in a space called “Exploration in Film.” A Spirit of Exploration The spirit of the exhibition is anchored in a motto written by François Constantin in 1819: “Do better if possible, and that is always possible.” This principle has guided the Maison’s expansion beyond Switzerland, where each voyage led to encounters with new cultures and horological challenges. The choice of Shenzhen, a city known for its open, diverse, and pioneering spirit, was a deliberate one. This year’s theme also marks the 30th anniversary of the Overseas collection. Since its launch in 1996, the collection has served as the modern expression of Vacheron Constantin’s spirit of adventure, evolving in both design language and technical complexity. A selection of these contemporary pieces is on display in the “Exploration in New Horizons” section, creating a dialogue between aesthetics and innovation. Mechanical Artistry and Human Touch The journey through the exhibition leads to “High Watchmaking,” a space highlighting the Maison’s achievements in Grand Complication watchmaking. Here, visitors can get a closer look at the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première. Developed with 13 patent applications, it unites 41 complications in a single wristwatch, the most complex ever created by the brand. The exhibition also features a collaboration with Chinese artist and illustrator Shan Jiang. His work, characterized by meticulous detail and a boundless imagination, is presented as an alignment with the house’s own values of excellence and innovation. It is part of a wider effort to cultivate a cross-cultural dialogue through the art of watchmaking. The experience concludes in a space named “A Moment Captured.” Through an interplay of light and shadow, visitors are invited to leave their own traces of discovery, turning geographies, cultures, and time into a personal echo of memory and perception. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-s-270-year-journey-arrives-in-shenzhen — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin’s 270-Year Journey Arrives in Shenzhen" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-31. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-s-270-year-journey-arrives-in-shenzhen --- ## The Dents and Scratches on Steve McQueen’s Personal Heuer Monaco - URL: https://menwith.com/the-dents-and-scratches-on-steve-mcqueen-s-personal-heuer-monaco - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-31 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Steve McQueen's personal Heuer Monaco from 'Le Mans' bears dents and scratches, testaments to its role in the film and the actor's racing passion. This iconic timepiece is a direct link to motorsport history. The stainless steel case has a few dents. The crystal shows scratches. These are not signs of neglect. They are the physical record of a story, one involving Steve McQueen, the 1971 film Le Mans, and a Porsche 917K driven at over 200 miles per hour down the Mulsanne Straight. This is the Heuer Monaco, reference 1133B, that McQueen wore most often on set and in the film. The watch, with its blue dial and square 46 x 40 mm case, became part of motorsport lore through a chain of admiration. McQueen, a dedicated automotive enthusiast who bought a Porsche 356A Speedster with one of his first acting paychecks in 1958, was an accomplished racer. He secured a second-place finish at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring in a Porsche 908/02. To the man known as the “King of Cool,” the Swiss driver Jo Siffert was an idol. The Siffert Connection For his passion project, Le Mans, McQueen insisted on mimicking Siffert. His character, Michael Delaney, would drive a Gulf-liveried Porsche 917K, just like Siffert. He would wear a white racing suit with a large “Heuer Chronograph” patch on the chest, just like Siffert. And he would wear a Heuer watch, just like Siffert, who not only wore an Autavia but also sold them to other drivers in the pit lane. The film’s Property Master, Don Nunley, was the one who guided McQueen toward Heuer’s newest model, the Monaco. The decision prompted a direct correspondence between Nunley and Jack Heuer himself to secure timing equipment and a total of nine Monaco watches for the production. After filming wrapped, Nunley kept three of the reference 1133B Monacos. He eventually sold two of them around the year 2000, but held onto this specific example for decades. His reasoning was simple. “I considered it to be the most important and the one most used by Steve,” Nunley stated. He later called it “one of the most important watches in movie history.” A Piece of History The watch’s provenance is meticulously documented. The story is confirmed by a sworn affidavit from Nunley dated September 9, 2016, and a lockbox labeled “1970 LE MANS” containing over 400 documents from his personal archive. The collection includes the complete history of Heuer’s correspondence with the film’s set. Today, the watch remains in original condition, having never been polished. The case, powered by a caliber 11 automatic movement. The scratches and dents are a direct link to the action they witnessed. Perhaps the most telling detail is on the original “Corfam” racing strap. It shows specific wear at a single hole, the kind of mark left only by the same wrist wearing the watch over and over again. It is the final, quiet piece of evidence connecting an object to the man who made it a legend. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-dents-and-scratches-on-steve-mcqueen-s-personal-heuer-monaco — Citation: "The Dents and Scratches on Steve McQueen’s Personal Heuer Monaco" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-31. https://menwith.com/the-dents-and-scratches-on-steve-mcqueen-s-personal-heuer-monaco --- ## The Whistle, The Watch, And Twenty Years Of Hublot In Football - URL: https://menwith.com/the-whistle-the-watch-and-twenty-years-of-hublot-in-football - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-05-31 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Hublot celebrates 20 years of timing football, marked by a new Classic Fusion Chronograph honoring the UEFA Champions League. This partnership blends luxury watchmaking with the passion of the sport. The final whistle blew in Budapest on May 30, closing the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League season. We were there for it. Inside Puskas Arena, the atmosphere was the kind you feel in your chest before you hear it with your ears. And on the sideline, the fourth official's board, shaped like a watch case, displayed the added time. For twenty years, Hublot has been timing football, and this night in Hungary was another marker in that history. We had arrived a few days earlier, staying at Maison 45, which set the tone immediately. Dinners that stretched late into the evening, conversations that moved between football and watches with the ease that only this particular corner of the world seems to produce. Budapest has a weight to it, a city that takes occasions seriously, and the Champions League final is exactly the kind of occasion it knows how to hold. The brand's presence in football began in 2006 when it became the first luxury watchmaker to sponsor a team, the Swiss national side. It was a move that created a template for pairing high-end watchmaking with professional sport. Two decades later, Hublot's involvement includes four FIFA World Cups and five UEFA EURO tournaments. For the past ten years, it has timed over 800 UEFA Champions League games. The guest list reflected this mix of worlds. American basketball player AJ Dybantsa was in attendance, alongside British singer Jessica Glynne and actors Saffron Hocking and Daniel Kaluuya. They were joined by football legends Luis Figo, Johan Djourou, Claude Makelele, and Robert Pires. Sitting across from those names after a match of that scale, in a city that had been electric for 48 hours, you understand why Hublot has committed so deeply to this space. The sport pulls people in, and the brand has made itself part of that gravity. The Anniversary Piece To mark the occasion, Hublot introduced a new watch. The Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium is a 100-piece limited edition, commemorating 70 years of the competition and a decade of Hublot timing it. The 42mm case is cast from satin-finished and polished titanium. The gradient blue dial carries the UEFA Champions League logo on the counter at 3 o'clock. Inside is the HUB1153, a Swiss Made automatic chronograph caliber with a 48-hour power reserve. The strap fuses blue rubber with blue calf leather, printed with the competition's starball emblem. Each piece is priced at 11,900 CHF and comes in a custom wooden case that includes an official miniature replica of the trophy. Seeing it in Budapest, at the event rather than in a press image, the piece makes more sense. Context does that to watches. The titanium reads softer in person, the blue less corporate than you might expect. It's a piece that earns its limited edition status rather than simply claiming it. Twenty Years of Fusion The brand's philosophy, the "Art of Fusion," began in 1980 when it placed a gold case on a rubber strap. The idea evolved with the launch of the Big Bang in 2005, and today partnerships with Kylian Mbappé, Alex Morgan, and Ada Hegerberg continue that story. CEO Julien Tornare framed the anniversary in his own terms. "Every single second counts in football, and it was an honor to time them all again this year. At Hublot, this success builds on 20 years of passion, 20 years of innovation and 20 years of being football's first watch." He also pointed ahead: Hublot will partner with the Mexican and Japanese national teams at this summer's FIFA World Cup. We left Puskas Arena late. The city was still going. Some partnerships between a brand and a sport take time to feel inevitable, and twenty years is usually enough. This one has earned that word. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-whistle-the-watch-and-twenty-years-of-hublot-in-football — Citation: "The Whistle, The Watch, And Twenty Years Of Hublot In Football" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-31. https://menwith.com/the-whistle-the-watch-and-twenty-years-of-hublot-in-football --- ## Bentley Mulliner and the New Definition of Personal Commissioning - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-mulliner-and-the-new-definition-of-personal-commissioning - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-30 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley Mulliner expands its personal commissioning options with new Ombré exterior finishes, matching interior veneers, and custom laser-etched designs, catering to a growing demand for bespoke luxury. It takes two technicians 56 hours of painstaking work to create a single Ombré by Mulliner exterior finish for a Bentley. The process, which creates a seamless transition between two complementary colors, was first shown at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, in 2025. What began with three colorways is now expanding, driven by a growing number of clients looking beyond the standard range. The original finishes of Topaz Blue to Windsor Blue, Sunburst Gold to Orange Flame, and Tungsten into Onyx are now joined by five new pairings. The 2026 portfolio adds Alpine Green into Verdant, Cricketball into Black Velvet, Pale Brodgar into Brodgar, Portofino into Marlin, and Grey Violet into Damson, bringing the total to eight distinct options. That flow of color can now continue directly into the cabin. For each of the Ombré exteriors, Mulliner is offering a matching interior Piano veneer. The finish creates a seamless color gradient flowing from the fascia into the door waistrails, connecting the exterior and interior design. A More Dynamic Character For models aimed at the performance-focused driver, such as the Continental GT S and GTC S, a new dual racing stripe is available. The design features one broad central stripe flanked by two thinner, contrasting stripes. It extends from the Bentley wings on the bonnet, across the roof, and finishes at the rear spoiler. The stripe is not offered for the roof of the Continental GT Convertible. A Personal Touch Inside, the new options are just as specific. For the Continental GT and GTC, the centre console can now be specified with a technical metal finish named ‘Wave’. It uses a repeating, intertwined ribbon motif to create a tactile surface. Mulliner is also introducing laser-etched veneers, allowing clients to have their own motifs or designs etched onto the fascia while retaining the veneer's natural finish. This is available for all open pore wood, high gloss veneers, and even satin finish carbon fibre. The expansion of Mulliner's portfolio responds to a clear shift in how Bentley customers approach their cars. More than 70 per cent of clients now order their vehicles with some level of Mulliner content, from personalised embroidered emblems to complete coachbuilt vehicles. The additions for 2026, which also include two new Mulliner welcome lamp animations, are a direct result of this growing interest. The division has assembled a set of curated specifications for each model as a starting point. With this inspiration, and the guidance of a Mulliner Consultant or Bentley Retail Specialist, each customer can bring their vision of an individual Bentley to life. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-mulliner-and-the-new-definition-of-personal-commissioning — Citation: "Bentley Mulliner and the New Definition of Personal Commissioning" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-30. https://menwith.com/bentley-mulliner-and-the-new-definition-of-personal-commissioning --- ## Paul Newman’s Daytona-Winning Mustang, Dirt Included - URL: https://menwith.com/paul-newman-s-daytona-winning-mustang-dirt-included - Category: Style - Published: 2026-05-30 - Tags: Paul Newman Mustang, Daytona 24 Hours, Roush Racing, Classic Car Auction, Motorsport History, Celebrity Cars, Ford Mustang Cobra, Mecum Auctions **Summary:** Paul Newman's Daytona-winning Mustang, still bearing race-day dirt, is up for auction. This Roush Racing Cobra, number 70, boasts a 750hp V8 and a storied racing past with the iconic actor. The Ford Mustang race car Paul Newman drove at Daytona is heading to auction, and it still wears the dirt from the track. Following its class victory at the 1995 Rolex Daytona 24 Hours, the car was fitted with new body panels for display. The originals, caked in the grime of an endurance race, were set aside. They have since been re-fitted, returning the car to the exact state it was in when it finished the race 31 years ago. A Speeding Billboard The car was a Roush Racing Ford Mustang Cobra, finished in white and wearing the number 70. The number was chosen to celebrate Newman’s recent 70th birthday. Its entry into the race was sponsored by Paramount, using a leftover publicity budget for Newman’s film Nobody’s Fool, which had been released a little over a month prior. The movie’s logo is still visible on the livery. The car, however, proved to be more than just a promotional tool. Shared by a team of drivers including Newman, Tommy Kendall, Mark Martin, and Michael Brockman, the Mustang performed. It won the GTS-1 class and secured a third-place finish overall in the grueling 24-hour event. The Real Deal Newman’s involvement was no celebrity cameo. His enthusiasm for auto racing was genuine, a passion he discovered while training for the 1969 film Winning and pursued for the rest of his life. He was an active participant in Sports Car Club of America events throughout the 1970s and finished second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978. At his last professional race in 2007, just a year before his death, he took the pole position. The Daytona car was built for serious competition. It is equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter Roush-built V-8 connected to a five-speed manual transmission. When new, the engine produced around 750 horsepower. This was more than 500 horsepower in excess of the road-going Mustang Cobra available that year. This piece of racing and Hollywood history will cross the block at Mecum’s Nashville 2026 sale. The auction is scheduled for Saturday, September 26. An estimate has not been published, but the car’s pedigree connects it to a specific moment for both motorsport and one of its most dedicated actors. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/paul-newman-s-daytona-winning-mustang-dirt-included — Citation: "Paul Newman’s Daytona-Winning Mustang, Dirt Included" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-30. https://menwith.com/paul-newman-s-daytona-winning-mustang-dirt-included --- ## Loro Piana Takes to the Water at the Tre Golfi Sailing Week - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-takes-to-the-water-at-the-tre-golfi-sailing-week - Published: 2026-05-29 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana sponsors the historic Tre Golfi Sailing Week, reinforcing its deep connection to the sport. Pier Luigi Loro Piana will compete, embodying the brand's "luxury in motion" ethos. More than 120 boats are competing off the coast of Sorrento, Italy. The fleet moves against the backdrop of Capri, Ischia, and the legendary silhouettes of Ponza and Li Galli. This is the scene for the Tre Golfi Sailing Week 2026, an event Loro Piana now supports as a sponsor. With a history spanning over 70 years, the week is a fixture on the international regatta calendar. It draws elite sailors for three distinct competitions: the Maxi European Championship, the ORC World Championship, and the historic Tre Golfi Regatta itself. A Personal Connection For Loro Piana, the partnership is a reinforcement of a long-held connection to sailing. The involvement goes beyond a simple sponsorship. Pier Luigi Loro Piana, a member of the founding family, will compete in the regattas aboard his own boat, My Song. This personal participation frames the brand’s presence at the event. The Maison, part of LVMH, describes the connection through shared values of heritage and the transmission of skill. It is presented as a physical expression of the company’s vision of “luxury in motion.” The Challenge Trophy The race courses trace paths through the gulfs of Naples, Gaeta, and Salerno, with a diversity of international flags reflecting the event’s global reach. The competition is built around an obsession with excellence, a value the sponsor shares. At the week’s conclusion, the Maison will present the Loro Piana Challenge Trophy to the overall winner. In a gesture that speaks to continuity, the victor will hold the trophy only until the next edition of the regatta. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-takes-to-the-water-at-the-tre-golfi-sailing-week — Citation: "Loro Piana Takes to the Water at the Tre Golfi Sailing Week" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-29. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-takes-to-the-water-at-the-tre-golfi-sailing-week --- ## FRED Translates the Colors of Roland-Garros into Force 10 - URL: https://menwith.com/fred-translates-the-colors-of-roland-garros-into-force-10 - Published: 2026-05-29 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** FRED's Force 10 collection reimagines its nautical DNA with a Roland-Garros inspired palette of terracotta, yellow, and navy. The new pieces feature interchangeable cables and introduce precious small necklace and bracelet designs. The warm tones of a clay court in Paris. The sharp white of the lines. A flash of bright yellow from a tennis ball in motion. These are the sensory details that define the atmosphere at ROLAND-GARROS, and they form the foundation of a new capsule collection from the Maison FRED. From Sailing to Centre Court The collaboration renews a partnership between the jeweler and the tournament, bringing the world of tennis into the design language of one of the brand’s signature lines. The Force 10 collection, first created in the 1960s, has its origins in the world of sailing. Its distinctive twisted cable and buckle design was inspired by maritime hardware, giving it an enduring sporty spirit. For this season, that nautical DNA is reinterpreted through the lens of tennis. Six new creations adopt a palette of terracotta, yellow, and navy blue, directly referencing the environment of the Paris tournament. The collection continues to be shaped by values the Maison holds: audacity, energy, and a spirit of challenge. A Collection of Firsts Within the new series, LVMH-owned FRED introduces, for the first time, a Force 10 Precious Small necklace and bracelet. These pieces join a set of limited-edition designs that explore color contrasts and luminous stones, built around the interchangeable cable system that has become a hallmark of the line. This modular approach is central to the collection’s identity. The ability to swap cables allows the jewelry to be personalized, adapting to different styles and ways of wearing. It is a design meant to be versatile, reflecting the personal nature of how jewelry is worn. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/fred-translates-the-colors-of-roland-garros-into-force-10 — Citation: "FRED Translates the Colors of Roland-Garros into Force 10" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-29. https://menwith.com/fred-translates-the-colors-of-roland-garros-into-force-10 --- ## Warhol, Woven - URL: https://menwith.com/warhol-woven - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-05-29 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Andy Warhol's iconic Pop Art images are reimagined as collectible woolen tapestry rugs. Authorized by the Andy Warhol Foundation, these limited editions bring his art into the domestic space. A Campbell's Soup can rendered in wool. Andy Warhol’s most recognizable images are being translated into a new medium, shifting from silkscreen prints to collectible woolen tapestry rugs. The project brings his Pop Art icons into a format that lives somewhere between fine art and interior design. These are authorized editions, produced in the late 1990s by Museum Masters International, often called MMI, in direct collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation. The series was developed to reinterpret Warhol's signature aesthetic, moving his compositions from paper and canvas into a woven, textile form. The idea is a logical extension of Warhol’s own practice. His career was built on the principles of reproduction and circulation, challenging the boundaries between a museum piece and a mass-media image. He understood that repeating an image could amplify its power. These tapestries continue that conversation, carrying his work into the domestic space. Marilyn in a New Medium Few of Warhol's subjects are as famous as Marilyn Monroe. He began using her likeness after her death in 1962, turning a publicity still into one of modern art’s most enduring motifs. In 1997, MMI published the Marilyn tapestry editions as part of this project. Produced in limited editions of 99, the woolen tapestries reinterpret the portrait in two distinct colorways: a cool Blue Purple and a vibrant Red Yellow. The woven surface introduces a texture and warmth that gives the familiar image a different physical presence from the slick finish of a traditional screenprint. Icons of Consumer Culture Warhol's critiques of consumerism and media are also represented in the collection. The Campbell’s Soup Can: Red 1 tapestry, published in 1998, was created in a smaller edition of 10 with artist’s proofs. The Playboy Tapestry Rug from 1997, also an edition of 10, connects to his lifelong fascination with branding and desire. Presented unframed, the works can function as wall hangings or focal points within a room. Their appeal is supported by the crossover between the art and design worlds, speaking to collectors interested in works with cultural familiarity and a strong material presence. These after-Warhol editions are currently offered through the Sotheby's Buy Now Marketplace. They reinforce one of his most lasting ideas: that an image gains meaning through circulation, moving from canvas to print, and now, into the very fabric of a home. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/warhol-woven — Citation: "Warhol, Woven" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-29. https://menwith.com/warhol-woven --- ## Alpine Will Race Under Gucci’s Banner in 2027 - URL: https://menwith.com/alpine-will-race-under-gucci-s-banner-in-2027 - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-05-28 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Gucci becomes the first luxury fashion house to title partner an F1 team, rebranding Alpine to Gucci Racing Alpine F1 from 2027. This partnership aims to create a new business and experiential platform for the brand. The team will race under a new banner from the start of the 2027 season: Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team. It was announced today that the luxury fashion house will become the title partner to Alpine, a move that includes a complete livery change from the current blue and pink to a new Gucci colour scheme. A New Chapter Francesca Bellettini, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gucci, framed the decision as a significant moment for the brand. “This partnership with Alpine Formula One Team writes a new chapter,” she stated. Gucci is set to be the first luxury fashion house to serve as a Title Partner in Formula 1. The collaboration involves the creation of Gucci Racing, which Bellettini describes as “a new business and experiential platform.” The new entity is built around the stated values of performance, precision, discipline, and excellence. “Formula 1 represents today a unique convergence of performance, culture, and global reach,” Bellettini added. “And Alpine Formula One Team is the right partner to bring this vision to life.” Momentum on the Grid Alpine’s Executive Advisor, Flavio Briatore, noted the historical context of the team. “The Enstone Team has a history of doing things differently to others and has previously shown that fashion can finish first in Formula 1,” he said. “Partnering with a prestigious brand of Gucci's calibre in Formula 1 as title partner of Alpine Formula One Team is something I am incredibly proud of.” The announcement arrives as Alpine enjoys a period of strong form. The team has its best-ever points total to start a season, a sharp turnaround from finishing at the bottom of the standings in 2025. Currently, Alpine sits fifth in the Teams’ Championship. Briatore sees the Gucci collaboration as a sign of this “growing momentum behind the team.” The 2026 season has already delivered its share of drama, underscoring the competitive environment Alpine is navigating. At the recent Canadian Grand Prix on May 25, McLaren's Lando Norris had his race end in retirement, which he admitted “put us out of our misery.” Meanwhile, Max Verstappen continued to push Red Bull despite securing a podium finish, stating, “We can do better.” Briatore expressed his gratitude to Gucci’s Bellettini and Renault Group’s Luca de Meo for their “trust and dedication in the project.” For Gucci, the ambition is clear. “Gucci Racing is more than a presence on the grid,” Bellettini concluded. “It is an expression of who we are and where we want to take the brand. And there is much more to come.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/alpine-will-race-under-gucci-s-banner-in-2027 — Citation: "Alpine Will Race Under Gucci’s Banner in 2027" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-28. https://menwith.com/alpine-will-race-under-gucci-s-banner-in-2027 --- ## The Bugatti W16 Mistral That Began as a Book - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-w16-mistral-that-began-as-a-book - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-28 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** A Bugatti W16 Mistral is transformed into a celestial masterpiece, inspired by a collector's literary sequel to 'The Little Prince.' The car features moon and star motifs, inside and out, including a hidden air brake scene. The process began in October 2023 in Molsheim. A discerning Bugatti collector met with Jascha Straub, the Manager of Sur Mesure and Individualization, to discuss a W16 Mistral. They explored concepts and color samples, but the client was drawn to a single idea: the poetic beauty of the moon. This was not just an aesthetic preference. The collector is the author of 'Le Retour du Jeune Prince', his own literary work conceived as a continuation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s cherished novel. In his story, the young prince returns to Earth from the moon. This narrative would shape every surface of his car. A constellation of silver stars is worked into the paintwork through an intricate process of layering and refinement. It required immense time and dedication from Bugatti’s specialists. As a further nod to Saint-Exupéry’s original story, a hidden composition is revealed only when the air brake deploys: a reinterpretation of the famous scene with the prince and the fox. An Intimate World The story continues inside the cabin. The interior is finished in two leather tones: a light, luminous Terre d’Or and a darker, grounding Driftwood. The Terre d’Or door panels feature inlays of embroidered leather showcasing the moon, surrounded by star motifs stitched with precision. This celestial language appears again on the hand-stitched headrests and within the brown-carbon weave of the center console. The most direct link to the literary universe is encased in the gear shifter. An intricate silver rose, 3D-scanned from a real flower and then sculpted into a miniature form, sits encased like an item of high jewelry. It is a direct nod to the original tale, symbolizing tenderness and remembrance. As Jascha Straub noted, “The W16 Mistral 'Le Retour du Jeune Prince' is a beautiful example of what Sur Mesure can achieve when a customer’s personal story is placed at the heart of the creative process. It has been an honor to bring this vision to life in a way that respects both Bugatti’s heritage and the customer’s individual story.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-w16-mistral-that-began-as-a-book — Citation: "The Bugatti W16 Mistral That Began as a Book" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-28. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-w16-mistral-that-began-as-a-book --- ## The Weight Off: Lewis Hamilton and His Happiest Day at Ferrari - URL: https://menwith.com/the-weight-off-lewis-hamilton-and-his-happiest-day-at-ferrari - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-05-28 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Lewis Hamilton achieved his happiest day at Ferrari with a P2 finish in Canada, attributing his success to better car understanding and his engineering team. This podium marks a significant personal milestone and boosts Ferrari's championship standing. “Oh man, it’s the happiest day of my days at Ferrari so far.” For Lewis Hamilton, the finish in Canada was about a feeling, not just a result. After a weekend of mixed outcomes, the seven-time World Champion’s second-place trophy represented something more personal. The performance comes after a period of ups and downs since his time with the Scuderia began in 2025. The Canadian Grand Prix weekend itself held its own contrasts. After showing good pace, Hamilton slipped to a P6 finish in Saturday’s Sprint, a result he described with some disappointment. Sunday, however, was a different story. A Car Understood Starting from P5 on the grid, Hamilton made steady gains through the race. The drive culminated in a battle for second place against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a fight the Ferrari driver ultimately won. Hamilton attributed the performance to a deeper connection with his machine and the people behind it. “I finally have the engineering team that I’ve been working towards,” he said. “I think our car is great, the guys did a fantastic job over the winter to get the car where it is, and I think I understand it a lot better and much more comfortable with it.” He was clear about the progress. “Whilst we’re not exactly where we want to be, to get a result like this capitalises… we’ve got great reliability. This is awesome, and a big thanks to the team.” The Feeling of Light The P2 finish marked his first second place and second overall podium in a main race for the team. “It feels great to be able to put the Formula 1 Ferrari on the podium,” Hamilton said after the race. “I’m just elated and so proud of the team for working so hard.” The result, combined with a P4 finish for teammate Charles Leclerc, also helped Ferrari strengthen its hold on second place in the Teams’ Championship. McLaren, sitting in third, ended the day with no points. When asked about the personal satisfaction of the day, Hamilton’s answer was simple. “Honestly it’s the best feeling. I feel very light right now.” He spoke of arriving with “mega energy” and feeling physically strong. “I want to take this forwards.” Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-weight-off-lewis-hamilton-and-his-happiest-day-at-ferrari — Citation: "The Weight Off: Lewis Hamilton and His Happiest Day at Ferrari" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-28. https://menwith.com/the-weight-off-lewis-hamilton-and-his-happiest-day-at-ferrari --- ## Inside the Final: How Hublot Has Quietly Timed a Decade of Champions League History - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-the-final-how-hublot-has-quietly-timed-a-decade-of-champions-league-history - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-27 - Tags: Hublot, UEFA Champions League, Classic Fusion Chronograph, Jean-Claude Biver, Kylian Mbappé, Julien Tornare, Budapest, The Killers **Summary:** Hublot marks a decade as Official Timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League, subtly embedding its brand in football history. A limited-edition Classic Fusion Chronograph celebrates this milestone, reflecting the tournament's prestige. There are nights when football stops being a sport and becomes something closer to a ritual. The Champions League final is one of them. On Saturday 30 May, the Puskás Aréna in Budapest will host it for the first time, with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal contesting the trophy in front of 67,000 supporters and an estimated global audience in the hundreds of millions. Kick-off, for the first time in the competition's modern era, has been moved earlier to 6 PM local time. For Hublot, this is the tenth final. Since 2015, the Maison has been the Official Watch and Official Timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League. Across that decade, more than 800 matches have been timed in Hublot seconds, the brand's name appearing on the referee's substitution board behind every goal, every booking, every winner. It is the kind of partnership that, by design, sits in the background. The watchmaker keeps time. Football provides the drama. That equation is rarely visible to the casual viewer, and that is the point. Hublot has, since Jean-Claude Biver's era, understood that watchmaking at this level is less about technical persuasion than about cultural placement. To be the watch on the referee's wrist when Real Madrid lifted their record-extending Champions League trophies, when Inter completed their treble in 2010, when Manchester City finally crossed the line in Istanbul, is to be part of a record that does not need to be advertised. To mark a decade in the competition, Hublot released the Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium in September 2025, a 100-piece limited edition presented by Kylian Mbappé as a long-standing Hublot ambassador. The watch is a 42mm satin-finished titanium case with a gradient blue dial that mirrors the tournament's signature colour, the starball logo set into the sub-dial at three o'clock, and a sapphire caseback through which the in-house HUB1153 chronograph movement is visible. Each piece is delivered in a wooden case with a miniature replica of the trophy itself: the only one, as Hublot puts it, you do not have to win to lift. "Football isn't just a game, it's a feeling," CEO Julien Tornare said at the launch. "From the roar of the crowd to the silence before a penalty, every beat matters. And this watch is built to beat with you." The Budapest final adds new layers to the story. It is the first Champions League final ever held in Hungary, the result of a competitive bidding process that brought the competition to Central Europe for the first time. The Pepsi Kick-Off Show, headlined by The Killers and trailed in a short film starring Brandon Flowers and David Beckham, signals the increasingly elaborate spectacle around the match itself. The Champions Festival at Heroes' Square will draw fans from across Europe through the week leading up to kick-off. Somewhere in the middle of all of it, on the wrist of the referee who walks out under the floodlights, a Hublot will be ticking through another evening at the top of the European game. MenWith will be on the ground in Budapest from 29 May, covering the build-up, the Hublot programme, and the final itself. Full coverage to follow. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-the-final-how-hublot-has-quietly-timed-a-decade-of-champions-league-history — Citation: "Inside the Final: How Hublot Has Quietly Timed a Decade of Champions League History" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-27. https://menwith.com/inside-the-final-how-hublot-has-quietly-timed-a-decade-of-champions-league-history --- ## The Making of a Purple Dial at Glashütte Original - URL: https://menwith.com/the-making-of-a-purple-dial-at-glash-tte-original - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-26 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Glashütte Original's Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition features a unique purple dial crafted from bronze, embossed, grooved, and hand-lacquered. This intricate process highlights the warm bronze base, creating a shimmering effect. The 2026 Glashütte Original Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition begins with thin strips of bronze. An embossing stamp imparts a refined texture onto the metal base before the dial blank is cut, fitted with tiny bore holes, and milled with fine, parallel grooves that evoke the surface of a vinyl record. Only after the blank is domed and given a galvanic coat of gold does the colour arrive. A translucent purple lacquer is applied by hand and fired in a kiln. The hour indexes are not applied or printed. They are manually incised into the domed and lacquered surface, a method that brings the warm, shimmering bronze of the base material back to the fore. The entire surface is then sealed with a protective clear lacquer. Numerals and the brand logo are imprinted and kiln-fired in several passes, and a steady hand places luminous dots on the indexes as the finishing touch. We saw this same dial process up close a few years ago in the stone-grey Annual Edition, where a mesmerising dégradé carried the eye from a lighter centre to a darker edge. It was an unassuming favourite then, and the purple iteration earns the same close attention. This is a dial that has to be seen in person to be understood. The Case and Calibre The dial sits inside a polished, 42 mm stainless steel case, 12.4 mm in height with a 48.5 mm lug-to-lug, water-resistant to 3 bar. A domed sapphire crystal, antireflective on both sides, covers the face. The gold-plated hands are curved to follow the shape of the glass and carry partial Super-LumiNova® highlighting. The fluted crown features the brand's Double-G symbol. Power comes from the automatic Calibre 39-34, beating at 28,800 A/h (4 Hz) with a 40-hour running time. The movement drives the central hour and minute hands, an off-centre small second, and the chronograph functions: a central stop-second and a 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock. A View of the Calibre The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement in full: a three-quarter plate with Glashütte stripe finish, a swan-neck fine adjustment, bevelled edges, and polished screws. A skeletonised rotor with a 21-carat gold oscillating mass and the Double-G insignia completes the view. The watch is fitted with a black synthetic fabric strap and pin buckle. It will be available in Glashütte Original Boutiques and from authorised dealers worldwide beginning in May 2026. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-making-of-a-purple-dial-at-glash-tte-original — Citation: "The Making of a Purple Dial at Glashütte Original" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-26. https://menwith.com/the-making-of-a-purple-dial-at-glash-tte-original --- ## First look at the Ferrari Luce, A Car of Two Minds - URL: https://menwith.com/first-look-at-the-ferrari-luce-a-car-of-two-minds - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-25 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** The Ferrari Luce, designed with Jony Ive, blends tactile controls with minimalist exterior design. Its electric engineering promises intense performance, but the new aesthetic questions its Ferrari identity. The first detail that matters in the new Ferrari Luce is not its silence or its speed. It is the bank of precision-engineered mechanical switches and dials in the cabin. In a car designed with Sir Jony Ive, the man who spent decades convincing us to live behind glass, the prominent return of tactile controls is a telling admission. It suggests a deep understanding that driving engagement is a physical act, not just a digital one. It is a thoughtful touch in a car whose identity feels surprisingly hard to place. The entire project was an invitation for a new perspective, bringing in the LoveFrom creative collective to define a new design language from the outside. The result is a form defined by what they call an uncompromised, shell-like glass house. The surfaces are pure, the lines are clean, and the floating aerodynamic wings are executed with an almost academic rigor. While the halo tail lights are said to celebrate the 360 Modena and 458 Italia, the connection feels faint. The overall form has more in common with recent studies in minimalist electric architecture than with anything in Ferrari’s own back catalogue. The design is compelling on paper. In metal, it lacks the specific character that makes a Ferrari immediately recognizable, even from a distance. This is where the car’s two minds become apparent. The exterior speaks a quiet, international language of design purity. The engineering, however, speaks fluent Ferrari. The car promises a driving experience of unprecedented intensity and precision, a sensation that is likely far more compelling than its somewhat sterile first impression suggests. The final judgment, then, will happen on the road. The question is not whether an electric car can be a true Ferrari. The engineering here makes a powerful case that it can. The real question is whether this new, detached design language can contain that experience without diluting it. A car's soul is not just in how it drives, but in how it makes you feel before you ever turn the key. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/first-look-at-the-ferrari-luce-a-car-of-two-minds — Citation: "First look at the Ferrari Luce, A Car of Two Minds" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-25. https://menwith.com/first-look-at-the-ferrari-luce-a-car-of-two-minds --- ## Lufthansa Technik and BMW Designworks Just Reimagined the Private Jet Cabin - URL: https://menwith.com/lufthansa-technik-and-bmw-designworks-just-reimagined-the-private-jet-cabin - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-25 - Tags: Lufthansa Technik, BMW Designworks, The BOW, Aircraft Interiors Expo, Private Jet Cabin, Modular Interior, Hidden Touch Technology **Summary:** Lufthansa Technik and BMW Designworks unveil "The BOW," a modular private jet cabin concept emphasizing shared exclusivity and adaptable luxury for groups. Its design prioritizes flexibility, seamless technology integration, and a residential feel over traditional opulent interiors. At this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Lufthansa Technik unveiled one of the most interesting aviation concepts we’ve seen in years. Created together with Designworks, “The BOW” is a modular narrowbody private jet interior designed for executive teams, sports organizations, artists, and high-profile groups traveling together. Rather than focusing on a single ultra wealthy owner, the concept explores a new kind of luxury aviation. Shared exclusivity. The idea behind The BOW is flexibility. Operators can completely reshape the cabin depending on the mission. Need more lounge space for a corporate retreat? Fewer suites and larger social areas. Need privacy for executives or athletes? Automated partitions and modular layouts can create more secluded environments instantly. Visually, the cabin feels closer to a contemporary luxury residence than a traditional business jet. Long flowing architectural lines run through the aircraft, inspired by the shape of a bow, which is also where the concept gets its name. Soft curves, felt textures, warm wood finishes, ambient lighting, and discreet technology replace the glossy, heavy interiors often associated with private aviation. The central lounge is one of the highlights. Large curved displays, transformable presentation tables, hidden touch controls, and immersive sound systems turn the space into everything from a meeting room to a dining lounge mid flight. Lufthansa Technik’s “Hidden Touch” technology allows controls to disappear seamlessly into surfaces when not in use, creating a cleaner and calmer environment. Behind the lounge are a series of private suites that can host meetings, dining, or relaxation. Some sections can even dynamically change privacy levels during the journey. The concept can accommodate up to 28 passengers without sacrificing the premium atmosphere. What makes The BOW especially interesting is that it reflects where luxury travel appears to be heading. Quiet luxury, adaptable spaces, technology integrated invisibly into design, and experiences built around groups rather than individuals. It feels less like a traditional private jet and more like a flying members club designed for modern power circles. For now, The BOW remains a concept. But it gives a very clear glimpse into what the next generation of VIP aviation could look like. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lufthansa-technik-and-bmw-designworks-just-reimagined-the-private-jet-cabin — Citation: "Lufthansa Technik and BMW Designworks Just Reimagined the Private Jet Cabin" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-25. https://menwith.com/lufthansa-technik-and-bmw-designworks-just-reimagined-the-private-jet-cabin --- ## Breguet Makes Its Movement the Main Event - URL: https://menwith.com/breguet-makes-its-movement-the-main-event - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-25 - Tags: Breguet **Summary:** Breguet's Tradition collection redefines luxury watchmaking by showcasing intricate movements on the dial. New models for 2026 introduce contemporary touches like Arabic numerals and advanced complications. The movement in the Breguet Tradition collection is visible on the dial side. It is not an exhibition caseback. The entire architecture of the watch, its gears and bridges, forms the landscape of the face itself. This has always been the collection’s signature, a decision that puts the founder’s mechanical legacy front and center. For 2026, the house is revitalising this cornerstone collection. The update includes several new models. The Tradition 7037 and 7097 arrive with a retrograde small seconds display. The Tradition 7038 features the same complication, adding a gemset bezel and buckle. A dual-time display defines the new Tradition 7067. A Contemporary Feel A series of clever changes gives the new models a more contemporary character. On certain watches, Breguet has chosen to use Arabic numerals, a departure from the Roman fonts often associated with the brand. The shift adjusts the visual weight of the dial, offering a different kind of clarity. The updates also introduce new materials and finishes. Some models now feature traditional Grand Feu enamel dials, a craft that lends a unique depth to the surface. New movement finishes and strap options complete the revitalisation, refining the watch’s presence on the wrist. The Founder's Imprint Each piece remains an embodiment of the Breguet DNA. The visible mechanics are a direct link to the work of the founder, A.-L. Breguet himself. His approach to watchmaking, which treated the movement as a core part of the aesthetic, is the guiding principle of the entire Tradition collection. This connection is reinforced through craftsmanship. The brand speaks of its virtuosity in hand-finishing and the use of original lathes to achieve specific patterns and textures. This expertise is not just preserved, it is actively applied, giving each component a tangible link to the house's history. The sophistication comes from this depth of skill. The new models carry this philosophy forward. The retrograde seconds hand on the 7037, 7097, and 7038 is a complex and elegant complication. The dual-time function of the 7067 is a practical addition for a modern wearer. These are not just exercises in heritage, but functional evolutions of a core idea. The Tradition collection has always been about showing the path from the past to the future. By placing the movement on the dial side, Breguet makes that journey visible. Every hand-finished component and gear tells a part of the story, from A.-L. Breguet’s original vision to the watch on your wrist today. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breguet-makes-its-movement-the-main-event — Citation: "Breguet Makes Its Movement the Main Event" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-25. https://menwith.com/breguet-makes-its-movement-the-main-event --- ## TAG Heuer's New Aquaracer Runs on Light - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-s-new-aquaracer-runs-on-light - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-25 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** TAG Heuer's new Aquaracer Solargraph collection harnesses light for power, offering up to 10 months of autonomy. The line features both elegant 28mm and robust 40mm models. Ten minutes of sunlight is enough to power the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph for forty hours. The watch, part of a new 2026 collection from the Swiss brand, houses the TH50-00 movement, which converts natural and artificial light into reliable energy. It’s a practical technology at the heart of a collection that traces its origins to 1978. That year, Jack Heuer introduced the Heuer Reference 844, a watch designed for resilience in water. The Aquaracer name became official in 2004, built around six functional principles: a unidirectional rotating bezel, a screw-down crown, water resistance of at least 200 meters, luminous markings, a sapphire crystal, and a double safety clasp. The latest Solargraph models continue this legacy. The Reimagined Tool Watch The second expression is a reimagined 40 mm Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph. Here, the focus is on technical details and materials. The case geometry is sharper, the bezel is newly sculpted with reintroduced rider elements, and the case features a fluted shape at 9 o’clock. The bracelet is now interchangeable, adding to its versatility. This larger model is available in four distinct versions. Two are crafted from steel, with deep blue or vibrant green dials marked by defining horizontal lines. A more technical reference uses a sandblasted Grade 2 titanium case and bracelet, with a Grade 5 titanium bezel. Its black dial features polar blue highlights on the seconds hand, minute track, crown lacquer, and text. The final 40 mm piece is crafted entirely from fine-brushed and polished Grade 5 titanium. It presents a soft gray tone that harmonizes with rose gold accents on the hands and markers. This model, like the others in its size, uses the TH50-00 movement. When fully charged, it can run for up to 10 months, making it a suitable companion for both extreme environments and daily wear. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-s-new-aquaracer-runs-on-light — Citation: "TAG Heuer's New Aquaracer Runs on Light" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-25. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-s-new-aquaracer-runs-on-light --- ## Baglietto Sells Third T60, Blurring The Line Between Deck and Saloon - URL: https://menwith.com/baglietto-sells-third-t60-blurring-the-line-between-deck-and-saloon - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-05-24 - Tags: Baglietto **Summary:** Baglietto's third T60 superyacht sale features a unique two-level beach lounge and saloon, blurring indoor/outdoor lines. Designed by Paszkowski, it offers a fluid, sea-connected living experience. On the new Baglietto T60, guests arrive directly into a beach lounge. The space is arranged with a swimming pool, a bar, a conversation area, and a gym. An elegant, scenic staircase then connects this waterside welcome to the main saloon above, establishing a two-level area that bypasses a traditional transom. This sale marks the third hull in the flagship 60-meter T60 line for Baglietto. The announcement from La Spezia comes just a month after the launch of the first T60, and only a week after the shipyard confirmed the sale of its fourteenth DOM133. The new build was secured with assistance from broker James Lloyd of Edmiston. The project’s design is led by Francesco Paszkowski Design, who will handle both the exterior and the interiors, the latter in collaboration with Margherita Casprini. The naval architecture is the work of Pierluigi Ausonio Naval Architecture. A Continuous Environment The layout is designed to dissolve the separation between inside and out. The main saloon can be opened completely to the elements, extending the flow from the beach club below. This continuous space can stretch further into the dining area, which features full-height glass walls that also open entirely. This approach merges what are usually formal and informal zones into a single, fluid environment. The intention is to create an area in direct contact with the sea, usable throughout the day and evening. The beach area also includes a sauna. Interpreting Heritage “This result testifies to the solidity of our path and the ability of Baglietto to interpret with coerenza its own heritage, projecting it into the future,” commented Fabio Ermetto, the shipyard's Chief Commercial Officer. He noted the pride in signing a third 60-meter yacht so soon after the first was launched. Ermetto frames the work as a meeting of contemporary design and technological innovation. He describes the goal as creating a “bespoke vision of living on board, thought to transform every experience for sea in something of unique and profoundly personal.” The yacht is built with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. It will be equipped with two MTU engines, providing a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. Delivery of the third T60 is scheduled for 2029. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/baglietto-sells-third-t60-blurring-the-line-between-deck-and-saloon — Citation: "Baglietto Sells Third T60, Blurring The Line Between Deck and Saloon" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-24. https://menwith.com/baglietto-sells-third-t60-blurring-the-line-between-deck-and-saloon --- ## The 80-Metre Project Zurich Meets The Sea - URL: https://menwith.com/the-80-metre-project-zurich-meets-the-sea - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-05-24 - Tags: Damen Yachting **Summary:** Project Zurich, an 80-meter Amels Limited Editions yacht, has commenced sea trials, marking its transition from shipyard to open water for rigorous performance testing. An 80-metre Amels Limited Editions yacht known as Project Zurich has begun its sea trials. The process marks a clear transition for the vessel, moving it from the controlled environment of the shipyard to the unpredictable conditions of open water. It is the moment where design theory is measured against operational reality. From Blueprint to Reality Sea trials are not a formality. They are a critical phase for testing and fine-tuning every aspect of the yacht’s operation. During this period, its performance, comfort, and onboard systems are operated under real-world pressures. Every detail is assessed before the build is considered complete. A Proven Philosophy The methodical approach reflects the build philosophy of Damen Yachting. As an Amels 80, Project Zurich is part of a proven Limited Editions platform, which allows for a streamlined build process without sacrificing individual character. These trials are the final calibration before the yacht is handed over. With this milestone underway, Project Zurich moves a step closer to its final identity. The completion of the trials will clear the way for its delivery, which is scheduled to take place later this year. The project code will be retired, and the yacht will begin its service with its owner. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-80-metre-project-zurich-meets-the-sea — Citation: "The 80-Metre Project Zurich Meets The Sea" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-24. https://menwith.com/the-80-metre-project-zurich-meets-the-sea --- ## Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Platinum Duometre Is Pure Mechanical Theory - URL: https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-s-platinum-duometre-is-pure-mechanical-theory - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-23 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** A triple-axis tourbillon, two separate power sources, and a perpetual calendar that can be set backwards, all cased in platinum and limited to 20 pieces. On the left side of the dial, a small mechanical city performs its rotation. A sapphire crystal window in the side of the case offers another view. This is the Heliotourbillon, a triple-axis construction that spins like a top over a deep blue lacquer background representing a starry sky. As it turns, small red triangles on its third cage mark 20-second intervals against a sapphire arc. It is the most visible part of the new Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual from Jaeger-LeCoultre. First created in 2024, the timepiece is now reinterpreted in a limited run of 20 numbered pieces. The 44 mm case is crafted from platinum, a contemporary form inspired by the savonette pocket watches the manufacture made in the 19th century. Its construction is complex, comprising 40 separate parts with lugs that are screwed on rather than integrated. This allows for a mix of polished, brushed, and micro-blasted surfaces that catch light with each movement of the wrist. A new platinum 950 bracelet was created for this model. The five-row construction features individually domed links, with alternating brushed and polished finishes that echo the case. The cool, silvery tone of the metal carries over to an all-grey dial with opaline, brushed, and azuré surfaces. The layout is symmetrical, forming a triangle. Its apex is the grande date display at 3 o’clock, while the base is formed by the moon-phase and day displays in the upper sector, and the month and year below. A Solution to a Fundamental Problem The Duometre concept itself was patented in 2007 to solve one of watchmaking’s core challenges. The steady flow of power from a barrel to the escapement is essential for precision. Adding complications draws from that power, interrupting the flow and affecting accuracy. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s solution was to house two barrels and two separate gear trains within a single calibre, linked to a single regulating organ. One gear train powers the time, the other drives all the functions. This separation is the foundational principle of the Duometre. That engineering clarity allows for the complexity of Calibre 388. The movement integrates a perpetual calendar, a Grande Date, and a moon-phase indication accurate to 122 years. Unusually, the hours and minutes can be set backwards or forwards without compromising or damaging the perpetual calendar mechanism. It is a feature that addresses a common point of fragility in high-complication watchmaking. The Heliotourbillon The tourbillon builds on this foundation. It spins on three axes using three titanium cages and a cylindrical hairspring. The first cage is set at 90 degrees to the balance wheel, and the second is set at 90 degrees to the first. A third cage, perpendicular to the second, makes a full rotation in 60 seconds. The entire assembly, supported on ceramic ball bearings, consists of 163 components and weighs less than 0.7 grams. The Calibre 388, like all Jaeger-LeCoultre movements, was conceived, designed, produced, and finished within the Manufacture. The finishing includes sunrayed Geneva stripes, or côtes de Genève soleillées, that radiate across the bridges. Even parts not visible through the sapphire caseback are decorated with perlage and hand-bevelled edges. The perpetual calendar will not need manual correction until the year 2100. For leap years, a Jaeger-LeCoultre patent allows the indication to show the last digit of the year in red. It is another small signal of the mechanical thought contained within the platinum case. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-s-platinum-duometre-is-pure-mechanical-theory — Citation: "Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Platinum Duometre Is Pure Mechanical Theory" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-23. https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-s-platinum-duometre-is-pure-mechanical-theory --- ## Porsche’s New 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition Celebrates 70 Years In Kuwait - URL: https://menwith.com/porsches-new-911-turbo-s-sadu-edition-celebrates-70-years-in-kuwait - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-23 - Tags: Porsche 911 Turbo S, Sadu Edition, Kuwait, Behbehani Motors, Porsche 356, Sonderwunsch, Exclusive Manufaktur **Summary:** Porsche launches the limited 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition for Kuwait, celebrating 70 years in the Middle East. The car features traditional Sadu weaving patterns, blending heritage with performance. Porsche is celebrating a major milestone in the Middle East with the launch of the new 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition, a limited-production model created exclusively for Kuwait. Based on the latest 992.II-generation 911 Turbo S, only 20 examples will ever be produced, making it one of the brand’s rarest regional editions in recent years. The release marks 70 years since the very first Porsche arrived in the Middle East. Back in 1956, Morad Behbehani imported a Porsche 356 Cabriolet to Kuwait, establishing what would become the region’s first Porsche dealership. Today, Behbehani Motors Company still represents Porsche in Kuwait, seven decades later. What makes this edition especially interesting is how deeply Porsche integrated local cultural heritage into the design. The “Sadu” name references the traditional weaving technique known across the Arabian Peninsula for its geometric patterns and bold colors. The craft was officially recognized by UNESCO in 2020 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Rather than creating a simple badge package, Porsche translated these patterns directly into both the exterior and interior. The car wears a refined Cremewhite finish combined with custom Sadu-inspired decals running along the lower doors and rear wing. Gold “Turbo S Sadu Edition” badging on the B-pillars adds another layer of exclusivity. Inside, the car becomes even more bespoke. A two-tone Black and Bordeaux Red leather cabin features hand-stitched detailing and specially developed textile inserts carrying the Sadu pattern across the seats and door panels. Arabic “70 Years” embossing on the headrests further ties the car to the anniversary celebration. Porsche also added several Exclusive Manufaktur touches including illuminated sill guards, custom-finished accessories, Sport Classic wheels painted in Cremewhite and Black, titanium sports tailpipes, PCCB brakes and a Burmester sound system. Buyers can even go further through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch personalization program with optional Sadu-pattern fabric lining inside the frunk and glovebox. The 911 Turbo S has always represented the balance between everyday usability and extreme performance. But the Sadu Edition transforms it into something more emotional and collectible. It is less about outright speed and more about storytelling, heritage and craftsmanship tied to one specific market and moment in Porsche history. As luxury brands increasingly focus on regional identity and hyper-exclusive releases, the Sadu Edition feels like a perfect example of where modern automotive culture is heading. Limited numbers alone are no longer enough. Buyers want meaning behind the product, and Porsche has delivered exactly that here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsches-new-911-turbo-s-sadu-edition-celebrates-70-years-in-kuwait — Citation: "Porsche’s New 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition Celebrates 70 Years In Kuwait" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-23. https://menwith.com/porsches-new-911-turbo-s-sadu-edition-celebrates-70-years-in-kuwait --- ## The Veyron Before the Veyron - URL: https://menwith.com/the-veyron-before-the-veyron - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-21 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Veyron Pre-Series Chassis 5.1, a crucial prototype, underwent extreme testing and refinement before customer production. This unique Bugatti is a living archive of the Veyron's development and ambition. It was sent to the Nevada salt flats to endure searing heat and high-speed endurance tests. The conditions were deliberately unforgiving. For the car, known as Veyron Pre-Series Chassis 5.1, this was its purpose. It was one of just six examples built before Bugatti began customer production, created to guide the Veyron into its final form. Chassis 5.1 stood at the intersection of an idea and a physical object. The idea belonged to Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Karl Piëch, whose ambition was a 1,001 hp, 400 km/h road car. The object was the machine that had to make that ambition real. It became one of the instruments used to refine a new standard for hypercars. An Instrument of Creation Present during the Nevada testing was Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber. He was one of the central figures in bringing the Veyron to series production, having masterminded its 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. The gearbox was an engineering challenge of its own, built to manage the immense force of the W16 engine. By September 2005, the car had a new identity. Registered in Germany, it was ready to operate beyond development. It traveled to Sicily for the first global dynamic event for the Veyron 16.4, where clients and media encountered the car on track and on open roads. Images from those days show Prof. Dr. Piëch seated inside 5.1, witnessing the realization of his vision. After 12 months of demanding excursions, its role shifted. It became an ambassador in North America, appearing before select clients from Sun Valley to San Diego. It received new full-silk seats and a monochromatic engine bay. At Pebble Beach, it appeared at the Jet Center, The Quail, and The Lodge, a living record of the Veyron’s evolution. A Life Lived In early 2007, the car evolved again. Its engine cover was reconfigured to the final production specification and its interior was finished in deep black. By the end of that year, it had accumulated more than 21,000 km. Records from Bugatti Greenwich noted the realities of a machine that had lived a full development life, charting inspections, recalibrations, and traces of use. As its operational life concluded in 2008, Chassis 5.1 returned to the Molsheim Atelier for its final transformation. It received authenticated production components in-line with series specification. The transition from an instrument of creation to an object of ownership was complete. For its new owner, the dedicated team of La Maison Pur Sang has meticulously traced this tale. They gathered the documentation, imagery, and archival material to reveal the car's full character. Its value lies in its story, a living archive of the Veyron’s creation. That story now has a new chapter on the shores of Lake Como. The car was entered by its owner into the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, taking its place in Class H: ‘The Pace Race: The Supercar Comes of Age.’ It sat within a remarkable Bugatti continuum, represented by an EB110 GT, an unrestored Type 37 from the era of Ettore, and a rare Type 57C ‘Aravis’. “Every Bugatti tells a story, but Veyron 5.1 carries within it the story of a whole new era for the marque. It was present at moments that shaped the Veyron’s development, its public unveiling and its introduction to customers around the world. Through La Maison Pur Sang, our role is to reveal and preserve that story with the greatest possible care – to certify the car and thus help its owner understand the depth of its significance. Chassis 5.1 therefore stands as a witness to the materialization of a dream – as did all the teams whose talent coalesced to make it a reality.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-veyron-before-the-veyron — Citation: "The Veyron Before the Veyron" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-21. https://menwith.com/the-veyron-before-the-veyron --- ## 180 Hours To Carve a Myth onto a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso - URL: https://menwith.com/180-hours-to-carve-a-myth-onto-a-jaeger-lecoultre-reverso - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-21 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus features a hand-sculpted winged horse on its 18K pink gold case, a testament to 180 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. The work begins with a single block of 18K pink gold. It ends 180 hours later, with the form of a winged horse wrapped seamlessly around the case of a new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. This is not a simple surface treatment. It is a sculpture, executed on a miniature scale, where relief engraving creates shadows that give the impression of volume and movement. The watch is the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus, a limited edition of five pieces. The choice of Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek mythology, is deliberate. It connects the watch back to the Reverso’s origins on the polo fields, linking the discipline of sport with the freedom of myth. The engraving itself is so complete it almost hides the join between the upper and lower parts of the case, creating a continuous canvas. Technique Becomes Imagination The cloud motif from the case engraving is carried over to the front dial. Here, two plates are set at different levels. More than 50 hollows are carved into their surfaces and hand-filled with layers of blue lacquer in varying shades, creating a depth that complements the tourbillon aperture. Between these plates, open-worked bridges, also lacquered in dark blue, give a glimpse of the Calibre 179 movement within. Flipping the case reveals the Duoface movement’s second time zone display. The reverse dial is fully skeletonised, its hours-minutes ring and support bridges traced in blue lacquer. This finishing contrasts with the warm 18K pink gold of the movement components. The skeletonisation is amplified by extensive hand-bevelling, a process that takes approximately 14 hours for the Gyrotourbillon cage alone and another eight hours for a single signature bridge on the reverse side. A Mechanism in Flight At the heart of the watch is the fourth evolution of the Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s multi-axis tourbillon. The mechanism contains 123 components. Its inner cage, made of ultra-light titanium, completes a full 360-degree rotation every 16 seconds. A peripheral carriage turns on its own axis once per minute, also serving as the small-seconds indicator. The entire assembly is mounted on ball-bearings instead of a conventional bridge, creating the illusion of it floating freely between the two dials. A polished blue lacquer disc placed beneath the tourbillon deepens this effect. Inside the mechanism, a greyed semi-spherical balance spring beats, its shape adapted to the Gyrotourbillon. It works with a Gyrolab balance, a double-anchor shaped component designed to reduce air friction and improve timekeeping accuracy. These elements are the result of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s long-running work in mechanical efficiency. Despite the mechanical and artistic density, the case remains 12.41mm thick. It is fastened to a blue alligator strap with a clasp that is its own piece of engineering. Made of 18K pink gold, the folding clasp uses a 46-component double-wheel system that allows the wearer to make micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5mm, ensuring a perfect fit. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/180-hours-to-carve-a-myth-onto-a-jaeger-lecoultre-reverso — Citation: "180 Hours To Carve a Myth onto a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-21. https://menwith.com/180-hours-to-carve-a-myth-onto-a-jaeger-lecoultre-reverso --- ## The Pocket Watch That Defined the Modern Olympics - URL: https://menwith.com/the-pocket-watch-that-defined-the-modern-olympics - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-21 - Tags: OMEGA **Summary:** OMEGA's 1932 pocket watch chronographs set the standard for Olympic timing, enabling modern athletic records. Their legacy continues with advanced technology at global sporting events and beyond. In 1932, the International Olympic Committee turned to OMEGA for a single reason. The brand’s pocket watch chronographs were considered the most reliable instruments available for measuring performance at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles that year. It was a decision that framed the modern understanding of athletic achievement. Without the ability to precisely measure times and distances, the concept of a world record would not exist. Competition itself depends on the separation between the winner and the runners-up, a distinction made possible only through timing. The Evolution of Precision Since that moment in Los Angeles, OMEGA has remained a constant presence at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The technology has evolved from mechanical stopwatches to state-of-the-art systems that capture performance with indisputable accuracy. This development is a quiet story of technical advancement. It happens behind the scenes, in control rooms and at the finish line, providing the data that fuels the entire spectacle of sport. The equipment used today is a direct descendant of those original 1932 chronographs, built to serve the same fundamental purpose. It delivers the final verdict on human effort. A Broader World The brand's involvement in timing extends beyond the track. A partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand, first established over 30 years ago, continues as the sailing team prepares its defense. This commitment to measurement appears in varied contexts. Recent activities show a presence that moves between sport and culture. On May 5, 2026, the brand was present at the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Just days earlier, on April 30, OMEGA hosted an event in London to celebrate the 2025 redesign of the Seamaster Planet Ocean. From a sailing race in Biel announced on May 20, 2026, to the lanes of an Olympic stadium, the common thread is the measurement of performance. Without it, there are no records to break. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-pocket-watch-that-defined-the-modern-olympics — Citation: "The Pocket Watch That Defined the Modern Olympics" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-21. https://menwith.com/the-pocket-watch-that-defined-the-modern-olympics --- ## One Watch, One Car, One Weekend on Lake Como - URL: https://menwith.com/one-watch-one-car-one-weekend-on-lake-como - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-21 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** A unique A. Lange & Söhne 1815 CHRONOGRAPH was awarded to the "Best of Show" winner at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. The event also saw the debut of the CABARET TOURBILLON HONEYGOLD. At a gala dinner on the shores of Lake Como, Stefano Martinoli received a one-of-a-kind 1815 CHRONOGRAPH. The watch, presented by A. Lange & Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid, is cased in white gold with a solid pink-gold dial. On the back, a hinged cuvette is manually engraved with the coat of arms of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. It is a singular prize for a singular achievement. Martinoli’s 1937 BMW 328 “Bügelfalte” was named “Best of Show” at this year’s Concorso, which ran from May 15th to 17th. The event, held in the gardens of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, saw some 50 classic cars compete across eight categories. The BMW was selected by an international jury as the winner of the “Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show” award. A Partnership of Shared Values This year marks the 15th anniversary of the partnership between the German watch manufacture and the Italian automotive event. Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso, notes the tradition began in 2012. “Thanks to A. Lange & Söhne, we have been able to offer our competition entrants a special highlight every year,” he says. “We are proud of our long-standing partnership, which is characterised by a shared commitment to tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation.” The choice of a chronograph for the winner's watch was deliberate, a nod to the historical connection between short-time measurement and motorsports. The movement inside the 1815 CHRONOGRAPH consists of 306 individual parts, each finished by hand in Glashütte and assembled twice to ensure perfect interaction. It’s a level of care familiar to the owners who restore these automotive masterpieces. Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid sees the connection as fundamental. “We are united by our appreciation of technical masterpieces and craftsmanship, and our respect for the people who preserve them with passion,” he explains. A New Form in Honey Gold The atmosphere at Villa d’Este also provided the setting for a new debut from the manufacture. A. Lange & Söhne presented the CABARET TOURBILLON HONEYGOLD, a new version of its distinctive rectangular timepiece. Limited to 50 pieces, the watch features a case and dial crafted from the brand’s exclusive 750 honey gold alloy, HONEYGOLD®. The warm gold is set against black-rhodiumed surfaces, and the in-house relief dial creates a distinct sense of depth. The watch is powered by the manually wound calibre L042.1, a dedicated movement for the rectangular form with a tourbillon stop-seconds mechanism and a power reserve of 120 hours. For Schmid, the link between the two worlds, automotive and horological, is a story that continues to unfold. “Just like the finest classic cars,” he says, “our timepieces also tell a story of passion and a quest for perfection that transcends time and connects generations.“ Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/one-watch-one-car-one-weekend-on-lake-como — Citation: "One Watch, One Car, One Weekend on Lake Como" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-21. https://menwith.com/one-watch-one-car-one-weekend-on-lake-como --- ## Villa San Michele Reopens Above Florence - URL: https://menwith.com/villa-san-michele-reopens-above-florence - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-05-21 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Villa San Michele, a historic Fiesole monastery turned Belmond hotel, reopens after an 18-month renovation. The redesign blends Renaissance heritage with modern luxury, featuring reimagined suites, a new Guerlain spa, and a culinary vision focused on Tuscan terroir. Villa San Michele has reopened. The former 15th-century Franciscan monastery, now a Belmond hotel, sits in the hills of Fiesole, looking out over Florence. Its return follows an 18-month renovation, a project designed to calibrate the historic property for a new era. The work was led by Luigi Fragola Architects in collaboration with Belmond's design teams. Inside, 39 rooms and suites have been reimagined. The stated goal was to merge Renaissance heritage with contemporary craftsmanship. Each interior is conceived as a quiet retreat, opening onto the villa’s gardens and the Florentine landscape. The rooms are appointed with original frescoes, Tuscan marble, and antique furnishings. Tapestries and curated artworks complete the spaces. A New Focus Three signature suites have been introduced: Limonaia, Grand Tour, and Botanica. Each name corresponds to a different aspect of the property’s history or Florence’s cultural heritage. The renovation also brings the hotel its first-ever spa. The Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain is located within the former convent. Its treatments are inspired by Renaissance and Florentine traditions, and the focus on wellbeing is supported by a new holistic programme of yoga, breathwork, and sound healing available throughout the restored gardens and woodlands. Tuscan Terroir On the culinary side, Executive Chef Alessandro Cozzolino has developed a new vision for the hotel. His approach is driven by seasonal ingredients and the character of the surrounding Tuscan terroir. This vision is expressed at the newly opened fine dining restaurant, Antesi. It joins the villa’s other dining spaces, all of which share one of Florence’s most definitive views. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/villa-san-michele-reopens-above-florence — Citation: "Villa San Michele Reopens Above Florence" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-21. https://menwith.com/villa-san-michele-reopens-above-florence --- ## Inside LVMH’s Plan for a Post-Carbon Future - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-lvmh-s-plan-for-a-post-carbon-future - Published: 2026-05-20 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH integrates sustainability into its core strategy with initiatives like Loro Piana's "Resilient Threads" and a new "Comité Vigilance" for ethics and environmental oversight. On the Mongolian steppes, Loro Piana is working to support cashmere cooperatives through a program called “Resilient Threads.” It is a project designed to preserve the biodiversity of the region, a concrete action detailed in the 2025 Social and Environmental Responsibility Report from LVMH. The report frames these initiatives not as separate commitments, but as components fully embedded in the group’s strategy. The document marks the completion of a five-year social responsibility roadmap, built around an approach the group calls “People at Heart.” The numbers from 2025 suggest this is more than a slogan. Nearly 19,000 employees made internal moves, and 82% received training. The group also reports that 50% of its key positions are now held by women, while the proportion of employees with disabilities has surpassed its 2% target. Perhaps the most structural change is the creation of a new governance body. A Comité Vigilance has been tasked with guiding the group’s actions on ethics, human rights, and environmental matters, both within LVMH and across the supply chains of its Maisons. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-lvmh-s-plan-for-a-post-carbon-future — Citation: "Inside LVMH’s Plan for a Post-Carbon Future" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-20. https://menwith.com/inside-lvmh-s-plan-for-a-post-carbon-future --- ## A Billion Dollars in 48 Hours at Christie's - URL: https://menwith.com/a-billion-dollars-in-48-hours-at-christies - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-05-20 - Tags: Christie's, S.I. Newhouse Collection, Jackson Pollock, Constantin Brancusi, Joan Miró, Mark Rothko, Art Auction Records, Jony Ive **Summary:** Christie's achieved over $1.1 billion in 48 hours from S.I. Newhouse and other collections, setting multiple artist and medium records. The sales included works by Pollock, Brancusi, Miró, and Rothko. Sir Jony Ive built the rostrum. The LoveFrom team made it by hand in oak, for Christie's 260th anniversary, and on Monday night in Rockefeller Center two auctioneers stood behind it and spent seven minutes selling a single Pollock. Number 7A, 1948. Thirty-five inches tall, one hundred and thirty-one and a half inches across. Painted when the artist was 36. It sold for $181,185,000, which nearly tripled his previous record at auction. It belonged to S.I. Newhouse. So did the Brancusi. Danaïde, a bronze with gold leaf and black patina, modelled around 1913 on a Hungarian art student named Margit Pogany, stands less than eleven inches without its base. It sold for $107,585,000 and set its own record. Sixteen works from Newhouse came up that night. All sixteen sold. The total was $631 million. Combined with three earlier Newhouse sales at Christie's, in 2018, 2019 and 2023, his collection has now reached $1.05 billion at auction. Paul Allen's, in 2022, is the only one that has gone higher. That sale was also at Christie's. Eight records, in one evening Five for artists: Brancusi, Joan Miró, Alice Neel, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko. Three for medium: Henri Matisse, Aleksandr Rodchenko, Remedios Varo. Miró's Portrait de Madame K., 1924, sold for $53,535,000. Rothko's No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe), 1964, sold for $98,385,000. Agnes Gund acquired it in his studio in 1967. The 20th Century Evening Sale that followed Newhouse realised $490.3 million on its own. Three works from Gund's collection brought $150.8 million between them: the Rothko, a Cy Twombly, a Joseph Cornell. Roy Lichtenstein's Anxious Girl, never publicly shown, sold for $46,060,000. Monday closed at $1,121,126,500 across the two sales. Ninety-seven per cent by lot. Ninety-nine per cent by value. Tuesday The Works on Paper sale opened at ten. Tash Perrin and William Featherby ran it. The total, $21,252,105, was the highest the sale has ever reached. A Picasso drawing in coloured wax crayons and pencil, from May 1964, sold for $2,515,000. It came from Joanna Carson, formerly married to Johnny. A Degas from the same collection sold for $1,524,000. Then El Lissitzky's Preliminary Study for "Proun 2 D", circa 1920, a sheet not quite nine inches by seven, sold for $673,100. Over twenty times its high estimate. The record for a Lissitzky work on paper had stood since 1990. A Magritte, Le mois des vendanges, sold for seven times its low estimate at $2,149,000. The bowler-hatted crowd did what the bowler-hatted crowd does. The afternoon Day Sale added $41,763,706. A small Bridget Tichenor on masonite, twenty by sixteen and three-quarter inches, sold for $838,200, over ten times the high estimate, and set her auction record. A Henry Moore bronze called Stringed Mother and Child, conceived in 1938, eleven point eight centimetres tall including its base, sold for $254,000. Another Moore had closed Monday night for over $7 million. The running total at the end of Tuesday was $1,184,142,311. The exhibition that preceded all of this drew nearly 20,000 visitors over ten days, a record for any single sale preview Christie's has held in Rockefeller Center. What's still to come Defined Space, the Henry S. McNeil, Jr. collection, goes up Wednesday night. The Richters from Marian Goodman's gallery follow, paired with the 21st Century Evening Sale. The Post-War and Contemporary Day Sale on Thursday. Picasso Ceramics and the first part of Marian Goodman's own collection close online on Friday. A week in which a small bronze of a Hungarian art student sold for $107 million, and the rostrum was still worth talking about. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-billion-dollars-in-48-hours-at-christies — Citation: "A Billion Dollars in 48 Hours at Christie's" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-20. https://menwith.com/a-billion-dollars-in-48-hours-at-christies --- ## Breitling’s Chronomat Evolves, But Never Forgets The Pilots - URL: https://menwith.com/breitling-s-chronomat-evolves-but-never-forgets-the-pilots - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-20 - Tags: Breitling **Summary:** Breitling's Chronomat evolves with subtle refinements, enhancing its pilot heritage and iconic design. New models feature integrated cases, improved bracelets, and updated calibers. The new Breitling Chronomat chronograph measures 13.77mm thick. Its predecessor was 15.1mm. That reduction of just over a millimeter is where the story of this watch begins. It is an update concerned with small adjustments that carry significant weight, a process of refinement rather than reinvention. This approach is a deliberate choice. The last major redesign in 2020 laid the groundwork, reintroducing the signature Rouleaux bracelet and a slimmer brushed case inspired by the 1980s original. The 2026 evolution builds on that foundation. An Unlikely Origin The Chronomat was born in 1983, a difficult moment for mechanical watchmaking. The quartz crisis was at its peak, yet four years after acquiring the company, the avid pilot Ernest Schneider partnered with the Italian Air Force's aerobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori. He set out to create an analog watch that could function in the cockpit but look right at formal events. The result was a mechanical chronograph engineered to perform beyond 7G forces, and even up to 20G. It was a flight-ready tool with dive capabilities, released for Breitling's centennial in 1984. Its name, a portmanteau of “chronograph” and “automatic,” signaled its mechanical heart in an era of batteries. Championed by Italian distributor Gino Macaluso, it took hold first on the streets of Milan and Rome. From there, its reputation spread. American visitors bought the watch on holiday and carried it home. By the 1990s, it appeared on television shows like Friends and Seinfeld and on the wrists of figures like chef Gordon Ramsay and actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. American Vogue called it “the great new watch for the nineties.” In Japan, it even became a plot device in the manga Kaiji. Feel the Detail The new models carry that history forward with a series of considered updates. The most noticeable is the shift to a fully integrated case and bracelet design. The lugs are concealed behind the case, which allows for alternative straps. The Rouleaux bracelet itself now includes a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to extend it by one link on each side of the clasp. On the chronograph, the bezel, once 18 separate components, is now milled from a single piece. The chronograph’s legibility is improved by removing the 1/100 scale from the rehaut, and a downsized crown guard makes winding more comfortable. It runs on the COSC-certified Manufacture Caliber 01 with a 70-hour power reserve. The collection is joined by a 40mm time-and-date model, the first of its kind for the Chronomat, with a 10.99mm thick case and the new COSC-certified caliber B31, which provides a 78-hour power reserve. A 36mm model, slimmed to 9.68mm, is also available, powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 10. “Why change something that works?” says Breitling head of design Pablo Widmer. “This update isn't about reinventing the Chronomat, but about enhancing its simplicity.” This philosophy is captured in the Feel the Detail campaign, featuring ambassadors Austin Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Erling Haaland in a series of macro shots. For a deeper look, a new book by investigative journalist Gerard Tubb, Chronomat Story, draws on newly uncovered archives and first-hand accounts to document the watch’s history. It is a sign of a brand examining its past just as it refines its future. As CEO Georges Kern puts it, “We've evolved the design while keeping it true to its identity.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitling-s-chronomat-evolves-but-never-forgets-the-pilots — Citation: "Breitling’s Chronomat Evolves, But Never Forgets The Pilots" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-20. https://menwith.com/breitling-s-chronomat-evolves-but-never-forgets-the-pilots --- ## A. Lange & Söhne’s Cabaret and the 0.15 Millimeter Detail - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-s-cabaret-and-the-0-15-millimeter-detail - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-18 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne's Cabaret Tourbillon Honeygold features a unique 0.15mm relief dial sculpted from gold. This limited edition timepiece boasts a form movement, a stop-seconds tourbillon, and exquisite hand-finishing. The dial of the new Cabaret Tourbillon Honeygold begins as a solid piece of gold. The text, the scales, and the frames for the sub-dials are not applied on top. They are sculpted out of the material itself, leaving them standing as a relief just 0.15 millimeters high. This detail is central to understanding the watch, a rectangular timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne limited to just 50 pieces. Creating this three-dimensional effect is a process that takes several weeks. The three-part honey gold dial is first black-rhodiumed. Finishers then carefully grind the raised elements by hand, removing the dark coating to let the warm lustre of the gold reappear. The Roman numerals III, IX, and XII, along with six lozenge-shaped hour markers, are polished and integrated separately into the dial. A Form Shaped by Function The watch case measures 29.5 by 39.2 millimeters, its rectangular form a signature of the Cabaret line since its 1997 debut. Inside, the manually wound calibre L042.1 is a form movement, meaning it was engineered specifically to fit the case’s shape. Its own dimensions are 22.3 by 32.6 millimeters. Visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback, the movement is composed of 370 parts. It features a three-quarter plate made from untreated German silver, decorated with Glashütte ribbing, and includes screwed gold chatons and blued screws. A twin mainspring barrel provides a power reserve of 120 hours. The Still Tourbillon An aperture at 6 o’clock reveals the tourbillon. This model continues a tradition started by A. Lange & Söhne in 2008, when it introduced the world’s first stop-seconds mechanism for a tourbillon. The patented device uses an arresting spring to stop the balance at any time, allowing the watch to be set with one-second accuracy. The finishing on the tourbillon itself is a formidable challenge. The upper tourbillon bridge and the top of its cage are given a black polish. This technique requires a finisher to slide the component by hand across a tin plate with special abrasive pastes until its surface becomes a perfect mirror from one angle and jet-black from another. The acute internal angles of the cage are also polished, a task demanding extreme experience. The filigreed tourbillon is made of 84 individual parts, yet the entire assembly weighs only about a quarter of a gram. Paired with the brand’s proprietary HONEYGOLD® case, the new Cabaret Tourbillon is an expression of mechanical and artisanal craft. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-s-cabaret-and-the-0-15-millimeter-detail — Citation: "A. Lange & Söhne’s Cabaret and the 0.15 Millimeter Detail" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-18. https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-s-cabaret-and-the-0-15-millimeter-detail --- ## Pagani Presents Two Visions of the Zonda on Lake Como - URL: https://menwith.com/pagani-presents-two-visions-of-the-zonda-on-lake-como - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-18 - Tags: Pagani **Summary:** Pagani showcases two distinct Zonda philosophies at Lake Como: the heritage-focused Rinascimento C12S and the bespoke, modern Cervino from the Unico program. A Pagani Zonda C12S 7.0L from the year 2000 rests on the lawn of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This is the first time the model has appeared here, and this particular chassis is a milestone. It was the first one-off car to leave the Pagani Atelier, built for a client with an exclusive removable glass roof. The car’s presence in 2026 is part of a broader story about the company’s heritage. It stands as an example of the Pagani Rinascimento program, a process dedicated to returning the earliest Zonda models to their original state. The work is done by artisans at the Pagani Officina in San Cesario sul Panaro, where every component is inspected and, if needed, restored using original materials and techniques. The program is more than a simple restoration. Each car is accompanied by a dedicated book that certifies the process, complete with original drawings and technical data from the company archives. It is a method of ensuring the mechanical and aesthetic purity of the car that first appeared more than twenty-five years ago remains intact. A Second Path At the same time, at the Fuori Concorso exhibition nearby, Pagani is showing another car, the Zonda Cervino. It represents a different philosophy, born from the Pagani Unico program. This department uses an original chassis as a canvas for a complete technical and stylistic transformation. The Zonda Cervino features entirely new, bespoke bodywork. Every curve was redesigned to create a unique aesthetic narrative, one inspired by the purity of alpine peaks. Beneath the surface, the car has been updated with a newly developed suspension system, including new dampers and other top-tier mechanical components. The project bridges the Zonda’s analog soul with modern performance standards. The Customer as Co-Author The Unico program is a creative sanctuary where the customer becomes a co-author of the final car. The result is a vehicle built to fulfill the specific dreams of a collector, a machine that is, by design, impossible to replicate in either form or function. From the historical preservation of the C12S to the visionary personalization of the Cervino, the Pagani Atelier shows its identity. It is a place that both honors the past through the Rinascimento program and pushes the boundaries of the future through the Unico program. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pagani-presents-two-visions-of-the-zonda-on-lake-como — Citation: "Pagani Presents Two Visions of the Zonda on Lake Como" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-18. https://menwith.com/pagani-presents-two-visions-of-the-zonda-on-lake-como --- ## Riva Classiche and the Business of Preservation - URL: https://menwith.com/riva-classiche-and-the-business-of-preservation - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-18 - Tags: Riva **Summary:** Riva Classiche preserves the legacy of vintage Riva boats through expert maintenance, original parts, and brokerage services, ensuring these luxury vessels remain operational and valuable assets for generations. The work began in 1957. That year, Riva established Riva RAM, a workshop with the specific know-how to maintain and service its own motorboats. It was a commitment to the life of an object after the sale, an acknowledgment that certain things are meant to last. Today, that commitment has a new name: Riva Classiche. The division formalizes a long-standing practice, combining the technical heritage of Riva RAM with the resources of Marina Riva, the exclusive dealer for original parts and accessories. It creates a single, official point of contact for owners looking to care for a piece of the brand's history. The phrase “La Dolce Vita” gets used often, but the feeling it describes depends on a great deal of practical work. The services offered by the division are a catalogue of that work: refitting, refurbishment, regular and major maintenance, laying-up, and mooring. It is the logistical and technical support system required to keep a legend afloat. A System for Legacy Beyond physical maintenance, Riva Classiche manages the life of the boats as assets. The division provides assessments, inspections, and official brokerage services for buying and selling vintage Riva units. It is an ecosystem built around the boats themselves, designed to manage their journey from one owner to the next. A Certificate of Authenticity can also be issued, a document that validates a boat's provenance directly from the builder. This is about pedigree. It confirms a vessel’s history and its place within the larger Riva story. The Physical Form of Heritage The brand's presence continues to be felt at select events. A magnificent Aquariva Super recently appeared at the 35th anniversary of the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, a gathering dedicated to the Prancing Horse. The connection is clear. These are objects that exist in the same cultural space. Whether it is an Aquariva Super or a SPORT FISHERMAN 25', the purpose of the Classiche division is to ensure these boats can be used as intended. The program is an admission that true luxury requires more than a beautiful design. It requires a guarantee of support. For an owner, perhaps the most vital service is the sale of original spare parts. It is a small detail in a long list of offerings, but it is the one that ensures a vintage Riva remains exactly that. It is the final component in the machinery of preservation. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/riva-classiche-and-the-business-of-preservation — Citation: "Riva Classiche and the Business of Preservation" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-18. https://menwith.com/riva-classiche-and-the-business-of-preservation --- ## At Villa d'Este, A 1937 BMW Defines the Present - URL: https://menwith.com/at-villa-d-este-a-1937-bmw-defines-the-present - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-18 - Tags: BMW M **Summary:** A 1937 BMW 328 won Best of Show at Villa d'Este, while a 1963 Mercedes-Benz SL 300 Roadster took the public's vote. The event also showcased future concepts and celebrated BMW anniversaries. The winning car is known for the metal edging that runs over its front wings. A single crease, a “Bügelfalte” in German, gave this 1937 BMW 328 its name and, this weekend, the title of “Best of Show” at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Under spring skies on the shore of Lake Como, the Jury of distinguished experts, led by President Lorenzo Ramaciotti, chose the pre-war racing car as the event’s overall winner. Its owner, Stefano Martinoli, received the Trofeo BMW Group from Helmut Käs, the Head of BMW Group Classic. The prize included more than a trophy. Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, presented Martinoli with a unique 1815 CHRONOGRAPH. The watch was made for the winner, cased in 18-carat white gold with a solid pink-gold dial and a hand-engraved crest on its hinged cuvette. The public, however, had a different car in mind. The Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este, awarded by public vote, went to a 1963 Mercedes-Benz SL 300 Roadster. The car, owned by American collector Eric Blumencranz, was one of the last examples to leave the factory. In total, 54 vehicles from 13 countries were assembled for the competition. Future Needs Heritage The event’s motto, “Future needs Heritage,” was more than a banner. On Friday evening, two world premieres offered a look forward. The Vision BMW ALPINA, a 2+2-seater coupé stretching 5,200 mm long, showed a future for the grand tourer. Powered by a V8 engine, its four elliptical exhaust tailpipes are tuned to be sonorous at low speeds and muscular at higher revs. BMW Motorrad offered its own statement with the Vision K18. Built around a 1,800 cc six-cylinder in-line engine, the bike’s design is guided by the theme “The Heat of Speed.” The engine serves as the technical and stylistic centerpiece of its arrow-shaped form. “I think the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is exactly the right place to unveil a new car,” said Helmut Käs. “Here, we are drawing a line from the past, through the present to the future. Arguably nowhere else in the world can you experience this scenario of a brand-new model among all of these historic vehicles. This is what makes the event so captivating.” Anniversaries in the Park The weekend also marked several significant milestones. The BMW 328, the roadster that led the parades, celebrated its 90th birthday. Built from 1936 to 1940, its 2.0-liter six-cylinder engine made it the most successful sports car of the 1930s. Another gathering marked 40 years of the BMW M3. The original E30 started as a homologation special, requiring at least 5,000 road-legal examples to be sold for it to compete in touring car races. It remains the most successful touring car racer of all time. Legendary drivers Johnny Cecotto, Roberto Ravaglia, and Emanuelle Pirro were present for the occasion, along with brand ambassador HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria. The BMW Art Car Collection celebrated its 50th anniversary. Two cars from the collection were displayed at Villa Erba. Robert Rauschenberg’s 1986 BMW 635 CSi sat alongside John Baldessari’s 2016 BMW M6 GTLM. The world tour for these cars has already greeted over two million visitors across 30 countries and will culminate in Munich in the summer of 2026. The event itself is a study in longevity. The partnership between the BMW Group and Villa d'Este Hotels is now over 20 years old. For A. Lange & Söhne, the collaboration is in its 15th year. Davide Bertilaccio, CEO of Villa d'Este Hotels, sees the event as an integral part of the hotel’s identity. “We are guardians of something unique, something that doesn’t only belong to the present but also to the generations before us that created it and to those who will have the privilege and responsibility of carrying it on,” Bertilaccio said. “This makes the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este not only an event but also a legacy that must be preserved, protected and passed on.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/at-villa-d-este-a-1937-bmw-defines-the-present — Citation: "At Villa d'Este, A 1937 BMW Defines the Present" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-18. https://menwith.com/at-villa-d-este-a-1937-bmw-defines-the-present --- ## Pat Riley And The Armani Era That Changed Sideline Style Forever - URL: https://menwith.com/pat-riley-and-the-armani-era-that-changed-sideline-style-forever - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-05-17 **Summary:** Long before tunnel fits and luxury partnerships became part of basketball culture, Pat Riley brought Italian tailoring to the NBA sidelines. What started with a meeting in Milan in 1982 helped redefine how leadership, confidence and style could coexist in sports. There are moments in menswear history that quietly change culture forever. Not through runways or advertising campaigns, but through the way a single person carries themselves. For basketball, that person was Pat Riley. Before the modern NBA became inseparable from fashion houses, pregame tunnel walks and luxury collaborations, Riley introduced something entirely different to the sidelines during the height of the Showtime Lakers era: Italian tailoring with intention. After meeting Giorgio Armani in Milan in 1982, Riley became deeply drawn to Armani’s approach to menswear. At a time when American tailoring still leaned heavily structured and corporate, Armani represented a softer, more relaxed silhouette. Lightweight fabrics, natural shoulders and effortless elegance replaced the rigid power dressing of previous decades. Riley immediately understood the power behind it. The sharply cut Armani suits became part of his identity as he coached the Los Angeles Lakers through one of the most iconic eras in basketball history. Standing courtside alongside Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Showtime dynasty, Riley looked less like a traditional coach and more like a Hollywood leading man stepping into a boardroom. But what made the image resonate was never just the clothing itself. It was the message behind it. Riley carried himself with a belief that presence mattered. That leadership extended beyond strategy boards and locker room speeches. The composure, discipline and confidence he demanded from his teams became visible in the way he dressed. The tailoring was not decoration, it was part of the performance. In many ways, Riley created the blueprint for the modern intersection between sports and luxury culture decades before it became mainstream. Long before players arrived in full runway looks and luxury brands competed for relevance within basketball culture, Riley showed that sports figures could embody sophistication without losing authority. His influence can still be seen today. The polished confidence of modern NBA tunnel fashion, the rise of luxury partnerships within sports and even the idea of athletes and coaches becoming style references all trace part of their lineage back to figures like Riley. He helped shift the perception of what masculinity in sports could look like: controlled, elegant and intentional. And perhaps that is why the imagery still feels timeless. The slicked-back hair. The softly tailored double-breasted suits. The calm expression standing beneath arena lights while chaos unfolded around him. Pat Riley did not simply wear Armani. He understood what Armani represented. A belief that style is not about excess, but about control. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pat-riley-and-the-armani-era-that-changed-sideline-style-forever — Citation: "Pat Riley And The Armani Era That Changed Sideline Style Forever" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-17. https://menwith.com/pat-riley-and-the-armani-era-that-changed-sideline-style-forever --- ## Most People Are Missing The Actual Point Of The Royal Pop - URL: https://menwith.com/most-people-are-missing-the-actual-point-of-the-royal-pop - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-17 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, Swatch, Royal Pop, SISTEM51, Mechanical Watchmaking, Ilaria Resta, Royal Oak, MoonSwatch **Summary:** The Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop is a mechanical watchmaking education moment, not just a viral drop. It introduces a new generation to hand-wound movements and watchmaking vocabulary through direct engagement. Yesterday Audemars Piguet and Swatch released the Royal Pop. By midday, queues had turned into pandemonium in several cities. Riot police were called. Watch influencers was at war by 9am. The internet, predictably, made it about the noise. That is the part that does not interest me. The fighting, the resale flips, the AI-generated wristwatch mockups, the Labubu comparisons, the camping chairs outside boutiques from Singapore to London to the US. All theatre. Because underneath the chaos, AP and Swatch have done something far more consequential than a viral drop. They have engineered the biggest mechanical watchmaking education moment the industry has had in a generation. And people, for the most part, got stuck in the noise. Look at what the Royal Pop actually is. Swatch built a new hand-wound version of the SISTEM51 for this collaboration. Fifteen active patents. A 90-hour power reserve. A Nivachron balance spring, originally co-developed by AP and Swatch Group years ago, which is the older and quieter handshake between these two houses. A barrel drum that doubles as a visible power reserve indicator. The caseback is transparent. The rotor is gone, deliberately. This is the first time the SISTEM51 has ever been built as a hand-wound caliber. That is not a coincidence. For those of us who live in this world, it’s nothing new. For the 20-year-old in Stockholm or Seoul or São Paulo who has never owned a mechanical watch in their life, this is first contact. The first time they will physically wind a movement. The first time they will see a balance wheel in motion through a sapphire caseback. The first time they will encounter the concept that a watch can run for 90 hours and then stop, and that this is not a malfunction but a feature. Power reserve. Hand-wound versus automatic. Balance spring. Tapisserie. Octagonal bezel. Lépine versus Savonnette. These are vocabulary words. The Royal Pop is going to teach them, by physical experience, to a generation that was never going to learn them from the traditional watch press. This is also AP's own framing of the project. Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, said the collaboration "invites a broader audience including the younger generations to experience mechanical watchmaking differently." That is not marketing language dressed up after the fact. That is the explicit stated intent. The education thesis is not something I am reading into the launch. It is the launch. We forget this constantly. We assume the language is universal. It is not. The vast majority of people have no relationship to mechanical watchmaking at all. They wear an Apple Watch or nothing. The Royal Oak, to them, is a shape they have seen on a celebrities wrist. The notion that someone hand-finishes the bevels on a movement they will never see is not an unfamiliar idea. It is an absent one. MoonSwatch did the same job for Omega. Speedmaster sales rose more than 50% in the months that followed. The new buyers did not cannibalise Omega. They aspired upward, on a timeline of years. AP and Swatch are running that playbook cleaner than the original. Cleaner, because the Royal Pop carries genuinely more mechanical content than the MoonSwatch did. A hand-wound caliber asks something of the wearer. You have to engage with it. You have to wind it. You have to notice when it stops. The Royal Pop is, in this sense, a better teacher than the MoonSwatch was. The MoonSwatch was a quartz watch you put on and forgot. The Royal Pop is a daily ritual. That ritual is the lesson. The pocket format sharpens it further. You pull it out. Someone asks. You explain. That conversation, multiplied across a million owners, is the largest piece of watchmaking outreach the industry has ever produced. Now, the other half of the story, because it matters. Audemars Piguet has had a quietly difficult few years protecting the Royal Oak in court. In March 2024, Japan's IP High Court refused AP's bid to register the octagonal bezel, eight hexagonal screws, and tapisserie dial as a trademark, ruling the features were not distinctive enough. In January 2025, the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board reached the same conclusion. AP appealed both. AP lost both. Now look at the Royal Pop filings. Swatch filed "Royal Pop" in Switzerland on January 15, 2024. Two months before the Japan ruling. They filed in the US on June 18, 2024. Four months after. Either Swatch is psychic, or this collaboration was being structured precisely when AP realised it was about to lose the legal capacity to stop others from making something that looked very much like a Royal Oak. This is where the pocket format does its second, cleverer job. A wristwatch Royal Pop could compete visually with the Royal Oak in a new buyer's imagination. The pocket format puts the language of the Royal Oak everywhere without putting an octagonal wristwatch on anyone's wrist. The bezel travels. The wrist does not. AP takes cultural ownership of its own silhouette at every price point, on its own terms, through a Swiss partner whose distribution rivals any other on Earth. Risk management of the highest order and executed with grace. The format is also not invented for the occasion. AP made its first Royal Oak pocket watch, reference 5697, decades ago. It sits within a tradition of Audemars Piguet pocket watches with roots in the 19th century, where the 1960s and 1970s produced ultra-thin variations in very small series, sometimes round, often polygonal, hexagonal, even octagonal. Royal Pop is not a gimmick. It is a continuation of a format AP has been quietly working in for over a century, repositioned for a new audience. Which brings me to the thing I want to say most clearly. Not a single Royal Oak buyer will change their mind and walk into a Swatch boutique instead. Not one. The person with $50,000 ready for a Jumbo is not the person queuing at 6am for a $400 pocket watch. They never were. AP knows their client. Swatch knows theirs. The two clients do not overlap. What the Royal Pop does is create a third audience. The future client. Some, in fifteen years, will be on the Royal Oak waitlist. Most will not. Both outcomes are good for the maison. AP routes 100% of its proceeds into apprenticeships and scholarships for young watchmakers. The watchmakers who will service the Royal Oaks of 2050 are partly being trained by the Royal Pop of 2026. The queues will quiet. The resellers will move on. The Royal Oak will continue to be the Royal Oak. The Royal Pop will, in its quiet way, have done more for the long-term health of mechanical watchmaking than almost anything released this decade. That is the actual story. The rest is noise. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/most-people-are-missing-the-actual-point-of-the-royal-pop — Citation: "Most People Are Missing The Actual Point Of The Royal Pop" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-17. https://menwith.com/most-people-are-missing-the-actual-point-of-the-royal-pop --- ## Vision BMW ALPINA and the Philosophy of Speed - URL: https://menwith.com/vision-bmw-alpina-and-the-philosophy-of-speed - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-16 - Tags: BMW M **Summary:** The Vision BMW ALPINA reinterprets the brand's founding philosophy of driver comfort enhancing speed. This grand tourer concept features subtle "Second Read" design elements and integrated luxury. Burkard Bovensiepen, the founder of Alpina, understood something fundamental about performance. While his rivals in endurance racing were stripping weight from their cars, he was adding extra padding to the driver’s seat. His belief was that a comfortable driver is a faster driver. That single idea, formed in 1965 in the small Bavarian town of Buchloe, has remained central to the brand ever since. The Vision BMW ALPINA is the modern expression of that philosophy. Presented at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the one-of-one design study is a substantial grand tourer, measuring 5,200 mm in length. A long, raked coupé roofline suggests it can accommodate four adults for a cross-continental journey, powered by a V8 engine tuned for a rich, deep note at low speeds and a sonorous one at high revs. The Second Read The car’s design is guided by a principle Maximilian Missoni, head of BMW Design Midsize & Luxury Cars and BMW ALPINA, calls the “Second Read.” Details are present to reward closer attention, not to demand it. The exterior form is organized around a single speed feature line, rising from the front at a six-degree inclination and wrapping around the body. The brand’s signature deco-lines, a feature since 1974, are here painted beneath the clear coat. This approach carries through to the reinterpreted shark nose front end. The kidney grille is treated as a three-dimensional sculpture. Its inner surfaces feature a finely scaled deco-line graphic, framed by a perimeter that is softly backlit only when active. Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, notes the company’s role as “the new custodians of this brand is to preserve this distinctiveness and shape it for a contemporary context.” The wheels, 22-inch at the front and 23-inch at the rear, continue the 20-spoke design that has been an Alpina constant since 1971. Even the daytime running lights, a warm white tone, are an intentional reference, inspired by the first light over the Bavarian Alps. Architectural Clarity Inside, the cabin is defined by architectural volumes rather than a single homogeneous surface. The six-degree speed feature line from the exterior continues through the interior, dividing the darker upper portion from the lighter lower segment. Full-grain leather, sourced from producers across the Alpine region, is paired with stitching that echoes the deco-lines. Craft details are restrained. A bridge stitch in heritage blue and green, inspired by historic steering wheel hand-stitching, appears sparingly. Metal components are finished with a watchmaking-inspired beveling technique, combining satin and polished surfaces. Clear-cut crystal is used for the controls that directly influence the drive. Behind the rear console, a glass water bottle sits beside a pair of BMW ALPINA crystal glasses. The glasses, which rise on a self-deploying mechanism and are held by concealed magnets, are each engraved with 20 deco-lines and feature a six-degree rim profile. Technology is integrated with the same considered approach. The BMW Panoramic iDrive and head-up display use a digital interface created specifically for BMW ALPINA. Heritage blue and green colors intensify as the driver switches from Comfort+ mode to Speed mode. The background imagery is an exact rendering of the mountain range visible when looking south from Alpina’s home in Buchloe. A New Chapter The Vision concept follows BMW ALPINA becoming an exclusive brand within the BMW Group in 2026. The move brings a clear responsibility to honor the brand’s history, which includes models like the Alpina B7 coupé of the late 1970s. That car, based on the BMW E24 6 Series, applied the brand’s philosophy to a luxury vehicle and set the course for what followed. According to Viellechner, head of BMW ALPINA, the goal is to build on the brand’s strong legacy and global community. The first new model under this structure, inspired by the BMW 7 Series, will be available to customers next year. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vision-bmw-alpina-and-the-philosophy-of-speed — Citation: "Vision BMW ALPINA and the Philosophy of Speed" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-16. https://menwith.com/vision-bmw-alpina-and-the-philosophy-of-speed --- ## The HC25: Ferrari's One-Off Bridge to a New Era - URL: https://menwith.com/the-hc25-ferrari-s-one-off-bridge-to-a-new-era - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-16 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** Ferrari's HC25, a one-off roadster, bridges past and future with its V8 engine and futuristic design. This bespoke creation for a single client marks an end for a platform and a new aesthetic direction. The door handle is milled from a single blade of solid aluminium. It stretches like a bridge between two sides of the bodyshell, a detail you might not immediately recognize for its function. This is the Ferrari HC25, a pure roadster from the One-Off series, unveiled during the Ferrari Racing Days at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Designed by the Ferrari Design Studio, under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, the HC25 is built for a single client. It belongs to the Special Projects programme, a part of the company that creates unique cars based on a customer's specific vision. The entire process, from the initial idea to the final build, takes around two years, with the client involved in design and verification phases along the way. An End and a Beginning The foundation of the HC25 is the F8 Spider. It inherits its chassis, layout, and mid-rear internal combustion V8 powertrain. This makes the HC25 a significant car, as it is derived from the last open-top model from the Prancing Horse to feature the non-hybrid turbo V8 in a mid-rear position. The project serves as a conclusion to the story of that iconic platform. At the same time, the HC25 looks forward. The muscularity sculpted around its wheels echoes the aesthetic language of the F80, positioning the car as an ideal bridge to the futuristic path Ferrari has taken with its flagship models, the 12Cilindri and F80. The forms are defined by vertical flanks, sharp crests, and clean, geometric lines that harmonize with the car's sensual surface transitions. A Car of Two Volumes A strong graphic identity defines the HC25. The car is built around a dual-volume structure, creating an interplay where the front and rear appear as two distinct bodies. These are joined by a wrapping, highly three-dimensional central band finished in glossy black. This element is also functional, incorporating air intakes for the radiators and components for heat extraction from the powertrain. The main body is finished in matt Moonlight Grey, a color chosen to give solidity and fullness to the forms. From the side, the car gains momentum from an arrow-shaped movement in the black band, which runs from the base of the rear wheels, curves vertically over the door to the sculpted handle, and then sweeps back to merge into the rear screen. The proportions were refined to minimize the visual impact of the glazing and lower the car’s perceived shoulder line. The lighting units are specific to this car. The front headlamp uses modules never before featured on any Ferrari, achieving a slim lens with a central indentation that mirrors the split design of the rear lights. The Daytime Running Lights adopt a vertical arrangement for the first time, using the leading edge of the front wings to create a distinctive boomerang shape. Inside the cabin, this dialogue continues. Sophisticated grey technical fabric is accented with yellow graphics that recall the boomerang shapes of the DRLs. The same yellow appears on the exterior Ferrari logos and brake calipers. The wheels feature a five-spoke configuration with a diamond-finished outer rim. A double recessed groove on the outer channel visually enlarges the wheel, while the slender spokes are finished in dark tones to emphasize the diameter. The car is equipped with a suite of performance systems, including eDiff3, F1-Trac, and SSC 6.1. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-hc25-ferrari-s-one-off-bridge-to-a-new-era — Citation: "The HC25: Ferrari's One-Off Bridge to a New Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-16. https://menwith.com/the-hc25-ferrari-s-one-off-bridge-to-a-new-era --- ## Vacheron Constantin Returns to Via Verri - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-returns-to-via-verri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-15 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin reopens its reimagined Milan boutique, blending contemporary design with Milanese elegance. The new space offers an immersive experience for watch connoisseurs. At Via Verri 9b, steps from Milan's Via Montenapoleone, the doors are open again. After a decade, the Vacheron Constantin boutique in the Quadrilatero della Moda has been completely reimagined, offering a contemporary interpretation of the Maison’s identity. The space covers 95 square metres across two levels. Its design is a tribute to Milanese sensibility, defined by a restrained aesthetic and sophisticated furnishings. The environment feels warm, built from a palette of light wood, grey marble, brass, and leather. These materials create a neutral backdrop for the timepieces on display. A Space for Experience Federico Di Tizio, the Country Manager for Vacheron Constantin in Italy & Greece, views the reopening as a significant milestone. “This space has been conceived to express our values of excellence, tradition and innovation at their finest,” he comments, “offering our clients an even more immersive and personalised experience.” For the Maison, the city itself is fundamental. “Milan, with its innate affinity for elegance and design, continues to be a strategic reference point,” Di Tizio adds. The boutique is designed to reflect that affinity, creating a physical connection between the brand and its location. Beyond Measurement The layout includes private areas and an elegant bar counter, allowing for more intimate interactions and presentations. It is a space intended for enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and aspiring collectors to move through the collections, from iconic models to high complications and exclusive editions. Here, time is meant to be experienced, not just measured. This philosophy is made tangible on one of the walls, where the Maison’s motto is displayed in both English and French: “Do better if possible, and that is always possible.” Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-returns-to-via-verri — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin Returns to Via Verri" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-15. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-returns-to-via-verri --- ## Rolls-Royce Gives an Artist the Keys, and the Paint - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-gives-an-artist-the-keys-and-the-paint - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-15 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Artist Cyril Kongo collaborated with Rolls-Royce to create five unique Black Badge Cullinan models, transforming interiors into 'The Kongoverse' with hand-painted art and custom Starlight Headliners. Behind each 23-inch alloy wheel sits a different colored brake caliper. One is Phoenix Red. Another, Turchese. The others are Forge Yellow and Mandarin. This detail on the exterior of a new Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan is the first clue that the real work happened on the inside. The car is one of five Private Commissions, each a canvas for the multi-disciplinary artist Cyril Kongo. While all five share a creative theme, every vehicle features a unique expression of his work, hand-painted directly onto the veneer and leather surfaces. The project was curated through the marque’s Private Offices in New York, Seoul, and Goodwood for a group of collectors who wanted bold, contemporary art integrated into their commissions. For Kongo, the Black Badge Cullinan itself was the starting point. “When I first saw Black Badge Cullinan, I felt compelled to create my own interpretation of the universe it belonged to, what I call ‘The Kongoverse’,” he explained. His vision is one of fantasy, populated with mathematical formulas, symbols, pyramids, and imagined planets. An Unprecedented Collaboration To realize this, Rolls-Royce did more than just hand over the panels. They embedded Kongo within their Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers, and artisans. According to Phil Fabre de la Grange, the Head of Bespoke, the process was unprecedented. Six months before production, Kongo was brought to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and given a dedicated workspace. “We immersed him in our world, meeting our specialists and craftspeople, sharing our tools and techniques, and placing our full paint palette at his disposal,” Fabre de la Grange noted. This approach allowed Kongo to work directly with the teams, integrating his artistic language into each component in real time. It was, as Domagoj Dukec, the Director of Design, described it, “a complete fusion of two unmistakable creative worlds.” The result is a continuous composition that flows through the cabin. The 19 pieces of the interior woodset, from the fascia and center console to the rear picnic tables, were all painted black and mounted on special fixtures for Kongo to work on. He applied his designs using airbrushes and other tools, and Rolls-Royce artisans then protected the art with ten layers of lacquer, each sanded and polished. Painting a Universe in Motion The interior of each car is grounded in black, but divided into four color zones: Phoenix Red for the driver, Turchese for the front passenger, and Forge Yellow and Mandarin for the two rear seats. These colors appear in the stitching, piping, and lambswool carpets. From this shared palette, Kongo created five distinct artworks. The centerpiece is the Starlight Headliner. “When I first saw a Starlight Headliner, it inspired me straight away,” Kongo said. “They are a universe in motion, and truly immersive.” His hand-painted artwork on the roof lining introduces planets and constellations alongside references to quantum physics, a fascination he shares with his physicist brother. After he painted the ceiling, Kongo worked with engineers to mark the precise placement for each of the 1,344 fiber-optic ‘stars’. The marque’s artisans then hand-punched and placed every light point. The exterior is finished in Blue Crystal Over Black, a lacquer infused with blue particles that shimmer in sunlight. A Gradient Coachline, a first for Rolls-Royce, transitions from Phoenix Red to Forge Yellow on one side and from Mandarin to Turchese on the other. It incorporates Kongo’s ‘tag’ symbol, a motif that also appears on the Illuminated Treadplates and the bespoke umbrellas hidden in the doors. “I want people to discover this artwork step by step,” Kongo stated. “The more you explore, the more you see. The exterior should only hint at the interior.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-gives-an-artist-the-keys-and-the-paint — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Gives an Artist the Keys, and the Paint" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-15. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-gives-an-artist-the-keys-and-the-paint --- ## The Cartier Crash Keeps Bending the Market - URL: https://menwith.com/the-cartier-crash-keeps-bending-the-market - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-14 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** A 1990 Cartier London Crash shattered auction records, selling for over $2 million. This unique timepiece's provenance and distinctive design are driving its immense market value. A new world record. A 1990 Cartier London Crash sold at Christie's Geneva for $2,028,800, the highest price ever paid for any Cartier watch at auction. It surpasses the record set at Sotheby's just two weeks earlier, and lands inside a $42.3 million sale that broke multiple other benchmarks. A record that lasts two weeks is not really a record. It is a signal. At Christie's Geneva Rare Watches sale on Monday, a 1990 London Crash sold for $2,028,800, surpassing the Sotheby's result from two weeks ago and setting the new global ceiling for any Cartier watch ever sold at auction. The Watch The piece on the block was lot 186, an exceptionally rare and important 18K gold asymmetric wristwatch, "London Crash" model, case no. 80298, with the Jacques Cartier "JC" mark and London hallmarks for 1990. 22.3mm wide, 43mm long, white painted dial, manual movement, the unmistakable cursive "Cartier London" signature. It came with its original 18K gold Cartier London "Crash" deployant clasp, also stamped JC and matched to the same case number. The estimate was CHF 500,000 to 1,000,000. The result tripled the low. Provenance The same watch was last sold at Christie's Geneva on 9 May 2022 as part of The Kairos Collection Part I. Four years later it returned to the same house with its original signed clasp intact, full London hallmarks, and an unaltered painted dial. The completeness mattered. The deployant clasp alone, signed and numbered to the case, is the detail most London Crashes from this era have lost. The Wider Sale The Crash did not break records alone. The sale totalled $42,309,684, the highest result Christie's has ever recorded for a various-owner watch auction. The top lot was an F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Ref. T in platinum, originally purchased by its sole owner on Christmas Eve 2000, which closed at $3,121,920, five times its low estimate. A vintage Audemars Piguet Coussin Tortue chronograph from circa 1930 set its own world record at $2,747,696 in its first ever auction appearance. A Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018, one of only 170 made, took $1,625,600. A Patek Philippe Ref. 3970EP-047 with a black monogram dial commissioned by Michael Ovitz cleared $1,300,480. A New Definition of Luxury The wider read is the one we wrote about in The Cartier Crash and the Value of Imperfection, only louder. Polished, predictable luxury is losing pricing power. The objects that compound in value are the ones with a point of view, a story you cannot manufacture, and a form the brand itself would struggle to repeat. The London Crash is all three. Jean-Jacques Cartier and Rupert Emmerson designed it, and the London workshop produced them in tiny numbers, by hand, with designs reaching final form only after many attempts. You cannot reissue that. The market knows it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-cartier-crash-keeps-bending-the-market — Citation: "The Cartier Crash Keeps Bending the Market" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-14. https://menwith.com/the-cartier-crash-keeps-bending-the-market --- ## BMW Brings Its New Flagship and a Piece of Bond History to Cannes - URL: https://menwith.com/bmw-brings-its-new-flagship-and-a-piece-of-bond-history-to-cannes - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-13 - Tags: BMW M **Summary:** BMW unveils its new 7 Series flagship at Cannes, showcasing film history with a Bond car and advanced tech. The brand also highlights its commitment to cinema and electrification as an official mobility partner. On the Côte d’Azur, amidst the premieres and parties of the Cannes Film Festival, sits a piece of film history: an E38 BMW 7 Series. It is the original car from the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies”, a physical link between the brand and the world of cinema, on display for the international audience flocking to the festival. While that car represents a celebrated past, BMW is using the same luxurious backdrop for a European debut. The comprehensively updated, seventh-generation BMW 7 Series is being presented to the public for the first time on the continent, right on the busiest boulevard in Cannes, La Croisette. A Monolithic Presence The new flagship is described as having a monolithic exterior. Details like the illuminated BMW kidney Iconic Glow and minimalist BMW Individual crystal headlights define its presence. A world-first paint option is also available, the BMW Individual Dual-Finish, which combines matt and metallic finishes of the same color with no visible transition. Inside, the focus is on technology drawn from the brand's Neue Klasse concepts. The cockpit features the BMW Panoramic iDrive display, while passengers can use the first BMW Passenger Screen or an upgraded BMW Theatre Screen. The powertrain options are broad, from internal combustion with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to fully electric variants with a range over 720 kilometers, according to WLTP, using sixth-generation BMW eDrive cylindrical cell technology. Craftsmanship and Culture The new 7 Series is the centerpiece, but the brand’s presence is felt across the festival. For the fifth time, BMW is the official mobility partner, providing a shuttle service of more than 150 electrified vehicles for guests and filmmakers. The fleet includes the fully electric BMW i7 and BMW iX, alongside the BMW XM plug-in hybrid, moving attendees without generating local emissions. The partnership extends beyond providing vehicles. At a panel discussion at the Plage des Palmes, festival president Iris Knobloch and Emmy-nominated producer Mehret Mandefro will discuss the importance of human craftsmanship in an era of technological revolution. The conversation reflects a larger cultural commitment from the brand, which has been involved in hundreds of initiatives worldwide for over fifty years. BMW also announced an expansion of its 'BMW Art Makers' programme into the film industry, set to begin in 2027. The initiative will support emerging talent and artistic excellence, building on a model that already supports curator-artist duos like Lara Tabet and Yasmine Chemali for the Rencontres d’Arles and Paris Photo festivals. The support for film is not new. The brand has a history of backing events like the Marrakech International Film Festival and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Mehret Mandefro, one of the panel speakers, co-founded the African Film and Media Arts Collective with the 20th BMW Art Car artist Julie Mehretu, a collective that collaborates with the BMW Group to support filmmakers across the African continent through workshops and new productions. The worldwide market launch for the new 7 Series begins in July 2026. For now, its debut is framed by these conversations, a reminder of the brand’s cultural engagement, from Bond cars on display to workshops for a new generation of filmmakers in Malaysia through its 'BMW Shorties' programme. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bmw-brings-its-new-flagship-and-a-piece-of-bond-history-to-cannes — Citation: "BMW Brings Its New Flagship and a Piece of Bond History to Cannes" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-13. https://menwith.com/bmw-brings-its-new-flagship-and-a-piece-of-bond-history-to-cannes --- ## The Century-Old Story Behind a Rolls-Royce Partnership - URL: https://menwith.com/the-century-old-story-behind-a-rolls-royce-partnership - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-13 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce extends its 24-year sponsorship of Chichester Festival Theatre, a partnership rooted in a century-old local event. This commitment supports youth arts programs. In 1907, a charity ballooning competition was held in Oaklands Park, West Sussex. As the balloon carrying The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls ascended, twelve cars on the ground set off in pursuit. The chase to be the first to reach him upon landing took three hours and covered over 40 miles, concluding at Avington Park in Hampshire and raising significant funds for local associations. More than a century later, that same patch of land in Chichester holds a different kind of significance. Oaklands Park now neighbours the Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT), a world-renowned creative institution. And just 1.1 nautical miles away sits the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, which opened in 2003. A 24-Year Commitment This geographic and historical proximity forms the backdrop for a long-standing relationship. Rolls-Royce has confirmed it will continue as Principal Sponsor for the Chichester Festival Theatre through 2026. The partnership, which began with the opening of the Goodwood facility, will enter its 24th year, making it the longest-running initiative within the company’s philanthropic programme. Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, framed the decision as a shared pursuit of excellence. “Chichester Festival Theatre stands as a beacon of creativity, excellence and delight for its audiences, just as we do for our clients, and sends a powerful signal that talent, inspiration and brilliance can be found anywhere, not just in major cities, when they are given the support and commitment they need.” Ball continued, “We’re delighted to be embarking on another year as Principal Sponsor of Chichester Festival Theatre, continuing a partnership that has deepened and thrived over the past 23 years.” Inspiring a New Generation The sponsorship provides practical and financial support for the theatre’s Learning, Education and Participation programme. This work directly enables young people from the local area to engage with creative projects, most notably the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre. In 2025, the Youth Theatre celebrated its 40th anniversary with the world premiere stage adaptation of Matt Haig's book, A Boy Called Christmas. The continued support ensures these kinds of productions and opportunities remain a fixture in the community. The theatre acknowledged the depth of the relationship. “United by a shared commitment to our local community and a pursuit of excellence on the world stage, we are delighted to celebrate these 23 years. We extend our sincere thanks to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for their continued support and look forward to many more years of working together to inspire young minds, champion the arts and enrich our community.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-century-old-story-behind-a-rolls-royce-partnership — Citation: "The Century-Old Story Behind a Rolls-Royce Partnership" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-13. https://menwith.com/the-century-old-story-behind-a-rolls-royce-partnership --- ## The Amels 60 QU2 Departs, Blending Platform with Personality - URL: https://menwith.com/the-amels-60-qu2-departs-blending-platform-with-personality - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-05-13 - Tags: Damen Yachting **Summary:** The 60m Amels 60 QU2, a blend of proven engineering and personalized design, embarks on its maiden voyage for a Mediterranean charter season. This yacht exemplifies Amels' Limited Editions approach, prioritizing owner vision and charter functionality. The 60-metre Amels 60 QU2 has departed the Vlissingen City yard. Following a private naming ceremony, the superyacht began its maiden voyage toward the northern Mediterranean, where it is scheduled to arrive in time for a busy charter season. The vessel is the newest from the Amels Limited Editions series, a concept that has become a defining part of the Dutch shipbuilder’s modern identity. The approach is a direct one. It pairs a proven technical platform with a highly personalised onboard experience, allowing an owner’s vision to shape the final result. The Limited Editions Approach Rob Luijendijk, the Commercial Director at Damen Yachting, sees the Amels 60 QU2 as a clear expression of what this method makes possible. “She brings together the proven technical backbone of the Amels 60 with a highly personal onboard experience shaped around her Owner’s vision,” he said. This philosophy of building on an established foundation allows for both reliability and individuality. With each delivery, the company gathers more data from real-world operation, refining the engineering and design with each subsequent hull. Luijendijk notes that QU2 reflects this cumulative experience in a way that feels “distinctly her own.” Designed for the Mediterranean The custom interiors for the Amels 60 QU2 were completed by Winch Design. On deck, the yacht features generous exterior spaces, including a large Swim Platform and a spacious Beach Club intended to create a natural connection with the sea. The design also provides ample capacity for tenders and toys, supporting an active onboard lifestyle suited to its charter destinations. The layout was developed with a specific focus on the demands of charter service. Luijendijk highlighted the careful consideration given to the operational side of the vessel. “Her balance of guest comfort, personalisation and crew-focused functionality is especially valuable for charter,” he explained. The desired outcome is an environment where “the onboard experience and service flow need to work naturally together.” As the yacht left the yard for her maiden voyage, the company’s send-off was traditional. “We wish her fair winds, following seas and many memorable voyages ahead.” Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-amels-60-qu2-departs-blending-platform-with-personality — Citation: "The Amels 60 QU2 Departs, Blending Platform with Personality" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-13. https://menwith.com/the-amels-60-qu2-departs-blending-platform-with-personality --- ## Swatch x Audemars Piguet: The Royal Pop - URL: https://menwith.com/the-audemars-piguet-x-swatch-collab-isn-t-what-you-think - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-12 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, Swatch, Royal Pop, Pocket Watch, Bioceramic, Convertible Watch, Sistem51, Ilaria Resta **Summary:** The Audemars Piguet x Swatch 'Royal Pop' is a convertible pocket watch, not a wristwatch. It cleverly blends Royal Oak design with Swatch's POP series, offering a unique, design-led platform. The Audemars Piguet x Swatch Collab Isn't What You Think The first thing to understand about the Royal Pop is that it is not a wristwatch. In the days before the reveal, the internet had already decided what this would be. Another icon, another bioceramic case, another line around the block. After the success of the Omega and Blancpain collaborations, the formula felt inevitable. Swatch would do what it does best. Audemars Piguet would lend its most famous design. The result would be a Royal Oak for the masses. That is not what happened. Instead, Audemars Piguet and Swatch delivered something more considered, and far more interesting. The Royal Pop is a pocket watch that refuses to stay in one place. It draws its logic not just from the octagonal bezel, but from a piece of Swatch's own catalogue, the clip-on POP series from the 1980s. The choice to sidestep the obvious, to avoid making a cheap replica of a Royal Oak wristwatch, is the whole story here. It is a gesture of restraint in a market that rewards the opposite. A More Interesting Question A bioceramic Royal Oak for the wrist was the obvious play. It would have moved fast and traveled further. It would also have put the original in an uncomfortable position, asked to share its silhouette with something it could not control. By pivoting to a pocket watch, the brands asked a better question. Not "how do we make this accessible," but "what else can this be?" The answer is a 40mm bioceramic object that feels both familiar and entirely new. The Petite Tapisserie dial is there. So is the satin-finished bezel. But the thing is built to be worn around the neck, clipped to a bag, or set on a desk. The system is deliberately open: Swatch supplies the lanyard and the stand, but the wrist is left to the imagination, and to whoever wants to build for it. There is also a quiet nod to the brand's own back catalogue. Audemars Piguet has its own history with the format, including the Royal Oak Pocket Watch reference 5691, and the Royal Pop sits in that lineage rather than apart from it. The details confirm the seriousness of the project. Sapphire crystal sits on both sides of the case, an upgrade from earlier Swatch collaborations. The Sistem51 appears here for the first time as a hand-wound calibre, with fifteen active patents and an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring that Audemars Piguet itself helped develop, and which now lives inside several of its own watches. The power reserve runs past ninety hours. The mainspring barrel doubles as its own indicator: when the openings show grey, the coils are visible and the watch needs winding; when the openings turn gold, the spring is fully wound and the coils disappear from view. It is the kind of detail you only notice once, and then keep looking for. The movement itself is decorated with a colourful pop-art print, a visual bridge between Le Brassus and Biel. Even the number eight is deliberate. Eight models in the collection, a tribute to the eight sides of the Royal Oak bezel and the eight hexagonal screws that hold it in place. Eight further patents cover the case construction itself. Nothing here is decorative by accident. The Art of the Sidestep There is a lesson here in modern brand management. Audemars Piguet has found a way to participate in popular culture without surrendering its position. Under the leadership of Ilaria Resta, the brand has embraced a collaboration that is playful and accessible, yet protects the core asset. The Royal Pop does not replace or diminish the Royal Oak. It exists alongside it, in a different category entirely. This is a move born of confidence. It shows a trust that the audience is smart enough to appreciate a clever concept over a simple copy. In a world of hype, Audemars Piguet and Swatch chose intelligence. They resisted the gravitational pull of the easy win and, in doing so, created something with more staying power. The Royal Pop suggests a new path for these high-low partnerships. The first wave was about democratizing icons. This next phase could be about using the freedom of collaboration to explore ideas that the parent brands, constrained by their own legacies, could never attempt alone. It is not a substitute for a Royal Oak. It was never meant to be. And that is precisely what makes it so compelling. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-audemars-piguet-x-swatch-collab-isn-t-what-you-think — Citation: " Swatch x Audemars Piguet: The Royal Pop" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-12. https://menwith.com/the-audemars-piguet-x-swatch-collab-isn-t-what-you-think --- ## TUDOR Enters the Ring with Grand Sumo - URL: https://menwith.com/tudor-enters-the-ring-with-grand-sumo - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-11 - Tags: TUDOR Ambassadors & Partnerships **Summary:** TUDOR partners with Grand Sumo, highlighting shared values of dedication and discipline. The Black Bay Ceramic watch is showcased within the ancient Japanese sport's world. A matte black watch sits on the wrist of a man in a training hall made of wood and packed earth. The timepiece, a product of Swiss industrial precision, is surrounded by a world of ancient ritual and immense physical power. This is the new territory for TUDOR, which has formed a partnership with the world of Grand Sumo. The alliance brings together two disciplines defined by dedication. On one side is the watchmaker, known for its robust tool watches. On the other is Japan’s national sport, an athletic contest steeped in centuries of tradition and ceremony. The official announcement comes from the brand’s TUDOR Ambassadors & Partnerships arm, which has previously aligned itself with figures from the worlds of diving, rugby, and motorsport. A World of Ritual Sumo is more than a sport. It is a physical and spiritual practice governed by a strict code of conduct. The wrestlers, or rikishi, live and train together, dedicating their lives to a craft that demands total commitment. The matches themselves are brief, explosive encounters of strength, but they are surrounded by formal procedure, from the salt thrown to purify the ring to the elaborate aprons worn during the ring-entering ceremony. The images from the partnership place the watch directly inside this world. It is seen not on a spectator, but on the athletes themselves, within the confines of the clay ring, or dohyō, and the training stable. The Instrument of Choice The watch selected is the TUDOR Black Bay Ceramic, identifiable by its model reference M7943A1A0NU-0002. It is a thoroughly modern object, a monochromatic tool crafted from high-tech ceramic and titanium. Its aesthetic is one of pure function and technical performance. Placing this piece in the context of Sumo suggests a focus on resilience and discipline. The partnership is less about luxury and more about an association with a particular kind of human endeavor. It finds common ground between the precision required to build a chronometer and the focus required to compete at the highest level of Sumo. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tudor-enters-the-ring-with-grand-sumo — Citation: "TUDOR Enters the Ring with Grand Sumo" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-11. https://menwith.com/tudor-enters-the-ring-with-grand-sumo --- ## Bvlgari, Venice, and an Art of Impermanence - URL: https://menwith.com/bvlgari-venice-and-an-art-of-impermanence - Published: 2026-05-11 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Bvlgari partners with Venice Biennale Arte 2026, showcasing artist Lotus L. Kang's exploration of impermanence. This dialogue between enduring luxury and ephemeral art highlights Bvlgari's commitment to contemporary creativity. At the Spazio Esedra in Venice, a new installation is taking shape. The work, by Canadian artist Lotus L. Kang, is built from unstable and unfixed materials. It is a piece designed to explore inheritance and impermanence, memory and translation. It is also the work Bvlgari has chosen to present at the Biennale Arte 2026. The Roman jeweler has joined the International Art Exhibition as an Exclusive Partner. The commitment extends for the next three editions, making this a sustained presence rather than a fleeting gesture. For a Maison known for working in gold and stone, materials defined by their permanence, the choice of artist is specific. Kang’s practice, using sculpture, photography, and installation, questions the very process of “becoming.” This support for contemporary creativity exists alongside Bvlgari’s long-standing work in heritage preservation. The house has funded the restoration of the Spanish Steps at Trinità dei Monti, the ancient mosaics at the Baths of Caracalla, and the marbles of the Torlonia Collection. These are acts of protecting and anchoring the past. Inspiration and Mastery The decision to partner with the Biennale ushers in a new chapter for the Maison. It places its own identity, one built on technical mastery and craftsmanship, in direct conversation with a different kind of artistic sensitivity. The partnership with an artist focused on the unfixed creates a dialogue between the permanent and the ephemeral. Laura Burdese, Bvlgari’s Deputy CEO, frames the move within the company’s core values. “Bvlgari is honored to be the Exclusive Partner for the next three editions of Biennale Arte,” she commented. “This partnership reaffirms the Maison’s dedication to artistic excellence, where inspiration meets mastery.” A Dialogue with Time The parent company, LVMH, has a broad engagement with the arts, seen in Louis Vuitton’s own Spring-Summer 2026 arts and culture program. For Bvlgari, the focus in Venice seems more specific. It is an exploration of how a house built on history engages with the present. By backing an artist whose work questions stability, the Roman jeweler is looking at its own themes of inheritance and memory through a new lens. It suggests an understanding that a dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity is not just about preservation, but also about translation. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bvlgari-venice-and-an-art-of-impermanence — Citation: "Bvlgari, Venice, and an Art of Impermanence" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-11. https://menwith.com/bvlgari-venice-and-an-art-of-impermanence --- ## Globe-Trotter Reimagines the Steamer Trunk for the Home - URL: https://menwith.com/globe-trotter-reimagines-the-steamer-trunk-for-the-home - Category: Culture - Published: 2026-05-11 - Tags: Globe-Trotter, Steamer Trunk, Luxury Furniture, Home Decor, Interior Design, Collectible, Heritage Design **Summary:** Globe-Trotter reimagines its iconic steamer trunk as luxury home furniture. Available in four distinct colorways, these trunks blend heritage craftsmanship with modern functionality for statement storage. The new Globe-Trotter Steamer Home Trunk comes in four distinct colorways. One is finished in Marmalade and Brown with brass fittings. Another pairs Navy and Red with polished nickel hardware. Each combination is a specific choice, a declaration of character for an object that was once defined purely by its function. Inspired by the trunks used for long voyages in the early 20th century, the collection reinterprets an icon of transit as a piece of permanent furniture. The core purpose has shifted from accompanying a traveler to anchoring a room. These are trunks designed for the living room, the study, or a dressing space, bringing the story of the journey inside. From Transit to Stillness The construction reflects this new role. While heritage details like leather handles and precisely constructed panels remain, the lid has been reinforced for everyday use. A removable tray inside provides organization. These are practical adjustments, adapting a design meant for motion into an object of stillness and storage. The other editions include a Green and Brown trunk with a tailored woven interior lining, and a version in Oxblood and Black featuring the signature Globe-Trotter repeat motif. Each interior lining is meant to reference heritage and exploration, carrying the narrative of travel even when the trunk itself has reached its final destination. A Considered Object The idea of blending different worlds, of placing an object with a rugged history into a refined, modern context, is a familiar one. It's about finding harmony between the life an object was built for and the life it now lives. This same thinking applies to how we furnish our personal spaces, choosing pieces that feel both practical and personal. The goal is often a sense of calm and timelessness, where every item has its place. Even the smallest details, like the choice of hardware or the texture of a lining, contribute to the whole. Craftsmanship is found in these deliberate choices, right down to the polished metal fittings and stitched accents. Launching this summer, each Steamer Home Trunk is made to order in limited quantities. This positions the piece not just as functional furniture, but as a collectible, reinforcing its connection to a history of carefully crafted goods. They will be available directly from the Globe-Trotter website. Read more about culture here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/globe-trotter-reimagines-the-steamer-trunk-for-the-home — Citation: "Globe-Trotter Reimagines the Steamer Trunk for the Home" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-11. https://menwith.com/globe-trotter-reimagines-the-steamer-trunk-for-the-home --- ## The Picasso That Witnessed a Revolution - URL: https://menwith.com/the-picasso-that-witnessed-a-revolution - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-05-11 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** In the spring of 1909, Pablo Picasso created Arlequin, a work that fractured perspective and marked the instant his vision became a revolution. In the spring of 1909, Pablo Picasso stood at a decisive point in his career. He was no longer satisfied with painting the world as it appeared. He began to reimagine what a painting could be, and in doing so, changed the course of modern art. The work from this extraordinary period is titled Arlequin. Picasso took the familiar figure of the Harlequin and turned it into a laboratory for a new kind of vision. The painting is suspended between what came before and what was about to emerge. It exists in the space between the rupture of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and the arrival of full Analytical Cubism. Here, form is compressed. Perspective is fractured. The work operates as a bridge, caught between pure representation and total reinvention. It is a moment captured on canvas. From Influence to Reinvention The influence of Paul Cézanne is visible, yet the vision is unmistakably Picasso’s own. This is the work that marks the instant where influence became something else entirely. It is a document of a breakthrough. The painting’s historical importance is profound. It has a distinguished provenance, passing through the hands of notable collectors before arriving at its current moment. It belongs to The Collection of Adele & Enrico Donati. The Modern Evening Auction On May 19, Arlequin (Buste) will be offered at the historic Breuer building in New York. The sale is part of the Modern Evening Auction, presented by CELINE and managed by Sotheby's. More than a masterpiece, the painting stands as a witness. It is a physical record of the moment a single artist began to reshape the visual world, creating a language that would define the century to come. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-picasso-that-witnessed-a-revolution — Citation: "The Picasso That Witnessed a Revolution" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-11. https://menwith.com/the-picasso-that-witnessed-a-revolution --- ## Louis XIII Finds Its Role at Cannes - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-xiii-finds-its-role-at-cannes - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-05-11 - Tags: Louis XIII Cognac **Summary:** As official supplier to the 79th Film Festival, the cognac house creates a tribute to the performance of luxury itself, marked by a special gold-leaf decorated gift box. A limited-edition gift box, hand-decorated with gold leaf, carries a design that echoes the iconic red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. It is a physical object made to capture a moment, a tribute from Louis XIII Cognac to what it calls “the magic of cinema.” The release marks a new role for the cognac house. For the 79th edition of the festival, Louis XIII takes its place as an official supplier, formalizing a relationship between two institutions built on similar foundations. Shared Narratives The brand describes the union as one forged from a shared devotion. The values cited are a reverence for heritage, a pioneering creative spirit, and a pursuit of excellence. Both the festival and the cognac rely on these narratives. Cannes curates a story of cinematic prestige, while Louis XIII's identity is rooted in the passage of time and the continuity of craft. This partnership is less a simple sponsorship and more an alignment of philosophies. Each entity reinforces the other's claim to cultural significance. The parent company, Remy Cointreau Group, understands the power of such associations, placing its product not just in a location, but within a story. A Tribute in Gold Leaf The commemorative gift box is the most tangible expression of this alliance. Its design is a direct nod to the festival's most famous visual signature. The use of hand-applied gold leaf speaks to a shared language of luxury, one where craftsmanship and presentation are as important as the product itself. The brand positions the exclusive piece as a tribute to both the art of film and its own enduring spirit. It is an acknowledgment that in worlds like these, ritual matters. The experience is part of the appeal, whether it is walking a red carpet or opening a decanter. By registering a decanter, owners gain access to the LOUIS XIII Society, a private world of exclusive content and experiences. It is another layer of the brand's narrative, extending the story beyond the bottle. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-xiii-finds-its-role-at-cannes — Citation: "Louis XIII Finds Its Role at Cannes" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-11. https://menwith.com/louis-xiii-finds-its-role-at-cannes --- ## NetJets Adds the World’s Fastest Business Jet to Its Fleet - URL: https://menwith.com/netjets-adds-the-worlds-fastest-business-jet-to-its-fleet - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-10 - Tags: NetJets, Bombardier Global 8000, Private Aviation, Business Jet, Mach 0.94, 8000 nautical miles **Summary:** NetJets adds the world's fastest business jet, the Bombardier Global 8000, to its fleet. This aircraft offers unparalleled speed (Mach 0.94) and range (8,000 nm), redefining private aviation with luxury and efficiency. In a move that further cements its dominance in private aviation, NetJets has announced the addition of the Bombardier Global 8000 to its fleet. Positioned as the fastest purpose-built business jet in the world, the Global 8000 represents a new era where speed, range, and comfort converge at an unprecedented level. This isn’t just another fleet expansion. It’s a clear signal of where the top end of private aviation is heading. Faster, farther, and more refined than ever before. Redefining Speed and Range The Global 8000 pushes boundaries with a top speed approaching Mach 0.94, making it the fastest civil aircraft since the era of supersonic passenger travel. But speed alone isn’t what makes this aircraft remarkable. With a range of up to 8,000 nautical miles, it connects city pairs like New York to Hong Kong or London to Perth non-stop. For NetJets clients, that translates to fewer stops, shorter travel times, and a seamless global reach that feels almost limitless. This combination of performance and efficiency places the Global 8000 in a league of its own, appealing to those who value time as the ultimate luxury. A New Standard of Private Luxury Step inside, and the aircraft delivers an experience that rivals the finest residences. The cabin is divided into multiple living zones, offering everything from a full dining space to a dedicated suite for rest. The design philosophy is centered around wellbeing. With ultra-low cabin altitude, advanced air filtration, and carefully controlled lighting, the environment is tailored to reduce fatigue and enhance comfort on long-haul journeys. Materials, textures, and finishes are all curated to reflect a level of understated luxury rather than excess. It’s less about showing off, and more about creating a space where time in the air feels as effortless as time on the ground. NetJets Strengthens Its Lead For NetJets, adding the Global 8000 is more than a prestige move. It reinforces the brand’s position as the benchmark in fractional private aviation. By continuously investing in next-generation aircraft, the company ensures its clients remain at the forefront of both performance and experience. In a market where expectations are constantly evolving, this kind of forward-thinking approach is essential. Clients are no longer just looking for private travel. They’re looking for the absolute best version of it. The Future of Business Aviation The arrival of the Global 8000 signals a broader shift across the aviation industry. Speed is making a comeback, but this time paired with sustainability efforts, efficiency, and smarter design. For those who operate at the highest level, whether in business, culture, or global travel, the aircraft becomes more than transportation. It becomes a tool that shapes how time is used and how the world is experienced. And with NetJets now bringing this capability into its fleet, the gap between continents feels smaller than ever. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/netjets-adds-the-worlds-fastest-business-jet-to-its-fleet — Citation: "NetJets Adds the World’s Fastest Business Jet to Its Fleet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-10. https://menwith.com/netjets-adds-the-worlds-fastest-business-jet-to-its-fleet --- ## The Venice Biennale Finds Its Voice in Minor Keys - URL: https://menwith.com/the-venice-biennale-finds-its-voice-in-minor-keys - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-05-09 - Tags: Christie's **Summary:** The Venice Biennale's "In Minor Keys" exhibition explores history, colonialism, and environmental ruin through a "sotto voce" lens, featuring artists like Bracha L. Ettinger and Beverly Buchanan. In a small, dark room on the ground floor of the Hotel Metropole, light filters through a narrow window, casting shadows across green damask wallpaper. It was here that Sigmund Freud worked on The Interpretation of Dreams. The artist Bracha L. Ettinger has turned this space into a new kind of territory, where the bathroom is filled with pink seashells and Freud’s theories are opened to a feminist gaze. This is the current state of the 61st Venice Biennale, a place where things are not fixed, and landmarks have a habit of moving. The main exhibition, titled In Minor Keys, was conceived by the late Koyo Kouoh, who died in May 2025. Her team brought the vision to life, gathering 110 artists and collectives whose work vibrates at a lower frequency, tuned to something primordial. Kouoh wrote in her proposal that she wanted an exhibition sotto voce, or spoken softly. The result, however, is anything but muted. It is a direct examination of history, colonialism, and environmental ruin, all delivered with a sense of poetic justice. Spread across the Central Pavilion in the Giardini and the old imperial Arsenale, the show’s central pulse is a call to pay attention. It champions artists who have continued to sound alarms in the face of opposition. One of the exhibition's lodestars, the late Senegalese artist Issa Samb, is represented by only a narrow wall of artefacts from his work with the Dakar-based collective Laboratoire Agit’Art. It feels slim for a man who reimagined a pan-African avant-garde through street performance and improvisation. Alarms and Elegies Other artists make their presence felt more forcefully. Beverly Buchanan’s makeshift ruins, built from offcuts of cardboard and wood, speak of communities abandoned by the state. Florence Lazar’s film, It’s All Thanks to Bad Weather, considers how Hurricane Dean unearthed the bones of enslaved people on a Martinique sugar plantation. Daniel Lind-Ramos builds carnivalesque sculptures from detritus collected after a storm, and the exhibition closes with an installation by New Orleans artist Dawn DeDeaux, who has grappled with the fallout from Hurricane Katrina since 2005. Outside the main pavilions, the political temperature is higher. After the jury resigned over the reinstatement of the Russia and Israel pavilions, the Venice Biennale opened with a Pussy Riot protest. Pink flares and chants of ‘Love is Russia’s heart’ drowned out the techno from inside the Russian pavilion. Representing Austria, choreographer Florentina Holzinger uses her own naked body, hanging upside down, to toll a warning bell about rising sea levels while dancers are submerged in water tanks. The South Africa pavilion remains empty, its planned exhibition by Gabrielle Goliath, Elegy, moved to the Chiesa di Sant’Antonin. There, singers sustain a single note for an hour in a memorial to murdered women. Beyond the Pavilions The rest of the city offers its own dialogues. At the Fondazione Prada, Helter Skelter pairs Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince. Jafa’s eight-minute video, Love Is the Message, The Message Is Death, is a montage of police brutality, street riots, and footage of James Brown, creating moments of transcendence from fraught material. At the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, an exhibition on Peggy Guggenheim’s time in London reveals a tightly curated vision, featuring works like Wassily Kandinsky’s Dominant Curve from 1936. At Palazzo Grassi, Michael Armitage’s cinematic paintings are shown alongside Amar Kanwar’s poetic film installations. The Fondazione Giorgio Cini commemorates the German painter Georg Baselitz, who died on April 30 of this year. His final series of gold paintings, Eroi d’Oro, pay homage to his wife Elke and his hero, Willem de Kooning. And at SMAC Venice, the Korean artist Lee Ufan brings the temperature down, his elemental works evoking a distilled serenity. Perhaps the final word belongs to Tadeusz Kantor, the subject of a show at the Procuratie Vecchie. A genius of the 1960s Polish avant-garde, he invented the process of emballage, the act of wrapping as a form of protection. It was a necessary strategy in a country under strict censorship. His words from a 1964 manifesto feel resonant today. ‘Emballage, emballage, between eternity and garbage,’ he wrote. ‘We are witnesses of a clown-like tomfoolery, juggling pathos and pitiful destruction.’ Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-venice-biennale-finds-its-voice-in-minor-keys — Citation: "The Venice Biennale Finds Its Voice in Minor Keys" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-09. https://menwith.com/the-venice-biennale-finds-its-voice-in-minor-keys --- ## A One-Client Ferrari Takes The Top Design Award - URL: https://menwith.com/a-one-client-ferrari-takes-the-top-design-award - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-09 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** The one-off Ferrari SC40, inspired by the F40, has won the Red Dot: Best of the Best award, marking a first for a Ferrari Special Projects car. At the Museo Ferrari in Maranello, a full-scale styling buck offers a direct view into the development of the Ferrari SC40. The display piece is not a concept, but a key milestone in the design process, showing how the car’s proportions and surfaces were refined before a single piece of metal was formed. It provides a tangible link between an idea and a finished One-Off car. That car, the Ferrari SC40, has just received the highest recognition from Germany’s Red Dot Award association. It won the Red Dot: Best of the Best in the Product Design 2026 category, an honour that marks the first time a Ferrari One-Off has taken the top prize. The formal awards ceremony will be held in Essen, Germany, on July 7, 2026. The SC40 itself is a unique berlinetta created for a single client through the brand’s Special Projects programme. While its architecture, chassis, and mid-rear-engined V6 powertrain are derived from the 296 GTB, its design is entirely new. The project, led by the Ferrari Design Studio under Flavio Manzoni, pays tribute to the legendary F40 without being a literal reinterpretation. Its form is defined by a long, low nose, a short rear overhang, and a high fixed rear wing finished in a bespoke shade, Bianco SC40. The car’s theme draws inspiration from industrial design, combining precise geometries with muscular, squared volumes. Inside, the extensive use of reinterpreted carbon-Kevlar, technical fabrics, and Alcantara® reinforces the link to the F40’s ethos. The hybrid powertrain delivers a combined 830 cv, enabling a 0–100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of over 330 km/h. The Special Projects Programme The Best of the Best award highlights the work of Ferrari's Special Projects programme. This division allows a select group of clients to create a unique car, originating from their own idea. The process is a close dialogue with a team of designers and aerodynamicists from Maranello, taking around two years on average. Clients are involved throughout the design and verification phases. After the car’s proportions and forms are defined, detailed blueprints and a styling buck like the one on display are produced. The manufacturing process begins only after these stages are complete, resulting in a one-of-a-kind model engineered to the same standards as any other car carrying the Prancing Horse logo. A Pattern of Excellence This year’s win is part of a consistent record of design recognition for Ferrari. Over the past 12 years, the manufacturer has won 35 Red Dot Awards, a result no other carmaker has matched since the award’s inauguration in 1955. Since 2015, the jury has awarded Ferrari 13 Red Dot: Best of the Best prizes for models including the FXX-K, Monza SP1, Daytona SP3, and now, the SC40. The brand's design excellence was further confirmed with several other 2026 Red Dot awards. The Ferrari Amalfi, 849 Testarossa, 849 Testarossa Spider, 296 Speciale, and 296 Speciale A all received individual recognition, underscoring the consistency of the Ferrari Design Studio's work across different expressions of the brand. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-one-client-ferrari-takes-the-top-design-award — Citation: "A One-Client Ferrari Takes The Top Design Award" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-09. https://menwith.com/a-one-client-ferrari-takes-the-top-design-award --- ## Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como Reopens With A Redesigned L’ARIA - URL: https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-lago-di-como-reopens-with-a-redesigned-l-aria - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-05-07 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental **Summary:** Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como reopens with a redesigned L’ARIA restaurant by Herzog & de Meuron, featuring new spa treatments and a "La Primavera" package. A ceiling of pressed cast glass and brass elements now reflects light across L’ARIA restaurant, the centerpiece of the seasonal reopening at the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. The architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron has completed a restyling of the space, part of a wider restoration that has also included the resort’s floating pool, the Spa, and NAMI Cafe. Inside L’ARIA, the new design is defined by a warm, tactile palette. Venetian terrazzo style flooring interacts with Italian marble and polished dark woods. Fabrics in old-rose tones and details inspired by the property’s gardens create an intimate atmosphere. An elegant sculptural counter serves as a social focal point, transforming from a breakfast buffet to an aperitivo bar as the day progresses. The space flows from a veranda to a panoramic terrace and a lakeside greenhouse. Cuisine and Cocktails The dining experience at L’ARIA is curated by Executive Chef Massimiliano Blasone. His menu weaves together local flavours with Eastern techniques, offering dishes cooked on a robata, a traditional Japanese grill, alongside a selection of raw fish and light tempura. Italian classics with a contemporary twist are also featured. The meal is presented on a collection of traditionally handcrafted ceramics made by a local artisan, with designs inspired by the lake’s natural elements. Beyond L’ARIA, the CO.MO Bar & Bistrot serves contemporary cuisine and cocktails from a list that reads like a “Drinkbook to Italy.” For a more informal option, the lakefront NAMI Cafe provides Asian-inspired dishes with healthy and comforting choices. A New Approach to Wellness The award-winning Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como has also been updated, introducing four new signature treatments by 111SKIN. The global skincare brand, founded in 2012 by plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, aims to bridge clinical science with a sense of glamour. Highlights include the Black Diamond Non-Surgical Lift Facial, which works to smooth, brighten, and redefine facial contours. Other new treatments include the Reparative Longevity Facial for nourishing the skin and strengthening its barrier, the Even Glow Sculpting Facial for brightening, and the Cryo Radiance Facial, which uses cryotherapy to stimulate microcirculation and reduce signs of fatigue. To mark the reopening, the resort is offering the “La Primavera in Lake Como” accommodation package. Priced from EUR 1,770 per night for two people, it includes a two-night stay, breakfast at L’ARIA, a special lunch at CO.MO Bar & Bistrot, and a spa treatment for two. Guests also receive a choice of an outdoor activity, such as a guided walk along Lake Como’s slopes or an alternative wellness experience. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-lago-di-como-reopens-with-a-redesigned-l-aria — Citation: "Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como Reopens With A Redesigned L’ARIA" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-07. https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-lago-di-como-reopens-with-a-redesigned-l-aria --- ## Bugatti's Tourbillon Meets the Swedish Winter - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-tourbillon-meets-the-swedish-winter - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-05-07 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti's new Tourbillon undergoes extreme winter testing in Sweden, validating its 1,800 HP V16 hybrid powertrain and advanced systems on low-grip surfaces. In Arjeplog, Sweden, the temperature drops to -30°C. The ground is a shifting mix of polished ice, packed snow, slush, and asphalt. This is the environment where the new Bugatti Tourbillon has come for four weeks of winter validation, a process designed to prove its systems at the very edge of engineering possibility. The car itself is built on an all-new platform, with a naturally aspirated V16 engine and three electric motors producing a combined 1,800 HP. The central task in Sweden is to ensure that immense output remains accessible and faithful to the driver’s inputs, even when grip is at its most fragile. A team of 20 people supports the program, with a core group of six working in two shifts to capture data. With a narrowing window for true winter conditions, they extend their work into night sessions. “We are maximizing our potential and basically using the best out of what we can from what the weather allows us,” the team explained. Mastering the Surfaces The work focuses on what engineers call low-MU conditions, where the coefficient of grip is dramatically reduced. Here, the team refines the integration of all-wheel-drive torque distribution, traction control, and the electronic stability control. A key area of assessment is the brake-by-wire system, which must seamlessly manage the relationship between regenerative braking from the electric motors and the hydraulic foundation brakes. One of the most demanding tests is the MU-jump. The prototype begins braking on dry or heated asphalt before transitioning onto polished ice, forcing the ABS and ESC systems to recognize and respond to the sudden loss of adhesion. “What we look for in the system is its ability to fight and master various kinds of conditions,” a test-driver noted. The Tourbillon in Three Acts The Tourbillon’s character can be altered through its driving modes, each calibrated for these extreme conditions. In Comfort mode, the car delivers reassurance and stability. Sport mode creates a more neutral balance, making the V16 engine more present and the car more expressive. Track mode shifts torque further rearward, permitting greater side slip and a more playful response. The adjustments change the car’s fundamental behavior. “We are changing the balance of the car, the vehicle dynamics, but also the safety systems, opening or closing the envelope of the safety systems,” said one of the drivers. “The car is thus precise, connected without hitch to the throttle and steering system.” Beyond vehicle dynamics, the program validates every system, from the climate control’s ability to maintain cabin warmth to the effectiveness of the windscreen defogging. The evaluation is both empirical and subjective, based on the real-world comfort of the occupants. Amid the intensive work, the team experienced moments unique to their location. Reindeer moved close to the car, and the aurora glowed over the proving ground at night. The process, though challenging, was rewarding. “This job is nothing but a dream for all those involved.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-tourbillon-meets-the-swedish-winter — Citation: "Bugatti's Tourbillon Meets the Swedish Winter" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-07. https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-tourbillon-meets-the-swedish-winter --- ## Longines Marks Its Glasgow 2026 Partnership With A New HydroConquest - URL: https://menwith.com/longines-marks-its-glasgow-2026-partnership-with-a-new-hydroconquest - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-07 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Longines unveils a special HydroConquest edition celebrating its partnership with Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Limited to 2026 pieces, it features a gradient dial and colors inspired by the event's logo. The dial transitions from vibrant teal to deep black. This gradient lacquered surface is the most immediate detail of the new Longines HydroConquest, a special edition watch created for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. As the Official Timekeeper, the Swiss watchmaker is marking a partnership that now spans more than six decades. The watch draws its visual identity from the Glasgow 2026 logo. The “HydroConquest” inscription appears in violet, and the seconds hand is tipped in pink. Together, the teal, pink, and violet colors directly reference the official palette of the Games. Rhodium-plated hands and applied indexes, both treated with Super-LumiNova®, are used for legibility in all conditions. A black ceramic insert on the unidirectional rotating bezel features numerals in a matching teal tone. A capsule filled with Super-LumiNova® sits at the zero position, ensuring visibility in low light. The watch is presented on a Swiss-made black rubber strap chosen for comfort and durability. A Partnership Since Perth Longines first served as Official Timekeeper for the Commonwealth Games in 1962 in Perth, Australia. The relationship has continued through events in Glasgow in 2014, the Gold Coast in 2018, and Birmingham in 2022. The brand now has a multi-Games agreement covering the 2026 and 2030 Games. The Glasgow 2026 Games will open on July 23, welcoming some 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports. The event will also feature the largest Parasport program in Commonwealth Games history, with 47 medal events fully integrated into the competition schedule. The Mechanics of Performance The watch is built on the redesigned HydroConquest platform, which was first launched in 2007. The round stainless-steel case is available in two diameters, 39 mm and 42 mm. It features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, a screw-in crown, and water resistance up to 30 bar, or 300 metres. Inside is the Longines exclusive calibre L888.5, a self-winding mechanical movement. It is equipped with a silicon balance-spring, which is resistant to corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and magnetic fields. In fact, its magnetic resistance exceeds the ISO 764 standard by a factor of 10. The movement provides a power reserve of up to 72 hours. The screw-down case back is engraved with the official Glasgow 2026 logo and the inscription ‘LIMITED EDITION – ONE OF 2026’. Production is limited to 2,026 pieces for each of the two sizes, making each watch a memento of the event. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/longines-marks-its-glasgow-2026-partnership-with-a-new-hydroconquest — Citation: "Longines Marks Its Glasgow 2026 Partnership With A New HydroConquest" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-07. https://menwith.com/longines-marks-its-glasgow-2026-partnership-with-a-new-hydroconquest --- ## The Bugatti That Refuses to Become a Museum Piece - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-that-refuses-to-become-a-museum-piece - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-05-06 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** The Bugatti Type 35, a century-old racing icon, offers an unfiltered sensory driving experience. A dedicated community continues to race these legendary cars, preserving their legacy through active use. Climbing into the cockpit of a Bugatti Type 35 means your head is fully above the bodywork, exposed to the elements. The air fills with the smell of fuel and oil. Every vibration from the engine and the road travels directly through the seat and the steering wheel into your body. It is a complete sensory immersion, a constant dialogue between the driver, the machine, and the track. A full century after Ettore Bugatti revealed the car at the 1924 Lyon Grand Prix, this experience remains brutally and beautifully intact. The Type 35 went on to achieve over 2,500 victories, making it the most successful competition car of its time. Yet its real legacy is found not in record books, but on the circuits of Monaco, Le Mans, and Goodwood, where a small community of owners continues to race them as they were always meant to be raced. Thierry Stapts is one of them. His white Type 35, also a hundred years old, is a regular competitor. He describes the sensation of driving it as somewhere between a racing car and a motorcycle. It is an unfiltered experience, one that demands total focus and rewards it with a connection no modern car can offer. This is the point. In an age of synthesized engine notes and layers of electronic insulation, the Bugatti asks for something else entirely. It asks for skill, for patience, and for a willingness to engage with a machine on its own terms. To drive it well is to work with its character, not to dominate it. It’s a partnership. A Demanding Relationship The relationship between these owners and their cars is measured in decades. Thierry has been driving his for seven years and says he is still improving, still learning its language. There is always more to discover. He affectionately calls the car “grandmother”: old, nimble, and beautiful. “It’s like a part of my family,” he says. Keeping a century-old Bugatti competitive is a serious undertaking. Parts are scarce and often must be fabricated from scratch by specialists, many of whom are based in the United Kingdom. For Thierry, his mechanic Pascal Dussouchet is the reason the car remains both fast and safe. It is a bond built on immense trust and a shared understanding that these machines deserve to be preserved through use, not just admiration. Racing Through History The community that races the Type 35 operates on a calendar that reads like a pilgrimage. Le Mans Classic, the Goodwood Revival, and the Circuit des Remparts in Angoulême are regular fixtures. Thierry’s next stop is Donington Park, and he holds a particular fondness for the street circuit in Villareal, Portugal. Of all the venues, Monaco carries a unique weight. To race a Type 35 through the same tunnel and around the same corners where William Grover-Williams won the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix in 1929 is to feel history as an active presence. The ghosts of legends like Albert Divo and Tazio Nuvolari are part of the experience. These drivers are not just recreating moments. They are extending a story. This is what it means to be a steward of a legacy. It is a refusal to let a machine as significant as the Bugatti become a static object. For Thierry and the others, the luck is not in owning the car, but in racing it. When asked if he will ever stop, his answer is immediate and absolute. “As long as I can,” he says. “I can’t stop. No way.” Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-that-refuses-to-become-a-museum-piece — Citation: "The Bugatti That Refuses to Become a Museum Piece" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-06. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-that-refuses-to-become-a-museum-piece --- ## The 5 Most Essential Morgan Freeman Films - URL: https://menwith.com/the-5-most-essential-morgan-freeman-films - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-05-06 - Tags: Morgan Freeman, Se7en, Million Dollar Baby, The Dark Knight, The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, David Fincher, Lucius Fox **Summary:** Morgan Freeman's iconic roles in "Se7en," "Million Dollar Baby," "The Dark Knight," "The Shawshank Redemption," and "Driving Miss Daisy" showcase his masterful presence and timeless performances. Few actors command presence quite like Morgan Freeman. With a voice that has become synonymous with authority and calm, and a screen presence that elevates every scene he enters, Freeman has built a career defined by quiet power and timeless performances. This is not just a list of great films, it’s a selection of roles that define his legacy. #5 - Se7en In David Fincher’s dark and unsettling thriller, Freeman plays Detective Somerset - a man on the edge of retirement, burdened by years of witnessing humanity at its worst. His performance is restrained, intelligent, and deeply atmospheric. In a film defined by chaos, Freeman becomes the calm center — thoughtful, observant, and quietly haunted. #4 - Million Dollar Baby There’s a quiet emotional depth to Freeman’s role as Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris. Acting as both narrator and moral anchor, he brings warmth and gravity to a story about ambition, sacrifice, and loss. It’s one of his most understated performances - and one of his most human. #3 - The Dark Knight As Lucius Fox, Freeman delivers a masterclass in effortless cool. He’s not just a supporting character, he’s the embodiment of intelligence, discretion, and quiet authority. In a world of chaos, he represents control. And style. #2 - The Shawshank Redemption Some performances are remembered. Others are felt. As Red, Freeman delivers one of the most iconic narrations in cinema history. His voice doesn’t just guide the story, it defines it. There’s a reason this film continues to resonate decades later. And much of that comes down to him. #1 - Driving Miss Daisy Elegant, restrained, and deeply human. Freeman’s portrayal of Hoke Colburn is a study in subtlety - a performance built on nuance rather than volume. It earned him an Academy Award nomination and solidified his place as one of the greats. A timeless role in a timeless film. Morgan Freeman doesn’t demand attention, he earns it. Through presence, precision, and an unmatched voice, he has shaped some of cinema’s most memorable moments. And while this list captures five defining films, the truth is simple: There are few actors who age like Freeman. And even fewer who carry this level of class, both on and off screen. What do you think? Did we miss your favorite on the list? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-5-most-essential-morgan-freeman-films — Citation: "The 5 Most Essential Morgan Freeman Films" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-06. https://menwith.com/the-5-most-essential-morgan-freeman-films --- ## OMEGA, The Met Gala, and The Human Element - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-the-met-gala-and-the-human-element - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-05 - Tags: OMEGA **Summary:** OMEGA leveraged the Met Gala by showcasing brand ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Colman Domingo, highlighting the human element and cultural significance behind their timepieces. The flashbulbs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art have a way of finding the story. Last night in New York, as the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition opened, that story included OMEGA. The brand’s presence was not marked by a new release, but by the people chosen to represent it on one of culture’s most visible stages. Brand Ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Colman Domingo attended the Met Gala, their presence serving as a reminder that a watch brand’s identity is often shaped by more than just metal and mechanics. It is also a story told on the wrist, in moments of cultural significance. The Human Connection Placing a brand in a setting like the Met Gala is a deliberate act. It aligns the meticulous work of watchmaking with the worlds of art, film, and fashion. The role of an ambassador is to bridge that gap, to give a human face to a brand built on precision engineering. This strategy relies on the idea that a watch is more than an instrument. It is part of a personal uniform, a choice that reflects taste and a connection to a certain kind of history. The appearance of Kidman and Domingo reinforces this narrative for OMEGA, connecting its legacy to the present moment. An Object of Intent Behind the red carpet appearances are the objects themselves. An OMEGA watch carries a design language that can range from the formal elegance of a classic dress piece to the robust functionality of a tool watch. Each one is a distillation of the brand's identity. Whether it is the technical dial of a chronograph or the clean lines of a dive watch, the intent is clear. These are pieces meant to be worn, used, and seen. They are part of a larger conversation about style and performance. The Met Gala is a single evening. The watches, however, remain. They are the constant in a brand story that is told through moments, and through the people who live them. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-the-met-gala-and-the-human-element — Citation: "OMEGA, The Met Gala, and The Human Element" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-05. https://menwith.com/omega-the-met-gala-and-the-human-element --- ## Bentley, a Gandoura, and a Cold-Water Swimmer - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-a-gandoura-and-a-cold-water-swimmer - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-05-05 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley Foundation partners with National Portrait Gallery's "Photo Portrait Now" to support emerging photographers, fostering diverse talent and creative career pathways. A young man named Jounaid, half-Moroccan and half-French, stands on the British moorland. He was born and raised in the UK, yet his portrait by photographer Jaiyana Chelikha is titled Go back to Where? Jounaid wears a gandoura, a traditional Moroccan garment, its lines contrasting with the landscape. His layered styling mixes tradition with contemporary streetwear, a visual representation of a fluid identity. Another portrait, by Megan Coward, captures a woman named Milly. The image is part of an exploration of cold-water swimming, inspired by the resilience and empowerment derived from the practice. Coward was drawn to Milly after witnessing the strength and serenity she finds in the water, a connection between the cold and mental wellbeing. These images are the output of Photo Portrait Now, a higher education programme led by the National Portrait Gallery. Now in its third year, the project collaborates with six universities across England and Wales to explore contemporary portrait photography and expand access to the arts for underrepresented groups. A Different Kind of Patronage The Bentley Foundation has announced it will support the program as its second philanthropic partner, following a partnership with The Queen’s Reading Room. The support from Bentley is part of the company's Beyond100+ strategy, a long-term commitment to creating positive impact for people and culture. For students in the Photo Portrait Now program, the partnership provides hands-on professional development. They receive expert mentoring, study days led by National Portrait Gallery curators, and workshops with professional photographers, including contributors to the 2025 Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize. The initiative gives students access to the Gallery’s collection and curatorial expertise to support their progress into creative careers. Opening Pathways Wayne Bruce, who serves as Head of The Bentley Foundation, outlined the ambition behind the collaboration. “At the Bentley Foundation, we believe access to culture and creativity should never be defined by background or circumstance,” he said. “Partnering with the National Portrait Gallery through Photo Portrait Now allows us to support emerging photographic talent, champion diverse voices and help open meaningful pathways into the creative industries.” The National Portrait Gallery, founded in 1856, sees the partnership as vital for nurturing new talent. “The Gallery is grateful for the generous support of The Bentley Foundation,” added Liz Smith, the gallery’s Director of Learning. She noted the support allows them “to continue to work with the next generation of photographic talent and help students towards success in both their individual practices and their future creative careers.” Each year, the initiative invites students to respond to the themes of the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize by producing their own original photography. The program culminates in a public exhibition of their work at the National Portrait Gallery, alongside a symposium that brings students together with industry professionals for portfolio reviews and career development workshops. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-a-gandoura-and-a-cold-water-swimmer — Citation: "Bentley, a Gandoura, and a Cold-Water Swimmer" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-05. https://menwith.com/bentley-a-gandoura-and-a-cold-water-swimmer --- ## LVMH Bets on the Formula 1 Spectacle - URL: https://menwith.com/lvmh-bets-on-the-formula-1-spectacle - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-05-05 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH leverages the F1 Miami Grand Prix as a cultural stage, not just a sporting event. Their coordinated brand activation highlights luxury's integration into high-energy spectacles and experiences. The arrival of Formula 1 in Miami was never just about the race. The LVMH group’s presence during the first weekend of May confirms this, treating the event not as a sporting fixture but as a cultural main stage. More Than a Racetrack For three days, the Miami Grand Prix becomes a gravitational center for more than just motorsport enthusiasts. It is a gathering point for a certain kind of global audience, where sport, entertainment, and commerce overlap. The decision for a group like LVMH to deploy a significant activation here is a reflection of this reality. This is not about traditional sponsorship. Placing a logo on a car is one thing. Building a world within the event is another. The move suggests an understanding that the audience is not just watching the track, but participating in the spectacle around it. A Coordinated Presence The activation involved a coordinated effort from the group’s various Maisons. It presented a unified front, showcasing the breadth of the LVMH portfolio in a setting defined by speed and high energy. The goal seems clear. It is to embed the idea of luxury directly into the cultural fabric of the weekend. By bringing its brands together in one of the most-watched sporting events of the year, LVMH is making a deliberate statement about where its customers are and what they value. It is a pivot towards experience over simple advertising. Luxury is no longer waiting to be discovered in a boutique. It now meets you at the main event. Read about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lvmh-bets-on-the-formula-1-spectacle — Citation: "LVMH Bets on the Formula 1 Spectacle" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-05. https://menwith.com/lvmh-bets-on-the-formula-1-spectacle --- ## With Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express - URL: https://menwith.com/with-gilda-perez-alvarado-ceo-orient-express - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-05-05 - Tags: Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Orient Express, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Orient Express La Minerva, Orient Express Corinthian, Accor, Rome, Venice **Summary:** Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, discusses the brand's expansion into hotels, trains, and yachts, emphasizing emotional connection and immersive travel experiences. She highlights the preservation of craft traditions and a renewed desire for meaningful journeys in travel's 'new Golden Age.' When Gilda Perez-Alvarado speaks about Orient Express, she rarely begins with the brand. She begins with feeling. Born in Costa Rica, shaped by a career that has taken her through the United States and several European capitals to her current base in Paris, the Group Chief Strategy Officer of Accor and CEO of Orient Express has spent her life moving between worlds - which may be exactly why she is the right person to lead a name that has been doing the same for more than 140 years. This spring marks one of the most significant chapters in the brand’s modern history. La Dolce Vita Orient Express is now traveling Italy. Orient Express La Minerva has opened in Rome, with Palazzo Donà Giovannelli following in Venice. And on May 2, Orient Express Corinthian - the world’s largest sailing yacht - will leave St. Nazaire for her first voyage, completing what Gilda describes as a single, continuous Orient Express universe: hotel, train, yacht. We sat down with her ahead of that departure. You’ve said each asset is its own chapter in the same book. When you step onto La Dolce Vita, or walk into La Minerva - what is it in the room that tells you the chapter is right? For me, it is always a feeling before the detail. When I step onto La Dolce Vita Orient Express or arrive at Orient Express La Minerva, I look for a sense of coherence - when everything speaks the same language without trying too hard, while still remaining distinct. It might be the way the light falls on a material, or how a space invites you to slow down instinctively. That is when I know the chapter is right: when the space no longer feels designed, but lived in. When it carries emotion with intention. You’re keeping more than thirty craft traditions alive through the restoration of the carriages. Is there a craftsperson or atelier you’ve met along the way who has stayed with you? What has stayed with me most is the collective energy of the artisans, and the way their savoir-faire comes together across every single one of our projects. Across every atelier, you feel a shared commitment to excellence and a deep respect for tradition, while also embracing a contemporary expression. It is this dialogue - between craftsmanship, creativity, and direction - that makes the project so unique, and ensures these traditions continue to live and evolve. Orient Express is one of the few stories that has lived for more than 140 years. What do you think it is in the brand itself that keeps new generations finding their way back to it? I believe people are drawn to Orient Express because it offers something increasingly rare: a sense of depth. It is not only about nostalgia, it is about the desire to experience travel as something meaningful, layered, and emotional. The brand has always represented more than a journey from one place to another. It is about connection - between cultures, between people, and even between different moments in time. Each new generation interprets that in its own way, but the essence remains the same: a search for beauty, for story, and for a different relationship with time. That is what continues to draw people into the Orient Express universe. You’ve described this moment as a new Golden Age of Travel. What are you seeing in today’s travellers that makes you believe in it? What we are seeing today is a renewed desire for more intentional, layered experiences - journeys that unfold over time rather than being compressed into moments. Travellers are choosing fewer destinations, staying longer, and engaging more deeply with place, culture, and craftsmanship. That is what defines this new Golden Age of Travel: a return to journeys that are immersive, considered, and rich in meaning. Corinthian sets sail in May. Is there a small detail on board - something quiet - that you’re looking forward to guests discovering for themselves? Orient Express Corinthian will leave St. Nazaire for the first time on May 2. There are many, but what I look forward to most are the quieter discoveries - the way light moves through a space at a certain time of day, or a detail in the craftsmanship that reveals itself slowly. On Orient Express Corinthian, it is those subtle, almost intimate moments that stay with you. The ones you don’t immediately notice, but remember long after. This will be the first summer where someone can move from a hotel to the train to the yacht. How would you most want to experience that journey yourself, the first time? I would want to experience it without rushing - allowing each moment to unfold in its own rhythm. Beginning in a city, then transitioning to the train, and finally to the sea. Each chapter offers a different perspective. In my view, it would be about embracing that continuity while also appreciating the contrasts - moving from the energy of place, to the intimacy of the train, to the openness of the seas. Almost everyone has their own Orient Express story. Do you have one? I think what makes Orient Express so special is that everyone brings their own story to it, and I’m no exception. For me, it has always been less about a single moment and more about a feeling - that sense of stepping into another world, where time slows down and every detail carries meaning. It’s a story I continue to discover, each time in a different way. Having said that, one of my favourite moments with Orient Express was the sense of accomplishment, euphoria and responsibility I felt with our team on board La Dolce Vita during our first ever departure with guests, as we were leaving Rome’s Ostiense Train Station in April 2025. Your own journey has taken you from Costa Rica, to the United States, to several cities in Europe and now to Paris. What do you carry with you from that path into a brand that is itself about moving between worlds? My journey has always been about navigating between cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. What I carry with me is a deep appreciation for nuance - for the details that make each place unique, but also for the connections that bring them together. That sense of fluidity, of moving between worlds while remaining anchored in something authentic, resonates very strongly with what this brand represents. The constant balance of being true to yourself - and having a very strong sense of self, indeed - while adapting to a new environment and staying “teachable”, has been invaluable in both my life and career. If you could choose a single dinner on board Orient Express Corinthian - with whom, and where would you sail? I would choose something very intimate. Perhaps a small table at sunset, surrounded by a few people I have met along the Orient Express journey so far, having a very carefree conversation about everything and nothing. As for where to sail - I would keep it open, without a set itinerary. Sometimes it is nice just to be taken. Orient Express Corinthian sets sail from St. Nazaire on May 2, 2026. La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Orient Express La Minerva (Rome) and Palazzo Donà Giovannelli (Venice) are open now. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-gilda-perez-alvarado-ceo-orient-express — Citation: "With Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express " — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-05. https://menwith.com/with-gilda-perez-alvarado-ceo-orient-express --- ## Vacheron Constantin Gives Form to Flow - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-gives-form-to-flow - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-03 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's 'Timeless Flow' sculpture by Junsu Kim merges horology and art, transforming leather to embody the ephemeral beauty of the aurora. At Maison 1755 Seoul, the new flagship for Vacheron Constantin, the focus has expanded beyond the mechanics of time. The house is now host to 'Timeless Flow', a sculptural work born from a collaboration with leather craft artist Junsu Kim. An Unseen Force The artwork finds its inspiration in the aurora. It is an attempt to capture a momentary, ephemeral event and give it a lasting, physical structure. Kim’s work explores how invisible forces can take shape, translating a natural phenomenon into a tangible object. The idea runs parallel to the work of high horology itself. A watchmaker takes the abstract passage of time and gives it mechanical form. It structures an invisible force, making it readable and concrete. A Material Transformed The choice of material is deliberate. Junsu Kim’s practice is centred on redefining the sculptural possibilities of leather. It’s a medium often associated with function, particularly in watchmaking for straps. Here, the material becomes the subject. The collaboration uses leather not as an accessory but as the core of the artistic expression, pushing its conventional boundaries. It is an exercise in seeing a familiar substance in a new context. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-gives-form-to-flow — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin Gives Form to Flow" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-03. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-gives-form-to-flow --- ## The Rolex Pepsi and the Persistence of a Simple Idea - URL: https://menwith.com/the-rolex-pepsi-and-the-persistence-of-a-simple-idea - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-05-03 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** The iconic Rolex Pepsi's red and blue bezel, born from function, has become a cultural icon. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple, balanced design, transcending utility to become a collector's cherished artifact. Some designs are so ingrained in the culture they become a kind of shorthand. The red and blue bezel of the Rolex GMT-Master is one of them. It is a simple, functional choice that has outlasted decades of changing tastes, a visual signature recognized far beyond the world of watch collecting. Nicknamed the “Pepsi” for its color scheme, the design was originally practical. It helped pilots distinguish between daytime and nighttime hours in a second time zone. Yet its appeal quickly moved beyond the cockpit. The combination of primary colors gave the tool watch an unexpected pop of character, an identity that proved to be remarkably durable. From Tool to Trophy The journey of any enduring object involves this shift from utility to story. What was once a piece of equipment becomes an artifact. Archives, like the one maintained by Sotheby's, serve as the record of this transformation. They catalogue the small variations that create rarity, turning a production model into a storied example. For the Rolex Pepsi, these stories are written in faded bezels, patinated dials, and subtle changes in typography. Each imperfection and evolution marks a specific point in time. It is this history, not just the object itself, that collectors are often pursuing. An Enduring Design Looking through archival examples reveals why the design holds up. It does not rely on trends. The proportions are balanced, the function is clear, and the aesthetic is direct. It’s a formula that Rolex has trusted for generations, calibrating it over time rather than replacing it. The existence of so many storied variations confirms the strength of the original idea. A design has to be fundamentally right to withstand this much interpretation and still feel like itself. It becomes a measure of consistency in a market that often prizes novelty. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-rolex-pepsi-and-the-persistence-of-a-simple-idea — Citation: "The Rolex Pepsi and the Persistence of a Simple Idea" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-03. https://menwith.com/the-rolex-pepsi-and-the-persistence-of-a-simple-idea --- ## Bentley at Home: Translating Speed into Stillness - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-at-home-translating-speed-into-stillness - Category: Interior - Published: 2026-05-03 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley Home translates automotive luxury into furniture by focusing on premium materials and craftsmanship, creating an immersive experience rather than literal car-inspired designs. The question of how a car company should furnish a room is not a simple one. For Bentley, a brand defined by motion and handcrafted power, the challenge is to translate that identity into objects meant for stillness. The latest Bentley Home collection, shown at Milan Design Week 2026, suggests their answer lies not in literal interpretations, but in shared principles. It is easy to put a logo on a chair. It is much harder to make a chair feel like a specific car without resorting to cliché. The company’s approach seems to bypass obvious automotive cues in favor of a deeper focus on the core tenets of its road cars: materiality, comfort, and a particular kind of British craftsmanship. The Language of Materials The real connection between a grand tourer and a living room is found in the way materials are chosen and treated. In a car, the grain of wood, the weight of a metal switch, and the texture of leather all contribute to the feeling of luxury. The new collection attempts to carry that same logic indoors. This is less about aesthetics and more about sensation. The goal is to evoke the feeling of being in a Bentley, rather than simply looking at one. It’s a subtle distinction, but a critical one for any brand extending its reach beyond its original domain. A Widening Definition of Luxury Presenting at Milan Design Week signals an ambition beyond mere brand extension. It places the furniture in direct conversation with the world’s leading design houses. It also points to a broader shift in what luxury means. The idea is no longer confined to a single product, but an entire environment. For a brand like Bentley, the car in the driveway is now just one part of a larger story they want to tell. The rest of that story is now unfolding indoors. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-at-home-translating-speed-into-stillness — Citation: "Bentley at Home: Translating Speed into Stillness" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-03. https://menwith.com/bentley-at-home-translating-speed-into-stillness --- ## Zenith's New Chronomaster and the Allure of Manufactured History - URL: https://menwith.com/zenith-s-new-chronomaster-and-the-allure-of-manufactured-history - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-05-01 - Tags: Zenith **Summary:** Zenith's Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical captures the aesthetic of vintage tropical dials with modern precision. It faithfully reproduces the 1969 A384's case, El Primero movement, and Gay Frères ladder bracelet. A true tropical dial is an accident. It is the result of sunlight, time, and some flaw in the original paint. Over decades, a black dial might fade to a rich, uneven brown. The effect is unpredictable, unrepeatable, and for many collectors, deeply desirable. It is a physical record of a watch’s life lived in the open. With its new Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical, Zenith is not attempting to recreate one of these accidents. Instead, it is capturing the aesthetic of one. The watch approaches the phenomenon of aging with the precision of a modern manufacturer, creating a consistent and controlled version of what was once left entirely to chance. The 1969 Blueprint While the dial is a modern interpretation, the case is an act of historical preservation. The watch uses the exact blueprints of the original A384 from 1969. Its 37mm stainless steel tonneau shape is a direct link to the past, as are the pump-style pushers and the defined edges where brushed and polished surfaces meet. It feels correct for the era it references because it is a direct reproduction. Inside, the movement follows a similar philosophy. The watch is powered by the El Primero 400 calibre, the most direct descendant of the original high-frequency automatic chronograph movement that made Zenith famous in 1969. It beats at 5 Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing it to measure time to a tenth of a second. The movement, with its 50-hour power reserve, is visible through a sapphire case back. The final piece of historical accuracy is the bracelet. The watch is fitted with the open-worked “ladder” bracelet, a design originally developed for Zenith by the legendary bracelet maker Gay Frères in 1969. It's a design that is immediately recognizable and locks the watch firmly in its intended period. The A384 Tropical offers the visual warmth of a sought-after vintage piece with the known quantity of a new watch. It acknowledges history without having to live through it, presenting the aesthetic of time as a deliberate design choice. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/zenith-s-new-chronomaster-and-the-allure-of-manufactured-history — Citation: "Zenith's New Chronomaster and the Allure of Manufactured History" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-01. https://menwith.com/zenith-s-new-chronomaster-and-the-allure-of-manufactured-history --- ## Patrick Dempsey and the New Rules of Storytelling - URL: https://menwith.com/patrick-dempsey-and-the-new-rules-of-storytelling - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-05-01 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** LVMH's "At the Speed of Dreams" series features Patrick Dempsey, blending his racing passion with luxury storytelling. This content-driven approach highlights brand narratives beyond traditional advertising. Patrick Dempsey has always lived two lives. One as a Hollywood actor, the other as a legitimate racing driver. It is this second life, the one defined by speed and precision, that LVMH is now focusing on. The luxury group has released the second episode of its film series, “At the Speed of Dreams,” with Dempsey as its subject. Unveiled just ahead of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, the timing is deliberate. The series explores the power of imagination for those who push their own limits, a theme that fits both the driver and the context of professional motorsport. Choosing Dempsey is a specific kind of calculation. He is not just a Tag Heuer ambassador paid to wear a watch. His history in motorsport, including competing at Le Mans, gives him an authenticity that cannot be borrowed. The film seems to understand this, building its narrative around the mentality required to compete at a high level. This project is part of a larger movement. Luxury conglomerates like LVMH are increasingly behaving like media houses. Instead of simply placing advertisements or sponsoring teams, they are creating the content themselves, shaping narratives around the worlds their brands inhabit. The connection to the Miami Grand Prix is not accidental. Formula 1's rapid growth in the United States has turned its race weekends into significant cultural events. For a group like LVMH, it is a natural stage to present its vision of modern luxury. The film itself is short, but its existence points to a new reality. The goal is no longer just to sell a product, but to sell a piece of the story. Owning the watch is one thing. Buying into the dream is another. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/patrick-dempsey-and-the-new-rules-of-storytelling — Citation: "Patrick Dempsey and the New Rules of Storytelling" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-05-01. https://menwith.com/patrick-dempsey-and-the-new-rules-of-storytelling --- ## The Mallorca Charter: Two Islands in One - URL: https://menwith.com/the-mallorca-charter-two-islands-in-one - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-04-30 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** A Mallorca yacht charter offers a unique duality, seamlessly blending Palma's vibrant urban culture with the secluded beauty of hidden coves. Experience the island's contrasts effortlessly from your private vessel. The light in Mallorca hits differently. It filters through pines and reflects off limestone, turning the water in secluded coves a shade of blue that feels specific to this part of the Mediterranean. This is the first thing you learn about the island. It has its own palette, its own rhythm, a character distinct from its more boisterous Balearic neighbors. Exploring Mallorca by sea is not about arriving, but about accessing. A yacht charter here serves a different purpose than it might in other global hotspots. It is less a status symbol anchored in a crowded port and more a key to unlocking the island's fundamental duality. It offers a way to navigate between two worlds, civilization and seclusion, without ever having to choose one over the other. The Urban Anchor Palma is the island’s cultural centre of gravity. It is a proper city, not a seasonal resort town. From the deck of a yacht in the marina, the view is dominated by the sandstone mass of the La Seu cathedral, a Gothic monument that has watched over the bay for centuries. But the city that spreads out behind it is alive and contemporary. It has galleries, workshops, and restaurants that operate on their own terms, serving a local population as much as any visitor. To step off the passerelle into Palma is to trade the quiet of the sea for the hum of a city with layers. The experience is about more than just provisioning. It is about engaging with a place that has a life beyond the yachting season. This is the sophisticated side of Mallorca, the one that offers history, art, and a complex urban texture just a short walk from your mooring. Beyond the Breakwater in Mallorca Then there is the other reason for being here. The yacht allows you to leave the city behind entirely. The coastline of Mallorca, particularly the northwest coast dominated by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, is a landscape of dramatic cliffs and hidden bays. These are the famous ‘calas’, small coves often inaccessible by land, where the water is clear and the only sound is the gentle slap of waves against the hull. This is where the charter becomes an exercise in freedom. Dropping anchor in a deserted cove for the afternoon is the counterpoint to the morning spent in Palma’s busy markets. It’s a shift in scale and pace. The world shrinks to the boat, the sky, and the sea. This is the seclusion that cars and hotels cannot provide. The ability to find your own private corner of the Mediterranean is the core promise of the journey. The true luxury of a Mallorca charter, as offered by outfits like Burgess, lies in this constant, effortless toggling. Breakfast with a view of a 14th-century cathedral. Lunch in a silent bay surrounded by ancient cliffs. Dinner back in a city alive with energy. The yacht acts as a private, floating base that bridges these experiences, making the island’s contrasts feel like a seamless whole rather than a series of disconnected destinations. It suggests a different way of thinking about travel. Not as a linear trip from A to B, but as a fluid experience shaped by mood and impulse. The island provides the raw material, a unique blend of the raw and the refined. The vessel simply provides the means to explore it on your own terms, at your own speed. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-mallorca-charter-two-islands-in-one — Citation: "The Mallorca Charter: Two Islands in One" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-30. https://menwith.com/the-mallorca-charter-two-islands-in-one --- ## A Bugatti Built From Memory - URL: https://menwith.com/a-bugatti-built-from-memory - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-04-30 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** A one-of-one Bugatti W16 Mistral roadster, built via the Sur Mesure program, honors a collector's historic Type 51 'Fly Bug' with bespoke details inside and out. The script on the rear wing is painted by hand. It reads 'Fly Bug', a small, personal detail on a car defined by overwhelming force. This is the latest commission to emerge from Bugatti’s Sur Mesure program, a one-of-one W16 Mistral that goes far beyond a simple choice of color and trim. The project began as a close collaboration between a long-time Bugatti collector and the design team in Molsheim. The goal was not to create something entirely new, but to interpret something old. Specifically, to build a modern roadster that carries the spirit of the owner’s personal Type 51, a historic racing car also nicknamed 'Fly Bug'. That process of translation starts with the finish. The new roadster is painted in a specific shade of blue, developed to echo the original Type 51. Even the horseshoe grille, usually finished in chrome or black, is painted in the same blue, creating a solid, uninterrupted frontal graphic. A Modern Interpretation The historical references are applied with precision. Beyond the hand-painted script on the top surface of the rear wing, another detail is hidden on its underside. A sketch of the Type 51 is painted there, visible only when the wing is raised. This kind of personalization is the purpose of the Sur Mesure program. It moves beyond configuration into co-creation, allowing a client’s story to become part of the car’s physical structure. It is a dialogue between a brand’s history and a collector’s own past. An Interior Dialogue Inside, the theme continues. The cabin is trimmed in a warm 'Gaucho' leather. The 'Fly Bug' script appears again, this time embroidered into the headrests. A more intricate reference is stitched into the leather door panels, where the outline of the Type 51 is rendered in thread. Perhaps the most significant detail sits between the seats. The gear selector is machined from a solid block of aluminum, but features a wood insert and a small amber accent. Encased within the amber is a miniature sculpture of the dancing elephant, the famous hood ornament created by Rembrandt Bugatti, Ettore’s brother. The same motif is embroidered below the 'Fly Bug' script on the headrests. These are not just choices from a list of options. They are narrative elements, each one connecting the engineering of a modern roadster to a story that began nearly a century ago. The car becomes more than a machine. It becomes an artifact, a piece of rolling history shaped by a single owner's memory. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-bugatti-built-from-memory — Citation: "A Bugatti Built From Memory" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-30. https://menwith.com/a-bugatti-built-from-memory --- ## OMEGA and the Weight of the World's Oldest Race - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-and-the-weight-of-the-world-s-oldest-race - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-30 - Tags: OMEGA **Summary:** OMEGA partners with the America's Cup, the world's oldest sailing race, highlighting shared values of precision, performance, and history. The brand's role as official timekeeper underscores the critical importance of accurate measurement in this high-stakes, technologically advanced competition. The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. It has been contested since 1851, a full forty-five years before the modern Olympics. Its history is one of national rivalries, ambitious engineering, and spectacular failures on the water. For a watchmaker like OMEGA, aligning with the event is about more than just sailing. It is about the shared pressure of performance when history is on the line. The competition itself has changed. The romance of wooden hulls and canvas sails has given way to the brutal physics of hydrofoiling monohulls. These are machines that fly over the water, demanding a level of precision and speed that would have been unimaginable to the race’s founders. The duels are faster, the margins are smaller, and the role of timekeeper has become more critical than ever. A Partnership of Precision To be the official timekeeper for the America’s Cup is to accept a difficult responsibility. Every decision, every fraction of a second, is recorded and becomes part of the official narrative. In a race defined by innovation, the technology used to measure it must be flawless. It has to operate at the very edge of what is possible, just like the teams competing for the cup. This is where OMEGA finds its purpose within the event. The brand’s involvement is not passive. It is built on providing the infrastructure that captures the action. The stakes are high for the sailors, but they are equally high for the entity trusted to keep the official record. There is no room for error when a 170-year-old legacy is at play. More Than a Sponsorship The link between watchmaking and elite sport is well-established, but some partnerships resonate more than others. The connection between OMEGA and the America’s Cup feels structural. Both are born from a desire to master the elements, one through naval architecture and the other through mechanical engineering. Both are defined by a pursuit of precision against immense physical forces. The trophy, affectionately known as the “Auld Mug,” carries the weight of every crew that has ever tried to win it. The iconic rivalries it has spawned are part of sporting legend. OMEGA’s role is to be the impartial observer to this ongoing drama, ensuring that when the final race is run, the result is beyond question. In the end, it is a story of two disciplines that understand the value of time. One measures it to win a race. The other builds machines to measure it perfectly. In the context of the America's Cup, those two goals become one and the same. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-and-the-weight-of-the-world-s-oldest-race — Citation: "OMEGA and the Weight of the World's Oldest Race" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-30. https://menwith.com/omega-and-the-weight-of-the-world-s-oldest-race --- ## Nobu Is Selling Something More Than Real Estate - URL: https://menwith.com/nobu-is-selling-something-more-than-real-estate - Category: Style - Published: 2026-04-30 - Tags: Nobu Residences Miami, Luxury Real Estate, Biohacking Homes, Longevity Architecture, Wellness Living, Personal Optimization, Branded Residences, Miami Condos **Summary:** Nobu's new Miami residential tower redefines luxury by focusing on time and wellness. It offers a biohacking-centric system for residents to optimize their health and life extension, positioning the home as a tool for personal growth. The new definition of luxury has little to do with what you own. It has everything to do with how long you have to enjoy it. Time, it seems, has become the ultimate asset, and a new kind of architecture is emerging to help you acquire more of it. The latest example comes from Nobu, a brand that built its name on a specific kind of hospitality. Now, it is applying that thinking to a 75-story residential tower in Miami. The project moves beyond the conventional logic of luxury condos. It is not just offering a view and a doorman. It is offering a system for living. The building’s entire premise is centered on wellness. Not in the familiar sense of a hotel spa or a well-equipped gym, but in a more clinical, data-driven way. The amenities are built around the ideas of longevity and biohacking, suggesting a home that actively participates in the health of its residents. This represents a quiet but significant shift. The home is no longer just a passive shelter. It is being reimagined as an active tool for personal optimization. The language of biohacking, once confined to Silicon Valley podcasts and niche wellness circles, is now being used to sell real estate. What this looks like in practice is a suite of services designed to measure, manage, and improve the body. The focus moves from simple fitness to a more integrated protocol for life extension. The building becomes less of a home and more of a headquarters for the self. The Nobu project is not the first branded residence, but it pushes the concept into new territory. The brand is not just lending its name to the aesthetic. It is promising a specific outcome. The implication is that by living here, you are not just buying an apartment. You are buying a better, longer version of yourself. It raises a new question about what we want from our homes. For a long time, a home was a retreat from the world. A place to disconnect. The new model proposes the opposite. It offers a hyper-optimized environment designed to remake you from the inside out. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/nobu-is-selling-something-more-than-real-estate — Citation: "Nobu Is Selling Something More Than Real Estate" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-30. https://menwith.com/nobu-is-selling-something-more-than-real-estate --- ## Range Rover Turns London Postcodes Into Paint Codes - URL: https://menwith.com/range-rover-turns-london-postcodes-into-paint-codes - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-29 - Tags: Land Rover **Summary:** Range Rover has translated the character of four London neighbourhoods (Hoxton, Belgravia, Battersea and Westminster) into a series of editions spanning the entire model line-up. Each is offered as a plug-in hybrid, with up to 73 miles of electric range on the longer cars. A London postcode is no longer just an address. For Range Rover, it is now a specification. In a new series of exclusive editions, the brand has translated the character of the city's most coveted neighbourhoods into metal, leather and paint, and, in a quieter shift that may matter more, into electric range. The idea of tying a car to a place is not new for Range Rover. The 1999 Linley edition channelled Mayfair. The 50th anniversary collaboration with Henry Poole & Co. wove Savile Row into the cabin. What is new here is the breadth: rather than a single halo car, the brand has assigned a postcode to each model in the range. Evoque takes Hoxton. Velar takes Belgravia. Sport takes Battersea. The flagship Range Rover takes Westminster. The result is less a single statement than a four-part argument about what British luxury looks like when it stops looking exclusively backwards. Hoxton, Evoque Hoxton is the East London postcode that has spent two decades absorbing the city's creative class. The Evoque Hoxton Edition reads accordingly: 20-inch satin gold wheels with a diamond-turned contrast, a Platinum Atlas styling pack, and the edition's name etched into the lower door sill and projected through the puddle lamp. Inside, leather seat facings carry contrast stitching and the treadplates are illuminated. It is the most overtly fashion-forward of the four, which is the point. Available as a plug-in hybrid with up to 37 miles of electric range. Belgravia, Velar Belgravia is Georgian terraces and embassies, and the Velar, first shown at the London Design Museum, has always been the most architectural car in the range. The Belgravia Edition leans into that lineage with 20-inch diamond-turned Dark Agate wheels in a satin black tinted lacquer, a black brushed aluminium finisher, and the edition's signature across the door sill and puddle lights. There is also a rarer second tier: the Belgravia Edition Satin, capped at 400 cars globally, each badged "1 of 400". It introduces a clear satin protective film, a first on Velar, alongside 22-inch Dark Agate Grey wheels and a black exterior styling pack. Note that the 22-inch wheels are not available on the PHEV; those cars run 21-inch gloss black instead. Available as a plug-in hybrid with up to 37 miles of electric range. Battersea, Sport Battersea is the postcode that turned a power station into a shopping arcade, which is a fair description of what the Sport does to the Range Rover formula. The Battersea Edition takes the most assertive car in the range and pushes it further: black contrast roof, black exterior pack, 22-inch black forged wheels. Inside, the edition's name is etched into the centre console and treadplates, and the seats carry distinctive contrast stitching. The headline figure is electric. Sport Battersea is now offered as a plug-in hybrid with up to 73 miles of all-electric range, enough, on the brand's own data, to cover 75% of the average client's daily journey on the battery alone. Westminster, Range Rover Westminster is the seat of British government, and the Westminster Edition is the most considered of the four. The exterior wears 22-inch diamond-turned wheels and discreet Westminster badging. The cabin is finished in Natural Black Birch veneer with a 10-line inlay, a small, deliberate nod to 10 Downing Street that you will notice once and then keep noticing. Curated premium metallic paint is standard, as is Meridian 3D audio (a cost option in some markets) and a sliding panoramic roof. Available as a plug-in hybrid with up to 72 miles of electric range. What this actually says Hannah Custance, Range Rover's senior manager for materiality, frames the project as a dialogue between the city and the brand. That is the official line. The unofficial one is more interesting: each edition is a plug-in hybrid, and the two longest-range cars cover three-quarters of an average client's daily driving without burning a drop of fuel. The neighbourhood names are the hook. The powertrain is the story. Each car is a self-contained world, a few square miles of London built to be driven anywhere, and, increasingly, driven silently. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/range-rover-turns-london-postcodes-into-paint-codes — Citation: "Range Rover Turns London Postcodes Into Paint Codes" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-29. https://menwith.com/range-rover-turns-london-postcodes-into-paint-codes --- ## Ferrari Purosangue Handling Speciale: Sharpening the Edge of a Four-Door Thoroughbred - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-purosangue-handling-speciale-sharpening-the-edge-of-a-four-door-thoroughbred - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-29 - Tags: Ferrari Purosangue, Handling Speciale, V12 engine, active suspension, performance SUV, luxury GT **Summary:** Ferrari's Purosangue Handling Speciale sharpens its four-door performance with recalibrated suspension, faster shifts, and enhanced V12 acoustics. Subtle design cues add assertive flair while maintaining practicality. When Ferrari first unveiled the Ferrari Purosangue, it redefined what a performance-focused luxury vehicle could be. Now, the Italian marque takes things a step further. Enter the Handling Speciale configuration, an optional package designed to intensify the Purosangue’s sporting character while preserving its grand touring versatility. A More Focused Driving Experience At the heart of the Handling Speciale lies a recalibrated active suspension system, engineered to reduce body roll by 10 percent. The result is a noticeably tighter, more controlled feel through corners and during rapid directional changes. The car responds more immediately to driver inputs, delivering a sharper and more engaging driving experience without sacrificing comfort. Ferrari has also refined the gearbox strategy, especially in the more aggressive driving modes. Gear shifts are quicker and more decisive, particularly in Race and ESC-Off settings. In manual mode, the experience becomes even more immersive, with more dynamic shifts at higher revs, emphasizing the connection between driver and machine. The Sound of a Naturally Aspirated V12 One of the defining features remains the naturally aspirated V12 engine, producing 725 horsepower and revving up to 8,250 rpm. In the Handling Speciale configuration, Ferrari enhances the in-cabin sound experience, making start-up and acceleration even more visceral. It is a reminder that this is not just a performance SUV, but a true Ferrari at its core. Subtle Yet Distinctive Design Touches Visually, the Handling Speciale configuration introduces a series of exclusive details. New diamond-cut wheels, carbon-fiber side shields, matte black exhaust tips, and a black rear Prancing Horse emblem all contribute to a more assertive presence. Inside, a dedicated plaque signifies the car’s unique configuration, reinforcing its exclusivity. These updates do not alter the Purosangue’s proportions or practicality. It remains a true four-seater with a comfortable, elevated driving position and everyday usability, qualities that have been central to its appeal since launch. Performance Meets Practicality Despite its sharper dynamics, the Purosangue Handling Speciale retains its dual personality. It is as capable of spirited driving on winding roads as it is of handling daily commutes or long-distance journeys. Ferrari’s seven-year Genuine Maintenance program further underlines the brand’s commitment to long-term performance and reliability, offering peace of mind to owners worldwide. With this new configuration, Ferrari refines an already groundbreaking model. The Purosangue was never about compromise, and the Handling Speciale ensures it stays that way, now with an even more pronounced focus on driving pleasure. More about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-purosangue-handling-speciale-sharpening-the-edge-of-a-four-door-thoroughbred — Citation: "Ferrari Purosangue Handling Speciale: Sharpening the Edge of a Four-Door Thoroughbred" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-29. https://menwith.com/ferrari-purosangue-handling-speciale-sharpening-the-edge-of-a-four-door-thoroughbred --- ## Inside the Other Side of Leica with Henrik Ekdahl - URL: https://menwith.com/the-watchmaker-who-built-a-camera-company - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-28 - Tags: Leica M6, Henrik Ekdahl, Ernst Leitz, Leica watches, IWC Schaffhausen, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Achim Heine, Black Forest watchmaking **Summary:** Leica's watchmaking legacy stems from founder Ernst Leitz's origins as a watchmaker. Henrik Ekdahl now leads Leica's diverse non-camera/lens divisions, including watches, emphasizing the genealogical link between optics and horology. The top cover of the M6 is off. Henrik Ekdahl is holding the open camera in front of him, pointing at the mechanism inside, naming the parts. Spring. Barrel. Gear train. Bridges. These are watch parts, named in the language of watchmaking. They also govern the shutter of an analog Leica that has been on the market since 1984. From one second to one thousandth of a second, fully mechanical. The cover lifts away as if it were the back of a calibre. We are speaking Swedish. Ekdahl drifts in and out of German with colleagues, in and out of English when a word escapes him. Most of his vocabulary lives in three languages now, and some of the watch terms only exist in one. He hands the camera back. "Watchmaking," he says, "is the foundation of everything we do." A man named Ernst Leitz the First travelled, at twenty years old, from Wetzlar to Neuchâtel. He spent two years there learning to make watches. He returned to Wetzlar, fifty kilometres north of Frankfurt, and went into the optics business. The company that grew from his workshop now has factories in Wetzlar and in Vila Nova de Famalicão, and it is majority owner of Ernst Leitz Werkstätten GmbH, the subsidiary that has made Leica watches and which Ekdahl has run since the first of March, 2024. Most companies that make watches and cameras want you to believe the link is poetic. Leica's link is genealogical. The founder was a watchmaker first. The Leica watch project began in 2015, driven by Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, the chairman who had bought into Leica around the time Polaroid and Kodak were filing for bankruptcy and the company itself was effectively insolvent. Dr. Kaufmann liked watches. He brought in a movement designer who had previously built calibres for A. Lange & Söhne, and a product designer named Achim Heine, who had spent years designing Leica cameras and binoculars. They decided what the watch should do, what complications it should carry, how it should look. Then they had to find someone to actually build the movement. The movements are made in the Black Forest, by a small company that also, by coincidence or not, builds the machines Leica uses to manufacture its cameras. The supply chain folds into itself. Henrik spent seventeen years at IWC Schaffhausen before this, running three subsidiaries out of Munich, Moscow and Istanbul, with thirty countries reporting in. Before IWC he was inside the BMW Group, working on Rolls-Royce, and inside Richemont, working on Cartier. He worked for Leica once before, between 1996 and 1998, as area manager for Eastern Europe. He is back at the company twenty-eight years later. The company has grown six or seven times in revenue since Dr. Kaufmann's rescue. The new CEO, who started on the first of April, was the chief operating officer at IWC during Ekdahl's time there. They have worked together for fifteen years. "If I have an idea," he says, "I can just transform it into something that actually happens. I don't have to ask a lot of people." His title covers more than the watches. He runs everything that isn't a camera or a lens. Leather goods, which launched as a full collection last August. Camera bags, which are coming. Straps and protectors for cameras, which sell at volumes. The watches are different. He shows one with an alligator strap that, he says, exists once. Another reference exists in fifty examples worldwide. Volume he is patient about. Most Leica watch customers do not arrive at the watch first. They arrive at the camera, then the strap, then the case, then, eventually, the watch on the wrist. At least for now. At a press event in Munich last May, a journalist told Ekdahl a story he liked enough to repeat. The journalist had just come from Watch & Wonders in Geneva, where the press chief at one of the larger Swiss watch houses had stopped him on the floor and asked what was happening. Of the previous ten journalists, seven had been using Leicas cameras. Leica's claim is the essential. "Leica," Ekdahl says, "stands for a reduction to what is really important." The argument is not new. It is now, apparently, working. He flies a hundred nights a year, lives in Munich, works near Frankfurt. The home cinema projector that Leica makes, he says, unprompted, is the reason he will never own a television again. There is a smaller version for three and a half thousand euros. When he talks about cameras, he shines in a different way. He brings up Sigtuna, the Swedish school he attended as a boy, where he founded a photography club and developed black and white film himself. "I can still smell those chemicals," he says. He remembers the moment in development when you could see the image was going too bright and you had to stop, immediately, before it was lost. "It was real art," he says. "Now it's more like bang, bang, bang." The watches, the leather, the projectors: those are a long-term project, and Ekdahl uses the word project deliberately. The smell of the developing room he uses without thinking. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-watchmaker-who-built-a-camera-company — Citation: "Inside the Other Side of Leica with Henrik Ekdahl" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-28. https://menwith.com/the-watchmaker-who-built-a-camera-company --- ## The Cartier Crash and the Value of Imperfection - URL: https://menwith.com/the-cartier-crash-and-the-value-of-imperfection - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-04-28 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** The Cartier Crash watch, a symbol of artistic defiance, shattered auction records by embracing imperfection. Its unique, warped design and storied past resonate with collectors seeking narrative and character over sterile perfection. The shape is the first thing that registers. It is a familiar oval, but one that seems to have survived a moment of intense heat or pressure. The Cartier Crash does not look like it was designed. It looks like it happened. The Roman numerals stretch and contort to fit the warped frame. The whole object feels like a beautiful accident. That feeling is part of the point. Recently, one of these watches, a rare London-made example from 1987, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for nearly two million dollars. The price, double its estimate, set a new world record for any Cartier watch at auction. It is a staggering figure for a piece of gold and sapphire that so deliberately rejects conventional ideas of beauty. But the number itself is less interesting than what it signifies. It suggests a deep and growing appetite for objects with a story. For things that are not perfect. The Crash was born in Cartier’s London boutique during the 1960s, an era when the branch, led by Jean-Jacques Cartier, operated with a distinct creative independence. London was producing designs that were bolder and more eccentric than their Parisian counterparts. The workshop felt more like an artist’s studio. This was not design by committee. It was the result of a specific vision, in a specific place, at a specific time. Legend says the watch was inspired by a client’s damaged Cartier Baignoire, its case melted out of shape in a car accident. The story has never been confirmed. It almost does not matter if it is true. The myth has become part of the object. It gives the watch a narrative soul, something that cannot be replicated or mass-produced. The form itself is a protest against the predictable symmetry of most watchmaking. This particular record-setting piece is one of only three made in 1987, in yellow gold, bearing the 'Cartier London' signature and powered by the same Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre that ran the original 1967 examples. It is a detail prized by collectors. It carries the ‘Cartier London’ signature, a detail prized by collectors. Its sale is not an isolated event. At the same auction, other unconventionally shaped Cartier watches from the same period also achieved prices many times their estimates. There is a clear pattern here. The market is rewarding character, not just brand recognition. We are seeing a shift away from the sterile perfection that defined luxury for so long. Hype is becoming tiresome. Flawless, computer-generated designs are starting to feel cold. The Cartier Crash is the antithesis of all that. It has a point of view. It has history. Its value is tied to its strangeness, not its precision. In a world saturated with perfectly polished objects, a little distortion feels honest. It feels human. The demand for the Cartier Crash is not just about collecting a rare watch. It is about buying a piece of artistic defiance. It is a signal that the most compelling ideas are rarely the ones that follow the rules. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-cartier-crash-and-the-value-of-imperfection — Citation: "The Cartier Crash and the Value of Imperfection" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-28. https://menwith.com/the-cartier-crash-and-the-value-of-imperfection --- ## Bugatti Home at Ten: The Logic of the Living Room - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-home-at-ten-the-logic-of-the-living-room - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-04-28 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti Home celebrates a decade of translating hypercar principles into luxury furniture. The collection mirrors automotive craftsmanship and personalization for domestic spaces. The logic of a Bugatti hypercar does not easily translate to a living room. One is an exercise in extreme velocity and aerodynamic force. The other is a space defined by stillness and comfort. For a decade, the Molsheim automaker has been exploring this very question, working to build a collection of furniture that feels as considered as its automotive engineering. The project, known as Bugatti Home, began ten years ago as a partnership with Luxury Living Group. The intention was to carry the company's core principles of Art, Forme, and Technique from the road into the home. It was an attempt to see if the philosophy behind a world-record-setting car could also inform the design of a sofa or a table. This is not about merchandising. It is about world-building. The brand understands that its clients are not just buying a car, but an entire system of thought. The furniture collection is an extension of that system, applying the same obsession with materials and construction to objects that do not have an engine. A Decade in Milan The physical center of this project is the Bugatti Home Atelier in Milan. Housed within the historic Palazzo Chiesa, the showroom acts as a point of translation. The location is not an accident. Placing the collection in the heart of one of the world’s design capitals makes a clear statement about its ambitions. Inside, the process mirrors the one found in Molsheim. Clients are guided through a high level of personalization, choosing materials, finishes, and configurations. It is the automotive approach to bespoke creation applied to domestic space. The goal is to create a piece that is not just owned, but specified. The Form of Performance To mark its first decade, Bugatti Home is revisiting some of its key designs while also introducing new forms. This anniversary collection is a moment of consolidation, showing how the design language has matured over the last ten years. The clearest expression of this is the new TYPE_21 modular sofa. It is a system built around flexibility and individual tailoring. The form is clean and architectural, but the most telling detail is a subtle one. A leather strap is integrated into the armrest, a direct and tactile reference to the marque’s automotive interiors. It is in small gestures like this that the project's real purpose becomes clear. The idea is to create an environment where everything, from the car in the garage to the chair in the study, operates on the same fundamental principles of engineering and aesthetics. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-home-at-ten-the-logic-of-the-living-room — Citation: "Bugatti Home at Ten: The Logic of the Living Room" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-28. https://menwith.com/bugatti-home-at-ten-the-logic-of-the-living-room --- ## A Lalanne Mirror Just Sold for $33.5 Million. The Price Is Not the Point. - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lalanne-mirror-just-sold-for-33-5-million-the-price-is-not-the-point - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-04-28 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** A Lalanne mirror set sold for a record $33.5M, highlighting the blurring lines between art and design. The price reflects provenance and artistic vision, not just function. Ten minutes is a long time in an auction room. It is long enough for the polite rhythm of bidding to turn into a contest of wills. It is the space between a high price and a historic one. For nearly ten minutes at Sotheby's New York, a set of mirrors by Claude Lalanne held the room’s attention. When the hammer finally fell, the number was $33.5 million. The figure marks a new record for any piece of design sold at auction. But the record itself is less interesting than what it confirms about the objects we choose to live with. This was not just a sale of furniture. It was a recalibration of where value resides. The mirrors in question were part of an ensemble, commissioned for the Paris home of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. That detail matters. Provenance like this adds a layer of narrative that cannot be manufactured. The mirrors are not just objects, they are witnesses to a specific, highly influential world of taste. Claude Lalanne, often working alongside her husband François-Xavier, created a world of her own. Her work dissolves the line between the natural and the man-made. Gilded bronze transforms into gnarled branches and delicate leaves, wrapping around functional objects until the function itself feels secondary to the poetry of the form. Art, Design, and a Blurring Line A sale like this suggests a market that no longer bothers with old distinctions. The separation between fine art and decorative art has become a fiction. An object’s worth is now dictated by the cultural gravity of its creator, not the category it occupies. We have seen this happen elsewhere. The art world watched as the raw energy of artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat was absorbed by the market, his name becoming a category of its own. A Lalanne piece now functions in a similar way for design. It represents a singular, immediately recognizable vision that collectors are willing to pursue with the same intensity once reserved for paintings on a wall. The Aura of an Object The auction house note comparing the mirrors to those at Versailles was a deliberate choice. It frames them not as domestic objects, but as artifacts with a place in history. They are pieces of a story, imbued with the aura of both their maker and their famous first owners. The price, then, is not for a set of mirrors. It is for the provenance, the craftsmanship, and the undeniable signature of an artist who shaped the aesthetic of the 20th century. It is the cost of acquiring a piece of that story. When you acquire a Lalanne mirror, you are not just buying a surface for reflection. You are buying a new way to see the entire room. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lalanne-mirror-just-sold-for-33-5-million-the-price-is-not-the-point — Citation: "A Lalanne Mirror Just Sold for $33.5 Million. The Price Is Not the Point." — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-28. https://menwith.com/a-lalanne-mirror-just-sold-for-33-5-million-the-price-is-not-the-point --- ## Do You Want to Live Like Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street? Now Is Your Chance - URL: https://menwith.com/do-you-want-to-live-like-jordan-belfort-in-the-wolf-of-wall-street-now-is-your-chance - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-04-28 - Tags: Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street, Martin Scorsese, Luxury Penthouse, Real Estate, Finance, Pop Culture **Summary:** A penthouse linked to Jordan Belfort's lifestyle, inspiring 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' is now for sale. This property embodies excess, ambition, and a cultural moment. The kind of spaces that don’t just reflect wealth, but a mindset. A lifestyle. A moment in cultural history. Now, one such property has resurfaced on the market, instantly sparking attention among real estate insiders and film fans alike. Because this isn’t just any penthouse - it’s directly tied to the world that inspired The Wolf of Wall Street, and the infamous lifestyle of Jordan Belfort. A Penthouse That Defines Excess Located high above the city, this penthouse is everything you’d expect—and more. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light while offering panoramic skyline views that feel almost cinematic. Expansive living areas, sleek architectural lines, and premium materials create a setting that is both modern and timeless. Think polished stone, custom finishes, and that unmistakable sense of space that only true luxury properties can deliver. It’s not hard to imagine scenes of high-stakes deals, champagne-fueled nights, and larger-than-life personalities unfolding here. More Than Just Real Estate What makes this property different isn’t just the design - it’s the story. The penthouse is linked to the real-life world of Jordan Belfort, whose rise and fall became one of the most talked-about narratives in modern finance and pop culture. That story was immortalized by Martin Scorsese in The Wolf of Wall Street, turning excess into a global fascination. Owning a space like this is, in many ways, owning a piece of that narrative. The Psychology of Power Living There’s a reason homes like this continue to capture attention. They represent more than comfort - they symbolize ambition, risk, and the pursuit of something bigger. The kind of environment that reflects a mindset where limits are constantly pushed. It’s aspirational, controversial, and undeniably compelling. A Cultural Icon in Property Form Properties tied to iconic films rarely come to market. And when they do, they exist in a unique space between real estate and cultural artifact. This penthouse isn’t just about square meters or finishes - it’s about identity. About stepping into a narrative that millions recognize instantly. For some, it’s just a spectacular home. For others, it’s a symbol of a very specific era of ambition and excess. Either way, opportunities like this don’t come around often. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/do-you-want-to-live-like-jordan-belfort-in-the-wolf-of-wall-street-now-is-your-chance — Citation: "Do You Want to Live Like Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street? Now Is Your Chance" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-28. https://menwith.com/do-you-want-to-live-like-jordan-belfort-in-the-wolf-of-wall-street-now-is-your-chance --- ## Louis Vuitton Puts Its Past and Present in Conversation - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-puts-its-past-and-present-in-conversation - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-04-27 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Louis Vuitton's Milan exhibition bridges past and present, showcasing iconic trunks alongside contemporary Objets Nomades. This display highlights a continuity of craft and design philosophy from Art Deco to modern nomadic living. Milan during Design Week is a city of competing futures. Every palazzo and showroom presents a different idea of what comes next. In the middle of it all, Louis Vuitton chose to begin with its past, placing its iconic trunks in a direct dialogue with its most contemporary design work. The exhibition is not a retrospective. It is a statement of continuity. By framing its new Objets Nomades collections alongside pieces rooted in the Art Deco period, the house makes a specific argument. It suggests that the thinking behind a 1920s travel case and a 2026 sculptural chair are part of the same story. Both are born from a culture of craft, material intelligence, and a response to the way people want to live. The Modern Nomad The Objets Nomades collection has been Louis Vuitton’s quiet foray into the world of collectible design for years. The project pairs the brand’s artisans with some of the world’s most respected contemporary designers to create furniture and home objects. These are not branded merchandise. They are serious, often experimental, pieces of design that explore the idea of travel and domestic life. This year’s additions continue that trajectory. By showing them in Milan, the brand places them on the world’s most important stage for design, to be seen not merely as luxury goods but as contributions to a wider cultural conversation. It is a subtle but significant shift in positioning for the parent company, LVMH. A Dialogue With Deco The choice to invoke Art Deco is deliberate. That period, much like our own, was one of rapid technological change and evolving lifestyles. It was the golden age of travel, of grand ocean liners and rail journeys, for which the house’s trunks were essential companions. The aesthetic was modern, optimistic, and obsessed with fine materials and geometric clarity. Placing these historical objects next to the Objets Nomades creates a clear lineage. The same principles of portability, elegant engineering, and material honesty are visible in both. The exhibition suggests that the spirit of Art Deco was not just a style, but a philosophy. A way of making things that remains relevant. In a week dedicated to the new, Louis Vuitton made its point by showing how its vision of the future has always been connected to its past. It is a reminder that true modernity is often built on an intelligent understanding of where you came from. Read more about culture here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-puts-its-past-and-present-in-conversation — Citation: "Louis Vuitton Puts Its Past and Present in Conversation" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-27. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-puts-its-past-and-present-in-conversation --- ## With Gregory Kissling: The Art of Breguet - URL: https://menwith.com/the-art-of-breguet-with-gregory-kissling - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-04-24 - Tags: Breguet, Gregory Kissling, Abraham-Louis Breguet, George Daniels, Tourbillon, Magnetic Escapement, Sotheby's **Summary:** Gregory Kissling, CEO of Breguet, draws inspiration from founder Abraham-Louis Breguet and horologist George Daniels. Kissling emphasizes understanding watch mechanics and heritage to drive innovation, exemplified by the rediscovery of a magnetic escapement. There is a small city in Switzerland that sits above a lake and below the Jura mountains, Neuchâtel. Abraham-Louis Breguet was born there in 1747. He left as a teenager, moved to Paris, and eventually bent the arc of mechanical horology so far in his direction that the craft has never fully straightened. He invented the tourbillon, the self-winding watch, the world's first wristwatch. His clientele included royal families, Napoleon, Marie-Antoinette and many more. When Breguet passed away in 1823, the art of timekeeping was irreversibly his. Two hundred and fifty-one years after he opened his workshop on the Île de la Cité, another man from Neuchâtel sits in the same position. Gregory Kissling was born there in 1976, the same year Breguet moved its production from Paris to the Vallée de Joux. "It is not the only common point,” Kissling said, and smiled. He studied engineering in Le Locle, the same valley where Abraham-Louis spent two years in exile during the French Revolution and, in that concentrated time, conceived the subscription watch, the sympathetic clock, and the tourbillon. Kissling began his professional career as a movement constructor at Cartier, and spent twenty years at Omega. "When you know about the mechanics and what is inside the watch, it is more easy to understand the different functions. Knowing the heart, the engine of the watch, is what makes the beauty, the art of watchmaking." In October 2024, Mr. Hayek appointed him CEO of Breguet, and before anything else, gave him one piece of advice. "The first thing you have to do when you enter this beautiful brand," Kissling recalled, "is open the drawers." So he did. The R&D department first, where he found a magnetic escapement with more than ten years of research behind it. "When I discovered that beautiful mechanism, we decided to introduce it into a new product." Then the patrimony: nearly 200 antique timepieces, production books going back to Paris, Emmanuel Breguet running the archive. "I was looking to understand these pieces, not only from the exterior, but also from the inside." A completely verticalized manufacture, craftspeople whose families have worked the Vallée de Joux for generations. "Not only the guilloché, but also the beveling, the engraving, the enameling. We really master every level of the movement." One of the central references he brought with him was The Art of Breguet by George Daniels, still the definitive technical study of the founder's work. Kissling had met Daniels many times during his Omega years. Now he runs the house Daniels spent a lifetime studying. "This book is on my pile of coffee table books, but it is on the top. It is not below. Every weekend I open that book because The Art of Breguet is definitely the Bible of the brand. He analyzed the different types of escapement and the mechanics. It is not only about the timepieces. It is about what is inside." The design influence runs just as deep. "When you look at the George Daniels collection, you recognize the inspiration for dial hour markers, hands and so on." The connection is physical too. Abraham-Louis used a diamond-tipped pantograph to press his secret signature into each dial, nearly invisible, a mark against the counterfeiters bold enough to copy his name. That pantograph eventually came to rest in Daniels' collection. When his estate was auctioned, Breguet bought it back. Every Souscription dial leaving the manufacture today carries a signature pressed with that same machine. "There is still today a strong connection between George Daniels and Breguet," Kissling said. "It is a legacy in motion." The inheritance runs in circles. The instrument that passed through Daniels' hands is still cutting the name of its first owner into enamel. And during the 250th anniversary auction at Sotheby's, a pre-co-axial escapement configuration was discovered inside an antique tact watch. Kissling lit up telling it. "Funny fact, we actually discovered inside a tact watch a kind of pre-co-axial escapement. So actually the co-axial escapement came from Breguet." The mechanism Daniels dedicated his life to refining had its roots in the very house Kissling now leads. The Tradition collection, launched in 2005, traces back to a watch Abraham-Louis built in 1799 called the Tact, designed so time could be read by touch without removing it from the pocket. The Tradition brought that same movement architecture to the wrist, exposing it entirely. Gear trains, bridges, barrel covers sit in plain view. The mechanics become the face. "It is not only about reading the time. It is about having a beautiful view on the gears, the mechanics of the movement. It is really also admiring a piece of art." This year Kissling refreshed it with grand feu enamel dials, handmade guillochéd barrel covers, and a vivid blue on the bridges and main plates through Atomic Layer Deposition. The oscillating weight is platinum, the same choice Abraham-Louis made in 1780 when he built the first Perpétuelle, searching for density, for a material heavy enough to wind itself from the wearer's movement. "Every component has its own place, and at the end, everything is completely balanced." The magnetic escapement from the drawer became the Expérimentale 1, a constant-force mechanism delivering stable energy across the full power reserve, running at 10 Hz, achieving Breguet's own Scientific certification of plus or minus one second per day. "It is not only about being precise when the watch is new. It is also being precise after many years." The Pointon Breguet, introduced alongside it, uses the same three precision categories Abraham-Louis himself used: scientific, civilian, and evening. The founder's vocabulary applied to movements he never imagined. The paradox at the centre is that Breguet has spent years pursuing magnetism from both directions, increasing resistance to it externally while harnessing it internally. "Most watchmakers refuse the magnetic field because it will affect the precision of the watch. At Breguet, we decided to tame the magnetism." He smiled. "In the watch industry, we are always at the cutting edge." Kissling runs. Marathons, Ironman distances, 100-kilometre races. "During a 100K, you have up and down, and it is like in life. You have technical challenges, different types of challenges. But if you have a clear goal, a cap, the good direction, and you know you can cross this bad moment, at the end you will reach your destination." The 250th anniversary year demanded exactly that. "It was like putting all the links together, like the fusée chain tourbillon. And it works from the first time." Other brands carry Breguet's name in their own product specifications. Breguet numerals. Breguet hands. Breguet spiral. Not attributions, the names of the components themselves. "Breguet is the only brand named by other brands. He is the father of modern watchmaking, of modern horology." Kissling feels the weight of that. Not as pressure, but as direction. "Breguet is a legacy in motion. The idea is to perpetuate the spirit of our founder. One invention at a time. It is not over." He rotates his watches, moving between the Souscription and the newer pieces, wearing them to understand what comes next. "It is important to feel the watch, not only to see it. You can really think about what is next." Near the end of our conversation, I told him: it feels like the stars aligned. Neuchâtel. Le Locle. The pantograph. The drawers. The anniversary. He laughed and agreed, genuinely. But what struck me leaving Geneva was something different. Here is a man who carries one of the most important heritage brands in the world, who knows its history better than almost anyone alive, and who is not the least bit interested in stopping there. The reverence is real. So is the restlessness. He opens the drawers not to admire what is inside, but to understand what comes next. He talks about the Expérimentale 1 the way Abraham-Louis must have talked about the tourbillon: not as an achievement, but as a beginning. Breguet has made watches continuously since 1775. Each generation inherited a house shaped by the one before it, the founder's inventions, the family name, the craftspeople in the valley, the drawers full of things waiting to be found. One invention at a time. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-art-of-breguet-with-gregory-kissling — Citation: "With Gregory Kissling: The Art of Breguet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-24. https://menwith.com/the-art-of-breguet-with-gregory-kissling --- ## A Million-Euro Price Shift on the Sunreef Catamaran PETITE BELLE - URL: https://menwith.com/a-million-euro-price-shift-on-the-sunreef-catamaran-petite-belle - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-04-24 - Tags: Northrop and Johnson **Summary:** The Sunreef power catamaran PETITE BELLE sees a €1M price drop to €15.5M, signaling a motivated seller. This 100ft yacht offers immense volume and stability, presenting a unique opportunity in the brokerage market. The number is hard to ignore. A one million euro adjustment on a yacht of this scale is not a footnote, it is the headline. The vessel in question is PETITE BELLE, a 100-foot power catamaran from the Polish builder Sunreef. With the change, its asking price now sits at €15,500,000, a figure that repositions it within a very specific segment of the brokerage market. A price shift like this is rarely about desperation. It is more often a reflection of a market in motion and a seller keen to make a deal happen. It signals a readiness to negotiate in earnest, moving from an abstract valuation to a tangible transaction. For a vessel just delivered in 2023, it presents a particular kind of opportunity for a buyer who understands the nuances of this space. The Logic of a Power Catamaran To understand a yacht like PETITE BELLE, one must first understand the philosophy of a large Sunreef catamaran. It is a decision to prioritize volume and stability over the traditional lines of a monohull. At 28.63 meters, its twin-hull design offers an expanse of living space that a single-hulled yacht would need to be considerably longer to match. The sheer beam creates vast, open-plan saloons and deck areas that feel more like a waterfront villa than a boat. This is a different approach to life at sea. It is less about the lean of a hull cutting through waves and more about creating a stable, expansive platform for living and entertaining. Sunreef has effectively cornered the market for these large, semi-custom catamarans, building a reputation for delivering immense interior volume without compromising on a high standard of finish. A Recalibration in the Market The brokerage market for nearly-new superyachts is a complex ecosystem. A yacht is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay, and a price adjustment is a tool to align an asset with current market sentiment. The sale is being handled by Northrop and Johnson, a firm that understands these dynamics intimately. The reduction is a strategic move, designed to capture the attention of serious principals who may have been watching from the sidelines. Bringing the asking price to €15.5 million moves PETITE BELLE into a different competitive set. It becomes a compelling alternative to a new build, which would involve a significant waiting period, or other brokerage yachts that may not offer the same modern design or immense volume. It is a calculated play in a market where timing and perceived value are everything. Ultimately, the move is a pragmatic one. It strips away a layer of negotiation and sends a clear message. The owner is ready to sell. For a buyer looking for a modern, high-volume Sunreef without the wait, that signal may be the most valuable part of the new price. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-million-euro-price-shift-on-the-sunreef-catamaran-petite-belle — Citation: "A Million-Euro Price Shift on the Sunreef Catamaran PETITE BELLE" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-24. https://menwith.com/a-million-euro-price-shift-on-the-sunreef-catamaran-petite-belle --- ## Bugatti's New Ownership Signals a Deeper Shift - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-new-ownership-signals-a-deeper-shift - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-24 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti's ownership shifts to HOF Capital and Rimac Group, signaling a focus on electric hypercars. Porsche remains a strategic partner, allowing for greater agility. The names that control the hypercar world are rarely simple. They are a complex web of parent companies, strategic partners, and ambitious investors. For Bugatti, the name on the front of the car has always been just the start of the story. A recent shift in the ownership structure behind the scenes points to where the next chapter is heading. Porsche has formally sold its equity stakes in the Bugatti Rimac entity. The new majority owner is a consortium led by HOF Capital, a New York-based investment firm, in a deal made in partnership with the Rimac Group itself. This is not a sudden departure, but a planned recalibration of one of the most interesting alliances in the modern automotive world. The original merger was a masterstroke of future-proofing. Porsche, acting as custodian for the historic French marque, paired Bugatti's century of combustion artistry with Mate Rimac’s pioneering work in electric hypercars. It was a marriage of heritage and the bleeding edge, designed to give Bugatti a path forward in a world that is moving on from the W16 engine. This move is a departure from the era of Ferdinand Piëch, the Volkswagen Group patriarch who willed the Veyron into existence. His vision for Bugatti was one of absolute engineering dominance, backed by the near-limitless resources of a global automotive giant. This new chapter is about something else. It is about agility and specialized focus. A Calculated Step Back Porsche’s decision to reduce its holding should not be mistaken for a lack of faith. It is a pragmatic, strategic choice. The German automaker is deep into its own multi-billion-dollar electrification strategy, a mission that requires immense capital and undivided attention. Stepping back from a direct ownership role in a niche hypercar project allows for greater focus on its own core business. The company remains a strategic partner. It will continue to be involved, but its role has shifted from owner to key supplier and collaborator. This move simplifies the corporate structure, giving Mate Rimac and his team a clearer runway and a more direct relationship with their primary investors. The arrival of HOF Capital introduces a new kind of thinking, one less tied to the traditions of the old-guard auto industry. The Future, Solidified For the Bugatti brand, this sale solidifies its future. The path is now set. The recently unveiled Tourbillon, with its magnificent and fiendishly complex hybrid V16 powertrain, represents the ultimate bridge. It is a final, glorious celebration of mechanical combustion, yet its hybrid system is a clear nod to what comes next. This transaction confirms that the next generation of cars from Molsheim will be guided by the philosophy that created the Rimac Nevera. The expertise is no longer borrowed, it is baked into the ownership. It is a formal transfer of power, not just of shares on a ledger. The business of building impossible cars has always been about vision and capital. By restructuring its involvement, Porsche has given Bugatti a more direct path, free from the complexities of a massive automotive group. The future of the brand is now firmly in the hands of the electric specialists who will define its next century. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-new-ownership-signals-a-deeper-shift — Citation: "Bugatti's New Ownership Signals a Deeper Shift" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-24. https://menwith.com/bugatti-s-new-ownership-signals-a-deeper-shift --- ## Ferrari Reveals the Hypersail Livery: A New Chapter Beyond the Road - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-reveals-the-hypersail-livery-a-new-chapter-beyond-the-road - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-22 - Tags: Ferrari, Hypersail, Sailing, Rosso Corsa, Maritime Engineering, Performance Design **Summary:** Ferrari ventures into competitive sailing with the Hypersail project, unveiling a Rosso Corsa livery that merges its performance DNA with maritime engineering for aerodynamic efficiency. When you think of Ferrari, the immediate association is speed on asphalt, the roar of a V12, and decades of racing dominance. But with the unveiling of the Hypersail livery, the Italian marque is once again redefining its boundaries - this time on water. A Vision Beyond the Road The Hypersail project represents Ferrari’s ambitious move into competitive sailing, blending its performance DNA with cutting-edge maritime engineering. The newly revealed livery is more than just a visual identity - it’s a statement of intent. Dominated by Ferrari’s signature Rosso Corsa, the design is both aggressive and refined, incorporating aerodynamic-inspired lines that echo the brand’s racing heritage. The interplay of color and form reflects speed, precision, and technological mastery - core elements that have defined Ferrari for decades. Design Meets Performance Ferrari’s approach to Hypersail is deeply rooted in its engineering philosophy. The livery is not purely aesthetic; it is an extension of the vessel’s performance-driven design. Every line, every contrast, and every surface is carefully considered to align with aerodynamic and hydrodynamic efficiency. This is where Ferrari’s experience in Formula 1 and hypercar development translates seamlessly into a new domain. The Hypersail livery visually communicates innovation, while subtly hinting at the advanced materials and technologies beneath the surface. A New Arena for Ferrari Entering the world of sailing is not just a diversification - it’s a strategic evolution. Ferrari has always been synonymous with pushing limits, and Hypersail opens a new competitive frontier where sustainability, engineering, and performance converge. The project aligns with the broader shift in high-performance engineering toward alternative environments and energy efficiency. In many ways, Hypersail is Ferrari’s answer to the future - where excellence is no longer confined to roads or racetracks. More Than a Livery Ultimately, the Hypersail livery is a symbol. It represents Ferrari’s willingness to explore, innovate, and challenge expectations. It’s not just about entering a new sport - it’s about redefining what performance means in a changing world. With Hypersail, Ferrari proves that its legacy is not tied to a single medium. Whether on land or sea, the pursuit of perfection remains the same. More about Yachts here *Some of the images in this article are visualizations created by us to illustrate how it may appear in reality. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-reveals-the-hypersail-livery-a-new-chapter-beyond-the-road — Citation: "Ferrari Reveals the Hypersail Livery: A New Chapter Beyond the Road" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-22. https://menwith.com/ferrari-reveals-the-hypersail-livery-a-new-chapter-beyond-the-road --- ## Veuve Clicquot Finds a New Light with Yinka Ilori - URL: https://menwith.com/veuve-clicquot-finds-a-new-light-with-yinka-ilori - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-04-22 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Veuve Clicquot partners with artist Yinka Ilori for "Chasing the Sun," reimagining iconic bottles and lifestyle objects with vibrant, geometric designs that blend Nigerian and London aesthetics. The yellow of Veuve Clicquot is not just a color. It is one of the most protected, most recognizable pieces of brand-building in the luxury world. For decades, it has signaled a specific kind of celebration. Now, that familiar sun-bright yellow is being seen through a new lens, part of a creative theme titled “Chasing the Sun.” The project is a collaboration with Yinka Ilori, a British-Nigerian artist whose work is defined by its unapologetic use of color and geometric pattern. Ilori’s designs often transform public spaces, turning basketball courts and pedestrian crossings into installations of pure energy. Bringing that perspective to a French champagne house founded in the 18th century creates an interesting visual conversation. A New Coat of Paint Ilori’s work draws heavily on his dual heritage, blending the visual language of his Nigerian roots with the sharp lines of his London upbringing. For Veuve Clicquot, he has wrapped the brand’s signature bottles in this aesthetic. The result is a collection of limited-edition gift boxes that feel both new and strangely familiar. The collaboration covers the Maison’s Yellow Label, Rosé, and Rich Rosé cuvées. Each box becomes a canvas for Ilori’s patterns, turning the act of giving a bottle of champagne into something more considered. The bottle itself remains unchanged, a constant inside the vibrant, shifting exterior. Beyond the Veuve Clicquot Bottle The project also extends beyond packaging into a line of lifestyle objects. Here, the collaboration feels more permanent. Ilori has designed a set of cocktail glasses, trays, and bottle stoppers that carry his signature style. It is an attempt to translate the fleeting moment of celebration into something more lasting, an object that remains in the home long after the champagne is gone. This kind of partnership is a familiar strategy for a house like LVMH, which owns Veuve Clicquot. Using art and design to keep heritage brands culturally current is a core part of their playbook. The choice of Ilori, however, feels specific. His work is rooted in optimism and community, ideas that resonate far beyond the traditional world of luxury goods. Ultimately, the collaboration does not seek to change what Veuve Clicquot is. Instead, it aims to change the context around it. It suggests that the brand’s established vision of celebration has room for new colors and new voices. Chasing the sun, it seems, is a constant pursuit. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/veuve-clicquot-finds-a-new-light-with-yinka-ilori — Citation: "Veuve Clicquot Finds a New Light with Yinka Ilori" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-22. https://menwith.com/veuve-clicquot-finds-a-new-light-with-yinka-ilori --- ## Loro Piana Turns Its Attention to Plaid - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-turns-its-attention-to-plaid - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-04-22 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana explores plaid not as a pattern, but as a material in its "Studies, Chapter I: On the Plaid" installation, deconstructing its essence. Plaid has a history of making noise. From Scottish tartans to nineties grunge, the pattern arrives with its own set of cultural references. It rarely goes unnoticed. Loro Piana, on the other hand, has built its entire world on the opposite principle. The house is known for the quietest materials on earth, fabrics whose value is understood by touch rather than by sight. So when the brand decides to focus on plaid for Milan Design Week, it signals a deliberate shift in attention. The installation, held at the company’s Milan headquarters in the Cortile della Seta, is not a collection. It is titled “Studies, Chapter I: On the Plaid.” The name itself is a clue. This is not a commercial exercise. It is an intellectual one. For a brand that has always prioritized substance over surface, dedicating its first formal “study” to a pattern is a compelling move. It suggests that pattern itself can be treated as a material, something to be explored with the same rigor Loro Piana applies to vicuña or baby cashmere. It is a new kind of inquiry for the house, which belongs to the LVMH group. From Fiber to Form The installation is not made of clothing. Instead, large, almost architectural objects occupy the courtyard. These solid forms are wrapped in plaid fabrics, transforming the pattern from a decorative surface into a structural skin. The effect is one of substance and weight. The plaid is not merely applied. It is the form itself. This approach feels consistent with the brand’s core philosophy. Loro Piana has always been obsessed with the origin of things, with the fundamental nature of a fiber. Here, that same obsessive focus is turned toward a pattern. The plaid is deconstructed, examined, and re-presented as a series of lines, colors, and intersections. It is an attempt to find the essence of the pattern, free from its historical baggage. An Intellectual Pursuit By presenting this work at its own headquarters, Loro Piana frames the project as an internal dialogue made public. It is less a product launch and more like an open research paper. The company is sharing its thinking, inviting observation into its process. This act of transparency is where the real interest lies. Other luxury brands use patterns as signatures, as immediate identifiers. Loro Piana has always resisted that. With this study, it engages with a universal pattern but on its own terms. The goal does not seem to be to own the plaid, but to understand it. The forms are clean, the context is academic, and the message is one of deep consideration. The title, “Chapter I,” is a promise. It suggests that this is the beginning of a new series of investigations into the fundamental elements of design. After the plaid, perhaps the stitch, the seam, or the button will be next. It positions Loro Piana not just as a maker of fine things, but as a house that is deeply engaged with the ideas behind them. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-turns-its-attention-to-plaid — Citation: "Loro Piana Turns Its Attention to Plaid" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-22. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-turns-its-attention-to-plaid --- ## Acqua di Parma Searches for the Scent of a Simple Moment - URL: https://menwith.com/acqua-di-parma-searches-for-the-scent-of-a-simple-moment - Category: Style - Published: 2026-04-21 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Acqua di Parma's Buongiorno collection captures intimate morning rituals, shifting luxury fragrance from public statement to personal experience. These scents evoke quiet moments, not grand gestures. The first light in Italy has a particular quality. Acqua di Parma knows this well. Its identity is built on bottling the country’s effortless style, from the citrus groves of the Amalfi Coast to the sharp tailoring of Milan. But its latest collection, Buongiorno, attempts something more difficult. It tries to capture not a place, but a feeling. The collection is a clear departure from fragrances designed to announce your arrival. Instead, these are scents intended for the wearer alone. They are meant to evoke the small, personal rituals that begin a day: the first coffee, the feeling of fresh linen, a walk as the city wakes up. It’s an intimate concept, one that suggests a shift in how we think about perfume. A More Intimate Italian Story The idea of luxury is often tied to public display. Acqua di Parma, part of the LVMH portfolio, is moving in a different direction. The Buongiorno collection is built around the internal, not the external. It’s a poetic take on the everyday, translating fleeting sensations into something you can hold. Each fragrance in the collection has a name that points to a specific experience. They act as prompts, inviting you to connect a scent with a personal memory. This approach treats fragrance less as an accessory and more as a component of a personal routine, like a well-made watch or a perfectly brewed espresso. It is for you, not for an audience. Design as a Ritual The presentation of the collection supports this quiet philosophy. The bottles are clean and contemporary, with labels that feel more like a page from a book than a declaration. The colors are muted, reflecting the soft light of early morning. Every element seems calibrated to feel personal and tactile. This is not the bombastic Italy of high fashion runways. It’s the Italy of quiet courtyards and private moments. The design choices suggest that the real value is in the experience the object provides, not just the object itself. The packaging becomes part of the morning ritual it is designed to enhance. Ultimately, Buongiorno is a statement about where luxury might be heading. In a world saturated with noise, perhaps the most valuable thing is a moment of quiet. A scent that belongs only to you, and the simple promise of a new day. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/acqua-di-parma-searches-for-the-scent-of-a-simple-moment — Citation: "Acqua di Parma Searches for the Scent of a Simple Moment" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-21. https://menwith.com/acqua-di-parma-searches-for-the-scent-of-a-simple-moment --- ## The Square That Won't Sit Still: Tag Heuer Monaco - URL: https://menwith.com/the-square-that-wont-sit-still - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-20 - Tags: TAG Heuer Monaco, Steve McQueen, Watches & Wonders Geneva, Calibre TH20-11, Evergraph, LIGA technology, Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier **Summary:** TAG Heuer revives the iconic Monaco with a 39mm titanium case and in-house Calibre TH20-11. The innovative Evergraph model reimagines chronograph mechanics with LIGA technology, offering unparalleled precision and a unique transparent dial. There is a version of this story that begins with Steve McQueen. It always does. A man in a racing suit, a blue square on his wrist, a 1971 film called Le Mans. The watch outlasted all of it. But the more interesting question isn't why the Monaco survived. It's why TAG Heuer keeps returning to it. At Watches & Wonders in Geneva this April, the answer arrived in two parts. The familiar made strange The Monaco Chronograph is the easier of the two to understand, and the harder one to dismiss. A new 39mm grade 5 titanium case, drawn back toward the original 1969 reference 1133, where the post-1997 versions had drifted. The crown still sits at nine o'clock, a placement that began as a technical necessity when the Calibre 11 was developed under the collaborative effort known as Project 99, a micro-rotor winding base from Buren, a chronograph module from Dubois-Depraz, a crown position that couldn't go anywhere else. The constraint became the signature. It still is. Inside, the new in-house Calibre TH20-11 carries 80 hours of power reserve and a five-year warranty. The bi-compax layout, counters at three and nine, date at six, was chosen deliberately: a nod to the Calibre 11 that started all of this, name included. Three colourways. The blue that needs no explanation. A sunray-brushed dark green for anyone who finds British Racing Green more honest than nostalgia. And a titanium and 18K 5N rose gold variant in black, priced at 13,050 USD, for those who find restraint in the most conspicuous option available. What five years in a laboratory looks like Then there is the Evergraph. This one requires more patience from the reader, and rewards it. The Calibre TH80-00 at its centre discards virtually every lever and spring that has governed chronograph mechanics since the complication's origins. In their place: two flexible bistable components, one governing start and stop, the other reset, produced using high-precision LIGA technology and developed over five years within the TAG Heuer LAB in close collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. The mechanism bears no resemblance to the constructions that have defined the chronograph since its origins. The practical consequence is specific. Whether the pusher is pressed for the first time or the ten-thousandth, the sensation and accuracy are identical. No wear. No deviation. The movement runs at 5 Hz, holds 70 hours of power reserve, carries COSC certification, and is housed in a 40mm grade 5 titanium case, DLC-coated in black or left in natural titanium with blue accents drawn from the McQueen reference 1133B. The transparent acrylic dial gives the impression that the counters are floating inside the case rather than sitting on a surface. The inverted movement construction places the barrel, gear train, and TH-Carbonspring oscillator visible from the dial side, so what you are looking at when you read the time is also the mechanism producing it. The effect is less decorative than diagnostic. At 25,000 USD, the Evergraph costs almost three times the standard Chronograph. The gap between them is not primarily price. Two watches, one question What TAG Heuer has released in 2026 is effectively a statement about who this collection is for, and in what register. The Monaco Chronograph is a proposition about belonging: to a lineage, to a moment in cinema, to the kind of taste that knows when not to explain itself. The Evergraph is a different kind of proposition entirely, about what a chronograph can be when the people making it decide the old way of doing things isn't good enough. The original Monaco was introduced in 1969 because the movement inside demanded a case equal to it. Fifty-seven years later, the same logic holds. The crown is still on the left. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-square-that-wont-sit-still — Citation: "The Square That Won't Sit Still: Tag Heuer Monaco" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-20. https://menwith.com/the-square-that-wont-sit-still --- ## Everything Worth Knowing From Watches & Wonders 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/watches-wonders-2026 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-20 - Tags: Watches & Wonders 2026, Patek Philippe Celestial, Patek Philippe Nautilus, Rolex Daytona Rolesium, Rolex Jubilee Gold, Vacheron Constantin American 1921, Audemars Piguet Neo Frame, TAG Heuer Monaco Evergraph **Summary:** Watches & Wonders 2026 showcased innovation from Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and TAG Heuer. Key releases include Patek's Celestial and Nautilus anniversary models, Rolex's Rolesium Daytona and new gold alloy, Vacheron's American 1921 and Overseas Ultra-Thin, AP's Neo Frame Jumping Hour, and TAG Heuer's Monaco Evergraph. Thirty-plus appointments, over a hundred watches, more espressos than I care to count, and one recurring question at every booth: what are you actually trying to say? Some brands had an answer. Most had a watch. A few had both. Patek Philippe Twenty new references, two genuine firsts. The Celestial is the more quietly historic: a white gold wristwatch that, for the first time in a Patek Philippe wristwatch, displays the times of sunrise and sunset. Not theatrical, just suddenly indispensable once you understand it. For the Nautilus at 50, they nailed it by doing less. Three ultra-thin anniversary pieces stripped of the date, returned to the proportions and restraint of the 1976 original. The platinum at 38mm is smaller and thinner than anything in the current lineup; the white gold Jumbos at 41mm match the current diameter but are nearly 1.5mm thinner. No added complications, no overreach. Less is more, executed by the one house that can actually pull that off. The rest of the lineup, including the first Cubitus grand complication, a 24-hour chiming alarm, and a minute repeater with Paraiba tourmalines, is almost overwhelming in its ambition. All of it considered. The Patek Philippe Nautilus Turns 50 → Patek Philippe Reveals a More Complicated Cubitus → Rolex The Oyster case turns 100, marked across 58 references. The off-catalogue Daytona in Rolesium was the most photographed watch of the week. The Day-Date in "Jubilee gold", a new in-house alloy with a soft warm yellow tone and an aventurine dial, was the deeper story. Both will be fought over at retail for the next year. The GMT Pepsi is officially dead. No Coke replacement arrived. For the first time in the Cerachrom era, the steel lineup has no red bezel. The Pepsi's secondary market price already knows. Rolex Has a New Definition of Gold → Rolex Rebuilds the Yacht-Master II From the Inside Out → Vacheron Constantin Our first stop, straight at opening, and it set the tone for the week. A banger year. The Historiques American 1921 in pink gold with blue numerals and blue 18K gold hands is one of the most beautiful things Vacheron has made in years. The Overseas Ultra-Thin in platinum is exquisite, though worth noting that thin and light are not the same thing. Platinum carries weight, and this one does too, in the best sense. Commercially, the Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points will be the hit. Four dial colours for the four cardinal directions, titanium construction, noticeably lighter than the platinum piece. Multiple people on the floor independently called it the most wearable watch of the fair. That consensus means something. The Vacheron Constantin Watch That Still Looks Wrong and Feels Right → Vacheron Constantin Spent Seven Years on an Invisible Achievement → Audemars Piguet AP confirmed, again, that W&W is not a product launch platform for them. The Neo Frame Jumping Hour shows the hours through a square aperture and the minutes through a curved one. That is the complete display. Everything else is sapphire and rose gold. Inside, a new caliber engineers shock resistance into the jumping mechanism, solving the fundamental vulnerability of jump-hour watches. It wears thinner than a Royal Oak Jumbo. In their first year back on the floor since 2019, this is a strong statement. The RD#5 was released in October 2025, before W&W, it's part of AP's 150th anniversary programme launched at their own events, not at the fair. The AP section already notes they don't use W&W as a launch platform. So the RD#5 is exactly the kind of piece they would have had on display for hands-on time at the booth. A New Chapter of Audemars Piguet: Neo Frame → Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra thin: 150th Anniversary → TAG Heuer Two different versions of Monaco. The Monaco Evergraph replaces the traditional levers and springs of the chronograph with flexible silicon components, developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, running at 5Hz. The actuation is crisper and mechanically simpler than a column-wheel. Most chronograph development in the past twenty years has been about refinement; this is about rethinking the architecture. It arrives in the Monaco case, which gives the technical story the audience it deserves. Béatrice Goasglas starts as CEO May 1, the first woman to lead the brand in its 166-year history. The Evergraph is a good watch to hand her on the way in. Tag Heuer Monaco → A. Lange & Söhne Two calendars. The headline is the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar "Lumen": a luminous perpetual calendar with stop-seconds tourbillon in platinum, limited to 50 pieces, with a translucent dial that charges under UV and glows in the dark. The companion piece, the Saxonia Annual Calendar in 36mm, is the one people will actually wear: pink gold or white gold, the signature outsize date, a moonphase accurate to one day over more than a century, 9.8mm thick. Lange doing what Lange does. The Lumen → The Saxonia → H. Moser & Cie. Four novelties that span the full Moser range, which is the point. The Streamliner Pump, a Reebok collaboration, will be the most photographed. The Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton and Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Concept Tantalum are simultaneously among the most technically serious pieces in the building. No other brand at the fair is making the same case, that you can be the fun independents and an accomplished complications houses in Switzerland, with quite this much confidence. Press to Start: Moser x Reebok and the Reinvention of the Pump → IWC The Pilot's Venturer Vertical Drive was developed with aerospace company Vast for actual spaceflight: bezel-controlled operation designed for gloves, 120-hour power reserve, the pilot's brief taken to its logical endpoint. Ceralume may be the bigger story. A luminous white ceramic created by mixing zirconium oxide with SuperLumiNova during sintering, the entire case glows. IWC built a darkened room at the booth to show it. The effect is extraordinary and may be the most consequential materials development of the week. IWC's New Pilot's Watch Is Not for Earth → IWC and the Little Prince: Twenty Years On → Hublot Big Bang Reloaded, five ceramic variants, Kylian Mbappé in white ceramic, Usain Bolt with training-track soil in the dial. Not the high-complications pivot some expected from Tornare's second W&W as CEO, but coherent on its own terms. 2027 may be when the repositioning becomes visible in the products. Hublot Big Bang Reloaded: Usain Bolt, a Manifesto in Motion → Armin Strom One of the clearest highlights of the week. The Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 has a second striking mode: activate it and it fires the longest possible Westminster sequence, 12 hours, three quarters, 14 minutes, regardless of what the hands show. Full mechanical capacity, unleashed on demand. The chime is genuinely beautiful: four hammers, four gongs, a melody with real depth. You hear it once and you understand why they spent the time on it. We sat down with co-founder and master watchmaker Claude Greisler. A young team, an obsession with symmetry, a governing principle of pushing limits while staying true to high horology. Nothing here is a gimmick. The resonance is not a talking point; the minute repeater emerges from it rather than being bolted onto it. That discipline is what separates Armin Strom. Parmigiani Fleurier The Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux is a genuine world first: a chronograph that disappears completely from the dial when not running. Activate it via a monopusher and three hands emerge; stop it and they retract, restoring the watch to a clean time display. A rethinking of one of watchmaking's most familiar complications. The brand's 30th anniversary year, and they spent it well. NOMOS Glashütte Last year's Worldtimer was a smash hit. I have the navy. The new white dial is the natural third option: clean, versatile, complete. The bigger move is Nomos going precious with the Tangente Neomatik 38 in 18k gold, a smaller 38.5mm size, characteristically restrained in execution. What caught the most attention at the booth was a different direction: Nomos exploring the Tangente as a blank canvas for artists. The minimal dial treated as an invitation for outside creative voices, the watchmaking honest, the collaboration carrying the visual weight. A natural fit for a brand built on the idea that good design does not need to announce itself. Cartier The Santos-Dumont with a 394-link gold mesh bracelet and a gilded obsidian dial cut to 0.3mm is a refinement that earns its place. The more interesting move is the Roadster revival. Discontinued in 2012, back now with automotive curves and a more extroverted personality than anything else Cartier has shown in years. Under Louis Ferla in his first full W&W, it reads as a deliberate signal: this house has range. Chopard The Alpine Eagle 41 XPS in Lucent Steel: 8mm thin, new champagne "Mountain Glow" dial, updated bracelet. Alongside it, the L.U.C 1860, named after the year Chopard was founded, marking 30 years of the Fleurier manufacture. Both carry COSC and Poinçon de Genève certification. Chopard keeps setting their own bar quietly and without fuss. Roger Dubuis The Excalibur Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar brings the founding signature of the house to a perpetual calendar in steel, at a more accessible price than last year. The biretrograde is now a structural commitment, not a retrospective one. Laurent Ferrier The Sport Traveller is 42mm titanium with a dual-time system and a Swiss lever escapement, a deliberate departure from the brand's usual natural escapement, chosen for robustness. That kind of honest practical hierarchy is what distinguishes them. Laurent Ferrier Lightens the Load → Ulysse Nardin The Super Freak won a best-of-show award. It looks more like kinetic sculpture than watch. After last year's Diver AIR showed engineering discipline, this is the reminder that Ulysse Nardin also does the other thing: technically extreme, commercially irrelevant, visually unlike anything else on the floor. Good. Ulysse Nardin Pushes Its Rebel Icon to a New Extreme → Panerai Four new Luminors are evolutionary. The fifth, the Luminor 31 Giorni, is different in kind. A 31-day power reserve, one calendar month on a single winding, seven years in development, four barrels, and a patent-pending torque limiter to keep the amplitude stable across the full run. T3 gave it best-of-show. That is not wrong. Grand Seiko The Ultra Fine Accuracy Spring Drive platform, achieving plus or minus 20 seconds per year, now lives inside a diver. That level of accuracy in a 200m tool watch is what the Spring Drive community has been waiting for. The hand-engraved "Mystic Waterfall" piece from the Micro Artist Studio is one of the most beautiful objects at the fair, full stop. Baume & Mercier The Joia collection is a 28mm quartz piece with diamonds, a pivot toward jewellery watches. Whether it sharpens the brand or softens it is the more interesting question. Oris Two releases reaching into different parts of the brand's history. The Star Edition revives a 1966 model that marked their legal victory to use lever escapements, a genuinely compelling story in a 35mm tonneau case. The Artelier Complication brings back an understated dress watch with a moonphase and GMT, designed by a 24-year-old. At $2,950 it is the most accessible serious dress watch at the fair. Quick Stops Jaeger-LeCoultre refreshed the Master Control with the brand's first ever integrated bracelet. The perpetual calendar in a 39mm case at 9.2mm thick, with the movement at 4.72mm, is close to miraculous for a watch of that complication. Zenith opened up the Chronomaster Sport for the first time with the Skeleton: smoked sapphire dial, El Primero 3600SK fully visible at 5Hz. The chronograph hand completes a rotation every ten seconds. Bulgari downsized the Octo Finissimo to 37mm, the smallest the collection has ever been. The geometry holds better than expected. Hermès showed their first ever skeleton H08: an openworked movement inside a square case, with an elegant awkwardness that is very Hermès. Piaget went to 2mm with a cobalt alloy tourbillon. The most extreme argument for thinness as a technical achievement shown this week. Van Cleef & Arpels brought the Midnight Jour Nuit Phase de Lune: the jewellery-house approach to astronomical complications, executed with exactly the level of craft you would expect. Chanel showed new jewellery watches that reinforce what they do better than almost anyone at this fair: make things that do not need to justify their existence through complication count. Norqain showed the Wild ONE Skeleton Chrono, a 42mm flyback chronograph in a Norteq carbon cage with an in-house 8K Manufacture Calibre and transparent floating discs in place of traditional subdials. Jean-Claude Biver helped develop this platform and the result is a sports watch with a genuine point of view. Norqain Pushes the Wild One Further → Bremont launched the Supernova Chronograph alongside a partnership with Astrolab: an example of the watch will travel to the moon's south pole aboard the FLIP rover and stay there permanently. The first mechanical watch permanently left on the lunar surface. They also showed the Altitude Chronograph Pulsograph with a new-old-stock Valjoux 23 refurbished by Chronode, limited to 40 pieces. That one is the sleeper. Tudor The Monarch: 39mm, California dial, METAS-certified at $5,875. A name revived from the 1950s. At that price with that movement certification, it makes the value argument without needing to say it. Czapek & Cie showed the Antarctique S Révélation in grade 5 titanium with a Cosmic Blue colourway. Grönefeld showed the 1944 Tanfana, their first ladies' model: 37.5mm in red gold with an aventurine dial and diamond setting, inspired by their hometown of Oldenzaal. The brothers applying the same finishing standards they use on everything else. Gerald Charles debuted the Masterlink Perpetual Calendar as a world first, the brand's modular architecture applied to a perpetual calendar with a slim profile. Ferdinand Berthoud showed a new chapter of the Chronomètre FB 1. The marine chronometer heritage always present, never overdone. Frederique Constant refreshed the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture, a consistently well-priced in-house worldtimer. Credor exhibited at W&W for the first time, Grand Seiko's sister brand bringing Spring Drive and enamel craft to Geneva's largest stage. Arnold & Son brought new celestial complications, continuing to build a coherent identity around astronomical display. Kross Studio showed the MT1.1 Le Tourbillon 7 Jours, a seven-day tourbillon in their modular architecture. Alpina refreshed the Startimer Pilot, the aviation brief kept clear. Corum brought new executions of the Admiral and Golden Bridge, the lattice-movement Bridge remaining one of the most visually distinctive things in Swiss watchmaking. Rudis Sylva showed the RS 11 Harmonious Oscillator, the brand's resonance-based regulation continuing to develop. Sinn showed the 308 Hunting Watch: tools built for actual use, priced accordingly. Raymond Weil showed the Millesime The Fifty, a milestone dress-watch expression for the independent Geneva brand. Trilobe brought the Secret Edition: each dial is a bespoke sky map of a personal date, time, and place. Every piece unique. Angelus showed the Tinkler 1958, a tribute quarter-repeater with on-demand chiming, limited to 40 pieces. L'Epée 1839 showed the Belly Tank Racer, kinetic sculpture that earns its place at a watch fair. ArtyA debuted the Complexity, claiming a world first with two inclined tourbillons at 12 and 6 linked by the movement. More Novelties Favre Leuba revived the 1966 Harpoon: 36.8mm, period-correct dial. Chronoswiss showed the Neo Digiteur Chronos in engraved rose gold. Louis Moinet the 1816 Chronograph in a champagne edition. Hautlence the KUBERA Series 1. Genus the GNS2 Eternal Gallop Masterpiece. March LA.B the AM2 XS GRALL. U-Boat the Classico Polarized Dark Mistery. HYT, Eberhard & Co., Charriol, Behrens, Bianchet, Christiaan Van Der Klaauw, Cyrus Genève, B.R.M Chronographes, Charles Girardier, and Pequignet all showed new pieces on the floor. A fair of this size has room for every point on the watchmaking spectrum. Outside Palexpo Breguet was our final stop: a proper sit-down with CEO Gregory Kissling, going deep into the heritage of the maison and his personal story, and the way the stars aligned to bring him to Breguet from a career built on movement design. More to come. Leica brought Timeless: Through the Lens of John Goldberger to the Leica Store Geneva, in collaboration with Auro Montanari, the watch collector and Leica photographer known as John Goldberger. Open until May 15. Worth the detour. We had time with Auro Montanari himself and a separate interview with Henrik Ekdahl. More to come on both. With John Goldberger: The Meaning of Timeless → Jacob & Co. showed the Godfather II and we got hands-on time. The new one is more compelling than the original. The first Godfather is beautiful because every moving part is visible; the mechanics are the spectacle. The new one is equally, if not more, technically impressive, but the mechanics are hidden. More understated, the complexity working beneath the surface. Different philosophy, both valid. Jacob & Co x Bugatti: Nothing Hidden → Breitling held its own events as usual. The conversation over aperitivo turned to the new Navitimer and Kern's argument that manufacture heritage is the brand's centre of gravity. Characteristically confident. A Piece of Space on the Wrist → Universal Genève launched the Polerouter and Compax outside the show. Gérald Genta's first significant design, 1954, revived with a new in-house UG-110 Microrotor. Beautiful watches, genuine heritage, the most contested pricing conversation of the fair. Speake-Marin was outside the show but worth the time. We sat down with CEO Caroline Hengesse-Brault and owner Christelle Rosnoblet, and the conversation was as much about independence and creative control as the watch itself. The novelty is the Ripples Kármán Line: 40.3mm, 6.3mm thick, a sapphire crystal dial with Geneva stripes and sunray texture on the reverse, enhanced by blue metallisation. A Theme Space was impossible to ignore by midweek. IWC designing for actual spaceflight. Patek charting sunrise and sunset. Grand Seiko engraving galaxies. JLC framing a tourbillon within enamel star charts. Bremont sending a watch to stay on the moon. Whether by coordination or collective instinct, the industry moved together this year, and it moved upward. A few years ago it was ultra-thin, before that titanium. The watch world is nothing if not synchronized. Final Thought The Patek Celestial is the most important complication of the year. The Monaco Evergraph is the most important mechanism. The Panerai 31 Giorni is the most surprising achievement. The Vacheron Cardinal Points selection are already popular. My personal top pick? The 38mm Nautilus in platinum, 5610/1P-001. Thirty-plus appointments, tens of thousands of steps, over a hundred watches and the recurring discovery that the watches doing the most interesting things are made by the most interesting people. As for the best espresso of the show: that goes to Panerai. Perhaps it would have been a shame if the Italians hadn't won that one. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/watches-wonders-2026 — Citation: "Everything Worth Knowing From Watches & Wonders 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-20. https://menwith.com/watches-wonders-2026 --- ## With John Goldberger: The Meaning of Timeless - URL: https://menwith.com/with-john-goldberger-the-meaning-of-timeless - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-04-19 - Tags: Auro Montanari, John Goldberger, Leica, Timeless exhibition, watch collecting, analog photography, Venice Beach **Summary:** Auro Montanari (John Goldberger) showcases his lifelong passion for photography and watches in his "Timeless" exhibition, linking his collecting sensibilities with Leica's enduring design and quality. For Auro Montanari, time is something to observe. His first photographic exhibition, Timeless, marks a personal milestone. The project brings together images taken across decades and geographies, shaped by instinct and attention. “Timeless was, I’m very happy. For me, the first photo exhibition in my life, because I made a lot of photo in the past, around the world. And I was not professional.” Montanari, widely known in the watch world as John Goldberger, approaches photography with the same sensibility that has defined his decades of collecting. The focus remains on objects and moments that endure. Photography entered his life early. At twelve, his father gave him a Leica IIIg. By eighteen, he had saved enough to buy his first Leica SL. “My great passion was first photos, after watches.” Over time, the camera became a constant. He worked with different Leica models, drawn to the directness of the image. “I use a lot of Leica first SL, SL1, SL2, because I like to see the real image on the reflex.” The exhibition developed through his relationship with Leica. After meeting with the brand, he was invited to present his work as a testimonial for Leica watches, linking two long-standing interests through a shared approach to design and function. Montanari has been collecting watches for nearly fifty years. “I collected for almost 45 years, 50 years.” His approach has remained consistent, centred on presence and wearability. “For me, the most important thing is the aesthetics on your wrist, the wearability. For me, a nice watch remain a nice watch, timeless watch.” Beyond aesthetics, his attention moves to execution and history. “The quality, the finish of the case, the movement, and especially for the vintage, the provenance, the history behind the watch.” His perspective on vintage objects extends across categories. “In the past, the thing are much better quality. I don’t know why. Everything. Cars, watches, clothes, camera.” This idea connects directly to how he defines timelessness. “For me, the timeless, it means something remain the time, the design is contemporary after 40, 50 years, and also, the quality is timeless.” Mechanical watches and analog cameras exist within the same framework. “You take a vintage watch and you wind it, it’s still working. You take a camera, like the classic analog camera by Leica, you put a roll film inside, without any battery, it’s still working.” For Montanari, photography follows a similar logic. His images are grounded in observation. “The moment is a moment.” The photographs in Timeless span multiple locations, with a strong presence of work created during his time in California. In his early twenties, he lived in Venice Beach between 1980 and 1985. “I spent a lot of time. I was 22 years old. Between ’80 and ’85, I was living in Venice on the beach in California. I made a lot of photo. I sold few photos to some architectural magazine, and that’s it. But never be a professional.” The images reflect that period, capturing everyday scenes with clarity and continuity. His experience with Leica watches reflects similar priorities. “Leica watch is very German product. There is a perception of the quality, like a camera, and then very industrial pieces, the classic German design. I wore the watch in the last few months, and it working well, very readable, nice dial, a great finishing on the case.” He also points to practical details. “I like the patent bracelet attachment on the back. This is very smart.” Across photography and watchmaking, the focus remains consistent. Clarity, usability, and durability guide his perspective. When asked what he hopes visitors take from the exhibition, his response is direct. “I hope the people like my photos. And also like the Leica watches.” Timeless is on view at the Leica store in Geneva until May 15th. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-john-goldberger-the-meaning-of-timeless — Citation: "With John Goldberger: The Meaning of Timeless" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-19. https://menwith.com/with-john-goldberger-the-meaning-of-timeless --- ## Belmond Brings the Sleeper Train Back to England - URL: https://menwith.com/belmond-brings-the-sleeper-train-back-to-england - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-04-19 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Belmond revives England's luxury sleeper train, the Britannic Explorer. Experience a slower, more scenic journey through wood-paneled carriages and fine dining, rediscovering familiar landscapes. There is a particular rhythm to a train moving through the countryside at night. A gentle sway and the steady beat of wheels on steel. It is a feeling largely erased from modern travel, a world that prizes speed over sensation. Into this landscape of hurried efficiency, Belmond has reintroduced a slower, more deliberate way of moving. The Britannic Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train to run in England and Wales, is back on the rails. The project comes from a company that understands the territory well. Belmond, part of the LVMH portfolio, has built its reputation on reviving and operating some of the world's most storied rail journeys. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Royal Scotsman are not just transport, they are destinations in themselves. The Britannic Explorer follows this same logic, applying it to the landscapes of England and Wales. A Study in Wood and Brass The experience is built around the carriages themselves. They are exercises in restoration, designed to evoke a period when travel had a certain weight and ceremony. Inside, spaces are defined by polished wood, soft lighting, and the glint of brass fixtures. It is an environment designed for settling in, not rushing through. The cabins are compact and considered, with every detail serving the journey. This is not an attempt to replicate a museum piece. It is an active expression of a certain kind of comfort. The idea is to create a space that moves with you, where the view from the window is the main event and the carriage is your front-row seat. It suggests a journey where time is measured by the changing scenery, not a flight tracker on a screen. The Slow Route A central part of the Britannic Explorer experience is the dining car. Here, white tablecloths and polished silverware set the stage for meals that unfold over hours, not minutes. It is a social space, a reminder that travel was once an event to be shared. The appeal is in the deliberate pace, a contrast to the grab-and-go nature of contemporary transit. The return of a sleeper service like this speaks to a growing desire for disconnection. It offers a rare opportunity to be unreachable, to watch the world pass by without the constant interruption of modern life. The choice to take the train, especially a sleeper, is a choice to embrace the journey itself. It is a commitment to the idea that how you travel matters as much as where you are going. The name, Britannic Explorer, also hints at its purpose. It is not about reaching a far-flung destination. It is about rediscovering a familiar landscape, seeing the fields and towns of England and Wales from a new perspective. The train proposes that even home can be a place of exploration, if you only slow down enough to see it. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/belmond-brings-the-sleeper-train-back-to-england — Citation: "Belmond Brings the Sleeper Train Back to England" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-19. https://menwith.com/belmond-brings-the-sleeper-train-back-to-england --- ## The Great Eight Series: Halcyon Reimagines Rolls-Royce Icons with Combustion Power - URL: https://menwith.com/the-great-eight-series-halcyon-reimagines-rolls-royce-icons-with-combustion-power - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-18 - Tags: Halcyon, Rolls-Royce Corniche, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, The Great Eight Series, V8 engine, Combustion engine, Remastering **Summary:** Halcyon's Great Eight Series reimagines classic Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow models with re-engineered V8 combustion engines, blending heritage craftsmanship with modern driving enhancements. There’s something undeniably special about classic Rolls-Royce. The silence, the craftsmanship, the presence. But Halcyon’s latest project, The Great Eight Series, doesn’t just preserve that legacy, it amplifies it. In a world increasingly dominated by electrification, Halcyon takes a different path. With The Great Eight Series, the brand delivers its first combustion-powered remastering of two of Rolls-Royce’s most beloved models: the Corniche and the Silver Shadow. This is not restoration. It is reinvention. A Return to Mechanical Soul While many modern restomod projects lean toward electric conversions, Halcyon deliberately embraces internal combustion. At the heart of The Great Eight Series lies a re-engineered V8, a nod to the heritage that defined Rolls-Royce for decades. This decision is not just technical, it’s philosophical. The sound, the vibration, the character of a combustion engine are all part of the emotional experience. Halcyon understands that for many enthusiasts, removing that element would mean losing the essence of the car itself. Craftsmanship Meets Contemporary Precision Every Great Eight build begins with an original Corniche or Silver Shadow, meticulously stripped down and rebuilt from the ground up. The result is a car that looks unmistakably classic, yet feels entirely modern to drive. Expect upgraded suspension systems, improved braking performance, and subtle technological integrations that enhance usability without disrupting the aesthetic. Inside, traditional materials like wood veneer and hand-stitched leather remain central, but are paired with modern ergonomics and discreetly integrated features. Halcyon’s approach is one of restraint. Nothing feels over-designed. Instead, every detail is carefully considered to respect the original silhouette while elevating the driving experience. The Philosophy of Remastering Halcyon refers to The Great Eight Series not as a restoration or even a restomod, but as a “remastering.” It’s a term borrowed from the world of music, where original recordings are enhanced using modern technology while preserving their authenticity. The same philosophy applies here. The proportions, the lines, the unmistakable presence of these Rolls-Royce icons remain untouched. What changes is everything beneath the surface. This balance between heritage and innovation is what sets The Great Eight Series apart. It’s not about nostalgia. It’s about continuity. A Statement in a Changing Industry In an era where luxury is increasingly defined by silence and screens, Halcyon offers something refreshingly different. The Great Eight Series is for those who still value tactility, mechanical feedback, and the ritual of driving. It’s a reminder that progress doesn’t always mean replacement. Sometimes, it means refinement. And with The Great Eight Series, Halcyon proves that the future of classic cars might not be electric, but instead, thoughtfully re-engineered to be better than ever. More about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-great-eight-series-halcyon-reimagines-rolls-royce-icons-with-combustion-power — Citation: "The Great Eight Series: Halcyon Reimagines Rolls-Royce Icons with Combustion Power" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-18. https://menwith.com/the-great-eight-series-halcyon-reimagines-rolls-royce-icons-with-combustion-power --- ## The Patek Philippe Nautilus turns 50 - URL: https://menwith.com/the-patek-philippe-nautilus-turns-50 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-17 - Tags: Patek Philippe Nautilus, Nautilus 50th Anniversary, Gerald Genta, Reference 5810/1G-001, Reference 5810G-001, Reference 5610/1P-001, Reference 958G-001, Caliber 240 **Summary:** Patek Philippe celebrates the Nautilus' 50th anniversary with four limited-edition references, honoring the original's minimalist design and porthole inspiration. New models feature hours/minutes only, echoing the 1976 Reference 3700. Fifty Years of the Porthole In 1976, the Swiss watch industry was in the middle of a quiet collapse. Quartz had arrived, and mechanical watches were becoming something people politely stopped buying. The sensible response was to panic. Most did. Gerald Genta had dinner instead. He was sitting alone at a hotel restaurant during the Basel fair when he noticed the Patek Philippe executives at a table across the room. He picked up a pen. Five minutes later, he had sketched the watch that would become the Nautilus. The inspiration was the porthole on the wall: the octagonal frame, the hinges at the ears, the gasket logic of something designed to keep water out at pressure. He named it after Captain Nemo's submarine. He handed it to Patek and they built it in steel, which nobody at that price point had ever done. The industry had never seen anything like it. Fifty years later, Patek Philippe's answer is four new references, each a limited edition, delivered in a presentation case with a cork exterior. The cork is a direct reference to the packaging of that original 1976 model. Some things deserve to be remembered precisely. The Decision The three wristwatches, References 5810/1G-001, 5810G-001, and 5610/1P-001, share a single philosophical position: hours and minutes only. No date. No center seconds. The same display as the original Reference 3700, fifty years ago. The Caliber 240, 2.53 millimeters high, sitting behind a sapphire crystal with its 22K gold mini-rotor engraved "50 1976 – 2026," doing exactly what it has done since 1977, the year after the Nautilus launched. The movement is almost as old as the watch. Handling them confirms what the specifications suggest. The profile is 6.9 millimeters on a 41-millimeter case in white gold, 1.3 millimeters thinner than the current 5811G in the catalog. On paper that sounds like an engineering consequence. On the wrist it reads as a decision. Patek could have added complications to the anniversary edition. They removed them instead. The dials are clean in a way that only happens when someone in the room has the authority to say no. That restraint is harder to achieve than any complication, and it shows. The Four Reference 5810/1G-001 is the Jumbo in white gold on a white gold bracelet, limited to 2,000 pieces. Baton-style hour markers in white gold. The dial sunburst blue, horizontally embossed, the horizontal lines catching light differently at every angle as they have done since the beginning. CHF 75,000. Reference 5810G-001 is the same 41-millimeter white gold case, this time on a navy blue composite strap with cream stitching and a white gold Nautilus fold-over clasp. The hour markers are set with baguette-cut diamonds totaling 0.39 carats. Limited to 1,000 pieces, half the run of its bracelet counterpart, and the most visually distinctive of the three wristwatches. CHF 60,000. Reference 5610/1P-001 is in platinum, 38 millimeters, and is the reference that will mean the most to people who understand the collection's history. The medium Nautilus, recalling the proportions of the Reference 3800/1 that launched in the 1980s and the Reference 5800/1A that marked the 30th anniversary in 2006, returns here in platinum on a platinum bracelet, with a brilliant-cut diamond set into the case hinge at 9 o'clock. The profile is 6.9 millimeters. Of the three wristwatches, this is the one that stops you. The size, the material, the absence of anything unnecessary. Limited to 2,000 pieces. CHF 90,000. The Desk Watch Then there is Reference 958G-001. In white gold, 50.65 millimeters in diameter, it is the Nautilus in a form the collection has never previously taken: a desk watch. The silhouette is immediately recognizable, octagonal bezel, softened corners, the porthole logic intact, but without a bracelet, sitting instead on its own hinged caseback cover, which folds out as a support. That cover, protected by sapphire crystal, carries a sunburst blue horizontally embossed decoration centered on an applied Calatrava cross in satin-brushed white gold. Beneath it, the caseback is engraved: "50th Anniversary Nautilus 1976 – 2026 Patek Philippe." The movement is the manually wound Caliber 31-505 8J PS IRM CI J, first seen in 2025 in the Calatrava 8-Day Reference 5328G-001. Its two going barrels, connected in series, provide a minimum power reserve of eight full days, with a ninth in reserve. In addition to hours and minutes, the caliber displays an instantaneous date by hand, instantaneous day in an aperture, small seconds at 6 o'clock, and a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock: complications that make practical sense on an object that lives on a desk and needs to be read at a distance. The hour markers are set with baguette-cut diamonds totaling 0.96 carats. Limited to 100 pieces. CHF 205,000. It is also, depending on how you look at it, the most honest thing in the collection. A Nautilus that has nowhere to go, sitting on a desk, telling you the time, the day, and exactly how much of its eight days remain. No wrist required. No occasion necessary. Just the watch, doing its job, fifty years on. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-patek-philippe-nautilus-turns-50 — Citation: "The Patek Philippe Nautilus turns 50" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-17. https://menwith.com/the-patek-philippe-nautilus-turns-50 --- ## A Piece of Space on the Wrist - URL: https://menwith.com/a-piece-of-space-on-the-wrist - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-17 - Tags: Breitling **Summary:** Breitling's Navitimer Cosmonaute Artemis II honors Scott Carpenter's space-faring request with a meteorite dial, transforming a functional tool into a cosmic talisman. In 1962, a man about to leave the planet had a specific problem. Astronaut Scott Carpenter, preparing for his orbital flight on the Aurora 7 mission, realized a standard watch would be useless. With multiple sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours, telling day from night would become impossible. He approached Breitling with a request for a Navitimer, but one with a 24-hour dial. It was a practical solution for a deeply unfamiliar environment. The resulting watch was a tool, born of necessity. It became the first Swiss wristwatch to travel into space, not as a luxury, but as a critical piece of equipment. Its purpose was clear. To orient a human being when the old rules of time no longer applied. For decades, that story remained the defining chapter of the Cosmonaute. From Tool to Talisman More than sixty years later, the context has shifted. The new Navitimer Cosmonaute Artemis II lands in a world where astronauts are surrounded by digital systems and have a direct line to mission control. The original problem that Carpenter needed to solve no longer exists in the same way. The watch is no longer just a tool. It has become something else. The most telling detail is the dial. It is crafted from a piece of meteorite. This is a significant choice. The watch is no longer just an instrument for navigating space. It now contains a piece of it. The material itself carries the narrative, transforming the Cosmonaute from a functional object into a symbolic one. It’s a piece of history, both human and cosmic, that you can wear. A Legacy in Flight This release does not exist in a vacuum. Breitling has consistently anchored its identity in the demanding worlds of aviation and performance. The Navitimer has always been a pilot’s watch, its slide rule bezel a miniature flight computer for a pre-digital age. This history gives the brand a certain gravity and a right to play in these arenas. The story extends beyond a single model. From celebrating the engineering of the Concorde to partnerships with automotive marks like Aston Martin, the throughline is a connection to machines that perform at the limits of possibility. These associations are not accidental. They build a world where precision and reliability are the baseline expectations. The name, Artemis II, is a deliberate bridge. It links the legacy of the Mercury program with the current generation of lunar exploration. It positions the Cosmonaute not as a relic of a past glory, but as a participant in the ongoing story. It is a claim on the future, made by honoring a moment from the past. The watch serves as a reminder of how we carry history forward. Some stories are written in books. Others are machined from steel and built with a piece of rock that fell from the sky, connecting an astronaut’s simple request in 1962 to the ambitions of today. Read more about watches here. Orbital material: Breitling introduces the Navitimer Cosmonaute Artemis II with meteorite dial — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-piece-of-space-on-the-wrist — Citation: "A Piece of Space on the Wrist" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-17. https://menwith.com/a-piece-of-space-on-the-wrist --- ## Ulysse Nardin Pushes Its Rebel Icon to a New Extreme - URL: https://menwith.com/ulysse-nardin-pushes-its-rebel-icon-to-a-new-extreme - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-17 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Ulysse Nardin's new [Super] Freak celebrates 25 years of innovation with the most complicated time-only watch ever. It pushes mechanical limits with 511 components, dual tourbillons, and advanced silicon technology. The idea behind the original Ulysse Nardin Freak was to remove everything that was not the mechanism. There was no dial, no hands, and no crown in the traditional sense. The movement itself rotated to indicate the time. It was a watch built around a single, radical thought, launched in 2001 as a defiant answer to the era of quartz. A quarter of a century later, that thought has been pushed to its mechanical limit. The new [Super] Freak arrives to mark 25 years of the collection and 180 years of the manufacture. It takes the core concept of a watch where the movement tells the time and adds layers of complexity, resulting in what Ulysse Nardin calls the most complicated time-only watch ever created. The name feels appropriate. It is an evolution that is both a tribute to the original and a declaration of technical dominance. The Architecture of Motion The entire watch is a kinetic sculpture. The new Caliber UN-252 is an assembly of 511 components, and the brand notes that over 97% of them are in constant motion. The minute indicator is a flying carousel that completes a rotation every hour. Mounted on this carousel are two titanium flying tourbillons, each inclined at 10 degrees and rotating in opposite directions once every 60 seconds. This structure is then used to introduce a new function to the Freak family, a seconds display. This small addition required its own set of mechanical inventions. Energy is managed by what Ulysse Nardin says is the world’s smallest vertical differential, a 5mm mechanism made of 69 parts that averages the rate of the two tourbillons. That energy is then transmitted to the seconds indicator via a newly patented gimbal system, another miniature marvel at just 4.8mm. Technology as a Tool Powering this dense mechanical system is the Grinder automatic winding system. It uses a frame with four levers to capture energy from the slightest wrist movements, which is necessary to drive two tourbillons and a carousel. The original Freak was a pioneer in using silicon, the very material of the quartz chips that threatened Swiss watchmaking. The [Super] Freak continues this legacy, using silicon for its balance wheels and hairsprings, and DIAMonSIL, a diamond-coated silicon, for the escapements. Even the hour disc, which rotates once every 12 hours, is made from a high-tech material. It is a transparent blue Nanosital, a type of glass-ceramic, which allows a view of the automatic winding mechanism beneath. The entire assembly is housed in a 44mm white gold case, with time-setting handled by the bezel and winding through the caseback, two signatures of the Freak collection. Despite the advanced engineering, the watch is an artisanal object. More than 70% of its components are finished by hand. Each of the 50 limited-edition pieces is assembled from start to finish by a single watchmaker in the brand's Haute Horlogerie Atelier, a process that takes 60 hours. The Freak was born as a reaction. A quarter-century later, it has become the thing others react to. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ulysse-nardin-pushes-its-rebel-icon-to-a-new-extreme — Citation: "Ulysse Nardin Pushes Its Rebel Icon to a New Extreme" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-17. https://menwith.com/ulysse-nardin-pushes-its-rebel-icon-to-a-new-extreme --- ## Norqain Pushes The Wild ONE Further - URL: https://menwith.com/norqain-pushes-the-wild-one-further - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-17 - Tags: Manual Story **Summary:** Norqain expands its Wild ONE collection with two new models: a skeletonized chronograph adding mechanical complexity and a feather-light skeletonized version focusing on extreme weight reduction. The architecture of the Norqain Wild ONE has always been its whole story. A multi-part case, built for performance, that puts its material science on full display. It’s a design that feels engineered rather than styled. Now, that platform is being tested, with the introduction of two new models that pull the collection in opposite directions: one toward mechanical complexity, the other toward extreme lightness. Adding Complication Adding a chronograph to an existing design is a familiar move. The challenge is doing it without upsetting the balance of the original. For the Wild ONE, this meant figuring out how to integrate a complication into a watch defined by its robust, technical form. The result is the Wild ONE Skeleton Chrono, the first of its kind in the collection. The solution was to open everything up. The dial uses transparent floating discs for the chronograph counters instead of traditional subdials. This clears the view straight through to the movement, creating a sense of depth where there is usually clutter. It’s a way to add function while simultaneously removing visual mass. The inclusion of a pulsometer scale on the flange ties back to the watch's focus on performance. At its heart is the NORQAIN 8K Manufacture Calibre, a high-performance flyback chronograph movement. Three versions are available. One is finished in black with turquoise details. Another comes in a deep burgundy, limited to 400 pieces. A third gold model is the most exclusive, limited to just 75 pieces. Removing Weight While the chrono adds complexity, the second release does the opposite. The Wild ONE Skeleton X-Lite pursues a different kind of extreme, focusing entirely on the reduction of weight. It becomes the lightest watch Norqain has ever produced, a clear signal of intent for the brand’s material capabilities. The final weight is just 45 grams. This is achieved through a combination of its case construction and a new, heavily skeletonised movement, the NORQAIN 4K Manufacture Calibre. Like the chronograph, this model is a limited edition, with only 200 pieces being made. It presents the Wild ONE in its most distilled form, where every component is considered for its contribution to lightness and strength. These two releases are not just product line extensions. They are a demonstration of the Wild ONE’s range. By pushing its core design toward both mechanical density and near-weightlessness, Norqain is showing how much territory a single, well-defined idea can cover. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/norqain-pushes-the-wild-one-further — Citation: "Norqain Pushes The Wild ONE Further" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-17. https://menwith.com/norqain-pushes-the-wild-one-further --- ## A. Lange & Söhne Finds Clarity in 36 Millimetres - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-finds-clarity-in-36-millimetres - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-17 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne's Saxonia Annual Calendar debuts at 36mm, prioritizing wearability with a clean dial. Its intricate German craftsmanship is revealed through the sapphire caseback. A watch measuring 36 millimetres arrives with a certain point of view. The new Saxonia Annual Calendar from A. Lange & Söhne chooses this classic diameter, signalling a focus on proportion and wearability over sheer presence. It is a dimension that asks to be a part of the wearer’s day, not to dominate it. Presented at Watches and Wonders 2026, the piece comes in two forms. One pairs a white gold case with a bright argenté dial. The other sets a pink gold case against a cooler grey dial. Both versions share a common purpose, which is to organize a great deal of information without creating visual noise. The Discipline of the Dial The face of the Saxonia is an exercise in thoughtful arrangement. An annual calendar requires displaying the day, date, and month, a task that can easily lead to clutter. Here, the layout is symmetrical and intuitive. The day of the week resides in a subdial at nine o’clock, balanced by the month at three. At a glance, you get the essentials. Below, at six o’clock, a subsidiary seconds dial houses the moon-phase display. The complication is engineered to remain accurate for 122.6 years before needing a single day’s correction. Its solid gold lunar disc, treated with a deep blue coating and dotted with 428 stars, shows a level of detail that goes far beyond simple function. The calendar itself only needs attention once a year, at the transition from February to March. For a mechanism this complex, the user experience is kept direct. Each calendar function can be adjusted with a separate recessed corrector, or the entire set can be advanced together via a single pusher at ten o’clock. A Private View of the Craft The watch runs on the new self-winding Calibre L207.1. It provides a 60-hour power reserve, with its central rotor wound by a centrifugal mass made of 950 platinum. But the technical specifications only tell part of the story. The real character of German watchmaking is often revealed when you turn the watch over. Through the sapphire caseback, the movement’s architecture and finish are on full display. This is where the restrained aesthetic of the dial gives way to a more expressive form of craft. Traditional elements, like the hand-engraved balance cock and screwed gold chatons, are visible. The practice of assembling every movement twice ensures a standard of finish that is meant to be appreciated up close. With a height of just 9.8 millimetres, the case maintains a slender profile. It is designed to fit comfortably, to slide under a cuff, to be a companion rather than an announcement. The Saxonia proposes that the most satisfying details are often the ones reserved for the owner, seen not from across the room, but from a few inches away. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-finds-clarity-in-36-millimetres — Citation: "A. Lange & Söhne Finds Clarity in 36 Millimetres" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-17. https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-finds-clarity-in-36-millimetres --- ## Jacob & Co. x Bugatti: Nothing Hidden - URL: https://menwith.com/jacob-co-x-bugatti-nothing-hidden - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-16 - Tags: Jacob & Co., Bugatti, Tourbillon Sapphire Crystal, V16 engine automaton, Sapphire case, Luxury watch, Mechanical watch **Summary:** The Jacob & Co. x Bugatti Tourbillon Sapphire Crystal showcases a fully transparent sapphire case housing a miniature V16 engine automaton and a 30-second tourbillon. This uncompromising design emphasizes mechanical theatre and Bugatti's automotive prowess. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon Sapphire Crystal is not a subtle watch. It was never meant to be. It is 55 x 44 mm of fully transparent corundum, a material harder than almost anything on earth, wrapped around one of the most mechanically theatrical movements ever put inside a case. It announces itself from every angle because every angle was designed to be seen. The entire case, every wall, every bezel, every surface, is cut from solid sapphire. Not a sapphire window. Not a sapphire caseback hiding what is inside. The whole structure, including the caseback, is transparent. There is no frame to soften it, no metal to contain it. What you see is everything, and everything is intentional. Jacob & Co. and Bugatti have been building toward this for years. Not a licensing arrangement, not a co-branded exercise. A genuine design integration, each reference pushing further than the last. The Sapphire Crystal is where that project reaches its most uncompromising point. A car will never exist with a transparent body. A Bugatti will never show you its engine from the outside. The watch can, and does, with full force. The V16 engine block is carved from a single block of sapphire. Sixteen cylinders drilled through it. Sixteen titanium pistons moving in sequence along a single-axis crankshaft. Press the pusher and the whole thing fires for a 20-second sequence. On a single full wind, the automaton can execute 20 consecutive animation sequences. It is mechanical theatre at full volume, and it earns every second of it. The 30-second tourbillon is the fastest Jacob & Co. has ever made. The retrograde hands sweep their full arc and snap back to zero with the kind of aggression that references a 276-mph top speed without needing to say so. The exhaust manifolds, PVD-colored to match the dial, connect directly to the automaton. The power reserve tracks both the movement and the engine. Nothing is decorative. Everything performs. Over 800 hours of machining to build one case. Sapphire that cracks if the tools move too fast and resists if they move too slow. Lab-grown corundum of near-perfect purity, because anything less would not survive the process. The difficulty of making it is proportional to the statement it makes. The first series is two pieces. One in Jacob & Co.’s signature green. One in the baby blue that Jacob Arabo has always favored. Both loud in color, coherent in execution, the subdials, manifolds, strap and grille all reading as one. The crown, combining metal and sapphire with knurled inner detail, shaped after a Bugatti dashboard control knob, is the kind of finishing touch that only matters when everything else is already at this level. At one point two million dollars, it is one of the most expensive watches in production. It is also one of the most exposed. No hidden movement. No protective distance. No softening of the spectacle. It is a Bugatti in watch form, which means it was built to be witnessed, heard and felt, even when it is sitting still. More about watches here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jacob-co-x-bugatti-nothing-hidden — Citation: "Jacob & Co. x Bugatti: Nothing Hidden" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-16. https://menwith.com/jacob-co-x-bugatti-nothing-hidden --- ## Porsche 911 GT3 S/C: The Purest Open Top Driver’s Car Yet - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-sc-the-purest-open-top-drivers-car-yet - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-15 - Tags: Porsche 911 GT3 S/C, Sport Cabriolet, Naturally Aspirated Flat-Six, Manual Transmission, Lightweight Design, Street Style Package, 911 Speedster **Summary:** The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C offers a pure, open-top driving experience with its naturally aspirated flat-six, manual transmission, and lightweight design. It prioritizes driver connection over track performance, blending emotion and simplicity. A return to pure driving With the new 911 GT3 S/C, Porsche delivers something increasingly rare in today’s performance landscape: a car built entirely around feel. No roof, no automatic gearbox, and no compromises. The S/C, short for Sport Cabriolet, is designed for those who want to experience every sound, vibration and shift in its most natural form. It blends elements from the 911 S/T and GT3 into a focused, emotional package that prioritizes connection over convenience . Naturally aspirated and unapologetic At the heart of the car sits a 4.0 liter naturally aspirated flat six producing 502 horsepower. Paired exclusively with a six speed manual transmission, it delivers a driving experience that feels increasingly analog in a digital era. Acceleration to 60 mph takes just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 194 mph, but numbers are not the point here. The real story is how the engine comes alive with the roof down, amplifying every rev all the way to its 9,000 rpm redline. Lightweight philosophy throughout The GT3 S/C follows Porsche’s strict lightweight philosophy. Carbon fiber is used extensively across the body, including doors and fenders, while magnesium components reduce unsprung weight and improve agility. Even the convertible roof structure incorporates lightweight materials, allowing the car to maintain a remarkably low weight despite its open top configuration. The result is a car that feels sharp, responsive and incredibly alive on winding roads. Built for the road, not the track Unlike more aggressive GT3 variants, the S/C leans into road driving pleasure. It features a double wishbone front axle and a chassis setup tuned for real world enjoyment rather than lap times. It is also a strict two seater, echoing the spirit of the 911 Speedster, and reinforcing its identity as a driver focused machine rather than a versatile sports car . Personalization meets performance For the first time, Porsche introduces a Street Style Package for a GT model like this. With bold color accents, unique materials and intricate interior detailing, owners can tailor the car to reflect their personal taste. From Pyro Red exterior details to braided leather interiors, the package adds a layer of individuality without compromising the car’s core philosophy. A modern classic in the making Priced at $273,000 and arriving in late 2026, the 911 GT3 S/C is not limited in production. Yet everything about it suggests future collectability. It represents a rare moment where engineering, emotion and simplicity align. In an age of increasing complexity, this is Porsche reminding us what driving is really about. More about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-sc-the-purest-open-top-drivers-car-yet — Citation: "Porsche 911 GT3 S/C: The Purest Open Top Driver’s Car Yet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-15. https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-sc-the-purest-open-top-drivers-car-yet --- ## With Bertrand Meylan: Pumping H. Moser & Cie - URL: https://menwith.com/press-to-start-moser-x-reebok-and-the-reinvention-of-the-pump - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-15 - Tags: Moser, Reebok, Streamliner Pump, Reebok Pump, HMC 103, forged quartz fiber, button winding **Summary:** Moser x Reebok's Streamliner Pump reinvents watch winding via a button-press mechanism, mirroring the iconic Reebok Pump shoe's innovation. Crafted from unique forged quartz fiber, it offers a tactile user experience and comes with custom-matched Reebok Pumps. The Pump He had a pair of Reebok Pumps. His mother bought them for him in 1992. They are, he says, probably the only shoes he remembers from that time. This is where a watch begins. The Outsider Problem A friend suggested it. Moser should work with Reebok. The response was skeptical. “Are you sure? With Reebok? Do you think there is something?” The more they studied it, the less skeptical they became. Both were outsider brands, both rooted in authenticity. The Pump shoe launched in 1989. Revolutionary engineering, an orange button on the tongue, a shoe that inflated for a custom fit. Absolutely ahead of its time, he says. The parallel to Moser wasn’t difficult to draw. The harder question was what to do with it. They didn’t put a logo on it. That was the first decision and the correct one. The Solution The result is the Streamliner Pump: a 40-millimeter watch wound entirely by pressing a button. Each press of the anodised aluminium pusher drives energy directly into the barrel spring, delivering more than an hour of power reserve. Seventy-four hours total. “It’s a lot of pushing,” I offered. He smiled. “72 times. It’s okay.” He gestured at the watches on the table. “They’re all charged. We’ve been playing around.” That detail matters. People will press it well past full. He knows this. He’s counting on it. “I love when you create a relation with your watch,” he said. “Without having to remove it from your wrist, you can just press.” The Material The case is forged quartz fiber, a material developed specifically for this watch. Similar in weight and resistance to carbon, but with one significant difference: it can be any color. The white version is natural. The black has been treated. Each piece carries a moiré pattern on the surface that makes every case subtly unique, a texture that links directly back to the sneaker. Shoes have texture. It made sense. The movement is the HMC 103, a modified version of the manufacture’s HMC 500 micro-rotor calibre, adapted so that pressing the pusher winds the barrel through the wheel train. Through the caseback, you can watch it happen. The Straumann hairspring sits at the center of it, carrying a minimum 74-hour power reserve. Each watch comes with a pair of Reebok Pumps, colormatched, Moser family armory on the heel. Made only for buyers. 250 of the white. 250 of the black. The Spectrum Also at Watches and Wonders: a skeletonized Mini Tourbillon in titanium with a cylindrical tourbillon, the most complex watch Moser has ever made. And two new compact Streamliners, in 34 and 28 millimeters, with a gray frosted and a burgundy frosted dial respectively, extending the family down to sizes the brand has never occupied before. He describes the range as deliberate, the full spectrum of what the manufacture can do. From the most technically complex piece they’ve ever built to something he calls “more lifestyle, more cool.” The point, he says, is that all of it still reads as Moser. You can see it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/press-to-start-moser-x-reebok-and-the-reinvention-of-the-pump — Citation: "With Bertrand Meylan: Pumping H. Moser & Cie" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-15. https://menwith.com/press-to-start-moser-x-reebok-and-the-reinvention-of-the-pump --- ## Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale: A New Chapter in Bespoke Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-project-nightingale-a-new-chapter-in-bespoke-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-15 - Tags: Rolls-Royce, Project Nightingale, Bespoke Division, One-off Commission, Starlight Headliner, Automotive Art **Summary:** Rolls-Royce's Project Nightingale redefines bespoke luxury with a one-off commission emphasizing narrative and emotional design. This ultra-exclusive creation blends intricate craftsmanship with personal storytelling, pushing the boundaries of automotive art. Rolls-Royce has once again proven that it operates in a world entirely of its own. With Project Nightingale, the British marque elevates its Bespoke division to new heights, blending craftsmanship, narrative, and emotional design into what is more than just a car - it is a statement. While details remain intentionally limited, as is often the case with ultra-exclusive commissions, Project Nightingale is understood to be a one-off creation developed in close collaboration with a private client. It reflects a growing trend within Rolls-Royce, where individuality and storytelling now define true luxury. A Car Designed Around a Story Project Nightingale is believed to take inspiration from themes of serenity, night, and precision - aligning with the symbolism of the nightingale itself. Rolls-Royce has increasingly leaned into poetic narratives when developing bespoke vehicles, allowing clients to embed personal meaning into every surface, material, and detail. Expect intricate embroidery, possibly representing constellations or flowing patterns, alongside carefully curated materials chosen not only for their beauty but for their emotional resonance. The Starlight Headliner, already one of Rolls-Royce’s most iconic features, is likely reimagined here as a central storytelling element. The Rise of True Bespoke Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division has seen unprecedented demand in recent years. Clients are no longer satisfied with simply choosing colors and trims - they want cars that reflect identity, heritage, and personal milestones. Project Nightingale fits perfectly into this evolution. It stands alongside other legendary one-off creations that blur the line between automotive design and collectible art. In this space, exclusivity is not defined by price alone, but by originality and narrative depth. Beyond the Automobile What makes Project Nightingale particularly compelling is its role in redefining what a luxury car can be. It is not merely transportation - it is an experience, a story, and ultimately, a piece of rolling art. Rolls-Royce continues to push toward a future where each vehicle is as unique as its owner. In that sense, Project Nightingale is not just a singular creation, but a glimpse into the future of ultra-luxury - where craftsmanship meets emotion, and design becomes deeply personal. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-project-nightingale-a-new-chapter-in-bespoke-luxury — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale: A New Chapter in Bespoke Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-15. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-project-nightingale-a-new-chapter-in-bespoke-luxury --- ## Laurent Ferrier Lightens The Load - URL: https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-lightens-the-load - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: Laurent Ferrier **Summary:** Laurent Ferrier's Sport Traveller redefines travel watches with a lightweight titanium case and fluid design. It prioritizes refined aesthetics over overt sportiness, offering a classical interpretation for the modern traveler. Travel watches often carry the weight of their own complexity. Multiple subdials, rotating bezels, and dense indexes can turn a simple function into a crowded instrument panel. The new Sport Traveller from Laurent Ferrier takes a different approach. It begins not with complication, but with material. The choice of grade 5 titanium for its 42mm case is the first signal of intent. The watch is light, and that lightness changes how it sits on the wrist. It feels less like a tool and more like a natural extension of the wearer. While designated as a sports watch, its form follows the soft, pebble-like contours that have become a signature of the independent watchmaker. The lines are fluid, with an integrated bracelet that flows directly from the cushion-shaped case. This is not a watch trying to compete on aggressive specifications or extreme durability. It is an interpretation of a sports watch through a classical lens. The Sport Traveller suggests that travel is more about movement and perspective than it is about rugged adventure. It’s a piece built for changing time zones without losing its sense of place. In the end, the watch makes a quiet argument. It suggests that a modern travel watch can be technically proficient without being visually loud. It’s an expansion of the Laurent Ferrier world, proving that the brand’s philosophy of refined watchmaking can adapt to new contexts without dilution. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-lightens-the-load — Citation: "Laurent Ferrier Lightens The Load" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/laurent-ferrier-lightens-the-load --- ## Rolex Has a New Definition of Gold - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-has-a-new-definition-of-gold - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: Rolex Jubilee Gold, Day-Date 40, Proprietary Gold Alloy, Luxury Watchmaking, Aventurine Dial, Baguette Diamonds, Rolex Foundry, Exclusive Timepiece **Summary:** Rolex unveils Jubilee Gold, a proprietary alloy for the Day-Date 40, offering a unique, muted hue between yellow and white gold. This exclusive material showcases Rolex's advanced metallurgy and commitment to subtle luxury. The new Rolex Day-Date 40 introduces a proprietary alloy called Jubilee Gold, a material that challenges the very idea of what gold on a watch is meant to be. For a company that built its reputation on precision and consistency, the act of creating a new precious metal is not a casual one. It signals a deliberate shift in thinking, a recalibration of what luxury looks like at the highest level. This new 18-karat gold is not yellow. It is not white or rose, either. Instead, Jubilee Gold exists in the space between them. The source material is still pure gold, but the final alloy is engineered to have a more muted, subtle character. It carries warmth, but without the overt flash of traditional yellow or Everose gold. Under light, its color shifts, revealing tones that feel both familiar and entirely new. It is a complex color, one that asks for a closer look rather than announcing itself from across a room. A Matter of Chemistry Developing a new gold alloy is a statement of industrial capability. This is the first new gold from Rolex in over two decades, since Everose was introduced in 2005. The process happens entirely within the company’s own foundry at Plan-les-Ouates, a facility that gives Rolex complete control over its materials. Creating Jubilee Gold involved years of work in the brand’s research and development division, combining pure 24-karat gold with specific metals like copper, palladium, and silver to achieve this exact hue and finish. The result is a metal that is entirely unique to the brand. This level of vertical integration is rare, and it allows for a kind of obsessive consistency that has become a hallmark. The choice to launch this material on the Day-Date 40, the brand’s top-tier model, is significant. It’s a watch historically reserved for precious metals, making it the natural canvas for this new expression of gold. The Watch Itself Beyond the metal, the watch is a showcase of the brand’s other crafts. The dial is cut from a piece of light green aventurine, a natural stone with subtle, marble-like streaks. It serves as a quiet nod to the company’s signature color on the 100th anniversary of the Oyster case. In place of standard markers, ten baguette-cut diamonds frame the dial, leaving space only for the day and date apertures. The fluted bezel and President bracelet are classic Day-Date features, but they take on a different quality in Jubilee Gold. The familiar shapes seem to interact with light in a new way. The bracelet, with its polished center links and brushed outer links, highlights the alloy’s ability to shift in appearance depending on the finishing. It is powered by the Caliber 3255, the same robust movement that has driven the model since 2015. With a price of $62,700 and a designation of 'not in catalog', this watch is clearly positioned as an object of exclusivity. It suggests availability will be limited to a select group of clients. The introduction of Jubilee Gold is not just about adding another option. It is about proposing a quieter, more considered form of luxury. One that is less about declaration and more about detail. Read more about accessories here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-has-a-new-definition-of-gold — Citation: "Rolex Has a New Definition of Gold" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/rolex-has-a-new-definition-of-gold --- ## A. Lange & Söhne Reveals the Mechanics of Time, In the Dark - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-reveals-the-mechanics-of-time-in-the-dark - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne's new Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar features a semi-transparent sapphire dial, illuminating its complex mechanics and complications in the dark. This innovative design prioritizes legibility and functional luminescence. The dial of the new Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar is not quite solid. It is made of a semi-transparent sapphire that lets you see through to the mechanics beneath. This is not a skeleton watch in the traditional sense. The view is controlled, architectural, and serves a very specific purpose. For more than a decade, A. Lange & Söhne has used its “Lumen” series to explore what happens when its rigorously structured watches are designed to be read in the dark. This latest version, housed in a platinum case, applies the concept to two of watchmaking’s most demanding complications, a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar, all within the strict asymmetrical geometry of the Lange 1 family. The transparency is a functional requirement. The dial needs to let ultraviolet light pass through to energize the luminous compound on the display elements sitting below it. The perpetual calendar’s large peripheral month ring, the outsize date discs, and the moonphase all require a constant charge to glow. The solution was to make the main dial permeable to light. A New Kind of Transparency This decision creates an unusual effect. The watch exposes its own construction from the front. You can see the perlage finishing on the mainplate, a texture usually reserved for the view through a caseback. It makes the engineering part of the watch’s daily character. The complex mechanism for the brand’s signature outsize date, with its tens cross and units disc, is made visible as it operates. The displays themselves are rethought for luminescence. It is the first time the brand has produced a luminous moonphase. The celestial disc behind the moon rotates once every 24 hours, showing a bright, starless sky for day and a dark, star-filled sky for night. The leap-year indication, set in a small aperture at six o’clock, is also coated to glow with the same intensity as the date. All the calendar displays are engineered to switch instantaneously at midnight. This ensures a clean, unambiguous reading at all times, a detail consistent with the brand’s focus on legibility and precision. The entire calendar, if kept running, will require its first manual correction on March 1, 2100. Complications in Plain Sight While the calendar mechanism is revealed, the tourbillon is not. A subtle inscription at 12 o’clock is the only clue to its presence. The complication, complete with a stop-seconds mechanism for precise setting, remains hidden from the dial side. It’s a choice that prioritizes the clean information hierarchy of the Lange 1 layout over the spectacle of the spinning cage. The newly developed calibre L225.1 drives the watch. Its construction is a direct response to the demands of the dial, integrating the perpetual calendar and tourbillon while accommodating the unique transparent architecture. The result is a watch that feels both familiar in its layout and entirely new in its depth. The light is not just an effect. It is a consequence of how the watch is built. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-reveals-the-mechanics-of-time-in-the-dark — Citation: "A. Lange & Söhne Reveals the Mechanics of Time, In the Dark" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/a-lange-s-hne-reveals-the-mechanics-of-time-in-the-dark --- ## IWC’s New Pilot’s Watch Is Not for Earth - URL: https://menwith.com/iwc-s-new-pilot-s-watch-is-not-for-earth - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: IWC Schaffhausen **Summary:** IWC's new Pilot's Watch, a collaboration with Vast, is engineered for commercial spaceflight. This functional instrument marks a new era of private space exploration. A tool watch is usually defined by the problem it solves on the ground. A diver’s watch resists pressure. A driver’s chronograph measures speed. The new IWC Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive was built for an environment where the usual problems do not apply. Presented at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, the watch is the result of a partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and Vast, a commercial space company. This is not a commemorative edition. It is a piece of functional equipment, engineered from the ground up and certified for the specific demands of human spaceflight. The crew of Vast’s upcoming missions will wear this watch as part of their gear. A Tool for a New Frontier For decades, the story of the space watch was tied to government agencies and national ambition. The landscape has changed. Vast is part of a new generation of private companies building the infrastructure for life and work in orbit. The partnership signals a shift in where the frontier is and who is leading the way there. The Pilot’s Venturer is an artifact of this new era. It was designed to function in the hostile conditions of space, a place with its own rules for timekeeping and durability. The watch is an instrument intended for a job that is only now coming into existence: the commercial astronaut. From Cockpit to Capsule IWC’s identity is deeply rooted in aviation. Their pilot’s watches are some of the most recognized in the category, built on a history of supplying instruments for the cockpit. The Pilot’s Venturer extends that legacy beyond the atmosphere. The design seems to follow function, with a clear focus on legibility and robustness. The watch itself, reference IW328601, carries the visual language of a modern tool. Its aesthetic is direct, without nostalgia. It is an object made for a purpose, and that purpose is no longer just about navigating the skies above Earth. It is about operating in the vacuum beyond it. By aligning with a commercial space venture, IWC is positioning its heritage not as something to be preserved, but as something to be pushed forward. The definition of a pilot is expanding, and with it, the definition of the watches they wear. This is what a tool for the next chapter of exploration looks like. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/iwc-s-new-pilot-s-watch-is-not-for-earth — Citation: "IWC’s New Pilot’s Watch Is Not for Earth" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/iwc-s-new-pilot-s-watch-is-not-for-earth --- ## IWC and The Little Prince, Twenty Years On - URL: https://menwith.com/iwc-and-the-little-prince-twenty-years-on - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: IWC Schaffhausen **Summary:** IWC Schaffhausen celebrates 20 years of its "Le Petit Prince" collaboration with five new Pilot's Watches. The collection balances iconic design with subtle literary nods, supporting the Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. For two decades, a specific shade of midnight blue has meant something different at IWC Schaffhausen. It signals a shift from pure instrument to narrative object, the moment a Pilot’s Watch becomes a canvas for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s most famous work. The collaboration with the heirs of the French author and aviator is not a recent marketing play. It is a relationship that has now lasted twenty years, a rare display of consistency in an industry often chasing novelty. This anniversary, announced at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, is marked not with a single piece, but with a full suite of five watches. The gesture shows how deeply the story is woven into the brand’s identity. A Story Across the Collection The new releases spread the ‘Le Petit Prince’ theme across the Pilot’s Watch family. At the core are the staples: two Mark XX models, one in classic stainless steel and another in 18-carat 5N gold. They are joined by two Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 43 variants, both in stainless steel. Each piece carries the signature blue sunburst dial that has come to define the partnership, a consistent thread running through the collection. These watches represent the accessible and functional heart of the range. The design remains true to the clean, legible format of a classic pilot’s instrument. The narrative element is present, but it does not overwhelm the watch's primary function as a time-telling tool. It is a balance IWC Schaffhausen has refined over the course of the partnership. The Poet and the Perpetual Calendar The most complex piece in the anniversary set is the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar. Its case is crafted from 18-carat Armor Gold, an alloy developed by the brand for increased hardness and wear resistance. Here, the storytelling becomes more direct and personal. The perpetual calendar mechanism, a hallmark of IWC’s technical skill, is paired with a moon phase display at 12 o’clock. On this watch, the display features the little prince himself, standing on his small planet against a field of stars. It is a detail that grounds the watch’s mechanical complexity in the source material, a small piece of poetry inside a highly engineered machine. The case back of each anniversary model also features an engraving of the character. Pilot’s watches were born from necessity. They were tools for navigation, designed for legibility and resilience in the cockpit. Adding a literary reference could have diluted that purpose. Instead, the partnership with the Saint-Exupéry foundation has added a different layer of meaning. The watches remain functional instruments, but they also carry a story about seeing the world with a sense of wonder, a theme central to the book and its author, who was himself a pioneering aviator. What makes the series endure is its restraint. Beyond the blue dial and the subtle engravings, the core design of the Pilot’s Watch is left intact. IWC Schaffhausen has avoided the temptation to make the watches overtly illustrative or sentimental. The connection is felt more than it is shown, allowing the owner to connect with the story on their own terms. This approach has allowed the partnership to mature, rather than fade. The collaboration also extends beyond the product itself. It supports the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, an organization focused on helping young people around the world through educational programs. It adds a philanthropic dimension, linking the story’s themes of guidance and discovery to a tangible outcome. Twenty years is long enough for a partnership to become part of a brand's fabric. These watches are no longer just special editions. They are a chapter in the ongoing story of IWC Schaffhausen, a reminder that even the most technical objects can be a vessel for imagination. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/iwc-and-the-little-prince-twenty-years-on — Citation: "IWC and The Little Prince, Twenty Years On" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/iwc-and-the-little-prince-twenty-years-on --- ## Rolex Rebuilds The Yacht-Master II From The Inside Out - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-rebuilds-the-yacht-master-ii-from-the-inside-out - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: Rolex Yacht-Master II, Regatta Timer, Calibre 4162, Watchmaking Innovation, Luxury Timepieces, Flying Start Timer, Cerachrom Bezel **Summary:** Rolex reinvents the Yacht-Master II, simplifying its regatta timer function by removing the Ring Command Bezel and integrating controls via pushers. The new Calibre 4162 movement prioritizes user interface clarity over mechanical complexity. The Rolex Yacht-Master II was always an outlier. For years, it stood as one of the most mechanically complex and visually assertive watches in the brand’s catalogue. Its purpose was singular, designed for the flying start of a regatta. Then, in 2024, it was quietly discontinued. Now, the model is back, and the story is not its return, but its reinvention. To understand the watch, you have to understand its function. A regatta, or sailboat race, begins with a countdown. Boats jockey for position behind a starting line, aiming to cross it at full speed the exact moment the race officially begins. The Yacht-Master II was built for this one task, offering a programmable countdown timer for up to 10 minutes. The original execution was famously intricate. It relied on a system called the Ring Command Bezel, which mechanically linked the bezel to the movement. A 90-degree turn of the bezel unlocked the programming function, which was then set via the crown. It was an impressive piece of engineering, but also a multi-step process that required careful operation before the countdown could even begin. A Shift in Philosophy The new generation, available in Oystersteel (ref. 126680) and 18ct yellow gold (ref. 126688), discards that system entirely. The Ring Command bezel is gone. In its place is a standard bi-directional timing bezel with a blue Cerachrom insert. The entire regatta complication is now controlled directly by the pushers, representing a fundamental shift from mechanical complexity to user interface clarity. The operation is now direct. The lower pusher sets the countdown duration, with each press adding one minute from one to ten, indicated by the red-tipped fourth hand. The upper pusher starts and stops the countdown. There is no need to unlock the bezel or unscrew the crown. The function is immediately accessible. Further refinements point to a focus on real-world use. If a race committee signal is missed, a press of the lower pusher while the timer is running synchronizes the countdown to the nearest minute. For added legibility during the crucial final moments, the central seconds hand now runs counter-clockwise. The Engineering Within Inside the 44mm case is the new Calibre 4162, an automatic chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch that provides a 72-hour power reserve. While the case diameter remains the same, the thickness is listed at 13.9mm, and it maintains 100 meters of water resistance. The changes are not about dimensions, but about interaction. The return of the Yacht-Master II is more than a simple re-release. Rolex has taken one of its most esoteric professional models and made a deliberate choice. It has moved the focus from the complexity of the mechanism to the clarity of the function. The watch still performs its highly specific task, but the path to using it is now clear and unobstructed. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-rebuilds-the-yacht-master-ii-from-the-inside-out — Citation: "Rolex Rebuilds The Yacht-Master II From The Inside Out" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/rolex-rebuilds-the-yacht-master-ii-from-the-inside-out --- ## Vacheron Constantin Spent Seven Years On An Invisible Achievement - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-spent-seven-years-on-an-invisible-achievement - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's 7-year project yields the 2.4mm Calibre 2550, an ultra-thin automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve, showcasing technical mastery over marketability. In watchmaking, some of the biggest victories are measured in fractions of a millimeter. The pursuit of thinness is a quiet obsession, a discipline of removal rather than addition. It is a field where Vacheron Constantin has always operated with a certain authority. The brand seems drawn to engineering problems that have no simple answers. The new Calibre 2550 is the latest result of that impulse. It’s a self-winding movement that measures just 2.4 millimeters thick. On its own, that is a significant achievement. But it also holds a power reserve of 80 hours. Those two specifications exist in natural opposition. A long power reserve requires more energy storage, which usually means more space. A thin movement has none to spare. Rethinking The Architecture Solving this required seven years of research. This was not about refining an existing design. It was about developing a new mechanical architecture from the ground up. A key part of the solution is a micro-rotor, which is integrated into the same plane as the movement’s bridges instead of sitting on top. This saves vertical space, a common strategy in ultra-thin calibres. The more difficult challenge was power. Vacheron Constantin’s engineers developed a suspended double barrel system. By using two mainspring barrels instead of one, the movement can store more energy. The innovation is in how they are arranged to fit within the 2.4mm profile, delivering a long and stable supply of power without compromising the movement’s slimness. It is an elegant solution to a brute force problem. The Purpose Of The Pursuit A seven-year project to create a movement whose primary benefits are almost invisible is a particular kind of statement. This is not about marketability in the conventional sense. It is about technical mastery. The Calibre 2550 is an expression of what the manufacture is capable of when faced with a fundamental mechanical constraint. It’s an internal benchmark of performance and ingenuity. The effort reinforces a certain philosophy of watchmaking. It suggests that the value is not just in what you see, but in the integrity of the engineering underneath. The complexity is there to create a simpler, more refined experience for the wearer. A watch that is more elegant on the wrist, that runs for more than three days without needing to be wound. The final product of all this work is a feeling. It is the balance of a slender case, and the knowledge that the machine inside is performing at a level that was, until now, not possible in this form. The achievement is not displayed. It is simply there, quietly doing its job. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-spent-seven-years-on-an-invisible-achievement — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin Spent Seven Years On An Invisible Achievement" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-spent-seven-years-on-an-invisible-achievement --- ## The Vacheron Constantin Watch That Still Looks Wrong, and Feels Right - URL: https://menwith.com/the-vacheron-constantin-watch-that-still-looks-wrong-and-feels-right - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** The Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921's tilted dial, initially a driver's tool, is now an iconic statement of unconventional design. New pink gold editions feature a grained dial texture. Reading the time on the Historiques American 1921 is a deliberate act. The dial is tilted, a 45-degree rotation that feels like a charming mistake at first glance. It is one of the most recognizable and eccentric designs in watchmaking, a gesture of unconventional thinking from Vacheron Constantin, a house usually defined by its classical rigor. The watch was born in the Roaring Twenties. It was a period of liberation, speed, and new machines. The design was not an artistic flourish. It was a practical solution for a new kind of gentleman, the driver. With hands on the steering wheel, a standard watch was difficult to read. The rotated dial allowed for a quick glance at the time without moving one's wrist. It was a tool for an emerging lifestyle. A Solution Becomes a Statement Today, that original problem has mostly vanished. Car dashboards provide the time. Yet the appeal of the American 1921 has only grown. The functional choice of a past era has become a statement of character. It is a watch for people who appreciate that good design is often an elegant answer to a specific question. The form has outlasted its original function and taken on a new life. Its persistence in the Vacheron Constantin collection is a testament to that idea. It is a piece that could only have been conceived in a moment of change, but its cleverness allows it to feel relevant a century later. Wearing it is a nod to a different way of thinking about objects, where utility and personality are not separate things. The New Editions The manufacture continues the story with two new models. Both are presented in 18K 5N pink gold, a warm metal that suits the design’s vintage roots. They are offered in two case sizes, a classic 40 mm and a more compact 36.5 mm. The most notable update is a new aesthetic for the dial. It now features a distinct grained texture, adding a layer of visual depth that was not present on previous modern iterations. These models are part of the Historiques collection, a space where Vacheron Constantin revisits important and often daring moments from its archives. The American 1921 stands as one of the collection's pillars, a reminder that even the most pedigreed watchmakers have a history of experimentation. It proves that a brand's identity is found not just in its most famous designs, but in its interesting outliers. The watch remains an object of thoughtful peculiarity. It breaks a fundamental rule of watch design, but does so with such clear purpose that it creates a new logic of its own. It is a solution that became an icon because the thinking behind it was sound, even after the world it was built for had moved on. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-vacheron-constantin-watch-that-still-looks-wrong-and-feels-right — Citation: "The Vacheron Constantin Watch That Still Looks Wrong, and Feels Right" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/the-vacheron-constantin-watch-that-still-looks-wrong-and-feels-right --- ## Patek Philippe Reveals a More Complicated Cubitus - URL: https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-reveals-a-more-complicated-cubitus - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-14 - Tags: Patek Philippe, Cubitus, Perpetual Calendar Skeleton, Grand Complication, Platinum Watch, Shaped Movement, Luxury Watchmaking, Mechanical Depth **Summary:** Patek Philippe's new Perpetual Calendar Skeleton Cubitus showcases a skeletonized dial revealing its shaped caliber. This platinum timepiece features a symmetrical perpetual calendar display and a photorealistic moonphase. The horizontal ribs on the dial of the Cubitus have become a familiar texture. With the new Perpetual Calendar Skeleton, Patek Philippe has chosen to cut them away, revealing the mechanics underneath. The move changes the character of the watch entirely, shifting it from a study in surface pattern to one of mechanical depth. This is the first Grand Complication to join the Cubitus collection, and it arrives with a certain presence. The case is platinum, measuring 45mm in diameter with a thickness of 10mm. It retains the line’s signature form, with a single baguette-cut diamond set into the bezel at six o'clock, a quiet marker for the case material. A Symmetrical Display By removing sections of the dial, the watchmakers have created a frame for the perpetual calendar. The layout is now symmetrical, with three subdials organizing the information. At nine o’clock, a display shows the day of the week and a 24-hour indicator. Across from it at three, another subdial tracks the month and the leap year cycle. The six o’clock position holds both the date and a moonphase display. This moonphase is larger than usual for a series production model, a design choice drawn from the limited editions made for the brand’s 175th anniversary. Instead of showing two moons, a single, larger moon completes one rotation per lunar cycle. The depiction is photorealistic, achieved with black metalization and laser engraving to create the textured surface of the moon. The Shaped Caliber Turning the watch over, or looking through the dial-side apertures, reveals the caliber 28-28 Q SQU. This is the first shaped movement to be used in the Cubitus line, a detail many collectors have been waiting for. It is not an entirely new engine, but an evolution of the well-known caliber 240 Q, which has powered perpetual calendars in references like the 5740 Nautilus. Several adaptations were required. The bridges were reshaped to fit the case silhouette, and the recessed correctors were adjusted for the new positions on the square case. The movement has a 48-hour power reserve and is wound by a microrotor, which features hand-engraving and blue varnish. To maintain a consistent look, the aesthetic is largely monochrome and rhodium-plated, with clear sapphires used for the pivots in place of traditional rubies. The Cubitus collection was already a departure for Patek Philippe. This new reference, priced at CHF 150,000, pushes the design further into modern territory. It combines one of watchmaking’s most traditional complications with an aesthetic that is open, architectural, and complex. It suggests the brand is willing to have a different kind of conversation about its own identity. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-reveals-a-more-complicated-cubitus — Citation: "Patek Philippe Reveals a More Complicated Cubitus" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-14. https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-reveals-a-more-complicated-cubitus --- ## De Bethune Trades Starlight for Sand - URL: https://menwith.com/de-bethune-trades-starlight-for-sand - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-13 - Tags: De Bethune **Summary:** De Bethune's DB28xs Dark Sand shifts from celestial blues to matte anthracite zirconium, grounding its futuristic design with a raw, elemental texture. The name itself suggests a change in atmosphere. Dark Sand. It feels less like a product name and more like a location. For a brand so often associated with the deep blues of space and polished, futuristic metals, the name alone signals a shift in perspective. The new De Bethune DB28xs Dark Sand is not a radical departure, but it does feel like a deliberate grounding. A turn from the cosmos toward something more terrestrial. For years, the identity of De Bethune has been built on a very specific vision of the future. The manufacture, led by the technical mind of Denis Flageollet, created a language of its own. It involved patented balance wheels, unique shock absorption systems, and a design signature defined by the floating, articulated lugs of the DB28. These were watches that looked like they belonged on the wrist of someone navigating a starship, all polished titanium and otherworldly blueing. A Change in Texture The DB28xs Dark Sand is different. The core architecture remains, but the material changes everything. The case is crafted from matt anthracite zirconium. This choice moves the watch away from high-gloss reflection and into a state of absorption. The finish is dense and mineral. It feels less like a piece of polished machinery and more like a core sample taken from an undiscovered planet. The texture is the story. Zirconium is not a new material in watchmaking, but De Bethune’s application here is specific. The matte finish gives the watch a quietness. It draws light in rather than pushing it away. This treatment gives the familiar form of the DB28 a completely different character, one that feels more raw and elemental. Familiar Forms, New Feeling All the brand’s signatures are present. The crown is still positioned at 12 o’clock, a nod to pocket watches that gives the case a satisfying symmetry. The patented floating lugs are here, ensuring the case, even with its compact 'xs' dimensions, conforms to the wrist. The movement architecture is open, a key trait carried over from the DB28xs Steel Wheels model it interprets. Yet these familiar elements feel re-contextualized by the Dark Sand treatment. The open-worked dial, which reveals the bridges and gears, now has a darker, more uniform backdrop. The mechanics are still on display, but they are framed by a material that feels ancient and geological. It is a contemporary watch that carries a sense of deep time. This release shows De Bethune is still deeply invested in its research into materials. That research is not just about performance, but also about aesthetics and feeling. The choice of matte zirconium is as much an artistic one as it is a technical one. It suggests that the brand’s forward momentum does not always have to be about reaching for something new. It can also be about looking at what they have already created, but through a different lens. The DB28xs Dark Sand feels like a subtle but important statement. It shows that a brand known for its celestial identity can find just as much inspiration in the ground beneath its feet. The future, it seems, can be found in any direction. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/de-bethune-trades-starlight-for-sand — Citation: "De Bethune Trades Starlight for Sand" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-13. https://menwith.com/de-bethune-trades-starlight-for-sand --- ## Rory McIlroy Makes History with Back-to-Back Masters Victory in 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/rory-mcilroy-makes-history-with-back-to-back-masters-victory-in-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-04-13 - Tags: Rory McIlroy, Masters 2026, Augusta National, Green Jacket, Golf History, Back-to-back victory **Summary:** Rory McIlroy achieved a historic back-to-back Masters victory in 2026, becoming the fourth player ever to win consecutive Green Jackets. His performance showcased exceptional composure and strategic play at Augusta National. In a performance that will be remembered as one of the defining moments of modern golf, Rory McIlroy claimed victory at the Masters Tournament 2026, securing his second consecutive Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club. With this win, McIlroy not only cements his dominance in the current era but also enters an exclusive chapter in golf history. He becomes just the fourth player ever to win The Masters in back-to-back years — a feat reserved for legends of the game. A Weekend of Control and Composure From the opening rounds, McIlroy looked composed and focused, navigating Augusta’s notoriously demanding layout with precision. His iron play was sharp, his putting consistent, and when the pressure peaked on Sunday, he delivered with the calm authority of a seasoned champion. The final round showcased exactly why McIlroy remains one of the most complete players in the world. Strategic course management combined with moments of brilliance allowed him to hold off a competitive field chasing history of their own. Joining Golf’s Most Exclusive Club Winning The Masters once is a career-defining achievement — winning it twice in a row is something entirely different. By defending his title, McIlroy joins a legendary group of players who have managed to conquer Augusta National in consecutive years, reinforcing his place among golf’s all-time greats. This milestone further strengthens his legacy, not just as a multiple major champion, but as a player capable of sustained excellence on the sport’s biggest stage. A New Era of Dominance The victory also signals something bigger. McIlroy’s back-to-back triumph suggests we may be witnessing a new era of dominance in golf — one where experience, discipline, and confidence converge at exactly the right time. At a stage in his career where many players begin to plateau, McIlroy appears to be evolving, refining his game and delivering when it matters most. As the sun set over Augusta and the Green Jacket was placed on his shoulders once again, one thing became clear — this was more than a win. It was history. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rory-mcilroy-makes-history-with-back-to-back-masters-victory-in-2026 — Citation: "Rory McIlroy Makes History with Back-to-Back Masters Victory in 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-13. https://menwith.com/rory-mcilroy-makes-history-with-back-to-back-masters-victory-in-2026 --- ## Watches & Wonders 2026: Back in Geneva – And the NOMOS Worldtimer That Stole Our Wristtime - URL: https://menwith.com/watches-wonders-2026-back-in-geneva-and-the-nomos-worldtimer-that-stole-our-wristtime - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-12 - Tags: Watches & Wonders 2026, Geneva, NOMOS Worldtimer, Bauhaus design, watch complications, everyday wearability **Summary:** Watches & Wonders 2026 returns to Geneva, highlighting the NOMOS Worldtimer's understated appeal. Its blend of design, usability, and Bauhaus aesthetic made it a standout for everyday wearability. The anticipation is building once again as we head to Geneva for Watches & Wonders 2026 – one of the most important moments in the global watch calendar. A place where heritage meets innovation, and where the industry sets the tone for the year ahead. Last year delivered no shortage of impressive releases, from technical breakthroughs to bold design statements. Yet, among all the novelties, there was one watch that kept finding its way back onto the wrist more than most. The Watch That Stayed On The NOMOS Worldtimer was, without question, one of the pieces that saw the most wristtime during last year’s Watches & Wonders. Not because it was the most complicated, nor the most extravagant – but because it struck that rare balance between design, usability, and everyday wearability. Clean, understated, and distinctly NOMOS in its Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic, the Worldtimer offered a refreshing alternative to the often oversized and overcomplicated pieces seen throughout the fair. It felt modern without trying too hard, and practical without losing its charm. Why It Stood Out What made the NOMOS Worldtimer so compelling was its simplicity in execution. A complication that could easily become cluttered was instead presented in a clean, intuitive format. The proportions were spot on, the dial remained legible, and the overall feel was light, refined, and versatile. In a setting where brands compete for attention with ever more complex creations, the Worldtimer proved that restraint can often be the most powerful statement. Back in Geneva Now, as we return to Watches & Wonders, the expectations are naturally high. The industry continues to evolve, with brands pushing boundaries in both design and mechanics. But if last year taught us anything, it’s that the watches that truly matter aren’t always the loudest. Sometimes, it’s the one you keep reaching for. And as we step into this year’s fair, one question remains: What Will Define 2026? Will we see a continued focus on wearability and refined design, or a return to bold experimentation and technical showpieces? We’re ready to find out. What do you think – and what are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Watches & Wonders? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/watches-wonders-2026-back-in-geneva-and-the-nomos-worldtimer-that-stole-our-wristtime — Citation: "Watches & Wonders 2026: Back in Geneva – And the NOMOS Worldtimer That Stole Our Wristtime" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-12. https://menwith.com/watches-wonders-2026-back-in-geneva-and-the-nomos-worldtimer-that-stole-our-wristtime --- ## How Rolls-Royce Tests Its Future in Public - URL: https://menwith.com/how-rolls-royce-tests-its-future-in-public - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-04-12 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce's EX experimental cars test future concepts publicly, shaping the brand's modern identity. Anniversaries of 100EX, 101EX, and 102EX highlight this methodical approach to innovation. An experimental car is a different kind of object. It exists to ask a question, not to provide an answer. At Rolls-Royce, these cars carry the EX designation, a simple shorthand for a complex process. They are not built for motor show plinths or private collections. They are built to test the boundaries of what the brand could be. In 2026, the company is marking a triple anniversary for three of these public experiments. The 100EX, 101EX, and 102EX concepts are reaching 20, 15, and 10 years since their respective unveilings. These are not arbitrary dates. They are milestones that chart the course of the brand’s entire Goodwood era. A Method for Modernity The Goodwood chapter began with the weight of history on its shoulders. It had to prove that Rolls-Royce could be modern without losing its soul. The EX cars became a vital part of that process. They were signals of intent, showing the world where the company’s thinking was headed long before a production model ever appeared. Each EX car functions as a dialogue. It allows designers and engineers to float a new idea, from a specific surface treatment to a completely new powertrain. The car is shown to clients. It is driven by journalists. It gathers reactions. It is a physical survey, a way of gauging the temperature of the world before making a decision that will take years and immense capital to execute. From Form to Function Looking back, the progression is clear. The earlier EX models from this period explored form and presence. They asked what a modern Rolls-Royce convertible or coupe should feel like. Later, the questions became more fundamental. The 102EX, for instance, posed the most difficult question of all for a brand defined by the silent authority of its V12 engine: could a Rolls-Royce be electric? This is a patient way of building a company. It is methodical. It shows a discipline that resists the industry’s constant pressure for novelty. Instead of reacting to trends, the EX programme allows Rolls-Royce to set its own trajectory. It lets the brand define its own future, on its own timeline. The anniversary of these three cars is more than just a moment of nostalgia. It is a recognition of a method. A way of thinking that has guided Rolls-Royce through one of the most successful periods in its long history. It suggests that the ultimate luxury might not be the car itself, but the clarity of thought that created it. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/how-rolls-royce-tests-its-future-in-public — Citation: "How Rolls-Royce Tests Its Future in Public" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-12. https://menwith.com/how-rolls-royce-tests-its-future-in-public --- ## The Bugatti Tourbillon's Other Engine: Material - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-tourbillon-s-other-engine-material - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-04-12 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti's Tourbillon redefines hypercar luxury beyond speed, focusing on bespoke materials and couture-like customization. The Berlin Design Studio crafts unique interiors with innovative fabrics and nuanced glass elements. In the world of hypercars, conversations usually begin and end with numbers. Horsepower, top speed, acceleration. The new Bugatti Tourbillon has all of that, but the more interesting story may be happening somewhere else entirely. It is happening in a design studio in Berlin, where the team is treating the car not as a machine, but as a piece of couture. The idea is to move beyond a simple option list. Led by Sabine Consolini, the Head of Color, Material, and Finish, the brand is reframing individualization. It is a process that mirrors the work of a Parisian fashion house, where every material is researched, refined, and chosen for a specific client and purpose. This is less about picking a paint color and more about commissioning a personal object. The work takes place away from the factory floor in Molsheim. The Berlin Design Studio is where this philosophy takes physical form. It acts as both a laboratory and a gallery, a space where new materials are developed, tested, and presented to clients in the context of the car they will eventually inhabit. It is a quiet, deliberate process. A New Material Palette For the Tourbillon, this thinking has led to choices that would have been unthinkable in a Bugatti just a few years ago. Fabrics, for the first time, are part of the official palette. The team researched textile manufacturers from the world of high fashion, then worked to adapt those materials for the rigorous demands of an automotive interior. It is a decision that fundamentally changes the texture of the cabin. Glass, Color, and Intent The approach to color is also evolving. The palette developed for the Tourbillon is built around nuanced tones. These are colors with depth and character, selected to complement the car's form rather than dominate it. It suggests a move toward a more subtle and sophisticated expression of performance. Nowhere is the new direction clearer than in the center console. A single piece of formed glass, available in multiple shades, flows through the interior. It brings a sense of light and architecture to a space typically defined by leather, carbon, and metal. It is another material borrowed from a different discipline and re-purposed for the car. What this all signals is a change in how Bugatti defines itself. The engineering remains at the core, but it is no longer the only story. The value of the car is now equally tied to its feel, its texture, and the materials you interact with. It is an acknowledgment that at this level, true luxury is not just about how fast you can go. It is about the quality of the object itself. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-tourbillon-s-other-engine-material — Citation: "The Bugatti Tourbillon's Other Engine: Material" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-12. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-tourbillon-s-other-engine-material --- ## Selfridges Unveils 40 Duke – A New Chapter in London Luxury Retail - URL: https://menwith.com/selfridges-unveils-40-duke-a-new-chapter-in-london-luxury-retail - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-04-11 - Tags: Selfridges, 40 Duke, London Retail, Experiential Retail, Luxury Shopping, Duke Street **Summary:** Selfridges launches 40 Duke, a new luxury retail concept on Duke Street, London. This curated space blends heritage architecture with modern design, focusing on experiential shopping, art, and culture. A Landmark Reinvented London’s retail landscape continues to evolve, and Selfridges is once again leading the charge. With the opening of 40 Duke, the brand introduces a new destination just off Oxford Street, bringing fresh energy to one of the city’s most iconic shopping districts. Set within a carefully restored historic building on Duke Street, 40 Duke represents more than just an expansion. It’s a reimagining of what modern luxury retail can be. The architecture pays homage to the building’s heritage while introducing contemporary elements that feel both understated and elevated. A Curated Retail Experience Unlike traditional department store layouts, 40 Duke is designed as a curated environment. The focus is on storytelling, craftsmanship, and a slower, more intentional shopping experience. Expect a mix of emerging designers, limited-edition collections, and carefully selected pieces that sit at the intersection of fashion, art, and culture. The space encourages exploration rather than urgency, aligning with the growing shift toward mindful consumption. Design Meets Atmosphere Inside, the aesthetic balances clean modern lines with warm, tactile materials. Think natural stone, soft lighting, and open spaces that allow each brand and installation to breathe. Rather than overwhelming visitors with choice, the layout invites them to engage with each piece. It’s retail as an experience, not just a transaction. A Cultural Hub in the Making 40 Duke isn’t just about shopping. It’s positioned as a cultural platform where fashion meets art, design, and community. Expect rotating exhibitions, collaborations, and events that bring together creatives from across disciplines. This approach reflects a broader evolution within luxury retail, where physical spaces must offer something beyond products—something memorable. The Future of Selfridges With 40 Duke, Selfridges reinforces its role as a pioneer in experiential retail. At a time when online shopping dominates convenience, spaces like this remind us why physical retail still matters. It’s not just about what you buy, but how you discover it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/selfridges-unveils-40-duke-a-new-chapter-in-london-luxury-retail — Citation: "Selfridges Unveils 40 Duke – A New Chapter in London Luxury Retail" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-11. https://menwith.com/selfridges-unveils-40-duke-a-new-chapter-in-london-luxury-retail --- ## The Unseen Ingredient at Round Hill - URL: https://menwith.com/the-unseen-ingredient-at-round-hill - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-04-10 - Tags: The Set Collection **Summary:** Round Hill, Jamaica, offers timeless elegance and understated luxury, prioritizing privacy and a unique Jamaican heart. Its enduring magic lies in its human element and the irreplaceable sense of freedom it provides. There is a fragrance that settles over Jamaica after a late afternoon storm. Josef Forstmayr, the Managing Director of Round Hill, once tried to capture it. For nearly forty years he has called the island home, and in a collaboration with Blue Mountain Aromatics, he chased the scent of night-blooming jasmine that hangs in the humid air. He admits they could not copy it. The failure was the point. Some things simply refuse to be replicated. That is the story of Round Hill in its essence. When Jamaican entrepreneur John Pringle founded the estate on a hundred-acre peninsula in 1953, he was not building a hotel. He was creating a refuge. Just west of Montego Bay, it was designed as an escape hatch for a certain kind of society figure growing tired of being watched in Palm Beach and Cuba. Pringle offered a collection of simple, elegant cottages on a private bay, a place where freedom was the main amenity. The names that followed are part of the legend. Cole Porter, Grace Kelly, Paul Newman. John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned in Cottage 10. Years later, JFK would return to Villa 25 to work on his inaugural address by the pool. But the celebrity was a byproduct of the privacy, not the purpose of it. People came, and kept coming, because the place asked for nothing more than their presence. A Certain Kind of Quiet The aesthetic of Round Hill found its clearest expression through a guest who became an owner. Ralph Lauren first arrived in the 1980s and has guided the visual language of the resort ever since. His influence is felt in the bamboo beds built locally for the villas, the clean white-on-white palettes, and the deep tones of the mahogany furniture. It is a design philosophy of subtraction. Everything is chosen to recede, to support the experience of being there rather than drawing attention to itself. It fulfills Pringle’s original idea that luxury at Round Hill was about “living with indoor furnishings in an outdoor setting.” French doors open to verandas, and the verandas open to the Caribbean. The design simply gets out of the way. The Human Element Josef Forstmayr arrived in 1989 and operates by a distinct motto: “Timeless elegance, understated luxury, warm Jamaican heart.” He sees these as filters for every decision, from the art on the walls to the ingredients on a plate. But the core of the place, he suggests, is something else entirely. He calls the staff the “secret sauce.” No one person shows this better than Kingsley Blake. Now the resort’s official ambassador, he started as a bellhop in 1972. His turquoise jacket is a fixture, but it is the man inside it that tells the real story of Round Hill. He met JFK when he was still a senator. He watched Ralph Lauren’s children grow up on the property. He still has the first dollar tip he ever received, from a guest in Cottage 11. Details like these are the resort’s true currency. When Ralph Lauren’s daughter, partly raised at Round Hill, named her son after Kingsley, it confirmed a truth about the place. The guest book is filled with famous names, but the soul of the resort is found in the people who stayed. They are the human continuity that gives the property its weight, the one thing that can never be bought or replicated. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-unseen-ingredient-at-round-hill — Citation: "The Unseen Ingredient at Round Hill" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-10. https://menwith.com/the-unseen-ingredient-at-round-hill --- ## Two Unseen Monet Paintings Surface After A Century - URL: https://menwith.com/two-unseen-monet-paintings-surface-after-a-century - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-04-10 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Two previously unseen Monet paintings, dating from his transition towards abstraction, will be auctioned at Sotheby's Paris. These works offer fresh insight into the artist's lifelong study of light and perception. A familiar name can still hold a surprise. For Claude Monet, an artist whose work feels deeply known, the idea of a new discovery seems unlikely. Yet two paintings, kept from public view for more than a hundred years, are set to appear at a Sotheby's auction in Paris this April. Their emergence is less about a lost chapter and more about adding detail to a story we thought we knew completely. Monet often returned to the same subjects. Water lilies, haystacks, the Rouen Cathedral. It would be easy to mistake this for repetition, but it was really a form of intense study. The subject was not the point. The light was. By painting the same view at different times of day, in different seasons, he was documenting the way perception itself changes. The object was merely the constant against which he measured the variable of light. The Study of Light This disciplined approach is what pushed him forward. He began as an Impressionist, capturing the fleeting moment. But his obsession with light and colour eventually led him somewhere else entirely. The forms began to dissolve. The water lilies became fields of pure colour. The distinction between the flower and its reflection blurred into a single, cohesive surface of paint. His late work is often seen as a beginning point for Abstract Expressionism. He was no longer just painting what he saw. He was painting the experience of seeing. The two canvases now coming to auction are artifacts from this journey, offering another look at how his vision evolved. From Representation to Sensation One of the works, Les Îles de Port-Villez, shows this transition in motion. The shapes of the islands are clear, but the focus is on the interplay of colour on the water's surface. It is a scene, but it is also an exercise in capturing atmosphere. These paintings are not radical departures, but they are fresh evidence. They deepen our understanding of his process. Seeing a century-old painting for the first time is a strange feeling. It reminds us that even the most documented artists can have more to show. For Monet, the search for new ways to see the world never really ended. It just went deeper into the subjects he already knew. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/two-unseen-monet-paintings-surface-after-a-century — Citation: "Two Unseen Monet Paintings Surface After A Century" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-10. https://menwith.com/two-unseen-monet-paintings-surface-after-a-century --- ## The Dive Watch That Grew Up - URL: https://menwith.com/the-dive-watch-that-grew-up - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-09 - Tags: Longines, HydroConquest, Dive Watch, Milanese Mesh Bracelet, Watch Design, Watch Collection **Summary:** The Longines HydroConquest receives a refined, grown-up redesign with a cleaner dial and improved aesthetics. This updated dive watch offers broader appeal and a strong value proposition at its price point. Two weeks on from the launch, the conversation has settled into something resembling consensus. The new HydroConquest landed well. Having spent a week with three versions before the launch, we understood why it would. Longines has simplified the dial, removed the large numerals that gave the old generation its slightly eccentric face. The result is a cleaner, more grown-up watch. Whether you see that as progress depends on how attached you were to the original character. Something was lost in the edit. The old HydroConquest had a face you either loved or tolerated, and that division was part of what made it interesting. This one fits more wrists, more wardrobes, more lives. The new design draws from the HydroConquest GMT released in 2023, and the family resemblance is intentional. The indexes are applied, the dial surfaces lacquered and deep, the bezel colour matched to each reference with a care that feels considered rather than convenient. Nothing is fighting anything else. The Milanese mesh is the most unexpected proposition in the range, and it is the right kind of unexpected. It shifts the mood without undermining the object. Both bracelets come with simple micro-adjusters built into the clasp. No tools, no fuss. It should be mandatory on every watch ever made. Somehow it still isn't. The new HydroConquest speaks to more people than the old one did. The cleaner dial, the refined palette, the two sizes. It is a more complete collection, and that completeness opens doors the previous generation kept partially closed. The HydroConquest used to belong to a slightly niche conversation. This generation is reaching for something wider. Whatever your position on what was lost, the value case is hard to argue with. At this price, it makes a compelling argument. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-dive-watch-that-grew-up — Citation: "The Dive Watch That Grew Up" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-09. https://menwith.com/the-dive-watch-that-grew-up --- ## The Godfather II by Jacob & Co. - URL: https://menwith.com/the-godfather-ii-by-jacob-co - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-08 - Tags: Jacob & Co., The Godfather II, Nino Rota, JCAM62 calibre, flying tourbillon, Art Deco, Jacob Arabo, Marlon Brando **Summary:** Jacob & Co.'s Godfather II watch plays two iconic Godfather melodies via a unique music box mechanism, housed in an Art Deco-inspired rose gold case with a flying tourbillon. The Godfather II is the only timepiece in existence capable of playing two distinct melodies on demand. That single fact separates it from everything else in watchmaking right now, and it is the point Jacob & Co. has spent three years engineering toward. Powered by the new JCAM62 calibre, the watch houses a melody selector at 10 o'clock that lets the wearer choose between Nino Rota's "The Godfather Love Theme" and "The Godfather's Waltz", the two compositions that have defined one of cinema's most enduring scores. Press the pusher at 8 o'clock and the music box activates, playing for 15 to 20 seconds per activation, repeatable up to ten times on a single wind. Both melodies are programmed onto a single music box barrel, which is the technical achievement that makes the compact case possible while still accommodating a one-minute flying tourbillon. The mechanism at the heart of all this is elegantly simple in concept and difficult in execution. An 18-tooth steel comb produces notes according to the varying length of each tooth. A pin-studded brass cylinder activates them in sequence. A lateral shift of less than a millimetre, controlled by the melody selector, changes which pins engage the comb, switching between the two compositions without a second barrel, without doubling the movement, without compromising wearability. The case itself is a departure. Where the original Opera Godfather occupied 49mm, the Godfather II arrives in a 42 x 44mm rectangular form inspired by 1930s Art Deco, curved for the wrist and finished in 18K rose gold. At 17mm tall it is not a thin watch, but it is a wearable one, which is precisely what Jacob Arabo has said he wanted. Three years of development to make something that could live on a wrist rather than in a cabinet. Visually, the piece is dense with intention. The black lacquer dial carries a finely detailed portrait of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone alongside the franchise's puppet string motif rendered as three-dimensional appliqué. Engraved bullet holes mark the caseback. The crown's spiral grooves mirror the interior of a gun barrel. Don Corleone's rose motif runs along the case. The caseback sapphire opening is cut in the shape of a piano, revealing the music box comb beneath, covered by a plate engraved with the actual score of the Love Theme. The watch carries a 72-hour main power reserve alongside a dedicated music box power reserve indicator, both visible on the dial. Visual cues signal when a rewind is needed before the music stops mid-note. The movement counts 510 components, excluding the pins. For Jacob Arabo, this is personal in a way that goes beyond licensing. He came to the United States at 14, speaking no English. It took him two years to afford a cinema ticket. The Godfather was the first film he saw in a theatre. The opening line, "I believe in America," was not just cinema to him. It was autobiography. This collection, from its first iteration to this one, carries that weight. The Godfather II is limited to 74 pieces, a number chosen as a reference to the film's 1974 release. Retail price is $440,000. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-godfather-ii-by-jacob-co — Citation: "The Godfather II by Jacob & Co." — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-08. https://menwith.com/the-godfather-ii-by-jacob-co --- ## Vacheron Constantin Finds Its Rhythm in Miami - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-finds-its-rhythm-in-miami - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-08 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's new Miami flagship blends Art Deco aesthetics with Swiss watchmaking heritage. This approach emphasizes creating location-specific retail experiences for heritage brands. Miami has its own architectural grammar. A language of sunbursts, chevrons, and strong vertical lines born from the Art Deco period. It is a city defined by light, energy, and a very specific kind of forward momentum. It is not the first place you might think of for the world’s oldest watch manufacture, a house built on the quiet, patient precision of the Swiss Alps. Yet Vacheron Constantin has reopened its Miami boutique as a new flagship, and the result is a considered study in translation. The challenge for any brand with such a deep history, one that has been in continuous production since 1755, is how to exist in the present without becoming a museum piece. The answer, it seems, is not to impose your own world, but to engage with the one you are in. A Dialogue with Place The new space is designed to absorb the city’s character. It blends the geometric flair of Art Deco with the established codes of the Maison. This is not a generic luxury interior air-dropped into the Design District. It is an attempt to find common ground between the meticulous craft of Geneva and the expressive spirit of South Florida. The boutique becomes a physical dialogue between two very different cultures. This approach says something about how heritage brands must now operate. In an age where products are available everywhere online, the physical store has to offer something more. It has to provide a sense of place. It must feel specific to its location, offering an experience that cannot be replicated on a screen or in another city. A Global Footprint, A Local Accent This Miami flagship is not an isolated gesture. A pattern emerges when you look at the brand’s other recent retail moves. The design language shifts to fit the local context, whether it is the refined atmosphere of the ION Orchard in Singapore, the classic elegance of Highland Park Village in Dallas, or the polished environment of The Mall at Short Hills. Each space carries the Vacheron Constantin identity, but speaks with a slightly different accent. This strategy acknowledges a simple truth. A brand does not just exist in the world. It must exist in a specific part of it. By reflecting the local culture, from the architecture to the energy of the street, the boutique becomes more than a point of sale. It becomes part of the neighborhood. For a company that measures its life in centuries, choosing where and how to put down roots says a great deal about its view of the future. It suggests a willingness to listen, to adapt, and to participate. The new Miami flagship is proof that even the oldest watchmakers can still learn a new language. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-finds-its-rhythm-in-miami — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin Finds Its Rhythm in Miami" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-08. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantin-finds-its-rhythm-in-miami --- ## The Star Above 30 Montaigne - URL: https://menwith.com/the-star-above-30-montaigne - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Culture - Published: 2026-04-08 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Monsieur Dior, the restaurant at 30 Montaigne, has earned its first Michelin star. This culinary achievement, led by chef Yannick Alléno, signifies Dior's expansion into lifestyle experiences beyond fashion. The address 30 avenue Montaigne has always carried a certain weight. It is the historical heart of a fashion empire, a place of pilgrimage for anyone devoted to the codes of Christian Dior. Now, a new reason to visit has been formally recognized. The restaurant, Monsieur Dior, has been awarded its first Michelin star. The announcement feels less like a surprise and more like an inevitability. When a house like Dior decides to enter the world of haute cuisine, it does not do so lightly. The goal was never to simply open a branded cafe. It was to create a culinary destination worthy of the name on the door. Beyond the Boutique The strategy was clear from the start. Partnering with chef Yannick Alléno, a man who holds a constellation of Michelin stars across his other establishments, was a statement of intent. This was not a fashion brand playing at food. It was a collaboration between two masters of French craft, one in fabric and the other in flavor. Alléno’s involvement ensured the project would be judged on its culinary merit, not just its association with a famous label. The Michelin guide is notoriously indifferent to branding. A star is earned on the plate, through technique, creativity, and consistency. For Monsieur Dior to receive one so soon after opening suggests the execution is as sharp as the ambition. The Architecture of Taste The restaurant itself is an extension of the Dior universe. The design translates the house’s aesthetic into a physical space, where every detail, from the tableware to the lighting, feels considered. It is an exercise in building a complete world, one where a client can move seamlessly from viewing a collection to a Michelin-starred dinner without ever leaving the brand’s orbit. This move is part of a larger shift across the luxury landscape, particularly within parent company LVMH. Brands are no longer just selling products. They are selling access to a lifestyle. The lines between fashion, hospitality, and culture are dissolving into a single, cohesive experience. The success of Monsieur Dior proves the model works. The star over 30 Montaigne is more than just an award. It is a signal that the definition of a fashion house is permanently expanding. What was once a boutique is now a destination, and the menu is just as important as the collection. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-star-above-30-montaigne — Citation: "The Star Above 30 Montaigne" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-08. https://menwith.com/the-star-above-30-montaigne --- ## Leica and John Goldberger Bring "Timeless" to Geneva This April - URL: https://menwith.com/leica-and-john-goldberger-bring-timeless-to-geneva-this-april - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-08 - Tags: Leica, John Goldberger, Timeless, Leica SL3, Leica watches, Geneva, Auro Montanari, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann **Summary:** Leica and watch collector John Goldberger present "Timeless" in Geneva, showcasing Goldberger's photography alongside Leica's watchmaking legacy. The exhibition highlights shared values of precision and enduring design. Geneva in April belongs to watches. The city fills with collectors, journalists, and brand representatives, all chasing the newest thing. Auro Montanari, better known as John Goldberger, arrives with a different question. Not what is new, but what lasts. It is the question that has shaped his career as a photographer and a collector, and it is the question at the centre of his new exhibition with Leica. "Timeless: Through the Lens of John Goldberger" opens at the Leica Store Geneva on April 16th, running through May 15th. The exhibition brings together photographs shot across decades of travel, captured on both the Leica SL3 and vintage Leica cameras. The images span cities, objects, and moments that Goldberger considers instinctively timeless. Bologna, where he lives. Wetzlar, where Leica still operates. Countless locations in between. Goldberger has authored eleven books and built a reputation as one of the most respected vintage watch collectors alive. His entry point was photography, introduced by his father at an early age. The eye he developed shooting streets is the same eye he later turned on dials and cases. For Goldberger, the connection is not metaphorical. Both disciplines demand precision, craftsmanship, and a sense of design that does not age. Both, in his words, reflect a lifelong passion. That parallel is precisely what drew Leica to this collaboration. For Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Leica Camera AG, the exhibition is an expression of something the brand has long believed: that the values behind a great camera and a great watch are not as distant as they might appear. "Our ambition is to translate Leica's century-long legacy of precision engineering and iconic design from cameras to watches," Kaufmann says. "John Goldberger is a long-time Leica user and a rare watch collector whose reputation bridges generations, underscoring the profound dialogue between these two universes and the enduring legacy of Leica." Around 150 years after the brand's foundation, Leica watches are manufactured with the same standards applied to its cameras. Each piece is made in pursuit of the same quality that has defined the brand across its history. The Geneva exhibition, staged during the Swiss international horology fair, is as much a statement about that watch programme as it is a showcase for Goldberger's photography. If you are in Geneva between April 16th and May 15th, this is worth your time. The Leica Store Geneva is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 6:30pm, and Saturday, 10am to 5pm. You will find it at Pl. de Saint-Gervais 1, 1201 Genève. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/leica-and-john-goldberger-bring-timeless-to-geneva-this-april — Citation: "Leica and John Goldberger Bring "Timeless" to Geneva This April" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-08. https://menwith.com/leica-and-john-goldberger-bring-timeless-to-geneva-this-april --- ## Abeking & Rasmussen Enters a New Chapter With ARUBY - URL: https://menwith.com/abeking-rasmussen-enters-a-new-chapter-with-aruby - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-04-07 - Tags: Abeking & Rasmussen **Summary:** Abeking & Rasmussen introduces ARUBY, their first series yacht, blending bespoke luxury with efficient build times. This 70m vessel prioritizes privacy and autonomy with a focus on owner's suites and smart amenities. Shipyards known for one-off masterpieces do not typically get into the business of repetition. For more than a century, the name Abeking & Rasmussen has been synonymous with fully custom vessels, each a singular project. With the introduction of the ARUBY concept, the German builder is signaling a deliberate shift in its thinking. This is their first-ever series yacht, a move that recalibrates the relationship between craftsmanship and efficiency. The 70-meter ARUBY is the yard’s answer to a modern dilemma: the desire for bespoke quality without the multi-year timeline of a fully custom build. The project is based on a pre-engineered platform developed over a 25-year partnership with Reymond Langton Design. By starting with a proven technical foundation, the planning phase is significantly shortened. It allows an owner to bypass the complexities of assembling a new-build team from scratch, yet it preserves full creative control over the interior spaces. A Focus on Privacy The philosophy behind the ARUBY is described as a form of “New Luxury” that prioritizes autonomy and discretion. The layout is designed around privacy, with crew routes planned to be efficient and largely separate from guest areas. Smart self-service options are integrated to reduce the need for constant interaction, reflecting a desire for a more relaxed and personal onboard experience. This thinking is most apparent in the owner's accommodations. The 90-square-meter suite includes two private balconies, an office, and a large central bathroom with a freestanding tub overlooking the water. It functions as a self-contained apartment. Below, five guest cabins and a 24-square-meter VIP suite on the bridge deck provide versatile arrangements for family or charter use. Life on board is structured around distinct zones for relaxation and entertainment. A 5.2-meter-long pool on the main deck flows down toward a spacious beach club, which features fold-out platforms, a gym, and a spa. On the bridge deck, a sunken lounge with an integrated fire pit creates an open-air cinema, offering another private space away from the main social areas. Engineered for Quietness The technical platform of the ARUBY is built for quiet efficiency. A diesel-electric propulsion system uses five generators, each producing around 650 kW, to power a pod drive system. This setup is engineered for extremely low noise and vibration. It is also designed to be “future-fuel-ready,” allowing for adaptation as new energy sources become viable. A 150-kWh battery pack allows the yacht to run silently at anchor, powering hotel loads without the need for generators. The decision to use a single-story engine room is also a strategic one. It frees up a significant amount of volume, which is reallocated to the guest areas on the lower deck. The hull is designed for a comfortable cruising speed of 12.5 knots and can reach a top speed of 16 knots. ARUBY is not a departure from the yard’s identity, but an evolution of it. It attempts to package the quality and engineering of a custom build into a more accessible format, acknowledging that for some owners, time is the ultimate luxury. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/abeking-rasmussen-enters-a-new-chapter-with-aruby — Citation: "Abeking & Rasmussen Enters a New Chapter With ARUBY" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-07. https://menwith.com/abeking-rasmussen-enters-a-new-chapter-with-aruby --- ## Why Rolls-Royce Keeps Looking to the Sea - URL: https://menwith.com/why-rolls-royce-keeps-looking-to-the-sea - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-06 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce draws parallels with luxury yacht design, emphasizing shared principles of grace, craftsmanship, and the journey itself. This influence is evident in features like teak decking and tapering silhouettes, transforming cars into destinations. The grace of a racing yacht is found in its lines. Long, taut, and purposeful, they are drawn to manage immense forces with minimal effort. It is a language of physics and aesthetics, where performance and beauty are the same thing. You see a similar logic in the way a Rolls-Royce occupies the road. The presence is undeniable, yet it feels composed, not heavy. The link between Rolls-Royce and the world of yachting is not a recent marketing invention. It is a long-running conversation between two disciplines that share a fundamental understanding of luxury. Both operate on the principle that the experience of travel is as important as the destination. And both attract a clientele that sees no clear line between their passions on land and on the water. The challenges of building a world-class sailing yacht, one that can withstand the pressures of the open ocean while remaining elegant, require a specific kind of engineering. The same can be said for an automobile built to deliver a serene ride without isolating its driver from the world. One of the clearest examples was the Phantom Drophead Coupé. Its most memorable feature was not the engine or the Spirit of Ecstasy, but the teak decking that covered the rear tonneau. It was a direct reference to the deck of a classic yacht. The gesture was deliberate. It suggested a space for leisure and observation, transforming the car into a private viewing platform. It was less a mode of transport and more a destination in itself. That idea found its most complete expression in the Boat Tail Coachbuild commissions. Here, the reference was not an accent but the entire concept. The car's rear silhouette tapers to a point, directly mimicking the stern of a J-class yacht. The deck opens like butterfly wings to reveal a hosting suite. It is perhaps the most literal translation of nautical design into an automobile ever attempted at this level. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-rolls-royce-keeps-looking-to-the-sea — Citation: "Why Rolls-Royce Keeps Looking to the Sea" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-06. https://menwith.com/why-rolls-royce-keeps-looking-to-the-sea --- ## The Watches of Artemis II: Digital Precision Meets Space Heritage - URL: https://menwith.com/the-watches-of-artemis-ii-digital-precision-meets-space-heritage - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-04-05 - Tags: Artemis II, Omega X-33 Skywalker, Omega Speedmaster, Breitling Cosmonaute, Breitling Endurance Pro, Reid Wiseman, NASA, Space Exploration **Summary:** Artemis II astronauts will wear the Omega X-33 Skywalker, a high-precision quartz watch, alongside personal Breitling timepieces. This marks a shift towards digital functionality in space exploration. As NASA prepares for the historic Artemis II mission, the watches worn by its astronauts reveal a clear evolution in space-bound timekeeping. While the Speedmaster remains part of NASA’s DNA, the official watch for Artemis II is now the modern and highly functional Omega X-33. The Official Watch: Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker The Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker represents a new chapter in space horology. Developed in collaboration with astronauts and agencies like the European Space Agency, the X-33 is built specifically for modern missions. Unlike the purely mechanical Moonwatch, the X-33 is a high-precision quartz instrument housed in lightweight titanium. It combines analog hands with a digital display, offering mission-specific functions such as multiple time zones, mission elapsed time, phase timing, and programmable alarms. In an era where astronauts rely heavily on advanced onboard systems, the X-33 acts as a versatile backup and personal tool—far more adaptable to the complexities of modern spaceflight than its predecessors. Reid Wiseman’s Breitling: A Personal Layer Commander Reid Wiseman adds a personal dimension to the story. In the lead-up to Artemis II, he has been seen wearing watches from Breitling - notably the Cosmonaute and the Endurance Pro. The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute is deeply rooted in space history. Originally created for astronaut Scott Carpenter during the Mercury program, its 24-hour dial remains highly relevant in space, where the concept of day and night becomes abstract. Meanwhile, the Breitling Endurance Pro reflects a different purpose. Ultra-light, durable, and built for performance, it is ideal for the physical demands of astronaut training. It’s less about spaceflight itself—and more about everything leading up to it. A Shift in Space Timekeeping The transition from the mechanical Speedmaster Professional to the X-33 highlights how space exploration has evolved. Today’s missions demand more data, more flexibility, and more integration with digital systems. Yet, what remains unchanged is the importance of a reliable, wrist-worn instrument. Whether mechanical or quartz, analog or digital, these watches serve as both tools and symbols—representing the intersection of engineering, exploration, and human presence beyond Earth. Function First, Heritage Always Artemis II is not just about returning to lunar orbit—it’s about redefining how we operate in space. The Omega X-33 embodies that future, while Breitling’s presence on Wiseman’s wrist reminds us that heritage and personal choice still have a place in even the most advanced missions. Because in the end, spaceflight is not only about technology—it’s about the people wearing it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-watches-of-artemis-ii-digital-precision-meets-space-heritage — Citation: "The Watches of Artemis II: Digital Precision Meets Space Heritage" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-05. https://menwith.com/the-watches-of-artemis-ii-digital-precision-meets-space-heritage --- ## Lake Como Edition: A New Chapter of Modern Italian Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/lake-como-edition-a-new-chapter-of-modern-italian-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-04-05 - Tags: Lake Como Edition, Edition Hotels, Italian Luxury, Contemporary Design, Lake Como Travel, Modern Gentleman **Summary:** The Lake Como Edition hotel redefines Italian luxury by blending contemporary design with historic surroundings. It offers a vibrant social atmosphere and a modern interpretation of classic Como experiences for discerning travelers. A New Era Arrives at Lake Como Few destinations carry the same sense of romance and prestige as Lake Como. Long associated with aristocratic villas and old-world glamour, the arrival of the Lake Como Edition hotel marks a shift toward a more contemporary interpretation of Italian luxury. Edition Hotels, known for their refined yet modern approach, have taken on one of Europe’s most storied destinations — and the result is nothing short of compelling. Contemporary Design Meets Historic Surroundings The Lake Como Edition is not about recreating the past — it’s about complementing it. Clean architectural lines, natural materials, and a muted palette allow the surrounding landscape to take center stage. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted views of the lake, while interiors blend Italian craftsmanship with a distinctly modern sensibility. Think polished stone, warm woods, and subtle textures that create a calm, understated atmosphere. This is luxury without excess — intentional, quiet, and deeply considered. A Social Hub, Not Just a Hotel Edition hotels have always been as much about energy as they are about aesthetics. The Lake Como property continues that philosophy. A vibrant restaurant scene, curated cocktail bars, and open social spaces create an atmosphere that feels alive — especially in the evenings. It’s a place where international travelers, creatives, and locals naturally intersect. The rooftop and pool areas, in particular, are expected to become some of the most sought-after spots along the lake. Redefining Lake Como Luxury What makes the Lake Como Edition stand out is its balance. It respects the heritage of the destination while offering something distinctly new. Guests can still expect the classic Como experiences — private boat rides, serene mornings by the water, and world-class dining — but delivered through a modern lens that prioritizes design, atmosphere, and cultural relevance. In a place defined by history, the Edition dares to look forward. A Destination for the Modern Gentleman The Lake Como Edition is not just another luxury hotel — it’s a statement. It speaks to a new generation of travelers who value design, experience, and authenticity over tradition alone. For those who appreciate the finer things but prefer them understated, this may well become the most interesting address on Lake Como. Want to read more about travels? Check these article — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lake-como-edition-a-new-chapter-of-modern-italian-luxury — Citation: "Lake Como Edition: A New Chapter of Modern Italian Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-05. https://menwith.com/lake-como-edition-a-new-chapter-of-modern-italian-luxury --- ## Venice, Beyond the Biennale - URL: https://menwith.com/venice-beyond-the-biennale - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-04-04 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Beyond the Venice Biennale, discover the city's permanent artistic treasures. Explore Tintoretto's masterpieces at Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Titian's "Assumption" at Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The Venice Biennale arrives every two years with the force of a weather system. It brings crowds, arguments about the future of art, and a temporary layer of newness to a city defined by its resistance to change. Yet the real story of Venice is found in the quiet that settles just a few alleys away from the main event. It is a city of permanent treasures, not just seasonal exhibitions. To find them requires a deliberate turn, a choice to look past the pavilions and into the buildings that have shaped the city's character for centuries. This is a different kind of art experience. It is not about consumption, but immersion. It is about seeing works that were made for the very walls they still hang on, commissioned by a republic at the height of its power. The Weight of History Some places in Venice are so dense with art they feel structural. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is one of them. Here, more than sixty of Tintoretto’s paintings cover the walls and ceilings. It is not a gallery. It is an environment. The project took the artist nearly a quarter of a century to complete, a lifetime spent wrestling with a single, monumental vision. A similar weight is felt at the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. It is a vast Gothic church that holds one of Titian’s most important works, the “Assumption of the Virgin.” The painting sits over the high altar, framed perfectly by the marble choir screen. It was designed for this specific viewpoint, a piece of sacred theatre that has been running for five hundred years. A Different Scale of Craft Venice was also built by hand, piece by piece. That tradition continues in small workshops tucked away from the Grand Canal. In one, Saverio Pastor carves *fórcole*, the intricate, sculptural oar-rests for gondolas. Each one is a functional piece of abstract art, shaped from walnut or cherry wood, unique to the gondolier who will use it. It is a reminder that in this city, even the most practical objects carry an aesthetic purpose. This more intimate scale of art finds its voice in the city’s smaller *scuole*, or confraternity halls. The Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni is home to a cycle of paintings by Vittore Carpaccio, telling stories with a narrative clarity that feels almost modern. Nearby, the Oratorio dei Crociferi, recently restored with support from Sotheby's, holds a complete cycle by Palma il Giovane. These were not just decorations. They were the visual heart of a community. A Space to Breathe The city can feel overwhelmingly dense, a maze of stone and water. But quiet spaces exist. On the island of Giudecca, across the water from the main crush of San Marco, lies L’Orto Giardino del Redentore. It is a former Capuchin monastery garden, returned to life after years of neglect. With its orchard, vegetable plots, and quiet pathways, the garden offers a different perspective on Venice. It is a place of calm and cultivation, a connection to a more grounded, agricultural past that existed alongside the maritime empire. It is a place to simply be, away from the demands of looking. The Biennale poses questions about what art is now. These places are the answer to what it has always been. They offer not a trend, but a foundation. And in a city of beautiful surfaces, finding that depth is the real prize. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/venice-beyond-the-biennale — Citation: "Venice, Beyond the Biennale" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-04. https://menwith.com/venice-beyond-the-biennale --- ## Loro Piana’s Quietest Competition - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-s-quietest-competition - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-04-04 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana's Record Bale Award celebrates the finest merino wool, a quiet pursuit of material perfection. This annual competition highlights agricultural excellence and the brand's commitment to origin and unparalleled quality. A single bale of wool does not feel like a luxury object. It sits there, dense and unassuming. It is a raw material. A beginning. For Loro Piana, this beginning is everything. It is the basis of a private competition that says more about the brand than any runway show ever could. The Loro Piana Record Bale Award, now in its 27th year, is an event almost invisible to the outside world. There are no celebrities on a red carpet. There are no dramatic collection reveals. The focus is singular. A group of judges assesses bales of merino wool from Australia and New Zealand to find the one that is objectively, measurably the finest produced anywhere in the world that year. This is not a symbolic gesture. It is the literal starting point of the house’s most exclusive products. The winning bale is purchased by Loro Piana and transformed into a very limited number of suits and garments. The ownership of these pieces is a quiet code among a certain clientele. The value is not in a visible logo, but in the knowledge of the material’s origin and its near-impossible quality. Holding this year’s ceremony at the Tokyo National Museum was a deliberate choice. Japan’s culture has a deep, almost reverential respect for craftsmanship and the integrity of materials. It is a market that understands obsession. Bringing the award here aligns the brand with a mindset that sees perfection not as an endpoint, but as a continuous process of refinement. The pursuit is relentless. Each year, the winning wool fiber must be finer than the last. It is a quiet war against the limits of nature, waged by farmers on remote stations. The winners of the award are not designers. They are agriculturalists who have dedicated generations to a single, specialized goal. It is a philosophy that fits within the broader strategy of its parent company, LVMH, where material sourcing is foundational. In an industry driven by seasonal trends and loud marketing, the Record Bale Award operates on a different logic. It is a long-term commitment to the source. It suggests that the most important decision is not the color or the cut of a garment, but the quality of the fiber it was made from. Everything else follows from there. This is what Loro Piana sells. Not just softness, but a story of origin. The knowledge that what you are wearing is the result of a fanatical, multi-generational search for the absolute best. A luxury that makes no noise at all. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-s-quietest-competition — Citation: "Loro Piana’s Quietest Competition" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-04. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-s-quietest-competition --- ## The French Riviera Is Not A Place. It’s A Rhythm. - URL: https://menwith.com/the-french-riviera-is-not-a-place-it-s-a-rhythm - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-04-03 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Experience the French Riviera's true rhythm by sea. Chartering a yacht offers unparalleled access and perspective, from Monaco's spectacle to the serene Calanques. The names of the French Riviera are so familiar they feel like characters in a story everyone already knows. Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez. Each carries a weight of expectation, a history of glamour and excess baked into its identity. The coast itself, the Côte d'Azur, has been a backdrop for so long that the reality can get lost behind the legend. For those looking to experience it, the challenge is not finding the famous places, but finding a way to see them clearly. To do it by land is to be caught in the machinery of tourism. The traffic jams winding into Saint-Tropez in August. The crowds pushing along the Croisette in Cannes. The search for a quiet table with a view. You become part of the audience, watching a performance that keeps you at a distance. The real freedom of the Riviera has always been found on the water, a perspective that changes the entire experience. A proper charter, like those organized by Burgess, is less about luxury transport and more about gaining control over the narrative. From Monaco's Polish to Cap d'Antibes An itinerary often begins in the east, where the coast is at its most dramatic. Monaco is pure theatre. It’s a vertical city-state of polished surfaces and meticulously managed spectacle, from the supercars navigating the Grand Prix circuit corners to the yachts filling Port Hercule. To arrive by sea is to understand its purpose. It’s designed to be seen from the water, a fortress of modern wealth. Just a short cruise away, the mood shifts. The medieval village of Eze clings to a cliffside, offering a perspective rooted in history rather than finance. Below it, the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the coast’s most protected natural harbors, a quiet curve of deep blue water and pastel-coloured buildings. These places offer a pause, a moment of classic Riviera charm before the next act begins. Further west lies Cannes, a city forever linked with cinema. During the film festival, it is the centre of the universe. For the rest of the summer, it maintains a certain polish. Anchoring off the coast allows you to observe the energy of the Croisette from a serene distance. Nearby, the Cap d'Antibes peninsula hides some of the most exclusive real estate on earth, its pine-covered shores concealing historic villas. The anchorage at Billionaire's Bay is exactly what its name suggests, a secluded spot for those who prefer privacy to a public stage. The Burgess Itinerary West of Cannes Then comes Saint-Tropez. Once a humble fishing village, it became the global benchmark for bohemian chic and remains the heart of the Riviera’s social scene. Dropping anchor in the Bay of Pampelonne gives you tender access to legendary beach clubs like Club 55 without needing to brave the single road in and out of town. In the evening, the port itself is the destination, a place to see and be seen. The true advantage of a yacht becomes clear when you need an escape from that very scene. A short sail from the buzz of Saint-Tropez are the Îles d'Hyères. The island of Porquerolles is a protected national park, a world of pine forests, vineyards, and white-sand beaches like Plage Notre-Dame. Cars are forbidden. The pace is slow. It’s the perfect antidote to the intensity of the mainland. For those with more time, the coastline continues to unfold, becoming wilder as it approaches Marseille. The Calanques National Park is a series of narrow, steep-walled inlets carved into the limestone cliffs. Accessible mainly by boat, these are fjord-like formations of raw, elemental beauty. It is the Riviera stripped of all its cultural baggage, leaving only rock and water. It is the quietest, and perhaps most powerful, statement the coast has to offer. This is the rhythm of the modern Riviera. The ability to move between the performance and the peace, to engage with the spectacle on your own terms and retreat into silence when you choose. It’s not about owning a piece of the coast, but about understanding how to navigate it. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-french-riviera-is-not-a-place-it-s-a-rhythm — Citation: "The French Riviera Is Not A Place. It’s A Rhythm." — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-03. https://menwith.com/the-french-riviera-is-not-a-place-it-s-a-rhythm --- ## One of Nine: The Ferrari Enzo in Silver - URL: https://menwith.com/one-of-nine-the-ferrari-enzo-in-silver - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-02 - Tags: Ferrari Enzo, Argento Nürburgring, Rosso interior, Maranello Concessionaires, Monaco Auction, Chassis 37754, Auto Italia **Summary:** A rare silver Ferrari Enzo, one of nine Argento Nürburgring models, is heading to Monaco. This unique example boasts a Rosso leather interior and exceptional provenance, making it a highly sought-after collector's item. There are nine of them. Nine Enzos finished in Argento Nürburgring by the Maranello factory, out of a total production run that never reached four hundred cars. Of those nine, only five received a Rosso leather interior. And of those five, exactly one was delivered to the United Kingdom. That car is now heading to Monaco. The Enzo arrived at a particular moment in automotive history, one where Ferrari felt the full weight of its own mythology. The F40 and F50 had already done what seemed impossible. The Enzo had to do it again, differently, and in front of a watching world. It did so by looking inward, pulling directly from the Formula 1 programme and asking what a road car might become if the engineers were given permission to be honest. The result was a machine that dispensed with a fixed rear wing, relying instead on the aerodynamics beneath and behind the body, with an automatic spoiler deploying only at higher speeds when the car demanded it. A naturally aspirated V-12 displacing just under six litres, producing 660 horsepower at a time when that number carried genuine consequence. Carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo before they were commonplace. Pushrod suspension borrowed from circuits where finishing mattered more than comfort. What makes chassis 37754 worth pausing over is not its performance. Every Enzo performs. What distinguishes this car is the quiet confidence of its specification. Argento Nürburgring is not a colour that announces itself. It reflects. It shifts with the light. Paired with the Rosso interior, the combination reads less like a factory option and more like a considered decision made by someone who understood exactly what they were asking for. That first owner reserved the car in April 2002, before the Enzo had even been formally revealed to the public. The delivery came more than two years later, in June 2004, through Maranello Concessionaires in Egham. The car never left the family of official Ferrari dealers and specialists throughout its life. Maranello Sales. Garage Zenith in Sion. Charles Pozzi in Paris. DK Engineering. Lecoq Paris, as recently as January of this year. The odometer reads 19,079 kilometres. The Ferrari Classiche Red Book arrived in 2019. The history file is the kind that auction specialists describe as impressive and mean it. It appeared on the cover of Auto Italia in 2009, parked alongside a Maserati MC12. Two limited-run cars from Maranello in the same frame, one of them silver. The Monaco Auction on 25 April carries a guide price of 4.9 to 5.3 million euros. That figure reflects not just the car but the accumulation of everything around it. The rarity of the colour. The integrity of the provenance. The discipline of an owner who kept the records and the luggage set and the tool kit and the books, and apparently never tried to improve what was already finished. Some cars are acquired. Others are preserved. This one was looked after, which is a different thing entirely, and considerably harder to find. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/one-of-nine-the-ferrari-enzo-in-silver — Citation: "One of Nine: The Ferrari Enzo in Silver" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-02. https://menwith.com/one-of-nine-the-ferrari-enzo-in-silver --- ## The Quiet Power of Carlos Alcaraz’s Sunreef Yacht - URL: https://menwith.com/the-quiet-power-of-carlos-alcaraz-s-sunreef-yacht - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-04-02 - Tags: Carlos Alcaraz, Sunreef Yachts, Catamaran, Luxury Yacht, Yacht Design, Modern Yachting, Bespoke Yacht, Water Lifestyle **Summary:** Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz opts for a Sunreef 88 Ultima catamaran, prioritizing open space and connection to the sea over traditional yachting conventions. This bespoke vessel reflects a modern definition of luxury focused on experience and escape. For a man whose career is built on explosive power, the choice for his time off the court is telling. Carlos Alcaraz moves with an intensity that can feel relentless, a game of sharp angles and overwhelming force. Yet his latest commission, an 88-foot bespoke catamaran from Sunreef, suggests a different kind of ambition. The vessel is a Sunreef 88 Ultima, a model that deliberately sidesteps the conventions of traditional motor yachts. Instead of a deep, singular hull, it uses a catamaran form for stability and an enormous amount of open-plan living space. It is less a floating palace and more a private island, designed for being on the water, not just moving through it. A Modern Definition of Luxury The choice of a catamaran itself says something. They are platforms for experience. The wide beam creates a connection to the sea that monohulls often trade for speed. Here, the goal is not just to get from one port to another, but to enjoy the space in between. Alcaraz’s reasoning was direct. He simply wants to have fun and enjoy the water. Sunreef has carved out a distinct space in the yachting world. The Polish shipyard has become a go-to for owners who value modern design and technical substance over old-world ornamentation. Their catamarans are known for a clean aesthetic and an emphasis on hybrid and electric propulsion systems. It is a forward-looking approach to yachting that seems to resonate with a new generation of successful individuals. The Process of Creation Building a yacht of this scale is a personal project. Alcaraz recently visited the company’s production facility in Gdansk, a city with a long and serious shipbuilding history. The process involves tailoring the layout and finishes to a client’s specific vision. It is a level of customization that turns a production model into a personal statement. This decision feels consistent with the focus Alcaraz applies to his sport. It is a considered choice, not an impulse. It aligns with a modern idea of what wealth can provide. Not just status, but freedom. The freedom to disconnect and find a quiet space in a world that demands constant performance. For one of the most visible athletes on the planet, creating a place for genuine escape might be the ultimate luxury. The boat is not an endpoint, but a tool for a different kind of life, one measured in calm days on the water rather than points on a scoreboard. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-quiet-power-of-carlos-alcaraz-s-sunreef-yacht — Citation: "The Quiet Power of Carlos Alcaraz’s Sunreef Yacht" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-02. https://menwith.com/the-quiet-power-of-carlos-alcaraz-s-sunreef-yacht --- ## Mandarin Oriental Landmark Returns to Hong Kong's Heart - URL: https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-landmark-returns-to-hong-kong-s-heart - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-04-02 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental **Summary:** Mandarin Oriental The Landmark reopens in Hong Kong, transforming into a residential-style urban sanctuary. It features interior design inspired by historic mansions and seven Michelin-starred dining. The return of the Mandarin Oriental The Landmark on June 1st marks a significant moment for Hong Kong. It is more than a reopening. It signals a shift in how a hotel can relate to its city, moving from a place of transit to one of residence. The experience now starts on Queen’s Road Central. A new entrance ushers you away from the city’s pulse into a space designed by interior architect Joyce Wang. The transition is intentional, meant to feel like arriving at a grand private home rather than a hotel lobby. Wang’s design draws on the architectural memory of Hong Kong’s historic mansions. The warm terracotta and deep green tones are direct references to properties like Yu Yuen and Tai Fu Tai, where Qing Dynasty forms met Western sensibilities. A curved stone staircase ascends through the foyer, its alcoves displaying artworks that reflect the city's skyline. A Residential Point of View This residential narrative extends into the 109 refreshed rooms and suites. The goal was clearly to create urban sanctuaries. Lightened timber floors, patinated walls, and silk wall coverings from Fromental create a layered, textural environment. The L450 rooms, starting at 42 square metres, feel generous. In the L600 rooms and above, the hotel’s signature seven-foot round bathtub remains, enclosed within a curved glass wall that has become a defining feature. The 167-square-metre Entertainment Suite is the fullest expression of this idea. It’s a complete residence, with a Gaggenau kitchen, dining for eight, and a master bedroom featuring a climate-controlled FreshBed sleep system. A Culinary Destination Under Culinary Director Richard Ekkebus, the hotel has long been a center of gravity for fine dining in Asia. The reopening sharpens that focus. The property now holds a remarkable seven Michelin stars under its roof. The three-Michelin-starred Amber, known for Ekkebus’s precise, French-rooted cooking, introduces The Cellar Immersion. It is a food and wine journey inside the restaurant's cellar, designed to be more involved than a typical pairing. Alongside Amber and the three-starred Sushi Shikon is a new champagne bar, BLANC DE NOIRS, dedicated to premium cuvées. A new artisan coffee atelier, COMMUNE, is positioned as a social hub in the lobby for both guests and city residents. The hotel also returns with expanded wellness offerings. The renewed focus on a holistic experience is clear, designed to complement the residential calm of the rooms and the energy of the dining spaces. The entire project feels like an exercise in clarity. Instead of chasing a generic global aesthetic, the Mandarin Oriental has chosen to look inward, drawing from the specific character of its home. It offers a more composed, considered way to be in one of the world's most dynamic cities. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-landmark-returns-to-hong-kong-s-heart — Citation: "Mandarin Oriental Landmark Returns to Hong Kong's Heart" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-02. https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-landmark-returns-to-hong-kong-s-heart --- ## Beyond the Enzo: Fangio’s Life in Objects - URL: https://menwith.com/beyond-the-enzo-fangio-s-life-in-objects - Author: Tom - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-04-02 - Tags: RM Sotheby's **Summary:** Juan Manuel Fangio's personal artifacts, including a passport and tool kit, offer a tangible connection to the racing legend beyond his iconic cars. These items, up for auction, reveal the man behind the myth. A 1955 Argentine passport tells a simple story of a man on the move. Its worn pages and official stamps are a quiet record of borders crossed and journeys taken. When the name inside is Juan Manuel Fangio, however, the story changes. It becomes a document charting the course of a career that defined motor racing itself. This passport, along with a collection of deeply personal items, is appearing at an upcoming RM Sotheby's auction. The sale is headlined by a rare Ferrari Enzo, a car engineered for maximum effect. Yet, it is these smaller, quieter lots that carry the real weight of history. They offer a tangible connection to Fangio, the man, not just the legend. The Tools of a Master Among the items is a Facom tool kit, housed in a case by Hermès. It is a beautiful object, but its purpose was entirely practical. It speaks of an era when a driver’s hands were as familiar with a wrench as they were with a steering wheel. The combination of rugged tools and a bespoke leather case captures the dual nature of these early champions. They were gritty mechanics and gentlemen racers, often at the same time. The same can be said for a pair of his 1950s Suixtil racing trousers. They are simple, functional, and worn. This was the uniform of the job. There is no branding in the modern sense, just the quiet authority of an item made for a specific and demanding purpose. These were not props. They were part of the work. A Record of a Life in Motion The documents map out Fangio’s world. His 1950 International Driving Permit is a key to the circuits of Europe. The collection of automobile club badges from Argentina, Rome, and San Remo are like campaign medals. They trace his allegiances and his victories, pinning his story to a map that stretched from South America to the heart of European motorsport. Each badge represents a connection, a race, a moment in time. They are small, enameled pieces of metal, but they plot the coordinates of a life lived at speed. They are a physical representation of his presence in the places that mattered. A modern hypercar is a spectacular piece of engineering. An Enzo is a monument to an era of performance. But these objects are different. They are not about performance specs or production numbers. They are personal, worn, and used. To own them is to hold a piece of the story. The auction in Monaco presents a choice, between a magnificent machine, and the quiet, personal effects of the man who mastered them all. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/beyond-the-enzo-fangio-s-life-in-objects — Citation: "Beyond the Enzo: Fangio’s Life in Objects" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-02. https://menwith.com/beyond-the-enzo-fangio-s-life-in-objects --- ## Three Glaciers Retreat: The Most Exclusive Camp in Antarctica - URL: https://menwith.com/three-glaciers-retreat-the-most-exclusive-camp-in-antarctica - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-04-01 - Tags: Three Glaciers Retreat, Antarctica, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, Luxury Travel, Polar Expeditions, Blue-ice runway, Ice climbing, Ski touring **Summary:** Three Glaciers Retreat offers an exclusive Antarctic experience with luxury amenities and guided expeditions. Accessible via private charter, it redefines polar travel through rare access and profound isolation. A Hidden Sanctuary at the End of the World Operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, the Three Glaciers Retreat Camp is not just a destination—it’s an experience reserved for a select few. Located in the vast, frozen expanse of Antarctica, this remote camp offers access to a part of the world that very few people will ever witness firsthand. Accessible only by private charter flights from Punta Arenas, the journey itself sets the tone. Guests leave behind civilization and arrive on a blue-ice runway surrounded by towering glaciers and endless white silence. Luxury Meets Expedition Despite its extreme location, Three Glaciers Retreat redefines what comfort looks like in the polar regions. Heated sleeping pods, a central lounge, and a dining area create a surprisingly refined environment in the middle of Antarctica’s raw landscape. Meals are thoughtfully prepared, often paired with fine wines, offering a stark yet beautiful contrast to the harsh surroundings outside. It’s this balance—between adventure and indulgence—that makes the camp so unique. Experiences Unlike Anywhere Else At Three Glaciers Retreat, the focus is on immersive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Guests can explore the surrounding glaciers through guided ice climbing, ski touring, and fat biking across untouched terrain. For those seeking a slower pace, hiking through the pristine landscape offers a rare sense of stillness—broken only by the sound of shifting ice and distant winds. The environment is both humbling and exhilarating, reminding visitors of nature’s immense scale. Extreme Isolation, Absolute Clarity With only a handful of guests at any given time, the retreat offers a level of privacy and silence that is nearly impossible to find elsewhere. There are no crowds, no distractions—just vast horizons and uninterrupted views. This isolation becomes part of the luxury. It allows for reflection, focus, and a deeper connection to the environment—something increasingly rare in today’s fast-moving world. The New Definition of Luxury Travel Three Glaciers Retreat is not about excess—it’s about access. Access to one of the last untouched frontiers on Earth, experienced in a way that respects both comfort and nature. In 2026, true luxury is no longer defined by opulence alone, but by rarity, authenticity, and experience. And few places embody that philosophy better than this remote Antarctic sanctuary. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/three-glaciers-retreat-the-most-exclusive-camp-in-antarctica — Citation: "Three Glaciers Retreat: The Most Exclusive Camp in Antarctica" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-04-01. https://menwith.com/three-glaciers-retreat-the-most-exclusive-camp-in-antarctica --- ## Audemars Piguet Bets on Hospitality Over Retail in London - URL: https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-bets-on-hospitality-over-retail-in-london - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Culture - Published: 2026-03-31 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, AP House London, Luxury Retail, Client Experience, Mayfair, Watchmaking, Brand Embassy **Summary:** Audemars Piguet's new London AP House redefines luxury retail as an exclusive, residential-style experience. This invite-only space prioritizes client engagement and community building over traditional sales. The idea of the luxury boutique is quietly being dismantled. In its place, something more like a private residence is emerging. The latest, and perhaps most complete, expression of this shift is the new Audemars Piguet AP House in London, a space that treats the act of selling a watch as an afterthought. The manufacture has moved from its previous post on New Bond Street to a four-story, Grade II-listed townhouse on Clifford Street in Mayfair. The address itself signals a change in posture. It is a move away from the high-traffic thoroughfare toward something more discreet and residential. At nearly 10,000 square feet, the property is less a store and more an embassy for the brand's world. A Home, Not a Store Constructed in 1719, the building's neo-classical bones have been carefully preserved. Original fireplaces, ornate moldings, and Italianate paneling remain, grounding the space in its London context. Against this historical backdrop, designers have layered materials that speak to both the city and the Vallée de Joux. Raw copper and mesh recall London’s industrial side, while natural stone and greenery offer a connection to Audemars Piguet’s Swiss home. The entire concept operates on an invite-only, client-focused basis. There are no retail counters. No glass displays line the walls. The expected choreography of a luxury purchase has been removed entirely. Instead, the environment is designed for lingering. Watches are presented in a circular chamber described as a “watch cellar,” a design inspired by the architecture of traditional whisky distilleries. Here, current collections and archival pieces can be explored in a setting that feels more like a private collection than a public showroom. The Audemars Piguet Social Club The space is built for entertainment. A fully equipped professional kitchen allows for private dining. Art installations draw from British punk culture, a nod to the city’s rebellious streak. There is a dedicated music room, complete with a vinyl turntable, a Marshall jukebox, and archives from the Montreux Jazz Festival, a long-time partner of the brand. At the top of the townhouse, a 1,400-square-foot rooftop terrace provides a quiet retreat overlooking the Mayfair skyline. Each floor is a different environment, encouraging guests to move through the house as they would a private home. This project is a significant investment in a philosophy that luxury brands are increasingly adopting. The goal is no longer just to sell an object, but to build a community around a shared set of values. By creating a physical space that feels exclusive yet welcoming, Audemars Piguet is making a clear statement about where it believes the future of luxury lies. It is a future based on relationships, not transactions. Read more about culture here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-bets-on-hospitality-over-retail-in-london — Citation: "Audemars Piguet Bets on Hospitality Over Retail in London" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-31. https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-bets-on-hospitality-over-retail-in-london --- ## The New Breguet Tradition - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-breguet-tradition - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-31 - Tags: Breguet Tradition, Abraham-Louis Breguet, Grand Feu enamel, GMT watch, Breguet 7037, Breguet 7097, Breguet 7067, Breguet 7038 **Summary:** Breguet's Tradition collection, celebrating 21 years, reinterprets its inverted movement concept with modern touches rooted in historical design. New references showcase contemporary updates like Arabic numerals and gradient dials, all drawing from Abraham-Louis Breguet's original innovations. Breguet's Tradition collection turns 21 this year. The new references prove it's just getting started. The great contrast of watchmaking is that the most impressive part is often the one you rarely see. The movement lives on the back, under a case, out of sight. The dial is a face. A cover. The performance happens behind it. The Tradition collection, launched in 2005, was built on the opposite idea. Invert the calibre. Put the movement where the dial is. Let the mechanics be the display. It was a radical idea dressed in restraint, and it worked because it wasn't a gimmick. It came from a place of genuine conviction about what a watch is for. Twenty-one years later, Breguet is revisiting that conviction with four new references. And the most interesting thing about them isn't any single detail. It's how the House chose to modernize. The easiest version of a collection update is to follow the market. Add a green dial. Offer a rubber strap. Switch to Arabic numerals. Check the boxes, photograph well, move on. Breguet did some of those things. But the reason they land differently here is that none of them were borrowed from the outside. The Arabic numerals on the new 7037 and 7097 trace directly back to a typeface Abraham-Louis Breguet designed in 1783, later adopted across the industry. He used them himself in 1799. The rubber strap on the 7037 is new to the Tradition line, but the impulse behind it, that a watch should fit the life of the person wearing it, is entirely consistent with how the founder worked. The green gradient Grand Feu enamel dial on the GMT 7067 is a genuine technical achievement, not a colour trend. This is what separates a house with real depth from one that only appears to have it. When Breguet reaches for something contemporary, it keeps finding that the contemporary thing was already there, invented by the same man, two and a half centuries ago. The 7037 makes that argument most plainly. Thirty-eight millimetres, white gold, two hands, a retrograde seconds indicator at ten o'clock. The movement is finished entirely in blue, the barrel cover hand-guilloché in a snailed pattern, all components hand-finished. The Grand Feu enamel subdial at twelve is immaculate white. It is, by any measure, a quiet watch. But quiet is not the same as simple. Every decision in it is load-bearing. The 7097 takes similar principles into rose gold and pushes the visual contrast further. A white Grand Feu enamel dial sits against a new charcoal grey barrel cover, followed by a rose-gilt gear train, then the balance rim. Each component asserting its own colour and finish. The movement has always been the display on a Tradition, but here it reads more like something composed than assembled. The 7067 GMT is the most layered of the group. The green-to-black gradient on the Grand Feu enamel dial is a significant technical feat, the firing temperature controlled to the exact degree for a transition that has no room for approximation. The dual-time display connects to Breguet's appointment as Watchmaker to the French Royal Navy in 1815, a role that required precision across latitudes. The home time subdial is available with Oriental numerals, reviving a direct historical practice of customisation for clients in the Ottoman Empire. That's not a regional marketing decision. That's a house drawing on its own archive. Then there is the 7038, which occupies a different register entirely. At 37mm in rhodium-plated white gold, with a bezel set with 58 brilliant-cut diamonds and a crown set with a watch jewel, it is the collection's most jewellery-forward expression. The dial is black aventurine glass, enlivened with silver-toned powdered transfers that create quiet depth without surface noise. A sunburst guilloché pattern covers the barrel cover and carries through to the oscillating weight on the caseback, creating a visual coherence between the two sides of the watch that rewards the kind of attention most people will never pay it. The mechanics underneath are unchanged: the same Calibre 505SR, the same 50-hour power reserve, the same retrograde seconds at ten o'clock. The point is that the Tradition's architecture is strong enough to hold this level of decoration without becoming something else. It remains, unmistakably, a Tradition. The watches aren't the only thing being updated. Alongside the 2026 Tradition references, Breguet is introducing a new visual identity, a refinement of how the House presents itself to the world. The principles are consistent with the collection: not a departure from what came before, but a clearer articulation of it. Heritage as a starting point rather than a destination. The deeper point across all four is this: the Tradition collection was always about visibility. Not transparency as a trend, but the genuine belief that a movement made to a certain standard deserves to be seen. What the 2026 references add is legibility. The contrasts are sharper, the materials more varied, the wearability more considered. The argument hasn't changed. It's just being made more clearly. Abraham-Louis Breguet spent his career advancing his art while remaining faithful to the principles behind it. The Tradition collection, two decades in, is doing exactly the same thing. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-breguet-tradition — Citation: "The New Breguet Tradition" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-31. https://menwith.com/the-new-breguet-tradition --- ## Porsche 550A Spyder Heads to Auction: A Lightweight Icon Returns to the Spotlight - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-550a-spyder-heads-to-auction-a-lightweight-icon-returns-to-the-spotlight - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-30 - Tags: Porsche 550A Spyder, RM Sotheby's, Fuhrmann engine, Targa Florio, 24 Hours of Le Mans, classic car auction, vintage racing **Summary:** The rare Porsche 550A Spyder, an iconic lightweight racer with a Fuhrmann flat-four engine, is set for auction at RM Sotheby's. This 'giant killer' embodies early Porsche engineering and racing spirit. On April 25, collectors and enthusiasts will turn their attention to RM Sotheby’s, where one of Stuttgart’s most important early race cars—the Porsche 550A Spyder—will be offered for sale. This is not simply another classic car auction. It is a rare opportunity to acquire a machine that helped define Porsche’s identity at a time when racing was raw, dangerous, and driven by innovation rather than excess. Engineering Before Everything The 550A Spyder, introduced in 1956, marked a significant step forward from its predecessor. Built around a lightweight tubular spaceframe chassis, it delivered improved rigidity and reduced weight—key advantages in an era where agility often mattered more than outright power. At its core sits the legendary Fuhrmann-designed 1.5-liter flat-four engine. Known for its four-camshaft configuration, it became one of the most advanced small-displacement racing engines of its time. High-revving and remarkably efficient, it allowed the 550A to compete—and win—against far more powerful rivals. This was engineering with intent. No excess, no compromise—just performance. A Giant Killer on the World Stage Despite its modest size, the 550A Spyder earned a reputation as a “giant killer.” It proved its capability in some of the most demanding races in the world, including the Targa Florio and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its success was not built on brute force but on balance, precision, and reliability—traits that would go on to define Porsche for decades to come. Depending on the specific chassis offered at auction, provenance may include period racing history, which only strengthens its significance in the eyes of collectors. Rarity That Defines Value With only around 40 examples ever produced, the 550A Spyder sits firmly among the rarest and most desirable early Porsche models. Opportunities to acquire one are few and far between, and when they do appear—especially through a house like RM Sotheby’s—they command global attention. Values for these cars have consistently reflected their importance. Exceptional examples often reach well into the multi-million dollar range, making them cornerstone pieces in any serious collection. More Than a Car What makes the 550A Spyder so compelling is not just its rarity or racing success, but what it represents. It captures a moment in time when motorsport was defined by courage and ingenuity, when small teams could challenge giants, and when engineering brilliance could outweigh sheer horsepower. For the modern collector, it offers something increasingly rare: authenticity. A Defining Moment at Auction As April 25 approaches, this offering stands as a reminder of why certain cars transcend their category. The Porsche 550A Spyder is not simply a vehicle—it is a statement of philosophy, a symbol of restraint, and a testament to the enduring appeal of purposeful design. And for one collector, it will soon become part of a new story. Images: Alex Penfold ©2026 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s More about collecting here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-550a-spyder-heads-to-auction-a-lightweight-icon-returns-to-the-spotlight — Citation: "Porsche 550A Spyder Heads to Auction: A Lightweight Icon Returns to the Spotlight" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-30. https://menwith.com/porsche-550a-spyder-heads-to-auction-a-lightweight-icon-returns-to-the-spotlight --- ## ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition: Where Aviation Meets Automotive Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/ach145-mercedes-benz-edition-where-aviation-meets-automotive-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-30 **Summary:** The ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition redefines helicopter travel by merging cutting-edge aviation engineering with the unmistakable design language of Mercedes-Benz. It’s not just transport—it’s a statement in the sky. In the world of private aviation, few collaborations carry the same weight as that between Airbus Helicopters and Mercedes-Benz. The ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition stands as a testament to what happens when two engineering powerhouses merge their philosophies—precision, comfort, and unmistakable design. This is not merely a helicopter. It is a carefully curated experience, designed for those who demand the same level of refinement in the air as they do on the road. A Design Language That Transcends Medium Mercedes-Benz brings its signature aesthetic into the cabin, translating automotive luxury into an entirely new dimension. The interior is defined by clean lines, premium materials, and a sense of calm sophistication. Soft leather upholstery, open-pore wood, and subtle ambient lighting create an environment that feels more like a high-end lounge than an aircraft cabin. Every detail is intentional. From the ergonomically sculpted seats to the intuitive layout, the design reflects the brand’s long-standing philosophy: luxury should be both beautiful and functional. Engineering Excellence in the Sky Beneath the refined surface lies the proven platform of the ACH145. Known for its versatility and performance, the helicopter features a five-blade rotor system that enhances both payload capacity and ride comfort. Reduced vibration levels and improved efficiency ensure a smoother, quieter journey. Pilots benefit from advanced avionics, including the Helionix digital cockpit, which enhances safety and operational awareness. This balance between innovation and reliability makes the ACH145 one of the most trusted platforms in its class. Tailored for the Modern Elite The cabin configuration is highly flexible, accommodating up to eight passengers in a layout that prioritizes both comfort and space. Whether used for business travel, leisure, or quick city transfers, the ACH145 adapts seamlessly to its owner’s lifestyle. Sound insulation and climate control are engineered to perfection, allowing passengers to relax, work, or converse without disruption. It’s a space designed not just to transport, but to elevate the entire journey. The Future of Luxury Mobility The ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition represents a broader shift in how we define luxury. It’s no longer confined to a single category—cars, watches, or homes—but extends across every aspect of life, including how we move. This helicopter embodies that evolution. It merges disciplines, blurs boundaries, and ultimately delivers something greater than the sum of its parts: a seamless fusion of automotive elegance and aviation performance. For the modern gentleman, it’s not just about arriving. It’s about how you arrive. More about aviation here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ach145-mercedes-benz-edition-where-aviation-meets-automotive-luxury — Citation: "ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition: Where Aviation Meets Automotive Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-30. https://menwith.com/ach145-mercedes-benz-edition-where-aviation-meets-automotive-luxury --- ## The W16 Mistral “Caroline” — A Bespoke Statement from Bugatti - URL: https://menwith.com/the-w16-mistral-caroline-a-bespoke-statement-from-bugatti - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-28 - Tags: Bugatti W16 Mistral, Caroline, Sur Mesure, W16 engine, bespoke hypercar, automotive craftsmanship **Summary:** The Bugatti W16 Mistral "Caroline" is a bespoke roadster, a final tribute to the W16 engine. Its "Caroline" designation and custom interior reflect Bugatti's Sur Mesure program, emphasizing personal storytelling in luxury automotive design. The Bugatti W16 Mistral “Caroline” is not just another hypercar. It is a deeply personal commission, a rolling piece of art that represents the final chapter of one of the most iconic engines in automotive history. Based on the W16 Mistral roadster, this particular example stands out for its bespoke identity. Named “Caroline,” it reflects Bugatti’s growing focus on ultra-personalized creations, where each car becomes a narrative rather than a product. A Tribute Through Bespoke Craftsmanship The name “Caroline” is more than a designation. It is a tribute, likely tied to a personal story from the owner, which is exactly where Bugatti’s modern philosophy is heading. Through its Sur Mesure program, Bugatti allows clients to move far beyond color and trim. In the case of this Mistral, the details are layered and intentional. Custom embroidery, unique color combinations, and subtle references throughout the cabin transform the car into something entirely individual. The interior is where the car truly blooms. Fine leatherwork, intricate stitching, and carefully selected tones create a space that feels more like haute couture than automotive design. The Final Expression of the W16 At its core, the Mistral carries Bugatti’s legendary 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Producing 1,600 horsepower, it represents the pinnacle of internal combustion engineering from the brand. As the last road-going Bugatti powered by the W16, the Mistral is already historically significant. In roadster form, it offers a more visceral connection to that engine than any coupe before it. The “Caroline” specification adds another layer to that legacy. It is not just about performance, but about preserving the emotional impact of the W16 era in a form that feels timeless. A New Era of Personal Luxury Bugatti’s direction is clear. While the brand moves toward hybrid and electrified futures, it is simultaneously deepening its commitment to craftsmanship and individuality. Cars like the Mistral “Caroline” signal a shift in luxury. It is no longer defined by exclusivity alone, but by authorship. The owner becomes part of the creative process, shaping the car into something that cannot be replicated. More Than a Car The W16 Mistral “Caroline” is not meant to be compared. It exists in its own category, where engineering meets emotion and storytelling. In a world where many hypercars compete on numbers, Bugatti is quietly redefining what matters. Not how fast a car goes, but how deeply it resonates. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-w16-mistral-caroline-a-bespoke-statement-from-bugatti — Citation: "The W16 Mistral “Caroline” — A Bespoke Statement from Bugatti" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-28. https://menwith.com/the-w16-mistral-caroline-a-bespoke-statement-from-bugatti --- ## Omega Removed a Hand and Rewrote the Rules - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-removed-a-hand-and-rewrote-the-rules - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-28 - Tags: Omega Constellation Observatory, Master Chronometer, Acoustic Testing, Pie-Pan Dial, Moonshine Gold, Dauphine Hands, Observatory Trials **Summary:** Omega's Constellation Observatory achieves Master Chronometer certification without a seconds hand, rewriting testing standards. This re-appropriation of a classic design signifies Omega's claim to a new tier of watchmaking authority. The traditional chronometer certification process has always assumed a seconds hand. It is written into the rules. Testing bodies photograph its position, track its movement, build their conclusions around it. For a two-hand watch, that assumption made serious certification structurally impossible. So Omega's Laboratoire de Précision dismantled the assumption entirely. They developed an acoustic testing method that captures each tick and tack continuously across twenty-five days, reading positional variation, temperature sensitivity and amplitude fluctuation without a running seconds hand to measure against. The Constellation Observatory is the first two-hand watch to achieve Master Chronometer certification. That is not a marketing milestone. It is a rewriting of what certification can mean. The design earns its own reading. Omega returned to its 1952 archive and found something with teeth. The dodecagonal pie-pan dial, the dog-leg lugs, the kite-form indexes and angular dauphine hands belong to an era when the Constellation was the most serious watch the brand made. The eight stars on the caseback medallion are not decorative. They record two chronometer records and six first-place finishes from observatory trials between 1933 and 1952. Nothing here is soft or conciliatory. The facets are sharp and unforgiving in light. The black ceramic dial on the steel model required significant development simply to hold that twelve-sided form in a material that resists precision shaping. This is not a nostalgic reissue. It is a re-appropriation of a forgotten confidence. Pricing The steel models are straightforward. Starting at $10,900, they make a coherent case and the design is among the most characterful things Omega has released in years. The precious metal models are where the conversation changes register. Gold versions begin at $37,900 and climb, with the full Moonshine Gold on bracelet reaching $59,100 at the top of the range. By now, the comparisons have been made. The watch community has done the math, and everyone knows which names come up at that altitude. Omega is aware of this. The pricing is not an oversight. What it is, is a declaration. Omega is no longer positioning itself as the rigorous alternative to something else. It is claiming a seat at a different table entirely, on the strength of its institutional infrastructure, its proprietary alloys and the kind of movement decoration that does not photograph well and reveals itself slowly in person. Whether that seat is earned depends on what you believe watchmaking authority looks like. Some will find it in centuries of independent heritage. Others will find it in a laboratory that dismantled a foundational rule of certification and built something more precise in its place. Omega has drawn a line. The Constellation Observatory is for those who are willing to cross it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-removed-a-hand-and-rewrote-the-rules — Citation: "Omega Removed a Hand and Rewrote the Rules" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-28. https://menwith.com/omega-removed-a-hand-and-rewrote-the-rules --- ## The Unexpected Orbit of De Bethune and Louis Vuitton - URL: https://menwith.com/the-unexpected-orbit-of-de-bethune-and-louis-vuitton - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-28 - Tags: De Bethune **Summary:** De Bethune and Louis Vuitton unite in a unique collaboration, LVDB‑03 Louis Varius, born from the LVMH Watch Prize. This project merges De Bethune's mechanical mastery with Louis Vuitton's travel heritage, signaling a new industry model. For years, De Bethune has operated on its own terms. The manufacture, led by the singular vision of Denis Flageollet, is a fixed point for collectors who value mechanical purity over market trends. So the announcement of a project with Louis Vuitton feels like a shift in the landscape. This is not a simple partnership. The project, named LVDB‑03 Louis Varius, emerges from the LVMH Watch Prize, an initiative designed to support independent watchmaking. It puts Flageollet in conversation with Jean Arnault, the Director of Louis Vuitton’s Watchmaking Division, framing the work as a dialogue rather than a corporate directive. A Meeting of Worlds The two houses approach the idea of travel from different origins. Louis Vuitton’s history is built on the physical journey, on trunks and luggage that move through the world. De Bethune’s work often explores a more celestial form of travel, with star-flecked dials and designs that reference the mechanics of time and space. At the center of this is Denis Flageollet. His involvement ensures the project has substance. He represents a kind of watchmaking that is deeply personal and technically uncompromising. To understand what De Bethune brings to this table, you only need to look at their body of work, a consistent exploration of form, material, and chronometry. The Logic of Independence The collaboration speaks to a broader shift in the luxury world. Large groups like LVMH are recognizing the cultural and creative capital held by independent makers. An initiative like the Watch Prize allows them to foster that talent without absorbing it, creating a space for genuine exchange. It is a modern form of patronage. Details of the creation itself are contained in its name. The project is presented as a unique piece, an odyssey between two Maisons. The theme of travel provides a rich territory for both Flageollet and Arnault to explore, merging Louis Vuitton’s narrative with the distinct technical signature of De Bethune. More than just a watch, this project is a signal. It suggests a new model for how the industry’s largest players can interact with its most creative independents. The result is a conversation where influence can flow in both directions, which is always more interesting than a monologue. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-unexpected-orbit-of-de-bethune-and-louis-vuitton — Citation: "The Unexpected Orbit of De Bethune and Louis Vuitton" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-28. https://menwith.com/the-unexpected-orbit-of-de-bethune-and-louis-vuitton --- ## Why Rolls-Royce Is Doubling Down On The Oldest Idea In Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/why-rolls-royce-is-doubling-down-on-the-oldest-idea-in-luxury - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-27 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce revives traditional coachbuilding, crafting unique, bespoke cars by hand for individual clients, rejecting mass-produced luxury for singular, commissioned creations. The idea of a custom car has been diluted. Today, it mostly means choosing from a menu of pre-approved options on a screen. A different color of leather, a specific wood veneer, perhaps a contrasting roof. It is personalization, not creation. At its Goodwood home, Rolls-Royce is drawing a line, reminding the world of a much older and more demanding practice: coachbuilding. This is not a new program or a limited edition model. It is a statement of capability. A reassertion of a craft that predates the automobile itself, when wealthy patrons would commission a master craftsman to build a unique horse-drawn carriage body on a standardized chassis. The principle remains the same. The process begins with a rolling chassis, the mechanical foundation of the car. But instead of receiving a factory-stamped body, it becomes a blank canvas. Clients work directly with designers to conceive an entirely new form. A different roofline, a longer tail, a completely unique silhouette. The body is then created by hand, panel by panel. A Craft Nearly Lost For most of the 20th century, this way of working all but vanished. The rise of mass production and unibody construction, where the body and frame are a single integrated unit, made true coachbuilding impractical and ruinously expensive. Cars became products, not commissions. Individuality was expressed through trim levels and option packages. A few specialized houses kept the tradition alive, but for major manufacturers, the art was effectively extinct. Rolls-Royce, however, never fully let go of the idea. Its unique position in the market, and the expectations of its clients, allowed the embers of this craft to survive. The modern commitment to coachbuilding is not about reviving the past. It is about leveraging a century of experience to offer something that has become almost impossible to find elsewhere. It’s an answer to a world where even the most expensive objects often feel mass-produced. The process is slow, collaborative, and intensely personal. It moves at the speed of craft, not the speed of a production line. The result is a car that is not merely owned, but commissioned. The Modern Rolls-Royce Commission Making this possible today requires a specific engineering philosophy. The brand’s proprietary aluminum spaceframe architecture is a key element. It acts as a modern-day chassis, providing a rigid foundation upon which a unique body can be constructed without compromising structural integrity. This platform is the enabler, the technical solution that allows the creative ambition of coachbuilding to be realized. This is the ultimate rejection of the one-size-fits-all approach. It separates Rolls-Royce from virtually every other automaker, placing its creations in a category closer to haute couture or commissioned architecture. It’s a quiet declaration that for some, the highest form of luxury is not about having the latest model. It is about having the only one. In an age of digital replication and fleeting trends, the marque is betting on the enduring power of the singular object. A car shaped by hand, for one person. It’s a powerful idea, and one that says more about the future of luxury than any new technology ever could. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-rolls-royce-is-doubling-down-on-the-oldest-idea-in-luxury — Citation: "Why Rolls-Royce Is Doubling Down On The Oldest Idea In Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-27. https://menwith.com/why-rolls-royce-is-doubling-down-on-the-oldest-idea-in-luxury --- ## The Modern Gentleman Collector: Why Owning Less Means Owning Better - URL: https://menwith.com/the-modern-gentleman-collector-why-owning-less-means-owning-better - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-26 - Tags: modern collecting, curation, mechanical watches, analog cars, vinyl records, personal narrative, horology, hi-fi systems **Summary:** The modern gentleman collector prioritizes meaning and curation over quantity. This shift emphasizes knowledge, personal narrative, and the emotional connection to objects like watches, cars, and vinyl. In an era where consumption is effortless and abundance is everywhere, a quiet shift is taking place. The modern gentleman is no longer chasing quantity. Instead, he is pursuing meaning. Collecting today is less about possession and more about curation. Each object serves a purpose beyond its function. It reflects knowledge, intention, and a personal narrative that cannot be replicated. The Psychology of Collecting At its core, collecting has always been emotional. But the distinction between passion and status has never been clearer. A status-driven collector acquires to be seen. The modern collector acquires to understand. He studies the history behind a watch movement, the engineering philosophy of a car, or the pressing details of a vinyl record. Ownership becomes secondary to appreciation. There is also a shift from having to knowing. A curated collection of five meaningful pieces carries more weight than a room full of interchangeable luxury. The modern gentleman is not interested in impressing everyone, only in satisfying his own standards. The Three Pillars of Modern Collecting While collecting can take many forms, three categories continue to define the modern aesthetic. Watches: Heritage and Mechanics A mechanical watch is more than a timekeeper. It is a miniature machine, often assembled by hand, carrying decades or even centuries of horological evolution. Collectors today gravitate toward pieces with provenance. Vintage models with patina, limited runs with historical significance, or independent watchmakers pushing technical boundaries. The value lies not just in rarity, but in story and craftsmanship. Cars: Experience and Emotion For the modern gentleman, a car is not simply transportation. It is a sensory experience. The rise of analog driving experiences speaks volumes. Manual gearboxes, naturally aspirated engines, and lightweight construction are increasingly valued in a digital age. Ownership becomes about the feeling behind the wheel rather than numbers on a spec sheet. Vinyl & Hi-Fi: Ritual and Immersion Streaming offers convenience, but vinyl offers presence. The act of selecting a record, placing the needle, and listening from start to finish creates a ritual. Paired with a carefully chosen hi-fi system, music becomes immersive rather than background noise. It demands attention, and rewards it. Collector vs Investor The line between collecting and investing has blurred, but the difference remains fundamental. An investor buys with the intention to sell. A collector buys with the intention to keep. Flipping pieces for profit strips away the emotional core of collecting. It turns passion into transaction. The modern gentleman understands that while value may increase over time, it should never be the primary motivation. True collecting is about connection. The longer an object stays, the deeper its meaning becomes. What Defines Taste in 2026 Taste today is no longer loud. It is quiet, deliberate, and informed. Restraint is key. Knowing when not to buy is just as important as knowing what to acquire. Knowledge separates the collector from the consumer. Understanding the history, the craft, and the nuance behind each piece creates a deeper level of appreciation. And finally, personal narrative. The best collections are not built to impress others. They are built to reflect a life. Each piece represents a moment, an interest, or a chapter. 5 Collections That Define Modern Taste - - A three-watch collection consisting of one dress watch, one sports watch, and one vintage piece with patina - - A driver-focused sports car chosen for feel rather than horsepower - - A curated vinyl library of 50 records that are listened to regularly, not displayed - - A minimalist wardrobe built around quality fabrics and timeless silhouettes - - A small selection of objects with personal history, whether inherited or discovered through travel — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-modern-gentleman-collector-why-owning-less-means-owning-better — Citation: "The Modern Gentleman Collector: Why Owning Less Means Owning Better" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-26. https://menwith.com/the-modern-gentleman-collector-why-owning-less-means-owning-better --- ## Henry Cavill Introduces The Next-Generation HydroConquest - URL: https://menwith.com/next-generation-hydroconquest - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-26 - Tags: Longines, HydroConquest, Henry Cavill, Calibre L888.5, Ceramic Bezel, Milanese Mesh **Summary:** Longines unveils a redesigned HydroConquest, featuring new sizes, ceramic bezels, and improved bracelets. The collection balances accessible luxury with sophisticated execution, highlighted by Henry Cavill's campaign. There is a particular type of watch that asks nothing of you. It goes where you go, holds its composure in salt water and boardrooms alike. The HydroConquest has always been that watch for Longines. The new generation, released today, suggests the brand knows exactly what it has. The redesign is comprehensive. New dials, new bezel colors, a revised case architecture that feels at once contemporary and somehow inevitable. Two sizes, 39 and 42 millimeters, cover the range without overextending it. The proportions feel considered rather than calculated. What strikes you when you pick one up is the quiet confidence of the execution. The steel bracelet carries H-shaped links borrowed from the GMT models launched in 2023, and the micro-adjustment system is properly done. Not a gesture toward fit, but an actual solution to it. That matters more than it sounds. A sports bracelet that fits correctly changes how a watch carries itself on the wrist, and on the wrist is where the HydroConquest lives. Five ceramic bezel colors across the range, including verdant green and a luminous blue that read as genuinely fresh rather than trend-chasing. Paired with lacquered dials in blue, black and green, the combinations allow for real personality without theatrics. The Milanese mesh versions are new for this collection, and they are the right kind of new. The weave is tight, the brushed finish sits well against the case, and the effect is softer without being less serious. It opens the collection to a different mood without diluting what the HydroConquest fundamentally is. The frosted blue sunray, available exclusively through Longines boutiques and e-commerce, is the one that stays with you. The surface catches light slowly, the color shifting between pale morning sky and something closer to pewter depending on the angle. It is restrained and quietly arresting. Of everything in the range, it is the version most likely to be remembered. Inside, the calibre L888.5 with silicon balance-spring delivers 72 hours of power reserve and magnetic resistance well beyond the standard requirement. These are not decorative achievements. They represent a movement that is genuinely suited to modern life. For Longines, this launch is about something more than a product update. The HydroConquest sits at the centre of what the brand does best, which is to make serious watches accessible without making them feel compromised. The line between accessible and diminished is one that many brands misjudge. Longines, with this collection, appears to understand where it is. The Henry Cavill campaign, shot on the volcanic coastline of Tenerife, does what good watch campaigns rarely do. It suggests a mood rather than demonstrating a lifestyle. A man, a shoreline, the suggestion of movement and ease. It fits the watch without explaining it. The HydroConquest has been a reliable foundation in the Longines catalogue since 2007. This generation feels like the version the collection was always working toward. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/next-generation-hydroconquest — Citation: "Henry Cavill Introduces The Next-Generation HydroConquest" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-26. https://menwith.com/next-generation-hydroconquest --- ## Hazemann & Monnin Enters a New Orbit - URL: https://menwith.com/hazemann-monnin-enters-a-new-orbit - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-25 **Summary:** The Swiss duo's win at the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize signals a shift for the independent makers, placing them firmly on the main stage. In watchmaking, a name is built slowly. It is earned through years of quiet work, often in small workshops far from the main stage. Then, sometimes, a moment arrives that accelerates everything. For Swiss-based Hazemann & Monnin, that moment is now. The duo has been named the winner of the second Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. The award is quickly becoming one of the most significant platforms for watchmakers operating outside the orbit of the major groups. It offers not just recognition, but mentorship and a global spotlight that can change the trajectory of a small brand. This is not the first time Hazemann & Monnin has been singled out. The win marks their second major award in the last three years, suggesting a consistency of vision that is hard to ignore. It signals a transition from a promising atelier to a name with proven creative force. A Technical Approach to Time A look at their work reveals why it captured the jury's attention. The design language is technical and unapologetically modern. There is no attempt to hide the complexity. Instead, the mechanics are the main event. Cases are structured like miniature architecture, with layers and apertures that draw the eye inward. This is watchmaking that wants to be understood from the inside out. The focus is on the construction, on the interplay of metal and sapphire. It is a style that appeals to a collector who is interested in process as much as the final product. The Power of the Prize For any independent creator, the greatest challenge is cutting through the noise. The market is dominated by brands with a century of history and marketing budgets to match. A prize backed by a name like Louis Vuitton does more than confirm talent. It provides a direct line to an audience that might otherwise never discover a small, independent workshop. The win gives Hazemann & Monnin a powerful narrative and the resources to build on it. It’s an affirmation that their particular vision of horology has a place on the world stage. The path for an independent is never easy, but this award clears a significant part of the road ahead. What they do with this opportunity is now the story to watch. The foundation has been laid and the industry is paying attention. The expectation is no longer just for good work, but for what comes next. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hazemann-monnin-enters-a-new-orbit — Citation: "Hazemann & Monnin Enters a New Orbit" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-25. https://menwith.com/hazemann-monnin-enters-a-new-orbit --- ## A Key Man Jumps Ship From Audi’s F1 Project - URL: https://menwith.com/a-key-man-jumps-ship-from-audi-s-f1-project - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-03-25 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Jonathan Wheatley leaves Audi's F1 project for Aston Martin, a significant blow to Audi's plans and a major gain for Aston Martin's ambitious 2026 strategy. Jonathan Wheatley’s tenure with Audi was over before it really began. In the world of Formula 1, where long-term strategy is everything, his departure from the German manufacturer’s new project is the kind of move that gets noticed. It was a brief and quiet association, one that raises more questions about the team he is leaving than the one he is likely joining. Wheatley is not just another manager. His reputation was forged over years as the Sporting Director at Red Bull, a key operational mind inside one of the most dominant teams in the sport’s history. His hiring was meant to be a foundational piece for Audi, a signal that their entry in 2026 was being built with proven, winning experience. His exit is, therefore, a significant blow. A Project Under Review The context at Audi is one of transformation. The brand recently committed to a full takeover of the Sauber team, a move intended to erase any doubt about their commitment. Yet, a change in leadership at the very top of the Audi group has altered the landscape. The new CEO, Gernot Dollner, has initiated a complete review of the F1 project. In the high-stakes environment of Formula 1, a review of this nature creates uncertainty. For senior talent weighing their future, complete and unwavering backing from the board is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite. The suggestion that a project of this scale is being re-evaluated so close to its launch can be enough to make key figures reconsider their position. It appears Wheatley did just that. The Pull of Ambition While Audi’s future is being debated in boardrooms, Aston Martin’s trajectory is clear and aggressive. Backed by Lawrence Stroll’s considerable investment, the Silverstone-based team is operating with a singular focus. A new, state-of-the-art campus is online. A works engine partnership with Honda is secured for the new regulations in 2026. The direction of travel is obvious. Aston Martin has been on a recruitment drive for some time, building a roster of technical and operational talent to match its new facilities. Landing Wheatley would be one of its most significant acquisitions. It is a move that weakens a future rival while strengthening its own leadership structure for the critical period ahead. The role Wheatley is expected to take is not yet public, but it is thought to be a senior one. One possibility involves him becoming Team Principal, allowing the current boss, Mike Krack, to ascend to a broader CEO position overseeing the entire racing operation. This points to a team thinking strategically about its long-term structure, creating a clear path for growth that is attractive to top-tier talent. The race for 2026 is not just about designing a new car and engine. It is about building the right organisation. This move suggests that for now, one project offers a clearer vision of the future than the other. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-key-man-jumps-ship-from-audi-s-f1-project — Citation: "A Key Man Jumps Ship From Audi’s F1 Project" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-25. https://menwith.com/a-key-man-jumps-ship-from-audi-s-f1-project --- ## Veuve Clicquot Wraps Its History in Paper and Clay - URL: https://menwith.com/veuve-clicquot-wraps-its-history-in-paper-and-clay - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-25 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Veuve Clicquot's La Grande Dame 2018 Rosé features artistic packaging by Paola Paronetto and a blend honoring Madame Clicquot's Pinot Noir legacy. The first thing you notice about the new Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 Rosé is not the bottle, but the box. It feels less like packaging and more like a piece of sculpture. The textured surface, subtle color, and solid form have a story of their own before you even get to the wine. This is the work of Italian artist Paola Paronetto. Her collaboration with the Champagne house is a deliberate choice, signaling that the experience here begins well before the cork is pulled. Paronetto’s signature is a technique she calls “paper clay,” a unique blend that gives her objects a fragile, yet permanent quality. For La Grande Dame, she created a series of six gift boxes, each cast in a distinct color from her personal palette. The Pinot Noir Question The wine itself continues a story that began centuries ago. La Grande Dame is Veuve Clicquot’s prestige cuvée, a tribute to Madame Clicquot herself. Her great contribution to Champagne was an early and unwavering belief in the power of Pinot Noir. At a time when others hesitated, she saw its potential for structure, depth, and complexity. The 2018 Rosé is a direct expression of that vision. The blend is almost entirely Pinot Noir, making up 90% of the cuvée, sourced from historic Grand Crus like Aÿ, Verzenay, and Bouzy. The remaining 10% is Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. To create the rosé, the house adds 14% red wine, made exclusively from Pinot Noir grown in the prized Clos Colin parcel in Bouzy. It is a precise and technical decision that defines the final character of the wine. Art as a Second Skin The connection to Paronetto feels earned. Her work is about texture and form, just as winemaking is. The colors she chose for the gift boxes are meant to harmonize with the new rosé. They move from light to dark, reflecting the tasting notes which begin with red fruits like strawberry and evolve into spicier notes of pepper and paprika. The boxes are also designed with a practical purpose. Made from FSC-certified paper with a 30% recycled content, they are fully recyclable and free of plastic. The gesture frames the luxury of the wine within a modern sensibility about waste and materials. For a brand like Veuve Clicquot, which is part of the LVMH group, such collaborations are more than just marketing. They are a way of participating in a wider cultural conversation. The bottle becomes a canvas, and the act of opening it becomes part of a larger artistic statement. It suggests that heritage is not something to be merely preserved. It is something to be actively reinterpreted, generation after generation. Here, the reinterpretation comes through color, texture, and form. A new skin for a very old soul. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/veuve-clicquot-wraps-its-history-in-paper-and-clay — Citation: "Veuve Clicquot Wraps Its History in Paper and Clay" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-25. https://menwith.com/veuve-clicquot-wraps-its-history-in-paper-and-clay --- ## Mercedes Adopts a New Skin for Japan - URL: https://menwith.com/mercedes-adopts-a-new-skin-for-japan - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-03-25 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Mercedes F1 swaps its iconic silver for a wolf-inspired livery at the Japanese GP, signaling a trend of cars as artistic canvases. This strategic move respects Suzuka's passionate fanbase and broadens F1's cultural relevance. A Formula 1 car’s livery is meant to be a constant. It is the team’s uniform, a fixed identity moving at 200 miles per hour. For years, the Mercedes was a silver arrow, then a black one. A symbol of calculated, relentless performance. But for the Japanese Grand Prix, the team is setting aside its usual colors for something else entirely. The one-off design is described as wolf-inspired. The choice of language is deliberate. It suggests a certain kind of aggression, a pack instinct, a departure from the cool, corporate precision the brand is built on. For a team like Mercedes, changing your skin, even for a single weekend, is not a casual decision. It is a signal. A Grid of Moving Canvases This gesture is part of a larger shift happening across the Formula 1 grid. One-off liveries are becoming a common practice, turning race weekends in key markets into unique visual events. The car becomes more than a machine. It becomes a temporary canvas, reflecting a specific place and moment. Teams are increasingly using these moments to partner with artists, designers, and cultural figures. It moves the conversation beyond aerodynamics and lap times. It connects the sport to the worlds of fashion, art, and streetwear, giving teams a different kind of relevance. The details on the cars, once purely for sponsorship, now often carry artistic intent. The Logic of Suzuka The choice of Japan for this change is significant. Suzuka is one of the calendar’s most revered circuits, a place held in high regard by drivers and fans alike. The Japanese fanbase is famously passionate and deeply knowledgeable. A special livery here is a nod of respect to that culture. These decisions are guided from the top. A team’s identity is its most valuable asset, and any deviation from it, however brief, is a strategic calculation made by team leadership. It reflects a brand’s confidence and its willingness to engage with the modern spectacle of the sport. Ultimately, the drivers are the ones who carry this identity onto the track. The car they pilot is an extension of their own personal brand within the larger team structure. When the car’s look changes, it offers them a new story to tell for one weekend. For Mercedes, this wolf-inspired livery is an interesting wrinkle. It is an acknowledgement that in today’s Formula 1, consistency is powerful, but so is the ability to surprise. It suggests that even a brand defined by engineering purity understands the value of a good story. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mercedes-adopts-a-new-skin-for-japan — Citation: "Mercedes Adopts a New Skin for Japan" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-25. https://menwith.com/mercedes-adopts-a-new-skin-for-japan --- ## Bentley Finds Its Polish in a Jeweler’s Touch - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-finds-its-polish-in-a-jeweler-s-touch - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-25 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley partners with jeweler Boodles for a new design spec, translating fine jewelry aesthetics into car interiors. The collaboration emphasizes subtle details, craft, and materiality for a richer automotive experience. The character of a car like a Bentley is often found in the details that are felt rather than announced. It exists in the resistance of a dial, the temperature of a metal surface, or the texture of a hide. These small points of contact separate a machine from an experience. They are where engineering meets something closer to art. This is the ground where Bentley’s latest project takes root. The carmaker is collaborating for a second time with Boodles, the British fine jeweler, to create a new design specification available across its entire model range. It is an exercise in translation, an attempt to infuse the grammar of jewelry design into the architecture of a grand tourer. Both brands point to a shared northern heritage as their common language. This is not the London-centric version of British luxury, but something with a different weight and history. It suggests a sensibility grounded in craft and materiality, where value is intrinsic, not just applied. A Shared Northern Grammar The result is a choice of two distinct specifications. They are not limited editions, but fully integrated options that any Bentley buyer can select. This suggests the collaboration runs deeper than a simple branding exercise. It is an effort to build a coherent aesthetic that feels native to both the car and the jeweler. Translating jewelry into a cabin is a delicate task. The principles of light, proportion, and finish must be reinterpreted for a completely different scale and context. In place of gems and precious metals on a wrist, you have veneers, leathers, and metal controls that fill a passenger space. The details must feel special without becoming distracting. Elements include subtle powder pink accents, seen in the blind stitching on the seats and the fine pinstripe painted across the cabin’s veneer. There are also metal overlays on the fascia and waistrails, shaped to mimic the 'Be Boodles' jewelry motif. Beyond the Badge The risk with any such partnership is that it becomes superficial. A logo on a dashboard is easy. A genuinely integrated design language is not. The focus here appears to be on texture and subtle gestures. A 24-karat gold-plated Boodles ‘B’ appears on the interior, but it is one detail among many. The most compelling parts are where the influence is less literal. The use of natural wood veneers and specific color palettes like Porpoise and Linen are choices about mood and atmosphere. These are decisions that shape how the cabin feels, aligning the quiet luxury of a piece of jewelry with the substantial presence of a Bentley. Ultimately, this project says something about the evolving nature of automotive luxury. It is less about performance metrics and more about creating a complete world. The car becomes another surface for personal expression, treated with the same consideration as a watch or a suit. The collaboration is a recognition that for some buyers, the story behind the material matters as much as the material itself. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-finds-its-polish-in-a-jeweler-s-touch — Citation: "Bentley Finds Its Polish in a Jeweler’s Touch" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-25. https://menwith.com/bentley-finds-its-polish-in-a-jeweler-s-touch --- ## Greubel Forsey’s Final Act for the Balancier Convexe S² - URL: https://menwith.com/greubel-forsey-s-final-act-for-the-balancier-convexe-s - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-24 - Tags: Greubel Forsey, Balancier Convexe S², Ceramic Watch, Luxury Watchmaking, Final Edition, Watch Design, Haute Horlogerie **Summary:** Greubel Forsey concludes the Balancier Convexe S² line with a stark black and white ceramic final edition, emphasizing form and contrast. This release signals a deliberate shift, clearing space for future innovations. A final edition is a statement of intent. For a brand like Greubel Forsey, it serves as a deliberate punctuation mark at the end of a chapter. The last Balancier Convexe S² arrives not with a flourish of color, but in a stark palette of black and white ceramic. It feels less like a celebration and more like a conclusion. The Balancier Convexe S² was always a slight departure for the manufacture. It took the company’s intensely architectural approach to watchmaking and placed it within a sportier, more contemporary context. The signature convex case was engineered to follow the curvature of the wrist, a subtle acknowledgement of ergonomics in a field often guided by mechanical purity alone. An Architecture of Contrast Ceramic is the chosen material for this farewell piece. It is lightweight, almost completely scratch-resistant, and possesses a matte finish that absorbs light. The choice to render the watch entirely in black and white strips the design down to its essential components. Form, texture, and shadow become the entire story. The visual depth, however, remains. The large balance wheel, tilted at a precise 30-degree angle to improve timekeeping, is the clear focal point. It sits exposed, a piece of kinetic sculpture against a frosted black background. Around it, the hands, barrel cover, and power reserve indicator are finished to a level that seems almost disconnected from the technical modernity of the ceramic case. The Final Edition from Greubel Forsey This contrast is the space where Greubel Forsey has always operated. The brand consistently pairs futuristic forms with hand-finishing techniques that have not changed in centuries. Every surface, whether visible or not, is meticulously polished, frosted, or beveled by hand. It is a philosophy built on the belief that technology and traditional craft can coexist without compromise. Calling this the final edition is a strategic decision. It signals the end of this particular exploration for the brand. For a manufacture that produces only a few hundred watches each year, every model line represents a significant investment of time and resources. Retiring a collection is not a casual act. It is done to clear the way for what is to come. The watch world is largely built on heritage and the steady continuation of icons. To deliberately end a successful model line runs counter to that logic. But Greubel Forsey has always written its own rules. This final Balancier Convexe S² is less a tribute to what was, and more a quiet signal about the brand’s intention to keep moving. It leaves you wondering not about the watch itself, but about the space it was cleared to create. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/greubel-forsey-s-final-act-for-the-balancier-convexe-s — Citation: "Greubel Forsey’s Final Act for the Balancier Convexe S²" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-24. https://menwith.com/greubel-forsey-s-final-act-for-the-balancier-convexe-s --- ## Ferrari’s Halo Cars Are A Conversation, Not A Contest - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-s-halo-cars-are-a-conversation-not-a-contest - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-24 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Ferrari's halo cars, from the 288 GTO to LaFerrari, represent generational statements of intent, not just performance upgrades. Each model is a distinct argument about the brand's identity and the future of supercars. A halo car is more than a flagship. For a brand like Ferrari, it is a generational statement of intent, a rolling definition of what the company believes a supercar should be at a single point in time. Looking back at the lineage, from the 288 GTO to the LaFerrari, reveals a conversation about performance, technology, and identity. It is not a straight line of progress. It is a series of arguments, each one a reaction to the last. The story begins almost by accident. The Ferrari 288 GTO was conceived for the FIA’s Group B rally category, a famously dangerous and short-lived racing series. When the series was cancelled, Ferrari was left with a homologation special and no competition to enter. The company built 272 of them for the road instead, and in doing so, created the blueprint for its modern halo car strategy. The Founder’s Final Word If the GTO was an accident, the F40 was pure intention. It was the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari, and it carried the full weight of his philosophy. The F40 was a direct, almost brutal machine. It used a twin-turbocharged V8 and its construction was famously spartan. There were no luxuries, no electronic aids, no distractions from the act of driving. It was a declaration that raw, unassisted performance was the ultimate goal. Its successor, the F50, represented a fundamental pivot. The company’s new objective was to build a Formula 1 car for the road. The F50 abandoned the F40’s twin-turbo V8 for a naturally-aspirated V12 derived directly from the 1990 F1 car. Its carbon fiber monocoque was a piece of motorsport exotica. This was a different kind of challenge. The goal was no longer just raw power, but the transfer of a specific racing technology and sensation to a road car. Technology and The Future By the turn of the millennium, the conversation shifted again. The Ferrari Enzo, named for the founder, fully embraced the technology that the F40 had resisted. It incorporated a paddle-shift transmission and carbon-ceramic brakes developed through the brand's dominant F1 program. The Enzo was a statement that technology was not the enemy of performance, but its enabler. It was a car that acknowledged its place in a new, more digital century. This set the stage for the most significant leap yet. The LaFerrari had to answer the hybrid question. It was the brand’s first production hybrid, integrating a V12 engine with an electric motor and a HY-KERS system. The mission was to prove that electrification could enhance the driving experience, adding a new layer of performance rather than simply satisfying regulations. It was Ferrari’s attempt to define the future for itself, before others could define it for them. Each of these cars commands immense value on the collector market, a fact tracked closely by houses like Sotheby's. Their monetary worth, however, is secondary to their cultural role. They are not just a collection of faster and more powerful machines. They are physical evidence of a brand in constant dialogue with its own legend, each model a new chapter in an argument about what it means to be a Ferrari. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-s-halo-cars-are-a-conversation-not-a-contest — Citation: "Ferrari’s Halo Cars Are A Conversation, Not A Contest" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-24. https://menwith.com/ferrari-s-halo-cars-are-a-conversation-not-a-contest --- ## Christopher Ward adds a flyer GMT to the C63 lineup - URL: https://menwith.com/christopher-ward-adds-a-flyer-gmt-to-the-c63-lineup - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-23 - Tags: Christopher Ward C63 True GMT, Flyer GMT, Jumping Hour Hand, Travel Watch, GMT Complication, Watch Engineering, Luxury Lifestyle **Summary:** Christopher Ward's new C63 True GMT features a true "flyer" jumping hour hand, prioritizing functionality for travelers. The brand emphasizes the difficult engineering process, highlighting their commitment to a precise, tool-like travel watch. Christopher Ward puts a local jumping hour hand on the new C63 True GMT, the kind that lets the main hour click forward as you land in a new city. Today Christopher Ward adds a flyer GMT to its core range. The brand calls the work to build the movement trying and even “painful,” and says the process took longer than expected. For a company that now describes itself as the UK’s biggest watch brand, the decision to pursue this path reads like a line in the sand. Do the travel watch the hard way, or not at all. A local jumping hour hand GMT is built for movement. You adjust the main hour in hourly steps when you change time zones, while a 24-hour display keeps home time steady. No stopping the watch. No fuss with the minutes. It is the traveler’s version of the complication, and it lives or dies on clarity and feel. The new model sits inside the C63 family, which has become the brand’s most direct, everyday canvas. That choice is telling. Rather than wrapping the feature in something loud, the company puts a flyer GMT where people actually wear watches that need to work. It treats the complication like a tool, not a trophy. Why the flyer route matters Engineering a proper local jumping hour system is not a weekend project. Gears, tolerances, and the way the hand reindexes with authority all have to feel exact. The brand’s own framing of the development as difficult and drawn out is noteworthy. Companies do not usually tell you that something hurt unless it changed how they work. A flyer GMT is about rhythm. Arrive, click, carry on. The experience should be as unremarkable as checking a boarding gate. That is the whole point. When a manufacturer chooses to build it this way, they are saying the behavior of the watch matters as much as the headline feature. Built for the way people actually travel Most time away from home does not look like a lounge ad. It is queues, quick meals, laptop bags, and one eye on the clock. A GMT that handles the local jump cleanly fits into that routine without asking for attention. You change zones and keep moving. The second time display is there when you need it, and quiet when you do not. Putting this function into the C63 True GMT suggests a focus on legibility and simple control. Big claims are not required here. Just an hour hand that jumps when asked, a clear read on home time, and a layout that stays readable when you are jet-lagged and half-lit by a seat lamp. What it signals for Christopher Ward Calling the effort “painful” invites a simple conclusion. The company wanted this specific solution, and it was prepared to take the long road to get there. That moves the conversation from marketing to method. Deliver the function in its true form, then build the rest around it. There is a wider lesson in how the story is told. When a brand is clear about what it built and why it took time, people understand the intent. A flyer GMT is not theatre. It is a promise about how the watch behaves when life crosses time lines. If the C63 True GMT keeps that promise, it will not need to raise its voice. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/christopher-ward-adds-a-flyer-gmt-to-the-c63-lineup — Citation: "Christopher Ward adds a flyer GMT to the C63 lineup" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-23. https://menwith.com/christopher-ward-adds-a-flyer-gmt-to-the-c63-lineup --- ## Bugatti Puts Its Name On A Machine Without An Engine - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-puts-its-name-on-a-machine-without-an-engine - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-22 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti partners with Factor Bikes for the Factor ONE, a professional road bike translating hypercar engineering principles to cycling. It emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency and advanced materials for maximum speed. The name Bugatti brings a certain physics to mind. Immense power, deployed with brutal precision. Sixteen-cylinder engines and speeds that push the boundaries of road-legal travel. The brand’s logic has always been one of overwhelming force, of conquering physics with engineering superiority. So it is interesting to see that same name attached to an object powered by nothing more than human muscle. The Bugatti Factor ONE is a professional road bike. It is an exercise in translating a hypercar philosophy into a domain where success is measured in grams and aerodynamic efficiency. The two worlds seem opposed. One is about generating near-limitless horsepower. The other is about conserving every possible watt of human effort. Yet the collaboration with high-performance bicycle manufacturer Factor Bikes suggests a common ground exists. An Alliance of Engineers The choice of partner is telling. Factor Bikes is not a lifestyle brand with a cycling division. It is an engineering-first company from Norfolk, UK, with a reputation for building some of the fastest UCI-legal racing bikes in the professional peloton. This is not a simple licensing deal. It is a collaboration grounded in shared principles of material science and performance optimisation. Both companies build machines designed to operate at the very edge of what is possible. The Factor ONE frame becomes a canvas for this shared thinking. The design features a wide fork stance and a shape honed to reduce aerodynamic drag. Every surface appears considered, designed to manage airflow in a way that recalls the meticulous engineering of a Bugatti hypercar's bodywork. The goal is the same, even if the scale and power source are worlds apart. Maximum speed from available energy. Bugatti Details on Two Wheels The collaboration extends beyond the frame's geometry. The bike features custom CARBON-TI rotors and chainrings, pieces developed exclusively for this project. These are not off-the-shelf parts with a new logo. They are integral to the bike’s performance identity, a sign of a deeper integration between the two brands' engineering teams. The wheelset, named the Black Inc Hyper 62, was also conceived as the cycling equivalent of a Bugatti wheel. It has to balance strength, rotational mass, and an aerodynamic profile. It is another instance where the guiding questions are the same ones asked in Molsheim. How can we make it lighter, stronger, and faster using the most advanced materials available? This project makes more sense when viewed within the larger Bugatti universe. The brand has always been more than just a car company. It is a purveyor of mechanical extremes. That identity allows it to pursue a world record with the Veyron Super Sport one day, and place a tourbillon complication inside its latest hypercar the next. The common thread is an uncompromising approach to engineering. The bicycle, then, is not a departure. It is a reinforcement of the core idea. It is a test of identity, a way to see if the spirit of Molsheim can exist on two wheels. The Factor ONE suggests it can, provided the commitment to engineering remains absolute. It also suggests that for a brand like Bugatti, the definition of performance has become more flexible. It is not only about what an engine can do. It is about what is possible when design and materials are pushed to their logical conclusion, regardless of the application. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-puts-its-name-on-a-machine-without-an-engine — Citation: "Bugatti Puts Its Name On A Machine Without An Engine" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-22. https://menwith.com/bugatti-puts-its-name-on-a-machine-without-an-engine --- ## The Other Rhythms of Time - URL: https://menwith.com/the-other-rhythms-of-time - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-22 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin's "Crafted Rhythms" campaign links Ramadan's values of patience and harmony with watchmaking artistry. It highlights the human hand as the bridge between creation and reflection, emphasizing beauty shaped by intention. Time is not a single, steady beat. It has other rhythms. There is the deliberate, patient time of the watchmaker’s bench, measured in adjustments too small for the eye to see. Then there is the contemplative time of tradition, marked by reflection and stillness. With its new campaign, Vacheron Constantin acknowledges these parallel currents. The initiative, titled “Crafted Rhythms,” is presented in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. It frames a connection between the principles of the month, like patience and harmony, and the values that guide the creation of a fine watch. The campaign puts forward the idea that the human hand is the common element, the bridge between the physical act of creation and the spiritual act of reflection. Beauty Shaped by Hand The phrase at the heart of the campaign, “Beauty Shaped by Hand,” is a direct reference to the Maison’s own philosophy. For Vacheron Constantin, craft is not just a method of production. It is a repository of human knowledge and patience. Every finished component carries the imprint of the person who made it, a story told in polished edges and precise angles. This campaign extends that thinking outward. It suggests that the same devotion and quiet focus required to assemble a movement can be found in cultural and spiritual practices. It repositions the work of the manufacture not as a purely mechanical pursuit, but as an artistic one grounded in universal human values. By connecting with Ramadan, the brand steps outside its familiar territory in the Vallée de Joux. It is a gesture of cultural awareness, an acknowledgment that the concepts of time, artistry, and heritage are not exclusive to the West. The initiative seeks common ground, finding a shared language in the discipline of craft. Vacheron Constantin and a Wider World This is not an isolated move. It fits within a larger pattern of Vacheron Constantin engaging with art and culture on a global scale. The Maison’s sponsorship of artistic endeavors and its presence at cultural events from Asia to the Middle East show a consistent effort to participate in a dialogue that extends beyond watchmaking alone. These activities suggest a brand that sees itself as more than a manufacturer of objects. It is a custodian of a certain kind of thinking, one that values depth, patience, and human skill. The “Crafted Rhythms” campaign is another expression of that identity, applied to a different cultural context. Ultimately, the campaign is an exploration of an idea. It proposes that whether in a workshop or in quiet contemplation, the most meaningful moments are often the ones shaped by human intention and a slower, more deliberate pace. It is a reminder that some things cannot, and should not, be rushed. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-other-rhythms-of-time — Citation: "The Other Rhythms of Time" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-22. https://menwith.com/the-other-rhythms-of-time --- ## Guerlain and Orient Express Introduce a Spa in Motion - URL: https://menwith.com/guerlain-and-orient-express-introduce-a-spa-in-motion - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-22 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Guerlain and Orient Express launch a luxury spa car in 2026, offering signature treatments and beauty consultations aboard the legendary train. This collaboration elevates the travel experience by integrating wellness into the journey itself. The rhythm of a train is a distinct sensation. It is a constant, gentle reminder of movement, of distance being covered while the world slides past the window. For over a century, the Orient Express has been defined by this experience. It is a name synonymous with the journey, not just the destination. Now, that journey is acquiring a new texture. Beginning in June 2026, the legendary train will include a dedicated Guerlain Spa Car. The collaboration brings two houses from the LVMH group together to build a space of intentional quietude inside a vehicle defined by its perpetual motion. A Space for Stillness The new Orient Express trains, envisioned by Creative Director Maxime d’Angeac, will accommodate this travelling sanctuary. The spa car is designed with two treatment rooms and a private salon. One room is a duo cabin, designed for couples, while the other is a single cabin for individual treatments. The third space, the salon, will serve as a venue for beauty consultations and host a pop-up boutique. The aesthetic draws from the Second Empire style, a nod to a period of opulence and detailed craft. The decor features marquetry panels from Maison Bonnet and fabrics inspired by the personal style of Empress Eugénie. It is an attempt to root a modern wellness concept in a specific historical context. Treatments in Transit Guerlain has developed a menu of treatments specifically for the Orient Express. Three signature services form the core of the offering. “The Legendary 1828” is a 30-minute massage focused on deep muscle work for the back, neck, and shoulders. “Beauty Sleep” is a facial treatment of the same duration, engineered for relaxation before an overnight rest. The most comprehensive option is the “Orient Express Ritual,” a one-hour service that combines both body and facial care. These treatments will utilize products from Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale and Abeille Royale collections, bringing the Maison’s established formulas into a new environment. The partnership is more than a simple branding exercise. It reflects a strategy of creating a more integrated luxury ecosystem. By placing a Guerlain spa on an Orient Express train, the experience of travel is layered with another form of escape. It suggests that the time spent in transit is not idle, but an opportunity for a different kind of activity. This is a proposition about the changing nature of luxury travel itself. The focus shifts from speed and efficiency to the quality of the time spent moving. The journey becomes a curated experience, and every moment onboard is given a purpose. Read more about fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/guerlain-and-orient-express-introduce-a-spa-in-motion — Citation: "Guerlain and Orient Express Introduce a Spa in Motion" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-22. https://menwith.com/guerlain-and-orient-express-introduce-a-spa-in-motion --- ## Villa Océane and The Architecture of Privacy - URL: https://menwith.com/villa-oc-ane-and-the-architecture-of-privacy - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-03-20 - Tags: Villa Océane, Old Fort Bay, Bahamas real estate, luxury compound, private resort, modern architecture, secluded living, high-end amenities **Summary:** Villa Océane in Old Fort Bay, Bahamas, redefines sanctuary with its $59M compound design. This estate offers a self-contained luxury experience, blurring lines between home and resort. Some places are defined by what they keep out. Old Fort Bay in the Bahamas is one of them. It is a pocket of curated quiet, a community built around the ruins of a 1700s British colonial fort. Buying property here is about more than acquiring a house. It is about acquiring a particular kind of seclusion. The arrival of Villa Océane on the market, with an asking price of $59 million, is less a real estate transaction and more a conversation about the modern meaning of sanctuary. The property is built on a scale that resists the term ‘home’. With nine bedrooms spread across its grounds, it operates on the logic of a private compound. This is not a weekend retreat for a small family. It is an address designed to accommodate guests, staff, and a life lived with a certain amount of support and social gravity. The architecture itself, clean and modern, seems to understand this. It uses vast panes of glass and open sightlines not for exposure, but to pull the controlled landscape of the estate inside. A Self-Contained World The distinction between a house and a resort blurs completely at this level. A home is a place you leave. A private resort is a place with little reason to. The design of Villa Océane seems to reinforce this idea. The flow between its numerous living areas is fluid, encouraging movement and gathering, but always within the estate’s perimeter. It is a self-contained world, designed for a life that can be lived almost entirely on-site. Living spaces are generous and understated, finished with a palette that defers to the turquoise water and green foliage outside. The goal is not to impress with decoration but to create a sense of calm and expanse. It is an environment built to absorb people gracefully, whether for a large event or a quiet afternoon. The function of the space is to provide a backdrop, not to be the main event. The Details of Leisure The amenities speak to a life where leisure is not an afterthought. Beside the clean lines of the infinity pool sits a giant, life-sized chess set. It is a playful, almost theatrical touch. But it is also a quiet statement about having the time and the space to engage in games on a grand scale. It suggests a pace of life governed by choice, not by necessity. Play becomes a part of the landscape. This philosophy extends into the most personal areas of the estate. The private quarters, like the nine bedrooms and their adjoining bathrooms, maintain the same sense of scale and finish as the public-facing rooms. There is no drop-off in quality. The experience is seamless, reinforcing the idea that every corner of the property is part of a single, coherent vision of luxury. It is total environmental control. Ultimately, a property like Villa Océane is an instrument. It is a tool for crafting a specific existence, one where the boundaries between inside and outside, work and play, public and private are drawn and redrawn on its owner’s terms. It is less a piece of real estate and more a platform for a life lived with absolute intention. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/villa-oc-ane-and-the-architecture-of-privacy — Citation: "Villa Océane and The Architecture of Privacy" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-20. https://menwith.com/villa-oc-ane-and-the-architecture-of-privacy --- ## Damson Idris and the Weight of a Modern Legend - URL: https://menwith.com/damson-idris-and-the-weight-of-a-modern-legend - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-03-20 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Damson Idris immerses himself in the world of Formula 1 for a new film, aiming to capture the sport's visceral reality. With Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton involved, the project seeks to translate F1's intensity for both fans and newcomers. Damson Idris stood on the Silverstone grid, surrounded by the machinery of a live Formula 1 race weekend. The feeling is hard to describe. It is a mix of theatre and raw mechanical purpose. For an actor, it is the deepest kind of immersion. He was there to film, but he was also inside the very world his movie hopes to capture. The project, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Joseph Kosinski, carries the weight of high expectations. With Brad Pitt starring and Lewis Hamilton producing, this is Hollywood’s most serious attempt to translate the visceral, data-driven reality of modern Formula 1 into a lasting piece of cinema. Idris plays Joshua Pearce, a young driver for the fictional APXGP team. The production is using a modified Formula 2 car, designed to look like a contemporary F1 machine, and running it on track during actual Grand Prix events. It is a logistical feat, an attempt to blur the line between the real sport and its cinematic double. Capturing an Ethos For Damson Idris, the role is more than a character study. It is an exercise in understanding a specific kind of greatness. He refers to Lewis Hamilton as his hero. This is not simple admiration. It is an acknowledgement of the man who is not only one of the film’s producers but also its spiritual core. Hamilton’s involvement goes beyond technical consulting. He is there to protect the integrity of the sport on screen. This means the story has to feel right, not just look right. The pressures, the politics, and the sheer physical talent required had to be present in the script and in the performances. Idris’s task is to embody that, to translate the mentality of a top-tier athlete for the screen. The preparation was intense. Getting behind the wheel, even of a modified car, provides a glimpse of the forces at play. It’s one thing to act like a driver. It’s another to feel the car beneath you and understand the physical consequences of every decision at speed. A New Kind of Fandom Like many new followers of the sport, Damson Idris was not a lifelong fan. He came to it later, drawn in by the human stories and rivalries that animate the paddock. His appointment as a Global Brand Ambassador for F1 reflects this. He is a proxy for a new generation of fans who connect with the personalities as much as the racing. This film is being made for them, as well as for the purists. It has to work as a human drama first. The challenge is to create a story that feels authentic to those who know every detail of a DRS zone, while also being compelling to someone who has never watched a race. The project is an attempt to bottle the lightning that has made Formula 1 a global phenomenon in recent years. It aims to be more than just a racing movie. It is an effort to solidify a cultural moment, to tell the story of the sport right now, with all its modern complexity and star power. Ultimately, the film's success will depend on its ability to convince audiences that its fiction is as compelling as the reality it mirrors. For Damson Idris, that means carrying the responsibility not just of a lead role, but of a legend's living legacy. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/damson-idris-and-the-weight-of-a-modern-legend — Citation: "Damson Idris and the Weight of a Modern Legend" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-20. https://menwith.com/damson-idris-and-the-weight-of-a-modern-legend --- ## The Real Power at Bentley Isn't the Engine - URL: https://menwith.com/the-real-power-at-bentley-isn-t-the-engine - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-20 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's financial stability allows for a self-funded, methodical transition to electric vehicles, prioritizing brand heritage and craftsmanship over rapid reinvention. A car factory is a place of controlled noise. The whine of machinery, the hiss of pneumatics, the choreographed dance of robotic arms. At Bentley’s home in Crewe, this industrial rhythm has been the backdrop to building very large, very powerful combustion engines for generations. Soon, that sound will begin to change. The company just marked its seventh straight year of profitability. In the modern car industry, that kind of consistency is rare. But the number itself is not the story. The real story is what that stability buys: freedom. The freedom to navigate the shift to electric power on its own terms, at its own pace. While other legacy brands have resorted to loud, sometimes desperate, reinventions to signal their electric intent, Bentley is taking a different path. It is using its own money to fund its future. There are no frantic searches for outside capital, no partnerships that risk diluting the brand’s identity. There is only a methodical, self-funded plan to transform its historic Pyms Lane site for a new era. The Currency of Independence This is a bigger deal than it sounds. Financial independence allows a company to resist the pull of trends. It means decisions can be guided by product and philosophy, not by the demands of a quarterly earnings call. It is the ability to say no. In a market saturated with hype, the most luxurious commodity is control. Bentley’s approach seems to be one of evolution, not revolution. The brand is not tearing down its past to make room for the future. Instead, it is retrofitting its soul. Investing its own profits back into the very ground that defines it sends a clear message. The Bentley of tomorrow will be born from the same place, and the same values, as the Bentley of yesterday. Building the Future on Hallowed Ground The cars themselves are proof of this strategy. They remain unapologetically substantial. The interiors are still exercises in wood, leather, and metal, crafted with a patience that borders on obsession. The profitability that funds the electric future is a direct result of customers who buy into this consistency. They are not buying a gadget. They are buying a piece of Crewe. This is the thing that often gets lost in conversations about electrification. The challenge is not just technical. It is cultural. How does a brand known for the thunder of a W12 create a new kind of presence in silence? Bentley’s answer, it seems, is to double down on everything but the engine. More craft, more substance, more of the physical quality that you can feel with your hands. The seven years of profit are not an achievement to be celebrated and forgotten. They are the foundation for the next hundred years. It is the capital needed to ensure that when the electric Bentley arrives, it feels like a Bentley first, and an electric car second. In an age of constant, anxious motion, perhaps the most powerful move is to build slowly, with your own two hands. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-real-power-at-bentley-isn-t-the-engine — Citation: "The Real Power at Bentley Isn't the Engine" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-20. https://menwith.com/the-real-power-at-bentley-isn-t-the-engine --- ## There Is More to Audemars Piguet Than the Royal Oak - URL: https://menwith.com/there-is-more-to-audemars-piguet-than-the-royal-oak - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-19 - Tags: Phillips **Summary:** Audemars Piguet's legacy extends beyond the iconic Royal Oak. An upcoming auction showcases diverse collections like Huitième, Jules Audemars, and Code 11.59, revealing the brand's depth in classical and modern watchmaking. Audemars Piguet is often understood through a single shape. The octagon of the Royal Oak has become so central to the brand’s identity that it can feel like the beginning and end of the story. It is a watch that created a category and, in doing so, built a shadow large enough to obscure much of what came before and after. This is the complication of creating a true icon. Its gravity pulls all attention toward it. For collectors, it simplifies the narrative. For the brand, it presents a challenge. How do you remind the world of your other languages when one dialect is all anyone wants to hear? An upcoming online auction by Phillips in Hong Kong offers a compelling answer. By focusing on pieces from outside the Royal Oak family, the sale acts as a deliberate exploration of the manufacture's other histories, revealing a depth that is easily missed. The Bridge to Modern Sport The Huitième collection, for instance, represents a fascinating chapter from the late 1980s. It existed as a bridge between Audemars Piguet’s classical past and the muscular design language that would later define the Royal Oak Offshore. The round cases, prominent bezels, and automatic movements were robust, yet they retained a certain formality. Classical Forms, Complicated Souls The sale also highlights the brand’s foundational commitment to traditional watchmaking. Pieces from the Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet lines showcase a different side of the company’s character. Here, the focus is on elegant case shapes, intricate complications, and a level of finishing rooted in the Vallée de Joux’s oldest traditions. These watches are a reminder that before the steel sport watch revolution, Audemars Piguet was a master of the classical form. Perpetual calendars and minute repeaters were housed not in angular steel, but in sculpted precious metals. They represent a fluency in a design language that is quieter, but no less difficult to perfect. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Experiment Perhaps the most contemporary pieces in the auction are from the Code 11.59 collection. Launched as a new pillar for the brand, its complex case construction and modern aesthetic were met with a divided reception. Seeing these watches at auction provides a different context. They are no longer just new products. They are now part of the brand’s evolving story. The collection shows Audemars Piguet actively trying to write a new chapter, to prove it is more than a one-watch company. The architectural cases, with their embedded octagonal mid-case, were an attempt to carry history forward without simply repeating it. Ultimately, the auction poses a question to collectors. Is the goal to own an icon, or to understand a legacy? The Royal Oak will always be central to the Audemars Piguet story. But these other pieces prove the story is richer, stranger, and more interesting when you read all the chapters. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/there-is-more-to-audemars-piguet-than-the-royal-oak — Citation: "There Is More to Audemars Piguet Than the Royal Oak" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-19. https://menwith.com/there-is-more-to-audemars-piguet-than-the-royal-oak --- ## A Japanese Restaurant in Paris Just Earned Two Michelin Stars - URL: https://menwith.com/a-japanese-restaurant-in-paris-just-earned-two-michelin-stars - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2026-03-19 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Hakuba, a Japanese restaurant in Paris's Cheval Blanc hotel, has earned two Michelin stars. This recognition highlights LVMH's success in curating global luxury experiences beyond French tradition. The name Hakuba is Japanese. The address is quintessentially Parisian. This quiet intersection of cultures, housed within the Cheval Blanc Paris hotel, now has the full attention of the city’s gastronomic establishment. The Michelin Guide recently awarded two stars to Hakuba. In a city where culinary tradition is a matter of national pride, such an honor for a purely Japanese restaurant carries a particular weight. It is a significant moment, not just for the restaurant, but for the hotel it calls home. Cheval Blanc is the hospitality expression of LVMH. The Paris location, its urban flagship, occupies a significant portion of the restored La Samaritaine building overlooking the Seine. The project was never just about opening a hotel. It was about creating a center of gravity for the group's vision of modern luxury. A Counterpoint in Design Inside Hakuba, the city's familiar opulence is replaced by a different kind of precision. The design is an exercise in restraint. Light wood, clean lines, and an almost monastic sense of calm define the space. It feels less like a room and more like a carefully composed environment, designed to focus the senses. That same focus is evident on the plate. The cuisine is presented with a discipline that borders on the architectural. Each element appears considered, placed with an intent that goes beyond simple presentation. It is food as a visual medium, before it is ever tasted. The Hakuba Strategy For LVMH, the two stars are more than an accolade. They are a proof of concept. The group has demonstrated it can not only acquire and steward historic European brands, but also build new, culturally specific experiences from the ground up and have them succeed at the highest level. The recognition of Hakuba suggests a shift in how luxury is defined in a city like Paris. It is no longer solely about the perfection of French craft. It is also about the ability to curate and present other cultures with integrity and excellence. The best of Japan, presented without compromise, has found its place in the heart of France. Read more about experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-japanese-restaurant-in-paris-just-earned-two-michelin-stars — Citation: "A Japanese Restaurant in Paris Just Earned Two Michelin Stars" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-19. https://menwith.com/a-japanese-restaurant-in-paris-just-earned-two-michelin-stars --- ## In the New Bentley Virtuoso, the Stereo Is the Star - URL: https://menwith.com/in-the-new-bentley-virtuoso-the-stereo-is-the-star - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-19 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's Virtuoso Collection reimagines car design, centering the entire vehicle around a high-end Naim audio system. This luxury series prioritizes acoustic experience, treating the cabin as a concert hall on wheels. There is a conventional order to building a motor car. It usually involves an engine, a chassis, and a body, with the cabin appointments following suit. The new Virtuoso Collection from Bentley suggests a different approach. Here, the car seems to have been constructed not around a drivetrain, but around the sound system. This is not a car with a good stereo. This is a series of cars conceived as a showcase for one. The collection is built to feature the pinnacle Naim for Mulliner audio system. It is the reason for the car’s existence, the central theme that dictates the rest of the design. The system itself becomes the point of origin, turning the traditional hierarchy of automotive design on its head. A Concert Hall on Wheels The decision frames the car in a new context. It is treated less as a vehicle and more as an acoustic space. In an industry often focused on horsepower and acceleration figures, building a limited series around the quality of its sound reproduction is a quiet but significant statement. It suggests that the character of the journey is as important as its speed. Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division, has translated this audio-centric philosophy into a distinct visual language. The cars in the Virtuoso Collection are finished with materials and details inspired by the world of high-end musical instruments and audio equipment. Champagne Gold accents appear throughout the cabin, echoing the finish on classic hi-fi components. It is a subtle nod to the car’s primary purpose. Specialised embroidery patterns adorn the seats and door panels, adding a layer of texture that feels both tactile and deliberate. These are not merely decorative flourishes. They are part of a cohesive design that reinforces the central idea of the car as a rolling listening room, where every surface contributes to the overall sensory experience. Mulliner's Thematic Approach The project is a natural fit for Mulliner. The division has long been responsible for translating a client’s specific vision into a finished vehicle. The Virtuoso Collection simply applies that same principle on a broader scale, starting with a core concept and building the car around it. It is a move away from a list of options and toward a fully realised thematic commission. The name itself, Virtuoso, is telling. It connects the car directly to the world of musical mastery and peak performance. The implication is that the driver and passengers are not just traveling, but are present for a performance of the highest calibre. It redefines what a pinnacle model can be, shifting the focus from dynamics to acoustics. As the automotive world moves toward quieter electric powertrains, the sounds inside the cabin will become more prominent. The rumble of an engine will no longer mask the quality, or lack thereof, of the audio system. In that light, the Virtuoso Collection feels less like a special edition and more like a preview of where luxury is headed. The sound you choose to hear is becoming the new soundtrack to the drive. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/in-the-new-bentley-virtuoso-the-stereo-is-the-star — Citation: "In the New Bentley Virtuoso, the Stereo Is the Star" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-19. https://menwith.com/in-the-new-bentley-virtuoso-the-stereo-is-the-star --- ## Magnus Walker’s Legendary Porsche Collection is up for Auction - URL: https://menwith.com/magnus-walkers-legendary-porsche-collection-is-up-for-auction - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-19 - Tags: Magnus Walker, Porsche, Porsche 911, RM Sotheby's, Car Auction, Porsche 924, Porsche 944, Classic Cars **Summary:** Magnus Walker's legendary Porsche collection, featuring 159 lots spanning nearly 50 years of automotive history, is now up for auction via RM Sotheby's. The curated selection highlights iconic 911s, turbocharged models, and often-overlooked front-engine Porsches, showcasing Walker's unique philosophy of individuality and performance. A Collector’s Legacy Hits the Market The unmistakable spirit of Los Angeles car culture is now up for auction. Magnus Walker, the iconic Porsche enthusiast, customizer, and style figure, is opening the doors to his personal collection, presenting 159 carefully curated lots that trace both his journey and Porsche’s evolution. From early short wheelbase 911s to aggressive turbocharged machines and overlooked front engine models, this collection is more than just cars. It is a reflection of Walker’s unique philosophy where individuality, patina, and performance coexist. A Journey Through Porsche History Spanning nearly 50 years, the collection captures some of the most interesting eras in Porsche history. You will find early icons like the 1965 and 1967 Porsche 911 models, representing the purest form of the brand’s DNA. These cars are raw, lightweight, and deeply connected to the original vision of Ferdinand Porsche. Moving into the 1970s, the collection becomes more aggressive. Cars like the 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo and Carrera 2.7 MFI highlight the decade where Porsche began pushing boundaries with forced induction and motorsport inspired engineering. The evolution continues into modern performance with machines like the 2002 911 GT2 and 2004 GT3, cars that represent peak analog driving feel before the digital era fully took over. The Unexpected Heroes What makes this auction particularly interesting is not just the headline cars, but the unexpected ones. Walker has long championed front engine Porsches like the 924 and 944, models often overlooked by collectors. In this collection, they stand proudly alongside the 911 legends, reminding us that passion is not dictated by market trends. These cars represent accessibility, experimentation, and a different kind of Porsche ownership. They are drivers’ cars in the truest sense. Magnus Walker’s Signature Touch Every car in this collection carries a story. Some remain close to original condition, while others showcase Walker’s unmistakable design language with subtle modifications, motorsport inspired liveries, and a focus on individuality over perfection. His influence goes beyond the cars themselves. Walker has built a global following by redefining what it means to be a collector. It is not about pristine garages or untouched examples. It is about driving, expression, and connection. Auction Details The collection is presented through RM Sotheby’s, with bidding already open. Lots will begin closing on Wednesday, March 25 at 1:00 PM EDT, giving collectors and enthusiasts a limited window to own a piece of this unique automotive story. With estimates ranging from around $25,000 to over $250,000, the auction offers entry points for a wide spectrum of buyers, from first time collectors to seasoned Porsche enthusiasts. More Than Just Cars This is not simply an auction. It is the release of a personal archive. Each car reflects a chapter in Magnus Walker’s life and his deep connection to Porsche. For buyers, it is a rare opportunity. For everyone else, it is a reminder of how cars can become something far greater than machines. More about motors here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/magnus-walkers-legendary-porsche-collection-is-up-for-auction — Citation: "Magnus Walker’s Legendary Porsche Collection is up for Auction" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-19. https://menwith.com/magnus-walkers-legendary-porsche-collection-is-up-for-auction --- ## Breitling Elevates the Navitimer Legacy With Concorde Tribute and High-Complication B19 Duo - URL: https://menwith.com/breitling-elevates-the-navitimer-legacy-with-concorde-tribute-and-high-complication-b19-duo - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-18 - Tags: Breitling, Navitimer, Concorde, B19 Perpetual Calendar, Chronograph, Tribute to Concorde, Mach 2, Olympus 593 **Summary:** Breitling honors aviation with two Navitimer releases: a Concorde tribute and a high-complication B19 perpetual calendar chronograph, showcasing the collection's evolution from pilot tool to horological innovation. Breitling continues to strengthen its position at the intersection of aviation heritage and horological innovation with two major Navitimer releases. One looks back at one of the most ambitious achievements in aviation history, while the other pushes forward with one of the brand’s most complex movements to date. Together, they represent the full spectrum of what the Navitimer stands for. A Supersonic Tribute to the Concorde Few aircraft have captured the imagination quite like the Concorde. Flying at Mach 2 and cruising at 60,000 feet, it redefined commercial travel and symbolized an era of bold innovation. Now, Breitling pays tribute to this engineering icon with the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde. The watch channels the spirit of supersonic travel through a deep blue dial inspired by the stratosphere, paired with crisp white subdials referencing the Concorde’s nickname, “The White Bird.” Every detail reflects the aircraft’s legacy, from the engraved caseback marked “Mach 2” to its limitation of 593 pieces, a nod to the Olympus 593 engines that powered the jet. Originally introduced in 1952 as a tool for pilots, the Navitimer has always been deeply rooted in aviation. This tribute reinforces that connection, merging one of watchmaking’s most iconic chronographs with one of aviation’s greatest achievements. The Navitimer at Its Most Advanced On the other end of the spectrum, Breitling introduces the Navitimer B19 perpetual calendar chronograph, a duo that represents the highest level of technical sophistication ever seen in the collection. At the heart of these watches is the Manufacture Caliber B19, a movement that combines a chronograph with a perpetual calendar capable of accounting for leap years and varying month lengths for up to a century. With a 96-hour power reserve and COSC certification, it sets a new benchmark for the brand. The two models are defined by their materials and inspiration from altitude. A 75-piece full platinum edition features a deep blue dial reminiscent of the stratosphere, while the stainless steel version with a platinum bezel presents an anthracite dial evoking the stillness of space. Both incorporate refined details such as raised subdial rings and a prominent moonphase display at 12 o’clock, reinforcing their celestial connection. A Legacy Still in Flight For over seven decades, the Navitimer has evolved from a cockpit instrument into a cultural icon. Worn by astronauts, Formula 1 legends, and artists alike, it has continuously bridged the gap between function and style. With the Tribute to Concorde, Breitling celebrates a moment when humanity dared to move faster than sound. With the B19 duo, it demonstrates its commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking itself. Together, these releases show that the Navitimer is not just a relic of aviation’s golden age, but a platform that continues to evolve, innovate, and inspire. The sky, it seems, is still not the limit. More about watches here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitling-elevates-the-navitimer-legacy-with-concorde-tribute-and-high-complication-b19-duo — Citation: "Breitling Elevates the Navitimer Legacy With Concorde Tribute and High-Complication B19 Duo" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-18. https://menwith.com/breitling-elevates-the-navitimer-legacy-with-concorde-tribute-and-high-complication-b19-duo --- ## Vinyl Sales Pass a Billion Dollars, But That Isn’t the Real Story - URL: https://menwith.com/vinyl-sales-pass-a-billion-dollars-but-that-isn-t-the-real-story - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Culture - Published: 2026-03-17 - Tags: vinyl resurgence, music industry trends, tangible media, digital fandom, collectible records, streaming vs vinyl, cultural artifacts, luxury lifestyle **Summary:** Vinyl sales hit $1 billion, not as a digital rejection, but as a tangible complement to streaming. This resurgence highlights a desire for ownership and ritual in a screen-dominated world. The first thing you feel is the weight. A 180-gram record has a satisfying heft that a playlist simply cannot. Then there is the artwork, large and deliberate, meant to be seen from across a room. The return of vinyl is not about rejecting digital music. It is about choosing to engage with it in a different way. The numbers from the music industry in 2025 are now clear. For the first time since 1983, annual sales of vinyl records in the United States have surpassed the one billion dollar mark. This is not a sudden reversal, but the result of a steady, 19-year upward trend. Last year alone, 46.8 million records were sold, confirming that the format has moved far beyond a niche hobby. Yet, the context is everything. This physical-format revival is happening while streaming platforms remain the undisputed center of the industry. Digital streaming accounted for 82 percent of the market’s total $11.54 billion in revenue. We have not traded our AirPods for turntables. We are simply using both. A Culture of Ownership The rise of vinyl is not a battle against streaming. It is a supplement to it. The same fans who build intricate playlists are also the ones buying limited-edition pressings. It speaks to a desire for ownership and ritual in a world of access. One format is for convenience, the other is for connection. This movement is being propelled by the most current forces in pop culture. The sales figures were significantly driven by special editions from artists like Taylor Swift and the soundtrack for the hit series KPop Demon Hunters. These are not heritage acts from a bygone era. They are the artists dominating the very streaming charts that supposedly made records obsolete. The record itself becomes a physical token of digital fandom. It is an artifact to be collected and displayed, a tangible piece of a cultural moment that otherwise exists almost entirely online. It transforms listening from a background activity into a focused event. The Physical in a Digital World This instinct for the tangible is not unique to music. We see a similar current running through fashion, where collaborations produce physical objects that carry cultural weight far beyond their function. An album, like a sneaker, can become a marker of taste and belonging. The digital ecosystem, with its endless storefronts and immediate access, does not eliminate the desire for physical goods. In many ways, it creates it. The more our lives are mediated by screens, the more value we place on things we can actually hold. Data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) paints a picture of a healthy, diversified industry. The 106.5 million paid streaming subscriptions provide the foundation. The resurgence of vinyl shows that when a product offers a distinct experience, people are willing to pay for it, even if a cheaper, more convenient alternative exists. It seems the future of music is not one format, but many. Read more about our deep dive into vinyl here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vinyl-sales-pass-a-billion-dollars-but-that-isn-t-the-real-story — Citation: "Vinyl Sales Pass a Billion Dollars, But That Isn’t the Real Story" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-17. https://menwith.com/vinyl-sales-pass-a-billion-dollars-but-that-isn-t-the-real-story --- ## The Doctor’s Prescription for Pre-Prohibition Whiskey - URL: https://menwith.com/the-doctor-s-prescription-for-pre-prohibition-whiskey - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-17 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Discover the allure of pre-Prohibition medicinal whiskey bottles, a unique collectible offering a taste of liquid history and a glimpse into a bygone era of regulated spirits. The label often says it all. “For Medicinal Purposes Only.” It’s a strange, formal phrase to find on a bottle of whiskey, a relic from a time when the American government simultaneously banned alcohol and licensed a select few to produce it under doctor’s orders. These bottles are now the focus of a specific kind of collector. They are hunting for liquid history, for a spirit that exists outside the modern world. The story begins in 1920 with the 18th Amendment. While Prohibition shut down the country’s distilleries, a neat loophole allowed six producers to continue their work. Names like Brown-Forman and the company that would become Stitzel-Weller were granted licenses to distill whiskey for medicinal use, prescribed by a doctor and filled at a local pharmacy. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-doctor-s-prescription-for-pre-prohibition-whiskey — Citation: "The Doctor’s Prescription for Pre-Prohibition Whiskey" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-17. https://menwith.com/the-doctor-s-prescription-for-pre-prohibition-whiskey --- ## Our Favorite Watches at the Oscars 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/our-favorite-watches-at-the-oscars-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-16 - Tags: Oscars 2026, Rolex 1908, Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas, Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, Urban Jürgensen UJ-2, Piaget 9297 Tank, Rolex Land-Dweller, Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Hudson Williams **Summary:** The 2026 Oscars showcased exceptional timepieces, with Leonardo DiCaprio in a Rolex 1908 and Timothée Chalamet sporting an Urban Jürgensen UJ-2. Hudson Williams wore a Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas, Raphael Saadiq an Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, Michael B. Jordan a vintage Piaget Tank, and Conan O’Brien a Rolex Land-Dweller. The Academy Awards have long been a playground for watch collectors and brands alike. The 2026 ceremony proved once again that the red carpet is as much about wrist presence as it is about cinematic excellence. A number of notable actors, producers and personalities arrived wearing pieces that ranged from understated dress watches to extravagant high complications. Here are some of our favorite watches spotted at the Oscars 2026. Leonardo DiCaprio – Rolex 1908 Leonardo DiCaprio opted for quiet elegance with the Rolex 1908, a model that represents Rolex’s modern take on classic watchmaking. Introduced in 2023 as a successor to the Cellini line, the 1908 features a slim profile, small seconds at six o’clock and the in-house calibre 7140. The version most often seen on the red carpet comes in 18k yellow or white gold with a refined leather strap, making it one of Rolex’s most traditional dress watches in recent years. Prices typically start around $23,000, though precious metal variants can climb well beyond $30,000 depending on configuration. For a formal night like the Oscars, it was a perfect choice. Hudson Williams – Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Hudson Williams stood out with one of the most distinctive designs in luxury watchmaking, the Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas. Inspired by the shape of a coiled serpent, the watch wraps elegantly around the wrist using Bulgari’s famous Tubogas bracelet technique. Originally introduced in the 1940s, the Serpenti remains one of Bulgari’s most recognizable designs. Modern versions often feature diamond-set bezels, gold cases and quartz movements for reliability. Depending on materials and gemstones, the Serpenti Tubogas ranges roughly between $9,000 and $40,000, with high jewelry editions reaching significantly higher prices. Raphael Saadiq – Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Musician and producer Raphael Saadiq chose the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, one of the brand’s most technically sophisticated modern collections. Since its debut in 2019, the line has become known for its complex case architecture combining a round bezel with an octagonal mid-case. Saadiq’s piece likely featured the in-house automatic movement with a lacquered dial and elegant applied markers. The Code 11.59 has steadily gained appreciation among collectors for its craftsmanship and refined finishing. Depending on the model, prices typically range from $30,000 to over $60,000, while complicated versions can exceed $100,000. Timothée Chalamet – Urban Jürgensen Platinum UJ-2 Timothée Chalamet continues to prove he has one of the most adventurous watch tastes in Hollywood. At the 2026 Oscars he wore the Urban Jürgensen UJ-2 in platinum, a watch celebrated among enthusiasts for its traditional Danish-Swiss craftsmanship. The UJ-2 is powered by a hand-finished movement developed with Kari Voutilainen and features the brand’s signature hand-guilloché dial and elegant teardrop lugs. As a high-end independent watch, the UJ-2 sits firmly in the haute horlogerie category with prices around $100,000 to $130,000, depending on metal and finishing. Michael B. Jordan – Vintage Piaget 9297 Tank Michael B. Jordan embraced vintage elegance with a Piaget reference 9297 Tank, a model that reflects the ultra-thin dress watch aesthetic Piaget mastered in the 1970s. The rectangular gold case and minimalist dial embody the classic tank-style design language. Vintage Piaget pieces like the 9297 have recently seen growing collector interest due to their refined proportions and mechanical simplicity. On today’s vintage market, examples typically trade between $6,000 and $15,000, depending on condition and originality. Conan O’Brien – Rolex Land-Dweller Conan O’Brien arrived with one of Rolex’s newest conversation pieces, the Rolex Land-Dweller. The model, introduced recently as a sport-luxury alternative within the brand’s lineup, blends rugged design cues with Rolex’s renowned reliability. With an integrated bracelet and robust Oyster-style case, the Land-Dweller represents Rolex’s continued push into versatile everyday sports watches. Estimated retail pricing sits around $14,000 to $18,000, depending on materials and configuration. Kevin O’Leary – Cartier Crash Skeleton & Ruby-Set Rolex Daytona Investor Kevin O’Leary, known for his passion for watches, went all out with two extraordinary pieces. The first was the Cartier Crash Skeleton, one of the most unusual watch designs ever created. The distorted case shape dates back to the 1960s London Cartier era, and the skeletonized modern version showcases the movement as part of the dial architecture. Limited production keeps prices extremely high, often $100,000 to $250,000+. He also wore a ruby-set Rolex Daytona, a gem-set version of the iconic chronograph. These highly jeweled Daytonas can easily reach $150,000 to over $400,000 depending on stone quality and rarity. Kumail Nanjiani – Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton Kumail Nanjiani brought serious horological firepower with the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton. This watch combines a full perpetual calendar complication with an open-worked movement that reveals the intricate finishing Vacheron Constantin is famous for. Despite its complexity, the watch remains remarkably slim. Retail prices typically sit around $140,000 to $170,000, placing it among the most impressive complications seen on the red carpet this year. Robert Downey Jr. – Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Robert Downey Jr. brought a sportier touch to the red carpet with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, a watch rooted deeply in dive watch history. Blancpain originally introduced the Fifty Fathoms in 1953 as one of the first modern professional dive watches, developed for French combat divers. The Bathyscaphe variant offers a slightly slimmer and more contemporary interpretation of the legendary model. Modern Bathyscaphe versions often feature ceramic bezels, in-house automatic movements and water resistance up to 300 meters. Depending on the material and complication, prices typically range between $12,000 and $18,000. On a red carpet filled with dress watches and diamond-set pieces, the Bathyscaphe stood out as a confident and understated choice. Shaboozey – Chopard L’Heure du Diamant Shaboozey chose pure glamour with the Chopard 18K L’Heure du Diamant, a high jewelry watch that emphasizes brilliant diamond setting and precious materials. The collection focuses on Chopard’s expertise in gem setting, often featuring fully diamond-set bezels and dials paired with elegant gold cases. Prices vary significantly depending on gemstone quantity, but most models fall between $25,000 and $80,000, with some pieces reaching far higher. Cole Walliser – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar White Ceramic Filmmaker and content creator Cole Walliser wore one of the most sought-after modern Royal Oaks: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in White Ceramic. The white ceramic case and bracelet give the classic Royal Oak design a futuristic appearance while housing a perpetual calendar complication with moonphase and full calendar displays. Retail pricing was originally around $90,000, but due to extreme demand, secondary market prices frequently exceed $200,000. The Oscars red carpet continues to be one of the best places to spot extraordinary watches outside of watch fairs and collector gatherings. From vintage Piaget elegance to independent masterpieces and gem-set icons, the 2026 ceremony proved that horology remains an essential part of modern red carpet style. More about watches here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/our-favorite-watches-at-the-oscars-2026 — Citation: "Our Favorite Watches at the Oscars 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-16. https://menwith.com/our-favorite-watches-at-the-oscars-2026 --- ## The Real Show at the Oscars Happens Off Stage - URL: https://menwith.com/the-real-show-at-the-oscars-happens-off-stage - Author: Tom - Category: Style - Published: 2026-03-16 - Tags: Oscars 2026, Hollywood Power Dynamics, Celebrity Interactions, Off-Stage Drama, Social Fluency, Industry Hierarchy, Menswear Style, Red Carpet vs. Inside Game **Summary:** The Oscars' true drama unfolds off-stage, revealing Hollywood's power dynamics through subtle interactions and studied ease. It's a performance of belonging and social fluency, showcasing industry hierarchy. The Oscars always pretend to be about the awards. They are, of course, but the real shape of the night appears in everything around them. Conan O’Brien understood that from the start. Calling himself the last human host before joking that next year the job would go to “a Waymo in a tux” cut straight to the point. The Oscars still sell grandeur, but everyone in the room knows the machine has become part of the show. That is why the most revealing moments rarely happen at the podium. They happen when Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, and Kylie Jenner are deep in conversation between the formalities. When Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver share a laugh that has nothing to do with a category. When Nicole Kidman throws a peace sign and briefly punctures the stiffness the ceremony works so hard to maintain. Even the Bridesmaids reunion landed because it felt larger than a bit. It reminded the room that Hollywood still trades on memory as much as momentum. That is what the Oscars really are at their best: not just an awards ceremony, but a live display of proximity. Old names, current names, future names, all placed in the same frame. The stage provides the winners. The room provides the hierarchy. That is also why these off-stage moments matter more than they seem to. Not because they are secret, and not because they are always profound, but because they show the industry in its natural habitat: watching itself, greeting itself, reaffirming itself. The red carpet is still controlled. The speeches are still rehearsed. But between those polished surfaces, something more useful appears. You get a better sense of who is comfortable, who is central, who belongs instinctively, and who is still arriving. That is the real show at the Oscars. Not the envelopes. Not the headlines the morning after. The feeling of the room. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-real-show-at-the-oscars-happens-off-stage — Citation: "The Real Show at the Oscars Happens Off Stage" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-16. https://menwith.com/the-real-show-at-the-oscars-happens-off-stage --- ## The full list of Oscars winners - URL: https://menwith.com/the-full-list-of-oscars-winners - Author: Tom - Category: Culture - Published: 2026-03-16 - Tags: Oscars 2024, One Battle after Another, Sinners, Michael B. Jordan, Jessie Buckley, Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, KPop Demon Hunters **Summary:** The full list of Oscars winners includes "One Battle after Another" for Best Picture and "Sinners" for Best Cinematography. Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley won lead acting awards. Actor in a Leading Role Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor for Sinners Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke and Wagner Moura were also nominated. Actor in a Supporting Role Sean Penn takes Best Supporting Actor for One Battle after Another Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Delroy Lindo and Stellan Skarsgård were among the nominees. Actress in a Leading Role Jessie Buckley wins Best Actress for Hamnet Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve and Emma Stone were also nominated. Actress in a Supporting Role Amy Madigan takes Best Supporting Actress for Weapons Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Wunmi Mosaku and Teyana Taylor were also in contention. Animated Feature Film KPop Demon Hunters wins Best Animated Feature Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain and Zootopia 2 were also nominated. Animated Short Film The Girl Who Cried Pearls wins Best Animated Short Butterfly, Forevergreen, Retirement Plan and The Three Sisters were also nominated. Casting One Battle after Another wins Best Casting Cassandra Kulukundis takes the award ahead of nominees including Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent and Sinners. Cinematography Sinners wins Best Cinematography Autumn Durald Arkapaw takes the Oscar ahead of Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle after Another and Train Dreams. Costume Design Frankenstein wins Best Costume Design Kate Hawley takes the award, with Avatar: Fire and Ash, Hamnet, Marty Supreme and Sinners also nominated. Directing Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Director for One Battle after Another Chloé Zhao, Josh Safdie, Joachim Trier and Ryan Coogler were also nominated. Documentary Feature Film Mr. Nobody against Putin wins Best Documentary Feature The category also included The Alabama Solution, Come See Me in the Good Light, Cutting through Rocks and The Perfect Neighbor. Documentary Short Film All the Empty Rooms wins Best Documentary Short Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud, Children No More: "Were and Are Gone", The Devil Is Busy and Perfectly a Strangeness were also nominated. Film Editing One Battle after Another wins Best Film Editing Andy Jurgensen takes the Oscar ahead of F1, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value and Sinners. International Feature Film Norway’s Sentimental Value wins Best International Feature Brazil, France, Spain and Tunisia were also represented in the category. Live Action Short Film The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva share the award for Best Live Action Short The nominees also included Butcher’s Stain, A Friend of Dorothy and Jane Austen’s Period Drama. Makeup and Hairstyling Frankenstein wins Best Makeup and Hairstyling Kokuho, Sinners, The Smashing Machine and The Ugly Stepsister were also nominated. Music (Original Score) Ludwig Göransson wins Best Original Score for Sinners The category also included scores from Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet and One Battle after Another. Music (Original Song) “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters wins Best Original Song Songs from Diane Warren: Relentless, Sinners, Viva Verdi! and Train Dreams were also nominated. Best Picture One Battle after Another wins Best Picture The category included Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners and Train Dreams. Production Design Frankenstein wins Best Production Design The nominees also included Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle after Another and Sinners. Sound F1 wins Best Sound Frankenstein, One Battle after Another, Sinners and Sirāt were also nominated. Visual Effects Avatar: Fire and Ash wins Best Visual Effects The category also included F1, Jurassic World Rebirth, The Lost Bus and Sinners. Writing (Adapted Screenplay) Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Adapted Screenplay for One Battle after Another The nominees also included Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet and Train Dreams. Writing (Original Screenplay) Ryan Coogler wins Best Original Screenplay for Sinners Blue Moon, It Was Just an Accident, Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value were also nominated. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-full-list-of-oscars-winners — Citation: "The full list of Oscars winners" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-16. https://menwith.com/the-full-list-of-oscars-winners --- ## Christian von Koenigsegg Patents a Radical Closed Wing Aircraft Concept - URL: https://menwith.com/christian-von-koenigsegg-patents-a-radical-closed-wing-aircraft-concept - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-15 - Tags: Christian von Koenigsegg, Koenigsegg Automotive, closed wing aircraft, aerodynamic efficiency, wingtip vortices, aviation patent, experimental aircraft **Summary:** Christian von Koenigsegg patents a radical closed-wing aircraft concept, aiming to significantly improve aerodynamic efficiency by minimizing wingtip vortices. This innovative design could redefine future aviation. Christian von Koenigsegg is best known for pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering through his hypercar company Koenigsegg Automotive. Now, the Swedish innovator is exploring the skies. A newly filed patent reveals an aircraft concept based on a closed wing structure that could significantly improve aerodynamic efficiency compared with conventional airplanes. The idea centers around one of aviation’s longest standing aerodynamic challenges: wingtip vortices. Rethinking the Wing In traditional aircraft design, the main wings generate lift but also create turbulent spirals of air at the tips known as wingtip vortices. These vortices increase drag and reduce overall efficiency. To combat this, modern aircraft often use winglets, the upward curved tips seen on planes such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350. Koenigsegg’s concept takes a more radical approach. Instead of allowing the airflow to spill off the wingtip, the design connects the wing directly to the rear horizontal stabilizer, forming a structural loop or closed wing. By linking these aerodynamic surfaces together, the system greatly reduces the pressure difference responsible for vortex formation. The result is a wing that can potentially deliver the same lift with less drag. What a Closed Wing Structure Does A closed wing configuration essentially creates a continuous aerodynamic surface. In Koenigsegg’s patent, the forward wing curves back and connects to the tail structure, forming a ring like aerodynamic frame around the fuselage. This setup offers several theoretical advantages. First, it minimizes the formation of wingtip vortices, which means less induced drag. Second, the closed structure distributes loads more evenly across the airframe, potentially allowing lighter structural components. Third, the design may improve stability and lift efficiency at lower speeds. While the concept sounds futuristic, it is not entirely new in aviation theory. Engineers have explored similar designs in experimental aircraft for decades, but they have rarely been applied to mainstream aviation due to structural complexity and manufacturing limitations. Koenigsegg’s expertise in advanced materials and lightweight engineering could make such a concept more feasible today. Comparing It to Modern Aircraft Most commercial aircraft rely on long, high aspect ratio wings combined with winglets to manage aerodynamic losses. Aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A320neo have highly optimized wings designed to maximize fuel efficiency during long range flight. However, these aircraft still suffer from unavoidable induced drag caused by wingtip vortices. A closed wing structure attacks the problem at its root by eliminating the open wingtip entirely. In theory, this could reduce drag more effectively than winglets, improving fuel economy and potentially extending range. There are tradeoffs, though. Closed wing designs introduce additional structural challenges, including complex load paths and increased engineering demands around the tail connection. They may also complicate airport compatibility and aircraft maintenance. Koenigsegg Thinking Beyond Cars Christian von Koenigsegg has built a reputation for unconventional engineering solutions, from camless engines to innovative lightweight carbon fiber chassis structures. Applying similar thinking to aviation is not entirely surprising. The patent does not necessarily mean that Koenigsegg will build an aircraft tomorrow. But it shows that the same mindset that reshaped the hypercar world could also find new ways to rethink aerodynamics in aviation. If developed further, the concept could influence future aircraft design, especially in the growing sectors of electric aviation, personal aircraft, and high efficiency regional transport. In true Koenigsegg fashion, the idea challenges convention and invites engineers to reconsider how something as fundamental as a wing should work. The images are designed to illustrate concepts. Not official images. More about Aviation here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/christian-von-koenigsegg-patents-a-radical-closed-wing-aircraft-concept — Citation: "Christian von Koenigsegg Patents a Radical Closed Wing Aircraft Concept" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-15. https://menwith.com/christian-von-koenigsegg-patents-a-radical-closed-wing-aircraft-concept --- ## The London Frank Auerbach Built in Paint - URL: https://menwith.com/the-london-frank-auerbach-built-in-paint - Author: Tom - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-15 - Tags: Christie's **Summary:** Frank Auerbach dedicated 70 years to capturing London's gritty essence, not landmarks. His dense, sculptural paintings, like "Christmas Tree at Mornington Crescent," are a testament to his laborious process and profound understanding of place. Frank Auerbach spent seventy years in one London neighbourhood. He had a specific view that the city, particularly after the war, had never been properly seen on canvas. So he decided to be the one to do it. The work that resulted was not about landmarks. It was about the grit, the energy, and the material feeling of a place. One of his largest and most vibrant works from this lifelong project, Christmas Tree at Mornington Crescent, 2004-05, is now heading to auction. It is a testament to that singular focus. The painting is a dense, almost sculptural field of colour and texture. It shows what happens when an artist stops moving and starts looking. To Auerbach, painting London was a physical act. His process was famously laborious. Paint was applied in thick layers, then scraped away, then built back up over months, sometimes years. Each canvas became a record of that struggle. An accumulation of decisions. A Neighborhood in Paint This was not about creating a pretty picture. It was about finding an equivalent for the experience of being there. The weight of the air, the movement of light, the history embedded in the streets. The surface of a Frank Auerbach painting is a terrain in itself. You do not just look at it. You feel its presence in the room. His commitment to Mornington Crescent gave his work a rare depth. He painted the same subjects repeatedly. The view from his studio, the nearby streets, the faces of people he knew. This repetition was not a lack of imagination. It was a way of digging deeper, of proving that familiarity does not lead to boredom, but to a more profound understanding. The Weight of a Moment The subject of this painting is a Christmas tree. A temporary, almost trivial object. But Auerbach treats it with the same intensity as a portrait or a cityscape. The vibrant chaos of the branches and lights becomes a storm of colour. He gives a fleeting moment the permanence of stone. The work stands as a rejection of the superficial glance. In his hands, the ordinary becomes monumental. The painting is a distillation of a place and a time, captured by an artist who dedicated his life to a few square miles of a city he believed was inexhaustible. Its arrival at Christie's offers a chance to own a piece of that conviction. It is more than a depiction of London. It is a piece of London itself, heavy with paint and history. The painting is proof that the most powerful statements are often made by staying in one place and paying close attention. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-london-frank-auerbach-built-in-paint — Citation: "The London Frank Auerbach Built in Paint" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-15. https://menwith.com/the-london-frank-auerbach-built-in-paint --- ## Objects of Desire: How the Year's Best Films Are Shaping What We Collect - URL: https://menwith.com/objects-of-desire-how-the-year-s-best-films-are-shaping-what-we-collect - Author: Tom - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-15 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Films transform objects into narrative totems, influencing collecting trends. Sotheby's collection highlights how cinema shapes desire for items tied to iconic movie moments and aesthetics. A film can turn an ordinary object into a totem. A watch, a jacket, a car. Suddenly it carries the weight of a story. Sotheby's recently assembled a collection of items tied to this year's most talked-about films, and it acts as a quiet map of this phenomenon. It shows how cinematic narratives bleed into the real world, shaping not just conversations but the very things people want to acquire and live with. The collection itself is a mirror. It reflects the way certain nominated films captured a specific mood, and how that mood can be translated into a physical object. It is not about merchandise. It is about owning a piece of the narrative. From Streetwear to Cinema The lines between high art and street culture have been dissolving for years. A Supreme t-shirt featuring a portrait of Martin Scorsese is a perfect artifact of this reality. It aligns the wearer not just with a brand, but with a specific cinematic lineage. It’s a statement of taste worn as plainly as a logo, connecting the dots between a film like Killers of the Flower Moon and the world outside the theater. Similarly, a Balenciaga 'Sinners' hoodie feels like a direct nod to the rebellious, gothic spirit of a film like Poor Things. The piece itself existed before the movie, but the film gives it a new context. It becomes a uniform for a certain kind of defiant sensibility, a piece of clothing that absorbs the energy of the cultural moment. Time, Speed, and Story The relationship between watchmaking and motorsport is well-documented. Both are about precision, performance, and the measurement of time under pressure. A film like Ferrari amplifies this connection. The inclusion of a Tag Heuer Monaco in this collection is telling. It’s a watch forever linked to Steve McQueen and the golden age of racing cinema. Its presence here suggests that the allure is not just mechanical, but narrative. You are not just buying a chronograph. You are buying a piece of that story. The same logic applies to the more subdued world of a film like Oppenheimer. A classic Patek Philippe Calatrava reflects a different kind of character. It represents history, intellectual rigor, and the weight of consequence. The watch becomes a shorthand for the man and his era, a piece of tangible history that feels more substantial than simple movie memorabilia. The Narrative in the Room Sometimes the object is the aesthetic in miniature. A hot pink Hermès Birkin bag needs no explanation of its link to the cultural dominance of Barbie. It is the film's entire color palette and commercial wit, distilled into a single, coveted object. Owning it is less about referencing the movie and more about participating in the cultural event it became. Even quieter objects find their place. A vintage-style globe could be pulled directly from the academic, wood-paneled world of The Holdovers. A conductor's score evokes the central tension of Maestro. A simple wooden baseball bat feels connected to the literary themes in American Fiction. Each item serves as a physical anchor to a fictional world, a way to hold onto a story long after the credits roll. Ultimately, the collection is less a buying guide and more a reflection of a modern truth. The stories we consume are not passive entertainment. They become part of our identity. The objects we choose to surround ourselves with are props in our own lives, and increasingly, those props are borrowed from the films that move us most. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/objects-of-desire-how-the-year-s-best-films-are-shaping-what-we-collect — Citation: "Objects of Desire: How the Year's Best Films Are Shaping What We Collect" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-15. https://menwith.com/objects-of-desire-how-the-year-s-best-films-are-shaping-what-we-collect --- ## The Veyron That Was Never Meant to Last - URL: https://menwith.com/the-veyron-that-was-never-meant-to-last - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-14 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** This Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, a record-setting development car, was meticulously restored by Bugatti's La Maison Pur Sang program, preserving its original engine as a testament to its storied history. Most hypercars live sheltered lives. This Bugatti did not. Its odometer reads over 70,800 kilometers, a distance that speaks to a life of hard work. This was never a collector's piece stored under a silk sheet. It was a tool, built for a single, violent purpose. In the summer of 2010, this specific Veyron Super Sport set a production car speed record of 431.072 km/h. It was a pre-series car, a development vehicle used to push the absolute limits of what was possible. The cars that do this work are usually unsung heroes. They are tested, pushed past their limits, and often quietly dismantled once their data has been collected. Their existence is functional, not sentimental. A Tool Becomes an Artifact The decision to restore this car, rather than retire it, marks a shift in thinking. The project was handled by Bugatti’s La Maison Pur Sang program, a division focused on certification and restoration. The process was exhaustive, taking two years to complete. It began with a full disassembly of the car, inspecting every component. The car’s exposed carbon fiber bodywork, a signature of the World Record Edition, was completely stripped and refinished. Inside the cabin, the same level of attention was applied. Leather surfaces were corrected, and the seats were brought back to their original form. This was not just a mechanical overhaul. It was a curatorial act. History, Certified What makes the project interesting is the philosophy behind the choices. Certain components were updated to the final production specifications of the Veyron Super Sport, bringing the development car in line with its series-built siblings. It was a recognition that the prototype had earned its place among them. Yet, the most significant part of the car was left untouched. The W16 engine, the very one that powered the car to its record speed, remains original. This decision preserves the car’s unique identity. It is not a new car, but the same car, reborn. The history is embedded in the hardware. With the restoration complete, the car receives La Maison Pur Sang certification. This formalizes its status. A workhorse has been elevated to an artifact. For Bugatti, it is a way to manage its own legend, ensuring that even the cars that worked behind the scenes are given a place in the official story. The project suggests that value is not just found in zero-mileage perfection. It can also be found in a story well told, and a history well-lived. The kilometers on the clock are no longer a sign of wear, but a testament to a job well done. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-veyron-that-was-never-meant-to-last — Citation: "The Veyron That Was Never Meant to Last" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-14. https://menwith.com/the-veyron-that-was-never-meant-to-last --- ## The Unforgiving Math of the Chinese Grand Prix - URL: https://menwith.com/the-unforgiving-math-of-the-chinese-grand-prix - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-03-14 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** The Chinese Grand Prix tests F1 cars and drivers with its demanding Shanghai circuit. Consistency and a complete package are key to success, separating contenders from the rest. The Shanghai International Circuit is a place of extremes. Its return to the Formula 1 calendar is less a homecoming and more an examination. The track layout itself is a series of technical questions posed at 300 kilometres per hour, and finding the right answers separates the contenders from the rest of the field. This circuit does not reward a single strength. It demands a complete car. The Human Factor Amid the technical variables, certain drivers have always understood the rhythm of this place. Lewis Hamilton holds the record with six victories. Fernando Alonso, should he start the race, will mark his 400th Grand Prix, a testament to a career defined by longevity and adaptation. More recently, Lando Norris demonstrated his own mastery by winning this race last year, and McLaren will be looking to repeat that performance. They will face a formidable Ferrari, a team arriving in Shanghai on a 15-race streak of scoring points with both cars. That level of consistency is not an accident. It is the product of a solid operational foundation, something that is tested thoroughly over a weekend here. The Chinese Grand Prix, then, is more than just the fifth round of the season. It is a comprehensive audit of car and team. It exposes weakness and rewards completeness. A strong result in Shanghai is rarely a fluke. It is often a sign of true championship potential. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-unforgiving-math-of-the-chinese-grand-prix — Citation: "The Unforgiving Math of the Chinese Grand Prix" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-14. https://menwith.com/the-unforgiving-math-of-the-chinese-grand-prix --- ## The Ferrari Amalfi Spider Feels Like a Return to Emotion - URL: https://menwith.com/the-ferrari-amalfi-spider-is-a-statement-of-intent - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-14 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** The Ferrari Amalfi Spider prioritizes driving pleasure and experience over raw performance metrics. Its name evokes Italian elegance and a focus on the journey, signaling a return to romantic motoring. The Ferrari Amalfi Spider arrives at a moment when much of the conversation around the brand is shaped by Luce and questions about what comes next. Against that backdrop, it stands out for a different reason. Not because it tries to respond to that discussion directly, but because it shifts the focus back to something more familiar. The name Amalfi suggests a place, a mood, and a type of experience. It brings to mind winding coastal roads, Italian light, and a quieter kind of confidence. In that sense, the Amalfi Spider feels less concerned with making a technical statement and more with framing the drive itself as the point. A Focus on the Journey A spider, by definition, is about exposure. It removes the barrier between the driver and the world. Pairing that open-top format with a name like Amalfi reinforces the idea that this car is about the sensory. It’s for feeling the air change as you climb a coastal pass, for hearing the exhaust note echo off ancient stone walls, for arriving with style rather than aggression. This suggests a calibration within the Ferrari portfolio. While other models push the boundaries of track performance and hybrid technology, the Amalfi Spider appears to be a return to a purer, more romantic form of motoring. It’s a car for an escape, not a race. Its purpose is not to dominate a circuit but to make a weekend drive unforgettable. The Power of Place In a globalized market, anchoring a new model to such a potent symbol of Italian identity is a powerful move. It’s a reminder of where Ferrari comes from and the culture it represents. The Amalfi Coast is a universal byword for beauty, leisure, and a life well-lived. Attaching that to a car is a way of selling not just a machine, but a mindset. It suggests a vehicle where design and driving pleasure are the primary objectives. It implies a balance where comfort and usability are not sacrificed for the last tenth of a second. This is the car you take for the weekend, the one that makes the journey itself the reward. The existence of a Ferrari Amalfi Spider points to a brand that understands its own mythos. It knows that for many, the dream of owning a Ferrari is not about track days. It is about the fantasy of a perfect drive on a perfect road. This car appears to be the literal embodiment of that dream. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-ferrari-amalfi-spider-is-a-statement-of-intent — Citation: "The Ferrari Amalfi Spider Feels Like a Return to Emotion" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-14. https://menwith.com/the-ferrari-amalfi-spider-is-a-statement-of-intent --- ## Aboard Starfire, the Day Is the Destination - URL: https://menwith.com/aboard-starfire-the-day-is-the-destination - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-03-13 - Tags: Northrop and Johnson **Summary:** STARFIRE offers a frictionless luxury yacht charter experience, with a crew of 20 curating every moment from sunrise observation to gourmet dining and diverse afternoon activities. The day aboard STARFIRE begins with a decision already made for you: where to look. From the full-beam primary suite, a private, forward-facing observation lounge offers an unobstructed view of the sun rising over open water. It’s a quiet start, one that establishes the operating principle for the entire charter. The real luxury here is not an abundance of options, but the thoughtful removal of them. The day unfolds with a rhythm, a pre-considered flow designed by a crew of 20 to eliminate friction. This sense of seamlessness is grounded in the yacht’s construction. Built by Lürssen, STARFIRE moves with a stability that keeps the focus on the experience, not the mechanics of travel. Mornings transition from the privacy of the suite to an alfresco breakfast on the aft deck. The movement feels natural, leading guests from one curated moment to the next without the need for planning or debate. The Platform as a Private Beach Club By mid-morning, the yacht’s extended stern becomes the center of activity. It opens onto a full-beam swim platform that functions less like an accessory and more like a private waterside retreat. As a qualified dive center with two certified instructors on board, the platform serves as a direct entry point for underwater exploration. All equipment is handled by the crew, turning a potentially complex excursion into a simple step off the edge. Lunch is often served here, right at the water’s edge for up to 16 guests. Shaded by awnings, the meal is a relaxed affair, a deliberate counterpoint to formal dining. This is where the culinary program, led by Chef Thean Labuschagne, begins to reveal its character. Labuschagne’s approach earned him 1st Place for Best Chef in the 2025 Antigua Charter Show, and it shows in the quality of even the most casual meals. A Split-Paced Afternoon The afternoon aboard STARFIRE is designed to accommodate diverging moods. For some, it’s a retreat into the yacht’s English pub for poker, darts, or a session in the enclosed video arcade. For others, it’s the sundeck, where a basketball hoop invites competition before a cool-down in the swimming pool, which features a countercurrent system for laps and a swim-up bar. A third path exists on the glass-enclosed wellness deck. Here, a fully equipped gym, a cold plunge pool, and a sauna offer a more restorative pace. The space is designed to open to the surrounding decks, connecting the act of wellness with the ocean environment. The entire structure is a physical manifestation of the yacht's philosophy: providing every possible amenity, but organized in a way that feels intuitive. An Evening of Considered Detail As the day shifts toward evening, the crew’s expertise becomes more visible. Under the leadership of Captain Paul Duncan, the tone remains relaxed, yet every detail is managed. The interior team, led by Chief Stewardess Aimie Keech, transforms the dining spaces. Her work, which earned 2nd Place for Best Tablescape at both the 2025 Antigua Charter Show and the MYBA Charter Show, elevates dinner without making it feel stiff. Textures are layered, and lighting is set to create an atmosphere that feels both special and personal. The night can end in several ways. The crew can set up a dedicated children’s area with arts and crafts, which later can become a lounge or disco. Movie nights take place in the observation lounge or under the stars on the sundeck. For those seeking solitude, there are numerous quiet spaces designed for reading or conversation. The final transition of the day is a ride in the glass elevator, a smooth descent through five levels back to your cabin. It is a fitting end to a day built around effortless movement. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aboard-starfire-the-day-is-the-destination — Citation: "Aboard Starfire, the Day Is the Destination" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-13. https://menwith.com/aboard-starfire-the-day-is-the-destination --- ## Basquiat’s Guard Takes Center Stage at Sotheby's - URL: https://menwith.com/basquiat-s-guard-takes-center-stage-at-sotheby-s - Author: Tom - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-13 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Basquiat's 'Museum Security (Broadway Meltdown)' leads Sotheby's auction, a powerful commentary on institutional power and urban chaos. This iconic piece, valued over $45 million, highlights the artist's unique perspective on the art world. The figure on the canvas is a man in uniform. His eyes are wide, almost startled, staring out from a field of raw, chaotic energy. He seems less like a portrait and more like a premonition, a character caught in the crossfire of a city’s frantic pulse. This is the subject of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 'Museum Security (Broadway Meltdown)', a monumental work set to lead the May Contemporary Evening Auction at Sotheby's. The painting arrives with an estimate in excess of $45 million, a figure that anchors its importance in the market. But the real story is in the title, and in the moment it captures. The Man in the Middle There is a certain irony at play. A painting about a museum guard, an employee tasked with protecting valuable objects, has become one of those objects itself. The work puts an institutional gatekeeper at the very center of the frame, rendered in the artist's signature visual language of scrawled text, aggressive brushwork, and layered imagery. This is Basquiat observing the system from the inside, even as he was being absorbed by it. The “Broadway Meltdown” of the title suggests the world outside the museum walls, the sensory overload of 1980s New York. On the canvas, that external chaos seems to bleed into the controlled environment of the museum. The guard is the membrane between the two worlds. He is both a figure of authority and a working man, a subject Basquiat returned to throughout his career. A Career in Overdrive By the time this piece was painted, Basquiat was no longer an outsider writing on walls. He was a phenomenon, fully integrated into the gallery and auction circuit. Yet his work never lost its connection to the street, to the energy and tension that first shaped his perspective. 'Museum Security' comes from this period of intense productivity and rising fame, a moment when the artist was witnessing his own ascent in real time. The sale of this painting is another turn of the wheel. The raw expression, the critique of power, the visual noise. It has all been absorbed, analyzed, and assigned a significant market value. The rebellion of the 1980s has become a pillar of the 21st century's contemporary art canon. The meltdown has been stabilized into a blue-chip asset. The guard in the painting is frozen, a silent witness to the city's pulse. Decades later, he is no longer just watching the art. He is the art. And in May, the world will be watching him. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/basquiat-s-guard-takes-center-stage-at-sotheby-s — Citation: "Basquiat’s Guard Takes Center Stage at Sotheby's" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-13. https://menwith.com/basquiat-s-guard-takes-center-stage-at-sotheby-s --- ## TAG Heuer Names Béatrice Goasglas CEO, Signalling a Sharper Digital Future - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-names-batrice-goasglas-ceo-signalling-a-sharper-digital-future - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-13 - Tags: TAG Heuer, Béatrice Goasglas, LVMH, CEO appointment, Digital strategy, Client experience, Watchmaking **Summary:** TAG Heuer appoints Béatrice Goasglas CEO, signaling a strategic pivot towards digital innovation and enhanced client experience. Her background in digital and client-focused roles suggests a future emphasizing brand relevance and customer intimacy. TAG Heuer has appointed Béatrice Goasglas as CEO, effective May 1, 2026, in a move that feels both deliberate and revealing for where the brand wants to go next. Having joined the maison in 2018 as VP of Digital and Client Experience, Goasglas went on to lead Asia Pacific and later the Americas, building a profile shaped as much by market understanding as brand stewardship. Her rise has been internal, but the choice says something broader about the moment TAG Heuer is in. “Béatrice has had an outstanding career within TAG Heuer, and I am delighted that she will be taking the helm of this iconic watchmaking Maison,” said Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH Group Managing Director and CEO of LVMH Watches & Jewelry. He added that her “deep knowledge of the brand, combined with her leadership and unparalleled commitment,” will help TAG Heuer “reach new heights” while continuing to embody its watchmaking quality and avant-garde spirit. What stands out is not only her familiarity with the maison, but the nature of her background. Goasglas comes from a deeply digital and client-focused path, with earlier roles at Sephora, L’Oréal, The Kooples and SMCP Group before joining TAG Heuer. In today’s watch market, where market share is fought for not only through product but through visibility, relevance and customer intimacy, that feels significant. This kind of appointment suggests TAG Heuer sees modern leadership as more than operational. It is about understanding how desire is built now, across regions, platforms and culture. In that sense, the decision reads as both continuity and strategy. It points to where the competitive battle may increasingly be won. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-names-batrice-goasglas-ceo-signalling-a-sharper-digital-future — Citation: "TAG Heuer Names Béatrice Goasglas CEO, Signalling a Sharper Digital Future" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-13. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-names-batrice-goasglas-ceo-signalling-a-sharper-digital-future --- ## Azimut Arrives in Palm Beach With a Fleet of Answers - URL: https://menwith.com/azimut-arrives-in-palm-beach-with-a-fleet-of-answers - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-12 - Tags: Azimut Yachts **Summary:** Azimut Yachts presents a diverse fleet in Palm Beach, showcasing personalized luxury and varied lifestyles on the water. Their range emphasizes choice, from sporty speedsters to eco-conscious cruisers. Palm Beach in March is a particular kind of theatre. The air is thick with ambition and salt, and the docks are filled with hulls so white they hurt the eyes. It is a place where brands come not just to sell boats, but to make their argument for the year. And the argument Azimut Yachts is making feels different from the rest. Instead of presenting a single, unified vision, the Italian builder has laid out a portfolio of possibilities. The display is a reminder that the question is no longer just “what is a yacht,” but “what is your life on the water?” The answer changes depending on who you ask. For one person, it is the athletic, open-decked promise of the Verve 48, a machine built for speed and sun. For another, it is the quiet endurance of a Magellano 30M, designed for long passages and self-sufficiency. Placing these vessels near each other is a deliberate choice. It shows a company comfortable with complexity, one that understands that modern luxury is not a monolith but a series of personal choices. The Azimut Question of Scale Then there is the matter of scale. A boat show is always a measure of presence, and the Grande series ensures Azimut’s is felt. The Grande 32 Metri is not subtle. It is a floating villa, an exercise in volume, light, and engineering. Its purpose is to deliver an experience of space and privacy that feels boundless. Across the different series, a shared language emerges. You see it in the sharp, faceted hull windows and the tension in the lines. Even with varied missions, from the sporty S series to the classic Fly, there is a consistent architectural grammar. It is how the brand maintains its identity without forcing every boat into the same mold. A New Conversation on the Water The most forward-looking part of the conversation is happening on the Seadeck. This series, with its hybrid propulsion options and focus on recycled materials, is Azimut’s answer to a changing world. It is an attempt to reconcile the pleasure of being on the water with a greater awareness of the environment. The design itself reflects this. The aft deck, which Azimut calls the “Fun Island,” is a terrace that opens up to the sea, dissolving the barrier between the boat and the water. It suggests a new way of living aboard, one that is more connected and less formal. It is a philosophy that carries through the Fly series as well, where cockpits and beach clubs are designed to be social, open platforms. By bringing such a diverse fleet to a major American show, Azimut is doing more than just showcasing its range. It is acknowledging that its clients are not all looking for the same thing. The lineup is a broad statement of capability, but it is also a quiet recognition that the ultimate luxury is having a choice that feels like your own. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/azimut-arrives-in-palm-beach-with-a-fleet-of-answers — Citation: "Azimut Arrives in Palm Beach With a Fleet of Answers" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-12. https://menwith.com/azimut-arrives-in-palm-beach-with-a-fleet-of-answers --- ## Robert Mnuchin and the $130 Million Question - URL: https://menwith.com/robert-mnuchin-and-the-130-million-question - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-12 - Tags: Sotheby's **Summary:** Robert Mnuchin's $130M art collection, built with a Wall Street trader's eye, goes to auction. It showcases his disciplined taste in post-war American art, merging culture and commerce. The number is the first thing you hear. A collection expected to achieve more than $130 million is not a quiet affair. But with the Robert Mnuchin collection, the figure is less a price tag and more the summary of a life spent looking. It is the quantification of a very specific eye, one that shaped markets on Wall Street before it began shaping taste in the art world. Before he was a gallerist, Robert Mnuchin was a trader at Goldman Sachs. He spent decades in the world of high finance, a place governed by numbers, risk, and calculated return. His transition to the art world was not a retirement project. It was a second act, one where the currency shifted from stocks to aesthetics, but the instinct for value remained. From Trader to Tastemaker To understand the collection, you have to understand the man. Mnuchin did not simply buy art. He built a perspective. His gallery, Mnuchin Gallery, established itself as a serious destination, known for scholarly exhibitions and a clear point of view. This was not the work of a dilettante. It was the application of a rigorous mind to a field often clouded by sentiment. The collection being offered at Sotheby's is the private expression of that public work. It is what he chose to live with. Collecting at this level is a discipline. It requires conviction, a willingness to follow one's own judgment against the noise of the market. It is an assembly of conversations between objects, artists, and eras, all curated through a single intelligence. It reflects an engagement with post-war American art, a period of profound confidence and formal invention. The names are significant, but the real story is in the specific choices. The quality of each piece, and how it relates to the others, tells you more than any artist's signature. A Private View Goes Public Now, that private world is being dismantled for the public. An auction of this nature is a peculiar event. It is both a celebration and a dispersal. A singular vision, carefully assembled over decades, is broken apart and scattered to new owners. Each piece will begin a new life in a new context, its part in the Mnuchin dialogue now a memory. The auction room is the ultimate stage for the intersection of culture and commerce. It is where passion is assigned a number and an instinct is validated by the market. For Mnuchin, a man fluent in both languages, this moment feels less like an ending and more like a final, decisive trade. The collection was a statement of personal conviction. The sale is a statement about the market itself. It affirms the value, not just of the art, but of the eye that chose it. In the end, the works will go to new walls, but the story of the collection, and the man who built it, remains. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/robert-mnuchin-and-the-130-million-question — Citation: "Robert Mnuchin and the $130 Million Question" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-12. https://menwith.com/robert-mnuchin-and-the-130-million-question --- ## Luna Rossa Finds the Edge on a 'Crazy Day' - URL: https://menwith.com/luna-rossa-finds-the-edge-on-a-crazy-day - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-03-12 - Tags: America's Cup **Summary:** Luna Rossa's AC75 pushed to its limits on a challenging training day, highlighting the crucial human element in mastering high-speed foiling. The Luna Rossa AC75 is a machine built for a very specific purpose. It is designed to fly over water on foils, operating at speeds that defy the traditional physics of sailing. These boats exist on a knife’s edge, a delicate balance of aerodynamic lift, hydrodynamic force, and human input. Sometimes, that balance is tested to its absolute limit. On the Bay of Angels, the Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli recently experienced one of those days. It was a training session, one of hundreds in the lead-up to the America's Cup, but it was far from routine. The team was pushing their boat hard, searching for the outer boundaries of its performance envelope. These are the days that don't make the highlight reels, but they often define a campaign. The Human Element For all its advanced technology, the AC75 remains a vessel guided by human hands and minds. The real story of a day like this is about the crew. It is about their ability to react, to communicate without words, and to hold their nerve when the machine beneath them threatens to break free. The Bay of Angels provides a poetic, almost ironic, setting for such intense work. The name suggests tranquility, but for the Luna Rossa team, it became an arena. The day served as a potent reminder that the path to victory is paved with moments of controlled chaos. Winning is not just about being the fastest. It is about being the team that has been to the edge most often and knows the way back. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/luna-rossa-finds-the-edge-on-a-crazy-day — Citation: "Luna Rossa Finds the Edge on a 'Crazy Day'" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-12. https://menwith.com/luna-rossa-finds-the-edge-on-a-crazy-day --- ## The Quiet Charter: A Different Rhythm in French Polynesia - URL: https://menwith.com/the-quiet-charter-a-different-rhythm-in-french-polynesia - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-03-12 - Tags: Edmiston **Summary:** Experience French Polynesia's vast, private beauty via yacht charter. Discover Tahiti's gateway, Moorea's calm lagoons, and Huahine's cultural heart for an elemental escape. The first thing to understand about French Polynesia is its scale. The 118 islands are scattered across an expanse of the South Pacific so large it feels like a geographical abstraction. Cruising here is not about hopping between crowded ports. It is an exercise in distance and perspective, a journey into a region where privacy is not an engineered luxury but a simple fact of the landscape. The experience is defined by what is absent. There are few sprawling resorts and even fewer crowds. A charter itinerary, as outlined by the team at Edmiston, unfolds according to the rhythm of the trade winds and the tides. It follows a logic dictated by nature, where the core charter triangle of Tahiti, Raiatea, and Bora Bora offers a passage into a more elemental state of being. The Gateway in Papeete The journey begins in Tahiti, the largest island in the Society archipelago. International flights arrive into Papeete, and it is here that you get your last taste of anything resembling a metropolis. The town is a vibrant entry point, a place to orient yourself before the real journey begins. One can visit the Robert Wan Pearl Museum to understand the history of the region’s singular black pearls or wander through the Papeete market. It is a final, brief immersion in a world of commerce and structured time before casting off into the quiet expanse of the surrounding sea. This is the starting line, the point from which the familiar world begins to recede. The Logic of the Lagoons A short cruise from Tahiti leads to Moorea, an island defined by near-vertical volcanic peaks and a profound sense of calm. The pace shifts immediately. Days are spent inside the island’s protected lagoon, where clear water allows for snorkeling among manta rays and blacktip sharks. The quiet waters are a natural arena for the yacht’s toys, from paddleboards to water-skis. Exploration here is twofold. A tender can navigate the coastline to access untouched beaches, while a 4x4 can take you into the lush interior. The Opunohu Valley reveals abandoned villages and sprawling pineapple fields, landscapes that feel ancient and alive. The experience is one of immersion, not observation. You are inside the scenery, not just looking at it. An Anchor in Culture Further on lies Huahine, known as the 'Garden Island'. Its fertility is immediately apparent, but its real significance runs deeper. Huahine is considered the cradle of Polynesian culture, a place where ancestral heritage is not a historical footnote but a present-day reality. A private tour can lead to the sacred archaeological sites, or marae, which are steeped in local folklore. At Lake Maeva, you can see how islanders still use ancient stone fish traps, a sustainable method that ensures everyone has just enough. It is a powerful reminder that this is not an empty paradise. It is a homeland, a place with its own story and its own rules. A charter in French Polynesia is a deliberate choice for a different kind of time. It is a journey away from the spectacle of modern travel and into something more fundamental. The reward is not a collection of destinations, but a shift in your own internal rhythm. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-quiet-charter-a-different-rhythm-in-french-polynesia — Citation: "The Quiet Charter: A Different Rhythm in French Polynesia" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-12. https://menwith.com/the-quiet-charter-a-different-rhythm-in-french-polynesia --- ## Stefano Ricci Takes Florentine Luxury to the End of the World - URL: https://menwith.com/stefano-ricci-takes-florentine-luxury-to-the-end-of-the-world - Category: Style - Published: 2026-03-12 - Tags: Stefano Ricci **Summary:** Stefano Ricci challenges the notion of luxury by showcasing its Florentine craftsmanship against Patagonia's extreme landscapes. The Explorer Mission highlights the enduring quality and refined experience of high-end apparel in demanding environments. The ice of the Bernal Glacier is an unusual place to find Florentine tailoring. It is a landscape of raw, elemental force, where survival is measured in degrees and durability. Yet, this is the backdrop chosen by Stefano Ricci for its eighth Explorer Mission, a project that places the house’s meticulous craftsmanship into the world’s most demanding environments. This journey to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is not about creating technical gear in the traditional sense. You will not find Gore-Tex or ripstop nylon here. Instead, the project poses a more interesting question. What is the role of absolute luxury in a place that has no need for it? The Edge of the World Patagonia is less a place than a feeling. It is a vast, sparsely populated region at the southern tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. The mission’s itinerary reads like a list of cartographic poetry: the Mirador Bader Valley, the granite peaks of Torres del Paine, the windswept plains of Cerro Guido. These are not gentle landscapes. The journey continued to Isla Magdalena, home to a sprawling colony of Magellanic penguins, and the remote shores where elephant seals claim their territory. Documenting the expedition was Andy Mann, a photographer and filmmaker whose work with National Geographic has taken him to the planet's most extreme locations. His presence lends a certain gravity to the undertaking. This is a real expedition, not just a set-dressed photoshoot. Against this backdrop of raw nature, the clothes become characters in the story. A cashmere and fur coat is seen not in a Milanese street, but standing against glacial ice. A suede and crocodile gilet is worn while observing wildlife on a rocky coast. The context changes how we see the objects themselves. A Different Kind of Performance The Stefano Ricci Explorer project seems to suggest that performance is not just about technical specifications. It can also be about a certain quality of experience. The collection features field jackets, knit zip polo shirts, and coats made from materials like cashmere, silk, and virgin wool. They are designed for a man who expects the highest quality, regardless of his location. There is an implicit narrative here about the modern man of means. He is no longer confined to the city. His life, and by extension his wardrobe, must be able to move between the boardroom and the wilderness without compromise. The clothing is not presented as survival equipment, but as an extension of a lifestyle where excellence is the default setting. By placing its finest work in a context of extreme beauty and hardship, Stefano Ricci is making a point about its own philosophy. The value is not just in the material or the cut, but in the idea that such refinement can exist, and even belong, at the very edge of the map. It reframes the purpose of luxury. The goal may not be to conquer the mountain, but to experience it without sacrificing a personal standard of quality. It is an argument for a kind of resilience that is measured in texture and form, not just function. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/stefano-ricci-takes-florentine-luxury-to-the-end-of-the-world — Citation: "Stefano Ricci Takes Florentine Luxury to the End of the World" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-12. https://menwith.com/stefano-ricci-takes-florentine-luxury-to-the-end-of-the-world --- ## Why Bentley Is Drifting Sideways In Montana - URL: https://menwith.com/why-bentley-is-drifting-sideways-in-montana - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-11 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley is challenging perceptions by drifting its luxury cars on Montana ice with FAT International, showcasing AWD capabilities and a new performance narrative. A Bentley is not the first car you picture sliding through a snow-covered corner. The sound of its engine is more often associated with a smooth departure from a city address, not the crunch of ice under pressure. Yet, in the wide-open landscapes of Montana, that is exactly the scene Bentley has orchestrated. The move is part of a new collaboration with FAT International, a name that carries a certain weight in circles that appreciate automotive culture with a bit of an edge. This is not a formal driving school or a staid corporate event. It is an exercise in placing a brand known for its composed luxury into a context that is raw, unpredictable, and deeply visceral. By partnering with FAT, a group with roots in the more adventurous side of Porsche lore, Bentley is making a quiet but clear statement. It suggests an interest in a different kind of performance narrative, one that is less about polished statistics and more about the feeling of a heavy, powerful car being pushed to its limits in a challenging environment. Beyond the Grand Tour The cars chosen for the Montana experience are not stripped-down track specials. They are the brand’s core models, including the Continental GT. Seeing these machines, typically at home on the world’s grandest touring routes, navigate a purpose-built snow and ice circuit is a study in contrasts. The activity itself is straightforward: controlled drifting on a closed course. The physics of guiding a two-and-a-half-ton luxury car through a series of snowy bends requires a specific kind of skill. It also demonstrates the capability of the all-wheel-drive systems that underpin the modern Bentley lineup, taking them far from the comfort of dry tarmac. This is where the brand’s engineering meets a real-world test of poise and power. The setting forces a different kind of engagement between the driver and the car, one based on immediate feedback and fine adjustments. A Statement of Intent While other luxury brands have established ice-driving programs, Bentley’s choice of partner and location feels more specific. Montana offers a backdrop of rugged American independence, a world away from the manicured lawns of Crewe or the Swiss Alps. It frames the experience not just as a display of technical prowess, but as a cultural alignment. The collaboration is a signal that Bentley is willing to explore the less formal, more enthusiast-driven corners of the automotive world. It’s an acknowledgment that for many, luxury is not just about comfort and craftsmanship, but also about access to unique and memorable experiences. Putting its cars on the snow is one thing. Doing it with FAT International suggests Bentley understands that the definition of a luxury brand is becoming more about the company you keep. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-bentley-is-drifting-sideways-in-montana — Citation: "Why Bentley Is Drifting Sideways In Montana" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-11. https://menwith.com/why-bentley-is-drifting-sideways-in-montana --- ## The Control Centre Inside the New Mercedes-AMG GT - URL: https://menwith.com/the-control-centre-inside-the-new-mercedes-amg-gt - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-11 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé redefines driver control with a blend of tactile digital displays and intuitive steering wheel controls, offering a performance-focused yet luxurious cabin experience. The first detail you notice is on the centre console. Eight small controls, arranged in the shape of a V, look like physical buttons. But as your hand gets closer, they light up to reveal tiny, animated displays. This is the first clue. The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé is a conversation about a new kind of control. These TFT buttons, which manage functions like the transmission, chassis, and exhaust system, are operated by a simple tap. They represent the core philosophy of the cabin. It is a space that blends the immediacy of physical touch with the flexibility of digital information. The entire cockpit is built around this idea. A wide instrument panel flows into the door trims, creating an uninterrupted wrap-around effect. In the centre sits the Widescreen Cockpit, a single glass surface housing two high-resolution 12.3-inch displays. It forms the digital heart of the car, flanked by turbine-style air vents that add a sculptural, mechanical feel. A New Kind of Touch The new AMG Performance steering wheel is the driver’s main point of contact with the machine. It is equipped with integrated Touch Control buttons, small pads that respond to finger swipes. This allows the driver to navigate the infotainment system and instrument cluster without taking their hands from the wheel. Below the central spoke, two more display buttons offer direct access to AMG-specific functions. These are freely configurable. Alongside them, a round controller with its own integrated display allows for quick selection of the main driving programs. It is another example of blending a tactile, physical control with a clear digital readout. Information on Demand The twin screens can be configured in three styles. "Classic" and "Sport" offer familiar layouts, but the "Supersport" style reveals the car's true intent. It features a central, round tachometer and uses bar-style graphs to display additional information, a layout designed for performance driving. This is further enhanced by the standard AMG TRACK PACE feature. The system acts as a virtual race engineer, recording over 80 different vehicle-specific data points as well as lap and sector times. The information can be displayed on the multimedia screen, turning the car into a tool for refining driver performance on a closed circuit. For More Than Just the Driver Despite the intense focus on the driver, this is still a four-door grand tourer. The rear of the cabin can be configured with two individual seats or a folding three-person bench. A "High-Class" rear seat option is also available, which adds a dedicated touchscreen for passengers to control features like ambient lighting or climate settings. Features like the Energizing comfort control system, which links different comfort systems together, and an optional interior perfume atomiser, confirm the car's dual role. It is a performance machine, but one designed for longer journeys. The interior of this Mercedes is not just a collection of new technologies. It is a carefully considered environment for managing performance. It suggests a future where digital complexity does not have to come at the expense of tactile connection. Technology is present, yet it serves the act of driving. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-control-centre-inside-the-new-mercedes-amg-gt — Citation: "The Control Centre Inside the New Mercedes-AMG GT" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-11. https://menwith.com/the-control-centre-inside-the-new-mercedes-amg-gt --- ## The Bugatti Bolide Is Not A Car To Be Stared At - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-bolide-is-not-a-car-to-be-stared-at - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-11 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** The Bugatti Bolide, once a theoretical track-only hypercar, roared to life at Miami International Autodrome. Owners experienced its raw W16 power and extreme performance in a supported, sensory-driven event. The Bugatti Bolide was always a theoretical exercise. A track-only machine, built around the monumental W16 engine, that made no concessions to the laws of the road. It existed as a promise of what was possible when every constraint was removed. At the Miami International Autodrome, that promise became a very loud, very fast reality. For the first time, a group of Bolide owners gathered to do the one thing the car was designed for. Drive it on a circuit. Under the Miami sun, eight of these hypercars moved from static sculptures to dynamic instruments, their purpose finally realized on the asphalt. From Theory To Reality A hypercar is usually a compromise, engineered to deliver extreme performance while remaining usable in the real world. The Bugatti Bolide has no such balance to maintain. Its design is a direct translation of aerodynamic and engineering principles into physical form. Seeing it on a track is not just an event. It is the context for which the car was created. The gathering in Miami was part of the brand’s “Feeling the Track” program. The name is telling. This is about more than just lap times. It is about the sensory feedback, the connection between the driver and a machine operating at the very edge of its capabilities. The sound of the W16 engine, the forces through each corner, the sheer acceleration on the straights. These are the elements that define the car, and they cannot be experienced in a showroom. A Supported Experience This is not an arrive-and-drive affair. An experience at this level requires a different kind of ownership, one that is highly supported. Bugatti’s own team of specialists and engineers were present, ensuring each car was prepared with precision. The program seems to acknowledge that a machine this complex requires an ecosystem of support to be used as intended. For the owners, it is a chance to step into the world of a professional racing driver, with a dedicated team focused on performance. It shifts the idea of owning a hypercar from simple possession to active participation. The car is not just an asset. It is a key that unlocks a specific, and very rare, experience. The fact that eight Bolides were present is itself notable. It suggests a community is forming not just around the brand, but around this singular, extreme vision of performance. The car was a concept, then a limited-run product. Now, it is becoming a shared experience. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-bolide-is-not-a-car-to-be-stared-at — Citation: "The Bugatti Bolide Is Not A Car To Be Stared At" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-11. https://menwith.com/the-bugatti-bolide-is-not-a-car-to-be-stared-at --- ## Berluti’s Quiet Command of the Red Carpet - URL: https://menwith.com/berluti-s-quiet-command-of-the-red-carpet - Author: Tom - Category: Style - Published: 2026-03-11 - Tags: Berluti **Summary:** Berluti redefines red carpet elegance at the Césars with impeccable tailoring and classic tuxedos. Their mastery extends to modern casualwear, showcasing a complete wardrobe for every occasion. The tuxedo has a strict set of rules. For men on the red carpet, the challenge is not to reinvent formalwear, but to master it. At the 51st César Awards, the annual celebration of French cinema, Berluti demonstrated that mastery through a series of carefully executed looks that prioritized fit, material, and classic form. The approach was most visible on the night’s big winner. Laurent Lafitte, who took home the César for Best Actor 2026, wore a navy blue shawl collar tuxedo. Last year’s Best Actor, Karim Leklou, chose a black wool and satin version with the same soft-shouldered silhouette. Actor Antoine Reinartz opted for a peak lapel tuxedo, a sharper but equally traditional choice. All three men wore classic black silk bow ties and grounded their looks with Alessandro Demesure leather oxfords. The message was one of consistency. The Grammar of Formality In an arena often defined by attempts at viral disruption, Berluti’s presence felt rooted in something more permanent. The focus was on the fundamentals of tailoring. The cut of the jacket, the drape of the trousers, and the unmistakable patina of the shoes became the main story. There were no distracting gimmicks or forced attempts at rebellion. The elegance came from the execution itself. This philosophy extended to others dressed by the Maison. Benjamin Lavernhe, the master of ceremonies, wore a midnight blue patina suit, while Brazilian director Kléber Mendonça Filho, a nominee for Best Foreign Film, appeared in a sharp navy tuxedo. Each look adhered to the formal language of the event, reinforcing the idea that for certain occasions, the most powerful statement is an understanding of tradition. Beyond the Tuxedo The red carpet, however, only tells part of the story. While the Césars showcased Berluti’s command of formalwear, the house’s current collections reveal a much wider vocabulary. The same attention to material and form is being applied to the rest of a man’s wardrobe, far from the lights of an awards ceremony. The new Shadow Sneaker is a clear example. It combines technical knit fabric with panels of Venezia leather, offered in colorways like Stone Denim that feel both contemporary and considered. It takes the craft associated with the brand’s dress shoes and applies it to a more casual, everyday object. Similarly, pieces like the Un Jour Overshirt in Cloudy Blue cotton use subtle leather details on the zip-pullers, a quiet nod to the house’s heritage in leather goods. This breadth extends to accessories. The Un Jour De Poche messenger bag in Bleu Brume leather and the Dove Blue leather baseball cap are not designed for formal events. They are designed for life. They suggest a brand that is equally concerned with how a man looks on a Tuesday afternoon as it is with how he appears at a gala. Ultimately, the Césars appearance and the new collection pieces are two sides of the same coin. One demonstrates a respect for occasion, the other an understanding of modern life. A complete wardrobe requires both. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/berluti-s-quiet-command-of-the-red-carpet — Citation: "Berluti’s Quiet Command of the Red Carpet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-11. https://menwith.com/berluti-s-quiet-command-of-the-red-carpet --- ## The Mercedes Grand Tour is a Bet on the Real World - URL: https://menwith.com/the-mercedes-grand-tour-is-a-bet-on-the-real-world - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-10 - Tags: Mercedes **Summary:** Mercedes' "140 Years. 140 Places." tour uses the S-Class in real-world South American landscapes to highlight the enduring appeal of physical journeys and automotive capability over digital simulation. A black sedan sits alone in the Atacama Desert. The horizon is sharp, the geology is ancient, and the car looks like it arrived from another time. This is not a concept rendering for a future that may or may not happen. It is a real car, in a real place, on a journey that feels almost stubbornly physical. The car is the new S-Class, and the journey is part of a project Mercedes calls “140 Years. 140 Places.” To mark its anniversary, the brand is undertaking a global tour, with its flagship sedan visiting a series of curated locations across continents. The latest chapter unfolds across the vast and varied landscapes of South America. A Physical Statement An anniversary is usually an occasion for reflection. A look back at archives, a celebration of heritage. This feels different. Instead of just talking about its history of movement, Mercedes is actively demonstrating it on a global scale. It poses a question about what luxury means now. Is it the seamless convenience of the digital, or the friction and reward of a physical journey? This tour suggests the answer, for Mercedes, involves both. The S-Class is a vessel of advanced technology, a car that can pilot itself through traffic and adjust its environment to a driver’s mood. Yet here it is, being used for one of the oldest forms of travel: the grand tour. The car itself is not just a prop in a photoshoot. It is the protagonist. The journey confirms its purpose, which is to cover immense distances with composure. By placing it in these demanding environments, the focus shifts from static design to dynamic capability. The car is performing its function, not just posing. A Lens on the Landscape The South American leg of the tour provides a dramatic backdrop. The images show the S-Class against the Andes mountains, along the Pacific coast, and within the dense urban grids of cities like Santiago. The car becomes a lens through which to see the landscape, and the landscape becomes a measure of the car’s resolve. There is a compelling contrast at play. Inside the cabin is a world of engineered serenity, digital displays, and climate-controlled air. Outside is raw nature. Dust, altitude, and unpredictable weather. The modern luxury sedan is designed to insulate its occupants from the harshness of the world, but this journey uses it as a tool for exploration. It’s a machine made for connection, not just isolation. The selection of 140 specific places gives the tour a sense of ritual. It is a methodical mapping of the brand’s identity onto the physical world. Each stop is a point on a larger constellation, a deliberate and slow-moving exercise in a culture that prizes speed above all else. Ultimately, the tour is a statement of belief. A belief in the enduring appeal of the automobile as more than just a transportation appliance. It suggests that after 140 years, the most powerful experience Mercedes can offer is the freedom to move through the real world. The destination is just an excuse for the journey. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-mercedes-grand-tour-is-a-bet-on-the-real-world — Citation: "The Mercedes Grand Tour is a Bet on the Real World" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-10. https://menwith.com/the-mercedes-grand-tour-is-a-bet-on-the-real-world --- ## Six Senses and The Unlikely Calm of Rome - URL: https://menwith.com/six-senses-and-the-unlikely-calm-of-rome - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-10 - Tags: Six Senses **Summary:** Six Senses Rome redefines urban wellness by offering a sanctuary amidst the city's vibrant chaos. It provides a modern Roman bath experience, allowing guests to process Rome's sensory overload and find their rhythm. Six Senses arrived in Rome with a proposition that took me a moment to fully understand. The city is relentless in the way only ancient places can be: Vespas, centuries of history pressing in from every corner, crowds moving with the particular intensity of people who have saved up for this trip. Most visitors leave grateful and completely drained. That's almost a given. The standard solution, if you're building a wellness retreat, is distance. A clifftop somewhere. A valley with no signal. Somewhere the world has to work to reach you. Which is why placing one on the Via del Corso, one of the most unrelenting streets in Europe, reads at first like a provocation. But it isn't a mistake. It's actually the entire premise. The thinking seems to be that you don't need to flee Rome to recover from it. You just need somewhere considered to land when the day has taken everything you've got. A New Urban Rhythm The hotel occupies the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, a building that has been absorbing the city's energy for centuries without appearing to mind. Rather than pretending the noise outside doesn't exist, the design simply offers a quieter register to settle into when you need one. Six Senses has always taken a more deliberate approach to wellbeing than most brands in this space, thoughtful without being preachy, and rarely impulsive about where they open. Choosing the heart of Rome feels consistent with that. It's a more honest position than retreating somewhere remote and framing it as transformation. The Modern Roman Bath The spa is where the whole concept becomes most legible. It's modelled on the Roman bath, not as aesthetic reference, but as a functional one. The original baths weren't about indulgence in any contemporary sense. They were where Romans went to reset collectively, communal and practical, built into the rhythm of daily life. The execution here is clean and unshowy. Three plunge pools at different temperatures, the way it's always been done, in a space that has no interest in announcing itself. After a full day navigating the Colosseum or pushing through the crowd near the Pantheon, the logic of it lands immediately. This is a more mature take on luxury hospitality. It acknowledges the challenge of its environment and provides a thoughtful tool to manage it. It understands that after a day navigating the Colosseum, the Forum and the endless tide of tourists, what you need is not more stimulation. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/six-senses-and-the-unlikely-calm-of-rome — Citation: "Six Senses and The Unlikely Calm of Rome" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-10. https://menwith.com/six-senses-and-the-unlikely-calm-of-rome --- ## The New Rules of First Class Travel - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-rules-of-first-class-travel - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-10 - Tags: First Class travel, Luxury aviation, Private suites, Qatar Airways, Travel trends, On-demand service, Quiet luxury **Summary:** First Class travel is shifting from visible extravagance to private autonomy. The new luxury is disappearing into a personal, adaptable suite offering quiet control and on-demand service. The most telling sound in modern aviation is the quiet click of a suite door sliding shut. This is where the real competition for the front of the plane is happening. The new standard for First Class travel has little to do with champagne lists or thread counts. It is about a fundamental shift in what we consider valuable. The ultimate luxury is no longer being seen. It is the ability to disappear completely. For decades, premium cabins were designed for a kind of public performance. It was about space, service, and a certain visible extravagance. That era is closing. The real contest now is a race toward autonomy. In a world of constant connection and relentless noise, the greatest service an airline can offer is a bubble of absolute control. A space that belongs only to you, for a few quiet hours. The Architects of Quiet It is not surprising that Middle Eastern carriers figured this out first. Airlines like Qatar Airways, recently named the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, did not just build a better seat. They rethought the entire philosophy of the cabin. They understood that the modern traveller wants an environment that adapts to them, not the other way around. Their First Class suites are designed as personal, convertible spaces. They can be an office, a dining room, or a bedroom with a fully flat bed. The service is on-demand. The amenities, from Diptyque to The White Company, are there to reinforce a sense of private comfort, not public status. This is hospitality as subtraction, removing the friction of travel and leaving only peace. The evolution of the First Class cabin tells us something about what we want now. It is less about the grand gesture and more about the small, perfect detail. It is the freedom to work without interruption, to sleep without disturbance, and to exist for a few hours in a space that asks nothing of you. The best airlines are no longer just in the business of transportation. They are in the business of quiet. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-rules-of-first-class-travel — Citation: "The New Rules of First Class Travel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-10. https://menwith.com/the-new-rules-of-first-class-travel --- ## Pato at the Derby della Madonnina, A Lesson in Understated Style - URL: https://menwith.com/pato-at-the-derby-della-madonnina-a-lesson-in-understated-style - Category: People - Published: 2026-03-09 - Tags: Alexandre Pato, Derby della Madonnina, Gerald Charles, Maestro 2.0 Meteorite, Gérald Genta, AC Milan, Inter Milan, luxury watch **Summary:** Alexandre Pato sported a Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Meteorite watch at the Derby della Madonnina. This limited edition timepiece features a unique meteorite dial and the iconic Maestro case designed by Gérald Genta. Former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato returned to San Siro this weekend for the Derby della Madonnina, one of football’s most historic rivalries. The Brazilian forward was seen in the stands watching the clash between AC Milan and Inter, arriving in a refined and understated outfit that suited the occasion. While the focus of the night was naturally on the pitch, Pato’s watch caught the attention of observers. On his wrist was the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Meteorite, a rare piece distinguished by its dial made from Muonionalusta meteorite, a material formed billions of years ago and known for its unique crystalline pattern. Each dial is naturally different, meaning no two pieces are identical. The watch features Gerald Charles’ signature Maestro case, originally designed by legendary watchmaker Gérald Genta, with its distinctive asymmetrical silhouette inspired by baroque architecture in Rome. Produced in a limited run of 100 pieces, the Maestro 2.0 Meteorite is one of the more unusual expressions from the independent brand, combining traditional watchmaking with an unconventional dial material. A quiet but thoughtful choice from Pato on one of Milan’s biggest football nights. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pato-at-the-derby-della-madonnina-a-lesson-in-understated-style — Citation: "Pato at the Derby della Madonnina, A Lesson in Understated Style" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-09. https://menwith.com/pato-at-the-derby-della-madonnina-a-lesson-in-understated-style --- ## How a Wooden Toy Inspired the Rolls-Royce Design Team - URL: https://menwith.com/how-a-wooden-toy-inspired-the-rolls-royce-design-team - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-09 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** A wooden toy car built by a charity inspired the Rolls-Royce design team, leading to a collaborative art project. This highlights inspiration found in simple craftsmanship. The car has no engine. Its body is not formed from aluminum, but from wood. And its creators are not the engineers at Goodwood. This small, handcrafted model of a Rolls-Royce exists on a different scale, born from a workshop just a few miles from the company’s famous headquarters. The workshop belongs to the Aldingbourne Trust, a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and autism. For 2024, the Trust was named Rolls-Royce's House Charity, a partnership that typically involves fundraising and employee volunteering. But this year, the connection went somewhere else entirely. A Different Kind of Commission The team at Wood@Aldingbourne, one of the charity's social enterprises, decided to create something special. They built a wooden interpretation of a Rolls-Royce. It was an act of appreciation, a piece of craft made with skill and care, intended as a tribute to their new partners. The model is simple, direct, and honest. It captures the spirit of the car without trying to replicate its complexity. It is an object with character, made by hand, for its own sake. The Reversal of Inspiration When the design team at Rolls-Royce saw the wooden model, something unexpected happened. Instead of simply accepting the gift, they became inspired by it. The team, accustomed to working with the world’s most advanced materials and client requests, saw something compelling in the model's form and intent. In a reversal of the usual creative flow, the designers began their own project. They used the wooden car as a starting point to create a series of unique framed artworks. These pieces translate the model's charm and handcrafted nature into the visual language of the Rolls-Royce design studio, blending digital rendering with artistic composition. The finished artworks were then presented to the Aldingbourne Trust, completing the creative circle. The project became less a donation and more a collaboration. It was an exchange of ideas between two different worlds of craft that happen to exist in the same neighborhood. For a brand that operates on a global stage, this small, local gesture says something interesting. It suggests that inspiration is not always found in the pursuit of technical perfection or extravagant commissions. Sometimes, it comes from a simple wooden toy, made with sincerity, just down the road. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/how-a-wooden-toy-inspired-the-rolls-royce-design-team — Citation: "How a Wooden Toy Inspired the Rolls-Royce Design Team" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-09. https://menwith.com/how-a-wooden-toy-inspired-the-rolls-royce-design-team --- ## A Classic Schooner Built on a Modern Contradiction - URL: https://menwith.com/a-classic-schooner-built-on-a-modern-contradiction - Author: Tom - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-09 - Tags: Northrop and Johnson **Summary:** The DONA FRANCISCA is a 50m carbon fiber schooner blending classic aesthetics with modern superyacht performance and comfort. It offers accessible transatlantic passages and shallow draft cruising. From a distance, the DONA FRANCISCA could be a ghost from another century. Her lines are those of a classic 1900s schooner, all grace and proportion, with the warm tones of teak and mahogany set against polished bronze. The impression is intentional, and deeply convincing. You feel as if you have stepped into another time. But the illusion is built on a very modern foundation. This is the world’s largest carbon fiber sailboat. The choice of material is not for show. It is a decision about performance, resilience, and weight. Beneath the traditional finishes lies a machine engineered for the realities of 21st-century ocean travel. It is a schooner in spirit, but a contemporary superyacht in practice. The entire project, which took five years in Montevideo, was centered on this dual identity. It is a vessel born from a single owner’s vision, executed with a global team of experts. It currently sits for sale with Northrop and Johnson for $14,900,000, a figure that reflects its unique position in the market. Beyond the Horizon A yacht’s true character is revealed on the open sea, not in a harbor. In 2023, the DONA FRANCISCA completed a full Atlantic crossing. The voyage was more than a delivery, it was a practical demonstration of the yacht’s core philosophy. With twelve people on board, it showed that the vessel could handle extended journeys with ease. Performance under sail can reach 17 knots, but the real story is how the yacht behaves. The naval architect designed the hull and rig geometry to reduce excessive heeling. For anyone without significant ocean sailing experience, this changes everything. The journey becomes something to enjoy, not just endure. It makes the romance of a transatlantic passage accessible without the usual physical demands. The schooner rig offers flexibility, allowing for different sail combinations to match the conditions. This is about prioritizing comfort on long passages, a decision that points to a vessel designed to be lived on, not just admired. The Practicality of Grandeur Owning a 50-meter yacht comes with logistical challenges. The design of the DONA FRANCISCA seems engineered to solve them. A draft of just 3.5 meters is unusually shallow for a vessel of this scale. This decision opens up a world of cruising possibilities, allowing access to harbors and coves that would be off-limits to other superyachts. Maneuverability in those tight spaces is handled by twin 100hp bow thrusters. Docking a vessel this large can be a high-stress operation. Here, it becomes a controlled and precise process. This is not a minor detail. It is a fundamental choice about how the owner and crew experience the boat day to day. That same pragmatism extends to the crew. Nearly all sailing maneuvers are assisted by hydraulic systems, which dramatically reduces the manpower required. The engine room can even be monitored by software, allowing it to operate as an unmanned machinery space. The result is a yacht of significant scale that can be run with uncharacteristic efficiency. Everywhere you look, the technology is present but not visible. Equipment is concealed. Wiring is hidden. The classical atmosphere is preserved, but it is supported by a completely modern infrastructure. It is a yacht that offers the dream of a golden age, but without the compromises. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-classic-schooner-built-on-a-modern-contradiction — Citation: "A Classic Schooner Built on a Modern Contradiction" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-09. https://menwith.com/a-classic-schooner-built-on-a-modern-contradiction --- ## TAG Heuer Connects Its Future to the Formula 1 Grid - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-connects-its-future-to-the-formula-1-grid - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-09 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Tag Heuer **Summary:** The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 x Formula 1 Edition integrates F1 data and sounds, offering a dynamic, real-time motorsport experience beyond traditional timekeeping. The new TAG Heuer Connected watch is less about telling time and more about living inside it. Specifically, inside the tightly scheduled, high-pressure time of a Formula 1 season. With the Calibre E5 x Formula 1 Edition, the function of a watch expands beyond the wrist. It becomes a live feed, a direct line to the culture of motorsport, delivered moment by moment. This is not a new territory for the brand. TAG Heuer’s identity was forged on the racetrack, long before digital integration was a possibility. The name itself is inseparable from racing history. This latest release is not an attempt to borrow credibility from the sport. It is an attempt to translate a decades-long relationship into a modern language, one where software and hardware are becoming increasingly difficult to separate. The Physical Connection The watch itself is a 45 mm case built from black DLC sandblasted titanium. It is a material choice that speaks to lightness and durability, principles familiar to any motorsport engineer. Details are direct references to the source material. The pushers are accented with red lacquer, pulling from the F1 logo’s own color scheme. The strap’s bi-material construction features a carbon-pattern finish, an aesthetic drawn straight from the composite surfaces of a modern race car. These are not subtle nods. They are clear statements of purpose. The design ensures the watch is visually aligned with the world it is meant to channel. It looks the part because its function depends on being part of that world. The object is the container for the experience. A Watch That Follows the Season The real story, however, happens on the screen. The digital experience is built to follow the rhythm of a Grand Prix weekend. Custom watch faces deliver information for every session, from Practice and Sprint to Qualifying and the Race itself. The data is not an afterthought. It is the central utility. Immersion extends beyond the visual. The system integrates sounds inspired by the sport. Notifications mimic the tone of pit-radio communications. Alerts use sequences that recall the starting lights on the grid. This is a conscious effort to make the technology feel less like a utility and more like a piece of the environment it represents. This model presents a different kind of value proposition for a luxury watchmaker. A mechanical timepiece is a static object. Its appeal lies in its permanence and the craft frozen within it. This TAG Heuer Connected watch is dynamic. Its value is tied to its ability to change, to update, and to stay in sync with an external, ongoing event. It is a service as much as it is an object. Ownership here becomes about more than possessing a finely made watch. It is about having access. Access to a curated stream of data from a culture you follow. The watch is a portal, and its purpose is to connect you to something happening elsewhere, in real time. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-connects-its-future-to-the-formula-1-grid — Citation: "TAG Heuer Connects Its Future to the Formula 1 Grid" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-09. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-connects-its-future-to-the-formula-1-grid --- ## BMW Bets Its Future on a Digital Heart - URL: https://menwith.com/bmw-bets-its-future-on-a-digital-heart - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-09 - Tags: Motors, BMW, Bmw i3, BMW M, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** BMW's new i3 sedan, built on the Neue Klasse platform, features a "Heart of Joy" control unit for integrated driving dynamics. This electric architecture aims to replicate the brand's analogue feel through advanced software. The new BMW i3 sedan is currently a ghost in the snow. In Arjeplog, Sweden, just south of the Arctic Circle, camouflage-wrapped prototypes are sliding across frozen lakes, their final dynamics being calibrated against the physics of ice. This is more than a cold-weather endurance test. It is an exercise in defining the character of a car that carries the weight of BMW’s future. This is the second model to emerge from the Neue Klasse architecture, a platform intended to be a complete reset for the brand. It represents a fundamental shift in how a BMW is conceived, built, and experienced. For a company whose reputation was forged in the analogue feel of straight-six engines and rear-wheel-drive balance, the move to a fully electric, software-driven architecture is a delicate operation. The Digital Soul At the center of this new philosophy is a piece of technology BMW calls the “Heart of Joy.” The name is a direct nod to the brand’s longstanding “Sheer Driving Pleasure” tagline. This is not just a marketing phrase. It is the name for the single, powerful control unit that integrates all aspects of the car’s driving dynamics. It processes data for the powertrain and suspension simultaneously, aiming to create a cohesive response that feels intuitive and, crucially, like a BMW. This centralized brain is a significant departure from the decentralized electronic control units common in most modern cars. The theory is that by having one system oversee everything, the car can react with more speed and subtlety than ever before. It is BMW’s answer to a foundational question: can code replicate the mechanical feedback that enthusiasts have valued for decades? From Ice to Introduction The work being done in Sweden is about translating that theory into practice. On low-grip surfaces, engineers can fine-tune the interplay between the sixth-generation eDrive motors and the BMW Dynamic Performance Control system. They are teaching the software how to behave, how to manage traction, and how to deliver power in a way that feels engaging, not sterile. The first mention of BMW M‘s influence on vehicle dynamics suggests a serious performance intent. This final phase of testing precedes the car’s official design premiere, scheduled for March 18, 2026. That is the date when the camouflage comes off and the public gets its first clear look at the sedan intended to carry the brand’s core identity into the next generation. It will be the moment the abstract ideas of Neue Klasse and Heart of Joy become a tangible object. The challenge for the new BMW i3 is not just to be a competent electric vehicle. It must prove that the soul of the company can be successfully translated into a new language of silicon and electricity. The real test is whether this digital heart can deliver a feeling that is unmistakably analogue. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bmw-bets-its-future-on-a-digital-heart — Citation: "BMW Bets Its Future on a Digital Heart" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-09. https://menwith.com/bmw-bets-its-future-on-a-digital-heart --- ## Thirty Years Later, Ottolenghi Returns to Amsterdam - URL: https://menwith.com/thirty-years-later-ottolenghi-returns-to-amsterdam - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-09 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental **Summary:** Yotam Ottolenghi returns to Amsterdam after 30 years to open a new restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium. The venture blends familiar dishes with local Dutch produce and influences. Yotam Ottolenghi is returning to a city he left three decades ago. He lived and studied in Amsterdam in 1995, long before his name became a global byword for generous, vegetable-forward cooking. Now he is back, not just to visit, but to open a restaurant. The new establishment opens its doors on March 19, marking the chef's first venture in the Netherlands. It finds its home inside the Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, a hotel situated in the city’s Museum District. The location places the new Ottolenghi kitchen in conversation with cultural landmarks like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, suggesting food as part of a broader cultural experience. This opening continues a partnership that began in Geneva, but the Amsterdam project feels more personal. It represents a full circle for Ottolenghi, a return to a place that was part of his story before the cookbooks and the London delis. The restaurant itself takes cues from his London spot, ROVI, with a focus on grilling, fermentation, and seasonal produce. The Menu The food is a blend of the familiar and the new. Well-known Ottolenghi dishes like the celeriac shawarma with pita and fermented tomato are on the menu. They sit alongside creations developed specifically for Amsterdam. One dish, a Hong Kong-style French toast with tahini and sweet hawaij, was created as a direct nod to the restaurant’s partnership with the hotel group. Other plates show a commitment to bold flavors and textures. The all-day menu includes beef carpaccio with pickled Jerusalem artichoke, lamb chops with grated tomato and cumin salt, and fish kofta in a tomato caraway sauce. Desserts follow a similar ethos, with offerings like squash and pear fritters or an apple mille feuille with calvados butter. Local Roots, Global Name For a global name like Ottolenghi, the execution is rooted in the local. The menu is built around Dutch produce. Dairy and cheeses come from Over Amstel Boerderij. Salads are grown by TopKrop Farm. Aubergines are sourced from the Zwinkels, a family of growers an hour outside the city. It is an effort to ground the restaurant in its new home. The team reflects a similar logic, blending new talent with established experience. The kitchen and front of house are run by Executive Chef Neil Campbell and General Manager Marisha Wilson, who have a combined eighteen years at Ottolenghi's London restaurants. Wilson has relocated to Amsterdam to lead the new venture, ensuring the brand’s specific culture is present from day one. The drinks list complements the food, with a selection of natural wines and signature cocktails. A Shatta Margarita uses green chilli, while the Ottolenghi Martini is infused with nori and preserved lemon. A local touch appears with a sour made from jenever, the Dutch gin. The opening is more than just a new dining room in a major European city. It is a story about homecoming. It asks whether a global brand can feel truly local, and whether a chef can, after thirty years, bring his world back to a city that was once his. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/thirty-years-later-ottolenghi-returns-to-amsterdam — Citation: "Thirty Years Later, Ottolenghi Returns to Amsterdam" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-09. https://menwith.com/thirty-years-later-ottolenghi-returns-to-amsterdam --- ## Why Panerai Keeps Returning to Milan's Design Week - URL: https://menwith.com/why-panerai-keeps-returning-to-milan-s-design-week - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-03-08 - Tags: Panerai **Summary:** Panerai aligns with Milan's Design Week, framing its military-born watches as industrial design objects akin to furniture. This positions the brand within a broader cultural conversation of form and function. Milan in April is a city consumed by form. Every showroom, courtyard, and gallery is given over to the obsessive study of chairs, tables, and lighting. It is a strange, yet fitting, place to find a watch brand. For the fourth consecutive year, Panerai returns as the Official Time Keeper for the Salone del Mobile.Milano. This is not a coincidence or a simple marketing alignment. It is a statement of intent. The brand is deliberately placing its own objects, born from military necessity, into the heart of the global conversation about design. A watch and a chair have more in common than one might think. Both are judged on proportion, material honesty, and how well their form serves a purpose. The best of them achieve a kind of permanence, where a functional choice becomes an aesthetic signature. This is the story of Panerai, a brand whose identity was forged not in a design studio, but in the demanding environment of the Italian Royal Navy. From Tool to Artifact The Luminor’s crown-protecting bridge was not an aesthetic flourish. It was a solution to ensure water resistance under extreme pressure. The Radiomir’s luminous dial was not for style. It was for legibility in the dark depths of the sea. These were practical decisions that resulted in a shape and character so distinct they became iconic. By embedding itself in the Salone del Mobile, Panerai is framing this history. It is suggesting that its watches belong in the same continuum as other great Italian design objects. It’s a shift in context from a tool for telling time to an object for consideration. This narrative is further reinforced by the brand's traveling “The Depths of Time” exhibition, which traces its history from military supplier to modern luxury house. A Conversation of Form The brand's presence in Milan includes a pop-up store, a space that acts less like a retail outpost and more like a small gallery. Here, a curated selection of watches can be seen not just as products, but as studies in form. The clean lines of a Luminor Due case feel at home among the principles of modernism that define so much of the furniture on display elsewhere in the city. The partnership suggests that a watch is no longer an isolated accessory. For Panerai, it is a piece of industrial design that you wear. It is part of a larger ecosystem of taste that includes the car you drive, the chair you sit in, and the art on your walls. The continued relationship with the Salone is a quiet confirmation of this belief. It repositions the brand away from just performance and heritage, and toward a more cultural role. Panerai is not just timing the event. It is participating in the conversation. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/why-panerai-keeps-returning-to-milan-s-design-week — Citation: "Why Panerai Keeps Returning to Milan's Design Week" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-08. https://menwith.com/why-panerai-keeps-returning-to-milan-s-design-week --- ## With Yvan Jacqueline: Inside Parfums de Marly - URL: https://menwith.com/with-yvan-jacqueline-inside-parfums-de-marly - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-03-08 - Tags: Yvan Jacqueline, Parfums de Marly, Luxury Fragrance, Louis XV, Niche Perfumery, Natural Ingredients, Fragrance Culture **Summary:** Yvan Jacqueline discusses Parfums de Marly's success, emphasizing natural ingredients and historical inspiration. He highlights fragrance as an emotional language connecting memory, identity, and craftsmanship. Luxury fragrance occupies a unique place in modern culture. Unlike watches, cars or fashion, perfume is invisible. Yet it shapes how someone is remembered long after they leave the room. For Yvan Jacqueline, President of the Americas at Parfums de Marly, that invisible presence is what makes fragrance compelling. It is not simply a product, but an emotional language connecting memory, identity and craftsmanship. When we speak, Jacqueline has just returned home to New York after a long journey. Yet the fatigue fades as the conversation turns to perfume. After more than fifteen years with the house, the enthusiasm remains. Heritage That Resonates Today Parfums de Marly draws inspiration from the court of Louis XV in the 18th century, often described as the golden age of French perfumery. Fragrance played a central role in court culture, and the brand continues to reference that heritage in both scent and design. Its expansion into the United States came later than many expected. “We opened a subsidiary here in America eight years ago only. It was the last continent we opened because we thought maybe people were not ready for perfume with this power and particularity and DNA.” At the time, the assumption was that American consumers preferred lighter fragrances. The response proved otherwise. “It has been a fabulous surprise to see how people were interested, welcoming, appreciating the difference.” The historical inspiration itself resonated strongly. “They love Paris, love Versailles, they love their history.” As the brand expanded globally, one question followed: can a house remain niche at scale? Jacqueline sees no contradiction. “It’s not because you become a global brand that you are not niche anymore. What makes you niche is the way you create the perfume.” The DNA of Natural Ingredients That philosophy begins with ingredients. While much of modern perfumery relies heavily on synthetics, Parfums de Marly continues to emphasize natural raw materials. “We still use a lot of natural ingredients. From flowers to woods to vanilla always from Madagascar… the spine is always natural.” The choice also reflects the brand’s historical inspiration. “In the 18th century there were no synthetic molecules. So it’s a statement paying tribute to that era.” Natural ingredients introduce another dimension: individuality. “The more natural it is, the more the pH of the skin interact with the creation. So it smells different on everybody.” In a luxury market shaped by personal expression, that variation becomes part of the appeal. The Rise of Fragrance Culture Over the past decade, Jacqueline has seen a shift in how people approach fragrance. “Niche used to be a perfume for very few people that were crazy about scent.” Today the category has expanded rapidly. Social media has helped create a new generation of enthusiasts. “In ten years we have seen people welcoming to invest in different quality more and more.” Consumer habits have changed as well. “Ten years ago most of the people used to have one perfume for a year. Today they have 10 or more.” Perfume has quietly become another form of personal expression. The Power of Memory Part of fragrance’s power lies in its connection to memory. “The smell is the only of our senses which is directly linked to the subconscious.” Unlike sight or sound, scent connects directly to emotion. A fragrance can instantly bring back a place or moment from years earlier. For Jacqueline, lavender carries that association. Growing up, he spent summers at his grandparents’ home in Brittany. “Every morning I would scratch the flowers in my hand and the whole day long smelling my hands.” “It’s memories.” A World of Freedom That idea of expression extends to fragrance layering, where people combine multiple scents to create something unique. “The perfume world is a world of freedom, there is no right or wrong,” Jacqueline says. At the same time, he understands why purists prefer to experience a fragrance as it was composed. Creating a perfume can take years of development and many adjustments to reach the intended balance. “When you work three years to have the perfect balance… it’s very complex.” Yet for Jacqueline, personal connection ultimately matters more than strict rules. “I do have a few layerings that I love in Marly that I do for myself.” Introducing Les Extraits This philosophy of depth sits at the center of Parfums de Marly’s latest release: Les Extraits. The collection reflects a shift toward greater refinement while maintaining the performance the house is known for. “More and more Julien loves to create around refinement with performance.” Achieving that balance is one of the hardest challenges in perfumery. “When you create a strong wood, anyone will make it last because wood lasts. But when you create something bright and refined, to make it project and last is the most complicated thing to do in the perfume world.” The collection introduces three distinct personalities. Valero represents the everyday fragrance, elegant and versatile, with a refined woody fougère profile built around lavender and ambrox. Carios moves in a brighter direction, combining red mandarin and roasted tonka bean into a composition with a more distinctive character. And then there is the more seductive side. “Eragon is the sexy one.” Jacqueline says, describing it as a deeper blend of patchouli, cinnamon and spicy vanilla. Each scent speaks for itself. “When you wear a particular scent, you send a different message.” Fragrance, in that sense, becomes situational. The Complexity of Creation Behind every perfume lies a high level of technical precision. Even the smallest adjustment can transform a formula. Jacqueline describes the process simply. “To create the perfect scent is like winning the lottery. It’s so incredible that sometimes you lower one ingredient, one percent, and you get a completely different smell.” Every fragrance begins with experimentation and refinement. “You always restart from scratch and try to crack the formula.” When a composition finally reaches the right balance, it reflects years of work. That attention to detail extends beyond the fragrance itself. Although fragrance is experienced through scent, the packaging is not merely decorative. It reflects the same philosophy that defines the perfume: precision, balance, and a tribute to the French court where modern perfumery began. “We pay homage to the 18th century, to the royal court and to French luxury.” he says. From the weight of the cap to the guilloché detailing on the bottle, every element reinforces the craftsmanship behind the fragrance. In that sense, the experience begins long before the first spray. More Than Just a Fragrance For Jacqueline, perfume serves a deeper purpose than simply smelling pleasant. “It gives you confidence, make you feel special.” But discovering that connection takes time. “People are always in a hurry. They will spend five seconds and say, I like it, I don’t like it.” The character of a fragrance reveals itself slowly. “Try it. See on your skin how it’s going to evolve.” Somewhere in that evolution, once the fragrance reaches its dry down, you discover whether you won the lottery. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-yvan-jacqueline-inside-parfums-de-marly — Citation: "With Yvan Jacqueline: Inside Parfums de Marly" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-08. https://menwith.com/with-yvan-jacqueline-inside-parfums-de-marly --- ## The Tegernsee Auction Is A Statement About Taste - URL: https://menwith.com/the-tegernsee-auction-is-a-statement-about-taste - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-07 - Tags: RM Sotheby's **Summary:** The Tegernsee Auction by RM Sotheby's emphasizes curated classic cars, focusing on British engineering like Bentley and Lagonda, signaling a shift towards driving enjoyment over speculation. The classic car auction calendar rarely offers surprises. The locations are set. Monterey, Paris, Amelia Island. Each has its own rhythm, its own particular crowd. A new event near Lake Tegernsee in Bavaria, then, is a deliberate choice. The upcoming RM Sotheby's auction on July 4th is not trying to be another stop on the global tour. The location itself is the first clue. This is something different. Tegernsee is a place of quiet wealth and old-world leisure, set against the Bavarian Alps. It is not a backdrop for spectacle. The decision to host an auction here suggests an event curated for a specific sensibility, one that values substance and story over volume and velocity. It is an auction as a destination, not just a transaction. The Character of the Cars The lots chosen for the sale reinforce this idea. The headline cars are not the typical Italian exotics that dominate modern auctions. Instead, the focus is on a particular strain of British engineering, a 1950 Bentley 3-4½-Litre 'Special' Tourer and a 1930 Lagonda 3-Litre Tourer. Both are cars of purpose, from a time when luxury was defined by engineering integrity and the experience of driving. The Bentley is particularly telling. A 'Special' is not a standard factory model. It represents a tradition of taking a pre-war chassis and fitting it with a more powerful post-war engine. This was not about preserving originality. It was about creating a better, faster, more capable machine for the road. It is a car built from a point of view. This particular Bentley is a product of deep expertise, assembled for performance touring. It is a driver’s car in the truest sense, meant for long distances and alpine passes, not for sitting under lights in a collection. Its presence here signals that the auction is aimed at people who intend to use their cars. A Return to Touring The 1930 Lagonda 3-Litre Tourer speaks to a similar philosophy from an earlier era. This is a machine from the golden age of open-top motoring, designed when the journey itself was the main event. It is elemental. There is no roof, no complex electronics, just the direct connection between driver, machine, and the surrounding landscape. To drive a car like this is to be fully present. It requires attention and mechanical sympathy. It rewards you not with speed, but with sensation. The choice to feature such a car seems perfectly matched to the Tegernsee location, a place one drives to and through, rather than simply arriving at. Together, these cars outline the auction's central theme. This is not a sale about market speculation or flipping the latest hypercar. It is an offering for a collector who understands the difference between owning a car and being a motorist. The other lots follow a similar logic, creating a consistent and considered collection. The Tegernsee event by RM Sotheby's feels like a return to first principles. It suggests that for a certain group of people, the value of a car is still measured by the quality of the engineering, the strength of its story, and the pleasure it delivers on the open road. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-tegernsee-auction-is-a-statement-about-taste — Citation: "The Tegernsee Auction Is A Statement About Taste" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-07. https://menwith.com/the-tegernsee-auction-is-a-statement-about-taste --- ## The Perfect Journey Along the Amalfi Coast - URL: https://menwith.com/the-perfect-journey-along-the-amalfi-coast - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-06 - Tags: Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, Italy travel, Limoncello **Summary:** The Amalfi Coast journey emphasizes slowing down, savoring each village from Sorrento to Ravello. Iconic stops like Positano and Amalfi offer unique charm, while Praiano provides a tranquil escape. The true essence lies in the scenic drive itself. Few coastlines in the world combine drama, beauty and culture quite like the Amalfi Coast. Stretching along southern Italy’s rugged shoreline, the journey from Sorrento down to Amalfi and beyond is less about reaching a destination and more about enjoying every turn of the road. The secret to experiencing it properly is simple: slow down. Take time in each village, stop for espresso with a sea view, and let the rhythm of the Mediterranean guide the pace. Starting Point: Sorrento Most journeys along the Amalfi Coast begin in Sorrento. Sitting high above the Bay of Naples, the town offers sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius and the shimmering water below. Sorrento itself is worth exploring before even setting foot on the coastal road. Wander through the old streets filled with small cafés, lemon groves and artisan shops selling local ceramics and limoncello. As evening arrives, the terraces overlooking the sea become the perfect place for a first Italian aperitivo. From here, the famous coastal road begins to wind its way south. Positano – The Icon of the Coast The first stop that truly captures the imagination is Positano. Built vertically into the cliffs, the town cascades down toward the sea in a mosaic of pastel colored houses. Positano is best experienced on foot. Narrow staircases and winding lanes lead to small boutiques, linen shops and hidden restaurants. Down by the beach, Spiaggia Grande offers one of the most recognizable views on the entire coastline. Lunch here should be long and relaxed. Fresh seafood, local pasta and a glass of chilled white wine while watching boats drift across the water is a ritual that defines Positano. Praiano – The Quiet Alternative Just a short drive further sits Praiano, a smaller village that many travelers pass without noticing. That is precisely why it is worth stopping. Praiano feels calmer and more authentic than many of the larger destinations along the coast. From here you can enjoy peaceful viewpoints over the sea and some of the most beautiful sunsets on the Amalfi Coast. It is also a perfect place for a slow afternoon espresso or an early evening walk along the cliffs. Amalfi – History and Maritime Legacy Eventually the road curves into the historic town of Amalfi, once one of the most powerful maritime republics in the Mediterranean. The centerpiece of the town is the striking Cathedral of Saint Andrew, rising dramatically above the main square. Its striped façade and grand staircase create one of the most iconic landmarks along the entire coastline. Beyond the cathedral, Amalfi reveals a maze of narrow streets filled with bakeries, small shops and hidden courtyards. It is the perfect place to try local specialties such as sfogliatella pastries or fresh lemon desserts. Ravello – The View From Above Above Amalfi sits Ravello, a hilltop town that feels worlds away from the busy coastline below. Ravello has long attracted artists, writers and composers who came here seeking inspiration from its breathtaking views. The gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo offer terraces that seem to float above the sea. Standing here, overlooking the endless blue of the Mediterranean, it becomes clear why Ravello is often described as one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Italy. The Secret to the Amalfi Coast The perfect Amalfi Coast journey is not about rushing between famous locations. It is about enjoying the space in between. Stop for coffee in a village you had not planned to visit. Pull over at a viewpoint simply because the light looks beautiful. Let the day stretch longer than expected. Along this coastline, the road itself becomes the destination. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-perfect-journey-along-the-amalfi-coast — Citation: "The Perfect Journey Along the Amalfi Coast" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-06. https://menwith.com/the-perfect-journey-along-the-amalfi-coast --- ## The Zegna 232 Sneaker Follows a Familiar Road - URL: https://menwith.com/the-zegna-232-sneaker-follows-a-familiar-road - Category: Style - Published: 2026-03-06 - Tags: Zegna **Summary:** The Zegna 232 sneaker, in its 'Felce' green, embodies a philosophy of reduction and integration. Named after a road built by its founder, it signifies a return to thoughtful design and brand heritage. The color is called Felce. It is the Italian word for fern, a particular shade of green that feels pulled from the forest floor. It is this color that defines the new Zegna 232 sneaker, and it says more about the brand’s direction than any logo could. This is not a shoe designed to be noticed from across the street. It is designed to be understood up close. The form is simple. A clean, low-profile silhouette with a distinctive detail running up the heel, a subtle marker for those who are paying attention. In an industry still recovering from the maximalist sneaker boom, the Zegna 232 is an exercise in reduction. It removes noise to focus on shape, material, and a single, quiet idea. A Road, Not Just a Number That idea is rooted in the number itself. The Zegna 232 is named after the Strada Statale 232, a 26-kilometer road in the Italian Alps. It was a project initiated by the company’s founder, Ermenegildo Zegna, who believed his wool mill’s success should be shared with the local community and environment. He built the road to connect the towns and give people access to the mountains he was reforesting, creating what is now Oasi Zegna. The road is a physical manifestation of his philosophy. Naming a sneaker after it is a deliberate act, a way of grounding a modern product in a century-old vision. In the context of the Spring Summer 2026 collection, the shoe makes perfect sense. It anchors looks built on soft tailoring, fluid trousers, and monochrome palettes. It is part of a system, not a standalone statement. The outfits are relaxed and composed, and the sneaker’s role is to complete that feeling, not disrupt it. The Integrated Sneaker The era of the sneaker as a collectible object, detached from the act of dressing, seems to be fading. Brands like Zegna are now focused on a different question. How does a sneaker become a natural part of a man’s wardrobe, as essential and integrated as a well-made shirt or a piece of cashmere knitwear? The answer lies in treating it with the same intelligence and respect for material. The Zegna 232 is not a fashion item trying to imitate a technical shoe. It is a piece of luxury footwear that happens to be a sneaker. Its value comes from the suppleness of the leather, the precision of its construction, and the coherence of its design. It is made to be worn, to become part of a personal uniform. It serves the clothes, and by extension, the man wearing them. Ultimately, the sneaker is a reminder that a brand’s identity is not something you invent in a marketing meeting. It is something you inherit and build upon. By connecting its most casual product to its deepest historical roots, Zegna is making a clear point. The path forward is the one you pave yourself. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-zegna-232-sneaker-follows-a-familiar-road — Citation: "The Zegna 232 Sneaker Follows a Familiar Road" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-06. https://menwith.com/the-zegna-232-sneaker-follows-a-familiar-road --- ## Before the Lights Go Out: The Advice Arvid Lindblad Needed to Hear - URL: https://menwith.com/before-the-lights-go-out-the-advice-arvid-lindblad-needed-to-hear - Author: Tom - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-03-06 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Arvid Lindblad receives dual advice for his F1 debut: Lewis Hamilton urges him to enjoy the purity of driving, while Liam Lawson offers tactical survival tips for the immediate challenge. Every driver remembers their first weekend. The feeling is specific. For Arvid Lindblad, his debut in the top tier of motorsport begins not just with the car, but with two conversations that frame the entire challenge ahead. The air in the Melbourne paddock is different when you are the new man. The noise, the cameras, the sheer operational scale of a Formula 1 team—it can be overwhelming. Before his first official laps in Australia, Lindblad found himself receiving counsel from two distinct points on the sport’s timeline. On one side is Lewis Hamilton. A seven-time world champion whose career has defined the modern era of the sport. His advice was simple: enjoy it. It sounds like a platitude, something anyone would say. But from Hamilton, the words carry the weight of nearly two decades of immense pressure, public scrutiny, and the transformation from a gifted racer into a global figure. He is not just telling Lindblad to have fun. He is reminding him to hold on to the purity of the act itself, the simple love of driving, before the complexities of contracts, media, and expectation begin to crowd it out. It is a piece of wisdom earned over a very long road. The Statesman and The Contemporary On the other side is Liam Lawson, his teammate at Racing Bulls. Lawson’s experience is the opposite of Hamilton’s. It is fresh, visceral, and recent. He is not a statesman looking back on a career. He is a contemporary who was in this exact position just months ago, thrown into the deep end and forced to perform. His advice is grounded in the immediate shock of the present. It is about the car’s brutal power, the complexity of the steering wheel, and the sheer speed at which a race weekend moves. Lawson’s counsel is less about philosophy and more about survival. It is tactical, not sentimental. One man tells him to protect the feeling. The other gives him the tools to withstand it. Together, they represent the dual reality of being a Formula 1 driver. You must possess an almost spiritual connection to the craft while simultaneously operating as a high-performance data processor and athlete. You have to love it, and you have to be clinical about it. For a rookie, finding the balance between those two poles is the first real test. The Real Test for Arvid Lindblad The journey for Arvid Lindblad from junior formulas to the main event is a familiar narrative, but each driver lives it differently. The cars are faster, the margins are smaller, and the world is watching. The advice from Hamilton and Lawson serves as a valuable framework, a way to mentally prepare for what is about to happen. It offers perspective from both the summit of the sport and the base camp he is just leaving. Ultimately, a driver is alone in the cockpit. The counsel from others fades once the helmet is on and the engine is running. The team can provide data, and mentors can offer wisdom, but the execution is solitary. The weekend in Melbourne is not just about lap times or finishing positions. It is about how Lindblad synthesizes everything he has learned, absorbs the pressure, and begins to write his own story. The conversations are over. Now, all that is left is the driving. Read more about sports here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/before-the-lights-go-out-the-advice-arvid-lindblad-needed-to-hear — Citation: "Before the Lights Go Out: The Advice Arvid Lindblad Needed to Hear" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-06. https://menwith.com/before-the-lights-go-out-the-advice-arvid-lindblad-needed-to-hear --- ## Loro Piana and the Uniform for Nowhere - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-and-the-uniform-for-nowhere - Category: Style - Published: 2026-03-06 - Tags: Loro Piana **Summary:** Loro Piana's FW26 collection, 'Nomadic Reverie,' offers a 'uniform for nowhere'—clothing for a placeless, global life. It prioritizes comfort, adaptability, and the intrinsic quality of natural fibers over logos and trends. Luxury clothing used to be about arrival. A heavy coat for a winter in the city, a specific suit for a specific boardroom. It was clothing that signaled you belonged to a place. The new Loro Piana collection for Fall/Winter 2026 suggests a different reality. This is clothing for a life lived in transit, where the only consistent location is the self. The idea is not about being homeless, but about being placeless. For a certain kind of person, home is a network of cities, airport lounges, and hotel suites. The wardrobe for that life cannot be tied to a single climate or culture. Loro Piana has long understood this, and its latest collection feels like a further refinement of the uniform for this global class. The theme is described as a “Nomadic Reverie,” a dream of movement. But the clothes themselves are grounded in the practical needs of that dream. The menswear pieces are built around texture and silhouette. Shapes are relaxed, never restrictive. Trousers have a soft, easy line. Knitwear is substantial but light. It is clothing designed to be worn for long hours, to feel as good at the end of a flight as it did at the beginning. The value is not communicated through a logo, but through the feel of the material. It is a private transaction between the garment and the wearer. A Wardrobe in Motion The womenswear follows the same logic. The emphasis is on layering and adaptability. A coat is not just a coat; it is part of a system that can be adjusted for a car, a plane, or a walk through a new city. The forms are fluid, designed to move with the body rather than impose a rigid structure upon it. There is an elegance here that comes from utility, not decoration. This philosophy has always been central to Loro Piana. The house is, first and foremost, a master of textiles. The story begins with the raw material, whether it is vicuña, cashmere, or baby cashmere. The design process seems to serve the fabric, not the other way around. The result is clothing that feels elemental and direct. It does not need to perform fashion. Its quality is self-evident to the person wearing it, and that is the only person who matters. The Absence of Place The collection’s color palette reinforces this placelessness. The tones are drawn from nature, but a sort of universal nature. Earth, stone, fog, and sky. These are colors that belong everywhere and nowhere in particular. They provide a quiet backdrop, allowing the wearer to move through different environments with minimal friction. It is a functional camouflage for a life that is deliberately visible to very few. Looking at the collection, you get the sense that this is not about trends. It is about building a personal infrastructure. These are not disposable items for a season, but tools for a specific way of living. In a world of loud logos and fleeting aesthetics, Loro Piana proposes something else. A wardrobe as reliable and well-engineered as a private jet. It is not meant to be noticed. It is meant to work. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-and-the-uniform-for-nowhere — Citation: "Loro Piana and the Uniform for Nowhere" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-06. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-and-the-uniform-for-nowhere --- ## The Cessna Citation Ascend Is A Business Tool, Not A Trophy - URL: https://menwith.com/the-cessna-citation-ascend-is-a-business-tool-not-a-trophy - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-03-06 - Tags: Northrop and Johnson **Summary:** The Cessna Citation Ascend redefines midsize jets as business tools, prioritizing utility, efficiency, and uptime. Its design focuses on a functional cabin, extended range, and reduced operational costs for modern corporate aviation. The idea of a completely flat floor in a midsize jet is where the story of the Cessna Citation Ascend begins. It is not a small detail. It changes how you move, how you work, and how you perceive the space around you. It signals a shift from a transport cabin to a functional room, one that happens to travel at over 400 knots. This is the central premise of the aircraft, a machine designed around utility. This focus on practicality runs through the entire cabin. The windows are nearly fifteen percent larger, not just for the view, but to fill the space with natural light and reduce fatigue on long workdays. The quietness is engineered for concentration, not just comfort. The space is configured for meetings to continue and decisions to be made at altitude. The design assumes its passengers are not merely relaxing. They are working. On the ramp, the Citation Ascend presents itself as an instrument. Its exterior lines are clean and efficient, built for purpose. It is designed around the realities of modern flight operations, where a single aircraft might handle a corporate charter, a team reposition, and an owner’s last-minute trip in the same 24-hour span. Its value is measured in readiness and consistency. The Economics of Uptime Private aviation is rarely discussed in terms of profitability, but Cessna makes it a core part of the Ascend’s identity. The design choices all point toward maximizing utilization. Maintenance intervals are longer, meaning the jet spends more time in the air and less in the hangar. An auxiliary power unit that can run unattended keeps the cabin comfortable on the ground without adding to crew workload or operational cost. Even the thrust reversers are framed as a way to reduce brake wear, a small detail that accumulates into significant savings over the aircraft’s life. The performance is a direct extension of this philosophy. New Pratt & Whitney Canada engines provide more thrust while improving fuel efficiency. With a range of 1,940 nautical miles carrying four passengers, it connects city pairs that might have previously required a fuel stop. For an operator, this means more flexible mission planning and the ability to say yes to more demanding schedules. It is about removing limitations. A Calibrated Flight Deck In the cockpit, the same logic applies. The Garmin G5000 avionics suite includes autothrottles as a standard feature. This reduces pilot workload during critical phases of flight, which in turn promotes smoother operation and consistency across different crews. It is an admission that human factors are a key part of an efficient operation. By making the pilot’s job more manageable, the aircraft itself becomes more reliable and predictable. The Citation Ascend suggests a subtle recalibration in the midsize jet category. The conversation is shifting from pure luxury to applied luxury, where the greatest indulgence is efficiency. It is a machine built around the idea that for modern business, time is the one asset that cannot be bought back. Leading brokers like Northrop and Johnson understand this shift toward utility in the private aviation market. The Ascend is not just about getting there in style. It is about keeping the entire operation moving forward. Read more about aviation here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-cessna-citation-ascend-is-a-business-tool-not-a-trophy — Citation: "The Cessna Citation Ascend Is A Business Tool, Not A Trophy" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-06. https://menwith.com/the-cessna-citation-ascend-is-a-business-tool-not-a-trophy --- ## Sailing the Amalfi Coast on a 40-Metre Superyacht *A week aboard the Mediterranean's most exclusive charter experience* - URL: https://menwith.com/amalfi-coast-superyacht-charter - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-04 - Tags: travel, yachts, amalfi coast, italy **Summary:** Travel feature covering a week-long superyacht charter along Italy's Amalfi Coast, including stops at Positano, Capri, and Ravello. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. The morning light breaks across the Tyrrhenian Sea as the anchor drops in a sheltered cove beneath Positano's pastel-coloured cliffside. This is the Amalfi Coast at its most intimate — experienced not from the crowded terraces above, but from the polished teak deck of a 40-metre superyacht. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. The Itinerary Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. From Capri's Blue Grotto to Ravello's clifftop gardens, each day unfolds with the unhurried grace that only life at sea can provide. The chef sources ingredients from local markets each morning, and dinner is served as the sun sets behind Ischia. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/amalfi-coast-superyacht-charter — Citation: "Sailing the Amalfi Coast on a 40-Metre Superyacht" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-04. https://menwith.com/amalfi-coast-superyacht-charter --- ## The Two Coasts of Four Seasons Anguilla - URL: https://menwith.com/the-two-coasts-of-four-seasons-anguilla - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-04 - Tags: Anguilla, Four Seasons **Summary:** Four Seasons Anguilla leverages its unique dual-bay location and Kelly Wearstler's textural design to offer an active, engaging luxury escape. The resort integrates natural elements into activities, fostering connection with the island. The land under the Four Seasons Resort Anguilla is caught between two minds. On one side, the calm, expansive stretch of Barnes Bay. On the other, the livelier curve of Meads Bay. The resort sits on the rocky bluff that separates them, a position that defines its character. It is not tucked away in a single cove. It occupies a point of vantage, observing both personalities of the island’s coast. From this position, the architecture unfolds down the terrain toward the water. It is a modern structure, angular and white, that uses its elevation to create broad perspectives of the Caribbean. The experience of being here is shaped by this constant awareness of the sea. The Four Seasons property is less a building on an island and more an instrument for viewing it. Inside, Kelly Wearstler’s design avoids coastal clichés. Instead of light woods and nautical blues, the spaces are textural and sculptural. Organic materials like travertine, petrified wood, and unpolished stone ground the rooms. The palette is neutral, allowing the intense blue of the ocean framed in the windows to be the primary color. It is a design that understands the power of its environment. It does not try to compete with it. The Anguilla Experience, Defined A resort’s philosophy becomes clear in the things it encourages you to do. For the spring season, the focus is on direct interaction with the island’s elements. The limestone cliffs that form the resort’s foundation are not just a backdrop. They become a vertical ascent with guided rock climbing. The two bays are not just for looking at. They are platforms for sailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding. The experience is active, not passive. This approach extends to the social spaces. Places like the Sunset Lounge are positioned for the day’s main event, but they also serve as a gathering point after a day spent on the water or exploring the island. The energy is less about quiet retreat and more about a shared appreciation for the location. It is a place to recount the day, not just escape from the world. A Considered Escape There are many versions of a Caribbean vacation. Some are about disappearing into total privacy. Others are about a manufactured sense of fun. The approach in Anguilla feels more deliberate. By integrating the island’s natural geology and water into its core activities, the resort offers a specific point of view. It proposes that luxury is not just about comfort, but about access and engagement. The combination of Wearstler’s grounded design, the unique dual-bay location, and a program that pushes guests outward creates a cohesive whole. It is an environment built for people who want to feel connected to where they are, not isolated from it. Every element, from the architecture to the activities, seems to ask guests to pay attention to the island itself. It suggests that a modern escape is not about leaving everything behind. It is about arriving somewhere with a clear perspective. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-two-coasts-of-four-seasons-anguilla — Citation: "The Two Coasts of Four Seasons Anguilla" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-04. https://menwith.com/the-two-coasts-of-four-seasons-anguilla --- ## Lazzara Returns With a 165-Foot Declaration - URL: https://menwith.com/lazzara-returns-with-a-165-foot-declaration - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-03-04 - Tags: Lazzara, Menwith, Menwithclass, Yacht **Summary:** Lazzara re-enters the superyacht market with the 165-foot LMY 165, a flagship designed for modern luxury and performance. This vessel signifies the brand's renewed ambition and commitment to competing with established builders. Building a flagship is always a statement of intent. For a name like Lazzara, the introduction of the LMY 165 feels more like a declaration. This is not the quiet re-entry of a legacy brand. It is a clear signal of ambition, delivered in the form of a 165-foot motor yacht designed to reassert the company’s position in the market. The yacht itself is a vessel of significant scale. Its profile is modern and athletic, with lines that suggest performance without sacrificing the volume required for genuine comfort on long voyages. The design avoids overt novelty. Instead, it seems focused on a resolve to deliver a complete, contemporary superyacht experience. It is an answer to what the market expects from a flagship in this decade, from a brand that knows it has to deliver. The LMY 165 marks a clear move upmarket. It puts the Lazzara name back into a conversation with some of the most established yards in the world. To do so requires more than just size. It demands a level of engineering, fit, and finish that can withstand the closest scrutiny. This yacht is the brand’s argument that it is ready for that challenge. A Question of Scale A 165-foot yacht is a complex undertaking. It pushes a builder’s capabilities in design, engineering, and project management. For Lazzara, delivering a vessel of this magnitude is a way of demonstrating its revived strength. It is a physical embodiment of the company’s resources and vision. The choice to make the LMY 165 the new flagship is a strategic one, intended to redefine the perception of the brand’s upper limits. The interior and exterior spaces are designed to flow into one another, a common goal in modern yacht design that is difficult to execute well. The layout prioritizes large gathering areas, from the sundeck to the main saloon, suggesting a yacht built for hosting as much as for private escape. It is a platform for a particular kind of life on the water, one defined by space, light, and capability. The Weight of a Name The Lazzara name is not new to the industry. It carries a history of family ownership and a reputation for a certain kind of American boatbuilding. After a period of quiet, the brand’s return has been methodical. The LMY 165 is the most significant step in that process. It is a yacht that has to do more than just perform well. It has to carry the weight of a legacy while also pointing toward a new future. This is not a story about reinventing the wheel. It is about proving that a respected name can build a product that is relevant and competitive right now. The LMY 165 is Lazzara’s answer to a simple question. Can a legacy brand, under new energy, build a flagship that stands alongside the best in the world? The yacht itself is the only answer that matters. A flagship does more than lead a fleet. It sets the heading for the entire company. With the LMY 165 now on the water, the direction for Lazzara has been made clear. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lazzara-returns-with-a-165-foot-declaration — Citation: "Lazzara Returns With a 165-Foot Declaration" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-04. https://menwith.com/lazzara-returns-with-a-165-foot-declaration --- ## Sir David Attenborough at 100: A Life Devoted to the Natural World - URL: https://menwith.com/sir-david-attenborough-at-100-a-life-devoted-to-the-natural-world - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-03-04 - Tags: Life on Earth, Menwith, Menwithclass, Our Planet, Planet Earth, Sir David Attenborough **Summary:** Sir David Attenborough, turning 100 in 2026, has profoundly shaped global understanding of the natural world through 70+ years of documentaries. His work blends science and emotion, inspiring conservation and redefining wildlife filmmaking. On May 8, 2026, Sir David Attenborough turns 100 years old. Few individuals have shaped our understanding of the natural world as profoundly as he has. Through his calm voice, thoughtful storytelling and relentless curiosity, Attenborough has spent more than seventy years helping humanity see the planet with new eyes. For generations, his documentaries have done something rare. They have combined scientific insight with emotional connection, reminding viewers that wildlife is not a distant spectacle but a shared heritage that belongs to all of us. His work has inspired scientists, conservationists and ordinary people across the globe to care about the future of the Earth. Reaching a century of life, Attenborough stands not only as one of the most respected broadcasters in history but also as one of the most influential environmental voices of our time. The Early Years of a Natural Storyteller David Attenborough was born in London in 1926 and grew up surrounded by nature. His childhood fascination with fossils, animals and the natural environment would shape the rest of his life. After studying natural sciences at Cambridge University, he joined the BBC in the early 1950s, at a time when television itself was still finding its identity. Attenborough quickly realised that television could become a powerful window into the natural world. Instead of presenting wildlife as static museum pieces, he brought viewers directly into forests, oceans and remote landscapes. The result was a new kind of storytelling where science met adventure. Highlights of an Extraordinary Career Over the decades, Attenborough created some of the most influential nature documentaries ever produced. Several moments stand out as milestones in both television and environmental storytelling. 1954 – Zoo Quest Attenborough’s first major series followed expeditions around the world in search of rare animals for zoos and scientific study. At the time it was groundbreaking television, bringing viewers into jungles and remote regions rarely seen on screen. 1979 – Life on Earth This landmark BBC series changed wildlife filmmaking forever. Tracing the story of evolution across the planet, it became one of the most ambitious natural history documentaries ever made and set a new standard for scientific storytelling. 1990s – The Life Collection Attenborough continued the success with a sequence of major series including The Trials of Life, The Life of Birds and The Life of Mammals. Each explored a different branch of the animal kingdom with unprecedented depth. 2006 – Planet Earth Produced with revolutionary filming technology, Planet Earth introduced audiences to breathtaking cinematography and wildlife behavior never captured before. The series became a global cultural phenomenon. 2019 – Our Planet The Netflix series marked a new era where Attenborough combined stunning visuals with an increasingly urgent message about climate change and biodiversity loss. Across these productions, Attenborough not only narrated nature but helped redefine how it is filmed, studied and understood. A Voice for the Planet While Attenborough began his career primarily as a natural history broadcaster, his role gradually evolved into something even larger. Over the past two decades, he has become one of the world’s most respected advocates for environmental protection. His documentaries increasingly highlight the threats facing ecosystems such as climate change, habitat destruction and plastic pollution. Rather than presenting these issues with despair, Attenborough often frames them as challenges humanity still has time to solve. His message is simple but powerful: the future of the natural world depends on the choices we make today. The Power of Curiosity One of the reasons Attenborough has remained so beloved is his genuine sense of wonder. Even after thousands of hours spent filming wildlife, his enthusiasm for discovery never faded. Whether standing beside a mountain gorilla, observing bioluminescent oceans or describing the intricate dance of birds of paradise, he communicates the same childlike fascination he felt as a young boy collecting fossils. That curiosity is contagious. Millions of viewers who grew up watching his programs have gone on to become scientists, conservationists and filmmakers themselves. Photo: BBC A Century of Influence At nearly 100 years old, Sir David Attenborough represents something rare in modern culture. He is a voice trusted across generations, across countries and across political divides. His legacy is not only the extraordinary archive of documentaries he created but also the awareness he helped build. At a time when the natural world faces unprecedented pressure, Attenborough’s work reminds us what is at stake. More importantly, it reminds us why it is worth protecting. Few storytellers have ever shaped humanity’s relationship with the planet in such a profound way. As Sir David Attenborough reaches his hundredth year, the world celebrates not only a remarkable life but also a lifelong devotion to the wild places and creatures that make Earth extraordinary. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/sir-david-attenborough-at-100-a-life-devoted-to-the-natural-world — Citation: "Sir David Attenborough at 100: A Life Devoted to the Natural World" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-04. https://menwith.com/sir-david-attenborough-at-100-a-life-devoted-to-the-natural-world --- ## Bugatti Ends Its W16 Era With a Pearl - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-ends-its-w16-era-with-a-pearl - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-03-03 - Tags: Bugatti, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, W16 **Summary:** Bugatti's final W16 road car, the one-off Mistral 'La Perle Rare,' showcases automotive haute couture with a pearlescent white and Doré gold finish, hand-painted 'Vagues de Lumière' pattern, and unique interior details like an amber-encased 'Dancing Elephant' sculpture. The name is a quiet one. La Perle Rare. The Rare Pearl. It feels like an intentional contradiction for the latest one-off Bugatti, a car powered by the mechanical theatre of an 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 engine. A pearl is formed slowly, silently, layer by concentric layer. The W16 is the opposite. It is a monument to maximalist engineering, an engine that defined an entire era of performance through brute force and technical density. This car, the W16 Mistral ‘La Perle Rare’, sits exactly at that intersection of quiet artistry and mechanical violence. This is not just another custom build for a discerning client. It is a punctuation mark. The Mistral is the final roadgoing model from Bugatti to carry the W16, and this particular car feels like a summary of the Sur Mesure program’s capabilities. The project began with a client’s desire for a piece of automotive haute couture, resulting in a two-year collaboration to create a car that is, in effect, a portrait of its own creation. The body is finished in a pearlescent white, overlaid with a Doré gold hue that shifts with the light. The effect is meant to evoke the luster of the object it is named after. Hundreds of Hours in a Single Finish The defining visual element is the hand-painted ‘Vagues de Lumière’ pattern, a graphic of light waves that flows over the car’s panels. It’s a complex design that requires each line to be applied by hand, a process of masking and painting that consumes hundreds of hours. It is a reminder that at this level, production is measured in craft-hours, not assembly line minutes. The result is a finish that is part of the car’s form, not just an application on top of it. Jascha Straub, a designer at Bugatti, developed the pattern to accentuate the Mistral’s shape. The lines trace the flow of air and light across the bodywork, turning a static object into something that appears to be in constant motion. The pattern dissolves into the painted carbon fiber of the lower body, grounding the intricate graphic work against the raw material of the car’s construction. That level of detail continues to the smallest components. The diamond-cut alloy wheels are finished in the same Doré gold, linking them to the bodywork. Even the engine cover is painted in the signature color. Every element is considered part of the whole composition. It is a complete thought, executed without compromise. A Conversation in Metal and Paint Inside, the theme continues. The headrests are embroidered with the ‘La Perle Rare’ script, and the door panels feature the hand-painted wave pattern. A more personal touch is the inclusion of Rembrandt Bugatti’s famous ‘Dancing Elephant’ sculpture. A bronze cast of the sculpture is set into the gear lever, encased in amber. The image also appears on the body panels behind the front wheels. It is a direct link to the Bugatti family’s artistic history, a reminder that the name stood for more than just cars. A one-off project like this is less a transaction and more a conversation. It is an expression of a client’s taste and a manufacturer’s ability to translate that taste into a physical object. For a client in the Middle East, ‘La Perle Rare’ is now a permanent record of that dialogue. It is also the last of its kind. The car serves as an ornate headstone for the W16 engine, closing a chapter of internal combustion that will likely never be written again. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-ends-its-w16-era-with-a-pearl — Citation: "Bugatti Ends Its W16 Era With a Pearl" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-03. https://menwith.com/bugatti-ends-its-w16-era-with-a-pearl --- ## The Last Word on the Air-Cooled Fantasy - URL: https://menwith.com/the-last-word-on-the-air-cooled-fantasy - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-03-01 - Tags: Cars, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, RM Sotheby's, Singer **Summary:** Singer's DLS Turbo reimagines the air-cooled Porsche 911 with modern engineering and twin-turbo power. This unique example, a test mule for the DLS Turbo project, blends obsessive finesse with overwhelming force. The wing tells you almost everything you need to know. It is not a subtle gesture. It is a vast, bi-plane carbon fiber structure that dominates the entire rear of the car, a direct reference to the Porsche 934/5 endurance racers of the 1970s. This is the Singer DLS Turbo, and it represents a very specific, very expensive kind of obsession. For years, Singer Vehicle Design has operated as a sort of high-level automotive philosophy. The California firm took the 964-generation Porsche 911 and posed a question: what if the air-cooled era had never ended? What if it had been perfected with modern engineering and an unlimited budget? The answer was the Dynamics and Lightweighting Study, or DLS. A collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering, it produced a screaming, naturally aspirated flat-six and a chassis that was a monument to obsessive detail. An Engineered Contradiction The DLS was about precision and response. The word Turbo, in Porsche history, suggests something else entirely. It implies a certain brutality. A sudden, overwhelming arrival of force. The original 930 Turbo was a car that built legends and punished the unwary. By adding a turbocharger, or two, to the DLS formula, Singer created an intentional contradiction. It is the meeting of obsessive finesse and overwhelming power. This car, set to be sold by RM Sotheby’s in a sealed auction, is one of two test mules used to develop the DLS Turbo project. It is finished in Blood Orange, with the car’s carbon fiber bodywork left exposed under the clearcoat. Every detail is a considered decision. The 3.8-liter, four-valve, twin-turbocharged flat-six was developed with Williams and produces over 700 horsepower, delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox. It is a specification sheet that reads like a fantasy wish list. A Quiet Sale for a Loud Car Two versions were conceived: a track-focused model with that enormous rear wing, and a road-focused car with a more classic ducktail spoiler. This example comes with both, allowing the owner to change the car’s character. The interior is just as focused. Exposed carbon, lightweight bucket seats, and a motorsport-derived steering wheel leave no doubt about the car’s purpose. It is a machine built for driving, at the very edge of what is possible with a 911 platform. The choice to sell it via a sealed auction is telling. This is not a public spectacle for the highest bidder. It is a quiet, private transaction for an object that has moved beyond the normal collector car market. It treats the car less like a vehicle and more like a significant piece of design, something to be acquired discreetly. The car itself is loud, visually and mechanically. The sale is the opposite. This Singer is not simply a restored Porsche. It is a thesis on what the 911 could have been. It is the result of pursuing an idea to its most extreme and logical conclusion. For a select few, the opportunity to own that conclusion is now on the table. Read more about collecting here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-last-word-on-the-air-cooled-fantasy — Citation: "The Last Word on the Air-Cooled Fantasy" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-01. https://menwith.com/the-last-word-on-the-air-cooled-fantasy --- ## Mandarin Oriental Makes Its Bet on West Palm Beach - URL: https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-makes-its-bet-on-west-palm-beach - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-03-01 - Tags: Mandarin Oriental, Menwith, Menwithclass, Palm Beach **Summary:** Mandarin Oriental's new West Palm Beach residence signals the city's transformation into a luxury destination. The modern, glass tower offers unparalleled service and views, catering to a growing influx of finance and tech professionals. For years, West Palm Beach existed in the shadow of its more famous, more established neighbor across the water. But the city is quietly being remade. The arrival of a new residential tower from Mandarin Oriental is perhaps the clearest signal yet that the transformation is no longer a forecast. It is a fact on the ground, cast in concrete and glass. A name like Mandarin Oriental does not arrive by accident. The brand is methodical, known for a particular kind of service-led living that translates across global capitals. Planting a flag here is a deliberate choice, an acknowledgment that West Palm Beach has reached a certain level of gravity. It suggests the city is ready for a project that offers not just luxury, but a specific, globally-recognized standard of it. A New Kind of Florida Skyline The building itself is a departure from the area’s Mediterranean Revival vernacular. Its design is clean, vertical, and unapologetically modern. Renderings show a glass-clad tower that prioritizes light and views over historical reference. This is not an architecture that attempts to blend in. It is an architecture that proposes a new identity for the waterfront, one that is more urban, more connected to the sky than the sand. This philosophy extends to the resident experience. The infinity pool deck, set high above the city, is designed as a destination in itself. It is a space that merges the privacy of a home with the amenities of a five-star hotel. This is the core proposition of branded residences. The convenience of ownership is paired with the constant, low-hum of service that the Mandarin Oriental name guarantees. It is an ecosystem, not just an address. From this vantage point, the appeal becomes clear. The views stretch across the Intracoastal Waterway to the island of Palm Beach and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. It is a landscape that defines the modern Florida dream. Access to the water, proximity to the city, and a permanent sense of being on vacation. The building is engineered to deliver this feeling from every possible angle. The Logic of Location The timing is not coincidental. West Palm Beach has become a primary destination for capital and talent migrating south, earning the nickname “Wall Street South.” Finance and tech firms have established significant operations, bringing with them a demographic that expects a certain caliber of lifestyle. This Mandarin Oriental project is not a speculative venture hoping to attract buyers. It is a response to a demand that already exists. For the brand, the move is strategic. It expands their footprint in North America and anchors their presence in a rapidly appreciating market. It is one thing to operate in established centers like New York or London. It is another to correctly identify and help define the next ones. This tower is a physical marker of that foresight, a vote for West Palm Beach’s place on the map of global luxury destinations. Ultimately, a project of this scale does more than just serve a market. It changes it. The introduction of a Mandarin Oriental residence raises the bar for every other developer in the region. It recalibrates expectations of what is possible, and what is expected. The tower hasn’t even broken ground, but it has already altered the city’s future. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-makes-its-bet-on-west-palm-beach — Citation: "Mandarin Oriental Makes Its Bet on West Palm Beach" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-01. https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-makes-its-bet-on-west-palm-beach --- ## Carlos Sainz: Father and Son Return with Hackett London’s FW25 Collection - URL: https://menwith.com/carlos-sainz-father-and-son-return-with-hackett-londons-fw25-collection - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-03-01 - Tags: Carlos Sainz, fashion, Hackett London, Menwithclass **Summary:** Carlos Sainz Jr. and Sr. reunite for Hackett London's FW25 collection, embodying "Tradition & Modernity" with heritage fabrics and contemporary cuts. The campaign highlights generational style and enduring elegance. After making waves earlier this spring with Hackett London’s SS25 campaign, Carlos Sainz Jr. and his father, rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., return for the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. Building on the narrative of “Tradition & Modernity,” the father-and-son duo once again embody Hackett’s vision of timeless elegance, this time through the lens of cooler seasons, textured fabrics, and a wardrobe built for depth and layering. The FW25 campaign continues the story in a setting steeped in intimacy and heritage, with imagery that balances quiet moments and playful rivalry. Against the backdrop of British country life, the Sainzes showcase a collection that blends the refinement of tailoring with the ease of contemporary outerwear. Tweed overcoats, Glen check blazers, lambswool knits, cavalry twill trousers, and corduroys speak of heritage, while modern cuts and functional jackets add a fresh note for today’s gentleman. More than just clothing, the campaign explores the dialogue between generations. The elder Sainz radiates composure in double-breasted layers and Glen check coats, while his son channels a younger energy in casual overshirts, half-zip knits, and slim-cut tailoring. Together, they reflect Hackett’s belief that true style is not bound to a single age but passed on, reinterpreted, and made new with each season. Hackett London’s FW25 chapter feels richer and more grounded than spring’s lighter touch – a continuation that underscores the bond of family and the enduring appeal of classic menswear. It is a reminder that elegance is not fleeting, but a legacy to be carried forward. More about fashion: here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/carlos-sainz-father-and-son-return-with-hackett-londons-fw25-collection — Citation: "Carlos Sainz: Father and Son Return with Hackett London’s FW25 Collection" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-03-01. https://menwith.com/carlos-sainz-father-and-son-return-with-hackett-londons-fw25-collection --- ## Gucci in Marble and Motion - URL: https://menwith.com/gucci-in-marble-and-motion - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-27 - Tags: fashion, Gucci, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Gucci's latest collection blends neoclassical art with modern sensuality, featuring fluid silhouettes, hybrid garments, and aerodynamic accessories. The designs emphasize construction and pragmatism for everyday wear. In a space that felt closer to a neoclassical museum than a traditional runway, Gucci unveiled a collection that speaks as much to heritage as it does to reinvention. Marble statues stood guard like silent witnesses, reinforcing the idea that this House, like the sculptures around it, exists beyond seasons. The soundtrack, curated by Loki and shaped into a singular aesthetic from five distinct genres, echoed the same philosophy: contrast refined into coherence. A New Vocabulary of Silhouettes At the core of the collection lies a rigorous product design ethos. This is not fashion built on surface alone, but on construction. The opening look, an ultimate seamless white minidress in hosiery fabric worn with unapologetic confidence, set the tone. It was a palate cleanser, stripping everything back to purity of form. From there, the collection unfolded as a study in lightness and proximity to the body. Garments were cut as close as possible, embracing a quintessentially Gucci sensuality while remaining effortless. Invisible heat-sealed edges and engineered curved hems created silhouettes that felt aerodynamic rather than decorative. Tailoring moved with ease. Jackets reappeared throughout, styled with skirts, legging-pants, and trousers, suggesting a wardrobe that flows from office to evening without friction. Fluid fabrics carried an almost liquid quality, while low-cut jackets and horizontally pocketed trousers subtly altered posture, lending a streetwise attitude to refined shapes. Hybrid Garments and Aerodynamic Accessories An obsession with new garment types pushed the collection forward. Tracksuits morphed into trackdresses. Leggings fused seamlessly with trousers. Jackets and tops merged into ultra-fitted singular pieces. The boundaries between categories dissolved. Footwear followed suit. Leather shoes and sneakers blended into hybrid forms with the aerodynamism of a sports car, while the Manhattan sneaker introduced an ultra-minimal basketball silhouette paired with the slip-on ease of a moccasin. Soft Giovanni and Cupertino loafers erased the stiffness traditionally associated with leather footwear. The iconic Gucci Bamboo 1947 was reimagined with a sleeker profile and a flexible leather interpretation of the bamboo handle. Archival minaudières were updated for modern life, stretched just enough to accommodate a phone and essentials without compromising elegance. Renaissance Ideals, Modern Sensuality The marble statuary surrounding the show was not incidental. It reflected the aesthetic language of the collection itself. Chiseled Adonis-inspired menswear nodded to Renaissance ideals of proportion and physique. Skater looks were styled with fluid T-shirts draped in a Grecian manner. A slinky white gown evoked Botticelli’s Venus, translating classical mythology into contemporary allure. Feather embroideries traced the edges of snug bubble blousons and intarsia shearlings, framing the face with theatrical softness. Precious leathers, chosen for suppleness rather than rigidity, shaped bikers, fitted trousers, and plush circular stoles that moved with the wearer. Eveningwear embraced bold sensuality. Two-piece sets drenched in embellishment were worn barefoot, reinforcing a partyboy nonchalance. Minidresses and gowns featured daring waist-high slits. The finale, a backless gown revealing a white gold GG thong set with ten carats of diamonds, distilled the House’s ability to balance provocation and precision. Pragmatism at the Core Beyond spectacle, the message was pragmatic. This collection proposes garments designed to be lived in, enjoyed, and felt. Pieces that stand independently without elaborate explanation. Products that enrich daily life while embodying a refined design language. In this vision, Gucci is both monumental and intimate. As enduring as marble, yet as fluid as fabric cut close to the skin. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/gucci-in-marble-and-motion — Citation: "Gucci in Marble and Motion" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-27. https://menwith.com/gucci-in-marble-and-motion --- ## Embraer and The Recalibration of Private Flight - URL: https://menwith.com/embraer-and-the-recalibration-of-private-flight - Author: Tom - Category: Aviation - Published: 2026-02-26 - Tags: Embraer Executive Jets **Summary:** Embraer's Praetor 500E/600E redefine private flight by prioritizing cabin experience, focusing on reduced noise, ergonomic seating, and sustainable materials. This shift emphasizes the quality of travel time over mere speed. The greatest luxury in private aviation is not speed. It is time. The ability to compress geography is the obvious promise, but the real value lies in controlling the environment in which that time is spent. Embraer seems to understand this distinction. The introduction of its new Praetor 500E and 600E jets is less about a fundamental reinvention and more about a thoughtful refinement of the hours spent at 45,000 feet. The ‘E’ designation stands for Enhanced. It is a modest letter for a series of changes that point to a larger shift in the executive jet market. For years, the race was about range, speed, and cabin size. Now, the focus is turning inward. With these updates, Embraer Executive Jets is betting that the quality of the journey matters just as much as the destination. The airframe was already proven. The real work was done inside. The Cabin as a Space, Not Just a Seat An aircraft cabin is a unique environment. It is a workspace, a lounge, and a transit point, all at once. The most significant enhancement to the Praetor jets is a reduction in cabin noise. This is not a trivial detail. A quieter space reduces fatigue, allows for clearer conversation, and creates a sense of calm that is difficult to achieve in flight. It changes the very character of the cabin from a mode of transport to a controlled, private space. This philosophy extends to the materials and seating. The seats themselves have been redesigned, with a focus on ergonomics for long-haul comfort. There is also a stated move toward incorporating more sustainable and recycled materials throughout the interior. This choice reflects a growing awareness, even at the highest end of the market, that luxury and responsibility are no longer mutually exclusive concepts. It is an acknowledgement of changing client expectations. Technology That Serves the Embraer Experience In a luxury environment, technology should be a servant, not a master. The Praetor 500E and 600E integrate new systems, but the goal appears to be seamlessness rather than spectacle. The updates are practical. They improve connectivity and cabin management without demanding constant interaction from the passengers. The best technology is the kind you forget is even there. These jets compete in the demanding midsize and super-midsize categories. In this segment, performance is a given. The Praetor 600 can fly nonstop from London to New York, and the 500 connects Miami to Seattle. With those capabilities as the baseline, the defining differences come down to the details of the passenger experience. The enhancements are a deliberate effort to sharpen that edge, focusing on the human elements of comfort, quiet, and control. Ultimately, the evolution of the Praetor line suggests a maturing of the private aviation ideal. It is a move away from simple metrics of performance and toward a more holistic view of personal travel. The real measure of luxury is not just how fast you can go, but the quality of the world you inhabit while you are moving. Read more about aviation here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/embraer-and-the-recalibration-of-private-flight — Citation: "Embraer and The Recalibration of Private Flight" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-26. https://menwith.com/embraer-and-the-recalibration-of-private-flight --- ## Rolls-Royce Returns to India, With a Story to Tell - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-returns-to-india-with-a-story-to-tell - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-26 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce debuted its electric Spectre in India, juxtaposing it with a 1930 Phantom II owned by Indian royalty. This highlights the brand's century-long Indian heritage and its future in the evolving luxury market. A 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, once owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, sat on the lawns of a palace in Udaipur. Not far from it rested the Spectre, the marque’s first fully electric motor car. This was not a random pairing. For its debut at the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, Rolls-Royce placed its distant past and immediate future side by side, in a country that has been part of its story for over a century. A concours d’elegance is a contest of beauty, but it is also a contest of relevance. Owners present cars that have been preserved with obsessive care, and judges evaluate them on authenticity, condition, and provenance. To show a car at one is to make a statement about heritage. For a brand to make its official debut at one is a gesture of intent. It signals an understanding that history is not just something to be remembered, but something to be used. The Weight of History The choice of the Phantom II was specific. This was not just any old Rolls-Royce. Its connection to Indian royalty grounds the brand’s presence in a tangible past. Before the country’s independence, its princes and maharajas were among the world’s most significant patrons of the marque. They commissioned cars not as transportation, but as rolling expressions of power and taste. Placing this car at the center of the event was an acknowledgment of that deep, complex relationship. The car itself represents an era when luxury was defined by mechanical presence, scale, and bespoke coachwork. It was a physical manifestation of status, built for a world that moved at a different pace. Its inclusion in Udaipur was a reminder that Rolls-Royce has been part of the Indian landscape for generations, long before the modern market for luxury goods existed. A Quiet Future The Spectre, by contrast, operates on a different logic. It is a car defined by what is absent. The sound of a V12, the mechanics of a multi-speed transmission, the entire theater of internal combustion. Yet the goal remains the same. The electric powertrain is used to achieve an even greater degree of isolation and effortless motion, what the company has long called its “magic carpet ride.” In this context, the Spectre is not a rejection of the Phantom’s values, but a modern interpretation of them. By showing these two cars together, Rolls-Royce is framing a deliberate narrative. The message is not simply that the brand has a new electric model. The message is that the kind of person who would have owned a Phantom II in 1930 is the spiritual predecessor to the person who will own a Spectre today. It connects the old Indian aristocracy with the country’s new class of industrialists and entrepreneurs. This is a sophisticated move. It shows an awareness that in a market like India, heritage matters. A brand cannot simply arrive with a new product. It must show that it belongs. By presenting a car that is a piece of Indian history alongside a car that represents its global future, Rolls-Royce is doing more than just participating in an event. It is staking its claim, connecting its past to its future with a single, carefully staged tableau. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-returns-to-india-with-a-story-to-tell — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Returns to India, With a Story to Tell" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-26. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-returns-to-india-with-a-story-to-tell --- ## Burgess Charts a Course for the Uncomplicated Caribbean - URL: https://menwith.com/burgess-charts-a-course-for-the-uncomplicated-caribbean - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-02-26 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Burgess offers uncomplicated Caribbean yacht charters in the US Virgin Islands, highlighting the ease of travel and distinct personalities of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix for a luxurious, friction-free escape. There is a particular kind of luxury in not having to try so hard. For American travelers, a yacht charter with a firm like Burgess in the US Virgin Islands begins with this simple premise. No passport is required. The currency is familiar. The logistics that often surround a departure to an exotic shore are noticeably absent. It’s an escape that removes the friction before you ever leave the dock, focusing the experience on the water itself. This is the essential appeal of the USVI. It is the Caribbean, but distilled. The archipelago of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, along with some fifty smaller cays, offers a contained world of its own. The passages between islands are short and protected, meaning less time spent underway and more time spent at anchor. The rhythm is different here. It’s a charter measured in quiet mornings in a new cove, not in long, open-water crossings. Three Islands, Three Characters Each of the main islands presents a distinct personality. St. Thomas is the energetic hub, often the point of arrival and departure. Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, holds the history, while its coastline is dotted with bays that have become legendary. One of the most recognized is Magens Bay, a near-perfect crescent of white sand and calm, turquoise water protected by two peninsulas. It’s a place that lives up to its reputation, an easy first stop to decompress and settle into the pace of the islands. A short sail away lies St. John, an island that operates on a completely different frequency. More than two-thirds of its landmass is a protected national park, a legacy of Laurance Rockefeller’s conservation efforts. The result is an island that feels preserved and intentionally undeveloped. The main town, Cruz Bay, is a charming collection of restaurants and shops, but it serves more as a gateway to the island’s natural state than as a destination in itself. It is the last pocket of refined civilization before the wilderness takes over. The real draw of St. John is found in its secluded anchorages and underwater life. At Trunk Bay, an underwater snorkeling trail guides swimmers over coral and past schools of tropical fish, with submerged plaques identifying the species below. It’s a thoughtful touch that turns a simple swim into an act of discovery. Dozens of other coves, from Maho Bay to Salt Pond Bay, offer similar experiences of quiet immersion in the natural world, all within easy reach of one another. A Return to Simplicity with Burgess The third major island, St. Croix, lies a bit further south and has its own distinct Danish colonial history and a quieter, more agricultural feel. Including it in an itinerary adds another texture to the trip, a shift from the raw nature of St. John and the buzz of St. Thomas. This ability to move between different worlds so easily is what defines the charter experience here. It’s a destination that doesn’t demand a choice between activity and isolation. It offers both, often just a few nautical miles apart. In the end, the logic of a charter in the US Virgin Islands is one of elegant simplicity. It’s not about crossing oceans to find an untouched frontier. It’s about recognizing the profound appeal of a beautiful place made easy. The real luxury is the absence of complication, leaving nothing but the sun, the water, and the choice of which bay to explore next. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/burgess-charts-a-course-for-the-uncomplicated-caribbean — Citation: "Burgess Charts a Course for the Uncomplicated Caribbean" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-26. https://menwith.com/burgess-charts-a-course-for-the-uncomplicated-caribbean --- ## Richard Mille Built a Watch for a Problem That Doesn't Exist - URL: https://menwith.com/richard-mille-built-a-watch-for-a-problem-that-doesn8217t-exist - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-25 - Tags: Richard Mille RM 41-01, Tourbillon, Flyback Chronograph, Football Watch, Basalt TPT, Quartz TPT, Limited Edition Watch **Summary:** Richard Mille's RM 41-01 Soccer tourbillon flyback chronograph is a mechanical marvel designed for football, but its true purpose is artistic, not practical. It's a statement piece for collectors, not a tool for the field. A referee’s watch costs about fifty dollars. It is waterproof, accurate, and built to be forgotten. The new Richard Mille RM 41-01 Soccer is a different proposition entirely. It is a manual-winding tourbillon flyback chronograph designed to time the world’s most popular sport. It is also a solution to a problem nobody actually has. The watch is, on a technical level, deeply impressive. Its central chronograph counter tracks 45-minute halves, with additional scales for injury time and a 15-minute period for overtime. The flyback function allows for an instant reset, a clean transition between periods of play. The entire logic of a football match has been translated into a complex dance of levers, gears, and springs. It is a mechanical tribute to the structure of the game, executed with the brand’s typical obsession with performance. But no player, coach, or official would ever use this on the field. The suggestion that this is a practical tool is part of the theatre. Richard Mille has a long history of creating hyper-specific watches for athletes in extreme conditions. Rafael Nadal wears one while winning Grand Slams. Bubba Watson wears one on the golf course. The idea is to prove that these delicate machines can withstand forces that would destroy lesser watches. It is a statement about durability and engineering. The RM 41-01 Soccer follows that script. The case is milled from either Red Carmin Basalt TPT® or Dark Blue Quartz TPT®, materials born from aerospace and racing, not the sporting goods store. The skeletonized movement is on full display, a web of titanium and carbon fibre. Everything about its construction says it can handle the pressure of a professional match. Yet, its true purpose is not to endure the game, but to reflect it. This is a watch for the person in the owner’s box, not the one on the penalty spot. It is for the collector who understands that the function is a pretext for the form. The complexity is the message. Owning a watch that can mechanically time a football match with a tourbillon is not about need. It is about an appreciation for an object that performs a simple task in the most complicated way imaginable. Limited to 60 pieces across two variations, the RM 41-01 is less a piece of sports equipment and more a piece of kinetic sculpture. It captures the rhythm and rules of a global obsession and contains them within a 42mm case. The watch doesn’t solve a problem for football. It creates a new, far more interesting one for watchmaking. It asks what a sports watch can be when utility is no longer the primary goal. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/richard-mille-built-a-watch-for-a-problem-that-doesn8217t-exist — Citation: "Richard Mille Built a Watch for a Problem That Doesn't Exist" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-25. https://menwith.com/richard-mille-built-a-watch-for-a-problem-that-doesn8217t-exist --- ## The Hotel Restaurant Is No Longer an Afterthought - URL: https://menwith.com/the-hotel-restaurant-is-no-longer-an-afterthought - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-02-25 - Tags: Six Senses **Summary:** Six Senses redefines hotel dining, transforming restaurants into culinary hubs that connect guests to local culture and ingredients. Chefs like Aviv Schvartz, Niko Romito, and Eyal Shani champion this philosophy, emphasizing sustainability and community. The hotel restaurant is often a place of convenience, not conviction. It’s the reliable option downstairs, a space of polite service and predictable menus designed to offend no one. But a different idea is taking hold at Six Senses, where the dining room is being repositioned not as an amenity, but as the very heart of the hotel. The proposition is simple. A meal should be more than sustenance. It should be a point of connection. This is not about chasing trends or Michelin stars for their own sake. It suggests a subtle but important shift in what we expect from luxury hospitality. For years, the focus was on flawless execution and a kind of frictionless perfection. Here, the goal is different. It is about creating texture, conversation, and a tangible link to a place. The chefs leading the kitchens in new properties in London, Kyoto, and Rome are not just following a corporate mandate. They are interpreting a shared philosophy through the lens of their city. The Grammar of a Place In Kyoto, the city’s deep culinary traditions could easily be intimidating. Chef Aviv Schvartz at Six Senses Kyoto approaches it with curiosity rather than imitation. His work is built on relationships with local farmers, brewers, and artisans, exploring the surrounding landscape for ingredients. The kitchen also operates with the Japanese principle of ‘mottainai’, a cultural commitment to avoiding waste. It is a way of thinking that respects the entire lifecycle of an ingredient, from the farm to the plate and back to the earth. The food becomes a direct expression of the place it comes from. A similar logic applies in Rome, though the expression is entirely different. At Six Senses Rome, the BIVIUM restaurant-café-bar is designed to feel like an extension of the city’s social life. It is a space meant for lingering. Chef Niko Romito’s menu centers on vegetable-forward dishes and a lighter, healthier take on Italian classics. The focus is on clarity and simplicity. It acknowledges that modern wellness is not about deprivation but about eating well, with ingredients that are both nourishing and deeply enjoyable. The connection here is to wellbeing and the vibrant, social energy of a Roman piazza. Food as Conversation Perhaps the most direct interpretation of this idea is found with chef Eyal Shani, who oversees the dining at Six Senses London. Known for his energetic, vegetable-focused cooking, Shani treats the kitchen as a stage and food as a medium for conversation. His restaurants are lively, informal, and built around the energy of an open kitchen. The food is meant to be shared, discussed, and experienced together. It dismantles the old formality of fine dining and replaces it with something more human and immediate. Across three distinct cultures, the underlying idea remains consistent. The meal is not the end of the experience. It is the beginning of it. It is the moment the hotel stops being a temporary residence and starts feeling like a genuine part of its environment. It suggests that the most valuable luxury a hotel can offer is not a specific object or service, but a feeling of belonging, however brief. It is a reminder that the most memorable parts of any journey are often the simplest. The taste of a place, and the people you share it with. Read more about travel here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-hotel-restaurant-is-no-longer-an-afterthought — Citation: "The Hotel Restaurant Is No Longer an Afterthought" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-25. https://menwith.com/the-hotel-restaurant-is-no-longer-an-afterthought --- ## Formula 1 2026: A New Era Begins - URL: https://menwith.com/formula-1-2026-a-new-era-begins - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-02-24 - Tags: Motors, Audi, Cadillac, F1, Ferrari, Formula 1, Menwith, Menwithclass, Mercedes, Motor, Red bull **Summary:** Formula 1's 2026 season marks a significant shift with new technical regulations, including revised hybrid power units and sustainable fuels. The sport welcomes new manufacturers like Audi and Cadillac, alongside evolving team structures, promising a dynamic and unpredictable era. There is anticipation before every Formula 1 season. But 2026 feels like a genuine turning point. New technical regulations reset the competitive order, while new manufacturers and evolving team structures bring fresh ambition to the grid. Even established giants like Red Bull Racing, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and Scuderia Ferrari cannot rely on past dominance. This is unfamiliar territory for everyone. A New Power Unit Era The 2026 regulations introduce a heavily revised hybrid formula. The MGU-H disappears, electrical output increases dramatically and sustainable fuels become fully integrated. It is a technical shift designed to attract manufacturers and future proof the sport. One of the biggest stories is the official entry of Audi F1 Team, taking over Sauber and becoming a full works operation. Audi has made it clear they are here to compete, not participate. Equally significant is the arrival of Cadillac Formula 1 Team, backed by General Motors. For years, American fans have wanted a true US manufacturer presence beyond sponsorship. Now, Cadillac steps in with serious intent. Initially working within the existing power unit framework, the long term vision is clear: establish a competitive American works team capable of fighting at the front. For Formula 1’s global growth, especially in the United States, Cadillac’s entry is enormous. With races in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas already anchoring the calendar, the addition of a US manufacturer gives the championship a new commercial and cultural dimension. Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company partners with Red Bull Powertrains as Red Bull Racing debuts its own in house engine project. That alone adds pressure. Building a championship winning power unit from scratch is one of the hardest challenges in motorsport. And if history tells us anything, never underestimate Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team when electrification plays a central role. New Cars, New Interpretations The cars themselves are lighter and visually tighter. Active aerodynamic elements return in a controlled format, demanding new engineering philosophies. Teams such as McLaren and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team have invested heavily in facilities and personnel over recent seasons. For them, this reset is an opportunity to leap forward rather than chase. What fascinates me most is how differently teams have approached the regulations. Some designs look aggressive and innovative. Others appear conservative, focusing on reliability and long term development potential. In a season like this, early gains can define the narrative. Drivers Under Pressure On track, the spotlight remains intense. Max Verstappen enters the new era as the benchmark. But a new power unit and a reshuffled grid mean nothing is guaranteed. At Ferrari, the combination of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could define the season. Hamilton chasing another title in red feels almost cinematic. If Ferrari delivers a competitive car, the championship fight could become one for the ages. George Russell carries the responsibility at Mercedes, while Lando Norris continues to push McLaren toward genuine title contention. For Audi and Cadillac, driver selection and internal chemistry will be critical. A new team cannot afford internal instability while simultaneously learning a new regulatory environment. How the Season Could Unfold Regulation resets often create surprises. One team may interpret the rules perfectly and dominate early. Another might struggle with reliability before unlocking pace mid season. I expect unpredictability in the opening races. Energy deployment strategies could reshape overtaking. Reliability may decide podiums. What excites me most is that this season feels open. With Audi entering, Cadillac stepping onto the grid and established teams rebuilding around new technical foundations, 2026 has the ingredients for a defining chapter in modern Formula 1. If multiple teams fight for wins and the title battle runs deep into the calendar, we could look back at this season as the moment the sport truly reinvented itself. More about F1 here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/formula-1-2026-a-new-era-begins — Citation: "Formula 1 2026: A New Era Begins" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-24. https://menwith.com/formula-1-2026-a-new-era-begins --- ## 140 Years. 140 Places. The New S Class Continues Its Global Journey Through South America - URL: https://menwith.com/140-years-140-places-the-new-s-class-continues-its-global-journey-through-south-america - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-23 - Tags: Motors, Menwith, Menwithclass, Mercedes, Motor, s class **Summary:** Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140 years with a global S Class tour, visiting 140 locations across six continents. The journey highlights heritage and innovation through encounters with classic and modern models. When a brand carries 140 years of automotive history, celebration demands something extraordinary. To mark 140 years of innovation, Mercedes-Benz has embarked on an ambitious transcontinental journey with its new S Class, transforming an anniversary into a living, moving story across the globe. Following its world premiere on January 29, 2026, three new S Class sedans set off on a remarkable expedition. Covering more than 50,000 kilometers across six continents, the convoy will visit 140 carefully selected destinations. Each location symbolizes a chapter in the brand’s legacy, its pioneering spirit, and its enduring global presence. From Europe to South America The journey began in Stuttgart, the birthplace of the brand, before crossing through key European countries including Switzerland, France, Spain and Belgium. From there, the story expanded beyond the continent. Now, the spotlight turns to South America. Cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile form the backdrop for this next chapter. These vibrant metropolises represent cultural energy, architectural ambition and a growing luxury landscape, making them a natural stage for the S Class. Driving through Brazil, Argentina and Chile, the new S Class is not simply on display. It becomes part of the urban rhythm, the coastal highways and the dramatic mountain roads that define the continent. A Dialogue Between Past, Present and Future What makes this journey unique is not just the distance, but the encounters along the way. At each stop, the new S Class is joined by classic Mercedes Benz models, current production vehicles and locally significant cars. Together, they create a rolling exhibition of heritage and progress. The effect is powerful. A historic model parked beside the latest S Class highlights how far innovation has come while reinforcing a continuous design language and engineering philosophy. It is a reminder that the S Class has long served as a benchmark for technology, safety and comfort in the automotive world. Community at the Core Beyond the cars themselves, this global tour is deeply human. Customers, Mercedes Benz Club members and enthusiasts are invited to take part in meet and greets, exclusive presentations and storytelling events. These gatherings create personal connections that go far beyond a traditional launch campaign. Local communities also shape each stop. Cultural highlights, regional collaborations and spontaneous fan moments become part of the evolving narrative. The journey is not a fixed script, but an open dialogue between brand and audience. For those following from afar, the experience continues digitally through the Mercedes Benz Community Hub and the brand’s social media channels. New imagery and updates are added continuously, allowing fans worldwide to travel alongside the convoy. Returning to Where It All Began After spanning six continents and 140 destinations, the global expedition will conclude in October 2026 back in Stuttgart. It is a symbolic return to the origin of a story that began more than a century ago and continues to evolve. With this ambitious tour, Mercedes Benz turns an anniversary into a statement. The S Class is not only a flagship sedan, it is a moving ambassador of heritage, innovation and global connection. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/140-years-140-places-the-new-s-class-continues-its-global-journey-through-south-america — Citation: "140 Years. 140 Places. The New S Class Continues Its Global Journey Through South America" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-23. https://menwith.com/140-years-140-places-the-new-s-class-continues-its-global-journey-through-south-america --- ## OMEGA at Milano Cortina 2026: When “Official Timekeeper” Stops Being a Slogan - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-at-milano-cortina-2026-when-official-timekeeper-stops-being-a-slogan - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Sports - Published: 2026-02-23 - Tags: Watches, Menwith, Menwithclass, Olympics, Omega **Summary:** OMEGA served as the Official Timekeeper for Milano Cortina 2026, delivering unparalleled precision with advanced technology like the Scan O Vision ULTIMATE camera and AI-powered insights. The brand's role extended beyond timing to enhancing sports storytelling and analysis. When the curtain fell on the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, one name once again stood at the heart of every decisive moment: OMEGA. For the 32nd time in Olympic history, and backed by 94 years of experience since its debut in 1932, the Swiss watchmaker delivered precision on a scale few brands in the world could manage. Across 116 events and 8 sports, OMEGA measured every fraction of a second, every distance, every score that defined two weeks of elite winter competition. Precision on an Extraordinary Scale Milano Cortina 2026 was not just a sporting spectacle, it was a logistical and technological masterpiece. OMEGA deployed 300 timekeepers and transported 130 tonnes of equipment across the venues of northern Italy. Over the course of the Games, more than 1,200,000 data points were recorded, including times, rankings, distances, scores and performance statistics. This was not simply about stopping a clock at the finish line. It was about capturing truth in sport, down to the smallest measurable unit. Among the brand’s technological arsenal were its electronic starting pistol, advanced starting gates and photoelectric cells. Yet one innovation stood out above all. For the first time at an Olympic Winter Games, OMEGA introduced the Scan O Vision ULTIMATE photofinish camera, capable of capturing 40,000 digital images per second at the finish line. In disciplines where medals are separated by thousandths of a second, this level of detail transforms precision into certainty. Data, Vision and the Future of Sport Beyond timekeeping, OMEGA elevated how audiences experience sport. Through Motion Sensor and Positioning Systems powered by Computer Vision and AI, the brand delivered deeper analytical insights in events such as Figure Skating and Big Air. Stroboscopic replays, augmented data graphics and real time movement tracking allowed media outlets around the world to tell richer, more technical stories. Performance was no longer just seen. It was decoded. In an era where storytelling is as vital as competition itself, OMEGA’s role extended from the arena to the global broadcast. Records Written in Ice and Snow Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered for its extraordinary athletic achievements. Over the two weeks, 7 new Olympic Records were set, along with 1 new World Record. Several of OMEGA’s sporting ambassadors left a particular mark: Jordan Stolz The American speed skating phenomenon claimed gold in both the Men’s 1000m and 500m, setting two new Olympic Records. He added a silver in the 1500m, confirming his dominance on the ice. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron Representing France, the duo secured gold in Ice Dance. With the highest scores in both their Rhythm Dance and Free Dance programs, their performances combined technical mastery with artistic elegance. Jutta Leerdam Leerdam captured gold in the Women’s 1000m, setting a new Olympic Record, and added a silver medal in the 500m, underlining her position among the sport’s elite. Mathilde Gremaud In Freestyle Skiing, Gremaud earned her second Olympic gold with victory in the Women’s Freeski Slopestyle, showcasing fearless precision in one of the Games’ most dynamic disciplines. Each of these moments was immortalized not only in memory, but in data measured to perfection. The Road to a Century With Milano Cortina 2026 concluded, OMEGA now moves closer to a historic milestone. In 2032, when the Olympic Games are held in Brisbane, the brand will celebrate 100 years as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games. Before that centennial arrives, the journey continues through Los Angeles 2028 and the French Alps 2030. If Milano Cortina 2026 proved anything, it is that while athletes push the limits of human performance, OMEGA ensures that every limit is measured with absolute clarity. In the world of elite sport, precision is not optional. It is everything. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-at-milano-cortina-2026-when-official-timekeeper-stops-being-a-slogan — Citation: "OMEGA at Milano Cortina 2026: When “Official Timekeeper” Stops Being a Slogan" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-23. https://menwith.com/omega-at-milano-cortina-2026-when-official-timekeeper-stops-being-a-slogan --- ## Amiri and the Art of Inventing a Castle - URL: https://menwith.com/amiri-and-the-art-of-inventing-a-castle - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-22 - Tags: Amiri, fashion, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Amiri's SS26 collection evolves from distressed rebellion to polished establishment with the "Chateau AMIRI" campaign and new "MA Quad" monogram, signaling a move towards luxury house permanence. The new Amiri campaign feels like the morning after a legendary party. The air is still, the light is soft, and the beautiful people scattered around the estate look less like they’re recovering and more like they simply live here now. This is Chateau AMIRI, a place that doesn’t exist on any map of the Hollywood Hills but feels entirely real in the brand’s imagination. It’s a fantasy, and a telling one at that. The house that Mike Amiri built on distressed denim and rock-and-roll swagger is growing up. It’s moving from the club to the country club. For years, the brand’s codes were clear. Shotgun-distressed cashmere, leather jackets that looked like they’d seen a dozen world tours, and jeans that cost a fortune precisely because they looked like they’d been through hell. It was a uniform for a certain kind of LA dream. Aspiration, but with an edge. The Spring-Summer 2026 collection, however, speaks a different language. The grit is still there, but it’s been polished. The setting, a cinematic homage to old Hollywood haunts, says it all. This is no longer about crashing the party. It’s about owning the house. From Rebel to Resort The clothes themselves confirm the shift. The centerpiece is a matching set in a cool, metallic “Steel” color. A camp collar shirt and tailored shorts, both covered in a new “MA Quad” monogram. This is a world away from the one-of-a-kind, hand-finished pieces that defined the brand’s early identity. A monogram is a statement of intent. It’s about creating an instantly recognizable symbol that can be repeated, scaled, and owned. It’s the language of legacy houses, a sign that Amiri is thinking about its own permanence. Some will see this as a loss of the brand’s original soul. The move from unique destruction to repeatable patterns can feel like a trade-off. But perhaps it’s just maturation. Every successful insurgent eventually faces a choice. Do you remain the opposition forever, or do you build your own institution? The monogrammed set feels like an answer. It’s a uniform for the new establishment, for the kids who grew up wanting to be rock stars and ended up becoming producers. The aesthetic is less about the struggle and more about arrival. The Uniform of Arrival The look is completed with a matching pair of court sneakers, also bearing the new monogram. This isn’t just a collection of items. It’s a total look, a head-to-toe proposition. It’s the kind of confidence that comes from knowing your place in the world. Amiri is no longer just making cool clothes. It is building a complete world, with its own architecture, its own codes, and its own uniform. It’s a move that positions the brand less as a contemporary fashion label and more as a modern American luxury house in the making. This is the difficult part of building something that lasts. The rebellious energy that gets you noticed is not the same energy that sustains a legacy. You have to evolve. With Chateau AMIRI, the brand isn’t just selling clothes. It’s selling a membership to a club that it invented itself. The real question is whether the romance of the invented castle is as compelling as the reality of the street it left behind. Read more about Style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/amiri-and-the-art-of-inventing-a-castle — Citation: "Amiri and the Art of Inventing a Castle" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-22. https://menwith.com/amiri-and-the-art-of-inventing-a-castle --- ## McLaren Built a Victory Lap You Can Drive - URL: https://menwith.com/mclaren-built-a-victory-lap-you-can-drive - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-20 - Tags: Motors, McLaren, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** McLaren's Artura Spider MCL39 Championship Edition celebrates their 10th Constructors' title with a limited run of 10 cars. This hybrid supercar mirrors the F1 car's livery and performance, offering owners a tangible piece of McLaren's racing legacy. McLaren knows how a championship feels. The spray of champagne, the weight of the trophy, the roar of the pit wall. But translating that feeling into something you can hold, something you can own, is a different art form entirely. The new Artura Spider MCL39 Championship Edition is their latest attempt. It’s a car built to celebrate a victory, limited to just ten examples for the entire world. One for each constructor’s title. The car underneath is the Artura Spider, which is already a statement. It’s McLaren’s first series-production hybrid supercar, a technical bridge between their Formula 1 program and their road cars. The connection is not just marketing speak. The hybrid architecture in the Artura speaks the same language as the one powering the MCL39 race car. It’s about instant torque, electric silence when you need it, and explosive performance when you ask for it. This special edition is not just a paint job on an old platform. It’s a celebration using the most relevant car they make. The livery itself is the main event. It directly mirrors the look of the 2025 championship-winning F1 car. For the ten owners, this is more than just a colour scheme. It is an identity. It’s the automotive equivalent of wearing the team jersey, except this jersey is hand-painted on carbon fibre and is capable of 205 miles per hour. It’s a public declaration of allegiance, and a reminder of the success that made it possible. More Than A Paint Job Of course, special editions can sometimes feel like an exercise in branding. A few plaques, a unique stitch, and a higher price tag. But McLaren is careful to tie this car to the substance of their victory. The celebration of their 10th Constructors’ Championship is a significant moment. It’s a return to the top. This car is a physical marker of that return. It says the winning DNA is not just history. It’s happening now. Inside, the theme continues but in a more personal way. The details are for the driver, not the spectator. There will be dedication plaques and subtle cues, reminders of the car’s place in the company’s history. It’s the part of the story that only the owner gets to experience. A quiet nod to the fact that they are part of a very small club. The cabin is less about shouting its racing connection and more about creating a sense of occasion for the person behind the wheel. The Ten-Client McLaren Victory Lap The involvement of the F1 drivers, like Oscar Piastri, is a smart touch. It closes the loop. It connects the machine to the humans who pushed its sibling car to the limit. You are not just buying an object. You are buying a piece of a story, a story that includes the engineers, the strategists, and the drivers who earned the win. It makes the whole proposition feel more authentic, more personal. Ultimately, a car like this poses a question. What is the point of racing if not to prove something? For McLaren, the proof is not just in the trophy cabinet. It’s in the cars they build. By creating the MCL39 edition, they are making a promise that the spirit of Formula 1 is not just a concept. It’s something you can start, something you can drive, and for a fortunate few, something you can park in your garage. It’s a victory lap that never has to end. Read more about Cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mclaren-built-a-victory-lap-you-can-drive — Citation: "McLaren Built a Victory Lap You Can Drive" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-20. https://menwith.com/mclaren-built-a-victory-lap-you-can-drive --- ## Audi RS 5: Hybrid Power Meets Pure RS Emotion - URL: https://menwith.com/audi-rs-5-hybrid-power-meets-pure-rs-emotion - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-20 - Tags: Motors, Audi, Audi RS, Audi rs 5, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Rs5 **Summary:** The new Audi RS 5 debuts as a plug-in hybrid, blending 639 PS with electric-only range. It offers advanced torque vectoring for precision driving in Sedan and Avant forms. There are moments when a model changes more than just its generation. The new Audi RS 5 feels like one of those moments. It marks Audi Sport’s first step into high performance plug in hybrids, and rather than diluting the RS formula, it sharpens it. Under the sculpted hood sits an improved 2.9 liter twin turbo V6 producing 375 kW and 510 PS. It works together with a 130 kW electric motor integrated into the eight speed transmission. The combined system output is 470 kW, or 639 PS, with 825 Nm of torque. The result is a 0 to 100 kmh sprint in just 3.6 seconds, yet the car can also travel up to 84 kilometers on electric power alone, and even 87 kilometers in city driving. Charging at up to 11 kW means a full charge takes around 2.5 hours. This is what makes the new RS 5 so fascinating. It can leave your driveway in silence and still dominate a mountain road minutes later. RS 5 Sedan: Sharp, Focused, Purposeful The RS 5 Sedan is the more compact, more concentrated expression of this new era. Its coupé like silhouette flows into a subtle ducktail rear, while the body is widened by around nine centimeters compared to the standard A5. Flared fenders, a strong diffuser and matte oval exhaust tips make it clear that this is not a regular executive sedan. Behind the wheel, the transformation is immediate. The new quattro system with Dynamic Torque Control introduces electro mechanical torque vectoring at the rear axle, a world first in a production car. Torque distribution is calculated every five milliseconds, constantly adjusting to steering angle, throttle input and road conditions. A new center differential with preload keeps the drivetrain partially locked even when you lift off the throttle, improving turn in and reducing understeer. The sensation is one of precision and composure. The car feels lighter than its 2,355 kilogram curb weight suggests, rotating cleanly and putting power down with authority. Select RS torque rear mode and, on a closed course, the Sedan reveals a playful side with controlled oversteer. In RS sport mode, it becomes laser focused and brutally effective. RS 5 Avant: Performance Without Compromise If the Sedan is sharp and direct, the RS 5 Avant adds another layer of versatility. It carries the same 639 PS hybrid system and identical torque vectoring technology, yet wraps it in a body that blends everyday practicality with serious pace. At 2,370 kilograms, the Avant is only slightly heavier, and from the driver’s seat the difference is almost imperceptible. The widened stance, RS specific suspension with twin valve dampers and optional ceramic brakes ensure it remains composed and aggressive when pushed. With the optional Audi Sport package, top speed increases to 285 kmh, accompanied by exclusive design details and 21 inch wheels. It is the kind of car that can carry luggage for a weekend away and still embarrass dedicated sports cars on the autobahn. A Digital Cockpit for Drivers Inside both versions, the RS identity continues. The curved MMI Panorama display integrates an 11.9 inch virtual cockpit and a 14.5 inch central touchscreen, complemented by a 10.9 inch passenger display as standard. Performance data such as G forces, lap times, tire temperatures and drift angles can be recorded and analyzed in detail  . The boost function, activated at the push of a button, delivers maximum acceleration for ten seconds, regardless of the selected driving mode. Orders open in the first quarter of 2026, with deliveries expected from summer 2026. Production takes place in Neckarsulm, Germany. The new Audi RS 5 proves that electrification does not have to mean compromise. In both Sedan and Avant form, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter for Audi Sport, one where efficiency and emotion finally share the same stage. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audi-rs-5-hybrid-power-meets-pure-rs-emotion — Citation: "Audi RS 5: Hybrid Power Meets Pure RS Emotion" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-20. https://menwith.com/audi-rs-5-hybrid-power-meets-pure-rs-emotion --- ## Roger Federer’s Rolex Collection - URL: https://menwith.com/roger-federers-rolex-collection - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-19 - Tags: Collecting, Collection, Collector, Menwith, Menwithclass, Roger Federer, Rolex, Watch **Summary:** Roger Federer's Rolex collection showcases rare Daytonas, high-demand sports models like the Panda and meteorite dial, and timeless classics such as the Day-Date and Datejust, reflecting his sporting and stylistic legacy. Through his long standing partnership with Rolex, Federer has curated a rotation that spans timeless dress pieces to some of the most elusive off catalog Daytonas ever produced. When discussing sporting greatness paired with style, Roger Federer stands in a league of his own. For decades, his wrist has been almost as closely watched as his backhand. As a global ambassador for Rolex, Federer has not only represented the brand, he has quietly built one of the most impressive modern collections in the world. Ultra Exclusive Off Catalog Pieces Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Blue Sapphire White gold case, baguette cut blue sapphire bezel and a deep obsidian dial. This non catalog Daytona is believed to be reserved for a very small group of VIP clients. Estimated at several million, it represents the absolute peak of modern Rolex exclusivity. Rolex Daytona Le Mans Released to mark 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this reference has quickly become one of the most collectible contemporary Daytonas. Subtle vintage inspired details meet cutting edge execution, making it a natural fit for Federer’s legacy driven collection. These two pieces alone elevate his collection from impressive to extraordinary. High Demand Sports Models Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN The ceramic bezel Panda that redefined modern collecting. Stainless steel, high contrast dial and years long waiting lists made it one of the most talked about watches of its era. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116519LN One of the most fascinating executions of the modern Daytona. Crafted in white gold and fitted with a meteorite dial, each piece is entirely unique thanks to the natural crystalline patterns formed in space over millions of years. No two dials are identical. Paired with the Oysterflex bracelet and ceramic bezel, the meteorite 116519LN blends cosmic rarity with contemporary sport design. It is a collector’s reference that feels both technical and poetic, much like Federer’s own style on court. Rolex GMT Master II During a press event for the Laver Cup in Berlin, Roger Federer wore a black and grey GMT Master II, often nicknamed the Bruce Wayne among collectors. The muted ceramic bezel gives the watch a more understated and modern character compared to the brighter Pepsi or Batman versions. On Federer’s wrist, paired with tailored attire, it demonstrated how a professional travel watch can transition seamlessly into a refined event setting. Rolex Sky Dweller Rolex’s most complicated regular production model. Dual time functionality and annual calendar wrapped in a bold, contemporary design. These references show that Federer does not rely solely on exclusivity. He appreciates models that define their generation. Dress and Timeless Classics Rolex Day Date Often referred to as the President’s watch, the Day Date has long been associated with leadership, influence and legacy. Introduced in 1956 as the first wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week fully spelled out, it remains one of Rolex’s most emblematic creations. Federer has been seen wearing the Day Date in precious metals, reinforcing its status as a symbol of achievement. Available only in gold or platinum, it carries an inherent weight, both physically and symbolically. The President bracelet, with its semi circular links, adds a distinct softness to the watch’s otherwise commanding presence. Rolex Datejust If the Day Date represents power, the Datejust represents versatility. First introduced in 1945, it was the world’s first self winding wristwatch with an automatically changing date. Over the decades, it has evolved into perhaps the most balanced and adaptable model in the Rolex catalogue. Federer’s Datejust selections reflect a refined simplicity. The fluted bezel catches the light subtly, while the Jubilee bracelet offers comfort and elegance. Dial choices, often clean and restrained, enhance the timeless proportions of the case. What makes the Datejust particularly interesting in his collection is its everyday wearability. It bridges formal and casual effortlessly. With a suit, it feels polished. With more relaxed tailoring, it remains appropriate without trying too hard. The Datejust is proof that true design does not need reinvention to stay relevant. Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Minimalist and clean, yet highly desirable in certain dial colors. A reminder that simplicity can still command attention. The Common Thread Roger Federer’s watch collection is not about volume. It is about curation. From sapphire set off catalog Daytonas to steel sport legends and precious metal classics, every piece reflects control, taste and long term vision. Just like his game, the details matter. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/roger-federers-rolex-collection — Citation: "Roger Federer’s Rolex Collection" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-19. https://menwith.com/roger-federers-rolex-collection --- ## H. Moser's New Streamliner Is A Lesson In Saying Less - URL: https://menwith.com/h-moser8217s-new-streamliner-is-a-lesson-in-saying-less - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-19 - Tags: H. Moser & Cie **Summary:** H. Moser & Cie.'s new ceramic Streamliner Tourbillon Concept embraces absence, using matte black ceramic and Vantablack to create a watch of pure form and suspended mechanics. Ceramic doesn’t feel like metal. It’s cool to the touch, but without the weight or the memory of steel. It’s hard, absolute, and absorbs light where gold or platinum would throw it back. It’s a material of precision, not poetry. And now, H. Moser & Cie. has used it to build its new Streamliner Tourbillon Concept, a watch that is less an object and more an idea. The original Streamliner was a clever response. It entered a market still dominated by Gérald Genta’s half-century-old designs and did something different. Instead of sharp angles and octagonal bezels, its form was fluid, almost biological. The bracelet links looked less like engineered parts and more like the scales of some deep-sea creature. It was a watch defined by the way light played across its brushed and polished surfaces. It found success not by imitation, but by offering a completely different feeling. Rendering that shape in matte black ceramic changes the conversation completely. The material is the opposite of fluid. It is static. It doesn’t play with light; it swallows it. On paper, it’s a contradiction. Taking a design celebrated for its dynamic surfaces and making it from a material that erases them is a risk. But Moser rarely does anything without a reason. A Philosophy of Absence This is not just a new colorway. It is the next logical step in the brand’s philosophy of subtraction. Moser’s “Concept” dials, which famously remove all indices and even the logo, are an exercise in reduction. They force you to appreciate pure color and the simple act of telling time. The ceramic Streamliner applies that same thinking to the entire watch. It strips away the metallic lustre, the reflections, the visual noise. What remains is pure form. A silhouette on the wrist. The effect is compounded by the dial. Inside that silhouette, Moser placed a one-minute flying tourbillon over a disc of Vantablack. Vantablack is a coating of carbon nanotubes that absorbs 99.965% of visible light. It is the closest thing to a black hole you can put in a watch case. The result is a piece of high mechanics suspended in nothing. The tourbillon, a complication of constant motion, appears to float in a void, untethered to anything real. It’s not just a feature. It is horological theatre. Playing by Different Rules This is what Moser does best. The brand built its modern identity by gently mocking the industry’s sacred cows, from the Swiss Mad watch with its case of cheese to a mechanical parody of the Apple Watch. This Streamliner is less provocative, but it comes from the same place. It takes a familiar trend, the blacked-out ceramic sports watch, and subverts it to make a point. It is a significant material step, but the philosophy behind it matters more. It is not about being stealthy or scratch-proof, though it is both. It is about a disciplined commitment to an idea. While other brands in the space are exploring loud colors and ever-more-complex displays, Moser is betting on the power of absence. It is a quiet counter-move in a market that has grown very loud. It suggests that the ultimate luxury might not be what you add, but what you have the confidence to take away. Many brands use new materials to prove how innovative they are. H. Moser & Cie. uses them to show how little they need to say. The ceramic Streamliner is a paradox. A cold, technical material used to create a watch with a strong, clear soul. It proves that in a world of constant noise, the most powerful statement can be a whisper. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/h-moser8217s-new-streamliner-is-a-lesson-in-saying-less — Citation: "H. Moser's New Streamliner Is A Lesson In Saying Less" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-19. https://menwith.com/h-moser8217s-new-streamliner-is-a-lesson-in-saying-less --- ## Lamborghini, Cairo and the New Rules of Noise - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-cairo-and-the-new-rules-of-noise - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-18 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** Lamborghini's Cairo showroom signifies a shift in luxury, embracing overt ambition and a global language of success. The brand's unapologetic presence challenges traditional discretion, resonating with emerging markets' forward momentum. The Sound of a New Ambition The air in Cairo has a texture. It’s a mix of dust, diesel, and the heat rising off a million engines. The city operates on a frequency of controlled chaos, a constant hum of life that never really stops. Stepping into the new Lamborghini showroom, then, is a sensory shock. The noise of the city is gone, replaced by a polished, architectural silence. It’s a pocket of Bologna dropped into the heart of Egypt. The opening of a dealership is usually just a business story. A pin on a map. But this feels different. The arrival of a brand this loud, this unapologetic, in a city this ancient and complex says something about the shifting geography of ambition. This is not just about selling cars to the wealthy. It is about planting a flag for a certain kind of aggressive, Western modernism. A very particular dream, rendered in carbon fibre and sharp angles. The cars themselves look almost alien under the showroom lights. A Revuelto sits low and wide, a collection of hexagons and blades that seems designed to cut through the air. A Huracán looks coiled, ready to spring. These are not objects of quiet taste. They are declarations. They are built to be seen and heard, to announce their presence with a V10 or V12 shriek. In a culture that often values discretion, the Lamborghini is a deliberate act of defiance. A Global Language of Success For years, the luxury world has been whispering about subtlety. About stealth wealth and the art of flying under the radar. But Lamborghini never got the memo. Or, more likely, it read the memo and threw it away. The brand’s enduring power comes from its refusal to be quiet. It understands that for a new generation of wealth, success is not something to be hidden. It is something to be celebrated, loudly and publicly. This is why the brand resonates so strongly in emerging markets. The energy in Cairo, Dubai, or Mumbai is one of forward motion, of building, of becoming. The old rules of established wealth, written in the quiet capitals of Europe, simply do not apply. Here, ambition is worn on your sleeve, or parked out front. A Lamborghini is not just a car. It is a broadcast. It tells a story of arrival in a universal language that needs no translation. The company knows this. Federico Foschini, the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, speaks of creating a “direct presence in this important market.” It is corporate language for a simple truth. They are going where the energy is. They are not trying to change their identity to fit the market. They are waiting for the market to be ready for them. Watching the polished elite of Cairo gather around these machines, you realize the conversation is no longer about heritage in the traditional sense. It is about a new kind of legacy being written right now. The sound of a supercar echoing through streets that have stood for millennia is a strange kind of harmony. But it might just be the sound of luxury’s future. Read more about Cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-cairo-and-the-new-rules-of-noise — Citation: "Lamborghini, Cairo and the New Rules of Noise" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-18. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-cairo-and-the-new-rules-of-noise --- ## Five Exhibitions That Proved the Fondation Louis Vuitton Sets the Pace - URL: https://menwith.com/five-exhibitions-that-proved-the-fondation-louis-vuitton-sets-the-pace - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-02-18 - Tags: Culture, ARt, Collection, Collector, Louis Vuitton, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** The Fondation Louis Vuitton sets the pace for modern museums with impactful exhibitions. Its architectural brilliance amplifies art, hosting shows like Hockney's immersive retrospective and the compelling Monet-Mitchell dialogue. Since 2014, the Fondation Louis Vuitton has been a study in quiet power. Designed by Frank Gehry as a stack of transparent sails in the Bois de Boulogne, it has used a mandate of public interest to make heavyweight art feel immediate. The building’s light-filled volumes do more than flatter canvases. They invite clear thinking, and they have hosted shows that define how a modern museum speaks to a broad, discerning audience. David Hockney 25: immersion with intent Spring 2025 saw David Hockney occupy the entire Fondation, an artist-curated takeover that traced 25 years of work and then some. More than 400 pieces spanned media from charcoal to iPad, all sequenced with the precision of a filmmaker. The blues of the California pools felt cool and glassy under the high white ceilings. Normandy tree studies, dense with greens and pinks, pulled you forward room by room. Co-designed with long-time collaborator Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima and stewarded by Artistic Director Suzanne Pagé, it was both generous and exacting. Hockney’s belief that the present tense is where art truly lives was not a wall label idea, it was the show’s engine. For visitors used to greatest-hits retrospectives, this was something rarer: immersion with intent, not indulgence. Monet and Mitchell: a dialogue that earned the silence Autumn 2022 paired Claude Monet’s late Water Lilies with Joan Mitchell’s surging color fields, in partnership with the Musée Marmottan Monet. About sixty works created a conversation across time, including twenty-five Monets and thirty-five canvases from Mitchell’s Grande Vallée series. One of Monet’s “Agapanthus” panels returned to Paris for the first time since 1956, a factual flourish that mattered. In the galleries the air felt still, as if the paint was still settling. Light broke across Monet’s surfaces like morning on a pond, then intensified into Mitchell’s cobalt and sunlit yellow. The curatorial choice was simple and strong, and it resisted over-explanation. The effect was of two artists listening to each other, and the viewer standing close enough to hear. Basquiat x Warhol: collaboration as contact sport From April to August 2023, the Fondation mounted the largest exhibition to date of works made jointly by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. About eighty four-handed paintings took the walls, preceded by portraits each made of the other. The rooms carried a studio energy, the faint scent of paint mixing with the thud of visual punchlines. Michael Halsband’s boxing-glove photographs set the tone, more sparring partners than students and teacher. Individual works by Keith Haring, Jenny Holzer and others placed the conversation back inside 1980s New York. Haring once called their exchange a physical conversation in paint, and in person that read as exact rather than romantic. The show reminded Paris that collaboration can be messy, often uneven, and still productive. Cindy Sherman: portraiture under the microscope In 2020, “Crossing Views” gave Europe its most expansive look at Cindy Sherman’s work, while placing her in dialogue with about twenty other artists across media. Fifty or so pieces unpacked portraiture as a site of tension, from archetype to identity to the shape-shifting violence of social media. The galleries felt almost clinical: the chill of a flash, the lacquered surface of a print, the bathroom-mirror proximity of self-staging. The point was not novelty. It was to show how an artist’s long inquiry can keep pace with culture’s changing face without losing rigor. For a modern viewer surrounded by selfies, Sherman’s theater felt surgical and necessary. Being Modern: MoMA comes to Paris, and brings the canon From October 2017 to March 2018, the Fondation hosted over 200 works from New York’s Museum of Modern Art, curated with Glenn Lowry and Suzanne Pagé. It was not a traveling greatest hits show. It was a compact history lesson that moved from American abstraction to pop, minimalism, photography and beyond, complete with archival material that explained how a museum shapes modernity. Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans held their grid like a drumbeat. Carl Andre’s 144 Lead Square sat cool and heavy on the floor, a temperature change underfoot. The presence of Philip Guston’s Tomb gave the hang a human tremor. For Paris, the message was clear. Institutional collaboration can raise the floor for everyone. The Fondation’s through-line is not scale, it is clarity. Shows are legible without being simple, ambitious without being loud. That matters in a city saturated with culture, and for a global audience used to spectacle. The building’s architecture helps, of course, but the program has set a standard many are now chasing: cross-generational dialogues, artist-led narratives, and partnerships that feel earned. If you think of taste as a muscle, this place is a gym. You can see how art handles time, how institutions share authority, how a single room can hold a debate without raising its voice. For the modern gentleman who wants more than headlines, it is a reminder that attention is a resource. Give it to the right places. The conclusion is not complicated. In under twelve years, the Fondation Louis Vuitton has built a track record that justifies the trip across the park. Go for the work, stay for the thinking, leave with your eye recalibrated. More similar articles here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/five-exhibitions-that-proved-the-fondation-louis-vuitton-sets-the-pace — Citation: "Five Exhibitions That Proved the Fondation Louis Vuitton Sets the Pace" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-18. https://menwith.com/five-exhibitions-that-proved-the-fondation-louis-vuitton-sets-the-pace --- ## What the New COSC Excellence Says About the Mechanical Watch - URL: https://menwith.com/what-the-new-cosc-excellence-says-about-the-mechanical-watch - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-17 - Tags: COSC **Summary:** COSC's new Excellence Chronometer certification refines mechanical watch accuracy and testing to 200 gauss magnetic resistance, acknowledging precision in real-world wear. Time has never been more precise. Our devices correct themselves against atomic references. Algorithms anticipate our behaviour. Efficiency is silent and constant. And yet on the wrist, a small mechanical engine continues to count seconds through springs, wheels and controlled friction. This is the quiet tension that gives meaning to COSC’s new Excellence Chronometer certification. Announced on the 50th anniversary of the ISO 3159 standard, the distinction does not replace the familiar Certified Chronometer. It builds upon it. A measured evolution rather than a break from the past. For more than five decades, COSC has been the independent voice of Swiss chronometry. Movements were tested over fifteen days, observed in multiple positions and temperatures, required to remain within minus four and plus six seconds per day. It was a disciplined framework that brought objectivity to an industry built on craft. The Excellence Chronometer refines that framework. Rate tolerance narrows to minus two plus four seconds per day. Testing extends to the finished watch, not only the uncased movement. Magnetic resistance is assessed at 200 gauss. The declared power reserve must correspond to reality, not optimism. On paper, these are technical adjustments. In practice, they reflect a shift in context. To measure seconds with a coiled spring. To regulate energy through a balance wheel oscillating back and forth thousands of times per hour. To pursue accuracy through geometry, metallurgy and hand adjustment rather than software updates. In a culture shaped by algorithms and optimisation, the mechanical watch stands apart. It is inefficient by design. It requires servicing. It drifts slightly. It depends on the patience and judgement of a watchmaker. And still, perhaps because of that, it matters. When COSC introduces a stricter certification, it is not simply reacting to competing standards or proprietary seals. It is reaffirming that mechanical precision remains a living pursuit. That even in a world of digital supremacy, there is value in refining something physical. What is compelling is not that watches will gain a few seconds in daily accuracy. Most owners will never notice the difference between plus six and plus four. What resonates is the intention. To take a simple human need, knowing the time, and approach it with discipline that borders on obsession. To narrow tolerances in an era that no longer requires it. To submit one’s work to independent scrutiny, even when internal certifications might offer more flattering figures. Excellence here is less about outperforming an atomic clock and more about honouring a tradition of measurable effort. The decision to test the complete watch is particularly telling. A movement can perform impeccably in isolation. Once cased, exposed to pressure, temperature changes and daily motion, its behaviour shifts. By simulating wrist wear and evaluating the watch as it will actually be worn, COSC acknowledges that precision is lived, not theoretical. The new magnetic threshold of 200 gauss may not rival the extreme claims seen elsewhere in the industry, but it speaks to reality. Modern life is saturated with invisible fields from laptops, speakers, car doors and phones. The mechanical watch now operates in an environment very different from 1973. Adjusting the standard is therefore less about competition and more about awareness. In 2025 alone, more than two million movements were certified by COSC. Since its creation in 1973, that number has reached fifty seven million. The scale is substantial, yet the act remains intimate. A movement placed under observation. A balance wheel beating under scrutiny. A result recorded without sentiment. The Excellence Chronometer does not redefine what a mechanical watch is. It sharpens the edges slightly. It signals that progress continues, quietly, within established codes. The mechanical watch will never win the race against digital timekeeping. It does not need to. Its relevance lies in the visible transmission of energy, in the tactile resistance of a winding crown, in the knowledge that time is being measured by a physical system shaped by human hands. In an age governed by invisible code, that analogue heartbeat feels almost deliberate. Not louder. Not faster. Just more exact, by choice. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/what-the-new-cosc-excellence-says-about-the-mechanical-watch — Citation: "What the New COSC Excellence Says About the Mechanical Watch" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-17. https://menwith.com/what-the-new-cosc-excellence-says-about-the-mechanical-watch --- ## Black Legend, Sharpened: A €4.05M Cut on Mangusta’s 50m Maxi-Open - URL: https://menwith.com/black-legend-sharpened-a-405m-cut-on-mangustas-50m-maxi-open - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-02-16 - Tags: Motors, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Yacht **Summary:** The Mangusta 50m Maxi-Open 'BLACK LEGEND' offers a €4.05M price reduction, featuring a 35-knot top speed, expansive deck spaces, and luxury amenities. EU VAT paid enhances its appeal for Mediterranean buyers. The maxi-open idea has always been more than a profile. It is a way of using the Mediterranean that privileges daylight, proximity and pace. Mangusta defined that aesthetic across the 2000s and 2010s with long, low lines and open decks that feel like a private beach club under way. BLACK LEGEND sits at the peak of that evolution. Delivered in 2017 as the penultimate 165E, it carries the confidence of a mature platform without the compromises of a first run. The sensation is visual before anything else: dark glazing, a lean shear, and wide teak that gleams when it catches late-afternoon sun. The numbers still carry weight. Latest-generation MTU engines, under warranty, push to a stated 35 knots with an easy 25-knot cruise. On the move, that difference between 18 and 25 knots is not academic. It compresses coasts and dinner plans, and it turns the leg from Cap d’Antibes to Saint-Tropez into an hour with the wind warm on the face and spray feathering low along the hull. Zero-speed and underway gyro stabilizers keep the motion civilized when the anchorage is rolling or the sea is up. The American Bureau of Shipping five-year special survey was completed in 2022, which takes a near-term maintenance milestone off the table. Deck life is the point. BLACK LEGEND is laid out around the largest aft deck found on any 50 meter, which in practice means a proper bar, a barbecue, alfresco dining and broad lounge seating that can handle a crowd without stacking furniture. You can picture the scene at anchor: the hiss from the grill, glasses set down on cool stone, and the shade line drifting across the table as the sun moves. Forward there is a Jacuzzi and sunbeds for privacy at berth, a quiet pocket that turns golden at sunset. Up top the sundeck turns the volume up with expansive sunpads, another bar and a DJ booth. That is not a gimmick. If your summer rotates from lunch to late afternoon sets, from Mykonos to the Lérins, a built-in booth keeps the energy contained and the wires hidden while the breeze softens the beat. Inside, accommodation is for up to 10 in four cabins, anchored by a full-beam owner’s suite with a private study and a dressing room. The separation of spaces is the luxury here. There is a dedicated gym for those who keep the ritual, and a cinema room that can convert to sleeping space as needed. The atmosphere shifts convincingly from social to secluded: the hush of a closed study door, the dim calm of a cinema, the simplicity of a corridor when the party is still going outside. The trading context matters. A €4,050,000 reduction to €19,900,000 with EU VAT paid places BLACK LEGEND in sharper focus for Europe-based buyers who care about both headline price and ongoing friction. EU VAT paid removes a layer of cost and complexity in the Med. Single ownership with light private use and comprehensive servicing suggests the yacht has avoided the hard life of heavy charter rotation. Add the completed ABS survey and you have fewer immediate headaches, which is not romantic but is decisive. There is a broader cultural note here. The conversation in yachting has tilted toward explorers and hybrid talk, toward longer ranges, bigger beams and loft-like interiors. That reflects genuine shifts in taste and technology. Yet in the Med, where distances are short and harbors are crowded, the maxi-open remains a highly functional choice. If you value open-air square footage over additional cabins, if your calendar is built around day-to-night hosting rather than ocean crossings, this architecture delivers. BLACK LEGEND states that case plainly with the best kind of proof: usable deck and real speed. None of that makes it universal. If your ambition is transoceanic autonomy, you will look elsewhere. But for the gentleman whose weekends start with first light on warm teak and end with friends on wide cushions under a slow sky, a 35-knot Mangusta still reads as freedom. With Northrop & Johnson now offering BLACK LEGEND at a recalibrated figure, the equation becomes less about compromise and more about fit. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/black-legend-sharpened-a-405m-cut-on-mangustas-50m-maxi-open — Citation: "Black Legend, Sharpened: A €4.05M Cut on Mangusta’s 50m Maxi-Open" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-16. https://menwith.com/black-legend-sharpened-a-405m-cut-on-mangustas-50m-maxi-open --- ## Ferrari’s Most Difficult Conversation - URL: https://menwith.com/ferraris-most-difficult-conversation - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-15 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** Ferrari's first electric car, the Luce, balances raw power with a restrained, human-centric interior design, influenced by Jony Ive. It prioritizes tactile controls and driver experience over screen-led futurism, acknowledging its combustion heritage while embracing electric immediacy. The first thing you notice is how quiet it feels. Not silent in the electric sense, but visually quiet. Ferrari’s glimpse into the Luce interior is restrained, almost contemplative. It does not perform futurism. It studies it. For a brand built on combustion theatre, this is an unusually exposed moment. Ferrari’s first fully electric car arrives with an internal tension that cannot be engineered away. On one side, decades of raw mechanical violence. On the other, instant torque delivered in near silence. Different sensations. Arguably even greater power. A different kind of force. The cabin suggests they understands the contradiction. The name Luce, light, is not accidental. Light as illumination. Light as clarity. There is an attempt here to reduce the noise around electrification and focus on something more human. Not what is lost, but what is gained. Jony Ive’s presence is felt, but not theatrically. His design language has always been about reduction with intent. At Apple, the most radical gesture was not minimalism. It was clarity. The iMac, the iPhone, even the Apple Watch were less about surface purity and more about making complexity feel inevitable. It would have been easy, given that heritage, to push the toward a screen-led future. A vast pane of glass. A car that behaved like a device. Instead, the opposite instinct seems to have prevailed. In the Luce, that instinct is visible. Physical controls return with conviction. Machined toggles and tactile switches sit proudly where many competitors would have placed glass. Core functions are not buried in menus. They are there, waiting for muscle memory. It is minimal, yes. But not in the way many expected. With Ive’s Apple lineage, one might have anticipated a more radical embrace of touch surfaces and digital abstraction. Keeping physical buttons feels deliberate. Even corrective. It acknowledges that a Ferrari is not consumed like media. It is driven. Hands matter. Glances matter. The rhythm between driver and machine still matters. Look closely and the cabin is not nostalgic. The proportions are modern. The interfaces are layered and intelligent. The digital display remains central, but it behaves as a servant rather than a master. Technology is present, yet it does not dominate the mood. This is where the internal battle becomes interesting. Ferrari’s mythology is inseparable from sound. The rise and fall of revs. The vibration through the chassis. An engine that felt alive, sometimes temperamental, always dramatic. An electric Ferrari cannot replicate that story. Nor should it try. It suggests a reframing. Performance not as audible aggression, but as immediacy. Four motors distributing torque with microscopic precision. An 880-volt architecture delivering force without crescendo. Power that arrives without warning rather than building toward it. It is still raw. Just differently so. By leaning into tactility and human scale, they are reframing performance as experience rather than noise. The quad motors and high voltage architecture will deliver numbers that reassure purists. But the interior tells us where the emotional investment lies. This balance will matter. If Ferrari overcorrects toward technology, it risks becoming another premium EV brand in red paint. If it clings too tightly to nostalgia, it risks irrelevance. The interior sits carefully between those poles. There is restraint in that choice. The collaboration with LoveFrom does not read as an attempt to import Silicon Valley into Maranello. It feels more like a conversation about discipline. About what to remove, and what to protect. Ferrari brings heritage and mechanical instinct. Ive brings an obsession with coherence. Neither side appears to dominate. The result, at least from this early glimpse, is a car that accepts its contradiction. Silent, yet more powerful than any road Ferrari before it. Minimal, yet materially rich. Technologically advanced, yet physically grounded. The full story will only be clear once the car is revealed in its entirety and driven in anger. But interiors rarely lie. They reveal intention before performance figures ever can. With the Luce, Ferrari is not trying to recreate the past in electric form. It is trying to carry its emotional logic forward, into a quieter future. That may prove more difficult than building a thousand horsepower EV. And far more consequential. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferraris-most-difficult-conversation — Citation: "Ferrari’s Most Difficult Conversation" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-15. https://menwith.com/ferraris-most-difficult-conversation --- ## Inside the Jim Irsay Sale: When Rock History Hits the Rostrum - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-the-jim-irsay-sale-when-rock-history-hits-the-rostrum - Author: Tom - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-02-14 - Tags: Collection, Elton John, Jim Irsay, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, The Beatles **Summary:** The Jim Irsay Collection sale at Christie's features iconic instruments from rock and music history, blurring lines between art and culture. Notable items include guitars from Clapton, Gilmour, Cobain, and Lennon, plus Ringo Starr's drum head. The late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay did not collect like a dilettante. He built a narrative of post-war America through the tools that made the soundtrack, then put them on the road for public view. Now The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame arrives at Christie’s, a landmark sale that folds rock’s most mythic instruments into the wider canon of 20th-century culture. For a modern gentleman who values provenance, purpose, and the stories objects carry, this is required viewing. Start with the guitars, since that is where Irsay’s eye was most exacting. Jerry Garcia’s custom Doug Irwin Tiger, all cocobolo gleam and brass hardware, was the Grateful Dead frontman’s main stage partner from 1979 to 1989, right through the heat of the Warfield lights. Eric Clapton’s The Fool Gibson SG, swirled in psychedelic color by the Dutch collective of the same name, helped define the Cream era and the singer’s evolving Woman Tone. David Gilmour’s Black Strat is the opposite in temperament, a road-worn black body and maple neck that quietly appears on Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, then sets a previous auction record when Irsay acquired it for 3,975,000 dollars. Estimates this time telegraph the market’s confidence: the Black Strat at 2 to 4 million dollars, Garcia’s Tiger at 1 to 2 million, Clapton’s SG at 800,000 to 1.2 million. Kurt Cobain’s left-handed Fender Mustang Grunge gets its blue-chip moment too. Kurt Cobain’s left-handed Fender Mustang, in Fender’s so-called Competition Burgundy that reads like a chilled Lake Placid Blue under studio lamps, is the very guitar in the Smells Like Teen Spirit video. It sat in the room for Nevermind sessions and onstage through In Utero. Estimate, 2.5 to 5 million dollars. If you doubt music’s place in the pantheon, consider that number next to contemporary art and watch the lines blur. The Beatles thread here is woven with precision rather than sentiment. John Lennon’s Rose-Morris Rickenbacker, a sunburst semi-hollow that replaced a damaged 325 in late 1964, then went to Ringo Starr in 1968 to encourage songwriting, captures the band in transition rather than on a greatest-hits loop. More indelible still is Ringo’s Ed Sullivan Show drum head, stark white with Ludwig script and The Beatles logotype, lit cold by television lamps on 9 February 1964 as 73 million Americans tuned in. That head is estimated at 1 to 2 million dollars, and rightly so. It is an image as much as an instrument. Ringo Starr’s The Ed Sullivan Show Drum Head The collection broadens beyond six-strings without losing focus. Sir Elton John’s Steinway Model D, a 9-foot concert grand in black lacquer, toured from roughly 1974 to 1988 and carries a personal inscription from the man himself. You can almost hear the felt hammers meeting wire when the lid is lifted. In jazz, the brass and reeds are not afterthoughts. Miles Davis’s black and gold Martin Committee trumpet, engraved with moon and stars and fitted with the angled mouthpiece he favored, was in hand at Montreux in 1984 and on You’re Under Arrest. John Coltrane’s Yamaha Nippon Gakki prototype alto, heard across his 1966 Japan dates, is the rare case where you can line up the object with the recordings that made it matter. Sir Elton John’s Steinway Model D Grand Piano There is American grit here too. Johnny Cash’s 1956 Martin D-21, a workhorse with a dark guard and a life in the late 1950s before going to his brother Tommy in 1960, sits alongside Janis Joplin’s Gibson J-45, travel tags still clinging to its original case. The estimates are modest by comparison, 200,000 to 400,000 dollars for Cash, 60,000 to 100,000 for Joplin, but the cultural yield is high. Not every important story needs a seven-figure hammer price. What does it mean when instruments like these move at the scale of Impressionist canvases. It confirms what most of us already practice in our daily lives, that music is the common language of the last century and its artifacts now live in the same category as painting, sculpture, design. It also reflects a generational shift among collectors, who see the value of cultural literacy as equal to the value of materials. Irsay understood that. He lent widely to institutions, from the Met to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and he directed significant proceeds to philanthropy, including mental health initiatives through Kicking the Stigma. A large portion of this sale will go to causes close to his heart, which keeps the spirit of stewardship intact. John Lennon’s Rose-Morris Rickenbacker If you are in New York, go to the preview. Under museum lights, finish checks, lacquer, and engraved bells reveal the kind of detail that biographies cannot. If you are bidding, remember these are not trophies to hide, they are benchmarks of modern culture to care for. Either way, the lesson is the same. Ownership matters less than custodianship, and the best collections teach us how to live with history, not simply admire it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-the-jim-irsay-sale-when-rock-history-hits-the-rostrum — Citation: "Inside the Jim Irsay Sale: When Rock History Hits the Rostrum" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-14. https://menwith.com/inside-the-jim-irsay-sale-when-rock-history-hits-the-rostrum --- ## Bugatti Tourbillon: the hypercar that puts a watch on your dashboard - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-tourbillon-the-hypercar-that-puts-a-watch-on-your-dashboard - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-13 - Tags: Motors, Watches, Bugatti, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** The Bugatti Tourbillon redefines hypercar luxury with a hand-assembled, mechanical instrument cluster inspired by Swiss watchmaking. This analog display prioritizes permanence and meaning over digital features, signaling a return to timeless design. Pixels are easy, permanence is hard Hypercars have started to feel like smartphones with carbon fiber skins: huge screens, animated graphics, software updates as talking points. The Bugatti Tourbillon swings the pendulum back with a kind of confidence only a brand like this can afford. Instead of another digital stage show, its instrument cluster is a hand-assembled mechanical object built with Swiss watchmaking know-how. Not watch-inspired. Watchmaking, full stop. It is also the clearest statement of what Bugatti thinks luxury is in 2026: not more features, but more meaning. A name that sets the tone “Tourbillon” is not a random flourish. Unlike previous modern Bugattis that borrowed the names of racing drivers, this one nods to the 1801 watchmaking invention created to counter gravity’s impact on timekeeping. That choice quietly frames the whole car. Bugatti wants the Tourbillon to read as timeless rather than trendy, a machine intended to look right today and still feel culturally relevant on a concours lawn a century from now. That sounds lofty, but the design philosophy lands in a surprisingly tangible place: the driver’s line of sight. A mechanical sculpture with 650 pieces The Tourbillon’s defining cabin moment is its analog instrument cluster, developed with Swiss specialist Concepto and built by hand like a high-end movement. The headline number is more than 650 individual components, finished with techniques you’d expect to hear about in a Geneva salon, not a Molsheim build bay. Owners can specify traditional decorative treatments such as Clous de Paris, guilloché patterns, tapestry textures, even Aventurine, and they choose from physical samples rather than screen-based configurators. That detail matters. Bugatti is basically admitting what luxury buyers already know: digital renderings are convenient, but they lie about depth, sparkle, and how a surface catches light at dusk. It gets nerdier in the best way. Functional rubies are used as bearing jewels to reduce friction, sapphire crystal appears where you want clarity and hardness, and the needles and structures are skeletonized and hand-finished. This is jewelry that happens to measure speed. Watchmaking meets automotive reality Here’s the part PR glosses over: bringing haute horlogerie into a hypercar is inherently awkward. Watch parts live in millimeters, dashboards live in a world of vibration, temperature swings, and electronics. Concepto reportedly had to develop new tools and processes because traditional watchmaking equipment simply was not suited to the scale. Also, an analog cluster does not mean an analog car. LEDs and PCBs still had to be integrated, and material choices changed during development as lighter components limited certain colors and finishes. It is craftsmanship, yes, but it is also industrial problem-solving. The steering wheel that refuses to block the view Bugatti doubles down on the cluster by using a fixed-hub steering wheel, so the instrument display remains unobstructed regardless of steering angle. You do not peer around spokes. The wheel rim rotates around a constantly visible mechanical centerpiece. Some will love the theater and the clarity. Others may find it faintly contrarian. Either way, it makes a point every time you turn in. A new kind of flex The Tourbillon’s cluster is not just a design feature, it is a cultural signal. At this price and rarity level, performance is assumed. What separates cars now is narrative, tactility, and the sense that your object has a soul that cannot be patched over Wi-Fi. Bugatti is selling an idea: your car’s most important interface should age like a great watch, not like a five-year-old tablet. The rare modern luxury move that feels durable The Bugatti Tourbillon’s analog cluster is polarizing in exactly the right way. It is slower to explain than a screen, harder to manufacture, and impossible to replicate cheaply. That is the point. In a segment crowded with digital fireworks, Bugatti’s most interesting performance is restraint. It makes the Tourbillon feel less like a product cycle and more like an heirloom you happen to drive. Read about Bugatti in St. Moritz here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-tourbillon-the-hypercar-that-puts-a-watch-on-your-dashboard — Citation: "Bugatti Tourbillon: the hypercar that puts a watch on your dashboard" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-13. https://menwith.com/bugatti-tourbillon-the-hypercar-that-puts-a-watch-on-your-dashboard --- ## The Best Running Shoes to Buy 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/the-best-running-shoes-to-buy-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2026-02-12 - Tags: Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Hoka Clifton 10, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, On Cloudswift 4, ASICS Gel Nimbus Platinum, running shoes 2026, urban running **Summary:** In 2026, running's appeal extends beyond fitness to therapy and community. Essential for this movement are the right shoes, with top picks including Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Hoka Clifton 10, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, On Cloudswift 4, and ASICS Gel Nimbus Platinum. Running has become more than exercise. It is therapy, community and discipline wrapped into one simple movement. In 2026, the global running culture is stronger than ever. From early morning city laps to weekend long runs and social run clubs filling the streets, more men are lacing up not just for performance, but for balance. The appeal is clear. Running requires minimal equipment, delivers maximum physical benefits and sharpens mental clarity. It improves cardiovascular health, builds resilience and provides structure in busy lives. But one element remains essential: the right shoes. Here are five of the best running shoes to invest in this year, whether your focus is daily training, race performance or stylish urban mileage. Adidas Adizero Evo SL The Adidas Adizero Evo SL brings elite racing DNA into everyday training. Inspired by adidas’ record breaking Adizero line, this model offers lightweight responsiveness while remaining practical enough for regular mileage. It is built for runners who want speed without sacrificing versatility. The midsole delivers a lively feel underfoot, encouraging a faster cadence and smoother stride. If you are training for a personal best but still logging weekly distance, this is one of the most exciting hybrid options of 2026. Best for: Fast training sessions and tempo runs. Hoka Clifton 10 The Hoka Clifton series has long been a favorite among distance runners, and the Clifton 10 continues that legacy. Known for its plush cushioning and smooth ride, this model is ideal for everyday training. Despite its generous cushioning, the shoe remains surprisingly lightweight. It absorbs impact beautifully, making it perfect for recovery runs and longer sessions where comfort is key. In a year where more runners prioritize longevity over burnout, the Clifton 10 stands out as a smart and sustainable choice. Best for: Daily miles and long comfortable runs. Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 For those chasing podium energy, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 delivers serious race day performance. Designed with advanced propulsion technology, it maximizes efficiency and forward momentum. The shoe feels aggressive in the best way. It encourages you to push pace and rewards strong form. While it is primarily built for competition, many runners now integrate high performance shoes into select training sessions to simulate race conditions. Best for: Race day and high intensity sessions. On Cloudswift 4 Swiss brand On continues to dominate the urban running scene, and the Cloudswift 4 perfectly reflects that balance between performance and aesthetics. Designed for city surfaces, it offers responsive cushioning that handles asphalt effortlessly. It transitions seamlessly from morning run to coffee meeting, making it ideal for men who value both function and design. In 2026, versatility matters more than ever, and this shoe understands that. Best for: City running and lifestyle crossover. ASICS Gel Nimbus Platinum The ASICS Gel Nimbus Platinum remains a benchmark in premium cushioning. Built for comfort above all else, it is a favorite among runners who prioritize joint protection and smooth transitions. The updated midsole technology enhances softness without feeling unstable. For runners increasing weekly mileage or returning from injury, this model provides reassurance with every step. Best for: Maximum cushioning and consistent training. Why Running Is More Popular Than Ever Running’s rise is not accidental. In a digital world that constantly demands attention, it offers simplicity. No screens, no noise, just rhythm and breath. Social run clubs have also transformed the sport into a networking platform, blending fitness with community. There is also a shift toward sustainable health. Rather than extreme transformations, more men are embracing consistent training habits. A structured weekly routine of short recovery runs, interval sessions and one longer endurance run creates progress without burnout. The right shoes support that journey. They protect the body, enhance performance and add motivation. In 2026, investing in quality running footwear is less about trend and more about commitment to long term health. Whether you are chasing speed, comfort or balance, these five models represent the best options on the market right now. Lace up, step outside and let the miles shape both body and mind. Read about sports here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-best-running-shoes-to-buy-2026 — Citation: "The Best Running Shoes to Buy 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-12. https://menwith.com/the-best-running-shoes-to-buy-2026 --- ## Rolls-Royce Coupés: Power Suits in Two Doors - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-coups-power-suits-in-two-doors - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-12 - Tags: Motors, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Coupe **Summary:** Rolls-Royce coupés embody a distinct brand of luxury, prioritizing presence and design over formality. These two-door models, from historical experiments to modern electrics like Spectre, offer a more expressive and driver-focused statement of authority. In most lineups, the coupé is the “sporty” derivative. At Rolls-Royce, it is something else entirely: a statement of presence with fewer words. Two doors, a longer sweep of bodywork, and a roofline that looks like it was drawn in one breath. Historically, the coupé has been the format where Rolls-Royce experiments, provokes, and occasionally shocks the traditionalists. That is not a bug. It is the point. The press-kit language calls it “power, presence and proportion.” Strip out the ceremony and you get the truth: a Rolls-Royce coupé is what people buy when they want the brand’s authority without the formality of a saloon. The long hood as a cultural signal Rolls-Royce has always understood that proportion is a kind of social currency. From the early coachbuilt era when clients bought a rolling chassis and commissioned their own two-door body, to the Goodwood cars that brought the coupé back with engineering discipline, the core idea stayed the same. The bonnet is long because it can be. The cabin sits back because it should. The whole thing reads like a tailored jacket with sharp shoulders. In the Goodwood era, the experimental 100EX and 101EX concepts telegraphed what was coming: shorter, lower, more driver-focused cars that still looked like they could park outside an opera house without asking permission. The boat-tail hints, the “Countryman” style picnic-ready boot idea, even the discreetly reclined grille on 101EX all signaled a brand loosening its tie. Where theatre became a signature feature If one detail defines modern Rolls-Royce coupé culture, it is the Starlight Headliner, first seen on 101EX before becoming an icon of the marque. It is equal parts craftsmanship and playful excess, and it changed the way luxury buyers talked about personalization. Not “options,” but atmosphere. Less cockpit, more private lounge. That matters because Rolls-Royce coupé buyers often want intimacy rather than ceremony. The cabin is still exquisitely made, but the vibe is different. More late-night grand tour than boardroom. Effortlessness, with a darker edge Rolls-Royce performance is rarely about numbers for their own sake. Wraith proved you can make a big, heavy luxury coupé feel genuinely urgent without turning it into a caricature. Its Black Badge variants sharpened the brand’s image further, effectively giving Rolls-Royce a sanctioned alter ego for clients who like their luxury with a little mischief. Then came Spectre, the car that makes the biggest cultural point of all. Rolls-Royce calls it an “ultra-luxury electric super coupé,” and for once the category invention feels justified. Electric drive suits the brand’s long-standing promise of wafting refinement, but it also changes the sensory palette: less mechanical theatre, more near-silent thrust and the faint, expensive hush of well-insulated air. Who buys a Rolls-Royce coupé and why These cars are not rational purchases and they are not meant to be. Coupés in this space are declarations: that you travel with intent, that you do not need four doors to prove your importance, and that you value design as much as comfort. They also pull in a slightly younger, more style-led client base, which Wraith and Dawn did particularly well. The polarising bit is obvious too: some buyers still want the traditional grandeur of a saloon. A coupé can read as showy. If that bothers you, you are not the target audience. The sharpest expression of the brand Rolls-Royce does “sporty” in its own dialect. The coupé is where the marque feels most distilled: less formal than a Phantom, more expressive than a Ghost, and often more culturally relevant than either. From coachbuilt one-offs like Sweptail to the electric-era statement of Spectre, the message is consistent. In two doors, Rolls-Royce is not trying to fit in. It is trying to be unforgettable. Read about The Man Behind Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-coups-power-suits-in-two-doors — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Coupés: Power Suits in Two Doors" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-12. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-coups-power-suits-in-two-doors --- ## UGG Redefines Men’s Style for Spring 2026 with Central Cee and Su Yiming - URL: https://menwith.com/ugg-redefines-mens-style-for-spring-2026-with-central-cee-and-su-yiming - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-12 - Tags: fashion, Menwith, Menwithclass, UGG **Summary:** UGG's Spring 2026 collection redefines men's style with the Otzo Clog and reimagined Tasman silhouettes, featuring Central Cee and Su Yiming. For Spring 2026, UGG makes a confident statement in men’s fashion, fusing cultural influence with heritage craftsmanship. In its latest campaign, the California based brand enlists global rap icon Central Cee and Olympic gold medalist Su Yiming to introduce a new chapter of clogs and mules inspired by the iconic Tasman silhouette. The result is a collection that balances versatility, craftsmanship and global relevance, proving that comfort and cultural credibility can coexist seamlessly. A Global Campaign Rooted in Reinvention The Spring 2026 campaign visually reinforces UGG’s global identity. Central Cee stands before a wall of clocks set to cities around the world, symbolizing timeless style that transcends borders. Su Yiming appears in a minimal, street styled setting, allowing the footwear to command full attention. Both figures embody evolution and adaptability. Much like UGG itself, they are not defined by one place or one moment. They are everywhere, shaping what comes next. Introducing the Otzo Clog At the forefront of the collection is the Otzo Clog, positioned as a new icon within the brand’s lineup. Designed as a dual gender silhouette, the Otzo merges premium nubuck leather with a wool lining, delivering UGG’s signature comfort in a refined and modern profile. Priced at 150 dollars, the Otzo Clog represents a clean evolution of the slip on, blending heritage construction with contemporary aesthetics. Reinventing the Tasman Few silhouettes have achieved the cultural penetration of the Tasman. Worn by athletes, creatives and celebrities in tunnel walks, red carpets and street style moments, it has become a symbol of effortless versatility. For Spring 2026, UGG reinterprets this classic in two distinct ways. The Tasman Lace introduces a dual lace system that allows multiple lacing, looping and tying options layered over the brand’s iconic suede upper. Available in Chestnut and Black at 145 dollars, it invites personal expression while maintaining its recognizable DNA. The Tasman Albite takes craftsmanship even further. Nearly entirely handmade, it features hand done leather whipstitching inspired by traditional UGGbraid detailing. Limited to just 2,000 pairs globally, 1,000 in Black and 1,000 in Jasmine, each pair is individually numbered on the footbed. At 300 dollars, it stands as both a collector’s piece and a celebration of artisanal technique. Culture, Craft and Commercial Power Founded in 1978 by an Australian surfer on the California coast, UGG has evolved into a global lifestyle force generating more than 2 billion dollars in annual sales. From Hollywood to global fashion capitals, the brand has consistently bridged laid back comfort with elevated design. By pairing Central Cee’s boundary pushing global rap presence with Su Yiming’s Olympic achievement, UGG reinforces its cultural relevance across music, sport and fashion. The message is clear: men’s footwear can be comfortable, expressive and internationally connected without sacrificing authenticity. Spring 2026 is not just about new silhouettes. It is about redefining how heritage footwear fits into a modern, style conscious world. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ugg-redefines-mens-style-for-spring-2026-with-central-cee-and-su-yiming — Citation: "UGG Redefines Men’s Style for Spring 2026 with Central Cee and Su Yiming" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-12. https://menwith.com/ugg-redefines-mens-style-for-spring-2026-with-central-cee-and-su-yiming --- ## Pent Audio: The Art of Sound, Perfected - URL: https://menwith.com/pent-audio-the-art-of-sound-perfected - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2026-02-11 - Tags: Pent Audio, High-Fidelity Audio, Interior Design, Luxury Home Technology, Architectural Audio, Sound Systems **Summary:** Pent Audio crafts visually stunning, acoustically precise audio systems that blend high-fidelity engineering with interior artistry. Designed for luxury spaces, their "sound as sculpture" approach integrates seamlessly, elevating both atmosphere and aesthetics. In the world of contemporary luxury, sound is no longer just heard. It is experienced, curated and displayed. Pent Audio stands at the forefront of this evolution, creating audio systems that are as visually captivating as they are acoustically precise. Designed for discerning homeowners, yacht owners and interior architects, Pent Audio bridges the gap between high fidelity engineering and interior artistry. Their systems do not demand attention through bulk or excess. Instead, they integrate effortlessly into modern spaces, elevating both atmosphere and aesthetics. Sound as Sculpture Pent Audio approaches sound the way a master craftsman approaches form. Every speaker is conceived not merely as a technical device but as an object of design. Clean lines, premium materials and architectural proportions ensure that each installation complements its surroundings. Whether placed in a minimalist penthouse overlooking the skyline or integrated into a contemporary villa by the sea, the speakers feel intentional. They become part of the space rather than an afterthought. This philosophy resonates with a new generation of luxury consumers who value subtlety over excess. Performance is expected. Aesthetic harmony is essential. Engineering Without Compromise Behind the sculptural exterior lies uncompromising acoustic precision. Pent Audio systems are developed with a focus on clarity, depth and immersive sound staging. The goal is not just volume but presence. Music feels layered and dynamic. Vocals are intimate. Instrumentals breathe. Whether hosting a private dinner, enjoying a vinyl session or setting the mood for an evening gathering, the sound adapts effortlessly to the moment. The brand’s dedication to high performance components ensures that their systems compete with the finest names in the audio world, while offering something many traditional brands do not. A design first identity. Luxury Living Reimagined Pent Audio understands that today’s luxury homeowner is design conscious, globally inspired and uncompromising in standards. Technology must integrate seamlessly into curated interiors. Visible cables and bulky black boxes no longer belong in contemporary spaces. By merging craftsmanship with advanced sound engineering, Pent Audio creates an ecosystem where music becomes part of the architecture. It is not just about listening. It is about living with sound. In a market saturated with technical specifications and exaggerated claims, Pent Audio offers something refreshingly refined. Precision, presence and purity in both form and function. For those who believe that luxury is found in the details, Pent Audio is not just an audio system. It is a statement. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pent-audio-the-art-of-sound-perfected — Citation: "Pent Audio: The Art of Sound, Perfected" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-11. https://menwith.com/pent-audio-the-art-of-sound-perfected --- ## McMurtry Spéirling: From Record Breaker to Reality - URL: https://menwith.com/mcmurtry-spirling-from-record-breaker-to-reality - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-11 - Tags: Motors, McMurtry, McMurtry Speirling, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** The McMurtry Spéirling PURE, an electric track hypercar, has begun production in England. Its unique fan-powered downforce system enables unprecedented grip and speed, evidenced by its Goodwood hill climb record. What once seemed like an outrageous engineering experiment has now entered a new chapter. The McMurtry Automotive has officially begun production of the McMurtry Spéirling PURE at its newly opened 2,700 square meter facility in Gloucestershire, England. The Spéirling’s journey from prototype to production marks a defining moment not just for the company, but for the future of high performance electric engineering. A Hypercar That Rewrites the Rulebook The Spéirling PURE remains uncompromising in its mission. This is a single seat, all electric track car designed with one objective: speed. With approximately 1,000 horsepower sent to the rear wheels and a revolutionary fan powered downforce system, it delivers grip levels that defy traditional aerodynamic logic. Unlike conventional race cars that rely on airflow at high speeds, the Spéirling generates immense downforce even when stationary. The result is astonishing traction out of corners and performance figures that challenge the limits of physics. This is not a hypercar chasing road legal credentials or lifestyle appeal. It is unapologetically built for the circuit, aimed at drivers who demand the most focused and extreme experience possible. The Record That Shocked the Motorsport World Long before production was confirmed, the Spéirling had already secured its place in modern motorsport folklore. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022, the compact electric machine shattered the hill climb record, outperforming vehicles including contemporary Formula 1 machinery. The achievement instantly elevated the brand from ambitious startup to serious engineering powerhouse. It later posted blistering lap times on the Top Gear test track and stunned audiences by demonstrating the sheer capability of its fan system, even driving upside down in a controlled environment. These were not publicity stunts. They were statements of intent. Production Begins in Gloucestershire Now, that intent becomes tangible. Customer deliveries of the Spéirling PURE are expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with pricing set just under one million pounds before taxes and shipping. The new Gloucestershire facility represents more than manufacturing capacity. It signals that McMurtry is transitioning from visionary prototype builder to low volume performance manufacturer. Each car will embody the same radical philosophy that defined the original record breaking prototype, only refined and prepared for private ownership. Beyond a Single Model Alongside the production announcement, McMurtry has launched a dedicated technology division focused on commercializing the innovations developed for the Spéirling. This move suggests ambitions that extend far beyond a single hypercar. The fan based downforce system and compact high output electric powertrain could influence future performance vehicles, racing applications, and potentially even broader engineering fields. In an industry rapidly pivoting toward electrification, McMurtry is not simply following the shift. It is redefining what electric performance can look like. The Future of Speed Compact, brutally fast, and radically engineered, the McMurtry Spéirling PURE is proof that the future of speed does not have to follow conventional design language. It can be electric. It can be unconventional. And it can be utterly dominant on track. For those fortunate enough to secure one, the Spéirling will not just be a car. It will be an experience that challenges everything we thought we knew about performance. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mcmurtry-spirling-from-record-breaker-to-reality — Citation: "McMurtry Spéirling: From Record Breaker to Reality" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-11. https://menwith.com/mcmurtry-spirling-from-record-breaker-to-reality --- ## Where to See the Northern Lights in Ultimate Style - URL: https://menwith.com/where-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-ultimate-style - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-02-10 - Tags: Iceland, Lapland, Menwith, Menwithclass, Northern light **Summary:** Experience the Northern Lights in ultimate style with luxury accommodations and curated adventures in Lapland, Iceland, and Tromsø. These destinations offer unparalleled comfort and exclusive access to witness the aurora's magic. Chasing the Northern Lights is no longer just about standing in the cold and hoping for clear skies. Today, it can be an experience defined by thoughtful design, world class service, and destinations where nature performs at its most dramatic. From Arctic wilderness to remote island escapes, these are the three finest places in the world to witness the aurora in style. Lapland, Finland Finnish Lapland has perfected the art of experiencing the Northern Lights with comfort and elegance. Glass igloos and secluded lodges place you directly beneath the Arctic sky while offering warmth, privacy, and impeccable design. Beyond the aurora, days are filled with husky safaris, snowmobile adventures, and private sauna rituals followed by fine Nordic dining. Lapland feels curated yet untouched, making it ideal for travelers who value both exclusivity and authenticity. Iceland Iceland offers a cinematic setting for the Northern Lights, where the aurora dances above glaciers, volcanic plains, and black sand beaches. Luxury travelers often choose remote lodges or boutique hotels far from Reykjavik, where silence and darkness enhance the experience. What sets Iceland apart is the contrast: one night soaking in geothermal waters under green skies, the next exploring dramatic landscapes shaped by fire and ice. It is raw, refined, and endlessly photogenic. Norway, Tromsø Region Often called the capital of the Northern Lights, Tromsø combines Arctic adventure with Scandinavian sophistication. Surrounded by fjords and mountains, the region offers exceptional aurora visibility along with high end lodges and private excursions. Helicopter transfers, tailored photography tours, and candlelit dinners overlooking frozen landscapes elevate the experience. Norway’s approach is confident and polished, delivering the Northern Lights as part of a broader lifestyle journey rather than a single moment. Have you ever seen northern light? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/where-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-ultimate-style — Citation: "Where to See the Northern Lights in Ultimate Style" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-10. https://menwith.com/where-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-ultimate-style --- ## Royal Huisman AERA, a 164 Foot Sailing Concept Focused on Pure Experience - URL: https://menwith.com/royal-huisman-aera-a-164-foot-sailing-concept-focused-on-pure-experience - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-02-09 - Tags: Motors, Aera, Boat, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Royal Huisman, Yacht **Summary:** Royal Huisman's AERA is a 164ft sailing concept prioritizing pure experience through intelligent design, performance, and connection with the sea. It emphasizes efficiency and authentic sailing over extravagance. A New Direction for Modern Sailing AERA marks a thoughtful evolution for Royal Huisman, known for some of the world’s most advanced sailing yachts. Rather than chasing extremes in size or excess, the concept focuses on refinement, clarity, and intelligent design. At 164 feet, AERA sits in a sweet spot where high performance sailing meets true long range cruising comfort. The overall design language is clean and contemporary, yet unmistakably nautical. Every line serves a purpose, and nothing feels added for effect alone. Performance Led Design Sailing performance lies at the heart of AERA. The hull and sail plan are engineered for efficient cruising with minimal compromise, allowing owners to experience real sailing rather than simply being transported. Lightweight construction, smart weight distribution, and advanced materials ensure that AERA is as capable under sail as it is elegant at anchor. This philosophy reflects a growing desire among owners to reconnect with the fundamentals of yachting, where the journey itself matters as much as the destination. Living With the Sea One of AERA’s defining qualities is its relationship with the ocean. Expansive deck spaces flow naturally between social and private zones, while large openings and low bulwarks maintain constant visual contact with the water. The aft deck becomes a central gathering space, blurring the line between interior and exterior living. Below deck, the interiors are conceived as calm, light filled spaces. Natural materials, restrained tones, and a focus on proportion create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and deeply relaxed. Comfort is delivered through design intelligence rather than excess. Sustainability Through Intelligence Rather than relying on headline grabbing technology, AERA approaches sustainability through efficiency. Reduced displacement, optimized sailing capability, and smart onboard systems contribute to lower fuel consumption and a lighter environmental footprint. It is a quiet, confident approach that aligns with modern values in yachting. A Concept With Purpose AERA is not about making a statement through size or extravagance. It is about intent. Royal Huisman presents a yacht designed for owners who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and the emotional connection that only true sailing can provide. In a market increasingly dominated by motor yachts, AERA stands as a reminder of why sailing remains the soul of yachting. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/royal-huisman-aera-a-164-foot-sailing-concept-focused-on-pure-experience — Citation: "Royal Huisman AERA, a 164 Foot Sailing Concept Focused on Pure Experience" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-09. https://menwith.com/royal-huisman-aera-a-164-foot-sailing-concept-focused-on-pure-experience --- ## Cadillac Formula 1 Team Reveals Historic First Livery - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillac-formula-1-team-reveals-historic-first-livery - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-09 - Tags: Motors, Cadillac, Cadillac f1, F1, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Cadillac unveils its historic first Formula 1 livery, blending American luxury and performance heritage with cutting-edge motorsport design. The bold aesthetic signals a strong intent for global competition. A New Chapter for an American Icon The unveiling of the inaugural livery marks a defining moment for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. Known for more than a century of automotive excellence, Cadillac now translates its design language and performance philosophy into Formula 1, blending legacy with cutting edge engineering. The livery is unmistakably Cadillac. Deep metallic tones, sharp contrasts, and confident proportions create a visual statement that stands apart on the grid. It reflects both American luxury and global racing intent, designed to command attention whether stationary in the paddock or flat out at race pace. Design Inspired by Performance and Heritage Cadillac’s design team drew heavily from the brand’s rich visual DNA. Clean surfaces meet technical detailing, while subtle references to Cadillac’s past coexist with modern motorsport aesthetics. The result is a livery that feels premium yet aggressive, elegant yet purpose built. Aerodynamic elements are highlighted rather than hidden, emphasizing the team’s engineering focus. Every line serves both form and function, reinforcing Cadillac’s commitment to competing at the highest level of innovation. A Statement of Intent in Formula 1® Entering Formula 1 is about more than participation. For Cadillac, the first livery is a declaration of intent. It signals long term commitment, global ambition, and the desire to challenge established players in the sport. As anticipation builds toward the team’s competitive debut, this historic reveal sets the tone. Cadillac is not here to blend in. It is here to redefine what American performance looks like on the Formula 1 stage. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillac-formula-1-team-reveals-historic-first-livery — Citation: "Cadillac Formula 1 Team Reveals Historic First Livery" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-09. https://menwith.com/cadillac-formula-1-team-reveals-historic-first-livery --- ## OMEGA House Milano: the brand’s most Italian timekeeping statement yet - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-house-milano-the-brands-most-italian-timekeeping-statement-yet - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-08 - Tags: Lifestyle, Menwith, Menwithclass, Milano, Omega, Omega house, winter olympics, Winter Olympics 2026 **Summary:** OMEGA House Milano, located in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, serves as a luxury retreat for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, blending brand experience with Olympic timekeeping heritage. There are watch brands that “do” sports, and then there is OMEGA, which has made sports timing part of its public DNA for nearly a century. On February 7, 2026, the brand pulled back the curtain on OMEGA House Milano, a dedicated, members-style retreat created for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, open from February 8 to 21. It is the first time OMEGA has opened a full brand home specifically for the Winter Games, and the choice of setting is pure Milan. The location is Ristorante Cracco, run by OMEGA Friend of the Brand Carlo Cracco, inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. That matters because the Galleria is not merely a beautiful shopping arcade. It is a civic living room, all soaring glass dome, ornate ironwork, and marble floors washed in daylight. In other words, a very Milanese stage for a very OMEGA idea: precision presented with a sense of occasion. Omega in Olympic Winter Games Design-wise, OMEGA House Milano is described as “intimate yet inviting,” and the layout is cleverly split. The ground-floor café becomes the “OMEGA Café by Cracco,” dressed with OMEGA branding while continuing to operate as usual under Café Cracco’s service. Upstairs, the first and second floors are turned into a Winter Games refuge: a lounge for daytime decompression, dining in the restaurant, and multiple TV screens carrying live sport. By night, the same rooms pivot into event space for themed evenings with the brand’s extended circle of celebrity friends. This is hospitality as brand storytelling, but it is anchored in a real, functioning Milan institution rather than a temporary pop-up box. Now, the important watch journalist caveat. Despite the wider “Milano Cortina 2026” press section and OMEGA’s rich habit of pairing Olympics with special pieces, this specific source does not confirm any watch release, design, reference number, case diameter, movement, water resistance, or materials. So there is no responsible way to include those technical specifications here without inventing them, and that is not the game. What *is* confirmed is the other kind of specification: OMEGA’s operational role. Milano Cortina 2026 will be OMEGA’s 32nd occasion as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. That is the real mechanism behind the romance. During the competition, the brand will be on-site at every venue to “record every second of action,” bringing its “expertise and technology” to the events. Those phrases can sound like brochure-speak until you remember what it implies: a total system of instruments, redundancies, and trained personnel where “time” is not metaphorical. It is adjudication. In the broader market, OMEGA House Milano is also a reminder of how modern luxury operates. The product is still the watch, but the ecosystem is experience, access, and proximity to cultural moments that feel bigger than any single reference. For collectors, the appeal is less about owning something new and more about touching the brand’s Olympic legacy in a place that is unmistakably Milan: espresso downstairs, winter sport upstairs, and history all around you in the Galleria’s stone and steel. The nicest detail is also the most restrained one. OMEGA is not abandoning Cracco’s café identity. It is overlaying its own codes while letting the venue remain itself. In watch terms, that is the difference between a loud limited edition and a well-judged signature on the dial. Read about the Omega Olympic Timepiece here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-house-milano-the-brands-most-italian-timekeeping-statement-yet — Citation: "OMEGA House Milano: the brand’s most Italian timekeeping statement yet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-08. https://menwith.com/omega-house-milano-the-brands-most-italian-timekeeping-statement-yet --- ## Louis Vuitton plants a modern landmark in Beijing’s Sanlitun - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-plants-a-modern-landmark-in-beijings-sanlitun - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-07 - Tags: beijing, fashion, Louis Vuitton, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Louis Vuitton's new Beijing Maison, designed by Jun Aoki, blends Taihu stone and Ghesquière dress fluidity into a luminous glass façade. It offers total immersion, featuring a VIC lounge and the first Café Louis Vuitton in Beijing. There is a quiet confidence in the way Louis Vuitton treats its architecture. The brand rarely shouts, it builds. In Beijing’s Sanlitun, the Maison’s latest address continues a 25-year dialogue with architect Jun Aoki, the mind behind Tokyo Omotesando, Namiki Dori, and Osaka Midosuji. It is a long collaboration that has defined how Vuitton shows up in cities where retail is also urban theatre. Sanlitun, a district fluent in nightlife and luxury, is an apt next chapter. The building reads like a study in controlled movement. Aoki draws on the sculptural forms of the Taihu stone and the fluid line of a Nicolas Ghesquière dress from Women’s Spring Summer 2016, translating both into a luminous glass façade. In practical terms, that means light becomes a material here. The exterior carries a soft sheen by day and a gauzier presence as the sun drops, the kind of surface that shifts with the sky rather than competing with it. It is more conversation than spectacle. Inside, the Maison spreads across four levels with the full Vuitton universe in play, and four private lounges reserved for VIC clients. The brand does not itemize categories in this announcement, though the intent is clear. This is total immersion, not a shop-in-shop. The sensory cue is architectural rather than decorative. Glass, volume, and calibrated sightlines do the branding, a reminder that the most effective luxury retail often tells its story at the level of light and space. The uppermost floor introduces the first Café Louis Vuitton in Beijing, under chef Leonardo Zambrino, extended by a sizable terrace dedicated to special events. Details on the menu are not disclosed, but the hospitality move matters more than the specifics at this stage. The café is a bridge between retail and ritual, a place to pause, meet, and observe the room. On the terrace, you have the city’s hum as backdrop, a necessary counterpoint to the cocooned interior. For a modern gentleman, this means the visit is not a sprint. It is a circuit of spaces that accommodate shopping, conversation, and a moment of air. Louis Vuitton makes the architecture speak Several things are at work here beyond a new address. First, the architecture continues Vuitton’s pattern of using commissioned buildings as brand grammar. Aoki’s vocabulary is now part of that grammar. The Taihu reference situates the store in Chinese cultural terrain without pastiche. The Ghesquière nod ties the shell to the Maison’s contemporary design energy. Together, the cues keep the building from defaulting to generic glass box. Touch the reference points lightly, let the materials do the talking. Second, China remains the crucible for luxury’s most advanced retail experiments. Four private lounges for VIC clients signals how the top of the market is served, not only with product but with time and privacy. The café and terrace formalize hospitality as part of the offer. This blended model is now standard in theory and harder to execute in practice. When it works, it gives a store social gravity. When it does not, it reads as a bolt-on. Here, the intent feels integrated. Third, there is an industry note. Flagships in 2026 are measured by more than façade metrics. The win is not traffic at opening, it is relevance six months in. Architecture that breathes, and hospitality that earns repeat use, have a better chance. Vuitton’s reliance on a long-term architectural partner is a differentiator in a market that often chases novelty. Consistency is not the enemy of surprise. It is the condition that makes surprise legible. If there is a risk, it is the one that shadows all high-design retail in crowded districts. Sanlitun’s sensory field is dense, and quiet refinement can disappear into the noise. The luminous skin will do some work, but the real test lies inside. Do the rooms slow you down in a way that feels unforced. Do the events on that terrace become dates one remembers. The Maison stops short of promising a cultural program here, which is wise. Underpromise, then invite people back with substance. For the MenWithClass reader passing through Beijing, file this as a visit of intent. Approach it as you would a good hotel lobby or a considered gallery. Note how the light plays on the glass, then take the staircase instead of the lift. If you book one of those lounges, notice the choreography around privacy. End upstairs with a coffee and the city as texture. Vuitton calls it the Art of Travel. In Sanlitun, the trip is across four floors. Read about Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall Winter collection 2026 here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-plants-a-modern-landmark-in-beijings-sanlitun — Citation: "Louis Vuitton plants a modern landmark in Beijing’s Sanlitun" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-07. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-plants-a-modern-landmark-in-beijings-sanlitun --- ## Breitling and Aston Martin Reunite Time and Speed in Formula One - URL: https://menwith.com/breitling-and-aston-martin-reunite-time-and-speed-in-formula-one - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-05 - Tags: Cars, Motors, Aston Martin, Breitling, F1, Formula 1, Formula one, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Breitling partners with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team in 2026, uniting Swiss watchmaking precision with British automotive performance. The collaboration launches with a limited-edition Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43. When heritage meets high performance, something special happens. In February 2026, Breitling officially joins forces with Aston Martin and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team as their Official Watch Partner. It is a global, multi year partnership that connects handcrafted British performance cars with Swiss watchmaking precision, all on the world’s most demanding racing stage. A shared obsession with speed The connection between Breitling and Aston Martin runs deep. Both brands were born from a fascination with speed and engineering excellence. As early as 1907, Breitling was measuring velocity with pioneering chronographs, while Aston Martin was mastering it on hill climbs and race circuits. Over the decades, these parallel journeys shaped two icons that defined performance, style, and innovation. Their stories even crossed paths in popular culture, from the golden age of motorsport to the silver screen, where precision instruments and elegant machines became symbols of modern masculinity and technical confidence. Breitling returns to Formula One This partnership marks Breitling’s return to Formula One, placing the brand back where timing accuracy is non negotiable. Throughout the 2026 Grand Prix season, the Breitling logo will appear on the Aston Martin Aramco car and team apparel, debuting at the season opening race in Melbourne. For both brands, Formula One represents the ultimate testing ground. Every second counts, every detail matters, and performance under pressure defines success. The Navitimer built for the circuit The collaboration begins with the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, a limited edition of 1,959 pieces honoring Aston Martin’s first Formula One appearance in 1959. It is a bold expression of motorsport inspired design. A lightweight titanium case, carbon fiber dial, and racing green accents echo the materials and colors of the F1 cockpit. Inside beats the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, a COSC certified chronometer with a 70 hour power reserve, visible through an open sapphire caseback engraved with “Instruments for Drivers”. This is not just a watch inspired by racing, it is engineered for those who live by precision. Time and speed, reunited As the partnership unfolds, fans can expect exclusive releases and deeper integration across motorsport and luxury performance. Breitling and Aston Martin are not simply collaborating, they are continuing a shared legacy where timekeeping and speed move forward together. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitling-and-aston-martin-reunite-time-and-speed-in-formula-one — Citation: "Breitling and Aston Martin Reunite Time and Speed in Formula One" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-05. https://menwith.com/breitling-and-aston-martin-reunite-time-and-speed-in-formula-one --- ## Bugatti Turns a Frozen Lake Into Theatre at The I.C.E. St. Moritz - URL: https://menwith.com/bugatti-turns-a-frozen-lake-into-theatre-at-the-ice-st-moritz - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-05 - Tags: Motors, Bugatti, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, St.Moritz **Summary:** Bugatti transformed a frozen lake at The I.C.E. St. Moritz into a stage, showcasing iconic Veyrons and the track-focused Bolide. The event blended automotive prowess with artistic performance, highlighting brand heritage and modern luxury experiences. St. Moritz in winter is already a kind of performance art: fur collars, quiet money, and mountains that look airbrushed. Then the lake freezes, becomes a white stage, and The I.C.E. St. Moritz arrives with the confidence of a black-tie gala that just happens to involve exhaust notes. Over two days, more than 20,000 enthusiasts turned up, and Bugatti showed up with a cast list that spanned a century. This was not a static display for people who prefer their cars behind velvet ropes. Bugatti’s contribution leaned into motion, sound, and that delicious contradiction of machines built for heat and speed performing on ice. Icons that read like couture references The headline act, culturally speaking, was the Veyron. Not one, but three Grand Sport Vitesse models, including “Soleil de Nuit” and two from the Les Légendes de Bugatti series: “Rembrandt Bugatti” and “Meo Costantini.” Even if you’re not the sort to memorize special editions, the point lands immediately. The Veyron has become the modern Bugatti archetype: the car that rebooted the brand’s status in the 2000s and made “hypercar” feel like a legitimate category rather than a marketing flourish. The most clever touch was how Bugatti framed the Veyrons not as museum pieces but as moving sculpture. Professional ice skaters threaded between the cars, an elegant nod to the Veyron’s dual identity: brutally capable engineering wrapped in a shape that still looks improbably calm. There was also a delightfully niche flourish for the true romantics: Hedley Studios unveiled a one-off Bugatti Baby II “Meo Costantini,” a scaled tribute to the Type 35. It’s the sort of object that sits at the intersection of toy, artwork, and serious collector bait, which is exactly where modern luxury lives. The chalet vibe, minus the clichés Away from the ice, Bugatti hosted customers in the I.C.E. Village, leaning into alpine restraint rather than nightclub gloss. Think curated warmth and quiet hospitality, the kind of environment where people speak in low tones but still notice every stitch. It matters because this is what the brand sells as much as any horsepower figure: belonging, access, and a sense that your weekend has been “composed.” Bolide, the track weapon learns new tricks Then came the sharper edge. The Bolide, Bugatti’s track-only W16 extremity, ran a dynamic demonstration on the frozen lake with three customer cars. It takes confidence, and a certain kind of customer, to explore the limits of a machine like that on ice and snow. The theater here was different: less ballet, more controlled violence. You could almost feel the tension through the crowd, that mix of awe and disbelief when something engineered for circuit precision is asked to dance on a surface that offers almost none. A note for the purists: yes, the Bolide is a racing vehicle not intended for public roads. On a frozen lake, it feels like it has found a loophole in reality. Concours culture has shifted. It’s no longer only about preservation and provenance. It’s about experiences that photograph well, travel well, and reinforce brand mythology in real time. Bugatti understands that a modern luxury audience wants narrative with their carbon fiber, and St. Moritz provides it in high definition. A masterclass in modern automotive culture Bugatti at The I.C.E. St. Moritz was not subtle, but it was smart. The Veyron segment reminded us that true icons age into elegance. The Bolide segment proved the brand still has a streak of menace. Put them together on a frozen lake, add skaters and history, and you get something rare in today’s luxury landscape: an event that feels genuinely transportive, not just sponsored. More about cars — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bugatti-turns-a-frozen-lake-into-theatre-at-the-ice-st-moritz — Citation: "Bugatti Turns a Frozen Lake Into Theatre at The I.C.E. St. Moritz" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-05. https://menwith.com/bugatti-turns-a-frozen-lake-into-theatre-at-the-ice-st-moritz --- ## Louis Vuitton x De Bethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-x-de-bethune-lvdb-03-louis-varius-project - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-05 - Tags: De Bethune, Louis Vuitton, LVDB-03, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Louis Vuitton partners with De Bethune for the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project, a modular haute horlogerie concept featuring GMT and Sympathique timepieces. This collaboration emphasizes innovation, mechanical purity, and expressive design over logos. Louis Vuitton’s evolution in fine watchmaking has been steady, deliberate, and increasingly daring. With the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project, the Maison takes a decisive step into the rarefied world of independent haute horlogerie, partnering with De Bethune and its co-founder Denis Flageollet. The result is not just a watch, but a singular body of work conceived as a modular horological concept. At the heart of the project are two timepieces: the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius and the LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius. Together, they express a shared philosophy rooted in innovation, mechanical purity, and expressive design. This collaboration is not about logos or surface aesthetics, but about merging two distinct creative languages into one coherent vision. A modular approach to haute horlogerie The Louis Varius Project is built around modularity, allowing the watches to exist independently while also forming part of a larger horological ecosystem. This idea reflects Denis Flageollet’s long-standing fascination with mechanical harmony and Louis Vuitton’s broader vision of craftsmanship without boundaries. The GMT model offers a contemporary travel complication interpreted through De Bethune’s technical lens, combining fluid architecture with exceptional legibility. The Sympathique, by contrast, leans into classical inspiration, functioning as a table clock and wristwatch hybrid that celebrates traditional horology in an avant-garde format. Craftsmanship without compromise Both pieces showcase De Bethune’s signature approach to movement construction, from proprietary balance systems to meticulous hand finishing. Materials, proportions, and mechanical solutions are treated as artistic choices rather than technical necessities. Every detail is intentional, every component expressive. For Louis Vuitton, this collaboration reinforces its commitment to working with the most respected independent watchmakers in the world. Rather than following trends, the Maison continues to invest in long term creative partnerships that push watchmaking forward. A statement of intent Produced in extremely limited numbers, the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project is aimed at collectors who value intellectual depth as much as exclusivity. It is less about ownership and more about participation in a shared vision of what modern haute horlogerie can be. In a landscape where collaborations are often superficial, Louis Vuitton and De Bethune deliver something genuinely rare: a project driven by ideas, executed at the highest technical level, and unafraid to challenge convention. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-x-de-bethune-lvdb-03-louis-varius-project — Citation: "Louis Vuitton x De Bethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-05. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-x-de-bethune-lvdb-03-louis-varius-project --- ## Bentley Bentayga X Concept leads a bold new chapter on ice - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-bentayga-x-concept-leads-a-bold-new-chapter-on-ice - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-04 - Tags: Motors, Bentayga X Concept, Bentley, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Bentley unveils the Bentayga X Concept at the FAT Ice Race, exploring enhanced off-road capabilities with increased ground clearance and wider track. The concept signals Bentley's evolving mindset towards extreme adventure. Bentayga X Concept as the centrepiece Bentley Motors used the dramatic setting of the FAT Ice Race to unveil the Bentayga X Concept, a striking proposal focused on taking the Bentayga family further off road than ever before. While the event featured global debuts, dynamic ice driving and curated hospitality experiences, the Bentayga X Concept stood out as the clearest signal of Bentley’s evolving mindset. Developed to stimulate customer feedback, the concept explores what a more purpose driven Bentayga could become. It complements the existing model range by sharpening focus on off road performance, sitting alongside the speed oriented Bentayga Speed and the comfort led Extended Wheelbase. Engineering built for extremes The Bentayga X Concept is based on the Bentayga Speed and retains its 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 producing 650 PS, paired with permanent four wheel drive and an eight speed transmission. Air suspension works together with Bentley Dynamic Ride, ensuring control and composure even when terrain conditions deteriorate. Significant mechanical changes define the concept’s new stance. Track width is increased by 120 millimetres, while ride height rises by 55 millimetres to enhance suspension travel and ground clearance. These upgrades result in nearly 310 millimetres of ground clearance and a wading depth exceeding 550 millimetres, figures that place the Bentayga X Concept firmly into serious off road territory . A functional and expressive design Visually, the Bentayga X Concept communicates purpose rather than excess. Forged single piece 22 inch wheels from Brixton are wrapped in off road tyres, while extended wheel arches emphasise the wider track. Roof mounted storage and four powerful spotlights underline its adventure focused character. A titanium Akrapovic sports exhaust remains a defining rear feature, joined by twin front towing eyes. In a playful but telling detail, the roof rack carried an electric FAT Karting League go kart during the event, highlighting the vehicle’s added cargo flexibility and connection to the partnership. Bentley breaks the ice with FAT International The Bentayga X Concept also marked the beginning of Bentley’s multi year collaboration with FAT International. At FAT Ice Race, Bentley presented an immersive brand experience with more than 250 VIP guests welcomed into a purpose built hospitality space themed around Bentley Broadcast, blending music, design and car culture. Alongside the concept, Bentley showcased a wide spectrum of its lineup, including the global debuts of the Continental GT S and GTC S, dynamic ice driving from the Bentayga Speed, and heritage inspired appearances from Mulliner continuation models. Yet among all these moments, the Bentayga X Concept remained the clearest expression of future intent, a luxury SUV designed not just to perform everywhere, but to look entirely at home doing so. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-bentayga-x-concept-leads-a-bold-new-chapter-on-ice — Citation: "Bentley Bentayga X Concept leads a bold new chapter on ice" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-04. https://menwith.com/bentley-bentayga-x-concept-leads-a-bold-new-chapter-on-ice --- ## Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter 2026 – A High Altitude Statement in Aspen - URL: https://menwith.com/moncler-grenoble-fallwinter-2026-8211-a-high-altitude-statement-in-aspen - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-03 - Tags: Aspen, fashion, Grenoble, Menwith, Menwithclass, Moncler **Summary:** Moncler Grenoble FW26 in Aspen showcased performance-driven luxury winterwear. The collection blends technical innovation with refined alpine style, proving functionality and elegance can coexist. Set against the dramatic snowy landscape of Aspen, the Moncler Grenoble Fall Winter 2026 show was less about spectacle for spectacle’s sake and more about proving a point. This is a collection designed to perform, without ever compromising on style. The choice of Aspen felt natural. A place where elite winter sport meets understated luxury, it mirrored the essence of the Grenoble line perfectly. Models moved through the cold environment wearing garments clearly built for it, reinforcing Moncler’s long standing credibility in extreme conditions. Performance as the Core At the heart of the collection was technical innovation. Advanced insulation, protective outer shells and precision layering dominated the runway. Ski jackets, down parkas and engineered knitwear were constructed with movement and durability in mind, yet carried a refined elegance that works just as well off the slopes. Alpine Heritage, Modern Vision Classic alpine references were updated with a contemporary edge. Structured silhouettes met fluid layers, while sharp tailoring balanced the volume of winter outerwear. The color palette stayed true to the mountains with whites, deep blacks, icy blues and earthy tones, creating a visual harmony with the Aspen surroundings. Luxury That Works What set this show apart was its honesty. Every piece felt purposeful. Moncler Grenoble once again proved that luxury winterwear can be both beautiful and functional, designed for real conditions rather than just visual impact. The Fall Winter 2026 Aspen show confirmed Moncler Grenoble’s position at the intersection of performance, craftsmanship and modern menswear. A reminder that true luxury often reveals itself when tested by nature itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/moncler-grenoble-fallwinter-2026-8211-a-high-altitude-statement-in-aspen — Citation: "Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter 2026 – A High Altitude Statement in Aspen" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-03. https://menwith.com/moncler-grenoble-fallwinter-2026-8211-a-high-altitude-statement-in-aspen --- ## Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter 2026 – A High Altitude Statement in Aspen - URL: https://menwith.com/moncler-grenoble-fallwinter-2026-a-high-altitude-statement-in-aspen - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-03 - Tags: Aspen, fashion, Grenoble, Menwith, Menwithclass, Moncler **Summary:** Moncler Grenoble FW26 in Aspen showcased performance-driven luxury winterwear. The collection blends technical innovation with refined alpine aesthetics, proving functionality and style are paramount. Set against the dramatic snowy landscape of Aspen, the Moncler Grenoble Fall Winter 2026 show was less about spectacle for spectacle’s sake and more about proving a point. This is a collection designed to perform, without ever compromising on style. The choice of Aspen felt natural. A place where elite winter sport meets understated luxury, it mirrored the essence of the Grenoble line perfectly. Models moved through the cold environment wearing garments clearly built for it, reinforcing Moncler’s long standing credibility in extreme conditions. Performance as the Core At the heart of the collection was technical innovation. Advanced insulation, protective outer shells and precision layering dominated the runway. Ski jackets, down parkas and engineered knitwear were constructed with movement and durability in mind, yet carried a refined elegance that works just as well off the slopes. Alpine Heritage, Modern Vision Classic alpine references were updated with a contemporary edge. Structured silhouettes met fluid layers, while sharp tailoring balanced the volume of winter outerwear. The color palette stayed true to the mountains with whites, deep blacks, icy blues and earthy tones, creating a visual harmony with the Aspen surroundings. Luxury That Works What set this show apart was its honesty. Every piece felt purposeful. Moncler Grenoble once again proved that luxury winterwear can be both beautiful and functional, designed for real conditions rather than just visual impact. The Fall Winter 2026 Aspen show confirmed Moncler Grenoble’s position at the intersection of performance, craftsmanship and modern menswear. A reminder that true luxury often reveals itself when tested by nature itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/moncler-grenoble-fallwinter-2026-a-high-altitude-statement-in-aspen — Citation: "Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter 2026 – A High Altitude Statement in Aspen" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-03. https://menwith.com/moncler-grenoble-fallwinter-2026-a-high-altitude-statement-in-aspen --- ## A New Chapter of Audemars Piguet: Neo Frame - URL: https://menwith.com/a-new-chapter-of-audemars-piguet-neo-frame - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-02-03 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, Neo Frame, Jumping Hour, Code 11.59, Royal Oak, Ultra-complication Universal Calendar, Ilaria Resta **Summary:** Audemars Piguet's Neo Frame marks a departure from established designs, featuring a unique jumping hour display and architectural case. This new collection prioritizes wearability and modern functionality, drawing inspiration from historical experimental watchmaking. In recent years, Audemars Piguet has tended to explore within familiar boundaries. Royal Oak remains the centre of gravity, with Code 11.59 steadily finding its footing beside it. The introduction of Neo Frame marks a clear shift. It represents a side of the manufacture that has been largely dormant in recent times, one that is willing to step away from established shapes and introduce an idea without cushioning it inside an existing family. Neo Frame feels unfamiliar by design. The shaped case, compact and horizontal in its stance, immediately breaks from the round logic that defines most contemporary Audemars Piguet watches. The display does the same. Hours appear through an aperture and advance in discrete jumps, while minutes trail quietly below, replacing hands with framed information. Reading the time becomes a conscious act rather than a reflex. What makes the watch compelling is not novelty for its own sake, but intent. The jumping hour complication has a long history at Audemars Piguet, particularly during the interwar period when wristwatch design had not yet settled into convention. Neo Frame draws from that moment, when shaped cases and experimental displays were part of a broader search for modernity. The reference is structural rather than decorative. This is not a reproduction, and it makes no attempt to look vintage. The case design carries much of that thinking. Its geometry feels architectural, with vertical textures running along the sides and into the crown and caseback. These are not ornamental gestures but elements that define how the watch is held together. The dial, or more accurately the absence of a traditional dial, reinforces this clarity. A dark sapphire surface replaces metal entirely, allowing the apertures to appear almost suspended rather than cut out. Inside, the movement follows the same pragmatic logic. Neo Frame debuts Audemars Piguet’s first self-winding jumping hour calibre, developed to serve the aperture display rather than adapt to it. Round in form and set within a rectangular frame, it sits without apology or disguise. Reliability, wearability and daily use take precedence, qualities that older jumping hour watches often lacked. Neo Frame does not romanticise fragility. It is designed to be worn, not protected. Within the broader set of novelties, Neo Frame stands apart because it does not reinforce an existing narrative. It opens a new one. That decision alone makes it one of the most telling releases from Audemars Piguet in years. Within the wider set of novelties, the new pocket watch Ultra-complication Universal Calendar offers a deliberate counterpoint. Expansive, classically complicated and deeply artisanal, it speaks to Audemars Piguet’s historical depth and long relationship with astronomical timekeeping. Its presence anchors the collection in tradition, reminding us that experimentation and heritage have always coexisted here. The Code 11.59 pieces continue their quiet consolidation. The case architecture feels increasingly natural, and complications sit more comfortably within it. These watches no longer read as statements. They feel like part of an established rhythm, refined through repetition rather than reinvention. The Royal Oak novelties remain focused on material and structure. Ceramic and titanium variations reinforce the model’s technical confidence, while openworked executions maintain the dialogue between engineering and form. Nothing is forced. Evolution happens through precision. Seen together, these novelties reveal a broader posture. Audemars Piguet is not shifting away from its icons, but it is allowing space for something unfamiliar to exist alongside them. Neo Frame matters because it shows the manufacture willing to step outside its recent habits, and trust a new idea enough to let it stand on its own. Read our recent interview with Ilaria Resta here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-new-chapter-of-audemars-piguet-neo-frame — Citation: "A New Chapter of Audemars Piguet: Neo Frame" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-03. https://menwith.com/a-new-chapter-of-audemars-piguet-neo-frame --- ## Kenzo Fall Winter 2026: A Calm Return, Cut for Movement - URL: https://menwith.com/kenzo-fall-winter-2026-a-calm-return-cut-for-movement - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-02-02 - Tags: Kenzo, LVMH, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Kenzo FW26 by Nigo blends Japanese and French heritage with lived textures and archival graphics. The collection emphasizes movement and controlled brand language, offering practical yet stylish pieces for the modern gentleman. Kenzo chose a quiet image to frame Fall Winter 2026. Not a grand set or a slogan, but a home. Specifically, the former residence of Kenzo Takada in Paris’ Bastille, evoked as a garden oasis with bamboo and a koi pond. It is a reminder that style can speak at a lower volume and still carry. Under Nigo, the collection listens closely to the founder’s dialogue between Japan and France, then extends the conversation outward. The clothes are built on lived textures rather than theatrics. Japanese denim arrives with a sunbleached patina that reads as real use, not a factory trick. Kimono‑inspired jackets sit alongside classic Italian tailoring, and Chinese pankou closures add a tactile stop on lapels and plackets. Americana threads through with varsity jackets and embroidered cowboy shirts. None of it feels forced. The references are handled as materials, not trophies, and the mix wears light. Archive work is direct and unembarrassed. The Kenzo Jungle tiger from the 1980s returns, the kind of graphic that can slip into a wardrobe without a footnote. Floral patterns from Spring Summer 1994 reappear on organza skirts that move like a light curtain in a breeze. For men, bi‑color suits come in new pairings of Prince of Wales wool and deep navy. The check has a dry hand and a crisp line, while the navy grounds it for daily rotation. This is the intersection where Kenzo often makes sense for a gentleman who likes his tradition with a twist. Brand language is present but controlled. The letter K is worked into bold checkerboard knits and stripes, and rethought in the Kenzogram, a graphic signature the Maison is pushing forward. On paper, this could veer into logo fatigue. In practice, the knits have a clean rhythm, more chessboard than billboard. The pattern gives structure to easy pieces rather than shouting for attention. The set’s domestic calm informs the accessories. Embroidered ballerina flats and ultra‑light, slipper‑like loafers are designed for indoor and outdoor wear. You can imagine the soft give underfoot on polished wood, then the same pair stepping onto wet pavement. Bags are made to move. The 1986 Kite bag returns in contrasted color‑block leather, panels pulling tension like a sail catching wind. It is a useful metaphor for the collection’s mood: a controlled shape, ready to lift. Seen within the broader market, Kenzo’s approach lands in a clear lane. Many luxury houses are deep into archival mining. Few manage to avoid either nostalgia or novelty for its own sake. Nigo’s Kenzo keeps the balance mostly intact. The cultural fusion at play is not a headline. It is the brand’s DNA. That matters in a year when men’s wardrobes continue to dissolve borders between tailoring and casual wear, East and West, graphic and plain. A kimono‑cut jacket over Prince of Wales trousers is not a stunt here. It is a daily proposition. There are practical takeaways for the reader who edits his closet with intention. The bi‑color suits are a smart entry point if you want a sharper silhouette without abandoning tailoring. The checkerboard K knits can anchor weekend uniforms with proper structure. The slipper‑leaning loafers answer the real question of how to look composed when the day moves from desk to dinner to a friend’s living room. And if you carry one bag for work and travel, the Kite’s geometric color blocks offer personality without crowding an outfit. A note on restraint. Joy and color are the stated themes, and they are present, but they do not smother the clothes. The palette is tempered by deep navy and classic wool checks. The graphics sit within clear lines. Even the archival tiger feels edited. The sensory impression is one of clarity. Bamboo shadows, the smooth surface of organza, the dry nap of flannel, the soft fall of slipper leather. Nothing glossy for gloss’s sake. Kenzo Fall Winter 2026 reads as a homecoming that resists sentimentality. It is culturally fluent, visibly crafted, and cut to move through real days. Not disruptive, and that is the point. In a season full of noise, this is a collection that trusts the man to finish the sentence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/kenzo-fall-winter-2026-a-calm-return-cut-for-movement — Citation: "Kenzo Fall Winter 2026: A Calm Return, Cut for Movement" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-02. https://menwith.com/kenzo-fall-winter-2026-a-calm-return-cut-for-movement --- ## The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Refined in Every Detail - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-benz-s-class-refined-in-every-detail - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-02-01 - Tags: Motors, Menwith, Menwithclass, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Motor, S-Class **Summary:** The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasts an illuminated grille, advanced DIGITAL LIGHT, and personalized MANUFAKTUR options. MB.OS powers an intuitive MBUX system, while enhanced comfort features and first-class rear seating redefine luxury travel. A bolder presence with unmistakable identity The new S-Class makes its status clear at first glance. For the first time, the iconic Mercedes star on the bonnet can be illuminated, paired with a grille that is around 20 percent larger and also illuminated. Together with next generation DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps using advanced micro LED technology, the car gains a striking light signature that enhances both aesthetics and night time visibility. At the rear, redesigned taillights with chrome framed star elements complete a confident and modern look. Beyond design, the MANUFAKTUR programme elevates individuality to another level. Customers can choose from more than 150 exterior colours and over 400 interior shades, with the new Made to Measure service offering personal consultation and truly bespoke combinations. Intelligent luxury powered by MB.OS At the heart of the new S-Class is the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, MB.OS. Acting as a central supercomputer, it connects all vehicle domains and enables over the air updates, keeping the car future ready throughout its life. The fourth generation of MBUX introduces a more intuitive Zero Layer interface, natural voice interaction with the AI powered “Hey Mercedes” assistant, and advanced navigation based on Google Maps with real time 3D surroundings. The standard MBUX Superscreen creates a seamless digital experience across the dashboard, while privacy features ensure the driver remains focused even when the front passenger enjoys entertainment or apps on the move. First class comfort in every seat Luxury in the S-Class has always been about more than materials. The latest model enhances wellbeing with innovations such as heated seat belts, Digital Vent Control with automatically adjusting air vents, and a new electric air filter that refreshes the cabin air roughly every 90 seconds. In the rear, the S-Class truly becomes a boardroom on wheels. The First Class rear compartment offers dual 13.1 inch displays, detachable remote controls and integrated video conferencing, turning travel time into productive or deeply relaxing moments. Combined with Burmester surround sound systems, including an optional 4D experience, every journey feels calm, refined and personal. Effortless power and benchmark safety A wide range of refined electrified powertrains ensures the hallmark S-Class driving experience. From smooth six and eight cylinder engines to plug in hybrid options with up to 100 km of electric range, performance is delivered with quiet confidence. Standard rear axle steering enhances agility in the city and stability at speed, while AIRMATIC or optional E ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension ensures exceptional ride comfort. Safety remains a core pillar. With an enhanced adaptive restraint system and up to 15 airbags, including innovative beltbags and PRE SAFE technologies, the new S-Class continues to define intelligent protection for every seat. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-benz-s-class-refined-in-every-detail — Citation: "The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Refined in Every Detail" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-02-01. https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-benz-s-class-refined-in-every-detail --- ## Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Wave Edition - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-volante-wave-edition - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-31 - Tags: Motors, Aston Martin, Aston Martin Vanquish, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** The one-of-one Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Wave Edition, designed with coastal Florida aesthetics, will be auctioned for charity. Its V12 engine delivers 835 PS. The hook: a one-of-one with a point Aston Martin loves a special edition, but the Vanquish Volante Wave Edition is doing something rarer than painting a halo car a new color and calling it a day. Built as a single example by Q by Aston Martin in collaboration with Aston Martin Naples, it is headed straight to the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival auction on 31 January, with proceeds benefiting the Naples Children & Education Foundation. That context matters. This is excess with an alibi, and in the luxury world, that is often the most persuasive kind. Design: motion, but make it coastal The Wave Edition’s brief is simple: translate the movement of water around Florida Bay into a car. The execution is more nuanced than the theme might suggest. The paint is Q Iridescent Sapphire, a blue that carries a subtle green shimmer, chosen to mimic that Everglades-adjacent, sun-over-shallows color shift you see from a bridge at the right time of day. From there, Aston leans into contrast. Gloss Black tinted carbon fibre packages sit against an extended body-color scheme, and a bespoke Club Sport White livery slices across the carbon like surf lines over darker water. It is eye-catching, definitely intentional, and it will divide opinion in the way all good one-offs should. If you like your Aston Martins discreet, this one is not here for your approval. A small, smart touch: red brake calipers, framed as a nod to Florida’s coastal buoys. It is the kind of detail that sounds like brochure poetry until you see it in motion, flashing briefly through the spokes like a warning light on the horizon. Interior: turning down the volume Open the door and the tempo shifts. Where the outside is kinetic, the cabin goes bright and calm: Glacier White dominates, set off by Gloss Black carbon fibre. The stitching and welt come in Pale Blue, forming a wave motif that appears embroidered into the headrests and echoed on the sill plaques. There’s also a red anodized start/stop rotary, another buoy reference, and a crossbrace in the rear cabin wearing the same white pinstripe theme as the exterior. It is a deliberate “beach house after sundown” mood, and it suits the Volante’s role. Convertibles are emotional instruments. This one remembers that serenity is part of the performance. Performance: the numbers that actually matter Under the long bonnet sits Aston’s twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12, producing 835 PS and 1000 Nm. That translates into the sort of effortless shove that makes most modern supercars feel busy rather than fast. Aston says 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph, which is faintly ridiculous for a front-engine convertible in the best possible way. The roof mechanism is properly usable, too: 14 seconds to open, 16 to close, and it works at speeds up to 31 mph. In real life, that means you will actually drop the roof when the sky teases you, rather than waiting for a parking lot and a moment of ceremony. Market context: why this works now One-off commissions are the new cultural currency of ultra-luxury. They telegraph access, taste, and a relationship with the brand, not just a purchase. Add a major charity auction and the car becomes a social object as much as a mechanical one. The Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised more than $336 million since 2001, and this Wave Edition fits neatly into that ecosystem where philanthropy, status, and spectacle share the same room. Verdict: collectible, yes, but also coherent The Vanquish Volante Wave Edition could have been a theme-car gimmick. Instead, it feels curated: bold outside, restorative inside, and backed by a powertrain that gives the whole exercise credibility beyond the paint code. The livery will polarise, as it should, but the underlying idea is sound. This is Aston Martin doing what it does best when it is feeling confident: building something beautiful, slightly theatrical, and unapologetically fast, then letting the right crowd fight over it for a good cause. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-volante-wave-edition — Citation: "Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Wave Edition" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-31. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-volante-wave-edition --- ## Benetti B.Neos: When Silence Becomes the Statement - URL: https://menwith.com/benetti-bneos-when-silence-becomes-the-statement - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-01-31 - Tags: Benetti, Boat, Menwith, Menwithclass, Yacht **Summary:** Benetti's B.Neos redefines luxury yachting with its 40m hybrid design, prioritizing silence, intimacy, and efficiency. It features a Sea Atrium, Family Kitchen, and advanced AI for remote diagnostics, offering a serene, connected experience. For years, big boats equated to big noise. Benetti’s new B.Neos argues for another metric of luxury: the quiet that lets you hear the sea itself. It is a 40-metre hybrid created with Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design and FM Architettura, and it treats silence, simplicity and time together as the point, not the afterthought. The profile reads like a sailing skipper’s sketch: low, lean, balanced on the horizon rather than towering over it. McKeon’s hand gives the volume a disciplined order, while Francesca Muzio’s interiors trade grandeur for something intimate and lived-in. Within 296 GT, spaces feel human in scale and tactile in mood. Think warm woods under bare feet and daylight running long across the floor, not chandeliers and echo. It is deliberately personal. The arrangement reinforces that mood. A generous aft pool slides straight into the Sea Atrium, a 2.4‑metre high glass-walled space that pulls the water into the room. The effect is social rather than ceremonial. At the centre is a Family Kitchen, an open, domestic space where meals can be shared without performance. When formality is required, a sliding glass partition turns it into a private galley. By pushing the wheelhouse forward on the Main Deck, Benetti frees the entire Upper Deck for the owner. The result is a private apartment with a 270‑degree panorama and a short stair up to an Observation Deck with a deep sunpad. You get sea and sky in sequence: the clink of cutlery, the view widening, the breeze rising as you climb. The hybrid element is not a box to tick. It is the core of the naval plan. Twin MAN V8‑800s sit inside a system that cycles through defined modes: Zero‑Emission and Hotel Mode for fully electric quiet, Diesel‑Electric and Crossover for efficiency under way, and Boost for instant torque when manoeuvring. Benetti says the onboard technology trims energy use by 30 percent versus similarly sized yachts. A compact engine room yields more aft guest space and helps the hull sit closer to the water. In practice, lunch at anchor arrives with the hush of electric power, no vibration underfoot and clean air across the table. The tech footprint is contemporary rather than showy. Home automation is standard. Connectivity comes via 5G and Starlink for fast, stable links offshore. Augmented reality and AI sit behind the scenes: crew can use smart glasses or tablets to see through panels to hidden systems, while a central hub shares live data with the shipyard. If something goes wrong, Benetti can guide diagnostics remotely. It is the sort of backstage intelligence owners expect from their homes and cars, now applied to a yacht. Culturally, B.Neos reflects where high-end boating is drifting. Hybrid as standard, not as an option. Less ceremony, more togetherness. The Family Kitchen will divide opinion among traditionalists who like a line between crew and guest spaces, but for many families it mirrors real life in a good way. The “Yacht as a Service” concept continues that thought. Benetti bundles extended warranty, preventive maintenance, remote monitoring and crew training under a Peace of Mind program, then pairs it with Yachtique’s turnkey outfitting down to linens and tableware. The five‑year, managed model borrows from tech ecosystems and luxury automotive service plans. Owners buy time back and remove friction. Skeptics will say more systems mean more complexity. Fair, though the remote support is designed to make that complexity invisible. There are things Benetti does not disclose here. No price. No range figures. No top speed. What is clear is intent. B.Neos is not chasing volume for volume’s sake or spectacle for Instagram. It is a measured response to how modern owners actually use their boats, often moving between city and sea with little appetite for drama. The signal is simple. In 2026, the quietest flex might be a yacht that lets the water do the talking. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/benetti-bneos-when-silence-becomes-the-statement — Citation: "Benetti B.Neos: When Silence Becomes the Statement" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-31. https://menwith.com/benetti-bneos-when-silence-becomes-the-statement --- ## Genesis X Skorpio Concept Redefines Extreme Off Road Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/genesis-x-skorpio-concept-redefines-extreme-off-road-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Motors - Published: 2026-01-30 - Tags: Cars, concept, Genesis, Genesis X Skorpio, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Genesis X Skorpio Concept redefines extreme off-road luxury with a 1,115 hp V8, scorpion-inspired design, and a refined desert-ready interior. Luxury car brands rarely venture into the world of extreme off road performance. With the unveiling of the X Skorpio Concept, Genesis challenges that convention head on, presenting its most radical concept car to date in the heart of the Rub’ al Khali desert in the United Arab Emirates  . Designed to thrive in the harshest environments, the X Skorpio Concept represents Genesis’ first purpose built extreme off road vehicle. More than a showpiece, it was engineered to demonstrate real world performance across dunes, jumps and unforgiving terrain, all while preserving the brand’s signature sense of refinement. Inspired by a black scorpion The name Skorpio is no coincidence. The vehicle draws direct inspiration from the black scorpion, a creature known for resilience, precision and survival in extreme conditions. That influence is clearly visible in the sculpted bodywork, segmented armor like panels and the tension filled silhouette that mirrors a scorpion’s defensive stance. Genesis’ iconic Two Line lighting signature is seamlessly integrated front and rear, giving the vehicle a strong visual identity even in low visibility desert conditions. Every exterior element serves a purpose, balancing aesthetics with durability and repairability in remote environments. Extreme performance without compromise Beneath the aggressive design lies a serious mechanical foundation. The X Skorpio Concept is powered by a high performance V8 producing 1,115 horsepower and immense torque, paired with 18 inch beadlock wheels and custom 40 inch off road tires. A short wheelbase, extreme ground clearance and carefully tuned suspension allow the vehicle to tackle steep dunes and airborne transitions with confidence. Brembo Motorsport brakes ensure control, while reinforced skid plates, high clearance fenders and a full roll cage underline the car’s focus on safety and endurance. Luxury reimagined for the desert Inside, Genesis deliberately moves away from the stripped down interiors typical of off road race vehicles. The cabin is designed to reduce fatigue during long, demanding drives, with ergonomic seating, intuitive controls and advanced climate systems. The instrument cluster is mounted directly to the steering wheel, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the terrain. A sliding display adapts between solo and co pilot configurations, enhancing navigation and communication in extreme conditions. Materials such as laser cut suede and leather stitching inspired by a scorpion’s anatomy create an interior that feels both aggressive and refined. A new concept car strategy Alongside the debut of the X Skorpio Concept, Genesis introduced a renewed concept car strategy focused on emotional connection. Future concepts will explore three core values: luxury, sport and cool, each representing different expressions of the brand’s design philosophy. According to Genesis, concept cars are no longer just design studies. They are emotional statements, cultural signals and a way to connect with evolving customer lifestyles. The X Skorpio Concept stands as a powerful example of that vision, pushing the brand into uncharted territory while staying true to its identity. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/genesis-x-skorpio-concept-redefines-extreme-off-road-luxury — Citation: "Genesis X Skorpio Concept Redefines Extreme Off Road Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-30. https://menwith.com/genesis-x-skorpio-concept-redefines-extreme-off-road-luxury --- ## Michael J. Fox Is Back on Screen – And It Matters More Than Ever - URL: https://menwith.com/michael-j-fox-is-back-on-screen-8211-and-it-matters-more-than-ever - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-01-29 - Tags: Back to the future, Michael J. Fox, Shrinking **Summary:** Michael J. Fox returns to acting in "Shrinking," portraying a character with Parkinson's. His authentic performance offers a powerful, human perspective on living with illness, resonating deeply with audiences. For many of us, Michael J. Fox is inseparable from our cultural memory. He is the quick-witted charm of Back to the Future, the sharp comedic timing of Family Ties, and later, the mature brilliance of Spin City. But he is also something else: a public figure who has lived openly with Parkinson’s disease for over three decades, reshaping how we talk about illness, resilience, and dignity. That is why his return to acting in Shrinking feels so significant – and so deeply moving. Fox appears in season three as Gerry, a man living with Parkinson’s, whose path crosses with Harrison Ford’s character, Dr. Paul Rhoades. The role is not designed to inspire pity, nor is it framed as a heroic statement. Instead, it is quietly human. Observant. Real. And that is exactly why it matters. Beyond Comeback Narratives Michael J. Fox largely stepped away from on-camera acting in 2020, acknowledging that the physical demands of performance had become increasingly difficult. His decision was met with widespread respect, but also a sense of loss – not because we wanted more nostalgia, but because his voice still mattered. Shrinking offers him a space where that voice is not diminished by illness, but shaped by it. The series itself has never shied away from difficult truths. It treats grief, mental health, and aging with a balance of humor and seriousness. Fox’s presence deepens that language. His performance does not explain Parkinson’s – it simply allows it to exist, honestly, in the room. There are pauses. There is vulnerability. There is humor that feels earned rather than forced. In a television landscape obsessed with perfection, Fox reminds us of something more powerful: authenticity. Representation That Reflects Reality Seeing Parkinson’s portrayed by someone who lives with it carries a weight no script alone can achieve. It changes the gaze. The audience is no longer observing a condition – they are meeting a person. For viewers living with Parkinson’s, or caring for someone who is, Fox’s return is quietly revolutionary. It says: life does not stop being meaningful because it becomes different. Purpose does not disappear when control is challenged. And for everyone else, it offers something just as important – perspective. A Career That Comes Full Circle There is also a poetic symmetry in Fox returning under the creative leadership of Bill Lawrence, the same mind behind Spin City. It is not a full-circle moment in a dramatic sense, but in a human one. Trust. Respect. Continuity. Fox does not return as the man he once was – and that is precisely the point. He returns as the man he is. In Shrinking, Michael J. Fox does not perform bravery. He simply shows up. And sometimes, that is the most powerful act of all. Welcome back. We missed you – not because of who you were, but because of who you still are. Some images in this article are generated and used for illustrative purposes only. More about people here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/michael-j-fox-is-back-on-screen-8211-and-it-matters-more-than-ever — Citation: "Michael J. Fox Is Back on Screen – And It Matters More Than Ever" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-29. https://menwith.com/michael-j-fox-is-back-on-screen-8211-and-it-matters-more-than-ever --- ## Acqua di Parma at 110: a cinematic lesson in l’Arte di Vivere - URL: https://menwith.com/acqua-di-parma-at-110-a-cinematic-lesson-in-larte-di-vivere - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-01-29 - Tags: Acqua di Parma, Menwith, Menwithclass, Parma, Perfume **Summary:** Acqua di Parma celebrates 110 years with a cinematic campaign in Parma, starring Michael Fassbender and Sabrina Impacciatore. The campaign emphasizes refinement, simplicity, and the art of living well through subtle rituals and Italian craftsmanship. Acqua di Parma marks its 110th year not with noise but with a quiet assertion of identity. The Maison has released a new cinematic campaign filmed in Parma, the city where Colonia was born in 1916, with Michael Fassbender and Sabrina Impacciatore as its central figures. The choice signals intent. Rather than unveil a crowded slate of products, the house is foregrounding the values that built its reputation: refinement, simplicity and the belief that living well is an art. The pacing is unhurried, and the beauty of Italy is allowed to surface layer by layer, as promised. Directed by the British filmmaker Talia Collis and photographed by Brett Lloyd, the project unfolds across six episodes and a feature video. The focus, according to the Maison, is on small rituals and gestures, the kind of movements that define a day without calling attention to themselves. You can feel the emphasis on touch and intention in the way the campaign is described, where the eye settles on the human hand and the detail of well-made objects rather than spectacle. The tone is calm, more pianissimo than crescendo, which suits a brand that has long prized quiet distinction. Casting is deliberate. Fassbender brings a controlled presence that reads as timeless without being antique. Impacciatore anchors the Italian perspective with authenticity rather than cliché. Together they form a dialogue between elegance and ease, suggesting that sophistication is something you practice, not perform. In a market that still leans on big gestures, the campaign’s stillness feels purposeful. Think of the way natural light softens a room in late afternoon, or how a steady breath steadies a wrist. The imagery aims for that register. Set in Parma, the film returns the narrative to source. The city’s role is more than backdrop; it is context for the brand’s long-standing conversation with Italian craftsmanship. Acqua di Parma stresses a tradition that places the individual at the center, in collaboration with designers, artisans, perfumers and creative talents. That ethos comes through in the Maison’s language around human touch and the quiet distinction of well-made objects. You can almost hear the gentle slide of a drawer, the faint clink of glass on wood. Nothing is rushed. The creative team also situates the campaign firmly in the present. Heritage is not presented as nostalgia but as continuity adapted to now. The Maison speaks of giving its legacy a contemporary twist while preserving a timeless dimension, which is a useful frame for an audience that knows the difference between classic and dated. That the project spans episodic films and a feature cut is telling. It meets modern viewing habits without surrendering to them, allowing the story to breathe while still being modular enough for today’s platforms. From a cultural standpoint, this is a clean counterpoint to the maximalist churn that has defined much luxury communication in recent years. Fragrance campaigns are often all strobe and declaration. Acqua di Parma chooses the opposite tack, betting on patience, atmosphere and the appeal of craft. The tagline is not stated, but the message is clear: refinement and simplicity are one, and joy requires no justification. For the modern gentleman, the takeaway is practical. Good taste is not louder, newer or more complicated. It is consistent, considered and built on the right rituals. It is also worth noting what the campaign does not do. It does not announce a new fragrance. It reframes the house’s icons, with Colonia as the implied lodestar, and reminds viewers why these objects mattered in the first place. In a year of round-number anniversaries across the industry, this restraint reads as confidence. The brand is not chasing novelty for its own sake. It is protecting an idea. Acqua di Parma’s 110th feels well judged. By returning to Parma, enlisting talents who understand economy of expression and structuring the work around episodes that reward repeat viewing, the Maison makes a case for l’Arte di Vivere that extends beyond scent. The campaign invites you to slow your cadence and pay attention to texture, light and intent. That is a relevant lesson in 2026, and it suits a house that has always preferred clarity over volume. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/acqua-di-parma-at-110-a-cinematic-lesson-in-larte-di-vivere — Citation: "Acqua di Parma at 110: a cinematic lesson in l’Arte di Vivere" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-29. https://menwith.com/acqua-di-parma-at-110-a-cinematic-lesson-in-larte-di-vivere --- ## Inaugural Itineraries for Amangati Unveiled - URL: https://menwith.com/inaugural-itineraries-for-amangati-unveiled - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-01-29 - Tags: Travel, Aman **Summary:** Amangati redefines luxury at sea with its spacious suites, integrated wellness, and discreet service. Inaugural Mediterranean itineraries focus on access to unique ports and cultural events, offering a tranquil counterpoint to public spectacle. There is a particular moment when a land-based philosophy chooses to let go of the shore. With Amangati, Aman at Sea extends its understanding of space and restraint into open water. This is not a departure from the brand’s past, but a careful continuation of it, translated into motion and horizon. Carrying just 47 suites, each beginning at a scale more often associated with private apartments than cabins, the yacht resists the instinct to maximise. Private terraces, generous proportions and the industry’s highest staff-to-guest ratio shape an atmosphere that feels composed rather than performative. The experience is not about being seen at sea, but about disappearing into it. There is an ease to this kind of generosity. Space becomes emotional as much as physical, allowing days to unfold without negotiation. One can wake late, step onto a terrace, and feel no urgency to move anywhere at all. Wellness is expressed through architecture and intention rather than instruction. The largest wellness facilities at sea are integrated with the same discretion that defines the rest of the yacht. Eight treatment suites open onto private terraces, while the banya, hammam, fitness spaces, beauty lounge and medical centre exist as part of the environment, not separate from it. The itineraries mirror this sensibility. Five- to eight-night journeys move through the Mediterranean with a bias toward access rather than accumulation. Smaller ports such as Beaulieu-sur-Mer sit alongside rarer navigational moments, including select passages through the Grand Canal in Venice, where arrival and departure become part of the experience rather than a logistical necessity. Cultural timing plays a defining role. Departures aligned with the Cannes Film Festival or the Monaco Grand Prix place Amangati within the natural rhythm of the season’s most recognisable gatherings. Guests are not transported to these moments. They are already there, arriving quietly, anchored just beyond the noise, able to step in or step back as they choose. This is where the lifestyle reveals itself. Evenings that begin on deck and end ashore. Mornings that follow late nights without compromise. The yacht functions as a private counterpoint to public spectacle, offering retreat without removal. There is something quietly cinematic about leaving Venice via the Grand Canal at sunset, gliding past centuries of architecture before opening into the Adriatic. It is not a gesture of excess, but of respect. An acknowledgement that context elevates experience. Practicalities are resolved with similar restraint. Two helipads and six tenders allow for fluid movement, yet never become part of the narrative. They exist to protect time and continuity, not to announce capability. Service follows the same philosophy. Discreet, anticipatory, human. Each guest is supported by a dedicated host, allowing the journey to feel intuitive rather than orchestrated. Amangati does not attempt to redefine luxury at sea through scale or spectacle. Instead, it introduces something more enduring. A sense of calm authority. A belief that true access is as much about when you arrive as where you go. Reservations are now open for Spring 2027. For those fluent in Aman’s language, the message is clear. The most refined form of travel moves quietly, arrives precisely, and knows when to remain just out of view. Read more about unique experiences here. Image credits: SINOT — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inaugural-itineraries-for-amangati-unveiled — Citation: "Inaugural Itineraries for Amangati Unveiled" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-29. https://menwith.com/inaugural-itineraries-for-amangati-unveiled --- ## Louis Vuitton: When Time, Football, and Craftsmanship Converge - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-when-time-football-and-craftsmanship-converge - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Collecting - Published: 2026-01-28 - Tags: Football, Louis Vuitton, Menwith, Menwithclass, Watch **Summary:** Louis Vuitton unveils a unique, football-shaped mechanical clock in a Monogram trunk for UNICEF charity auction. The piece merges haute craftsmanship, horology, and global culture. Luxury has always thrived at the intersection of craft and culture. Occasionally, however, a creation transcends both – becoming a symbol rather than a product. Louis Vuitton’s latest horological object, a sculptural football-shaped mechanical clock encased in a bespoke Monogram trunk, is one such moment. Unveiled as a one-off piece, the object is not destined for a boutique window or private safe. Instead, it has been created with a singular purpose: to be auctioned for charity, with proceeds benefiting UNICEF. In doing so, Louis Vuitton continues its long-standing partnership with the organization, transforming haute craftsmanship into a vehicle for global impact. At first glance, the piece feels almost surreal. A perfectly faceted football, rendered in polished metal and skeletonised to reveal a finely engineered mechanical movement within. Time is displayed discreetly, allowing the object to function as both clock and sculpture – less about utility, more about presence. It is housed within a custom Louis Vuitton trunk, itself a nod to the maison’s historic roots in travel and trophy-making. Football is a deliberate choice. Few cultural forces unite the world quite like the game, and Louis Vuitton has spent years embedding itself quietly but meaningfully within its most prestigious moments. From World Cup trophy trunks to Ballon d’Or presentations, the brand understands football not merely as sport, but as shared global language. Here, that language is reinterpreted through horology. The clock was developed in collaboration with Swiss specialist L’Epée 1839, a manufacture known for creating mechanical objects that sit somewhere between timekeeper and art installation. The result is a piece that feels less like traditional watchmaking and more like contemporary design – kinetic, architectural, and deeply tactile. What makes this object particularly compelling is its intent. This is not limited edition in the traditional sense; it is unique. One piece. One auction. One cause. In an era where “exclusive” is often diluted by numbers, this level of singularity carries weight. It also reframes luxury not as ownership, but as stewardship – the idea that craftsmanship at its highest level can serve something beyond desire. Louis Vuitton’s partnership with UNICEF has now spanned over a decade, supporting programs focused on vulnerable children worldwide. Rather than relying solely on fundraising campaigns, the maison increasingly channels its creative resources into tangible, high-impact objects such as this – objects that resonate emotionally, culturally, and symbolically. From a menswear perspective, the piece speaks to a broader shift within luxury. Today’s collector is not just interested in materials or movement specifications, but in narrative. Where does this object sit in the world? What does it say? What does it support? In that sense, this football clock is less about timekeeping and more about timing – arriving at a moment where craftsmanship, responsibility, and culture intersect naturally. Auction details have yet to be formally announced, but expectations are understandably high. Given its uniqueness and provenance, the final hammer price is likely to reflect both its material value and its symbolic one. Ultimately, this is Louis Vuitton at its most confident: not chasing trends, not selling product, but making a statement. A reminder that true luxury, when done well, doesn’t just measure time – it gives something back. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-when-time-football-and-craftsmanship-converge — Citation: "Louis Vuitton: When Time, Football, and Craftsmanship Converge" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-28. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-when-time-football-and-craftsmanship-converge --- ## Piaget Polo 79 Two-Tone: the “sports watch” that refuses to pretend it’s steel - URL: https://menwith.com/piaget-polo-79-two-tone-the-sports-watch-that-refuses-to-pretend-its-steel - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-28 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Piaget, Polo 79, Watch **Summary:** The Piaget Polo 79 Two-Tone (G0A51150) embraces its luxury roots with a white and yellow gold construction, not aiming for ruggedness but for sophisticated presence. Its ultra-thin micro-rotor movement ensures an elegant, cuff-like profile. There are luxury sports watches that wear their toughness like a badge. The Piaget Polo has always worn something else: nightlife. When Yves Piaget introduced the original Polo in 1979, it wasn’t trying to compete with the era’s emerging steel icons. It was a full-gold bracelet watch built for people who treated a gala, a club and a polo match as stops on the same evening. That DNA is exactly what the Piaget Polo 79 Two-Tone (reference G0A51150) leans into, and the result is more interesting than yet another “integrated bracelet” nostalgia trip. Design and materials: two metals, one unmistakable silhouette The headline is the metalwork, and Piaget is explicit about its philosophy: it “only measures time in gold.” Here, that idea becomes a deliberate optical trick. The case and integrated bracelet are rendered in brushed white gold, while the signature gadroons are picked out in polished yellow gold. From a distance, the contrast can flirt with the look of a two-tone steel watch. Up close, it reads differently, because the surfaces are doing more than shining. Brushing mutes the white gold into a soft, satin plane, and the polished yellow gold accents pop like neatly cut inlays. It is not subtle, but it is controlled. Piaget keeps the dial aligned with the bracelet’s logic. It is a solid gold dial, and the hands are in brushed yellow gold, a small detail that matters because it keeps the watch from feeling like a two-tone experiment that stops at the case. The Polo’s defining identity, the idea of “a bracelet watch and a watch bracelet,” still lives or dies on integration, and the execution here sounds appropriately cohesive. At 38mm, the case size stays in the wearable sweet spot for a design that is more about line and proportion than about bezel presence. Combined with the fully integrated bracelet, it is clearly intended to sit close and fluid on the wrist, more cuff-like than tool-like. Movement and technical profile: ultra-thin, micro-rotor, and very Piaget Inside is the caliber 1200P1, an ultra-thin mechanical movement with a micro-rotor measuring 2.35mm in thickness. That single number tells you why the Polo 79 can keep its sleek posture without resorting to design gimmicks. Piaget has long been associated with ultra-thin watchmaking, and using a micro-rotor here is as much about maintaining the watch’s elegant profile as it is about technical bragging rights. Piaget’s release positions this thinness as part of the wearing experience: a “silky” profile and comfort across different wrist sizes. In a category where many integrated-bracelet watches have become heavier, thicker, and more armor-like, that emphasis feels quietly contrarian. Water resistance is not stated in the provided material, so it’s best treated as unknown rather than assumed. Where it sits: heritage, anniversary energy, and a market that loves a remix Context matters. Piaget revived the original Polo design as the Piaget Polo 79 in 2024 for the Maison’s 150th anniversary, and that comeback was validated with an “Iconic Watch” award at the GPHG in 2024. A yellow gold version led the charge, followed by a white gold iteration in 2025. The 2026 Two-Tone is positioned as a return to one of the original 1979 configurations, and Piaget notes that vintage two-tone examples are “rarely seen today.” That scarcity, plus the current collector appetite for integrated-bracelet icons, gives the Two-Tone a plausible lane: it is familiar enough to be understood instantly, but niche enough to feel like a connoisseur’s pick rather than a default flex. Closing thought The Piaget Polo 79 Two-Tone (G0A51150) succeeds because it does not try to cosplay practicality. It doubles down on precious metal craft, on the tactile contrast between brushed and polished gold, and on ultra-thin elegance via the 1200P1. If you want your “sports watch” to look like it might actually play sport, look elsewhere. If you want one that looks like it owns the room, Piaget has been rehearsing that role since 1979. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/piaget-polo-79-two-tone-the-sports-watch-that-refuses-to-pretend-its-steel — Citation: "Piaget Polo 79 Two-Tone: the “sports watch” that refuses to pretend it’s steel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-28. https://menwith.com/piaget-polo-79-two-tone-the-sports-watch-that-refuses-to-pretend-its-steel --- ## The Bertone Runabout: When Italian Design Chooses Restraint Over Noise - URL: https://menwith.com/the-bertone-runabout-when-italian-design-chooses-restraint-over-noise - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-27 - Tags: Motors, Bertone, Bertone Runabout, concept, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Bertone revives its 1969 Runabout concept with a 2026 Barchetta and Targa. This minimalist V6 manual sports car prioritizes tactile luxury and driving engagement over excess. Few names in automotive history carry the cultural weight of Bertone. For over a century, the Turin-based design house shaped how the world understands proportion, tension, and sculptural purity – not through excess, but through clarity. With the unveiling of the new Runabout, Bertone returns to one of its most radical ideas, originally conceived in 1969. But this is not nostalgia dressed as novelty. Instead, the 2026 Runabout is a disciplined reinterpretation of a philosophy that feels increasingly rare: freedom through reduction. A Concept Born From Optimism The original Runabout emerged at the end of the 1960s, during a moment when Italian design embraced experimentation and optimism. Under Nuccio Bertone, the concept rejected convention, celebrating openness, exposed mechanics, and a sculptural honesty that felt closer to nautical design than traditional automotive form. That spirit remains central to the new Runabout. Rather than replicating historical shapes, Bertone approached the project as a translation of values – simplicity, proportion, and emotional presence, into a contemporary architectural language. The result is a car defined by two essential gestures: a forward-leaning wedge and a coda tronca tail. Nothing more. Nothing added for effect. Two Interpretations, One Philosophy The Runabout is offered in two body styles: Barchetta and Targa. These are not stylistic variations, but two emotional interpretations of the same underlying architecture. The Barchetta is the purest expression – open, light, and uncompromised. With no roof to interrupt the wedge silhouette, the experience is immediate and immersive, recalling the elemental freedom of the original concept. The Targa introduces a removable carbon roof, adding versatility without disturbing the car’s proportions. Structural complexity is handled with restraint, preserving the Runabout’s visual clarity while offering adaptability for different environments. In both versions, proportion remains the guiding principle. An Interior Designed Like a Hull Inside, the Runabout feels closer to a sculpted object than a traditional cockpit. Inspired by naval architecture, the cabin is formed as a hull-like tub that places occupants low within the car, reinforcing intimacy with the machine. The dashboard is a single horizontal plane, calm and deliberate. A solitary digital tachometer sits in the driver’s line of sight, a modern instrument used sparingly, restoring focus in a world overwhelmed by screens. A nautical compass at the center quietly references the car’s maritime inspiration. Materials are chosen for tactility rather than decoration: carbon fiber, precision-milled aluminum, exposed mechanics, and hand-finished leather. Luxury here is not visual excess, but execution. Mechanical Intimacy, Not Performance Theater At its core, the Runabout is engineered for engagement. A 3.5-liter supercharged V6 delivers 475 horsepower through a six-speed manual gearbox – a deliberate choice in an era dominated by automation. The lightweight aluminum chassis and extensive use of carbon fiber result in a curb weight just over 1,050 kilograms, allowing the car to reach 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. But figures are not the point. This is a car tuned for feel: gated shifter, exposed components, mechanical sound preserved rather than filtered. Performance as experience, not spectacle. A Limited, Intentional Object Only 25 examples of the Runabout will be produced, each shaped through a bespoke configuration process at Bertone’s Centro Stile. Clients are invited into a dialogue – selecting materials, finishes, and textures, reinforcing the tradition of Italian coachbuilding as something deeply personal. Presented alongside the original 1969 Runabout at Rétromobile 2026, the new car creates a direct conversation between past and present. Not a reinvention, but a continuation. In an age where speed, screens, and excess dominate the conversation, the Bertone Runabout chooses another path. One defined by restraint. By proportion. By presence. And by the quiet confidence that true design never needs to raise its voice. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-bertone-runabout-when-italian-design-chooses-restraint-over-noise — Citation: "The Bertone Runabout: When Italian Design Chooses Restraint Over Noise" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-27. https://menwith.com/the-bertone-runabout-when-italian-design-chooses-restraint-over-noise --- ## How Macron’s Sunglasses Stole the Moment in Davos - URL: https://menwith.com/how-macrons-sunglasses-stole-the-moment-in-davos - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2026-01-27 - Tags: News **Summary:** Macron's Henry Jullien aviators at Davos became a viral symbol, highlighting the power of imagery over substance in global discourse. The glasses, a statement of quiet authority, transcended their craft to become a meme. “Fo shur.” Macron said it once, then again, and then it to became rhythm. A French accent bending an American phrase, delivered calmly behind dark lenses, in Davos, indoors, in winter. Sunglasses indoors are already a provication. Sunglasses indoors at the World Economic Forum become a statement whether invited or not. Add a president, add repetition, and the internet does what it always does. The clips spread. The captions wrote themselves. “Fo shur” became the headline, the glasses its punctuation. Algorithm-ready, perfectly framed for circulation. It is easy to smile, and worth doing so. But it would be too simple to trivialize the moment. There is something revealing in what travels fastest. Davos gathered the upper tier of global influence. Entrepreneurs, bankers, presidents, editors, all in one alpine room negotiating the future in measured language. Yet what reached the wider world was eyewear worn indoors. That contrast matters. It says something about how attention now moves. Substance still happens in rooms like these, but symbols are what escape them. We no longer share the arguments. We share the image that carries them. Sunglasses become shorthand for authority, confidence, contradiction. The irony is not that this is what we talk about, but that it works. Still, the glasses deserve a quieter look. They were Henry Jullien aviators, the Pacific S 01, made in the Jura by a house that has never chased virality. Frames shaped by hand, with the patience of craft that assumes time is on its side. Not fashion trying to be seen, but an object built to be lived with. On Macron, they carried a familiar silhouette. A trace of Top Gun, softened by French restraint. No performance, no bravado. Just proportion, weight, intention. The kind of aviator that suggests authority rather than costume. This is where his French DNA pulls through. An instinct for choosing one precise element and letting it stand. The glasses did not compete with the speech. They framed it, then let the words repeat themselves. Fo shur. High-end fashion exists in this space. When an object is serious enough to absorb humor without becoming one. When craft remains intact even as the moment turns into a meme. Read more about style here. For context, this is what else unfolded in Davos. Allies warned that Trump’s tariff threats tied to Greenland risked fracturing Western unity, before he stepped back and reframed the issue as Arctic security. Canada’s Mark Carney spoke of a rupture in the global order, calling on middle powers to steady a system under strain. The IMF warned that AI will hit labor markets like a tsunami, with younger workers absorbing the first impact. Energy discussions treated the fossil fuel phase-out as inevitable, driven less by ideology than by momentum. Nearly 3,000 leaders gathered under the banner of “A Spirit of Dialogue,” with technology governance, economic cooperation, and growth strategies filling the rooms. Deals were made. More are coming. Fo shur. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/how-macrons-sunglasses-stole-the-moment-in-davos — Citation: "How Macron’s Sunglasses Stole the Moment in Davos" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-27. https://menwith.com/how-macrons-sunglasses-stole-the-moment-in-davos --- ## OMEGA OLYMPIC TIMEPIECE: Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-olympic-timepiece-seamaster-diver-300m-milano-cortina - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-26 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Olympic, Omega, Watch, Winter Olympics 2026 **Summary:** OMEGA unveils a Seamaster Diver 300M for Milano Cortina 2026, blending ceramic/titanium with Olympic-inspired design. It features a unique dial and Master Chronometer movement. OMEGA has a long habit of turning its timekeeping gigs into wristwear, and with Milano Cortina 2026 now close enough to feel real, the brand has unveiled a dedicated Seamaster Diver 300M timepiece for the XXV Olympic Winter Games. It is an interesting choice: not a dressy commemorative piece, but a modern dive watch platform dressed for snow and stadium lights, delivered in a special Milano Cortina 2026 presentation box. The watch’s core identity is set by its 43.5 mm case, executed in a mix of white ceramic and grade 5 titanium. That pairing tells you immediately where OMEGA wants this to sit: contemporary, technical, and wearable, with the kind of lightweight toughness that makes sense for a sports-linked edition. The finishing does a lot of the storytelling. The case body is polished-brushed, while the helium escape valve and crown are sandblasted, so you get crisp shifts in texture as the light moves across it. Around the top, a white ceramic bezel ring carries a laser-ablated diving scale rendered in positive relief, meaning the numerals and markers rise from the surface rather than being simply printed or recessed. It is the sort of detail you notice with a fingertip before you fully register it with your eyes. The dial leans hard into the event, and it will likely be the most polarising element for purists who prefer their Seamaster Diver 300M motifs strictly nautical. Made in white ceramic, it features laser-engraved “frosting” and a finger-trace pattern inspired by the “26” of the Milano Cortina 2026 emblem. In practice, that should read as a tactile, almost icy texture rather than a flat white expanse. Rhodium-plated hands and indexes are filled with white Super-LumiNova, keeping the palette restrained and wintry, while the central seconds hand is varnished with a subtle blue gradient, a direct nod to the competition logo colour. Flip the watch over and the Olympic link becomes permanent. The grade 5 titanium caseback is stamped with the Milano Cortina 2026 emblem, an unmissable identifier that will matter to collectors who like their limited context stated plainly. On the wrist, OMEGA opts for an integrated white rubber strap, secured by a grade 5 titanium buckle, a choice that should emphasise the watch’s lightness and keep the bright ceramic theme continuous rather than broken up by metal bracelet links. Inside is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806, a movement family known for OMEGA’s modern positioning around precision and testing standards. Here it offers a 55-hour power reserve and is certified as a Master Chronometer, described by OMEGA as meeting the Swiss industry’s highest standard. In other words, this is not a novelty case with a generic engine. It is a full-strength Seamaster Diver 300M spec watch, simply wearing an Olympic uniform. As for where it sits in the broader portfolio, this edition reinforces how OMEGA uses the Seamaster Diver 300M as a versatile canvas: a recognisable silhouette that can absorb new materials, surface treatments, and event iconography without losing the tool-watch backbone. The cultural significance is straightforward and confirmed: OMEGA will serve as Official Timekeeper for Milano Cortina 2026, its 32nd Olympic Winter Games edition since 1932, recording all 116 events across 16 sporting disciplines. This watch is the souvenir, but also a reminder that the brand’s Olympic relationship is operational, not just decorative. A final note for buyers who care about coherence: the all-white ceramic and titanium build, the textured “26” dial, and the blue-accent seconds hand make this feel intentionally designed rather than merely logo-applied. If you want an Olympic-linked OMEGA that still reads as a modern dive watch first, this is the kind of commemorative piece that does not need to shout. It just leaves its marks in the finishing. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-olympic-timepiece-seamaster-diver-300m-milano-cortina — Citation: "OMEGA OLYMPIC TIMEPIECE: Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-26. https://menwith.com/omega-olympic-timepiece-seamaster-diver-300m-milano-cortina --- ## Cadillac Elevated Velocity: the V-Series future, raised on its toes - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillac-elevated-velocity-the-v-series-future-raised-on-its-toes - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-26 - Tags: Motors, Cadillac, Cadillac Elevated Velocity, Concept cars, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Cadillac's Elevated Velocity concept blends performance and luxury in an electric crossover, winning design awards and previewing future V-Series models. Concept cars are supposed to be unrealistic. That is part of the fun. The surprise with Cadillac’s Elevated Velocity is how plausible its attitude feels, even as it arrives with gull-wing doors and 24-inch wheels like it is late for a red carpet and a rally stage at the same time. The design community agrees. EyesOn Design, the long-running organization of automotive designers and educators, has named Elevated Velocity its Best Concept Vehicle for 2026. That makes it two straight years of Cadillac concept-car dominance, following the Opulent Velocity win for 2025. Awards do not guarantee a great production car, but they do signal when a studio has momentum, and Cadillac’s does. Design: long hood, high hips, serious intent Elevated Velocity is a 2+2 electric crossover, but it wears its crossover mission with a performance-car silhouette. The long-hood proportion nods to Cadillac flagships like CELESTIQ and the brand’s EV-era staples like LYRIQ, yet the stance sits taller and more planted thanks to the raised ride height and those 24-inch wheels. The name is not subtle: “Elevated” speaks to both seating position and status signaling, while “Velocity” promises that this is not another lounge-on-wheels. The shape reads as confident rather than decorative. You can imagine it slicing through a city at night, LEDs cutting clean lines into the air, then rotating onto a dirt access road without looking apologetic. Still, it will polarize. Gull-wing doors are theatrical, and theater always divides the room. Some will see sculpture. Others will see a future parking-garage headache. Interior: bespoke craft with a concept-car wink Cadillac says the cabin “showcases fine bespoke craftsmanship,” and the key detail here is the 2+2 layout. That is a statement of priorities. This is not about maximum family utility; it is about turning the crossover format into a personal luxury object, something closer to a grand tourer with extra ground clearance than a conventional SUV. Gull-wing doors change the way you enter a car, and that matters emotionally. Step-in becomes step-up, then step-under, like boarding something more special than your daily commute deserves. It is a small ritual, but luxury brands live and die by rituals. Performance: V-Series attitude in an electric era Cadillac positions Elevated Velocity as a channeling of its V-Series legacy into an “electric high-performance ultra luxury” concept. The interesting part is not the claim, but the timing. Cadillac already has two high-performance electric V-Series crossovers in the pipeline: OPTIQ-V and LYRIQ-V. So Elevated Velocity is not inventing a category; it is previewing a sharper, more extroverted edge of one Cadillac is actively building. The concept’s “on-road and off-road” language suggests a broadened definition of performance. In 2026, speed is table stakes. What brands now sell is composure across surfaces, confidence at altitude, and the sense that power is always in reserve, even when the drivetrain is silent. Market context: luxury is going upright, whether purists like it or not The global luxury market has made its choice: buyers want height, presence, and everyday versatility, and they increasingly want it electrified. Elevated Velocity is Cadillac admitting that reality while refusing to surrender the brand’s dramatic, slightly rebellious streak. It is V-Series as lifestyle object, not just lap-time badge. The fact that multiple studios contributed, including Cadillac’s team and GM’s Pasadena Advanced Design studio, explains the car’s balanced weirdness. It is cohesive, but not predictable. Verdict: a concept that feels like a warning shot Elevated Velocity works because it does not try to be universally likable. It is tall, sleek, and unapologetically performance-minded, with just enough couture craftsmanship to remind you Cadillac is chasing the high-end, not the middle. If this is where V-Series crossovers can go next, competitors should take notes, and maybe bring earplugs for the sound of traditionalists grinding their teeth. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillac-elevated-velocity-the-v-series-future-raised-on-its-toes — Citation: "Cadillac Elevated Velocity: the V-Series future, raised on its toes" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-26. https://menwith.com/cadillac-elevated-velocity-the-v-series-future-raised-on-its-toes --- ## Awake NAVI: The Electric Foiler Redefining How We Move on Water - URL: https://menwith.com/awake-navi-the-electric-foiler-redefining-how-we-move-on-water - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-01-25 - Tags: Motors, Awake, Awake Navi, Menwith, Menwithclass, Watersport **Summary:** The Awake NAVI is an electric foiler redefining watercraft. It glides above water on a foil, offering a serene, efficient ride with up to 3 hours of battery life. When you think of electric watersports, what usually comes to mind are electric surfboards or jetboards. But Awake Boards has gone one step further – unveiling the NAVI, an entirely new type of watercraft that isn’t a board, a jetski, or a boat, but something entirely different. A New Category: The Foiler At its core, the NAVI is an electric hydrofoil watercraft designed to glide above the surface of the water. Instead of battling through waves and spray like traditional watercraft, the NAVI uses a submerged foil to lift its hull and dramatically reduce drag. This means smoother, quieter motion with minimal resistance – a ride that feels more like floating than powering through water. Awake describes the experience as effortless and fluid: once the foil engages, friction drops and the craft essentially “hovers” above the water, propelled by instant electric torque. The result is a ride that’s both efficient and serene – a stark contrast to the noise and vibration of gasoline-powered jetskis. Design and Functionality The NAVI was developed in collaboration with the Mannerfelt Design Team, known for elegant engineering and performance design. Its lightweight carbon composite hull prioritises stability while foiling, and a retractable flex mast makes it easier to transport and launch in shallow water. Control is intuitive: a motorcycle-style twist throttle, built-in display and reverse gear give riders familiarity, while Awake’s own interface aims to keep things simple even for first-timers. Unlike standard eFoils or boards, the NAVI is designed for versatility. With detachable inflatable tubes, it can carry two riders; remove them and it becomes a solo glider focused more on efficiency and experience than sheer power. Performance and Specs The NAVI’s strength lies not in blistering top speeds but in endurance and ride quality. With two of Awake’s high-capacity XR4 batteries installed, the craft can deliver up to three hours of riding time – impressive for hydrofoiling watercraft. With lighter LR4 batteries, expect about 1.5 hours of use. Load capacity reaches up to 250 kg (about 550 lb) with tubes attached, making two-person operation feasible; without tubes, the solo mode supports around 120 kg. Availability and Pricing Awake has priced the NAVI at €39,990 (approximately $46,500) before taxes and shipping. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in August 2026, placing it firmly in the luxury watercraft category rather than the consumer toy segment. Why the NAVI Matters The NAVI represents more than just a new product – it signals an evolution in electric watersports. While electric surfboards and eFoils have opened the door to cleaner, quieter water fun, the NAVI pushes that concept into a new direction: a seated, foiling craft that blends comfort, performance and sustainability. It may not replace jet skis for adrenaline junkies, but for those who value smooth, efficient ride dynamics and cutting-edge technology, the NAVI offers a glimpse of what the next generation of watercraft could look like. More about yachts and watersports here Some images in this article are generated and used for illustrative purposes only. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/awake-navi-the-electric-foiler-redefining-how-we-move-on-water — Citation: "Awake NAVI: The Electric Foiler Redefining How We Move on Water" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-25. https://menwith.com/awake-navi-the-electric-foiler-redefining-how-we-move-on-water --- ## Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall Winter 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-mens-fall-winter-2026 - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-01-25 - Tags: fashion, Louis Vuitton, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Louis Vuitton's FW26 collection, "TIMELESS TEXTILES," reimagines the New Dandy with functional luxury. Innovative materials and motifs like droplets emphasize visibility and tactile craft, blending heritage with futuristic design. A transparent pavilion rose inside the Jardin d’Acclimatation, refracting the cool Paris light like a modern greenhouse. Louis Vuitton calls it the DROPHAUS, a set piece for Williams’s “TIMELESS TEXTILES,” and a clear signal of intent: make the future visible, then dress for it. Williams frames the collection around a New Dandy, less peacock and more polymath. The silhouette borrows classic codes, then shifts them with performance logic. A droplet motif carries through the lineup. You spot it in delicate beadwork that lands like rain on cloth, and in the LV Drop sneaker, where a splash effect finishes the surface. The eye catches familiar tailoring patterns, yet they answer back: houndstooth, herringbone, and checks are woven with technical yarns that flash under direct light. Picture a jacket that reads traditional in shade, then turns luminous under a street lamp. Materials lead the story. Scarves are waterproof. Ties appear in perforated leather, letting air move through a formal staple. Trompe-l’œil is used with restraint and wit. T-shirts are actually woven in vicuña, the surface dense yet supple, while mink is worked to read like toweling. Wool is shaped to mimic neoprene, offering volume without the plastic feel. A Silk Nylon blend resists water yet takes on the look of leather, a quiet provocation when you see the drape and hear the soft rustle. The accessories extend the mood. Sunglasses sit in a sharp, futuristic register. Sierra boots skew sci-fi in profile, built for terrain rather than carpets. Bags take to the light. Midnight Flash models go iridescent silver, giving a liquid sheen as they move. The Speedy P9 appears in glow-in-the-dark Monogram, a late-night gesture that will divide opinion. Purists may find it loud, but as a design choice it pairs with the reflective tailoring to create a full system of visibility in motion. What grounds the spectacle is craft. Trunks, the original Vuitton object, are hand-painted with Art Nouveau floral stained-glass motifs from the family’s Asnières home. The colors sit like lacquer, each pane bordered as if by lead. Other trunks carry leather marquetry of Paris cityscapes. Run a hand across one and you would feel the subtle elevation of each cut piece, the city built in relief. It is heritage as touch, not just reference. Experience is the real test for this sort of menswear. A waterproof scarf solves a simple problem without asking for attention. A reflective check on an overcoat reads sober indoors and becomes a safety feature outside. A perforated leather tie cools the neck on a packed commute. This is the kind of luxury that serves first and speaks second. Even the trompe-l’œil choices feel designed for wear, not just runway stills. Wool that behaves like neoprene keeps shape on the shoulder while staying breathable. The Silk Nylon that looks like leather moves with a softer sway and sheds a drizzle. Culturally, Williams is pushing on an open door. Menswear today rewards utility and polish in equal measure. We have seen the rise of performance fabrics in the office and tech-laced tailoring on red carpets. What is different here is the clarity. Rather than hiding the tech, this collection treats function as an aesthetic value. The reflective yarns are honest about their job. The water resistance is declared, not tucked into a label. It is a practical luxury that respects ceremony but prefers outcomes. There is also a conversation about taste. Glow-in-the-dark Monogram will not convince every gentleman, nor should it try. The point is the spectrum. On one end, a hand-painted trunk that could sit in a study next to old travel books. On the other, a bag that announces itself after sunset. The New Dandy can choose, or mix, without apology. In the end, “TIMELESS TEXTILES” reads less like a theme and more like a method. Williams and the Vuitton ateliers use light, water, and touch as design tools, then let craft carry the weight. The clothes reward proximity. Embroidery catches like a fine mist. Technical checks flip with a camera flash. Leather marquetry invites the fingertips. For the modern man who values performance without surrendering character, this is a persuasive direction. The future here is not a gimmick. It is a fabric you can feel. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-mens-fall-winter-2026 — Citation: "Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall Winter 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-25. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-mens-fall-winter-2026 --- ## With Ilaria Resta: The Human Side of Audemars Piguet - URL: https://menwith.com/with-ilaria-resta-the-human-side-of-audemars-piguet - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2026-01-23 - Tags: Watches, Audemars Piguet **Summary:** Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, emphasizes the brand's enduring values of excellence, craftsmanship, and independence. She highlights the 'family' culture and the balance between heritage and innovation, exemplified by the Royal Oak and CODE 11.59 collections. In the Vallée de Joux, time has always dictated behaviour. Long winters demanded patience. Craft developed slowly, governed by precision, repetition and resilience. Audemars Piguet was founded here in 1875, in Le Brassus, and the manufacture continues to operate within the logic of its surroundings. One hundred and fifty-one years later, Audemars Piguet remains family-owned. Not as a symbolic distinction, but as a structural reality that shapes how decisions are made and how far ahead they are allowed to reach. Independence here is operational. It allows the company to think in generations rather than cycles. That perspective frames the current chapter under CEO Ilaria Resta. Her leadership is not defined by rupture, but by calibration. When asked which values continue to guide the brand today, her answer is precise. “Audemars Piguet remains grounded in the values that have defined the brand for more than 150 years: excellence, independence, craftsmanship and innovation.” At AP, the idea of family extends beyond ownership. It is rooted in the établissage system that shaped the Vallée de Joux from the beginning, a decentralised network of specialised crafts working in coordination. The model favours collaboration over hierarchy and continuity over speed. Resta is clear that this notion of family is active rather than inherited. “Family for us means a community bound by deep passion and excellence. The strength of AP lies in its people – watchmakers, engineers, designers and artisans all united in the desire to craft the extraordinary.” That collective culture allows the manufacture to evolve without becoming static. Icons are not protected through reverence, but through discipline. What changes and what remains is the result of deliberate choice. “The balance lies in honouring our heritage while continuously reinventing ourselves. What must stay is our commitment to craft, precision and independence. Our aim is for heritage and the future to not just coexist, but to enrich one another.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the Royal Oak. Designed by Gérald Genta and introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak challenged prevailing ideas of luxury watchmaking. Its exposed screws, integrated bracelet and industrial finishing were radical at the time. The so-called ‘Jumbo’ established proportions that still define the line today: 39mm in diameter, 8.1mm in thickness. Those dimensions are treated as constraints, not suggestions. Resta points to the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph, known as RD#5, as a clear expression of how innovation is permitted to operate within those limits. “The launch of the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph (RD#5) is a perfect example of the delicate balance between tradition and innovation.” To achieve this balance, the movement architecture itself had to be reconsidered. “With user comfort and strict adherence to the line’s aesthetic codes in mind, Audemars Piguet’s Research & Development team has completely redesigned the chronograph’s construction.” The result is calibre 8100, a movement developed to serve the design rather than dominate it. Technical complexity is present, but restrained. Innovation remains tactile and wearable. Alongside the Royal Oak, CODE 11.59 represents a different expression of the manufacture’s identity. Less bound by familiarity, it functions as a contemporary framework for experimentation. “CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet stands as a contemporary, architectural expression of our DNA. It is an elegant yet boldly modern line that has become appreciated by collectors for capturing the highest expression of Haute Horlogerie.” Within the collection sit some of the manufacture’s most complex creations, including the Grande Sonnerie Supersonnerie and the Universelle RD#4. Yet the intent is consistent. These watches are not showcases, but working demonstrations of what the maison can achieve when form is allowed to evolve. Leading a family-owned manufacture at this scale comes with a particular responsibility. Independence allows freedom, but it also demands discipline, especially during periods of volatility. “Our independence as a family-owned manufacture allows us the freedom and agility to make decisions for the long term.” Resta’s leadership focus is structured around three priorities. “Putting our clients even more at the heart of everything we do, championing craftsmanship at the highest level and embedding sustainability across the business. Leadership is not defined by control, but by the creation of enduring value, leadership with integrity, and a brand that will continue to inspire for the next 150 years.” Maintaining a human connection between watchmaker and wearer remains central to this approach. Feedback informs development, particularly in ergonomics and usability. “It is essential that our watchmakers continue to be inspired by direct interaction with those who wear their creations. The feedback they receive informs innovation at AP and has been a key driver behind our increased focus on ergonomics.” Initiatives such as AP Houses and manufacture visits are designed to sustain that dialogue. “AP Houses are more than retail spaces – they are social, creative environments that bring people together through their shared appreciation for artistry, music and mechanical excellence. They function as extensions of the brand’s universe – creating bridges between our heritage and the contemporary world – where collectors and newcomers can slow down, connect, and feel at home in a space that bring the essence of AP to life.” Coming from outside traditional watchmaking, Resta brings an external perspective shaped by international business. That distance has sharpened her view of the industry. “Watchmaking is a world of precision, excellence, and heritage—but it can also be inward-looking. My role is to bring an outside-in view: to encourage openness, and to ensure that we remain relevant in a fast-evolving cultural landscape. ” What surprised her most on entering Audemars Piguet was not the complexity of the craft, but its collaborative spirit. “From my first visit to Le Brassus, I was struck by the depth of passion and collaboration within the AP community.” Looking ahead, the ambition is not to redefine Audemars Piguet, but to guide it with intention. “I want people to look at Audemars Piguet and see a brand that continues to innovate, to inspire, and to connect deeply with people around the world. That’s the legacy we’re shaping today.” At 150 years, Audemars Piguet is not defined by age, but by its ability to operate within constraints. Icons are stewarded, not frozen. Decisions are measured against time rather than trend, and always with people in mind. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-ilaria-resta-the-human-side-of-audemars-piguet — Citation: "With Ilaria Resta: The Human Side of Audemars Piguet" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-23. https://menwith.com/with-ilaria-resta-the-human-side-of-audemars-piguet --- ## On a Bullet Train, a Veyron Was Born - URL: https://menwith.com/on-a-bullet-train-a-veyron-was-born - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-23 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** The Bugatti Veyron's W16 engine, conceived on a bullet train, prioritized controlled power. The F.K.P. Hommage completes this vision with refined engineering and restrained design. There is something fitting about a hypercar that begins its life at speed. Not on a racetrack, but aboard a Japanese bullet train, where Ferdinand Piëch sketched an idea while the landscape dissolved into motion. The drawing was not dramatic. It did not need to be. Piëch was solving a problem only he was willing to define. How to create unprecedented power without losing order, balance, or civility. The answer became the W engine, a configuration folded inward with intent. By staggering cylinders into a short, wide architecture, Bugatti’s engineers compressed enormity into control. The W16 was not an indulgence. It was a packaging exercise taken to its logical extreme. Shorter than expectation, heavier with purpose, and disciplined enough to allow a compact wheelbase and real composure on the road. This mechanical clarity shaped everything that followed. The Veyron was devastating, yes, but never unruly. All-wheel drive, careful weight distribution, and a refusal to chase drama made it something new. A car that could cross continents calmly, then reset what speed meant, without changing its tone. When the Veyron appeared in Tokyo in 1999, its design carried the same restraint. While the world was still fixated on sharp wedges and visual aggression, the Veyron leaned back. It appeared settled, almost relaxed. Power expressed through proportion rather than posture. That confidence has aged with rare grace. Two decades later, the original form still feels current because it was never designed to impress quickly. It was designed to endure. The F.K.P. Hommage understands this lineage. Rather than reinterpret the Veyron, it completes it. Built on the most advanced evolution of the W16, it carries the 1,600 horsepower specification developed for the Chiron Super Sport, the car that finally realized Piëch’s vision of speed without compromise. This is the W16 at its most resolved. Turbochargers enlarged, cooling systems refined, the gearbox reinforced not for spectacle but for longevity. Every development is the result of use, learning, and consequence accumulated over twenty years. The exterior evolves with similar restraint. The horseshoe grille gains depth and continuity, machined from solid aluminum and integrated more fluidly into the body. Panel lines and color divisions now align with greater precision, restoring visual calm. Air intakes expand only where function requires it. Even the paint speaks softly. A layered red finish reveals silver beneath, creating depth that changes with movement rather than light alone. Exposed carbon fiber is tinted, not painted, its texture visible, its presence intentional. Inside, the shift is more pronounced. The interior departs from recent W16 cars and looks back to the Veyron’s original logic. A circular steering wheel returns, Bauhaus in spirit. Aluminum dominates, machined rather than shaped, cool and honest to the touch. Fabric joins leather, woven exclusively in Paris, adding warmth without nostalgia. It feels contemporary but unforced, an interior designed to be lived with rather than admired briefly. At its center sits a watch, and not as ornament. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon is integrated into the dashboard, mounted within an engine-turned aluminum island that recalls Ettore Bugatti’s early cylinder heads. The mechanism winds itself through motion, powered by the car without electrical connection. It moves quietly, on its own schedule. This detail captures the essence of the F.K.P. Hommage. Advanced, but not loud. Complex, but resolved. Personal, without becoming sentimental. As part of Programme Solitaire, the car represents Bugatti’s most intimate work. Not a limited series, but a singular conversation between brand, client, and history. A chance to refine rather than reinvent. The bullet train sketch was never about speed alone. It was about precision under pressure, ideas formed in motion, and ambition contained within structure. The F.K.P. Hommage carries that same energy. Calm on the surface. Immense beneath. Certain of where it came from, and comfortable with where it ends. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/on-a-bullet-train-a-veyron-was-born — Citation: "On a Bullet Train, a Veyron Was Born" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-23. https://menwith.com/on-a-bullet-train-a-veyron-was-born --- ## Bentley Supersports goes sideways, on purpose, with Travis Pastrana at the wheel - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-supersports-goes-sideways-on-purpose-with-travis-pastrana-at-the-wheel - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-23 - Tags: Motors, Bentley, Bentley Supersports, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Travis Pastrana **Summary:** Bentley's Supersports, driven by Travis Pastrana, showcases its dynamic capabilities with gymkhana-style stunts at the Crewe factory. The film highlights the car's rear-drive setup, performance tweaks, and luxurious interior, proving Bentley can offer both craftsmanship and mischief. Bentley is not a brand you naturally associate with tyre smoke hanging in the air of an English industrial estate. Yet here we are: Travis Pastrana, patron saint of precision mayhem, threading a brand-new Bentley Supersports around the company’s Crewe “Dream Factory” like it’s a rally stage with better lighting. The result is Supersports: FULL SEND, a gymkhana-style film shot entirely on Bentley’s campus and premiered in Dubai to a crowd of customers who presumably did not arrive in economy. If you think this is just marketing with extra throttle, it helps to know one thing. Bentley built a Supersports that can actually do the childish stuff properly. Design: menace with a tailored suit Bentley’s design language has always been about heft and confidence rather than sharp-edged aggression. Supersports leans into that tradition, but tightens the belt. The film makes a point of showing the car against the geometry of Crewe’s buildings, and it works: broad stance, purposeful aero, and a silhouette that still reads “Continental” even when it’s mid-drift. What’s quietly radical is not the look, but what it signals. Supersports is Bentley admitting that “dynamic” can mean more than high-speed serenity. It can mean angles. Slip angles. Interior: luxury that doesn’t apologise Bentley interiors are rarely the story, because they are reliably excellent. But in the context of this film, the cabin matters: Pastrana is throwing around a production-based car, not a stripped-out special with a roll cage and excuses. The appeal is the contrast. You can imagine this thing idling outside a hotel entrance, then minutes later smearing rubber across a factory road with the sort of commitment that makes security teams sweat. Supersports’ charm is that it doesn’t ask you to choose between craftsmanship and mischief. It offers both, and dares you to use them. Performance: 666 PS and rear-drive credibility The headline numbers are chosen with a wink: 666 PS, rear-wheel drive, and a chassis and aero package developed to make the car feel, in Bentley’s words and in Pastrana’s hands, genuinely agile. Rear-drive is the key narrative pivot. It’s what allows sustained drifts, donuts, and long slides that look theatrical but require real balance from the platform. For the shoot, Bentley went further. The film car received a hydraulic handbrake mounted beside the steering wheel to instantly lock the rear axle, plus control-system integration so power returns cleanly as the lever is released. There were also software tweaks to allow “power braking” so brake and throttle can be applied simultaneously, letting Pastrana fine-tune the car’s attitude mid-drift and perform burnouts at will. This is not typical Bentley behaviour. That’s the point. Culture and context: Pymkhana at the Dream Factory Calling the route “Pymkhana” is a delightful bit of self-aware factory pride, referencing Pyms Lane, Bentley’s home since 1938. The film also doubles as a moving museum tour, with cameos ranging from Continental GT3 racers to the 2003 Le Mans-winning Speed 8, the W16 Hunaudières concept, and pre-war icons led by the 1929 Team Blower. There’s also a nod to what Bentley is becoming. A camouflaged “luxury urban SUV” is teased for later this year, and Supersports itself is already sold out, with 500 units reserved. Production starts in Q4 2026, with first deliveries due early 2027. Even in an era of electrification roadmaps and sustainability promises, Bentley is reminding its audience that desire still starts with sensation. The rare Bentley that wants to play Supersports feels like Bentley giving itself permission. Permission to be rowdy, to be a little polarising, and to make a car that doesn’t just cover ground effortlessly but can also entertain when the road ends and the tarmac opens up. The risk is obvious: some buyers want their Bentleys to glide, not gyrate. But the upside is bigger. In a luxury market crowded with fast, heavy, competent machines, personality is the new horsepower. Supersports has it. And Pastrana, of all people, just proved it the smoky, sideways way. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-supersports-goes-sideways-on-purpose-with-travis-pastrana-at-the-wheel — Citation: "Bentley Supersports goes sideways, on purpose, with Travis Pastrana at the wheel" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-23. https://menwith.com/bentley-supersports-goes-sideways-on-purpose-with-travis-pastrana-at-the-wheel --- ## Volvo EX60: Where long electric range meets intelligence - URL: https://menwith.com/volvo-ex60-where-long-electric-range-meets-intelligence - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-22 - Tags: Volvo **Summary:** The Volvo EX60 redefines electric driving with up to 810km range, prioritizing "range comfort" over anxiety. Its intelligent design, intuitive tech, and safety features offer a seamless, refined experience, making electric travel feel like an arrival. There is a moment, usually somewhere past the city limits, when a drive settles. The noise drops away, the road opens, and you stop thinking about the car altogether. The new Volvo EX60 is designed around that feeling. Its headline number is hard to ignore. Up to 810 kilometres of range on a single charge. Best in class, and enough to redraw familiar journeys. Paris to Amsterdam without a second thought. Stockholm to Oslo as an easy afternoon. Distance becomes background rather than concern. What matters more is how quietly that capability is delivered. The EX60 does not ask you to manage it. It simply carries you. Volvo speaks about range comfort rather than range anxiety, and the distinction is important. The car is tuned for real driving, real weather, real lives. Charging follows the same logic. A short stop, a coffee, time to reset. In around ten minutes, hundreds of kilometres return to the battery. It feels less like waiting and more like pausing, which is a subtle but meaningful shift in how electric travel fits into daily rhythm. Underneath, the intelligence runs deep and mostly unseen. SPA3 architecture, cell-to-body construction, lighter structures, mega casting. These are engineering decisions made in service of ease, not spectacle. The car becomes more efficient by being more thoughtful. That same restraint defines the EX60’s technology elsewhere. This is a car you can speak to naturally. Gemini listens without demanding the right phrasing. Tasks unfold through conversation, not commands. The screens respond quickly, but they do not compete for attention. Much of the thinking happens quietly in the background, through HuginCore, learning and refining with every mile. Safety, as always with Volvo, is treated as an ongoing state rather than a moment of impact. The EX60 observes, anticipates, and adapts. It draws on experience beyond the single car, sharing knowledge across a global fleet to make each journey calmer and more assured. Inside, the mood is composed. Materials feel chosen for how they wear over time. Space is generous, light, unforced. It is an environment that encourages long drives rather than breaks from them. The EX60 Cross Country extends this philosophy further. Slightly higher, more expressive, built with a sense of permission to leave the paved road behind. It does not announce adventure. It simply supports it. What Volvo has achieved with the EX60 is a rare balance. Reach without tension. Intelligence without noise. Technology that recedes as comfort grows. Electric driving here does not feel like a transition. It feels like arrival. Read our latest Volvo ES90 review here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/volvo-ex60-where-long-electric-range-meets-intelligence — Citation: "Volvo EX60: Where long electric range meets intelligence" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-22. https://menwith.com/volvo-ex60-where-long-electric-range-meets-intelligence --- ## Audi and Haas Kick Off the 2026 F1 Season with Ambitious New Launches - URL: https://menwith.com/audi-and-haas-kick-off-the-2026-f1-season-with-ambitious-new-launches - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-21 - Tags: Motors, Audi, Audi F1, F1, Haas, Haas f1, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Audi and Haas F1 unveil their 2026 challengers, the R26 and VF-26, with ambitious goals and new driver lineups. Both teams are adapting to new regulations, aiming for significant performance gains. With the first Grand Prix just weeks away, here’s what you need to know about both outfits’ new look, ambitions and driver line-ups. Audi Revolut F1 Team Unveils Its 2026 Challenger German automotive giant Audi officially stepped into Formula 1’s spotlight on 20 January 2026 when it revealed its first full livery and visual concept for the Audi R26 at a launch event in Berlin. The reveal marked the beginning of Audi’s long-term vision – a bold five-year project aiming for championship glory by 2030. Although the full technical details of the R26 are still tightly guarded, the livery unveiled combines titanium, black and Audi red colours that reflect the brand’s contemporary design philosophy, marrying clear lines with emotional appeal. The actual race-ready R26 has already completed a private filming day and early shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with pre-season testing planned behind closed doors. What Audi Thinks About the Season Team leadership has been candid about the task ahead. Project Head Mattia Binotto described the moment as a major milestone, acknowledging that while challenges remain, the team is “ready to grow” and learn in the new regulations era. Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley added that Audi’s goals are ambitious but grounded in careful planning – they’re “not here to mess around.” Audi is entering Formula 1 with a mix of experience and emerging talent. The driver pairing for the 2026 season features veteran Nico Hülkenberg, a seasoned competitor with over 250 Grand Prix starts under his belt, alongside Gabriel Bortoleto, the young Brazilian Formula 2 champion. Both have expressed excitement about representing Audi’s new era and are focused on extracting performance from the R26 as the season progresses. Haas F1 Team Reveals VF-26 Livery Ahead of Testing Meanwhile, Haas F1 Team – now officially branded as TGR Haas F1 Team following a deeper partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing – has also given fans a first look at its 2026 challenger’s design. The VF-26 was shared through digital renders and images on 19 January, with a striking predominantly white, black and red livery that reflects the team’s refreshed identity. Unlike Audi’s high-profile event, Haas opted for a traditional online reveal ahead of the car’s first track outings planned during the Barcelona shakedown week. Along with the aesthetic update, significant attention has been paid to adapting to the new regulations, which bring changes in car dimensions, aerodynamics and powertrain integration across the grid. Drivers and Leadership at Haas Haas retains its driver lineup for 2026, with Esteban Ocon, the experienced French Grand Prix competitor – partnered once again with young Briton Oliver Bearman, who impressed in his first full season. Both drivers bring a balance of experience and raw pace that Haas hopes will help the VF-26 be competitive as the campaign unfolds. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu and the wider Haas leadership have underlined the importance of this season as a step in the team’s long-term growth, especially with the technical collaboration with Toyota now in full effect. The team will use the early pre-season tests to evaluate reliability and refine performance ahead of the season opener in Australia. Looking Ahead to 2026 With new regulations shaking up technical philosophies and team hierarchies, both Audi and Haas face a defining season. Audi enters as a manufacturer outfit with grand ambitions and a clear roadmap to the top, while Haas seeks to solidify its presence and leverage fresh partnerships to climb the standings. With both teams poised for testing and development in the weeks ahead, eyes will be on Melbourne on 8 March 2026 for the season’s dramatic kickoff. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audi-and-haas-kick-off-the-2026-f1-season-with-ambitious-new-launches — Citation: "Audi and Haas Kick Off the 2026 F1 Season with Ambitious New Launches" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-21. https://menwith.com/audi-and-haas-kick-off-the-2026-f1-season-with-ambitious-new-launches --- ## LVMH Watch Week 2026: The Best New Releases - URL: https://menwith.com/lvmh-watch-week-2026-the-best-new-releases - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-21 - Tags: LVMH, LVMH Watch Week, LVMH Watch Week 2026, Menwith, Menwithclass, Milano **Summary:** LVMH Watch Week 2026 showcased refined luxury timepieces from Zenith, Tiffany & Co., Hublot, Louis Vuitton, and Daniel Roth, emphasizing haute horlogerie, technical innovation, and brand heritage. Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton Zenith continues to push its contemporary design language into haute horlogerie territory. The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton is a bold expression of that ambition, combining a sharply faceted case with a fully openworked dial that exposes the El Primero 3630 SK calibre. The flying tourbillon sits proudly at six o’clock, while the star-shaped bridges create depth and structure without sacrificing legibility. Executed in rose gold and produced in limited numbers, it feels like a natural evolution of the Defy line — modern, technical and unapologetically Zenith. Estimated price: CHF 91,900 / EUR 102,800 / USD 103,700 Tiffany Timer With the Tiffany Timer, Tiffany & Co. blends New York elegance with Swiss chronograph heritage. Produced in an ultra-limited run of just 60 pieces, the platinum case frames a striking Tiffany blue dial powered by a customised Zenith El Primero movement. Subtle detailing, including the Bird on a Rock motif, reinforces the maison’s jewellery roots, while the high-frequency chronograph movement ensures serious watchmaking credentials. It’s exclusivity at its most refined. Estimated price: GBP 49,100 / EUR 62,000 / USD 66,000 Hublot Tourbillon Carbon SR_A by Samuel Ross Hublot’s collaboration with Samuel Ross enters a more mature phase with the Big Bang Unico SR_A. Crafted in black ceramic, the watch embraces industrial minimalism while retaining the muscular presence that defines the Big Bang family. Inside beats the in-house Unico chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve, visible through the skeletonised dial. The result is a watch that feels architectural, wearable and unmistakably modern. Estimated price: CHF 130,000 / EUR 154,000 / USD 157,000 Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime Louis Vuitton’s travel heritage takes centre stage with the Escale Worldtime. Featuring a hand-painted dial and a refined in-house movement, this piece elevates the worldtime complication into the realm of haute horlogerie. Every detail reflects craftsmanship — from the colourful city ring to the finely finished movement – making it as much an artistic object as a functional travel companion. Estimated price: ~ EUR 95,000 Louis Vuitton Escale Twin Zone Designed for frequent travellers, the Escale Twin Zone offers an intuitive approach to dual-time functionality. A clear day-night indicator and independent local time adjustment make it practical, while the Escale case and refined finishing keep it firmly in luxury territory. It’s a quieter statement than the Worldtime, but arguably the more versatile everyday watch. Estimated price: EUR 58,000 (rose gold) / EUR 230,000 (platinum, gem-set) Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Guilloché The Tambour Convergence Guilloché is a reminder that Louis Vuitton is increasingly confident in classic watchmaking codes. The beautifully hand-guilloché dial takes centre stage, paired with a refined automatic movement and elegant proportions. This is LV at its most restrained – a dress watch focused on texture, craftsmanship and timeless appeal. Estimated price: EUR 59,500 / USD 58,500 / GBP 51,500 Daniel Roth Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton Daniel Roth’s revival continues to impress, and the Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton may be its most poetic expression yet. Housed in the iconic double-ellipse case, the ultra-thin, fully skeletonised movement reveals exceptional finishing and balance. It’s a watch for purists – understated, architectural and deeply rooted in independent watchmaking values. Estimated price: ~CHF 85,000 / ~$106,000 Final Thoughts LVMH Watch Week 2026 wasn’t about shock value, it was about confidence. These releases show brands refining their identities, strengthening their mechanical foundations and speaking directly to collectors who value both innovation and authenticity. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lvmh-watch-week-2026-the-best-new-releases — Citation: "LVMH Watch Week 2026: The Best New Releases" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-21. https://menwith.com/lvmh-watch-week-2026-the-best-new-releases --- ## Ferrari 12Cilindri Tailor Made: When the Prancing Horse Learns to Speak Korean - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-12cilindri-tailor-made-when-the-prancing-horse-learns-to-speak-korean - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-20 - Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari 12Cilindri, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Ferrari's 12Cilindri Tailor Made for Korea blends Italian V12 power with South Korean art and heritage. This unique commission showcases transitional "Yoonseul" paint and artist-inspired interior details, signaling a new era of culturally resonant luxury. Ferrari’s logo has always done a lot of heavy lifting. The Prancing Horse is shorthand for speed, status, and a certain Italian stubbornness about doing things the “right” way, preferably with twelve cylinders and plenty of noise. With the new 12Cilindri Tailor Made created specifically for South Korea, that same emblem becomes something else too: a cultural translator. This is not a “limited edition” in the Instagram sense. It is a one-off, built through Ferrari’s Tailor Made programme and shaped by a collaboration spanning Maranello, North America’s COOL HUNTING®, and a group of young South Korean artists. That mix could have ended in a confused design exercise. Instead, it lands as a surprisingly coherent statement about where luxury is going: less about owning an object, more about owning a story nobody else can copy. Design: colour that refuses to sit still The headline feature is the transitional “Yoonseul” paint, a finish that shifts from green to violet with blue highlights. In bright light it reads like celadon turned futuristic, which is exactly the point: a nod to Korean heritage with a modern Seoul after-dark energy. On a car this cleanly surfaced, the moving colour does the talking, and it will polarise the purists who prefer their Ferraris in primary red. Good. A flagship should have the confidence to be slightly controversial. Even more intriguing is how the artists’ work affects the brand’s sacred symbols. The Scuderia shields, wheel caps, the long “Ferrari” nameplate, and the Prancing Horse itself get a translucent treatment inspired by artist Hyunhee Kim. Mess with the logo and you normally risk heresy. Here, it feels like Ferrari admitting the badge can be a canvas, not just a stamp. Interior: craft you can actually feel Inside, the Tailor Made brief stops being theoretical and becomes tactile. Textile artist Dahye Jeong’s pattern appears across seats, floor, and soft surfaces via a newly developed 3D fabric used in a Ferrari for the first time. There’s also screen-printing of the same motif on the glass roof, turning sunlight into a shifting shadow play as you drive. That is the kind of detail you notice at 20 km/h in traffic, not just at 200 on an empty autostrada. Most striking is the hand-woven Mongolian horsehair artwork integrated into the dashboard. It is a bold move: art placed where most supercars put carbon fibre theatre. It suggests Ferrari understands that today’s high-net-worth buyer may care as much about material intelligence as lap times. Performance: the last of a certain line Under the reverse-opening bonnet sits the reason the 12Cilindri exists at all: a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 with 830 cv, revving to 9,500 rpm. Ferrari quotes 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and a top speed beyond 340 km/h, but the numbers are less important than the delivery. A high-revving, non-turbo V12 is now a cultural artefact, and the 12Cilindri treats it like one, with the familiar double exhaust punctuation. One tasteful oddity: white brake calipers and even white shift paddles, inspired by artist TaeHyun Lee’s lacquer work, both firsts for a factory Ferrari. It sounds like a detail too far until you see how it plays against the cabin’s lighter themes. Market context: why Korea, why now South Korea’s luxury market has matured fast, and its cultural exports have even faster. Ferrari choosing this moment to build a Korea-specific Tailor Made statement is no accident. The project also folds in sound art, with GRAYCODE and jiiiiin translating the V12’s audio signature into a visual livery. It is an on-the-nose concept, but it fits a country that understands how design, music, and identity travel together. Verdict Ferrari’s logo has always promised drama. This 12Cilindri Tailor Made adds nuance: heritage without stiffness, innovation without gimmickry. It will annoy a few traditionalists, delight collectors, and quietly signal a bigger truth. The Prancing Horse is no longer just Italian. It is global, and it is learning new dialects. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-12cilindri-tailor-made-when-the-prancing-horse-learns-to-speak-korean — Citation: "Ferrari 12Cilindri Tailor Made: When the Prancing Horse Learns to Speak Korean" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-20. https://menwith.com/ferrari-12cilindri-tailor-made-when-the-prancing-horse-learns-to-speak-korean --- ## L’Observatoire: How JR Transformed the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express into Art in Motion - URL: https://menwith.com/lobservatoire-how-jr-transformed-the-venice-simplon-orient-express-into-art-in-motion - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2026-01-20 - Tags: JR, L’Observatoire, LVMH, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** JR transforms a Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express carriage into 'L'Observatoire,' a moving art installation inspired by observatories and curiosity. This unique collaboration blends luxury, history, and art for an immersive travel experience. There are journeys that take you from point A to point B, and then there are journeys that take you somewhere entirely different – into a realm where art, history and sheer luxury blur into a living experience. The Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express, the legendary train that has become synonymous with classic travel and timeless elegance, has just unveiled its most extraordinary chapter yet. L’Observatoire isn’t just another carriage; it’s a moving sanctuary of imagination, conceived by the world-renowned French artist JR and realized through years of meticulous craftsmanship. Stepping into L’Observatoire is like entering a private studio that happens to be in motion. JR – whose work spans grand photographic interventions and thought-provoking public installations – has tapped into his lifelong fascination with trains to create something singularly poetic. The design unfolds across an entire carriage of the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express, transforming it into a space that celebrates curiosity, reflection and the joy of discovery. This is the first time in history that an artist has been entrusted to redesign an entire carriage of this iconic train. Rather than simply layering decorative elements, JR reimagined every corner as part of a larger narrative. With curved shapes, playful forms and thoughtful details inspired by astronomical observatories and Renaissance cabinets of curiosities, L’Observatoire invites guests to slow down, look around and let their minds wander as the world outside rolls by. Inside, every element feels intentional. A spacious bedroom offers solace and comfort; a lounge area with a curated library beckons moments of quiet reflection; and hidden nooks reveal surprises that speak to the artist’s desire to spark wonder. The collaboration with Atelier Philippe Allemand – longtime partners in the train’s restoration – ensures that every piece of marquetry and handcrafted detail respects the Orient-Express’s storied past while adding a fresh creative voice. The result is more than a place to sleep – it’s a multi-layered environment where storytelling, design and travel intersect. Guests aboard L’Observatoire don’t just experience the legendary routes between Paris, Venice and beyond; they become part of an immersive artistic odyssey that embodies the spirit of exploration itself. It’s a reminder that luxury travel isn’t merely about opulence, but about creating moments that linger long after the journey ends. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lobservatoire-how-jr-transformed-the-venice-simplon-orient-express-into-art-in-motion — Citation: "L’Observatoire: How JR Transformed the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express into Art in Motion" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-20. https://menwith.com/lobservatoire-how-jr-transformed-the-venice-simplon-orient-express-into-art-in-motion --- ## TAG Heuer at LVMH Watch Week 2026: Expanding the Carrera Legacy - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-at-lvmh-watch-week-2026-expanding-the-carrera-legacy - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-19 - Tags: Carrera, Carrera Chronograph, Carrera Split-Seconds, LVMH, LVMH Watch Week, Menwith, Menwithclass, Seafarer, Tag Heuer **Summary:** TAG Heuer expands the Carrera legacy at LVMH Watch Week 2026 with new chronographs. Releases include the nautical Seafarer, versatile 41mm Glassbox, and technically advanced Split-Seconds Chronograph. At LVMH Watch Week 2026, TAG Heuer made one thing clear: the Carrera is no longer just an icon of the past, but the backbone of the brand’s future. With a series of new releases unveiled in Milan, the maison doubled down on chronograph mastery, historical references, and contemporary execution – all while pushing technical boundaries. Each new release builds on the Carrera’s DNA, yet speaks to a different type of collector. Carrera Chronograph Seafarer The revival of the Carrera Chronograph Seafarer is perhaps the most emotionally charged release of the week. Inspired by the legendary 1950s tide watches produced for Abercrombie & Fitch, the new Seafarer blends nautical functionality with unmistakable vintage charm. Bright color accents, a regatta-style display, and a clean yet playful dial design give the watch a strong identity that feels both historic and fresh. It’s a reminder of TAG Heuer’s deep roots in functional sports timing – and a nod to collectors who value storytelling as much as specs. Carrera Chronograph 41mm Glassbox TAG Heuer continues to refine its modern Carrera formula with new 41mm Glassbox Chronograph references. Featuring the brand’s signature domed sapphire crystal that flows seamlessly into the case, these models emphasize legibility and elegance while maintaining a sporty edge. Available in several contemporary dial colors, the watches are powered by the in-house TH20-01 movement, offering an impressive power reserve and modern reliability. This is Carrera in its most versatile form – equally suited for daily wear or more formal occasions. Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph (Rattrapante) The most technically ambitious release comes in the form of the Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph. For the first time, TAG Heuer introduces a rattrapante complication into the Carrera collection, underscoring its long-standing expertise in high-performance chronographs. The split-seconds function allows for the measurement of intermediate times, a feature historically reserved for elite timing instruments. Executed with restraint and elegance, this watch bridges haute horlogerie and motorsport heritage – a statement piece that reinforces TAG Heuer’s credibility at the highest level of watchmaking. Why These Releases Matter Rather than chasing novelty for its own sake, TAG Heuer’s 2026 strategy feels deliberate. The brand is strengthening its core, expanding the Carrera family with meaningful variations that appeal to both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts. From heritage-driven design to advanced complications, today’s releases show a brand confident in its identity – and increasingly precise in how it communicates it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-at-lvmh-watch-week-2026-expanding-the-carrera-legacy — Citation: "TAG Heuer at LVMH Watch Week 2026: Expanding the Carrera Legacy" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-19. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-at-lvmh-watch-week-2026-expanding-the-carrera-legacy --- ## Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition: A Modern Trophy in Haute Horlogerie - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-big-bang-tourbillon-novak-djokovic-goat-edition-a-modern-trophy-in-haute-horlogerie - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-19 - Tags: GOAT Edition, Hublot, Novak Djokovic **Summary:** Hublot's Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition merges elite sport and haute horlogerie. Limited editions in blue, green, and orange celebrate Djokovic's legacy with skeletonized tourbillon movements and innovative composite cases. Presented during LVMH Watch Week 2026, Hublot unveiled the Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition as a statement of modern haute horlogerie – where elite sport, advanced materials, and uncompromising mechanics converge. Unveiled as a trio of limited editions, it is more than a celebrity collaboration. It is a statement piece that translates Novak Djokovic’s career – dominance across surfaces, eras, and expectations, into mechanical form. Each version corresponds to a surface that defined his legacy: blue, green, and orange, all housed within Hublot’s unmistakable Big Bang architecture. At the heart of the watch sits a fully skeletonised tourbillon movement, visible from every angle and framed by a bold, layered case construction. The transparency is intentional. Nothing here is meant to be hidden – neither the mechanics nor the message. This is a watch that celebrates performance openly, almost unapologetically. Material-wise, Hublot continues to do what it does best: experiment at the edge of traditional watchmaking. The composite cases feel futuristic but refined, and despite their vibrant colorways, the execution remains controlled rather than loud. Paired with a clean white strap, the contrast keeps the watch from tipping into novelty. What’s particularly compelling is how the GOAT Edition avoids becoming just another athlete-endorsed timepiece. Djokovic’s presence feels embedded in the design language rather than stamped onto it. Subtle references, technical ambition, and a clear narrative give the watch authenticity – something many sports collaborations lack. From a design perspective, this is not a watch trying to please everyone. It is large, expressive, and technically assertive. But that’s precisely where its strength lies. It doesn’t chase understatement; it celebrates achievement. Hublot GOAT Edition feels honest I genuinely like this watch – not despite its boldness, but because of it. The GOAT Edition feels honest. It knows exactly what it is and doesn’t dilute the concept to appear safer or more traditional. As a modern luxury object, it succeeds in doing what the best contemporary watches should: spark emotion, conversation, and admiration for the craft behind it. This is less a watch you quietly own, and more one you proudly wear – a mechanical trophy that reflects both modern horology and an era-defining athlete. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-big-bang-tourbillon-novak-djokovic-goat-edition-a-modern-trophy-in-haute-horlogerie — Citation: "Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition: A Modern Trophy in Haute Horlogerie" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-19. https://menwith.com/hublot-big-bang-tourbillon-novak-djokovic-goat-edition-a-modern-trophy-in-haute-horlogerie --- ## Drive the Dream: Five Thrilling Cars From Gooding Christie’s First Auction in Europe - URL: https://menwith.com/drive-the-dream-five-thrilling-cars-from-gooding-christies-first-auction-in-europe - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-19 - Tags: Collecting, Gooding Christie’s **Summary:** Gooding Christie's inaugural European auction at Rétromobile features a curated selection of rare automobiles. A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione set a record at $25.3M. Rétromobile turns 50 this year, and Gooding Christie’s arrives as official partner with its first European sale on 29 January. It is a natural convergence. As senior specialist Rupert Banner puts it, Rétromobile is essentially Art Basel for the car world. In the lead up to the sale, Christie’s has published its own considered selection of cars to watch, a quiet edit that frames the auction before the room fills. Since Christie’s acquisition of Gooding & Company in 2025, the message has been consistent. Great cars, like great art or watches, ask for patience, provenance and an eye trained on condition. Results approaching $200 million across Amelia Island and Pebble Beach suggest collectors are listening. That confidence was underlined by the top lot, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione, which achieved $25.3 million, setting a new auction record for the model and the highest result in Gooding Christie’s history. 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO The 288 GTO is the moment Ferrari’s poster era became serious collecting. Announced in 1983, it arrived with a twin-turbo engine, Kevlar and carbon-fiber bodywork by Pininfarina, and that purposeful rear grille. Only 272 were built. This example is the collector’s dream made real: just over 1,500 kilometers, only two owners from new, and Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification issued in 2024. The interior shows no creasing, the original tires are present, and even the factory wax on the underbody remains intact. The visual tells the story better than any catalog line, the weave and ducts still crisp, the stance uncorrupted. Estimate 6 to 7 million euros. It also confirms a broader shift Banner notes, the rise of 1980s and 1990s nostalgia, those bedroom-wall cars now traded with the sobriety once reserved for coachbuilt grand tourers. 1920 Ballot 3/8 LC Before modern racing became data and downforce, it was ingenuity and nerve. Built by Ernest-Maurice Ballot with engineering by Ernest Henry, whose twin-cam, four-valve thinking reshaped Grand Prix competition, the 3/8 LC won the 1921 Italian Grand Prix at an average 144 km/h. This car is that winner, identified by a unique cut-out in the bodywork that served as a grab point for the mandatory ride-along mechanic. Its life reads like a syllabus in motoring history, Malcolm Campbell painted it Saxe Blue as one of his earliest Blue Birds, then Jack Dunfee and Joan Richmond campaigned it, before a long custodianship in Wales and a meticulous restoration. The surface still shows the honesty of a period build, the exposed opening on the flank a literal handhold on history. It has toured Villa d’Este, Pebble Beach and Goodwood, and is at auction for the first time. Estimate 3.5 to 6 million euros. 2018 Ferrari FXX K Evo Ferrari’s XX Programme, launched in 2005, invites top clients to become test drivers on factory tracks. The FXX K Evo is the apex of that idea, a track-only prototype with a hybrid system delivering over 1,000 bhp, 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, and a near 250 mph top speed. Ferrari has not disclosed the number produced. It is widely believed to be around 40, most converted from earlier FXX K cars. This one was built from new as an Evo, has never been raced, and shows 95 kilometers, all from maintenance laps at Fiorano. It was serviced in July 2025 at a cost exceeding 145,000 euros. In person, it is clinical and purposeful, factory stickers and edges unmarked, the car effectively box-fresh. Estimate 5.5 to 6.5 million euros, no reserve. Purists will argue that cars should be driven, not curated. Fair. Yet this is modern collecting’s other face, a membership model where access and data sit alongside ownership. 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi Few objects render the case for cars-as-art as cleanly as a Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop. The T150-C-SS chassis met Joseph Figoni’s aerodynamic language at precisely the right moment, and the result is sculpture you can register. Only about a dozen Teardrops were mounted on the short-chassis T150-C-SS, each distinct. This example, completed in May 1938 for a Belgian casino director, later vanished during the war years, resurfaced in the 1950s, and emerged from long-term storage with its wooden framework surviving and coachwork requiring only cleaning and refinishing. At Pebble Beach in 2009 it swept First in Class and elegance honors. The shape still does the talking, pontoon fenders and that tapering tail catching light in a continuous line. Estimate 6.5 to 7.5 million euros. If you want to understand why an art house acquired a car house, start here. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta The short-wheelbase Berlinetta is Ferrari at its most distilled. Unveiled in Paris in 1959 with four-wheel Dunlop discs, revised suspension, a three-liter V12 and Scaglietti bodywork to Pininfarina’s design, it became the definitive dual-purpose GT. This early October 1960 build has enviable provenance: Swiss hill climbs in period, ownership by racer and dealer Bob Grossman via Jo Siffert’s garage, and later a decorated concours life in the United States. Ferrari chose it for the marque’s 50th anniversary celebration, then again for the 70th, which tells you all you need to know. The stance is compact and ready, the details evolving from car to car, the grille and glazing tailored to original taste. Estimate 8 to 9 million euros. As Banner notes, this model embodies what Ferrari stood for in the 1960s, performance with restraint. Gooding Christie’s Paris debut is more than an auction. It is a temperature check for a maturing field where provenance is currency, nostalgia is a driver, and taste is increasingly curated across categories. For the modern gentleman, the lesson is simple. Buy what is culturally resonant, not just quick. The best garages read like libraries, and this sale offers several first editions. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/drive-the-dream-five-thrilling-cars-from-gooding-christies-first-auction-in-europe — Citation: "Drive the Dream: Five Thrilling Cars From Gooding Christie’s First Auction in Europe" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-19. https://menwith.com/drive-the-dream-five-thrilling-cars-from-gooding-christies-first-auction-in-europe --- ## The Power of Four: Inside Bentley’s Most Curated Batur Convertible - URL: https://menwith.com/the-power-of-four-inside-bentleys-most-curated-batur-convertible - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-18 - Tags: Bentley Batur Convertible, Mulliner, Sonia Breslow, Coachbuilt, W12 engine, Tri-tone paint, 3D printed platinum **Summary:** Bentley's Batur Convertible #4, a Mulliner coachbuilt masterpiece for Sonia Breslow, showcases ultra-personal luxury with a unique tri-tone paint, matching roof, and 3D printed platinum accents. It celebrates artisanal W12 power as a collector's time capsule. Meet Batur Convertible #4, a Mulliner coachbuilt Bentley shaped not by a committee but by a conversation. The client, collector Sonia Breslow, has already commissioned a Blower Continuation, a Speed Six Continuation and a Bacalar. Her latest is the most highly curated Batur to date, and it turns four firsts into a manifesto for ultra‑personal luxury. Bentley calls it a tri tone. In practice, it is a meticulously layered composition that starts with Breslow Blue up top, dips darker to Midnight Breslow Blue below, and is tied visually by a 6 mm gloss silver fine line that traces the car’s long, “endless bonnet.” The roof canvas is colour-matched to the body, another first, so top-up form and top-down profile speak the same language. There are accents where it matters and restraint where it counts: bright silver grilles, polished titanium exhaust finishers, wheel and mirror highlights that pick up the darker shade. It feels considered rather than loud, like a tailored suit with a single sharp pinstripe. Inside, the palette warms to tans and caramels, lifted by the familiar light blue that pulls the Breslow Blue Airbridge into the cabin. The stitching flows from the tonneau through the seats and headrests to the instrument panel, which keeps the eye moving without shouting for attention. The deep-pile mats hide an outline of the Batur volcano if you know where to look. The engine-turned aluminium fascia catches sunlight in tight, period-correct spirals, while the Rotating Display wears bespoke gauge faces and a satin blue clock that quietly telegraphs the theme. Then the jewellery: Bentley’s first use of 3D printed platinum, placed on the steering wheel’s top dead centre marker and each organ stop. It is tactile, cool and perhaps a little decadent. If that is the point of coachbuilt, it succeeds. Less subtle is the animated welcome lamp that projects the owner’s handwritten signature using 415,800 microscopic mirrors. It proves the digital craftsmanship Mulliner now offers alongside leather and metal. The Batur Convertible keeps the brand’s most potent W12 alive for a little longer. A 6.0 litre twin turbo, hand assembled and good for 740 bhp. It reads like a farewell aria in a company planning to go fully electric by 2035. In a grand tourer like this, power is about composure as much as speed. Expect tidal torque, long-legged refinement and the peculiar calm that only a big twelve can deliver. The powertrain defines the car’s character more than any stopwatch number ever could. Coachbuilt Bentleys caters to society’s few. Mulliner’s modern take revives that intimacy with technology as the enabler. Co-creation is not a buzzword here. It is why this car exists with a tri tone devised from the owner’s colours, a roof that matches precisely, a signature that greets you, and precious metal you can touch. This is where the luxury market is heading: pieces that read like a personal archive rather than a specification sheet. There is a tension, of course. The Batur celebrates artisanal combustion at a time when the brand’s future is electric. That contrast is not a contradiction so much as a snapshot. For collectors, a coachbuilt W12 convertible in 2026 is both transport and time capsule. Batur Convertible #4 is not about horsepower wars or lap times. It is about memory, touch and the satisfaction of getting every detail to sing in harmony. The signature lamp will spark debate. The platinum organ stops will raise eyebrows. Good. Polarisation is part of personality. If you believe the highest luxury is choice, curated with discipline, this Batur is a compelling argument. Read more stories about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-power-of-four-inside-bentleys-most-curated-batur-convertible — Citation: "The Power of Four: Inside Bentley’s Most Curated Batur Convertible" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-18. https://menwith.com/the-power-of-four-inside-bentleys-most-curated-batur-convertible --- ## Kawasaki Corleo Concept 01 - URL: https://menwith.com/kawasaki-corleo-concept-01 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2026-01-18 - Tags: Kawasaki Corleo Concept 01, EXPO 2025 Osaka, Robotic Vehicle, Hydrogen Power, Future Mobility, Alternative Fuels, Speculative Engineering **Summary:** Kawasaki's Corleo Concept 01 reimagines mobility with a four-legged, rideable robot powered by hydrogen. It responds to rider's body weight, offering intuitive control for challenging terrains. When most brands talk about the future of mobility, the conversation usually revolves around electrification, autonomy, or new design languages built around familiar platforms. With Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the future looks very different. Enter Corleo Concept 01 – a bold, almost science-fiction vision that challenges the idea that personal transportation even needs wheels at all. Unveiled as part of Kawasaki’s forward-looking concepts for EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Corleo Concept 01 is a rideable, four-legged robotic vehicle designed to traverse terrain where traditional vehicles struggle. Instead of tires and suspension, Corleo moves using independently controlled mechanical legs, each ending in rubberized “hooves” engineered for grip on grass, rocks, sand, and uneven ground. The result is a machine that feels closer to riding an animal than operating a conventional vehicle. What makes Corleo especially intriguing is how it’s designed to interact with the rider. Rather than relying solely on handlebars or complex controls, the concept responds to shifts in body weight and posture. Lean forward and it advances. Shift your balance and it adjusts its stride accordingly. It’s an approach that feels instinctive, echoing the physical connection riders already associate with motorcycles, horses, or boardsports. Powering this futuristic mobility concept is a hydrogen-based energy system, reinforcing Kawasaki’s long-term commitment to alternative fuels beyond batteries alone. While Corleo is not a production-ready vehicle, its hydrogen focus highlights a future where clean energy and advanced robotics coexist in personal transportation, particularly in environments where infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. Visually, Corleo Concept 01 sits at the intersection of industrial design and speculative engineering. Muscular, angular surfaces reference Kawasaki’s motorcycling heritage, while exposed mechanical elements proudly showcase its robotic nature. It’s unapologetically conceptual, yet grounded in real engineering logic rather than pure fantasy. For Kawasaki, Corleo isn’t about replacing motorcycles or creating a novelty machine. It’s about exploring what mobility could become in landscapes that resist conventional solutions – from disaster zones and mountainous terrain to future cities designed with sustainability and adaptability in mind. The company has hinted that technologies developed for Corleo could influence real-world applications in the 2030s, even if the concept itself never reaches mass production. In an era where many concept vehicles feel like incremental design exercises, Kawasaki Corleo Concept 01 stands out as a genuine rethink. It doesn’t ask how we can improve what already exists, but whether the foundations themselves should change. And that, perhaps, is what makes it one of the most compelling visions of future mobility today. More about lifestyle here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/kawasaki-corleo-concept-01 — Citation: "Kawasaki Corleo Concept 01" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-18. https://menwith.com/kawasaki-corleo-concept-01 --- ## Red Bull Racing Reveals Its Vision for Formula 1’s 2026 Era - URL: https://menwith.com/red-bull-racing-reveals-its-vision-for-formula-1s-2026-era - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-16 - Tags: F1, Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Red bull, Red Bull Racing **Summary:** Red Bull Racing unveils its 2026 F1 car, designed for new regulations emphasizing aerodynamics and hybrid power. The car reflects a lighter, more compact philosophy and Red Bull's intent to lead in the evolving sport. Yesterday, Oracle Red Bull Racing pulled the covers off its 2026 Formula 1 car, marking an important milestone ahead of a season that promises to redefine the sport. The reveal is not just about a new chassis or fresh livery, but about signalling intent in an era shaped by new technical regulations and a stronger push toward sustainability. The 2026 regulations represent a significant reset for Formula 1. Cars are set to become lighter and more compact, with a renewed focus on aerodynamic efficiency rather than outright downforce. Red Bull’s new car reflects this philosophy clearly. The design appears cleaner and more purposeful, with surfaces sculpted to manage airflow precisely rather than aggressively overpower it. Everything feels intentional, stripped back, and modern. Power is at the heart of this new era. The updated hybrid regulations place greater emphasis on electrical energy, with a more balanced split between internal combustion and electric power. Red Bull’s 2026 car is built around this concept, integrating advanced energy recovery systems into a tightly packaged and visually refined form. The result is a car that looks as intelligent as it is fast. Visually, the car stays true to Red Bull’s strong brand identity. The familiar deep blue, red, and yellow tones remain, but the execution feels sharper and more technical. Subtle changes in proportions and detailing give the car a futuristic character, aligning it with Formula 1’s broader vision of innovation and relevance in a changing automotive world. Beyond aesthetics and performance, the reveal sends a clear message. Red Bull is approaching 2026 not as a challenge to survive, but as an opportunity to lead. The team has dominated recent seasons, and this car suggests a confidence that their philosophy can adapt and thrive under radically new rules. As the countdown to 2026 continues, this first look sets expectations high. If this car is any indication, Red Bull Racing intends to remain at the forefront of Formula 1, blending cutting-edge technology with the sharp design language that has become synonymous with success. What do you think about the 2026 season for Red Bull? More about motors here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/red-bull-racing-reveals-its-vision-for-formula-1s-2026-era — Citation: "Red Bull Racing Reveals Its Vision for Formula 1’s 2026 Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-16. https://menwith.com/red-bull-racing-reveals-its-vision-for-formula-1s-2026-era --- ## Loewe Plants a Flag in Ginza - URL: https://menwith.com/loewe-plants-a-flag-in-ginza - Author: Tom - Category: Style - Published: 2026-01-16 - Tags: LVMH **Summary:** Loewe opens its largest Japan store, CASA LOEWE Ginza, a cultural and commercial hub. The flagship features a Suna Fujita ceramic collaboration on iconic bags and ready-to-wear, blending heritage with modernity. In Ginza, location is statement. Loewe has chosen the high ground at the intersection of Chuo-dori and Miyuki-dori, opening CASA LOEWE Ginza in December as the brand marks its 180th anniversary. It is the house’s largest store in Japan and its second-largest globally, and notably its first street-level flagship. That detail matters. A threshold on the pavement changes how a store meets the city. The flow of foot traffic, the constant pulse of Chuo-dori, the immediate visibility all turn shopping into public encounter. The brand is explicit about purpose. CASA LOEWE Ginza is conceived as a cultural and commercial space, with a series of creative events beginning January 9 to mark the opening. The aim is a conversation between heritage and modernity. Done right, this is where a luxury house earns attention rather than demands it. The best flagships feel like a public square with better lighting and very good leather. Here, the street-level setting means the energy of Ginza filters in, while the interior can dial the atmosphere toward gallery calm. A highlight is a collaboration with Suna Fujita, the Kyoto ceramic studio founded by Shohei Fujita and Chisato Yamano. Their work, informed by a poetic, nature-led narrative, appears on exclusive pieces made for CASA LOEWE Ginza. It also surfaces across the iconic Hammock bag and on ready-to-wear, including a shearling coat and a jacket adorned with cherry blossom motifs. There is a satisfying material dialogue here. The soft loft of shearling and the crisp line of a jacket play against motifs born from clay and brush. The bloom of sakura on leather reads as considered rather than cute. The store is also staging a pre-launch of the latest Loewe x Suna Fujita collection. Expect new takes on the Amazona and Basket bags, alongside accessories, charms, and small leather goods. This is how you make a physical visit worth the detour. The Amazona has earned its place on the shoulder of men and women who value restraint over noise. Seeing a familiar form reframed by a Kyoto studio’s visual language is a more grounded kind of novelty. The woven tactility of the Basket bag and the supple hand of Loewe leather offer a direct, tactile payoff that screens cannot deliver. Ginza is a proving ground for ideas about luxury retail. Tokyo’s most storied shopping district prizes rigor, service, and craft. Planting a major flagship here signals commitment to those values and to the market that has long appreciated them. Japan is strategic for Loewe, and the scale of this opening underlines that role. The choice to position the store as a cultural space is not just good manners. It is a hedge against a world where everything is available everywhere, and where context is the true differentiator. When a brand hosts culture instead of merely referencing it, the experience has weight. The quiet hum of a talk, the pause in front of a ceramic piece, the measured pace of service all slow the visit in welcome ways. There is also a clear retail tactic at work. Pre-launches and location-only collaborations continue to be the most reliable way to cut through static without shouting. A house that is comfortable letting craft and context carry the message usually earns more trust than one that spins a slogan. Loewe has built its recent momentum on exactly that equation. The Ginza flagship extends it in a market that still rewards the long view. For the modern gentleman passing through Tokyo, CASA LOEWE Ginza reads as a live case study in how luxury retail should function. Not a museum, not a billboard. A space where fashion, art, and craft sit in balance, with the city just beyond the door. The lighting is clean, the textures are immediate, and the cultural program suggests reasons to return that extend beyond product drops. No pricing or sales figures are disclosed, and none are needed to understand the intent. Opening a flagship of this size at this address is a high-confidence move. It says brick-and-mortar is not a fallback but a frontier when it is treated with respect. In a district that measures taste by restraint and execution, Loewe has chosen to speak softly and invite people in. That is a lesson worth noting, whether you come for the Hammock, the ceramics, or simply to see how a house marks 180 years by looking forward. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loewe-plants-a-flag-in-ginza — Citation: "Loewe Plants a Flag in Ginza" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-16. https://menwith.com/loewe-plants-a-flag-in-ginza --- ## Omega Introduces a Striking New Chapter for the Speedmaster Moonwatch - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-introduces-a-striking-new-chapter-for-the-speedmaster-moonwatch - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-15 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Moonwatch, Omega, Omega Speedmaster, Speedmaster, Watch **Summary:** Omega updates the iconic Speedmaster Moonwatch with a striking black and white "reverse panda" dial. This new iteration respects heritage while embracing modern refinement with its Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement. Few watches carry the cultural and historical weight of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. From its role in space exploration to its enduring presence in modern watchmaking, the Moonwatch has become a symbol of precision, reliability, and timeless design. With its latest release, Omega introduces a new interpretation that feels both familiar and refreshingly contemporary: the Speedmaster Moonwatch in black and white. At first glance, the new model immediately stands apart thanks to its high-contrast dial configuration. Known among collectors as a “reverse panda,” the watch features a glossy black main dial paired with crisp white chronograph subdials. The result is a sharper, more graphic expression of the Moonwatch aesthetic, enhancing legibility while giving the watch a distinctly modern edge. It’s a subtle shift, yet one that significantly alters the character of the watch without compromising its identity. Despite the visual update, Omega has remained deeply respectful of the Speedmaster’s heritage. The case retains its iconic 42mm asymmetrical profile with twisted lugs, a design that traces its lineage directly back to the references worn during NASA’s Apollo missions. A box-shaped sapphire crystal replaces the traditional hesalite while preserving the vintage silhouette, and the tachymeter bezel remains true to the Moonwatch’s unmistakable DNA. Inside, the watch is powered by Omega’s manually wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. This movement represents the modern evolution of the legendary calibre that once powered the Moonwatch into space. Certified by METAS, it offers exceptional precision, resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, and a 50-hour power reserve. Through the sapphire caseback, the movement is fully visible, underscoring Omega’s confidence in its technical refinement. The new black and white Moonwatch is offered in stainless steel as well as in 18K Moonshine Gold, Omega’s proprietary alloy known for its warm tone and long-lasting color. While the steel version delivers a sharp, versatile daily companion, the Moonshine Gold model elevates the design into a more luxurious realm, balancing sport and elegance with remarkable ease. What makes this release particularly compelling is how effortlessly it bridges past and present. Omega has not reinvented the Moonwatch; instead, it has refined it, allowing contrast and clarity to take center stage. The black and white dial injects new energy into an icon that has never needed reinvention, only thoughtful evolution. With this latest release, Omega once again proves that true icons don’t chase trends. They adapt quietly, confidently, and with purpose, remaining relevant without losing sight of what made them legendary in the first place. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-introduces-a-striking-new-chapter-for-the-speedmaster-moonwatch — Citation: "Omega Introduces a Striking New Chapter for the Speedmaster Moonwatch" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-15. https://menwith.com/omega-introduces-a-striking-new-chapter-for-the-speedmaster-moonwatch --- ## The 2027 Nissan Z Refresh Is Here -NISMO Finally Gets a Manual - URL: https://menwith.com/the-2027-nissan-z-refresh-is-here-nismo-finally-gets-a-manual - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-14 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Nismo, Nissan, Nissan Z **Summary:** The 2027 Nissan Z refresh refines its retro-modern design and enhances driving dynamics with chassis revisions. Notably, the Z NISMO will offer a manual transmission, prioritizing enthusiast engagement. The modern Nissan Z has always been about balance. It’s a car that wears its history on its sleeve, but it’s also expected to survive in a world where sports cars are judged as much by daily usability as by weekend thrills. For 2027, Nissan isn’t rewriting the recipe, but it is refining it in the ways that matter, starting with a design update that feels more resolved and more “Z” at first glance. Unveiled in refreshed form at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the most noticeable change is up front. The Z’s face now adopts a smaller, split-grille treatment that integrates more cleanly into the bumper, echoing the direction Nissan explored with the Heritage Edition. It’s a simple move that tightens the car visually and leans into the model’s retro-modern identity without tipping into cosplay. Color and detail work do a lot of the storytelling here. A new “Unryu Green” joins the palette, and fresh 19-inch wheel designs update the stance without turning the car into something it’s not. Inside, changes are deliberately light-touch, with reporting pointing to a new tan interior option as part of the refresh, keeping the cabin familiar but giving buyers another way to dial the vibe. The bigger news is mechanical, even if Nissan isn’t calling it a reinvention. Multiple reports describe chassis revisions including retuned dampers and larger brakes, with some coverage noting upgraded braking hardware linked to the GT-R parts bin. This kind of update is exactly what a sports coupe needs mid-cycle: not a spec-sheet reset, but the sort of calibration that makes the car feel more confident on real roads and more consistent when pushed. And then there’s the change that instantly reframes the conversation around the Z NISMO. For 2027, the high-performance variant is expected to offer a manual transmission, answering the most common critique of the previous setup. In a segment where involvement is the product, giving enthusiasts a third pedal matters as much as any aero tweak ever could. Power, meanwhile, stays true to the current formula. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 continues as the backbone of the lineup, with mainstream Z models typically quoted around 400 horsepower and the NISMO stepping up from there. This refresh is less about chasing bigger numbers and more about making the existing performance feel sharper, cleaner, and more intentional. As for timing, reporting indicates Japan will see the refreshed Fairlady Z first, with a wider rollout expected to follow. For markets like the U.S., coverage suggests late 2026 for the 2027 model-year arrival, and more market-specific details should land closer to that window. In a year where many performance icons are being electrified, downsized, or softened into lifestyle objects, the 2027 Nissan Z refresh reads like a clear statement of intent. Keep the silhouette, fix the details, sharpen the dynamics, and give the enthusiasts what they asked for. Sometimes the most modern move is simply listening. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-2027-nissan-z-refresh-is-here-nismo-finally-gets-a-manual — Citation: "The 2027 Nissan Z Refresh Is Here -NISMO Finally Gets a Manual" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-14. https://menwith.com/the-2027-nissan-z-refresh-is-here-nismo-finally-gets-a-manual --- ## Cadillac reveals its first Formula 1 car in Barcelona - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillac-reveals-its-first-formula-1-car-in-barcelona - Author: Tom - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-14 - Tags: Cadillac F1, Formula 1, Barcelona Shakedown, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari power, 2026 F1 season **Summary:** Cadillac unveils its monochrome Formula 1 testing car in Barcelona, emphasizing engineering and provenance over spectacle. The design subtly honors founding members and hints at a blend of American, British, and Italian expertise, with Zhou Guanyu joining as Reserve Driver. The first thing Cadillac shows us is not speed. It is restraint. At the Barcelona Shakedown later this month, the team will roll out its debut Formula 1 car wearing a monochrome testing livery. Gloss and matte surfaces fold into each other. Geometry breaks up the bodywork. A large Cadillac crest sits confidently over the rear, both a signature and a screen. It is a familiar F1 language. Hide the aero, reveal the intent. This is not yet the car Cadillac wants the world to remember. That moment is reserved for February 8, revealed during the Super Bowl, where the race livery will arrive in front of an audience far beyond the paddock. Barcelona is for engineers, not applause. Look closer and the testing livery carries a quieter message. Embedded within the design are the names of the team’s founding members from the United States and the UK. It reads less like branding and more like provenance. A reminder that this project is being built across continents, with American confidence, British racecraft, and Italian machinery underneath via Ferrari power. That blend now extends inside the garage as well. Alongside race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, Cadillac has confirmed Zhou Guanyu as Reserve Driver for its 2026 campaign. It is a measured choice. Zhou brings recent Ferrari systems knowledge, discipline in simulation work, and a reputation for clean, thoughtful execution. Not noise. Signal. Reserve drivers shape the car long before it ever lines up on a grid. Zhou’s role sits neatly within Cadillac’s early structure. Bottas and Perez provide reference and race experience. Zhou handles the long hours of correlation, feedback, and continuity. In a new team, that quiet labor matters. Barcelona, then, is not about lap times. It is about alignment. The car will run. The data will flow. The team will watch, listen, and adjust. Cadillac is not trying to shock Formula 1 into attention. It is introducing itself with control. There will be time for statements later. For now, the shapes are muted, the names are written small, and the message is clear enough. This is a team building its rhythm before it raises its voice. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillac-reveals-its-first-formula-1-car-in-barcelona — Citation: "Cadillac reveals its first Formula 1 car in Barcelona" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-14. https://menwith.com/cadillac-reveals-its-first-formula-1-car-in-barcelona --- ## Jacob & Co. Breaks the Tourbillon Rulebook With God of Time - URL: https://menwith.com/jacob-038-co-breaks-the-tourbillon-rulebook-with-god-of-time - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-13 - Tags: Jacob & Co **Summary:** Jacob & Co.'s God of Time redefines the tourbillon with a 4-second rotation, demanding radical engineering for stability. Its design merges mythology and mechanics, creating a profound statement on time itself. Speed in watchmaking is usually discussed as a measure of control. Precision, stability, resistance to error. With God of Time, Jacob & Co. treats speed as something more existential. A question of how far a fundamental idea can be pushed before it becomes something else entirely. The starting point was not decoration or legacy, but the tourbillon itself. One of the most established mechanisms in watchmaking, often revered, rarely challenged. Here, it was taken apart conceptually and rebuilt from the ground up. The goal was not to reinterpret tradition, but to move past it. At the centre of God of Time, the tourbillon completes a full rotation every four seconds. The fastest ever achieved. That figure matters, but not because it breaks a record. It matters because of what it demands. At this speed, energy becomes volatile, mass becomes an obstacle, and conventional solutions no longer apply. Stability has to be engineered directly into the mechanism, not added around it. To achieve this, the movement was developed entirely from scratch. A constant-force system regulates power delivery directly within the tourbillon, maintaining composure despite the unprecedented velocity. Even the weight of the carriage was reconsidered, reduced to just 0.27 grams. Not as an exercise in minimalism, but as a requirement for balance. What makes God of Time compelling is how this intensity is framed. The dial is dominated by the figure of Chronos, the ancient god of time, rendered as a three-dimensional rose gold sculpture. He is not ornamental. He is central, both visually and conceptually. Set against a deep blue aventurine sky, the composition creates a sense of space and distance, reminding the wearer that time here is treated as a force rather than a function. Chronos does not compete with the mechanism. He watches over it. The case continues this dialogue between meaning and structure. Inspired by ancient Greek temple architecture, the rose gold form echoes the proportions of an Ionic column. Sculpted lines and ribbed detailing recall stonework designed for permanence. The silhouette is commanding, but carefully balanced. It feels deliberate, not aggressive. Importantly, the case is not simply a container. It defines the watch’s identity as much as the movement inside it. In God of Time, structure and mechanics exist in partnership. Remove one, and the narrative loses coherence. Turn the watch over and the tone becomes more personal. A sapphire crystal reveals the signature of Jacob Arabo, marking the creation of the piece on the occasion of his 60th birthday. It is a quiet gesture, but a meaningful one. A reminder that even at this scale, watchmaking remains human, driven by obsession, curiosity, and conviction. We were able to experience God of Time firsthand with a unique hands-on preview during Dubai Watch Week, where its sense of balance becomes immediately apparent, not just visually, but emotionally. God of Time is not about excess for its own sake. It does not chase complexity as spectacle. Instead, it presents a technical record through form, mythology, and restraint. Speed is pushed to its limit, then held there with composure. It is a watch that treats time not as something to be displayed, but as something to be confronted. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jacob-038-co-breaks-the-tourbillon-rulebook-with-god-of-time — Citation: "Jacob & Co. Breaks the Tourbillon Rulebook With God of Time" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-13. https://menwith.com/jacob-038-co-breaks-the-tourbillon-rulebook-with-god-of-time --- ## Elvis Presley’s Iconic Stage Ring Heads to Market at M.S. Rau - URL: https://menwith.com/elvis-presleys-iconic-stage-ring-heads-to-market-at-ms-rau - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2026-01-12 - Tags: Elvis Presley, M.S. Rau, Stage Ring, Blue Sapphire, Memphis Mafia, 1972, Rock 'n' Roll Memorabilia **Summary:** Elvis Presley's iconic stage-worn ring, featuring a blue synthetic sapphire, is now for sale at M.S. Rau. This 14K gold piece, gifted to his bodyguard, offers a tangible connection to the King of Rock 'n' Roll's legendary showmanship. When it comes to collectible jewelry, few objects carry the cultural weight of those worn by Elvis Presley. Beyond the jumpsuits, the Cadillacs, and the unmistakable voice, Elvis had a deep appreciation for bold, expressive jewelry – pieces that reflected both his stage presence and personal identity. One such piece, a gold ring worn by Elvis during live performances, has now resurfaced and is being offered for sale by renowned luxury dealer M.S. Rau. The ring is crafted in 14K yellow gold and set with a striking blue synthetic sapphire, chosen specifically for its ability to catch and reflect stage lighting. Under concert spotlights, the stone would have appeared almost electric – a detail that aligned perfectly with Elvis’s flair for drama and visual impact. The design is unapologetically bold, architectural, and unmistakably of its era, embodying the confident masculinity and showmanship that defined Elvis’s public image. This ring was not merely a stage accessory. In 1972, Elvis gifted the ring to Dave Hebler, one of his longtime bodyguards and trusted members of the inner circle often referred to as the “Memphis Mafia.” Such gifts were a known expression of Elvis’s generosity and loyalty, frequently given to those closest to him. The ring’s provenance is firmly documented, including engraving details and certificates of authenticity, firmly anchoring it within Elvis Presley’s personal history. Jewelry worn by Elvis occupies a unique space in the world of collectibles. Unlike garments or instruments, rings and personal accessories were worn daily, carried across performances, travels, and private moments. They offer an unusually intimate connection to the man behind the myth. This particular ring stands out not only for its visual strength but for its clear documentation and condition – a combination rarely found in celebrity memorabilia. Now presented by M.S. Rau, a gallery internationally respected for museum-quality antiques, fine jewelry, and historically significant artifacts, the ring is positioned not simply as memorabilia, but as a serious collector’s object. M.S. Rau’s involvement adds an additional layer of credibility, ensuring the piece is contextualized within both luxury and historical frameworks rather than pop-culture novelty. For collectors of fine jewelry, cultural history, or Elvis Presley himself, this ring represents a convergence of all three worlds. It is a reminder of an era when stage presence extended beyond sound – when every visual detail mattered, and when jewelry was as much a statement as music. More than four decades after it last reflected stage lights, Elvis Presley’s ring returns to the spotlight – this time as a tangible piece of rock ’n’ roll history, ready for its next chapter. Want to read similar articles? Click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/elvis-presleys-iconic-stage-ring-heads-to-market-at-ms-rau — Citation: "Elvis Presley’s Iconic Stage Ring Heads to Market at M.S. Rau" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-12. https://menwith.com/elvis-presleys-iconic-stage-ring-heads-to-market-at-ms-rau --- ## Golden Globes Wrist Check: From DiCaprio's Le Mans to Chalamet UJ-2 - URL: https://menwith.com/golden-globes-wrist-check-from-dicaprio8217s-le-mans-to-chalamet-uj-2 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-12 - Tags: Chopard, F.P. Journe, Glashütte Original, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Golden Globes attendees showcased deliberate watch choices, prioritizing personal style over overt branding. Standouts included Timothée Chalamet's Urban Jürgensen and Kevin O'Leary's rare Cartier and F.P. Journe. Awards ceremonies reveal very little about time. They reveal a great deal about taste. Perfect for wrist checks. At the Golden Globes this year, watches were not punctuation marks at the end of an outfit. They were part of the sentence. Chosen early, considered carefully, worn with a sense of authorship rather than endorsement. What stood out was not constant visibility, but intention. Even when the watch disappeared under a cuff, the choices that surfaced in close-ups and arrivals felt deliberate. Less about volume, more about self-editing. Timothée Chalamet set the tone early in the night. Multiple awards, steady movement through the room. On his wrist, an Urban Jürgensen UJ-2 in platinum. Calm, exacting, unhurried. Kevin O’Leary dominated the watch conversation. By volume and by authority. Four watches, all intentional. He double-wristed as he always does. On one side, a rare Cartier Tank Asymétrique in platinum, skeletonized and architectural. On the other, a one-of-a-kind F.P. Journe. Singular, exacting, unmistakably his. He also arrived with two pieces from Marty Supreme. A 1952 Patek Philippe hourglass watch set to New York time. A 1950s Seiko known as The Super, running on Tokyo time. Both finished on his red strap. George Clooney brought the room back to ease. His Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra in stainless steel, lifted by a turquoise dial, softened the rigidity of black tie. It didn’t compete with the tuxedo. It relaxed it. Leonardo DiCaprio stayed within the language he knows best. His Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Le Mans” in white gold felt celebratory without being showy. The red accent on the ceramic bezel, the altered chronograph scale, the quiet rarity of the piece. A watch that only reveals itself to those already paying attention. John Krasinski chose something quieter still. A Glashütte Original Sixties in steel, with its domed dial and restrained proportions. Mid-century in spirit, but worn cleanly. Confident without leaning on recognition. Glen Powell wore a gold Omega Aqua Terra. Warm, forward, present. Charlie Hunnam followed with something familiar. A Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface in pink gold. Clean lines, settled proportions. Kumail Nanjiani chose weight and clarity. A Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin in white gold. Composed, deliberate, and quietly confident. Dwayne Johnson’s diamond-set Chopard Alpine Eagle arrived unapologetically. Not subtle, not trying to be. But it also didn’t feel like costume. It felt aligned, as if the watch simply matched the nickname of the man wearing it. Not every choice was understated, and not every statement was obvious. But taken together, the wrists at the Golden Globes suggested something refreshing. A return to wearing what you actually want, and letting that be enough. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/golden-globes-wrist-check-from-dicaprio8217s-le-mans-to-chalamet-uj-2 — Citation: "Golden Globes Wrist Check: From DiCaprio's Le Mans to Chalamet UJ-2" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-12. https://menwith.com/golden-globes-wrist-check-from-dicaprio8217s-le-mans-to-chalamet-uj-2 --- ## Michael Schumacher’s First Grand Prix–Winning Car Heads to Auction - URL: https://menwith.com/michael-schumachers-first-grand-prixwinning-car-heads-to-auction - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-11 - Tags: Formula 1 **Summary:** Michael Schumacher's first Grand Prix-winning car, Benetton B192-05, is up for auction. This historic F1 machine represents the pivotal moment before his legendary career, valued for its provenance and the start of his 91 victories. Before the records, before the certainty, there is usually a single afternoon where something shifts. Chassis B192-05 did not arrive at Spa carrying expectation. It arrived prepared. Benetton had spent nearly a decade learning Formula One from the inside out, building its understanding with restraint rather than urgency. Rory Byrne’s thinking shaped a car that trusted balance over drama, and evolution over reinvention. Michael Schumacher understood that language immediately. His education had come through limitation and feel, through surfaces that punished impatience. By 1992, he was no longer learning how to drive. He was learning when to decide. The season belonged to Williams, but Benetton’s progress was unmistakable. Chassis 05 became Schumacher’s tool across five Grands Prix, delivering a second place in Canada and repeatedly qualifying beyond expectation. The car did not demand adaptation. It invited precision. Spa provided the test. Weather fractured the field, strategy splintered, and the race narrowed into moments rather than laps. When Schumacher glanced ahead and read the condition of his teammate’s tires, the decision was immediate. The pit call was not brave. It was clear. Forty-four laps later, he crossed the line first. One year after his Formula One debut on the same circuit. The first of 91 victories. The final Grand Prix win for a manual gearbox. A hinge in history that moved without spectacle. Afterward, the car was kept, not celebrated. Retained by the team, later preserved within Renault’s collection, restored with care rather than nostalgia. It remained a working idea, understood by those who knew what it represented. Now, for the first time, B192-05 enters the public sphere. Not as memorabilia, but as provenance. With an estimate in excess of €8.500.000, it reflects not just rarity, but consequence. This is the moment before mythology, valued for what it started rather than what it became. What followed changed Formula One. What came before, in this car, explains why. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/michael-schumachers-first-grand-prixwinning-car-heads-to-auction — Citation: "Michael Schumacher’s First Grand Prix–Winning Car Heads to Auction" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-11. https://menwith.com/michael-schumachers-first-grand-prixwinning-car-heads-to-auction --- ## Rowan Atkinson: A Collector Who Drives, Not Just Owns - URL: https://menwith.com/rowan-atkinson-a-collector-who-drives-not-just-owns - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: People - Published: 2026-01-09 - Tags: Collecting, People, Collector, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Rowan Atkinson **Summary:** Rowan Atkinson, known for comedy, is a serious car collector who prioritizes driving over ownership. His collection emphasizes mechanical integrity and driving purity, exemplified by his McLaren F1 and Lexus LFA. For many, Rowan Atkinson will forever be associated with comedy – an icon of British humour known worldwide. But beyond the screen, Atkinson has long been regarded as one of the most serious and knowledgeable car collectors in the public eye. Not a collector in the traditional sense, but a driver – someone who believes cars are meant to be used, not merely admired. Unlike many celebrity garages built on excess and spectacle, Atkinson’s collection is defined by engineering integrity, driving purity, and personal involvement. He has raced, crashed, restored, and ultimately parted with some of the most significant cars of the modern era – always with a driver’s perspective. The McLaren F1: Ownership With Consequence No discussion of Rowan Atkinson’s car collection can begin anywhere else than with the McLaren F1. Purchased in the late 1990s, Atkinson’s F1 became legendary not only for its rarity, but for the way it was used. He drove it regularly, covered tens of thousands of miles, and famously crashed it – twice. Where others might have retreated into preservation, Atkinson doubled down on his philosophy: cars exist to be driven. After extensive factory restorations, he eventually sold the F1 in 2015 for a reported eight-figure sum. The sale wasn’t framed as an exit from supercars, but as the natural end of a chapter – one defined by experience rather than possession. A Taste for Mechanical Honesty Atkinson’s broader collection reveals a consistent theme: mechanical clarity over digital complexity. Cars like the Honda NSX, Lexus LFA, and various classic British sports cars reflect his appreciation for balance, feedback, and engineering purity. The LFA, in particular, aligns closely with his taste – a car celebrated not for brute force, but for its naturally aspirated V10, acoustic theatre, and obsessive attention to detail. These are machines chosen by someone who understands how they feel at speed, not how they look in a garage. Racing, Not Just Collecting What sets Atkinson apart is his involvement in historic motorsport. He has competed in classic racing events behind the wheel of cars like the Aston Martin V8 Zagato and BMW 328, often accepting the risks that come with pushing valuable machinery on track. Crashes have occurred. Repairs have followed. And yet, the pattern remains the same: the experience matters more than the asset. In a world where car collecting is increasingly speculative, Atkinson’s approach feels refreshingly analogue. Daily Drivers and Unexpected Choices Alongside his rarities, Atkinson has also owned unassuming vehicles – from executive sedans to hybrids. These choices reinforce the idea that his interest lies not in image, but in function. The same person who once daily-drove a McLaren F1 also appreciated the quiet logic of practical, well-engineered transport. A Philosophy Built on Use Rowan Atkinson’s car collection isn’t about completeness or investment value. It’s about interaction. About understanding a car by driving it, stressing it, and occasionally breaking it. In doing so, he represents a fading ideal in modern car culture – one where ownership implies responsibility, curiosity, and courage. For Atkinson, cars are not trophies. They are tools for joy, challenge, and learning. And in that sense, his collection tells a story far richer than any static display ever could. Here’s a comprehensive list of vehicles that Rowan Atkinson has been known to own, drive, or otherwise be closely associated with throughout his years as a collector and enthusiast: Supercars & Performance Icons - McLaren F1 (1997) — Iconic supercar, driven extensively (sold 2015) - Honda NSX (2002) — Balanced and rewarding mid-engine sports car - Lexus LFA — V10 supercar with legendary engine character British & Classic Sports Cars - Aston Martin V8 Zagato (1986) — Rare and beautifully detailed - Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977) — Classic British GT - BMW 328 Roadster (1939) — Pre-war sports car, raced by Atkinson - Jaguar E-Type (1960s) — Timeless British classic in his collection - Ford Falcon Sprint (1964) — American classic raced and crashed in historic events Luxury & Daily Drivers - Bentley Mulsanne Birkin Edition (2014) — British luxury saloon - Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead (2011) — Sophisticated convertible - Audi A8 — Executive sedan previously owned - Škoda Superb — Practical, understated transport option - Honda Civic Hybrid — Unconventional choice emphasizing function More about motors here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rowan-atkinson-a-collector-who-drives-not-just-owns — Citation: "Rowan Atkinson: A Collector Who Drives, Not Just Owns" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-09. https://menwith.com/rowan-atkinson-a-collector-who-drives-not-just-owns --- ## The 2026 Rezvani Tank: Tactical Design Meets 1,000 Horsepower - URL: https://menwith.com/the-2026-rezvani-tank-tactical-design-meets-1000-horsepower - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-09 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Rezvani, Rezvani Tank, Tank **Summary:** The 2026 Rezvani Tank boasts a tactical design and up to 1,000 horsepower. It offers advanced security features, luxurious interiors, and multiple engine options, starting at $175,000. When Rezvani Motors revealed the 2026 Tank, the automotive world once again took notice. Far more than a cosmetic update, this new generation represents a significant evolution – a vehicle forged from rugged purpose and unrestrained performance. At its core, the Tank remains true to its roots as a tactical off-road SUV, a machine capable of tackling environments most SUVs would never dare.  Visually, the 2026 model steps into a bolder era with sharper lines and a more aggressive stance. The all-new exterior sheds softer shapes in favor of crisp angles and tall, slab-sided panels that give the Tank a commanding presence whether crawling over rocky trails or cruising through urban streets. Designers clearly embraced a more tactical aesthetic, one that speaks to durability and intent. Under the hood, Rezvani offers several powertrain options to suit different tastes and purposes. At the entry level lies a 3.6-liter V6, delivering capable performance for everyday driving. For enthusiasts and adventurers alike, the 6.4-liter V8 brings 500 horsepower to the table, while the most extreme choice is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 borrowed from the Dodge Demon, good for a staggering 1,000 horsepower when fully equipped. This range of engines lets buyers tailor their Tank to meet anything from rugged expedition performance to straight-line power fantasies. But the 2026 Tank isn’t about power alone – it’s a tactical tool by design. Rezvani continues to offer an array of security and protection options, from lightweight ballistic armor and bullet-resistant glass to run-flat tires and night vision systems. Buyers can opt for packages that include smoke screen deployment, reinforced bumpers, electromagnetic pulse protection, and other gear typically found in military and high-security vehicles. Whether intended for peace-of-mind travel through remote terrain or a statement of uncompromised readiness, the Tank’s capability list is exhaustive.  Inside, the cabin has been updated to match the vehicle’s exterior transformation. A modern touchscreen anchors the dash, custom gauge clusters offer enhanced visibility, and a variety of luxurious finishes and seating options elevate comfort without diluting the Tank’s purposeful character. Even features like electrified door handles, integrated survival kits, and advanced communication systems reflect the blend of practicality and preparedness that defines the Tank experience. The 2026 Rezvani Tank starts at around $175,000, a figure that places it well above typical SUVs but still competitive in the world of extreme performance and tactical mobility. With optional upgrades easily stacking up into the high six figures, the Tank is as much a personal statement as it is a vehicle – a testament to what happens when engineering meets imagination without compromise.  For those who view adventure through a lens of capability and resilience, the 2026 Rezvani Tank represents a rare fusion of raw power, engineered protection, and automotive daring – a machine that refuses to be anything less than extraordinary. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-2026-rezvani-tank-tactical-design-meets-1000-horsepower — Citation: "The 2026 Rezvani Tank: Tactical Design Meets 1,000 Horsepower" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-09. https://menwith.com/the-2026-rezvani-tank-tactical-design-meets-1000-horsepower --- ## BMW Alpina Enters a New Era - URL: https://menwith.com/bmw-alpina-enters-a-new-era - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-08 - Tags: 2026, Alpina, BMW, Bmw Alpina, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** BMW officially acquired Alpina's trademark rights on Jan 1, 2026, integrating the luxury performance brand fully into BMW Group. This move aims to preserve Alpina's unique identity of refined grand touring amidst industry shifts. When BMW announced its acquisition of Alpina back in 2022, the news sent a ripple through the automotive world. For purists, it raised questions about independence and identity. For others, it felt like an inevitable step in an industry being reshaped by regulation, electrification, and scale. Yet despite the acquisition, Alpina largely continued as before—until now. On January 1, 2026, the transfer of the Alpina trademark rights to BMW officially took effect. With that, one of the most quietly influential names in modern automotive luxury entered a new chapter—this time fully under the BMW Group umbrella. To understand why this moment matters, it’s worth remembering what Alpina represents. Founded in 1965 in Buchloe, Germany, Alpina built its reputation not as a tuner in the traditional sense, but as a manufacturer in its own right. Alpina cars were never about brute-force performance or track dominance. Instead, they offered a rare blend of effortlessness, understated luxury, and deep engineering finesse—cars for those who valued how something drives rather than how loudly it announces itself. That philosophy made Alpina a cult favorite among enthusiasts who wanted more refinement than BMW M, but more character than a standard production model. Alpina engines were tuned for torque and smoothness, suspensions calibrated for long-distance composure, and interiors finished with a level of bespoke detail that bordered on artisanal. These were cars for people who knew exactly what they were buying—and why. The acquisition by BMW was never about erasing that identity. If anything, it was about preserving it. By the early 2020s, the reality for small, independent manufacturers had become increasingly harsh. Emissions legislation, safety regulations, and software complexity were pushing development costs to levels that only large groups could realistically sustain. For Alpina, continuing independently would have meant either dramatically scaling up or slowly fading away. BMW’s move ensured a third option: continuity through integration. Now, with the trademark officially transferred, Alpina transitions from a semi-autonomous partner into a fully fledged brand within BMW Group. In practical terms, this positions BMW Alpina alongside BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, rather than as an external specialist. Symbolically, it marks the end of Alpina as we knew it—and the beginning of something more structured, but potentially more secure. What changes can we expect? Not an overnight reinvention. BMW has been clear that Alpina will not be turned into a second M division, nor diluted into a badge exercise. The brand’s role remains distinct: luxurious, high-performance grand touring with an emphasis on comfort, craftsmanship, and subtlety. Think long-range capability over lap times, bespoke detailing over aggressive styling. Production will likely become more integrated into BMW’s existing manufacturing processes, while the historic Buchloe site is expected to focus on heritage, aftersales support, and specialist operations. For collectors and existing owners, this is an important signal. Alpina’s back catalogue—already highly sought-after—may well gain further prestige now that the original era has formally closed. From a branding perspective, BMW has also taken care to respect Alpina’s visual and cultural DNA. Recent updates to the Alpina logo lean into heritage rather than futurism, reinforcing the idea that this is not a reboot, but an evolution. In an age where automotive brands often chase novelty at the expense of identity, that restraint feels deliberate—and refreshing. There is, of course, an emotional dimension to all of this. Alpina’s appeal has always been rooted in discretion and connoisseurship. The concern among enthusiasts is not that BMW lacks the technical capability to carry the torch, but whether the spirit of independence can survive inside a corporate structure. That remains an open question, and one that will only be answered by the cars themselves. Still, if the alternative was disappearance, this feels like the right outcome. Alpina doesn’t become a relic frozen in time, nor does it vanish into history. Instead, it gains the resources to exist in a future where craftsmanship must coexist with compliance, and heritage must adapt rather than resist. As 2026 unfolds, BMW Alpina stands at a rare intersection of past and future. The era of the independent manufacturer may be over, but the values that defined it—subtle luxury, intelligent performance, and quiet confidence—now have the backing of one of the world’s most powerful automotive groups. If BMW gets this right, Alpina won’t lose its soul. It will simply gain a longer road ahead. What do you think about 2026 for BMW Alpina? – Are you excited? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bmw-alpina-enters-a-new-era — Citation: "BMW Alpina Enters a New Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-08. https://menwith.com/bmw-alpina-enters-a-new-era --- ## Pagani Utopia at CES 2026: A story of contrast - URL: https://menwith.com/pagani-utopia-at-ces-2026-a-story-of-contrast - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-08 - Tags: Pagani **Summary:** Pagani's Utopia at CES 2026 showcases a radical electronic architecture using STMicroelectronics Stellar G processors and osdyne's Rust platform. This consolidation aims for lighter, more reliable hypercars, prioritizing driving experience over screen-based tech. CES, meet the Utopia. Not a new model, but the very car that debuted in 2022, pressed into service as a rolling lab. Within STMicroelectronics’ stand in Las Vegas, Pagani is showing something more interesting than a light show or a gauge-cluster gimmick. It is a rethink of the car’s nervous system, developed with ST and software firm osdyne, and it speaks to the kind of elegance that has always separated this tiny Modenese atelier from the noise. Only Pagani would dress an electronic gateway in a tailored carbon fiber case. It is a small detail, hand finished in the San Cesario sul Panaro workshop, yet it tells the whole story. The brand believes every component should be beautiful to look at and touch, even if you rarely will. The Utopia’s sculpture remains the star, all air-sculpted curves and finely machined hardware, but there is now a visible hint that the brain matches the body. This is where it gets quietly radical. The central Automotive Gateway is built around STMicroelectronics Stellar G processors. Osdyne supplies a secure platform written in Rust, a programming language prized for memory safety. In a world where modern cars are stuffed with dozens of modules, consolidating brains and slimming harnesses can trim weight and latency, and reduce failure points. You feel that as sharper responses when you flick a switch or call up a function, and as long-term reliability in a machine you might plan to keep for decades. The idea is “subtraction” applied to electronics. Pagani has long removed the superfluous from its carbon tubs and metalwork to reveal purity. Now it does the same with code and copper. The aim is not to turn the Utopia into a smartphone, but to let the driving take center stage while the software keeps quiet and infallible in the background. Bringing a handcrafted hypercar to CES could have felt like a costume party. Instead, it makes sense. The industry is racing toward software-defined vehicles, and even the most traditional marques need a plan for updates, security, and longevity. Pagani’s twist is to partner with grown-ups. ST brings mature silicon, osdyne brings modern tooling, and together they validate an architecture that could suit everything from robots to medical devices. That breadth matters to owners in the rare air of seven-figure cars. They want beauty and drama, but they also want a car that boots cleanly, stays secure, and remains maintainable long after fashion moves on. There are quirks. Putting a gateway in a bespoke carbon case will strike some as gilding the lily. Choosing Rust, while increasingly popular, is still a bold step in the conservative world of automotive software. Yet both decisions fit the brand. If you are going to build a brain, make it worthy of the body. If you are going to bet on software, choose the tool that prizes safety and discipline over shortcuts. The Utopia remains a love letter to driving, not a screen on wheels. What Pagani showed in Las Vegas is the missing piece that will let it stay that way past 2030. A lighter, simpler, more secure electronic spine is not a headline grabber, but it is the kind of progress that owners and purists will feel every time they turn a knurled knob and the car responds like a living thing. The carbon suit is a flourish. The substance is the intelligence inside, finally worthy of the art around it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pagani-utopia-at-ces-2026-a-story-of-contrast — Citation: "Pagani Utopia at CES 2026: A story of contrast" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-08. https://menwith.com/pagani-utopia-at-ces-2026-a-story-of-contrast --- ## Oris and the Quiet Power of the Horse - URL: https://menwith.com/oris-and-the-quiet-power-of-the-horse - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2026-01-07 - Tags: Oris **Summary:** Oris's Artelier Calibre 113 Year of the Horse Limited Edition blends mechanical prowess with cultural symbolism. Its design, featuring a horse motif on the power reserve, embodies confidence and forward drive, offering a contemplative take on time. Time has always been a shared language. Long before calendars aligned, cultures found their own ways to give structure to passing days, seasons, and years, often through symbols that felt closer to life than numbers ever could. Oris understands this instinct. Not as an outsider looking in, but as a brand willing to let different traditions gently shape its work. The new Artelier Calibre 113 Year of the Horse Limited Edition reflects that openness, allowing cultural meaning to sit comfortably beside mechanical seriousness. At first glance, it is a watch about color. Deep reds, moving between ember and crimson, carry a warmth that feels intentional rather than decorative. It is not festive in the obvious sense. It is restrained, almost contemplative, as though the palette were chosen to glow quietly rather than shout. The canvas is familiar. The Artelier Calibre 113 has always been Oris at its most thoughtful, a hand wound movement built around longevity rather than speed. Ten days of power reserve encourages a different relationship with time. You engage with it less often, but more deliberately. Here, that relationship is made visible. The non-linear power reserve indicator, long a signature of the calibre, takes on a new role. A horse in motion when energy is full. A resting form when it is spent. It is a simple gesture, but a poetic one, reminding the wearer that even momentum needs pause. In the Chinese zodiac, the horse represents confidence, independence, and forward drive. It is admired not only for strength, but for spirit. There is momentum in that symbolism, but also an understanding that freedom requires awareness. The Year of the Fire Horse, returning in 2026, adds another layer. Fire brings intensity and ambition, but also volatility. Oris reflects this not through overt iconography, but through mood. The dial’s shifting gradients feel alive, responsive to light, never static. At 43 millimeters, the stainless steel case has presence without insistence. It grounds the watch, keeping it practical and honest. Through the sapphire caseback, the movement reveals itself without performance. This is complexity worn with ease. Limited to 88 pieces, the edition quietly acknowledges the significance of the number without leaning on explanation. It feels considered rather than calculated. What makes this watch compelling is not its symbolism alone, but how naturally that symbolism is integrated. It does not ask the wearer to belong to a culture, only to respect one. In a year defined by acceleration and ambition, the Artelier Calibre 113 Year of the Horse offers a softer lesson. Forward motion matters. So does knowing when to slow. The horse is not admired because it never stops. It is admired because it moves with intent. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/oris-and-the-quiet-power-of-the-horse — Citation: "Oris and the Quiet Power of the Horse" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-07. https://menwith.com/oris-and-the-quiet-power-of-the-horse --- ## Price Watch: 47m Serenissima I Drops €4 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/price-watch-47m-serenissima-i-drops-4-million - Author: Tom - Category: Yachts - Published: 2026-01-06 - Tags: Northrop & Johnson **Summary:** The 47m Serenissima I yacht, a 2024 Mengi Yay build, sees a €4M price drop to €29.95M. It offers 499 GT luxury with a private owner's deck, elevator, and dual Jacuzzis. In the crowded race to deliver big‑boat living below the 500 GT threshold, Serenissima I reads like a case study. Delivered in August 2024 and now trimmed by €4,000,000 to €29,950,000, the 154‑foot Mengi Yay targets that sweet spot of volume, privacy and straightforward Mediterranean operation. It is a modern interpretation of discretion, a yacht that looks up to 60‑metre amenities yet keeps the paperwork and footprint manageable. The design pedigree is clear. Nuvolari Lenard handles exterior and interior styling, Van Oossanen Naval Architects signs the naval platform. Lines are taut and contemporary, but the story is inside. At the center of the brief is a fully private owner’s deck, a rarity at this size. The suite has a walk‑in wardrobe and a large ensuite set against sea‑view windows, so morning light washes the vanity and the horizon sits at eye level. Step aft and the mood shifts outdoors, with a secluded terrace that folds living into the wake: sunpads warm underfoot, a dining table for quiet breakfasts, and a dedicated Jacuzzi that takes the chill out of an early swim. Guest arrangements are pragmatic without feeling compromised. Serenissima I sleeps 10 across five cabins, with four on the lower deck. Two aft cabins can stand alone as doubles, or open into a full‑beam VIP via a movable partition, a flexible trick that can suit family weeks or corporate weekends. An elevator links all interior decks, useful for multigenerational cruising or the simple luxury of unhurried movement between spaces. There is also personality. A gentleman’s lounge, framed as a more private retreat, leans into atmosphere rather than square footage. Think the soft hush of a cinema setup, doors opening to a drop‑down balcony that hangs right over the water, and a glass‑encased walk‑in wine cellar finished in onyx marble. The stone’s cool sheen and the glint of bottles behind glass give the room a clubby energy, minus the smoke and with the sea breeze in its place. Up top, the sundeck is unusually expansive for this class. It carries the yacht’s second Jacuzzi, sheltered dining for 10 and generous sunpads, then opens aft to a firepit. Flames crackle against twilight while the bay settles, the kind of detail that sounds indulgent yet feels simple once you are there, wrapped in a towel with salt on your skin. Practicalities are handled elsewhere with two tender garages, ample toy stowage and a broad beach club‑style swim platform. Power comes from twin Caterpillar engines, good for 17 knots flat out and an approximate 4,000‑nautical‑mile range at 12 knots. The market angle matters. Sub‑500 GT has become the most competitive space in large yacht ownership because it delivers the optics and amenities of a bigger build with fewer operational headaches. Serenissima I, listed with Northrop & Johnson broker Ed Dickinson, was conceived for an experienced owner who wanted exactly that, the volume of a larger yacht while staying within the 499 GT envelope. The specification reflects that ambition, from the dedicated owner’s deck to the lift and the two Jacuzzis. A €4 million reduction on a 2024 delivery underscores how sharpened this segment has become for buyers who know what they want and what they should pay for it. In short, Serenissima I is a near‑new entry that folds privacy, flexibility and long‑range calm into an under‑500 GT package. For an owner who wants to move easily around the Med, entertain without spectacle and keep the yacht feeling intimate, the new €29.95 million ask puts a focused proposition on the table. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/price-watch-47m-serenissima-i-drops-4-million — Citation: "Price Watch: 47m Serenissima I Drops €4 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-06. https://menwith.com/price-watch-47m-serenissima-i-drops-4-million --- ## Beyond the Loud Years of Skiwear - URL: https://menwith.com/beyond-the-loud-years-of-skiwear - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-01-05 - Tags: ENNUE, Alpine Etherea, Emily Stendahl, Daniel Stendahl, Stockholm skiwear, Verbier style, AW25/26 skiwear, quiet luxury skiwear **Summary:** Modern skiwear prioritizes understated elegance and seamless integration into a wider lifestyle, moving beyond loud performance aesthetics. Brands like ENNUE focus on refined technicality and effortless presence, reflecting a shift towards quiet luxury on the slopes. On the slopes, clothing becomes a quiet signal of intent, how someone moves through cold, speed, and shared space. There was a time when skiwear meant visibility first. Loud colours, oversized silhouettes, performance worn like armor. It worked, but it also created distance between the person and the place. Today, the mountains ask for something calmer. In Verbier, St. Moritz, Aspen, and Cortina, the visual language has softened. Skiers linger on terraces, step into village streets, and move between lifts and lunch without changing who they are. What they wear follows that rhythm. The modern slope is no longer a stage for spectacle. It is a setting for restraint. Technical clarity matters, but so does proportion, colour, and how a jacket sits when you are standing still. This shift has opened space for brands that understand skiwear as part of a wider life. Not a uniform, not a costume, but a considered layer. That thinking is sharpened this winter. ENNUE’s latest collection reflects a brand refining its language rather than expanding it. Developed between Stockholm and Verbier, AW25/26 explores what the label describes as Alpine Etherea, not as a campaign concept, but as an atmosphere. Clothing shaped by altitude, weather, and the moments between movement, where performance recedes and presence takes over. ENNUE was born from that exact tension. Founded in Stockholm in 2024 by Emily and Daniel Stendahl, the brand emerged after a winter in Verbier where choice felt oddly limited. Scandinavian skiwear delivered function with discipline, but little emotional range. Alpine style offered lifestyle appeal, but often at the expense of coherence. It bridges those worlds without trying to announce itself. Tailored silhouettes sit close to the body. Colours stay timeless and deliberate. Performance is present, but never visually dominant. Their idea is simple. Skiwear should protect without transforming you into someone else. It should feel natural at altitude and equally at ease when the day drifts toward dinner. You see this mindset reflected across the slopes now. In Courchevel, understated palettes move quietly against snow. In Niseko, technical layers are refined rather than aggressive. In Aspen, the line between ski gear and everyday clothing has almost disappeared. Skiwear fashion today is less about being seen and more about belonging. Belonging to the environment, the moment, and the life that continues once the boots come off. ENNUE understands that the most modern luxury in the mountains is effortlessness. When clothing does its job so well that it stops asking for attention, the experience becomes clearer. On the slopes, that clarity is everything. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/beyond-the-loud-years-of-skiwear — Citation: "Beyond the Loud Years of Skiwear" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-05. https://menwith.com/beyond-the-loud-years-of-skiwear --- ## Red Bull’s RB17 Hypercar Final Design Unveiled – A Radical Statement Ahead of 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/red-bulls-rb17-hypercar-final-design-unveiled-a-radical-statement-ahead-of-2026 - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-03 - Tags: Hypercar, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, RB17, Red bull **Summary:** Red Bull unveils the final RB17 hypercar design, a 1200hp V10 hybrid machine with F1-derived aero and a minimalist cockpit, limited to 50 units. Red Bull has officially revealed the final production design of its RB17 hypercar, marking a bold new chapter in high-performance automotive engineering. More than just a design reveal, this moment feels like the peak of a long-gestating project – a machine born from Formula One expertise, now fully realised and locked in for final testing and imminent production.  Originally teased in concept form and shown to the public in mid-2024, the RB17 has now evolved into something sharper, more aggressive, and unmistakably purposeful. Compared with the early prototype, Red Bull’s first hypercar looks tighter in its lines, more refined in its aero philosophy, and even faster in spirit. Design Dialed for Speed The production RB17 carries forward Red Bull’s deep ties to Formula One, with every surface sculpted for aerodynamic efficiency. Slim LED headlights sit flush with sculpted carbon bodywork, while air channels and sidepods are designed to manage airflow with minimal compromise – a direct translation of racing tech to track-centric machinery.  Externally, the RB17 blends futuristic performance cues with hints of hypercar lineage. L-shaped lighting elements and deep undercut panels offer visual drama, while functional elements like mirrors and a windshield wiper hint at its more refined production intent compared to the raw concept. Race-Focused Cockpit Philosophy Inside, the RB17 strips away all but the essential. There are no large touchscreens, no unnecessary distractions – only physical controls, a purposeful seating position, and clear focus on the driver’s interface. In an era of screen-heavy interiors, Red Bull’s choice is a deliberate nod to pure performance: tactile, direct, and unfiltered.  Engineering Truth: Power, Precision, and Hybrid Punch At its heart sits a Cosworth-developed 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V10, capable of revving north of 15,000 rpm, producing around 1,000 horsepower on its own. That power is complemented by an electric motor adding circa 200 horsepower – for a combined figure in the region of 1,200 hp.  Power flows to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, and Red Bull has engineered a hydraulically locking active limited-slip differential to wrangle all of it on track. The unconventional hybrid setup even handles reverse gear duties – a clever weight-saving solution.  Limited, Precise, and Exceedingly Exclusive Production is extremely limited: only 50 examples will be built, each likely commanding a seven-figure price tag well north of typical hypercar territory. While exact pricing details are still forthcoming, demand is already high given the RB17’s unique blend of F1-derived design and brutal performance intent.  A Designer’s Swan Song For many in the motorsport world, the RB17 carries personal significance: it’s closely tied to Adrian Newey, the legendary aerodynamicist whose influence shaped era-defining Formula One cars and who has been deeply involved in the RB17 project even after stepping down from his F1 role.  This lends the final design release a sense of closure and legacy – not just a new hypercar, but a distilled expression of everything a lifetime of race engineering can achieve outside the strict boundaries of championship regulations. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/red-bulls-rb17-hypercar-final-design-unveiled-a-radical-statement-ahead-of-2026 — Citation: "Red Bull’s RB17 Hypercar Final Design Unveiled – A Radical Statement Ahead of 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-03. https://menwith.com/red-bulls-rb17-hypercar-final-design-unveiled-a-radical-statement-ahead-of-2026 --- ## Red Bull’s RB17 Hypercar Final Design Unveiled – A Radical Statement Ahead of 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/red-bulls-rb17-hypercar-final-design-unveiled-8211-a-radical-statement-ahead-of-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2026-01-03 - Tags: Hypercar, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, RB17, Red bull **Summary:** Red Bull unveils the final RB17 hypercar design, a 1200hp V10 hybrid machine with F1 tech. Limited to 50 units, it embodies Adrian Newey's legacy. Red Bull has officially revealed the final production design of its RB17 hypercar, marking a bold new chapter in high-performance automotive engineering. More than just a design reveal, this moment feels like the peak of a long-gestating project – a machine born from Formula One expertise, now fully realised and locked in for final testing and imminent production.  Originally teased in concept form and shown to the public in mid-2024, the RB17 has now evolved into something sharper, more aggressive, and unmistakably purposeful. Compared with the early prototype, Red Bull’s first hypercar looks tighter in its lines, more refined in its aero philosophy, and even faster in spirit. Design Dialed for Speed The production RB17 carries forward Red Bull’s deep ties to Formula One, with every surface sculpted for aerodynamic efficiency. Slim LED headlights sit flush with sculpted carbon bodywork, while air channels and sidepods are designed to manage airflow with minimal compromise – a direct translation of racing tech to track-centric machinery.  Externally, the RB17 blends futuristic performance cues with hints of hypercar lineage. L-shaped lighting elements and deep undercut panels offer visual drama, while functional elements like mirrors and a windshield wiper hint at its more refined production intent compared to the raw concept. Race-Focused Cockpit Philosophy Inside, the RB17 strips away all but the essential. There are no large touchscreens, no unnecessary distractions – only physical controls, a purposeful seating position, and clear focus on the driver’s interface. In an era of screen-heavy interiors, Red Bull’s choice is a deliberate nod to pure performance: tactile, direct, and unfiltered.  Engineering Truth: Power, Precision, and Hybrid Punch At its heart sits a Cosworth-developed 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V10, capable of revving north of 15,000 rpm, producing around 1,000 horsepower on its own. That power is complemented by an electric motor adding circa 200 horsepower – for a combined figure in the region of 1,200 hp.  Power flows to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, and Red Bull has engineered a hydraulically locking active limited-slip differential to wrangle all of it on track. The unconventional hybrid setup even handles reverse gear duties – a clever weight-saving solution.  Limited, Precise, and Exceedingly Exclusive Production is extremely limited: only 50 examples will be built, each likely commanding a seven-figure price tag well north of typical hypercar territory. While exact pricing details are still forthcoming, demand is already high given the RB17’s unique blend of F1-derived design and brutal performance intent.  A Designer’s Swan Song For many in the motorsport world, the RB17 carries personal significance: it’s closely tied to Adrian Newey, the legendary aerodynamicist whose influence shaped era-defining Formula One cars and who has been deeply involved in the RB17 project even after stepping down from his F1 role.  This lends the final design release a sense of closure and legacy – not just a new hypercar, but a distilled expression of everything a lifetime of race engineering can achieve outside the strict boundaries of championship regulations. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/red-bulls-rb17-hypercar-final-design-unveiled-8211-a-radical-statement-ahead-of-2026 — Citation: "Red Bull’s RB17 Hypercar Final Design Unveiled – A Radical Statement Ahead of 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-03. https://menwith.com/red-bulls-rb17-hypercar-final-design-unveiled-8211-a-radical-statement-ahead-of-2026 --- ## House of Dior Beijing - URL: https://menwith.com/house-of-dior-beijing - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2026-01-02 - Tags: Interior, Dior **Summary:** House of Dior Beijing, designed by Christian de Portzamparc, blends architecture and fashion. Its sculptural facade and use of gold symbolize continuity, offering a refined luxury experience across five floors. Cities reveal themselves most clearly through the buildings they choose to remember. In Beijing’s Sanlitun district, where movement and appetite define the rhythm of the streets, Dior has opened a house that pauses the pace rather than competing with it. House of Dior Beijing feels less like a retail destination and more like a considered gesture. A continuation of a long conversation between the Maison and China, spoken softly but with conviction. The building rises across five floors, sculptural and assured. Architect Christian de Portzamparc has shaped a façade that reads like fabric caught mid-motion. Petal-shaped shells ripple across the exterior, recalling the moment when Christian Dior cut into toile, searching for balance between structure and flow. Fashion here is not surface. It is architecture remembered. Vertical planes of golden artisanal glass punctuate the exterior. In China, gold carries a historical gravity, once reserved for the emperor and his family. Dior uses it without excess, allowing the color to suggest continuity rather than dominance. It is a contemporary expression of elegance that understands symbolism and restraint. Inside, the journey unfolds gradually. The ground floor introduces women’s bags, accessories and shoes with clarity and lightness. Above, women’s silhouettes appear, moving from ready-to-wear into fine jewelry and the fragrances of La Collection Privée. Each transition feels intentional, guided by mood rather than hierarchy. Other floors reveal men’s collections, high jewelry, Dior Maison and timepieces. Each space holds its own atmosphere. Materials shift subtly. Light is controlled. The experience is less about scale and more about proportion. You sense the hand behind the decisions. At the top, the house turns inward. Echoing 30 Montaigne, a monumental spiral staircase leads to a room conceived with OMA. White toiles stand in quiet formation, their three-dimensional outlines suspended between idea and garment. It is a reminder that every finished piece begins as an abstraction, shaped by patience and doubt. Below, on the garden level, the house opens to pleasure. The Monsieur Dior restaurant brings French art de vivre into dialogue with Beijing through Anne-Sophie Pic. Her presence feels aligned rather than promotional. Precision, intuition and generosity on a plate. Throughout the building, the details speak in familiar Dior language. Cabochon parquet floors ground the rooms. Cannage patterns return like a signature written from memory. Touches of gold appear sparingly. Black and white photographs, artworks and contemporary furniture anchor the spaces in time rather than trend. This house is also a quiet homage to Christian Dior’s first dream. Before fashion, he imagined architecture. House of Dior Beijing closes that circle with grace. It is a building shaped by fashion, but built with the discipline of an architect who understands volume, rhythm and silence. In a city constantly redefining itself, Dior has chosen to build something reflective. Not a statement, but a place. One that understands that true elegance is not announced. It is discovered, slowly, as you move through it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/house-of-dior-beijing — Citation: "House of Dior Beijing" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-02. https://menwith.com/house-of-dior-beijing --- ## $2.2 Trillion: A Record Year for the World’s Wealthiest - URL: https://menwith.com/22-trillion-a-record-year-for-the-worlds-wealthiest - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2026-01-01 - Tags: Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bernard Arnault, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, Jensen Huang, Nvidia, Alphabet, Warren Buffett **Summary:** The world's wealthiest individuals saw a record $2.2 trillion gain, driven by tech and luxury sectors. Key figures like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Arnault exemplify how ownership in scaled systems and brand value compound wealth. Wealth, at its highest level, is rarely accidental. It is the byproduct of conviction held over time, of seeing scale before it becomes consensus. This year, that conviction was richly rewarded. According to Bloomberg, the world’s 500 wealthiest individuals increased their collective fortunes by $2.2 trillion, the largest annual gain ever recorded. Not through inheritance or chance, but through ownership in systems that now sit at the center of how the world works. Bernard Arnault offers a telling contrast. While technology absorbed most of the attention, the LVMH chairman added around $30 billion, lifting his fortune to roughly $206 billion. Luxury’s return to growth in the second half of the year, powered largely by North American spending, reinforced an old truth. When brand, craft, and desire are aligned, value compounds quietly. Elon Musk stands apart in scale. A $190 billion increase pushed his estimated net worth to $623 billion. The numbers feel less tied to a single company and more to optionality itself. Markets are not valuing what exists, but what could exist next. Mark Zuckerberg’s year followed a similar rhythm. A $28 billion increase took his net worth to approximately $235 billion. Meta’s recovery was not theatrical. It was disciplined. Scale, once questioned, was reasserted through execution. Jeff Bezos saw his wealth rise by $16 billion to approximately $255 billion. Amazon now operates less like a challenger and more like a utility. That shift, while less visible, tends to be more durable. Larry Ellison moved fluidly through the rankings. His $57.7 billion gain brought his wealth to about $250 billion and briefly placed him at the top. Oracle’s performance reminded markets that enterprise infrastructure, when stable and underestimated, can still surprise. Jensen Huang became one of the year’s defining figures. Nvidia’s rise turned chips into cultural capital. Huang added $23 billion as the company crossed a $5 trillion valuation, an inflection point that reframed hardware as destiny rather than support. Alphabet’s founders benefited from the same long arc. Sergey Brin gained $92.5 billion, reaching roughly $251 billion, while Larry Page added $101 billion to arrive at around $270 billion. Their advantage lies not in novelty, but in position. Distribution, data, and patience remain powerful levers. Warren Buffett, characteristically restrained, gained $9.5 billion, bringing his total to about $152 billion. Even at this level, restraint remains a strategy. Steve Ballmer added $30 billion, proof that conviction held through cycles still pays. Eight of the ten wealthiest people on the planet now come from technology. Together, they added more than half a trillion dollars in one year. Artificial intelligence did not create this concentration, but it accelerated it. This was a defining year for wealth at the highest level. The article includes illustrations. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/22-trillion-a-record-year-for-the-worlds-wealthiest — Citation: "$2.2 Trillion: A Record Year for the World’s Wealthiest" — MenWith Magazine, 2026-01-01. https://menwith.com/22-trillion-a-record-year-for-the-worlds-wealthiest --- ## Watches That Caught Our Attention in 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/watches-that-caught-our-attention-in-2025 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-30 - Tags: Rolex Land-Dweller, Louis Vuitton Monterey, Audemars Piguet RD#5, A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Honeygold, Matthieu Hegi, Jean Arnault, Gae Aulenti **Summary:** Despite a challenging year, 2025 saw deliberate watch novelties from Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Audemars Piguet, and A. Lange & Söhne, showcasing innovation and refined design. 2025 was not an easy year for the watch industry. Market uncertainty, shifting consumer behavior, and a growing sense of caution shaped how brands released new work. Still, the industry showed its strength through the novelties that mattered. Not every release felt necessary. But the ones that mattered felt deliberate. We found ourselves returning to watches that showed confidence without noise, ambition without excess, and progress without urgency. These are the pieces that stayed with us. Rolex: Land-Dweller My personal favorite novelty of the year. Rolex rarely rushes into anything, and this watch feels designed to grow into its role over time. With a new movement and multiple patents, this will become an icon for decades to come. The Land-Dweller does not announce itself. At first glance, it feels familiar, intentionally so. But beneath that familiarity is a new foundation: a new calibre, a new integrated bracelet architecture, and a willingness to rethink core components rather than surface details. This is Rolex operating on a long horizon. A watch designed to feel normal now and inevitable later. Read our full review here. Louis Vuitton: Monterey The Monterey feels like a thoughtful pause rather than a statement piece. Originally designed in 1988 by Gae Aulenti, the LV I and LV II were always more design objects than conventional watches. Revisiting that idea today makes sense. The new Monterey keeps the essence intact, reworked into a minimalist, time-only watch that feels deliberate rather than nostalgic. The 39 mm yellow-gold, pebble-shaped case and glossy Grand Feu enamel dial give it a softness that’s rare in modern watchmaking. The railway-track minutes and subtle red and blue accents add just enough structure without disrupting the calm. It’s a watch that feels composed, almost architectural, and confident in its restraint. Limited to 188 pieces and developed under Matthieu Hegi at La Fabrique du Temps, the Monterey also reflects a broader shift at Louis Vuitton. Under Jean Arnault, the brand has quietly become one of the most interesting names to follow in watchmaking, not through volume or logos, but through a clear commitment to real horology and design-led thinking. It is a quiet reminder that Louis Vuitton’s relationship with watchmaking runs deeper than many assume. Audemars Piguet: Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 Created for Audemars Piguet’s 150th anniversary, the RD#5 feels like a thoughtful evolution rather than a celebration piece. It keeps the familiar 39 mm Jumbo proportions but introduces a flying tourbillon and a flyback chronograph within an ultra-thin 8.1 mm titanium case. The new Calibre 8100, just 4 mm thick, was developed specifically for this watch. Its rack-and-pinion chronograph reset replaces traditional architecture, making the action feel smoother and more intuitive in use. It’s a meaningful technical shift, not a decorative one. Visually, the watch stays grounded. The “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Petite Tapisserie dial, balanced layout, and disciplined finishing keep the complexity in check. Rather than pushing the Royal Oak into unfamiliar territory, the RD#5 shows how far the design can go while still feeling completely itself. Read our full review here. A. Lange & Söhne: Odysseus Honeygold There’s something slightly unexpected about a full-gold Lange. It runs counter to the brand’s traditionally restrained German design language, which has always favored understatement over expression. But in person, it makes sense. Spending time with the Odysseus Honeygold during Watches & Wonders, the choice of material feels deliberate rather than extraverted. The warmth of Honeygold and the solid gold bracelet give the watch a grounded, almost utilitarian presence that aligns with the Odysseus’ original purpose. Limited to 100 pieces, this is the first time the Odysseus has been offered on a full Honeygold bracelet. It remains unmistakably Lange in execution, with precise finishing and clear functionality, but carries a confidence that feels intentional rather than showy. Chopard: L.U.C Grand Strike It doesn’t rely on spectacle. Its impact comes from something far more lasting: sound. Built around a true grande sonnerie with a minute repeater, it showcases Chopard’s mastery of chiming watchmaking. The use of sapphire crystal gongs and a monobloc watch glass gives the chime an unusual clarity and depth, turning a technical complication into a sensory experience. Despite its complexity, the watch feels composed. The dial-less architecture reveals the calibre L.U.C 08.03-L with quiet confidence, while COSC certification and the Poinçon de Genève underline its seriousness. It feels like the moment Chopard’s sonnerie work fully comes into its own. Read our full review here. Bulgari: Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon By now, Bulgari’s pursuit of ultra-thin watchmaking feels fully intentional rather than provocative. The Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon pushes that philosophy further, setting a new benchmark with a total thickness of just 1.85 mm. What makes it compelling isn’t the record itself, but how it’s achieved. By integrating a skeletonised tourbillon directly into the architecture of the watch, Bulgari rethinks movement design as structure rather than assembly. Light, space, and mechanics are treated as one system. The result feels less like a technical stunt and more like a clear expression of identity. Bulgari isn’t chasing thinness anymore. It’s refining a language it has already made its own. Vacheron Constantin: Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication Solaria exists outside the usual rhythm of the industry. A unique white-gold watch combining 41 complications in a single in-house calibre, including five rare astronomical functions and an innovative Westminster minute repeater, it is the most complicated wristwatch ever made. What makes Solaria remarkable is not only its complexity, but its restraint. Housing such a movement within a 45 mm case measuring just 14.99 mm in height is a feat of miniaturisation This is Vacheron Constantin working at full depth, drawing on centuries of accumulated knowledge rather than reacting to a single year’s narrative. NOMOS Glashütte: Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer Some watches earn their place quietly, and this is one of them. It’s thin, light on the wrist, and immediately comfortable, which makes it easy to forget you’re wearing a worldtimer at all. The function itself is straightforward and genuinely useful, especially if you move between time zones regularly. Nothing feels overthought or ornamental. It just works the way you expect it to, which is probably why it ended up getting so much wrist time this year. The blue dial is calm and versatile, but what makes the watch more interesting is that it comes in several color variations, each with its own personality. Keeping them limited feels like the right call. It avoids turning the design into something generic. Glashütte Original: PanoMaticLunar Anniversary Edition Glashütte Original understands the value of continuity. This anniversary edition preserves the asymmetry and warmth that define the PanoMaticLunar, while refining what sits beneath the dial. The automatic movement, panoramic date, and moon phase remain familiar, but more resolved. A watch that does not need reinvention to remain relevant. Jaeger-LeCoultre: Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds Pink Gold Few designs are as enduring as the Reverso. This version succeeds by doing very little. Manual winding, balanced proportions, and the softness of pink gold feel perfectly aligned with the case. There is nothing to decode and nothing to justify. It simply works. Looking back, 2025 still felt reassuring. Not because everything was perfect, but because the watches that mattered showed clarity, confidence, and a long view. When the industry leans into those values, it feels very much on the right path. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/watches-that-caught-our-attention-in-2025 — Citation: "Watches That Caught Our Attention in 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-30. https://menwith.com/watches-that-caught-our-attention-in-2025 --- ## The Return of Vinyl: Why Turntables Have Become the Ultimate Luxury Object - URL: https://menwith.com/the-return-of-vinyl-why-turntables-have-become-the-ultimate-luxury-object - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2025-12-29 - Tags: Vinyl Revival, Luxury Turntables, Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000c, Technics SL-1200G, Linn Sondek LP12, Pro-Ject Signature 12, Thorens TD 1600, Mark Levinson No.5105, McIntosh MT5 **Summary:** Vinyl turntables are a modern luxury, prized for intentional listening, tactile experience, and design. Brands like Bang & Olufsen and Technics offer sculptural pieces blending audio and decor. For years, music consumption has been defined by speed. Unlimited access, instant playlists, and algorithms that decide what we hear next. Yet quietly, and then all at once, vinyl records have reclaimed their place—not as a nostalgic novelty, but as a modern luxury. Today’s vinyl revival is not driven by convenience, but by intention. Playing a record demands time, attention, and a physical connection to music that digital platforms simply can’t replicate. It’s an experience that slows things down, turning listening into a ritual rather than background noise. And in a world increasingly defined by screens, that tactile moment matters more than ever. But the comeback of vinyl isn’t just about sound. It’s equally about design. Modern turntables are no longer hidden away on shelves. They sit proudly in living rooms, studies, and lounges—objects of craftsmanship that blur the line between audio equipment and interior design. Materials like solid wood, brushed aluminum, marble, and leather have transformed turntables into sculptural pieces, often as visually striking as the furniture around them. Below are some of the most desirable and beautifully designed turntables shaping the vinyl renaissance today. The Most Coveted Luxury Turntables Right Now Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000c A reimagined icon. Restored from original 1970s units, the Beogram 4000c combines Danish modernism with contemporary engineering. Limited in number and flawless in execution, it’s as much design history as it is a music player. Approximate price: $3,000 – $4,500 (can be higher in limited editions) Technics SL-1200G An industry legend refined for audiophiles. The SL-1200G retains its unmistakable silhouette while delivering exceptional precision, making it a favorite among purists who value performance without compromise. Approximate price: $4,000 – $5,000 Linn Sondek LP12 Often described as the benchmark of high-end vinyl playback. Hand-built and endlessly upgradable, the LP12 has earned cult status for both its sound quality and timeless aesthetic. Approximate price (base unit): $3,000 – $4,000 With upgrades: $5,000 – $10,000+ Pro-Ject Signature 12 Bold, architectural, and unapologetically technical. With exposed mechanics and premium materials, this turntable appeals to those who appreciate both visual drama and sonic precision. Approximate price: $3,500 – $4,500 Thorens TD 1600 A modern interpretation of a classic. The TD 1600 blends traditional suspended-chassis design with contemporary materials, offering warmth, depth, and understated elegance. Approximate price: $1,500 – $2,000 Mark Levinson No.5105 Minimalist luxury at its finest. Designed to integrate seamlessly into modern interiors, this turntable pairs refined aesthetics with serious audiophile credentials. Approximate price: $6,000 – $8,000 McIntosh MT5 Recognizable instantly by its illuminated branding, the MT5 delivers powerful, rich sound wrapped in unmistakable McIntosh heritage. A statement piece in every sense. Approximate price: $3,000 – $4,000 Why Vinyl Resonates Again Vinyl’s resurgence reflects a broader cultural shift. As digital life accelerates, people are increasingly drawn to objects that feel permanent, deliberate, and personal. A record collection tells a story of taste, of time, of discovery – in a way playlists never will. There’s also a growing appreciation for craftsmanship. Much like mechanical watches or handmade furniture, vinyl turntables celebrate engineering you can see and feel. The weight of the platter, the movement of the tonearm, the quiet moment before the needle drops, each detail contributes to an experience that feels earned. And perhaps most importantly, vinyl has become a form of self-expression. The turntable you choose says as much about your aesthetic sensibility as your musical taste. It’s why these pieces now sit alongside designer furniture, art books, and lighting – not hidden away, but intentionally displayed. In the end, vinyl’s return isn’t about rejecting modern technology. It’s about balance. About choosing moments that feel slower, richer, and more human. And in that sense, the vinyl turntable has become more than a music player – it’s a modern luxury object for those who value how things feel, not just how they function. Want to read more about lifestyle and tech – Click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-return-of-vinyl-why-turntables-have-become-the-ultimate-luxury-object — Citation: "The Return of Vinyl: Why Turntables Have Become the Ultimate Luxury Object" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-29. https://menwith.com/the-return-of-vinyl-why-turntables-have-become-the-ultimate-luxury-object --- ## Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500: The Jet That Wants to Redefine Private Aviation - URL: https://menwith.com/otto-aerospace-phantom-3500-the-jet-that-wants-to-redefine-private-aviation - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Aviation - Published: 2025-12-29 - Tags: Travel, Jet, Menwith, Menwithclass, Otto Aerospace, Phantom 3500, Privat jet **Summary:** The Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 redefines private aviation with a retro-futuristic design, laminar-flow aerodynamics, and camera-based "windows" for reduced drag and enhanced efficiency. It promises lower operating costs and higher speeds, challenging industry norms. In a market long dominated by incremental upgrades and familiar silhouettes, Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 stands out as something genuinely different. Still several years away from certification, the aircraft is already sparking serious conversation within private aviation thanks to a design philosophy that prioritizes efficiency, speed and sustainability over brute force and tradition. At first glance, the Phantom 3500 looks like it belongs in a retro-futuristic sci-fi film rather than on today’s flight line. That impression is no accident. The aircraft is built around an advanced laminar-flow aerodynamic concept, meaning its fuselage is designed to keep airflow smooth and uninterrupted for as long as possible. By eliminating external rivets, protrusions and even traditional windows, Otto Aerospace aims to drastically reduce drag, allowing the aircraft to fly faster and farther using less energy. Instead of windows, the cabin relies on high-resolution cameras mounted along the exterior of the fuselage, feeding live views to large panoramic screens inside. Passengers can choose between real-time outside scenery, immersive entertainment or a full business-class video conferencing environment. The result is a cabin that feels more like a modern design studio or private lounge than a conventional business jet interior. Phantom 3500 – The New Private Aviation Despite being roughly the same size as established super midsize jets such as the Challenger 3500 or Embraer Praetor series, the Phantom 3500 promises significantly lower operating costs. Its lightweight carbon-fiber structure is produced using advanced robotic manufacturing and resin-transfer molding, allowing Otto Aerospace to reduce overall weight while maintaining structural strength. Smaller, more efficient engines further contribute to lower fuel burn and maintenance demands, placing operating costs closer to those of light jets while offering the space and range of a larger aircraft. Performance is another area where the Phantom 3500 aims to challenge the status quo. While most jets in this class cruise comfortably around Mach 0.83, Otto Aerospace has signaled ambitions of pushing closer to Mach 0.9. Longer, more efficient wings allow for higher cruise altitudes, steeper climbs and improved efficiency over long distances, making transcontinental and even transatlantic missions part of the aircraft’s intended mission profile. The industry has taken notice. Fractional ownership giant Flexjet has already committed to 300 aircraft, a significant endorsement for a jet that has yet to take to the skies. First flight testing is currently projected for 2027, with certification targeted around 2030. If the Phantom 3500 delivers on its promises, it could mark a shift in how private jets are designed, marketed and flown in the years ahead. Rather than chasing excess, the Phantom 3500 represents a future where performance, comfort and sustainability coexist. It is an aircraft that questions long-held assumptions about windows, engines and design language, and in doing so, may help define the next chapter of private aviation. Want to read about another private jet – check this article — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/otto-aerospace-phantom-3500-the-jet-that-wants-to-redefine-private-aviation — Citation: "Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500: The Jet That Wants to Redefine Private Aviation" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-29. https://menwith.com/otto-aerospace-phantom-3500-the-jet-that-wants-to-redefine-private-aviation --- ## The 5 Luxury Destinations Defining Travel in 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/the-5-luxury-destinations-defining-travel-in-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-12-28 - Tags: Italy, Japan, Lisbon, Menwith, Menwithclass, Montana, Nikko, Okinawa, Phu Quoc, Portugal, Sardinia **Summary:** Luxury travel in 2026 prioritizes intention, blending authenticity with exclusivity. Destinations like Japan, Italy, Portugal, Big Sky, and Phu Quoc offer refined experiences from cultural immersion to wilderness escapes. Luxury travel in 2026 is less about excess and more about intention. Today’s high-end traveler seeks destinations that combine authenticity with exclusivity – places where culture, nature and design meet at the highest level. From refined wilderness escapes to timeless Mediterranean icons and discreet Asian luxury, these five destinations stand out as the most compelling places to travel next year. Japan – Nikko & Okinawa Japan continues to redefine modern luxury through restraint, precision and deep cultural heritage. While Tokyo and Kyoto remain global icons, 2026 is about going further. Nikko, north of Tokyo, offers a quieter, more contemplative experience. Home to the UNESCO-listed Toshogu Shrine, it combines sacred architecture with forested mountain landscapes. Staying at a luxury ryokan here is an experience in itself – tatami rooms, private onsens and seasonal kaiseki dining create a sense of calm that feels distinctly Japanese. In contrast, Okinawa delivers a different kind of refinement. Think tropical islands, crystal-clear waters and ultra-private resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa. Days are spent between pristine beaches, refined local cuisine and wellness-focused living. It’s Japan at its most relaxed – and most exclusive. Italy – Sardinia & the Classics Italy never leaves the luxury conversation – it simply evolves. In 2026, Sardinia stands out as the destination for those seeking understated Mediterranean elegance. The Costa Smeralda is home to some of Europe’s most exclusive hotels, including Hotel Cala di Volpe and Petra Segreta. Yacht-filled harbors, secluded beaches and slow, indulgent lunches define the rhythm of life here. Inland, the island’s rugged landscapes and historic villages offer a quieter counterbalance to the coast. Beyond Sardinia, Italy’s classics – Tuscany, Rome and Lake Como, remain timeless. What elevates them now is access: private vineyard tours, after-hours museum visits and boutique accommodations that feel more like private homes than hotels. Portugal – Lisbon, Porto & the Coast Portugal has quietly become one of Europe’s most refined luxury destinations. It offers sophistication without pretension, and a sense of ease that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. In Lisbon, historic palaces have been transformed into boutique hotels, while Michelin-starred restaurants reinterpret traditional flavors. The city feels creative yet calm – perfect for travelers who appreciate culture without crowds. Along the coast, Comporta has emerged as a discreet luxury enclave. Minimalist villas, private beach clubs and a barefoot aesthetic attract a design-savvy crowd. Further north, Porto and the Douro Valley offer wine-focused experiences with river cruises, vineyard stays and intimate tastings in dramatic landscapes. Big Sky – Refined Wilderness Luxury in 2026 is also about space, and Big Sky, Montana delivers it in dramatic fashion. This is where high-end travel meets raw nature. Private lodges, such as those connected to Yellowstone Club, offer ski-in, ski-out access in winter and fly-fishing, hiking and horseback riding in summer. Days are active, evenings are slow – spent around fireplaces with curated menus and exceptional wines. What makes Big Sky truly special is its privacy. This is luxury without spectacle, where exclusivity is defined by silence, scale and access rather than visibility. Phu Quoc – Tropical Luxury Reimagined Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s answer to the modern luxury island – refined, emerging and refreshingly low-key. Here, five-star resorts such as Regent Phu Quoc and JW Marriott Phu Quoc redefine tropical hospitality with architecture-led design, private beaches and elevated dining. The island’s pace is slow, but intentional: mornings by the sea, afternoons at the spa, evenings defined by sunset cocktails and seafood-driven tasting menus. Beyond the resorts, Phu Quoc offers jungle landscapes, local markets and a sense of discovery that feels increasingly rare in luxury travel. Why These Destinations Matter in 2026 What unites these five destinations is not trendiness, but longevity. They offer depth, discretion and experiences that feel personal rather than performative. Luxury in 2026 is about knowing where to go – and why. These are places for travelers who value craftsmanship over excess, access over attention, and memories that last far longer than the journey itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-5-luxury-destinations-defining-travel-in-2026 — Citation: "The 5 Luxury Destinations Defining Travel in 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-28. https://menwith.com/the-5-luxury-destinations-defining-travel-in-2026 --- ## The 5-Star Illusion - URL: https://menwith.com/the-5-star-illusion - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-12-27 - Tags: 5-star hotels, hotel ratings, hospitality, travel experience, Maybourne Riviera, tourism taxes, booking platforms **Summary:** The 5-star hotel rating system has become meaningless due to vast experience disparities within the category. It prioritizes quantifiable metrics over genuine hospitality and guest experience. The 5-star rating was once a helpful shorthand. Not a promise of perfection, but a loose signal of where a hotel sat within a spectrum. Today, that spectrum has stretched to the point of meaninglessness. The issue is not that five-star ratings exist. It is that the range within the category has become so vast that the rating itself no longer informs. Two hotels, identical classification, can deliver experiences separated by lightyears. One thoughtful, precise, quietly confident. The other bloated, inattentive, and strangely exhausting. Both carry the same badge. This is not an argument against comfort, nor against expense. There is nothing inherently wrong with generous rooms, fine materials, or even the much maligned high ceilinged marble lobby. At their best, these spaces still work. The problem is that they have become generic. Replicated across continents, drained of local intelligence, built to satisfy criteria rather than to welcome. Marble has become a substitute for judgment. Volume a substitute for atmosphere. The five star system measures what can be counted. Square metres, outlets, amenities, staffing ratios. It cannot measure ease. It cannot assess whether a hotel removes friction or adds to it. It cannot distinguish between service that is attentive and service that is merely present. Good hospitality is rarely loud. It lives in anticipation, not performance. In rooms that make sense when you arrive late and still make sense when you wake early. In staff who understand timing, discretion, and proportion. None of this appears on a checklist. Some hotels understand this intuitively, The Maybourne Riviera among them. It is also worth acknowledging the structural incentives that keep this system alive. In many cities, tourism taxes and regulatory frameworks are directly tied to star ratings. Higher classification often means higher tax yield. Municipalities benefit from more five star hotels on paper, regardless of whether the experience justifies the label. Inflation becomes convenient. Precision does not. The rating drifts further from lived reality. This is why a well run four star hotel can outperform a poorly run five with embarrassing ease. And why an unrated chalet, owned and operated by someone with taste and patience, can surpass them both. No classification, no lobby theatre, just an environment designed to hold you properly. Warmth, light, silence, flow. The conditions for memory. Booking platforms have eagerly exploited this bluntness. Mass-market operators, built around urgency and star ratings, reduce complex hospitality into numbers and prompts. Lastminute.com is a particularly clear example. Context disappears. Service culture, management quality, recent decline or renewal, all flattened in the service of speed. The result is a transactional approach to travel that mistakes speed for intelligence. When something goes wrong, as it often does, responsibility diffuses. The guest is left navigating policies rather than being looked after. Five stars are not the enemy. Nor are fine rooms, or even spectacle, when used with restraint. The problem is scale and span. A category that has grown too wide to be trusted, yet remains powerful enough to shape behaviour, pricing, and perception. What travellers actually remember has very little to do with ratings. They remember how a place made them feel. How easily things worked. Whether the hotel faded gently into the background of their time away, allowing moments to form without interruption. Atmosphere. Service. Friction removed. Until the industry finds a way to value those things with more honesty, the five star rating will remain what it has quietly become. A symbol that promises clarity, and delivers very little of it. Read more about travel experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-5-star-illusion — Citation: "The 5-Star Illusion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-27. https://menwith.com/the-5-star-illusion --- ## What 2025’s Wildest Auction Records Say About Taste Now - URL: https://menwith.com/what-2025s-wildest-auction-records-say-about-taste-now - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-26 - Tags: Collecting, Sotheby’s **Summary:** 2025 auction records reveal a shift in connoisseurship, valuing narrative and provenance over price alone. Art, design, cars, and even meteorites fetched record sums, highlighting a new appetite for unique stories and cultural significance. A year of headlining prices revealed something larger than hype: a recalibration of what connoisseurship looks like across art, design, motors, watches, jewels and even science. Sotheby’s closed 2025 with records that read like a survey of modern appetite. Not just for price, but for narrative and provenance. The most interesting part was not the zeros. It was how a copper hippopotamus held its own beside Klimt, how a handbag outpaced couture, how a meteorite became a status object. Here is what mattered, and why. Klimt’s Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, 1910s, $236.4m Monumental, private, definitive. The Leonard Lauder provenance and the scale, over 70 inches high, gave the Breuer sale in New York a hushed, museum-like charge. Gold tones and patterned fabric catch light, and with them the market’s final word on Modernist portraiture at Sotheby’s. The result reset house records and confirmed a truism: the very best works still command a near-sovereign premium. François-Xavier Lalanne’s Hippopotame Bar, $31.4m A copper leviathan that opens into a bar is both wit and utility. Under lights, its hammered surface reads warm and tactile. The price set a new summit for design at auction, a quiet rebuke to anyone who still treats design as secondary. Collectors increasingly pay fine art prices for functional sculpture, and Lalanne remains the bridge. Rao Jie Calligraphy Scroll, Yuan dynasty, $32m Ten meters of ink and paper, two classics inscribed, and a 97-minute duel in the room. The longest bidding war of the year ended with a record for an ancient scroll. The attraction is not decoration but discipline, brush pressure and cadence that you almost hear as a whisper across fiber. Frida Kahlo’s El Sueño (La Cama), $54.7m From $51,000 in 1980 to a record for any woman artist today. The canvas is emotionally direct, and at the Breuer it felt close, intimate, unsettling. The sale was overdue recognition of Kahlo’s cultural centrality and a correction within the market’s top tier. The Original Hermès Birkin for Jane Birkin, $10.1m The prototype that launched the world’s most famous bag. Patinated leather reads softer with age, a reminder that function and myth can coexist. Sold in Paris, the price established a new ceiling for fashion at auction. Call it the triumph of provenance over seasonal trend. The Mediterranean Blue Diamond, 10.03 ct Fancy Vivid, $21.5m A cushion cut that throws electric flashes under even modest light. With blue diamonds at roughly 0.3 percent of production, rarity here is literal. The result led the year’s jewels and showed that clarity of story, from 31.93 carats of rough to final stone, still matters to buyers who want more than sparkle. 1994 McLaren F1, $25.3m Chassis number 14, ex‑Brunei Royal Family, now the record holder for any road car sold at auction. The weave of carbon and the precise click of dihedral doors are engineering poetry: the F1 persists as the connoisseur’s supercar, not the influencer’s. Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa, $2.8m The indigo crest, boat, and Mount Fuji’s small triangle. Paper, pigment, and perfect rhythm. Hong Kong nearly tripled the high estimate, setting a mark for Hokusai woodblock prints and underscoring Asia’s ongoing strength for canonical works that resonate across cultures. Audemars Piguet’s Grosse Pièce, $7.7m Yellow gold, double dials, 19 complications, and a sky chart for London. A minute repeater that once sang in 1920 Geneva now returns home to AP. The brand set its own record to reclaim history, a smart move that aligns scholarship, museum culture, and modern marketing in one very serious object. The Martian Meteorite, 54 lb, $5.3m A fragment likely ejected from Mars 5 million years ago, discovered in 2023, now a coffee table conversation that pre-dates civilization. The surface shows a charcoal crust and pale interior. Science as luxury is not new, but this price placed natural history alongside blue-chip art in the private sphere. Taken together, these results sketch a market that rewards story, rarity, and emotional charge over novelty. It prefers provenance to noise, craftsmanship to slogan. For the modern gentleman, the lesson is simple. Choose pieces that read well in daylight and in conversation. If 2025 proved anything, it is that substance still leads, whether in copper, canvas, gold, carbon fiber, or stone. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/what-2025s-wildest-auction-records-say-about-taste-now — Citation: "What 2025’s Wildest Auction Records Say About Taste Now" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-26. https://menwith.com/what-2025s-wildest-auction-records-say-about-taste-now --- ## The Headphones to Own Going Into 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/the-headphones-to-own-going-into-2026 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2025-12-25 - Tags: Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max, Bowers & Wilkins PX8, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Audeze Maxwell, Master & Dynamic MW75, Noise-cancelling headphones **Summary:** Top headphones for 2026 blend advanced tech, premium design, and comfort for diverse lifestyles. Explore flagship models from Sony, Apple, B&W, and more. As we head into the end of 2025 and look toward 2026, the headphone market has never been more dynamic. Today’s best models blend cutting-edge acoustics, noise-canceling technology, premium materials and design sensibility – all while fitting your lifestyle whether you’re commuting, traveling, working or relaxing at home. Below, we look at the top 10 headphones that deserve your attention – from classic everyday workhorses to high-end audiophile picks and bold experimental designs that’ll keep your sound experience at the forefront of innovation. Sony WH-1000XM6 The Everyday Benchmark Sony’s latest noise-cancelling flagship refines what made the XM5 great: even better ANC, improved comfort and clarity, and perfect all-day performance for travel, work, and urban life. What makes it stand out: - Industry-leading ANC in multiple environments - Long battery life (up to ~30 hours) with fast charging - Adaptive audio tuning that learns your behavior - Sleek, minimalist design that looks good on the metro or in the office Worth buying if: you want premium, day-to-day versatility with extremely effective noise cancellation and a refined sound signature. Apple AirPods Max The Design-First Luxury Choice The AirPods Max are more than headphones – they are an aesthetic object. Crafted with machined aluminum ear cups and a unique mesh headband, they blend luxury design with tight integration for iPhone and Mac users. Key considerations: - Seamless Apple ecosystem support - Spatial audio for immersive sound experiences - Comfort that holds up over long listening sessions - Premium materials that elevate its presence Worth buying if: you value design and ecosystem coherence over bare performance specs – and want an iconic fashion statement in your tech. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 Audiophile Warmth Meets Modern Style The PX8 from Bowers & Wilkins is a favorite among those who want audiophile-like clarity in a travel-ready pair of headphones. The British audio house is known for speaker design, and the PX8 carries that DNA into a stylish, well-tuned pair of ANC headphones. Why it matters: - Large drivers that deliver rich, full sound - Elegant leather and aluminum construction - Balanced tonality for music and movies Worth buying if: you care about sonic richness and upscale design in your daily listening. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 Craftsmanship Meets Comfort If luxury audio with Scandinavian design sensibilities is your thing, the Beoplay H95 delivers. These are built with premium materials like soft lambskin ear pads and anodized aluminum, and tuned for a sound experience that’s rich and smooth. Standout features: - Extra comfort for long wear - Elegant design that doesn’t shout - Warm, detailed sound with solid noise cancellation Worth buying if: comfort, build quality and subtle premium design are as important as audio performance. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Comfort and Clarity for Every Day The Momentum 4 continues Sennheiser’s legacy of solid, balanced sound with a focus on listening ease. These don’t necessarily go for dramatic bass or super-aggressive tuning – they aim for clarity, comfort and neutrality. What you get: - Exceptional comfort over long sessions - Neutral, detailed sound good for varied genres - Reliable ANC and solid battery life Worth buying if: you want a reliable, all-day pair that works for music, podcasts and calls. Audeze Maxwell Planar Magnetic Power, Wireless Freedom The Audeze Maxwell is a standout because it brings planar magnetic drivers – typically found in high-end wired models – to a wireless format. This means extraordinary bass control, low distortion and high fidelity. Why it’s exciting: - Class-leading clarity and precision - Deep, controlled low end - Wireless convenience Worth buying if: you’re serious about sound and want something closer to a studio experience without wires. Master & Dynamic MW75 Bold Audio with Distinctive Style Master & Dynamic’s MW75 blends industrial design with powerful sound. The use of premium materials like glass and metal accents coupled with robust ANC makes this a favorite for those who want a headphone with character. Highlights: - Strong, forward sound signature - Bold, tactile design - Solid ANC and comfort Worth buying if: your gear needs personality as much as performance. Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Sound Goes Wireless Focal is a brand known for high-end speaker and headphone design, and the Bathys brings that heritage into a more accessible wireless format. Expect dynamic range and detail beyond typical wireless headphones. Standout traits: - High-resolution sound with depth - Elegant design - Strong build quality Worth buying if: audio purity and hi-fi aspirations matter to you. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Everyday Comfort, Every Day ANC Bose has built its name on comfort and consistent performance, and the QuietComfort Ultra are the latest embodiment of that legacy. They’re lightweight, easy to wear and exceptionally good at gently suppressing background noise without fatigue. Why they still matter: - Extremely comfortable fit - Reliable ANC performance across environments - Simple usability Worth buying if: comfort and ease of use matter more than dramatic sound signatures. Dyson Zone The Wild Card Innovation The Dyson Zone might be the most unconventional pick on this list. A fusion of noise-cancelling headphones and personal air purification technology, it’s not for everyone – but it’s a fascinating look at where personal tech could go. Unique attributes: - Active air purification with wearable tech - Bold design that divides opinions - Practical for polluted or dusty environments Worth considering if: you love cutting-edge innovation and don’t mind a distinctive look. Why These Matter for 2026 As we move into 2026, headphones are no longer just audio tools – they’re identity accessories, signaling taste, lifestyle and context. The best pairs now offer: - High-performance ANC for modern, busy lives - Design quality that complements personal style - Comfort for hybrid lifestyles (work + travel + leisure) - Integration with evolving tech ecosystems From everyday workhorses like the Sony WH-1000XM6 to luxury statements like Apple’s AirPods Max and high-fidelity contenders like the Audeze Maxwell, the choices above reflect where the market stands at the turning point between 2025 and 2026. Choosing the right headphones isn’t just about specs, it’s about how they fit into your world. Some of the picks here excel in daily life, some are for deep listening experiences, and others push the boundaries of what personal audio can be. Whatever your priority – sound quality, design, comfort or innovation – there’s a pair on this list worth your attention heading into the new year. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-headphones-to-own-going-into-2026 — Citation: "The Headphones to Own Going Into 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-25. https://menwith.com/the-headphones-to-own-going-into-2026 --- ## A quite holiday greeting - URL: https://menwith.com/a-quite-holiday-greeting - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-12-25 - Tags: Culture, LVMH **Summary:** LVMH's wordless Christmas cards embody luxury through restraint, showcasing unity across 75 maisons. The minimalist design emphasizes presence and ritual over overt messaging. As the year closes and Christmas Eve arrives, the cards should already be in. Some opened, some left standing, all part of the quiet choreography of the season. LVMH’s arrived without words. Just the cards, presented as they are, with no message attached and no explanation offered. At this level, no words are needed. The gesture carries its own weight. It shows the house unity. The cards feel considered rather than decorative. Black and white doing what they have always done for the Group, creating clarity, proportion, and a sense of order. The familiar serif logotype anchors the composition, not as branding but as presence. Everything else is allowed to breathe. A Group made of many voices understands the value of one shared form. Seventy five maisons, each with its own tone and tempo, momentarily aligned through restraint. Dior, Hennessy, TAG Heuer, Tiffany. Different histories, same discipline. The cards do not name this relationship. They assume it. Read more from the Maisons here. There is pleasure in how little is asked of the viewer. The eye moves slowly. Space comes before colour. The experience is calm, almost cooling, like light through a winter window. Nothing insists. Nothing performs. This is not about novelty or seasonal charm. It is about ritual. Group level greetings are rare, and when they appear, they are stripped back by design. They speak to everyone at once without singling anyone out. Those who recognise the code will understand the intention. Courtesy still has a place in luxury. A note, properly timed and properly judged, does not need sentiment spelled out. The tactile memory of paper is there, even when the card is seen rather than held. Weight, finish, proportion, all implied. In a year that demanded constant output, the decision to let silence do the work feels deliberate. Scale creates the temptation to add more. Restraint suggests something else entirely. On Christmas Eve, when most messages have already been delivered, these cards sit comfortably among them. Not as statements, not as content, but as a shared pause. Unity, shown once, and left to stand. We would like to take the chance to wish you a calm Christmas and a measured beginning to the year ahead. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-quite-holiday-greeting — Citation: "A quite holiday greeting" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-25. https://menwith.com/a-quite-holiday-greeting --- ## Bvlgari Plants Rome on Rodeo Drive - URL: https://menwith.com/bvlgari-plants-rome-on-rodeo-drive - Author: Tom - Category: Style - Published: 2025-12-23 - Tags: Bvlgari, LVMH **Summary:** Bvlgari's new Rodeo Drive flagship fuses Roman heritage with LA light through handcrafted glass and local stone. It prioritizes material craftsmanship and brand narrative over digital spectacle. Stand outside the new Bvlgari on Rodeo Drive and you understand the intent before the doors open. The façade is a lattice of 1,100 handcrafted rosetta glass motifs, a contemporary echo of a 1930s bracelet clasp. In the California sun the surface breathes, shifting from pale glow to sharp sparkle as the day turns. It is a reminder that when a house knows its history, it can let the light do the talking. The architecture draws a clean line back to Bvlgari’s two anchors. From New York, the Fifth Avenue store’s glass language. From Rome, the Via Condotti flagship whose iconic doorway is reinterpreted at the entrance here. Step in and the retail choreography tightens. “Box in the Box” displays sit within Travertine Ostuni portals, their creamy stone cool under the fingertips and visually calm against the street’s buzz. Above, a refined green pelmet carries the BVLGARI name in Roman capitals, the typographic signature introduced in the 1970s that still reads with quiet authority. The green is not decoration for decoration’s sake. It nods to the house’s celebrated gemstones and to Rome’s ancient symbol of victory. Against the stone, the hue lands like laurel on marble. This is a physical experience, not a digital spectacle. Sunlight filters through the rosettas and throws a patterned shadow on floor and display, a subtle cue that you are meant to look, not scroll. The third-floor outdoor terrace brings in LA air and sky, a measured pause that breaks the monotony of enclosed luxury retail. You hear the hum of Rodeo drift up, softened by height and glass. The brand talks about a fusion of Rome and Los Angeles. Here, that means material clarity and urban openness rather than themed sets. The choice of Travertine Ostuni matters. Travertine is Rome’s stone, but Ostuni’s variant has a softer grain that reads well in Southern California light. It warms at golden hour, then cools toward silver at dusk. The effect grounds the space so the jewelry can float. That balance between weight and lightness is the point. Bvlgari has long traded in vivid color and bold shapes; giving those pieces a restrained architectural frame lets them breathe. The Roman capitals overhead are a reminder that graphic discipline ages better than novelty. For the industry, the signal is simple. Flagships still count, and they count most where the sidewalk is a runway. Rodeo Drive remains one of those addresses. The street may be photographed to exhaustion, but it delivers the mix that luxury wants: local clients, international travelers, and people who come to see how taste is currently expressed. Bvlgari’s answer is to invest in material craftsmanship and brand grammar rather than gimmicks. In a year when many stores chase screens, this feels like a confident refusal. It also fits the broader direction of serious retail in 2025. The best flagships are being designed as cultural objects you can move through, with layers that repay a second visit. Referencing a 1930s bracelet clasp in a glass façade is not nostalgia. It is an argument for continuity. The Roman doorway at the threshold, the green laurel band above, the stone frames around vitrines, all create a quiet narrative that ties product to place. For a modern gentleman, that matters. You may walk in to choose a gift or to look at watches, but you also come to see how an old house explains itself today. There is a temptation to read every new opening as a sprint for attention. This one reads as endurance. The transparency of the façade is not just a light effect. It signals that the brand is willing to show its workings, literally and historically. Stand close and you can see the rosetta motifs cast and set, slight variations that only hand work produces. Step back and the surface resolves to order. That rhythm between detail and composition is what separates a store from a stage set. Bvlgari’s new Rodeo Drive flagship will not change Los Angeles. The city has lived with European luxury for decades. What it might do is raise the standard for how those brands inhabit the street. Make it specific. Make it tactile. Let the materials carry meaning. On a block that often trades in loudness, a façade that listens to the sun is a welcome turn. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bvlgari-plants-rome-on-rodeo-drive — Citation: "Bvlgari Plants Rome on Rodeo Drive" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-23. https://menwith.com/bvlgari-plants-rome-on-rodeo-drive --- ## The Man Behind Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy - URL: https://menwith.com/the-man-behind-rolls-royce-spirit-of-ecstasy - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-22 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Charles Robinson Sykes, the artist behind Rolls-Royce's Spirit of Ecstasy, infused the marque with emotional gravity and grace, shaping its perception beyond engineering to an object of timeless beauty. Every great marque begins with a machine. The rare ones endure because someone gives that machine a presence. Rolls-Royce often tells its story through engineering brilliance and mechanical resolve. Yet its emotional gravity arrived quietly, shaped by an artist who understood movement, restraint and the poetry of form. Charles Robinson Sykes did not build engines. He gave them a soul through the Spirit of Ecstasy. Born in a mining village in North Yorkshire in 1875, Sykes carried with him a sensitivity that felt out of step with industrial Britain. His early training sharpened discipline, but it was his imagination that defined him. Drawing, painting and sculpture were never separate acts. They were variations of the same instinct, a desire to humanise objects meant to endure. London recognised his talent early. The V&A now holds many of his works, a quiet affirmation of his range. Magazine illustrations, classical references, trophies and figures all reveal an artist comfortable moving between utility and beauty. Sykes never chased spectacle. He worked in proportion and mood. When Rolls-Royce entered his life, the company was already formidable. Charles Rolls brought daring and ambition. Henry Royce brought intellect and precision. What was missing was expression. Sykes understood this immediately. His early paintings for Rolls-Royce catalogues did more than depict cars. They placed them within moments. Arrival at dusk. Progress through snow. Effortless ascent. These images suggested that ownership was not about motion alone, but about how one moved through the world. Then came the figure that would define everything. The Spirit of Ecstasy is often described as a mascot, but that word feels insufficient. She is not decoration. She is intention made visible. Forward leaning, composed, serene. A study in restraint rather than excess. Sykes resisted the obvious. He created something timeless by refusing to overstate. In doing so, he changed how a motor car could be perceived. Not merely as transport, nor even as triumph of engineering, but as an object capable of grace. This idea now feels inevitable. In 1911, it was radical. Sykes introduced emotional authorship to Rolls-Royce. That lineage continues today, not through nostalgia, but through craft. In Bespoke commissions and Coachbuild projects, the marque still speaks his language. Texture over noise. Meaning over ornament. One hundred and fifty years after his birth, Charles Sykes remains present in the quiet confidence of every Rolls-Royce. Not loudly celebrated. Simply there. Some figures build legacies by force. Others shape them by feel. Sykes belonged to the latter. He understood that true luxury does not announce itself. It reveals itself slowly, and stays. Read more about Rolls-Royce here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-man-behind-rolls-royce-spirit-of-ecstasy — Citation: "The Man Behind Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-22. https://menwith.com/the-man-behind-rolls-royce-spirit-of-ecstasy --- ## Baccarat and Harry Nuriev Rethink Light, Memory and What We Choose to Keep - URL: https://menwith.com/baccarat-and-harry-nuriev-rethink-light-memory-and-what-we-choose-to-keep - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2025-12-22 - Tags: Baccarat, Harry Nuriev, Zénith chandelier, Maison Baccarat, transformism, crystal, Crosby Gallery **Summary:** Baccarat and Harry Nuriev reimagine crystal as memory, blending heritage with everyday objects in a new Zénith chandelier. This collaboration explores resilience and transformism, valuing improvisation over perfection. Some objects carry time quietly. They absorb dinners, gestures, small rituals, then wait patiently for the next hand to touch them. Baccarat’s collaboration with Harry Nuriev begins from that understanding. Not crystal as spectacle, but crystal as memory, altered by use and by imagination. Unveiled in January 2026, the project centres on a reimagined Zénith chandelier. First introduced by Baccarat in the mid nineteenth century, Zénith has long been a declaration of light as architecture. In Nuriev’s hands, it becomes something more fragile and more human. A messenger between eras. He imagines a future where crystal is no longer guaranteed. Where inheritance is incomplete. Where what is missing must be replaced not with perfection, but with whatever remains close at hand. Pens, bottle caps, CDs, keychains. Objects once dismissed as disposable now step into the role of ornament. The chandelier does not hide this tension. Its metal structure stretches outward, holding everyday fragments beside twisted crystal arms, fleurs de lys and prisms. Monumental at a distance, intimate up close. It feels less like an object and more like a lived condition. Nuriev calls this transformism. The act of reshaping what already exists without erasing its past. It is an approach that aligns quietly with Baccarat’s own history, where innovation has always come from rethinking material rather than abandoning it. This dialogue did not begin here. In 2024, Nuriev transformed the entryway of Maison Baccarat in Paris into a graphic manifesto. Words like feu, étinceler and c’est la fête were etched across walls like reminders that craftsmanship is not static. Refrigerators holding heritage masterpieces suggested preservation not as nostalgia, but as future-facing care. By 2025, the collaboration expanded into limited pieces revisiting the Harcourt glass and the Sirius crystal ball. Icons softened by intervention. Gilded, engraved, enamelled with phrases such as enjoy the moment and celebration. Not slogans, but gentle prompts. Artisans in Baccarat’s ateliers translate these gestures with restraint. Black or colour appears sparingly. The hand remains visible. Emotion is not applied. It is revealed. The exhibition unfolds first at Crosby Gallery from January 15 to 18, before moving to Maison Baccarat from January 20. Seen together, the works form a quiet proposition. That value is not fixed. That beauty adapts. That care can transform the ordinary into something worthy of keeping. Nuriev does not romanticise survival. He observes it. In his imagined future, people do not replace what is lost with replicas. They improvise. They remember. They assign meaning where necessity demands it. Baccarat, after more than two centuries, continues to allow that freedom. Light remains its language, but here it speaks with a different accent. Less about brilliance, more about resilience. In the end, this collaboration is not about crystal disappearing. It is about what we choose to protect before it does. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/baccarat-and-harry-nuriev-rethink-light-memory-and-what-we-choose-to-keep — Citation: "Baccarat and Harry Nuriev Rethink Light, Memory and What We Choose to Keep" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-22. https://menwith.com/baccarat-and-harry-nuriev-rethink-light-memory-and-what-we-choose-to-keep --- ## A Legend Reimagined: Porsche Carrera GT in Salzburg Colours - URL: https://menwith.com/a-legend-reimagined-porsche-carrera-gt-in-salzburg-colours - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-20 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Porsche, Porsche Carrera GT **Summary:** Porsche re-imagines the Carrera GT with a factory re-commissioned model in iconic Salzburg livery, inspired by the 1970 Le Mans-winning 917. This project blends heritage with modern craftsmanship, creating a drivable legend. There are supercars, and then there are milestones. The Porsche Carrera GT firmly belongs to the latter. Built in the early 2000s, it captured a moment in time when engineering bravado mattered more than software and soundtracks were measured in revs, not speakers. Now, Porsche has revisited that moment with extraordinary care, unveiling a Factory Re-Commissioned Carrera GT finished in the iconic Salzburg design. The inspiration comes from one of the most important cars in Porsche history: the Porsche 917, which secured the brand’s first overall victory at Le Mans in 1970. Its red-and-white Salzburg livery has since become a visual shorthand for endurance racing glory. Translating that design onto the sculpted body of a Carrera GT was never going to be a simple homage. Instead, Porsche treated it as a full creative and technical exercise, ensuring the proportions, contrasts and surfaces felt native to the car rather than retrofitted. This project was carried out under Porsche’s Sonderwunsch Factory Re-Commission programme, a service reserved for clients who want their cars restored, re-engineered and reimagined by the same hands that built them originally. The donor car, a 2005 Carrera GT, was stripped down to its core. The naturally aspirated V10 was completely overhauled, carbon-fibre elements were refinished, and the car was returned to a mechanical state that mirrors factory-fresh condition. Visually, the result is striking without being loud. Guards Red and white flow across the bodywork, protected beneath a transparent film so the car can be driven as intended. Matte carbon accents on the roof and aerodynamic elements add a contemporary edge, reminding us that this is not a museum piece but a living, breathing machine. Inside, the transformation continues. The cabin is wrapped in deep Guards Red Alcantara, contrasted by exposed carbon and motorsport-grade materials. It feels intimate and purposeful, like a tailored racing suit rather than a luxury lounge. Even the luggage compartment and bespoke travel set follow the same colour story, reinforcing the sense that no detail was too small to matter. What makes this Carrera GT truly special is not just its appearance or craftsmanship, but the philosophy behind it. Commissioned by a passionate owner, the car was built to be used, driven and experienced. It stands as a reminder that Porsche’s greatest creations are defined not only by performance figures, but by emotion, heritage and intent. In an era of electrification and digital perfection, this Salzburg-inspired Carrera GT feels like a love letter to everything that made driving unforgettable. A legend, not preserved in amber, but reborn with purpose. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-legend-reimagined-porsche-carrera-gt-in-salzburg-colours — Citation: "A Legend Reimagined: Porsche Carrera GT in Salzburg Colours" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-20. https://menwith.com/a-legend-reimagined-porsche-carrera-gt-in-salzburg-colours --- ## Maybach Ocean Club, Members Only - URL: https://menwith.com/maybach-ocean-club-members-only - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-12-20 - Tags: Maybach, Mercedes-Benz **Summary:** The Maybach Ocean Club redefines luxury at sea as a members-only yacht fostering community, privacy, and unhurried conversation. Its design prioritizes calm, considered spaces and sustainable integration, reflecting Maybach's legacy of precision and movement. Some projects feel designed to be talked about. Others feel designed to be lived in. The Maybach Ocean Club is very much the latter. It’s not just a yacht, but as a setting. A shared one. At its core, the Ocean Club is a private members’ world that happens to move across water. The yacht is the anchor, but the idea is community. People who value time, privacy, and conversation that is not rushed. From the outside, the form is calm and resolved. The decks cascade rather than stack. The lines feel considered, not expressive for the sake of it. You can see the Maybach language in the proportions and restraint, but it never leans on recognizability. It trusts the eye. Once on board, that confidence becomes more apparent. The spaces do not perform. They support. Suites feel composed, quietly precise, designed for living rather than impressing. Materials are warm, tactile, and chosen with a long view in mind. Sustainability is embedded, not announced, through clean propulsion and responsible material choices that feel like a given, not a feature. The yacht works because it understands rhythm. Open decks give you scale and horizon. Smaller pockets offer retreat. Nearly fifty thousand square feet unfold without ever feeling vast. At the stern, the beach club brings you back to the water itself. Morning swims, late afternoons, time that belongs to no one else. There is history here, but it sits comfortably in the background. Maybach’s relationship with the sea goes back to the 1920s, when its engineering powered early boats alongside cars and aircraft. You feel that legacy in the precision and discipline of the design, not in overt references or storytelling. Food, wellness, and social life follow the same logic. Everything is curated, but nothing is staged. Experiences are designed to create ease, not obligation. You come together because it feels natural to do so. Even the details carry this tone. The Maybach signet at the bow is symbolic, of course, but it also feels structural. A quiet reminder that this is a brand that understands movement, proportion, and longevity. The Ocean Club does not try to redefine luxury at sea. It simply reframes it. Luxury here is time that feels respected. Conversations that are not interrupted. A setting that allows relationships to form without friction. It feels less like a destination and more like a continuation. A place you return to, not to be seen, but because it makes sense to be there. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/maybach-ocean-club-members-only — Citation: "Maybach Ocean Club, Members Only" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-20. https://menwith.com/maybach-ocean-club-members-only --- ## Christmas Afloat: Five Caribbean routes worth your holiday time - URL: https://menwith.com/christmas-afloat-five-caribbean-routes-worth-your-holiday-time - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-12-19 - Tags: Yachts, Edmiston **Summary:** Explore five Caribbean yacht routes for a private, less scheduled Christmas. Options range from St. Barths' glamour to the BVI's family fun, Antigua's heritage, Exumas' clarity, and Grenadines' tranquility. Christmas at sea is not about more, it is about less. Less schedule, less spectacle, fewer eyes on your table. A good charter gives you privacy, proper food, and the freedom to move between scenes. In the Caribbean, December into early January is peak season, which means you will want a broker who can find late berths in tight harbours or direct you to the anchorages with the best wind shadow. Trees go up on sundecks, cabins get dressed, and menus lean Caribbean without losing tradition. The point is control. Start with St Barths if you want the full theatre. Berth in Gustavia and you are within tender range of the island’s NYE fixtures, with designer shops for last gifts and a harbour lined with the world’s big boats. Fireworks crack above the masts, the water glows gunmetal for a moment, then goes dark again. Daylight is quieter. Drift to St Jean, let Eden Rock do the club sandwich better than anyone, and cap a lazy afternoon with a swim off the stern. Families do well in the British Virgin Islands. The Baths on Virgin Gorda are a ready-made playground of warm granite tunnels and glassy pools. Evenings can feel old-fashioned in the best way, with a film on the upper deck and the sea just off your shoulder. If you are around Jost Van Dyke, Foxy’s Old Year’s Night is a classic. Steel drums pull carols into a different rhythm, and it suits mixed generations. With the right crew, fancy dress is sorted before sundown. Antigua’s appeal is cultural as much as coastal. Moor in English Harbour and walk Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that still smells faintly of tar and wood. The island moves at a more measured pace than St Barths, though Shirley Heights can throw a party, and the lookout gives a view that earns its reputation when the light goes amber. Slip across to Barbuda and you are rewarded with that long, pale pink strand that looks almost unreal in morning haze. For a shorter hop from the East Coast, the Bahamas and the Exumas deliver clarity in every sense. Shallow, turquoise water, ribbon sandbars that turn into an impromptu lunch table, and the sort of quiet you can hear. The pigs at Big Major Cay are as advertised, and Thunderball Grotto still surprises with shafts of light that cut through the cave like stage spots. If you want civilisation, plan a Nassau stop for Atlantis. Think Nobu, Gucci, YSL, and a water park that will empty the children’s batteries. Boxing Day and New Year’s Day bring Junkanoo, the national street celebration. Drums, cowbells, colour, and a tempo that stays with you. The Grenadines read as the antidote to a loud year. In the Tobago Cays you can swim with green turtles over seagrass that moves like silk, then take a lobster barbecue on a private beach. Bequia’s Admiralty Bay fills with a friendly flotilla in late December, and it is not unusual to hop tenders between anchored yachts before the fireworks. If you want discretion with a social edge, Mustique still has Basil’s Bar, and the guest DJs play to a room that does not need an audience. All of this sits on a simple truth. Yachts make holidays feel like they belong to you. A good crew will handle the quiet magic, from a tree that fits the space to a Christmas menu that respects your non-negotiables. Edmiston’s charter team says it can still secure last-minute bookings in high season, and the fleet covers the spread, from Feadship’s 93 metre Lady S at a reported €1.6 million per week to 63 metre Benetti Soundwave from $550,000 per week. Some rates are published, others are on request, and availability is fluid in late December. The choice is not really about the boat. It is about mood. High society and late nights in St Barths, easy family cadence in the BVI, maritime heritage in Antigua, off-grid clarity in the Exumas, or low-key elegance in the Grenadines. Pick one, brief your chef with care, and keep the morning of the 25th free. Coffee on the aft deck, the sea flat as a sheet, and the first swim before anyone else is awake. Christmas at sea is not louder. It is better. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/christmas-afloat-five-caribbean-routes-worth-your-holiday-time — Citation: "Christmas Afloat: Five Caribbean routes worth your holiday time" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-19. https://menwith.com/christmas-afloat-five-caribbean-routes-worth-your-holiday-time --- ## Riva Cento New: A Collector’s Riva for a New Era - URL: https://menwith.com/riva-cento-new-a-collectors-riva-for-a-new-era - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-12-18 - Tags: Boats, Menwith, Menwithclass, Riva, Riva Cento New, Yacht **Summary:** The limited-edition Riva Cento New blends classic Italian glamour with contemporary design. This collector's yacht offers refined performance and luxurious outdoor living, embodying rarity and detail. There are boats you admire, and then there are boats you feel. The Riva Cento New belongs firmly in the latter category, a limited-edition open yacht that distills everything that makes Riva an enduring symbol of Italian glamour, while pushing its design language into a sharper, more contemporary future. Produced in a strictly limited run of just 12 hulls, the Cento New is not about volume or mass appeal. It is a statement piece – created for collectors who understand that true luxury lies in rarity, proportion, and detail. Heritage, Reimagined Riva has always mastered the balance between tradition and innovation. With the Cento New, that balance feels especially precise. At just under 12 metres in length, the yacht carries the unmistakable Riva silhouette: long, low, and effortlessly elegant. Yet nothing here feels nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake. The design comes from Officina Italiana Design, the studio responsible for shaping Riva’s modern era. Their work on the Cento New refines familiar cues – polished steel, sculpted surfaces, and clean horizontal lines, into something distinctly current. This is not a retro revival; it’s a modern classic in real time. Performance with Purpose Beneath the refined exterior sits serious capability. Twin engines deliver confident acceleration and a top speed in the region of 40 knots, making the Cento New as exhilarating to drive as it is to admire from the dock. At cruising speed, the yacht remains composed and smooth. Perfect for fast coastal passages or relaxed day cruising along the Riviera, Amalfi, or the Balearics. The helm is clean and intuitive, blending contemporary navigation technology with a driver-focused layout. As with any true Riva, the experience behind the wheel is central to the boat’s identity. The Art of Outdoor Living One of the Cento New’s most striking features is found at the stern. An electro-hydraulic transom transforms into a compact beach area, complete with integrated steps and concealed storage – ideal for a Seabob or water toys. It’s a clever piece of engineering that enhances both usability and visual drama. The cockpit is designed for versatility. Seating converts seamlessly between lounging and dining configurations, while expansive sunpads invite long afternoons at anchor. Every surface feels intentional, from the upholstery to the subtle metallic accents that catch the light just enough. Inside: Automotive Elegance at Sea Step below deck and the mood shifts from open-air glamour to intimate refinement. The cabin is understated yet luxurious, with leather finishes inspired by classic Italian grand tourers from the 1940s to 1960s. It’s a subtle nod to automotive heritage – another world where Italian design reigns supreme. A compact bathroom and thoughtfully arranged storage make overnight stays entirely realistic, though the Cento New feels just as much at home as a day boat that never needs to try too hard. A Yacht for Those Who Know The Riva Cento New is not about chasing trends or redefining size categories. Instead, it represents something far rarer in today’s yachting world: restraint. Every line, material choice, and mechanical solution serves a purpose, resulting in a yacht that feels complete rather than excessive. For collectors, it offers exclusivity without compromise. For enthusiasts, it stands as proof that timeless design can still evolve. And for Riva, it reinforces a legacy built not on numbers, but on emotion. In a world where bigger often shouts louder, the Cento New whispers – and those who understand will listen. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/riva-cento-new-a-collectors-riva-for-a-new-era — Citation: "Riva Cento New: A Collector’s Riva for a New Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-18. https://menwith.com/riva-cento-new-a-collectors-riva-for-a-new-era --- ## A New Era on the Grid: How Formula 1’s 2026 Rules Will Reshape Grand Prix Racing - URL: https://menwith.com/a-new-era-on-the-grid-how-formula-1s-2026-rules-will-reshape-grand-prix-racing - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-17 - Tags: F1, Formula 1, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Formula 1's 2026 rules usher in a new era with lighter, more agile cars featuring active aerodynamics and a 50/50 hybrid power split. These changes aim for closer racing and sustainability. Formula 1 is on the brink of one of its most transformative moments in decades. The 2026 season isn’t just another turn of the calendar – it marks the arrival of a comprehensive set of rules designed to redefine how the fastest racing cars in the world look, perform and compete. What was once incremental evolution is now a bold leap forward – and the sport’s DNA is changing in real time. At the heart of this revolution are revised aerodynamic and power unit regulations that aim to make cars lighter, more agile and more relevant to the road cars of tomorrow. Gone are the days of massive ground-effect tunnels and oversized chassis; 2026 machines will be shorter, narrower and considerably less cumbersome, with an overall focus on sharper handling and closer racing on track. One of the most striking shifts comes with the introduction of active aerodynamics. Instead of relying on the old Drag Reduction System (DRS) flap – which will be effectively phased out, cars will feature moveable wings that adapt to different phases of the lap. On straights, wing elements flatten to reduce drag; in corners, they close up to generate grip. This isn’t just a technical tweak, it’s a rethink of how aerodynamic performance can be dynamically manipulated in race conditions. Underneath the bodywork, the heartbeat of these new F1 cars will reflect a future-oriented hybrid philosophy. While the iconic 1.6-litre turbo V6 remains, the balance between combustion and electric power shifts dramatically – with roughly a 50/50 split between internal combustion and battery output. The painful complexity of the MGU-H has been removed, replaced by an expanded electrical system that allows drivers greater tactical control over energy deployment. Crucially, these engines will run on advanced sustainable fuels for the first time, bringing the pinnacle of motorsport closer to global environmental goals. These changes go beyond paint and horsepower. They challenge teams to rethink strategy, engineering and development. Aerodynamic floors are being simplified, downforce levels are reduced, and cars are estimated to shed around 30 kg in weight. All this adds up to machines that are capable of closer following, more strategic overtaking and – ideally – better racing for fans. The governing body, the FIA, has also doubled down on safety with tougher crash structures and more rigorous tests, reinforcing its commitment to protect drivers even as the technical landscape evolves. Perhaps just as important is what these regulations signal for the future of Formula 1. By attracting an expanding roster of manufacturers – including newcomers and returning power unit partners – the sport is widening its competitive ecosystem. With new aero concepts, hybrid techniques and sustainability at the core, the 2026 Formula 1 season feels less like a continuation and more like a fresh chapter in the sport’s storied history. As teams prepare for the first 2026-spec cars to hit wind tunnels and racetracks, the racing world is watching closely: Will these changes deliver the closer battles and dramatic moments fans crave? Only time, and the roar of the first engines – will tell. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-new-era-on-the-grid-how-formula-1s-2026-rules-will-reshape-grand-prix-racing — Citation: "A New Era on the Grid: How Formula 1’s 2026 Rules Will Reshape Grand Prix Racing" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-17. https://menwith.com/a-new-era-on-the-grid-how-formula-1s-2026-rules-will-reshape-grand-prix-racing --- ## Inside Bugatti’s Quietest Tradition: Soirée de Noël - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-bugattis-quietest-tradition-soire-de-nol - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-17 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti's Soirée de Noël unites customers for a quiet celebration at Château Saint-Jean, emphasizing community, personalization, and heritage over sheer automotive prowess. There is something disarming about seeing Bugatti slow down. Not the cars, of course. Those remain impossibly fast, conceptually and mechanically. But once a year, in early December, the brand allows itself a pause. The gates of Château Saint-Jean open for people who already know what it means to wait years for something to be made just for them. The Soirée de Noël brings together around a hundred Bugatti customers, welcomed by Mate Rimac, Christophe Piochon and Hendrik Malinowski. It returns each year as a familiar point of gathering. Molsheim helps. In winter, the place strips itself back. The château glows rather than shines. You notice texture. Stone, wood, quiet. Bugatti’s story has always been tied to this restraint. The excess comes later, once you are already invested. Inside the Aftersales Atelier, the tables are long and shared. Artist Charles Kaisin reshapes the room into something slightly unreal, a dining space that feels staged but never stiff. Waiters move with choreography, plates play with illusion, and at some point you stop noticing the performance and start noticing the people across from you. That is the trick. Bugatti understands that community cannot be announced. It has to be arranged. The cars are present, but they do not dominate. A Mistral World Record Edition sits with the calm confidence of something that knows it has said its piece. The Veyron Vitesse World Record Edition carries the quiet gravity of a reference point. Twenty years on, the Veyron still feels less like a product and more like a moment when the industry briefly lost its nerve and Bugatti did not. The Bolide, all tension and intent, reminds you that curiosity still matters here, even when there is nothing left to prove. Later, the mood drifts outside. Chestnuts, mulled wine, a hint of jazz. Alsace, unapologetically. Guests write messages on tree baubles finished in the muted hue of Brouillard, the latest one of one creation. It is a small ritual, almost playful, but it says something important. Personalization has moved beyond options lists. It now includes participation. You leave something of yourself behind. Brouillard becomes a quiet focal point as the evening unfolds. Shown in the Design Studio, it is less about form than intent. A reminder that Bugatti’s return to true coachbuilding through Programme Solitaire is not a marketing exercise. Two creations a year is not a flex. It is a boundary. In a market obsessed with scale and visibility, limitation becomes a form of clarity. Design turns biographical. The car stops being an object and starts behaving like a sentence written in first person. There is also generosity, handled without ceremony. A charity auction raises €55,000 for Semeurs d’Étoiles, supporting hospitalized children and their families. The winning bid includes an experience rooted in Alsace and a Lalique Dancing Elephant, echoing Rembrandt Bugatti’s sculpture and the family’s long conversation with French artistry. It feels less like philanthropy and more like continuity. Craft supporting care. The Soirée de Noël is not about the year that was or the one to come. It is about atmosphere. About turning history into hospitality. About reminding a small group of people that what they are buying into is not just engineering, but belonging. Bugatti knows its audience well. They are not chasing numbers anymore. They are collecting moments. In Molsheim, by candlelight and winter air, Bugatti continues to offer exactly that. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-bugattis-quietest-tradition-soire-de-nol — Citation: "Inside Bugatti’s Quietest Tradition: Soirée de Noël" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-17. https://menwith.com/inside-bugattis-quietest-tradition-soire-de-nol --- ## Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90 Titan Edition – A Century of Sound, Reimagined - URL: https://menwith.com/bang-038-olufsen-beolab-90-titan-edition-8211-a-century-of-sound-reimagined - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2025-12-16 - Tags: Bang & Olufsen, Beolab 90 Titan Edition, Atelier service, luxury audio, centenary, high-end loudspeaker, beam-forming technology **Summary:** Bang & Olufsen's Beolab 90 Titan Edition reimagines their iconic loudspeaker for their centenary. This limited edition features a hand-sandblasted aluminum cabinet and advanced acoustic technology, blending art and sound. For a brand that has spent a century shaping how the world listens, celebrating 100 years calls for more than nostalgia. With the Beolab 90 Titan Edition, Bang & Olufsen delivers a statement that feels both reflective and forward-looking – a reimagining of its most ambitious loudspeaker, refined through craftsmanship, material honesty and acoustic mastery. A decade after the original Beolab 90 redefined high-end audio, the Titan Edition strips the design back to its essence. Conceived through Bang & Olufsen’s exclusive Atelier service, the speaker reveals its structural core rather than hiding it. The result is a sculptural object where technology becomes part of the visual language, and sound feels inseparable from form. The defining feature is its imposing aluminium cabinet, weighing in at 65 kilograms and hand-sandblasted using fine particles of crushed volcanic rock. The finish is raw yet controlled, tactile yet elegant. Polished base panels create a subtle sense of levitation, giving the speaker an architectural presence that feels both grounded and impossibly light. It’s a careful balance of contrasts – matte against polished, exposed against refined – that reflects Bang & Olufsen’s design philosophy at its most confident. Look closer and the craftsmanship reveals itself in quiet, obsessive detail. The face mask is milled from a single block of solid aluminium, requiring over twelve hours of precision machining per piece. Fine grooves radiate around each driver like frozen sound waves, while engraved fasteners and discreet inscriptions reference both the brand’s centenary and the legacy of the original Beolab 90. Even light plays a role, with subtle apertures allowing illumination to interact with the speaker’s form, adding depth without distraction. Beneath the sculptural exterior lies the same uncompromising acoustic foundation that made the Beolab 90 legendary. Eighteen handcrafted drivers, each powered by dedicated amplification and advanced DSP, work in harmony to deliver extraordinary control. Beam-forming technology allows the soundstage to shift effortlessly – from an intimate, precisely focused sweet spot to a room-filling 360-degree experience – all while maintaining clarity, power and presence. Since its debut in 2015, the Beolab 90 has served as a technological incubator for Bang & Olufsen, influencing everything from its loudspeakers to its headphones. The Titan Edition doesn’t just celebrate that legacy; it elevates it, reminding us how deeply innovation and craftsmanship are intertwined at the highest level of audio design. As the first of five Atelier-crafted masterpieces marking Bang & Olufsen’s 100-year anniversary, the Beolab 90 Titan Edition sets the tone for what’s to come. Produced in exceptionally limited numbers and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, it stands as both a collector’s piece and a vision of what happens when sound, material and artistry converge. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bang-038-olufsen-beolab-90-titan-edition-8211-a-century-of-sound-reimagined — Citation: "Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90 Titan Edition – A Century of Sound, Reimagined" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-16. https://menwith.com/bang-038-olufsen-beolab-90-titan-edition-8211-a-century-of-sound-reimagined --- ## Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90 Titan Edition – A Century of Sound, Reimagined - URL: https://menwith.com/bang-olufsen-beolab-90-titan-edition-a-century-of-sound-reimagined - Category: Tech - Published: 2025-12-16 - Tags: Lifestyle, Bang & Olufsen, Beolab 90, Menwith, Menwithclass, tech **Summary:** Bang & Olufsen's Beolab 90 Titan Edition reimagines their flagship loudspeaker with raw, tactile aluminum and exposed structural elements. This centenary masterpiece blends advanced acoustic technology with sculptural artistry. For a brand that has spent a century shaping how the world listens, celebrating 100 years calls for more than nostalgia. With the Beolab 90 Titan Edition, Bang & Olufsen delivers a statement that feels both reflective and forward-looking – a reimagining of its most ambitious loudspeaker, refined through craftsmanship, material honesty and acoustic mastery. A decade after the original Beolab 90 redefined high-end audio, the Titan Edition strips the design back to its essence. Conceived through Bang & Olufsen’s exclusive Atelier service, the speaker reveals its structural core rather than hiding it. The result is a sculptural object where technology becomes part of the visual language, and sound feels inseparable from form. The defining feature is its imposing aluminium cabinet, weighing in at 65 kilograms and hand-sandblasted using fine particles of crushed volcanic rock. The finish is raw yet controlled, tactile yet elegant. Polished base panels create a subtle sense of levitation, giving the speaker an architectural presence that feels both grounded and impossibly light. It’s a careful balance of contrasts – matte against polished, exposed against refined – that reflects Bang & Olufsen’s design philosophy at its most confident. Look closer and the craftsmanship reveals itself in quiet, obsessive detail. The face mask is milled from a single block of solid aluminium, requiring over twelve hours of precision machining per piece. Fine grooves radiate around each driver like frozen sound waves, while engraved fasteners and discreet inscriptions reference both the brand’s centenary and the legacy of the original Beolab 90. Even light plays a role, with subtle apertures allowing illumination to interact with the speaker’s form, adding depth without distraction. Beneath the sculptural exterior lies the same uncompromising acoustic foundation that made the Beolab 90 legendary. Eighteen handcrafted drivers, each powered by dedicated amplification and advanced DSP, work in harmony to deliver extraordinary control. Beam-forming technology allows the soundstage to shift effortlessly – from an intimate, precisely focused sweet spot to a room-filling 360-degree experience – all while maintaining clarity, power and presence. Since its debut in 2015, the Beolab 90 has served as a technological incubator for Bang & Olufsen, influencing everything from its loudspeakers to its headphones. The Titan Edition doesn’t just celebrate that legacy; it elevates it, reminding us how deeply innovation and craftsmanship are intertwined at the highest level of audio design. As the first of five Atelier-crafted masterpieces marking Bang & Olufsen’s 100-year anniversary, the Beolab 90 Titan Edition sets the tone for what’s to come. Produced in exceptionally limited numbers and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, it stands as both a collector’s piece and a vision of what happens when sound, material and artistry converge. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bang-olufsen-beolab-90-titan-edition-a-century-of-sound-reimagined — Citation: "Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90 Titan Edition – A Century of Sound, Reimagined" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-16. https://menwith.com/bang-olufsen-beolab-90-titan-edition-a-century-of-sound-reimagined --- ## “Japan in Light” at the Jardin d’Acclimatation is Paris - URL: https://menwith.com/japan-in-light-at-the-jardin-dacclimatation-is-paris - Author: Tom - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-12-16 - Tags: Culture, LVMH **Summary:** Paris's Jardin d’Acclimatation presents "Japan in Light," a winter lantern festival (Dec 10-Mar 8) showcasing Japanese traditions, pop culture, and nature through 2,000 illuminated scenes. Paris understands the appeal of light in winter, and the Jardin d’Acclimatation leans into it with conviction. The third edition of its Lantern Festival, “Japan in Light,” switches on from December 10, 2025 to March 8, 2026, 6 pm to 9:30 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday outside school holidays. The experience is designed, not improvised, a composed route of illuminated scenes that cut cleanly through the early dark. Cold air on the cheeks, a soft paper glow along the paths, calm rather than spectacle. The concept runs in three chapters. “Empire of Traditions” nods to history and spiritual life, from the quiet geometry of ancient Kyoto temples to the stately rhythm of ritual. “Pop-Modern Odyssey” tilts contemporary with manga heroes, graphic motifs and a wink of kawaii. “Garden of Dreams” returns to nature, where sakura blossom forms, koi, and the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fuji settle into focus. The numbers are big, 2,000 illuminated creations, but the interest is in pacing and detail. Think the blush-pink wash of cherry blossom lanterns against winter branches, or a cobalt Fuji rising behind a grove, clear and legible. It is still a park, not a gallery, which helps. There are immersive installations to pull you off the main path, XXL arcade games for a jolt of play, a food court that mixes Japanese and European options, and the giant Ferris wheel for a high view of the skyline. The sensory palette is broad, from the click of oversized game buttons to the slow sweep of the wheel and the pinprick lights of Paris beyond. If you are planning it, arrive at dusk so the first hour straddles blue hour and full night, walk the route in order, then take the wheel at the end. The Jardin d’Acclimatation has been on a steady run since its 2018 renovation. More than 1.6 million visitors a year is not an accident, and this format extends its usefulness into winter evenings. After themes that celebrated China, Korea and Mexico, shifting to Japan feels both timely and measured, especially in a year that also saw the Osaka World Expo. The mix of heritage and pop culture is not a cop-out, it reflects how most of us actually encounter Japan today, temple visits in the morning, anime posters in the afternoon. If there is a risk, it is cliché, yet the curation is specific enough to avoid the costume-party trap. Jigokudani snow macaques appear, a very real image, and Tokyo’s energy reads as urban color, not neon for neon’s sake. There is a broader point here about light festivals in Europe. They have become winter fixtures, part civic theater, part family outing, part tourist draw. The Jardin’s version reads less like a selfie factory and more like a walk, with enough quiet intervals between highlights to reset the eye. The XXL arcade games flirt with gimmickry, but the lantern craft carries the night. You hear the crunch of gravel, you catch a wash of color across a pond, you notice your breath in the air. That is a virtue. For LVMH, which operates the park, cultural programming is not a side note. It builds repeat visits and gives Paris another reason to step outside in the cold. That said, this is not luxury packaging. It is a public-facing event that stands on its own, family-friendly without pandering, and open every evening within clear hours. Precision is part of the appeal. Practicalities matter. “Japan in Light” runs daily from December 10 to March 8, 6 pm to 9:30 pm, with closures on Monday and Tuesday outside school vacation periods. Plan for the temperature to drop after eight, layer accordingly, and leave time for the Ferris wheel if the sky is clear. The result is simple and good: a winter night in Paris that offers beauty and a bit of cultural literacy without insisting on either. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/japan-in-light-at-the-jardin-dacclimatation-is-paris — Citation: "“Japan in Light” at the Jardin d’Acclimatation is Paris" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-16. https://menwith.com/japan-in-light-at-the-jardin-dacclimatation-is-paris --- ## Porsche 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche: a quiet icon with a loud heartbeat - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-90-f-a-porsche-a-quiet-icon-with-a-loud-heartbeat - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-14 - Tags: Porsche **Summary:** The Porsche 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche is a limited Sonderwunsch creation honoring Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. It blends subtle design cues with the GT3's performance, featuring bespoke interior details and a unique F.A. Greenmetallic paint. The newest Porsche to wear a heavy legacy lightly is the 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche, a limited Sonderwunsch creation that nods to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche without tipping into costume. It is based on the GT3 with Touring Package, so the silhouette stays clean and the rear spoiler stays discreet. The intent is clear. This is about restraint, proportion and feel, not lap-time braggadocio. The color sets the tone. F. A. Greenmetallic is a modern take on the Oak Green he drove in the 1980s, deep and elegant in low light, crisp in the sun. It is also the first Porsche to wear a new Paint to Sample label on the A pillar, a tiny stamp of the bespoke process behind it. Satin black Sport Classic wheels echo classic Fuchs patterns, with center locks and the 1963 crest on the hub covers. A galvanised gold badge on the rear grille quietly announces 90 F. A. Porsche. Subtle from a distance, very considered up close. Inside is where the tribute becomes personal. Truffle Brown Club Leather and Chalk Beige stitching give that warm, studio-like calm that F. A. favored. The seat centers use a five-color Grid-Weave fabric that riffs on his favorite jacket, a tactile pattern repeated on the glove box, a briefcase and even the luggage compartment mat. Your hand lands on a walnut plywood gear knob that wears his signature, and a gold plaque across the dashboard pairs a stylised original 911 silhouette with the words One of 90. The Sport Chrono clock pays homage to the Chronograph 1 he wore, a detail that is easy to miss at first then impossible to ignore. Underneath the elegance sits the familiar GT3 heart, a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six with 510 PS and 450 Nm. In Touring guise the aero is quiet and the soundtrack is not. This is the GT3 that slips into the city without a wing in your rear-view, then clears its throat as the revs climb. The character is more grand tour than pit lane, yet the fundamentals remain unfiltered Porsche: precision steering, a chassis that reads the road like Braille, an engine that rewards commitment. Collectors will notice the extras, and Porsche has been thoughtful rather than cynical. Each car includes an exclusive Porsche Design Chronograph 1. The lume is tuned to evoke aged radium, the historic logo returns to the clasp and crown, the day-date window carries initials where a logo would sit and the rotor mirrors the car’s wheels. The titanium case is black coated, COSC certified and paired with a quick-change leather strap that matches the cabin. There is also a Truffle Brown weekender with the Grid-Weave lining and, charmingly, a reissue of the Porsche Junior sled in carbon with a Kevlar core, painted in F. A. Green and limited to 90. Only 90 cars will be built by Porsche Sonderwunsch. One is spoken for by Mark Porsche, who helped shape the spec. The rest open for order in April 2026, with production in the second half of the year after buyers finish their own individual touches. That timing will frustrate the impatient, but the point of a car like this is to live with the process as much as the product. Verdict: the 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche is not a greatest-hits remix, it is a considered album cut. A tasteful color, purposeful wheels, a fabric with a story and an engine that needs no introduction. Some will find the brown leather and gold accents a bit clubby, others will love that it refuses to shout. Either way, it captures the best of F. A.’s approach. Form follows function, and when the function is joy, form can be beautiful. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-90-f-a-porsche-a-quiet-icon-with-a-loud-heartbeat — Citation: "Porsche 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche: a quiet icon with a loud heartbeat" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-14. https://menwith.com/porsche-911-gt3-90-f-a-porsche-a-quiet-icon-with-a-loud-heartbeat --- ## Vanguard: the hybrid explorer that earned its stripes in Greenland - URL: https://menwith.com/vanguard-the-hybrid-explorer-that-earned-its-stripes-in-greenland - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-12-13 - Tags: Northrop & Johnson **Summary:** VANGUARD, a 24m hybrid explorer yacht, proved its capability on a Greenland expedition. Now listed for $3.23M, it offers quiet, efficient, ice-ready adventure. There is a difference between an explorer yacht dressed for the role and one that has done the work. Northrop & Johnson has listed VANGUARD, a 24-meter aluminum hybrid-drive yacht, at $3,230,000 after a substantial reduction, and the timing is noteworthy. Fresh from a summer 2025 expedition from Fort Lauderdale to Rode Bay, Greenland and back, the boat arrives on the market with something rare in this size class: real, recent proof. The build brief is purposeful. VANGUARD pairs commercial-grade diesel propulsion with electric drive capability and renewable charging, creating a long-range, ice-ready platform. The hybrid system can power the yacht’s entire electrical load without traditional diesel generators, which is still unusual at 24 meters. That translates at sea to a quieter underfoot vibration and the soft whir of electric machinery in place of a constant genset clatter. The aluminum hull gives a cool, matte sheen in low Arctic light, the kind of surface that looks built to work rather than pose. VANGUARD logged 7,400 nautical miles and is cited as the first documented hybrid-propulsion vessel to transit the full North American Atlantic seaboard. She handled wind speeds above 90 miles per hour in Newfoundland and Western Greenland, made a high-speed run ahead of Hurricane Erin across the Labrador Sea, and picked her way through heavy ice in Disko Bay with experienced ice pilots aboard. The yacht also participated in an at-sea assistance and rescue event coordinated with local authorities, a reminder that true expedition work is not always a postcard scene. Average fuel burn came in at roughly four liters per nautical mile, and the boat ran with a lean crew of two to five depending on the leg. Picture radar pings over the hiss of spray, then the muffled crunch and low groan as the hull shoulders brash ice aside. If hybrid propulsion still feels like concept-car tech in yachting, this is a counterexample. The system here is not theoretical. It has supported full hotel load and long-range passage-making in one of the harshest seasons in recent years. For an owner-operator or a small program, the ability to run a capable expedition platform with minimal crew has cultural significance. It democratizes serious adventure. It also reframes luxury in practical terms, where silence at anchor and reduced fuel burn count as much as a beach club. On the flip side, skeptics who prefer the simplicity of pure diesel will point to hybrid complexity. Fair. Yet field data from Greenland is hard to argue with, and it moves the hybrid conversation from promise to practice. The price is part of the story. At $3.23 million, with a $750,000 reduction announced by Northrop & Johnson, VANGUARD occupies an interesting space. Many explorer yachts overdeliver on aesthetic bravado and underdeliver on readiness. This one arrives with a documented expedition file and a system designed to eliminate dedicated gensets for power, which, in 24 meters, is still rare air. The experience is as much about restraint as excess. Think the faint hum of electrics at night and the clean, cold smell of aluminum and sea rather than lacquer and perfume. VANGUARD is now in refit at Yacht Management in Fort Lauderdale and is offered in excellent condition, according to the listing. The broker on the file is Mike Finnegan at Northrop & Johnson. The yacht’s appeal is not universal. If your vision is Riviera raft-ups, look elsewhere. If you value capability, measured efficiency, and a boat that just returned from Greenland, this is a serious proposition. In a market that often confuses explorer aesthetics with expedition reality, VANGUARD reads as the latter. Not a louder look, a quieter logic. And for a modern gentleman who cares about where, how, and at what cost he travels, that may be the most persuasive luxury of all. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vanguard-the-hybrid-explorer-that-earned-its-stripes-in-greenland — Citation: "Vanguard: the hybrid explorer that earned its stripes in Greenland" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-13. https://menwith.com/vanguard-the-hybrid-explorer-that-earned-its-stripes-in-greenland --- ## Bentley’s Flying Spur Speed sets a frosty record - URL: https://menwith.com/bentleys-flying-spur-speed-sets-a-frosty-record - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-12 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's Flying Spur Speed set a winter lap record at Drivecenter Arena, showcasing its hybrid performance and advanced chassis on ice. The luxury saloon demonstrated remarkable agility and control despite its weight and the challenging conditions. The Flying Spur has long been the Bentley that sneaks a driver’s grin into a chauffeur’s silhouette. Dressed here in Brooklands Green with delicate yellow coachlines, it nods to the Turbo R’s 40th birthday rather than shouting about lap times. The stance remains quietly imposing. Long bonnet, strong haunches, big arches hushed by body color. At a glance it is still the gentleman’s express, only now the gentleman wears studded 21-inch winters. The stunt took place at Drivecenter Arena in Fällfors, about 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle, where winter turns a 3,3 km circuit into polished glass. The Flying Spur Speed circled it in 2 minutes 58 seconds, the quickest anyone has done there in winter, peaking at 193 kmh on sheet ice with a main straight of only 450 metres. The car was standard apart from those studs, and the stability control was switched off. You need confidence for that. You also need the right hardware. Bentley’s Ultra Performance Hybrid marries a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 to an e-motor inside an 8-speed dual-clutch. In the mood to play, it serves up 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, with the electric shove filling the V8’s breath and then vanishing as the cross-plane thrum takes over. The chassis brings the magic: all-wheel steering that shrinks the wheelbase at turn-in, a clever limited-slip differential, torque vectoring, and active anti-roll control that keeps mass from misbehaving. There is a rearward balance you can feel in your hips, not just on a spec sheet. Quirk alert. A two-and-a-bit-tonne luxury saloon skating around on studs is inherently ridiculous, which is partly the charm. Winter lap records are not a recognized category for the history books. Yet the point stands. Very few cars with footrests in the back can be driven hard on ice with this much clarity. Fewer still do it while staying quiet enough inside to hear the studs fizz. Bentley likes its cold-weather folklore. Speed runs on frozen lakes in 2007 and 2011 set the template. This one adds cultural seasoning by echoing the Turbo R, the 1980s pillar of Bentley’s rebirth, right down to paint and pinstripes. It also lands in a moment when the luxury world is deciding what performance looks like in the electrified era. Here, the answer is not binary. Around town the Spur will float on electrons for up to 47 miles on the EU cycle and up to 87 mph in EV mode. The total range sits at a claimed 515 miles. That matters to owners who split time between city and country and expect silence on one end and a long-legged stride on the other. The hybrid does not dilute the brand’s personality. It reframes it. You do not need a winter lap record to buy a Flying Spur Speed. What this glacial party trick proves is more interesting. Bentley has built a limousine that behaves like a driver’s car when asked, in conditions that usually punish vanity. The elegance is still there, so is the sense of occasion. Now add a mischievous streak, some heritage-savvy tailoring, and a powertrain that speaks both electric and petrol with fluency. It is not subtle, and the idea will divide those who believe a luxury saloon should never get its shoes dirty. Everyone else will enjoy the knowledge that their four-door clubroom can, quite literally, keep its cool. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentleys-flying-spur-speed-sets-a-frosty-record — Citation: "Bentley’s Flying Spur Speed sets a frosty record" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-12. https://menwith.com/bentleys-flying-spur-speed-sets-a-frosty-record --- ## PlayStation × ANICORN: A Mechanical Tribute to a Cultural Icon - URL: https://menwith.com/playstation-anicorn-a-mechanical-tribute-to-a-cultural-icon - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-12 - Tags: Anicorn, Menwith, Menwithclass, PlayStation **Summary:** PlayStation and ANICORN launch a limited edition mechanical watch celebrating the brand's 30th anniversary. The timepiece subtly incorporates iconic PS1 design elements, blending gaming heritage with horological craftsmanship. Few symbols in modern culture are as instantly recognizable as the PlayStation power button. For its 30th anniversary, Sony has reimagined that legacy in an unexpected medium: a mechanical watch. In collaboration with Hong Kong–based watch studio ANICORN, PlayStation unveils its first-ever limited edition mechanical timepiece, a drop that bridges gaming heritage with precision craftsmanship. Limited to 300 individually numbered units, the release functions as both collectible and design object – a wearable artifact for the generation shaped by the PS1 era. Design Built on Nostalgia ANICORN distills the original PlayStation aesthetic into subtle, architectural elements. The matte-grey palette pays homage to the 1994 console, while the △ ○ × □ symbols – long embedded in gaming language – appear as refined graphic cues rather than overt branding. The crown echoes the classic power button, creating a tactile connection between player and product. It’s nostalgic without leaning into novelty; the design feels grown-up, intentional, and quietly iconic. Mechanical Craft Meets Digital Legacy Inside, the watch houses a fully mechanical movement, a reminder that analog craft still has space in a digital-first world. For collectors, it’s a rare crossover moment: a gaming brand stepping into horology with seriousness, not gimmicks. Each piece arrives in special packaging inspired by the PS1 system – complete with a commemorative plate and anniversary markings, reinforcing its role as a future collector’s item. A Drop for the Community, Not Just the Gamers While gaming collaborations often target nostalgia, this release speaks to a broader audience: minimalists, design lovers, and those who grew up with PlayStation as part of their cultural backdrop. The watch doesn’t scream gamer culture, it frames it through sophistication and restraint. As PlayStation enters its fourth decade, the ANICORN collaboration shows how a tech giant can honor its roots while evolving into a lifestyle influence. This watch isn’t about telling time – it’s about remembering the moments that shaped an era. The PlayStation x ANICORN mechanical watch drops on December 18, 2025 at 10 PM EST. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/playstation-anicorn-a-mechanical-tribute-to-a-cultural-icon — Citation: "PlayStation × ANICORN: A Mechanical Tribute to a Cultural Icon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-12. https://menwith.com/playstation-anicorn-a-mechanical-tribute-to-a-cultural-icon --- ## Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-watch-art-grand-exhibition-milan-2026 - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-10 - Tags: Culture, Menwithclass, Patek Philippe **Summary:** Patek Philippe's largest exhibition ever, Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026, showcases 500 masterpieces and live craftsmanship. It features historic timepieces and exclusive limited editions. One of the world’s most respected names in haute horlogerie invites the public into its universe for its most ambitious exhibition to date. Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026 will open from October 2 to 18, 2026, offering a rare opportunity to step inside the world of the last independent, family-owned watch manufacture in Geneva. This seventh edition of Patek Philippe’s global Grand Exhibition series arrives in Italy, a country that has shaped the brand’s history and remains one of its most discerning markets. Spanning more than 2,500 square meters of immersive space, the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026 will be the largest show Patek Philippe has ever created. A new world inside Milan’s CityLife district The Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026 will take place in the iconic Palazzo delle Scintille, also known as the CityOval, located in the heart of Milan’s contemporary CityLife district. Beneath its 30-meter dome, Patek Philippe has constructed an entire universe divided into thematic spaces that guide visitors through the brand’s heritage, craftsmanship, and innovations. The exhibition recreates elements from Patek Philippe’s most emblematic Geneva locations: - Rue du Rhône headquarters - The manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates - The Patek Philippe Museum This creates an intimate tour inside a world usually reserved for those behind the scenes. 500 masterpieces – and living craftsmanship Watch Art Milan 2026 will assemble around 500 timepieces and objects, including the entire current Patek Philippe collection for both men and women. Everything from iconic designs to the most mechanically complex creations will be on display. Artisans will demonstrate these techniques live – a major attraction for anyone fascinated by traditional horological craftsmanship. A journey through horological history A curated selection of historic timepieces from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva will travel to Milan for the exhibition. These include horological masterpieces from the 16th – 19th centuries – some of the oldest watches in existence – as well as creations that trace Patek Philippe’s evolution as a manufacture. Visitors will also encounter some of Patek Philippe’s most advanced complications, including: - Grandmaster Chime (20 complications) - Sky Moon Tourbillon A dedicated “Master of Sound” area will showcase the brand’s striking watches, an area where Patek Philippe has long been considered a leader. Limited editions for Milan As with previous Grand Exhibitions, the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026 will introduce a series of exclusive limited editions, spanning multiple categories of the Patek Philippe collection. These special releases are expected to be highly sought-after among collectors worldwide. What continues to impress us about Patek Philippe is not only the craftsmanship, but the sense of calm confidence they carry into everything they create. Nothing feels rushed or overstated – each piece is intentional and timeless. Read more about Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon at Hong Kong XXI Auction here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-watch-art-grand-exhibition-milan-2026 — Citation: "Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-10. https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-watch-art-grand-exhibition-milan-2026 --- ## Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson – When Two Design Icons Redefine Time - URL: https://menwith.com/ressence-type-3-marc-newson-8211-when-two-design-icons-redefine-time - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-09 - Tags: Marc Newson, Menwith, Menwithclass, Ressence, Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson **Summary:** The Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson merges avant-garde horology with iconic industrial design. This limited edition features a unique oil-filled display and titanium case, redefining timekeeping. In a world where tradition often dictates the rules of watchmaking, collaborations like the new Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson (Type 3 MN) feel almost inevitable. When two visionaries – Australia’s Marc Newson and Belgium’s Benoît Mintiens – unite, the result is more than just a timepiece; it’s the convergence of industrial design and avant-garde horology.  Newson’s design pedigree is legendary. From his early Ikepod creations in the 1990s to helping shape the original Apple Watch, his aesthetic vision has always skewed toward effortless ergonomics and minimalist clarity. For the Type 3 MN, Newson built on his design heritage, merging past ideas with cutting-edge watch technology.  The Type 3 itself is already ahead of its time. Introduced in 2013, it was one of the first mechanical watches to replace traditional hands with magnetically driven rotating discs displayed through an oil-filled upper chamber. This unique design eliminates optical distortion, making the time appear as if it is directly printed on the underside of the crystal.  What sets the Type 3 Marc Newson apart isn’t just surface design, but the harmony between two philosophies. Newson’s signature lug-less, ergonomic silhouette and muted palette of greys, yellows, and greens – a direct nod to his Ikepod years, give the watch a refined yet playful personality. Meanwhile, Ressence’s patented ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System) remains at the core, controlling the orbital discs and conveying hours, minutes, day, date, and even an oil-temperature gauge.  The case itself is a statement of lightweight luxury. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium, the watch measures approximately 45mm in diameter with a 15mm profile, and thanks to its seamless, integrated strap design inspired by Ikepod classics, it wears smaller and lighter than its numbers suggest. With only 80 numbered pieces available, exclusivity is guaranteed.  This limited-edition masterpiece is set for release on December 4, 2025, with a retail price of around CHF 46,000 (roughly £49,800 or over $60,000 USD). Collectors, design aficionados, and horological rebels alike are watching closely – because this collaboration isn’t simply about telling time. It’s about rewriting the language of timekeeping itself. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ressence-type-3-marc-newson-8211-when-two-design-icons-redefine-time — Citation: "Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson – When Two Design Icons Redefine Time" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-09. https://menwith.com/ressence-type-3-marc-newson-8211-when-two-design-icons-redefine-time --- ## A Worldtimer for the slower journey - URL: https://menwith.com/a-worldtimer-for-the-slower-journey - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-08 - Tags: NOMOS Glashütte **Summary:** NOMOS Glashütte's new Club Sport Worldtimers offer a refined, slower approach to travel, featuring champagne dials and distinct color palettes for a cosmopolitan yet grounded feel. A worldtimer has always been a practical idea at heart. One watch, many places. A simple way to stay aware of where you are in relation to where you’ve come from. NOMOS Glashütte approaches that idea with the same calm clarity they bring to everything, and the two new Club Sport Worldtimers continue that line of thinking with a softer touch. The inspiration is the scenic route. Not the rushed path, but the one you choose because it lets you take in the world at a slower tempo. Landscapes instead of lanes. Moments instead of minutes. It suits a worldtimer, a complication built for people who move through different time zones with intention rather than urgency. The champagne dial sets the mood. It feels like the first pour before takeoff. A small glass, a shift in mindset, a reminder to settle into the journey. In the same way, the dial warms the Worldtimer and gives it an unexpectedly dressy character, especially paired with leather. Color defines the two editions. Roam leans into blue, green and orange, a palette that feels light and open. Reverie brings in sand, ocher and burgundy, tones that sit closer to the ground and feel quietly versatile. Both remain composed rather than decorative, more like considered choices than accents added for effect. They give the watch more personality without disturbing its clarity. There is also something grounding about a worldtimer that doesn’t need to announce its complexity. It keeps the world close without turning it into spectacle. You read it in a glance, then move on with your day. That quiet confidence is what makes the complication so easy to live with, and what allows these new editions to feel both familiar and refreshed. They don’t try to redefine travel. They simply acknowledge the way many of us move now, with more awareness and less noise. The shift to Shell Cordovan doesn’t change where the Worldtimer can be worn, but it does change how it appears. The steel version already slips into formal settings with ease. On leather, the watch takes on a more elegant silhouette, the kind that feels intentional rather than dressed up. The profile stays the same, yet the mood shifts noticeably. It becomes a quieter, more polished interpretation of the same idea, offering a different kind of refinement without altering its purpose. The mechanics remain discreet. The thin worldtime caliber keeps the case elegant and uncomplicated. A single press adjusts the city ring, no learning curve required. The complication stays in the background, exactly where it belongs. What these new editions offer is not a new take on global timekeeping, but a new mood around it. They bring the Worldtimer into a slower, more observant space. A watch for people who still value the detour. Who choose the longer road because it offers something to look at. NOMOS has simply given the Worldtimer another voice. Softer, warmer and a little more cosmopolitan. It feels natural. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-worldtimer-for-the-slower-journey — Citation: "A Worldtimer for the slower journey" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-08. https://menwith.com/a-worldtimer-for-the-slower-journey --- ## LANGE 1 DAYMATIC HONEYGOLD: the mirror image with a quiet gleam - URL: https://menwith.com/lange-1-daymatic-honeygold-the-mirror-image-with-a-quiet-gleam - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-08 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** The A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 1 DAYMATIC HONEYGOLD is a limited edition automatic watch featuring a unique mirrored layout and a warm Honeygold case. It showcases exquisite hand-finishing and an in-house movement. A. Lange & Söhne treats 7 December with a certain weight, and this year is no different. It marks the moment Ferdinand Adolph Lange set Glashütte’s watchmaking future in motion and, many decades later, the day Walter Lange revived it. Launching a new piece on this anniversary feels almost expected, yet the result is anything but routine. The Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold arrives as a limited run of 250, and it gives the automatic member of the Lange 1 family a distinctly warmer presence. The Daymatic has always played with familiarity. It keeps the off-centre design of the Lange 1 but flips the layout. The hours and minutes sit on the right, while the seconds and the brand’s signature outsize date move to the left. Instead of a power reserve, the Daymatic uses a retrograde day display that traces the left edge of the dial. On the Honeygold version, the whole composition feels calm and well balanced. The white date numerals stand out against the brown dial, and the hands and markers echo the soft glow of the alloy. A gently recessed time circle adds depth in a way that feels natural rather than decorative. The case keeps the familiar Lange 1 proportions, though the reworked lugs and bezel lighten the overall profile. It sits comfortably on the wrist and slips under a cuff without effort. The brown dial, made of solid silver, pairs seamlessly with the Honeygold case, giving the watch a quietly luxurious warmth. The taupe alligator strap finishes the look. Water resistance is not mentioned in the release, which is par for the course with this line. Inside, the calibre L021.1 brings the piece to life. It is a self-winding movement with a central rotor that carries a heavy gold segment and a platinum mass around the edge. Four fine spokes support it and help cushion shocks, a detail that is both purposeful and visually distinctive. Once fully wound, the movement holds enough power for a relaxed two days of wear. The oscillator uses Lange’s in-house balance spring and a large balance with eccentric weights, all set within a movement architecture that recalls the traditional three-quarter plate when assembled. The finishing is exactly what followers of the brand expect. The movement is assembled twice, then decorated by hand. There is Glashütte ribbing, a hand-engraved balance cock, screwed gold chatons and the familiar deep-blue screws that punctuate the rotor’s mix of warm and cool metal tones. The result feels composed and honest, rewarding anyone who takes a moment to linger on the details. Within the broader Lange 1 family, the Daymatic has always been the practical choice. It keeps the asymmetry and the character of the original but adds the convenience of automatic winding. In Honeygold, its personality shifts. The watch becomes richer, softer and more expressive, shaped by the exclusivity of the alloy and the restrained colour palette. It is a form of luxury that comes from material mastery rather than flourish. Collectors will recognise the key ingredients. A familiar foundation with a twist. A movement with visible thought in its construction. A rare metal used only by the manufacture. A tightly limited run. The mirrored layout will never win everyone over, but that is part of the charm. The Lange 1 line has room for individuality, and the Daymatic has always leaned into that space. For a date so tied to the company’s history, the Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold feels like the right kind of tribute. It is not a grand gesture but a thoughtful continuation of an idea that has shaped modern Saxon watchmaking. And for Lange, that is exactly what matters. Read our recent interview with Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lange-1-daymatic-honeygold-the-mirror-image-with-a-quiet-gleam — Citation: "LANGE 1 DAYMATIC HONEYGOLD: the mirror image with a quiet gleam" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-08. https://menwith.com/lange-1-daymatic-honeygold-the-mirror-image-with-a-quiet-gleam --- ## Casa Loewe Lands on Avenue Montaigne - URL: https://menwith.com/casa-loewe-lands-on-avenue-montaigne - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-12-08 - Tags: Loewe **Summary:** Casa Loewe on Avenue Montaigne reimagines luxury retail as a curated collector's home, blending art and fashion to emphasize craft and provenance over logos. Avenue Montaigne rewards brands that know who they are. Loewe’s new Casa Loewe in the heart of Paris arrives not as a megastore, but as a considered space that reads like a collector’s home. The atmosphere is quiet and deliberate, more museum than mall. You feel it in the hush of the rooms and the way spotlights skim across surfaces, letting materials do the talking. The store has been entirely redesigned and carries the full Loewe universe. Men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, jewelry, and accessories sit alongside a dedicated home selection. The balance is intentional. The scent of leather greets you, but your eye is pulled to a piece of sculpture before drifting to a coat rail. The message is not “buy now,” it is “look closely.” Art is not a garnish here. Casa Loewe places artworks in direct dialogue with clothes and objects, the way they would live in an actual home. The selection includes works by Henry Moore, Walter Price, Zizipho Poswa, and Franz Erhard Walther, as well as pieces by winners of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize. There is craft from Japan, South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Textures and forms invite touch and attention. You notice how a curved sculpture echoes a rounded shoulder on a tailored jacket, how the matte surface of one artwork softens the gleam of a silver cuff. This is the retail model Loewe has been refining for nearly a decade through its Craft Prize and its steady advocacy for artisans. In Paris, the approach lands with clarity. Luxury retail has spent years scaling up spectacle. The smart pivot is intimacy with substance. Casa Loewe’s tone is calm and tactile. You take in clothing silhouettes at a pace that suits the work on display. Soft light on wool, the quiet clack of shoes on stone, the draw of a handwoven detail. The setting slows you down, which is often when good decisions get made. For the modern man, the proposition is clear. If you buy into Loewe, you are buying into process and provenance, not just a logo. Seeing craft prize pieces near ready-to-wear is more than theater. It frames a way to build a wardrobe at the intersection of utility and culture. A leather tote sits near a work of contemporary art, and the tote feels less like a commodity and more like a daily object with intent. The home selection pushes that further. It suggests coherence between what you wear and how you live. Placed on Avenue Montaigne, the move is strategic. Paris remains the capital of luxury, and the address sets Loewe in the thick of high-stakes brand theater. The signal here is confident and understated. Rather than chasing volume, Loewe is building taste. In a market that often confuses noise with heat, that restraint reads as strength. It also gives the brand latitude with menswear, where tactile clarity matters. A strong coat, a precise shoe, a bag that carries well and ages well. The art underlines the point without shouting it. There is a broader industry read, too. Many houses now seed retail with art. Not all of it holds. When the art is disconnected from the product, it is decoration. When it reflects the materials and methods behind the clothes, it sharpens the brand’s point of view. Casa Loewe sits in the latter camp. Linking a global craft platform to a Paris flagship is not a set piece. It is a way of saying the value is in the making, then proving it across categories on the shop floor. If you find yourself on Avenue Montaigne, step in. Let the leather breathe, let the light work, and decide whether the conversation between art and clothing is one you want to wear. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/casa-loewe-lands-on-avenue-montaigne — Citation: "Casa Loewe Lands on Avenue Montaigne" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-08. https://menwith.com/casa-loewe-lands-on-avenue-montaigne --- ## The Hand That Changed the Room: F.P. Journe’s 10.75 Million Dollar Record - URL: https://menwith.com/the-hand-that-changed-the-room-fp-journes-1075-million-dollar-record - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-07 - Tags: F.P. Journe **Summary:** An F.P. Journe prototype, inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's idea of a human hand hour display, sold for $10.75 million. This unique timepiece blends historic prosthetic design with modern horology. An F.P. Journe prototype created for Francis Ford Coppola and shaped by an idea only he could have imagined sold for 10,755,000 dollars. The number is impressive. The story behind it is the part that lingered. Journe and Coppola were never simply exchanging sketches. They were building a shared language of time, art and risk. When Journe Met Coppola The spark arrived through a Christmas gift. Coppola’s late wife gave him a platinum Chronomètre à Résonance. Touched by the gesture, Coppola invited François Paul Journe to visit him at Inglenook. Journe accepted. What followed was one of those rare conversations that can redirect a craft. Coppola, fascinated by historic automatons, asked a simple question that carried enormous weight. Had a watch ever used a human hand to display the hours. Journe knew of none and found the challenge worth seven years of thinking, testing and refining. The idea belonged to Coppola. The execution demanded everything Journe had learned at the bench. A Mechanical Hand With a Past To turn a human hand into an instrument of precise indication, Journe studied the work of Ambroise Paré, the sixteenth century barber surgeon who helped shape the history of prosthetics. Paré’s iron and leather hand, known as Le Petit Lorrain, concealed gears and springs beneath articulated plates. It allowed soldiers to hold reins again. It also offered an aesthetic that set the FFC apart from anything in modern watchmaking. Journe avoided strict realism and leaned into the mechanical poetry of Paré’s design. The result is a hand that feels part medieval gauntlet and part sculpture. Displaying hours one through five is straightforward. Beyond that the choreography becomes complex. Ten cams, visible from the dial side, animate the fingers once each hour. Each motion draws the same amount of energy regardless of the configuration. To achieve this balance Journe relied on his trusted remontoir d’egalité. The entire movement stands only 8.1 millimeters tall. It proves that efficiency can carry a complicated idea further than sheer force. A Prototype That Carries Two Signatures The auctioned watch is one of two prototypes created entirely by Journe himself. One stayed in his own collection. The other was made for Coppola and engraved to show it. It differs from later production pieces in subtle but meaningful ways. The titanium hand is black rather than anthracite. The minute ring is white. The bridges are steel. The rotor is pink gold. Under magnification you can see light tool marks that confirm this was a working prototype rather than a polished commercial release. Aside from the blue FFC made for Only Watch 2021, no FFC had surfaced publicly until now. Production began in 2023 and only a few pieces leave the workshop each year. Journe places them with clients who understand what it means to live with an idea that challenges convention. What the Auction Revealed When the hammer fell at Phillips, the room seemed to pause. Collectors recognize when they have witnessed something unrepeatable. More than ten million dollars secured a watch that carries provenance, rarity and most importantly, a shared act of creation. It is the result of two people who approach their craft with the same principle. Go all in or do not go at all. Journe built the FFC with his hands. Coppola imagined the hand that gives the watch its voice. Between them sits a piece of horology that treats time not as a unit to measure but as a medium to shape. For those of us who spend our lives around watches, the sale was a reminder of why these objects matter. Not because they reach remarkable prices, but because every so often a watch appears that shifts the way we think about the craft itself. The FFC did exactly that. It continues to do so. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-hand-that-changed-the-room-fp-journes-1075-million-dollar-record — Citation: "The Hand That Changed the Room: F.P. Journe’s 10.75 Million Dollar Record" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-07. https://menwith.com/the-hand-that-changed-the-room-fp-journes-1075-million-dollar-record --- ## Lexus LFA Concept: The Electric Supercar Reviving a Legend - URL: https://menwith.com/lexus-lfa-concept-the-electric-supercar-reviving-a-legend - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-06 - Tags: Car, Lexus, Lexus LFA Concept, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Lexus revives its legendary LFA supercar as an all-electric concept, blending heritage with future performance. It utilizes the Toyota GR GT platform for a high-rigidity chassis and aims for driver immersion. When you think of a modern Lexus supercar, what often comes to mind is elegance, comfort – and above all, refinement. But with the unveiling of the new Lexus LFA Concept, the Japanese brand proves it hasn’t lost its appetite for performance, ambition and bold reinvention. From legend to tomorrow’s performance The original LFA, a limited-run, mid-engine V10 supercar – secured its place in automotive lore thanks to a screaming 9,000 rpm Yamaha-built V10, carbon fibre engineering and a purity of purpose rarely seen in mass-produced cars. With the LFA Concept, Lexus isn’t merely reviving a name. It’s reimagining what the LFA represents for the modern era.  Under the skin, the new LFA Concept borrows its foundations from the ambitious new Toyota GR GT supercar platform – an all-aluminum body frame engineered with low centre of gravity, high rigidity and optimal aerodynamic balance. But unlike the GR GT’s twin-turbo V8, LFA goes fully electric – signalling Lexus’ commitment to electrified performance.  This allows Lexus to pursue a different kind of engineering purity: no compromises on performance, but with the environmental and technological benefits of a battery-electric powertrain. The concept remains true to “shikinen sengu”, a philosophy of preserving craftsmanship and passing on performance heritage to future generations.  Design and driving immersion – a modern sports car identity Visually, the LFA Concept merges sculptural elegance and futuristic minimalism. The long-hood, low-slung coupe profile evokes classic grand tourers, but every line and contour serves aerodynamic function. The front fascia, side ducts and rear treatment pay homage to the original LFA. Inside, Lexus promises an immersive cockpit: minimal clutter, wraparound digital displays, a yoke steering control, and ergonomics designed to enhance driver connection. While the BEV layout removes the constraints of a classic combustion engine, designers took advantage of the flexibility to deliver a driving experience tuned for modern performance. Lexus calls the intended experience “Discover Immersion” – a state where driver and machine connect on a more intuitive, sensory level than many EVs allow.  What we know, and what remains a mystery So far, only partial specifications have been released: we know the chassis shares its geometry with GR GT, including a 107.3-inch wheelbase. Exterior and interior designs have been shown. But many details remain under wraps, including motor count, battery capacity, range, power output and final production timeline. Industry speculation suggests that if Lexus intends to deliver on the promise of “electrified performance,” the production version could be among the first to leverage coming solid-state battery technology. If that’s the case, the LFA Concept could become a flagship not only for electric performance, but also for what modern engineering and design can achieve when brands refuse to compromise heritage for sustainability. Why it matters – and what it signals for the future The unveiling of the LFA Concept marks a watershed moment for Lexus: it declares that performance, electric propulsion and artistic automotive design are no longer mutually exclusive. By building the new LFA on the same bones as Toyota’s GR supercar programme, Lexus bridges its luxury lineage with Toyota’s racing DNA. For enthusiasts who once cherished the roar of combustion engines, the LFA Concept offers something different, but perhaps more forward-thinking: a pure, high-performance EV that still aims to connect the driver, the machine and the road in a way only sports cars used to. In an industry shifting rapidly around electrification, autonomy and regulation – the LFA Concept stands as a sign that passion, art and speed still have a place when executed with vision and commitment. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lexus-lfa-concept-the-electric-supercar-reviving-a-legend — Citation: "Lexus LFA Concept: The Electric Supercar Reviving a Legend" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-06. https://menwith.com/lexus-lfa-concept-the-electric-supercar-reviving-a-legend --- ## Dior’s 30 Montaigne Turns the Holidays into Street Theater - URL: https://menwith.com/diors-30-montaigne-turns-the-holidays-into-street-theater - Author: Tom - Category: Style - Published: 2025-12-06 - Tags: Dior **Summary:** Dior's 30 Montaigne transforms holiday decor into street theater, blending house codes with Italian luminarie for a poetic, brand-literate display. The installation functions as a cultural instrument, not just retail. The maison has dressed its facade with a Wheel of Fortune, a luminous framework that nods to traditional Italian Luminarie di Natale. The light is soft and warm rather than blinding, casting a honeyed halo across the stone and catching on glass as cars roll past. Dior has scattered its vocabulary across the facade and windows: delicate flowers, Monsieur Dior’s “lucky” stars, butterflies, and other talismanic symbols. Inside the vitrines, the brand reaches into its archive of house codes and Parisian references. You spot the Medallion chair that echoes the house’s salon heritage, a perfume kiosk that recalls the ritual of scent, and chandeliers that feel more like cast light than decor. The effect is less fantasyland and more a quiet conversation between object and city. Metal, crystal, and silk throw back muted reflections that shift as you move. At the heart of the address, a Christmas tree spirals around the central staircase. It is not a maximalist gesture. The tree is trimmed with miniatures of Dior icons: the Bar jacket and the Junon dress appear like couture talismans, joined by pieces from the 2026 Cruise Collection. The staging is poetic but legible. You can read the line from postwar tailoring to present-day travel dressing without being told what to feel. There is a faint scent of pine and polished wood in the air, and shoes on stone steps add a measured rhythm to the scene. Le Jardin, the outdoor space, takes the theme further with a Pegasus figurine and a cluster of snow globes among tall firs. It is an elegant tension: mythology and winter kitsch, handled with a French lightness of touch. The glass domes catch the cold daylight, and at dusk their interiors glow like small theaters. It is an interlude for anyone passing through, whether they buy a belt or simply pause to look. This kind of holiday staging is more than decoration. In luxury retail, December windows are a city’s annual theater. They draw locals, visitors, and phones. Dior’s approach affirms a trend across top maisons: use the flagship as a cultural instrument, not only a point of sale. A wheel of light rooted in Southern European craft, couture references rendered as miniatures, and the house’s own symbols looped into a coherent visual language. It is brand literacy in public space. The takeaway is simple. Dior has used the holidays to make its codes legible to the city, not just its clients. The work is confident without shouting, clever without gimmickry. If you are in Paris, go at blue hour when the sky holds a trace of color and the luminaires settle into their best register. Even five minutes will reset your eye. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/diors-30-montaigne-turns-the-holidays-into-street-theater — Citation: "Dior’s 30 Montaigne Turns the Holidays into Street Theater" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-06. https://menwith.com/diors-30-montaigne-turns-the-holidays-into-street-theater --- ## Toyota Gazoo Racing Unleashes GR GT & GR GT3 — The Dawn of a New Supercar Era - URL: https://menwith.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-unleashes-gr-gt-038-gr-gt3-the-dawn-of-a-new-supercar-era - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-05 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Toyota, Toyota GR GT3, Toyota GT **Summary:** Toyota Gazoo Racing unveils the GR GT supercar and GR GT3 race car, blending motorsport pedigree with road-legal performance. These models signify Toyota's return to the supercar arena, embodying a philosophy of heritage and innovation. When you think of Toyota, reliability, practicality and hybrid hatchbacks might come first. But with today’s world premiere of the GR GT and GR GT3, the Japanese automaker’s performance arm has just redefined what “Toyota” can mean – injecting serious supercar ambition and motorsport pedigree into its legacy. From Concept to Flagship: What Are GR GT & GR GT3 At the heart of the launch lies the GR GT – a road-legal supercar designed around motorsport principles. Toyota has engineered it with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, an all-aluminium body frame (a first for the brand), a low centre of gravity and high rigidity. The goal is unmistakable: a “driver-first” machine that delivers racecar-like dynamics on the road. In parallel, the GR GT3 emerges as the track-ready sibling – a purpose-built FIA GT3-spec race car aimed at customers, gentleman drivers and private teams. Built on the GR GT platform and sharing its architecture, the GR GT3 promises the blend of serious performance and accessibility rarely seen at this level. Together, they represent a dual-threat: track weapon and road-going supercar, both born from Toyota’s racing heritage and engineering mastery. Why It Matters: Heritage, Philosophy and The Future The unveiling isn’t just about power or speed – it’s a statement. Toyota positions the GR GT and GR GT3 as flagships in the lineage of icons like the 1960s Toyota 2000GT and the early-2000s Lexus LFA. More than nostalgia, it embodies a philosophy the brand describes as Shikinen Sengu, a deliberate revival and passing on of legendary car-building craftsmanship to a new generation of engineers and designers. The GR GT and GT3 represent that heritage, fused with modern demands of performance, aerodynamics and cutting-edge engineering. For fans who believed Toyota was out of the supercar game, this launch is a strategic and symbolic return. Looking Ahead: What to Expect - Performance – Early reports expect upwards of 641 bhp, a sub-2.8 s 0–100 km/h sprint and a top speed surpassing 320 km/h. - Customer Racing – With GR GT3 homologated to FIA GT3 spec and backed by Toyota’s motorsport infrastructure, privateer teams will have access to a new front-runner. - Global Impact – Whether on private tracks, GT series grids or city streets, GR GT could redefine Toyota’s performance image worldwide. For the ambitious driver, the motorsport enthusiast and the sportscar purist alike – the GR GT and GR GT3 are not just cars. They are Toyota’s declaration: heritage, performance and ambition, reborn. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-unleashes-gr-gt-038-gr-gt3-the-dawn-of-a-new-supercar-era — Citation: "Toyota Gazoo Racing Unleashes GR GT & GR GT3 — The Dawn of a New Supercar Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-05. https://menwith.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-unleashes-gr-gt-038-gr-gt3-the-dawn-of-a-new-supercar-era --- ## Toyota Gazoo Racing Unleashes GR GT & GR GT3 — The Dawn of a New Supercar Era - URL: https://menwith.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-unleashes-gr-gt-gr-gt3-the-dawn-of-a-new-supercar-era - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-05 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Toyota, Toyota GR GT3, Toyota GT **Summary:** Toyota Gazoo Racing unveils the GR GT supercar and GR GT3 race car, blending motorsport pedigree with road-legal ambition. These models signal Toyota's return to the supercar arena, embodying a philosophy of heritage and craftsmanship. When you think of Toyota, reliability, practicality and hybrid hatchbacks might come first. But with today’s world premiere of the GR GT and GR GT3, the Japanese automaker’s performance arm has just redefined what “Toyota” can mean – injecting serious supercar ambition and motorsport pedigree into its legacy. From Concept to Flagship: What Are GR GT & GR GT3 At the heart of the launch lies the GR GT – a road-legal supercar designed around motorsport principles. Toyota has engineered it with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, an all-aluminium body frame (a first for the brand), a low centre of gravity and high rigidity. The goal is unmistakable: a “driver-first” machine that delivers racecar-like dynamics on the road. In parallel, the GR GT3 emerges as the track-ready sibling – a purpose-built FIA GT3-spec race car aimed at customers, gentleman drivers and private teams. Built on the GR GT platform and sharing its architecture, the GR GT3 promises the blend of serious performance and accessibility rarely seen at this level. Together, they represent a dual-threat: track weapon and road-going supercar, both born from Toyota’s racing heritage and engineering mastery. Why It Matters: Heritage, Philosophy and The Future The unveiling isn’t just about power or speed – it’s a statement. Toyota positions the GR GT and GR GT3 as flagships in the lineage of icons like the 1960s Toyota 2000GT and the early-2000s Lexus LFA. More than nostalgia, it embodies a philosophy the brand describes as Shikinen Sengu, a deliberate revival and passing on of legendary car-building craftsmanship to a new generation of engineers and designers. The GR GT and GT3 represent that heritage, fused with modern demands of performance, aerodynamics and cutting-edge engineering. For fans who believed Toyota was out of the supercar game, this launch is a strategic and symbolic return. Looking Ahead: What to Expect - Performance – Early reports expect upwards of 641 bhp, a sub-2.8 s 0–100 km/h sprint and a top speed surpassing 320 km/h. - Customer Racing – With GR GT3 homologated to FIA GT3 spec and backed by Toyota’s motorsport infrastructure, privateer teams will have access to a new front-runner. - Global Impact – Whether on private tracks, GT series grids or city streets, GR GT could redefine Toyota’s performance image worldwide. For the ambitious driver, the motorsport enthusiast and the sportscar purist alike – the GR GT and GR GT3 are not just cars. They are Toyota’s declaration: heritage, performance and ambition, reborn. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-unleashes-gr-gt-gr-gt3-the-dawn-of-a-new-supercar-era — Citation: "Toyota Gazoo Racing Unleashes GR GT & GR GT3 — The Dawn of a New Supercar Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-05. https://menwith.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-unleashes-gr-gt-gr-gt3-the-dawn-of-a-new-supercar-era --- ## The Final Showdown: Inside F1’s Three-Way Title Fight of 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/the-final-showdown-inside-f1s-three-way-title-fight-of-2025 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-04 - Tags: F1, Formula 1, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, McLaren, Menwith, Menwithclass, Oscar Piastri, Redbull Racing **Summary:** F1's 2025 season culminates in a rare three-way title fight: Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri are separated by 16 points. McLaren challenges Red Bull's dominance, raising questions about dynasty shifts and team orders. Formula 1 is closing the 2025 season with a type of finale the sport rarely delivers: a three-way championship decider. Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri arrive at Abu Dhabi separated by only 16 points – a margin fragile enough to flip the entire narrative within a single lap. It’s the first time since 2010 that three drivers still have a mathematical shot at the title in the final race, and the tension around Yas Marina Circuit is already reaching a level normally reserved for historic sporting moments. But this year, the drama goes beyond the championship table. The storyline is shaped by rivalry, politics, team dynamics – and questions that will fuel debate long after the chequered flag drops. McLaren vs. Red Bull: A Dynasty Disrupted McLaren enters the finale having already secured the Constructors’ Championship. This alone is a seismic shift in the power structure of modern F1. After years of dominance, Red Bull is suddenly the challenger, and Verstappen – the sport’s defining force of the past decade – is no longer the inevitable champion. This creates a compelling narrative: - Has Red Bull’s era truly come to an end? - Is McLaren’s resurgence the start of a new dynasty? - Or will Verstappen pull off one of the great comebacks to reclaim the crown? Norris, Verstappen & Piastri: Three Different Futures The three contenders represent three very different stories. Norris stands on the brink of his first championship, a moment fans have been building toward for years. Verstappen is fighting for redemption after a turbulent season. Piastri, meanwhile, is the quiet assassin – statistically the strongest qualifier of the trio and still within striking distance. Their contrasting personalities and driving styles set the stage for a showdown that could end in brilliance or heartbreak. But there’s a deeper question beneath the surface: If McLaren has two drivers in contention, will team orders decide the title? Team Orders: The Debate Nobody Wants – But Everybody Expects With both drivers in the hunt, McLaren faces a moral and strategic dilemma. Do they let Norris and Piastri fight freely – risking disaster – or do they intervene to secure the title for the more likely champion? Fans remember 2021. They remember Ferrari in 2002. They remember Mercedes in 2016. Team orders have shaped championships before, and in the social-media era, the backlash could be explosive. Verstappen vs. the World: Pressure, Politics & Legacy Max Verstappen remains the biggest wildcard of the weekend. When under pressure, he has shown he can produce some of the greatest performances the sport has ever seen — but equally, he has been at the center of some of its biggest flashpoints. If he ends up wheel-to-wheel with either McLaren, fans know what might happen: - Will we see aggression? - A controversial clash? - A title decided in Race Control instead of on track? The FIA will be under the microscope. A Track Built for Drama Yas Marina is a night race that evolves as temperatures drop. Grip changes, strategy shifts and safety cars are a constant threat. With the championship this tight, even a poorly timed pit stop or a single mistake could rewrite the entire season. What’s at Stake Beyond the trophy, the finale will influence the narrative of modern F1: - If Norris wins, it’s the arrival of a new era. - If Verstappen wins, it’s the comeback of a champion. - If Piastri wins, it’s one of the greatest underdog stories in years. For the teams, for the drivers and for the sport itself, Abu Dhabi 2025 will be remembered – whether for glory or controversy. Formula 1 rarely writes endings like this. The only guarantee is that the world will be watching. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-final-showdown-inside-f1s-three-way-title-fight-of-2025 — Citation: "The Final Showdown: Inside F1’s Three-Way Title Fight of 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-04. https://menwith.com/the-final-showdown-inside-f1s-three-way-title-fight-of-2025 --- ## Moncler at the Winter Olympics 2026: Moncler Grenoble FW25 & Team Brazil - URL: https://menwith.com/moncler-at-the-winter-olympics-2026-moncler-grenoble-fw25-038-team-brazil - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-12-04 - Tags: Lifestyle, Style, FW25, Moncler, Winter Olympics 2026 **Summary:** Moncler returns to the Winter Olympics 2026 as sponsor for Team Brazil, outfitting athletes like Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. The brand also launches its FW25 Grenoble collection, blending luxury, performance, and cultural expression. After nearly six decades, Moncler returns to the Winter Olympics in Cortina 2026 – a comeback that highlights the brand’s evolution from alpine origins to global leader in luxury performance wear. This return is not just symbolic; it signals a renewed ambition where craftsmanship, culture and athletic excellence meet. A Historic Comeback at Milano Cortina 2026 On December 1st, Moncler officially announces its return to the Olympic stage as: - Official Sponsor of the Brazil Olympic Committee (opening & closing ceremonies) - Technical Sponsor of the Brazilian Snow Sports Federation’s alpine ski team This dual role positions Moncler at the heart of Brazil’s Olympic presence – from ceremonial dressing to elite on-snow equipment. World Champion skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen will represent Brazil wearing a race suit co-designed with Moncler, merging aerodynamic engineering with design cues inspired by the Brazilian flag. The suit blends technicity, cultural identity and Moncler’s iconic alpine aesthetic. Moncler’s last Olympic appearance dates back to 1968, when the brand outfitted the French ski team at the Winter Games in Grenoble. More than 50 years later, the brand returns not with nostalgia, but with a modern, forward-looking vision. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen: A Modern Athlete Who Fits the Moment Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is one of the most compelling figures in contemporary alpine skiing. He won the 2023 Slalom World Cup title for Norway, then shocked the sport by retiring at his peak – only to return months later to represent Brazil, his mother’s home country. In November 2025, he delivered Brazil’s first-ever Alpine World Cup victory, marking a historic milestone. As he notes in the press interview, the partnership goes beyond performance, built on “freedom, expression, and a shared belief in pushing limits.” From Olympic Slopes to the Moncler Grenoble FW25 Campaign The Olympic narrative connects directly into the new Moncler Grenoble FW25 campaign, releasing December 4th. Lucas appears alongside Vincent Cassel, Chloe Kim, and Amber Valletta, shaping a cast that reflects alpine performance through an elevated, cinematic lens. The campaign is shot with the clarity and restraint Moncler is known for – where technical design meets visual calm. City Luxury Meets Mountain Function The Moncler Grenoble FW25 collection pushes further into high-performance luxury. Designed for real alpine conditions but visually grounded in city style, the collection introduces materials such as: - tech denim - tech wool flannel - advanced performance membranes Few brands manage to make true performance gear look refined. Moncler does it without losing even a fraction of technical credibility – and that is rare. Heritage, Future, and the Road to Cortina 2026 Moncler’s renewed Olympic presence is also a nod to its alpine roots – from equipping the 1954 Italian K2 expedition to dressing champions in the 1960s. But the 2026 return represents something new: a contemporary vision shaped by global culture, technical innovation and personal expression. The brand accompanies this new era with “Beyond Performance”, a short film directed by Mark Clinton, offering a visual journey into Lucas’s mindset leading into the Games. Looking Ahead As Moncler steps into Milano Cortina 2026 with Team Brazil and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, we’ll be following the evolution of Moncler Grenoble and the brand’s next chapter in luxury performance. For more sports stories and performance-driven features, explore on our MenWith Sports section — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/moncler-at-the-winter-olympics-2026-moncler-grenoble-fw25-038-team-brazil — Citation: "Moncler at the Winter Olympics 2026: Moncler Grenoble FW25 & Team Brazil" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-04. https://menwith.com/moncler-at-the-winter-olympics-2026-moncler-grenoble-fw25-038-team-brazil --- ## Moncler at the Winter Olympics 2026: Moncler Grenoble FW25 & Team Brazil - URL: https://menwith.com/moncler-at-the-winter-olympics-2026-moncler-grenoble-fw25-team-brazil - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-12-04 - Tags: Lifestyle, Style, FW25, Moncler, Winter Olympics 2026 **Summary:** Moncler returns to the Winter Olympics 2026 as Team Brazil's sponsor, merging luxury performance wear with cultural expression. Skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen embodies this fusion, starring in the FW25 campaign. After nearly six decades, Moncler returns to the Winter Olympics in Cortina 2026 – a comeback that highlights the brand’s evolution from alpine origins to global leader in luxury performance wear. This return is not just symbolic; it signals a renewed ambition where craftsmanship, culture and athletic excellence meet. A Historic Comeback at Milano Cortina 2026 On December 1st, Moncler officially announces its return to the Olympic stage as: - Official Sponsor of the Brazil Olympic Committee (opening & closing ceremonies) - Technical Sponsor of the Brazilian Snow Sports Federation’s alpine ski team This dual role positions Moncler at the heart of Brazil’s Olympic presence – from ceremonial dressing to elite on-snow equipment. World Champion skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen will represent Brazil wearing a race suit co-designed with Moncler, merging aerodynamic engineering with design cues inspired by the Brazilian flag. The suit blends technicity, cultural identity and Moncler’s iconic alpine aesthetic. Moncler’s last Olympic appearance dates back to 1968, when the brand outfitted the French ski team at the Winter Games in Grenoble. More than 50 years later, the brand returns not with nostalgia, but with a modern, forward-looking vision. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen: A Modern Athlete Who Fits the Moment Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is one of the most compelling figures in contemporary alpine skiing. He won the 2023 Slalom World Cup title for Norway, then shocked the sport by retiring at his peak – only to return months later to represent Brazil, his mother’s home country. In November 2025, he delivered Brazil’s first-ever Alpine World Cup victory, marking a historic milestone. As he notes in the press interview, the partnership goes beyond performance, built on “freedom, expression, and a shared belief in pushing limits.” From Olympic Slopes to the Moncler Grenoble FW25 Campaign The Olympic narrative connects directly into the new Moncler Grenoble FW25 campaign, releasing December 4th. Lucas appears alongside Vincent Cassel, Chloe Kim, and Amber Valletta, shaping a cast that reflects alpine performance through an elevated, cinematic lens. The campaign is shot with the clarity and restraint Moncler is known for – where technical design meets visual calm. City Luxury Meets Mountain Function The Moncler Grenoble FW25 collection pushes further into high-performance luxury. Designed for real alpine conditions but visually grounded in city style, the collection introduces materials such as: - tech denim - tech wool flannel - advanced performance membranes Few brands manage to make true performance gear look refined. Moncler does it without losing even a fraction of technical credibility – and that is rare. Heritage, Future, and the Road to Cortina 2026 Moncler’s renewed Olympic presence is also a nod to its alpine roots – from equipping the 1954 Italian K2 expedition to dressing champions in the 1960s. But the 2026 return represents something new: a contemporary vision shaped by global culture, technical innovation and personal expression. The brand accompanies this new era with “Beyond Performance”, a short film directed by Mark Clinton, offering a visual journey into Lucas’s mindset leading into the Games. Looking Ahead As Moncler steps into Milano Cortina 2026 with Team Brazil and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, we’ll be following the evolution of Moncler Grenoble and the brand’s next chapter in luxury performance. For more sports stories and performance-driven features, explore on our MenWith Sports section — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/moncler-at-the-winter-olympics-2026-moncler-grenoble-fw25-team-brazil — Citation: "Moncler at the Winter Olympics 2026: Moncler Grenoble FW25 & Team Brazil" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-04. https://menwith.com/moncler-at-the-winter-olympics-2026-moncler-grenoble-fw25-team-brazil --- ## McLaren’s Project: Endurance – The Hypercar Offered Only to McLaren’s Inner Circle - URL: https://menwith.com/mclarens-project-endurance-the-hypercar-offered-only-to-mclarens-inner-circle - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-02 - Tags: Endurance, McLaren, McLaren’s Project: Endurance, Menwithclass **Summary:** McLaren returns to endurance racing with Project: Endurance, a hybrid hypercar for the FIA WEC. A limited customer program offers exclusive access and support, blurring lines between elite and factory drivers. McLaren is stepping back into the world of top-tier endurance racing – and they’re doing it with a statement. Project: Endurance, the brand’s all-new hypercar program, represents a bold return to 24-hour racing and the FIA World Endurance Championship, with a competition debut set for 2027. For McLaren, this project is more than a new race machine. It’s a symbolic homecoming. The company hasn’t competed in the highest level of endurance racing since the 1990s, when the legendary McLaren F1 GTR claimed victory at Le Mans. With Project: Endurance, McLaren is ready to chase that legacy once again – but this time with cutting-edge hybrid technology and a new generation of race engineering behind it. Designed under LMDh regulations, the hypercar pairs a twin-turbo V6 engine with a hybrid system, delivering the efficiency, durability and raw performance required to survive the world’s most demanding races. It’s built for the brutality of circuits like Le Mans, Spa and Fuji – environments where speed is only half the battle and endurance becomes the ultimate proof of engineering. What makes Project: Endurance truly unique, however, is that it extends beyond the racetrack. Alongside the factory hypercar, McLaren is offering an extremely limited customer partnership program, giving select owners access to a version of the actual race machine. This isn’t just about buying a car, it’s about joining McLaren’s inner circle. Customers are invited into private test sessions, simulator work, coaching from McLaren professionals, and a global track program with full race-team support. It’s an experience that blurs the line between elite driver and factory driver. Aesthetically, the hypercar embraces sharp, functional aerodynamics, massive vents and sculpted carbon bodywork engineered purely for performance. It’s a machine shaped by airflow, downforce and endurance, with every surface existing for a reason. Yet even within that technical purpose, the car carries McLaren’s unmistakable design language – futuristic, aggressive and unmistakably motorsport. Project: Endurance isn’t a traditional road-going hypercar. It’s not created to turn heads at a boulevard or to take spotlights at a concours. It’s built for the world’s toughest races, for long nights at Le Mans, for triple-stinting tyres, for pushing through fatigue at dawn. And for McLaren, it signals not just a return, but a renewed ambition: to compete, to win, and to define the next chapter of endurance racing. For the MenWith audience, this marks one of the most exciting automotive announcements of the decade – a rare glimpse into the intersection of elite engineering, competition heritage and exclusive driver access. Project: Endurance is not just a hypercar; it’s McLaren’s vision for the future of high-performance racing, delivered with the precision and emotional pull only motorsport can offer. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mclarens-project-endurance-the-hypercar-offered-only-to-mclarens-inner-circle — Citation: "McLaren’s Project: Endurance – The Hypercar Offered Only to McLaren’s Inner Circle" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-02. https://menwith.com/mclarens-project-endurance-the-hypercar-offered-only-to-mclarens-inner-circle --- ## McLaren’s Project: Endurance – The Hypercar Offered Only to McLaren’s Inner Circle - URL: https://menwith.com/mclarens-project-endurance-8211-the-hypercar-offered-only-to-mclarens-inner-circle - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-12-02 - Tags: Endurance, McLaren, McLaren’s Project: Endurance, Menwithclass **Summary:** McLaren returns to endurance racing with Project: Endurance, a hybrid hypercar for the FIA WEC 2027. Select customers gain inner-circle access to the race machine and exclusive support. McLaren is stepping back into the world of top-tier endurance racing – and they’re doing it with a statement. Project: Endurance, the brand’s all-new hypercar program, represents a bold return to 24-hour racing and the FIA World Endurance Championship, with a competition debut set for 2027. For McLaren, this project is more than a new race machine. It’s a symbolic homecoming. The company hasn’t competed in the highest level of endurance racing since the 1990s, when the legendary McLaren F1 GTR claimed victory at Le Mans. With Project: Endurance, McLaren is ready to chase that legacy once again – but this time with cutting-edge hybrid technology and a new generation of race engineering behind it. Designed under LMDh regulations, the hypercar pairs a twin-turbo V6 engine with a hybrid system, delivering the efficiency, durability and raw performance required to survive the world’s most demanding races. It’s built for the brutality of circuits like Le Mans, Spa and Fuji – environments where speed is only half the battle and endurance becomes the ultimate proof of engineering. What makes Project: Endurance truly unique, however, is that it extends beyond the racetrack. Alongside the factory hypercar, McLaren is offering an extremely limited customer partnership program, giving select owners access to a version of the actual race machine. This isn’t just about buying a car, it’s about joining McLaren’s inner circle. Customers are invited into private test sessions, simulator work, coaching from McLaren professionals, and a global track program with full race-team support. It’s an experience that blurs the line between elite driver and factory driver. Aesthetically, the hypercar embraces sharp, functional aerodynamics, massive vents and sculpted carbon bodywork engineered purely for performance. It’s a machine shaped by airflow, downforce and endurance, with every surface existing for a reason. Yet even within that technical purpose, the car carries McLaren’s unmistakable design language – futuristic, aggressive and unmistakably motorsport. Project: Endurance isn’t a traditional road-going hypercar. It’s not created to turn heads at a boulevard or to take spotlights at a concours. It’s built for the world’s toughest races, for long nights at Le Mans, for triple-stinting tyres, for pushing through fatigue at dawn. And for McLaren, it signals not just a return, but a renewed ambition: to compete, to win, and to define the next chapter of endurance racing. For the MenWith audience, this marks one of the most exciting automotive announcements of the decade – a rare glimpse into the intersection of elite engineering, competition heritage and exclusive driver access. Project: Endurance is not just a hypercar; it’s McLaren’s vision for the future of high-performance racing, delivered with the precision and emotional pull only motorsport can offer. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mclarens-project-endurance-8211-the-hypercar-offered-only-to-mclarens-inner-circle — Citation: "McLaren’s Project: Endurance – The Hypercar Offered Only to McLaren’s Inner Circle" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-02. https://menwith.com/mclarens-project-endurance-8211-the-hypercar-offered-only-to-mclarens-inner-circle --- ## Reflections from Dubai Watch Week 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/reflections-from-dubai-watch-week-2025 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-12-02 - Tags: Dubai Watch Week **Summary:** Dubai Watch Week 2025 celebrated horology's community spirit, highlighting the Seddiqi family's 75-year legacy. The event showcased innovation from brands like Chopard, Rolex, and Jacob & Co. As the pace finally settles after a week that felt like nonstop movement in Dubai, we took a moment to reflect. Dubai Watch Week has grown into something rare in this industry. It was my first year and still felt like joining a community that has been shaping itself for a long time. Giants and newcomers share the same spaces with equal curiosity. The atmosphere is open. Many watches never reach the display stands because they are already on someone’s wrist being tested, discussed and passed around. Price does not separate anyone. A shared enthusiasm for horology moves everything forward. A celebration of the Seddiqi family This year marks the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi, the family owned retailer that stands behind the creation of Dubai Watch Week. Their influence on the region’s watch culture is undeniable, yet it is Hind Seddiqi who has shaped the event itself. Her leadership, vision and warmth have guided Dubai Watch Week into its present form. She is the driving force behind its character, its openness and its global relevance. Dubai Watch Week was founded under the Seddiqi legacy and has now reached its seventh edition. The 2025 chapter was its most ambitious to date, held in a new two hundred thousand square foot venue at Dubai Mall’s Burj Park. The expanded setting welcomed more exhibiting brands than ever before. It brought together masterclasses, the Creative Hub, the Horology Forum and a full spectrum of independents, major houses and emerging voices. It demonstrated how deeply the Seddiqi family has shaped the cultural fabric of horology in the region. It is a milestone that deserves genuine appreciation. Congratulations to Hind Seddiqi and the entire team for delivering an edition that set a new standard. Looking back at a selection of timepieces we encountered during the week: Chopard To mark the 30th anniversary of its Manufacture, they released the L.U.C Grand Strike, its most mechanically complex watch to date. With a crystal clear chime that needs to be experienced live. Rolex A room dedicated to my personal favorite release of the year, the Landweller. They could have placed a familiar movement in a new case and stopped there. They did not. The full execution is on display and it shows. Jacob & Co The God of Time. A grand presence, a tourbillon that rotates in four seconds and the unmistakable Jacob signature. H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Perpetual Moon with a gold-toned meteorite dial, which was originally intended to be a gray natural dial. Bvlgari Not this year’s CPHG winner yet still a reminder of last year’s record with the 1.80 millimeter ultra thin masterpiece. See the full comparison with an American Express card here. Audemars Piguet The most immersive presentation of the week at the House of Wonders as AP celebrates its one hundred fiftieth anniversary. Our full tour is available on @menwithclass, here. Hublot A double celebration. A rare Big Bang created exclusively for the Seddiqi seventy-fifth anniversary featuring Eastern Arabic numerals. Biver One of the most active exhibitors with a collection that felt personal, ambitious and driven by pure passion. Plays with light beautifully. Louis Vuitton A 39 mm yellow gold Monterey with Grand Feu enamel, heritage accents and an in-house automatic caliber, limited to 188 pieces. Tudor New Ranger. The Dune White is the color to pick. I would love to see it on a five-link bracelet although the three-link suits its utilitarian purpose. Nomos Glashütte Hands-on time with the Limited Edition Worldtimer, made in two versions with Dubai and Abu Dhabi written in arabic. Laurent Ferrier Minimalism on the dial and immersive detail in the movement. Consistently elegant. Roger Dubuis A study in dual character. Urban Excalibur energy on one side and calmer refined novelties on the other. Norqain A playful take on life and watchmaking. Their Enjoy Life message resonated and the ice cream touch made people smile. Leica A camera icon that is steadily expanding its presence in watchmaking. Still under the radar yet guided by the same clarity and discipline that defines its photography. A journey worth following. Tag Heuer A source of inspiration that became her project to execute. Given the choice to simplify the design or change the manufacturing process they chose the latter. Breitling A night of comedy, kind of. CEO Georges Kern and comedian Shawn Chidiac on stage discussing watches and the use of humor in marketing. Genus The familiar 8 returns in full sparkle with diamonds. My personal favorite is still the Time2Race, a tribute to racing icons. Duke Clean lines and deep color tones. Known for their unique automatic movement with a hidden rotor. Atelier Wen A detail-rich timepiece. First the scratch dial, which creates a unique texture, paired with Eastern Arabic numerals. Then the Chinese engravings on the movement. Gerald Charles A one of one diamond set creation. Flashy on paper yet surprisingly balanced in person. Greubel Forsey Entirely handmade with a unique architecture where dial and movement merge. What could have been the caseback becomes the dial itself. ArtyA A sapphire case that looks simple at first glance but is heat treated to create soft yellow reflections. Extremely light and fun to handle. Cyrus Genève A watch so new it arrived without a strap. Skeletonized, modern and only slightly heavier than its predecessor while still maintaining a sense of lightness. Armin Strom The One Week Skeleton appears in rose gold for the first time, offering a clearer look at its layered construction and openworked detail. Parmigiani Fleurier It appears calm at first glance, but its Arctic Rose dial shows deeper textures as you move in. MB&F The HM11 comes back as an Art Deco reinterpretation, shaped like a miniature structure and new geometry. Urwerk and Ulysse Nardin It takes the Freak idea in a new direction, blending two independent voices into one openly collaborative creation. Vyntage It might come across as uncomplicated, but the ultra-thin titanium build reveals a focused approach to daily wear. Tutima A well executed manual wound novelty, at a good price point, that deserves attention. Limited to 25 pieces. Oris A familiar ProPilot seen through a softer desert palette, now carrying a lighter feel and a calmer ruggedness. Moritz Grossmann Glashütte based and dedicated to high-end finishing that don’t shouts for attention. Speake Marin A slim skeleton watch with hand-finished ripples, refined small seconds, rhodium details and Speake Marin aesthetics. De Bethune A deep purple dial that shifts from black to blue depending on the light. A familiar signature executed nicely. Louis Erard It stares back with expressive eyes and a quietly playful character, a collaboration with Konstantin Chaykin. Favre Leuba The new Deep Raider Renaissance introduces meteorite and malachite dials. We viewed the vintage watches too, a nice link back to the roots. Perrelet Turbine collaboration with Diaa Allam featuring dynamic Arabic calligraphy inspired by Emirati wickerwork. Limited to 50 pieces. Bremont A stealth grey titanium tool watch with meteorite texture, shock protection and pilot-grade clarity. Limited to 400 pieces. Frédérique Constant Highlife Chronograph reimagined by Bamford with sharp turquoise accents, smoked caseback and three straps. Limited to 100 pieces. More in-depth stories from people we met during the week With so many novelties and encounters shaping the week, some moments deserved a deeper look. Beyond the quick impressions and first takes, these are the conversations, interviews and stories that offered real insight into the minds behind the watches. Biver Jean-Claude Biver opens up about the influences, values and craftsmanship defining his lifelong journey. Read more here. A Lange Söhne Wilhelm Schmid reflects on the values that guided A. Lange & Söhne through loss and revival. Read more here. Hublot Julien Tornare described his first year as CEO, the Big Bang 20th Anniversary and changing the future of timekeeping. Read more here. H Moser & Cie Edouard Meylan reflects on Moser’s momentum, design clarity and the long-term vision shaping its next chapter. Read more here. Laurent Ferrier A conversation with Robert Bailey. Laurent Ferrier’s clash of ideologies shouldn’t work together, but creates something undeniably beautiful. Read more here. Tag Heuer Head of Innovation Jean Laconte walked us through the thinking behind their novelty, and the new manufacturing processes behind it. Read more here. Norqain Tobias Küffer reflects on Norqain’s emotional roots, family legacy and a future shaped by bold ideas. Read more here. Chopard Marina Greene shared the story behind L.U.C Grand Strike. Highly complicated, beautiful on the wrist, yet the sound is the true star. Read more here. Tudor Met with Sarah Candalh to explore their new Ranger. A focused take on utility and proportion, built for daily wear without forcing the point. Read more here. Audemars Piguet An unexpected novelty. Swiss watchmaking meets the momentum of robotics and artificial intelligence. Read more here. House of Brands CEO Georges Kern shares insights. A strategic triad emerges in Dubai as Breitling previews the return of Universal Genève and Gallet. Read more here. Nomos Glashütte We did get hands-on time with the new grey Worldtimer, but the watch I personally wore most during DWW was the navy blue version. More to come. Closing thought What makes Dubai Watch Week truly special is its openness. Collectors, creators and newcomers meet on equal ground, sharing the same curiosity and the same excitement for the craft. It feels like the core of what watchmaking should be. With more brands joining each edition and with so many novelties unveiled specifically for this event, it is clear that the industry now sees Dubai Watch Week as a stage worth saving ideas for. The next edition will no doubt bring even more, and we are already looking forward to experiencing it. Thank you for having us. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/reflections-from-dubai-watch-week-2025 — Citation: "Reflections from Dubai Watch Week 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-02. https://menwith.com/reflections-from-dubai-watch-week-2025 --- ## Four Seasons Diriyah: A New Landmark of Heritage Luxury Opening in 2028 - URL: https://menwith.com/four-seasons-diriyah-a-new-landmark-of-heritage-luxury-opening-in-2028 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-12-01 - Tags: Diriyah, Four Seasons Diriyah, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah, opening 2028, blends Najdi architecture with modern luxury. Located near UNESCO site At-Turaif, it offers 150 rooms, pools, spa, and dining, honoring Saudi heritage. Saudi Arabia’s historic Diriyah – the birthplace of the Kingdom, is undergoing one of the most ambitious cultural and architectural transformations in the world. At the centre of this evolution stands a future landmark: Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah, scheduled to open in 2028. Positioned beside the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district, the hotel forms a key part of the wider Diriyah masterplan, a development reshaping the area into a global cultural capital. The project aims to honour the region’s deep heritage while setting a new benchmark for modern luxury in the Middle East. The design of Four Seasons Diriyah reflects this balance. Drawing inspiration from traditional Najdi architecture, the property incorporates warm textures, handcrafted details and the geometric forms characteristic of the region’s most iconic structures. Yet the reinterpretation feels distinctly contemporary, resulting in an aesthetic that is both rooted in history and aligned with international design sensibilities. Perched along the edge of Wadi Hanifah, the hotel is imagined as a serene retreat. It will offer around 150 rooms and suites, many with private outdoor spaces crafted for sunset views and stargazing. Guests can expect two tranquil outdoor pools, a world-class spa and a curated selection of dining concepts that blend regional flavours with refined global influences. Every element is shaped to create a sense of calm and connection – not only to the environment but also to the heritage that surrounds it. Beyond the hotel itself, Diriyah is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. The district will soon host museums, galleries, high-end retail, open-air plazas and a growing collection of luxury hotels. Four Seasons Diriyah is positioned to become a cornerstone of this new landscape, appealing to travellers who seek culture, design and elevated comfort in equal measure. Want to read about our stay in Diriyah, click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/four-seasons-diriyah-a-new-landmark-of-heritage-luxury-opening-in-2028 — Citation: "Four Seasons Diriyah: A New Landmark of Heritage Luxury Opening in 2028" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-12-01. https://menwith.com/four-seasons-diriyah-a-new-landmark-of-heritage-luxury-opening-in-2028 --- ## With Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie: The Power of Being Independent - URL: https://menwith.com/with-edouard-meylan-of-h-moser-038-cie-the-power-of-being-independent - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-30 - Tags: People, H. Moser & Cie **Summary:** Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie discusses the brand's independent culture, minimalist design, and bold use of color. He highlights recent successes like the Pop collection and the Pierre Gasly collaboration, emphasizing their unique approach to watchmaking. We met Edouard Meylan, owner and CEO of H. Moser & Cie during Dubai Watch Week. Moser’s booth was noticeably busy, the kind of steady flow that suggests loyalty rather than curiosity. It made the conversation feel like a window into a brand whose momentum has been quietly compounding for over a decade. “2025 has been a great year for Moser,” Meylan said. “It started amazingly well at Watches & Wonders with the Pop collection. It gained a lot of traction, a lot of visibility. People loved the fun aspect.” Fun is not a word most Swiss manufactures use lightly. But Moser has always been an outlier. Even making fun of the, sometimes, overly Swiss marketing plays. The Meylan family took over the brand in 2012, at a time when Moser was respected but far from thriving. What followed was not a classic revival, but a recalibration. The brand leaned into minimalism, irreverence and a willingness to question the traditional Swiss playbook. It was not shock value. It was identity. “We are independent from a shareholding perspective,” Meylan said. “But also in our mindset and the way we create and communicate. Independence is really a culture.” Minimalism, Color and the Moser Contradiction Moser’s modern DNA sits between two opposing forces: purity and provocation. Meylan frames it less as a contradiction, more as a natural outcome of how the brand thinks. “We are minimalistic in design and in function,” he said. “We try to reduce to the essence of any complication. How do we get rid of anything unnecessary? This is really at the core of Moser.” Then there is the color. The fume dials. The willingness to be monochromatic one year and electric the next. “We are known for minimalism, yes, and colors, but not always. But it made this combination that is very recognizable. People now recognize a Streamliner. They recognize an Endeavor and a Pioneer. It shows that we made some good choices.” That recognition was not automatic. It took years of quiet consistency, and a refusal to dress their watches in anything that didn’t feel honest to the brand. A Golden Era for the Independents Many brands claim independence. Few embody it. Moser sits among the handful that are both financially independent and creatively autonomous. It is a distinction Meylan takes seriously. “There is so much innovation today,” he said. “Design-wise, mechanical-wise, functionally. It is a golden era for watchmaking.” His tone isn’t celebratory. It is observational, as if he is witnessing a shift that he knew was coming long before the rest of the world caught on. Pierre Gasly and the Precision of Intent One of Moser’s defining releases this year came from a collaboration with Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly. “We launched the Pierre Gasly Streamliner rose gold tourbillon in Singapore,” Meylan said. “His design… I love it. The reaction of the market was amazing.” Gasly’s involvement surprised even him. “He was very active in the beginning. He defined clearly what he wanted. The mood boards, the references. The first drawing I showed him was the one we worked with.” Meylan noticed the racing mentality immediately. “You need to be extremely precise when you talk to your mechanics,” he said. “And he was precise with us. This line, this shade, this color. Easy to work with.” It is one of the watches that has spent the most time on his wrist this year. You can read more about the watch in our previous article here. Meteorite, Gold and Decisions Made in Real Time Another standout release, the Streamliner Perpetual Moon with a gold-toned meteorite dial, came together faster than anyone expected. “We made a gray dial, natural meteorite, and I said, ‘It doesn’t work.’ So we changed everything within three weeks. I love the result.” Meylan is not dramatic in the telling. The story is emblematic of how Moser operates: small team, short lines of communication, decisions guided by instinct rather than committees. Movement Craft and the Evolution of Finishing While Moser is often associated with design, Meylan insists the mechanics remain the spine. “We master movements. We develop all our movements. We even make the hairsprings,” he said. “Finishing has evolved. We moved toward something more modern, darker finishing, anthracite, rose gold. Not easy, but the right decision.” This shift mirrors the broader independent rise. Risk-taking is rarely cosmetic. It is structural. “It is important to always be curious,” he said. “To see what others are doing. To evolve. To show more of the gearing, more skeletonized. The perceived value is very different.” Looking Ahead: The Five- and Ten-Year Horizon Meylan approaches the future with the confidence of someone who has seen the brand move from survival to strength. “We are a little above four thousand watches today,” he said. “We might reach five thousand within three years. Not much more until our new manufacture is ready.” The longer-term path is clearer than ever. “We are working on things now for three or four years that we will launch in 2028. I never thought ten years ago that we would have the possibility to do that. Back then we thought twelve months ahead. Now we can think ten years ahead.” What This Era Will Mean Asked what he hopes collectors will one day say about this period, his answer was immediate. “I hope they see it as the start of the golden years of independent brands. More creativity, more support, more recognition of the work behind each piece.” Support fuels ambition. Ambition fuels evolution. “If we can do fifty to seventy percent of what we plan for 2026,” Meylan said, “it will be an amazing year.” And with the way the brand’s trajectory is compounding, that feels less like ambition and more like projection. Read more stories from Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-edouard-meylan-of-h-moser-038-cie-the-power-of-being-independent — Citation: "With Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie: The Power of Being Independent" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-30. https://menwith.com/with-edouard-meylan-of-h-moser-038-cie-the-power-of-being-independent --- ## With Jean-Claude Biver: Reflection on Time and Legacy - URL: https://menwith.com/with-jean-claude-biver-reflection-on-legacy-time-and-the-art-of-watchmaking - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2025-11-29 - Tags: People, Biver **Summary:** Jean-Claude Biver reflects on his 50+ year watchmaking career, from a childhood gift to founding Biver Watches with his son. He emphasizes the fusion of tradition and modernity, and the art of watchmaking's roots in farming. Jean-Claude Biver rarely speaks in half thoughts. Even in written form, his answers arrive with clarity and conviction, shaped by more than fifty years inside the world he helped define. His story begins not with a brand, but with a gift. “My love for watches came from my grandfather Pierre,” he wrote. “He offered me an Omega Constellation in 1958 for my first communion. It is a watch I will never forget, even when I lost it 18 years later. From that date on, my passion for watches was in work and never let me alone.” A single object, a single moment, and a direction set for life. A Philosophy That Stayed With Him Across Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Omega, Hublot, TAG Heuer and now the brand that carries his own name, Biver’s core remains unchanged. “My passion for watches only increased and never diminished,” he wrote. “On the contrary, my love for fine ultra slim watches took over and became, as time went on, my major taste for fine watchmaking.” For a man known for revitalizing brands with explosive energy, his personal horological taste is the opposite: quiet, thin, refined. A New Chapter, Created With His Son Launching Biver Watches with his son Pierre was not merely symbolic. It reflects something deeper about how he views the transmission of knowledge. “To have a father-son relation is my ultimate and important privilege,” he wrote. “It enables a constant evolution in the interest of the Art of Watchmaking. It also helps me to understand better the new generation and their mentality. Sharing an art is very much like sharing a culture.” Biver Watches is not a late-career flourish. It is a bridge. Dubai Watch Week and the Language of Stone During Dubai Watch Week, Biver Watches introduced several new stone dials, each with its own character and grain. The intention behind the releases was simple. “It is to show to our community the infinite variation of the stone dials together with their characteristics, their uniqueness and their attributes.” The phrasing reflects his worldview. Stone is not a surface. It is a language. Read more about the novelties here. A Fusion of Yesterday and Tomorrow Few individuals have balanced tradition and modernity as consistently as Biver. When asked how he approaches that balance within his own brand, he distilled it to a line that feels like a thesis statement. “Biver watches are somehow a perfect and unique fusion between yesterday and tomorrow.” No elaboration. No justification. Just direction. On Cheese and the Roots of Craft Away from watches, Biver is widely known for his cheese. Few see the direct connection, but he does. “Because the art of making watches started first around the sixteenth and seventeenth century among the farmers living in the Jura,” he wrote. “In those days they were making cheese long before they learned the watchmaking art.” The two crafts share a birthplace. The same mountains. The same patience. The same belief in time as an ingredient, not a measurement. A Written Glimpse Into a Life of Time Even in writing, Biver’s responses carry the same quiet force he brings to every stage of his career. A childhood gift, a philosophy refined over decades, and a new brand shared between father and son. Always moving, always rooted, always guided by an understanding of time that goes beyond watches. Read more stories from Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-jean-claude-biver-reflection-on-legacy-time-and-the-art-of-watchmaking — Citation: "With Jean-Claude Biver: Reflection on Time and Legacy" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-29. https://menwith.com/with-jean-claude-biver-reflection-on-legacy-time-and-the-art-of-watchmaking --- ## Norqain: Family Ties, Emotional Watchmaking & Ice Cream - URL: https://menwith.com/norqain-family-ties-emotional-watchmaking-038-ice-cream - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-28 - Tags: People, Norqain **Summary:** Norqain's Tobias Küffer shares the emotional journey of the young Swiss watch brand, emphasizing family legacy, personal stories, and a commitment to hard work and humility. Notable releases include a meteorite dial and the successful "Enjoy Life" ice cream watch. Tobias Küffer speaks about watches the way people talk about family stories. Nothing polished for effect. Just moments that shaped a young Swiss brand finding its voice in an industry defined by heritage and hierarchy. “There are many pieces I really enjoy. But as I always say, watches are about emotions,” he said. “For me, it is not about choosing the most desired watch or the one with the longest waiting list.” His own favorite Norqain is not a flagship piece or a breakthrough innovation. It is a story from before the brand truly existed. “My favorite goes back to when we founded the brand in 2018. My brother got married that year, and we did not have a full collection yet. We had samples, including the Freedom Chrono 43 millimeters, which is still in our collection today.” There was a case. No movement. No dial. “So my brother printed a dial, placed it in the case, and wore the watch for his wedding because he wanted to get married wearing a Norqain. That watch will always be my favorite Norqain.” A Foundation Built Long Before the Brand Norqain may be young, but the family history behind it stretches far deeper. “It is in our blood. Our grandfather was a watchmaker, and our father produced luxury watches for 45 years.” Watches and football dominated the Küffer household. “When we were 14 and wanted to make some money during the holidays, we worked in our father’s factory. I scratched every watch because I have shaky hands. I am not a watchmaker. But seeing what goes into creating timepieces, the spirit and the precision, elevated our passion to where it is today.” The craftsmanship did not pass down directly. The mentality did. Work Hard. Fight for Dreams. Stay Humble. The values that define Norqain come from the generation before it. “From our father in general: work hard, very hard. He started as an intern at the company he eventually bought and led as CEO. We always knew that without hard work, nothing happens.” Tobias referenced a line from co-founder Marc Streit that stuck with him. “As Marc Streit said, ‘Dreams do not happen by chance. You have to fight for them.’” He added the part that grounds the culture of the brand. “And when you are successful, stay humble.” 2025: A Standout Year Norqain has released pieces at a fast pace this year. Two stood apart. The first was the company’s meteorite dial for the Wild One. During a closer look at the piece, it was revealed that the stone came from Sweden, adding a quiet layer of character for those who notice details. The second became the most successful launch in Norqain’s history. “If we talk novelties in 2025, I need to mention the Enjoy Life, or the ice cream, as many call it,” Küffer said. “It has been the most successful launch in our history.” It was born from a desire to add something uplifting in a heavy moment. “There was so much negativity. Wars, crises, tariffs. We wanted to create something focused on positivity and happiness. A playful watch.” The concept evolved naturally. “We thought of our kids. Kids love ice cream, and honestly, everyone loves ice cream. The sub-dials represent three flavors: blueberry, strawberry, pistachio. And my favorite detail: every seven days, instead of a date, there is an ice cream cone to remind you to enjoy life.” The Human Side of Norqain “The company only works if we connect with people,” Küffer said. “We have an amazing community, and I will never take that for granted. Our family will never take it for granted that we get to do what we love, follow our passion, travel the world and meet people who enjoy what we are creating. The human side is key to everything.” The NHL Partnership Norqain’s partnership with the National Hockey League stands as one of its most significant milestones, which we wrote more about here. With hockey legends among the owners, the collaboration carries genuine meaning. The dedicated NHL watch is coming soon, but details remain behind the curtain. “It is going to be a very cool watch,” Küffer said. “It will definitely be in my collection as well.” Looking Toward 2026 Expectations for next year are high. “I can say that 2026 will be our most innovative year since launching. We have some very exciting things in the pipeline. New materials and updates to collections. That is all I can share at the moment.” Before that begins, he is focused on something simpler. “This year went by incredibly fast. First, I am looking forward to spending time with my family. My daughter, my wife and my dog. Then I will be ready to think about 2026.” One Last Question What ice cream flavour is his go-to? “I love sweets, and I love stracciatella. It is not one of the flavors on our current ice cream watch. I should have picked something else,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe in the future.” Did we get a glimpse of the next ice cream color scheme? Only time will tell. Read more stories from Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/norqain-family-ties-emotional-watchmaking-038-ice-cream — Citation: "Norqain: Family Ties, Emotional Watchmaking & Ice Cream" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-28. https://menwith.com/norqain-family-ties-emotional-watchmaking-038-ice-cream --- ## With Wilhelm Schmid of A. Lange & Söhne: The Brain, the Heart and the Future - URL: https://menwith.com/with-wilhelm-schmid-of-a-lange-shne-the-brain-the-heart-and-the-future - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-27 - Tags: People, A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** Wilhelm Schmid of A. Lange & Söhne discusses the brand's core values, shaped by founders Walter Lange and Gunther Blümlein. He highlights their commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring quality over fleeting trends. We met Wilhelm Schmid at Dubai Watch Week to discuss the principles that continue to shape A. Lange & Söhne. The conversation moved quickly to the foundation of the modern manufacture and the people who defined its direction. “The foundation of what you see today was laid down by Mr. Walter Lange and Mr. Gunther Blümlein,” Schmid said. “The two were very instrumental for different reasons. I always call them the brain and the heart. Mr. Blümlein was the brain, and Mr. Lange was the heart.” Blümlein brought structure and strategic vision. Walter Lange carried the family’s instincts and continuity, the part that survived even when the original workshops in Glashütte were lost during World War II. Their partnership helped shape the value system that still defines the manufacture today. “He was the bridge into history and established the value system,” Schmid said. “As much as we change, we do not change our value systems. One of them is to never stand still, always push boundaries. It keeps us going strong in weak times and staying strong in strong times.” A value system that does not seek reinvention The subject of tradition followed naturally. Schmid approached it without nostalgia. “It is not a balance, because it is not a contradiction. Values should stay, no matter how old they are. How you treat your people, how you treat each other, how you work with clients. These things do not follow a zeitgeist.” Then he went straight to the kind of detail that reveals how the brand thinks about its work. “I always joke around, nobody on Earth is watching their watch at midnight. So nobody will ever see whether our perpetual calendar jumps instantaneously because you are not looking at midnight. But clients do, and they want to know and understand. It is from watchmakers for people that really understand fine watchmaking.” A full honey gold bracelet watch One of the year’s launches required careful judgment inside the manufacture. “That was a very difficult challenge for the design team,” Schmid said, referring to the full honey gold bracelet watch. “If you think about A. Lange & Söhne, a solid gold bracelet watch does not come to mind. But the requests from our clients were huge.” The goal was to approach the idea with discipline rather than effect. “I think you cannot produce a more discrete full golden watch. And that is A. Lange & Söhne. It is traditional, but it is pushing the design boundary a little bit without losing it.” Demand without urgency Demand often outweighs production, although Schmid addressed it in measured terms. “If you understand what we do, I am not worried about demand,” he said. “There is an appetite for something that does not have a short product life cycle, because we live in a world where basically everything has a short product life cycle. And to some extent, a lot of people are a bit tired of that.” He linked this to material choices. “We do not use silicon, for example, for that reason. Because that is for mass production. It is not craftsmanship.” He also described the nature of the brand’s buyers. “We are pretty much at the end of the food chain. You do not walk and by accident see a A. Lange, and then it is an impulse buy. We are usually the result of a very educated purchasing decision process.” A company shaped by loss and return A. Lange & Söhne’s history is marked by interruption and revival, something Schmid addressed directly. “They like the story,” he said. “How many companies have been re-founded twice? How many were behind the Iron Curtain for 40 years, and then re-established a little city in the mountains and created again the only German watchmaking hub?” He reduced the idea to a single comparison. “Like any good boxer, if you have never kissed the ground and came back, you are not a great boxer. That is the same with watchmaking.” Glashütte and its craftspeople The town where the watches are made remains central to how the company thinks. “About 80 percent of our people live and work in Glashütte. One hundred percent of our customers do not. Connecting these two worlds will remain a challenge.” The responsibility that follows is long term. “Our manufactory is not very flexible. We get them very young, train them for a long time, and then they are with us for life. It is our duty to make sure there is always enough work for them 10, 15, 20 years from now.” A closing note His watch that day was a minute repeater perpetual calendar. He looked at it briefly and smiled. “It is still on German time.” Read more stories from Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-wilhelm-schmid-of-a-lange-shne-the-brain-the-heart-and-the-future — Citation: "With Wilhelm Schmid of A. Lange & Söhne: The Brain, the Heart and the Future" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-27. https://menwith.com/with-wilhelm-schmid-of-a-lange-shne-the-brain-the-heart-and-the-future --- ## With Wilhelm Schmid of A. Lange & Söhne: The Brain, the Heart and the Future - URL: https://menwith.com/with-wilhelm-schmid-of-a-lange-038-shne-the-brain-the-heart-and-the-future - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2025-11-27 - Tags: People, A. Lange & Söhne **Summary:** Wilhelm Schmid of A. Lange & Söhne discusses the brand's core values, shaped by founders Walter Lange and Gunther Blümlein. He highlights their commitment to craftsmanship, tradition, and pushing boundaries, exemplified by their honey gold watch and educated clientele. We met Wilhelm Schmid at Dubai Watch Week to discuss the principles that continue to shape A. Lange & Söhne. The conversation moved quickly to the foundation of the modern manufacture and the people who defined its direction. “The foundation of what you see today was laid down by Mr. Walter Lange and Mr. Gunther Blümlein,” Schmid said. “The two were very instrumental for different reasons. I always call them the brain and the heart. Mr. Blümlein was the brain, and Mr. Lange was the heart.” Blümlein brought structure and strategic vision. Walter Lange carried the family’s instincts and continuity, the part that survived even when the original workshops in Glashütte were lost during World War II. Their partnership helped shape the value system that still defines the manufacture today. “He was the bridge into history and established the value system,” Schmid said. “As much as we change, we do not change our value systems. One of them is to never stand still, always push boundaries. It keeps us going strong in weak times and staying strong in strong times.” A value system that does not seek reinvention The subject of tradition followed naturally. Schmid approached it without nostalgia. “It is not a balance, because it is not a contradiction. Values should stay, no matter how old they are. How you treat your people, how you treat each other, how you work with clients. These things do not follow a zeitgeist.” Then he went straight to the kind of detail that reveals how the brand thinks about its work. “I always joke around, nobody on Earth is watching their watch at midnight. So nobody will ever see whether our perpetual calendar jumps instantaneously because you are not looking at midnight. But clients do, and they want to know and understand. It is from watchmakers for people that really understand fine watchmaking.” A full honey gold bracelet watch One of the year’s launches required careful judgment inside the manufacture. “That was a very difficult challenge for the design team,” Schmid said, referring to the full honey gold bracelet watch. “If you think about A. Lange & Söhne, a solid gold bracelet watch does not come to mind. But the requests from our clients were huge.” The goal was to approach the idea with discipline rather than effect. “I think you cannot produce a more discrete full golden watch. And that is A. Lange & Söhne. It is traditional, but it is pushing the design boundary a little bit without losing it.” Demand without urgency Demand often outweighs production, although Schmid addressed it in measured terms. “If you understand what we do, I am not worried about demand,” he said. “There is an appetite for something that does not have a short product life cycle, because we live in a world where basically everything has a short product life cycle. And to some extent, a lot of people are a bit tired of that.” He linked this to material choices. “We do not use silicon, for example, for that reason. Because that is for mass production. It is not craftsmanship.” He also described the nature of the brand’s buyers. “We are pretty much at the end of the food chain. You do not walk and by accident see a A. Lange, and then it is an impulse buy. We are usually the result of a very educated purchasing decision process.” A company shaped by loss and return A. Lange & Söhne’s history is marked by interruption and revival, something Schmid addressed directly. “They like the story,” he said. “How many companies have been re-founded twice? How many were behind the Iron Curtain for 40 years, and then re-established a little city in the mountains and created again the only German watchmaking hub?” He reduced the idea to a single comparison. “Like any good boxer, if you have never kissed the ground and came back, you are not a great boxer. That is the same with watchmaking.” Glashütte and its craftspeople The town where the watches are made remains central to how the company thinks. “About 80 percent of our people live and work in Glashütte. One hundred percent of our customers do not. Connecting these two worlds will remain a challenge.” The responsibility that follows is long term. “Our manufactory is not very flexible. We get them very young, train them for a long time, and then they are with us for life. It is our duty to make sure there is always enough work for them 10, 15, 20 years from now.” A closing note His watch that day was a minute repeater perpetual calendar. He looked at it briefly and smiled. “It is still on German time.” Read more stories from Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-wilhelm-schmid-of-a-lange-038-shne-the-brain-the-heart-and-the-future — Citation: "With Wilhelm Schmid of A. Lange & Söhne: The Brain, the Heart and the Future" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-27. https://menwith.com/with-wilhelm-schmid-of-a-lange-038-shne-the-brain-the-heart-and-the-future --- ## Foiler Ghost – The Superyacht That Flies Above the Water - URL: https://menwith.com/foiler-ghost-8211-the-superyacht-that-flies-above-the-water - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-11-25 - Tags: Foiler Ghost, Menwithclass, Yacht **Summary:** The Foiler Ghost is the world's first private foiling superyacht, lifting 2 meters above water for a faster, quieter ride. This 28m carbon fiber vessel by Bozca Design and ENATA redefines luxury through performance and minimalist design. In a world where luxury increasingly meets engineering, only a few creations manage to shift the conversation. The Foiler Ghost is one of them. Revealed in Abu Dhabi, this 28-meter masterpiece is more than a yacht – it’s a statement of what tomorrow’s ocean travel should look and feel like. Designed by Bozca Design and built by ENATA, the Ghost is the world’s first private foiling superyacht in its class. The concept is deceptively simple: rise above the water, glide at high speed, and experience the ocean without resistance. In practice, it’s a revolution. A Yacht That Actually Flies The defining feature of the Foiler Ghost is its ability to lift itself two meters above the water once the foils deploy. At speed, the hull rises, reducing drag and creating a ride that’s faster, smoother and dramatically quieter than traditional superyachts. Think: surfing above the sea on carbon and titanium wings. With a cruising speed around 30–35 knots and the potential to push beyond 40 knots, the Ghost doesn’t just move – it glides with intent. The foils extend the beam from 8 meters to nearly 20, giving it the stability of a vessel twice its size. Every line, every angle, every surface of the Ghost is intentional. Built almost entirely from carbon fibre and titanium, the yacht avoids unnecessary decoration. Form follows function, and function is sculpted into beauty. The interior continues the same philosophy. Floor-to-ceiling glazing opens the yacht to the ocean, creating visibility and light rarely seen in this size category. Depending on the owner’s configuration, the Ghost can accommodate 3 to 5 cabins, a lounge, and an aft beach club that connects directly with the water – a private ocean terrace, elevated. Luxury, Redefined The Ghost isn’t about excess. It’s about precision. It’s about performance as luxury, an idea resonating across modern design. The quiet glide of a foiling hull. The seamless transition from displacement to flight. The minimalist interiors bathed in natural light. This is the new language of high-end travel. More importantly, Ghost marks a shift for the Foiler brand. It’s the first model in what the company calls a semi-custom production platform – blending exclusivity with cutting-edge engineering. Delivery of the first hull is expected in 2029, but anticipation is already global. More on Yachts here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/foiler-ghost-8211-the-superyacht-that-flies-above-the-water — Citation: "Foiler Ghost – The Superyacht That Flies Above the Water" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-25. https://menwith.com/foiler-ghost-8211-the-superyacht-that-flies-above-the-water --- ## Foiler Ghost – The Superyacht That Flies Above the Water - URL: https://menwith.com/foiler-ghost-the-superyacht-that-flies-above-the-water - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-11-25 - Tags: Foiler Ghost, Menwithclass, Yacht **Summary:** The Foiler Ghost is the world's first private foiling superyacht, lifting 2 meters above water for a faster, quieter ride. This 28m carbon fiber vessel by ENATA and Bozca Design redefines luxury with performance and minimalist design. In a world where luxury increasingly meets engineering, only a few creations manage to shift the conversation. The Foiler Ghost is one of them. Revealed in Abu Dhabi, this 28-meter masterpiece is more than a yacht – it’s a statement of what tomorrow’s ocean travel should look and feel like. Designed by Bozca Design and built by ENATA, the Ghost is the world’s first private foiling superyacht in its class. The concept is deceptively simple: rise above the water, glide at high speed, and experience the ocean without resistance. In practice, it’s a revolution. A Yacht That Actually Flies The defining feature of the Foiler Ghost is its ability to lift itself two meters above the water once the foils deploy. At speed, the hull rises, reducing drag and creating a ride that’s faster, smoother and dramatically quieter than traditional superyachts. Think: surfing above the sea on carbon and titanium wings. With a cruising speed around 30–35 knots and the potential to push beyond 40 knots, the Ghost doesn’t just move – it glides with intent. The foils extend the beam from 8 meters to nearly 20, giving it the stability of a vessel twice its size. Every line, every angle, every surface of the Ghost is intentional. Built almost entirely from carbon fibre and titanium, the yacht avoids unnecessary decoration. Form follows function, and function is sculpted into beauty. The interior continues the same philosophy. Floor-to-ceiling glazing opens the yacht to the ocean, creating visibility and light rarely seen in this size category. Depending on the owner’s configuration, the Ghost can accommodate 3 to 5 cabins, a lounge, and an aft beach club that connects directly with the water – a private ocean terrace, elevated. Luxury, Redefined The Ghost isn’t about excess. It’s about precision. It’s about performance as luxury, an idea resonating across modern design. The quiet glide of a foiling hull. The seamless transition from displacement to flight. The minimalist interiors bathed in natural light. This is the new language of high-end travel. More importantly, Ghost marks a shift for the Foiler brand. It’s the first model in what the company calls a semi-custom production platform – blending exclusivity with cutting-edge engineering. Delivery of the first hull is expected in 2029, but anticipation is already global. More on Yachts here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/foiler-ghost-the-superyacht-that-flies-above-the-water — Citation: "Foiler Ghost – The Superyacht That Flies Above the Water" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-25. https://menwith.com/foiler-ghost-the-superyacht-that-flies-above-the-water --- ## With Jean Laconte: The story behind Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1 - URL: https://menwith.com/with-jean-laconte-the-story-behind-monaco-split-seconds-chronograph-air-1 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2025-11-24 - Tags: People, Tag Heuer **Summary:** Jean Laconte discusses TAG Heuer's Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1, highlighting additive manufacturing for a titanium case and a new design language. This limited edition watch redefines watchmaking innovation. We sat down with Jean Laconte, Head of Innovation at TAG Heuer, to explore the thinking behind the piece. What emerged wasn’t just another technical exercise in precision. This Monaco represents a deeper shift. A change in how watches are imagined, engineered, and worn. The TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1 takes that shift further. Produced in a limited run of just 30 pieces, the watch combines mechanical complexity with a new approach to case design. This is not a reinterpretation of a classic. It is a new chapter built on the same foundation. At its core is a case made from grade 5 titanium, produced through Selective Laser Melting. The process is a form of additive manufacturing, similar to 3D printing, where material is built up layer by layer instead of being milled away. This allows for hollow sections and intricate structures that would be impossible to machine using traditional methods. According to Laconte, it also opens the door to new innovations ahead. Lighter forms, new shapes, and construction techniques that rethink the limitations of conventional case architecture. The result is unmistakably Monaco in shape, but different in feel. It wears light and precise. Every surface looks like it was shaped by airflow. A honeycomb panel made from solid 18K yellow gold sits along the case side, echoing the air intakes of a race car. From the back, the geometry feels automotive as well, with lines that bring to mind the symmetry of modern tail lights. The visual language is subtle but consistent. The movement inside is TAG Heuer’s TH81-00. This is the brand’s most complex chronograph caliber, offering tenth-of-a-second precision, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, and a split-seconds function that allows for the timing of two simultaneous events. The split-seconds pusher at nine o’clock is finished in yellow gold. It stands apart by design and makes the complication instantly accessible. The open sapphire dial reveals the structure of the movement beneath. It is a layout driven by function rather than display. Finishing is clean and intentional. There are no distractions. The movement does not need to prove anything through decoration. It speaks clearly through design. The strap is made from black rubber and Alcantara leather. It is ergonomic, lightweight, and shaped to stay in place. A polished and brushed black DLC titanium clasp secures it. This part of the watch often goes unnoticed, but here it aligns with the overall balance of performance and restraint. Only 30 watches will leave the TAG Heuer workshop with this configuration, but the technology and ideas behind it are designed to carry forward. The Air 1 feels like a quiet landmark. It shows how additive manufacturing can evolve traditional watchmaking without compromising its values. And it suggests that the most interesting developments ahead may not be about materials themselves, but the freedom to shape them in entirely new ways. Read more about Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-jean-laconte-the-story-behind-monaco-split-seconds-chronograph-air-1 — Citation: "With Jean Laconte: The story behind Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-24. https://menwith.com/with-jean-laconte-the-story-behind-monaco-split-seconds-chronograph-air-1 --- ## With Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, during Dubai Watch Week - URL: https://menwith.com/with-julien-tornare-ceo-of-hublot-during-dubai-watch-week - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2025-11-22 - Tags: People, Hublot **Summary:** Julien Tornare discusses Hublot's Big Bang 20th anniversary, a special Seddiqi collaboration, and the brand's focus on materials and watchmaking expertise, including the Unico movement. A big year for Hublot with the 20th anniversary of Big Bang. How has it been? It’s been absolutely an amazing journey. We’ve been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang in a big way, in many, many different locations in the world. And today, we are here for Dubai Watch Week, to make the brand shine all around Middle East. So, super happy to be here. I mean, we are, launching a special edition made in collaboration with our longtime partner and friend, Seddiqi. The Seddiqi family has been with us for so long, and we decided to make an exception for them, launching a limited edition out of the anniversary pieces, which we haven’t done for anyone else. But here, it’s done in Dubai, and I’m super happy to present that watch. Two decades has passed since the launch of Big Bang, today it’s an icon of Hublot. What’s your thoughts about it? It’s an icon. Yes, of course. Big Bang was launched in 2005, 20 years ago. It became the first iconic watch of the 21st century. Now, it’s really recognizable. People know it very well and, it has a bright future ahead of it. It’s very unapologetic, taking up lots of wrist space. What’s your thoughts around sizing? You know, I think, first of all, brands have to stay who they are, and they’ve always been trends of smaller, bigger, larger, thicker, thinner. Big Bang, by definition, is big. So you’re never gonna have a small Big Bang. Sure. Yeah. We have the Classic Fusion if you wanna go thinner, more elegant, more this kind of elegant touch that was part of the original Hublot when Mr. Crocco launched the brand. And you have the Big Bang, which is definitely Jean-Claude Biver’s baby, and evolving through time. That is a field of expression. Within the Big Bang collection, you can basically express all the creativity of watchmaking, and that’s the mission of that line. Speaking on the Classic Fusion, how does that fit into Hublot’s range? It’s perfect because Classic Fusion is still an innovative concept because at the origin, bringing rubber next to precious metal gold was absolutely amazing in a conservative Swiss watch industry. And still it is. Now, we are working on how to have this, more classic line evolve and going back to its roots, and you’re gonna have a lot of surprises in 2026. For your first year as CEO of Hublot, how has it been? It’s been fantastic. You know, I’ve had so much to do, so much to think of, to really prepare the future of the brand. It’s been an incredible journey. It’s a brand that has so much energy, so much to offer. We are very well known for new materials, of course. We were the first one to use sapphire, ceramic, vivid-colored ceramic, et cetera, et cetera. We’re coming with new materials next year as well. And sometimes, we are not known enough for our watchmaking, and this brand has an incredible watchmaking expertise with great movements. And this year, I’m going to talk more about watchmaking. Because that’s the heart of the watch. And beyond the creativity, the fun, the marketing, there is a very serious watchmaker in this brand. That’s interesting because Hublot is known as the “Art of fusion”, mixing and even creating new material, mostly the outside rather than the movements inside. How important are the movements for Hublot? It’s super important. We developed an incredible movement like the Unico that has five patents, which is a great chronograph, probably one of the best on the market. We have the Meca 10, which in terms of construction and design is also incredible with 10 days power reserve. You know, these are amazing achievements. And don’t forget, the brand is only 45 years old. And I’m not even mentioning all the MPs. We will come back with absolutely amazing top high-end MPs, this year. So there is a lot to be done, and you will see. There will be a lot of work done on the technicity of the brand, on the movement, um, to have quite a unique position within the watch industry. You’re talking a bit about the future, what are you most excited about for the Hublot future? Oh, there are so many things. I would say, again, next year we have something strong coming in Classic Fusion. We have a new evolution of the Big Bang, we have great MPs, so I can’t tell you, but we have so many great project to come. Of course, within five years, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand. Still young for watch brands. For us, it’s a big deal. And I’m telling you, I’m telling you, we’re gonna do something that will probably change the history of time measurement. Looking forward 10 years ahead, what would you like people to think about this particular time of Hublot, for the collectors looking back? I think people will understand better a brand like Hublot. Again, Hublot came from the disruptive door, came by being a rule breaker, or (French), as we say in French, terrible kid. Yes, because we are doing things in a different way. But first of all, Hublot is a fantastic watchmaker, and the watchmaker foundation has to be known by everyone, and we should get the credit we deserve for the watchmaking at Hublot. Then, of course, we’re gonna still be the fun brand. We’re gonna still be the brand that gives you a particular emotion, that will do things in a different way, because this is our DNA, this is our essence. So people will see Hublot in a quite unique position, far away from the traditional, sometimes heritage-oriented-only brand. Hublot will not. Hublot will continue to bring, new things and to build the future of, Swiss watchmaking. Finally, about the potential misunderstanding you’re alluding to here, do you think that people do not give enough credit for the movements of Hublot? No, but it’s not so much about the people, it’s about the brand. We’ve been talking so much and we were so well known for creativity, innovation, in terms of design, in terms of new materials, and also, next to a very strong and impactful marketing, that those two assets ca- kind of hid a bit the fantastic work that we’ve been doing on the watchmaking aspect. And now, there is a rebalancing to show that Hublot’s watchmaking is among the best ones you can have in the industry. And you know my past, I’m coming from more traditional, I would say, very high-end, very movement-oriented brands. And when I joined Hublot, I was amazed to see the treasure we have in terms of movement technicity, but in terms of people and skills, and we don’t talk enough about that. So this is something I’m going to fix. Read more about watches from Dubai Watch Week here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-julien-tornare-ceo-of-hublot-during-dubai-watch-week — Citation: "With Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, during Dubai Watch Week" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-22. https://menwith.com/with-julien-tornare-ceo-of-hublot-during-dubai-watch-week --- ## Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Redefines Converse Basketball With the SHAI 001 - URL: https://menwith.com/shai-gilgeous-alexander-redefines-converse-basketball-with-the-shai-001 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-21 - Tags: Basketball, Converse, SHAI 001, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander **Summary:** Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's SHAI 001 redefines Converse basketball with a personal, stylish, and versatile design. The signature shoe blends elite performance with lifestyle wear, featuring family-inspired colorways and a unique zipper system. Few players in today’s NBA embody style the way Shai Gilgeous-Alexander does. On the court he’s one of the league’s most controlled, creative scorers. Off the court he’s a fashion icon, routinely landing on GQ’s best-dressed lists and setting trends without ever appearing to try. So when Converse announced Shai as its Creative Director for basketball and unveiled his signature shoe – the Converse SHAI 001 – it marked a defining moment. Not just for Converse, but for how athlete-driven design is done in 2025. The SHAI 001 is more than a performance sneaker. It’s a blueprint for how a modern signature shoe should feel: personal, versatile, and intentionally stylish. Shai was deeply involved in the design process from sketches to materials to the storytelling behind each detail. Converse describes the model as a culmination of his vision to redefine what a basketball shoe can be, something that performs at the highest level yet transitions seamlessly into lifestyle wear. One of the most distinctive aspects of the line is how each colorway is rooted in Shai’s relationships. “Charm Black” pays tribute to his mother, while “Masi Blue” represents his brother. Rather than random palettes or marketing-driven themes, the collection is woven with real family symbolism – turning the sneaker into a quiet biography written through color and texture. Design-wise, the SHAI 001 introduces a sleek, low-profile silhouette that balances containment, comfort, and freedom. A standout feature is the multifunctional zipper system, allowing the shoe to be worn in multiple styling modes – zipped, unzipped, or partially open, shifting it from strictly performance to fashion-forward in seconds. In a league where players frequently arrive in tunnel fits more daring than runway looks, Shai has created a shoe that belongs in both worlds. Its success has been immediate. Early colourways sold out on release, resale prices climbed, and hype around upcoming drops has only grown. Converse is clearly positioning Shai at the centre of its basketball resurgence, and the SHAI 001 line is quickly becoming one of the most influential signature projects of this era – blending the craft of design, the speed of the modern game, and the personality of one of basketball’s most stylish stars. For fans of sneakers, basketball, or streetwear culture, the SHAI 001 tells a story: elite performance shaped through genuine creativity, delivered by a player redefining what it looks like to lead both on and off the court. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/shai-gilgeous-alexander-redefines-converse-basketball-with-the-shai-001 — Citation: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Redefines Converse Basketball With the SHAI 001" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-21. https://menwith.com/shai-gilgeous-alexander-redefines-converse-basketball-with-the-shai-001 --- ## With Robert Bailey: Laurent Ferrier at 15, refining the Silence - URL: https://menwith.com/with-robert-bailey-laurent-ferrier-at-15-refining-the-silence - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: People - Published: 2025-11-21 - Tags: People, Laurent Ferrier **Summary:** Laurent Ferrier marks 15 years with understated luxury. New models like the Classic Origin Beige in red gold and manual movement highlight refined design and tactile experience. You don’t need a hundred watches to understand a watchmaker. Sometimes, one is enough if it is honest, consistent, and built with conviction. That was the lasting impression after a conversation with Robert Bailey of Laurent Ferrier during Dubai Watch Week. The setting was understated, much like the watches themselves. But behind the soft light and calm design language was something purposeful. A brand quietly marking its fifteenth anniversary not with loud celebration, but with a series of pieces that speak through detail and discipline. Among them, the new Classic Origin Beige stood out not for what it added, but for what it left out. This latest interpretation of the Origin line, first introduced five years ago to commemorate the brand’s first decade, returns in a new tone. The familiar 40 mm case, with its smooth, rounded silhouette, is presented for the first time in 5N red gold. The dial is beige, warm, and matte, interrupted only by subtle brown transfers and red numerals in the minute track. The proportions are clean and deliberate. There is no flourish for its own sake. Importantly, this new reference is manual. While Laurent Ferrier is widely associated with its micro-rotor calibres, the choice to use a hand-wound movement reflects a more tactile philosophy. The LF116.01 movement offers an 80-hour power reserve and featuring a screw balance with Breguet overcoil for enhanced stability. The long-blade ratchet delivers a crisp click when wound, a mechanical detail that collectors often mention before anything visual. Robert noted how much care is taken in such moments. Even the generously shaped crown was designed with feel in mind. These are small decisions, but they define the experience. The two other watches we saw debuted previously in 2025, each expressing a different side of the brand’s personality. The Classic Auto Horizon takes the maison’s signature micro-rotor calibre and gives it a more functional brief. It offers a date function and automatic winding, in a format that feels suited for everyday wear. The aesthetic remains unmistakably Ferrier. The lines are soft, the details restrained, but there is a quiet nod to the world of motorsport, which shaped Laurent’s early life and career. It wears with ease, without ever feeling ordinary. Then there is the Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue, a piece that leans into craftsmanship and ornamentation. This second edition of the Traveller features a champlevé enamel globe with deep blue oceans flecked with gold, evoking the glow of cities seen from above. The continents are shaped by hand, the enamel fired and painted in layers, then fired again. It is housed in a white gold case with dual time apertures at three and nine o’clock, and framed by a satin-brushed slate grey hour ring. Mechanically, it is precise and functional. Visually, it is closer to art. Each of these watches presents a different face. But what connects them is not a shared complication or form. It is a way of thinking. The design is only considered complete once everything unnecessary has been removed. That is not minimalism in the trendy sense. It is a discipline, a refusal to let the loud distract from the lasting. Fifteen years on, Laurent Ferrier continues to resist the pull of spectacle. These watches are not designed to impress on first glance. They ask for time. They reward those who notice how a crown winds, or how a bevel catches the light. In a space filled with noise, there is value in that kind of quiet. And if the message of this anniversary is anything, it is that refinement is not the absence of effort. It is what happens when effort is fully resolved. But there is a conflict. The front speaks in whispers, clean and composed, almost understated. The back tells a completely different story, rich with detail and decoration, almost extravagant. This is not a contradiction that asks to be solved. It is a tension that lives quietly within the watch, meant to be experienced by the wearer rather than judged by the spectator. Two opposing ideals held in one object, made complete not by agreement, but by contrast. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/with-robert-bailey-laurent-ferrier-at-15-refining-the-silence — Citation: "With Robert Bailey: Laurent Ferrier at 15, refining the Silence" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-21. https://menwith.com/with-robert-bailey-laurent-ferrier-at-15-refining-the-silence --- ## Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike: Time Measured in Sound - URL: https://menwith.com/chopard-luc-grand-strike-time-measured-in-sound - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-20 - Tags: Chopard **Summary:** Chopard's L.U.C Grand Strike marks 30 years with a grande sonnerie watch featuring sapphire crystal gongs for unparalleled sound clarity. This complex timepiece showcases 11,000+ hours of R&D and multiple patents. To mark the 30th anniversary of its Manufacture, Chopard has released the L.U.C Grand Strike, its most mechanically complex watch to date. It’s a piece that doesn’t aim to impress with flash or scale, but with something far more memorable: sound. At the heart of this watch is a chiming mechanism known as a grande sonnerie. Unlike simpler repeaters, this one automatically strikes the hours and quarters throughout the day. It can also be set to a petite sonnerie mode, which chimes less frequently, or switched off entirely. There’s a minute repeater too, allowing the wearer to hear the time on demand. For anyone unfamiliar with such complications, imagine a grandfather clock in miniature, except this one fits on the wrist and is made with sapphire crystal gongs. That’s where the real innovation lies. Instead of the usual metal gongs, Chopard’s engineers developed a system where both the chime gongs and the dial are crafted from a single piece of synthetic sapphire. This allows sound to travel more directly, resulting in an extraordinarily clear, resonant tone. It’s a construction that has taken nearly ten years to perfect and is protected by several patents. Building the L.U.C Grand Strike took more than 11,000 hours of research and development. The movement itself, visible through a dial-free design, contains 686 components, each one contributing to a precise orchestration of motion and sound. At ten o’clock, two polished steel hammers indicate the chiming nature of the watch. At six, a COSC-certified tourbillon turns with calm precision. Despite its complexity, the Grand Strike is housed in a 43 millimeter case made from ethical 18-carat white gold. Its proportions are compact for a watch of this ambition. The case rises just over 14 millimeters from the wrist, with curved lines and a thoughtful design that draws the eye not outward but inward, toward the open architecture of the movement. There is no dial in the traditional sense. Instead, the sapphire crystal bears an engraved minutes track and serves as the acoustic body for the chiming mechanism. Through it, the movement reveals itself. Bridges made from German silver develop a soft patina over time, offering a warm contrast to the brightness of the crystal. The surfaces are clean, the finishes deliberate. Solid gold hands and markers speak quietly to the level of refinement. The sonnerie mechanism is safeguarded by five new patents, among ten in total, which ensure energy efficiency and operational reliability. One such innovation blocks the chime if the power reserve drops too low, preventing incomplete strikes. Another allows the chiming mode to be changed without disrupting timekeeping. These are not additions for complexity’s sake. They are expressions of Chopard’s commitment to longevity and function. This dedication has been decades in the making. Chopard’s sonnerie journey began in earnest in 2006 with the L.U.C Strike One, followed by the Full Strike minute repeater in 2016. That watch introduced sapphire gongs to the world and earned the Aiguille d’Or at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The Grand Strike builds upon that foundation, refining what was once experimental into something essential. Beyond the sound, there is stamina. The chiming system has its own mainspring barrel, delivering 12 hours of power in grande sonnerie mode. The timekeeping barrel runs for 70 hours. Even the balance beats at 4 Hz, rare for a watch of this complexity. And when the time comes to set it, the stop-seconds function allows to-the-second precision. As with all L.U.C timepieces, the Grand Strike is certified by both COSC and the Poinçon de Genève. This double certification reflects a philosophy where performance and finishing are held to the highest standard. Still, to dwell only on technical mastery is to miss the point. The L.U.C Grand Strike is not just about acoustics, or patents, or pushing boundaries. It is a watch that aspires to more. It honors the rare moments when form and function align so perfectly they become art. Moments you can feel. And in this case, moments you can hear. Read more about Chopard’s 2025 novelties here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/chopard-luc-grand-strike-time-measured-in-sound — Citation: "Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike: Time Measured in Sound" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-20. https://menwith.com/chopard-luc-grand-strike-time-measured-in-sound --- ## Audemars Piguet Introduces Its Intelligent Setting Device - URL: https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-introduces-its-intelligent-setting-device - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-20 - Tags: Audemars Piguet **Summary:** Audemars Piguet unveils an AI-powered setting device for its Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, developed with Dubai Future Labs. This innovation simplifies complex watch adjustments using robotics and computer vision, enhancing collector experience. When a tradition as intricate as Swiss watchmaking meets the momentum of robotics and artificial intelligence, something rare happens. The launch of Audemars Piguet’s new intelligent setting device marks one of those moments. Revealed during Dubai Watch Week, this innovation is more than a technical companion for the 41 mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. It is a statement about how high horology can evolve when collaboration becomes a central part of its creative process. The device arrives two years after Audemars Piguet began its partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation. Their goal was clear. If the maison could continue improving the ergonomics of its complications, it could redefine the relationship collectors have with their watches. The recent generation of Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars already took a significant step in that direction. The introduction of the intuitive crown-based setting system made one of the most sophisticated complications far easier to adjust. For many enthusiasts, that alone represented a quiet revolution in usability. Yet the new intelligent setting device pushes that vision further. Developed with Dubai Future Labs, the applied research arm of the Foundation, the standalone tool transforms a historically delicate process into a seamless one. Perpetual calendars have always represented mechanical mastery. They keep track of leap years, variable month lengths and moon phases with remarkable grace. At the same time, they traditionally require careful manipulation and a deep understanding of the mechanism. This device resolves that tension by offering precision, safety and simplicity in a single object. The operation reflects the blend of disciplines behind it. Once the Perpetual Calendar is placed inside the device, an internal camera captures the dial configuration and identifies which indications require adjustment. Robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence work together to set the watch accurately, respecting the natural limits and sequencing of the movement. The full procedure takes about five minutes and completes with the confidence and consistency expected from the Manufacture. Rather than diminishing the craft, the device enhances the experience of owning a complex timepiece. It invites enthusiasts to enjoy the Perpetual Calendar without the anxiety that often comes with handling such a sophisticated mechanism. By building on the progress already made through the new crown system, Audemars Piguet ensures that both manual and automated approaches serve the same purpose: to deepen the appreciation of the complication itself. This project also reflects a broader philosophy within the Manufacture. Audemars Piguet has long been interested in how advanced technology can improve interaction without altering the soul of the mechanical movement. The development of Caliber 7138 created the conditions for this new device to exist. The partnership with Dubai Future Foundation transformed those conditions into a forward-looking achievement. As Chief Industrial Officer Lucas Raggi points out, the idea of an automatic setting tool had lived within the company for years. It simply needed the right collaboration to take shape. Design plays an equally important role. Created with Italian designer Max Terio and AP’s in-house design teams, the device extends the visual language of the brand beyond the wrist. It carries the familiar sharpness and sculptural geometry associated with Audemars Piguet, while asserting itself as an entirely new category of object. The result sits somewhere between instrument and artwork, capable of standing on its own alongside the watch it supports. With this unveiling, Audemars Piguet shows how tradition and innovation can move together rather than apart. The intelligent setting device signals a future where complexity remains noble but no longer intimidating. It demonstrates that when expertise meets imaginative collaboration, even the most established aspects of watchmaking can be experienced in a fresh and accessible way. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-introduces-its-intelligent-setting-device — Citation: "Audemars Piguet Introduces Its Intelligent Setting Device" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-20. https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-introduces-its-intelligent-setting-device --- ## Tudor’s Dune White Ranger and the Strength of Restraint - URL: https://menwith.com/tudors-dune-white-ranger-and-the-strength-of-restraint - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-19 - Tags: Tudor **Summary:** Tudor's Dune White Ranger offers a masterclass in restraint, prioritizing functionality and clean design over ostentation. Its 36mm brushed steel case and muted dial embody a quiet, deliberate elegance, proving that less can indeed be more. There’s a lot to see at Dubai Watch Week. That’s part of the problem. Amid so many technical showpieces and color-saturated novelties, it can take a moment to recognize the watch that doesn’t need a stage. Tudor’s new Ranger in Dune White is exactly that kind of release. I sat with it, tried it on, and the more time I spent with it, the more it made sense. This is not a watch that aims to impress. It aims to work. And it does. The Look That Doesn’t Try The new Dune White dial sits inside the 36mm Ranger case, a size that Tudor has used before, but now paired with something that feels closer to a blank canvas. The color is soft and non-reflective, not paper white but sandy and muted. It doesn’t shine under direct light. It absorbs it. The effect is quietly compelling, especially against the fully brushed steel case. From a distance, it feels almost anonymous. Up close, it’s extremely deliberate. Tudor’s decision to skip traditional indices in favor of printed luminous dots is a highlight. The dial stays clean and flat in daylight. At night, it still reads clearly thanks to those subtle lume plots and the familiar Ranger handset. It’s an elegant way to stay functional without adding bulk. There’s also a matte black dial version, which stays closer to the more traditional Ranger formula. That model features fully luminous hour markers, offering stronger visibility in the dark. With the Dune White, Tudor had to approach it differently. The numerals are printed in black, which ruled out filling them with lume. Instead, the brand added discreet luminous dots just beyond each marker. It’s a small change, but one that respects both function and the dial’s clean design. The Case for 36mm On wrist, the 36mm case wears flat and centered. This version of the Ranger leans dressier by default, but doesn’t lose its utility roots. It sits closer to something you’d wear daily, not just something you reach for when you plan to hike or test gear. The simplicity feels intentional. That said, the case finish remains fully brushed, and there are no polished bevels to catch light. This isn’t a watch that plays with angles. It is designed to do a job. Practical, And Literal The watch comes on Tudor’s three-link steel bracelet, complete with the T-fit clasp system. It is comfortable and practical. Still, it keeps the watch closer to its tool watch origins than it probably needs to be. With a dial this soft and restrained, there is room for a bit more ease in how it wears. A five-link bracelet or leather strap might have helped show that side more clearly. But Tudor chose to keep it simple, and in that, the watch stays honest. What This Watch Actually Is Tudor’s storytelling around this Ranger leans heavily on deserts, endurance, and Dakar. But when you hold the watch, that narrative fades. This is not a themed edition or a tribute. It is a subtle update to a core idea. The Dune White Ranger strips back anything ornamental and leaves you with something clear and focused. Inside is the MT5400 calibre, COSC certified with a 70-hour power reserve. It does its job quietly, without calling attention to itself, which feels in line with the rest of the watch. You put it on and it works. You forget about it, until you look down and remember why it belongs there. Final Thought At a show full of loud releases and visual one-liners, this Ranger stood still. It did not chase nostalgia. It did not overcorrect. It simply took a proven design and tuned it to a quieter frequency. For people who value clarity over noise and proportion over presence, the Dune White Ranger makes its case with restraint. And that may be what makes it last. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tudors-dune-white-ranger-and-the-strength-of-restraint — Citation: "Tudor’s Dune White Ranger and the Strength of Restraint" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-19. https://menwith.com/tudors-dune-white-ranger-and-the-strength-of-restraint --- ## Breitling’s House of Brands Makes a Calculated Debut at Dubai Watch Week - URL: https://menwith.com/breitlings-house-of-brands-makes-a-calculated-debut-at-dubai-watch-week - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-19 - Tags: Breitling **Summary:** Breitling unveils its "House of Brands" at Dubai Watch Week, reviving Universal Genève as ultra-luxury and Gallet as entry-level, leveraging Breitling's heritage and manufacturing. Breitling chose Dubai Watch Week to unveil what it calls the House of Brands, a curated portfolio that places three storied names on distinct rungs of the luxury ladder. Breitling remains the anchor. Above it sits Universal Genève, revived as an ultra-luxury, standalone maison. Alongside, Gallet returns as the entry point, a sister brand manufactured by Breitling and sold through its boutiques and select multi-brand partners. For collectors, it is a promise of clarity rather than a blur of sublines and limited editions. The design identities are established before the first new case is shown. Universal Genève arrives with the confidence of a maison known as Le Couturier de la Montre, the watch couturier whose Polerouter by a young Gérald Genta and celebrated Compax chronographs helped define modern Swiss design language. That heritage suggests a creative and artisanal approach, with collaborations with craftspeople explicitly part of the plan. Gallet’s brief is more utilitarian and adventurous. Its history runs from airfields to mountain summits, including the stopwatch used by the Wright brothers on their first flight and the Flying Officer, the first chronograph designed to track multiple time zones for early commercial pilots and intercontinental travelers. Breitling, meanwhile, keeps its modern retro signature intact, grounded in air, land, and sea tool watches. On movements and mechanics, the message is equally deliberate. Specific references, case diameters, calibers, water resistance, and materials were not disclosed in Dubai. What is confirmed is structure. Universal Genève will be the most exclusive brand within the House of Brands, operating independently in the ultra-luxury segment. Gallet will be manufactured by Breitling, a company that remains one of the few independent watchmakers producing its own manufacture calibers and certifying every movement as a COSC chronometer. That foundation should matter when Gallet returns as a reliable, accessibly positioned tool watch maker and when Universal Genève leans into high craft. If Breitling is the bridge, its role is both practical and cultural. The brand has more than 140 years of history and a distribution network of over 280 industrial loft inspired retail locations. It opened a two story, almost 400 square metre pavilion at Dubai Watch Week to preview the House of Brands to clients, retailers, and media. It also brings manufacturing muscle and a contemporary luxury sensibility to the project, which CEO Georges Kern called a long term strategy to offer “select, exceptional and differentiated brands” that meet evolving interests across price points. Context matters. Universal Genève and Gallet were leading chronograph names before the quartz era pushed them into dormancy. Their revival is not nostalgia for its own sake. It is a bid to reoccupy spaces they helped shape. For Universal Genève, that is the upper tier of creative Swiss watchmaking, where finishing and design narratives carry as much weight as frequency and torque. For Gallet, it is the no nonsense chronograph for people who actually use their watches, a space that has been underserved by true heritage players. Collectors will read this as both housekeeping and opportunity. Universal Genève has long held cult status, particularly the Polerouter and the Compax family, and its reemergence as the most exclusive name in the portfolio will raise expectations of artistry and limited availability. Gallet’s story is equally potent, with historically significant tool watches and a promise of functionality at an entry luxury level, now backed by Breitling manufacturing and retail support. With previews shifting toward the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and India, the brand is signaling the markets where it expects informed enthusiasm. Two dates matter. The premiere of the House of Brands took place in 2025 at Dubai Watch Week. The relaunches of Gallet and Universal Genève are set for 2026. Until then, the spec sheet stays closed. The idea, however, is clear, and it is refreshingly simple. Three names, three roles, one strategy, each allowed to sound like itself when the time finally comes. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitlings-house-of-brands-makes-a-calculated-debut-at-dubai-watch-week — Citation: "Breitling’s House of Brands Makes a Calculated Debut at Dubai Watch Week" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-19. https://menwith.com/breitlings-house-of-brands-makes-a-calculated-debut-at-dubai-watch-week --- ## JC Biver Introduces New Automatique Models at Dubai Watch Week 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/jc-biver-introduces-new-automatique-models-at-dubai-watch-week-2025 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-19 - Tags: Biver, DWW, JC Biver, Menwithclass **Summary:** Biver unveils new Automatique watch models at Dubai Watch Week 2025, focusing on refined craftsmanship, natural materials, and elegant contrasts like rose gold and white gold alloys. Just past the fountain, in the afternoon light that falls across the base of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Watch Week 2025 has officially begun. In a setting built on dialogue rather than dazzle, this release arrives with the quiet confidence of a piece that knows its place. It does not chase attention. It earns it through detail, proportion, and the story it tells. The materials are considered. The movement is thoughtfully chosen. Before the case is even turned over, there is a sense that this watch was made with care, not haste. It reflects the tone of the week itself: purposeful, refined, and human. That tone was set clearly in the opening remarks by Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi. Standing before an audience of collectors, founders, watchmakers, and friends of the industry, she spoke not about product but about people. She described how the event was built from the ground up over the past six weeks, shaped by feedback and driven by purpose. She reminded the room that Dubai Watch Week is not a stage for spectacle. It is a platform for connection. A place where craftsmanship is honored, voices are heard, and time is given its due. To kick things off, a little over a year after the Automatique debuted, Biver has returned to the same fundamentals and adjusted the balance. The first models emphasized harmony. These new watches explore contrast. Quietly Redefined at Dubai Watch Week 2025, Biver expanded its Automatique line with nine refined models, emphasizing craftsmanship, natural materials, and elegant contrasts. The Automatique Two-Tone takes the most familiar route. It combines an 18K rose gold case with a dial made from PD210, a white gold alloy with a higher palladium content than usual. The result is a softer, warmer white that changes depending on how light hits the brushed surface. With rose gold markers and hands that echo the case, the watch feels unified without being monochromatic. A matching bracelet in solid rose gold is also available. The combination of white and rose gold has long been part of classical watchmaking. Here, it has been reinterpreted through finish and proportion rather than color contrast. The difference is subtle. That is the point. Pierre Biver, who oversees design and creative direction, speaks often about the importance of process. He describes these watches as the result of tension, breakthroughs, and time spent with materials. That perspective shows in the final result. Nothing here feels rushed or overly resolved. Guilloché With a Twist The Automatique Clous de Paris is the most technical of the new references. It comes in a platinum case and introduces guilloché to the collection for the first time. But this is not a decorative flourish. It is a structural part of the design. A sunray finish radiates from the center of the blue dial, surrounded by a ring of Clous de Paris that gradually tapers inward. This directional pattern reinforces the geometry of the watch and draws the eye toward the hands. Each dial is produced by Brodbeck Guillochage and Comblémine using two antique rose engines, both over a hundred years old. These machines were restored specifically for the project. The work is slow, precise, and unforgiving. What results is not just a pattern, but a texture that changes the way the dial feels under light. Mineral and Enamel Biver also introduced two new stone dial references, continuing the brand’s ongoing relationship with natural materials. One uses Oeil de Fer, the other Obsidian Mahogany, both paired with gold cases that complement the tones within the stone. These dials are entirely free of ornamentation. They rely on the texture of the mineral itself, cut and polished to exacting standards, to carry the design. There are also two enamel dials being presented for the first time within the Automatique collection. The Grey Enamel and Bordeaux Enamel are produced using the grand feu method by Les Emailleurs de la Cité. Enamel is applied in layers, then fired at high temperatures to create depth and character that paint or lacquer cannot match. These dials are paired with 3N yellow gold cases and fitted with luminous hands and markers. It is a practical detail, but one that adds a small degree of modernity to an otherwise traditional execution. The Strength of a Clear Voice With these new releases, the Automatique becomes more than a strong debut. It begins to take shape as a family of watches that can hold a variety of ideas without losing its coherence. There is no new case. No new movement. No need for dramatic reinvention. Instead, Biver has focused on the essentials: contrast, proportion, and texture. That approach feels well matched to the setting here in Dubai. From its start, Dubai Watch Week has been built around dialogue and exchange, not spectacle. The tone is more personal. There is time to listen. Time to notice the difference between one kind of white gold and another. Time to appreciate a dial that tapers inward by half a millimeter. As collectors continue to arrive and conversations unfold beneath the Burj Khalifa, the new Automatique models will quietly circulate through the fair. They do not need to compete for attention. They reward the kind of collector who is already paying attention. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jc-biver-introduces-new-automatique-models-at-dubai-watch-week-2025 — Citation: "JC Biver Introduces New Automatique Models at Dubai Watch Week 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-19. https://menwith.com/jc-biver-introduces-new-automatique-models-at-dubai-watch-week-2025 --- ## Riva’s 112 Dolcevita Super Is Italian Ease, Scaled Up - URL: https://menwith.com/rivas-112-dolcevita-super-is-italian-ease-scaled-up - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-11-17 - Tags: Riva 112 Dolcevita Super, Mauro Micheli, Sergio Beretta, Officina Italiana Design, Ferretti Group, MTU engines, Cannes Yachting Festival **Summary:** Riva's 112 Dolcevita Super blends Italian design with luxury amenities, featuring a spacious beach club, elegant main deck, and expansive flybridge. It offers refined performance and a focus on taste for modern cruising. Riva has always traded in feeling as much as form. Where others chase volume, the Italian yard still pursues line, light, and detail. The new 112 Dolcevita Super, an evolution of the 110, shows the point. It debuted at Cannes and now lands with a fuller reveal that underscores why Riva’s look remains a shorthand for taste across marinas from Portofino to Palm Beach. The exterior, drawn by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta of Officina Italiana Design with Ferretti Group Engineering and a committee led by Piero Ferrari, reads clean and confident. The sheer sweeps, stainless accents catch the sun like a cufflink, and the hull windows are purposeful rather than oversized. At the waterline, a 378-square-foot beach club becomes the social center. Two bulwarks hinge out to form terraces, an extra-large sun pad anchors the scene, and there is storage for a tender, a Jet Ski, and two SeaBobs. Step down and you hear the hush of water lapping against the platform; step back and you pick up the resin-warm scent of teak. An optional Jacuzzi can be specified in the bow for those who prefer an elevated soak at anchor. Inside, the main deck favors clarity over clutter. The 538-square-foot salon has real headroom and a calm material palette with rosewood in the lead. The first hull’s owner chose a dining zone forward, with leather-upholstered chairs around a stainless and glass table, and a living area midships with three leather sofas facing a 75-inch screen. The nearly 370-square-foot owner’s suite sits aft on this level, with two walk-in closets, a vanity, a two-sink bath, and wide windows that push blue daylight across the room in the afternoon. Below, four guest cabins include two VIPs, each with an ensuite and the same rosewood discipline. Nothing shouts; doors close with a soft click, fabrics have weight, and metalwork feels cool to the touch. Up top, a 646-square-foot flybridge is the open-air draw. There is a full bar with a Corian counter that stays cool under sun, a large dining table for long lunches, a generous sofa, and an asymmetrical carbon hardtop that frames pockets of shade and light rather than blanketing the deck. It is easy to imagine barefoot mornings here, the quiet whir of a plotter at the helm, and the clink of glassware as the breeze lifts. Performance remains in the Riva idiom: brisk, not brash. Twin 2,638 hp MTU 16V 2000s are offered in two configurations. Choose the M96L for a reported 25.5-knot top speed and 23-knot cruise, or the optional M97L that cuts NOx emissions. The draft stays under seven feet, a practical figure that unlocks the Bahamas and more tucked-away anchorages in the Med and Florida. This is not a technical novelty act, but it is current with the realities of modern cruising and regulation. Culturally, the 112 Dolcevita Super sits at an interesting crossroads. The 30-35 meter planing flybridge market is busy, and the arms race in beach clubs and fold-out terraces has drifted down from gigayachts into this bracket. Riva’s answer is not to supersize every surface, but to keep the brand’s language intact while giving hosts more room to gather. The beach club is generous without feeling like a stage, the salon proportions invite actual conversation, and the flybridge is a proper outdoor room rather than a furniture showroom. The optional lower-emissions engine spec is a measured step. It will not satisfy purists calling for hybridization, but it reflects an owner base that wants progress without drama. If the Aquarama taught the world how a boat could express style, the 112 shows how that ethos scales. There are larger, faster, and louder yachts on the market. Few will make guests feel more at ease so quickly. The message is subtle: good taste travels. And on this Riva, it does so at twenty-plus knots, with the sunlight glancing off steel and the sea just a step away. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rivas-112-dolcevita-super-is-italian-ease-scaled-up — Citation: "Riva’s 112 Dolcevita Super Is Italian Ease, Scaled Up" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-17. https://menwith.com/rivas-112-dolcevita-super-is-italian-ease-scaled-up --- ## Bentley Supersports: the gentleman GT goes a little feral - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-supersports-the-gentleman-gt-goes-a-little-feral - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-16 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** The Bentley Supersports redefines the gentleman's GT with a focus on driver engagement and a rear-drive layout. Featuring a potent V8, advanced aero, and motorsport-inspired interior, it offers a thrilling, albeit polarizing, driving experience. The Supersports wears its intent on its carbon sleeves. The front bumper houses the largest splitter Bentley has put on a road car, flanked by stacked dive planes that actually do something. Along the flanks sit deeper sills and B-shaped fender blades that bleed pressure from the arches. At the back, a one-piece wing and a serious diffuser tidy the air with purpose, not pose. The roof is carbon to trim mass and drop the center of gravity. Purists may twitch at the wing on a Bentley, but the aero package reportedly delivers more than 300 kg of extra downforce over a GT Speed. The 22 inch forged wheels were developed with Manthey Racing, a name that needs no introduction to anyone who has ever chased lap time Bentley has deleted the rear seats and replaced them with a carbon and leather tub, which looks like motorsport wandered into the drawing room. New sports chairs sit lower with chunkier bolsters, yet they still heat and adjust electrically because this is still a Bentley. Leather, Dinamica and high gloss carbon fiber dominate, though you can swap the carbon for brushed or engine turned aluminium. Each car is numbered, and some driver aids and sound insulation have been pared back. The cabin reads focused, not spartan, a neat trick at Crewe’s usual standard of fit and finish. Bentley has gone old school for the powertrain, which in this context feels almost rebellious. A twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8, strengthened and huffing through a full-length Akrapovic titanium exhaust, sends 666 PS and 800 Nm through an eight-speed dual clutch to the rear wheels only. The numbers are strong without being silly: a claimed 3.7 seconds to 62 mph and around 192 mph flat out. The point is not V-max bravado. It is feel. This is the first rear-drive Continental GT you can buy, and it comes with an eLSD, a wider rear track, torque vectoring by brake and rear-wheel steering. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, with 440 mm front discs clamped by 10-piston calipers. On optional Pirelli Trofeo RS rubber, Bentley quotes up to 1.3 g of lateral grip. There are three fresh drive settings that range from long-legged Touring to an amped-up Sport, plus ESC calibrations that let the driver choose just how much the tail may speak. The promise is engagement, not intimidation. And judging by that exhaust, you will hear all of it. One hundred years after the first Bentley Super Sports cracked 100 mph, the Supersports name returns for only the fourth time, and with a different brief. Earlier Supersports models chased peak power and top speed. This one chases the driver. It also buckles today’s trend toward hybridization with a defiantly pure ICE layout, even as Bentley works toward an all-electric lineup from 2035. The project’s codename, Mildred, nods to Mildred Mary Petre, who once hustled a Bentley 4½ Litre around Montlhéry for 24 hours. That is the kind of lore this car is tapping. Only 500 Supersports will be built, each individually numbered, with orders opening in March 2026 and production starting late that year. Expect them to land in key markets where customers still enjoy the sound of combustion with their morning espresso. The Supersports will polarize. The fixed wing will ruffle a few clubroom feathers, and the two-seat layout means it is not the default continent crusher. That is the point. This is a Bentley for owners who keep a set of Trofeo RS in the garage and think of a Sunday as a day for slip angles. It is still beautiful inside, still usable, still unmistakably a Bentley. It just happens to be the one that smiles back when you turn everything to “hot”. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-supersports-the-gentleman-gt-goes-a-little-feral — Citation: "Bentley Supersports: the gentleman GT goes a little feral" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-16. https://menwith.com/bentley-supersports-the-gentleman-gt-goes-a-little-feral --- ## PSG × Tismo Geneve Watch Collection Unveiled - URL: https://menwith.com/psg-tismo-geneve-watch-collection-unveiled - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-15 - Tags: Geneve, Menwithclass, PSG, Tismo **Summary:** PSG and Tismo Geneve unveil a limited-edition watch collection blending Swiss craftsmanship with football heritage. Featuring tourbillon and chronograph models, the collaboration celebrates a "champion mindset." In the world of luxury watches, few announcements resonate like the union of two symbols of excellence. PSG and Tismo Geneve have officially partnered to launch a limited-edition wristwatch collection that draws on both the club’s storied legacy and Tismo’s mastery of Swiss craftsmanship. At the heart of this collaboration lies a commitment to “champion mindset” – not just as a slogan, but as a design and manufacturing compass. The kickoff piece, titled “PSG × Tismo Geneve – Champions 2025 – Tourbillon Sapphire Blue”, sets the tone: a tourbillon complication, a deep blue dial inspired by PSG’s signature colour, and a price tag of approximately £39,999. PSG × Tismo Geneve “Champions 2025” – Tourbillon Sapphire Blue While full details remain sparing, the collection is said to include three distinct models tailored for the discerning collector: - A high-complication tourbillon edition, carrying premium materials and mechanical engineering at its peak. - A refined chronograph model, designed for daily wear but with subtle references to PSG’s identity. - A lifestyle piece that balances sport heritage with watchmaker elegance – more accessible but still exclusive. Each model carries the hallmark of Swiss precision: sapphire crystal, premium case materials, and a subtle integration of PSG’s crest or colours. The aesthetic speaks of dual identity – on one hand the blue, red and white stripes of Paris Saint-Germain; on the other the fine finishing, mechanical polish and boutique spirit of Tismo Geneve. PSG x Reve by Tismo “Champions 2025” – Premium Skeleton Edition The collaboration is about more than merchandising; it’s a statement of upward aspiration. PSG, long known as a powerhouse on the pitch, aligns here with the horological world – while Tismo Geneve, smaller but bold, taps into the global appeal of football. For both brands, this is a move of strategic elevation. For the lifestyle editor, the watch collector or the trend-aware athlete, the collection speaks clearly: you can love the game and respect heritage. You can wear your allegiance and your taste in one timepiece. And you can expect exclusivity – the limited nature of the watches ensures that these are not mass-market playthings but serious, collectible objets d’art. PSG x Reve by Tismo “Champions 2025” – Champions Edition In short: PSG × Tismo Geneve is more than a naming exercise. It is sports energy harnessed by fine watchmaking, offered in wrist form for the few who understand both worlds. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/psg-tismo-geneve-watch-collection-unveiled — Citation: "PSG × Tismo Geneve Watch Collection Unveiled" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-15. https://menwith.com/psg-tismo-geneve-watch-collection-unveiled --- ## A Calmer Moment for Swiss Watches in the American Market - URL: https://menwith.com/a-calmer-moment-for-swiss-watches-in-the-american-market - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-15 - Tags: Swiss watches, US tariffs, Rolex, Richemont, Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, horology, watch collectors **Summary:** US tariffs on Swiss watches eased to 15%, boosting exports and stabilizing supply chains. Expect steadier deliveries and a healthier market for collectors. The atmosphere inside a Swiss workshop is usually quiet. You hear the light tick of a balance wheel and the soft stroke of a file across a bridge. This year, that calm carried a different undertone after a heavy blow from Washington. The United States has now eased the tariff on Swiss to 15 percent, down from the 39 percent level imposed in August. The new rate aligns Switzerland with the European Union and suggests the start of a steadier phase for an industry that prefers precision to political turbulence. The shift matters because the earlier damage was significant. In September, Swiss watch exports to the United States dropped 56 percent, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. American retailers saw slimmer inventories, while pieces meant for U.S. boutiques found temporary refuge in London and other friendlier markets. When tariffs rise, importers and distributors take the first hit, but the pressure spreads. Margins shrink. Allocations move elsewhere. For collectors, it shows up as fewer deliveries, longer waits, and the occasional adjustment to sticker prices. The backdrop is important. The 39 percent figure, which followed a 31 percent rate earlier in the year, ranked among the highest U.S. tariffs applied to any country. The decision to bring it down to 15 percent followed meetings between American and Swiss officials and a White House visit attended by executives from Rolex and Richemont. There is also a broader industrial element. U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer noted that Switzerland plans to expand American manufacturing in pharmaceuticals, gold, and other sectors. That development seems far from the world of watchmaking, but it signals a cooling of tensions that should help stabilize the supply chains shared across several Swiss industries, including those that support horology. For collectors, the question is simple. What changes now? Retail prices will not fall overnight. Brands set their pricing structures carefully and rarely move them in direct response to tariffs. Most will wait for the market to settle. What should change sooner is the rhythm of deliveries. Expect steadier shipments to authorized dealers and a return toward normal for popular models that were redirected during the tariff spike. In daily terms, that may mean more familiar calls from your dealer, fuller trays, and less of the silence that took hold at many counters. Availability has its own quiet pleasure. The feel of an untouched leather strap. The cool heft of a sports watch when you first roll it across your wrist. The gray market offers a different landscape. When official channels tighten, parallel distribution tends to surge, and that pattern was clear in recent months. With the tariff now reset, the incentive for sharp arbitrage should ease for most mainstream models. The most coveted pieces will remain governed by scarcity and brand strategy, so waitlists will not disappear. But the center of the market, where collectors often spend more time and attention, should look healthier. Cooler markets have a way of grounding premiums. There is also a cultural layer to consider. Watches have long been quiet ambassadors. Not in ceremony, but in what they symbolize. Switzerland’s watch industry sits between craft, commerce, and national identity. This year brought a softening dollar, a strong franc, and rising gold prices. Adding a near 40 percent tariff felt like strapping extra weight to a movement that was already working hard. Reducing it to 15 percent does not fix currency pressure or metal costs, but it removes the least predictable force and lets the industry compete again on engineering and appeal rather than policy swings. The steady sweep of a seconds hand remains a better guide than a political headline. The broader agreement between the two countries may also matter in time. If Swiss pharmaceutical and precious metal operations expand in the United States, the logistics networks that support case making, bracelet production, packaging, and service centers could benefit. You may not notice it when you run a thumb along a polished bevel, but the system behind that bevel becomes slightly more resilient. The tariff cut is not a windfall. It is a return to a workable baseline for a sector that depends on consistency. Retailers gain room to plan. Collectors gain a clearer sense of when pieces will arrive. Prices may hold steady, but delivery patterns should improve. That is progress you feel quietly. Fuller displays. Fewer delays. The simple click of a clasp when your name is finally called. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-calmer-moment-for-swiss-watches-in-the-american-market — Citation: "A Calmer Moment for Swiss Watches in the American Market" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-15. https://menwith.com/a-calmer-moment-for-swiss-watches-in-the-american-market --- ## A Night of Triumph at GPHG 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/a-night-of-triumph-at-gphg-2025 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-14 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, Breguet, GPHG **Summary:** The GPHG 2025 celebrated watchmaking's evolution, awarding Breguet the "Aiguille d'Or" for its Souscription 2025. The event highlighted the blend of tradition and innovation in horology. Some occasions in watchmaking create their own gravity. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève has become one of them. For twenty-five years, the ceremony has offered a clear view of how the craft evolves from one season to the next. Founded in 2001 and guided since 2011 by a public interest foundation, the GPHG continues to recognise and promote the art of watchmaking with support from partners such as FGP Swiss & Alps and through the engagement of the industry’s leading figures. Geneva hosted the anniversary edition on 13 November 2025. Under the chairmanship of Nick Foulkes, the Jury and Academy honoured nineteen creations. At the top of the list was Breguet, which received the “Aiguille d’Or” for a watch that reconnects modern horology with one of its earliest architectural ideas. The ceremony underscored how tradition and innovation remain intertwined, each shaping the other’s future. Among the many deserving winners, these five represent our own quiet favourites of the 2025 edition. Breguet Classique Souscription 2025 “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix The Souscription 2025 shows what happens when a maison revisits its origins with restraint rather than nostalgia. The first subscription watches offered an accessible, simplified architecture at a time when precision was still rare. Their single hand and pure enamel dials became a quiet turning point in the history of watchmaking. The modern version preserves that calm spirit. A grand feu white enamel dial carries petit feu numerals in deep black. A single open tipped hand is shaped and blued by flame. The 40 millimetre Breguet gold case blends satin brushing with fine shot blasting, creating a surface language that feels both historic and contemporary. Inside, the hand wound VS00 calibre delivers a 96 hour reserve and a layout inspired by the earliest Souscription movements. Guilloché and engraving remain subtle, allowing the architecture to breathe. The watch reads like a dialogue between past and present in which neither side overshadows the other. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Iconic Watch Prize Audemars Piguet used its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary to refine a complication central to its identity. The new Calibre 7138 introduces a simplified approach to the perpetual calendar, allowing all corrections to be made through one crown. The change is practical but also philosophical. It acknowledges how collectors interact with their watches in daily life. Three 41 millimetre references present the movement. A white gold Code 11.59 appears alongside two Royal Oaks in steel and sand gold. While the silhouettes remain familiar, the user experience becomes more intuitive. Perpetual calendars often reward patience. This one rewards instinct, offering clarity without altering the character of the complication. Urban Jürgensen UJ 2 Double Wheel Natural Escapement Men’s Watch Prize The UJ 2 reflects a school of watchmaking that values methodical precision over external flourish. Its natural escapement, inspired by the work of Abraham Louis Breguet, is executed with an almost academic purity. Two escape wheels engage with a rhythm that reduces friction and heightens efficiency. The effect is elegant, but the construction that enables it is demanding. Finishing extends to surfaces that remain hidden once the watch is cased. Bridges, wheels and plates receive equal attention, regardless of visibility. The design is calm, symmetrical and deliberate. Nothing seeks attention, yet everything contributes to a deeper sense of completeness. It is a watch built around a belief that true simplicity requires immense effort. Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon Tourbillon Watch Prize Bvlgari’s pursuit of thinness has reshaped expectations for contemporary haute horlogerie. The Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon continues that exploration with a profile of 1.85 millimetres that includes an openworked tourbillon. A tungsten carbide mainplate supports sandblasted titanium components and an integrated titanium bracelet that measures only 1.50 millimetres. The manually wound BVF 900 calibre uses open spaces rather than heavy structures, creating a light filled environment around the tourbillon. Surfaces receive modern finishing that contrasts with the delicacy of the mechanism itself. The result is a watch that treats thinness as a design philosophy rather than a statistic. It feels composed, modern and precise. Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF Sports Watch Prize High frequency movements have a quiet logic. When a balance wheel beats more quickly, disturbances influence the average rate less severely. Chopard leans fully into that principle with the Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF, the lightest high frequency model in the collection. The case, crown and bezel are crafted from ceramicised titanium, giving the watch a matte presence and notable lightness. Chopard extends the use of the material to the mainplate and bridges of the Calibre 01.14 C. Silicon components support the 8 hertz escapement by reducing friction and energy loss. The result is a chronometer certified movement that maintains stability even under rapid shocks. The Pitch Black titanium dial carries orange accents that offer controlled contrast. With its bead blasted finishing and streamlined proportions, the watch presents high frequency engineering as something refined rather than aggressive. A Lasting Moment The Special Jury Prize went to Alain Dominique Perrin, whose leadership at the Fondation Cartier helped connect contemporary culture with high level watchmaking. It was a reminder that the craft grows through its advocates as much as through its technicians. The ninety nominated watches, including all nineteen winners, remain on view at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva until 16 November before traveling to Dubai Watch Week from 19 to 23 November. Exhibitions like this offer a pause in a fast moving industry. They provide a moment to consider where watchmaking has come from and where it may go next. Read more about watches here. FULL 2025 PRIZE LIST “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: Breguet, Classique Souscription 2025 Chronometry Prize: Zenith, G.F.J. Calibre 135 Horological Revelation Prize: Anton Suhanov, St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock Audacity Prize: Fam Al Hut, Möbius Iconic Watch Prize: Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Mechanical Exception Watch Prize: Greubel Forsey, Nano Foudroyante Chronograph Watch Prize: Angelus, Chronographe Télémètre Yellow Gold Tourbillon Watch Prize: Bvlgari, Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon Sports Watch Prize: Chopard, Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF Men’s Complication Watch Prize: Bovet 1822, Récital 30 Men’s Watch Prize: Urban Jürgensen, UJ 2 Double wheel natural escapement Time Only Watch Prize: Daniel Roth, Extra Plat Rose Gold Jewellery Watch Prize: Dior Montres, La D de Dior Buisson Couture Artistic Crafts Watch Prize: Voutilainen, 28GML SOUYOU Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize: Chopard, Imperiale Four Seasons Ladies’ Watch Prize: gérald genta, Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal “Petite Aiguille” Watch Prize: M.A.D. Editions, M.A.D.2 Green Challenge Watch Prize: Dennison, Natural Stone Tiger Eye In Gold Mechanical Clock Prize: L’Épée 1839, Albatross L’Épée 1839 X MB&F Special Jury Prize: Alain Dominique Perrin — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-night-of-triumph-at-gphg-2025 — Citation: "A Night of Triumph at GPHG 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-14. https://menwith.com/a-night-of-triumph-at-gphg-2025 --- ## Norqain’s NHL Deal Makes Sense Because It’s Personal - URL: https://menwith.com/norqains-nhl-deal-makes-sense-because-its-personal - Author: Tom - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-14 - Tags: Norqain **Summary:** Norqain's NHL partnership is a strategic alignment, not just a sponsorship, driven by co-founder Mark Streit and investor-ambassadors Crosby & Josi. This personal connection fuels brand storytelling and access. There’s nothing unusual about a Swiss watch brand attaching itself to a major sports league. What is unusual is when it doesn’t feel forced. Norqain’s new multi-year partnership with the NHL, announced just ahead of the Global Series games in Stockholm, doesn’t land like a PR strategy. It feels like the continuation of a relationship that already existed, now formalized on paper. The basics are clear. Norqain becomes the Official Luxury Sports Watch of the NHL. The deal includes international licensing rights and full branding access across the league’s 32 teams. In return, the brand gets global visibility across broadcasts, arenas, and events. On the surface, it’s a solid growth move for an independent watchmaker looking to expand in North America. But it’s not just about reach. Norqain was built with hockey in the room. Mark Streit, the Swiss-born former NHL captain, helped found the company after retiring from the league. Two of today’s top players, Sidney Crosby and Roman Josi, are not just brand ambassadors. They’re investors. That kind of connection can’t be replicated with a sponsorship fee. When Crosby’s Penguins play Josi’s Predators in Stockholm this weekend, it will be more than just two captains facing off. It will be two shareholders competing while representing a brand they’ve helped shape from within. To mark the occasion, Norqain will award a one-of-one 18-carat white gold watch to the Player of the Game after each match. Not available for sale. Not mass produced. Just a single watch for a single performance. That kind of gesture speaks louder than most product launches. This move also gives Norqain something it’s been building toward. Deeper access to storytelling. The NHL is a league built on long seasons, quiet grit, and the kind of loyalty that doesn’t show up in stat sheets. Norqain’s brand language has always leaned into that same space. It’s not about flash. It’s about showing up, owning your time, and doing things on your terms. That’s more than branding. It’s alignment. Of course, it’s also business. The NHL has loyal fans, strong TV coverage, and solid attendance numbers, particularly in the U.S. and Canada. Norqain has already built a foothold there. This deal should help widen that. A special NHL watch is expected next year, and if Norqain stays true to form, it will likely avoid the generic logo-on-a-dial trap. The brand tends to favor substance. Materials that serve a purpose. Movements that are built to last. Designs that feel considered. If anything, this partnership reinforces what Norqain has always tried to do. Build a modern watch company with real roots. Not heritage borrowed from archives, but relationships built in the present, with people who wear the watch because they believe in it. That’s not marketing spin. It’s just good alignment. And sometimes, that’s enough. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/norqains-nhl-deal-makes-sense-because-its-personal — Citation: "Norqain’s NHL Deal Makes Sense Because It’s Personal" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-14. https://menwith.com/norqains-nhl-deal-makes-sense-because-its-personal --- ## Breitling Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 - URL: https://menwith.com/breitling-premier-b21-chronograph-tourbillon-42 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-14 - Tags: Breitling, Menwithclass **Summary:** Breitling's Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 North American Limited Edition merges classic design with a rare B21 calibre tourbillon. This 42mm red-gold timepiece offers understated elegance and mechanical mastery for collectors. Breitling’s Premier collection has always carried a quiet confidence. It’s where the brand lets design, craftsmanship, and precision breathe without the loudness of aviation instruments or dive bezels. With the introduction of the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 North American Limited Edition, Breitling gives this understated elegance a new mechanical heartbeat, one that literally spins with perfection. At first glance, the watch is unmistakably Premier – polished, balanced, classic. But look closer, and the dial opens up into a world of movement. The tourbillon, positioned proudly at 12 o’clock, rotates within the blue gradient dial like a living sculpture. Beneath the surface, the B21 calibre, a collaboration between Breitling and La Joux-Perret – combines a chronograph function and a tourbillon in one elegant package. It’s a rare pairing, more often found in pieces from independent watchmakers than major maisons. The 42 mm red-gold case feels substantial but not overwhelming, paired with square chronograph pushers that nod to the 1940s Premier heritage. The brushed blue dial, framed by Arabic numerals and the visible mechanics of the tourbillon cage, delivers a look that feels both contemporary and timeless – a design language that whispers sophistication rather than shouting luxury. Only 75 pieces will be available, reserved exclusively for the North American market. That scarcity, combined with its $75,000 price tag, ensures it will live mostly on the wrists of collectors who appreciate both the artistry and technical complexity of watchmaking. For Breitling, this model represents more than just another release – it’s a signal of intent. It bridges the brand’s rugged heritage with fine watchmaking, showing that the same spirit that fueled pilots and adventurers can also shape the world of mechanical mastery. With the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42, Breitling hasn’t just built a watch – it’s crafted a statement on motion, balance, and beauty. More about watches here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breitling-premier-b21-chronograph-tourbillon-42 — Citation: "Breitling Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-14. https://menwith.com/breitling-premier-b21-chronograph-tourbillon-42 --- ## Aston Martin x BERO: Britain’s sober new power couple - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-x-bero-britains-sober-new-power-couple - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-13 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** Aston Martin partners with BERO, Tom Holland's premium alcohol-free beer, for a three-year pact. This collaboration signifies a shift in luxury towards discernment over excess, aligning British heritage and craft. The idea flickered to life at Le Mans, which feels apt. Endurance racing is a marathon of focus, not a champagne sprint, and Aston Martin has now aligned its brand hospitality with BERO, a premium alcohol-free beer created by actor and lifelong Aston fan Tom Holland alongside CEO John Herman. It is a three-year pact, officially making BERO the marque’s Alcohol Free Beer Partner, and it lands with a clear message: the future of luxury is less about excess and more about discernment. On paper, beer and grand tourers make odd bedfellows. In reality, this pairing is built on shared values. Both companies trade on British heritage and visible craft. Aston Martin’s pitch-perfect lines and hand-finished cabins meet BERO’s quietly meticulous brewing approach, from handpicked malted grains to hops balanced for depth rather than blare. It is a lifestyle match as much as a product one: tactile, detail-obsessed, proudly traditional in method yet tuned for a contemporary audience. Where this gets interesting is in the experience. Live with an Aston and you spend as much time around the brand as you do behind the wheel: launches, track days, concours lawns, design studio previews. Having a credible alcohol-free option elevates that ecosystem. You can sample hospitality without blunting the drive home or the test session afterwards. Expect BERO to pour at select Aston Martin events globally, and for the two names to co-create content and, in time, co-branded product. If the beer shows up in beautifully judged glassware next to Bridge of Weir leather and carbon weave, it will feel natural, not bolted on. Performance is not just lap times. It is clarity, stamina, the satisfaction of precision. The symbolism of an alcohol-free partner is hard to miss. In an era where track experiences, road rallies and early-morning grand touring are increasingly central to ownership, a zero-proof choice is both common sense and cultural signal. BERO was born from Holland’s own sobriety journey, aimed at people who want the ritual and flavor of a premium beer without the compromise. The claim is authenticity over simulation. If the brewing lives up to its billing, it should deliver the malty warmth and structured bitterness enthusiasts expect, minus the fog. There is savvy timing here. The no and low alcohol category is booming, especially in cities where wellness has joined art and design as pillars of taste. Luxury brands have been slow to move beyond token alcohol-free nods. Aston Martin is not. Partnering with a British startup founded by a globally known name gives reach and relevance, particularly with a younger, image-conscious audience. Retail presence is already respectable, with BERO available at Soho Houses in the UK, at Selfridges, and online, and the Le Mans origin story grants enthusiasts’ kudos. The cultural wrinkle, of course, is that Aston Martin arrives in many minds with a martini-shaped silhouette thanks to 007. That makes this tie-up delightfully subversive. The badge famous for shaken, not stirred is now equally comfortable poured cold and 0 percent. It reads less like a pivot and more like an expansion of taste. This is a partnership that actually makes sense. It respects Aston Martin’s aura without leaning on cliche, and it speaks to how owners use their cars: to travel, to attend, to drive. Some will scoff at the idea of an “official alcohol-free beer,” and fair enough. The proof will be in the glass and in the execution of the promised collaborative products. But if BERO delivers on quality and Aston integrates it with the same care it gives to leather grain and switchgear, this could become the default pour at the world’s best car events. Luxury is evolving. Less noise, more refinement. In that context, Aston Martin and BERO feels like a confident, very British next chapter. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-x-bero-britains-sober-new-power-couple — Citation: "Aston Martin x BERO: Britain’s sober new power couple" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-13. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-x-bero-britains-sober-new-power-couple --- ## Audi’s F1 Era Begins - URL: https://menwith.com/audis-f1-era-begins - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-13 - Tags: Audi, Audi F1, F1, Menwith, Menwithclass **Summary:** Audi unveils its 2026 F1 concept car, the R26, signaling a full in-house power unit and chassis strategy. The marque aims for a championship title by 2030. At the Brand Experience Center in Munich, Audi delivered more than just a design glimpse – it announced its ambition. The German marque revealed its concept car for the 2026 Formula One World Championship season, marking the culmination of a major transformation that includes full-in-house power unit development and the takeover of Sauber Motorsport AG. The concept car, designated the R26, showcases Audi’s future in racing: a narrower chassis, titanium-accented livery, and bold red-black contrasts underscoring the brand’s design clarity and performance ethos. This is more than a visual update; it’s a signal of Audi’s readiness to own both powertrain and chassis – a dual strategy that project lead Mattia Binotto calls a “competitive advantage.” Behind the scenes, Audi’s F1 project spans three hubs: Neuburg an der Donau (Germany) for the power unit, Hinwil (Switzerland) for chassis development, and Bicester (UK) for technology operations. At the event, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner laid down the marker: “From 2026 we are challengers; by 2030 we aim for the title.” Despite the reveal, Audi is real about the magnitude of the task ahead. The new hybrid regulations looming for 2026 demand agility, innovation and huge resource investment. Executives recognise that laying the groundwork now is key – racing in F1 is as much about engineering mindset as raw speed. For automotive enthusiasts and performance purists alike, Audi’s unveiling is a statement: the four rings are ready to claim their place on the prime grid of motorsport. The countdown to Melbourne 2026 starts now. More about F1 and motors here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audis-f1-era-begins — Citation: "Audi’s F1 Era Begins" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-13. https://menwith.com/audis-f1-era-begins --- ## Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon at Hong Kong XXI Auction - URL: https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-sky-moon-tourbillon-at-hong-kong-xxi-auction - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-12 - Tags: Patek Philippe, Phillips **Summary:** The Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon ref. 5002P-001, a 2001 marvel with 12 complications and two dials, will be auctioned at Phillips Hong Kong. It features a perpetual calendar, tourbillon, minute repeater, and astronomical display. The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXI, held by Phillips from 21 to 23 November 2025, gathers more than 300 of the finest timepieces in one of the most anticipated sales of the year. Within the catalogue, early wristwatch icons share space with the great technical achievements of modern horology. Yet among the vintage treasures and mid-century legends, one watch stands apart not for its age but for how completely it redefined what a wristwatch could be. Lot 828, the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon ref. 5002P-001, is barely two decades old, yet it already holds a place in watchmaking history. Introduced in 2001, it was Patek Philippe’s first double-faced wristwatch and, at the time, the most complicated wristwatch the company had ever produced. Twelve complications, 694 components, and two dials formed a design that balanced imagination with precision. The front of the watch displays a perpetual calendar with retrograde date, a tourbillon, and a minute repeater with cathedral gongs. Each element reflects Patek Philippe’s pursuit of harmony rather than excess. The repeater’s tone is deep and resonant, the result of gongs that circle the movement twice. The perpetual calendar moves with quiet intelligence, its date hand returning to zero at the end of each month in a single, elegant motion. The tourbillon remains hidden from view, reminding us that the most complex mechanisms need not shout to be admired. Turn the watch over and the character shifts entirely. The reverse dial, rendered in a deep celestial blue, displays the night sky as seen from the northern hemisphere. It shows sidereal time, the phases of the moon, and the angular motion of the stars. The sky disc rotates counter to the Earth’s movement, creating a living map of the heavens. It is both mechanical and poetic, the kind of complication that blurs the line between science and art. The 43 millimeter platinum case carries delicate engravings of Calatrava crosses and houses a movement finished to the standards of the Geneva Seal. The white opaline dial features a subtle guilloché pattern and fine red accents on the retrograde date track. Two crowns complete the symmetry of the design, one for winding and time setting, the other for adjusting the astronomical display. The example appearing at Phillips is remarkable for its untouched condition. Purchased in 2008 and stored ever since, it remains unworn and complete with its Certificate of Origin, presentation box, and accessories. Only thirteen platinum examples of the Sky Moon Tourbillon have previously been seen at auction, making this the fourteenth known to reach public sale. For collectors, it is a rare chance to acquire not only a complex machine but a modern landmark in the history of Patek Philippe. The Sky Moon Tourbillon would later inspire the ref. 6002, an even more ornate successor released in 2013, but many connoisseurs still consider the original ref. 5002 to be the purest expression of the idea. It represents a moment when Patek Philippe reached its technical peak without losing the quiet restraint that defines its work. While the Sky Moon Tourbillon may be a relative newcomer, it stands comfortably beside the century-old pieces that share the same auction floor. Watches like the ref. 130 “Sector Dial” from the 1930s remind us where Patek Philippe’s legacy began, in simplicity, proportion, and the study of time as an art form. Seen together, they tell one story: the enduring ability of Patek Philippe to make every era of watchmaking feel timeless. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-sky-moon-tourbillon-at-hong-kong-xxi-auction — Citation: "Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon at Hong Kong XXI Auction" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-12. https://menwith.com/patek-philippe-sky-moon-tourbillon-at-hong-kong-xxi-auction --- ## Bab Samhan in Diriyah: Where Heritage Finds Its Voice - URL: https://menwith.com/bab-samhan-in-diriyah-where-heritage-finds-its-voice - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-11-12 - Tags: Bab Samhan **Summary:** Bab Samhan in Diriyah, part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, offers a serene escape blending Najdi architecture with modern comfort. It honors local heritage through textured design, authentic cuisine, and restorative spa experiences. The first thing that greets you at Bab Samhan is calm. It is not staged or designed, it simply exists in the air. The clay-colored walls, soft arches, and slow rhythm of Najdi architecture create a sense of stillness that feels both natural and deliberate. Located in Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state, Bab Samhan is part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. The brand’s approach fits the setting well, honoring local heritage without losing sight of comfort. Just a short drive from Riyadh, the hotel manages to feel far removed from the city’s pace while staying connected to its energy. The design reflects that balance. Across 134 rooms and suites, the focus is on warmth and texture rather than ornament. Hand-dyed linens, carved wood panels, and woven accents tell the story of the region’s craftsmanship. Modern touches are present but not showy. Lighting, technology, and spacious bathrooms blend into the background, serving comfort instead of attention. On arrival, a tray of Saudi sweets and dates waits in the room, a quiet gesture that captures the sincerity of local hospitality. The courtyard is the heart of Bab Samhan. In the evening, guests gather around the open space as a musician plays the qantun under soft light. The music carries through the stone corridors, mixing with the sound of water and distant conversation. It is a simple scene, but it stays with you. From here, it is only a short walk to Bujairi Terrace, where cafés and restaurants overlook Wadi Hanifah, or to At-Turaif, the UNESCO-listed district that preserves the first capital of the Saudi state. Dining at the hotel is straightforward and well considered. Najdi serves local classics such as hamees and kabsa, prepared with care and restraint. The flavors are rich but balanced, with an emphasis on familiarity rather than reinvention. Taleed, led by Chef Michael Mina, offers a Mediterranean interpretation of regional cuisine. The menu feels global but remains rooted in place. When the day slows, the Nafel Alwadi Spa offers a quiet retreat. Inspired by the native tree that gives it its name, the spa focuses on renewal through simple, natural methods. Treatments draw on traditional Arabian rituals while incorporating modern wellness practices. The result is unhurried and restorative. Bab Samhan is not a hotel that tries to impress. Its luxury comes from calm, space, and a sense of continuity with its surroundings. Every detail, from the materials used to the rhythm of service, feels grounded in purpose. In a city that represents both the origin and the future of Saudi Arabia, Bab Samhan stands as a reminder of how heritage can feel both timeless and alive. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bab-samhan-in-diriyah-where-heritage-finds-its-voice — Citation: "Bab Samhan in Diriyah: Where Heritage Finds Its Voice" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-12. https://menwith.com/bab-samhan-in-diriyah-where-heritage-finds-its-voice --- ## The Daytona, in Living Color: What Sotheby’s Archive Tells Us About Rolex’s Wilder Streak - URL: https://menwith.com/the-daytona-in-living-color-what-sothebys-archive-tells-us-about-rolexs-wilder-streak - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-11 - Tags: Sotheby’s **Summary:** Sotheby's archives reveal Rolex's bold Daytona designs from the late '90s/early '00s, featuring gemstone and MOP dials. These watches redefined the chronograph's aesthetic, proving color can be serious and refined. For many, the Daytona is a Panda, monochrome, white, black and steel. Scripture for the modern sports watch. Yet the Sotheby’s archive reminds us that Rolex has long tested bolder ideas, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when mother-of-pearl, gemstone dials and lizard straps put color on the grid. The result was not novelty for novelty’s sake, but a discreet shift in what a serious chronograph could look like on a serious wrist. Five vivid Rolex Daytona references from the Sotheby’s archive show how a motorsport icon became a legitimate canvas for color. Turquoise on White Gold: Cosmograph Beach 116519, 2006 Sold in October 2024 for 660,000 HKD, this white gold Beach model is the boldest of the set. The sky-blue turquoise dial sits cool and flat, its surface reading like polished stone under light, while black lacquer-filled quarter indexes cut through the color with intent. A matching blue lizard strap adds a subtle grain you feel with the fingertips. Original guarantee and period presentation pieces aided its appeal, but the real story is how confidently it wears summer tones without feeling disposable. Yellow Mother-of-Pearl: Cosmograph Beach 116519, circa 2000 Hammering at 384,000 HKD in the same Hong Kong sale, the yellow mother-of-pearl variant is exuberant but not loud. MOP is not paint. It shimmers, catching light at the edge of every sub-dial, the white gold Roman numerals staying razor crisp against the dial’s shifting tones. The yellow lizard strap nods to the collection’s name without tipping into costume. It is the Daytona as sunshine, and it works because the base watch is still all business. Green Chalcedony: Beach 116519, circa 2002 At 63,500 CHF in Geneva, the green chalcedony edition remains one of the series’ most intriguing. Chalcedony is semi-translucent with a soft, milky depth, so the dial reads like cooled glass rather than gem-glitz. The color has weight without shine, more forest canopy than jewel box. On white gold, the combination feels earthy and refined, a quiet rebuttal to the idea that color must shout to be confident. Zenith Era, Pink MOP: Reference 16519, 1997 Sold in September 2023 for 27,940 USD, this 16519 pairs a pink mother-of-pearl dial with the Caliber 4030, the celebrated Zenith-based movement that powered Daytona chronographs before Rolex moved in-house. The hue is soft and even, with that nacreous ripple that only MOP can deliver when the wrist turns. Collectors who value provenance will clock the period-correct mechanics, while the price suggests the sweet spot where historical significance meets wearable elegance. Zenith Finale, Diamonds on Pink MOP: Reference 16519, circa 2000 A later 16519, sold in May 2024 for 48,260 CHF, represents the end of the Zenith run. The P-serial marks the last chapter for Caliber 4030. Diamond hour markers spark clean flashes at each tap of the wrist, lifting the pink MOP without tipping into excess. In historical terms it is the curtain call before Rolex’s in-house chronograph era, and that transition gives the watch a quiet gravity that the market increasingly respects. These results show a steady reappraisal of the colorful Daytona. What some dismissed as fashion watches are now recognized as coherent designs that expanded the model’s language. The choice of materials matters. Mother-of-pearl and chalcedony are not painted dials. They bring texture, light play and natural variance, which means each example is slightly its own. That uniqueness, plus correct paperwork and original accoutrements, is exactly what the secondary market rewards. For the modern gentleman, the takeaway is simple. Color can be serious. A turquoise or pink dial does not cancel the Daytona’s tool watch DNA, it reframes it. In a world where boardrooms and weekend tables look less uniform, these references slot into a wardrobe the way unstructured tailoring did a decade ago. New silhouette, same backbone. Sotheby’s, with its global pipeline and regular watch calendars, remains a credible place to find such pieces, from the approachable Zenith-era 16519 to the rarer Beach variants. Prices across these sales underline a market that values craft, provenance and tasteful risk. When a chronograph with racing heritage can carry a gemstone dial and still feel authentic, it tells you something about where men’s style has quietly moved. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-daytona-in-living-color-what-sothebys-archive-tells-us-about-rolexs-wilder-streak — Citation: "The Daytona, in Living Color: What Sotheby’s Archive Tells Us About Rolex’s Wilder Streak" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-11. https://menwith.com/the-daytona-in-living-color-what-sothebys-archive-tells-us-about-rolexs-wilder-streak --- ## Dior Plants a New Standard on Rodeo Drive - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-plants-a-new-standard-on-rodeo-drive - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-11 - Tags: Dior **Summary:** Dior's new Rodeo Drive flagship blends fashion, art, and hospitality, creating a complete brand universe calibrated for California. The space emphasizes natural elements, curated art, and a Michelin-starred restaurant, offering a refined, experience-driven encounter for the modern gentleman. Los Angeles does not pretend to be Paris. It does not need to. With the opening of House of Dior Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive, the Maison recognizes what the city actually offers: a direct line to film history, a climate that rewards indoor–outdoor living, and an audience fluent in both classic tailoring and modern informality. The result reads less like a store and more like a complete Dior universe, calibrated for California. Peter Marino, Dior’s longtime architectural collaborator, sets the tone. The new flagship is shaped by the natural world that Christian Dior loved, floral motifs and organic references integrated across four floors. The effect is controlled and serene. Light falls through the spaces in broad planes, softening polished surfaces, while curated artworks selected by Marino and Dior punctuate the flow. It is not a gallery, yet art is treated as part of the wardrobe’s landscape. Menswear sits alongside leather goods, jewelry, and fragrance, and the mood is consistent: refined, uncluttered, comfortable to navigate. You feel the coolness of stone underfoot and hear the low hush that suggests real conversation rather than performance. The brand’s decision to add hospitality at scale is the real pivot. On the third floor, Monsieur Dior becomes the Maison’s first restaurant outside Paris, entrusted to Dominique Crenn, who holds three Michelin stars. This is not a cameo. The menu takes cues from Dior’s archive and its enduring Hollywood ties, likely finding a middle ground between French precision and California produce without lapsing into novelty. Expect the accents to be visual as well as culinary, a line or silhouette echoed in plating, a material reference in tableware. In a city where lunch is a meeting and dinner is a screening, the proposition is clear. The room carries the low shimmer of glassware and the quiet tempo of a serious dining room, not a scene. Above, private lounges echo the intimacy of 30 Montaigne. The top-floor spaces are designed for discretion, which remains the ultimate luxury in Hollywood. A verdant terrace offers views across Beverly Hills, a setting that favors slow decisions and longer conversations. The greenery is not incidental. It extends the concept of a house connected to nature, and it softens the geometry of luxury retail in a way that fits Southern California’s temperament. Sun on foliage, a breeze across stone, the city turning gold in late afternoon, then quiet. Context matters. The luxury industry has spent the past decade evolving flagships into cultural platforms. Retail alone is not enough for the world’s top maisons, and Rodeo Drive has been catching up to that reality. Dior’s move is a full-throated endorsement of Los Angeles as more than a satellite to New York. It is a vote for the West Coast’s particular blend of cinema, design, and casual wealth, and for a clientele that prefers experience to spectacle. Some will see a temple to consumption. More accurately, it is a precise edit of how people now want to encounter a brand: with time, with art on the walls, and with a proper meal upstairs. For the modern gentleman, the implications are practical. A suite of ready-to-wear and leather goods presented with clarity, jewelry and fragrance within easy reach, followed by a restaurant that can host a discreet deal or a quiet celebration. The setting encourages better choices. Touch a jacket, feel the knit, step into daylight, consider it. Then sit down to dinner where the references are subtle and the service unhurried. This is retail as a day well spent. Dior has long enjoyed a relationship with Hollywood, so the location is more continuity than stunt. What is new is the completeness of the offering. Architecture, art, fashion, fragrance, dining, and privacy are aligned, not layered. It will not please everyone who prefers fashion to remain a specialist pursuit, but it captures where the industry is already headed: maisons as cultural ecosystems that earn your time, not just your spend. The House of Dior Beverly Hills is not loud. It does not need to shout to be heard on Rodeo Drive. It speaks quietly and clearly, which, in this city, is the surer way to last. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-plants-a-new-standard-on-rodeo-drive — Citation: "Dior Plants a New Standard on Rodeo Drive" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-11. https://menwith.com/dior-plants-a-new-standard-on-rodeo-drive --- ## Lamborghini Temerario Super Trofeo – The New Definition of Racing Elegance - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-temerario-super-trofeo-the-new-definition-of-racing-elegance - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-11 - Tags: Lamborghini, Menwithclass, Motor, Racing, Temerario Super Trofeo **Summary:** Lamborghini unveils the Temerario Super Trofeo, a V8 twin-turbo race car debuting in 2027. It blends Italian design, advanced materials, and performance for a new era in customer racing. At the 2025 World Finals in Misano, Lamborghini unveiled the Temerario Super Trofeo – a masterpiece that blurs the line between art and engineering. It is not merely a racing machine, but a statement of intent: a fusion of precision, power, and unmistakable Italian design. Set to debut across global Super Trofeo championships in 2027, the Temerario represents a new era in Lamborghini’s customer racing program. Following the immense success of the Huracán Super Trofeo series, which dominated the past decade with over 560 races and more than 1,300 drivers worldwide, this next chapter builds on a legacy of performance that defines the Lamborghini name. Every line and surface of the Temerario Super Trofeo has been sculpted for purpose – from its lightweight ALU/CFK hybrid chassis to the integrated FIA roll cage that ensures both rigidity and safety. Beneath the bodywork lies a rear-wheel-drive, twin-turbo V8 engine producing 650 CV, paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox. The setup delivers a visceral driving experience tailored for both rising talents and seasoned competitors. A Fusion of Performance and Craftsmanship Inside, the Temerario reveals Lamborghini’s unwavering commitment to detail. The cockpit introduces Dinamica Infinity, a pioneering suede-like material made entirely from PES fibers – luxurious to the touch yet resilient for track use. Every surface, stitch, and contour reinforces the idea that race cars can be both beautiful and brutal. Supported by partners such as Pertamina, Capristo, KW, and BMC, the Temerario Super Trofeo embodies the synergy between high-performance technology and aesthetic refinement. Each component serves a dual purpose: to enhance driving precision while maintaining the elegance expected of a Lamborghini. As CEO Stephan Winkelmann emphasized, customer racing has become a cornerstone of Lamborghini’s strategy, and the Temerario Super Trofeo is its boldest expression yet. For the drivers who step into this car, it represents more than competition; it’s an invitation into Lamborghini’s exclusive world, where passion, innovation, and performance converge. With the Temerario Super Trofeo, Lamborghini has redefined what it means to race in style – transforming the track into the ultimate stage for luxury performance. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-temerario-super-trofeo-the-new-definition-of-racing-elegance — Citation: "Lamborghini Temerario Super Trofeo – The New Definition of Racing Elegance" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-11. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-temerario-super-trofeo-the-new-definition-of-racing-elegance --- ## Lamborghini Temerario Super Trofeo – The New Definition of Racing Elegance - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-temerario-super-trofeo-8211-the-new-definition-of-racing-elegance - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-11 - Tags: Lamborghini, Menwithclass, Motor, Racing, Temerario Super Trofeo **Summary:** Lamborghini unveils the Temerario Super Trofeo, a V8 twin-turbo race car debuting in 2027. It fuses precision engineering, Italian design, and luxury materials like Dinamica Infinity. At the 2025 World Finals in Misano, Lamborghini unveiled the Temerario Super Trofeo – a masterpiece that blurs the line between art and engineering. It is not merely a racing machine, but a statement of intent: a fusion of precision, power, and unmistakable Italian design. Set to debut across global Super Trofeo championships in 2027, the Temerario represents a new era in Lamborghini’s customer racing program. Following the immense success of the Huracán Super Trofeo series, which dominated the past decade with over 560 races and more than 1,300 drivers worldwide, this next chapter builds on a legacy of performance that defines the Lamborghini name. Every line and surface of the Temerario Super Trofeo has been sculpted for purpose – from its lightweight ALU/CFK hybrid chassis to the integrated FIA roll cage that ensures both rigidity and safety. Beneath the bodywork lies a rear-wheel-drive, twin-turbo V8 engine producing 650 CV, paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox. The setup delivers a visceral driving experience tailored for both rising talents and seasoned competitors. A Fusion of Performance and Craftsmanship Inside, the Temerario reveals Lamborghini’s unwavering commitment to detail. The cockpit introduces Dinamica Infinity, a pioneering suede-like material made entirely from PES fibers – luxurious to the touch yet resilient for track use. Every surface, stitch, and contour reinforces the idea that race cars can be both beautiful and brutal. Supported by partners such as Pertamina, Capristo, KW, and BMC, the Temerario Super Trofeo embodies the synergy between high-performance technology and aesthetic refinement. Each component serves a dual purpose: to enhance driving precision while maintaining the elegance expected of a Lamborghini. As CEO Stephan Winkelmann emphasized, customer racing has become a cornerstone of Lamborghini’s strategy, and the Temerario Super Trofeo is its boldest expression yet. For the drivers who step into this car, it represents more than competition; it’s an invitation into Lamborghini’s exclusive world, where passion, innovation, and performance converge. With the Temerario Super Trofeo, Lamborghini has redefined what it means to race in style – transforming the track into the ultimate stage for luxury performance. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-temerario-super-trofeo-8211-the-new-definition-of-racing-elegance — Citation: "Lamborghini Temerario Super Trofeo – The New Definition of Racing Elegance" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-11. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-temerario-super-trofeo-8211-the-new-definition-of-racing-elegance --- ## Forever, Senna - URL: https://menwith.com/forever-senna - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-10 - Tags: F1, McLaren **Summary:** Ayrton Senna's iconic McLaren MP4/6-1, the car from his legendary 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix win, is heading to auction. This historic F1 machine, a V-12 manual masterpiece, is expected to fetch $12-15 million. For many Brazilians, the sound of rain on a Sunday in March 1991 still carries a certain electricity. That was the day Ayrton Senna, drained to the point of collapse, finally won his home Grand Prix. He had come close before, too close, but never quite reached the top step at Interlagos. When he finally did, fighting a crippled McLaren over the closing laps, he offered something beyond sport: endurance, faith, and the feeling that human limits could bend. The car that carried him there, McLaren MP4/6-1, is now set to cross the auction block. Displayed first at Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week in early December, it will be offered from its sole private owner with an estimated sale price between 12 and 15 million US dollars. The opportunity is, in every sense, unrepeatable. The Race That Defined Him Senna’s victory in São Paulo has long been framed as divine intervention. Starting from pole, he led early but came under heavy pressure from Nigel Mansell’s Williams. Only when Mansell’s gearbox failed did Senna’s own troubles begin. Fourth gear disappeared, then fifth, and soon after sixth nearly followed. In the closing laps he was locked in top gear, his car barely able to crawl through the slower corners. Yet somehow, through the worsening drizzle, he managed to hold off Riccardo Patrese by less than three seconds. When the flag fell, Senna could barely lift the trophy. “By the finish I had nothing left,” he said later. “God gave me this race.” It was his first home win, the hardest of his career, and the moment that crystallised his legend. A Masterpiece of Its Era MP4/6-1 was more than just the vessel for that victory. It was the first chassis of McLaren’s 1991 campaign, the very car Senna tested alongside Gerhard Berger at Estoril that February. Designed by Neil Oatley, it was a study in precision: a 3.5-litre Honda V-12 capable of 720 horsepower, spinning to 13,800 rpm, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox and wrapped in a carbon-fibre monocoque. The MP4/6 would go on to claim eight wins that season, securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships and marking Senna’s third and final world title. It also holds a technical footnote in racing history. It was the last car with a manual gearbox and a naturally aspirated V-12 engine to win the Formula 1 World Championship. From Factory Treasure to Auction Star After the 1991 season, chassis MP4/6-1 was retired and kept by McLaren for nearly three decades. Before being sold to its current owner in 2020, it was fully recommissioned to race-ready condition by McLaren Heritage. More recently, it has been inspected and run by marque specialist Lanzante Ltd in Petersfield. The car will be offered with a McLaren Certificate of Authenticity and the full suite of supporting equipment, including an external starter, fuel primer, engine pre-heater, and more. For the new custodian, it represents not just a piece of history but a living, functioning machine prepared to run as it once did on that unforgettable day. Legacy, Made Tangible Senna’s MP4/6-1 is more than a car. It is a story bound in carbon fibre, a moment in time when mastery met adversity and willpower overcame machinery. Few machines can claim to have carried a driver to immortality. This one did, on a rain-slick circuit in São Paulo almost 35 years ago. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/forever-senna — Citation: "Forever, Senna" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-10. https://menwith.com/forever-senna --- ## The Rarest Steel: Patek Philippe’s Ref. 1518 Breaks Records in Geneva - URL: https://menwith.com/the-rarest-steel-patek-philippes-ref-1518-breaks-records-in-geneva - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-08 - Tags: Patek Philippe **Summary:** Patek Philippe's Ref. 1518 in stainless steel, the first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, shattered auction records, selling for $17.6M. Its rarity, historical significance, and pristine condition underscore its enduring value. In November 1944, with war still reshaping Europe, a man named Joseph Lang walked out of a Patek Philippe retailer in Budapest with a wristwatch that would become iconic. It had no gold case, no gemstones, and no decorative flourish. It was made of stainless steel. And yet it housed a perpetual calendar, a chronograph, and the quiet precision that would come to define modern watchmaking. Eighty-one years later, that same watch has become the most expensive vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch ever sold at auction. Tonight, at Phillips in Geneva, it achieved a winning bid of 14.2 million Swiss francs, or roughly 17.6 million dollars. It is an extraordinary figure. But this was never just a watch. The First of Four The reference 1518, introduced by Patek Philippe in 1941, was the first wristwatch to pair a perpetual calendar and chronograph in serial production. Over the next 14 years, 281 examples were produced, nearly all in gold. Only four were made in stainless steel. This example, case number 508473, is believed to be the first. A small engraved “1” inside the caseback marks its place in the sequence. Steel was not typically used for complicated watches in the 1940s. It was functional, reserved for instruments and everyday wear. Why Patek chose it for this small run remains unclear. It may have been a wartime necessity, a test, or a quiet commission. Whatever the reason, Patek never repeated it. Preserved at Every Level The watch remains in extraordinary condition. The case, made by Georges Croisier, shows no signs of polishing. The surfaces are sharp and well defined. The lugs retain their original geometry, and the pushers and crown are correct and undisturbed. Inside, the manually wound Caliber 13’’’130 Q is as refined as any movement of the period. Beneath the dial, the backs of the calendar discs are engraved with the full movement number. These details were never meant to be seen. They were completed by hand because that was the standard. The dial itself was made by Stern Frères and shows no restoration. The black enamel signature is crisp, the scales precise, and the layout balanced. It offers complexity without clutter, form without excess. A Watch from an Unstable Time Joseph Lang purchased this watch on February 22, 1944. At that point, Hungary had broken its alliance with Nazi Germany. The country was uncertain, and the future unknown. Lang also acquired a second steel 1518 that day, both watches delivered to him in Budapest. Their purpose remains undocumented. What is known is that both remained in Hungary for decades, eventually resurfacing in the late 20th century. To buy a timepiece of this significance in a moment of political and social collapse suggests something beyond collecting. It reflects a belief in what endures. Back at Auction This same watch set a record in 2016, when it sold at Phillips for just over 11 million francs. At the time, it was the most expensive wristwatch ever sold. This year, it returned to auction and surpassed that figure. Bidding was limited to those in the room and on the phone. It unfolded slowly. The watch was not marketed as a spectacle. It did not need to be. The new result reflects more than rarity. It is a recognition of historical weight and uncompromised condition. Few watches, vintage or modern, carry both. Why This Watch Matters Records come and go, but certain watches remain. The Ref. 1518 in steel is one of them. It is not famous for its materials, nor its size or design. It is respected because of what it represents. A mechanical achievement. A wartime artifact. A piece of watchmaking history that sits quietly apart from trends and marketing. Patek Philippe never made another perpetual calendar chronograph in steel. That fact alone sets the 1518 apart. That this example has survived in near-original condition, fully documented, and twice sold at world-record levels places it in a class few objects reach. It may leave public view for some time. But the story is written. Not only as a rare wristwatch, but as a reminder of what happens when precision, timing, and restraint meet in the right hands. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-rarest-steel-patek-philippes-ref-1518-breaks-records-in-geneva — Citation: "The Rarest Steel: Patek Philippe’s Ref. 1518 Breaks Records in Geneva" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-08. https://menwith.com/the-rarest-steel-patek-philippes-ref-1518-breaks-records-in-geneva --- ## In the Quiet Fields of England, Denim Finds Its Poise - URL: https://menwith.com/in-the-quiet-fields-of-england-denim-finds-its-poise - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-08 - Tags: Louis Vuitton, LVMH **Summary:** Pharrell Williams' Louis Vuitton Pre-Spring/Summer 2026 collection reimagines denim in the English countryside. Jude Bellingham showcases sophisticated, waxed denim pieces with heritage nods and modern fits. Pharrell Williams’ latest chapter for Louis Vuitton Men’s, the Pre-Spring/Summer 2026 collection, opens not on a Paris runway but in the calm of the English countryside. The setting, all soft greens and misted horizons, feels intentional. This is Pharrell in conversation with heritage, interpreting classic country dress codes through a contemporary, dandy-inflected lens. The result is a wardrobe that speaks quietly about modern luxury, grounded in texture, craft, and character. At the center of it all is denim. Not the rough utility cloth of its origins, but something altogether more sophisticated. Jude Bellingham, appearing as a Friend of the House, wears it as it was meant to be seen. His look, built around a deep Night Sky trucker jacket and matching pants, captures the balance of heritage and innovation. The jacket is cut from velvety flocked denim that has been overdyed and wax-treated to achieve a rich, weathered patina. The corduroy collar nods to British outdoor tailoring, while the stamped Monogram details lend a quiet reminder of Parisian precision. The matching pants follow the same conversation between countryside and city. Their relaxed skate fit softens the structure, allowing movement without sacrificing form. The waxed denim adds a tactile quality that feels purposeful rather than polished. Together, jacket and trousers create a silhouette that feels lived in yet refined, practical yet distinctly luxurious. The accessories continue this dialogue. The Pocket Organizer in Monogram Forest coated canvas adds a subtle touch of whimsy, its illustrated woodland creatures contrasting against the Maison’s classic motif. On the feet, the LV Tilted sneakers reinterpret early-2000s volumes through fine materials. Navy suede, VVN leather details, and a Damier-pattern sole connect nostalgia to craftsmanship, sport to sophistication. Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton thrives in this space between old and new. His work is not about spectacle but about synthesis, about the quiet interplay between legacy and modernity. With Jude Bellingham embodying that spirit, poised, understated, and confident: the collection finds its rhythm in restraint. In the stillness of the countryside, Louis Vuitton’s denim stands out not for what it shouts, but for what it whispers: the beauty of materials shaped by time, intention, and care. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/in-the-quiet-fields-of-england-denim-finds-its-poise — Citation: "In the Quiet Fields of England, Denim Finds Its Poise" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-08. https://menwith.com/in-the-quiet-fields-of-england-denim-finds-its-poise --- ## Plugged Into the Volcano: Lamborghini Urus SE in Lanzarote - URL: https://menwith.com/plugged-into-the-volcano-lamborghini-urus-se-in-lanzarote - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-07 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** The Lamborghini Urus SE blends its signature dramatic style with plug-in hybrid power, offering refined performance and surprising daily usability. Lanzarote's dramatic landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for this versatile super SUV. Scene first. Lamborghini’s Esperienza Avventura chose Lanzarote for a reason. Black lava flows, cubist white villages and the legacy of artist-environmentalist César Manrique make the island a masterclass in drama and restraint. It suits the Urus SE, Lamborghini’s plug-in hybrid evolution of its best-selling Super SUV, which now mixes silent electric creep with the brand’s signature theatre. The Urus remains a rolling exclamation point. The SE does not tone that down; it refines it. The Y-motifs, hard creases and broad shoulders are still unapologetically Lamborghini, yet there is a cleaner, more technical look to the details that fits the electrified brief. Parked against Lanzarote’s lunar vistas, the stance reads purposeful rather than cartoonish. It is still polarising. Owners want that. Inside, the Urus SE walks the line between race-inspired and resort-ready. Materials feel deeply considered, from leather and Alcantara to precise switchgear, with enough screen real estate to keep a pilot busy. The hybrid interface adds genuine utility, letting you choose between preserving charge, pure EV running in town or just letting the system juggle it. Some will wish for fewer menus and more tactile controls, yet the seating position, visibility and space make this a rare Lamborghini you could daily without bracing for compromise. Numbers matter, but character matters more. The reworked 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 pairs with an electric motor for a combined 800 CV and up to 950 Nm. Translation on Lanzarote’s twisting routes: instant shove from the e-motor that smooths the first hit of acceleration, then a deep-chested surge as the V8 wakes. In electric mode it glides past lava walls with an almost mischievous hush. Prod the right pedal and the soundtrack returns, richer than you expect for a turbo V8, if not as operatic as Lamborghini’s V12s. The tech does the heavy lifting. A new central torque vectoring system and an electronic limited-slip differential shuffle power transparently, giving the front end a keener nose than the size suggests. It is still a big, heavy SUV, and you feel that in tight hairpins or over sharp ridges, but body control is disciplined and the brakes confidence inspiring. Pushed hard on rugged tarmac, you sense clever software keeping mass in check rather than pure lightness. That is fine, and honest. Rivals are not sitting still. Aston’s DBX707 brings raw theatre, Ferrari’s Purosangue trades hybrid talk for a spine-tingling V12, Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid is the stealth athlete, and the Lotus Eletre goes fully electric. The Urus SE’s edge is that it feels unapologetically Lamborghini while being easier to live with than its image suggests. EV mode suits hotel arrivals and historic centers, but enthusiastic driving drains charge quickly. The infotainment demands a learning curve. The styling will still divide dinner tables. All part of the appeal. In Lanzarote, the Urus SE felt entirely in its element. The hybrid layer adds nuance without neutering the fun, the chassis brains make the mass behave, and the cabin nails the luxury brief. It is not subtle and never tries to be. That honesty, combined with newfound versatility, is why the Urus SE remains the most convincing expression of the super SUV idea right now. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/plugged-into-the-volcano-lamborghini-urus-se-in-lanzarote — Citation: "Plugged Into the Volcano: Lamborghini Urus SE in Lanzarote" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-07. https://menwith.com/plugged-into-the-volcano-lamborghini-urus-se-in-lanzarote --- ## Belmond’s Orient Express Sets Course for the Amalfi Coast - URL: https://menwith.com/belmonds-orient-express-sets-course-for-the-amalfi-coast - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2025-11-06 - Tags: Belmond, Orient Express, Amalfi Coast, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Villeggiatura by Train, Caruso A Belmond Hotel, Pompeii, Slow Travel **Summary:** Belmond's Orient Express launches a new Paris-Amalfi Coast route in 2026, emphasizing slow travel and heritage. The "Villeggiatura by Train" experience connects iconic destinations with a focus on ritual and deliberate journeys. There is something about the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that quiets the noise of modern travel. The soft clatter of wheels, the glint of cut crystal against polished marquetry, the rhythm that makes a jacket feel right at lunch. In May 2026, Belmond will give that ritual a new direction. For the first time, the legendary train will run from Paris to the Amalfi Coast, linking two of Europe’s most storied landscapes by rail. The three-night itinerary, called Villeggiatura by Train, is built around slow travel. It begins as tradition requires, with Champagne in Art Deco carriages designed for conversation rather than haste. Historic Cabins with lacquered veneers, Suites with deep armchairs, and Grand Suites with private dining setups all reflect Belmond’s quiet precision. Dinner arrives under white linen and silver, the air scented with beeswax and citrus. The route moves through the familiar poetry of rivers and peaks before the cliffs of Ravello appear. A new stop in Pompeii adds substance rather than novelty. It is not about ticking a box but about context, the chance to walk streets frozen by ash and sunlight, to touch stone that has held centuries of warmth. The pause connects eras of travel, from grand tour to grand hotel to grand rail. From there, guests continue to Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast, perched high above the sea. The rhythm changes from the train’s measured sway to coastal stillness. The scent of lemon zest and salt, the hush of hanging gardens at dusk, the feeling of time stretching. Programming stays close to place, from open-air cooking demonstrations and private boat tours to the option of doing nothing at all. Pascal Deyrolle, General Manager of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, calls the route a celebration of art de vivre, heritage and emotion. The idea works because Belmond has been creating a connected system rather than a collection of routes. Its strength lies in linking its icons, and pairing the train with Caruso feels natural. It continues a strategy that favors coherence over novelty. The timing is right. High-end travel is turning from short, fragmented weekends toward longer journeys that feel intentional. Rail, when done at this level, offers an antidote to airport churn. You check in once, dress for dinner, and sleep as Europe passes by. There is also a quiet return to experiences that can be remembered without a screen. The weight of wood under the fingertips, the slow pour of a martini, a view framed by a carriage window. The Paris to Amalfi journey meets that instinct without overreaching. The Amalfi Coast is delicate and often overburdened. A fixed-capacity train and a hotel known for restraint cannot solve that, but they represent a slower, more deliberate rhythm. The value lies not in reaching somewhere exclusive, but in how you reach it and the continuity of tone between journey and stay. For the modern traveler, this is travel as conduct. It asks for a light suit, a book worth finishing, and the willingness to follow the schedule rather than fight it. Breakfast on starched cloth as sunlight catches the glass, a quiet hour after lunch as the Alps pass by, a walk in a garden where water is the only sound. None of it is performative, all of it is deliberate. The confirmed details are simple. Three nights from Paris to Amalfi with a stop in Pompeii and a stay at Caruso. Pricing has not been announced, but the intent is unmistakable. This is not a trophy route. It is a confident extension of a classic. The Orient Express to the Amalfi Coast will not change the world, but it may recalibrate a few calendars. For those who value pace, ritual and the art of watching Europe unfold, it is a chapter worth reading. That is enough. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/belmonds-orient-express-sets-course-for-the-amalfi-coast — Citation: "Belmond’s Orient Express Sets Course for the Amalfi Coast" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-06. https://menwith.com/belmonds-orient-express-sets-course-for-the-amalfi-coast --- ## AMIRI × FC Barcelona: Where Tailoring Meets Team Spirit - URL: https://menwith.com/amiri-fc-barcelona-where-tailoring-meets-team-spirit - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-05 - Tags: Sports, Amiri, fashion, FC Barcelona, Menwith **Summary:** AMIRI partners with FC Barcelona for formalwear, blending LA cool with Catalan prestige. The collection features tailored pieces for men and women, showcasing a fusion of sport and luxury design. When luxury tailoring meets world-class football, the result is more than a partnership – it’s a statement. The newly unveiled AMIRI × FC Barcelona collection marks the beginning of a multi-year collaboration that positions the Los Angeles–based fashion house as the club’s official formalwear partner through the 2029/30 season. The partnership bridges two worlds that share an obsession with craft, performance, and identity. For AMIRI, founded by Mike Amiri and known for blending Californian cool with meticulous tailoring, this is a global stage to reimagine what modern sports formalwear can be. For FC Barcelona, it’s an opportunity to express the club’s prestige and character off the pitch – a continuation of its “more than a club” philosophy through design. The debut collection introduces a refined vision of travel and presentation dressing for both the men’s and women’s first teams. The winter wardrobe anchors itself in deep navy wool, a subtle nod to Barça’s traditional colours. Overcoats are sharply cut with six-button silhouettes, paired with double-breasted blazers for men and single-breasted versions for women. Beneath them, crisp white-on-navy pinstripe shirts meet flared wool trousers, and the look is finished with blaugrana-striped ties and gold-bar tie clips – small but meaningful details that mirror the precision of the game itself. As the season warms, the mood softens. Lightweight tailoring and relaxed blousons replace heavy wool, echoing AMIRI’s Californian roots. The collection’s summer iteration introduces subtle embroidery that blends the AMIRI monogram with FC Barcelona’s crest, weaving two identities into one. It’s luxury with motion – made for players constantly in transit yet always in style. What makes this collaboration stand out is not just its visual harmony, but the intent behind it. Both AMIRI and Barcelona understand presentation as performance. Just as players express artistry on the field, fashion becomes their language off it. “Soccer and fashion share a spirit, born from passion, precision, and creativity,” Mike Amiri notes – and the garments capture exactly that: a balance of discipline and flair. In a broader sense, this partnership reflects the shifting dialogue between sport and style. Luxury fashion houses are no longer content to simply dress athletes; they’re co-authoring culture. For AMIRI, whose aesthetic has evolved from rock-infused streetwear into contemporary elegance, the connection to one of the world’s most storied clubs reinforces its global sophistication. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona continues to lead in redefining what a football brand can represent. By including both the men’s and women’s squads in the tailoring program, the club signals progress, equality, and modern taste – values that align seamlessly with AMIRI’s own direction. The AMIRI × FC Barcelona collection isn’t just about suits and coats; it’s about legacy dressed in the language of now. It reminds us that the game’s influence stretches beyond the stadium, into the runways, the streets, and the way we imagine excellence itself. Together, AMIRI and Barcelona are proving that form and function, sport and sophistication, can play on the same team – and look remarkable doing it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/amiri-fc-barcelona-where-tailoring-meets-team-spirit — Citation: "AMIRI × FC Barcelona: Where Tailoring Meets Team Spirit" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-05. https://menwith.com/amiri-fc-barcelona-where-tailoring-meets-team-spirit --- ## Dior Opens Its First Boutique in Stockholm – A Landmark Moment for Scandinavian Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-opens-its-first-boutique-in-stockholm-8211-a-landmark-moment-for-scandinavian-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-05 - Tags: Dior, Menwith, Menwithclass, Stockholm **Summary:** Dior inaugurates its first Stockholm boutique, a significant expansion into Scandinavian luxury. The 500 sqm store on Birger Jarlsgatan 15 will offer a full range of Dior creations, reinforcing Stockholm's status as a global fashion hub. Paris meets Stockholm. For the first time ever, the House of Dior is opening a dedicated boutique in Sweden – a long-anticipated arrival for one of the world’s most discerning fashion capitals. Set to open its doors on Birger Jarlsgatan 15, the city’s elegant shopping enclave, the new store will span approximately 500 square meters across two levels, designed to reflect the modern codes of Dior’s timeless allure. This is more than just a retail expansion – it’s a cultural moment. For decades, Swedish consumers have sought Dior’s pieces abroad, from Avenue Montaigne to Bond Street. Now, that world-class experience is coming home. The boutique will house a full range of Dior’s creations, from men’s and women’s ready-to-wear to leather goods, footwear, and accessories – marking the brand’s most comprehensive presence in the country to date. The move also underscores Dior’s confidence in Stockholm as a rising luxury hub. Over the past decade, the Swedish capital has quietly transformed into a stage for understated elegance, balancing Nordic minimalism with global sophistication. The arrival of Dior joins a lineup of other heritage maisons in Bibliotekstan, reinforcing the district’s role as the beating heart of Scandinavian luxury retail. Although Dior has not confirmed an exact opening date, the boutique is expected to welcome its first visitors during 2026. Behind the project stands Hufvudstaden AB, one of Sweden’s leading property owners, known for curating a portfolio of high-end retail environments that marry heritage architecture with modern luxury. With its clean geometry, glass façades, and inviting symmetry, the upcoming Dior boutique will likely channel the design language seen in recent flagships from Paris, Seoul, and Tokyo – spaces that blur the line between boutique and art gallery. Each architectural detail, from materials to lighting, will echo the French maison’s devotion to elegance, craftsmanship, and the beauty of form. For Stockholm, this opening is more than just another name on Birger Jarlsgatan. It’s a declaration: the Nordic style capital is ready to play on the global stage. More about fashion here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-opens-its-first-boutique-in-stockholm-8211-a-landmark-moment-for-scandinavian-luxury — Citation: "Dior Opens Its First Boutique in Stockholm – A Landmark Moment for Scandinavian Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-05. https://menwith.com/dior-opens-its-first-boutique-in-stockholm-8211-a-landmark-moment-for-scandinavian-luxury --- ## Dior Opens Its First Boutique in Stockholm – A Landmark Moment for Scandinavian Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-opens-its-first-boutique-in-stockholm-a-landmark-moment-for-scandinavian-luxury - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-05 - Tags: Dior, Menwith, Menwithclass, Stockholm **Summary:** Dior opens its first Stockholm boutique, a significant expansion into Scandinavian luxury. The 500sqm store on Birger Jarlsgatan will offer a full range of Dior creations, reinforcing Stockholm's status as a global fashion hub. Paris meets Stockholm. For the first time ever, the House of Dior is opening a dedicated boutique in Sweden – a long-anticipated arrival for one of the world’s most discerning fashion capitals. Set to open its doors on Birger Jarlsgatan 15, the city’s elegant shopping enclave, the new store will span approximately 500 square meters across two levels, designed to reflect the modern codes of Dior’s timeless allure. This is more than just a retail expansion – it’s a cultural moment. For decades, Swedish consumers have sought Dior’s pieces abroad, from Avenue Montaigne to Bond Street. Now, that world-class experience is coming home. The boutique will house a full range of Dior’s creations, from men’s and women’s ready-to-wear to leather goods, footwear, and accessories – marking the brand’s most comprehensive presence in the country to date. The move also underscores Dior’s confidence in Stockholm as a rising luxury hub. Over the past decade, the Swedish capital has quietly transformed into a stage for understated elegance, balancing Nordic minimalism with global sophistication. The arrival of Dior joins a lineup of other heritage maisons in Bibliotekstan, reinforcing the district’s role as the beating heart of Scandinavian luxury retail. Although Dior has not confirmed an exact opening date, the boutique is expected to welcome its first visitors during 2026. Behind the project stands Hufvudstaden AB, one of Sweden’s leading property owners, known for curating a portfolio of high-end retail environments that marry heritage architecture with modern luxury. With its clean geometry, glass façades, and inviting symmetry, the upcoming Dior boutique will likely channel the design language seen in recent flagships from Paris, Seoul, and Tokyo – spaces that blur the line between boutique and art gallery. Each architectural detail, from materials to lighting, will echo the French maison’s devotion to elegance, craftsmanship, and the beauty of form. For Stockholm, this opening is more than just another name on Birger Jarlsgatan. It’s a declaration: the Nordic style capital is ready to play on the global stage. More about fashion here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-opens-its-first-boutique-in-stockholm-a-landmark-moment-for-scandinavian-luxury — Citation: "Dior Opens Its First Boutique in Stockholm – A Landmark Moment for Scandinavian Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-05. https://menwith.com/dior-opens-its-first-boutique-in-stockholm-a-landmark-moment-for-scandinavian-luxury --- ## TAG Heuer x Ayrton Senna – Two New Racing Icons - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-x-ayrton-senna-two-new-racing-icons - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-11-04 - Tags: Ayrton Senna, F1, Formula 1, Menwithclass, Tag Heuer **Summary:** TAG Heuer honors Ayrton Senna with two new Formula 1 Chronograph Special Editions. These watches blend advanced materials and design cues from Senna's iconic helmet, celebrating their enduring motorsport legacy. In a striking tribute to Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, TAG Heuer has unveiled two new Formula 1 Chronograph Special Editions – modern evolutions of a partnership that helped define the golden age of motorsport. Combining advanced materials with design details inspired by Senna’s iconic helmet and racing legacy, the watches embody the enduring connection between precision, performance and passion. The 44 mm automatic model is crafted from sandblasted Grade 2 titanium with a black DLC coating and powered by TAG Heuer’s Calibre 16 movement. It features a forged-carbon tachymeter bezel engraved with Senna’s signature “S” emblem, along with yellow and green details that echo the colours of Brazil and Senna’s own helmet. The watch is fitted with a bright yellow rubber strap, completing its bold, technical look and emphasizing its 200-meter water resistance. The second model, a 43 mm quartz chronograph in stainless steel, offers a more accessible yet equally evocative design. It comes with the distinctive S-link bracelet – a hallmark of Senna’s own TAG Heuer watches from the late 1980s and early 1990s. The black dial mirrors the automatic version’s aesthetic, accented with subtle flashes of yellow and the Senna logo positioned at 12 o’clock. Launched alongside the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, the two new pieces commemorate Senna’s unforgettable 1991 victory at Interlagos – a race that cemented his place as both a national hero and one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history. Every element, from the forged-carbon bezel to the color palette, channels the precision and drive that defined his career. By reintroducing these modern Senna editions, TAG Heuer once again bridges its motorsport heritage with contemporary design. The result is a pair of chronographs that not only honor the past but continue to inspire those who live for speed, focus, and the pursuit of excellence. More about watches here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-x-ayrton-senna-two-new-racing-icons — Citation: "TAG Heuer x Ayrton Senna – Two New Racing Icons" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-04. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-x-ayrton-senna-two-new-racing-icons --- ## New Jaguar Delayed. Sales Collapsed. The Car Is Not The Real Problem. - URL: https://menwith.com/new-jaguar-delayed-sales-collapsed-the-car-is-not-the-real-problem - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-04 - Tags: Jaguar **Summary:** Jaguar's electric grand tourer debut is delayed due to a disastrous rebrand that alienated customers. The car itself is praised, but marketing overshadowed its design, leading to sales collapse. Jaguar’s rebirth was meant to be a clean slate. Nearly a year later, it feels more like a vanishing act. The brand that once stood for understated British confidence is still in limbo, and now comes confirmation that its long-promised electric grand tourer will not debut this year after all. The announcement, made by managing director Rawdon Glover, surprised no one in the industry. Jaguar’s silence has already said enough. The car itself is not the villain here. The Type 00’s proportions are unmistakably grand touring: low, long, and taut, with the sense of grace Jaguar once did best. It shares certain cues with Mercedes-Benz’s Vision Iconic concept, a car that received near-universal praise a few weeks ago. The Vision Iconic showed how to be forward-looking without losing identity. It was modern, elegant, and beautifully resolved. Had Jaguar trusted its own product and let the car be the focus, the story could have been very different. The real damage came from one of the most hated rebrands in recent automotive history. Launched in 2024, it was supposed to introduce a bold new Jaguar for the electric age. Instead, it stripped away everything that once made the marque desirable. The “Live Vivid” campaign became a running joke. Its visuals, abstract shapes, postmodern slogans, and models styled like they wandered in from a children’s TV show, said nothing about heritage, design, or craftsmanship. Teletubbies sitting on a rock, someone quipped, and the internet agreed. People didn’t hate the Type 00 because it was ugly. They hated it because the marketing made it impossible to take seriously. Being extravagantly different is so overused it’s become tacky, and Jaguar’s attempt to chase that trend only made the brand look desperate. The intent was clearly to be daring, but “extravagantly different” is not the same as distinctive. Jaguar’s strength was always quiet confidence. The old cars never shouted for attention. They commanded it. The sequencing made everything worse. Jaguar pulled every existing model from sale before the new lineup was ready. Dealers had nothing to sell, loyal customers had nowhere to turn, and the brand effectively disappeared from its own market. Sales collapsed not because people stopped caring about Jaguar, but because there was nothing left to buy. When the Type 00 appeared at Art Basel Miami, it was forced to carry the weight of an identity crisis it didn’t create. If Jaguar had let the car itself be the hero, things might have gone differently. The Type 00’s proportions are right, its intent clear, and its positioning logical. It deserved to be introduced as a statement of engineering and design, not as a backdrop for branding philosophy. Instead, Jaguar buried it beneath a hollow narrative that mistook provocation for progress. There is still time to turn it around, but not unlimited. Mercedes has shown that reinvention can be achieved without theatrics. The Vision Iconic succeeded because it respected the past while looking to the future. Jaguar could do the same if it remembers what it once stood for. The company has already dismissed the agency responsible for the disastrous campaign, a necessary step, but changing firms means little without changing course. Jaguar needs to stop overthinking its image and start believing in its product again. Speak plainly. Build beautifully. Let the car do the talking. Otherwise, the cat that once taught the world how elegance moves may not be around for much longer. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/new-jaguar-delayed-sales-collapsed-the-car-is-not-the-real-problem — Citation: "New Jaguar Delayed. Sales Collapsed. The Car Is Not The Real Problem." — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-04. https://menwith.com/new-jaguar-delayed-sales-collapsed-the-car-is-not-the-real-problem --- ## Cervélo: Speed, Quietly Done - URL: https://menwith.com/cervlo-speed-quietly-done - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-11-03 - Tags: Tech, Bike, Cervelo **Summary:** Cervélo redefines cycling speed with clean lines, balance, and a focus on natural feel. Their designs prioritize aerodynamic efficiency and ride comfort across models like the S5, R5, and Caledonia-5, proven in professional racing. Some brands speak in big numbers. Cervélo speaks in clean lines, balance, and the quiet feeling of pace. You see it in the frames: sharp where they need to cut air, soft where they should carry comfort. It’s modern speed without the noise. Where it started – briefly Cervélo began with an obsession: make a bike move through air more efficiently, without losing the pure road feel. Two engineers started sketching and testing aero ideas long before it became mainstream. What followed were time trial and triathlon frames that looked different – and proved their point on race days. Then came fast road machines that took the same aero thinking onto everyday roads. From a small workshop to the world stage, the idea never changed: design speed that feels natural. The feeling of fast Riding fast is not only watts or wind tunnels. It’s how the bike sits under you in a tight turn, how stable it feels when a crosswind pushes, how your shoulders relax because the cockpit just makes sense. Cervélo’s approach is simple: remove the drama, keep the pace. Every detail – tube shapes, routing, stiffness where it matters – works toward that calm certainty when you’re moving. Three moods, one brand We like to think about bikes as moods, not just categories. Here’s how three Cervélo platforms translate into daily life: S5 – Sharp City Pace When your route is short on time and long on ambition. The S5 is made for smooth bursts, fast lanes, and quick decisions. You feel it the moment you rise out of the saddle – the bike encourages clean acceleration and then settles back into a steady, aero rhythm. It looks fast standing still, but the real magic is how composed it feels at speed. R5 – Weekend Elevation For long climbs, rolling ridges, and quiet roads where the wind sounds like a metronome. The R5 keeps things light, precise, and honest. You stand to climb and it responds; you sit to spin and it disappears beneath you. If the S5 is built to pull time on the flats, the R5 is made to give you time back on the hills. Caledonia-5 – All-Day Comfort Bad weather, mixed surfaces, longer distances – the Caledonia-5 is the bike for real life. It keeps the lines clean and the pace steady, with room for more tire and smart details that make rough days feel smooth. It’s the road bike for riders who don’t cancel when the forecast turns grey. Design that travels well Cervélo’s frames don’t ask for perfect conditions. They carry speed through crosswinds, tired legs, and city streets with uneven tarmac. That’s why they work in a lifestyle context: early rides before meetings, late loops after sunset, weekends out of town. The bikes don’t shout; they just keep you moving. A quiet kind of status There’s prestige in performance – but the Cervélo kind is subtle. You notice the integration, the stance, the way the bike sits low and purposeful. The value shows up in the ride: fewer jolts, more control, speed that builds and holds. It’s the difference between “going fast” and “feeling fast.” Proven at the top Cervélo’s calm speed isn’t just a feeling – it’s race-tested. With Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Cervélo frames have delivered at WorldTour level such as Tour de France 2025, from flat-out aero stages to mountain finishes. The same design that wins on Sunday is the one you ride on Monday. The point Cervélo builds bikes that make fast feel simple. That’s the appeal: refined shapes, smart integration, and ride quality that works day in, day out. No drama – just pace you can live with. Speed, quietly done. Check out more in sports form MenWith here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cervlo-speed-quietly-done — Citation: "Cervélo: Speed, Quietly Done" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-03. https://menwith.com/cervlo-speed-quietly-done --- ## Axioma’s New Number: Why a 72-meter Icon at €55 Million Matters - URL: https://menwith.com/axiomas-new-number-why-a-72-meter-icon-at-55-million-matters - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-11-03 - Tags: Northrop & Johnson **Summary:** Axioma, a 72m Dunya Yachts icon, is now €55M. Designed for experience with a double-height salon, cinema, and wellness area, it offers a turn-key charter solution post-refit. You do not forget a yacht the color of a private atoll. Axioma’s turquoise hull still catches light like a lens flare as she leaves port, and the news is simple enough: the 72-meter, first-of-its-kind build from Dunya Yachts has cut its asking price to €55 million. Listed with Richard Higgins at Northrop & Johnson, this is not a discount on the idea of yachting. It is a sharpened price on a specific experience that helped define today’s big-boat charter playbook. Designed by Sterling Scott with interiors by the late Alberto Pinto, Axioma was conceived around guests rather than gadgetry. Step into the double-height main salon and the effect is architectural, not ornamental. An open mezzanine frames floor-to-ceiling glass so daylight falls in soft layers, the sea reading as a moving mural. Underfoot, the teak has the warm grain of a well-made club, while above, sightlines are uncluttered and serene. The layout stays human at scale. Six staterooms for 12 guests sit on the main deck or higher, so no one sleeps below the waterline. The upper-deck owner’s suite has wraparound glazing, a circular skylight and a private terrace where the breeze slides in quietly through the doors. A full-beam VIP forward on the main deck gives a second couple genuine privacy. The atmosphere is not shouty luxury. It is modern comfort, clear eyes and good light. Axioma’s amenities are the sort that turn a week at sea into a rhythm. There is an eight-seat cinema where the sound softens to a hush when the doors close. A wellness area carries a massage room and a steam room that looks outward so the mist hangs against a horizon line. Outside, a main-deck infinity pool bleeds into the view, a bridge-deck Jacuzzi adds a swim-up bar, and the sunpads upstairs take heat with an even, forgiving warmth. You can hear the small, constant sounds of water meeting water. That is the point. The engineering brief is steady rather than showy. A steel hull and zero-speed stabilizers are built for comfort at anchor. She cruises at 14 knots and can run to 17, with an ocean-crossing range beyond 5,000 nautical miles at 12. An elevator serves every guest deck, which is thoughtful for multi-generational trips and simply civilized for everyone. A crew of 20 supports the service that serious charterers expect. Crucially, the yacht is not trading on past glories. Axioma completed a major refit at MB92 La Ciotat across 2024 and 2025, a program that went past cosmetics. The hull and superstructure were fully repainted. Engines, stabilizers and generators were overhauled. HVAC and electrical systems were renewed. Earlier updates in 2020 refreshed tenders, decking and toys. The sensory difference is immediate. Fresh paint has a certain crispness in the sunshine. Machinery that has been properly gone through sounds like a promise rather than a question. So what does the new price say? At €55 million, Axioma sits in the space where top-flight refit meets patience for a new build. Delivery slots for custom projects stretch into years, costs are not forgiving, and interior design at this level requires discipline and time. A turn-key, charter-proven vessel with a recognizable profile and current shipyard work behind her offers a different kind of value. It is less about novelty and more about certainty. There is also a cultural note here. Yachting’s center of gravity has shifted toward experience over specification. Axioma’s influence is visible in how many large yachts now prioritize communal volume, wellness, and views you actually inhabit rather than only admire. The combination of a double-height salon, proper cinema, sea-facing spa, and a true infinity pool on a 72-meter platform is still uncommon in one package. That is why she remains part of the conversation. If you collect cars, you understand provenance and maintenance records. If you collect timepieces, you respect a full service with original parts. Axioma is the nautical equivalent. The number is lower, yes, but the story is intact and recently edited. For an owner who values hosting with ease and charter income potential without fuss, this is a pragmatic moment. Serious buyers can speak with Richard Higgins at Northrop & Johnson. Everyone else can take note. When a yacht that helped set the tone for modern charter life recalibrates its ask after a proper yard period, it says something about supply, demand and taste. Less hype, more substance. The sea will decide the rest. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/axiomas-new-number-why-a-72-meter-icon-at-55-million-matters — Citation: "Axioma’s New Number: Why a 72-meter Icon at €55 Million Matters" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-03. https://menwith.com/axiomas-new-number-why-a-72-meter-icon-at-55-million-matters --- ## Toyota Century Coupe Concept - URL: https://menwith.com/toyota-century-coupe-concept - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-11-01 - Tags: concept, Menwith, Motors, Toyota **Summary:** Toyota unveils the Century Coupe Concept, reimagining its ultra-luxury sedan as a standalone brand targeting Bentley and Rolls-Royce. This sleek fastback embodies Japanese hospitality through refined design and hybrid power. For decades, the Toyota Century has stood as Japan’s ultimate symbol of discreet luxury – the car of choice for executives, diplomats, and even the Imperial Household. Now, that legacy takes an entirely new shape. Revealed at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, the Century Coupe Concept is more than a design study; it’s a statement of intent. Toyota is transforming its most exclusive nameplate into a standalone brand, aiming squarely at the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The new Century Coupe Concept reimagines the spirit of omotenashi – Japanese hospitality, through design and engineering. Its sleek fastback silhouette departs from the traditional limousine form, merging the grace of a grand tourer with the stature of an SUV. The result is a commanding presence that feels both regal and modern, sculpted with precision lines and adorned with subtle chrome details. Inside, the concept continues Toyota’s devotion to craftsmanship, or monozukuri. The cabin features four individual seats, yoke-style steering, and minimalist digital instrumentation that focuses the driver’s attention entirely on the experience. Rich natural materials, delicate stitching, and ambient lighting turn the interior into a sanctuary – a space to be felt, not just seen. Under the hood, Toyota remains discreet, hinting only at a hybrid or high-performance powertrain, likely drawn from the existing Century SUV’s V6 plug-in hybrid system. But performance figures are secondary here; refinement, silence, and serenity are the priorities. The Century Coupe’s mission is to embody balance, between innovation and tradition, power and poise. What makes this concept particularly fascinating is Toyota’s decision to expand the Century name into a dedicated ultra-luxury brand, sitting above Lexus. It’s a bold move that signals a shift in Japan’s luxury identity – one rooted not in imitation of Western opulence, but in its own cultural depth and precision. While Toyota hasn’t confirmed production plans, insiders suggest the Century Coupe Concept could evolve into a limited-run grand tourer aimed initially at the Japanese market. Whether or not it reaches the road in its current form, the concept represents a powerful declaration: Japanese luxury is ready to stand on the world stage, on its own terms. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/toyota-century-coupe-concept — Citation: "Toyota Century Coupe Concept" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-01. https://menwith.com/toyota-century-coupe-concept --- ## Berluti: The Art of Patina - URL: https://menwith.com/berluti-the-art-of-patina - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-11-01 - Tags: Berluti **Summary:** Berluti elevates footwear with its signature patina, a philosophy of aging leather with intention. Venezia leather serves as a canvas for hand-applied pigments, creating unique, evolving expressions of individuality. There is a quiet satisfaction in owning something that changes with you. In a world built on speed and repetition, the idea that an object should evolve feels rare. A well-made pair of shoes, for example, is meant to shift over time. The creases deepen, the colour softens, and a story takes form. This natural transformation, the patina, is one of the oldest dialogues between man and material. Berluti has simply made it central to its craft. Colour as character When Olga Berluti began experimenting with leather in the 1980s, men’s footwear was still bound by convention. Black and brown were the only acceptable choices, symbols of restraint more than expression. She saw possibility instead of limits. By working natural pigments, essential oils and waxes into the surface, she discovered new ways to reveal depth, transparency and tone. The result was not a new technique but a new philosophy. Patina had always existed; Olga simply taught leather to age with intention. The story goes that she was inspired by how moonlight lightens leather, a small observation that led to a world of colour: deep blues, auburn reds, and the tobacco shades that became signatures of the Maison. Venezia leather as a canvas To achieve this level of nuance, Berluti needed a material that could hold colour without losing suppleness. Venezia leather was born of that need. It is a fine, full-grain calfskin treated through an exclusive tanning process that preserves the leather’s natural texture while allowing pigments to penetrate evenly. Its flexibility and smoothness make it an ideal surface for patina to unfold, much like a painter’s preferred paper or canvas. The craft behind the colour A Berluti patina begins by hand. Brushes, cloths and sponges replace the painter’s palette, and the colourist builds depth layer by layer. The leather is cleaned, nourished with oils, then gradually brought to life with pigments and waxes. The final glazing gives the surface its glow, not as a layer of polish but as an awakening of what already lies beneath. Watching this process at the Maison’s patina bar reveals the essence of craftsmanship: repetition guided by instinct, precision softened by touch. A reflection of individuality A patina is never truly finished. It continues to change with every wear, every step, every passing season. It records the shape of a life lived. That is why no two Berluti shoes ever look the same. The patina becomes a mirror of personality, from Yves Saint Laurent’s dark blue-brown pairs to Jacques Lacan’s aubergine tones. Some collectors even commission shades inspired by a place or a moment such as a wood fire, a Shanghai night or the green of a garden under rain. In each case, the result is something private, almost autobiographical. Care as a form of respect To maintain such a creation is to participate in the craft. Berluti encourages its clients to return after about fifteen wears for what it calls the first patina, a ritual that stabilises the colour and allows the leather to adapt to the natural creases of movement. From then on, twice-yearly care keeps the shoes supple and luminous. These gestures are simple, yet they express something greater: respect for the time, materials and people behind the object. The quiet poetry of age Patina is proof that beauty does not depend on perfection. It depends on change. Every mark and variation carries meaning. To care for an object until it becomes an extension of yourself is one of the quiet pleasures of modern life. Berluti understands this truth deeply. The Maison’s work does not fight time; it collaborates with it. And that, perhaps, is the lasting allure of patina. It reminds us that true elegance is not about preservation. It is about evolution. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/berluti-the-art-of-patina — Citation: "Berluti: The Art of Patina" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-11-01. https://menwith.com/berluti-the-art-of-patina --- ## The Design Story Behind The Bugatti Tourbillon - URL: https://menwith.com/the-design-story-behind-the-bugatti-tourbillon - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-31 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** The Bugatti Tourbillon's design balances heritage with future needs, integrating hybrid tech while respecting brand DNA like the horseshoe grille and centerline. Its proportions and purposeful details, like flying fenders, showcase refined craftsmanship. A year after its reveal, the Bugatti Tourbillon has moved beyond headlines and first impressions. It now reads as a study in proportion, detail, and restraint. For Jan Schmid, Bugatti’s Chief Exterior Designer, and his team in Molsheim, the challenge was not to reinvent the brand but to move it forward with care. The task was to create something recognizably Bugatti that also belongs to the future. Every decision began with proportion. The horseshoe grille, the centerline, and the Bugatti Line are long-standing markers of the brand, but each was reinterpreted for new mechanical and aerodynamic needs. The car had to integrate an electric front axle, new cooling systems, and a hybrid layout without losing its identity. The horseshoe grille sits lower and wider than before, giving the car a planted stance. Even the number plate, often an afterthought, was shaped into the design so it does not interrupt the form. Above it, a single centerline runs from nose to tail, recalling the riveted spine of the Type 57 SC Atlantic. It ends in a fine brake light tucked into the fin. Small details like this explain how the car links past and present through precision rather than decoration. From the side, the Tourbillon carries much of its character in proportion. The Bugatti Line sweeps around the cabin and folds forward again, dividing the duotone paint and giving the car a sense of motion even at rest. The body narrows through the waist and builds over the haunches, creating tension between lightness and strength. The flying fenders above the headlights are more than sculpture. They channel air beneath and over themselves to feed the radiators, a simple example of beauty shaped by purpose. Schmid often points to the rear fender as his favourite element. Its surface came from long work in reflection and light rather than from a computer model. It recalls the strength of the Veyron’s haunches but with a more athletic proportion. The Tourbillon feels grounded without being heavy. Much of the project was about editing rather than adding. Although it shares its footprint with the Chiron, the Tourbillon sits lower and finds space for hybrid components and usable luggage. It works because design and engineering were developed together from the beginning. The result is a car that feels composed and natural. That mindset extends beyond the car. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon watch was created as its mechanical twin. The most obvious connection lies in the subdials, which mirror the car’s instrument panel. The case follows the shape of the grille and side inlets, while sapphire openings on each side recall the car’s windows. Inside, an automaton reproduces the motion of the Tourbillon’s V16 engine, complete with tiny exhaust manifolds. It is not a marketing exercise but a continuation of the same design conversation. The design story also reflects where Bugatti stands as a brand. Its presence is strongest in the United States, the Middle East, and across Asia, where a new Shanghai showroom marks a growing market of collectors. The Tourbillon fits that moment. It is elegant and confident rather than loud, designed for people who value proportion and craftsmanship over display. Seen a year later, the Tourbillon feels calm and assured. It is the product of designers who work by observation and intent rather than statement. Every line has a reason, every surface a purpose. The car represents not a radical shift for Bugatti but a refinement of what it already does best. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-design-story-behind-the-bugatti-tourbillon — Citation: "The Design Story Behind The Bugatti Tourbillon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-31. https://menwith.com/the-design-story-behind-the-bugatti-tourbillon --- ## Capricorn and Zagato Unite to Create a Driver’s Hypercar Like No Other - URL: https://menwith.com/capricorn-and-zagato-unite-to-create-a-drivers-hypercar-like-no-other - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-30 - Tags: Capricorn, Capricorn 01 Zagato, Menwithclass, Motor, Zagato **Summary:** Capricorn and Zagato debut the 01 hypercar, a manual V8 with 900+ PS and carbon monocoque. It prioritizes driving joy over records. A new force has entered the hypercar arena. The Capricorn 01 Zagato, a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupe with a manual gearbox and more than 900 PS, marks the beginning of a new chapter for two names steeped in engineering and design heritage. Hand-built in Germany and clothed in a body penned by the legendary Italian coachbuilder Zagato, it combines meticulous precision with sculptural emotion – a machine created not for record books but for the pure joy of driving. Unveiled in Düsseldorf in October 2025, the Capricorn 01 Zagato is the first road car to bear the Capricorn name. The company, long known as an engineering supplier in Formula 1, Le Mans and the World Rally Championship, brings decades of lightweight expertise to the project. Underneath the body lies a full carbon-fibre monocoque and subframes that keep weight below 1,200 kg. Power comes from a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 developed in-house, producing more than 900 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, channelled through a five-speed dogleg manual gearbox to the rear wheels. The result is a visceral, analog hypercar capable of 0–100 km/h in under three seconds and a top speed of 360 km/h. For Robertino Wild, Capricorn’s founder and CEO, the car is more than an engineering exercise. “The Capricorn 01 Zagato represents the culmination of everything we’ve learned from decades of pioneering lightweight materials and construction techniques,” he explains. “It proves that we can build not only parts, but complete cars to OEM standards – and, more importantly, a car for the passionate driver.” The collaboration with Andrea Michele Zagato, president of the Milanese design house, adds a century of Italian artistry to Capricorn’s German discipline. Zagato calls it “a unique and highly collectible proposition – the first hypercar ever to wear a Zagato body.” His chief designer, Norihiko Harada, shaped a form that balances timeless elegance with technical purpose. Every crease and intake serves a function: sculpted airflow channels feed the engine and manage cooling; gull-wing doors reduce weight; and the underfloor aerodynamics generate stable downforce without resorting to oversized spoilers. The result is a car that appears futuristic yet feels destined to age as gracefully as a 1930s Bugatti or 1960s Aston Martin. Inside, the Capricorn team pursued a minimalist, race-inspired ethos. Almost everything is made from carbon fibre, titanium, or aluminium, with Connolly leather and Alcantara chosen to the owner’s preference. The analog instrument cluster – dominated by a central rev counter – replaces screens with precision dials. Even the gear lever can be adjusted fore and aft to tailor the perfect driving position. Despite its focus, practicality has not been forgotten: there’s a 110-litre front trunk, a four-wheel lift system for daily usability, and a hidden rear-view camera screen neatly integrated into the gauges. Capricorn’s use of LMP1-grade carbon technology extends to the suspension: double wishbones with Bilstein push-rod dampers offer Comfort, Sport, and Track modes, while bespoke steering provides pure feedback by cutting electric assistance at higher speeds. Carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes ensure fade-free stopping power, and owners can specify lightweight alloy or full carbon-fibre 21-inch wheels. Only 19 examples of the Capricorn 01 Zagato will be built – a tribute to 1919, the year Zagato was founded. Each car, priced from €2.95 million before taxes, will be sold exclusively through the Louyet Group, the Belgian-based retailer that represents Rolls-Royce, McLaren and Pininfarina. Production begins in early 2026, with deliveries across Europe, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the Middle East. Each buyer receives a two-year warranty and four years of factory servicing, carried out exclusively at Capricorn’s facility in Düsseldorf. For Capricorn, this hypercar is both a statement and a beginning. Wild calls it “the first of a lineage of Capricorn-branded high-end cars,” signaling the company’s intent to build further limited-series models and bespoke commissions for private clients and OEMs alike. As the world rushes toward electrification and digital dominance, the Capricorn 01 Zagato stands deliberately apart – a carbon-fibre celebration of analog driving, built for those who still believe the ultimate thrill lies in a steering wheel, three pedals, and the mechanical song of a V8. More about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/capricorn-and-zagato-unite-to-create-a-drivers-hypercar-like-no-other — Citation: "Capricorn and Zagato Unite to Create a Driver’s Hypercar Like No Other" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-30. https://menwith.com/capricorn-and-zagato-unite-to-create-a-drivers-hypercar-like-no-other --- ## The Debut of the Amels 80-Metre Pangea - URL: https://menwith.com/the-debut-of-the-amels-80-metre-pangea - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-10-30 - Tags: Damen Yachting **Summary:** The Amels 80 Pangea debuts, showcasing a new design language blending heritage and efficiency. Featuring expansive decks, a wellness area, and a glass-bottomed pool, it prioritizes purpose and craftsmanship. There is always a touch of intrigue when a new yacht departs her birthplace for the first time. The slip of hull against water, the slow reveal of her lines under natural light, the quiet anticipation from those who built her. In Vlissingen this week, that intrigue surrounded Pangea, the first Amels 80 to set sail. Damen Yachting announced the delivery and departure of Pangea this week, marking the debut of its all-new 80-metre Limited Editions design. This launch represents more than another addition to the Amels fleet. It introduces a new design language that brings together heritage, efficiency, and modern restraint. “It is rewarding to see the first Amels 80 delivered, especially having worked so closely with the owner and their team throughout the entire journey,” said Jan van Hogerwou, Commercial Executive for North America at Damen Yachting. “This project has been a true partnership from the very beginning, built on trust, shared vision, and a commitment to excellence.” The yacht’s exterior comes from Espen Øino International, with interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Together they have created a space defined by openness and precision. The Sun Deck stretches wide and uncluttered, centered around an oversized jacuzzi. The Beach Club opens to the sea on three sides and features a wellness area with a gym, hammam, and sauna. On the Main Deck, a 6.5-metre glass-bottomed pool brings natural light to the Beach Club below. Inside, the Main Deck Lounge offers floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and a direct flow to the aft terrace. The private Owner’s Deck spans 517 square metres, complemented by six additional guest cabins on the Main Deck for a total of fourteen guests across seven suites. “This yacht represents dedication, innovation, and collaboration across the entire team,” said Project Manager Romke van der Linde. “For the owner, it is the realisation of a unique vision. For the yard, it is a proud milestone that reflects our ongoing commitment to craftsmanship and to pushing the boundaries of modern yacht building”. The Amels 80 features a forward tender garage, a touch-and-go helipad, and an efficient hull design that ensures quiet, composed operation over long voyages. With a length of 80 metres, a beam of 12.5 metres, and a gross tonnage of 2,175, she has the range and confidence expected of a yacht built for exploration. For Damen Yachting, Pangea represents more than technical mastery. She is a statement of evolution, built for those who value purpose over spectacle and craftsmanship over noise. Her departure from Vlissingen was not just a launch, but a glimpse of what lies ahead for Amels. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-debut-of-the-amels-80-metre-pangea — Citation: "The Debut of the Amels 80-Metre Pangea" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-30. https://menwith.com/the-debut-of-the-amels-80-metre-pangea --- ## Omega Marks Time and Taste at Milano Cortina 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/omega-marks-time-and-taste-at-milano-cortina-2026 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-30 - Tags: Omega **Summary:** Omega celebrates Milano Cortina 2026 with a commemorative Speedmaster and its first Winter Games Omega House. The watch features subtle Olympic design cues, while the Milan venue offers a luxurious experience. The Olympic Games have always been a test of fractions. Seconds, meters, and the human ability to measure both with grace and precision. For Omega, those same fractions define its craft. Since 1932, the Swiss watchmaker has timed the world’s greatest athletes with the same devotion it applies to its watches. Now, with 100 days remaining until the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the brand marks the moment with two expressions of its character: a commemorative Speedmaster and the first Omega House ever created for a Winter Games. The Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026 is a study in restraint and proportion. The 38 mm stainless steel case is fully polished, set with a blue ceramic bezel and a white enamel tachymeter. The white varnished dial carries a layer of light blue frosting, crossed by a subtle trace inspired by the “2” of the Milano Cortina emblem. The subdials show a fine azurage texture that recalls a groomed ski slope. A seconds hand that fades from white to blue, the Milano Cortina typography on the date window, and a stamped medallion on the caseback all link the design to the Games without overstatement. Inside the case, the self-winding Co-Axial Calibre 3330 provides 52 hours of power reserve. The watch continues Omega’s long tradition of precision in both sport and craftsmanship. More than a commemorative piece, it stands as a quiet reflection of the discipline that connects athletes and watchmakers alike. That same sense of precision will extend beyond the sporting arenas. In February 2026, Omega will open its first Winter edition of the Omega House inside Carlo Cracco’s restaurant in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The setting captures the essence of Milan. Light floods through the glass dome above the arcade, reflecting off marble floors and ironwork that speak of Italian heritage and design. The ground-floor café will become the Omega Café by Cracco. The upper levels will offer a lounge, dining room, and viewing area where guests can follow live Olympic events. By evening, the atmosphere will shift toward private gatherings and themed celebrations. Past editions of Omega House at the Summer Games have welcomed names such as Nicole Kidman, Michael Phelps, and Daniel Craig. The Milan venue promises something quieter and more personal, shaped by the winter season and Italian hospitality. Chef Cracco describes the collaboration as a natural meeting of values: precision, time, and the pursuit of excellence. For Omega, Milano Cortina 2026 will mark its 32nd appearance as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games. Each event reinforces a legacy that continues to define the brand’s identity. Together, the Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026 and the new Omega House tell one story. Both celebrate time not as a measure of minutes and seconds, but as a shared pursuit of excellence. Read more about Omega here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/omega-marks-time-and-taste-at-milano-cortina-2026 — Citation: "Omega Marks Time and Taste at Milano Cortina 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-30. https://menwith.com/omega-marks-time-and-taste-at-milano-cortina-2026 --- ## Quiet Power on the Côte d’Azur: Driving the Volvo ES90 - URL: https://menwith.com/quiet-power-on-the-cte-dazur-driving-the-volvo-es90 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-29 - Tags: Volvo **Summary:** The Volvo ES90 offers a serene, luxurious driving experience on the Côte d’Azur, prioritizing comfort and quiet refinement over speed. Its design and features connect occupants to their surroundings, embodying a modern interpretation of Swedish sensibility. Morning comes softly to the Riviera. From the balcony at the Maybourne Riviera, the Mediterranean stretches out like glass, Monaco shimmering below. The hotel sits so close to the edge it feels suspended between sea and sky, a fitting place to meet Volvo’s new flagship, the all-electric ES90. This was never a test of speed. The roads between Nice and Èze climb and curve in slow rhythm, winding around the mountains like ribbons. Here, comfort and control matter more than numbers. The ES90 settled into this environment naturally. It feels larger than a traditional sedan, closer in stance and presence to a mid-size SUV, but it moves with quiet restraint. The first impression is silence. Not the sterile quiet that isolates, but a calm that feels deliberate. At low speeds through the old village roads, you hear almost nothing until the Bowers & Wilkins system fills the cabin. The sound is clear and balanced, and the silence around it gives each note space to breathe. Volvo has always understood the value of quiet. In the ES90, that quiet becomes part of the luxury itself. Light plays its own role in that atmosphere. The panoramic glass roof stretches wide across the cabin, letting sunlight pour in until the interior feels almost weightless. Driving along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the tops of the palm trees drift past above us, a reminder that the car connects you to your surroundings rather than sealing you off from them. The seats reinforce that idea. The driver’s position is high with excellent visibility, and the rear seats recline just enough for long-distance ease. Volvo has clearly considered the comfort of every passenger. The ride remains composed even over broken mountain asphalt, which says much about the chassis tuning and suspension balance. Volvo Heritage joined us on this trip, bringing a PV544 from the late 1940s. Riding in it was a reminder of how far the brand has come. Its shape is round and optimistic, born from postwar ideals. Watching it glide through the same bends that the ES90 would later trace in near silence felt symbolic. Both cars reflect the same Swedish sensibility, shaped by different eras but driven by the same purpose. That evening we dined at Château Eza, a Michelin-starred restaurant set in a medieval stone village once owned by Prince Wilhelm of Sweden. The connection to Swedish history felt quietly fitting. The terrace overlooks the coast, candlelight catching the sea far below. From that height, the ES90 parked in the village looked modest, as Volvos often do, but there is an integrity in that understatement. Driving back to the Maybourne Riviera, the ES90 felt completely at home. The light signature from the Thor’s Hammer headlights cut through the dark corners with precision. There was no noise or drama, only smooth confidence. As refined and composed as the ES90 is, I found myself thinking that I would still choose the EX90. We wrote about it earlier this year, and it remains the more versatile car for real life. The ES90 is elegant and beautifully built, but my preference leans toward the space and practicality of an SUV. Still, the drive through the South of France reminded me that Volvo’s quiet pursuit of comfort and integrity is something worth slowing down for. Read more about Volvo here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/quiet-power-on-the-cte-dazur-driving-the-volvo-es90 — Citation: "Quiet Power on the Côte d’Azur: Driving the Volvo ES90" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-29. https://menwith.com/quiet-power-on-the-cte-dazur-driving-the-volvo-es90 --- ## Piaget Andy Warhol Watch ‘Collage’ Limited Edition - URL: https://menwith.com/piaget-andy-warhol-watch-collage-limited-edition - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-28 - Tags: Piaget **Summary:** Piaget's Andy Warhol Watch 'Collage' Limited Edition features a yellow-gold case and a unique ornamental stone marquetry dial inspired by Warhol's self-portraits. This dress watch blends jewelry craft with watchmaking. Piaget’s long flirtation with the art world becomes literal here. The Andy Warhol Watch “Collage” Limited Edition takes the Black Tie lineage that Warhol himself wore in the seventies and dresses it for a different kind of gala. The stepped yellow-gold case recalls the piece Warhol owned, a deliberate nod to both his taste and Piaget’s own history with the design. On the wrist it reads as unapologetically bold. Those proportions and architectural flanks are part of the point. The case back carries the same metal, brushed to a soft sheen that contrasts with the dial’s gloss. The dial is the show. Piaget builds it as a marquetry panel in ornamental stone, an old-world méthode applied with gallery confidence. Black onyx forms the base, echoing the colour of Warhol’s original watch. Thin slivers of yellow serpentine, pink opal and green chrysoprase are then cut and set into an abstract motif that mirrors one of Warhol’s celebrated collage self-portraits. The result is graphic, layered and tactile. It reads like jewellery first, timepiece second, and that hierarchy feels faithful to both Piaget’s métier and Warhol’s image-making. A green leather strap completes the palette without shouting over it. Inside is Piaget’s in-house automatic movement, slim and refined to keep the watch elegant despite its presence. It carries a decorative engraving of the Warhol self-portrait that informs the dial, along with the Piaget signature. No water-resistance claims are made, which suits a dress watch that leans into craft rather than sport. Context matters with this piece. The Black Tie silhouette, created by Jean-Claude Gueit in the early seventies, remains one of Piaget’s most charismatic designs. Warhol collected broadly and obsessively. Among the hundreds of watches in his possession, several were Piaget, and a handful eventually returned to the maison’s private collection. After formalising its relationship with the Andy Warhol Foundation, Piaget continues that dialogue here, focusing on colour and composition rather than literal iconography. No bananas. No soup cans. The inspiration is present but suggested rather than shouted. Collectors will notice a few magnets for desirability. The yellow gold case is exclusive to this edition, and each marquetry dial, cut in natural stone, differs subtly from the next. For those who appreciate Piaget’s historic blend of jewellery craft and watchmaking, this is a pure expression of that DNA. The Andy Warhol Watch “Collage” Limited Edition feels less like a celebrity co-sign and more like a thoughtful exchange. It is not shy, and its scale will divide smaller wrists, but the watch succeeds on its own terms. It captures a slice of Warhol’s colour logic and brings it into a form Piaget knows intimately, letting the gold do the talking when light hits those steps. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/piaget-andy-warhol-watch-collage-limited-edition — Citation: "Piaget Andy Warhol Watch ‘Collage’ Limited Edition" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-28. https://menwith.com/piaget-andy-warhol-watch-collage-limited-edition --- ## UGG: Born in the Sun, Worn in the Cold - URL: https://menwith.com/ugg-born-in-the-sun-worn-in-the-cold - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-10-28 - Tags: UGG **Summary:** UGG boots, synonymous with cold-weather comfort, originated on 1970s Southern California beaches. Initially a surfer's post-surf necessity, the brand now blends its sheepskin heritage with modern designs, embodying self-assurance and lasting quality. When most of us think of UGG, we picture comfort against the chill. Soft sheepskin, warmth, Scandinavian light fading over frozen streets. The brand has become synonymous with that feeling of ease and insulation, a quiet luxury for cold days. Which makes its true origin all the more surprising. UGG began far from the frost, in the late 1970s on the beaches of Southern California. Brian Smith, a young Australian surfer, arrived there with a simple idea: to bring the sheepskin boots his countrymen wore after morning surf sessions to America. The setting could not have been more opposite from the world we now associate with UGG. Instead of snow and fireplaces, there was sand, salt, and the scent of sunscreen. Yet even in that heat, the concept of comfort struck a chord. Smith started small, selling pairs out of the back of his van along the Malibu coast. The boots looked out of place beside flip-flops and board shorts, but word spread. They carried a sense of authenticity, a practicality that transcended fashion. Within a decade, the brand that began on warm sand found its way into colder climates and global wardrobes. Today, UGG has evolved without losing its essence. The modern designs, from the Tazz in Chestnut to the Classic Ultra Mini, are both familiar and forward-looking. They maintain the tactile comfort of sheepskin while embracing refined silhouettes and new materials. The craftsmanship remains deliberate, the quality exacting. What has changed is how the brand defines comfort. It is no longer just about warmth, but about self-assurance. About the ease of being yourself in any setting, whether walking through Stockholm in January or Los Angeles in August. That quiet confidence, born on the surf coast and matured in the world’s colder corners, is what gives UGG its particular character. Luxury today favors substance over spectacle, and UGG fits within that shift. Its products are responsibly made, designed to last, and grounded in an honest story of craft and adaptation. A brand that began where the waves break now finds its strength where the wind bites, proving that real comfort is not bound by place or season. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ugg-born-in-the-sun-worn-in-the-cold — Citation: "UGG: Born in the Sun, Worn in the Cold" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-28. https://menwith.com/ugg-born-in-the-sun-worn-in-the-cold --- ## Ferrari SC40: A Singular Vision of Power and Purity - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-sc40-a-singular-vision-of-power-and-purity - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-28 - Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari SC40, Menwithclass, Motors **Summary:** The Ferrari SC40, a one-off berlinetta from Maranello's Special Projects, blends F40 spirit with modern design. Derived from the 296 GTB, it features a V6 hybrid powertrain and bespoke styling. When Ferrari builds a car for one person, the result is rarely subtle. The new Ferrari SC40, the latest creation from Maranello’s Special Projects division, is a masterclass in design purity and technical innovation – a sculptural expression of speed, geometry, and heritage. Unveiled on October 17, 2025, the SC40 stands as a pure, uncompromising berlinetta – mid-engined, V6-powered, and derived from the 296 GTB’s architecture, chassis, and hybrid powertrain. But despite its familiar foundation, this car exists on an entirely different plane. It represents Ferrari’s highest level of personalization: a one-off machine conceived, designed, and built around the imagination of a single client. A Tribute That Refuses to Imitate The SC40’s name, of course, nods to the F40, the legendary 1987 supercar that remains one of the most iconic Ferraris ever made. But this is not a modern remake. Instead, it channels the F40’s spirit through a new design language – one that merges sharp, angular lines with flowing surfaces and precise geometric tension. Under the guidance of Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s Styling Centre has created a body that feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in the marque’s legacy. The car’s proportions are deliberately extreme: a long, low nose, a short rear overhang, and a fixed, high-mounted rear wing finished in SC40 White – a bespoke paint developed exclusively for this model. The wing grows organically from the body, integrating with the engine cover through a seamless vertical plane separated by a thin black accent. Beneath it, an open mesh exposes the structural and mechanical components, giving a visual connection between design and performance. The sculpted rear fascia, punctuated by smoked Lexan® louvres, echoes the F40’s iconic rear view but feels entirely modern. A central 3D-printed exhaust with titanium and carbon-fiber tips sits above minimalist taillights that subtly reference the 296 GTB. From the side, the car’s rhythm is defined by vertical precision. The triangular carbon-fiber air intakes reinterpret the classic NACA ducts, while crisp vertical cuts mark the edges of the doors, front fenders, and engine cover – forming a kind of visual architecture that holds the design in tension, almost like musical notation. At the front, the wide lower air intake and sharply set headlights give the SC40 a powerful, assertive stance, punctuated by rectangular frames around the redesigned brake ducts and slim daytime running lights. Inside the Machine Step inside, and the connection to the F40 deepens. The cabin celebrates carbon-Kevlar, the material that once defined Ferrari’s most radical machines. Here it’s reimagined, visible in the footwells, behind the seats, and even in parts of the dashboard and luggage compartment. The contrast of Charcoal Alcantara and red Jacquard technical fabric creates a purposeful yet luxurious atmosphere, while the woven SC40 logo and embroidered Prancing Horse on the headrests mark this interior as one-of-a-kind. The bespoke SC40 White exterior shade was designed to mirror the color of the carbon-Kevlar weave inside, giving the car a unified aesthetic that ties its exterior to its engineering soul. Subtle touches — brushed-aluminum fuel and charging caps, negative “Ferrari” lettering cut into the rear engine cover, and exclusive diamond-cut wheels with black spokes — complete the look. The Art of One As with all Ferrari Special Projects, the SC40 was born from a client’s personal vision and developed over nearly two years in close collaboration with Ferrari’s design and engineering teams. Each of these One-Off creations is not merely customized; it is designed from the ground up, every surface modeled, reviewed, and approved by the client before the first piece of carbon fiber is laid. While its 296 GTB underpinnings deliver formidable performance – a 3.0-liter 120-degree V6 hybrid producing 830 cv and a top speed exceeding 330 km/h, the SC40 is not defined by numbers. It’s defined by intent. By the desire to create a car that honors Ferrari’s past while pushing its design language into the future. A full-scale styling buck of the SC40 will go on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from October 18, allowing enthusiasts to study its form up close. In the end, the Ferrari SC40 is not an evolution of the F40 – it’s a conversation with it. A dialogue between generations, materials, and philosophies. A one-off masterpiece that proves once again: when Ferrari builds for one, it builds for history. Want to read more about cars – check out more articles here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-sc40-a-singular-vision-of-power-and-purity — Citation: "Ferrari SC40: A Singular Vision of Power and Purity" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-28. https://menwith.com/ferrari-sc40-a-singular-vision-of-power-and-purity --- ## Louis Vuitton – Monterey Reborn - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-8211-monterey-reborn - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-27 - Tags: Louis Vuitton, Menwithclass **Summary:** Louis Vuitton revives its 1980s Monterey watch with a 2025 reinterpretation. The new 39mm 18k gold model features Grand Feu enamel, an in-house automatic movement, and is limited to 188 pieces. When a classic meets the future, design speaks louder than time. Louis Vuitton resurrects its 1980s icon with the Monterey – a watch that blends bold nostalgia, refined craft and modern horology. Louis Vuitton Design, Craftsmanship & Legacy The Monterey’s story begins with the bold vision of Italian architect Gae Aulenti, whose design for the LV I and LV II in 1988 broke rigid watch norms: the lug-less “pebble” case, the crown at 12 o’clock, travel-inspired complications and a form that referenced Louis Vuitton’s roots in travel gear and trunk-making. Now, in 2025, Louis Vuitton has reinterpreted that radical form in a modern guise. The latest Monterey comes in a 39 mm 18k yellow gold case, paying homage to its origins while elevating the piece with fine finishing and modern proportions. The dial embodies the highest artisanal ambitions: a white Grand Feu enamel plate, pad‐printed red and blue scales, syringe-style white gold hands with lacquer and a blued seconds hand. This is watchmaking at its refined best – every element deliberately crafted.  On the movement side, the transition from quartz (in the original) to an in-house automatic, calibre LFT MA01.02, marks Louis Vuitton’s evolution into a manufacture. It runs at 4 Hz, has a rose gold rotor and offers a 45-hour power reserve – attributes collectors now expect from serious luxury watchmakers.  Limitation and exclusivity are also part of the story: the Monterey is limited to just 188 pieces, emphasising its status as a collector’s object rather than a mass offering. The Louis Vuitton Monterey is not just a timepiece; it’s a symbol. A symbol of a house reinventing itself in watches, of a design icon reinterpreted, and of craftsmanship rising to meet expectations. With its bold form, refined materials and exclusive status, the Monterey stands at the intersection of style, legacy and horology. More on watches here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-8211-monterey-reborn — Citation: "Louis Vuitton – Monterey Reborn" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-27. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-8211-monterey-reborn --- ## Nike Project Amplify: Powering the Future of Movement - URL: https://menwith.com/nike-project-amplify-powering-the-future-of-movement - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-10-27 - Tags: Menwithclass, Nike, Project Amplify, Shoe **Summary:** Nike's Project Amplify introduces motor-assisted footwear, blending innovation and human movement for enhanced endurance and accessibility. This "e-bike for your feet" aims to redefine powered motion wear beyond elite sports. Nike has never been content with standing still. With Project Amplify, the brand takes its next leap – blending innovation, engineering, and human movement into something that redefines what footwear can do. It’s not just about speed anymore; it’s about endurance, accessibility, and the joy of moving further with less effort. Project Amplify – The E-Bike for Your Feet Nike’s Project Amplify is unlike anything the brand has made before. It’s a lightweight, motor-assisted system built around a running shoe with Nike’s signature carbon plate and responsive foam – but with an entirely new layer of innovation added. A compact motor and drive mechanism attach around the ankle and calf, using sensors to read each step and deliver a subtle push forward, mimicking the action of your own muscles. In essence, it’s like having an e-bike – for your feet. The system’s smart algorithm continuously learns from your stride, adjusting its output in milliseconds to match your pace and terrain. It’s not designed for elite marathoners chasing world records, but for everyday movers – people who walk, jog, or commute daily and want to go further with less fatigue. Early test results are striking. Wearers reportedly experienced up to 20% improved pace and reduced muscle strain during longer runs. It’s performance reimagined, not for competition, but for capability. Nike says it’s a first step toward a new category of footwear: powered motion wear. Beyond performance, Project Amplify signals a deeper cultural shift. It challenges the line between apparel and technology, between what we wear and what assists us. By fusing motion science, robotics, and design, Nike opens a new conversation – one that connects innovation with inclusivity. The potential goes far beyond sport: imagine applications for people with mobility challenges, for rehabilitation, or simply for making urban movement more effortless. Design-wise, Nike’s engineers faced a challenge, how to make power look natural. The final prototype balances sleek aesthetics with functional engineering: lightweight materials, flexible cuffs, and a minimalist silhouette that still feels unmistakably “Nike.” Though not yet available to the public, Project Amplify offers a preview of what’s next in both performance and lifestyle design. It’s a symbol of how technology can amplify – not replace – human potential. More about lifestyle here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/nike-project-amplify-powering-the-future-of-movement — Citation: "Nike Project Amplify: Powering the Future of Movement" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-27. https://menwith.com/nike-project-amplify-powering-the-future-of-movement --- ## Loro Piana’s Quiet Ode to New York at Bergdorf Goodman - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-pianas-quiet-ode-to-new-york-at-bergdorf-goodman - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-10-25 - Tags: Loro Piana **Summary:** Loro Piana celebrates its New York ties at Bergdorf Goodman with an Art Deco-inspired installation. The exhibit highlights textile mastery, offering an exclusive capsule and artisanal personalization. There are fashion installations that shout and there are those that stay precise and assured. Loro Piana’s takeover at Bergdorf Goodman sits firmly in the latter camp. The Italian house marks its decades-long relationship with New York with windows that read like a calm conversation between Italian textile mastery and the city’s Art Deco backbone. The visual language suits Fifth Avenue’s rhythm. Brass tones catch the afternoon sun, cashmere looks almost weightless behind glass, and nothing begs for attention. Inside and out, the presentation is tightly edited. Both women’s and men’s windows have been reimagined as a tribute to the Maison’s codes, blending creative staging with the kind of material fluency that has defined Loro Piana for nearly a century. The focus is textile intelligence rather than showmanship. You see the narrative from raw fiber to finished piece, expressed in clean lines and a Deco-inflected geometry that echoes the neighborhood’s facades. At dusk, a nightly light installation retraces the journey of cashmere from Mongolia to the brand’s birthplace in Quarona before arriving in New York. The glow against the stone and the soft threadlike animations feel appropriate for a house that deals in warmth and restraint. To mark the moment, Loro Piana has produced an exclusive capsule for Bergdorf Goodman. Details on the full lineup are not disclosed, but the promise is clear: discreet elegance and comfort in precious materials rendered in the brand’s signature tones. On the floor, the textures do the talking. You expect that brushed hand of cashmere, the clean fall of double-faced wool, the quiet depth of natural dyes that look best under cool city light. It reads as clothes for men who appreciate quality without broadcasting it. There is also real interaction on offer. Visitors can personalize two icons, the Grande Unita scarf and the Unito blanket, with artisans working on site. It is the right kind of theater for this house. You hear the soft pull of yarn, see the neat precision of handwork, and leave with something that records a small New York moment in its stitching. For a modern gentleman, this is where luxury still feels personal: not a logo, but a choice. Context matters here. Loro Piana has been present in New York since 1989, opening its first concept store in the city in 1994. This installation is not a parachute drop. It is a continuation of a long dialogue between Italian savoir-faire and New York’s particular energy. In a retail climate obsessed with velocity, the brand’s pace remains deliberate. The staging honors the city’s storied window culture while keeping the focus on fabric, cut and use. As Fifth Avenue hums outside, the atmosphere inside is almost hushed, like stepping into a well-appointed library. Viewed through a wider lens, the project lands at a useful moment. Quiet luxury has been both embraced and debated in recent seasons. Loro Piana does not chase the term, it predates it. The Bergdorf capsule and the artisanal personalization service reinforce a point that sometimes gets lost in the discourse: discretion only resonates when it is backed by material truth. You can feel that in the weight of a blanket or the nap of a scarf. There is nothing abstract about it. Retail strategy deserves a note as well. Experiential programming can tip into spectacle. Here, the evening light choreography adds storytelling without drowning out the product. It connects supply chain to street corner in a single gesture and acknowledges the fact that provenance still matters to men who buy fewer, better things. The installation also gives Bergdorf Goodman something it excels at: turning windows into cultural touchpoints. The store remains one of the few places where a passerby can get a lesson in design through glass. Not every house can pull off a display built on understatement. Loro Piana can, and New York is a fitting stage for it. The result is not a headline grabber. It is an affirmation that craft, context and a sense of place still have currency. In a season of noise, that feels modern. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-pianas-quiet-ode-to-new-york-at-bergdorf-goodman — Citation: "Loro Piana’s Quiet Ode to New York at Bergdorf Goodman" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-25. https://menwith.com/loro-pianas-quiet-ode-to-new-york-at-bergdorf-goodman --- ## TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 x New Balance Edition - URL: https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-connected-calibre-e5-x-new-balance-edition - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-25 - Tags: Tag Heuer **Summary:** TAG Heuer's Connected Calibre E5 x New Balance Edition blends Swiss watchmaking with modern training. This smartwatch emphasizes function and subtle design, integrating with the New Balance Run Club app to track performance. This is less a collector’s piece than a continuation of where the brand has long chosen to stand. TAG Heuer’s identity has revolved around motion, precision, and the discipline of timing under pressure. Partnering with New Balance extends that language from the track to the running path, connecting Swiss watchmaking formality with the tempo of modern training. Makes (kinda) sense, but not the most obvious choice of partnership. The watch is measured in both design and function. A 40 mm black titanium case keeps weight low and presence subtle. The dial uses New Balance’s clean, functional graphic style, easy to read when pace takes priority over polish. It runs on TAG Heuer’s latest Connected Calibre E5 platform, tracking pace, distance, and effort while integrating directly with the New Balance Run Club app. None of this breaks new ground in wearable tech, but that is hardly the point. The collaboration exists to reaffirm identity, not reinvent it. Visually, it reads quiet and composed. The matte case avoids flash, the typography feels deliberate, and the proportions are balanced enough for both the commute and the cooldown. The pairing with the New Balance FuelCell SC Elite V5 shoe completes the story, forming a small ecosystem built around motion, habit, and the aesthetics of restraint. Collectors will likely pass on this one, knowing that digital watches age differently and their value is measured in use, not rarity. Yet as a brand exercise, it fits neatly within TAG Heuer’s lineage of sport and timing. The materials are modern, the interface is new, but the philosophy is unchanged. The mechanics may be digital, but the intent remains familiar: timing life’s fast moments without losing composure. Truth be told, I’d much rather go for a fully automatic TAG Heuer, but then again, I’m not the target audience. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-connected-calibre-e5-x-new-balance-edition — Citation: "TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 x New Balance Edition" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-25. https://menwith.com/tag-heuer-connected-calibre-e5-x-new-balance-edition --- ## The Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Private Collection: A Century of Excellence - URL: https://menwith.com/the-rolls-royce-phantom-centenary-private-collection-a-century-of-excellence - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-23 - Tags: Centenary private collection, Lamborghini, Menwithclass, Motor, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom **Summary:** The Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Private Collection celebrates 100 years of excellence with 25 bespoke examples. Each car features unique artisanal craftsmanship, gold detailing, and motifs honoring Phantom's legacy. For 100 years, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has stood as the ultimate symbol of achievement – a motor car synonymous with influence, artistry, and the pursuit of perfection. To mark this historic milestone, Rolls-Royce presents the Phantom Centenary Private Collection, a breathtaking tribute limited to just 25 examples worldwide. A Monument to Legacy The Phantom Centenary Private Collection is more than a commemoration, it is a statement of what Rolls-Royce represents after a century at the pinnacle of luxury motoring. Each of the 25 hand-built cars tells the story of Phantom’s evolution, from its origins in the 1920s to its enduring role as the ultimate symbol of success. The Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood – a team of designers, engineers, and artisans, immersed themselves in Phantom’s world, uncovering the figures, journeys, and moments that shaped its legend. Their research produced 77 hand-sketched motifs, each capturing a defining chapter in Phantom’s history, expressed through innovative craftsmanship that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in automotive design. From 3D marquetry and ink layering to 24-carat gold detailing, every surface of the Phantom Centenary is alive with symbolism and artisanal mastery. The Spirit of Ecstasy, cast in solid gold and hallmarked in London, crowns the grille as both muse and monument – a physical link to the very first Phantom of 1925. Inside the Legend Step inside, and the Centenary reveals itself as a gallery of motion, a place where fashion, heritage, and engineering coexist in sublime harmony. The rear seats, inspired by the 1926 “Phantom of Love”, feature a custom fabric developed with a couture atelier. Across 45 individual panels and over 160,000 stitches, Phantom’s century-long story unfolds in layers of high-resolution print and embroidery, rendered with the precision of a master tailor. The front seats pay homage to the craft of the draftsman, laser-etched with sketches inspired by Phantom’s journey, from early prototypes to the rebirth of the marque in the 21st century. In the doors, intricate Blackwood veneers tell stories of the landscapes tied to Henry Royce himself, their golden routes marking the roads that built the brand’s legend. At the centre of it all sits the Anthology Gallery, a sculptural composition of brushed aluminium fins, each one engraved with text from a century of acclaim – a tangible book of Phantom’s legacy, forever in motion. A Golden Future Every detail of the Phantom Centenary Private Collection speaks of reverence – not only for the past, but for the artistry that continues to define Rolls-Royce today. From the 24-carat gold detailing of its 6.75-litre V12 engine to the 440,000 embroidered stars in its bespoke Starlight Headliner, each car is a constellation of time, memory, and mastery. The result is not merely an automobile, but an heirloom: a testament to 100 years of Rolls-Royce’s unrelenting pursuit of perfection. With the Phantom Centenary Private Collection, history doesn’t just live – it glides, in silence, into the next century. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-rolls-royce-phantom-centenary-private-collection-a-century-of-excellence — Citation: "The Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Private Collection: A Century of Excellence" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-23. https://menwith.com/the-rolls-royce-phantom-centenary-private-collection-a-century-of-excellence --- ## Yangwang U9: The Electric Revolution at 496 km/h - URL: https://menwith.com/yangwang-u9-the-electric-revolution-at-496-kmh - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-23 - Tags: Menwithclass, Motor, Nürburgring Nordschleife, Yangwang, Yangwang U9 **Summary:** The Yangwang U9 Xtreme achieved a verified top speed of 496.22 km/h and broke the 7-minute Nürburgring barrier, establishing a new benchmark for electric hypercars. When the Yangwang U9 thundered down Germany’s Papenburg high-speed track at nearly 500 km/h, the world of performance cars shifted forever. In one breathtaking moment, the Chinese-built electric hypercar didn’t just break a record – it redefined what’s possible for electric mobility. A New Apex of Speed The Yangwang U9, created by BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang, has emerged as a symbol of technological bravado and national pride. Designed and engineered in China, the car represents the culmination of BYD’s electric mastery – a machine that merges innovation, precision, and audacity in a single, sculpted form. Earlier this year, the U9 Track Edition shocked the world when it reached 472.41 km/h at Germany’s ATP Papenburg proving grounds. But just weeks later, in September 2025, Yangwang returned with the U9 Xtreme, a more focused, more ferocious evolution that shattered its own record with an officially verified top speed of 496.22 km/h, or roughly 308 mph. It wasn’t just a straight-line spectacle. On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the U9 Xtreme lapped the legendary circuit in 6 minutes 59.157 seconds, becoming the first fully electric production car ever to break the seven-minute barrier – a figure once reserved for the most finely tuned petrol supercars. Power Beyond Convention At the heart of this achievement lies a quad-motor powertrain delivering up to 3,000 horsepower, operating on a 1,200-volt electrical architecture, one of the most advanced in the world. Each wheel is driven independently, allowing precise torque vectoring that gives the car almost telepathic handling. Yangwang’s proprietary DiSus-X intelligent body control system reads the road and adjusts suspension behavior in real time, ensuring stability even at the outer edge of physics. Combined with an active aerodynamic package, advanced thermal management, and bespoke high-speed tires, the U9 is engineered to remain composed where most cars would unravel. Despite its headline-grabbing figures, the car’s design remains unmistakably elegant, sleek, fluid, and futuristic, yet purposeful. Every curve serves function as much as form, a harmony between aerodynamics and artistry that few marques have achieved. The Moment China Took the Lead For decades, record-breaking supercars hailed from Italy, Germany, or the United States. Now, China has not only entered the conversation but leads it. The U9’s performance eclipses that of the Rimac Nevera and Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, positioning Yangwang as a new standard-bearer in extreme automotive engineering. More than a symbol of speed, the U9 Xtreme is a declaration, a demonstration that the electric revolution isn’t a compromise, but an ascension. It proves that silence can roar, and that progress can outrun tradition. The Future, in Motion As the world’s fastest production car, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme doesn’t just mark a milestone for BYD; it marks a turning point for the entire automotive landscape. What was once a challenge – matching the emotional and mechanical drama of petrol power, has now been surpassed through electric innovation. The U9 isn’t merely fast. It’s philosophical – a statement that the next century of performance won’t be powered by fuel, but by vision. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/yangwang-u9-the-electric-revolution-at-496-kmh — Citation: "Yangwang U9: The Electric Revolution at 496 km/h" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-23. https://menwith.com/yangwang-u9-the-electric-revolution-at-496-kmh --- ## Ten Years to Zero: How OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Reset the Baseline - URL: https://menwith.com/ten-years-to-zero-how-omegas-master-chronometer-reset-the-baseline - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-22 - Tags: Omega **Summary:** OMEGA's Master Chronometer certification, established in 2015, tests entire watches for precision and magnetic resistance, setting a new industry standard for daily wearability and reliability. In 2015, OMEGA did something both technical and quietly radical. It asked Switzerland’s federal metrology authority, METAS, to verify not just movements, but complete watches, against a new slate of tests that reflected modern life. The result was Master Chronometer certification, a label that promised cased watches would keep time within 0 to +5 seconds per day, shrug off magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss, and maintain performance through temperature swings, water pressure, and the grind of six positions over ten days. This was not a badge for showroom cabinets. It was built for laptops, handbag clasps, induction hobs, and airport gates. There is history behind the move. OMEGA’s fixation on precision dates back to 1848, and the 19-ligne “OMEGA” calibre of 1894 that defined the brand’s name. The modern chapter began with two core technologies inside its movements. First, the Co‑Axial escapement, designed for long-term stability of rate. Second, the silicon Si14 balance spring, which refuses to become a magnet every time it nears a speaker or a phone. These parts are not decorative. They are the reason the watches can face a 15,000 gauss trial and tote up a clean result. The methodology matters as much as the parts. Before Master Chronometer, most of the industry stopped at “chronometer,” a movement-only certification with a -4 to +6 second daily tolerance. OMEGA’s approach tests the whole watch and narrows the acceptable window, with the notable target that a certified piece does not lose time on average. The first to cross the line was the Globemaster in 2015, and the brand has steadily pushed the standard across its collections. Today, OMEGA counts over 2.5 million “Co‑Axial Master Chronometer” watches and backs them with a five-year warranty. That number is not just a production statistic. It marks a shift in what buyers can expect to live with every day. There is also institutional muscle behind the scenes. OMEGA’s new Laboratoire de Précision, officially authorized by SAS for chronometer testing and now equipped for Master Chronometer evaluation, brings both of Switzerland’s most prestigious mechanical watch certifications under one roof. The lab’s mandate is measurement. Every beat of a calibre is tracked, the results are audited, and the data are used to refine performance beyond current standards. For a collector, that is more than marketing copy. It is infrastructure that supports consistency across millions of watches. What does this mean on the wrist? For one, peace of mind when the watch brushes a laptop hinge or rides the subway past a field of magnets. The timekeeping aim of 0 to +5 seconds per day is audible only in the sense that you do not hear the excuses. Wind an OMEGA Master Chronometer and the tactile script is familiar, but the difference is in how little it flinches when life gets messy. It also clarifies OMEGA’s position in the market. Rather than chasing ever-thinner bragging rights or limited-supply theatrics, the brand has anchored its collections around a certification that affects daily wear. Constellation, Seamaster, Speedmaster, and De Ville all benefit from the same philosophy, which makes the choice between them a question of design and purpose, not baseline performance. A decade in, the anniversary is not a victory lap, but a reminder that a century and a half after the 19‑ligne calibre, OMEGA still treats precision as a craft you can measure. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ten-years-to-zero-how-omegas-master-chronometer-reset-the-baseline — Citation: "Ten Years to Zero: How OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Reset the Baseline" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-22. https://menwith.com/ten-years-to-zero-how-omegas-master-chronometer-reset-the-baseline --- ## Salomon: From Alpine Roots to Olympic Heights - URL: https://menwith.com/salomon-from-alpine-roots-to-olympic-heights - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-10-22 - Tags: Salomon, Milano Cortina 2026, Winter Olympics, Paralympic Games, XT-6, Trail Running, Skiing, Sportswear **Summary:** Salomon, known for ski and trail running, partners with Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, outfitting staff and releasing fan merchandise. This move bridges performance and lifestyle. In October 2023, Salomon quietly took a step it had never taken before. The French brand, best known for its roots in skiing and trail running, signed on as a Premium Partner of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. On paper, it looks like a standard sponsorship deal. In reality, it is a fascinating shift for a company that has long carried credibility among mountain insiders but has never been tied so closely to the Olympic stage. Dressing the Invisible Army Most of the people who keep the Olympics running will never appear on TV. They are volunteers directing crowds, technicians keeping events on schedule, and judges working behind the scenes. At Milano Cortina, nearly 20,000 of them will be wearing Salomon. That means when you walk into a venue or see a torchbearer on the streets of Milan, there is a good chance you will be looking at someone outfitted by the French brand. Uniforms rarely make headlines, but they shape the feel of an event. The Olympics have a history of partnerships with major sportswear companies, from Adidas and Nike to lesser known specialists. For Salomon, the job is both practical and symbolic. It is about delivering functional clothing that can handle cold Italian winters, but also about putting the company’s identity into the fabric of the Games. From Slopes to Streetwear Salomon’s rise in recent years has been remarkable. Once a niche ski boot manufacturer, the brand has crossed into fashion circles, embraced by communities that care as much about sneakers as they do about snow. The XT-6 trail running shoe, in particular, has become a cult object from Tokyo to Paris. This cultural crossover makes the Olympic partnership more interesting than a simple supplier arrangement. Salomon now stands in the space between performance and lifestyle, and the Games give it a platform to explore both. The first signs of this were clear when Salomon announced it would also design licensed products for the public. A capsule collection of hoodies, T shirts, and caps has already been released, with a full line of jackets, footwear, and accessories arriving in late 2025. These are not just uniforms for staff. They are consumer products designed for fans who want to wear the Olympic badge in a way that feels more connected to modern outdoor culture. Why Now? Salomon’s decision to link up with the Games is a calculated move. The Olympics still represent one of the most powerful stages in sport, even in an era when athletes often communicate directly with their fans. For a brand like Salomon, which has built its credibility outside the traditional sponsorship machine, stepping into this arena signals ambition. It suggests that Salomon no longer wants to be seen only as the trusted choice of skiers and ultrarunners. It wants to be recognized on a global stage where identity, heritage, and style matter as much as performance. The timing makes sense. Milano Cortina 2026 will be the first Winter Games hosted in Italy in 20 years. The location itself carries cultural weight. Italy has the design sensibility, the fashion heritage, and the landscape to make the Games feel like more than just sport. For Salomon, associating with that mix of style and snow is a natural fit. A Subtle but Significant Move What makes this partnership notable is that it is not flashy. Salomon is not taking over the podium, nor is it outfitting the athletes who dominate the broadcasts. Instead, it is shaping the experience through the people who often go unseen. That humility aligns with the brand’s history. Salomon gear has always been designed for those who spend long hours outdoors, not for those chasing a spotlight. Yet by entering the Olympic ecosystem, the company positions itself in front of millions of viewers and consumers without losing its understated credibility. Looking Toward 2026 By the time the Games open in February 2026, Salomon will be visible on the backs of thousands of volunteers, in the wardrobes of fans wearing licensed collections, and in conversations about how traditional outdoor brands are stepping into broader cultural relevance. The move does not feel like a flashy corporate play. It feels more like a natural extension of where Salomon already is: on the mountains, in the cities, and now, for the first time, on the Olympic stage. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/salomon-from-alpine-roots-to-olympic-heights — Citation: "Salomon: From Alpine Roots to Olympic Heights" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-22. https://menwith.com/salomon-from-alpine-roots-to-olympic-heights --- ## Macan GTS Electric: The sportiest Macan gets a charge - URL: https://menwith.com/macan-gts-electric-the-sportiest-macan-gets-a-charge - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-21 - Tags: Porsche **Summary:** The electric Porsche Macan GTS prioritizes driver engagement with a sportier stance, enhanced handling, and refined interior. It offers up to 420 kW power, 586 km range, and 21-minute charging. The GTS badge has always meant a more concentrated version of a Porsche, built with intent rather than excess. The new electric Macan GTS continues that theme with a darker, more deliberate look. Tinted Matrix LED headlights, black contrast elements and a slightly lower stance give it quiet distinction from across a car park. The proportions are cohesive. Side skirts widen subtly toward the rear, the lower valance gains a diffuser-style finish and the taillights are smoked to match the front. Standard 21-inch Macan Design wheels in Anthracite Grey fill the arches with balance. Those who prefer a stronger visual statement can option 22-inch RS Spyder Design wheels. Colour choices stay true to the GTS palette: Carmine Red, the returning Crayon and a new Lugano Blue. From early 2026, a Sport Design Package will be standard across the range, developed here specifically for the GTS. Inside, the atmosphere is tactile and measured. Extended Race-Tex upholstery pairs with smooth black leather to create texture without excess. The GT steering wheel and 18-way sports seats look shaped for serious use rather than show, while the GTS Interior Package ties in colour accents through stitching, seatbelts and badging in Carmine Red, Slate Grey Neo or Lugano Blue. Carbon trim remains available for those who prefer a technical finish. The digital cockpit mirrors the chosen exterior colour in its central display, and standard Sport Chrono functions bring lap timing and telemetry to the mix. Porsche notes that Race-Tex requires regular care to maintain its appearance, a small but realistic reminder of what the material demands. The GTS makes its case through balance rather than headline figures. It produces up to 420 kW of overboost power and 955 Nm of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and running on to 250 km/h. A rear-biased 48:52 weight distribution and sports air suspension with PASM set the tone, with the ride height sitting 10 millimetres lower than the standard electric Macan. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and an electronically controlled rear differential are standard. Rear-axle steering is available to improve agility in tight spaces and stability at speed. Track mode, adapted from the Taycan, pre-conditions the battery to maintain consistent performance. Porsche’s Electric Sport Sound system offers two calibrated profiles in Sport and Sport Plus. The effect is engineered but intended to match the car’s purpose. A 100 kWh battery provides up to 586 kilometres of WLTP range, depending on conditions and driving style. With a suitable high-power charger, a 10 to 80 percent charge takes around 21 minutes at a peak rate of 270 kW. The GTS can now tow up to 2,500 kilograms. New technology features include a Porsche Digital Key, upgraded parking assistance systems, an AI-based Voice Pilot and in-car gaming for downtime on longer stops. This is the fifth electric Macan variant and the first to carry the GTS name. It does not pursue the highest output figures of the Turbo, instead focusing on feel, stance and response. In a segment filled with fast electric SUVs that rely on screens and power claims, the Macan GTS positions itself differently. Its appeal lies in steering precision, damping quality and a driving character that stays recognisably Porsche. The Macan GTS Electric represents the driver’s choice within the range. Its numbers are strong, its stance deliberate and its execution consistent with what the GTS badge has long meant. If the Turbo defines the top of the line, the GTS defines the point of connection between performance and purpose. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/macan-gts-electric-the-sportiest-macan-gets-a-charge — Citation: "Macan GTS Electric: The sportiest Macan gets a charge" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-21. https://menwith.com/macan-gts-electric-the-sportiest-macan-gets-a-charge --- ## Breguet at 250: The Measure of Time and Emotion - URL: https://menwith.com/breguet-at-250-the-measure-of-time-and-emotion - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-20 - Tags: Breguet **Summary:** Breguet celebrates 250 years of horological innovation, blending precision with emotion. New creations like the Marine Hora Mundi 5555 showcase this legacy, featuring a unique 18K Breguet gold and a world-time complication. When Abraham-Louis Breguet opened his first workshop on the Quai de l’Horloge in Paris in 1775, Europe was on the verge of transformation. The world was learning to measure precision. Time itself was being redefined, not as an abstract idea but as a craft shaped by hand, forged in metal and guided by imagination. Two and a half centuries later, that same spirit endures within Breguet. The Manufacture’s 250th anniversary is more than a milestone in horology. It is a celebration of how emotion can be crafted, one invention at a time, and how that pursuit has been appreciated by historical figures through the years. The Invention That Never Ends Breguet’s history is written through innovation. The perpétuelle of 1780 freed watches from winding. The pare-chute of 1790 made them resilient. The balance spring of 1795 refined precision. And in 1801, the tourbillon changed the course of watchmaking forever. These inventions shaped an art form that combined scientific understanding with emotional depth. That philosophy continues today, from the original Parisian workshop to the Vallée de Joux. Each piece that leaves the Manufacture reflects the same search for perfection. In its anniversary collection, Breguet brings this legacy to life through new creations such as the Classique Souscription 2025, the Reine de Naples 9935 and 8925, and the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035. All pay homage to the brand’s long tradition of invention and design. A New Gold, A Lasting Light For its 250th year, Breguet introduces a new material: 18K Breguet gold. Conceived and developed in-house, this alloy recalls the warm pink hue of the gold used by eighteenth-century watchmakers. It blends gold with silver, copper and palladium for strength and brilliance. Resistant to discoloration, it was created not to impress at first sight, but to endure. This new gold appears throughout the anniversary collection and represents what Breguet has always pursued: innovation that preserves heritage. Between Sky and Sea: The Marine Hora Mundi 5555 Among the anniversary timepieces, the Marine Hora Mundi 5555 best captures the spirit of Breguet’s 250 years. Limited to 50 pieces, it honors both craftsmanship and travel, linking the brand’s maritime heritage with a contemporary vision of the world. The dial is an extraordinary work of miniature art. It is built on two levels, a guilloché gold base and a sapphire crystal above it. Together they create a globe seen from space, inspired by NASA’s “Black Marble,” a nocturnal image of Earth glowing with city lights. The continents are painted by hand in enamel on the reverse side of the sapphire, then fired and turned over. On the surface, a second layer of enamel forms delicate clouds, each unique to the artist who painted it. The result is a living, luminous Earth that turns with every second. At the center of the watch is the calibre 77F1, a patented movement capable of memorizing two time zones and switching between them instantly with a single press of the pusher. It automatically adjusts the date and the day or night indication. For those who travel often, it is both a mechanical marvel and a companion across borders. The 43.9 mm Marine case, crafted for the first time in Breguet gold, alternates polished and satin finishes that catch light like shifting waves. Through the sapphire back, the oscillating weight, also in Breguet gold, displays the special 250th anniversary engraving. Each collector can personalize the cities on the 24-hour ring, creating a discreet reflection of their own journeys. Time, Crafted The Marine Hora Mundi 5555 expresses everything Breguet has stood for over two and a half centuries: invention, precision and the quiet emotion of craftsmanship. It connects the earth and sea, tradition and modernity, the spirit of exploration and the art of watchmaking. Two hundred and fifty years after its founding, Breguet remains faithful to the idea that time is more than something to measure. It is something to feel, to shape, and to pass on. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breguet-at-250-the-measure-of-time-and-emotion — Citation: "Breguet at 250: The Measure of Time and Emotion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-20. https://menwith.com/breguet-at-250-the-measure-of-time-and-emotion --- ## Porsche X Aimé Leon Dore - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-x-aim-leon-dore - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-10-19 - Tags: Aimé Leon Dore, fashion, Menwithclass, Porsche **Summary:** Porsche and Aimé Leon Dore merge automotive design with NYC tailoring in a subtle collaboration. The collection emphasizes proportion, material, and memory, offering refined, durable pieces for everyday life. When Porsche’s sculptural legacy meets Aimé Leon Dore’s nostalgic New York tailoring, the result is more than a capsule – it’s a cultural conversation. The collaboration blends automotive purity with sartorial sensitivity: soft palettes and tactile fabrics sit alongside unmistakable automotive cues, creating pieces that read equally at a private car club and on a downtown sidewalk. Collaborations in fashion can be loud gestures or subtle harmonies. Porsche x Aimé Leon Dore opts for the latter: a careful negotiation between two strong identities that share an interest in proportion, material and memory. On one side is Porsche, an icon defined by aerodynamic silhouette, precise engineering and a design language that has, for decades, translated motion into object. On the other is Aimé Leon Dore, a brand fluent in the language of city life – nostalgic colorways, perfectly cut knits and a tailoring sensibility that looks to the past to dress the present. What makes this particular pairing work is restraint. Where a less confident collab might slap logos and loud graphics across every surface, this edit leans into cues: a piping that echoes a dashboard seam, a tonal leather that references cockpit trim, or a foreign-sounding yet familiar color that reads like a late-’70s Porsche brochure. Fabrics are chosen for touch and longevity; silhouettes are honest, not showy. The clothes feel like they were always meant to live in a garage wardrobe beside a pair of driving gloves. Beyond the aesthetics, there’s a lifestyle proposition: these are pieces for people who appreciate process. You’ll find shirts cut with tailoring that tolerates movement, outerwear built to be folded into a weekend bag, and accessories that nod to motoring without becoming costume. The collection doesn’t ask you to perform an image – it simply supplies refined, durable clothes that fit into actual life: morning commutes, late-night drives and everything in between. In a market saturated with collaborations designed to spike resale value, Porsche x Aimé Leon Dore quietly reasserts why joint projects can matter – when they’re rooted in shared values and executed with craft. It’s not just about two names on a label; it’s about two traditions recognizing each other and producing something that feels inevitable in hindsight. More about fashion here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-x-aim-leon-dore — Citation: "Porsche X Aimé Leon Dore" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-19. https://menwith.com/porsche-x-aim-leon-dore --- ## The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing - URL: https://menwith.com/the-1955-mercedes-benz-300-sl-alloy-gullwing - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-19 - Tags: Mercedes-Benz **Summary:** The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, a rare competition-tuned model, exemplifies performance and elegance. This specific example, sold for $6.8M, showcases its enduring appeal and purpose-built design. If I could choose one car to call my own, it would be the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing in Silver Gray Metallic over blue gabardine and vinyl. This exact example was sold by Sotheby’s in 2022 for just over 6.8 million dollars. Even so, it feels less like a collector’s trophy and more like the definition of what a great car should be. The Alloy Gullwing was the purest form of the SL. Mercedes built only twenty-nine of them, each fitted with an aluminum body, plexiglass windows, and a competition-tuned 3.0-liter NSL engine. The lighter construction and higher compression gave it sharper performance and a livelier response on the road. It was still a road car, but one capable of genuine competition pace. This particular car was ordered new by Joseph Weckerlé, the Mercedes-Benz agent in Casablanca. It was the only Alloy Gullwing delivered to Africa, finished exactly as it appears today in Silver Gray with a blue interior, Rudge wheels, and a high-speed rear axle. It was built for long-distance driving rather than display, the kind of car meant to be used often and well. By the early 1960s, it had made its way to the United States. In 1975, it was restored by Paul Russell’s workshop in Massachusetts, a name that has become synonymous with the highest standard of 300 SL care. The restoration was meticulous but respectful of originality. The alloy body survived with only minor repair, which is unusual since many of these cars were raced and suffered corrosion or damage over the years. When the work was complete, the owner at the time, Jack Bryan, drove the car home from Massachusetts to Dallas. That small act captures what these cars are about. They were not museum pieces; they were built to be driven. In 1982, the car was acquired by Hyatt Cheek, a long-time Mercedes-Benz enthusiast and national president of the Gullwing Group. He kept the car for more than thirty years, taking it on road rallies like the Colorado Grand and the Texas 1000. He treated it as it was intended to be treated, as a machine that thrives on use and rewards care. Under his ownership, it was maintained by the same workshop that restored it decades earlier, which kept it mechanically sound and beautifully preserved. What I admire most about this car is its honesty. It reflects a kind of engineering that values purpose over show. Every element exists for a reason, from the compact proportions to the upward-opening doors that solved a structural problem rather than created a visual gimmick. It is light, efficient, and enduring. Even standing still, it gives the impression of movement. The 300 SL Alloy Gullwing represents a period when performance and elegance were not opposites but partners. It was designed in an era when progress came from clever thinking, not excess. The aluminum body, space frame chassis, and mechanical fuel injection were cutting-edge at the time, yet there is a calm simplicity in how it all comes together. Nothing shouts for attention. The car just works. When I think about dream cars, I look for a balance of engineering, history, and quiet confidence. The 300 SL Alloy Gullwing has all of that. This example, especially, tells a complete story. It was built for speed, lived a full life, and remains as it was meant to be. Some cars never lose their ability to mesmerize, even from a distance. This one still does. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-1955-mercedes-benz-300-sl-alloy-gullwing — Citation: "The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-19. https://menwith.com/the-1955-mercedes-benz-300-sl-alloy-gullwing --- ## Dom Pérignon x Takashi Murakami: A Pop Flower Planted In Dark Glass - URL: https://menwith.com/dom-prignon-x-takashi-murakami-a-pop-flower-planted-in-dark-glass - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2025-10-18 - Tags: Dom Pérignon, Takashi Murakami, Pop Flower, Champagne, Artist Edition, Luxury Collaboration, Vintage 2015, Rosé 2010 **Summary:** Dom Pérignon collaborates with Takashi Murakami, blending pop art with austere elegance. The limited edition features Murakami's iconic flowers on dark glass bottles, celebrating time, art, and refined rituals. Takashi Murakami is one of seven creative talents enlisted for the Maison’s new chapter, Creation is an Eternal Journey. The brief is simple enough on paper. Murakami’s smiling flowers meet Dom Pérignon’s severe elegance. The result is less a stunt and more a study in contrast. The designs are exactly what you imagine when Superflat meets the Maison’s most austere silhouette. A dark, almost satin bottle and coffret punctuated by saturated blooms that read from across the room, like colored glass under low light. The Maison’s shield sits centered and calm while Murakami’s kawaii flowers orbit as bright satellites. It is the tension that carries the object. Minimalism holds its ground. Pop art provides the spark. Murakami has said he wanted to express time travel, to make a label that still reads in a century when everyone involved is gone. That ambition feels aligned with Dom Pérignon’s habit of patience. The Maison rewards slowness, and the idea of watching a label scuff and soften while the wine inside evolves gives the piece a quiet resonance. The visual is cheerful. The subtext is about time. On the table, this edition behaves like good design should. You notice the weight of the coffret lid, the soft friction of matte against palm, the sudden snap of chroma when the bottle meets candlelight. Pull the cork and the pop is the same as ever, but now the conversation shifts. It becomes about the role of contemporary art at dinner, about whether flowers on a label are frivolous or a gift to the room. It is a talking point that does not demand center stage once the glasses are poured. The wines themselves are established quantities within Dom Pérignon’s canon. Vintage 2015 and Rosé 2010 carry the house’s name and therefore its standards. The release does not disclose allocations or pricing, which is worth noting for anyone eyeing these as future trophies. This is where the modern gentleman needs a rule of thumb. If you buy it, open it. If you love the label, keep the empty as a small artifact of the present. Context matters. Dom Pérignon has long dialogued with culture. Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Karl Lagerfeld, Lenny Kravitz, and now Murakami. The pattern is not random. The Maison often stands in for ceremony. Inviting artists into that space reframes what ceremony looks like for our time. Murakami’s language is playful and polarizing. Some will call it cutesy. Others will recognize the rigor beneath the smile. Here, the palette is disciplined, the flowers are restrained by the darkness of the bottle, and the overall effect respects the house’s classical core. In the broader luxury landscape, artist editions usually split into two camps. Objects that exist to be flipped, and objects that improve the rituals they touch. This one leans toward the latter. The packaging is memorable, but not louder than the wine. That is the correct balance. It also serves as a reminder that LVMH’s cultural projects are strongest when they set the scene rather than steal it. For collectors, this will sit comfortably beside previous Dom Pérignon art editions. For hosts, it is a way to add a contemporary note to a traditional meal without turning the table into a stage. For the skeptics, the collaboration confirms that the Maison can accommodate new imagery without losing posture. The closing thought is simple. Murakami’s flowers will age. The bottle will scuff. The wine will tell its own story. If the goal was to plant a pop emblem in the Maison’s dark glass and let time do the rest, this is a credible start. Not loud. Not precious. Just a clear sign of where high culture and high craft meet now. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dom-prignon-x-takashi-murakami-a-pop-flower-planted-in-dark-glass — Citation: "Dom Pérignon x Takashi Murakami: A Pop Flower Planted In Dark Glass" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-18. https://menwith.com/dom-prignon-x-takashi-murakami-a-pop-flower-planted-in-dark-glass --- ## The other side: OMEGA’s new Speedmaster Dark and Grey Side - URL: https://menwith.com/the-other-side-omegas-new-speedmaster-dark-and-grey-side - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-17 - Tags: Omega **Summary:** OMEGA refreshes its Speedmaster Dark and Grey Side with seven new ceramic references for 2025. Featuring advanced laser detailing, two-layer dials, and updated movements, these models explore modern materials and space-age aesthetics. Twelve years after the first Dark Side of the Moon made ceramic cool in Speedmaster land, OMEGA has returned to the theme with a measured but meaningful refresh. The headline facts are clear. There are seven new references split across four distinct dials, each in a ceramic case that keeps the familiar 44.25 mm footprint while trimming the profile. The release year is 2025, and the materials story is resolutely high tech: polished and brushed ceramic for cases and dials, Liquidmetal for tachymeter scales and crowns on selected models, and plenty of laser work to create depth and texture. Design is where the differences sharpen. OMEGA has developed a two-layer ceramic dial construction with laser-brushed finishing that plays with light in a way a single piece cannot. One all-black model goes even darker, pairing a laser sandblasted ceramic dial with diamond‑polished bevelled indexes filled with Super‑LumiNova and an enamel tachymeter. Another take revisits the original Dark Side formula but with finer proportions, a Liquidmetal tachymeter, and that new two‑plate dial architecture. The most tactile update is on the wrist: nylon straps now gain rubber lining for comfort, while the new rubber straps hide a lunar surface pattern on the underside, a small but clever nod to the watch’s origin story. Movements are equally considered. The range introduces a slimmer manual-winding expression with the Black Edition Co‑Axial Master Chronometer 9908, identifiable by a full matte dial with grey and red transfers and a red central chronograph hand. Automatic fans get the Co‑Axial Master Chronometer 9900, which also appears in a blacked‑out “Black Edition” treatment with darkened components. The space historian’s piece is the Apollo 8 tribute, powered by the Co‑Axial Master Chronometer 3869. Here, OMEGA leans into narrative without resorting to gimmicks. The movement and dial reveal a laser‑ablated lunar surface, with the near side visible through a skeletonised grey dial and the far side appearing through the caseback, echoing Jim Lovell’s succinct verdict from Apollo 8 that the Moon is essentially grey. Across the board, Master Chronometer credentials, Co‑Axial escapements, and four years of development in ceramic finishing underpin the technical brief. Water resistance is not specified in the release. Within OMEGA’s broader portfolio, this evolution sits exactly where it should. The classic hand‑wound Moonwatch remains the purist’s steel chronograph. The Dark and Grey Side family is the laboratory where OMEGA has long explored modern materials and space‑age surfaces. By keeping the 44.25 mm size and focusing on slimmer cases, sharper dials, and cohesive movements, OMEGA strengthens that identity rather than rewriting it. Collectors will find plenty to parse. The manual 9908 brings a leaner profile and a cleaner dial that should appeal to those who like their chronographs tactile, with the winding ritual part of the charm. The enamel‑tached all‑black automatic is the stealth choice. The reworked “classic” Dark Side provides a familiar silhouette with noticeably finer detailing. And the Apollo 8 model will continue to polarise in the best way. The laser‑etched lunar scape is literal, yes, but it is executed with the sort of precision and layering ceramic affords, and its near‑side and far‑side storytelling is anchored to a real mission and real words. OMEGA’s Raynald Aeschlimann calls this collection an embodiment of the brand’s pioneering spirit. Strip away the flourish and the takeaway holds. These new Speedmasters are not louder. They are cleaner, more coherent, and more technically confident, which is exactly how a modern ceramic Moon chronograph should evolve. Reference numbers and pricing are not provided in the press material, but the direction of travel is unmistakable. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-other-side-omegas-new-speedmaster-dark-and-grey-side — Citation: "The other side: OMEGA’s new Speedmaster Dark and Grey Side" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-17. https://menwith.com/the-other-side-omegas-new-speedmaster-dark-and-grey-side --- ## Measured Beauty: The Senator Meissen in White and Celadon - URL: https://menwith.com/measured-beauty-the-senator-meissen-in-white-and-celadon - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-16 - Tags: Glashütte Original **Summary:** Glashütte Original and Meissen Porcelain collaborate on limited-edition Senator Meissen watches featuring hand-painted porcelain dials. These timepieces emphasize minimalist design and meticulous craftsmanship. The most enduring expressions of craft often come from restraint. In the new Senator Meissen, Glashütte Original and Meissen Porcelain find common ground in a shared respect for patience, precision, and detail. This partnership yields two limited-edition timepieces that speak softly yet unmistakably of tradition. Glashütte celebrates 180 years of watchmaking in 2025. Meissen, Europe’s oldest porcelain manufactory, marks over 315 years of artistic heritage. Their collaboration centers on a dial that is as delicate as it is disciplined. Hand-painted on wafer-thin porcelain, each one is fired multiple times at high temperatures to lock in color and ensure perfect flatness. The process takes days. The result is something that feels timeless. The first version of the Senator Meissen features the “Mystic Maison” motif in fine grey brushwork set against a pure white ground. The second presents the same motif on celadon green, a shade with deep historical roots in Chinese ceramics. Each variant is limited to 150 pieces. Both dials are framed by a 40 mm red gold case with gently domed sapphire crystal. The hands are solid gold, shaped and finished with care. There is no date window, no seconds hand. Just hours and minutes, quietly conveyed, so the artwork remains uninterrupted. Inside, the Calibre 36-16 delivers 100 hours of power reserve and a smooth, bi-directional winding system. Its silicon balance spring resists magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations. The movement is visible through the sapphire case back, where the signature Glashütte striping, hand-engraved balance cock, and skeletonized rotor are all finished to a high standard. Even the smallest screws are heat-blued and polished by hand. Each watch is secured with a Louisiana alligator leather strap in either dark blue or black, fitted with a red gold pin buckle. A third model, limited to just eight pieces, introduces a vivid, painterly collage of Meissen flora and fauna across the dial. It stands apart in character, but shares the same dedication to detail. There is no urgency in these watches. No novelty for novelty’s sake. Just a quiet confidence in the value of time, and the care it takes to honor it. Read more about Glashütte Original here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/measured-beauty-the-senator-meissen-in-white-and-celadon — Citation: "Measured Beauty: The Senator Meissen in White and Celadon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-16. https://menwith.com/measured-beauty-the-senator-meissen-in-white-and-celadon --- ## Wider’s Acali Now Asking €9.5 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/widers-acali-now-asking-95-million - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-10-15 - Tags: Northrop & Johnson **Summary:** Wider's 28m hybrid catamaran, Acali, is now listed at €9.5M. Launched in 2024, it offers extensive volume, a 67m² beach club, and silent hybrid propulsion. A price reduction can say more than a brochure. The new €9.5 million ask for Acali, the first WiderCat 92 to launch, is one of those moments. Delivered in 2024 and still under full shipyard warranty, the 28-meter hybrid catamaran is not a build slot or concept. It is in the water, fully outfitted, and available now. Acali is Wider’s first multihull and a measured entry into the space. At 12 meters across, it offers main-deck volume that rivals larger monohulls, with a full-beam owner’s suite forward and private foredeck terrace. Below are three guest cabins, including two VIPs with balconies that open directly to the sea. The layout is designed for calm, not spectacle. The main salon and upper lounge use a restrained palette and clean lines to support long days aboard without visual fatigue. A shaded aft dining area keeps lunches cool, while the foredeck sunpads offer space for slower afternoons. Outside, the 67-square-meter beach club is a highlight. Fold-down sides and a convertible transom create a clean, usable platform just above the waterline. Tender storage is tucked out of sight. When the aft door is down and the bulwarks are open, the platform feels more like a low dock than a stern deck, with only the sound of water against the hull. The hybrid system, a Wider signature, pairs electric propulsion with a robust battery bank and solar support. It allows for silent operation at anchor and low-vibration cruising. Quoted performance is honest: 4,000 nautical miles at 6 knots, 12 knots cruising, and 14 knots at max. Solar panels are integrated cleanly into the hardtop and superstructure, helping to support hotel loads and reduce reliance on generators. Technically, Acali is sound. The yacht is built to RINA class and was supervised by a leading industry surveyor. It reflects Wider’s experience in hybrid systems from its monohull series, scaled here to take advantage of the catamaran platform. Stability, range, and onboard comfort are all part of the brief. Multihulls still split opinion, but the market is shifting. For owners seeking quiet, usable space and low environmental impact, Acali makes the case with clarity. The format supports longer stays, cleaner energy use, and a more relaxed pace. The revised price reflects Wider’s intent: not to wait, but to place the right boat in the right hands. In a year when scarcity, delays, and speculation have clouded the brokerage landscape, a turnkey yacht from a known shipyard stands out. Acali may not change every mind about catamarans, but it offers a serious answer for those ready to rethink what a cruising yacht can be. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/widers-acali-now-asking-95-million — Citation: "Wider’s Acali Now Asking €9.5 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-15. https://menwith.com/widers-acali-now-asking-95-million --- ## Vision Iconic: Mercedes-Benz Shapes the Future with Lessons from Its Past - URL: https://menwith.com/vision-iconic-mercedes-benz-shapes-the-future-with-lessons-from-its-past - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-14 - Tags: Mercedes-Benz **Summary:** Mercedes-Benz's Vision Iconic blends past design with future tech. It features Art Deco interiors, solar paint, and neuromorphic computing for electric, autonomous driving. Mercedes-Benz has never been a brand to chase trends. Its strongest work has always come from building on its own legacy, a quiet confidence drawn from more than a century of engineering and design. With the Vision Iconic, the company reasserts this position, presenting a vehicle that merges its historical design language with forward-thinking technology in a seamless, deliberate way. Recent Mercedes-Benz EVs have often favored smooth, softened forms that support efficiency but risk diluting the brand’s design identity. The latest models, like the new GLC, have started to correct that with more confident proportions and clearer detailing. Unveiled during Shanghai Fashion Week, the Vision Iconic is more than a show car. It is a design study, a platform for innovation, and a signal of how Mercedes sees its future: electric, autonomous, and unmistakably its own. The Return Of Presence The Vision Iconic immediately commands attention with its proportions. Long, sculptural lines and an upright stance recall the stately presence of the 1930s and 1960s Mercedes sedans. The design is not retro. It is foundational. The wide chromed grille structure, what Mercedes now calls the iconic grille, draws from models like the W108 and 600 Pullman, reinterpreting their upright dignity for the electric era. This grille, framed in polished chrome and overlaid with a smoked-glass lattice, is not only a design flourish. It integrates digital lighting, animations, and contour illumination to create a new brand signature for a world increasingly defined by screen-based identity. The illuminated hood ornament, paired with ultra-slim headlights and a deep gloss black exterior, turns the car’s face into a moving sculpture. Interior As A New Kind Of Space With automated driving shaping the future of mobility, Mercedes has used Vision Iconic to rethink the cabin experience. The interior blends old-world craft with digital subtlety. Art Deco influences are evident throughout: in the flowing lines, inlaid mother-of-pearl panels, and polished brass hardware. The floor is finished in straw marquetry, a decorative technique dating back to the 17th century and revived in the 1920s, now adapted for the 21st. At the center of the dashboard floats a glass structure known as the Zeppelin. It houses a mix of analogue and digital instruments, activated by a cinematic mechanical sequence inspired by chronographs. A screen spans the full width of the cabin but remains secondary to the tactile and material richness that defines the space. One of the instruments doubles as an AI interface, shaped like the Mercedes star, offering a quiet integration of digital assistance. The lounge-like layout, including a wide, velvet-upholstered front bench seat, reflects a shift in how occupants will use cars once driving becomes optional. Intelligent Technology, Thoughtfully Applied Vision Iconic is also a showcase for Mercedes-Benz’s research into more efficient, scalable technology. The solar paint applied to its bodywork can harvest energy passively, delivering up to 12,000 kilometers of additional driving range annually under ideal sunlight. The material is recyclable and avoids rare earths or silicon, aligning with long-term sustainability goals. More significantly, the concept introduces neuromorphic computing. By mimicking the way the human brain processes information, this architecture can reduce the energy demands of autonomous driving systems by up to 90 percent. This not only improves efficiency but also allows the car to process complex traffic environments more quickly and with greater reliability. Paired with Level 4 automated driving, the Vision Iconic offers a scenario where the driver can completely disengage on suitable roads. The car also features steer-by-wire, eliminating the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This makes tight urban maneuvering easier and creates more flexibility for interior design. Beyond The Vehicle Mercedes-Benz extended the Vision Iconic concept beyond the automobile. A six-piece capsule fashion collection debuted alongside the car, drawing from its colors, textures, and graphic language. The garments use deep blue tones and silver-gold accents in patterns that mirror the vehicle’s Art Deco geometry. The result is cohesive and deliberate, not merchandise but an extension of design philosophy. A new ICONIC DESIGN book also accompanies the launch, documenting the thinking behind this new chapter. It frames the Vision Iconic as part of a larger evolution, a brand reaffirming its values while building toward a world that demands clarity, identity, and refinement. In every detail, Vision Iconic is a reminder that Mercedes-Benz does not need to reinvent itself. It only needs to look inward and move forward. Vision Iconic Returns to the Spotlight Nearly a year after its unveiling, the Vision Iconic is back in the spotlight. As Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140 years of innovation in 2026, the concept has once again become a symbol of where the marque sees its design heading next. What initially appeared as a dramatic study in heritage and futurism now feels increasingly significant. Its illuminated interpretation of the traditional Mercedes grille, sculptural proportions and unmistakable three-pointed star continue to make a compelling case for a future where progress doesn’t mean abandoning identity. Still a concept, the Vision Iconic remains one of the clearest expressions of what the next era of Mercedes-Benz could look like. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vision-iconic-mercedes-benz-shapes-the-future-with-lessons-from-its-past — Citation: "Vision Iconic: Mercedes-Benz Shapes the Future with Lessons from Its Past" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-14. https://menwith.com/vision-iconic-mercedes-benz-shapes-the-future-with-lessons-from-its-past --- ## Toto Wolff’s Singapore-Worn IWC XPL Heads to Auction - URL: https://menwith.com/toto-wolffs-singapore-worn-iwc-xpl-heads-to-auction - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-14 - Tags: IWC **Summary:** Toto Wolff's IWC Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL, worn during the Singapore Grand Prix, is up for auction at Bonhams. Proceeds benefit the Laureus Foundation Switzerland. This is not the first time Wolff has worn the watch under pressure. A prototype version survived an unplanned impact during the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend when he struck a desk in frustration. That footage circulated widely and has since become part of the XPL story. Over the past few Formula One seasons, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Team Principal has become known not just for strategic precision, but for moments of very visible frustration. Headset slams, stern radio calls, and cold press conferences have become part of his presence on the pit wall. Which makes him, intentionally or not, an effective stress test for a watch designed to survive physical shock. IWC’s Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL is exactly that. And the piece now headed to auction is the very one worn by Wolff during the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. The sale, hosted by Bonhams, benefits the Laureus Foundation Switzerland. Along with the watch comes a signed white Mercedes team polo. Bidding is open online through 25 October and will close live during the Laureus Charity Night in Zurich. The reference is IW356201. Only 100 pieces will be produced, but this is the only one with race provenance. It was worn on a hot, high-pressure night in Singapore, where Mercedes driver George Russell secured the win. Unlike other models in the Big Pilot line, the XPL series is focused less on aviation nostalgia and more on pure survivability. The design comes out of IWC’s experimental engineering division and centers around the SPRIN-g PROTECT system, a spring-based suspension architecture that protects the movement from shock. The spring is made of bulk metallic glass, a material that bends and disperses force rather than transferring it. IWC reports that the system can withstand accelerations over 30,000 g. The watch is designed to function where most mechanical timepieces fail, and to make its case through performance rather than polish. Bonhams has set the estimate at CHF 80,000 to 200,000. For reference, a similar Wolff-worn IWC raised £160,000 at auction in 2022. Given the race-worn provenance and the charitable cause, expectations are measured but confident. The Laureus Foundation Switzerland uses sport to support youth through programs that promote inclusion, self-confidence, and resilience. IWC has partnered with the foundation since 2005 and contributes a one-off timepiece to its annual fundraiser each year. This particular watch stands out not just for its rarity, but for how clearly it fits its context. It is a piece of modern mechanical engineering, worn in competition, now offered in service of something beyond the paddock. For some collectors, that intersection of utility, narrative, and purpose is exactly where the real value begins. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/toto-wolffs-singapore-worn-iwc-xpl-heads-to-auction — Citation: "Toto Wolff’s Singapore-Worn IWC XPL Heads to Auction" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-14. https://menwith.com/toto-wolffs-singapore-worn-iwc-xpl-heads-to-auction --- ## Europe’s quietest spectacle: 10 beaches worth reaching by superyacht - URL: https://menwith.com/europes-quietest-spectacle-10-beaches-worth-reaching-by-superyacht - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-10-14 - Tags: Edmiston **Summary:** Discover Europe's most secluded beaches, accessible only by superyacht. These 10 destinations offer pristine waters and tranquility, emphasizing responsible boating and the craft of yachting over ostentation. The point of a yacht in Europe is not only the Riviera circuit. It is access. Tender-only coves at noon when the day-trippers are queueing on the road, anchorages where the only sound is cicadas in the pines and the soft slap of hull on water. These 10 beaches earn their reputation not by hype but by isolation, geology, and the simple pleasure of a swim with no audience. Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia, Italy UNESCO-listed, a limestone needle rising from water the colour of a new bottle of aquamarine. Named the world’s best beach in 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches. Reach by tender or a steep hike. Protected zone, so anchor well off and paddle in. The clarity is shocking, like air where water should be. Fteri Beach, Kefalonia, Greece A white amphitheatre of cliff and silk-fine pebbles, often ignored in favour of the island’s better-known locations. Boat access only. A calm midday stop for a swim and a slow lunch on deck while the cove hums with the smell of warm stone. Voutoumi, Antipaxos, Greece Warm shallows, deep anchorage, and the classic Ionian palette of chalk and teal. Take the 200-plus steps to Bella Vista for dinner as the hill radiates heat and the bay fades to dark glass. The sort of stop that converts motor-yacht loyalists to lingering. Navagio, Zakynthos, Greece The shipwreck of MV Panagiotis sits like sculpture on the sand, the cliff walls turning the cove into a natural theatre. Arrive early, swim before the flotillas, then run the Blue Caves where light folds and bends under the limestone. Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece The road is rough, which is precisely the point. From the upper deck you get the full geometry of cliff, curve and cobalt. It is a beach best appreciated with coffee in hand and no urgency to go ashore. Santa Giulia, Corsica, France A lagoon-smooth bay made for toys and long, idle paddles. Shallow water, soft sand, and nearby tables if you want them. U Santa Marina is the polished lunch, the sea the main course. La Pelosa, Sardinia, Italy A family dream: transparent shallows that seem to run to the horizon and a 16th-century watchtower set in the bay. Environmental rules apply, and rightly. Respect the anchorage zones and enjoy the long, easy wade. Zlatni Rat, Brač, Croatia The Golden Horn shifts with wind and tide, a sand-and-pebble arrow pointing wherever the Adriatic decides. Calm on one side, a breeze on the other. Pine shade ashore, drone-worthy geometry from above. Cala Mitjaneta, Menorca, Spain A pocket cove with water like blue glass, sheltered and quiet in the morning. Tender in, paddleboard out. By noon it feels crowded, which is your cue to retreat to the boat and let the crickets take back the soundtrack. Caló des Moro, Mallorca, Spain A narrow channel of luminous blue between sheer walls, all access by foot or sea. Swim the length, climb back aboard, and watch the light sharpen and flatten across the rock through the afternoon. What ties these places together is not exclusivity for its own sake but the discipline of getting there. Regulations are part of the experience, from Sardinia’s protected zones to local mooring rules across the Ionian. A good captain will anchor well off, manage tenders with tact, and leave no trace. Bring the right kit for the mood. A sailing yacht changes the pace completely, making a quiet reach between coves feel like the main event. A capable motor yacht with a thoughtful toy locker turns a flat afternoon into an informal regatta. Culturally, the shift is away from the performance of yachting and toward the craft of it. The table everyone wants in August is not onshore but the aft deck at 2 p.m., when the water is still and the only logistics are sun, shade, and who is on snorkel duty. Instagram has put bullseyes on some of these names, yet the water remains the filter. Arrive early, respect the limits, and the beaches give you what you came for: quiet, light, and a swim you remember in January. The modern gentleman knows when to opt out. In a season of queues and velvet ropes, the most elegant move is often the tender that leaves before breakfast, the anchor set far out, the day spent in the company of rock, sea, and a very good book. Read more about unique experience here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/europes-quietest-spectacle-10-beaches-worth-reaching-by-superyacht — Citation: "Europe’s quietest spectacle: 10 beaches worth reaching by superyacht" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-14. https://menwith.com/europes-quietest-spectacle-10-beaches-worth-reaching-by-superyacht --- ## Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition: a world timer that moves with the world - URL: https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-master-grande-tradition-a-world-timer-that-moves-with-the-world - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-13 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 (2025) features a pink gold case and a unique world map enamel dial. Its patented tourbillon orbits the dial, synchronizing with the world-time display for a mesmerizing mechanical ballet. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 returns in 2025 with a new enamel dial and an 18K pink gold case, and it is as much sculpture as timekeeper. The case, reference Q52824E2, measures 43 mm in diameter and 14.13 mm thick, with a convex bezel, broad bevels and hollowed lug flanks that catch light across polished, satin-brushed and micro‑blasted surfaces. On the wrist, the warmth of pink gold meets a dark blue alligator strap, a classic pairing that lets the dial do the talking. And it has plenty to say. The central display is a 25.5 mm domed world map viewed from the North Pole, its continents cut from a fine plate of pink gold and filled using champlevé enamel. Nine layers are fired to achieve the gradations, a subtle play of opaque and translucent tones that suggest different landscapes. The continents sit on a skeletonized dome formed by longitude and latitude lines, so they seem to hover. Beneath, the oceans shimmer with translucent blue lacquer over wavy hand‑guilloché, built up to an almost liquid depth through a sequence that totals 17 coats and then polished to a gleam. Around this miniature globe, the world-time display is crisply organized. The city names sit on a blue opaline ring. Inside it, a fixed 24‑hour ring with applied markers and laser‑engraved numerals provides day and night context. Outside it, the minute track is laser‑engraved on a blue lacquer background. It is ordered and readable, yet the dial is never still. The reason is Calibre 948, an in‑house automatic movement of 388 components whose party trick remains unique to Jaeger‑LeCoultre: a patented Universal Tourbillon that makes a full rotation in 60 seconds and also completes a 360‑degree orbit of the dial every 24 hours. As the tourbillon travels, the domed map and the city ring rotate in unison, a mechanical allusion to Earth’s rotation and the 24‑hour day. The effect is hypnotic, and for some it will be the point. For others, that constant motion may prove a touch theatrical. Either way, it is memorable. Despite the complexity, operation is simple. Set the time with the crown and every time zone synchronizes. Land in a new city and advance or retreat the hour hand in one‑hour jumps while minutes and seconds keep running. The movement beats at 4 Hz, stores 48 hours of power and is secured under a sapphire caseback. Water resistance is rated at 5 bar, respectable for an haute horlogerie piece but better considered a confidence buffer than an invitation to swim. Within Jaeger‑LeCoultre’s portfolio, the Master Grande Tradition line is where the Vallée de Joux manufacture marries complicated watchmaking with its Métiers Rares atelier. When it created Calibre 948, it was the first time a world-time complication had been paired with a flying tourbillon, and this edition leans into that dual identity. The engineering is the headline, yet the dial’s artisanal depth gives the mechanics a worthy stage. As an object of collecting, the new Calibre 948 has obvious hooks. It is limited to 20 pieces, executed in a precious metal, and it represents a patented take on a classic complication. The projection from the North Pole will please map lovers. The 43 by 14.13 mm proportions are unapologetic, which suits a watch whose city ring and world map literally move with time. It is not a minimal world timer, and that is precisely its character. The Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 in pink gold is a reminder that universal time can be more than a static ring of cities. Here, the world turns, the tourbillon travels, and the craftwork invites a lingering look. For those who like their horology to be both precise and poetic, this is a compelling axis to orbit. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-master-grande-tradition-a-world-timer-that-moves-with-the-world — Citation: "Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition: a world timer that moves with the world" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-13. https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-master-grande-tradition-a-world-timer-that-moves-with-the-world --- ## Dior Hands Yannick Alléno the Keys to 30 Montaigne’s Table - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-hands-yannick-allno-the-keys-to-30-montaignes-table - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-10-12 - Tags: Culture, Dior, LVMH **Summary:** Dior appoints world-renowned chef Yannick Alléno to lead culinary ventures at 30 Montaigne, blending couture's discipline with nature-inspired gastronomy. This collaboration elevates dining to a cultural encounter, reflecting luxury's evolving narrative. Dior has tapped Yannick Alléno, the most Michelin-starred chef in the world in 2025, to oversee its culinary universe at 30 Montaigne. He will take the helm of the Monsieur Dior restaurant, La Pâtisserie, now renamed Le Jardin, and Le Café. All three sit inside the townhouse where Christian Dior launched the Maison in 1946, a building that still houses the ateliers. It is not just another fashion-meets-food tie-in. It is a statement that the language of luxury now speaks fluently in both cloth and cuisine. The brief is exacting. Alléno’s menu is inspired by Christian Dior’s love of nature and flowers and is designed to read like a collection, with forms and textures directly conversing with couture and the archives. The promise is tactile and visual as much as gustatory. Think sculpted compositions and garden-led cues rather than gimmicks, where crisp textures meet petal-soft finishes, and plating recalls the discipline of a well-cut jacket. There is clarity in the division of spaces. Monsieur Dior stands as the gastronomic anchor. Le Jardin signals a patisserie with an explicit botanical tilt in name and spirit. Le Café offers a more casual counterpoint under the same roof. That structure matters. It allows a progression from morning to night, from an espresso and a madeleine to something more ceremonial. The atmosphere should oscillate between the precise clink of porcelain and the softer cadence of service in a maison dedicated to craft. Alléno’s intent is unambiguous. “Like Christian Dior, I am actively engaged with my era. What I propose is to bring the spirit of the couturier to the cutting edge of contemporary culinary creation. I want this to be a place bursting with energy, a place that embodies the essence of the times, just as the House of Dior has always done with couture.” The alignment with Dior’s long-standing hospitality instinct is clear. Christian Dior valued the art of hosting. This collaboration places that idea back at the center, not as a side project but as part of the brand’s cultural fabric. The industry context matters. Luxury houses have moved decisively into hospitality over the past decade. Some efforts feel like showrooms with a wine list. Others have become serious addresses in their own right. By placing an elite chef at the heart of its most symbolic site, Dior is opting for the latter. It suggests permanence rather than a pop-up cycle. It also recognizes a quieter truth about modern luxury. The most resonant experiences today are coherent. They connect story, setting, and execution in a way you can see, touch, and taste. There will be those who roll their eyes at another fashion-food fusion. Fair. Not every partnership escapes the trap of branding masquerading as dining. The difference here is the locus. 30 Montaigne is not just any location. It is the Maison’s origin, with ateliers still at work upstairs. The decision to rename the patisserie Le Jardin is not decoration. It folds Dior’s nature-driven codes back into daily ritual, one cup of coffee at a time. If Alléno resists the urge to over-design the plate and instead translates couture’s discipline into flavor and form, this could be a reference point in Paris, not a vanity project. For the modern gentleman, the value is straightforward. This is a chance to observe a top-tier chef engage directly with a house’s archives and codes, in situ. It is dining as cultural encounter rather than mere indulgence. Expect a conversation between rigor and pleasure, between archive and appetite, carried through in textures that snap, sauces that glide, and a seasonal lens that nods to the garden. The announcement does not disclose opening dates, booking details, or pricing. What it does make clear is intent. Dior wants its home at 30 Montaigne to be lived in, not just looked at. The takeaway is simple. When a house of Dior’s stature treats cuisine as an extension of its core craft, the bar rises for everyone. Fewer stunts. More substance. A kitchen that speaks the same language as the atelier. Paris benefits. So do those of us who believe luxury should be felt in the quiet precision of a table setting and in the first, unmistakably considered bite. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-hands-yannick-allno-the-keys-to-30-montaignes-table — Citation: "Dior Hands Yannick Alléno the Keys to 30 Montaigne’s Table" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-12. https://menwith.com/dior-hands-yannick-allno-the-keys-to-30-montaignes-table --- ## Ferrari Elettrica: The Shape of Quiet Power - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-elettrica-the-shape-of-quiet-power - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-11 - Tags: Ferrari **Summary:** Ferrari's first fully electric model, the Elettrica, debuts in 2026. It features an in-house battery integrated into the chassis, four motors producing over 1,000 cv, and a unique sound system. The pulse of a Ferrari has always been mechanical. The rising pitch of a V12, the metallic crackle of a downshift, the way the engine seemed to speak through the steering wheel. It was a language made of sound and vibration, and for decades it defined what emotion in driving felt like. The Ferrari Elettrica, partially revealed in Maranello this week, speaks a different language. Its voice is quieter, but the intent is unchanged. At Capital Markets Day, Ferrari presented the production-ready chassis and powertrain of its first fully electric model. This is not a vision of what might come, but the physical foundation of the car that will arrive in 2026. It represents one of the most significant shifts in the company’s 76-year history. Yet the message from Maranello was clear: the Elettrica is not a departure from Ferrari’s soul, only a new way of expressing it. A new balance The Elettrica’s proportions draw from the brand’s mid-engined berlinettas. The driver sits close to the front axle, creating that intimate sense of control that has long defined Ferrari sports cars. The battery, designed and assembled entirely in-house, forms a structural part of the chassis rather than a separate component. This allowed engineers to lower the centre of gravity by 80 millimetres compared with a similar combustion model. It also helps maintain near-perfect balance between the front and rear axles, a quality essential to how a Ferrari turns, brakes and settles on the road. Much of the chassis and body are made from recycled aluminium, saving over six tons of CO₂ during production. The focus on sustainability does not dilute performance; it refines it. The battery’s energy density is among the highest in any production car, yet the real breakthrough lies in how seamlessly it integrates into the car’s structure. It does not weigh the car down. It holds it together. Motion, redefined Power comes from four electric motors, two per axle, all developed in Maranello. Together they produce over 1,000 cv in boost mode and deliver instant torque that reshapes what acceleration feels like. Where a traditional Ferrari builds its power through revs, the Elettrica delivers it in a single, continuous surge. The result is not just speed, but a new rhythm. Ferrari’s engineers have given that energy a sense of progression. Using the right paddle behind the steering wheel, the driver can step through five levels of power delivery, each one stronger than the last. The system is designed to make acceleration feel alive rather than automatic. The left paddle increases regenerative braking, allowing the driver to manage deceleration with the same tactile involvement as an engine brake. The 48-volt active suspension, an evolution of the system introduced on the Purosangue, works alongside four-wheel steering to maintain control in every situation. The car’s central control unit updates 200 times per second, constantly adjusting torque, suspension, and steering angle. The aim is the same as always: precision that feels effortless. The sound of truth Ferrari could have programmed an artificial soundtrack. It chose not to. Instead, a sensor on the rear inverter captures the vibrations of the electric motors and amplifies them through the car’s structure. The sound is authentic and mechanical, more resonance than roar. It appears only when useful, fading away when the car is at rest. The result is not silence, but honesty. The meaning of this moment The Elettrica accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and reaches 310 km/h. It can travel more than 500 kilometres on a single charge. These numbers confirm its ability, but the achievement is not technical alone. It lies in how naturally Ferrari has made an electric car feel like a Ferrari. A combustion engine connects driver and machine through pulse and vibration. An electric motor connects them through immediacy. One speaks with sound, the other with silence. The Elettrica shows that both can move you, each in its own way. When the final car is unveiled next year, it will not be remembered for what it lacks, but for what it preserves. The feeling of control. The precision of movement. The sense that even in a new age of power, a Ferrari remains something that lives between heart and hands. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-elettrica-the-shape-of-quiet-power — Citation: "Ferrari Elettrica: The Shape of Quiet Power" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-11. https://menwith.com/ferrari-elettrica-the-shape-of-quiet-power --- ## Inside Lamborghini’s Centro Stile: the studio shaping tomorrow’s poster cars - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-lamborghinis-centro-stile-the-studio-shaping-tomorrows-poster-cars - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-10 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** Lamborghini's Centro Stile studio crafts future supercars by blending heritage with innovation. Manifesto concept sets the tone for cleaner, bolder designs, integrating AI for inspiration. Lamborghini has never treated design as garnish. At Centro Stile, the drawing board is the first ignition, not the afterthought. The team’s signatures are well known: a silhouette you can recognise in your peripheral vision, Y-shaped light graphics that read like neon calligraphy at dusk, and hexagonal geometry borrowed from the golden age of Italian industry. Familiar yes, but the brief is never repetition. Each model must arrive with its own accent. Revuelto speaks in hybrid muscle, Huracán Sterrato adds dirt under the fingernails, and the coming generation will orbit around a new reference point called Manifesto. Manifesto is not a running prototype. It is a rolling sculpture used to set the tone. Think of it like Terzo Millennio did in 2017, which quietly fed ideas into Revuelto and beyond. Surfaces are pared back, volumes are bold, and the stance is pure attitude. The idea is instant emotion first, recognition later. Centro Stile has been quietly building this identity in-house since the mid-2000s. The team is compact at around two dozen specialists, but wide in perspective: Italians, Germans, Portuguese, Poles, Americans, Japanese and Chinese, the kind of creative mix that keeps an Italian brand global without blurring its accent. Clay modelers still matter as much as the wizards behind the VR rigs, and color and trim experts decide whether a material earns its place by feel as much as by feasibility. It is a football squad rather than a gallery collective, with designers shifting between blue-sky sketches and the brutal reality of millimeter-perfect production. Design here is never a mask. Lamborghini’s recent cars make that clear. Packaging hybrid systems demands fresh thinking on proportion and airflow; intakes are not ornaments, they feed batteries and combustion with the same urgency. Revuelto’s plug-in layout changed the car’s anatomy and, with it, the visual language of its bodywork. Expect the Manifesto’s cues to be filtered through the wind tunnel and the factory, because Centro Stile sits next door to both. That proximity is the point. Lamborghini’s obsession with Y motifs and hexagons divides dinner tables. Some see theater, others see cosplay. Both reactions are useful. In an age of algorithmic sameness, a car that can be sketched from memory after a brief encounter at a traffic light is doing its job. The studio knows the line between icon and caricature is thin, which is why the newest work leans into cleaner surfaces and stronger stance rather than more vents for the sake of vents. There is a small skunkworks inside Centro Stile tasked with thinking 20 years ahead. Artificial intelligence is on their tool rack, used to prototype visuals and broaden the mood board at speed, but human judgment still calls the shot. The aim is not to let software dictate taste, but to give designers more paths to the unexpected. A forthcoming model called Fenomeno is already being trailed as part of that future, while remaining under wraps for now. Every supercar brand claims design as its soul, but few sell on it as heavily as Lamborghini. It makes sense. In a world where SUVs pay the bills and electrification rewrites performance metrics, visual identity is both moat and magnet. Posters may have moved from bedroom walls to phone wallpapers, yet the stakes are the same: if the profile does not stop you scrolling, the spec sheet will not save it. With Manifesto, Lamborghini is staking out a look designed to cut through the noise. Centro Stile is doing what the best studios do: distilling heritage into a modern accent without getting stuck in a greatest-hits loop. The Manifesto concept reads like a promise to simplify, strengthen and surprise. If the next wave of Lamborghinis can keep that purity while serving the needs of hybrids and whatever comes after, the brand’s most valuable asset will remain intact. Not power, not price, but presence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-lamborghinis-centro-stile-the-studio-shaping-tomorrows-poster-cars — Citation: "Inside Lamborghini’s Centro Stile: the studio shaping tomorrow’s poster cars" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-10. https://menwith.com/inside-lamborghinis-centro-stile-the-studio-shaping-tomorrows-poster-cars --- ## Cristiano Ronaldo: The Billion-Dollar Athlete - URL: https://menwith.com/cristiano-ronaldo-the-billion-dollar-athlete - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-10-10 - Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo **Summary:** Cristiano Ronaldo, football's first billionaire, built a global empire through record-breaking contracts, strategic endorsements, and the CR7 lifestyle brand. His entrepreneurial ventures span fashion, hospitality, and real estate, leveraging his massive social media following. Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey from the narrow streets of Madeira to becoming football’s first billionaire is more than a sports success story. It is a masterclass in ambition, branding, and generational wealth creation. From record-breaking contracts to a global lifestyle empire, Ronaldo has transformed elite performance into long-term prosperity. Sporting Greatness, Global Earnings Ronaldo’s on-field dominance laid the foundation. With over 850 career goals, five Ballon d’Or trophies, and titles in England, Spain, and Italy, his legacy as one of the greatest players ever was already sealed. But it was his strategic mindset off the pitch that propelled him into rare financial air. After earning over $550 million in salary from Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo shocked the football world in 2023 with his move to Al Nassr. The Saudi deal, worth over $200 million per year including commercial rights, redefined athlete compensation. In 2025, at age 40, he extended his contract for two more years at an estimated $400 million. These earnings, combined with historic bonuses and image rights, brought his career income past $1.4 billion. Endorsements That Defined an Era Ronaldo’s financial ascent is also built on marketing genius. His endorsement portfolio includes lifetime deals with Nike and long-standing campaigns with Herbalife, Tag Heuer, and Clear. His Nike partnership alone is reportedly worth over $1 billion. In total, endorsements outside football have earned him hundreds of millions. Ronaldo is not just a footballer. He is a global brand. His image carries trust, aspiration, and prestige, qualities brands will pay anything to borrow. His marketability ensures that even off the pitch, his income rivals the world’s highest-paid CEOs. Building the CR7 Empire What separates Ronaldo from most athletes is his entrepreneurial instinct. Under the CR7 brand, he has created a luxury lifestyle portfolio that includes: • Fashion and fragrance lines sold globally • CR7 Eyewear and footwear, aligned with his personal image • CR7 Underwear, a bestseller and a symbol of his iconic physique But the real play is in hospitality. With Portugal’s Pestana Hotel Group, Ronaldo co-owns Pestana CR7 Hotels, a fast-growing chain with properties in Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakech, and New York. The hotels blend modern design with fitness-focused luxury, offering guests a curated taste of Ronaldo’s world. A Paris opening is planned for 2027. He has also ventured into fitness, launching CR7 Crunch gyms across Europe, positioning his name at the center of the health and wellness movement. Smart Investments, Real Assets Ronaldo has quietly built a portfolio of smart investments. He co-founded Insparya, a chain of hair transplant clinics, reflecting his move into medical aesthetics and wellness. He owns real estate across Europe and the Middle East, including a $20 million Lisbon penthouse and villas in Madrid, Turin, and Dubai. In 2023, he acquired a reported 20 to 30 percent stake in one of Portugal’s largest media companies, expanding his presence in communication and influence. He also launched 7EGEND, a sports-focused digital agency that helps clubs and brands modernize their marketing strategies, leveraging Ronaldo’s own understanding of digital power. Owning His Audience With more than 600 million followers, Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram. Each post he makes generates millions in advertising value. He doesn’t just appear in ads, he is the media platform. By controlling his own audience, Ronaldo has eliminated middlemen and taken full ownership of his brand. This has made his product launches, hotel openings, and partnerships instantly viral and instantly profitable. In many ways, his social media is more powerful than any traditional broadcaster. The Legacy of Brand Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t just become football’s first billionaire by scoring goals. He did it by making every goal mean something bigger. Every move was calculated. Every product he launched reflected his values of performance, perfection, and luxury. He is not just an athlete. He is the CEO of CR7. A walking business model. A brand that spans continents, industries, and generations. For the boy who left Madeira with nothing but a dream, the legacy he built is proof that greatness extends far beyond the game. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cristiano-ronaldo-the-billion-dollar-athlete — Citation: "Cristiano Ronaldo: The Billion-Dollar Athlete" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-10. https://menwith.com/cristiano-ronaldo-the-billion-dollar-athlete --- ## Aston Martin DB12 S: The Sharper Edge of the Super Tourer - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-db12-s-the-sharper-edge-of-the-super-tourer - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-09 - Tags: Aston Martin **Summary:** The Aston Martin DB12 S enhances the DB12 with sharper focus, increased power (700 PS V8), and revised dynamics for a more assertive grand tourer experience. It features aggressive styling and performance upgrades, competing with Ferrari Roma and Bentley Continental GT Speed. Aston Martin has a new apex DB. The DB12 S takes the already accomplished DB12 and turns up the focus, the noise and the precision. Think of it less as a track refugee and more as a grand tourer that has been to finishing school for late apexes. This is a more assertive Aston, and that will divide opinion in the best way. A dual element front splitter visually lowers and widens the car, while bonnet louvres vent the hot V of the 4.0 twin turbo V8. Along the flanks, gloss black sill extensions stretch the stance. The rear is the talking point. A fixed spoiler and a broader diffuser frame stacked quad pipes that look like they were drawn with a thick pencil. Subtle it is not, but it reads as honest performance intent rather than garnish. If you prefer your Aston minimal, this will feel busy. If you want your flagship to announce itself, welcome home. Aston leans into the S identity with a red anodised drive mode controller that sets the tone for colour accents on belts, stitching and headrests. Trim options range from semi-aniline leather to leather and Alcantara, including duotone and tritone schemes. Get it right and it feels couture. Get carried away and it risks looking overstyled. The 16‑way Sport Plus seats are standard and agreeable on long days, with a Carbon Fibre Performance seat for those who value lateral grip over latte comfort. An optional Alcantara heated steering wheel is a tactile treat. The winged emblem is applied with an emboss and deboss technique that adds depth without shouting. Numbers first, because they matter here. The hand-built 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 now makes 700 PS at 6000 rpm and 800 Nm between 3000 and 6000 rpm. Officially it will do 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and run to 202 mph. The throttle map is more progressive, so the initial pedal travel feels cleaner and easier to meter. Gearshifts are over 50 percent quicker, which you sense as a snappier hit rather than brutality. The standard carbon ceramic brakes are a statement. They bring big stopping power and shed 27 kg of unsprung mass, which you feel in the calmer way the chassis breathes over broken surfaces and the added clarity through the wheel. Revised Bilstein DTX damper software, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and tweaked geometry give the front end more bite and the body better control. The steering is quicker to key in but not nervous, and the electronic rear diff lets you feed in throttle earlier without drama. A corner braking control system tidies trail-braking with predictive smarts that make the car feel like it shrinks around you on a tight road. The soundtrack has grown a chest. The stainless steel quad-pipe exhaust shapes a deeper voice across the rev range, with an optional titanium system saving 11.7 kg and adding 1.5 dB. On a cold start it will turn heads. At a cruise it hushes enough to hold a conversation. Aston’s S badge has real lineage, from DB3S to Vanquish S and Vantage S. This latest S sits at the top of the DB tree and joins DBX S and Vantage S in a renewed performance tier. Competitively, it pushes into the territory of Ferrari Roma, Bentley Continental GT Speed and Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo, where character matters as much as capability. The DB12 S answers with drama you can see and polish you can live with. Offered as Coupé and Volante, first deliveries begin Q1 2026. The DB12 S sharpens the Super Tourer brief without sanding off the Aston soul. It is faster and more alert, yet still composed, with real gains in steering feel and body control. The aero addenda and stacked pipes will not be to every taste, but they suit the brief. If the standard DB12 is the elegant dinner jacket, the S is the same suit with a slimmer cut and louder cufflinks. For many, that will be exactly the point. Read more about Aston Martin here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-db12-s-the-sharper-edge-of-the-super-tourer — Citation: "Aston Martin DB12 S: The Sharper Edge of the Super Tourer" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-09. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-db12-s-the-sharper-edge-of-the-super-tourer --- ## The Gold Standard: Inside Jacob Arabo’s $150 Million Aureum Estate - URL: https://menwith.com/the-gold-standard-inside-jacob-arabos-150-million-aureum-estate - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-10-08 - Tags: Jacob Arabo, Jacob & Co, Aureum Estate, Dubai Hills, Luxury Real Estate, Dubai Architecture, High Jewelry **Summary:** Jacob Arabo's $150M Aureum Estate in Dubai redefines luxury living as a "livable work of art." The 42,000 sq ft residence boasts bespoke design, rare materials, and advanced technology, reflecting Arabo's signature precision and drama. For more than three decades, Jacob Arabo has turned craftsmanship into spectacle through his work in watches and high jewelry. Now, that same vision lives in a new form: architecture. Aureum Estate by Jacob & Co, unveiled in Dubai Hills, is a $150 million private residence that redefines what a home can be. Designed as a “livable work of art,” it captures the precision and drama that have long defined Arabo’s creations. Every decision reflects intent. Every surface tells a story. The estate spans nearly 42,000 square feet across three levels. It holds seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and a series of spaces that balance grandeur with privacy. There is a private spa with hammam, ice room, and sauna. A cinema and gentleman’s lounge. A wine cellar, a tea room that honors local traditions, and an outdoor pool complete with DJ booth and catering access. Each space is meant to move effortlessly from quiet living to large-scale entertaining, a reflection of life in Dubai at its most refined. Arabo has always worked with rare materials, and Aureum follows that same discipline. The marble, graded Triple-A, was sourced from a single quarry in Italy after a year-long wait. The onyx, once set aside for a Sotheby’s auction, now anchors the home’s Great Bar. Its surfaces are finished with metallic paints from leading European manufacturers, creating a quiet shimmer under light. Each chandelier, crafted by master makers in Italy and the Czech Republic, adds a touch of theater without excess. The house also introduces several firsts for residential design in the Middle East. It includes an outdoor cooling system for year-round comfort, hospital-grade air filtration, and ultra-slim windows with integrated cooling and humidity drainage. A smart water recycling system purifies and reuses greywater for landscaped gardens. Security is managed by advanced motion detection, sensitive enough to distinguish the movement of a household pet. To achieve this level of detail, Arabo assembled a global team of 14 designers and eight architects. Together they treated the project as a singular work rather than a construction. Each element, from the hand-installed façade to the sculptural rock features and bonsai installations, carries a sense of authorship. Even the furniture was created as one-of-one pieces, designed specifically for the space they occupy. Set within Dubai Hills and overlooking the golf course, the estate sits 15 minutes from landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Opera. Its position captures the balance between serenity and access that defines the new generation of Dubai living. With limited land in this enclave, Aureum Estate represents something rare: a home built at the scale of an idea. For Jacob Arabo, this project feels inevitable. His work has always been about control of form, proportion, and surprise. In Aureum, those values are translated into stone, glass, and light. The result is not a display of wealth but of imagination, a place where artistry and engineering share equal weight. In a city that thrives on superlatives, Aureum Estate stands apart. It is not louder or taller, but more precise. It reflects a belief that true luxury is not about more, but about better. A house conceived as a complete idea, where every detail earns its place. Read more about Jacob & Co here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-gold-standard-inside-jacob-arabos-150-million-aureum-estate — Citation: "The Gold Standard: Inside Jacob Arabo’s $150 Million Aureum Estate" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-08. https://menwith.com/the-gold-standard-inside-jacob-arabos-150-million-aureum-estate --- ## Amangati: When Aman Meets the Sea - URL: https://menwith.com/amangati-when-aman-meets-the-sea - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-10-08 - Tags: Travel, Aman, Amangati **Summary:** Amangati, Aman's first luxury yacht launching in 2027, offers serene maritime travel with 47 suites, signature dining, and a holistic wellness spa, embodying Aman's philosophy at sea. There is a particular silence that follows you into every Aman. It is not the absence of sound so much as the presence of calm, a sense that the world has slowed to match your pulse. In 2027, that silence will find a new rhythm in the steady roll of the ocean. Amangati, the first vessel from Aman at Sea, will set sail in spring 2027. It marks the brand’s considered move into maritime travel. For more than three decades, Aman has built sanctuaries defined by restraint, places where architecture serves peace rather than spectacle. Amangati carries that same philosophy across nine decks and 47 suites, offering the privacy and quiet luxury that have come to define Aman’s name. Created with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, Amangati’s design speaks the same visual language found across Aman’s resorts: open space, balance, and natural light. Suites feature 2.3-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and private terraces that open directly to the sea. Spa-style bathrooms, discreet technology, and the steady presence of a dedicated Host create an atmosphere of unhurried ease. The vessel will house four dining venues, including Nama, Aman’s signature Japanese restaurant, and The Grill, a refined expression of elemental cooking. Menus will evolve with the seasons and the voyage, reflecting Aman’s ongoing connection to place. Wellness sits at the heart of the experience. The Aman Spa, located high on the vessel, opens to a garden with uninterrupted views of the horizon. Treatment rooms extend onto private terraces with whirlpool baths, and the daily rhythm includes yoga, meditation, and beauty rituals designed for renewal. On Deck 6, a 16-metre pool offers space for rest, framed by daybeds and the calm of open air. From the Marina, guests can explore the water by paddleboard or tender before returning to shaded loungers for quiet reflection. Evenings bring a different kind of calm in the Jazz Club, where live music and carefully made cocktails create a sense of gentle occasion. Amangati is also built to host. Private charters and gatherings can be tailored with Aman’s familiar precision, ensuring every event unfolds with ease and intention. More than a yacht, Amangati is Aman’s philosophy in motion. It invites guests to move through the world at a slower pace, where the sea becomes both destination and state of mind. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/amangati-when-aman-meets-the-sea — Citation: "Amangati: When Aman Meets the Sea" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-08. https://menwith.com/amangati-when-aman-meets-the-sea --- ## Timing the ice: OMEGA sets the clock for Milano Cortina 2026 - URL: https://menwith.com/timing-the-ice-omega-sets-the-clock-for-milano-cortina-2026 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-08 - Tags: Omega **Summary:** OMEGA returns as official timekeeper for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, leveraging 32 Games of experience. Their invisible, high-tech system ensures precise, incontestable results across 116 events. For the fourth time, the Olympic Games head to Italy. When Milano and Cortina open the winter chapter on February 6, 2026, OMEGA will be there in its most public role. The brand’s timekeeping résumé now spans 32 Olympic editions since 1932, a lineage that begins with one watchmaker and a suitcase and now travels with hundreds of expert timekeepers and the sort of logistical footprint you feel through the floor when it rolls into town. What does that look like to the spectator? In a word, invisible. The job is to make sure nothing distracts from the human drama. The updated OMEGA kit arrives to capture every split second in immersive detail, then melts into the background so the only numbers that matter are the ones on the scoreboard. The scale is startling. We are told “hundreds of tonnes of equipment,” which is more rolling lab than pop-up booth, deployed across venues that range from the smooth glare of the speed skating oval to the rattling ice of the bobsleigh run. Milano Cortina 2026 will stage 116 events across 8 sports. The familiar alpine and sliding disciplines share space with modern crowd-pleasers like Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing, and a debutant takes the stage in Ski Mountaineering. That is a broad spectrum of motion to measure. While the brand’s release does not dive into the guts of each system, it is clear the timing has to flex from hundredths at the finish line to intermediate splits that keep coaches honest and broadcasters fed. The point is service. Athletes, judges, and spectators are all on the same clock. OMEGA’s presence is already ticking in northern Italy. To mark the countdown, the company unveiled a special Countdown Clock in Cortina for the Paralympic Winter Games and began the One Year to Go moment for both the Olympic and Paralympic events. A countdown is simple on paper yet powerful in a public square. It turns anticipation into a ritual, a daily reminder that the world is moving toward a shared appointment. How does this sit within the brand’s broader universe of watches and watchmaking. OMEGA’s identity is a three-part chord of spacefaring chronographs, deep-diving tool watches, and a longstanding contract with sport at its highest level. The Olympic partnership is not an accessory. It is a proving ground that has shaped the company’s reputation for precision, and a narrative thread that runs through Planet OMEGA’s Sports & Timekeeping pillar. Even in a world that runs on quartz-synchronized everything, the symbolism of a mechanical-origin watch company taking responsibility for the world’s most scrutinized finish times still carries cultural weight. There is also a pleasing continuity to the story. The suitcase of stopwatches in 1932 reads like a sepia postcard now, yet the core brief is unchanged. Make the race fair. Make the result incontestable. In 2026, that means moving in with a small army and an industrial load of sensors and systems, then leaving behind a single accurate number next to a name. Collectors often talk about provenance, and while this announcement is about timing the athletes rather than releasing a watch, the halo effect is real. Every four years, the brand reaffirms a public competence that quietly legitimizes the precision claims of its consumer pieces. The ritual fosters a broad fan base beyond the enthusiast bubble too. Olympic timing is a bridge between specialist craft and mainstream attention. If you care about watches, you care about time. OMEGA’s return to the Winter Games is a reminder that timekeeping is more than a tagline. It is a responsibility measured in thousandths and in trust, and in Italy next February the brand will once again be judged by both. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/timing-the-ice-omega-sets-the-clock-for-milano-cortina-2026 — Citation: "Timing the ice: OMEGA sets the clock for Milano Cortina 2026" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-08. https://menwith.com/timing-the-ice-omega-sets-the-clock-for-milano-cortina-2026 --- ## Spectre Bailey: A Rolls-Royce Love Letter - URL: https://menwith.com/spectre-bailey-a-rolls-royce-love-letter - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-07 - Tags: Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Spectre Bailey is a bespoke Rolls-Royce EV, personalized with a dog's likeness via intricate marquetry and unique finishes. It highlights the future of ultra-luxury through narrative personalization. Meet Spectre Bailey, a one-of-one commission that turns a Labrador–Golden Retriever mix into a design brief. The exterior is a two-tone study in restraint: Crystal Fusion, an iridescent finish that shifts with the light, over Beautiful Bailey, a warm hue inspired by the dog’s soft ear. The Spirit of Ecstasy glows in Rose Gold, and the hand-painted Coachline carries Bailey’s actual paw print in the same finish. It could have been precious for preciousness’s sake; instead it reads like a private wink, not a shout. Open the doors and the temperature drops a few degrees, metaphorically. Moccasin and Crème Light leather set a calm baseline, with Dark Spice and Casden Tan accents recalling the coat that inspired the car. Royal Walnut veneer provides the stage for the showpiece: a marquetry portrait of Bailey on the rear waterfall, assembled from more than 180 individually cut pieces. The artisans used nine different veneers, 22 natural tones in all, and avoided staining so the fur’s warmth comes from real wood, not dye. Four unusual species form the dog’s tongue, among them Purple Heart and Tulipwood, a little in-joke for materials nerds and a quietly serious flex for a brand that built its name on craft. There are lighter touches too. A smaller marquetry paw print appears on the passenger fascia, and bespoke treadplates carry the motif in Rose Gold. It is whimsical, yes, but the execution is classic Rolls-Royce: patient, precise, and designed to be discovered, not broadcast. Spectre is Rolls-Royce’s electric super coupe, and the Bailey commission does nothing to change its core character. In an EV, silence is the point, and here it suits the marque perfectly. WLTP claims a 329-mile range, with consumption between 22.2 and 23.6 kWh per 100 km. For owners who think in destinations rather than distances, that translates to effortless long-haul cruising with fewer stops than you might expect, and the kind of instant torque that makes overtakes feel like telepathy. Raw numbers are not the story; atmosphere is. The car was curated through Private Office New York for long-standing U.S. clients, which tells you two things about luxury in 2025. First, the future of ultra-luxury is electric, and customers at this level are not wringing their hands about it. Second, personalization has moved beyond colors and monograms to narrative. In an age when performance parity is a given, the point of a Rolls-Royce is not speed, it is significance. Spectre Bailey is essentially a memory vault on wheels, a family story expressed through finish, texture, and time. It will split opinion, as personal objects tend to do. Paw prints on a six-figure coupe will sound twee to some. Yet the restraint is notable. The theme is intimate rather than literal, and the materials will age gracefully. You can imagine this car in 30 years, the veneer deepening, the leather ripening, and the story still clear. Spectre Bailey is not a marketing exercise, it is a case study in why Bespoke exists. It shows Rolls-Royce leaning into its real advantage in the electric era: not horsepower, but handwork, and the ability to turn sentiment into substance without slipping into kitsch. If luxury is about what only you can have, this is the idea taken to its logical, and rather charming, conclusion. And if every great grand tour needs a co-driver, Bailey, immortalised in wood and light, is along for the ride. Read more about Rolls-Royce here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/spectre-bailey-a-rolls-royce-love-letter — Citation: "Spectre Bailey: A Rolls-Royce Love Letter" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-07. https://menwith.com/spectre-bailey-a-rolls-royce-love-letter --- ## The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly - URL: https://menwith.com/the-h-moser-038-cie-streamliner-tourbillon-pierre-gasly - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-06 - Tags: Gasly, H. Moser & Cie **Summary:** H. Moser & Cie. unveils the Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly, a watch born from mutual respect and a shared pursuit of precision. Featuring a unique chocolate fumé dial and a flying tourbillon, it embodies Gasly's disciplined approach to design. There is a difference between a collaboration and a conversation. The former often feels forced, the latter natural; an exchange between two worlds that understand each other. The Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly, unveiled by H. Moser & Cie. during the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, belongs firmly to the second category. What emerged from the meeting between Pierre Gasly and the Neuhausen-based manufacture is not a branded exercise but a shared statement on precision. Gasly, known for his poise behind the wheel, approached the project with the same discipline that defines his racing. He worked hand in hand with Moser’s artisans, refining each element, from the feel of the strap to the tone of the dial, until it mirrored his idea of balance. That dial became his signature: Chocolate fumé. A deep, layered brown with a sunburst finish that shifts with the light, the color carries quiet strength. The transparent-lacquered Moser logo leaves the surface almost untouched, giving the impression of restraint rather than embellishment. It is paired with a 5N red gold Streamliner case, its fluid architecture designed to play with reflections much like the bodywork of a race car under floodlights. At six o’clock, a one-minute flying tourbillon animates the composition, its slow, hypnotic rotation powered by the automatic HMC 805 calibre, developed and finished in-house. The movement features Moser’s signature double hairspring, produced by its sister company Precision Engineering AG, which improves accuracy through symmetry and balance. The oscillating weight, in 18-carat red gold, completes the picture with subtle transparency and an engraved Moser emblem. Two versions of the watch exist. The first, reference 6805-0410, is limited to 100 pieces and paired with a chocolate rubber strap that underscores the Streamliner’s sport-chic versatility. The second, reference 6805-0411, is the collector’s choice: just ten pieces, fitted with an integrated red-gold bracelet. A single ruby set at ten o’clock quietly nods to Gasly’s racing number, a detail as intimate as it is deliberate. Seen under the lights of Singapore, where the air hums and engines echo off glass towers, the Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly feels at home. It is precise, personal, and confident without being loud, qualities shared by both the man and the brand. In a landscape where collaborations often chase attention, H. Moser & Cie. has managed something more enduring. The result is a portrait in mechanical form, created not from sponsorship but from mutual respect. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-h-moser-038-cie-streamliner-tourbillon-pierre-gasly — Citation: "The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-06. https://menwith.com/the-h-moser-038-cie-streamliner-tourbillon-pierre-gasly --- ## Vittori Turbio – Where AI Meets Italian Craftsmanship - URL: https://menwith.com/vittori-turbio-8211-where-ai-meets-italian-craftsmanship - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-06 - Tags: AI, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Vittori, Vittori Turbio **Summary:** The Vittori Turbio, a 2025 hypercar co-designed with Pininfarina, merges AI-driven design with a 1,100hp V12 hybrid powertrain. It promises sub-2.5s 0-60 mph and over 220 mph, blending Italian artistry with intelligent performance. In October 2025, the world will witness the debut of the Vittori Turbio – a hypercar that blurs the line between machine intelligence and Italian artistry. Designed in collaboration with the legendary Pininfarina, it’s more than just a car; it’s a statement about where performance, technology, and emotion intersect. A New Era of Intelligent Performance Vittori may be a new name in the automotive world, but the Turbio signals serious intent. Developed with AI-driven design processes and constructed using advanced materials like titanium and carbon fiber, the car aims to redefine how modern hypercars are conceived. Beneath its sculpted body lies a hybrid powertrain pairing a 6.8-liter V12 with an electric motor on the front axle, producing around 1,100 horsepower. The result? A 0–60 mph sprint in under 2.5 seconds and a top speed rumored to exceed 220 mph. The design is unmistakably Pininfarina: flowing yet aggressive lines, narrow LED signatures, and an aerodynamic silhouette shaped by both wind and algorithm. The double-bubble roof, horseshoe grille, and X-shaped taillights all nod to classic Italian design while embracing the futuristic edge expected of a next-generation hypercar. Inside, the Turbio’s philosophy continues – intelligent interfaces and adaptive systems that learn from driver behavior. Vittori describes it not just as a performance vehicle, but as a “thinking companion” capable of refining its dynamics over time. Only 50 units will be built, ensuring that exclusivity matches the ambition behind the project. More than a debut, the Turbio represents Vittori’s entry into a broader vision that includes advanced mobility – from 3D-printed titanium manufacturing to future eVTOL and electric jet concepts. It’s a bold step, one that blends the romance of Italian craftsmanship with the precision of machine learning. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vittori-turbio-8211-where-ai-meets-italian-craftsmanship — Citation: "Vittori Turbio – Where AI Meets Italian Craftsmanship" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-06. https://menwith.com/vittori-turbio-8211-where-ai-meets-italian-craftsmanship --- ## Vittori Turbio – Where AI Meets Italian Craftsmanship - URL: https://menwith.com/vittori-turbio-where-ai-meets-italian-craftsmanship - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-06 - Tags: AI, Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Vittori, Vittori Turbio **Summary:** The Vittori Turbio hypercar, a 2025 debut, merges AI-driven design with Italian craftsmanship by Pininfarina. Featuring a 1,100hp V12 hybrid powertrain and advanced materials, it promises sub-2.5s 0-60 mph. In October 2025, the world will witness the debut of the Vittori Turbio – a hypercar that blurs the line between machine intelligence and Italian artistry. Designed in collaboration with the legendary Pininfarina, it’s more than just a car; it’s a statement about where performance, technology, and emotion intersect. A New Era of Intelligent Performance Vittori may be a new name in the automotive world, but the Turbio signals serious intent. Developed with AI-driven design processes and constructed using advanced materials like titanium and carbon fiber, the car aims to redefine how modern hypercars are conceived. Beneath its sculpted body lies a hybrid powertrain pairing a 6.8-liter V12 with an electric motor on the front axle, producing around 1,100 horsepower. The result? A 0–60 mph sprint in under 2.5 seconds and a top speed rumored to exceed 220 mph. The design is unmistakably Pininfarina: flowing yet aggressive lines, narrow LED signatures, and an aerodynamic silhouette shaped by both wind and algorithm. The double-bubble roof, horseshoe grille, and X-shaped taillights all nod to classic Italian design while embracing the futuristic edge expected of a next-generation hypercar. Inside, the Turbio’s philosophy continues – intelligent interfaces and adaptive systems that learn from driver behavior. Vittori describes it not just as a performance vehicle, but as a “thinking companion” capable of refining its dynamics over time. Only 50 units will be built, ensuring that exclusivity matches the ambition behind the project. More than a debut, the Turbio represents Vittori’s entry into a broader vision that includes advanced mobility – from 3D-printed titanium manufacturing to future eVTOL and electric jet concepts. It’s a bold step, one that blends the romance of Italian craftsmanship with the precision of machine learning. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vittori-turbio-where-ai-meets-italian-craftsmanship — Citation: "Vittori Turbio – Where AI Meets Italian Craftsmanship" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-06. https://menwith.com/vittori-turbio-where-ai-meets-italian-craftsmanship --- ## Cayenne Electric: Inside Porsche’s Next Big Pivot - URL: https://menwith.com/cayenne-electric-inside-porsches-next-big-pivot - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-05 - Tags: Cayenne, Porsche **Summary:** Porsche's Cayenne Electric redefines luxury EV interiors with its Flow Display, integrating tech into tactile surfaces. It prioritizes driver focus with advanced AR HUD and customizable comfort, setting a new standard for performance-oriented electric cabins. A curved wall of OLED, warm-to-the-touch surfaces, and a mood for every mile; the new Porsche Cayenne Electric turns tech into texture without forgetting what a Porsche should feel like. Porsche calls it the Flow Display. The curved OLED stretches across the dashboard and melts into the center console, creating the largest continuous digital surface ever fitted to a Porsche. It looks expensive yet restrained, more cockpit than cinema. The slenderness of the panel, the gentle arc, and the crisp typography make screen overload feel oddly calming. Ambient and communication lighting add theater when you want it and disappear when you do not. This cabin is about sensation as much as specification. Surface heating warms more than the seats, extending to armrests and sections of the doors for that chalet-at-dusk coziness. The sliding panoramic roof, the largest glass sunroof in a Porsche, uses a liquid crystal film to shift from Clear to Matte at a touch, with Semi and Bold settings adding 40 and 60 percent opacity. It is both party trick and practical shade. Rear passengers finally get their say. Electrically adjustable seats come standard and can slide from lounging comfort to cargo-minded functionality. Up front, the display suite is thoughtful rather than showy: a 14.25-inch OLED instrument cluster that prioritizes the power meter and navigation, an optional 14.9-inch passenger screen for streaming or app control, and a head-up display that layers augmented reality arrows and lane guidance with an effective 8.7-inch image. Personalization borders on couture. There are 13 interior color combinations, four interior packages, and five accent packages, plus new hues like Magnesium Grey, Lavender, and Sage Grey. Leather remains, but a leather-free Race-Tex interior with Pepita textile nods to Porsche heritage. Trim and stitch options allow subtle elegance or bold sport. If that still feels off-the-rack, Exclusive Manufaktur and the Sonderwunsch program will go deeper. The numbers can wait for the full reveal. What matters now is how the tech should shape the drive. Mood Modes coordinate light, climate, sound, and seat functions to dial the cabin from focused to relaxed, which reads gimmick on paper but tends to earn its keep on long days. A new AI voice assistant listens like a human, handling complex requests and follow-up questions without repeating the wake word. It also controls climate, seat heating, lighting, and those Mood Modes, and it speaks the language of addresses and traffic like a local. Streaming and gaming are onboard, and the optional passenger display can play video on the move without distracting the driver. Your phone or watch becomes the key through Ultra Wideband, unlocking as you approach and letting you share access with up to seven people. It is the kind of convenience that quietly reshapes daily use. The Cayenne once scandalized purists and saved the brand. This electric version is tasked with a different trick: keep Porsche’s sporting character alive in a luxury EV age ruled by screens and silence. Rivals like the BMW iX, Mercedes EQS SUV, and Range Rover’s next wave lean into lounge vibes. Porsche counters with an interior that feels purpose-built for driving first, albeit with a larger palette and smarter software. The sheer acreage of display will divide opinion. So will the idea of mood lighting as performance enhancer. That tension is part of the appeal. If this is Porsche’s template for its electric interiors, it is a confident one. The Flow Display looks intentional, the augmented HUD is genuinely helpful, and the expanded comfort features feel crafted rather than piled on. The configurability is staggering without tipping into chaos, and the Pepita textile might be the quiet hero of the options list. We will need power, range, and chassis details to complete the picture. For now, the Cayenne Electric’s cabin suggests a brand that still designs for the driver, even as it turns the cockpit into an experiential space. Digital, yes. But also tactile, warm, and recognizably Porsche. Read more about Porsche’s electric remap here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cayenne-electric-inside-porsches-next-big-pivot — Citation: "Cayenne Electric: Inside Porsche’s Next Big Pivot" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-05. https://menwith.com/cayenne-electric-inside-porsches-next-big-pivot --- ## The new wellness retreat is afloat: inside Edmiston’s yacht fitness charters - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-wellness-retreat-is-afloat-inside-edmistons-yacht-fitness-charters - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-10-05 - Tags: Edmiston **Summary:** Edmiston offers private yacht charters for wellness retreats, blending fitness, nutrition, and relaxation in exclusive locations. These mobile sanctuaries provide personalized programs with unparalleled privacy and mobility. Wellness travel is no niche. The sector is edging toward the 1 trillion dollar mark, and with it comes a simple question for the modern traveler who values control, privacy, and results: why stay put at a resort when your retreat can move with you? Edmiston’s wellness-focused yacht charters answer that with a program that is structured when you want it, loose when you do not, and always in your own orbit. The difference is mobility and discretion. At anchor in a quiet cove you get the kind of silence that can carry a breath count, only the soft slap of water on hull. When the mood shifts, the captain lifts anchor and you switch to a livelier bay for sport. Crew set up circuits on the aft deck, weights thud softly on teak, then reset the space for meditation as the light cools. Destinations matter. The Caribbean remains the easy choice for warm, shallow water and simple days of paddleboarding, rainforest hikes, and waterfall swims. The Mediterranean has a stronger wellness narrative than it used to. Sardinia, a Blue Zone, rewards a plant-forward diet and demanding hill walks scented by myrtle and pine. Ikaria, reached from Athens, offers hot springs and the kind of lived-in calm that pairs well with slow laps and slower lunches. Hardware is where yachts earn their keep. For athletic types, LADY S brings court sports onto deck, a rare way to keep sharp without stepping ashore. SUNRAYS places cardio with a sea view and follows it with recovery, a pool on the aft deck, three Jacuzzis, and a spa with steam and two therapists. If variety is non-negotiable, SOPHIA builds a dedicated games deck for football, basketball, and racket sports, then drops you to a beach club with a Hammam and even a snow room, a sharp sensory reset after heat. SEVERIN*S leans into calm, sunrise yoga on deck with a professional instructor and a private masseuse, plus a double-access beach club so the water is always a few steps away. Design is a wellness tool in itself. LIFE SAGA uses Japanese-influenced interiors, natural woods and clean lines that lower the shoulders as you walk in. Its beach club opens on three sides, a cross-breeze of salt air through the gym, and spa facilities that include a Hammam, sauna, mood shower, and Jacuzzi. PARA BELLVM is similarly minimal, the kind of uncluttered environment that helps the mind settle, with an aft deck infinity pool that frames the horizon. ARBEMA, a 72 meter with the largest sun deck in her class, makes the day feel unhurried, a long run of space for morning flows, a shaded corner for massage, and even room to practice a golf swing while the tender waits below. The daily flow can be simple. Wake early, the deck still cool underfoot, for twenty minutes of guided breath and movement. Breakfast is fruit, eggs, or steel-cut oats, whatever your program calls for. Mid-morning is circuits or a coached swim, followed by the classic hot to cold transition, sauna to sea. Lunch might be sea-to-plate fish with lemon and herbs, a clean plate that smells of olive oil and char. Afternoons are yours, a paddle to shore or a book in the shade, then a massage to close the loop. Nutrition is not an afterthought, it is an equal pillar. With a private chef on call, menus shift from farm-to-table to sea-to-plate without fuss, and dietary constraints are treated as normal. Michelin pedigrees appear on some yachts, yet what matters is execution, proteins and veg balanced to your training, desserts that feel like a reward without derailing the work. There is a wider reading here. Corporate offsites have drifted toward wellness, away from forced fun, and a charter gives a team privacy and a controlled guest list. For individuals, this is performance and recovery rather than decadence for its own sake. A fair note of caution, sustainability features are not disclosed in the overview, and anyone concerned with footprint will want to ask about itinerary planning and onboard systems before booking. The sea has always been the original spa, cold, clean, and quiet. Edmiston’s proposition is to curate the rest, from coaches to courts to kitchens, then step aside so the routine feels personal. If wellness has become a checklist on land, at sea it reads more like a rhythm, and that may be the point. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-wellness-retreat-is-afloat-inside-edmistons-yacht-fitness-charters — Citation: "The new wellness retreat is afloat: inside Edmiston’s yacht fitness charters" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-05. https://menwith.com/the-new-wellness-retreat-is-afloat-inside-edmistons-yacht-fitness-charters --- ## Last of the Line, First to Be Noticed: Vintage Lamborghini’s in Italy - URL: https://menwith.com/last-of-the-line-first-to-be-noticed-vintage-lamborghinis-in-italy - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-10-04 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** The final Lamborghini Diablo, celebrated at Italian concours events, showcases the brand's heritage alongside models like the Miura and Countach. Polo Storico's certification adds value to these analog supercars, appealing to collectors seeking authenticity and character over modern software. Three and a half decades after its debut, the final Diablo built reminded two very proper concours that Italian excess still has perfect manners when it counts. Together with others, it turned heads in Italy. There is a particular thrill when a brand turns its own history into a live performance. Lamborghini did exactly that on two Italian lawns, sending the last-ever Diablo from its collection to the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705 near Bologna and to the Festival Car in Revigliasco, Moncalieri. It was a birthday lap of honor for the Diablo at 35, and a toast to Polo Storico at 10, the factory department that safeguards Sant’Agata’s past with paperwork, parts and polish. It worked. A Miura P400 certified by Polo Storico took first in the supercar class, a tidy reminder that credibility is as powerful as a V12. Park a Diablo next to a Miura and a Countach and the family tree reads like a mood board of Italian bravado. The Diablo’s long, low wedge still has that Gandini lineage, all intent and intake. Scissor doors rise like a salute, a gesture that is both theater and function in tight Italian streets. The Miura beside it whispers a different language, a muscular curve rather than a slash, the very shape that made the term supercar stick. Add a 350 GT to the scene, the company’s first production model, and you have Lamborghini’s origin story in metal, progressing from gentlemanly grand tourer to poster-on-the-bedroom-wall. If modern supercars are curated experiences, the Diablo remains a confession booth. You sit low, the cowhide smells honest, and the glasshouse is shallow enough to make every kilometer feel faster. Sightlines demand attention, the pedal box makes you place your feet with intent, and the switchgear will never be accused of overthinking. That is the charm. There is no intermediary between driver and machine, only the tactile grammar of 1990s Italian ergonomics. Inside the Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV Numbers are not the point here, character is. The Diablo’s naturally aspirated V12 idles with a lumpy patience, then climbs toward redline with a rising, metallic clarity that filters through the cabin. The gated manual demands precision, the clutch has a reputation for honesty, and the steering wakes up as the pace builds. It is a car that rewards rhythm more than violence. On the concours lawn it is stationary theater, but everyone present knows its soundtrack, and that knowledge has presence. Concours events can be peacocks’ parades, yet they are also markets of trust. Polo Storico’s decade of restoration and certification has become a currency, especially for blue-chip Lamborghinis. Judges and collectors want beauty, but they also want proof, and a factory certificate is as good as a handshake from Sant’Agata. The Miura’s class win in Varignana underlines it. Meanwhile, the Festival Car in Moncalieri, listed on the FIVA calendar, gathered proper royalty of the road, an ideal backdrop for a brand that once broke rules and now curates them. What these gatherings also reveal is a shift in taste. The 1987 Countach 5000 QV from the ASI Bertone Collection still pulls a crowd that grew up on posters, but the 1990s are having a moment. Analog supercars, with their texture and effort, are the new status objects for buyers who want more story than software. A last-of-line Diablo, authenticated and preserved, is a bullseye for that audience. Lamborghini’s heritage program is learning to speak softly while letting its cars do the shouting. The final Diablo is not just a museum piece, it is a cultural artifact that still feels charged. Pair it with a winning Miura and the origin 350 GT, and you get a narrative arc that is rare in the supercar world, from elegance to audacity to emotion. Two concours, one message. Authenticity matters, and the past can be as exciting as the future when it is this well told. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/last-of-the-line-first-to-be-noticed-vintage-lamborghinis-in-italy — Citation: "Last of the Line, First to Be Noticed: Vintage Lamborghini’s in Italy" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-04. https://menwith.com/last-of-the-line-first-to-be-noticed-vintage-lamborghinis-in-italy --- ## Loro Piana Dresses Team Europe for Ryder Cup 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-dresses-team-europe-for-ryder-cup-2025 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-10-03 - Tags: Sports, Loro Piana, LVMH **Summary:** Loro Piana partners with Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup, focusing on high-performance, understated apparel crafted from innovative fabrics like Wish wool and Techno Wool Bistretch Rain. In late September at Bethpage Black, where the rough looked like it meant it, Team Europe walked out in Loro Piana. The Italian maison returned as clothing partner for the 45th Ryder Cup, a relationship that had been steady since 2016. It was a union of golf’s most intense team stage and a brand that preferred understatement to noise. The pairing made sense, especially on a course and in a city that rewarded composure. The uniform story was about fabric first. The Eagle polo was cut in an innovative stretch material designed for breathability, that cool touch players noticed when the sun sat high over Farmingdale. Over it went a V-neck vest in Loro Piana’s high-finesse Wish wool, a fine-gauge knit with a dry, smooth hand that sat cleanly over the collar without bulk. The Lawry trousers used Techno Wool Bistretch Rain, offering freedom of movement and engineered quick drying, the slight spring players felt at the knee on a long follow-through. None of it shouted. All of it was built to work. Color was the signal. Europe rotated tones by match day, a disciplined palette that became ritual inside a week of pressure: sky blue on Friday, kummel on Saturday, then white on Sunday, accented by the colors of the European flag. Sky blue read calm under morning light. White with flashes of blue and gold read clarity when the math started to matter. For those who cared about the psychology of team sport, it was good design serving focus. Captain Luke Donald had been involved from the outset, a practical move that kept the kit honest. He praised the quality of the fabrics, the specialist design and production knowledge, and the attention to detail that made Loro Piana a fit for the job. That feedback loop, from captain to atelier and back, was how uniforms became tools rather than costumes. There was life beyond the tee box. Loro Piana also dressed entourages for off-course moments, because the Ryder Cup was equal parts golf and diplomacy. The visual through-line was elegance without stiffness, the kind of tailoring that looked natural in a team room or under television lights. Think of the texture of fine wool against a polished tabletop, not showroom sheen. For those who wanted in, replicas of the uniforms were available from September 18 in three flagship stores only: New York on Madison Avenue, Paris on Avenue Montaigne, and London at Sloane Square. Limited distribution felt appropriate. The point was not mass merch, it was resonance, a chance to step into the same fabrics that carried a team through the week. Loro Piana also sponsored the Junior Ryder Cup from September 23 to 25, dressing promising young Europeans in the same colors. There was a message there about continuity. Golf culture was built on lineage, and outfitting the next generation in the same visual language was a smart, simple gesture. What did this mean in the broader market? Golfwear had split in two directions, athletic synthetics on one side, heritage cloth on the other. Loro Piana sat in the narrow middle, where technology was real but aesthetics were restrained. It was a persuasive proposition for men who wanted performance without the noise of performance branding. On a stage as scrutinized as the Ryder Cup, that restraint read as confidence. Not everyone cared what a team wore when points were at stake. Fair. The swings decided it. Still, the right uniform reduced friction. It kept players dry, unencumbered, and visually aligned when the noise rose. As Europe’s week at Bethpage Black unfolded, these pieces faded into the background, which was their job. A final note for the modern gentleman. This collaboration had been less about logo loyalty and more about valuing materials and fit that earned their keep. If there was anything to take from it, it was the habit of choosing fabrics you could feel, lines that moved when you did, and color that had purpose. Quiet authority was still authority. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-dresses-team-europe-for-ryder-cup-2025 — Citation: "Loro Piana Dresses Team Europe for Ryder Cup 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-03. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-dresses-team-europe-for-ryder-cup-2025 --- ## Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin: Audemars Piguet’s 150-Year Milestone - URL: https://menwith.com/royal-oak-jumbo-extra-thin-audemars-piguets-150-year-milestone - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-02 - Tags: Audemars Piguet **Summary:** Audemars Piguet's 150th anniversary is marked by the Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5. This 39mm titanium timepiece integrates a flying tourbillon and flyback chronograph into an 8.1mm case, powered by the new Calibre 8100. The Royal Oak has always been more than a watch to me. My first lesson in design purity came from its sharp lines and fluid bracelet, long before I understood who Gérald Genta was or why 1972 mattered. The balance between brushed steel and polished edges made it seem both functional and sculptural, something you could live with every day yet still admire under a loupe. That duality of sporty and refined, simple yet radical, is why the Royal Oak went from a gamble to a cornerstone of modern horology. This year, as Audemars Piguet celebrates 150 years, the brand has introduced a Royal Oak that feels both like a tribute and a declaration: the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5. At 39 mm, it preserves the classic Jumbo proportions. The case measures just 8.1 mm thick and is crafted from titanium with bulk metallic glass used for the bezel, studs, pushers, and crown. For the first time in the Jumbo line, Audemars Piguet has combined an extra-thin case with both a flying tourbillon and a flyback chronograph. The watch is powered by the newly developed Calibre 8100, a selfwinding movement only 4 mm thick with a peripheral rotor, designed from the ground up for this anniversary piece. Its innovations include a rack-and-pinion reset system that replaces the traditional hammer-and-cam architecture, delivering an instantaneous reset that is smoother, faster, and requires less force from the pusher. The dial stays true to the lineage while signaling progress. Finished in the classic “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Petite Tapisserie, it incorporates two chronograph counters and an aperture at six o’clock for the flying tourbillon. Applied markers and white-gold hands maintain clarity, while the anniversary script “Audemars Piguet” logo marks the occasion. The balance between technical complexity and visual restraint feels deliberate. Finishing is, as expected, immaculate, with vertical satin brushing, polished bevels, and contrasting surfaces that reward time on the wrist. More than a technical achievement, this watch feels like a statement about where Audemars Piguet sees itself at 150. The Royal Oak defined the brand’s modern identity, and with the RD#5, AP is showing that innovation and heritage are not opposing forces but parallel ones. The integrated bracelet and octagonal bezel keep the watch firmly rooted in history, while the movement inside pushes boundaries. For collectors, the Royal Oak has always been a benchmark. For the industry, it remains a reminder that risk can become legacy. The new “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Flying Tourbillon Chronograph continues that tradition, carrying forward the Genta design language while proving there are still new ways to tell this story half a century after it began. Read more about Audemars Piguet here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/royal-oak-jumbo-extra-thin-audemars-piguets-150-year-milestone — Citation: "Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin: Audemars Piguet’s 150-Year Milestone" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-02. https://menwith.com/royal-oak-jumbo-extra-thin-audemars-piguets-150-year-milestone --- ## Breakthrough: a superyacht sale that redraws the map - URL: https://menwith.com/breakthrough-a-superyacht-sale-that-redraws-the-map - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-10-02 - Tags: Edmiston, Feadship **Summary:** The sale of Breakthrough, a 119m Feadship, marks a historic moment as the first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht enters the brokerage market, signaling a new era of sustainable luxury and quiet propulsion. Edmiston has closed what it calls the most significant brokerage deal in history, handling both buyer and seller in the sale of Breakthrough, a 119-meter Feadship styled by RWD. The numbers matter. It is the largest Feadship ever completed, the largest yacht delivered in the Netherlands, and, crucially, the first superyacht powered by hydrogen fuel cells to hit the brokerage market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Breakthrough has carried a certain mythology since her launch. She was widely reported to have been commissioned by Bill Gates, though it is said he never actually stepped aboard. That association gave the project visibility, but her real claim lies in what she represents. Breakthrough is the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht, and she enters the market with a level of craftsmanship and amenities that set a new standard. What does “first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht” mean in practice? It means propulsion that can deliver stretches of cruising with no tailpipe emissions and far less noise than conventional engines. Imagine a near-silent glide across a flat morning sea, where the dominant sound is wake whispering against the hull and the air carries salt and teak oil rather than diesel fumes. This is not a concept or render. It is delivered hardware, now in private hands and available for charter through Edmiston. The design brief reads as a statement of intent. RWD’s lines are disciplined rather than showy, using length and proportion to carry the volume with grace. Feadship’s build quality remains the benchmark at this end of the market. In photographs, surfaces appear taut and reflective, catching low evening light the way a tailored lapel catches a crease. There are no gimmicks, only a visible confidence in engineering and finish. Culturally, Breakthrough matters for two reasons. First, it takes the idea of sustainable luxury out of marketing copy and into the machinery itself. Hydrogen fuel cells are not a complete solution, and the realities of producing and supplying green hydrogen remain complex. Infrastructure is in its infancy, limited to select regions. Yet a fully operational yacht that can run emissions-free for periods at sea marks a significant departure from incremental gains. It frames quiet, clean movement as the new definition of status at this level. Second, Breakthrough will charter exclusively through Edmiston. That decision places advanced technology within reach of experienced charterers, not just an owner’s family office. Guests can expect a different sensory register on board. The mood at anchor should be calmer, with fewer mechanical vibrations and a softer acoustic footprint. At night, broader skies and darker water, unclouded by exhaust haze, become part of the experience. For the industry, the sale delivers a clear message. Innovation is no longer waiting in the shipyard until infrastructure catches up. It is entering circulation and making demands on marinas, fuel suppliers, and regulators to move faster. Feadship’s record length here is almost secondary. The real story is a technological and cultural pivot enacted by a client unwilling to wait for consensus. There will be debate. Hydrogen’s lifecycle impact depends on how it is produced, and global refueling standards remain unsettled. It is reasonable to ask whether this is progress or optics. The fair answer is that it is both. Breakthrough is a symbol, but also a system, and the system works. A 119-meter platform using fuel cells, delivered and sold, is a provocation the rest of the fleet will need to answer. In the meantime, Breakthrough establishes a new baseline for what a flagship can be. It is large, yes, but it is also quiet, cleverly restrained, and purposefully future-facing. For a modern gentleman choosing where to spend time and what to endorse with his presence, that combination carries more weight than another helipad ever could. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breakthrough-a-superyacht-sale-that-redraws-the-map — Citation: "Breakthrough: a superyacht sale that redraws the map" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-02. https://menwith.com/breakthrough-a-superyacht-sale-that-redraws-the-map --- ## Gulfstream Unveils the All-New G300 to Replace the G280 - URL: https://menwith.com/gulfstream-unveils-the-all-new-g300-to-replace-the-g280 - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-10-02 - Tags: Aviation, Gulfstream, Gulfstream G300, Menwith, Menwithclass, Private Jet **Summary:** Gulfstream introduces the G300, a super-midsize jet replacing the G280. It boasts enhanced performance, a redesigned cabin with more space and light, and advanced features for long-range missions. The world of private aviation has just welcomed a new icon. Gulfstream has officially unveiled the all-new G300, a super-midsize jet designed to replace the successful G280 while introducing a new era of performance, comfort, and design. Revealed at the company’s Savannah headquarters, the G300 signals Gulfstream’s commitment to setting new benchmarks in business aviation. At first glance, the aircraft exudes modernity. The G300 blends Gulfstream’s signature aerodynamic lines with advanced engineering, ensuring greater efficiency and improved performance across long-range missions. The cabin has been meticulously reimagined, offering even more space, light, and bespoke detailing. This isn’t just an upgrade – it’s a transformation that aligns the midsize category with the expectations usually reserved for larger, long-range jets. Gulfstream G300: The Next Evolution in Business Aviation Replacing the G280 was no small task. That aircraft had built a reputation as one of the most capable midsize jets in the sky. The G300 takes this legacy further, delivering longer range, refined handling, and a cabin experience elevated to Gulfstream’s highest standards. Passengers can expect quieter interiors, seamless connectivity, and a design philosophy that puts wellness at the forefront. Large panoramic windows bring natural light into the cabin, while advanced cabin management systems allow full control at the touch of a fingertip. Behind the luxury lies raw capability. The G300 is engineered to perform on transcontinental and intercontinental missions, giving business leaders and private travelers the flexibility to move effortlessly between major cities worldwide. With this aircraft, Gulfstream has reshaped expectations of what a super-midsize jet can achieve, bridging the gap between compact business travel and the grandeur of its flagship long-range fleet. The unveiling of the G300 marks more than just the debut of a new aircraft – it’s a statement of intent. Gulfstream continues to lead the conversation in private aviation, blending performance with artistry, and ensuring that every journey is as inspiring as the destination itself. More about travel you will find here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/gulfstream-unveils-the-all-new-g300-to-replace-the-g280 — Citation: "Gulfstream Unveils the All-New G300 to Replace the G280" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-02. https://menwith.com/gulfstream-unveils-the-all-new-g300-to-replace-the-g280 --- ## Five Faces of Glashütte Original: A Review of Craft, Character and Contrast - URL: https://menwith.com/five-faces-of-glashtte-original-a-review-of-craft-character-and-contrast - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-10-01 - Tags: Glashütte Original **Summary:** Glashütte Original showcases its watchmaking versatility through five distinct models, blending German precision with innovative materials and design. Glashütte Original has always taken a measured approach to watchmaking. German precision, clear design language, and a respect for tradition define the brand. But there is also a willingness to experiment with materials, color and form. This balance is what makes their collections so versatile. We recently spent time with five of their distinctive models, each showing a different side of the manufacture. Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date The Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date is one of the most distinctive designs in Glashütte Original’s portfolio. Its cushion-shaped 40 by 40 millimeter case draws directly from the 1970s, yet the watch feels modern in both execution and mechanics. It is powered by the in-house Calibre 37-02, an integrated column wheel chronograph with flyback function, 12-hour counter, Panorama Date, and 70 hours of power reserve. Sapphire crystals on both sides showcase the movement’s finishing, from the Glashütte stripes to the skeletonized rotor. With 100 meters of water resistance and a balanced case profile, the watch offers both resilience and refinement. The Plasma presents a deep, shifting purple inspired by virtual worlds and digital aesthetics. Its hue changes with light and perspective, sometimes leaning toward a muted violet, other times showing a more vibrant tone. The Fusion I tested came fitted with the matt black rubber strap, which creates a striking contrast against the vivid lime green dial. The combination makes the color appear even more intense and gives the watch a sport-focused, contemporary edge. Senator Excellence Panorama Date Moon Phase, Synthetic Strap The Senator line represents Glashütte Original’s more traditional side. The Panorama Date Moon Phase is a study in clean proportions and classical complications, but in this version, the salmon dial changes the character entirely. The tone is warm and understated, never overly bold, and it plays beautifully with light. Paired with a synthetic strap instead of leather, the watch gains a fresh and slightly sporty touch. This combination gives a centuries-old complication a modern spirit without losing its elegance. The watch is powered by the Calibre 36-24, part of the Excellence series. It features a silicon balance spring, a 100-hour power reserve from a single barrel, and the high level of finishing expected from the manufacture. At 40 millimeters in diameter and just 12 millimeters in height, the steel case wears comfortably and suits both formal and casual contexts. SeaQ Chronograph Steel Bracelet, White Dial The SeaQ Chronograph stands as the sporty counterpart in this selection. With a bright white dial and steel bracelet, it presents a crisp and functional design. The layout is highly legible, and the proportions avoid the heaviness that often comes with professional diver’s chronographs. It feels capable in performance but refined enough to be worn well beyond a sporting context. Measuring 43.2 millimeters in stainless steel, the watch combines brushed and polished surfaces for balance. It is powered by the Calibre 37-23, a chronograph movement with flyback functionality and 70 hours of power reserve. Water resistance of 300 meters and a unidirectional ceramic bezel confirm its tool credentials, while the finishing of the movement visible through the back elevates it into a category of its own. SeaQ Panorama Date Grey Dial, Rubber Strap The Panorama Date version of the SeaQ reveals another dimension of versatility. The grey dial keeps the watch understated, while the black rubber strap emphasizes its sporty side. Despite the utilitarian choice of strap, it pairs unexpectedly well with formal clothing, showing how adaptable the design can be. The watch sits at the intersection of practicality and refinement, a piece that can easily transition from the office to the outdoors. This model is driven by the Calibre 36-13, which offers the same 100-hour power reserve and silicon balance spring found in the Senator’s movement. The 43.2 millimeter case features a ceramic bezel and screw-down crown for 300 meters of water resistance. The Panorama Date remains legible at a glance, while the exhibition back reveals a movement that upholds the Glashütte tradition of meticulous decoration. A Closing Thought Across these watches, Glashütte Original demonstrates its ability to move fluidly between tradition and modernity. Each piece reflects the brand’s commitment to precision and craft, while small choices in material, color, and detail give them distinct personalities. Whether in the retro lines of the Seventies, the elegance of the Senator, or the contemporary spirit of the SeaQ, the result is the same: watches that carry substance and quiet confidence. Read about our in-depth review of the Seventies Chronograph here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/five-faces-of-glashtte-original-a-review-of-craft-character-and-contrast — Citation: "Five Faces of Glashütte Original: A Review of Craft, Character and Contrast" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-10-01. https://menwith.com/five-faces-of-glashtte-original-a-review-of-craft-character-and-contrast --- ## Aston Martin and Bollinger: A Union of Heritage - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-and-bollinger-a-union-of-heritage - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-30 - Tags: Aston Martin, Bollinger **Summary:** Aston Martin and Champagne Bollinger forge a partnership rooted in shared heritage, craft, and the art of arrival. Both brands prioritize meticulous handcrafting and enduring quality, offering a refined experience beyond mere products. Aston Martin’s new global partnership with Champagne Bollinger is not about two logos sitting side by side. It is about ritual, craft and the kind of moments that both cars and cuvées are designed to frame. It is, of course, a poor pairing in consumption. Cars and champagne belong at different hours of the day. But as a meeting of heritage, few unions feel more natural. Shared Ground Aston Martin, founded in 1913, and Bollinger, founded in 1829, have spent more than a century refining a craft that resists shortcuts. Both carry Royal Warrants. Both still place hand and eye where machines could easily intrude. And both sell more than a product. They sell a way of arriving. The alignment is clear. Aston Martin’s design language values proportion and restraint. Bollinger follows the same philosophy in its winemaking, maintaining thousands of oak barrels under the care of its own cooper to build wines with depth and structure rather than noise. The language is different, but the values rhyme. Inside The Experience As official partners, the two houses will now share stages around the world. Expect Bollinger at Aston Martin unveilings, private client gatherings, and paddock hospitality. The car will remain the star, but the champagne adds ceremony. Picture a bottle catching the light beside the curve of a fender, crystal against carbon, oak against leather. These are details that matter when luxury is as much about theatre as it is about performance. Performance And Palate Bollinger’s wines are known for their backbone and quiet power. Aston Martin’s current range speaks the same language. The DB12 offers long-legged poise, the Vantage is precise and composed, and neither shouts for attention. Each relies on balance. One builds it in chassis tuning, the other in careful maturation. Patience is the shared ingredient. Don’t Drink And Drive The obvious caution is the image of pairing alcohol with cars. Both brands are clear that their activations will carry responsible drinking messages. The wheel and the glass live in different worlds. If driving is still to come, champagne is not. Partnerships in the luxury world often feel like noise. This one feels earned. Bollinger brings ceremony to Aston Martin’s most photogenic moments, and Aston Martin gives Bollinger a stage that moves. Champagne has no place in the drive of an Aston, but it doesn’t hurt to have it waiting. Read more about Aston Martin here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-and-bollinger-a-union-of-heritage — Citation: "Aston Martin and Bollinger: A Union of Heritage" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-30. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-and-bollinger-a-union-of-heritage --- ## Loro Piana Finds Its Color at Palazzo Citterio - URL: https://menwith.com/loro-piana-finds-its-color-at-palazzo-citterio - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-09-29 - Tags: Loro Piana **Summary:** Loro Piana's SS26 show at Palazzo Citterio embraced calm and color, blending art, architecture, and refined fabrics. The collection featured sun-bleached neutrals with controlled pops of red, yellow, and turquoise, emphasizing ease and proportion for men. Milan Fashion Week often rewards volume. Loro Piana, by instinct and by heritage, prefers quiet. The brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 show at Palazzo Citterio proved there is still power in calm, especially when color is the language. The 18th century palazzo, freshly restored and set as a museum, provided an elegant stage that matters here. Works by Modigliani, Picasso and Morandi framed the runway. The room felt washed in soft daylight, marble cool underfoot, lacquered panels catching a soft glow of reflected tones. The scenography underscored flow rather than spectacle. Models moved in horizontal lines that felt unforced, like a coastal breeze rather than a storm. Colorful carpets matched the collection’s palette and softened the sound of steps. Mirrored surfaces added a subtle counterpoint that never shouted for attention. Leather goods rested on Italian vintage furniture, the kind of detail that connects contemporary luxury to a domestic past. The message was clear. Loro Piana wanted a conversation between art, architecture and the clothes, not a lecture. The collection explored a focused spectrum. Sandy neutrals and creams dominated, with controlled hits of red, yellow and turquoise. Nothing neon. Think sun-bleached terracotta, a slice of Amalfi citrus, a bit of sea glass. Women’s pieces included double-faced coats, lighter interpretations of house jackets and weightless dresses. Two new accessories, the Gioia Shopper and the Just Bag, sharpened the silhouette without fuss. For men, everything came back to ease and proportion. Soft blazers that encouraged movement, nonchalant chinos, a few nautical notes that nodded to deck life rather than costume. Bags and footwear grounded the looks, which is to say they felt stable under the color. The tactile story matters with Loro Piana because material is the brand’s credibility. You could see it in the fall of a double-faced coat and the way a blazer held its line without stiffness. The palette worked because the fabrics were rich enough to carry it. Creams looked luminous under the museum light, not chalky. Turquoise read as mineral, not synthetic. These are small observations, but small things matter to this Maison. As an experience, the show felt like a guided walk through a designed interior. Carpets marked zones of color that echoed the clothes. Glossy panels and mirrors broke the line of sight just enough to keep you looking. The mood was quiet and assured. If there was a soundtrack, it took a back seat to the acoustics of a grand room smoothed by textiles. Even the placement of accessories on vintage pieces gave a lived-in rhythm, like walking through a collector’s home where the objects are handled, not locked away. What does this mean for the modern man who actually gets dressed? First, color can be integrated without drama. A soft blazer in cream works with navy and olive. A turquoise knit can sit under neutrals if the tone is mineral and the texture refined. Chinos cut with a measured line become the base, not the headline. The nautical touch has a place, but it should feel like function, not theme. Second, fabric is still the separator. In an era of loud prints, Loro Piana is arguing for quiet complexity. That argument holds. It also says something about the state of Italian luxury. Milan has increasingly divided into two camps: maximal energy and disciplined restraint. Loro Piana stayed on its side, but allowed more color than usual. That is a smart move. The broader market has grown comfortable with quiet luxury, and the risk of sameness is real. A controlled infusion of color keeps the brand’s identity intact while inviting a new rhythm. It is not a pivot and it does not read as trend-chasing. It is maintenance of relevance. A note on the women’s accessories. The Gioia Shopper and the Just Bag will likely do well, but even for a male audience they are useful tells. They signal a tightening of lines, a preference for subtle structure over slouch. Expect that language to continue across the men’s leather goods, which already looked purposeful in the line-up. By the end, Palazzo Citterio had done its work. The light, the art, the measured flow turned a fashion presentation into a cultural placement. Loro Piana reinforced its reputation for fiber and finish, and added a precise dose of color that felt earned. In a season of noise, that kind of control reads as confidence, not caution. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/loro-piana-finds-its-color-at-palazzo-citterio — Citation: "Loro Piana Finds Its Color at Palazzo Citterio" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-29. https://menwith.com/loro-piana-finds-its-color-at-palazzo-citterio --- ## Prodrive Unveils the 2025 Racing Simulator in Mayfair - URL: https://menwith.com/prodrive-unveils-the-2025-racing-simulator-in-mayfair - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2025-09-28 - Tags: Prodrive, Racing Simulator, Ian Callum, David Richards, Connolly Leather, Vaughtons, Bang & Olufsen, Mayfair **Summary:** Prodrive unveils its 2025 Racing Simulator, a fusion of British craftsmanship and motorsport tech. Designed by Ian Callum, it features Connolly leather, Vaughtons plaques, and Bang & Olufsen audio. On the eve of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, Prodrive revealed the latest evolution of its acclaimed Racing Simulator at the Bang & Olufsen flagship store in Mayfair. Already considered a sculptural masterpiece and the most beautiful simulator in the world, the 2025 edition pushes boundaries by weaving together British craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and four decades of motorsport expertise. A Fusion of Art and Engineering The Racing Simulator was originally conceived by ex-Formula 1 team principal David Richards, Chairman of Prodrive, and designed by legendary automotive stylist Ian Callum. More than a training tool, it has always stood as a conversation piece – a sculptural centrepiece that reflects the personality and passions of its owner. With the latest refinements, Prodrive has elevated both its artistic presence and technical prowess. “Every precision-engineered detail has been refined, from the carbon-fibre monocoque to the pedal feel,” said Richards at the unveiling. “And of course, it is not just a simulator. Wrapped in Ian Callum’s sculptural design, this is a centrepiece that sparks conversation, as well as a truly immersive experience.” British Heritage at its Core This year’s edition celebrates the very best of British ateliers. Connolly, famed for over 140 years of leather craftsmanship across motoring, aviation, and yachting, now offers custom colours, stitching, and even family crests to personalise the cockpit. Vaughtons, with two centuries of heritage in creating automotive insignia, provides bespoke plaques for each commission, ensuring every simulator is unique. Pendennis, the renowned British superyacht builder, has elevated the exterior with 16 layers of steam-formed beech, lacquered to a piano-like finish that encases the floating carbon monocoque. Complementing these details is Bang & Olufsen’s contribution to the simulator’s sensory immersion. Standard Beoplay HX headphones, upgradeable to H100, and optional Beosound A9 speakers bring the same architectural precision and audio artistry found in the world’s finest homes and studios. Performance Born from Motorsport While it stands as an objet d’art, the Prodrive Racing Simulator is a serious performance tool. Drawing on technology honed across Formula 1, Le Mans, and international rallying, Prodrive has engineered an authentic racing experience. A custom pedal box replicates the feel of modern race cars, the driver’s position mirrors professional setups, and a 49-inch curved display ensures immersion at every corner. Whether it is used to sharpen racecraft before a competition or to entertain guests at home, the simulator taps directly into Prodrive’s four decades of global motorsport success. Commissioning the Experience Every simulator is tailored through a concierge service, with installation requiring nothing more than a single power connection. A new Goodwool protective cover joins the accessory line-up, ensuring the piece is as cared for as any collectible car. Check out more articles here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/prodrive-unveils-the-2025-racing-simulator-in-mayfair — Citation: "Prodrive Unveils the 2025 Racing Simulator in Mayfair" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-28. https://menwith.com/prodrive-unveils-the-2025-racing-simulator-in-mayfair --- ## Diablo at 35: The car that drove Lamborghini into the modern age - URL: https://menwith.com/diablo-at-35-the-car-that-drove-lamborghini-into-the-modern-age - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-28 - Tags: Diablo, Lamborghini **Summary:** The Lamborghini Diablo, celebrating 35 years, bridged the gap between raw supercar theatre and modern refinement. Its V12 power, iconic scissor doors, and evolving design cemented its status as a 90s icon and a pivotal model for Lamborghini's future. A scissor-doored thunderclap that looked like a sketchbook fantasy and went 325 km/h in an era of VHS and pagers, the Lamborghini Diablo still crackles with danger and allure. Born from Project 132 and unveiled in 1990, the Diablo kept the Countach’s theatre but learned restraint where it mattered. Chrysler’s brief custodianship honed the proportions into something cohesive. Wide hips, a prow as low as a curb, and those famous doors that open like a standing ovation. Early cars wore pop-up headlights that defined the decade. Post-1999, under Audi’s watch, they were replaced by fixed units and cleaner surfaces. Not everyone cheered, but the facelift signaled a new level of polish without muting the menace. Carbon fiber began to appear in the structure and panels, an early hint of the materials revolution to come. The cabin was still unapologetically Italian supercar: dramatic sightlines, a windshield like a visor, and a rear view half blocked by engine vents. Yet there was a newfound civility for the period. Adjustable seats, electric windows, an Alpine stereo, and better ergonomics than the Countach let you imagine crossing a country, not just a neighborhood. The driving position was slightly offset, the clutch solid, the steering heavy at a crawl. The smells were vivid. Leather, hot oil, warm rubber. The Diablo made every journey feel like a special occasion, even if you were just finding second gear. The headline number in 1990 was 325 km/h. That alone placed the Diablo among giants. The 5.7 liter V12 delivered 492 CV and around 4 seconds to 100 km/h, with a documented 337 km/h on Nardò for bragging rights. What mattered, though, was the way it did it. Long gearing, a crisp throttle, and a chassis that felt honest and alive on proper roads. The 1993 VT brought all wheel drive with a viscous coupling, adding composure when the heavens opened and torque tried to escape. Special editions followed the arc of the 1990s: SE30 as the birthday present with 525 CV and a wilder Jota option, SV as the purist’s rear-drive hit, and the GT as the track-leaning apex at 575 CV and 338 km/h. The final 6.0 models under Audi stewardship added ABS, a 6 liter V12 with 550 CV, and a layer of refinement that made the car faster and easier without dulling its edge. The Diablo transcended garages. It was red and ridiculous in Dumb and Dumber, suave in Bond’s Die Another Day, a fixture in Need for Speed, and a pop artifact in Jamiroquai’s Cosmic Girl. Box office wasn’t the only stage. Celebrities from Jay Leno to Mike Tyson bought them, and an entire generation papered bedrooms with posters. The car became a calling card for 1990s excess, but it also set a sales record for Lamborghini with 2,903 units. More than a halo, it was a bridge from a tumultuous past to a sustainable future. You can trace today’s Lamborghini customer programs back to this era. Even the 60-color palette hinted at Ad Personam before it had a name. Early cars could feel demanding. Cooling in traffic needed attention. The turning circle was ship-like. The facelift’s loss of pop-ups still splits rooms. Yet these traits are part of the charm. The Diablo asks for commitment, then rewards with clarity and pace that remain startling on modern tarmac. Values have risen with taste. SE30s, Jotas, GTs and the 6.0 SE are blue-chip, and Porsche-measured collectors now court Polo Storico certifications and restorations. A 1994 SE30 took a Pebble Beach podium in 2023, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Provenance and factory paperwork matter. So does originality in a world of period body kits and wild paint. The Diablo is more than a loud V12 with party doors. It is the moment Lamborghini grew up without losing its sense of mischief. Fast enough to rewrite speed records in its day, influential enough to shape the V12 line that followed, and charismatic enough to still hijack your gaze. Thirty-five years on, it remains a delicious contradiction: refined and feral, engineered and emotional, a poster that finally lived up to the wall. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/diablo-at-35-the-car-that-drove-lamborghini-into-the-modern-age — Citation: "Diablo at 35: The car that drove Lamborghini into the modern age" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-28. https://menwith.com/diablo-at-35-the-car-that-drove-lamborghini-into-the-modern-age --- ## Mud, paws and Mulliner: Bentley’s catering to man’s best friend - URL: https://menwith.com/mud-paws-and-mulliner-bentleys-catering-to-mans-best-friend - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-27 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley introduces a luxury Pet Accessory Range for the Bentayga, featuring bespoke dog guards, liners, and seat covers. This thoughtful integration ensures both canine comfort and cabin preservation, reflecting a shift in luxury towards practical, experience-focused ownership. Bentley has built an accessory suite for dogs that respects both the leather and the Labrador, and it is smarter than it sounds. The Pet Accessory Range reads like a greatest hits album for real life. The headliners are a bespoke dog guard with a moveable luggage divider, letting you create separate zones in the Bentayga’s boot. It is a neat solution that keeps a spaniel secure during a school run and camping gear from sliding into a snoozing retriever on the motorway. The hardware is designed for the car, not adapted to it, so it looks like it belongs and does not rattle over speed humps. Inside is where Bentley earns its keep. A quilted load-space liner with an integrated bumper protector is tailored to the boot’s contours, padded and waterproof. It meets muddy paws, sandy coats and snowmelt without a flinch, then lifts out for a clean. In the rear seats, tailored protection covers and seat extenders pair with quilted door cards. They preserve the soft hides beneath and still allow access to seatbelts and Isofix points, so children’s seats stay put and the dog’s harness can be properly clipped in. Add all-weather mats to the floor and the boot and you have a cabin that looks smart on a Friday night and shrugs off a Saturday hike. No, this is not a performance package, but it plays to the Bentayga’s strengths. The SUV’s whale-sized boot turns into a proper canine suite with minimal faff, and the roof rail cross bars open up space for bikes and boards when the dog claims the back. The camera-based Drive Vision system, with front and rear recording, adds a layer of reassurance in crowded city streets or when a delivery van gets too familiar with your rear bumper. It also quietly acknowledges the reality of pet travel laws in many markets, where animals must be safely restrained. A guard and harness are not indulgences, they are legal and sensible. Bentley’s core trick has always been combining engineering with touch-and-feel pleasure. This kit continues that. Reinforced stitching, precise tailoring, materials that mirror the cabin’s finish: it is all deeply on-brand without tipping into parody. Crucially, nothing feels like a dealer parts-bin afterthought. The quilted textures are indulgent, yet the pieces wipe clean. You can smell the leather, not wet dog, which is exactly the point. Nearly one in three Bentley owners travel with pets, which explains the timing. The premium SUV space is already pet-friendly. Range Rover has a well-regarded Pet Pack, Porsche offers guards and liners for Cayenne, and Mercedes will sell you crates that bolt to tie-downs. Bentley’s answer leans on craftsmanship and integration rather than a laundry list of gadgets. It also reflects how luxury is shifting. Experiences, family, and yes, pets, are part of the purchase. If you are spending six figures on an SUV, the idea that the dog rides first class is not absurd, it is expected. The hardware takes up a little boot height, so taller crates may need a rethink. The bumper protector is a savior for paint, but big jumpers will still appreciate a fold-out ramp. And while the covers are comprehensive, anyone with a water-loving hound will still want towels in the side pockets. Accessories reduce chaos, they do not repeal physics. Bentley’s pet suite is not a novelty, it is a thoughtful finishing touch to the Bentayga’s mission as the family flagship. It keeps the cabin beautiful, the dog secure, and the weekend simple. If luxury is the removal of friction, this is luxury in its most practical form. Keep a good harness, use the guard, clip the camera on, and enjoy the odd muddy adventure with a clear conscience and an immaculate interior. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mud-paws-and-mulliner-bentleys-catering-to-mans-best-friend — Citation: "Mud, paws and Mulliner: Bentley’s catering to man’s best friend" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-27. https://menwith.com/mud-paws-and-mulliner-bentleys-catering-to-mans-best-friend --- ## A Starlit Tribute To 180 Years From Glashütte Original - URL: https://menwith.com/a-starlit-tribute-to-180-years-from-glashtte-original - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-26 - Tags: Glashütte Original **Summary:** Glashütte Original's PanoMaticLunar Anniversary Edition celebrates 180 years with an aventurine dial, platinum case, and Calibre 92-14 movement. Limited to 180 pieces, it blends astronomical inspiration with refined watchmaking. The history of Glashütte Original is written in starlight. In 1845, when the first watchmakers settled in the Saxon town, they looked to the heavens not just for guidance but for competition. Astronomical observation was the measure of precision then, and surpassing it became the ambition. One hundred and eighty years later, the manufactory marks its anniversary with a watch that looks back at the night sky while advancing the craft that has always defined it: the PanoMaticLunar Anniversary Edition. The dial is the first from Glashütte Original to be crafted from aventurine, a glass invented in Murano in the 17th century. Its deep blue surface shimmers with a fine constellation of copper inclusions, echoing the stars that once set the standard for timekeeping. Against this cosmic backdrop, an off-centre hour and minute display in white gold balances with a small seconds subdial. At two o’clock, a moon phase in white mother-of-pearl floats almost imperceptibly within the aventurine sky. The familiar Panorama Date sits to the right, its two discs aligned without interruption. The case is platinum, 40 millimeters across, with a height of 12.8 millimeters. It holds the new automatic Calibre 92-14, a movement with a silicon balance spring, a 4 Hz frequency, and a power reserve of 100 hours. The sapphire caseback reveals the Glashütte stripe finish, hand-engraving, and the careful regulation that defines this manufactory’s work. Each of the 180 pieces is hand-finished and assembled in Glashütte Original’s manufactory. The PanoMaticLunar has always been a study in asymmetry, a deliberate and disciplined departure from traditional layout. In this anniversary edition, that tension is amplified by the material. Aventurine has a way of shifting with light, catching the eye differently in each glance, yet the watch remains calm and composed. The solid white gold hands and indexes, treated with Super-LumiNova, carry functionality quietly within an otherwise poetic design. On the wrist, it is less an accessory than an experience. The platinum lends weight, the dark blue alligator strap holds it firmly, and the aventurine dial pulls the gaze into a field of stars. It is not a watch that shouts about rarity, although only 180 will exist. Rather, it is one that reflects Glashütte’s past and its ability to turn history into quiet brilliance. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-starlit-tribute-to-180-years-from-glashtte-original — Citation: "A Starlit Tribute To 180 Years From Glashütte Original" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-26. https://menwith.com/a-starlit-tribute-to-180-years-from-glashtte-original --- ## Heritage Days at Hennessy’s Atelier des Éditions Rares - URL: https://menwith.com/heritage-days-at-hennessys-atelier-des-ditions-rares - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-09-26 - Tags: Hennessy, Atelier des Éditions Rares, European Heritage Days, Cognac, Artisanal Craftsmanship, Luxury Personalization, Richard Hennessy **Summary:** Hennessy opened its Atelier des Éditions Rares for European Heritage Days, showcasing artisanal personalization and savoir faire. Visitors experienced calligraphy, silk wrapping, and wax sealing, connecting craft to tangible actions and brand lineage. European Heritage Days exist to reveal what is usually hidden. On September 20–21, Hennessy did exactly that, inviting the public into the Atelier des Éditions Rares in the historic center of Cognac. The space is generally closed. It is where iconic decanters are personalized and where the house’s savoir faire is made visible, gesture by gesture. The atelier reads more like a studio than a factory floor. Light falls on crystal, silk thread, sealing wax, parchment. You hear the scratch of a pen on paper and the soft clink of glass on wood, not the rumble of production. This is the last mile of luxury, where intent becomes object. Hennessy’s team of artisans and cognac experts led thematic workshops that linked the brand’s language of craft to tangible actions. Visitors discovered calligraphy on paper, echoing the hand markings applied to barrels in which eaux de vie are aged. They watched the precise wrapping of bottle necks with delicate silk thread, a specialty of the atelier that turns a functional closure into a quiet signature. They observed the application of wax seals used on certain exceptional decanters. The heat blooms as the wax softens. The stamp lands with a gentle press and a faint scent of beeswax lingers. Alongside the sessions, rarely seen documents appeared from the archives, including letters bearing the coat of arms of founder Richard Hennessy. Old paper, crisp embossing, restrained heraldry. The message was clear: this lineage is written, not just told. For a modern gentleman, this kind of access matters more than a new label or a louder campaign. Craft is easier to claim than to show. Opening a workshop is a choice to be judged by process, not posture. It also reframes personalization. In spirits, customization often means engraving a name on glass. Here it is the choreography of materials that defines individuality: a particular twist of silk thread, the clean alignment of a wax seal, the rhythm of a hand that has repeated a gesture thousands of times. There is a broader cultural point. French maisons are increasingly turning to open ateliers, guided visits, and skill demonstrations to connect audiences to their roots. In wine and spirits, where premiumization is the prevailing story, heritage risks being reduced to copy. Hennessy’s move pushes in the opposite direction. It asserts that scale and craft are not mutually exclusive if you show the work and the people. For an industry that trades on provenance, letting visitors read the archive and watch the hands is a stronger proof than any tasting note. The Atelier des Éditions Rares sits at an interesting intersection of disciplines. The precision of the silk wrapping recalls watchmaking, where a clean bevel separates the excellent from the average. The calligraphy aligns with the appeal of handwriting in a digital world. The wax seal offers a sensory link to older modes of authentication. You can feel the slight texture under a thumb. That tactility is what a discerning audience looks for today, whether in a suit shoulder, a leather patina, or the finish on a bottle intended for the cabinet rather than the bar cart. Hennessy did not turn the weekend into a sales floor. There were no disclosed editions or figures tied to these sessions, and the emphasis stayed on technique and archives. That restraint reads well. Access without spectacle preserves the dignity of the work and keeps the narrative credible. It also aligns with the spirit of Heritage Days, which values continuity and public culture over promotion. Not every brand needs to open its back rooms. When it happens, the experience should leave you with more knowledge than a postcard. In Cognac, the takeaways were tangible: how ink sits on paper that labels a barrel, how a thread lies flat with no overlap, how a seal is pressed with just enough force. Small things, quietly executed, that add up to identity. If luxury is the sum of decisions you can feel, Hennessy’s atelier made the case in plain view. No theatrics. Just time with tools, materials, and the people who still know how to use them. Read more about unique experiences here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/heritage-days-at-hennessys-atelier-des-ditions-rares — Citation: "Heritage Days at Hennessy’s Atelier des Éditions Rares" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-26. https://menwith.com/heritage-days-at-hennessys-atelier-des-ditions-rares --- ## Heritage Reinvented: David Beckham’s FW25 Collection for BOSS - URL: https://menwith.com/heritage-reinvented-david-beckhams-fw25-collection-for-boss - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-09-25 - Tags: Boss, David Beckham, fashion, Menwithclass **Summary:** David Beckham's FW25 collection for BOSS reinterprets heritage tailoring with modern elegance. Structured pieces, rich textures, and a refined palette define this timeless menswear evolution. When David Beckham first stepped into his multi-year design partnership with BOSS, expectations were high. Following the success of their Spring/Summer 2025 debut, the collaboration now returns with a more refined chapter: BOSS × Beckham Fall/Winter 2025. The new collection embodies Beckham’s instinct for timeless style, merging classic tailoring with a modern sensibility, and channels an understated yet powerful elegance that feels distinctly his own. The FW25 designs sharpen the focus on heritage tailoring, anchored by structured jackets, double-breasted coats, and versatile trousers, while knitwear and tactile fabrics add depth and warmth. A new silhouette, exclusive to Beckham × BOSS, introduces a fresh signature cut that balances sharp lines with wearability. This is clothing designed not just to respond to seasonal needs, but to the evolving identity of modern menswear – where comfort, confidence, and sophistication intersect. Texture and layering sit at the heart of the collection. Luxurious shearling-collared jackets, ribbed knits, and brushed wool tailoring create a tactile dialogue, complemented by a palette of rich chocolate browns, marled greys, and earthy sage greens. These deeper tones are softened by lighter shades of cream and sand, creating a wardrobe that feels contemporary yet enduring, equally at home in city streets as in countryside retreats. David Beckham X Boss The campaign, shot by renowned duo Mert & Marcus with art direction from Team Laird, situates Beckham in an 18th-century mansion whose faded patina mirrors the collection’s interplay of history and modernity. The setting conveys an atmosphere of quiet strength and timeless luxury, with Beckham himself embodying the pieces with a natural assurance. It’s not just about wearing clothes – it’s about living in them. For BOSS, the partnership with Beckham is more than a celebrity collaboration; it’s a true design dialogue, where his personal style shapes everything from fabric choices to cuts and finishing details. For Beckham, it is an opportunity to redefine modern tailoring for a global audience, crafting collections that blend heritage with a forward-looking perspective. The BOSS × Beckham FW25 collection launched worldwide on September 22, 2025. It is a collection that doesn’t chase trends but reframes heritage, positioning BOSS and Beckham as leaders in shaping the future of contemporary menswear. Discover more in fashion here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/heritage-reinvented-david-beckhams-fw25-collection-for-boss — Citation: "Heritage Reinvented: David Beckham’s FW25 Collection for BOSS" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-25. https://menwith.com/heritage-reinvented-david-beckhams-fw25-collection-for-boss --- ## Meet The New Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition - URL: https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-mercedes-maybach-v12-edition - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-25 - Tags: Maybach, Mercedes-Benz **Summary:** The Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition honors heritage with a limited run of 50 vehicles. It features a powerful V12 engine, exquisite craftsmanship, and advanced technology for ultimate luxury and serenity. Every so often, an automobile arrives not to change the world but to remind it of where it came from. The Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition, unveiled this September at Fort Michelangelo in Civitavecchia, does exactly that. Limited to just 50 examples, it is a car designed as a statement on continuity: a salute to Maybach’s century-long relationship with the V12 engine and to the craft of building objects of lasting value. The roots go back to the 1930s, when the Maybach Zeppelin appeared with a V12 of up to eight liters, producing an extraordinary 200 horsepower and carrying its passengers at speeds few cars of the era could match. More than numbers, it was the character of the car that mattered. It offered elegance and composure at a time when motoring was often raw and mechanical. That balance between power and refinement became part of the Maybach identity. The new V12 Edition continues that tradition. Its six-liter twin-turbocharged engine produces 612 horsepower and 900 Newton meters of torque, which translates to effortless movement rather than aggression. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, but the impression it leaves is one of calm strength. At speed, the cabin remains hushed, a sanctuary built from leather, wood, and the sort of quiet insulation that makes distance disappear. Technology plays its part in preserving this serenity. The S-Class platform brings rear-axle steering for surprising agility in tight spaces, E-Active Body Control suspension that reads the road ahead, and an active noise compensation system that keeps the interior still. What sets the Edition apart is the craft. Through Mercedes’ MANUFAKTUR program, each car receives a three-tone paint finish in olive metallic, obsidian black, and silver, a process that takes twice as long as the brand’s usual two-tone work. The Maybach emblem on the C-pillar is surrounded by a gold medal inscribed with the number twelve, an homage to the Zeppelin’s hood ornament. Inside, saddle brown Nappa leather meets burr walnut trim, and a week of handcrafting goes into the golden inlay on the center console. Even the steering wheel is individually finished, more furniture than component. It is a car as much about ceremony as transport. Robbe & Berking champagne flutes sit in the rear, matched to the interior leather. The key arrives in a handcrafted box. The badge in the console reads “1 of 50.” These are signals to the owner, reminders that the car is not part of a production run but an edition, conceived and executed with intent. The Maybach family motto was to create “only the best from the best, of lasting value, in the highest form of perfection.” Nearly a century later, it still reads like the mission statement behind this car. The Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition does not try to be the future. It exists to honor heritage in a way that feels alive, and to carry forward the spirit of the twelve-cylinder engine while it still belongs on the road. Deliveries begin this autumn. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-mercedes-maybach-v12-edition — Citation: "Meet The New Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-25. https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-mercedes-maybach-v12-edition --- ## Audemars Piguet Steps Back Onto Watchmaking’s Biggest Stage - URL: https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-steps-back-onto-watchmakings-biggest-stage - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-25 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, Watches & Wonders **Summary:** Audemars Piguet returns to Watches and Wonders in 2026 after a five-year hiatus, signaling a renewed focus on industry solidarity and collective visibility. The brand's reentry highlights the evolving landscape of horology and the fair's growing importance. Trade fairs in Switzerland have always been more than showcases for watches. They are places where heritage meets experimentation, where brands not only present new pieces but also define their role in the larger story of horology. That is why the announcement that Audemars Piguet will return to Watches and Wonders in 2026 carries weight. After five years away, the Le Brassus manufacture has chosen to rejoin the industry’s most important stage. When AP left what was then SIHH in 2019, it cited a need to strengthen direct connections with its clients. Since then, the ground beneath the industry has shifted more than once. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and events. The United States imposed tariffs on Swiss watches, sending shockwaves through exports and pricing at a moment when margins were already under pressure. Those tariffs were first announced, somewhat ironically, during Watches and Wonders itself. Against this backdrop, the decision to return suggests that Audemars Piguet now sees collective visibility and industry solidarity as essential. The brand will not be alone in returning. Ten others are set to join the exhibition for the first time, including Credor, Corum, Favre Leuba, and Sinn Spezialuhren, bringing the total roster to 66. The show is still more intimate than Baselworld in its prime, but that is part of its draw. Collectors and retailers alike value its balance of established houses and rising independents. The Carré des Horlogers will expand from 16 to 23 exhibitors, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to smaller ateliers. The 2026 edition will take place April 14 through 20 at Palexpo in Geneva, with a growing emphasis on extending the experience across the city. Programming in museums, boutiques, and restaurants will make Watches and Wonders feel less like a closed trade event and more like a cultural moment. For enthusiasts who cannot enter the main halls, this citywide approach offers a way in. For Audemars Piguet, timing is key. The maison celebrated its 150th anniversary this year and drew attention with a striking perpetual calendar. Few expect its return to Geneva to be understated. Some presences naturally shift the atmosphere of a room, and AP is one of them. We attended Watches and Wonders earlier this year and saw firsthand how the event continues to grow while staying refined. That makes it easy to imagine the impact of AP’s return. The fair is evolving, and in many ways, so is the industry around it. Not all will be there. Montblanc, Bell & Ross, Speake-Marin, and MeisterSinger have stepped away for 2026. Their absence will be noted, but the conversation will inevitably circle back to Audemars Piguet. Five years is a long time in this business. Coming back now, in a period of both recovery and recalibration, makes the return more than just symbolic. It is a statement. Read more about our favorite watch from last years Watches & Wonders here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-steps-back-onto-watchmakings-biggest-stage — Citation: "Audemars Piguet Steps Back Onto Watchmaking’s Biggest Stage" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-25. https://menwith.com/audemars-piguet-steps-back-onto-watchmakings-biggest-stage --- ## Lamborghini’s next stage at sea with Tecnomar - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghinis-next-stage-at-sea-with-tecnomar - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-24 - Tags: Lamborghini, Tecnomar **Summary:** The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 101FT is a 30-meter superyacht blending Sant'Agata design with marine engineering. It features Lamborghini's signature aesthetics and powerful performance, targeting design-led owners. A 30‑meter statement piece that trades pit lane for marina, the 101FT brings Sant’Agata attitude to open water without pretending to be anything but a Lamborghini. It arrived at Monaco Yacht Show with the kind of presence that draws a crowd before anyone asks for displacement figures. The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 101FT is the latest chapter in a collaboration that started in 2020 with the 63, and it feels like the moment both brands leaned fully into the idea of a Lamborghini you can berth. This is a boat that reads like a Lamborghini at fifty paces. The exterior borrows cues from the Fenomeno few‑off car, including a crisp light signature and a launch livery in Giallo Crius that looks made for Mediterranean glare. The silhouette is taut and sharply surfaced, more faceted than most 30‑meter yachts, which will polarize the traditionalists who prefer soft radii and understatement. It is purposeful rather than pretty, a floating super sports car that happens to displace water. Inside, the brand language is unmistakable. Hexagons, clean cuts, and Y‑shaped motifs give the spaces a graphic intensity you rarely find at sea. The palette and stitching nod to Sant’Agata models, which will delight owners who like their garages and salons to rhyme. Seating for up to nine guests and three crew cabins promise proper liveability, not just a day‑boat fling. The helm riffs on the new Temerario HPEV supercar, so you sit to command it like a driver, not a captain, with the kind of visual drama that makes every departure feel like a start procedure. Minimalists may find it theatrical, but that is precisely the point. Beneath the sculpture is hardware with bite. Three MTU 16V 2000 M96L diesels drive three surface propellers, a setup chosen for speed and drama. Total output is 7,600 hp, enough for a claimed 45 knots at the top and an easy 35‑knot cruise. At that pace the horizon comes to you, the soundtrack a bassy mechanical thrum rising to a hard-edged snarl as the surface drives hook up and the rooster tails fan out. Surface props reward a committed hand and good setup, which is part of the appeal. This is not a white‑glove displacement cruiser, it is an object for people who enjoy piloting. The original Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 made waves, literally and figuratively, by proving a car‑to‑yacht collaboration could be more than decals. The 101FT scales the idea into superyacht territory, where owners are younger, design‑led, and keen on coherence across their collections. It also lands in a market that increasingly values personality over anonymity. The Italian Sea Group brings the shipyard depth, Lamborghini brings the design charisma, and together they are selling an attitude as much as a boat. The catch is patience. Monaco saw a scale model, with first deliveries targeted for the end of 2027. For this clientele, waiting tends to be part of the ritual. The 101FT is unapologetically Lamborghini. The lines are bold, the cabin is theatrical, and the numbers back up the look. Purists will raise an eyebrow at a yacht that wants to be a supercar, yet for those who want a single, recognizable thread from driveway to dock, this is a compelling stitch. It is less a yacht disguised as a car than a Lamborghini translated for salt water, and the translation feels fluent. If the marina is your catwalk, this is your stride. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghinis-next-stage-at-sea-with-tecnomar — Citation: "Lamborghini’s next stage at sea with Tecnomar" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-24. https://menwith.com/lamborghinis-next-stage-at-sea-with-tecnomar --- ## Glashütte Original returns to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré - URL: https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-returns-to-rue-du-faubourg-saint-honor - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-24 - Tags: Glashütte Original **Summary:** Glashütte Original reopens its Paris boutique, L'Écrin, on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The intimate 12m² space showcases rare editions and the latest novelties, including the Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date. Walking along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, you pass some of the most storied names in luxury. This autumn, the street welcomed back an old friend. Glashütte Original has opened its new Paris boutique, returning to the 8th arrondissement after nearly ten years away. For the Saxon manufacture, it is both a homecoming and a statement, reaffirming its place in one of watchmaking’s historic capitals. The boutique is called L’Écrin, French for “jewellery box,” and the name is well chosen. At just 12 square meters, the space has been crafted with care and precision. Dark moor oak, Patagonia granite, taupe fabrics, and soft eucalyptus tones create a calm and inviting atmosphere. Overhead, a ceiling design references the Calibre 37 chronograph, while a dedicated cabinet of curiosities gives pride of place to rare and limited editions. Guests enter through a door fitted with a swan-neck handle, a discreet tribute to one of the brand’s signature details. Inside, the experience is personal. Seating, presentation cases, and even a small bar are woven into the compact interior. The Paris team trained at the manufactory in Saxony, ensuring that visitors are met with both hospitality and expertise. This location now joins seventeen other Glashütte Original boutiques around the world, from Dresden to Shanghai. For collectors, the boutique offers the chance to see the latest novelties firsthand. Among them is the new Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date, which we had the opportunity to review during the summer. You can revisit that piece here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-returns-to-rue-du-faubourg-saint-honor — Citation: "Glashütte Original returns to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-24. https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-returns-to-rue-du-faubourg-saint-honor --- ## Heesen G3, the 44-meter Aluminum Original, Lists at €12.95m - URL: https://menwith.com/heesen-g3-the-44-meter-aluminum-original-lists-at-1295m - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-23 - Tags: Heesen **Summary:** The Heesen 4400 "G3" yacht, a 44m aluminum semi-displacement vessel, is listed at €12.95m. Featuring recent refits and a layout for 12 guests, it offers speed and luxury amenities. A decade and a half after launch, the Heesen 4400 Aluminum still reads fresh. One of only seven built, G3 has returned to the market with Northrop & Johnson as central agents at €12,950,000, a number that positions it with intent. The series was conceived for owners who value pace and poise in equal measure. In practice that means a semi-displacement aluminum hull, real speed, and a layout that was designed to be used. Sun on brushed teak, the soft thrum of MTUs, the quiet of a stabilized anchorage. The formula still works. G3 was delivered in 2008 and has been kept current with significant refits in 2017, 2021 to 2022, and 2024. Recent work includes a rebuilt swim platform, overhauled steering and thruster systems, and serviced fins. For a buyer, this is the tell. In a market where refit discipline often separates the promising from the practical, a refreshed platform matters more than a new set of scatter cushions. You feel it when you step on, the hydraulics respond, the systems spin up, and the yacht goes to work without drama. The styling by Omega Architects leans open and modern. Large salon windows pull light across satin finishes rather than fighting for it, which makes long days feel easy rather than staged. The galley is fitted with Miele and Hoshizaki appliances, a practical signal for owners who care about service quality as much as aesthetics, and a dumbwaiter moves plates without parade. An updated skylounge from 2022 connects directly to the bridge deck aft, so the flow from evening drinks to open air is immediate. Imagine the projector flickering across the sundeck cinema while the Jacuzzi bubbles at your ankles, the air carrying a trace of salt. Accommodation is set for 12 across five cabins, anchored by a full-beam master with a convertible office or massage room. Two doubles and two convertible twins sit on the lower deck, each with en-suite. Crew space is arranged for nine in four cabins, including a captain’s cabin at bridge level. This is the tonal difference between a yacht that looks charter-ready and one that actually is. The circulation works, service routes are defined, and the boat can be run by professionals without stepping on the guest experience. Deck life is the headline. The sundeck holds the Jacuzzi flanked by sunpads and that open-air cinema. Shaded bridge deck dining offers a cooler register at noon, while the beach club delivers a gym and bar at water level. The toy list is not ornamental. A Williams SportJet 375 sits alongside Sea-Doo Spark jet skis, eFoils, Seabobs, and dive gear. You can hear the soft whir of an eFoil lifting off the wake, then the quiet again as it glides past. Context matters. The past few years have bent taste toward explorer silhouettes and long-range steel. In that climate, a 44-meter aluminum semi-displacement yacht that does 23 knots is almost contrarian, and that is the appeal. It suits modern itineraries, where owners want three anchorages in a day, and it suits charter, where reliability and an adaptable layout drive repeat bookings. G3 has the resume too, including a Robb Report Best of the Best nod, which in this corner of the world is less about trophy hunting and more about enduring relevance. At €12.95 million, G3 reads as a calculated play. You are not paying for novelty, you are buying provenance, recent investment, and time saved. In a segment where new build queues stretch and tastes swing, a well-kept fast Heesen is a steady answer. The light in the salon at golden hour, the controlled rise of the bow as she takes off, the simplicity of a layout that anticipates use. That is not hype. It is the practical luxury that keeps this size bracket interesting. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/heesen-g3-the-44-meter-aluminum-original-lists-at-1295m — Citation: "Heesen G3, the 44-meter Aluminum Original, Lists at €12.95m" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-23. https://menwith.com/heesen-g3-the-44-meter-aluminum-original-lists-at-1295m --- ## Miss Dior Lands in Shanghai: Scents And Memories - URL: https://menwith.com/miss-dior-lands-in-shanghai-scents-and-memories - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-09-23 - Tags: Miss Dior, Dior, Shanghai, Fosun Foundation, OMA New York, Catherine Dior, Eva Jospin, Natalie Portman **Summary:** Miss Dior's Shanghai exhibition explores scent as cultural capital, highlighting gifting, history, and enduring memory. It connects fragrance to craftsmanship, art, and the legacy of Catherine Dior. The best gifts carry a story. A watch inherited from a grandfather, a pen with decades of ink, a fragrance chosen with care. In Shanghai this autumn, Dior reminds us why scent belongs in that category at Miss Dior – Stories of a Miss exhibition. From September 13 to October 8, the Fosun Foundation hosts Dior’s first fragrance in a setting designed by OMA New York. The location is not accidental. Shanghai is a proving ground where cultural depth is valued as much as scale. Here perfume is treated as cultural capital, not vanity. Why does this matter to men? Gifting and history. A fragrance given with care endures. It carries intimacy and becomes part of memory. Seen in the context of archives and art, Miss Dior demonstrates that a bottle is never just liquid in glass. It is a gesture of continuity. The exhibition in Shanghai highlights qualities any man can understand: materials, construction, balance and story. The same elements that matter in tailoring, in a timepiece or in a car also apply to a perfume. The exhibition unfolds in chapters. Dior’s archives set the foundation with photographs, sketches and objects that place Miss Dior within the house’s broader language. A garden by artist Eva Jospin follows, a shift from grayscale heritage into a green, enclosed reverie. The transition slows the pace, softens the sound and makes the house’s myth of flowers feel present. An olfactory room introduces the fragrance’s key notes. The scent lingers long enough to register but never overwhelms. The Sixties gallery comes next, revisiting Dior’s first ready-to-wear and the optimism of that era. Color blocks, crisp lines and lacquered shine speak to energy and change. The finale is a dialogue between couture and contemporary art, with gowns once worn by Natalie Portman shown beside works by leading international and Chinese women artists. It feels less like decoration, more like conversation. Catherine Dior, the Resistance heroine who inspired the fragrance, anchors the narrative. Her presence reminds visitors that luxury has roots in values such as courage, loyalty and memory. These are qualities that resonate more deeply than glamour. If there is a risk in exhibitions like this, it is that spectacle can outweigh substance. Here the balance holds. OMA’s rooms are clean, Jospin’s garden breathes, the olfactory space is brief and direct. You leave with Catherine Dior’s story in mind rather than sales counters. That order feels right. For men visiting Shanghai, it is worth an afternoon. Not to be sold, but to be reminded that a great house is measured not only by design but also by its ability to tell a story. And that the modern gentleman benefits from knowing both. Read more about Dior’s Madison Avenue store opening here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/miss-dior-lands-in-shanghai-scents-and-memories — Citation: "Miss Dior Lands in Shanghai: Scents And Memories" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-23. https://menwith.com/miss-dior-lands-in-shanghai-scents-and-memories --- ## Veyron at 20: Alsace, Speed, and the Birth of the Hypercar - URL: https://menwith.com/veyron-at-20-alsace-speed-and-the-birth-of-the-hypercar - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-22 - Tags: Bugatti, Veyron **Summary:** The Bugatti Veyron, celebrating 20 years, redefined hypercars with its 1001hp W16 engine and civilised performance. It remains a benchmark for automotive engineering and luxury. Molsheim knows how to tell its own story. For Ettore Bugatti’s birthday weekend, the town’s cobbles echoed to W16 burble as Veyron owners returned to the source for Le Petit Tour Alsace, a gentlemanly loop through the Vosges. Lunch at the 12th-century Château de Haut-Barr, crystal calm at Villa René Lalique, cocktails in Château Saint Jean, and an opera set from Strasbourg’s company. It was equal parts pilgrimage and proof that even among festivals and fanfare, the Veyron still steals the oxygen. Two decades on, the shape feels inevitable. The horseshoe grille sits like a seal on a signet ring. The two-tone sweep over the rear haunches gives the car its architectural clarity. Critics once called it bulbous. In person, the proportions read like purpose: massive cooling surfaces, a cab set back over serious machinery, and details finished with a jeweler’s hand. It is not delicate and never tried to be. It is a polished instrument built to survive physics. Facts matter because they shaped the myth. An 8.0 liter W16 with four turbos, the original 1001 horsepower benchmark, 0 to 100 km/h in the blink region, and 407 km/h when the world runs out of adjectives. The numbers were shocking in 2005. What still amazes is the delivery. The Veyron gathers speed like a turbine, pins you without drama, and then sits there, composed, as if aerodynamics and thermal management were a solved puzzle. That composure is the achievement. So are the compromises. Weight you feel over tight crests. Tire and brake bills that read like small-art auction results. A car that asks you to plan fuel stops with intent. It is the price of domesticated extremity. The Veyron did not just win a race. It created a category. Before it, 1000 horsepower was dyno folklore. After it, every ambitious brand had a north star. More important than the headline speed was the civility. The Veyron made monstrous performance usable. Air conditioning that does not wilt at 300. A ride that forgives bad roads. Pedals that do not punish. That everyday credibility turned excess into engineering. Today, with Bugatti moving toward the Tourbillon and its hybridized V16 era, the Veyron’s clarity feels almost classical. No batteries. No sound design. Just fuel, air and an army of radiators. The market has noticed. Early 16.4 cars that once sagged in value have firmed as collectors recalibrate. Rare derivatives like Super Sport and Grand Sport Vitesse sit in the blue-chip column. The community that gathered in Alsace speaks to a second life: owners who drive, not mothball, because the car rewards miles with confidence. The A-pillars can hide pedestrians in old-town arcs. The turning circle is more yacht than dinghy. Parking sensors are friends. So is your concierge. Yet the gearbox is silk, the throttle is progressive, and the car shrinks around you once the road opens. It is a machine that flatters restraint and answers impatience with a raised eyebrow and then a shove. A 20th birthday party can be sentimental. This one felt earned. Watching a convoy thread from Château Saint Jean to the so-called Eye of Alsace, the Veyron looked exactly as it should: less like a museum piece, more like a standard still being measured against. The hypercar as we know it started here. The fact that it remains civilized, beautiful in function, and very much alive in its homeland is the real celebration. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/veyron-at-20-alsace-speed-and-the-birth-of-the-hypercar — Citation: "Veyron at 20: Alsace, Speed, and the Birth of the Hypercar" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-22. https://menwith.com/veyron-at-20-alsace-speed-and-the-birth-of-the-hypercar --- ## Porsche’s pivot: the next flagship SUV will arrive with a fuel tank - URL: https://menwith.com/porsches-pivot-the-next-flagship-suv-will-arrive-with-a-fuel-tank - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-22 - Tags: Porsche **Summary:** Porsche's new flagship SUV will launch as a combustion and plug-in hybrid, prioritizing range and usability over pure electric. This pragmatic approach balances electrification with customer demand and global market realities. Porsche just redrew its mid‑term map, and the most controversial new Porsche in years will arrive with pistons and spark plugs, not a plug alone. Porsche confirms a new SUV above the Cayenne, previously reported under code name K1, and it will launch as a combustion and plug‑in hybrid model. That single decision shapes everything you need to know about its character. Think imposing stance, long‑legged range, the kind of cross‑continent confidence that buyers in the US, Middle East and parts of Asia actually use. Expect Porsche’s familiar restraint in surfacing, taut proportions rather than ostentation. This will not be a rolling techno sculpture, it will be a big Porsche that reads as purposeful first and fashionable second. Launching with combustion and PHEV power tells you Porsche wants instant usability. Quick refueling on a ski run, silent early‑morning starts on battery in town, a meaningful electric glide for daily duty, then the familiar pulse of a well‑mannered engine when the road opens up. The weight question will hover, because batteries and size are not natural dance partners. Porsche typically answers with stiff structures, precise steering and brakes that feel carved from granite. This SUV will be judged on how convincingly it hides mass and how naturally it blends electric smoothness with mechanical soul. This is not a U‑turn on electrification, it is Porsche reading the room. Demand for exclusive BEVs has cooled, tariffs have complicated the US picture, and China’s luxury segment is not the rocket ship it was. Porsche is extending combustion and PHEV life in the Panamera and Cayenne well into the 2030s, rescheduling a new EV platform for later, and doubling down on a balanced mix. The all‑electric Taycan and Macan continue, with an electric Cayenne and a future two‑door 718 on the way, so the BEV story remains vivid. For proof of appetite where it makes sense, the Macan has already become Porsche’s best‑seller with a strong fully electric mix this year. Money rarely lies. Porsche expects short‑term pain from depreciation and provisions tied to the EV platform delay, and it has trimmed medium‑term profitability targets to the conservative end of its former range. That is the price of flexibility. The upside is a product plan that feels less ideological and more customer led. Some will flinch at the idea of a Porsche larger than a Cayenne, let alone one arriving without a pure‑electric debut. Others will see sanity: a flagship SUV that actually fits how and where many owners drive, with charging infrastructure still uneven outside a few cities. The trick will be avoiding excess. If the badge is to mean anything here, the car must feel athletic, not merely opulent. Porsche’s realignment is a pragmatic reset wrapped in a very big, very important SUV. It keeps faith with buyers who want freedom from the charger without abandoning the brand’s EV momentum. The move may not thrill absolutists on either side, but it targets the broad, global reality of luxury mobility right now. If the new flagship delivers Porsche’s signature clarity of control, honest speed and a cabin that soothes rather than shouts, it will not just make sense on a spreadsheet. It will make sense in the left lane, the school lane and the long, empty lane to your weekend place. Which is exactly where a Porsche earns its crest. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsches-pivot-the-next-flagship-suv-will-arrive-with-a-fuel-tank — Citation: "Porsche’s pivot: the next flagship SUV will arrive with a fuel tank" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-22. https://menwith.com/porsches-pivot-the-next-flagship-suv-will-arrive-with-a-fuel-tank --- ## Meet the Admiral S-Force 55 Hull 4 - URL: https://menwith.com/meet-the-admiral-s-force-55-hull-4 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-21 - Tags: Admiral, Northrop & Johnson **Summary:** Admiral's S-Force 55 Hull 4 offers near-term delivery on a semi-displacement all-aluminum platform. It balances range, speed, and flexible design for private or charter use. A late-stage 55.2-meter build from Admiral is now on the market with near-term delivery, serious range, and the kind of flexible design that suits both private life and charter reality. There is a moment in every new build when the dream turns tangible. For Hull 4 of Admiral’s S-Force 55 series, that moment has arrived. The hull and superstructure are already joined and available for inspection at the Admiral yard in Massa Carrara. In a market where top yards are quoting multi-year waits, a 20-month delivery from contract is not a footnote. It is the headline. The S-Force 55 is an all-aluminum, semi-displacement platform engineered for long passages without giving up everyday usability. Power comes from twin 1,901 hp Caterpillar engines for a 3,500 nautical mile range at 10 knots, a 16.5-knot cruise, and an 18-knot top speed. That balance suits an owner who values reach and rhythm over record books. Aluminum keeps weight in check and customization open. On board, the quiet shiver of chilled air and the soft thud of teak under bare feet tell the same story as the numbers. Inside, The Italian Sea Group’s in-house team proposes two interior schemes, both grounded in neutral tones and rare materials. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws the sea right up to the seating. The main deck hosts a convertible dining salon that shifts from formal meal to informal lounge without drama. Up top, an asymmetrical upper deck lounge adds character and flow. Think textured fabrics you can actually live with and light that moves across pale surfaces as the day turns. The plan accommodates 12 guests across six staterooms, with a main deck owner’s suite and office, VIP and additional guest cabins below, and quarters for 11 crew. That staffing is not excess. It is what makes service feel invisible. The exterior is designed for the way people actually use boats. Two aft decks manage the daily cadence of breakfast shade, late lunch breeze, and long-evening dinners without fuss. The sundeck carries the leisure hits of modern yachting: jacuzzi, gym, bar, massage bed, and a clear patch of teak that becomes a dance floor when the playlist turns up. At water level, a beach club with shaded sunpads and custom swim access puts you close enough to hear the slap of small waves against the hull. Forward, a touch-and-go helipad transforms into an open-air cinema, a sun lounge, or a winter terrace with an optional fireplace. The glow of an actual flame at sea is a small luxury that reads as both modern and timeless. Commercial compliance options are already selected, which matters. It means less friction if an owner wants to charter from day one. Sistership GECO has become a charter staple, a useful proof-of-concept for the series. In the current market, where running costs meet lifestyle flexibility, the ability to toggle between private cruising and revenue-generating weeks is pragmatic rather than mercenary. Culturally, this yacht sits in a clear moment. Buyers want pace without the petrol guilt of extreme speed, space that moves from family use to friends’ weekends, and some theater without bling. The S-Force 55 formula is not radical, but it is on trend in the best sense. Long-legged range at a sensible speed. Light-filled interiors that feel residential rather than hotel. Entertainment zones that work as hard midday as they do at midnight. The absence of a disclosed asking price keeps the conversation focused on value, not sticker shock. For those who care about process as much as product, the late-stage build status reduces risk. You can see the joined structure, walk the decks, feel sightlines and headroom. Yet there is still time to choose an interior path and define the finer points. That is a sweet spot many owners hope to find and rarely do. Listed with Northrop & Johnson brokers Gabriele Modica Ragusa and Wes Sanford, Hull 4 reads as a considered answer to how people actually use a 55-meter yacht in 2025. It is a vessel shaped by experience, not wish lists. If you want the idea of yachting in two years, look elsewhere. If you want the experience in roughly 20 months, this is the call. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/meet-the-admiral-s-force-55-hull-4 — Citation: "Meet the Admiral S-Force 55 Hull 4" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-21. https://menwith.com/meet-the-admiral-s-force-55-hull-4 --- ## Lamborghini Urus SE in Zion - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-urus-se-in-zion - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-20 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** The Lamborghini Urus SE blends its V8 with electric power for 800 CV, proving a plug-in hybrid Super SUV can conquer diverse terrains and offer a refined driving experience. Lamborghini took its first plug-in hybrid Super SUV to Utah’s red-rock cathedral and proved that power, poise and a charging cable can happily share a glovebox. Zion National Park is not subtle. Neither is the Urus SE. Over three days and roughly 200 miles of tarmac ribbons and dusty trails, Lamborghini’s Esperienza Avventura gathered owners to thread the PHEV Urus through pink sandstone canyons, clamber dunes, glamp in polished Airstreams and salute the sunrise with yoga. It read like a lifestyle catalogue, but there was a point. The SE is here to show range in every sense. The Urus has always been the loudest whisper in a valet line. The SE turns the volume by refining the frequencies. The surfacing is tauter, aero is tidier, and the light signatures carry the latest Lamborghini Y-motif. It sits broad and confident on its haunches, all polygonal menace and practical purpose. Some will call it theatrical. Others will admire how the wind seems to be part of the styling brief. Either way, the SE looks like a car that would rather hunt horizons than hauls. Numbers matter, but not too much here. The headline is simple. The SE pairs a twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor for a combined 800 CV, and it delivers more torque than any Urus before. The result on the road is instant shove, the kind that shortens straights and clears overtakes with a firm exhale. The electric motor fills the gaps in the torque curve, so the car feels eager at low speed and unflustered at high speed. Adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive and smart electronics keep a very big, very fast SUV tidy on mountain switchbacks. Weight from the battery is real, but it sits low and is masked by composure and grip. Off pavement, the SE is better than it needs to be. On the right tires and in the right modes, it shrugged off rutted tracks and sand with the same insistent, slightly mischievous confidence as its styling. Purists will miss the constant V8 thrum when the car slips into electric creep. They might also raise an eyebrow at any synthesized enhancement in the cabin. The upside is a new texture to the driving experience. Leave a campsite in silence. Hit the highway with a bassy growl. Both feel on brand in 2025. The Super SUV world is now a crowded skyline. Ferrari’s Purosangue plays the grand tourer card, Aston’s DBX707 the driver’s edge, Bentley brings lounge luxury, and Porsche continues to be the rational choice. The Urus SE stakes its ground on character and breadth. Lamborghini invented the modern Super SUV groove with the Urus. The SE keeps it relevant, adding electrification not as apology but as advantage. It answers city-center rules and conscience checks, without dulling the show. The Urus SE is the rare thing it promises to be. A statement piece that can slide into quiet mode. A canyon-carver that can do sand and school runs. It will not convert minimalists, and it is still more sculpture than subtlety. Yet as a cultural artifact for the era of curated adventures and selective silence, it hits the mark. The SE feels like a Lamborghini that understands both the road ahead and the roads that still matter. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-urus-se-in-zion — Citation: "Lamborghini Urus SE in Zion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-20. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-urus-se-in-zion --- ## Gradient Authority: Bentley’s first Ombré Flying Spur - URL: https://menwith.com/gradient-authority-bentleys-first-ombr-flying-spur - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-19 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Mulliner's new Ombré paint transforms the Bentley Flying Spur with a hand-applied gradient, taking nearly 60 hours. This bespoke option offers a subtle yet striking aesthetic, available in curated color pairings. There are two-tone Bentleys, and then there is this. Mulliner’s new Ombré paint has made the leap from coupe to four-door, with a Flying Spur that fades from Topaz Blue at the nose to Windsor Blue at the tail. It is not a wrap or a trick of light. It is paint, laid on by hand, across doors, sills and roof, in a process that takes close to 60 hours for two specialist technicians who also ensure the blend is perfectly symmetrical left to right. In the metal, a good fade reads as movement rather than noise. The Topaz to Windsor combination feels nautical and calm, which is timely given the car’s debut at the Southampton International Boat Show. Under harsh sun, the transition is slow enough that you only really catch it at a glance, like a changing tide. Ombré is available in two other curated pairings, Sunburst Gold to Orange Flame, and Tungsten to Onyx. Curation matters here. Mix the wrong paints and you get an unintended third color in the middle. Bentley even notes the classic pitfall, yellow to blue becomes green, so the palette is deliberately limited to keep the gradient clean. The Flying Spur cabin remains a sanctuary of leather, wood and silent confidence. It is also a place where personalization can run away from you. With Ombré outside, restraint inside becomes the power move. Deep blues, dark veneers and minimal contrast piping will let the exterior do the talking. Go maximalist with gold-to-orange paint and a kaleidoscope interior and you risk turning artistry into costume. Mulliner will do either, of course, but the gradient rewards discipline. How it feels, not how it reads This is still a Flying Spur, which means long-legged comfort, serious pace and the kind of quiet that makes phone calls feel like boardroom meetings. The Ombré does nothing to the numbers, but it changes the experience. You glide into a hotel portico and people notice, yet they cannot quite say why. That is the sweet spot between spectacle and taste. Special paint is wonderful until gravel finds it. A flawlessly blended midsection is harder to repair than a single tone, so owners who plan to use their cars as intended should budget for top-tier paint protection film over the panels that carry the fade. Consider that an insurance policy on a £48,000 or $68,000 option, which is the cost of Ombré by Mulliner. It is a bold number, although not out of step with a market where bespoke paint can cost more than an entire family hatchback. Bentley is reading the room. The top end of the market has moved from mere specification to authorship. Rolls-Royce makes hand-painted coachlines and immaculate two-tones. Maybach leans into gloss and pinstripes. A true gradient is rarer, more custom-shop than factory line, which is why this matters. The first Ombré appeared on a Continental GT at The Quail, a Monterey moment if ever there was one. Taking the technique to the Flying Spur signals that Mulliner’s craftspeople are not just capable, they are confident. Ombré on a limousine could have been loud. Executed in blues, it is quietly theatrical, a flourish you sense before you see. The bolder Sunburst fade will divide opinion, which is part of the fun when you are commissioning a car in this league. Either way, the message is clear. Bentley is turning paint into narrative, and the Flying Spur into a moving canvas. If luxury is the point where skill and feeling meet, this is it, with a wispy line of color telling the story. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/gradient-authority-bentleys-first-ombr-flying-spur — Citation: "Gradient Authority: Bentley’s first Ombré Flying Spur" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-19. https://menwith.com/gradient-authority-bentleys-first-ombr-flying-spur --- ## Four Superyacht Chefs on Their Culinary Approach - URL: https://menwith.com/four-superyacht-chefs-on-their-culinary-approach - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-19 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Four superyacht chefs redefine luxury dining by focusing on locality, seasonality, and guest preferences, creating memorable culinary narratives at sea. On the best superyacht charters, dinner is not an add-on. It is the narrative thread that ties anchorages to memory. Burgess highlights four chefs who treat the sea as pantry and theatre, and their work suggests a broader shift in yachting culture toward locality, restraint and rhythm. Fire, flavour, flow on STARLUST. Chef Nick Walden cooks with binchotan and resolve, letting seasonal produce, a guest’s preferences and the day’s conditions set the pace. The scene is elemental: the dry, clean smoke of binchotan lifting off a sun deck grill, the briny hush of waves a few steps away. In South East Asia, his menus pivot on lemongrass, tamarind, young coconut and just-caught fish, evolving with the itinerary. He even plots meals against the week’s tempo and the weather so lunches feel lazy when the light is high and dinners read as starry, fire-cooked finales. Beach BBQs are a signature, often blending pristine local seafood with select imported ingredients for balance. It is elevated simplicity, and it respects place without turning localism into a gimmick. Made from scratch on KATHARINE. Chef Belinda’s rule is personal and unfussy: if it goes on the table, she made it. Warm crusts of fresh bread, bright house jams, and ice creams that carry clean, clear flavour do not shout, they reassure. KATHARINE gives her three moods to play with, from a sun deck table with a lazy susan to a long bridge-deck table with expansive views, then a formal dining room when the occasion asks. Croatia informed her summer, where tomatoes were the star, sliced for salads, blitzed for salsa or simmered into sauces you can smell before you sit. Salt-baked sea bass remains her showpiece, the crack of the crust releasing savoury steam. Training in Tokyo, Bangkok and Mexico gives her scope, from precise sushi to Michelin-level desserts or a comforting sticky toffee pudding. Guests often start with detailed preference sheets, then hand over trust. That is the point when surprise becomes part of service. Precision with heart on GIGIA. Chef Jurgis Merksaitis works like a classicist with a creative streak. The owner’s deck aft seats 18, the sea framed like a moving mural, and that is where many meals earn their applause. He digs into the preference sheet to find more than allergies, asking for favourite restaurants and childhood plates, then reframes them. In Greece, he distilled the region rather than staging a replica taverna. Think deconstructed Greek salad with a clear tomato consommé that smells of warm sun, grilled octopus finished over hot coals, lobster cooked over fig leaves that lend a gentle, green fragrance. He enjoys themed tasting menus built around a single ingredient or region, dialling the energy up or down to match a fast-paced or languid charter. The technique is evident, but it never smothers the story. Market-driven Mediterranean on C2. Chef Daniel Spina calls his approach zero kilometre, a line that holds because he actually buys in Ibiza’s markets and across the Balearics. The cues are immediate: the clatter of crates at dawn, the clean snap of a tomato, the cool weight of a fish still bright-eyed. Dinners lean Mediterranean and seasonal, from pasta vongolé and salt-crusted fish to beef cheeks slow-cooked in red wine. Watermelon gazpacho arrives like chilled rubies in a white bowl. Spina treats dining as an event, sometimes a themed evening on the flybridge with crew-crafted decoration, sometimes a surprise beach lunch reached by tender where he appears with dishes ready to serve. Spanish desserts keep faith with place, almond gató and crema catalana, plus house-made ice creams that keep children and adults on side. What this signals is a recalibration. Superyacht dining is drifting away from trophy luxury toward meaningful locality, with chefs working off preference sheets, market runs and micro-climates rather than static tasting menus. There is still room for imports where they improve the plate, and no one is pretending logistics at sea are simple. Yet the better boats now show more culinary humility, which in turn reads as confidence. The setting helps. Sun on teak, salt in the air, the discreet clink of glassware, all of it focuses the appetite and sharpens memory. The takeaway is clear. If you care about food and travel, some of the most thoughtful cooking now happens between waypoints. It is not about excess. It is about a chef listening to place, to weather, to guests, then telling a story with smoke, citrus and restraint. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/four-superyacht-chefs-on-their-culinary-approach — Citation: "Four Superyacht Chefs on Their Culinary Approach" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-19. https://menwith.com/four-superyacht-chefs-on-their-culinary-approach --- ## Rolls-Royce Cullinan Cosmos: the night sky, parked in the valet lane - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-cullinan-cosmos-the-night-sky-parked-in-the-valet-lane - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-18 - Tags: Cullinan, Rolls-Royce **Summary:** The one-of-one Rolls-Royce Cullinan Cosmos features a hand-painted galaxy headliner, inspired by a child's fascination with space. This bespoke commission transforms the cabin into a unique, artistic experience. A one-of-one Cullinan turns the cabin ceiling into a galaxy, proving there are still places left to go when money, imagination and patience align. First, the headline act. Cullinan Cosmos carries a fully hand-painted Starlight Headliner, the first of its kind from Goodwood. An in-house artist spent 160 hours painting an ethereal Milky Way directly onto the leather, then the brand’s familiar fibre optics were punched through to match the artwork. The technique is part atelier, part science lab: more than 20 layers of acrylic build the nebulae, while a makeup brush was drafted in to float the palest pigments into a soft mist. It looks less like a graphic and more like a sky you can fall into. Outside, Cosmos keeps the theatrics tasteful. The body wears Arabescato Pearl, a cool, moonlit white with a subtle mineral sheen. A twin coachline in Charles Blue whispers along the shoulder, and the Illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy glows after dark like a lone beacon. It is restrained by Rolls-Royce standards, a quiet suit for an extrovert idea. Open the doors and the palette goes polar. Charles Blue and Grace White leathers recline across the seats with matching piping and stitching. Piano White veneers give the cabin a clinical crispness, like satellite hardware polished for launch. The family who commissioned the car, inspired by their young son’s fascination with space, worked with designers on a bespoke Star Cluster motif. You find it embroidered on the door cards and headrests, then again, hand-painted on the passenger fascia. It is cohesive but not shouty, which is not always a given in the world of six-figure custom interiors. The headliner is the emotional core. It is not the usual pinprick constellation but a layered painting, warmed by the miniature LEDs. Look up and the cabin seems to expand; conversations get quieter. It is theatrical, yes, but it is also calming in a way only big skies can be. The only eyebrow-raiser is the white leather in a family SUV. Practicality has never been the point of a Rolls-Royce commission, but it will encourage a new respect for juice boxes. Mechanically, Cosmos remains a Cullinan. That means effortless, near-silent thrust and a ride that turns rough roads into background texture. It is not a driver’s car so much as a moving lounge that happens to surge forward with a gentle flex of the ankle. Official combined figures tell their own story: around 16 to 18 mpg and 380 to 363 g/km of CO2, depending on specification. In an era warming to electrification, that will polarise. Rolls-Royce has an answer in the Spectre, its electric coupe. The Cullinan, for now, trades kilowatts for ceremony. Cosmos was commissioned through Private Office Dubai, which tracks with the Middle East’s long-standing taste for bespoke Rolls-Royces that double as personal statements. One-of-one commissions are the haute couture of the car world, and this one sits squarely in that space. The interesting shift here is that the art is not on the bonnet or the dash but above your head. It turns the cabin into a gallery you live in, not a display case you pass by. Cullinan Cosmos is a reminder that luxury can still surprise. It takes a familiar Rolls-Royce trope, the Starlight Headliner, and rebuilds it as a true artwork with depth, texture and narrative. The rest of the car plays supporting roles with polished ease, from the moonlit exterior to the icy-cool cabin. Read more about our Rolls-Royce weekend here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-cullinan-cosmos-the-night-sky-parked-in-the-valet-lane — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Cullinan Cosmos: the night sky, parked in the valet lane" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-18. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-cullinan-cosmos-the-night-sky-parked-in-the-valet-lane --- ## Hublot Marks a Decade with the Champions League - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-marks-a-decade-with-the-champions-league - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-18 - Tags: Hublot **Summary:** Hublot celebrates a decade with the UEFA Champions League, releasing a limited-edition Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium. The watch honors both anniversaries with a blue dial and Champions League branding. In football, timing is everything. A single second can separate triumph from heartbreak. For Hublot, that philosophy has defined its partnership with the UEFA Champions League for the past decade. This season, the brand celebrates that milestone with a watch designed to capture the spirit of Europe’s most prestigious competition: the Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Champions League Titanium. Only 100 pieces will be made. And unlike the silverware lifted under floodlights, this trophy can be worn on the wrist. The connection between Hublot and the Champions League began in 2015. Since then, the Swiss manufacture has timed more than 800 matches, recording the goals, comebacks, and unforgettable moments that shape the tournament’s history. This year is special: the Champions League itself marks 70 years since its beginnings as the European Cup in 1955. The new timepiece acknowledges both anniversaries with a design that carries the weight of footballing legacy. At 42 millimeters, the chronograph case is cut in satin-finished and polished titanium, giving the watch a contemporary lightness and durability suited to everyday wear. The dial graduates through shades of deep blue, a clear nod to the competition’s colors, while the counter at three o’clock carries the Champions League logo. The strap, a blend of black rubber and blue calf leather, is finished with the starball emblem that has become synonymous with European nights. Presentation matters here. Each watch arrives in a custom wooden box accompanied by a miniature replica of the Champions League trophy. It is, as Hublot frames it, the only version of the cup one can hold without first conquering Europe. Kylian Mbappé, both Hublot ambassador and one of the modern game’s brightest stars, unveiled the watch earlier this month in Nyon, Switzerland. His presence underscored the brand’s alignment with football’s current and future legends. Hublot’s CEO Julien Tornare summarized it well: “Football isn’t just a game, it’s a feeling. From the roar of the crowd to the silence before a penalty, every beat matters. And this watch is built to beat with you. Football has the power to unite, inspire and move us. It’s hearts racing, nations watching, legends rising. At Hublot, we celebrate the joy of shared moments and the thrill of chasing greatness. That’s what drives us. Because we don’t just measure time, we celebrate it!” Limited to 100 pieces, the watch is available through Hublot boutiques and the brand’s website. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-marks-a-decade-with-the-champions-league — Citation: "Hublot Marks a Decade with the Champions League" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-18. https://menwith.com/hublot-marks-a-decade-with-the-champions-league --- ## Zenith x Moët Hennessy at Château de Saran - URL: https://menwith.com/zenith-x-mot-hennessy-at-chteau-de-saran - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-18 - Tags: Lifestyle, Moët, Zenith **Summary:** Zenith and Moët Hennessy celebrated savoir-faire at Château de Saran, showcasing the Zenith G.F.J. timepiece and Dom Pérignon vintages. The event highlighted shared values of precision, patience, and heritage in watchmaking and viticulture. In a year crowded with splashy collaborations, Zenith and Moët Hennessy chose a different register. On September 2, the watchmaker and the Moët Hennessy Private unit gathered a small circle of clients at the historic Château de Saran in the Champagne region for an evening about one thing only: savoir-faire. It was not a gala, it was a study in discipline, with Benoit de Clerck of Zenith and Jacques Giraco of Dom Pérignon on hand to guide the conversation. At the center sat the G.F.J., an exceptional Zenith timepiece that channels the brand’s heritage through fresh innovation of the iconic Calibre 135. The 135 is a serious movement, rooted in precise chronometry rather than nostalgia, and placing it in this context felt apt. Fine watchmaking and viticulture are two crafts that measure life differently. One counts seconds, the other decades, and both reward restraint. That connection does not need fanfare to make its point. Before dinner, guests entered Dom Pérignon’s world for an immersive look at the work behind its legendary vintages. The choice to let the process speak was smart. You can sell a story, or you can show a method. Here, it was the latter. Quiet rooms, careful hands, time doing the heavy lifting. The senses were engaged without theatrics, from the soft rise of bubbles in a glass to the measured pulse of a regulated calibre, two tempos in calm conversation. The table was co-signed by Michelin-starred chef and Zenith friend Michel Sarran, together with Marco Fadiga, Executive Chef of Maison Dom Pérignon. Their menu read as a culinary translation of shared values: precision, balance, patience. Rare Dom Pérignon vintages were poured with care, the fine cut of crystal punctuating the room with a muted clink. There was no race to impress. Courses arrived with the kind of cadence that lets a conversation breathe. Paris Match joined to create custom portraits for attending clients. In an era of social proof and instant sharing, opting for a considered portrait is a nice countercurrent. The shutter’s click, the stillness of a subject, the gravity of a printed image, all of it mirrors the evening’s premise that experience should be collected, not consumed. When brands choreograph nights around substance, the experience lingers. When they stack logos, it does not. This one stayed on the right side of that line. Second, heritage matters when it is functional. The G.F.J. is presented as a living expression of the Calibre 135, not a museum piece. There is a difference, and watch people can feel it. Third, wine and watchmaking are aligned by the ethics of time. If you appreciate one, the other is not far away. There is also a broader market note. LVMH has the scale to stage cross-Maison moments, and many conglomerates try to do the same. The risk is a diluted identity. The reward is a richer culture if each house keeps its voice. Here, Dom Pérignon’s obsession with detail and Zenith’s chronometric backbone complemented rather than competed. That is how group synergy earns its keep. Was it exclusive? Of course. These rooms are by design not for everyone. But exclusivity is not a sin when the door closes for the sake of quality, not for spectacle. The night kept its posture low and its standards high. It read as a tribute to people who practice their craft daily, from the chef in the kitchen to the watchmaker at a bench. The takeaway is simple. Luxury is less convincing when it shouts. It is most persuasive when the work is close enough to touch, when the bubbles rise quietly in the glass, and when a movement’s beat is steady rather than loud. By honoring the G.F.J. in the company of Dom Pérignon, Zenith and Moët Hennessy Private did not invent a new idea. They reminded us that excellence, presented with patience, still moves the room. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/zenith-x-mot-hennessy-at-chteau-de-saran — Citation: "Zenith x Moët Hennessy at Château de Saran" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-18. https://menwith.com/zenith-x-mot-hennessy-at-chteau-de-saran --- ## Aboard the Global 7500 with VistaJet - URL: https://menwith.com/aboard-the-global-7500-with-vistajet - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-09-17 - Tags: Aviation, Global 7500, VistaJet **Summary:** The VistaJet Global 7500 offers unparalleled long-range business travel with its purpose-built design and consistent fleet. Its ownership-free model prioritizes global access and efficiency for discerning clients. Stepping aboard the VistaJet’s Global 7500 feels less like boarding an aircraft and more like entering a space with purpose. Outside, the jet reflects Bombardier’s signature precision. Inside, it unfolds like a series of rooms designed to support work, rest and quiet movement across time zones. With an official range of 7,700 nautical miles, the Global 7500 remains the world’s longest-range purpose-built business jet. It can fly nonstop from New York to Hong Kong and has set 135 speed records. It flew 8,225 nautical miles from Sydney to Detroit, setting the record for the longest business jet flight ever. For VistaJet, the aircraft is more than a technical achievement. It is the flagship of a fleet designed around consistency, not ownership. A Model That Prioritizes Predictability VistaJet was founded in 2004 on a simple premise: global access without the complexity of owning a jet. The company owns every aircraft in its fleet, more than 270 today, all painted in the same silver and red livery and configured identically. Clients know exactly what will greet them at the top of the stairs, whether they board in London, Lagos, or Los Angeles. That promise resonates across the Nordics and Eastern Europe. VistaJet’s 2025 roadshow opened in Stockholm, where the company engaged with corporate leaders, family offices, and journalists on the evolving role of business aviation. “Sweden’s business community values efficiency, transparency, and global reach, Our ownership-free Program aligns perfectly with this mindset — giving corporates and investors guaranteed access to the right aircraft anywhere in the world, without the cost or complexity of owning a jet. Time saved with VistaJet isn’t just convenience — it’s capital deployed and deals closed.“ Mats Leander, VistaJet’s President of Nordics & Eastern Europe A Cabin Built for Long-Haul Clarity Boarding through the galley sets the tone. It is the largest in business aviation, designed to support proper dining with menus created in partnership with Michelin-starred chefs and curated wine lists. On a long-haul flight, food becomes part of the experience, not just a necessity. The cabin offers four distinct living zones. The lounge is anchored by Bombardier’s Nuage seating and large windows. A few steps beyond, the dining and conference space serves both business and meals without compromise. The entertainment suite creates a space to reset with a full-width divan and screen. At the rear, the private bedroom suite offers a proper bed and closing door, making the most of the aircraft’s low cabin altitude for meaningful rest. Everything is designed to reduce friction. There is no need to rearrange the space or adapt to it. It already meets the needs of the journey. A Smarter Fit for Growing Markets VistaJet’s floating fleet structure allows aircraft to be positioned where needed, offering guaranteed availability worldwide within 24 hours. Program members avoid the costs and complexity of ownership, from maintenance and depreciation to staffing and asset management. In 2024, VistaJet aircraft averaged 890 flight hours each, compared to an industry average of under 250. While the global market contracted slightly, VistaJet flight hours rose 5 percent. Program membership in Europe increased by 16 percent in the first half of 2025. The trend reflects growing demand in markets like Sweden, which is home to over 520 centi-millionaires and more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management. In Eastern Europe, foreign direct investment rose 14 percent in 2024. From family offices managing cross-border portfolios to scale-ups expanding globally, business leaders are looking for aviation models that match their ambitions. “More companies are recognizing that mobility is not just a cost. It is a competitive advantage. Decision-makers need aviation solutions that keep pace with their growth.” Mats Leander, VistaJet’s President of Nordics & Eastern Europe A Responsible Approach to Global Access VistaJet continues to invest in sustainability, with dedicated in-house teams focused on measurable progress. The company uses sustainable aviation fuel, supports carbon offsetting, and offers transparent emissions reporting. In Sweden and across the region, it also supports local economies by partnering with domestic suppliers for catering, ground services, and logistics. The Global 7500 is a remarkable aircraft. But in VistaJet’s hands, it becomes something more valuable: a reliable, consistent, global resource. Not a symbol of luxury, but a tool for those who value time, control, and clarity. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aboard-the-global-7500-with-vistajet — Citation: "Aboard the Global 7500 with VistaJet" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-17. https://menwith.com/aboard-the-global-7500-with-vistajet --- ## Café Louis Vuitton Opens in Seoul: Korea meets France - URL: https://menwith.com/caf-louis-vuitton-opens-in-seoul-korea-meets-france - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-09-17 - Tags: Lifestyle, Louis Vuitton, LVMH **Summary:** Café Louis Vuitton in Seoul blends French culinary techniques with Korean-inspired flavors, orchestrated by Chef Yoon with mentors Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric. Louis Vuitton’s new café inside its Frank Gehry–designed Seoul Maison brings Korean-inflected flavors into dialogue with French technique, without shouting about it. Seoul is fluent in crossovers. Fashion and food are two languages the city speaks with ease, which makes Louis Vuitton’s new Café Louis Vuitton feel less like a stunt and more like a continuation of a conversation already in progress. Open to the public since early September inside the brand’s Maison in Seoul, the café places a culinary program within one of the city’s most photographed cultural addresses, a building whose facade bears Frank Gehry’s signature. Morning light softens as it moves across the exterior, and the street’s energy recedes once you step in. The food brief is clear and refreshingly direct. Orchestrated by Chef Yoon in collaboration with his mentors Chef Arnaud Donckele and Pastry Chef Maxime Frédéric, the menu blends Korean-infused flavors with signature creations that trace a line back to Saint‑Tropez and Paris. The House says it is a harmonious blend, and the names involved suggest a measured approach rather than a theme-park mashup. Expect a dialogue of techniques, temperatures, and pacing, with patisserie precision and a Korean lens guiding the seasoning. The sensory register is refined, the kind where you notice the quiet clink of porcelain and the clean finish of a sauce more than any loud garnish. It would be easy to dismiss another brand café as a logo with a latte. Some deserve that critique. This one reads differently on paper because of who is cooking and how they frame the project. Chef Yoon leads, with Donckele and Frédéric as mentors, which grounds the offering in craft. The French maisons that succeed in hospitality respect the grammar of the dining room, not just the visual identity. Here the promise is an immersive culinary destination, and the emphasis on artisanship aligns with how Louis Vuitton talks about its ateliers. If the tailoring is right, you do not see the seams. The setting matters. Maison Louis Vuitton Seoul is already a cultural waypoint, and Gehry’s facade has the sort of presence that changes your pace as you approach. Inside, the café folds into that rhythm. You get a shift from retail tempo to dining cadence, from the crisp rustle of canvas and leather to the hush of a room built for conversation. Light and reflection are part of the experience, softening edges and drawing attention to color on the plate, a reminder that hospitality is as much about how you see as what you taste. There is also a broader context worth noting. Luxury houses have been expanding into restaurants and cafés, and the results have been mixed. When it works, it is because the kitchen has a voice deeper than the brand’s typeface, and because the room offers something the city actually wants. Seoul is already one of the most dynamic food capitals in the world, with a local confidence that does not need Paris to validate it. Which is why this project’s cross‑cultural premise feels right-sized. Korean flavors are the point of origin, French savoir‑faire the framework. You can smell the coffee and hear the low rumble of late afternoon catch‑ups, not the clatter of a queue arranged for social posts. For the modern gentleman, the utility is straightforward. You can pair a fitting or a quiet browse with a lunch that respects your time, or make it a meeting spot where the setting carries some weight without stealing the air in the room. The details we have are measured, and there is no disclosed fanfare about seating capacity or booking rituals, which is a relief. Let the craft speak. Café Louis Vuitton does not try to reinvent dining in Seoul, which would be a fool’s errand. It positions itself as a thoughtful bridge, anchored by chefs who understand both sides of the span. The move also signals that luxury’s expansion into hospitality is still maturing. When brands resist the urge to amplify and instead commit to substance, the result can add to the city rather than merely extract from it. On that metric, this opening looks promising: a calm, well‑made room where Seoul and Paris meet at the table, and where the logo is present but not the main flavor. Find more unique travel tips here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/caf-louis-vuitton-opens-in-seoul-korea-meets-france — Citation: "Café Louis Vuitton Opens in Seoul: Korea meets France" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-17. https://menwith.com/caf-louis-vuitton-opens-in-seoul-korea-meets-france --- ## New Heights: Mondo Duplantis Breaks Another World Record in Tokyo - URL: https://menwith.com/new-heights-mondo-duplantis-breaks-another-world-record-in-tokyo - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-09-16 - Tags: Puma **Summary:** Mondo Duplantis shattered his own world record, clearing 6.30m in Tokyo for his third consecutive World Championship gold. He credits custom PUMA spikes for aiding his record-breaking performance. There is a peculiar calm that comes before one of Mondo Duplantis’ vaults. The runway narrows, the stadium quiets, and for a few seconds it is only him and the bar, as though gravity itself pauses to see what he will do next. In Tokyo, on September 15, the outcome felt inevitable. Once again, the Swede who has redefined the limits of his event lifted himself beyond them, clearing 6.30 meters to set his fourteenth world record and secure a third consecutive World Championship gold. For Duplantis, 25, this was his fourth record of the year, though he has a way of making such feats appear almost routine. He ran with measured composure, wearing his familiar PUMA EvoSPEED Naio NITRO Elite spikes, and delivered a vault that carried more than his own body weight. It carried the weight of expectation, the certainty that he would succeed where no one else could. Each centimeter gained becomes a milestone, each record another reminder that he is not just the best of his time but perhaps the best there has ever been. His record progression tells the story of that dominance: - 6.17 m — Toruń, Poland, February 8, 2020 - 6.18 m — Glasgow, UK, February 15, 2020 - 6.19 m — Belgrade, Serbia, March 7, 2022 - 6.20 m — Belgrade, Serbia, March 20, 2022 - 6.21 m — Eugene, USA, July 24, 2022 - 6.22 m — Clermont-Ferrand, France, February 25, 2023 - 6.23 m — Eugene, USA, September 17, 2023 - 6.24 m — Xiamen, China, April 20, 2024 - 6.25 m — Paris, France, August 5, 2024 - 6.26 m — Chorzów, Poland, August 25, 2024 - 6.27 m — Clermont-Ferrand, France, February 28, 2025 - 6.28 m — Stockholm, Sweden, June 15, 2025 - 6.29 m — Budapest, Hungary, August 12, 2025 - 6.30 m — Tokyo, Japan, September 15, 2025 Earlier this year, Duplantis spoke with PUMA CEO Arne Freundt for the company’s annual report. At the time, he said his near-term goal was 6.30 meters, a mark he has now achieved in Tokyo. He also looked further ahead, suggesting that 6.40 meters is possible in the next few years.“I think that 6.30 meters is probably the target in the near future, and 6.40 meters is achievable in the next few years,” he said. That confidence is not blind optimism but grounded in technology and partnership. Duplantis credits his custom-engineered PUMA spikes, which he calls Claws, with playing a part in his record-breaking run. By blending characteristics of sprinting spikes with the stability required for pole vaulting, the shoes allow him to generate maximum speed on the runway. “They are much lighter and more aggressive with the toe spring than what you used to see years ago in a pole-vaulting spike,” he explained. “I think that’s what helps me and allows me to get up to the speeds that I want to create to be able to jump stuff like a world record.” The strength of the field in Tokyo gave the achievement further weight. Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took silver with 6.00 meters and Australia’s Kurtis Marschall earned bronze with 5.95. Both are world-class athletes, yet Duplantis remains untouchable. His presence has reshaped the event entirely. For PUMA, the sweep of the podium in Tokyo offered proof of concept. Three medals, three athletes, one brand. Innovation and performance are not abstract ideas for the company but working principles visible on nights like this. Freundt put it simply: “As a sports brand, it’s super important that we show up with the best athletes and prove that our products perform at the highest levels and enable a better performance. The learnings we take from an innovation angle are even more important. That we really understand what makes you faster before the jump, what makes you jump higher, and we turn these learnings into product innovation.” Duplantis has often made the extraordinary look ordinary, but the bar continues to rise. The question is no longer whether he can do it, but how high he can go. He has already answered part of it in Tokyo with 6.30 meters. The rest, perhaps, lies at 6.40. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/new-heights-mondo-duplantis-breaks-another-world-record-in-tokyo — Citation: "New Heights: Mondo Duplantis Breaks Another World Record in Tokyo" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-16. https://menwith.com/new-heights-mondo-duplantis-breaks-another-world-record-in-tokyo --- ## The New BMW iX3: A Quiet Revolution in Motion - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-bmw-ix3-a-quiet-revolution-in-motion - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-16 - Tags: BMW, iX3 **Summary:** The BMW iX3 marks the debut of the Neue Klasse platform, blending familiar X family design with advanced EV tech. It features an 800-volt architecture, sustainable materials, and a new iDrive system, signaling BMW's future direction. In automotive history, revolutions sometimes arrive disguised as evolution. The new BMW iX3 is both: a bold technological leap that feels, at the same time, like the most natural continuation of BMW’s story. It is the first production vehicle from BMW’s Neue Klasse, and while it signals a new generation of electric vehicles, its message is not about departure. It is about continuity, refined and redirected. This is not a car I’ve driven yet. But from what’s been shown, and how it has been positioned, it’s clear that the iX3 is far more than the successor to a single model. It is the beginning of a platform, a strategy, and a new design language that will shape the next BMW models. The Neue Klasse is no longer a concept. It begins here, with a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle. What does the new iX3 symbolize for the future of BMW? “The new BMW iX3 is is more than just a car, it represents the future of the company, the BMW brand and the next generation of BMW models. It´s the essence of BMW and, at the same time, is a quantum leap in technology. Our whole product range will benefit from the innovations brought by the new BMW iX3, whichever drive system technology is employed.” Carl Lindwall, PR Manager, BMW Northern Europe At first glance, the new iX3 presents itself with a quiet confidence. Its proportions are familiar, solid, upright, and clearly part of the X family. But its lines have been simplified. The design has been pared back, with fewer distractions and more presence. BMW speaks of a return to essentials. This is not minimalism for its own sake, but a measured approach to design that puts substance ahead of spectacle. Technically, the car represents a leap. The iX3 is powered by BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive system, delivering up to 805 kilometers of range and 400 kW of peak charging. These are not theoretical numbers. The battery, built with new cylindrical cells and 800-volt architecture, is capable of adding over 370 kilometers of range in just ten minutes at a high-power charger. It is efficient, fast, and built for long-distance use. Inside, the cabin reflects the same philosophy as the exterior: refined, modern, and designed with intention. The new Panoramic iDrive system stretches across the windscreen, replacing traditional displays with a wide, driver-focused interface. Physical controls remain for essential functions, a nod to practicality that many drivers will quietly appreciate. The materials used inside the iX3 show an equally careful touch. BMW has increased its use of recycled and responsibly sourced materials throughout the vehicle. The seat fabrics, headliner, and under-hood storage components are made from recycled plastics and marine waste. Even the aluminium used in structural components includes high proportions of secondary material. According to BMW, the total carbon footprint over the iX3’s lifecycle is more than 30 percent lower than its predecessor. What stands out most in this vehicle is BMW’s effort to deliver technological progress without losing the character that defines the brand. Performance is still part of the equation, 469 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds, although it is not the sole focus. Equally important is how the vehicle manages that performance. The new “Heart of Joy” control unit coordinates drivetrain, braking, and steering inputs with precision. It is part of a new electronic architecture that includes four high-performance control units, each dedicated to a core area of the car. This isn’t simply a better EV. It is a different type of car, built from the software up. The iX3 will enter production in Debrecen, Hungary, a plant designed to operate without fossil fuels. A version tailored to the Chinese market will also be built in Shenyang. Deliveries begin in Europe in spring 2026, with the US launch following that summer. There is nothing about this car that feels rushed or overdone. That is perhaps the most telling quality. The iX3 does not try to define the future in one dramatic move. Instead, it presents a clear and confident path forward, rooted in what BMW has always stood for, and adjusted thoughtfully for what comes next. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-bmw-ix3-a-quiet-revolution-in-motion — Citation: "The New BMW iX3: A Quiet Revolution in Motion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-16. https://menwith.com/the-new-bmw-ix3-a-quiet-revolution-in-motion --- ## Vacheron Constantin’s Quest of Time - URL: https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantins-quest-of-time - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-16 - Tags: Vacheron Constantin **Summary:** Vacheron Constantin celebrates 270 years with La Quête du Temps astronomical clock and Métiers d’Art Tribute watch. Both blend horology, astronomy, and art, showcasing 23 complications and intricate métiers d’art. In 1755, Jean-Marc Vacheron signed on his first apprentice in Geneva. That day, under the September sky, a watchmaking house began a journey that has lasted for 270 years. To mark the anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has turned once again to the heavens. The maison has created two works that reflect both its technical mastery and its cultural outlook: the astronomical clock La Quête du Temps and the wristwatch Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time. The clock is a grand work of horology and craft. Seven years in development, La Quête du Temps unites 6,293 components, including 2,370 for the movement itself. It carries 23 complications and an Astronomer automaton capable of 144 gestures, guided by 158 cams and accompanied by music from a mechanical instrument built for this project. The automaton is not decorative, but conceived as a timekeeping complication in its own right, its movements indicating the hours, minutes, sun, moon, and stars. The astronomical clock inside is equally ambitious. Its front dial includes a large tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, sunrise and sunset indications, a retrograde date, and a 110-year precision moon phase. The reverse features a star map that follows sidereal time, accurate to the second. Above, a glass dome carries a painting of the constellations as they appeared in Geneva on 17 September 1755. Astronomers from the Geneva Observatory were consulted to ensure precision down to the position of each star. The decoration draws on métiers d’art: engraving, guillochage, enamel, hard-stone marquetry, and miniature painting. Rock crystal and lapis lazuli frame the structure, while the Astronomer figure in bronze is engraved with constellations, set with diamonds for stars, and gilded in gold. Despite its size—over a metre tall and weighing about 250 kilograms—the clock has a light, transparent presence that reveals its mechanics. This autumn, it will be shown at the Louvre as the centrepiece of the Mécaniques d’Art exhibition. From this grand project, Vacheron Constantin created a watch. The Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time interprets the themes of the clock in a personal, wearable form. The watch is powered by Calibre 3670, a manually wound movement with 512 components, four patents, and a rare combination of 5 Hz frequency with a six-day power reserve. The front dial features a golden figure whose arms indicate the hours and minutes in a double retrograde display. Owners can choose between continuous display, where the arms act like traditional hands, or a standby mode, where the arms rest until a pusher is activated. This mechanism is directly inspired by the maison’s 2019 Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar. The dial also includes a spherical 3D moon showing both the phase and age of the moon, twin retrograde power reserves, and a starry backdrop recreating the sky of 1755. On the reverse, a sidereal chart rotates with remarkable accuracy, deviating by only one day in more than 9,000 years. As with the clock, craftsmanship plays a central role. The figure is made of titanium with a golden finish and hand patina. The moon is hand-engraved, half treated in gold and half in deep blue. The sapphire dials carry metallised star charts, while all 512 components of the movement are finished by hand. Together, the clock and the watch are a reflection of what the maison has pursued for nearly three centuries: time interpreted through astronomy, mechanics, and art. One will stand in the Louvre, surrounded by centuries of cultural history. The other rests lightly on the wrist, a reminder that even the grandest ideas can be distilled into something personal. Both pieces carry the same spirit. They show that watchmaking at its highest level is not only about measuring hours but also about linking past and present, science and imagination, human ingenuity and the rhythm of the cosmos. In that balance lies the true meaning of Vacheron Constantin’s 270 years. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantins-quest-of-time — Citation: "Vacheron Constantin’s Quest of Time" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-16. https://menwith.com/vacheron-constantins-quest-of-time --- ## 6 Luxury Yacht Charters for a Last-Minute Summer Escape - URL: https://menwith.com/6-luxury-yacht-charters-for-a-last-minute-summer-escape - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-15 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** September offers prime Med yacht charters with better value and fewer crowds. Six Burgess yachts, like TALISMAN MAITON and FORTITUDE 1, provide late-season luxury escapes across Italy, Spain, Croatia, France, and Greece. September in the Med trades the DJ booths and queueing tenders for warm water, soft light and better value. High summer grabs the headlines, but the connoisseur’s weeks are the ones just after. Harbours breathe again, the sea stays inviting, and the late-afternoon glow off limestone and terracotta flatters everything. If you want to see the West Med without spectator sport energy, now is the window. Burgess has flagged rare short-notice availability on a half-dozen notable yachts, with pricing that will make some August bookings feel a touch rash. TALISMAN MAITON sets the tone. At 54.2m, with space for 12 in six cabins, she is open 13 September to 16 October across Italy, Spain and Croatia. Rates start from EUR 231,000 per week. That range matters. You can skirt Capri at breakfast, then find Dalmatian quiet by sundown, the hull carving a silver line through evening chop. West Med late season is about options, and this yacht gives you three first-rate coasts on one calendar. FORTITUDE 1 is a South of France play from 16 September. At 44.1m for 10 guests in five cabins, from EUR 280,000 per week, it is the priciest here, which aligns with her Côte d’Azur brief. Think still mornings in Antibes, coffee rising with the steam on the aft deck, and clear runs to beach clubs without the August gridlock. If you prefer your Riviera with conversation-level sound rather than festival volume, this is the time. WILLOW, also in the South of France from 16 September, comes in at 42m for 10 guests, from EUR 175,000 per week. She suits families or two couples who like to move, swim, repeat. The sensory shift is subtle but real in late September. Quieter anchorages, the clink of halyards ashore rather than subwoofers, and an easy golden hour for a simple lunch that does not need a playlist. We’ve written more about Willow here. LAMMOUCHE, 44m for 10 guests from EUR 182,000 per week, points to the West Med and the Balearics from 23 September. Menorca coves and Ibiza’s calmer shoulder season both live here. Rock faces hold heat, water toys do not jostle for space, and the tender ride back from a deserted cala at dusk is the sort of small luxury that justifies the trip. In Greece, MAESTRO is available now. At 40.5m for 12 guests across six cabins, from EUR 170,000 per week, she offers proper capacity for a multi-generational charter without the circus. Fewer ferries, fewer flotillas, and more room to hear cicadas on deck while the breeze carries thyme from the scrub. September in the Aegean is a civilised compromise between summer energy and winter calm. Rounding out the list, INS LAND brings a 35.8m package for 10 guests to the West Med, available now, from EUR 126,000 per week. It is the most accessible entry here, which broadens the appeal for a long weekend that stretches into a week. Smaller marinas open up, and that matters if your idea of luxury is slipping into a quay in time for a simple grilled fish and a short walk back under sodium streetlights. What does this say about the market? That the shoulder season has graduated from insider tip to informed choice. Owners and managers are clearly aligning to meet demand beyond August. The pricing here, starting from EUR 126,000 and peaking at EUR 280,000 per week, reflects that shift without pretending September is a discount bin. It is value through experience, not markdowns. The calm is the point. Hot take: If your calendar is flexible, September and early October in the Med beat high season on everything that counts for grown-ups. Water is warm, staff ashore are less harried, and the light makes even a short tender ride feel cinematic. The absence of spectacle becomes the luxury. Details matter. All availability, locations and rates are correct at publication on 8 September 2025. Yachts book quickly. If none of the above fits, Burgess will build an itinerary around your dates and your pace. The modern way to charter is not to chase the crowd but to step around it. In yachts as in life, timing counts more than volume. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/6-luxury-yacht-charters-for-a-last-minute-summer-escape — Citation: "6 Luxury Yacht Charters for a Last-Minute Summer Escape" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-15. https://menwith.com/6-luxury-yacht-charters-for-a-last-minute-summer-escape --- ## A look back in time with Bentley - URL: https://menwith.com/a-look-back-in-time-with-bentley - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-15 - Tags: Bentley **Summary:** Bentley's Heritage Collection showcased three classic models, winning awards at prestigious concours events, proving the brand's enduring design and engineering excellence. The story is simple enough. Three of the brand’s most significant classics collected silverware at the world’s most fastidious beauty parades. The nuance is more interesting. This summer made clear that Bentley’s Heritage Collection is no longer a museum in mothballs but a living fleet with something to say about the company’s future. Start with the unicorn. The one-off 1939 Mk V Corniche, rebuilt over more than a decade and finished with Mulliner’s help, became the first factory-entered car ever to be fully judged at Pebble Beach in the event’s 75-year history. That matters. Pebble traditionally lionises private custodians, and the Corniche’s acceptance signals a manufacturer collection done properly. Its streamline bodywork, all sweep and purpose, looks like a whispered promise of speed along the Monterey coastline it completed on the Tour d’Elegance. At Blenheim Palace, the 1953 R Type Continental, JAS 949, took Best in Class among HJ Mulliner-bodied legends. Those clean, tapering fastback lines remain the cornerstone of the modern Continental GT, proof that good proportions do not age, they mature. And in the gardens of Hampton Court, a 1930 8 Litre Weymann saloon reminded everyone that scale can be elegant. The fabric-skinned body sits light on its long wheelbase, the bonnet seemingly stretching to the horizon. Bentley cabins are as much atmosphere as architecture. The R Type’s thin pillars and low cowl flood the interior with light, the wood and hide delivering that particular blend of warmth and restraint the brand still chases. The 8 Litre’s saloon is a period drawing room, thick carpets muting footsteps, brightwork cool to the touch, every switch moving with the deliberate cadence of a pocket watch. The Corniche is sparser, a pre-war racer’s mindset wrapped in civility, and no worse for it. Across the trio, Mulliner’s thread runs unbroken. Stitching, veneers, hardware, all feel made, not manufactured. You do not measure cars like these with stopwatches. You measure them with pulse and poise. The 8 Litre was W.O. Bentley’s ultimate statement of effortless torque, triple-digit pace in period delivered with uncanny hush. It still slips away on a wave rather than a crescendo. The R Type Continental was the gentleman’s express, a car designed to cross continents before motorways were a fait accompli. Long gearing, relaxed stride, a cool, unflustered rhythm at speed. The Corniche, conceived on the eve of war, channels aerodynamic curiosity into fluency, its streamlined body turning effort into glide. Concours season is the car world’s couture week, where stories matter as much as sheet metal. Factory entries can raise eyebrows among purists. Yet Bentley’s new benchmark is difficult to dismiss. The Heritage Collection now numbers 50 cars spanning 106 years, 40 road-legal and 10 race ready, and they are used, not simply displayed. Engineers in Crewe reference them for feel and proportion, which explains why the new EXP 15 design study sat confidently on Pebble’s Concept Lawn, more conversation than cosplay. There is also strategy in the romance. Heritage gives credibility to Bentley’s sprint toward its Beyond100+ goals, including an all-electric line-up from 2035. Next month’s trio of bespoke Flying Spurs celebrating key four-door anniversaries will underline the through line from stately to swift. Plenty of brands trade on past glories. Fewer do the hard work to earn the right. By winning at Pebble, Salon Privé and Hampton Court, Bentley’s Heritage Collection showed depth, not just polish. The cars themselves remain the draw, their character intact, their quirks cherished, their significance clear. If you care about how luxury should feel, and how it should evolve, this was a summer worth remembering. Read more stories about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-look-back-in-time-with-bentley — Citation: "A look back in time with Bentley" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-15. https://menwith.com/a-look-back-in-time-with-bentley --- ## Phantom at 100: Goodwood Revival’s Quietest Showstopper - URL: https://menwith.com/phantom-at-100-goodwood-revivals-quietest-showstopper - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-14 - Tags: Phantom, Rolls-Royce **Summary:** Rolls-Royce celebrated the Phantom's centenary at Goodwood Revival with a display of five models spanning its history. The exhibit highlighted the Phantom's enduring legacy of craftsmanship, luxury, and individuality. The Phantom turned 100 this year. Rolls-Royce chose Goodwood Revival to mark the occasion, not with fanfare or nostalgia, but with presence. Five Phantoms, drawn from across the model’s lifetime, stood together on the Aerodrome Lawn. Each one told its own story of design, of engineering, of the people who ordered them and the world they moved through. Phantom was never just a car. When Henry Royce introduced the first in 1925, it wasn’t an evolution of the Silver Ghost, but a shift in direction. More refined, more capable, and more adaptable to individual taste, Phantom became the canvas on which clients could project status, style or sentiment. Over eight generations, it remained the company’s flagship and in many ways, its clearest expression of values: silence, effortlessness, longevity, and detail over drama. At Goodwood, a quiet corner of West Sussex that already carries so much automotive history, the display felt natural. This wasn’t a museum lineup. It was a reminder that craftsmanship, when properly done, holds up. Here are three of the standouts from the display. Phantom IV Landaulette Only 18 Phantom IVs were ever made, and all were reserved for royalty or heads of state. This one still serves the British royal family for ceremonial occasions. The proportions alone set it apart. With a chassis nearly two feet longer than the Silver Wraith and a straight-eight engine under the bonnet, it was built to glide, not rush. The open rear compartment makes sense in its original context. The Landaulette was designed so the public could see its passenger, and in doing so, be reassured by their presence. The craftsmanship is restrained, formal, and precise. It doesn’t ask for attention, but commands it anyway. Phantom II Continental Touring by Park Ward This Phantom II Continental, built on chassis 92PY, sits closer to the opposite end of the spectrum. Originally a private experiment for Henry Royce himself, the Continental version was designed for high-speed touring across Europe’s long, smooth roads. That meant performance took priority, not in the way sports cars chase it, but through weight reduction, wind resistance, and careful engineering. Commissioned by American industrialist A.Y. Gowen, this example includes a rare sunroof and a yellow-tinted sun visor. It was meant to be used, not hidden away, and it reflects a different kind of luxury. One rooted in movement and function rather than ceremony. Phantom I Brougham de Ville — ‘The Phantom of Love’ This 1926 Phantom I isn’t subtle. Commissioned by Clarence Gasque as a gift for his wife Maude, an heiress to the Woolworth fortune, the car was built as a tribute to 18th-century French art and interiors. What followed was an almost theatrical level of detail. The cabin features Aubusson tapestries, a painted ceiling with gilded cornices, and a drinks cabinet flanked by porcelain vases and a French ormolu clock. It’s known today as The Phantom of Love, and that’s not a marketing line. It was a personal gesture, over-the-top and entirely sincere. Whether you find it beautiful or excessive misses the point. It was made for one person, and in that way, it captures what Phantom has always allowed: individuality without compromise. A Living History During the Revival, four Phantom course cars ran the circuit between races. It was a small but well-judged touch. These aren’t relics. They’re functioning, road-going records of how people lived and what they valued. Phantom has never chased trends. It doesn’t need to. When the product is built with patience and purpose, it speaks for itself. That has been true since 1925, and at Goodwood this year, it was clear it still is. Read about our weekend experience with Rolls-Royce here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/phantom-at-100-goodwood-revivals-quietest-showstopper — Citation: "Phantom at 100: Goodwood Revival’s Quietest Showstopper" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-14. https://menwith.com/phantom-at-100-goodwood-revivals-quietest-showstopper --- ## Will Sweden’s Golden Generation Ever Play in a World Cup? - URL: https://menwith.com/will-swedens-golden-generation-ever-play-in-a-world-cup - Published: 2025-09-14 - Tags: Alexander Isak, Dejan Kulusevski, Viktor Gyökeres, Lucas Bergvall, Siavoush Fallahi, Jon Dahl Tomasson, 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Blågult **Summary:** Sweden's 'golden generation' of footballers faces a potential World Cup absence due to defensive struggles and a loss of tactical identity, despite individual star power. Sweden’s footballing faith is being tested. A shock 2–0 loss away to Kosovo in September has left the national team’s 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes hanging by a thread. Once again, fans are grappling with the grim prospect that their beloved Blågult might miss out on a major tournament, the latest blow in what was supposed to be a triumphant new era. Golden Generation, Tarnished Results On paper, Sweden in 2025 boasts a golden generation of rising stars. Alexander Isak became the most expensive signing in Premier League history with a blockbuster move to Liverpool. Dejan Kulusevski is a regular starter in Tottenham’s attack. Viktor Gyökeres earned a marquee transfer to Arsenal after dominating in Portugal. And 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall has already broken into Tottenham’s midfield. Individually, these players shine across Europe. Collectively, in Sweden’s yellow, they have struggled to even flicker. The defeat in Kosovo summed it up: a forward line packed with quality failed to score and was undone twice on the counterattack. Expert Insight We talked to Swedish pundit and media profile Siavoush Fallahi, who believes the problem runs deeper than just the attacking stars. “We have big names up front, but we are missing what used to be the Swedish organization and especially Swedish defenders. The foundation needs to be built on a good defense, and that’s not there right now,” he explained. From Renaissance to Crisis This was meant to be a renaissance. As the Zlatan Ibrahimović era faded, the quarter-final run at the 2018 World Cup suggested a bright future. Instead, Sweden missed out on Qatar 2022, failed to qualify for Euro 2024, and now risk another World Cup absence. It is the first time since the 1980s that Sweden has missed consecutive major tournaments. Fallahi points out that luck has played its part, but not enough to mask the deeper decline. “The other qualifications were tight, small margins in playoffs that didn’t go our way. But the important thing is, we didn’t make it. And now we might miss out again,” he said. A Tactical Identity Lost The decision to appoint Jon Dahl Tomasson in 2024 was supposed to spark a new era of attacking football. Sweden now play more expansive, offensive football tailored to their forward talent. Yet the price has been defensive instability. “Even when Sweden win, they risk conceding a lot of goals,” Fallahi noted. He believes the national identity has been lost in the process: “Sweden has always been about being well-organized, collective, hard to break down. Now, in trying to satisfy this generation, we’ve lost that foundation. The golden generation is mostly about strikers, not defenders. And we miss leaders like Lustig, Granqvist, Seb Larsson.” Hope on the Line Still, hope is not dead. Fallahi insists this team can recover if its stars are fit and performing. “When you play offensive football, you depend on your big attacking players. If Isak and Kulusevski are missing, short-term results will suffer. But with them in form, it’s a different story,” he said. Looking ahead, he warns that missing a third straight tournament would be devastating. “It would mean some of these players might never play at a World Cup, which is very sad because talent-wise this is one of Sweden’s best teams in over 20 years,” Fallahi concluded. Whether this golden generation finally fulfills its promise or fades into regret will depend on what happens in the coming months. For now, Sweden stands on the edge. Hope remains, but only just. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/will-swedens-golden-generation-ever-play-in-a-world-cup — Citation: "Will Sweden’s Golden Generation Ever Play in a World Cup?" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-14. https://menwith.com/will-swedens-golden-generation-ever-play-in-a-world-cup --- ## Louis Vuitton’s Trophy Trunks: Crafting Icons for Icons - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuittons-trophy-trunks-crafting-icons-for-icons - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-09-13 - Tags: Louis Vuitton **Summary:** Louis Vuitton crafts iconic Trophy Trunks for prestigious sporting events, blending traditional craftsmanship with event-specific symbolism. These trunks anchor the maison to global moments of triumph and permanence. Louis Vuitton has always been associated with travel. Yet over the past three decades, the maison has redefined what its trunks can mean, shifting them from vessels of movement to guardians of permanence. Nowhere is this clearer than in the series of Trophy Trunks created for the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions. Each trunk is built in Louis Vuitton’s historic Asnières workshop, using traditional techniques of woodwork, brass fitting, and leather craftsmanship. The design language is instantly recognizable—monogram canvas, reinforced corners, and precise interiors—yet every trunk is tailored to the shape, symbolism, and heritage of the trophy it protects. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Trunk Perhaps the most emblematic of all, the trunk housing the FIFA World Cup trophy embodies universality. Its unveiling before the final match is one of sport’s most widely broadcast rituals. For Vuitton, this is not simply an object of function but an opportunity to anchor the maison to one of the rare truly global moments of collective attention. Formula 1 Trophy For the Monaco Grand Prix trophy, Vuitton embraced the Principality’s identity directly, incorporating its red and white flag into the exterior. The choice of Monaco is significant: the event is not just a race, but a symbol of glamour, heritage, and exclusivity—the same qualities that Vuitton itself cultivates. Roland-Garros and the Davis Cup For tennis, Vuitton’s work demonstrates sensitivity to context. The Suzanne Lenglen Cup and Musketeers’ Cup trunks are lined in terracotta, an elegant reference to the clay courts of Roland-Garros. The Davis Cup required more technical ambition, its large, multi-tiered design calls for both structural ingenuity and aesthetic balance. These examples show how Vuitton adapts tradition to contemporary needs without compromising identity. Rugby’s Webb Ellis Cup The Webb Ellis Cup trunk features green and gold accents, subtle nods to rugby heritage. Here, Vuitton’s role is not only to safeguard the trophy but also to connect a sport deeply rooted in tradition to a wider luxury narrative. The NBA’s Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy The trunk created for the NBA introduced Vuitton to the heart of American sport. Its design incorporates red and blue stripes in quiet reference to the league’s colors. It reflects Vuitton’s ability to translate its codes for a younger, global audience, signaling both relevance and cultural fluency. Beyond Objects: Vuitton’s Strategic Positioning Taken together, these Trophy Trunks illustrate more than design expertise. They demonstrate how Louis Vuitton has repositioned itself from a maker of personal travel items to a cultural custodian. By aligning with trophies, Vuitton attaches its brand not only to luxury but also to triumph, permanence, and the moments when history is made. Sport offers a rare stage of pure visibility. A trophy presentation is watched by millions, sometimes billions, across borders and cultures. By ensuring its craftsmanship is present at these moments, Louis Vuitton secures a place in global memory. The maison is not a sponsor in the background; it is a participant in the ritual of victory. In this sense, the Trophy Trunks are less about protection than about symbolism. They encapsulate Vuitton’s philosophy: true luxury is not only about what we carry with us, but how we honor what endures. Read more about style here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuittons-trophy-trunks-crafting-icons-for-icons — Citation: "Louis Vuitton’s Trophy Trunks: Crafting Icons for Icons" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-13. https://menwith.com/louis-vuittons-trophy-trunks-crafting-icons-for-icons --- ## The McLaren 750S JC96: Japan’s Tribute to a Racing Chapter - URL: https://menwith.com/the-mclaren-750s-jc96-japans-tribute-to-a-racing-chapter - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-12 - Tags: McLaren **Summary:** The McLaren 750S JC96, a Japan-exclusive limited edition, honors the 1996 F1 GTR championship. It features unique livery details and MSO enhancements, blending racing heritage with modern supercar performance. When a carmaker with McLaren’s racing DNA creates a model for one market alone, the gesture carries weight. Japan has long held a special place in the brand’s history, both for the loyalty of its customers and for the success of its cars on Japanese circuits. The new 750S JC96 brings that story full circle. Limited to sixty one cars and offered only in Japan, it pays tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR that secured the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship in 1996. The reference is precise. That year, the number sixty one car driven by John Nielsen and David Brabham sealed the title for Team Goh. Its Tiger Stripe livery of Rocket Pink and Tarmac Grey remains one of the most memorable designs of the GT era. The JC96 does not mimic it outright but draws from it. Painted details on the splitter, wing endplates, and mirrors come in Memphis Red, Titanium Silver, Ice White, or Graphite Grey. Four cars will go further, receiving a full hand painted homage from McLaren Special Operations. The coupé version of the JC96 stays closest to the look of the original racer. The MSO High Downforce Kit reshapes its profile with a dual element front splitter, a raised rear wing with endplates, and a reworked underbody. The new fifteen spoke forged wheel, drawn from the later Longtail cars, enhances the stance and underlines its track focus. The Spider offers the same technical treatment with a different character. This is the first open McLaren fitted with the High Downforce Kit, a combination that balances precision with the immediacy of driving under an open sky. It makes the tribute more versatile, equally at home on track or on the winding roads of Japan. Inside, the details are restrained but purposeful. Alcantara dominates in either Carbon Black, Bright Red contrast, or Dove Grey. Gold finished pedals and switches, inspired by the F1 GTR, provide focal points, while embroidered JC96 logos and a dedication plaque anchor the car’s identity. McLaren’s personalization program allows each buyer to go further, from painted key fobs to bespoke interior patterns that reinterpret the Tiger Stripe theme. Performance remains that of the 750S, McLaren’s lightest and sharpest series production supercar. Its twin turbo V8 sits within the carbon structure and delivers the immediacy expected of the brand. The result is a car already regarded as a benchmark, now wrapped in a story that belongs to one market alone. McLaren calls the JC96 a love letter to Japan, and the phrase is apt. For collectors, it will be a rare piece tied not only to a racing season nearly three decades past but also to the enduring bond between the marque and a country that has always valued individuality in its cars. It is as much about history as ownership, and in that respect, a fitting tribute. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-mclaren-750s-jc96-japans-tribute-to-a-racing-chapter — Citation: "The McLaren 750S JC96: Japan’s Tribute to a Racing Chapter" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-12. https://menwith.com/the-mclaren-750s-jc96-japans-tribute-to-a-racing-chapter --- ## Baglietto’s Antalis comes to market at EUR 12.5m - URL: https://menwith.com/bagliettos-antalis-comes-to-market-at-eur-125m - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-12 - Tags: Baglietto, Burgess **Summary:** Baglietto's 47.9m Antalis yacht, built in 2007, is on the market for EUR 12.5m. Offering 635GT of volume and 6,000nm range, it's ideal for private use or charter. If you follow Mediterranean summers, you know Baglietto. The La Spezia yard has a reputation for building yachts that hold their line long after fashion moves on. Antalis, launched in 2007 and now listed at EUR 12,500,000 with EU VAT paid, is the latest proof. She will be at anchor during the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show, which is exactly where a serious buyer should see a yacht like this: in natural light, with the sound of shore tenders knocking on carbon fenders and the glow of afternoon sun on brushed steel. At 47.9m, Antalis sits in the sweet spot for private use and charter. Studio Arnaboldi drew the exterior, all purposeful shoulders and clean sheer, while Della Role Design handled the interiors. Hull in steel, superstructure in aluminium. The mix gives her long-legged capability with the crisp profile that defined Italian big-boat design of the mid-2000s. Step aboard and the material language is classic Mediterranean: broad teak decks warm underfoot, white upholstery picked out by stainless detailing, and shaded seating areas that feel civilised rather than cavernous. Volume matters. Antalis comes in at 635GT, which means spaces feel like rooms rather than corridors. The sundeck is the social centre, with a raised jacuzzi for wind-in-the-hair afternoons and an open dining area where you hear cutlery and spray in equal measure. A large swim platform turns the stern into a waterside terrace. The effect is quiet luxury, not flash. Morning coffee on the aft deck with the wash lapping the steps is the right picture here. Accommodation is for 10 across five cabins. The master has private access to the main deck, a small but meaningful point for anyone who values a quiet exit for a dawn swim or a late call. The remaining cabins are two doubles and two twins, which gives multi-generational families and close-knit groups workable flexibility. There is no refit narrative declared, so the design era is 2007. For some, that reads as patina and restraint. For others, it is a canvas for an update. Either way, the bones are strong. Performance is honest. Twin Caterpillar engines deliver 16 knots at the top and an easy 14 knots on passage. The stated range is 6,000 nautical miles, fed by 132,000 litres of fuel. That number shifts the conversation from coastal weekending to real itineraries. Think West Med now, then winter positioning if you wish, with the low thrum of the engines settling into a steady, reassuring note at cruising speed. She is MCA compliant and built to Lloyd’s Register, which speaks to operational discipline as much as comfort. Pricing deserves a sober look. At EUR 12.5m for 635GT, you are around EUR 20,000 per gross ton, VAT paid. In a market where sub-50m steel yachts with genuine range often come tethered to complex tax positions, that matters. The year is 2007, which puts her among a cohort of Italian builds that have aged well on the outside and invite selective modernisation within. The cultural point is this: not every buyer wants the social signal of a new build. Some prefer a proven platform with character and paperwork in order. Baglietto’s T-Line 48 is a known quantity to captains and managers, which tends to simplify ownership. Above 500GT you gain presence and interior breadth. You also accept the crew and compliance reality that comes with that scale. Antalis appears built for owners who travel with friends and expect their yacht to be a house at sea, not a sculpture. The details support that reading, from multiple seating groups that create pockets of privacy to deck heights that let air move and conversations carry at a normal tone. The timing is right. Listing ahead of Cannes and Monaco puts Antalis in front of buyers who have been circling all summer. See her at anchor. Watch how she sits in a swell. Note the way light breaks across the hull at golden hour. Then look at the spec sheet and the classification stamps. If the brief is Mediterranean family cruising with the option of distance, this is a rational, grown-up candidate. The conclusion is simple. Antalis is not chasing fashion. She offers volume, range and the reassuring geometry of a Baglietto hull at a price that reads cleanly once VAT is considered. For an owner who values substance over novelty, that is exactly the point. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bagliettos-antalis-comes-to-market-at-eur-125m — Citation: "Baglietto’s Antalis comes to market at EUR 12.5m" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-12. https://menwith.com/bagliettos-antalis-comes-to-market-at-eur-125m --- ## A Scandinavian Flagship: The Polestar 5 Grand Tourer Arrives - URL: https://menwith.com/a-scandinavian-flagship-the-polestar-5-grand-tourer-arrives - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-11 - Tags: Polestar **Summary:** The Polestar 5, a four-door electric Grand Tourer, embodies Scandinavian design, sustainability, and performance with its aerodynamic body, flax-based composites, and powerful dual-motor setup. When Polestar unveiled the Precept concept in 2020, it was meant as a manifesto. A promise that Scandinavian restraint, cutting-edge electrification, and sustainability could coexist in something desirable. Five years on, that promise takes physical form. The Polestar 5, a four-door performance Grand Tourer, is now a reality. “Polestar 5 is bringing the future to our present. Our vision for Polestar’s design, technology, and sustainability direction is no longer a dream but a reality our customers can buy.” Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO A Design That Honors Its Origins The Polestar 5 is nearly five meters long, yet it avoids the ornamentation often seen in luxury GTs. Its surfacing is taut, its proportions guided by aerodynamics rather than nostalgia. Aviation was a clear influence, the wing-like profile ending in a sharp Kamm-style tail. Frameless glass, flush handles, and an unbroken roofline all serve efficiency as much as aesthetics, resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.24. Inside, Polestar has taken care to ensure the GT format does not sacrifice practicality. A panoramic roof stretches over two meters, and clever structural shifts allow generous rear space. The cabin design feels pared-back yet warm, defined by sustainable materials, flax-based composites, recycled PET, and leather sourced as a by-product of the food industry. It is a car that wears its conscience openly, without compromising on comfort. Performance Engineering at the Core Underpinning it all is the brand’s new bonded aluminum platform, purpose-built for the Polestar Performance Architecture. The result is a structure more rigid than some two-seat supercars. Lightness is paired with sophistication: compact double wishbone suspension up front, Brembo brakes saving weight over SUV counterparts, and adaptive MagneRide dampers in the Performance model. Power is equally ambitious. The in-house developed rear motor delivers up to 450 kW on its own. In Dual Motor configuration, the car produces 550 kW and 812 Nm; the Performance version climbs to 650 kW and 1,015 Nm. Acceleration is appropriately brisk at 3.9 seconds for the Dual Motor, and 3.2s for the Performance. While both versions remain electronically limited to 250 km/h. An 800 V architecture supports charging speeds up to 350 kW, bringing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 22 minutes. Range is quoted at up to 670 km (WLTP) for the Dual Motor and 565 km for the Performance. A Cabin for Journeys Where some performance cars can feel like a cockpit, the Polestar 5 remains true to its Grand Tourer brief. The Recaro-designed seats are both low and comfortable, with heating, ventilation, and massage available in both rows. The 4+1 layout favors four passengers, though the fifth seat can be raised when needed. Rear occupants even benefit from their own controls for climate and seat functions, an unusual level of attention in a performance-focused GT. Technology is present, though not overwhelming. The 14.5-inch central display runs Android Automotive with Google built-in, while a slim driver display and head-up projection complete the driving interface. Audio can be upgraded to a 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. Driver assistance includes 11 cameras, radar, and a suite of features capable of lane guidance and adaptive speed up to 150 km/h. Polestar has never been shy about its intentions. The 5 isn’t simply another electric car; it’s a declaration of identity. By anchoring design, performance, and sustainability into one shape, it offers a different answer to the question of what a Grand Tourer should be in this era. Less about indulgence, more about intent. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-scandinavian-flagship-the-polestar-5-grand-tourer-arrives — Citation: "A Scandinavian Flagship: The Polestar 5 Grand Tourer Arrives" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-11. https://menwith.com/a-scandinavian-flagship-the-polestar-5-grand-tourer-arrives --- ## Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’ - URL: https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-tribute-enamel-horse - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-11 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre, JLC, Reverso **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’ blends Art Deco design with Chinese Zodiac artistry. Limited to 10 pieces, it features a sculpted enamel horse on the reverse, powered by the in-house Calibre 822. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest Métiers Rares creation, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’, takes the Art Deco icon back to two of its spiritual homes. The first is the polo field, where the 1931 Reverso and its swivelling case were born. The second is the Chinese Zodiac, which the brand has been celebrating in a series that has already nodded to the Tiger, Dragon and Snake. This new piece marks the 2026 Lunar New Year and will be shown ahead of time in Shanghai at the Dream Shaper exhibition in September 2025. Only 10 will be made. In hand, the watch is classic Tribute Reverso in proportion and presence. The pink gold case measures 45.6 mm by 27.4 mm and is 9.73 mm thick, a familiar rectangle that frames a glossy, black Opaque grand feu enamel dial. The layout is purposefully restrained, with faceted appliqué hour markers, a chemin de fer minutes track and Dauphine hands letting the enamel do the talking. The same enamel returns on the reverse, where the case becomes a canvas for a leaping horse that appears to emerge from golden clouds. The horse is not simply engraved, it is modelled. Using 10 differently sized chisels, a master engraver sculpted the form step by step for 80 hours, working directly into metal that had already been coated with grand feu enamel. That inversion of the usual sequence is a high-wire act. Damage the flawless enamel and you start over. It pays off in depth and texture. Polished highlights catch the light, sand-blasted clouds suggest movement and hand-drawn details in black rhodium on the mane, muzzle and hooves give the animal a lifelike presence. Black enamel is notoriously unforgiving. Achieving the deep, even tone here required five to six successive layers, each fired and cooled, followed by half a day of polishing to reach a uniform gloss. Matching dial and caseback so precisely is a quiet flex from a Manufacture that remains one of very few with in-house enamelling and engraving under one roof in the Vallée de Joux. Behind the art is a movement that understands the assignment. The manually wound Calibre 822 powers hours and minutes with a 42 hour reserve, designed and produced entirely in-house. The case retains the Reverso’s original protective swing, a reminder that the watch was first conceived for riders who needed to shield a dial during play. Water resistance is rated to 3 bar, appropriate for a dress piece. The strap is black alligator with an interchangeable folding buckle. Within the brand’s portfolio, this is the Reverso as miniature gallery. Jaeger-LeCoultre has long used the rectangular caseback as a stage for craft, and the ‘Horse’ sits squarely in that tradition. It also speaks to the broader industry’s fascination with cultural storytelling, though here the narrative feels earned. The horse is a symbol of power, beauty, freedom, vitality and speed in Chinese art, and the Reverso’s equine origin story gives the theme a neat double reference. With a run of only ten, the watch is aimed at a very small circle of collectors for whom craft is paramount. The reference is Q39324D3, the case is 18 carat pink gold, the water resistance 3 bar and the release year 2025. Some will find the focus on artisanal finish over complication a matter of taste, but that is the point. This is a timepiece where technique and cultural meaning share top billing. The final impression is of quiet intensity. A black mirror of enamel on the front, a sculpted burst of motion on the back. The Reverso was built to flip. Here, every turn becomes an exhibition. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-tribute-enamel-horse — Citation: "Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-11. https://menwith.com/jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-tribute-enamel-horse --- ## Old but Gold: Inside Lamborghini Polo Storico’s Art of Rebirth - URL: https://menwith.com/old-but-gold-inside-lamborghini-polo-storicos-art-of-rebirth - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-11 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** Lamborghini Polo Storico revives classic V12s with meticulous restoration, aiming for period-correct authenticity and tactile experience. The department preserves automotive heritage through expert committees and historical archives. A decade in, Lamborghini’s Polo Storico has grown from a tidy archive into a cultural custodian. To mark its tenth anniversary, the department has released a series of short films that neatly explain its pillars: the Historical Archive, a Committee of Experts, Restoration, and Certification of Authenticity. That might sound like filing cabinets and white gloves, yet the result is emotional. Polo Storico brings back not just the look of a Miura or Countach, but the shiver that runs up your spine when a carbureted V12 clears its throat. Design, respectfully resurrected Restoration here is not a reboot. It is archaeology with a torque wrench. Paint is matched to the original hue and finish. Trim grains are studied to avoid the uncanny valley of “close enough.” The aim is fidelity, not flattery. Lamborghini will happily use modern digital tools to recreate unobtainable parts, but everything is built to original spec. The effect is familiar yet fresh. A Countach’s origami angles still slice the light. A 350 GT wears its slim proportions like a tailored suit. Even the once-ungainly LM002 has regained its swagger, all square shoulders and unapologetic stance. Inside, the romance is tactile Open the door and the years fall away in textures and smells. Leather that looks lived-in but not tired. Switchgear that moves with deliberate resistance. A gated shifter that clicks like a precision instrument. Nothing is “updated” for convenience. That is the point. These cabins remind you why analog cars feel intimate. You work with them. You sense the engine through the pedals, hear linkages whisper, feel the chassis talk through thin-rimmed wheels. It is theatre, yes, but honest theatre. Performance, revived not reinvented Polo Storico cars do not chase modern lap times. They chase authenticity. Engines are rebuilt to period output and character. A V12 wakes with that high, metallic timbre unique to Bologna’s finest, rising cleanly through the revs, more aria than roar. Carburetors smell faintly sweet when warm. Clutches can be heavy. Steering loads up at parking speeds and fizzes once rolling. These quirks are not faults. They are the price of entry to a more connected world, where your right foot is a conversation, not a request form. Classic Lamborghinis have matured from poster cars into serious cultural artifacts. Certification now matters as much as concours polish. The factory’s stamp can unlock value and trust, especially after decades of modifications and folklore. That is why the Committee of Experts and the archive are crucial. They turn myth into documentation, which in turn protects history. The anniversary program underscores the point. After an international bow at Pebble Beach, Polo Storico is courting owners at Lamborghini Day events in the United Kingdom and Japan before a finale at Auto e Moto d’Epoca in Bologna from 23 to 26 October. It is both outreach and education. The audience here is global and increasingly younger. Many were raised on YouTube soundtracks of V12s. Now they want the real thing, but verified. Purists debate patina versus perfection. Polo Storico’s philosophy tilts toward as-delivered accuracy rather than timeworn charm, which some love and others resist. Costs are substantial. Lead times can test patience. And that theatrical visibility, particularly in a Countach, remains more slit window than panoramic suite. Yet these are features of the experience, not bugs. Polo Storico proves that restoration can be more than shiny paint. When done with scholarship and restraint, it is cultural conservation that also happens to smell of warm oil and petrol. Lamborghini’s heritage department treats these cars not as relics but as milestones that deserve to move, make noise, and steal attention on modern roads. If you want a classic that feels like the poster on your childhood wall decided to step down and stretch its legs, this is the doorway. Not to a museum, but to a memory made new. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/old-but-gold-inside-lamborghini-polo-storicos-art-of-rebirth — Citation: "Old but Gold: Inside Lamborghini Polo Storico’s Art of Rebirth" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-11. https://menwith.com/old-but-gold-inside-lamborghini-polo-storicos-art-of-rebirth --- ## The winter exploration: Superyacht charters at the world’s cold edge - URL: https://menwith.com/the-winter-exploration-superyacht-charters-at-the-worlds-cold-edge - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-09-11 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** Superyacht charters offer unparalleled winter exploration in remote destinations like Antarctica, Arctic Norway, Svalbard, Iceland, Canadian High Arctic, and Greenland, blending adventure with luxury. It takes a certain mindset to turn away from the Mediterranean sun or Caribbean trade winds and instead point the bow toward icebergs, fjords, and untouched wilderness. Yet, for those willing to trade warm breezes for crisp air, a winter wonderland superyacht charter offers one of the most rewarding winter exploration imaginable. Picture kayaking among drifting ice floes as a pod of orca surfaces nearby, or dining on deck beneath the shifting greens of the Northern Lights. Unlike traditional winter holidays, this is an escape that places you at the edge of the world without ever asking you to sacrifice warmth, comfort, or luxury. The yacht is your base, your sanctuary, and your constant, no matter how wild the day’s adventure becomes. Antarctica Remote, formidable, and endlessly fascinating, Antarctica is the ultimate frontier. Families are often surprised by how accessible it feels from the comfort of a superyacht. Gentle zodiac rides among glaciers, penguin colonies just steps from the shore, and humpback whales surfacing within arm’s reach create moments that stay with you for a lifetime. For the more adventurous, heli-skiing untouched snowfields or trekking across ice with a naturalist guide offers a taste of the continent’s raw edge. Each evening, the return to the yacht restores balance: warm interiors, impeccable service, and the reassuring presence of home in an otherwise otherworldly setting. Arctic Norway and Svalbard Norway’s coastline is a labyrinth of waterways and islands, where culture and wilderness meet in harmony. Here, charters can blend adventure with authenticity: dining with the Sami people, learning centuries-old fishing traditions, or tasting reindeer dishes prepared over an open fire. Svalbard, lying closer to the North Pole than the mainland, feels like the Arctic distilled. Thousands of islands, dramatic glaciers, and wildlife encounters await, from walruses sprawled on ice to orcas coursing through narrow channels. On deck, the Northern Lights transform the night sky into a shifting canvas of color. Iceland Few places feel as elemental as Iceland. Glaciers and volcanoes shape the land, while waterfalls, geysers, and steaming hot springs animate it. Arrive by helicopter to appreciate the sheer scale, then return to your yacht for a front-row seat to this land of fire and ice. Charters here can be as daring or as gentle as you wish. Scuba divers will find the chance to descend between tectonic plates or explore hydrothermal vents unique to this part of the world. For others, simply gazing up at the aurora after dinner on deck is enough. The yacht can even arrange a Northern Lights wake-up call, ensuring you never miss a moment of the spectacle. The Canadian High Arctic and Greenland For those drawn to true exploration, the Canadian Arctic and Greenland feel like stepping into another era. Along Baffin Island, you encounter Inuit traditions that have endured for centuries, set against landscapes once navigated by Viking explorers. Wildlife abounds here: narwhal, beluga, polar bears, and Arctic foxes thrive in conditions most would consider inhospitable. Greenland is vast and humbling, defined by towering icebergs and fjords of unimaginable scale. Accessible only to capable explorer yachts, it offers heli-skiing, trekking, and the chance to witness a land virtually unchanged for millennia. Few charter destinations feel as untouched, as pure, or as powerful. Setting sail with Scintilla Maris Among the fleet of yachts suited to these icy frontiers is Scintilla Maris, a 45.6m vessel reimagined from a Norwegian trawler into a platform for adventure. She pairs hybrid propulsion and dynamic positioning with the luxuries you would expect: bright interiors, an outdoor cinema, and a beach club with bar and lounge. Her design reflects the dual nature of a winter wonderland charter, robust enough to explore the most remote corners of the Earth yet refined enough to make every return on board feel effortless. A charter tailored to you Through Burgess’ partnership with luxury travel specialists JORO, itineraries become truly bespoke. Whether your wish is to dive beneath icebergs, heli-ski remote peaks, or master Arctic photography, every element is curated. The crew, chefs, and expert guides ensure each journey feels both adventurous and deeply personal. For families, these charters carry an added layer of wonder. From husky sledding with young children to Northern Lights expeditions with teenagers, the experiences can be tailored across generations. Even grandparents will find moments of quiet awe, whether through cultural encounters ashore or evenings spent stargazing in total silence. A winter without limits A superyacht charter in the world’s frozen corners offers something rare: the chance to experience raw, elemental beauty without ever compromising on comfort. It is a reminder that adventure and luxury are not opposites but companions, each amplifying the other. To charter a yacht in these settings is not simply to travel, but to embrace the world at its most majestic and to carry those moments home forever. Find more unique travel destinations here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-winter-exploration-superyacht-charters-at-the-worlds-cold-edge — Citation: "The winter exploration: Superyacht charters at the world’s cold edge" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-11. https://menwith.com/the-winter-exploration-superyacht-charters-at-the-worlds-cold-edge --- ## The New Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in 38 mm - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-royal-oak-perpetual-calendar-in-38-mm - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-10 - Tags: Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak **Summary:** Audemars Piguet introduces 38mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar models in steel and pink gold, featuring the new Calibre 7136. The smaller size offers improved wearability and unisex appeal. The Royal Oak is a watch that rarely needs introduction. Gérald Genta’s design from 1972 challenged expectations of what a luxury watch should be, combining steel, geometry, and integrated design at a time when none of it was considered conventional. Half a century later, its strength lies in balance. Sport and elegance, presence and discretion, versatility without compromise. Audemars Piguet has now taken that philosophy into its most cerebral complication with the release of two new Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar models in 38 mm. One in stainless steel with a light blue dial. One in 18-carat pink gold with a beige dial. Both are powered by the new Calibre 7136, which delivers technical innovation and practical refinement in equal measure. A smaller scale The shift to 38 mm is more than cosmetic. At 9.4 mm thick, with 50 meters of water resistance and luminescent hands and markers, these watches are as usable as they are refined. The 41 mm perpetual calendar has long been admired, but its size can feel assertive. By contrast, the 38 mm brings proportion back to the fore. It wears naturally, quietly, and is unisex in appeal. On smaller wrists the Royal Oak becomes discreet, which feels right for a perpetual calendar. Two interpretations The stainless steel model features a 38 mm case with a light blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial, matching subdials, and a silver-grey inner bezel. White gold hands and markers with luminescent material keep the display clear, while the integrated steel bracelet preserves the Royal Oak’s seamless design. Slim at 9.4 mm and water resistant to 50 meters. The pink gold model shares the same dimensions but offers a different character. Its beige “Grande Tapisserie” dial with matching subdials is framed by a pink gold-toned inner bezel, complemented by luminescent pink gold hands and markers. With its warm tone and integrated bracelet in 18-carat pink gold, it presents the perpetual calendar with an elegance that feels more understated than the larger format. Calibre 7136 Inside is the new selfwinding Calibre 7136. It runs at 4 Hz, offers a 55-hour power reserve, and is built from 413 components with 41 jewels. The movement drives the full complication set: day, date, month, leap year, astronomical moon, hours and minutes. Three patented mechanisms improve reliability, while adjustment is performed entirely via the crown. This eliminates the need for case correctors or specialized tools, a small but significant improvement for owners. Perspective The significance of these 38 mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars is not about novelty but proportion. The perpetual calendar has been a fixture in the collection for years, always admired for its complexity, but the 41 mm case can come across as assertive, even dominant, depending on the wrist. By introducing a 38 mm format, Audemars Piguet has not changed the essence of the watch, only the way it is worn. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-royal-oak-perpetual-calendar-in-38-mm — Citation: "The New Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in 38 mm" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-10. https://menwith.com/the-new-royal-oak-perpetual-calendar-in-38-mm --- ## Aston Martin and egg® Redefine Luxury Parenting with the egg3® Collection - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-and-egg-redefine-luxury-parenting-with-the-egg3-collection - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2025-09-10 - Tags: Aston Martin, egg3®, egg®, Stefano Saporetti, Andy Crane, DBX707, Valour, Victor **Summary:** Aston Martin and egg® unite British craftsmanship and automotive design for the egg3® stroller collection. Inspired by Aston Martin's iconic cars, it offers luxury mobility for families. There are collaborations that feel inevitable, as though two worlds have always been destined to meet. Such is the case with the newly unveiled partnership between Aston Martin and egg®, where timeless British craftsmanship and sculptural elegance converge in a collection of strollers that transcend expectation. The egg3® by Aston Martin is not merely a stroller. It is an extension of the Aston Martin lifestyle, crafted for parents who seek refinement without compromise, design without distraction, and performance that enhances every journey. Much like the marque’s high-performance cars, the stroller embodies balance, precision, and beauty, reimagined for the youngest passengers in life. A Meeting of Minds For Aston Martin, renowned for its legacy of performance and design, this collaboration extends its ethos of luxury mobility into an entirely new dimension. “This collaboration with egg® represents a perfect synergy,” notes Stefano Saporetti, Aston Martin’s Director of Brand Diversification. “The Aston Martin egg3® isn’t just a stroller but a testament to our passion for exceptional design, meticulous craftsmanship, and engineering excellence – bringing our pursuit of beauty and performance to family life.” For egg®, founded by Andy Crane as a vision of sculptural form and technical excellence, the collaboration feels like destiny. As Crane himself puts it: “Our retailers and parents have often described the egg® as the Aston Martin of the stroller world – so in many ways, this partnership feels like a natural evolution.” Design Without Compromise Every detail of the Aston Martin egg3® speaks to an uncompromising approach to craftsmanship. From the diamond quilting inspired by the DBX707’s interiors, to honeycomb-detailed wheels reminiscent of Aston Martin’s Valour and Victor, the stroller becomes an homage to automotive artistry. The tactile trims and rotary-inspired hubs echo the marque’s cockpit design language, while Aston Martin-sourced leathers and motorsport lime accents elevate the stroller to a statement of modern British luxury. Three refined finishes will define the launch range: - Iconic Green with Racing Lime accents – a bold nod to performance and motorsport heritage. - Heritage Herringbone Grey – inspired by vintage interiors and Aston Martin’s craft of carbon fibre. - Light Grey with Bitter Chocolate leather and Magneto Bronze trims – a warm, luxurious interpretation of classic Aston Martin tones. A New Era for Family Travel Arriving in Q4 2025, the collection marks a new benchmark for the luxury stroller category. Available for pre-order from September through selected retailers and eggstroller.com, the Aston Martin egg3® collection will debut at the Kind + Jugend Trade Fair in Cologne. With this collaboration, Aston Martin and egg® elevate family journeys into an art form – where beauty, function, and heritage unite to create a stroller that is as iconic as the name it carries. Check about more about Aston Martin here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-and-egg-redefine-luxury-parenting-with-the-egg3-collection — Citation: "Aston Martin and egg® Redefine Luxury Parenting with the egg3® Collection" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-10. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-and-egg-redefine-luxury-parenting-with-the-egg3-collection --- ## Meet the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa & 849 Testarossa Spider - URL: https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-ferrari-849-testarossa-038-849-testarossa-spider - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-10 - Tags: Ferrari, Testarossa **Summary:** Ferrari revives the Testarossa name with the 849 Testarossa and Spider, hybrid flagships replacing the SF90 Stradale. They boast 1,050 cv, advanced electronics, and striking designs. Few names in Maranello’s history resonate like Testarossa. First attached to the scarlet cam covers of Ferrari’s most uncompromising racing engines in the 1950s, it later became a cultural symbol of the 1980s. Today the name returns, not as a retro flourish, but as the spearhead of Ferrari’s road-going lineup. The new 849 Testarossa and 849 Testarossa Spider replace the SF90 Stradale and Spider, advancing performance while reframing what a modern flagship Ferrari must be. 849 Testarossa The berlinetta is Ferrari’s new standard bearer, a car that makes its point through both design and substance. The shape nods to 1970s sports prototypes with sharp, geometric surfacing and a dramatic twin-tail rear that frames the active spoiler. The look is not timid. At speed it proves its worth, generating greater downforce and cooling capacity than the SF90 it replaces. Despite housing a hybrid system with three electric motors, the car carries no weight penalty, so the power-to-weight ratio improves. Its heart is a reworked twin-turbo V8 producing 830 cv, joined by electric assistance for a total of 1,050 cv. The result is a car that clears 100 km/h in less than 2.3 seconds and powers on beyond 330 km/h. The electronic chassis systems are equally advanced. Ferrari’s new FIVE estimator builds a digital twin of the car in real time, feeding into ABS Evo to allow harder, later braking with consistency lap after lap. Inside, the cabin balances focus and ritual. The red start button is back where it belongs, the gate-like gear selector motif gives a nod to Ferrari’s past, and the ergonomics are cleaner than before. 849 Testarossa Spider The Spider carries the same core but adds open-air theatre. Its retractable hard top folds in 14 seconds, even at city speeds, and a patented wind catcher tucked behind the seats calms the airflow when driving roof-down. With the roof closed, the silhouette mirrors the berlinetta. Open it, and the rear tonneau architecture becomes sculptural, channelling air and accentuating the twin-tail form. The soundtrack is all the richer for it, with Ferrari tuning the V8’s harmonics for brightness in the mid-range and a sharper crack on upshifts. Performance is no less intense than the coupe. The Spider reaches 100 km/h in under 2.3 seconds and continues past 330 km/h, yet its character lies as much in sensation as in speed. The sound, the exposure to the elements, and the way the car manages airflow around its occupants give it a different kind of authority. As with the coupe, the Assetto Fiorano specification turns up the edge, shaving weight and adding aerodynamic grip for those who will explore the car’s potential on track. Verdict The 849 Testarossa and 849 Testarossa Spider are not museum pieces. They are flagships that show Ferrari’s confidence in shaping its future around hybrid power without sacrificing emotion. The berlinetta is exact and purposeful, a technical showcase with sculptural presence. The Spider is more dramatic, inviting you into the experience with every open-roof journey. Both wear the Testarossa name with credibility, not for nostalgia but for intent. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-ferrari-849-testarossa-038-849-testarossa-spider — Citation: "Meet the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa & 849 Testarossa Spider" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-10. https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-ferrari-849-testarossa-038-849-testarossa-spider --- ## Meet the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa & 849 Testarossa Spider - URL: https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-ferrari-849-testarossa-849-testarossa-spider - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-10 - Tags: Ferrari, Testarossa **Summary:** Ferrari revives the Testarossa name with the 849 Testarossa and Spider, hybrid flagships boasting 1,050 cv and advanced tech. They replace the SF90 Stradale, blending performance and emotion. Few names in Maranello’s history resonate like Testarossa. First attached to the scarlet cam covers of Ferrari’s most uncompromising racing engines in the 1950s, it later became a cultural symbol of the 1980s. Today the name returns, not as a retro flourish, but as the spearhead of Ferrari’s road-going lineup. The new 849 Testarossa and 849 Testarossa Spider replace the SF90 Stradale and Spider, advancing performance while reframing what a modern flagship Ferrari must be. 849 Testarossa The berlinetta is Ferrari’s new standard bearer, a car that makes its point through both design and substance. The shape nods to 1970s sports prototypes with sharp, geometric surfacing and a dramatic twin-tail rear that frames the active spoiler. The look is not timid. At speed it proves its worth, generating greater downforce and cooling capacity than the SF90 it replaces. Despite housing a hybrid system with three electric motors, the car carries no weight penalty, so the power-to-weight ratio improves. Its heart is a reworked twin-turbo V8 producing 830 cv, joined by electric assistance for a total of 1,050 cv. The result is a car that clears 100 km/h in less than 2.3 seconds and powers on beyond 330 km/h. The electronic chassis systems are equally advanced. Ferrari’s new FIVE estimator builds a digital twin of the car in real time, feeding into ABS Evo to allow harder, later braking with consistency lap after lap. Inside, the cabin balances focus and ritual. The red start button is back where it belongs, the gate-like gear selector motif gives a nod to Ferrari’s past, and the ergonomics are cleaner than before. 849 Testarossa Spider The Spider carries the same core but adds open-air theatre. Its retractable hard top folds in 14 seconds, even at city speeds, and a patented wind catcher tucked behind the seats calms the airflow when driving roof-down. With the roof closed, the silhouette mirrors the berlinetta. Open it, and the rear tonneau architecture becomes sculptural, channelling air and accentuating the twin-tail form. The soundtrack is all the richer for it, with Ferrari tuning the V8’s harmonics for brightness in the mid-range and a sharper crack on upshifts. Performance is no less intense than the coupe. The Spider reaches 100 km/h in under 2.3 seconds and continues past 330 km/h, yet its character lies as much in sensation as in speed. The sound, the exposure to the elements, and the way the car manages airflow around its occupants give it a different kind of authority. As with the coupe, the Assetto Fiorano specification turns up the edge, shaving weight and adding aerodynamic grip for those who will explore the car’s potential on track. Verdict The 849 Testarossa and 849 Testarossa Spider are not museum pieces. They are flagships that show Ferrari’s confidence in shaping its future around hybrid power without sacrificing emotion. The berlinetta is exact and purposeful, a technical showcase with sculptural presence. The Spider is more dramatic, inviting you into the experience with every open-roof journey. Both wear the Testarossa name with credibility, not for nostalgia but for intent. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-ferrari-849-testarossa-849-testarossa-spider — Citation: "Meet the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa & 849 Testarossa Spider" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-10. https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-ferrari-849-testarossa-849-testarossa-spider --- ## Ardbeg House: A Barrel Turned Inside Out - URL: https://menwith.com/ardbeg-house-a-barrel-turned-inside-out - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-09-10 - Tags: Culture, Ardbeg **Summary:** Ardbeg House offers an immersive, cask-like hotel experience on Islay, prioritizing smoky whisky identity over neutral comfort. Its dark, wood-lined rooms and ritualistic whisky hour appeal to dedicated brand enthusiasts. There are places where brand stories get louder, and places where they get truer. Port Ellen belongs to the latter. The air carries salt and peat, light sits low on stone and sea, and into this setting Ardbeg has opened Ardbeg House, a 12-key hotel just a short walk from its distillery. It is not a resort and not a retreat. It is a sealed chamber of whisky identity, unapologetically dark and selective in its appeal. Inside the barrel Step into a room and you could believe the staves of an old cask have been turned outward. Heavy timber lines the walls, stained almost black, with polished depth rather than sheen. The bed stands in the middle like furniture salvaged from another century, framed by turned posts and draped in wool and tweed. Light is scarce. Amber pools spill from shaded lamps, but shadows dominate the edges. Fabrics are thick, rugs patterned and worn, drapery heavy enough to shut daylight out. The impression is deliberate: not thoughtful restraint, but density, as if you are inside something sealed and left to age. The effect will divide. For some it will feel cocooning, a world within a world. For others it will feel oppressive, the kind of space that insists on your surrender. That tension is the point. Ardbeg House makes no gesture toward neutral comfort. It embodies the brand’s own whisky. Smoky, powerful, not polite. Ritual over spectacle The Signature restaurant and Islay Bar extend the same sensibility. Meals lean Scottish, paired with Ardbeg drams, including bottlings you cannot find outside the distillery or this hotel. Each evening at 18:15, the bar hosts a whisky hour of small-batch pours. It is not theatre in the flashy sense, but ritual: the soft clink of glass, the smell of smoke and citrus, the rhythm of conversation thickened by peat. Guests have access to private tours of the distillery next door, where copper stills and mash tuns show the discipline behind the brand. The itinerary also points outdoors, encouraging time on Islay’s moors and coastlines. Walking across peat with the Atlantic in your ear makes clear that any sense of luxury here is inseparable from place. A selective proposition Ardbeg’s CEO, Caspar MacRae, calls the house a way to immerse guests in the spirit of Islay and the universe of Ardbeg. The statement is tidy, but the reality is more pointed. This is not a general luxury hotel dropped on a famous island. It is a narrow, extravagant proposition. Twelve rooms, all saturated in wood and shadow, designed for people who want whisky not just in a glass but in the walls. In that sense, Ardbeg House fits a wider industry shift. Spirits brands have been moving beyond visitor centers into full hospitality, with mixed results. Some become photo sets. Others achieve something deeper. Scale is the safeguard here. By staying small, the project privileges immersion over volume. Not for everyone Islay runs on community and single-track rhythms, not resort gloss. Ardbeg House is open to locals as well as visitors, which keeps it grounded, but its nature is still selective. This is not for the everyday traveler or the casually curious. It is for those who want to be enclosed by the brand, for better or worse. A night here is not about comfort or brightness. It is about density, ritual, and the sensation of living inside the cask. Verdict For the right guest, the memories will be indelible: the weight of wood around you, the warmth of a dram after a coastal walk, the glow of amber light against black grain. For others, it will feel too much, too specific, too heavy. That is exactly as intended. Ardbeg House does not aim to please broadly. It refines the pilgrimage. Less noise, more shadow. A room key that opens into a barrel of smoke. Find more unique travel destinations here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ardbeg-house-a-barrel-turned-inside-out — Citation: "Ardbeg House: A Barrel Turned Inside Out" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-10. https://menwith.com/ardbeg-house-a-barrel-turned-inside-out --- ## The Weight of Sound: Loewe’s Inicio Series - URL: https://menwith.com/the-weight-of-sound-loewes-inicio-series - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-09-09 - Tags: Loewe, Inicio Series, Grand Inicio, Purifi, AMT tweeters, high-end audio, passive speakers, handcrafted audio **Summary:** Loewe's limited-edition Inicio speakers, handcrafted in Germany, utilize Purifi drivers and AMT tweeters for unparalleled audio clarity and longevity. There’s a particular quiet that exists just before music begins. A pause filled not with silence, but with potential. The best audio equipment understands this moment and honors it. Loewe’s new Inicio and Grand Inicio passive high-end speakers do precisely that. A Century of Listening Loewe’s story began over a hundred years ago in Berlin, when brothers Siegmund and David Ludwig Loewe helped shape the future of home entertainment with the invention of the first television. That spirit of innovation lives on in Kronach, Germany, where every Loewe product is still designed and manufactured. This is a place where tradition meets precision. Where handcraft and technology are treated as equals. It is here that the Inicio series was created. The Rarity of Craft Only 20 pairs of Loewe Inicio speakers exist. Each is made by hand, built with the same attention to detail that defines the brand’s most iconic products. This is not about exclusivity for its own sake. It is about control. About making fewer things and making them well. Visually, the speakers are understated. Their clean lines and quiet presence suit refined interiors, blending in or standing out as needed. Designed for both private spaces and professional settings, they offer not just adaptability, but intent. Engineering Purity Loewe has never chased excess. The Inicio series is engineered around clarity, not spectacle. At the core are Purifi USHINDI drivers with Ultra Low Distortion Technology. These components remove noise and coloration, leaving behind only the detail. Purifi’s NeutralSurround and PermanentCore systems support this, creating a seamless, transparent foundation. High frequencies are handled by AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeters driven by neodymium magnets. The result is fast, dynamic sound that remains true across genres, volumes, and formats. Every breath and every silence becomes part of the performance. A Legacy of Longevity The series is built to last. Loewe’s commitment to sustainability is more than a philosophy. It shapes how each product is made, from material choices to long-term support. Even after years of use, these speakers remain serviceable through Loewe’s technical repair network, with spare parts held in stock and regular software updates where applicable. In Kronach, design is not seasonal. Loewe builds with permanence in mind. Final Thoughts The Inicio and Grand Inicio speakers are not made for mass appeal. They are built for those who listen with intent. For those who believe great sound is not about power, but presence. In a world of disposable devices and constant updates, Loewe offers something different. A slower pace. A deeper focus. A reminder that craftsmanship still matters. And sometimes, it begins with silence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-weight-of-sound-loewes-inicio-series — Citation: "The Weight of Sound: Loewe’s Inicio Series" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-09. https://menwith.com/the-weight-of-sound-loewes-inicio-series --- ## Extra’s X145 Global: An Explorer Built for the Atlantic, Lived Like a Villa - URL: https://menwith.com/extras-x145-global-an-explorer-built-for-the-atlantic-lived-like-a-villa - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-09 - Tags: Extra, X145 **Summary:** The Extra X145 Global explorer yacht prioritizes comfort and livability for transatlantic crossings, featuring a dual-mode hull, generous interior space, and a full-beam beach club. The explorer yacht market has grown crowded with numbers, from range and tonnage to ice-class certifications. Yet not every owner is chasing the poles. For most, the real test of an explorer is whether it can take you across an ocean in comfort and then let you stay put, immersed in the water, for as long as you choose. That is the philosophy behind Extra Yachts’ new flagship, the X145 Global. At 44 meters, the yacht carries the presence of a purposeful traveler. Agon Studio has given it a vertical bow, horizontal lines, and high bulwarks, all anchored by a steel hull. An aluminum superstructure keeps the weight balanced and the profile light. The exterior has little ornamentation, a conscious choice that privileges the views from within over decoration on the outside. It looks built for work, yet designed for living. A measured approach to range The X145 Global is built around a dual-mode hull, intended to combine seakeeping ability with efficiency. The yard cites lower fuel consumption, steady stability, and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles. On paper, that may not match the headline figures of some competitors, but it is enough for a confident transatlantic crossing. For most owners, that is the range that matters. Living with space Interior volume comes in under the 500 GT threshold, a regulatory sweet spot that often allows for lighter crewing and easier operation. Yet with a beam of 9.1 meters, space feels generous throughout. Hot Lab’s interior scheme plays with soft geometries, clean lines, and subtle oriental references. Expansive glazing pulls in daylight, creating interiors that are open and fluid. At night, the glass reflects the warm glow of the lounges and dining areas. The main deck carries five guest cabins, an arrangement that makes the most of the hull’s full beam. The owner takes the bridge deck, with a private terrace that opens onto the horizon and sits within steps of the wheelhouse. The layout feels both practical and indulgent, designed for weeks on board without compromise. Social decks and quiet moments The upper deck is the yacht’s social core. A lounge offers nearly uninterrupted 360-degree views, while the dining area sits forward, served by a floating staircase that connects the decks with sculptural lightness. Below, the lower deck is devoted to the working rhythm of the yacht, with four crew cabins, a mess, laundry, and a professional galley. An optional gym acknowledges how owners increasingly use explorers as floating homes for long stretches. Water at your ankles At the stern, the X145 Global expands into a full beach club. Fold-down platforms and free-standing furniture create nearly 80 square meters suspended just above the sea. The effect is both theatrical and practical: a private terrace at water level that remains uncluttered thanks to a large garage forward of the transom. There is space for an 8.5-meter tender, a rescue boat, two jet skis, and assorted water toys. A different kind of explorer Rather than chase extreme numbers or polar narratives, Extra has chosen a grounded approach. By capping tonnage below 500 GT and range at 4,000 miles, the X145 Global focuses instead on livability: natural light, flow between spaces, and quiet at anchor. It is not an expedition brute, but a refined machine for owners who want to travel far enough, then slow down and savor where they are. The X145 Global stands at the top of Extra’s portfolio, which spans from 56 to 145 feet, including the Villa catamaran. It distills the brand’s point of view into one statement: freedom on the water is not about chasing distance for its own sake. It is about making the distance you travel feel effortless. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/extras-x145-global-an-explorer-built-for-the-atlantic-lived-like-a-villa — Citation: "Extra’s X145 Global: An Explorer Built for the Atlantic, Lived Like a Villa" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-09. https://menwith.com/extras-x145-global-an-explorer-built-for-the-atlantic-lived-like-a-villa --- ## The Porsche 911 Turbo S grows up: hybrid brains, old‑school muscle - URL: https://menwith.com/the-porsche-911-turbo-s-grows-up-hybrid-brains-oldschool-muscle - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-08 - Tags: 911, Porsche, Turbo **Summary:** The Porsche 911 Turbo S integrates a hybrid system for enhanced response and sustained power, not just numbers. Its advanced aero and chassis improvements offer superior performance and usability. First, the character. The Turbo has long been the 911 for people who do not want excuses. All weather. Any road. No drama. Porsche leans into that brief with a powertrain that mixes a 3.6‑liter twin‑turbo flat six with a compact 400‑volt hybrid system. The result feels less like a tech experiment and more like a giant hand pushing you down the road with unbroken force. Porsche has not reinvented the silhouette. It did not need to. The body is wider than a Carrera, the intakes are purposeful and the new titanium tailpipes sit like punctuation. Look closely and you see the brand’s latest flourish, Turbonite accents on crests, scripts and even wheels. Some will love the subtle gold-gray sheen, others will want classic silver. The active aero is the quiet star. Vertical front flaps, an active front diffuser and the familiar deployable rear wing manage both cooling and drag, trimming the coefficient in its most efficient setting and tidying stability in crosswinds and rain. The same Turbonite theme threads through the cabin on trims, stitching and the Sport Chrono dial. Quality is predictably high, controls are clear and there is real choice. The coupe arrives as a two seater by default, yet you can add the rear pews at no cost. Or go the other way with optional lightweight buckets borrowed from Porsche’s GT cars. HD Matrix LED headlights are standard, which makes night driving feel like cheating. Headline numbers matter here, but what they describe is more interesting than they imply. Total output is 711 PS and 800 Nm, yet it is the shape of the power that defines the car. The twin electric turbos spool without hesitation, the integrated motor in the eight‑speed PDK fills any remaining gaps and the shove is linear and sustained from low revs to redline. Porsche quotes 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, 200 in 8.4 and a 322 km/h top speed. On a circuit, the new car laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife roughly 14 seconds quicker than its predecessor at 7:03.92. That matters less than the message: hybrid here means faster responses and a broader bandwidth, not simply more numbers. Chassis hardware backs up the promise. Electrohydraulic PDCC roll control is now standard and works off the hybrid system’s 400‑volt supply. The effect is calm body movement and cleaner turn‑in without the brittleness that can plague stiffly sprung supercars. Tyres grow to 325s at the rear, ceramic brakes are larger than before and the titanium exhaust saves a few kilos while giving the flat six an extra rasp. It is still a Turbo, not a GT3, but there is more voice and texture than the last one. The aero does a neat party trick in the wet. The front diffusers close to shield the discs from spray, which helps initial bite when you need it most. The lift system for the nose moves noticeably quicker. And if you care about the finer points, you can order carbon wiper arms that are half the weight of the standard items. Welcome to 2025. Everyone is hybrid now. Ferrari and McLaren use plug‑in systems to chase lap times and tax breaks. Porsche goes with a lightweight, non plug‑in approach aimed at response and repeatable performance with everyday usability. This car does not pretend to be virtuous. Official consumption and CO₂ sit in the naughty corner. What it offers instead is breadth. All wheel drive, a 2+2 option, a cabin that works, a cabriolet variant if you want sun, and the sort of stability that shrinks continents. There is even a matching Porsche Design chronograph if coordinated wrists are your thing. The new Turbo S is the same idea done better. Quicker where it counts, calmer when you want it to be, and more characterful in voice and feel. Purists will still point to the GT cars for romance. Fair enough. For everyone else, this remains the definitive all‑round 911 and now the gap to everything else just got wider. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-porsche-911-turbo-s-grows-up-hybrid-brains-oldschool-muscle — Citation: "The Porsche 911 Turbo S grows up: hybrid brains, old‑school muscle" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-08. https://menwith.com/the-porsche-911-turbo-s-grows-up-hybrid-brains-oldschool-muscle --- ## The White Lotus Yacht Up for Sale: Meet "Spacecat" - URL: https://menwith.com/the-white-lotus-yacht-up-for-sale-meet-8220spacecat8221 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-08 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** The 35.9m catamaran "Spacecat," featured in The White Lotus, is for sale at $17.5M. Its modernist design offers exceptional space and stability, ideal for private ownership or charter in Thailand. The 35.9m catamaran “Spacecat” that appeared in the latest season of The White Lotus has taken a $1.3 million trim and now carries an asking price of 17.5 million USD. Lying in Thailand and listed with Burgess, it is the kind of boat you notice first and discuss later, a modernist silhouette that sits low and wide on the water with an almost cinematic calm. Catamarans of this scale are still a minority in the superyacht world, yet their appeal is obvious once you stand on deck. SPACECAT’s twin-hull platform unlocks the thing most owners want but rarely get in this size bracket, true acreage. The main deck lounge reads as one continuous room with water-level sightlines. The master cabin is clean and contemporary, with light sliding in from broad glazing rather than peeking through portholes. The dining area sits at the heart of the boat, glassware catching late sun, while the aft deck feels like a living room that happens to move. Underfoot, sun-warmed teak. Overhead, big sky. The fundamentals are simple. SPACECAT is 35.9m, 117.8ft in old money, and she looks it, a sleek profile that stays futuristic without tipping into novelty. Her interiors are modern without being gallery-cold, more restrained apartment than nightclub, which matters if you plan to live aboard for more than a long weekend. It’s a boat designed for time together, not corridors and corners. What you do with that space is the real story. Thailand is her current base and also the heart of her established charter programme. For a buyer who thinks commercially, that matters. The Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea reward shallow draughts and big platforms, and multihulls tend to sit steady when monohulls are dancing. At anchor off Phang Nga, the soundtrack is the soft lick of water between the hulls and the whirr of a tender returning from a limestone cove. Charter guests notice stability and shade more than they admit. The White Lotus cameo adds another layer. Screen exposure does not change a yacht’s specification, but it does change its cultural footprint, and that travels fast across charter inquiries. Boats that become recognisable get talked about, and in a business where weeks matter, that is not trivial. SPACECAT’s shape helps here. It is unmistakable from a drone shot, a visual signature that plays well in a social age without feeling gimmicky in person. The multihull conversation has moved on from tender jokes and marina prejudice. In the 30 to 40m bracket, a well drawn catamaran gives you volume and deck life that a monohull often needs 5 to 10m more length to match. If you care about living space, privacy at anchor, and fuel efficiency per square metre of enjoyment, a big cat reads like a rational choice. The trade-off is berthing ease in tight, traditional marinas. If your year is Med-only and dockside dinners are the point, a classic mono still suits. If your calendar includes South East Asia, the Bahamas, or French Polynesia, the equation looks different. Price cuts are not moral judgments. They are signals. A USD 1.3 million move on a USD 18.8 million ask suggests a vendor who wants to transact at the end of a busy summer and a brokerage that understands momentum. At USD 17.5 million, SPACECAT sits in a lane that brings in buyers considering larger monos but open to new form factors. For a private owner who dabbles in charter, the existing Thai programme is a head start, not a guarantee. As ever, due diligence applies. Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication. The verdict is straightforward. If you want a 36m that feels bigger where it counts, that photographs beautifully, and that already earns its keep in one of the world’s best cruising grounds, SPACECAT belongs on the list. Not because it is loud, but because it is logical, and because life is better on a stable platform when the afternoon breeze picks up. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-white-lotus-yacht-up-for-sale-meet-8220spacecat8221 — Citation: "The White Lotus Yacht Up for Sale: Meet "Spacecat"" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-08. https://menwith.com/the-white-lotus-yacht-up-for-sale-meet-8220spacecat8221 --- ## The White Lotus Yacht Up for Sale: Meet “Spacecat” - URL: https://menwith.com/the-white-lotus-yacht-up-for-sale-meet-spacecat - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-08 - Tags: Burgess **Summary:** The 35.9m catamaran "Spacecat," featured in "The White Lotus," is now listed at $17.5 million USD. This modernist yacht offers exceptional living space and stability, ideal for private ownership or charter in locations like Thailand. The 35.9m catamaran “Spacecat” that appeared in the latest season of The White Lotus has taken a $1.3 million trim and now carries an asking price of 17.5 million USD. Lying in Thailand and listed with Burgess, it is the kind of boat you notice first and discuss later, a modernist silhouette that sits low and wide on the water with an almost cinematic calm. Catamarans of this scale are still a minority in the superyacht world, yet their appeal is obvious once you stand on deck. SPACECAT’s twin-hull platform unlocks the thing most owners want but rarely get in this size bracket, true acreage. The main deck lounge reads as one continuous room with water-level sightlines. The master cabin is clean and contemporary, with light sliding in from broad glazing rather than peeking through portholes. The dining area sits at the heart of the boat, glassware catching late sun, while the aft deck feels like a living room that happens to move. Underfoot, sun-warmed teak. Overhead, big sky. The fundamentals are simple. SPACECAT is 35.9m, 117.8ft in old money, and she looks it, a sleek profile that stays futuristic without tipping into novelty. Her interiors are modern without being gallery-cold, more restrained apartment than nightclub, which matters if you plan to live aboard for more than a long weekend. It’s a boat designed for time together, not corridors and corners. What you do with that space is the real story. Thailand is her current base and also the heart of her established charter programme. For a buyer who thinks commercially, that matters. The Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea reward shallow draughts and big platforms, and multihulls tend to sit steady when monohulls are dancing. At anchor off Phang Nga, the soundtrack is the soft lick of water between the hulls and the whirr of a tender returning from a limestone cove. Charter guests notice stability and shade more than they admit. The White Lotus cameo adds another layer. Screen exposure does not change a yacht’s specification, but it does change its cultural footprint, and that travels fast across charter inquiries. Boats that become recognisable get talked about, and in a business where weeks matter, that is not trivial. SPACECAT’s shape helps here. It is unmistakable from a drone shot, a visual signature that plays well in a social age without feeling gimmicky in person. The multihull conversation has moved on from tender jokes and marina prejudice. In the 30 to 40m bracket, a well drawn catamaran gives you volume and deck life that a monohull often needs 5 to 10m more length to match. If you care about living space, privacy at anchor, and fuel efficiency per square metre of enjoyment, a big cat reads like a rational choice. The trade-off is berthing ease in tight, traditional marinas. If your year is Med-only and dockside dinners are the point, a classic mono still suits. If your calendar includes South East Asia, the Bahamas, or French Polynesia, the equation looks different. Price cuts are not moral judgments. They are signals. A USD 1.3 million move on a USD 18.8 million ask suggests a vendor who wants to transact at the end of a busy summer and a brokerage that understands momentum. At USD 17.5 million, SPACECAT sits in a lane that brings in buyers considering larger monos but open to new form factors. For a private owner who dabbles in charter, the existing Thai programme is a head start, not a guarantee. As ever, due diligence applies. Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication. The verdict is straightforward. If you want a 36m that feels bigger where it counts, that photographs beautifully, and that already earns its keep in one of the world’s best cruising grounds, SPACECAT belongs on the list. Not because it is loud, but because it is logical, and because life is better on a stable platform when the afternoon breeze picks up. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-white-lotus-yacht-up-for-sale-meet-spacecat — Citation: "The White Lotus Yacht Up for Sale: Meet “Spacecat”" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-08. https://menwith.com/the-white-lotus-yacht-up-for-sale-meet-spacecat --- ## The New Mercedes-Benz GLC: A Familiar Shape with a Future-Ready Core - URL: https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-benz-glc-a-familiar-shape-with-a-future-ready-core - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-08 - Tags: AMG, GLC, Mercedes-Benz **Summary:** The new Mercedes-Benz GLC evolves its familiar design with a futuristic MBUX Hyperscreen and an innovative Vegan Package. It boasts an electric-first powertrain with extended range, rapid charging, and bidirectional capabilities, alongside enhanced practicality and towing capacity. I have had my GLC for a few years now. It is a pre-2020 model, mild hybrid. On paper, that sounded forward-thinking when I bought it. In practice, the electric motor is barely noticeable. It smooths out start-stop a little and maybe helps in traffic, but the petrol engine does all the work. If no one had told me it was a hybrid, I probably would not have known. That said, the car has been exactly what I hoped for. Comfortable, solid, and easy to trust. The kind of Mercedes that fits into your life rather than taking it over. But when I look at what the brand has done with the latest GLC, I cannot help but feel like mine belongs to an ancient chapter. The shape is familiar, but everything else has moved on. A Dashboard from Another Era The clearest sign of age in my car is the dashboard. The infotainment feels like it was designed in the middle of a transition, when buttons were still holding their ground against screens. It works, but it never feels natural. The screen is modestly sized, the graphics basic, and the voice control has never been more than a party trick. The new GLC replaces that with a 99.3-centimetre MBUX Hyperscreen. It stretches from one side of the dashboard to the other and merges driver, central and passenger displays into a single surface. Early reports suggest it is crisp, responsive, and adaptable, with lighting and themes that change the entire mood of the cabin. It looks less like a gadget and more like part of the car’s architecture. Rethinking Materials One of the quieter innovations is the new Vegan Package, which has been certified by The Vegan Society. Mercedes worked with suppliers to eliminate animal-based products from every touchpoint, right down to adhesives and dyes. The seats use high-quality leather alternatives, the steering wheel and headliner follow suit, and even the carpets and boot trim qualify. My car has traditional leather and it has worn well, but this kind of shift matters. It shows that luxury materials can evolve without losing their sense of quality. For Mercedes, it also means being the first carmaker to have an entire interior certified in this way. Whether or not I would choose that option, it is a sign of the direction things are heading. Electric That Feels More Complete The mild hybrid system in my GLC is so subtle that it doesn’t change the way the car feels. The new model takes a much different approach. Built as an electric-first SUV, it offers a claimed range of up to 713 kilometres in the GLC 400 4MATIC. With an 800-volt system, it can recharge up to 303 kilometres in ten minutes at a fast charger. It is also designed for bidirectional charging, so the car can supply power back to a home or even the grid. On the road, the hardware looks equally advanced. Adaptive air suspension, rear-axle steering with up to 4.5 degrees of angle, and a braking system that can recover up to 300 kW during deceleration. Space and Practicality One thing that has always made the GLC easy to live with is its practicality. The new version has grown in useful ways. The boot holds 570 litres with the seats up, or 1,740 litres when they are folded down. There is also a front compartment with 128 litres of space, enough for charging cables and smaller bags. Towing capacity has increased too, with the electric GLC capable of pulling up to 2.4 tonnes, making it one of the few electric SUVs that can confidently handle larger caravans or trailers. Familiar Yet Changed What I find reassuring is that the proportions remain recognisably GLC. It is not oversized or aggressive, and the character of the model has not been abandoned. The new one has simply grown into its role more fully. It balances refinement, space and capability with the kind of technology that feels future-ready. I am not rushing to replace mine. It still suits the way I drive, and I know it well. But looking at the new version, I see how quickly things can change in only a few years. The new one shows what the next chapter of this car looks like. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-benz-glc-a-familiar-shape-with-a-future-ready-core — Citation: "The New Mercedes-Benz GLC: A Familiar Shape with a Future-Ready Core" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-08. https://menwith.com/the-new-mercedes-benz-glc-a-familiar-shape-with-a-future-ready-core --- ## IWC opens its archives to collectors with IWC. Curated. - URL: https://menwith.com/iwc-opens-its-archives-to-collectors-with-iwc-curated - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-07 - Tags: Genta, IWC, Vintage **Summary:** IWC. Curated. offers collectors meticulously restored vintage IWC watches, certified and warranted by the brand. This program emphasizes provenance and historical accuracy, bringing iconic references back to life. IWC Schaffhausen has launched IWC. Curated., a program of hand-picked historical watches sourced by the IWC Museum, restored in-house, and sold with certification and an International Limited Warranty that can be extended to eight years upon registration. The offer is a simple idea executed with rigor, and it lands with real weight for anyone who cares about provenance as much as patina. The concept is refreshingly clear. IWC’s museum experts select individual references that represent key chapters of the brand’s history, then the watches travel through a meticulous revival at headquarters. Cases, bracelets, and movements are sympathetically restored as close as possible to original condition, using authentic and, when possible, period-correct components. The work is carried out by vintage watchmakers in Schaffhausen with decades of experience and privileged access to IWC’s corporate archives, including a deep inventory of spare parts for every watch and movement the company has produced. The result is not a new watch in old clothes, but an old watch brought back into honest shape and accompanied by paperwork that details authenticity and provenance. There are no speculative upgrades hiding here, just confirmed craft. Each piece leaves with an official certification, and the warranty stands out in the vintage space. If you have a specific reference in mind, they will even help locate and procure it on your behalf. The program’s early selection reads like a concise tour of IWC’s design and engineering identity. The Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832, designed by Gérald Genta in the 1970s, returns with its muscular industrial aesthetic that helped define the era. The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Ref. 3750 from 1985, appears as the first IWC to carry the perpetual calendar developed by Kurt Klaus, a crown-controlled complication that they rightly calls a benchmark for efficiency and ease of use. For tool-watch purists, there is a Navigator’s Wristwatch Mark 11, Store Ref. No. 6B/346, manufactured in 1952 for the British Royal Air Force, a reminder of the brand’s long-standing focus on precision and antimagnetism. The references and years are quoted exactly because that is the point here: verified history, not hazy legend. There is a practicality to the rollout as well. IWC. Curated. is initially available in selected boutiques in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Japan, specifically Schaffhausen, London’s Battersea Power Station, Dubai Mall, and Ginza. The boutique setting suits these watches, which invite close inspection, from the feel of a refreshed bracelet to the clean engagement of a properly serviced crown. Within IWC’s modern portfolio, which spans from the elegant Portugieser to purpose-built Pilot’s Watches, this initiative threads the past directly into the present showroom. His team’s involvement matters because it signals curation rather than clearance, and it aligns with the brand’s stated commitment to longevity and responsible service. “We want to give watch lovers the unique opportunity to own a watch that has shaped our legacy,” says David Seyffer, Museum Curator at IWC Schaffhausen. The company certifies authenticity and provenance, restores with period correctness in mind, and supports the result with a meaningful warranty. It does not claim to rewrite history or to sand every story out of a case flank. That restraint, combined with access to original parts and records in Schaffhausen, is precisely what makes IWC. Curated. credible. The lesson is simple. If you want vintage IWC with the calm of factory-backed service, this is a new and clearly marked door. The references may change, the appeal will not, and the paper trail will be as important as the watch on your wrist. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/iwc-opens-its-archives-to-collectors-with-iwc-curated — Citation: "IWC opens its archives to collectors with IWC. Curated." — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-07. https://menwith.com/iwc-opens-its-archives-to-collectors-with-iwc-curated --- ## The Legacy of Bugatti, Preserved by La Maison Pur Sang - URL: https://menwith.com/the-legacy-of-bugatti-preserved-by-la-maison-pur-sang - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-06 - Tags: Bugatti **Summary:** Bugatti's La Maison Pur Sang program meticulously documents and authenticates each car's history. The rare EB110 America SS025 exemplifies this, with its journey from demonstrator to concours star preserved. At the final Geneva Motor Show, I found myself standing before the Bugatti Royale. Up close, its vast proportions and intricate detailing made it less a car than a monument to ambition. It was a reminder that every Bugatti, no matter the era, is more than engineering. Each carries history, story, and presence in a way few marques can match. Preserving that essence is at the core of Bugatti’s La Maison Pur Sang program, established in 2020 to document and authenticate the life of each car with meticulous care. Among the machines recently entrusted to this process is an exceptionally rare EB110 America, chassis SS025. What emerged from Bugatti’s work was not just a record of authenticity, but a rediscovered journey spanning decades, collectors, and moments that defined an era. The EB110 America holds a distinct place in Bugatti’s 1990s chapter. Produced as a development vehicle, SS025 combined the long-distance comfort of the EB110 GT with the sharper edge of the EB110 SS. Its first assignment was as a demonstrator in North America, where it made a strong impression: appearing on the cover of Robb Report, winning the People’s Choice Award at Concorso Italiano, and standing under the lights of the Chicago Auto Show in 1995. In 2000, the car was acquired by Romano Artioli, the entrepreneur who had revived Bugatti during that decade. He safeguarded it in France before returning it to Campogalliano for servicing and later refinishing it in Bugatti Blu. That choice of color gave the car a timeless identity and eventually caught the attention of a UK collector in 2013. Under new stewardship, SS025 became a familiar sight on the concours circuit, gracing Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace, appearing on the cover of Octane, and featuring in Jeremy Clarkson’s The Grand Tour. For La Maison Pur Sang, this process is not about nostalgia. It is about clarity and permanence. To immerse an owner in the story of their car is to transform a machine into a chronicle of human ambition and achievement. With SS025, that chronicle stretches from its earliest days as a factory demonstrator to the concours lawns and television screens of today, never losing sight of the essence that makes a Bugatti singular. The Royale I saw in Geneva was very different but carried that same essence, an echo of Bugatti’s past that still commands reverence. SS025, through the work of La Maison Pur Sang, now carries its story with equal weight. For the owner, and for the marque itself, the car’s history is not only preserved but given the clarity it deserves, alive and ready to be told again. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-legacy-of-bugatti-preserved-by-la-maison-pur-sang — Citation: "The Legacy of Bugatti, Preserved by La Maison Pur Sang" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-06. https://menwith.com/the-legacy-of-bugatti-preserved-by-la-maison-pur-sang --- ## Lamborghini Steps Off the Road and Into the Water - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-steps-off-the-road-and-into-the-water - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-06 - Tags: Lamborghini **Summary:** Lamborghini partners with Cayago for the Seabob SE63, a high-performance water scooter. This move extends the brand's luxury lifestyle beyond cars, following their yacht venture. Automobili Lamborghini has built its name on land, cars that roar down highways and carve through mountain passes with unmistakable presence. Now, the brand has turned seaward. In partnership with German marine specialist Cayago, it has unveiled the Seabob SE63, a high-performance water scooter designed to blend Lamborghini design language with Cayago’s engineering. Collaborations like this always raise a question: where is the line between meaningful extension and mere gimmick? A watch or luggage collection usually fits the lifestyle of Lamborghini’s clientele. A water scooter, at first glance, might feel like a stretch. But in truth, the marque has been testing these waters for some time. In 2020, they unveiled their first yacht, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, built with The Italian Sea Group. That model found its way to high-profile owners, including Conor McGregor, who made headlines as one of its early buyers. In that context, the SEABOB SE63 is less of a wild departure and more of a continuation and recognition that many of their customers already spend as much time at sea as they do on the road. The SEABOB itself is no frivolous toy. Cayago has positioned it as their most powerful model yet, with a newly developed motor, advanced battery architecture, and lightweight materials such as titanium, magnesium, and carbon fiber. Stability has been enhanced with a new wing system, and for those seeking still more control at speed, an optional Performance Board can be fitted. Visually, Lamborghini’s fingerprints are unmistakable. Sharp edges and bold lines echo the cars, while paint finishes like Arancio Egon and Verde Gea are lifted straight from the factory in Sant’Agata. Even the start button borrows from the ritual of igniting the engine. Whether one sees that as charming or theatrical will likely depend on taste. What remains is the larger question: does this strengthen Lamborghini’s brand or dilute it? For some, the it will represent a natural fit, another way to extend the thrill of it into a lifestyle already shaped by yachts and watersports. For others, it may feel indulgent, another luxury crossover with limited staying power. The SE63 will make its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival this month, with production beginning in 2026. It is both playful and ambitious, a reminder that Lamborghini is increasingly comfortable living beyond the road. Read about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-steps-off-the-road-and-into-the-water — Citation: "Lamborghini Steps Off the Road and Into the Water" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-06. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-steps-off-the-road-and-into-the-water --- ## Inside the 40 meter sailing yacht Kokotea - URL: https://menwith.com/inside-the-40-meter-sailing-yacht-kokotea - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-05 - Tags: Alloy Yachts, Burgess, Sailing **Summary:** The 40m Dubois-designed sailing yacht KOKOTEA, built by Alloy Yachts and refitted in 2021, offers performance cruising and world-class amenities for EUR 6.95M. There is a certain calm that comes with a Dubois-designed sailing yacht. The lines are purposeful, not theatrical, and the reward is felt on deck when the boat leans into pressure and lifts her shoulders cleanly. KOKOTEA, delivered by Alloy Yachts in 2000 and extensively refitted in 2021, is one of those boats. Exclusively for sale with Burgess at EUR 6,950,000 and currently in the West Mediterranean, she sits squarely in the sweet spot for owners who want real miles, not marina time. Alloy and Dubois is a partnership that defined a generation of modern performance cruisers. KOKOTEA was the seventh Dubois design to launch from the New Zealand yard, a combination that prized stiffness, weight control, and quiet elegance. The 2021 works, including a full hull repaint, keep the presentation crisp. You see it in the clean reflection along the aluminium topsides and hear it in the muted thrum of rigging rather than the rattle of loose deck gear. On deck, the covered cockpit is the social heart. It is protected and welcoming, a space where you can eat alfresco without shouting over wind noise. In late light, the teak warms underfoot and the table takes on a soft glow. Aft, twin helm stations offer the right vantage to read the telltales and see forward around the superstructure up to the powerful Doyle sails. Underway, this is where the boat speaks clearly, wheel in hand and horizon unbroken. Inside, Redman Whiteley Dixon’s interior is understated and warm, not a showroom. Generous windows pull in natural light so you are never cut off from the sea. The main deck lounge is set up for relaxed living rather than ceremony. Down below, the dining area seats up to nine, which tells you this is a boat for extended company and unhurried meals. After dinner, the portside leather sofa and armchairs invite a nightcap. You can almost hear the soft clink of glassware against a backdrop of water moving along the hull. Accommodation is for eight in four cabins. The full beam owner’s suite includes a private office and a spacious en suite, a proper base for work between passages or quiet mornings at anchor. Two additional doubles and a smaller double cabin round out guest spaces. The arrangement prioritises privacy and practicality, a reminder that KOKOTEA was conceived for world cruising rather than occasional hops. Under the skin, the proposition holds. An aluminium hull and superstructure deliver a light yet robust platform that feels right for serious distances. Machinery is straightforward and proven: a Caterpillar C18 for propulsion, twin 65 kW Onan generators for house loads, and a 3,500 nautical mile cruising range. It is the kind of setup that hums along at sea without complaint. The appeal of sail here is not only romance. It is fuel efficiency, range, and a quieter life underway. In market terms, KOKOTEA reads as a rational buy. At under seven million euros, you are getting a Dubois Alloy platform with a significant recent refit and a track record of global intent. New build sailing yachts of this size now sit on different timelines and budgets. For owners who value time on the water above renderings, a ready and well kept boat is the smarter luxury. There is also a cultural shift worth noting. Interest in large sailing yachts is steady as clients look for lower impact cruising and a more engaged experience of the sea. When you trim a Doyle main and feel the boat settle, that engagement is not theoretical. None of this is to claim universality. If you want a beach club and a garage full of toys, a 40m sloop will not try to be something it is not. KOKOTEA is for those who like the cadence of sail, the ritual of entering a cockpit still warm from the sun, and the confidence of a design that has aged with grace. Seen that way, she is less a trophy and more a tool for a life well traveled. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/inside-the-40-meter-sailing-yacht-kokotea — Citation: "Inside the 40 meter sailing yacht Kokotea" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-05. https://menwith.com/inside-the-40-meter-sailing-yacht-kokotea --- ## A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon: black enamel, platinum, and precision you can see - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lange-038-shne-1815-tourbillon-black-enamel-platinum-and-precision-you-can-see - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-05 - Tags: 1815 Tourbillon, A. Lange & Söhne, Watch **Summary:** The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon in platinum features a black enamel dial and a ZERO-RESET tourbillon for precise time setting. This limited edition showcases meticulous in-house craftsmanship and traditional Saxon watchmaking. A 50-piece platinum edition with a jet-black grand-feu enamel dial and a tourbillon that stops and resets to zero, the 1815 Tourbillon brings quiet drama to Lange’s most classical line. If you like your thrills on the subtle side, the new 1815 Tourbillon in 950 platinum makes a strong case. Its 39.5 millimetre case, 11.3 millimetres thick, frames a black enamel dial whose depth only reveals itself when light lingers. The Arabic numerals and railway minutes are flush with the glassy surface, and the large aperture at 6 o’clock gives the tourbillon nowhere to hide. The dial is made in-house from the first step to the last, starting with a white gold base, then pigment, multiple firings, and a final surface treatment. Even the circular opening is hand-chamfered, a delicate job on enamel. One dial takes weeks, and more than a hundred individual procedures, to complete. The theatre inside is equally considered. The manufacture calibre L102.1 is visible through a sapphire caseback, and its traditional architecture reads like a Saxon syllabus. There is an untreated German silver three-quarter plate, screwed gold chatons, and in the centre of the tourbillon a diamond endstone secured by its own chaton, a bright point that catches the eye before you notice the elaborate black polish on the tourbillon bridge and upper cage. Black polish is a hand process on a tin plate with special abrasives until the surface flips from mirror to jet black depending on the viewing angle, a party trick that never gets old. The complication at 6 o’clock is more than decoration. Lange’s tourbillon stops when you pull the crown, and thanks to the ZERO-RESET mechanism the seconds hand snaps to 12, so you can align the minute hand to a marker. This answers a longstanding irritation in tourbillon ownership, namely that you could admire them, but not always set them to the second. The movement runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour, with a freely oscillating Lange balance spring and a traditional screw balance, and holds 72 hours of power in reserve. Within the brand’s portfolio, this is the fifth take on the 1815 Tourbillon and the twelfth Lange with an enamel dial. The lineage goes back to 2014, with platinum and pink gold debuts, a Handwerkskunst edition in 2015, and a 2018 platinum model with a white enamel dial. This new release arrives in 2025, limited to 50 watches, with the cool heft of platinum and the graphic punch of black enamel giving it a distinctive presence in the already restrained 1815 family. There is a touch of polarity here. The generous aperture dominates the lower half of the dial, which some will love for its honesty and others would prefer closed. Either way, the execution is meticulous, and the design remains legible, the numerals crisp against the dark dial. Collectors will recognise the blend of tradition and incremental innovation that defines modern Lange. As Anthony de Haas, the brand’s product chief, puts it, the watch takes a two-century-old idea for improving rate stability and gives it a contemporary interpretation by letting you stop and zero it on demand. Combine that with the limited run, the enamel dial made entirely in the manufacture, and the visible finishing flourishes, and you have a reference ALS 730.094 that sits comfortably in the core of the brand rather than at its fringes. The 1815 Tourbillon does not try to surprise with novelty for novelty’s sake. It focuses your attention, slowly, on surfaces, mechanisms, and the quiet satisfaction of aligning a minute hand to the track and watching the seconds jump cleanly to zero. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lange-038-shne-1815-tourbillon-black-enamel-platinum-and-precision-you-can-see — Citation: "A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon: black enamel, platinum, and precision you can see" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-05. https://menwith.com/a-lange-038-shne-1815-tourbillon-black-enamel-platinum-and-precision-you-can-see --- ## Daniel Ricciardo’s Aston Martin Valkyrie Heads to Auction at Zoute Concours - URL: https://menwith.com/daniel-ricciardos-aston-martin-valkyrie-heads-to-auction-at-zoute-concours - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-04 - Tags: Aston Martin, Auction, Broad Arrow Auctions, Daniel Ricciardo **Summary:** Daniel Ricciardo's Aston Martin Valkyrie, a 2023 model with minimal mileage, is set for auction at Zoute Concours. This hypercar boasts extreme aerodynamics and a 1,000 hp V12 hybrid powertrain. Every so often, a car emerges that blurs the line between track and road so convincingly it feels less like transportation and more like a statement of what engineering can achieve. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is such a car. And in October, one of the most significant examples, personally commissioned by Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, will cross the block at Broad Arrow’s inaugural Zoute Concours Auction in Belgium. Ricciardo’s Valkyrie, finished in a striking shade known as Dichroic Dawn, or informally “Badger Blue,” was built in 2023 and has barely been driven, with just 160 kilometers on its odometer. The nickname of course nods to Ricciardo’s “Honey Badger” moniker in Formula 1, but he insists the choice was more about how the color accentuates the car’s dramatic sculpted form. It is one of only 150 Valkyries ever built and carries an estimate of €2.4 to €2.8 million. The Valkyrie project began as a collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing under Adrian Newey, whose influence is unmistakable in the car’s extreme aerodynamics. At its heart lies a Cosworth-built 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, paired with a hybrid KERS system. Together, they deliver 1,000 horsepower and an 11,100 rpm redline, numbers that sound more suited to Ricciardo’s day job than a public road. Ricciardo himself was among the earliest to experience the concept during his Red Bull years. As he later remarked, “It feels like a race car and it looks like a race car. I’m not used to having a roof over my head, but otherwise, it’s a pretty straight-up race car.” His personal specification goes beyond the color. Exposed carbon weave covers the “clam veins” and suspension shrouds. The magnesium wheels are finished in matte black with contrasting Badger Blue centers. Inside, the Valkyrie carries Pure Black Alcantara with silver stitching, removable carbon bucket seats, and a detachable steering wheel with silver-anodized switches. It is an uncompromising specification for an uncompromising car. Provenance plays a decisive role in the world of collectible cars, and Ricciardo’s ownership adds weight to an already rare machine. As production ceased in December 2024, opportunities to acquire a Valkyrie are increasingly limited, let alone one tied so closely to a Formula 1 driver who was involved with the project from its early days. The Zoute Concours Auction, set for October 10 at Approach Golf in Knokke-Heist, will feature around 70 collectible cars, but Ricciardo’s Valkyrie is expected to be among the headline lots. Broad Arrow will also present a 2022 Aston Martin x Brough Superior AMB 001 motorcycle, another rare collaboration bearing Aston’s winged badge. Whether Ricciardo’s Valkyrie will remain in Europe or find its way into another global collection is anyone’s guess. What is certain is that this sale offers collectors more than a car. It offers a moment, a chance to own a hypercar that sits at the pinnacle of modern road-legal performance, with a direct link back to the world of Formula 1. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/daniel-ricciardos-aston-martin-valkyrie-heads-to-auction-at-zoute-concours — Citation: "Daniel Ricciardo’s Aston Martin Valkyrie Heads to Auction at Zoute Concours" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-04. https://menwith.com/daniel-ricciardos-aston-martin-valkyrie-heads-to-auction-at-zoute-concours --- ## Meet the new Laurent Ferrier: Teal, Time, Tourbillon - URL: https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-laurent-ferrier-teal-time-tourbillon - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-04 - Tags: Geneva Watch Days, Lauren Ferrier, Tourbillon **Summary:** Laurent Ferrier's Classic Tourbillon Teal, a limited edition platinum timepiece, revisits the brand's debut model with a striking teal grand feu enamel dial and a hidden tourbillon focused on precision. Laurent Ferrier’s new Classic Tourbillon Teal, the seventh in the brand’s Série Atelier, returns to the watch that launched the maison in 2010 and won the GPHG Men’s Watch Prize. The case is the familiar 41 mm Classic form, a smooth, pocket-watch-inspired pebble with a generously rounded crown that invites winding. It is crafted in 950 platinum, which the brand says appears here for the first time in its collection. The heft will be immediate on the wrist, yet the lines remain restrained, almost soft. Under the front sapphire sits a new dial that keeps faith with the original Classic Tourbillon’s codes. The base plate is white gold, over which a teal grand feu enamel blends blue and green in glossy depth. Roman numerals circle the hours, crisply outlined in white enamel for legibility. The chemin de fer minute track and logo are rendered in sky blue enamel, a tone echoed in the small seconds markings. That seconds display is framed by a bevelled white gold flange, hand polished until it catches the light like a fine chamfer. The hands are also gold, Assegai-shaped for hours and minutes, baton for the seconds. Nothing is superfluous, yet the color brings a fresh pulse to a familiar face. The movement is what matters here, and Ferrier resists the urge to put it on show through the dial. The hand-wound LF619.01 calibre hides its tourbillon, using it for what Abraham-Louis Breguet intended in 1801, precision. A double balance spring is mounted in opposition to reduce lateral displacement, an old-school chronometric solution executed with extreme care. The power reserve exceeds 80 hours. Viewed through the sapphire back, the finish departs from classic Ferrier stripes. The bridges receive a horizontal satin treatment in ruthenium, while the moving parts, from gears to balance, are rhodium plated for the first time in the brand’s history. The contrast is modern without feeling loud. Listen while you wind and you will hear another nod to 19th-century chronometry. The long-blade click ratchet has a delicate, mechanical chatter, the sort of detail that lives in memory long after the spec sheet is closed. The tourbillon cage bridge alone carries around thirty interior angles, each finished by hand. Horizontal satin-brushing, frosting, bevels and mirror-polished screws appear where they should, and only because a human decided they must. Within the broader Ferrier portfolio, the Série Atelier is the discreet channel for small, collector-minded runs. This Sé rie Atelier VII is limited to five individually numbered pieces, sold exclusively through the brand’s website at CHF 195,000 before tax. The release coincides with Geneva Watch Days 2025, a neat bit of timing for a watch that celebrates Ferrier’s origins while updating the decoration and materials. In today’s market of (sometimes) theatrically openworked tourbillons, a hidden regulator feels almost contrarian. That choice will divide opinions, as it did in 2010, though it speaks directly to collectors who care more about rate stability and finish than about spinning cages on the dial. The teal enamel will also be a talking point. It is distinctive, yet anchored by traditional Roman numerals and a railway track that quietly say classic rather than trendy. The Classic Tourbillon Teal is not trying to reinvent Ferrier’s wheel. It simply tightens it. Platinum for mass and gravitas, enamel for permanence, a hand-wound tourbillon set up for chronometry rather than spectacle, and finishing that rewards a loupe. For a brand celebrating 15 years on its own path, this is a fitting way to look back and move forward at the same time. Release year 2025, case diameter 41 mm, 950 platinum case, hand-wound LF619.01 double balance spring tourbillon, over 80 hours of power, sapphire back, and a dial that makes teal feel inevitable. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-laurent-ferrier-teal-time-tourbillon — Citation: "Meet the new Laurent Ferrier: Teal, Time, Tourbillon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-04. https://menwith.com/meet-the-new-laurent-ferrier-teal-time-tourbillon --- ## WILLOW cuts to €14.95m: a fast 42m Benetti with charter pedigree - URL: https://menwith.com/willow-cuts-to-1495m-a-fast-42m-benetti-with-charter-pedigree - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-04 - Tags: Benetti, Burgess, Willow, Yacht **Summary:** The 42m Benetti Veloce 140 "WILLOW" is now €14.95m, featuring a 24-knot top speed and charter pedigree. Ideal for fast Mediterranean cruising, it offers luxury amenities and a versatile layout for 10 guests. September is when serious yachts migrate to the Riviera and numbers sharpen accordingly. WILLOW, one of the final boats in Benetti’s Veloce 140 series, has dropped another EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 14,950,000. The timing is deliberate. She will be at the Cannes Yachting Festival in Porto Canto from 9 to 14 September, in front of the people who still believe you choose a yacht for how it moves as much as how it looks tied up stern-to. At 42m and 376GT, with a GRP hull to RINA classification, she is a performance-minded package with charter form. The Veloce 140 idea has always been simple: give a semi-custom Benetti a clean, raked profile and real pace. WILLOW reaches 24 knots and settles into a 16-knot cruise, quick for a yacht of this size and volume. That figure matters if you want to lunch in Antibes and make St Tropez before the light fades. On deck, the sun pads run warm underfoot and there is a practical rhythm to the spaces. The sun deck has a proper bar and a retractable awning that snaps shade into place. Forward, an al fresco lounge wraps a jacuzzi, while multiple dining areas let you chase or avoid the afternoon glare. A beach club with its own bar opens onto the swim platform where the water sounds close and constant. Inside, the brief leans formal without being stiff. Marble floors cool the air under the main lounge and dining room, where picture windows frame the horizon like a slow film. Up top, a sky lounge with bar opens to a terrace, the social heart when you want doors sliding and music low. Accommodation is set for 10 guests in five cabins, including a full-beam owner’s suite with private study and a spa-style en suite. Zero speed stabilisers handle the quiet hours at anchor. The materials and plan speak to Mediterranean service rather than theatrical gimmicks. WILLOW has been a popular Burgess charter yacht. That matters for a certain buyer. A five-cabin, 10-guest layout with defined social zones is the charter template that works from the Balearics to the Bahamas. Beach club, foredeck jacuzzi, sun deck bar: these are the boxes guests reliably tick. There is no guarantee of future income and none is implied, but proven charter appeal is a useful data point when you are weighing running costs against real-world usage. The price cut puts WILLOW into a competitive pocket. At EUR 14.95m, she sits among late-model 40–45m composite yachts where many offer range and comfort but not 24 knots. If you like the calm of steel and displacement, this is the wrong aisle. If you value getting places promptly, with the visual lightness of GRP and the convenience of classification already in place, she is worth a look. The fact she is among the last of the Veloce 140s adds a certain finality. For some, a series ending is a reason to move, not a reason to wait. The market often splits between villa-at-sea and dayboat-on-steroids. WILLOW bridges those modes. You can do long lunches and late departures, then sit at anchor with the stabilisers on and marble cool beneath your feet. The yacht speaks to a lifestyle that prefers choice over doctrine, speed when wanted and ceremony when warranted. The deck plan invites people to circulate rather than post. WILLOW will be open in Cannes, and that is the right place to decide. Boats like this resolve themselves better in person, with the scent of teak warming in the sun and the canopy humming into place. Read more about the latest yacht news here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/willow-cuts-to-1495m-a-fast-42m-benetti-with-charter-pedigree — Citation: "WILLOW cuts to €14.95m: a fast 42m Benetti with charter pedigree" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-04. https://menwith.com/willow-cuts-to-1495m-a-fast-42m-benetti-with-charter-pedigree --- ## At the Speed of Dreams: LVMH Finds Its Line in Formula 1 - URL: https://menwith.com/at-the-speed-of-dreams-lvmh-finds-its-line-in-formula-1 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-09-03 - Tags: Sports, Formula 1, LVMH, Möet & Chandon, Tag Heuer **Summary:** LVMH partners with Formula 1, highlighting craft, time, hospitality, and culture through brands like Moët & Chandon, TAG Heuer, and Louis Vuitton. The collaboration emphasizes precision and innovation, leveraging AI to showcase luxury's evolving relationship with performance. On the eve of Monza, the so‑called Temple of Speed, LVMH has unveiled “At the Speed of Dreams”, the creative signature and brand film for its role as Global Luxury Partner of Formula 1. It signals how the world’s largest luxury group intends to inhabit motorsport over a decade: through craft, time, hospitality, and culture. Beyond technique, the message is simple: the same obsession that guides a driver through Eau Rouge guides an artisan through a stitch. Precision of gesture. Repetition. Marginal gains. It avoids romance for romance’s sake and instead draws a practical connection between performance and craft. In a world that loves to pair “heritage” with “innovation,” the film actually shows both. Ten months into a ten‑year partnership, the pieces are falling into place. Moët & Chandon is the Official Champagne of Formula 1 and title partner of the Formula 1 Möet & Chandon Belgian Grand Prix 2025, re‑anchoring a ritual that already feels elemental to the sport: the sting of cold spray, the sweet‑yeasty nose in the air, metal podium plates wet with celebration. TAG Heuer is the Official Timekeeper and title partner of the Formula 1 Tag Heuer Grand Prix Du Monaco 2025, with the official pitlane clock on display and a presence across the Fan Zone and Paddock Club. The watchmaker’s ties also stretch to Oracle Red Bull Racing and the F1 Academy, the series designed to elevate women drivers. Louis Vuitton, meanwhile, continues its dialogue with sport through bespoke trophy trunks and took title partnership of the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this year. Think brass‑cornered monograms meeting polished silverware, opening to velvet cradles that fit each cup with exacting geometry. The cultural significance is bigger than branding. Formula 1 is not a casual platform. It is a global calendar engineered around precision, spectacle, and hospitality. LVMH’s approach plays to its strengths: build environments, make objects that last, use content to frame meaning. The brand film’s use of AI will annoy purists who equate luxury only with the hand, yet it reflects a real creative shift. High luxury is finally comfortable using new tools publicly, not to erase craft but to highlight it. That is a useful signal for the wider industry, from watchmaking to couture. A related series under the same banner features Léon Marchand, Olympic champion and world record holder. It explores how imagination fuels performance. Read more about that here. There is always a risk that luxury turns sport into signage. This execution reads differently. LVMH is not pretending to be a team or a governing body. It is bringing what it knows: measured time, ceremonial moments, and the choreography of service. The proof will be in how these experiences feel in person, from the weight of a trunk handle to how a Paddock Club activation respects the energy of a race rather than smothering it. For the modern gentleman, the takeaway is restrained. You do not need a logo on a halo to appreciate the alignment. Consider instead the disciplines in dialogue: a balance wheel beating at 5 Hz beside a V6 hybrid spinning past 10,000 rpm; a cellar master choosing a cuvée for victory night; a trunkmaker calibrating a hinge to close with a soft sigh. If “At the Speed of Dreams” avoids cliché and stays anchored to craft, it will be one of the few big‑ticket partnerships that adds more to the sport than it takes. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/at-the-speed-of-dreams-lvmh-finds-its-line-in-formula-1 — Citation: "At the Speed of Dreams: LVMH Finds Its Line in Formula 1" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-03. https://menwith.com/at-the-speed-of-dreams-lvmh-finds-its-line-in-formula-1 --- ## Louis Vuitton’s Quiet Chinese Journey - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuittons-quiet-chinese-journey - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-09-03 - Tags: China, Louis Vuitton, LVMH **Summary:** Louis Vuitton's new Chinese travel campaign, shot by Alec Soth, emphasizes slow travel and craft over trends. It showcases heritage luggage in serene landscapes, positioning China as a cultural bridge. Louis Vuitton has launched a new Travel campaign set in China, opening in Guilin along the Lijiang River and photographed by Alec Soth. It is a measured move from a house that built its name on trunks, not trends, and it signals something unfashionably modern: the art of going slowly. Early frames catch lake water mirroring karst peaks, mist suspended like gauze in the morning cool. You can almost hear the oar tap a wooden hull. Soth, a Guggenheim Fellow with more than 30 books behind him, brings a documentary eye that trims away spectacle. His images tend to sit in that rare place between reportage and reverie. Here they lean into distance and quiet, letting the landscapes breathe. The light reads soft and matte, limestone ridges held in a calm gray-green. The camera neither rushes nor shouts, which is notable in a category that often prefers volume. The campaign foregrounds the tools of travel that have defined Louis Vuitton since 1854. House staples appear without fuss, among them the Monogram Horizon, the Soft Keepall, the Alzer luggage, plus the Coffet Joaillerie and Coffret Trésor. There is no spec sheet attached, and none is needed. The pieces are presented in use and in place, a reminder that good luggage should feel like a companion rather than a prop. In the frame you notice geometric lines against organic rock, a polished clasp catching a fog-diffused glint, canvas and leather sitting quiet against river-worn stone. This first chapter is one of three. Zhangjiajie and Datong will follow in the coming months, expanding the journey beyond familiar postcards. The stated intent is to treat China as a cultural bridge, not a backdrop, an ambition that lives or dies by the images. Starting in Guilin is a strong tell. The town’s water, its low cloud, its layered silhouettes have a meditative pace that suits Soth’s practice. Expect the same unhurried cadence as the campaign continues, more walking than sprinting. For the industry, the choice of photographer says as much as the locations. Fashion has spent years chasing algorithmic gloss. LV opting for a documentarian with poets in his lineage is a strategic correction. It trusts the viewer to look longer. It trades the noise of novelty for the signal of craft. That may not burn brightest on a phone scroll, but it deepens brand equity where it matters, in memory. You can feel the difference in the silence of the frames, the way ambient sound seems to fall away. There is also a cultural point worth noting. Western luxury has a long history of “shooting in China”. Too often it reads as postcard tourism or convenient exoticism. Here the composition is less about towering symbols and more about human scale within a vast place. Figures, where present, sit small against water and rock. The eye rests on texture and distance rather than on slogans. A modern gentleman will recognize the underlying proposition. Travel is a skill, not an itinerary. Pack well, move lightly, look properly. From a lifestyle angle, the campaign lands in a moment when many of us travel with more screens than senses. The images nudge in the opposite direction. They reward the kind of packing that anticipates varied terrain, the kind of luggage that holds its shape in transit and becomes furniture in a room. The sensory cues are simple and persuasive. The quiet click of a lock. The balanced pull of a case on smooth stone. The crease in a canvas handle warmed by a hand at dawn. None of this is revelation. It is restraint, and that is the point. Louis Vuitton is not reinventing the suitcase. It is reminding you what travel feels like when the gear is resolved and the pace is your own. If the next chapters hold to this tone, the campaign will stand as a subtle counterweight to travel content that confuses motion with meaning. A small wager, then, on attention over attention span. Wise, understated, and timely. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuittons-quiet-chinese-journey — Citation: "Louis Vuitton’s Quiet Chinese Journey" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-03. https://menwith.com/louis-vuittons-quiet-chinese-journey --- ## Audi Concept C: A Vision of Pure Design and Electrified Emotion - URL: https://menwith.com/audi-concept-c-a-vision-of-pure-design-and-electrified-emotion - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-02 - Tags: Audi, Audi Concept C, Car, Luxury, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** Audi's Concept C redefines the brand's identity with a radical, minimalist design. Featuring a vertical frame inspired by heritage models and an innovative retractable hardtop, it blends tradition with electrified emotion for a preview of future Audi sports cars. With the Concept C, Audi presents more than just a show car – it introduces a radical reduction to the essentials, reshaping the visual and emotional identity of the four rings. At the heart of this new design language stands the vertical frame, a bold reinterpretation of Audi’s heritage that integrates both history and future technologies. Inspired by the Auto Union Type C of 1936 and the third-generation Audi A6 of 2004, the upright frame anchors the brand’s new face while giving presence and character to the sleek roadster. A New Expression of Open-Air Performance The Concept C debuts a reimagined roof concept that merges the elegance of a coupé with the thrill of open-air driving. For the first time, Audi equips a roadster with an electrically retractable hardtop, made of two sculptural roof elements that preserve the monolithic silhouette while enabling uncompromised cabriolet enjoyment. Strong shoulders, a stretched roofline, and clean horizontal lines at the rear emphasize the athletic minimalism of the design. Complementing this is a newly developed light signature, featuring four horizontal elements in both the headlights and taillights. By day or night, it delivers a distinct presence on the road and defines the next chapter of Audi’s visual DNA. Cloaked in a “Titanium” finish, the exterior exudes warm, technical elegance – an homage to the material’s qualities of precision, lightness, and strength. Minimalism with Emotion Inside The interior follows the same ethos of clarity and focus. Designed for two, it blends geometric forms with a driver-centric architecture. High-quality materials such as anodized aluminum switchgear deliver the unmistakable “Audi click,” while full-metal Audi rings at the center of the precision-crafted steering wheel highlight craftsmanship at its finest. Natural materials, subtle titanium-inspired tones, and atmospheric indirect lighting further heighten the cabin’s refined warmth. Technology is seamlessly integrated through “Shy-Tech” solutions – always present, but never intrusive. A retractable 10.4-inch display provides contextual information only when needed, while tactile controls on the steering wheel and center console ensure intuitive interaction. The result: a driving experience that appeals to both logic and emotion. A Defining Moment for Audi The Concept C is not only a design study but a herald of Audi’s next era. By combining precision, intelligence, and emotional clarity, it marks a decisive step toward the brand’s future portfolio. Serving as both inspiration and blueprint, this concept car offers a glimpse of a forthcoming production model and will influence a generation of Audi vehicles to come. With the Concept C, Audi demonstrates how a purist electric sports car can embody both tradition and progress – minimalist in design, yet maximal in emotion. More about cars: click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/audi-concept-c-a-vision-of-pure-design-and-electrified-emotion — Citation: "Audi Concept C: A Vision of Pure Design and Electrified Emotion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-02. https://menwith.com/audi-concept-c-a-vision-of-pure-design-and-electrified-emotion --- ## Post Malone Unveils Austin Post: A New Era of Style and Sound - URL: https://menwith.com/post-malone-unveils-austin-post-a-new-era-of-style-and-sound - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-09-02 - Tags: Austin Post, fashion, Menwithstreetstyle, Post Malone **Summary:** Post Malone launches Austin Post, a new fashion brand embodying his signature blend of grit and glamour. The collection emphasizes authentic, lived-in luxury with sharp tailoring and relaxed silhouettes. When Post Malone steps onto a stage, it’s rarely just about the music. It’s about presence, energy, and the art of creating a world around him. Last night, with the debut of his new brand Austin Post, the multi-platinum artist proved that his creative universe now extends far beyond soundwaves and into the sphere of style. The show was less of a launch and more of a statement. Set against a backdrop of refined edge and effortless cool, Austin Post entered the world not as a celebrity vanity project, but as a fully realized vision. Post Malone – long celebrated for his ability to mix grit with glamour, rawness with vulnerability – has carried that same alchemy into this new chapter. The debut collection presented a balance of contrasts: sharp tailoring softened by relaxed silhouettes, luxury fabrics paired with lived-in textures, muted tones disrupted by flashes of bold detailing. It was clothing designed not just to be worn, but to be lived in, echoing Post’s own unfiltered approach to artistry. The show itself unfolded like a journey, weaving music, atmosphere, and design into a narrative that felt intimate yet expansive – an invitation into the world of Austin Post. What stood out most was the authenticity. There was no attempt to chase trends or replicate what others are doing in the crowded fashion space. Instead, Austin Post seemed to channel the artist’s true self, stripped of excess, grounded in individuality, and elevated by a quiet sophistication. If Post Malone’s career thus far has been defined by reinvention, then this new venture is his boldest step yet. With Austin Post, he has not only expanded his creative language but also carved out a brand that feels poised to resonate far beyond the front row. Music may have brought him to the stage, but style may well keep him there. More about fashion: click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/post-malone-unveils-austin-post-a-new-era-of-style-and-sound — Citation: "Post Malone Unveils Austin Post: A New Era of Style and Sound" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-02. https://menwith.com/post-malone-unveils-austin-post-a-new-era-of-style-and-sound --- ## HERE COMES THE SUN: €20,000,000 Price Reduction - URL: https://menwith.com/here-comes-the-sun-20000000-price-reduction - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-09-01 - Tags: Burgess, Yacht **Summary:** HERE COMES THE SUN, a 2020 refitted Amels yacht, sees a €20M price cut to €165M. Offering dual helipads, a large pool, and spa, it's a turnkey luxury proposition. There are price reductions, and then there are statements. The owner of HERE COMES THE SUN has taken 20 million euros off the asking, a clear signal of intent and a rare opening on one of the most recognisable Northern European builds of recent years. At €165 million, EU VAT paid, it is a turnkey proposition for a buyer who wants immediate access to the Mediterranean without the usual administrative friction. Think of warm evening light across the Ligurian Sea as you step aboard. Launched by Amels and extended by six metres in a 2020–2021 refit, the yacht sits in that sweet spot where scale meets modernisation. The work was extensive, not cosmetic. The result reads like a considered brief rather than a refit tick list. There is a generous beach club with shell door platforms that fold to meet the water, a 7m main deck pool that picks up the sun in shifting blue tiles, and a large spa for days when the sea air needs company. Accommodation is flexible for 20 guests, anchored by a dedicated owner’s deck and two bridge deck VIP suites with private balconies. The presence of dual helipads is the stand-out. Few yachts under 90 metres can match that level of logistical freedom. The experience is obvious the moment you picture the day. Touch down by helicopter with the rotors easing to a hush, transfer inside within steps, then move to the pool where the only sound is water running over the edge. Interiors are designed for space and flow rather than stunts. Private terraces off the VIPs change the morning routine from a corridor to a breath of salt air. The beach club’s shell doors connect guests directly to the sea, which laps quietly at the platform. It is the kind of arrangement that reduces the choreography of large-yacht life. The upper end of the market has thrived on scarcity and timeframes, but sophisticated buyers still value clarity. The 2020–2021 extension shows the owner invested in keeping the platform relevant, which sets it apart from older peers that feel their age when you step through a watertight door. A meaningful trim to the ask suggests a refreshingly realistic view of value in the 80m-plus segment, where trophy buying is giving way to use-based logic. You pay for capability, not simply meters. The design brief reads like a response to how people actually live aboard. A real pool, not a plunge. A spa that earns its footprint. A beach club that makes the sea feel near rather than framed. Dual helipads for arrivals that do not interrupt departures. The accommodation plan privileges the principal with a dedicated deck but respects guests with the two balcony VIPs. It feels grown up. No gimmicks, just well-judged capacity. Geography matters too. The yacht is in Italy and relocates to the South of France from 2 September, a practical choice that places it within easy reach of the region’s heliports and marinas at the height of late-summer yachting. For anyone contemplating inspections, that means short transfers and a fair weather window. If you see yachts as floating real estate, this is prime waterfront with recent capital expenditure and the paperwork in order. If you see them as instruments for time well spent, HERE COMES THE SUN offers the kind of operational ease and scale that move the needle on how often you will use it. The price revision does not make it inexpensive. It makes it clear. And clarity, in this corner of the market, is worth more than another meter on the spec sheet. Read more about yachts here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/here-comes-the-sun-20000000-price-reduction — Citation: "HERE COMES THE SUN: €20,000,000 Price Reduction" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-01. https://menwith.com/here-comes-the-sun-20000000-price-reduction --- ## Porsche RML P39: A Le Mans Legend Reimagined - URL: https://menwith.com/porsche-rml-p39-a-le-mans-legend-reimagined - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-09-01 - Tags: Menwithclass, Motors, Porsche, Porsche RML P39, RML Group **Summary:** The Porsche RML P39 reimagines Le Mans heritage with a 920hp, 3.7L flat-six engine. This exclusive hypercar, limited to 39 units, blends lightweight carbon fiber, advanced aerodynamics, and bespoke customization for discerning enthusiasts. The Porsche RML P39 is not just a car; it is a statement of heritage, power, and elegance. Born from the DNA of the Porsche 911 Turbo S and re-engineered by the visionary minds at RML Group, it brings Le Mans racing spirit into a form that is both luxurious and uncompromisingly modern. Every curve of the P39 speaks of precision and purpose. Sculpted from lightweight carbon fibre, the bodywork blends aerodynamic efficiency with aesthetic drama, delivering presence both on the road and the track. It is designed to glide through city streets with grace yet unleash unrelenting confidence on mountain passes or racing circuits. At its heart beats a 3.7-litre flat-six engine tuned in collaboration with Litchfield Motors. The result is 920 horsepower and 705 lb-ft of torque, channelled with seamless precision through advanced drive modes. From calm composure in everyday settings to full hypercar ferocity in Sport+, the P39 offers an experience that adapts to the driver’s mood and the journey ahead. Performance is not an abstract promise but a lived reality. The car launches from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 200 mph, with engineering confidence that extends to the Nürburgring, where it is expected to post times on par with Porsche’s most exclusive track legends. Aerodynamics elevate the experience further, with driver-activated systems and refined downforce ensuring poise at every speed. What makes the P39 truly remarkable, however, is its exclusivity. Only 39 examples will ever exist, each one a canvas for personal expression. From bespoke interior details and tailored trim to a curated palette of exterior finishes, the P39 is as much about individuality as it is about speed. Owners are not merely acquiring a car; they are commissioning a personal masterpiece that bridges past and present. The Porsche RML P39 is the rare creation that unites competition heritage with modern luxury. It is a car that honours the golden age of endurance racing while delivering the elegance and usability demanded by today’s most discerning enthusiasts. More than a hypercar, it is an experience that embodies distinction, crafted for those who value rarity, performance, and timeless style. More about cars: click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/porsche-rml-p39-a-le-mans-legend-reimagined — Citation: "Porsche RML P39: A Le Mans Legend Reimagined" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-01. https://menwith.com/porsche-rml-p39-a-le-mans-legend-reimagined --- ## New Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Calibre 985 - URL: https://menwith.com/new-jaeger-lecoultre-master-grande-tradition-calibre-985 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-01 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre **Summary:** Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils three Master Grande Tradition Calibre 985 watches for 2025, featuring a perpetual calendar, 122-year moon phase, and a unique 20-second tourbillon display. These models blend technical complexity with refined dial-side drama. Jaeger-LeCoultre revisits one of its most intriguing modern calibres with three new Master Grande Tradition Calibre 985 references for 2025, each putting technical purity and dial-side drama front and center. Design first. The 42 mm by 13.27 mm case is classic Master Grande Tradition territory, built from more than 80 components with screwed lugs and a mix of polished, brushed and micro-blasted surfaces that you feel as much as you see. In platinum, there are two blue-dial options: one (ref Q5246580) with a polished bezel, and the other (ref Q5246508) with a bezel set with 72 baguette diamonds totaling about 3.4 carats, a task that consumes roughly 15 hours of gem-setting in the brand’s Métiers Rares atelier. The pink gold (ref Q5242461) pairs its warm case with a soft brown dial. A hand-bevelled bridge spans the dial, while the tourbillon sits in a recessed well that adds depth and light play. The minute track and the rims of the calendar sub-dials are micro-blasted for a fine-grained matte contrast, the sub-dials themselves are opaline and shift in tone with the light, and the calendar numerals and letters are laser-engraved in relief for crisp legibility. Then there is the little spectacle at six. Beneath an arc-shaped 20-second scale, three blue hands mounted on the tourbillon cage take turns to mark 20-second intervals as the cage completes a rotation every 60 seconds. It is a quiet piece of theater that feels earned rather than showy. The movement is the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 985, developed in 2013 and here presented with a perpetual calendar and moon phase that will not need adjustment for 122 years, plus a Night & Day display. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a 45-hour power reserve. The calibre counts 431 components, including an 83-part flying tourbillon in titanium that weighs just 0.386 grams. Its heart is a cylindrical hairspring, shaped in-house, chosen for enhanced isochronism. The helical form expands and contracts concentrically regardless of position or amplitude, which benefits timekeeping in a watch that unites a tourbillon with a full calendar suite. Turn the watch over and the sapphire back reveals careful, traditional finishing: blued screws, sunrayed Côtes de Genève, snailing and hand-bevelling. The 22k rose gold winding rotor carries sunray engraving and a reproduction of the gold medal awarded to Antoine LeCoultre at London’s 1851 Great Exhibition for precision manufacturing, a neat link between the brand’s origin story and the technical focus of this piece. Within the Jaeger-LeCoultre portfolio, Master Grande Tradition is reserved for the most complex calibres, and Calibre 985 fits that brief without excess. Few manufactures still shape hairsprings in-house, fewer still use a cylindrical spring in a series watch. In a market where perpetual calendar tourbillons often lean hard into spectacle, this one reads as measured, even with the diamond bezel option. The 5 bar water resistance and the alligator straps are practical touches. Platinum models come on blue alligator with small-scale alligator lining and a pin buckle. The pink gold version wears brown alligator with a double folding buckle. Collectors will appreciate the movement’s cohesion and the dial’s layered finishing. The polished-bezel feels the purist’s choice, while the pink gold offers warmth. The baguette-set will split opinion, which is part of the fun, and made for the extravagant. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/new-jaeger-lecoultre-master-grande-tradition-calibre-985 — Citation: "New Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Calibre 985" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-01. https://menwith.com/new-jaeger-lecoultre-master-grande-tradition-calibre-985 --- ## Green on gold at altitude: OMEGA Masters 2025 - URL: https://menwith.com/green-on-gold-at-altitude-omega-masters-2025 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-09-01 - Tags: Sports **Summary:** The OMEGA Masters 2025 champion received an 18K Moonshine Gold Seamaster Aqua Terra with a green teak-pattern dial. This refined timepiece blends luxury materials with athletic design, powered by a Master Chronometer movement. Thriston Lawrence left Switzerland with more than a trophy. As is tradition at the OMEGA Masters, the champion received a watch that mirrors the tournament’s tone: refined, competitive, and quietly technical. This year’s prize was an OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra, 41 mm across and crafted in the brand’s exclusive 18K Moonshine Gold, paired to a PVD green dial cut with the collection’s “teak” pattern stripes, a direct nod to luxury sailboat decks. The green continues onto a rubber strap, an athletic counterpoint to the precious metal case. Visually, the combination works because the dial’s stripe texture breaks up the expanse of green, catching light in narrow bands, while the polished surfaces of the gold case supply a warm sheen. On the wrist, the choice of rubber against solid gold is more than styling. The strap’s pliancy should temper the natural heft of an all-gold case, and its matte surface gives the watch a more relaxed demeanour than a full bracelet would. The result feels appropriate for a mountain golf tournament where evening attire meets daytime sport. Powering the watch is an OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, a specification the brand reserves for its high standard of precision. That language matters at a week like this. OMEGA’s President and CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann, said the golf in Crans-Montana showcased how precision makes the difference in each round, a sentiment that dovetails neatly with the Aqua Terra’s pitch. The movement’s designation is the only technical detail OMEGA confirmed here, which keeps the focus on the symbolism rather than a spec sheet. Context gives the watch extra weight. The OMEGA Masters traces its roots to 1923 and has been played on the same course since 1939, a continuity unmatched in European golf. OMEGA took naming rights in 2001 and the tournament now sits firmly on the brand’s sporting calendar. This year’s field included several of the company’s golfing ambassadors, among them Miguel Angel Jiménez, Matt Wallace, Rasmus Hojgaard, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Danny Willett, which underscores the event’s blend of celebrity, sport, and brand culture. Within the portfolio, the Aqua Terra is the Seamaster that wears well almost anywhere, a design that borrows its texture and name from the sea yet looks at home in a clubhouse. Green and gold is a bold palette that will split opinion, but its charisma is hard to deny, especially on rubber. It is also a timely reminder that luxury materials do not have to be solemn. The dial’s PVD treatment, the specific shade of green, and the crisp alignment of the “teak” stripes all lend a tactile clarity you can see before you lift the watch to the ear. For collectors, the appeal lies in the combination of materials and context. An Aqua Terra in Moonshine Gold with this dial is a distinctive object, and the link to a historic tournament adds story without straying into memorabilia. As a coda to Crans-Montana, it makes sense. A watch built around measured precision, presented to the player who managed his own, on a course that has kept its rhythm for over eight decades. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/green-on-gold-at-altitude-omega-masters-2025 — Citation: "Green on gold at altitude: OMEGA Masters 2025" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-09-01. https://menwith.com/green-on-gold-at-altitude-omega-masters-2025 --- ## Benetti’s 144-Foot Yacht Juno’s 7 Brings a 1,000-Square-Foot Sundeck to Cannes - URL: https://menwith.com/benettis-144-foot-yacht-junos-7-brings-a-1000-square-foot-sundeck-to-cannes - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-31 - Tags: Benetti, Cannes, Yacht **Summary:** Benetti's 144-foot Juno's 7 debuts at Cannes, featuring a 1,000 sq ft sundeck and interiors designed for long-range living. The composite build emphasizes space, hospitality, and responsible sourcing. Cannes opens its season with Benetti arriving as a complete idea, not a single headline yacht. The Italian yard is showing its entire fiberglass series, a quiet flex that says as much about strategy as it does about scale. At the center is Juno’s 7, the world premiere of the Class 44M and the largest composite yacht in Benetti’s fleet. Designed by Giorgio Cassetta, the 144 footer pairs a restrained exterior with interiors conceived for long-range living. The glass is generous, the sightlines long. Morning light pours across pale woods and FSC certified elm floors, while mineral resin surfaces read cool and matte to the touch. “It’s an incredibly complex and sophisticated place,” Cassetta says of the 44M, “but has a truly amazing ability to welcome people in.” The point is hospitality rather than theatrics. Outside, the 44M maximizes space across four decks, capped by a 1,000 square foot sundeck that is built for actual use. Think continuous lounging rather than fragmented pods. Shade, sun, and open air are all there, which sounds simple and is not. The composite build keeps weight in check while allowing the kind of sculpted superstructure that gives Juno’s 7 its classical posture. Framed by long windows, the yacht looks poised, not aggressive. For a modern owner, the cultural shift is clear. Outdoor space is no longer a bonus deck. It is the social core. Materials are chosen to carry light and reduce glare rather than just signal luxury. The 44M’s FSC certified elm floors are a small but telling choice, a move toward responsible sourcing without performative messaging. And in the case of Juno’s 7, the sundeck’s sheer acreage matters only if the transitions are seamless and the spaces are inviting. Here, they are. Cannes has become the place where builders declare intent. Benetti’s intent is range. Juno’s 7 grounds that statement in classical proportion and contemporary habitability, while the Motopanfilo and Oasis models show how far the house can travel within its own identity. It is not a race for the biggest terrace or the loudest line. It is a reminder that in 2025, the best yachts look settled at anchor and feel considered under bare feet. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/benettis-144-foot-yacht-junos-7-brings-a-1000-square-foot-sundeck-to-cannes — Citation: "Benetti’s 144-Foot Yacht Juno’s 7 Brings a 1,000-Square-Foot Sundeck to Cannes" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-31. https://menwith.com/benettis-144-foot-yacht-junos-7-brings-a-1000-square-foot-sundeck-to-cannes --- ## Volvo XC70: A Long-Range Hybrid Built for Real Life - URL: https://menwith.com/volvo-xc70-a-long-range-hybrid-built-for-real-life - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-31 - Tags: Volvo, XC70 **Summary:** The new Volvo XC70 is Volvo's first long-range plug-in hybrid, offering over 200km electric range and 1200km combined range. It features fast-charging, bi-directional charging, and advanced AI-powered tech. Earlier this winter we drove through the north of Sweden, where the roads stretch long and quiet beneath a pale sky and the snow presses close on either side. Out there, reliability matters more than anything, and it struck me again how naturally a Volvo belongs in that landscape. The new XC70 carries that same sense of purpose, but with a clear step toward the future of electrified driving. The XC70 is Volvo’s first long-range plug-in hybrid, capable of traveling more than 200 kilometers on pure electric power under the CLTC cycle. That figure makes it the most capable plug-in hybrid in Volvo’s history, and it arrives at a time when many families are searching for ways to embrace electric mobility without giving up long-distance flexibility. Built on the company’s new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform, the XC70 is both a technical step forward and a strategic one. Volvo has chosen to debut the model in China, where demand for long-range plug-in hybrids is strong, before expanding availability to Europe. “Our new XC70 is a very attractive choice for customers who want the benefits of electric driving but are not yet ready to go fully electric,” says Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars. “It is a cornerstone of our electrified product portfolio and a bridge to fully electric cars.” Range, charging & capability The numbers are significant. With its battery and efficient combustion engine working in tandem, the XC70 offers a combined range of over 1,200 kilometers without stopping for fuel or charging. Fast-charging technology allows a charge from zero to 80 percent in just 23 minutes, while bi-directional charging means the car can power camping or outdoor equipment with the right adapter. For daily routines, the XC70 can be driven entirely without tailpipe emissions, yet it retains the long-distance assurance of a hybrid. Design in balance True to Scandinavian design principles, the XC70 carries a quiet confidence. The sculpted profile and strong shoulders are familiar Volvo traits, but the closed grille with its active shutter hints at the brand’s fully electric future. At the rear, the tall C-shaped taillights blend into the glass, creating a clean and modern signature. The stance is upright and practical, yet never heavy-handed. The interior follows the same philosophy: calm, ordered, and crafted. A spacious cabin, natural materials, and careful acoustics create an atmosphere meant for long journeys rather than short commutes. Every touch point has been refined, from the solid feel of the controls to the immersive sound system tuned specifically for the space. Technology & safety Volvo has made its digital experience central to the XC70. A large horizontal 15.4-inch center display sits beside a 12.3-inch driver display, while an optional 92-inch augmented reality head-up display adds a more immersive layer. The system is quick and intuitive, supported by an AI-powered voice assistant and over-the-air updates. Remote control through the Volvo Cars app allows pre-conditioning and other conveniences before stepping inside. Safety, the element that has always defined Volvo, is present in full. The XC70 carries what the brand calls Safe Space Technology, with radars, cameras, and sensors constantly aware of surroundings. Features like door opening alerts, lane change assist, and park assist are there not to overwhelm the driver, but to support. The result is a car that feels protective without ever being intrusive. A step on the journey Driving remains an emotional act. It is about freedom, comfort, and the reassurance that a car will be there for you in every circumstance. The new Volvo XC70 is built to carry those values into a new era, quietly, confidently, and with the kind of Scandinavian restraint that never asks to be noticed, yet always leaves an impression. Read about our Great Winter Escape here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/volvo-xc70-a-long-range-hybrid-built-for-real-life — Citation: "Volvo XC70: A Long-Range Hybrid Built for Real Life" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-31. https://menwith.com/volvo-xc70-a-long-range-hybrid-built-for-real-life --- ## ‘Petite Belle’ Makes the Case for Big-Cat Living - URL: https://menwith.com/petite-belle-makes-the-case-for-big-cat-living - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-30 - Tags: Boat, Catamaran, Northrop & Johnson, Sunreef, Yacht **Summary:** The Sunreef 94 'Petite Belle' redefines luxury yachting with its spacious catamaran design, prioritizing comfort, indoor-outdoor flow, and intelligent volume utilization for relaxed cruising. For years, catamarans were the practical choice for charter fleets and long-range cruisers. Lately they have stepped into the superyacht conversation, not as outliers but as benchmarks for space and ease. Sunreef’s new 94-footer, Petite Belle, shows why the category keeps winning over traditionalists who value comfort without the theatrics. The photographs tell a clear story of volume used intelligently. Broad terraces descend to the water and frame an outdoor living zone that feels more beach club than cockpit. There is room to spread out, to set a breakfast table and still have a quiet corner for a book. Warm teak underfoot and the soft slap of water along the steps set the tone for slow mornings at anchor. Inside, the salon reads as light and calm. Sunreef has a habit of giving glass as much priority as wood, and here the windows pull in the horizon from both sides. Low seating keeps sightlines open, and the space looks like it can handle a family lunch without crowding or convert to a quiet evening with the lights dimmed. You can almost feel the cool of the air against sun-warmed skin and hear the discreet hush of conversation rather than the clatter of a busy interior. A dedicated dining area underscores that this is a yacht meant for proper meals, not just canapés between swims. It looks chic and proportioned, the kind of table that encourages you to linger. The owner’s suite, flagged as spacious, reinforces the point that a 94-foot catamaran gives you the floor area many monohulls achieve only at longer lengths. No gimmicks here, just the luxury of room to move, to unpack, to feel at home. Up top, the flybridge is the social summit. The presence of a Jacuzzi says afternoons are designed, not improvised. The sounds are small and satisfying, the gentle whirl of jets and the clink of ice from the nearby alfresco bar. With shade overhead and 360-degree views, it is hard to imagine a better perch for a slow passage along the Riviera or a sunset in the Greek islands. Forward, a plush bow lounge provides the counterpoint, quiet and breezy, where the sea breeze carries the salt and the conversation drops to a murmur. At the stern, what Sunreef calls an ocean lounge sits right at the water’s edge. This is where catamarans earn their keep. Access to toys is simple, transitions from swim to sofa are easy, and the whole scene has the relaxed choreography of a well-planned beach day. There is no sense of squeezing through a transom. The sea feels like an extension of the deck plan. The numbers are straightforward. Petite Belle measures 94 feet, is offered by Northrop & Johnson, and carries an asking price of €16.5 million. Luxury cats like this are changing how owners think about time on the water. A wider platform means stability at anchor, a near-constant flow between indoors and out, and the ability to host without the bustle. In other words, a yacht that privileges the two places you spend most of your time, the deck and the main salon, over a top speed you will almost never use. There will always be purists who prefer the cinematic profile of a long, lean monohull. That preference has a place. Yet the cultural shift toward slow travel, shared space, and unhurried days makes a compelling case for the big catamaran. Petite Belle turns square meters into grace, and it suggests that good taste at sea looks less like spectacle and more like the confidence to give guests room to breathe. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/petite-belle-makes-the-case-for-big-cat-living — Citation: "‘Petite Belle’ Makes the Case for Big-Cat Living" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-30. https://menwith.com/petite-belle-makes-the-case-for-big-cat-living --- ## Vantage S, now with a lightbar: Aston Martin’s new F1 safety car is a statement piece - URL: https://menwith.com/vantage-s-now-with-a-lightbar-aston-martins-new-f1-safety-car-is-a-statement-piece - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-29 - Tags: Aston Martin Vantage S, F1 Safety Car, Dutch Grand Prix, Podium Green, Aston Martin Aramco, DBX707, V8 Twin-Turbo, Porsche 911 GTS, Mercedes-AMG GT **Summary:** Aston Martin's new Vantage S debuts as the F1 Safety Car, showcasing its potent V8 engine and aerodynamic enhancements. This model embodies the brand's core identity: compact, powerful, and composed under pressure. There’s a particular thrill when a road car graduates to Formula 1 duty. The new Vantage S does just that, joining the FIA’s official fleet as Safety Car, debuting at the Dutch Grand Prix. Painted in Podium Green to match the Aston Martin Aramco team, it brings theatre before the lights go out and authority when they dim. Also worth noting: the DBX707 remains the series’ Medical Car, a reminder that Aston’s current range is built for fast company. The Vantage has always been a study in muscle without mess. The S tilts the balance toward function. A full-width decklid spoiler adds rear stability, while centrally mounted bonnet blades pull heat from the hot-V twin-turbo bay and tidy airflow. Then there’s the unavoidable FIA lightbar. The shape still reads as Vantage first, hardware second. Up close, it’s the stance that sells it: lower, tauter, like a sprinter at the blocks. Numbers matter here because the job demands them. The hand-built 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 delivers 680 PS and 800 Nm, good for 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and 202 mph flat out. More important is how those figures are used. Aerodynamics bias downforce toward the front for a crisp turn in, exactly what you want when leading 20 agitated single-seaters through cold tyres and yellow flags. The soundtrack won’t hurt either. A safety car is as much a metronome as a marshal; this one has the lungs to keep the field honest. The S badge has long meant a harder edge at Aston Martin, not a joyless one. This Vantage feels like an answer to a simple question: what happens if we take the brand’s most visceral two-seater and give it the reflexes of a track marshal? You get a car that communicates in small, precise sentences: throttle, nose, grip, go. The aero tweaks are visible, but they’re there to serve the sensation, not dominate it. F1 exposure is a lightning rod. It accelerates awareness and, more importantly, expectation. By parking the Vantage S at the front of the grid, Aston is telling 400 million viewers that this is the car at the core of its identity: compact, potent, and unflustered under pressure. In the real world it lines up against the Porsche 911 GTS and Mercedes-AMG GT, cars that measure success in feel as much as figures. The Vantage S’s calling card is emotion filtered through discipline. The safety car role crystallises that proposition. Some will question the added aero furniture and the lightbar’s visual tax on such a clean form. Fair. But this particular Vantage isn’t playing at being a racer; it’s doing a job. If anything jars, it’s the knowledge that the most charismatic version might be the one you’re least likely to catch in your mirrors. The Vantage S brings credible speed, clear purpose, and a touch of theatre to F1’s order-keeping. Away from the circuit, it promises that same composed urgency, without the flashing lights. Safety has rarely looked this seductive, or sounded this good. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/vantage-s-now-with-a-lightbar-aston-martins-new-f1-safety-car-is-a-statement-piece — Citation: "Vantage S, now with a lightbar: Aston Martin’s new F1 safety car is a statement piece" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-29. https://menwith.com/vantage-s-now-with-a-lightbar-aston-martins-new-f1-safety-car-is-a-statement-piece --- ## Dior Plants French Poise on Madison Avenue - URL: https://menwith.com/dior-plants-french-poise-on-madison-avenue - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-08-29 - Tags: Dior, High-end Fashion, New York **Summary:** Dior's new Madison Avenue flagship blends Parisian elegance with New York's dynamism. Architect Peter Marino creates a serene space showcasing art, craft, and luxury, including a spa and exclusive collections. There is symbolism in Dior’s new address. The corner of 57th Street and Madison sits near where Christian Dior set up the brand’s U.S. subsidiary in 1948. The return reads as a deliberate line back to origin, not nostalgia, but a reminder that Paris and New York have long influenced each other’s idea of taste. Architect Peter Marino’s flagship is scaled for Manhattan yet designed for a slower gaze. A stone facade with monumental windows draws in daylight that eases across soft-toned rooms. Underfoot, Versailles parquet gives a tactile whisper, crisp and familiar, a counter to the city’s noise outside. The boutique stacks the worlds of Dior across four levels: women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, jewelry, watches, perfumes and Dior Maison. The arrangement favors discovery over spectacle. You look, you move, you notice. Art and craft are not afterthoughts here. A garden by landscape architect Peter Wirtz brings a calm, green pause that softens the marble and glass. The Colorama staircase spirals as a narrative device, its hues mapping Dior’s objects of desire through time. It is a rare retail gesture that educates while it seduces, more museum cue than marketing ploy. The atmosphere is clean rather than grand, closer to a collector’s apartment than a department store. There is room to exhale. Exclusivity exists, of course, but it is more varied than the predictable handbag line. Artist Anna Weyant’s reinterpretation of the Lady Dior sits like a conversation between canvas and leather. Millefiori and Blue Jardin de Dior motifs appear on garments, floral without fuss, more pattern than perfume. The Bois de Rose jewelry line adds pieces set with precious gemstones, a precise riff on a house code rather than a shout. For men, a new variation of the B27 sneaker arrives in a run of 47 pairs. The number will pull collectors, though the micro-drop format is a familiar move across luxury now. Special Dior Maison objects round out the mix, the kind of home pieces that can nudge a room without announcing themselves. The top floor hides the most telling shift in luxury retail. Dior Spa New York, at 400 square meters, is not a bolt-on treatment room. It reads as a considered retreat for bespoke services rooted in the Maison’s know-how. The sound falls away as doors close, the air warms a degree, and skincare aromas replace the city’s metallic lift. For a modern man, that matters. The most valuable store experience today is time reclaimed, not another loud launch. It is hard to fake quiet. The windows speak to craft and conscience. Life-size tableaux in the bay windows celebrate Christian Dior’s affection for nature, made with upcycled textiles from the Ateliers. The result is not preachy. Fabric petals, stitched stems, and layered greens show technique and restraint. Sustainability here is framed through making, not messaging. This opening lands in a New York retail landscape that has shifted from transaction to immersion. The best flagships now act as cultural spaces. They mix art, design and wellness to justify the visit. Dior’s version feels aligned with that reality. The store offers reasons to stay off your phone. You can study parquet patterns, trace the curve of a staircase, try a jacket in real daylight, or book a facial and leave ten beats slower. It is retail as cadence, not just commerce. There is a business logic beneath the calm. Exclusive pieces and pre-launch product create urgency. Art installations generate images that live beyond the address. The spa builds repeat visits. All of that matters in a market where a phone can buy anything, but only a place can change how you feel. The risk is obvious. Experience-led stores can tip into theme park. Dior avoids the trap by keeping the palette gentle and the language of luxury familiar. Wood, stone, fabric, light. For men navigating the space, the strategy is simple. Start with tailoring or outerwear in the men’s salons while the floor is quiet. Put the B27 on foot if you care about scarce editions, but judge it on comfort and proportion rather than a number. Walk the Colorama staircase and read the house through color. End at the spa and make the treatment the memory you take home. A leather bag will age. Good skin habits will carry further. Dior’s new House gives New York a calm center point for French elegance. It honors history without reenactment and uses design to slow the pace without dulling the senses. In a decade defined by digital noise, a store that invites attention feels almost radical. The lesson is clear. Experience is the product, and this address understands how to deliver it with restraint. Read more about high-end fashion here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dior-plants-french-poise-on-madison-avenue — Citation: "Dior Plants French Poise on Madison Avenue" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-29. https://menwith.com/dior-plants-french-poise-on-madison-avenue --- ## APM Monaco x The Leclerc Brothers — A Bold Return for the Automne Collection - URL: https://menwith.com/apm-monaco-x-the-leclerc-brothers-a-bold-return-for-the-automne-collection - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-08-28 - Tags: APM Monaco, Arthur Leclerc, Chales Leclerc, Jewelry, Leclerc, Menwithclass **Summary:** APM Monaco unveils its Automne Collection, featuring Charles and Arthur Leclerc. The bold, unisex jewelry embodies Riviera elegance and modern versatility. “Siblings at full speed.” With these words, APM Monaco announced the return of Charles and Arthur Leclerc as ambassadors in an exclusive new campaign. This time, the brothers embody the Maison’s soon-to-launch Collection Automne – a daring expression of modern jewelry that is bold, versatile, and unisex. The partnership feels like a natural continuation of the story APM Monaco and the Leclercs began together. Both born from Monaco’s unique blend of glamour, determination, and cosmopolitan flair, they share a heritage rooted in elegance yet always in motion. For APM, the Automne Collection is a declaration of confidence: jewelry that transcends traditional boundaries, designed to move with the wearer through every facet of life. True to the brand’s DNA, the new pieces balance contemporary silhouettes with timeless detailing. Crafted with precision and designed to be worn effortlessly, they invite both men and women to embrace a jewelry style that is as fluid and versatile as today’s lifestyle. Whether styled trackside under the global spotlight or at an intimate evening by the Riviera, the collection adapts – luxurious, yet never bound by convention. The Leclerc brothers, known for their speed, discipline, and elegance on and off the circuit, embody the essence of the campaign. Their presence infuses the collection with a spirit of ambition and individuality, reinforcing APM Monaco’s message: true luxury lies in expressing who you are, without compromise. With Collection Automne, APM Monaco continues to redefine the codes of contemporary jewelry – bold, unisex, and unmistakably Riviera. More to come! More about Leclerc – check it out here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/apm-monaco-x-the-leclerc-brothers-a-bold-return-for-the-automne-collection — Citation: "APM Monaco x The Leclerc Brothers — A Bold Return for the Automne Collection" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-28. https://menwith.com/apm-monaco-x-the-leclerc-brothers-a-bold-return-for-the-automne-collection --- ## Forte 47 Targets the Miami to Bahamas Run With Italian Poise - URL: https://menwith.com/forte-47-targets-the-miami-to-bahamas-run-with-italian-poise - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-28 - Tags: Forte 47, Forte Yachts, West Navaltech, Umberto Tagliavini, Aluminum yacht, Dayboat, Miami to Bahamas, Cannes Yachting Festival **Summary:** The Forte 47 is a new Italian-designed aluminum dayboat built for luxury crossings. It offers full-beam construction and refined interiors, targeting discerning owners. For South Florida and Riviera boaters, the weekend crossing is a ritual. The new Forte 47 enters that conversation with a clear brief: a durable, elegant dayboat that can handle a round trip between Miami and the Bahamas or a hop from Monte Carlo to Porto Cervo without fuss. It is also a debut, not only for the model but for the brand. Forte Yachts is the freshly minted leisure label from West Navaltech, an Italian builder better known for rugged steel and aluminum workboats. The name is not throwaway. Forte reads as “strong” in Italian and nods to Forte dei Marmi, the polished seaside town where the founders say the moniker clicked. The intent is equally direct. Forte aims at a refined, low-volume segment, borrowing the discipline of superyacht design and applying it to a more compact hull. That approach shows up in the first release. The Forte 47 looks purposeful rather than loud, with lines that feel cut to the water rather than inflated above it. In bright sun, the aluminum surfaces have a cool, matte sheen that hints at longevity as much as style. Engineering is by Umberto Tagliavini of Marine Design, a veteran of efficient, seaworthy forms. The choice of aluminum for the hull plays to West Navaltech’s strengths and will appeal to buyers who value repairability and stiffness over the common fiberglass default. The deck is a proper walkaround, which makes circulation easy when you are juggling lines in a crosswind or setting up lunch at anchor. A modular aft zone promises flexibility for the way owners actually use boats of this size, whether that’s towing toys, ferrying guests, or keeping the cockpit open for a swim. Underway, expect different personalities depending on your propulsion pick. Inboards favor a lower center of gravity and a calmer exhaust note at cruising speed, while outboards bring immediacy, a higher transom, and a distinct, even hum at idle. Space is the reveal here. Forte’s team used full-beam construction and asymmetrical walkways to reduce steps and open volume. It reads as a clear, flowing plan rather than a series of boxed-in compartments. Daylight moves from bow to stern without interruption. Below, you get two full-height cabins and two bathrooms, which is rare at 47 feet. That detail matters if you are spending a weekend aboard or accommodating another couple. Doors close, showers are not afterthoughts, and you can stow a proper weekender bag without balancing it on the bed. The air feels fresher because you are not hunching or crawling into quarters. The brand positioning is explicit. Forte is meant to sit far from mass production, an editorial choice in a crowded category of glossy dayboats that can blur into one another on a busy marina quay. The design vocabulary is restrained, the luxury conveyed through proportion and function rather than add-ons. Aluminum at this length is a statement too. It signals a return to materials that wear hard use well, which suits a boat expected to do repeat passages rather than live only as a floating cabana. There is also an industry subplot. A workboat specialist stepping into the leisure arena is not new, but it usually yields one of two outcomes. Either the boats feel too utilitarian, or the company overcorrects and chases decoration. Forte 47 suggests a third path. Keeping the hull honest and the layout practical while dialing up comfort is a sensible read of what modern owners want. The option of inboards or outboards respects regional taste. So does the idea of a stylish chase boat for a larger yacht, where quiet competence is prized as much as looks. Key details like price and exact performance are not disclosed yet. The company will share more at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, where the Mediterranean light tends to flatter clean geometry and crisp metalwork. Until then, the Forte 47 stands out for what it represents as much as what it is. If the finish and ride match the promise of the brief, this could be the rare 47 that moves easily between the dockside show and a real crossing, salt on the rails and a still cabin when you shut the door. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/forte-47-targets-the-miami-to-bahamas-run-with-italian-poise — Citation: "Forte 47 Targets the Miami to Bahamas Run With Italian Poise" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-28. https://menwith.com/forte-47-targets-the-miami-to-bahamas-run-with-italian-poise --- ## Guerlain and Lee Ufan Arles Find Poetry in the Wind - URL: https://menwith.com/guerlain-and-lee-ufan-arles-find-poetry-in-the-wind - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-08-28 - Tags: Guerlain, Lee Ufan Arles, Caroline Corbasson, Something Moves, Atelier Ma, Arles, Art & Environment Prize, Wim Wenders **Summary:** Guerlain and Lee Ufan Arles present Caroline Corbasson's "Something Moves," an exhibition exploring wind's poetic influence through diverse media. The show highlights the connection between air, scent, and memory. Arles in high summer is a city of light and movement. Plane trees shiver. Stone radiates heat. Into this familiar Provencal rhythm steps Something Moves, an exhibition by Caroline Corbasson at Atelier Ma, on view from July 7 to October 5. It is the second Art & Environment Prize project from the Lee Ufan Arles art center and Maison Guerlain, selected from more than 550 applicants by a jury led by Lee Ufan with filmmaker Wim Wenders and museum head Laurent Le Bon. The premise sounds airy. The result is precise. Corbasson spent eight weeks in residence in the ancient city, watching the sky and letting the wind set the brief. The works move across oil on canvas, drawing, video, photography, and poetry. A minimalist circle focuses attention like the eye of a storm. Lines that catch light suggest the quiet exhale of air. In the galleries, projection glow shifts across pale walls and graphite edges hold their ground. There is little noise. The show invites you to slow your breathing until you can almost hear the dampened hiss of a breeze outside. Guerlain, the historic Paris perfume house with the bee as its emblem, frames wind as a carrier of scent, trails and memory. That is not marketing fluff. Anyone who has stood downwind of a citrus grove at dusk knows this. The link between air and olfaction is the foundation of perfumery, and Guerlain has backed a range of biodiversity programs in recent years. Lee Ufan, a leading figure of postwar minimalism and founder of Mono-ha, has built a career on attention to space, matter and the interval between things. His Arles art center was always going to prize nuance over noise. If luxury and sustainability sound like uneasy bedfellows, this is a credible way to reconcile them. Too many brand-supported environmental projects default to slogans or spectacle. Something Moves opts for clarity. Selection by a jury that includes Wenders and Le Bon helps. So does the site. Atelier Ma sits in a city that knows how to host images and ideas, from Roman stone to the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival. The experience here is modest and rigorous rather than loud. Something Moves runs at Atelier Ma in Arles through October 5, 2025. If you are in Provence, make time. The wind is doing the rest. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/guerlain-and-lee-ufan-arles-find-poetry-in-the-wind — Citation: "Guerlain and Lee Ufan Arles Find Poetry in the Wind" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-28. https://menwith.com/guerlain-and-lee-ufan-arles-find-poetry-in-the-wind --- ## From Sea to Circuit: F1 Drivers Affinity for the Water - URL: https://menwith.com/from-sea-to-circuit-f1-drivers-affinity-for-the-water - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-08-28 - Tags: Yachts, F1, Pershing, Riva, Yacht **Summary:** F1 drivers like Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Max Verstappen find balance at sea, choosing luxury yachts that reflect their personalities and appreciation for engineering. These vessels offer a refined escape before returning to the intensity of racing. Before the engines fire and the grandstands fill, F1 drivers often step away from the noise. For some, that means retreating to the sea, where the pace of life slows and craftsmanship takes a different form. The yacht has become more than a symbol of leisure. It is a place where drivers reconnect with balance before returning to the pressures of the grid. Charles Leclerc’s recent escape to the Mediterranean illustrates this well. The Ferrari driver was seen aboard a Riva, a brand steeped in Italian elegance and history. Leclerc is no stranger to the shipyard’s creations. He has owned a Dolceriva since 2020, naming it Monza after the track that cemented his place in Ferrari folklore. His connection with Riva goes deeper than ownership. The marque sponsored Ferrari for nearly a decade, and its values of refinement, heritage, and performance align seamlessly with the Scuderia’s. It is fitting that Leclerc, who grew up overlooking Monaco’s harbor, chooses the water as his reset between races. Visa detta inlägg på Instagram Ett inlägg delat av Charles Leclerc (@charles_leclerc) He is not alone. George Russell has been spotted cruising on a Pershing, his taste leaning toward contemporary Italian design with sharper edges and high performance at sea. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, favors a Mangusta GranSport, designed for both speed and long-distance comfort. Each choice reflects personality as much as lifestyle. Where Leclerc finds elegance, Russell leans into performance, and Verstappen invests in space for family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by George Russell (@georgerussell63) Max Verstappen likewise checked in from the water, posting family time aboard a yacht. Earlier this year he took delivery of a Mangusta GranSport 33 reportedly priced around $15 million and named Unleash the Lion. The 108-foot model is a collaboration between designer Alberto Mancini and Overmarine’s technical teams. It can reach 26 knots yet is set up for range, with the sort of interior volume and outdoor decks that turn a weekend into a proper interval. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Max Verstappen (@maxverstappen1) These vessels are not distractions from racing but extensions of the same appreciation for engineering and design that draws drivers to Formula 1 in the first place. A yacht, like a race car, is a machine shaped by precision. It moves with power but also demands a sense of control and respect. For the drivers, stepping aboard is not simply indulgence. It is a reminder of the finer things that balance the intensity of their careers. Formula 1 has always existed at the intersection of performance and luxury. The sight of its drivers retreating to the sea only reinforces that connection. On the water, they find a rhythm slower than racing yet equally tied to craft. When they return to the circuit, it is with a clarity only the open sea can provide. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/from-sea-to-circuit-f1-drivers-affinity-for-the-water — Citation: "From Sea to Circuit: F1 Drivers Affinity for the Water" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-28. https://menwith.com/from-sea-to-circuit-f1-drivers-affinity-for-the-water --- ## Dolomia Yachts Wants to Make the Catamaran Desirable Again - URL: https://menwith.com/dolomia-yachts-wants-to-make-the-catamaran-desirable-again - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-28 - Tags: Catamaran, Dolomia Yachts **Summary:** Dolomia Yachts aims to elevate catamarans with stylish designs and advanced tech. Their D100 and D70 models blend space, stability, and solar power for a desirable luxury experience. The South Tyrolean startup, led by Alessandro Righi and named for the pale rock of the Dolomites, is entering the multihull arena with catamarans focused on grace as much as gain. The brief is straightforward: deliver the space and stability that lure owners to cats, then wrap it in a form that looks at home off Portofino rather than just practical in a marina. Sun glinting across more than 700 square feet of solar skin, the proposition is as visual as it is technical. The first two models arrive with help from Centrostiledesign, the Italian studio helmed by Davide Cipriani and known for boats that prefer crisp lines and a bit of theater. The lineup centers on the D100, a 72-footer named for the 100-foot class of volume it claims to offer, paired with the efficiency of a 60-footer. That is a bold positioning for a multihull that already benefits from lower drag. Inside, owners can choose four or five cabins, a choice that shifts the balance between privacy and entertaining. Step aft and the nearly 200-square-foot beach club reads as a practical luxury: broad teak underfoot, water lapping at hip height, and a retractable garage that swallows a 16-foot tender with a clean mechanical hush. Up top, a generous flybridge promises long lunches under a soft awning and the open-air quiet you only get when the engines are at idle or electric. Propulsion is flexible. Buyers can stick with conventional diesel or opt for a hybrid setup with two electric motors. The roof carries that large solar array, capable of producing up to 15 kWp to feed onboard batteries. It is not a gimmick. On bright days, the black glass heats slightly to the touch as it offsets hotel loads and stretches time between generator runs. Dolomia says the build will lean on sustainable materials and integrate AI-guided systems, a now-familiar phrase that should translate to smarter energy management and assistance rather than party tricks. If the D100 is the statement piece, the D70 is the practical riff. At 55 feet, it mirrors the larger boat’s design language and intent, just scaled down. That matters. Much of the catamaran conversation is happening in this size band, where owners moving over from monohulls are looking for more deck without adding crew. Dolomia’s target is explicit: high-end motoryacht owners who want more space and comfort without stretching to bigger monohull lengths or budgets. The argument is not new. What feels different is the confidence to present a cat as an object of desire rather than a compromise. There is also a cultural point. In the last decade, cats have escaped the charter-only stereotype and started to occupy private slips from Miami to Mallorca. Better looks helped. So did the reality of rising fuel sensitivity. Multihulls that use less fuel because of reduced drag fit the mood, particularly when hybrid options and meaningful solar arrays are on the spec sheet. Italy stepping in with a style-forward entrant gives the trend a little more swagger. The first D100 is slated to launch in 2027, which places Dolomia in the near-term plans of owners already shopping for their next boat. Until we see displacement figures, performance data, and a finished interior, restraint is warranted. Still, on paper, Dolomia reads like a thoughtful addition to a category that keeps growing up. If the yard can deliver the elegance it promises without dulling the practical edge that makes cats so compelling, it will have done something simple and rare: make the sensible choice feel special. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dolomia-yachts-wants-to-make-the-catamaran-desirable-again — Citation: "Dolomia Yachts Wants to Make the Catamaran Desirable Again" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-28. https://menwith.com/dolomia-yachts-wants-to-make-the-catamaran-desirable-again --- ## Glashütte Original Unveils the PanoMaticCalendar “Blue of Dawn” - URL: https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-unveils-the-panomaticcalendar-blue-of-dawn - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-08-27 - Tags: Glashütte Original, PanoMaticCalendar, Blue of Dawn, Platinum Watch, Limited Edition Watch, Calibre 92-11, Moon Phase Watch, Retrograde Display **Summary:** Glashütte Original's PanoMaticCalendar "Blue of Dawn" is a 150-piece limited edition platinum watch. It features a skeletonized blue dial, moon phase, Panorama Date, and retrograde month display, powered by Calibre 92-11. The morning hours in Saxony have always carried a quiet sort of weight. Long before the arrival of electricity, watchmakers in Glashütte began their craft by first light, valuing not only the usable hours of sun but also the silence that came with them. That ritual of beginning early, alert, focused, and at peace, has inspired the newest creation from Glashütte Original: the PanoMaticCalendar Limited Edition in platinum, dressed in what the brand calls the “Blue of Dawn.” This new release, limited to 150 pieces, is less a watch than a tribute. It honors both the artisans who rise early to assemble it and the very concept of time as something personal and deeply human. The poetry of mechanics At 42 mm in platinum, the case reveals a dial that is as much window as surface. The skeletonised design, coated in a finely textured blue with a subtle vinyl finish, opens the movement to view. At 2 o’clock, a hand-crafted moon phase floats against a starry midnight sky. The Panorama Date at 4 o’clock is paired with a retrograde month display, where recessed numerals glow one at a time beneath a curved sapphire window. Only once each year, on March 1, must the calendar be adjusted. White gold indexes and blued hands with Super-LumiNova ensure readability in both day and night, while strap options in Louisiana alligator leather or robust blue fabric extend the harmony of the design. Inside the calibre Beneath this dial lies the manufactory Calibre 92-11. Running at 28,800 vibrations per hour, it combines modern resilience with traditional precision. A silicon balance spring protects against magnetism and temperature shifts, and a generous 100-hour power reserve makes the watch as practical as it is poetic. Through the case back, Glashütte’s hallmarks appear in full: rhodium-coated three-quarter plate with stripe finish, bevelled edges, polished screws, and steelwork that gleams under light. A limited gesture Only 150 pieces of the PanoMaticCalendar “Blue of Dawn” will be available worldwide beginning September 2025, through Glashütte Original boutiques and select partners. Glashütte Original has long stood for an authentic approach to watchmaking, producing up to 95% of its components in-house. With this watch, that heritage is expressed not just in its technical mastery but in a sense of time that feels almost personal. It is, as the name suggests, a dawn worth keeping close at hand. Read more about Glashütte Original here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-unveils-the-panomaticcalendar-blue-of-dawn — Citation: "Glashütte Original Unveils the PanoMaticCalendar “Blue of Dawn”" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-27. https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-unveils-the-panomaticcalendar-blue-of-dawn --- ## Rolls-Royce Spectre Inspired by Primavera - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-spectre-inspired-by-primavera - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-26 - Tags: Rolls-Royce Spectre, Primavera Collection, Electric Coupe, Cherry Blossom, Luxury EV, Coachline Art **Summary:** Rolls-Royce Spectre's Primavera collection draws inspiration from spring, featuring cherry blossom motifs on exterior and interior. This ultra-luxury EV focuses on emotional craftsmanship over tech. The Rolls-Royce Spectre was already a statement: an all-electric Rolls that swaps thunder for hush. Primavera turns that quiet into poetry, using spring as its muse and craftsmanship as its language. Three themes set the tone: Evanescent, Reverie and Blossom. The idea is simple and slightly brave. Paint, coachlines and wheels echo the fragile drama of early spring. The hand-painted coachline now blooms into a delicate cherry branch. The new 23 inch wheel design reads like petals opening, subtle from a distance, clever up close. It will divide opinion, which is half the fun of commissioning a Rolls. Colourways deliver mood without shouting. Evanescent pairs crisp white with fresh Turchese accents. Reverie goes serene with Duck Egg Blue and a shot of Forge Yellow. Blossom leans into drama with deep Velvet Orchid Metallic and sunlit detailing. If you like your symbolism light, Primavera whispers. If you prefer it literal, it has flowers on the side of your car. Inside, the cherry blossom motif moves from flourish to craft. Blackwood panels across the fascia and centre console are laser etched with an expansive bough, then hand finished so the grain still gleams. It is tactile, almost like a relief print, and it avoids the trap of looking like a decal. Starlight Doors sprinkle thousands of fibre-optic points across the leather, while the Illuminated Fascia adds a constellation around the Spectre script. On paper it sounds busy. In person, the lighting is soft and theatrical, more planetarium than nightclub. Embroidered headrests pick up the blossom in silhouette, which keeps things graphic rather than twee. Primavera does not change Spectre’s fundamentals. This is an ultra-luxury electric coupe that trades spec-sheet chest beating for composure. Official WLTP range is up to 329 miles, which in the real world means a relaxed 250 to 300 depending on climate and pace. Power delivery is instant and unhurried, the feel closer to a maglev train than a sports car. The huge wheels might worry ride purists, yet Rolls has long mastered the trick of suspending mass on a cloud. Expect the same here: muted road noise, a hint of horizon roll, and steering that guides rather than goads. Cherry blossom is a loaded symbol. It speaks to transience and beauty, and it is most closely associated with Japan. Rolls calls the series Primavera, Italian for spring, which adds a cosmopolitan twist. Some will see elegant cross-pollination. Others will wish for a single narrative thread. Either way, the art sits within a tradition of coachline storytelling that dates back to carriages, not social feeds. Spectre lives in a class of one. Bentley’s electric grand tourer is still inbound, and Maybach’s electric flagship takes the SUV route. That leaves Rolls to define what a battery-era luxury coupe should be. Primavera shows where the brand is leaning. Less tech theatre, more emotional craftsmanship. Commissioning runs into next year, with deliveries slated ahead of spring 2026, which feels satisfyingly on theme. The illuminated star fields will enchant passengers, though purists may prefer fewer lights and more wood. And the flower-inspired wheels risk trendiness, but they do fit the brief. Spectre Inspired by Primavera is not about faster, farther or louder. It is about feeling. Rolls-Royce takes a season that vanishes in a few weeks and anchors it in materials that will outlast us all. If that sounds sentimental, it is, and it works. Primavera turns Spectre from a very quiet luxury EV into a conversation piece. The result is refined, romantic and surprisingly modern, a spring you can drive all year. Read our in-depth review of Ghost Series II here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-spectre-inspired-by-primavera — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Spectre Inspired by Primavera" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-26. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-spectre-inspired-by-primavera --- ## Cadillac’s Bold Return to the Front: Meet Their 2026 F1 Drivers - URL: https://menwith.com/cadillacs-bold-return-to-the-front-meet-their-2026-f1-drivers - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-26 - Tags: Cadillac, F1, Formula 1, Menwithclass, Motor, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas **Summary:** Cadillac returns to F1 in 2026 with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, aiming to build an American powerhouse. The experienced duo brings crucial leadership and proven performance to the new constructor. Every legend of the track began somewhere. Now, Cadillac is crafting its own chapter – returning to Grand Prix greatness with a driver pairing designed to lead, inspire, and win. A bold name in American motorsport, Cadillac is staging a remarkable return to Formula 1. As the first new constructor to join since 2016, their 2026 debut carries both heritage and ambition. But no legacy unfolds without the right drivers. Enter Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, chosen not just for speed, but for the grit, experience, and leadership they bring to a team built from the ground up. Perez’s return to the grid is a statement. The Mexican driver, who recently parted with Red Bull, signs a multi-year deal with Cadillac—eager to become the “team of the Americas” and shoulder the weight of expectation. Meanwhile, Bottas turns down other opportunities, including a return to Alpine, to break new ground with Cadillac—a chance to help sculpt a team rather than join one already defined. Cadillac’s choice is strategic and unabashedly confident: two seasoned Formula 1 competitors, boasting 16 race wins and hundreds of Grand Prix starts between them. That track-hardened expertise is exactly what Cadillac needs in its formative years. The move came after months of careful consideration. Rumors swirled around potential candidates—including Mick Schumacher, Colton Herta, Alex Palou, and several IndyCar stars—but Cadillac’s leadership ultimately favored maturity and proven performance. At the helm of this venture is Graeme Lowdon, the former Manor team boss, working in partnership with Andretti Autosport and backed by General Motors. Their combined goal is to build an American powerhouse—not just on the grid, but as a technological force in F1, powered by Ferrari technology initially, with in-house engine ambitions already in motion. Want to read more – Check out LVMH’s At the Speed of Dreams here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/cadillacs-bold-return-to-the-front-meet-their-2026-f1-drivers — Citation: "Cadillac’s Bold Return to the Front: Meet Their 2026 F1 Drivers" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-26. https://menwith.com/cadillacs-bold-return-to-the-front-meet-their-2026-f1-drivers --- ## At the Speed of Dreams: LVMH’s Study of Excellence Arrives Before Monza - URL: https://menwith.com/at-the-speed-of-dreams-lvmhs-study-of-excellence-arrives-before-monza - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-08-26 - Tags: Sports, LVMH **Summary:** LVMH's "At the Speed of Dreams" series explores excellence through minimalist interviews, starting with swimmer Léon Marchand. It emphasizes discipline and purpose over gloss, building a content library rather than billboards. In the week leading into the Formula 1 Monza Grand Prix, LVMH premiered At the Speed of Dreams, a minimalist, studio‑shot series that explores how ambition becomes discipline and how speed becomes clarity. The debut episode centers on Léon Marchand, Olympic gold medalist, multi world champion, record holder, and LVMH ambassador, speaking in a stripped setting that leaves only voice, breath, and intent. The premise is elegantly simple. Each episode presents an intimate conversation with a singular achiever. The visuals are monochrome, the studio sparse, the edits unhurried. The effect is a deliberate quiet. Faces hold the frame, silences land with weight, and the soft fall of light across a cheek or shoulder keeps the focus on thought, not gloss. It is an aesthetic more akin to a portrait sitting than a campaign, which is the point. Marchand’s interview follows that logic. He talks about the dreams that propelled him and the strange mix of relief and restlessness when a dream is met. The line that lingers is stark: there is no finish line in the race for excellence. In a sport defined by tenths and heartbeats, the observation has range. You can almost hear the room, the understated hum of a studio, as he pauses between phrases. Speed here is not noise or bravado, it is a mental gear you select and hold. This is LVMH operating less as advertiser and more as publisher. It is not a product launch and it is not a highlight reel. It reads as editorial, which is increasingly where the most interesting luxury storytelling sits. A group with 75 Maisons and a global footprint does not lack platforms, but what it often seeks is coherence. By anchoring a content series around a single idea, the Group extends a line that already runs through watchmaking, high jewelry, fashion ateliers, and now Formula 1. Speed becomes the shared vocabulary, whether in a chronograph’s cadence or a seamstress’s hand. The timing is canny. Monza is F1 at its most elemental, a cathedral of velocity. Placing a swimmer at the starting line of a motorsport weekend is a neat editorial choice. Water and asphalt, split times and sectors, training blocks and stints, different arenas, same pursuit. The images are still, the subject is measured, yet the context buzzes. You feel the contrast between the hush of the studio and the high‑note whine of an engine that will dominate the weekend soundscape. We are also watching the shape of modern masculinity in sport evolve in real time. The athlete as technician is expected. The athlete as thoughtful narrator is newer, and more compelling when treated with restraint. Marchand’s presence works because it does not bend toward myth. It stays human, grounded in routine, recovery, and repetition. Discipline is a more useful aspiration than glamour, and this series seems to understand that. The tactile cues are modest and telling, the texture of a plain T‑shirt, the clean line of a stool, the slight dryness in a voice that has already answered a thousand questions and somehow finds a fresh lane. There will be those who see branded series as polish applied to an already gleaming edifice. Fair. But culture is often carried by the work that refrains as much as it reveals. At the Speed of Dreams is not loud and it does not overreach. It keeps the frame tight and lets a sentence do the work. In a social feed crowded with cuts and color, black and white feels almost radical. For the industry, the message is clear. The leading luxury group is building a library, not a billboard. Original content is now a core competency, and the execution here signals a preference for tone over volume. For a reader who values the considered life, the takeaway is practical. Ambition without a structure is noise. Speed without purpose is drift. The ritual matters as much as the result, whether you are chasing a personal best or simply trying to sharpen your week. As Monza turns up the volume, LVMH turns it down, and the contrast flatters both. If the rest of the series holds this line, expect more portraits that leave space for thought. The camera lingers, the room is quiet, and a simple truth sits plainly on the table. Excellence rarely announces itself. It arrives in focus, under soft light, and gets back to work. Read more insights here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/at-the-speed-of-dreams-lvmhs-study-of-excellence-arrives-before-monza — Citation: "At the Speed of Dreams: LVMH’s Study of Excellence Arrives Before Monza" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-26. https://menwith.com/at-the-speed-of-dreams-lvmhs-study-of-excellence-arrives-before-monza --- ## TCS World Travel: Around the World in Style - URL: https://menwith.com/tcs-world-travel-around-the-world-in-style - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-08-25 - Tags: Around the world, Menwithclass, TCS World Travel **Summary:** TCS World Travel offers a bespoke private jet expedition, circling the globe in unparalleled comfort and style. This luxury itinerary includes curated stops at iconic destinations like Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and the Taj Mahal, ensuring a seamless and transformative journey. The TCS World Travel “Around the World” itinerary belongs to the latter – an invitation to circle the globe in comfort, elegance, and extraordinary detail. Travel has always been more than moving from one place to another. At its best, it becomes a statement of curiosity, taste, and ambition. TCS World Travel has refined this philosophy into a seamless experience: a private jet expedition that takes you across continents with the ease of a single, carefully crafted journey. Their Around the World package is less a trip and more a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey, built for those who value both discovery and distinction. The experience begins in Miami, Florida, where anticipation builds before the journey takes flight aboard a customized private jet, designed not for the masses, but for intimacy and comfort. Every seat is a spacious leather recliner, every detail considered to make the hours in the air as enjoyable as the destinations themselves. With a dedicated crew, an onboard chef, and travel experts guiding each step, the flight becomes more than transportation – it is the first chapter of an unfolding story.an transportation – it is the first chapter of an unfolding story. Over the course of several weeks, guests are carried to some of the most iconic places on earth: exploring the ancient streets of Cusco and the legendary heights of Machu Picchu in Peru, finding serenity in the turquoise lagoons of Papeete, Tahiti, and walking among the timeless stones of Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The journey then sweeps into India, where the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal offers a moment of reflection, before moving on to the endless plains of the Maasai Mara in Kenya, where wildlife roams freely against golden horizons. From there, it’s the ancient pulse of Cairo, Egypt, with its pyramids and temples, before a grand finale in Marrakech, Morocco, where vibrant souks and Moorish architecture close the journey in a flourish of color and culture. What makes the Around the World itinerary remarkable is the rhythm it creates. There is no stress of airports, no waiting in endless lines, no navigating complex connections. Instead, the world unfolds effortlessly. Each transition is smooth, each detail handled. The result is a rare freedom: the ability to focus entirely on the places, the people, and the memories being made. This is travel as it was always meant to be, transformative, seamless, unforgettable. The TCS World Travel “Around the World” package is not for those who simply wish to see new places. It is for those who want to collect moments, craft stories, and return home changed by the journey. For the modern explorer, it is perhaps the ultimate luxury: the world itself, delivered with elegance and intention. So, if you happen to have $150,000 set aside, there are few better ways to invest it – book the trip, and let the world unfold. More about travel you will find here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tcs-world-travel-around-the-world-in-style — Citation: "TCS World Travel: Around the World in Style" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-25. https://menwith.com/tcs-world-travel-around-the-world-in-style --- ## The Yacht "Al Reem" Takes the Aegean - URL: https://menwith.com/the-yacht-8220al-reem8221-takes-the-aegean - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-25 - Tags: Al reem, Bilgin, Yacht **Summary:** The 80-meter yacht "Al Reem" makes its Aegean debut, showcasing Bilgin's refined design language. Its distinctive two-tone hull and functional terraces highlight Turkey's growing prowess in luxury yacht building. August in Bodrum has its own rhythm. Heat hangs over the pine hills, the water turns a clear, electric turquoise, and every yacht arrival is judged by the way it holds the light. Into this theatre comes Al Reem, launched earlier this year and now cutting a metallic grey-and-white line through the bays of the Turkish Riviera. The profile is purposeful. A bold two-tone hull and superstructure, a sweeping teak foredeck that reads as warm as it looks, and extended aft terraces that lean into life outdoors. Al Reem rides low and poised, the sun sliding across her metallic paint while the teak glows honeyed against the blue. It is a simple combination used to smart effect. The long foredeck sketches a clean horizon, the terraced aft steps signal a generous approach to open-air decks, and the overall silhouette feels sleek and full rather than fussy. Bodrum’s crystal anchorages flatter this type of boat. The water is glassy enough to reflect the hull, and you can almost hear the soft slap of wake on rock as she eases into coves. The yacht appears most at home in motion. The camera catches her underway, not posed head-on, which lets you read the proportions properly. The terraces are set up to draw the eye down and back to the sea, which is where a boat in the Aegean ought to invite you to live. Al Reem is the third and final yacht in Bilgin’s acclaimed 80 metre trilogy. A trilogy suggests intent rather than accident. Over three builds, a shipyard tests and refines a language, and here the language has settled into clarity. The grey-and-white scheme is a deliberate break from pure white convention. It reads more automotive than nautical at first glance, which is a risk if the forms beneath are weak. They are not. In Mediterranean light the darker hull creates depth and scale, and the white superstructure keeps the mass from feeling heavy. The Aegean debut matters. Turkey is no longer the upstart in large-yacht building, it is a confident heavyweight, and Bilgin’s 80 metre trilogy has been a keystone in that rise. Delivering three distinctive sisters on a common platform signals maturity, process, and appetite. The name Al Reem, with its Middle Eastern resonance, hints at where much of the demand is coming from, owners who split seasons between the Turkish Riviera, the Dodecanese, and the Red Sea. Bodrum is the perfect stage, a crossroads where local pride and global taste meet over iced coffee and the soft thrum of shore power. What you do not see is as telling as what you do. No gimmicks shouting for attention. No gratuitous edges. Just volume handled cleanly, terraces that make sense, and a hull colour that rewards the eye when the sun drops and the water darkens. On a summer evening in Bodrum, when the cicadas start and the breeze lifts off the headlands, that restraint reads as taste rather than caution. Al Reem’s Aegean debut closes a chapter for Bilgin and opens a season for everyone paying attention to where the real energy in yachting is coming from. The yacht looks right in Turkish water and expect to see more images as she works the coast. For now, the early view is clear. This is a confident Turkish line drawn across a very blue page. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-yacht-8220al-reem8221-takes-the-aegean — Citation: "The Yacht "Al Reem" Takes the Aegean" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-25. https://menwith.com/the-yacht-8220al-reem8221-takes-the-aegean --- ## The Yacht “Al Reem” Takes the Aegean - URL: https://menwith.com/the-yacht-al-reem-takes-the-aegean - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-25 - Tags: Al reem, Bilgin, Yacht **Summary:** The 80-meter yacht "Al Reem" makes its Aegean debut in Bodrum, showcasing Bilgin Yachts' refined design language. Its metallic grey-and-white hull and expansive terraces highlight Turkey's growing prominence in luxury yacht building. August in Bodrum has its own rhythm. Heat hangs over the pine hills, the water turns a clear, electric turquoise, and every yacht arrival is judged by the way it holds the light. Into this theatre comes Al Reem, launched earlier this year and now cutting a metallic grey-and-white line through the bays of the Turkish Riviera. The profile is purposeful. A bold two-tone hull and superstructure, a sweeping teak foredeck that reads as warm as it looks, and extended aft terraces that lean into life outdoors. Al Reem rides low and poised, the sun sliding across her metallic paint while the teak glows honeyed against the blue. It is a simple combination used to smart effect. The long foredeck sketches a clean horizon, the terraced aft steps signal a generous approach to open-air decks, and the overall silhouette feels sleek and full rather than fussy. Bodrum’s crystal anchorages flatter this type of boat. The water is glassy enough to reflect the hull, and you can almost hear the soft slap of wake on rock as she eases into coves. The yacht appears most at home in motion. The camera catches her underway, not posed head-on, which lets you read the proportions properly. The terraces are set up to draw the eye down and back to the sea, which is where a boat in the Aegean ought to invite you to live. Al Reem is the third and final yacht in Bilgin’s acclaimed 80 metre trilogy. A trilogy suggests intent rather than accident. Over three builds, a shipyard tests and refines a language, and here the language has settled into clarity. The grey-and-white scheme is a deliberate break from pure white convention. It reads more automotive than nautical at first glance, which is a risk if the forms beneath are weak. They are not. In Mediterranean light the darker hull creates depth and scale, and the white superstructure keeps the mass from feeling heavy. The Aegean debut matters. Turkey is no longer the upstart in large-yacht building, it is a confident heavyweight, and Bilgin’s 80 metre trilogy has been a keystone in that rise. Delivering three distinctive sisters on a common platform signals maturity, process, and appetite. The name Al Reem, with its Middle Eastern resonance, hints at where much of the demand is coming from, owners who split seasons between the Turkish Riviera, the Dodecanese, and the Red Sea. Bodrum is the perfect stage, a crossroads where local pride and global taste meet over iced coffee and the soft thrum of shore power. What you do not see is as telling as what you do. No gimmicks shouting for attention. No gratuitous edges. Just volume handled cleanly, terraces that make sense, and a hull colour that rewards the eye when the sun drops and the water darkens. On a summer evening in Bodrum, when the cicadas start and the breeze lifts off the headlands, that restraint reads as taste rather than caution. Al Reem’s Aegean debut closes a chapter for Bilgin and opens a season for everyone paying attention to where the real energy in yachting is coming from. The yacht looks right in Turkish water and expect to see more images as she works the coast. For now, the early view is clear. This is a confident Turkish line drawn across a very blue page. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-yacht-al-reem-takes-the-aegean — Citation: "The Yacht “Al Reem” Takes the Aegean" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-25. https://menwith.com/the-yacht-al-reem-takes-the-aegean --- ## The Shelby Super Snake-R: Power With Presence - URL: https://menwith.com/the-shelby-super-snake-r-power-with-presence - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-25 - Tags: Menwith, Menwithclass, Motor, Shelby, Shelby Super Snake-R **Summary:** The Shelby Super Snake-R redefines American muscle with over 850 hp from a supercharged V8. This limited-edition Mustang Dark Horse elevates performance and exclusivity, making it a statement piece for discerning collectors. There are cars that move you, and there are cars that define you. The Shelby Super Snake-R belongs firmly in the latter category – an icon reborn with more power, more presence, and a level of exclusivity that places it among the world’s most desirable machines. The Shelby name has always carried a weight few others can match. It is a name woven into the history of speed and American muscle, but also one that speaks to ambition and individuality. With the arrival of the Super Snake-R, Shelby American has taken the Mustang Dark Horse and elevated it into something rare and commanding. This is not just a performance car. It is a statement, crafted for those who understand that confidence is best expressed through precision and presence. Every line of the Super Snake-R is purposeful. The broad shoulders, the forged magnesium wheels, the carbon-fiber details, it all combines into a design that demands attention without ever straying into excess. Step closer, and the details reveal the craftsmanship behind the aggression. This is power made elegant, a machine that commands respect whether it’s parked outside a private members’ club or leaning into a curve on the open road. At its core beats a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 producing more than 850 horsepower. Numbers, however, only tell half the story. The true magic lies in the immediacy of its response, the raw emotion in its soundtrack, and the clarity of control that comes from Shelby’s engineering. Behind the wheel, the Super Snake-R is more than transport – it is an experience of focus, connection, and power. Exclusivity elevates its appeal even further. With a price tag around $225,000 and production kept extremely limited, the Super Snake-R is as much a collector’s piece as it is a driver’s car. It is designed not for the many, but for the few who seek out rarity and understand the value of legacy. The Super Snake-R does not simply continue Shelby’s story, it reimagines it. For the man who chooses this car, it is not about blending into the crowd, but about living with intent, style, and confidence. It is muscle transformed into modern luxury, and a reminder that some legends are not just remembered – they are reborn. Want to read more about cars: click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-shelby-super-snake-r-power-with-presence — Citation: "The Shelby Super Snake-R: Power With Presence" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-25. https://menwith.com/the-shelby-super-snake-r-power-with-presence --- ## The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore Finds Warmth in New York’s Cold - URL: https://menwith.com/the-north-face-x-aim-leon-dore-finds-warmth-in-new-yorks-cold - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-08-23 - Tags: Aimé Leon Dore, fashion, Menwithclass, Menwithstreetstyle, The North Face, The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore **Summary:** The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore collaboration blends NYC grit with alpine function. Featuring a wool Nuptse and a waterproof Firefighter Jacket, it reimagines outdoor gear for urban wear. The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore – A refined outdoors capsule from two New York favorites, balancing tactile luxury with field-minded function, lands September 19. The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore Reimagined for the City The North Face and Aimé Leon Dore meet where city grit brushes up against alpine logic. The result is a collection that reads as urban uniform first and expedition kit second, without losing sight of why these pieces mattered in the first place. Visually, the story is texture and restraint. The headline is a Nuptse Jacket cut in Casentino wool. The fabric’s looped surface has a quiet hum to it, and here it is treated with a ratinatura finish for warmth and water resistance. The familiar baffles get a tactile upgrade, paired with a matching hat that turns the silhouette into a full statement. The Denali Jacket follows in all-nylon and is designed as a windproof suit, also matched with a hat. It keeps the line clean and the hand slick, a commuter’s shield with heritage lines. The wild card is a Firefighter Jacket rendered with three-layer waterproof technology. It borrows practical cues from both the North Face Mountain Jacket and the Base Camp Duffel. Think D-rings at the sleeves for clipping, and ballistic nylon overlays where abrasion usually wins. It reads like street kit, sounds like gear when the hardware clinks, and slots into a city that often feels like it’s moving at emergency pace. Accessories drop in on both sides of the spectrum. The Nylon Borealis Backpack leans classic TNF, while a Leather North Dome Rope Bag pulls climbing culture into a dressier register. On foot, the Verto Alpine Shoes arrive in leather. The silhouette is known for performance, and leather shifts its mood toward daily wear without erasing its intent. Aimé Leon Dore has built its universe on New York storytelling, with an eye for how classic sportswear, café tailoring, and neighborhood memory can sit at the same table. This project filters The North Face’s archive through that lens. The materials choices are assertive but not loud. The references are specific but never costume. Even the firefighter nod lands as lived-in rather than novelty, a salute to a city icon that doubles as a technical brief. Culturally, the collaboration slots into an already busy corridor where outdoor labels and fashion heavyweights exchange ideas. The North Face has done this dance with Gucci, Supreme, and Junya Watanabe. ALD understands how to translate function into lifestyle without sanding off the details that make purists care. That is why this pairing feels inevitable. It is also why the line avoids parody and finds utility in polish. In the market, expect a clean split in reactions. Performance traditionalists will question wool on a Nuptse, even with ratinatura, and side-eye leather on an alpine shoe. City wearers will appreciate the warmth, the hand feel, and the way these pieces collapse the gap between commute and weekend. Collectors will note the hardware and overlays on the Firefighter Jacket. Everyone will note that distribution is selective. The capsule releases September 19 at Aimé Leon Dore’s site and New York and London stores, and at The North Face locations in Asia. There is a small point of housekeeping worth clarifying. The collaboration spans a wider sixteen-piece lineup, while six hero items anchor the narrative: the Nuptse and Denali sets, the Firefighter Jacket, the Nylon Borealis Backpack, the Leather North Dome Rope Bag, and the Verto Alpine Shoes. The balance is what counts. The fabrics and finishes carry the ALD mood. The structures remain TNF. The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore does not reinvent the cold-weather wheel. It gives familiar shapes new surfaces and puts New York’s winter on notice. The drop hits September 19. The season will take care of the rest. More about fashion – Click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-north-face-x-aim-leon-dore-finds-warmth-in-new-yorks-cold — Citation: "The North Face x Aimé Leon Dore Finds Warmth in New York’s Cold" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-23. https://menwith.com/the-north-face-x-aim-leon-dore-finds-warmth-in-new-yorks-cold --- ## Giorgio Armani Gives Juventus a Quiet Power Suit - URL: https://menwith.com/giorgio-armani-gives-juventus-a-quiet-power-suit - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Style - Published: 2025-08-22 - Tags: Armani, Football, Juventus **Summary:** Giorgio Armani outfits Juventus in quiet power suits, blending deconstructed jackets with relaxed trousers in signature midnight blue. The collection emphasizes premium fabrics and fluid lines for elite football life. Juventus is getting dressed for the walk between the pitch and the city. Armani’s new formal uniforms land in the house’s signature midnight blue, cut as hybrid suits with fully deconstructed jackets and relaxed trousers. There is a softness to the toolkit. Crêpe and water repellent cashmere for suits. Overshirts that sit where blazers once dominated. Viscose polos and tees under tailoring for travel days and mixed zones. For more ceremonial moments, the uniform sharpens to a white shirt and a jacquard logo tie, a small glint of texture against the blue. The clothes are built to breathe and flex. Light wool T-shirts, polos and rollnecks keep weight down. The jackets fall clean rather than stiff, the trousers break with ease over dress shoes or pared back sneakers. It is Armani’s playbook applied to football: fluid lines, quiet finishes, premium fabrics that do not need to shout. The palette stays disciplined, which feels intentional for a club that often lets its black and white identity speak for itself on the pitch. Armani’s relationship with the game is not new. The house first stepped into football in 1994, then dressed Italy’s national team for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. It now follows Loro Piana, which supplied Juventus formalwear in the 2022–23 season. The baton passes between Italian institutions, each with a different idea of ease and polish. Armani favors effortlessness that photographs well but travels better. If the tunnel has become football’s runway, luxury has rushed to tailor it. PSG partnered with Dior. Barcelona turned to Thom Browne for travel wear. AC Milan linked with Off-White for a street-inclined take. Juventus choosing Armani reads like a vote for classicism with contemporary comfort. The question is not whether players will wear suits, it is how those suits move around cameras, buses, hotel lobbies and press rooms, and what story they tell about the club’s posture. There is an undercurrent here. Some supporters want visible club iconography in their off-pitch gear. Armani offers restraint instead, a uniform that whispers La Vecchia Signora rather than prints it. The midnight blue, a house code, deviates from the black and white stripes yet keeps Juventus in an Italian fashion lineage that prizes nuance over noise. For players, the payoff is in the drape. For stylists, the palette is a gift. For fans, it will divide those who chase statement tunnel fits and those who admire tailoring that clears security without wrinkling. Timing matters too. Armani will stage two Emporio Armani shows on September 25, then mark its 50th anniversary on September 28 with an evening runway at Palazzo Brera during Milan Fashion Week. The Juventus announcement slots neatly into a month when global attention is already on Italian style and its evolving codes. As these uniforms roll out across national and European fixtures over two seasons, expect the images to become part of Juventus’ visual history. The suits are built less for the red carpet than for the rhythm of elite football life, where the soundtrack is wheels on marble floors and the flash of a camera at 5 a.m. The measure of success will not be a viral moment. It will be the unbothered line of a jacket that still looks right after a long-haul flight and a crucial away win. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/giorgio-armani-gives-juventus-a-quiet-power-suit — Citation: "Giorgio Armani Gives Juventus a Quiet Power Suit" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-22. https://menwith.com/giorgio-armani-gives-juventus-a-quiet-power-suit --- ## Rolls-Royce Phantom: the sound of silence behind a century of music - URL: https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-phantom-the-sound-of-silence-behind-a-century-of-music - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-22 - Tags: Culture, Phantom, Rolls-Royce **Summary:** The Rolls-Royce Phantom, a century-old icon, remains the ultimate choice for musicians and cultural figures, offering unparalleled silence and a curated cabin for creative pursuits. A century in, Phantom remains the ultimate backstage pass. It has ferried Marlene Dietrich to set, soaked up Elvis’s late-night inspiration, wore John Lennon’s rebellion in psychedelic paint and glittered under Liberace’s spotlights. That cultural gravity is not nostalgia. From Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot to the recurring “stars in the roof” lyric, Phantom still positions itself as the icon that icons choose. Presence is Phantom’s first instrument. The Pantheon grille and polished plane of bonnet are as much a proscenium arch as they are design elements. The proportions are stately but uncluttered, with just enough sculpture in the flanks to catch light like a stage gel. It can also be a polarising sight. In an age of stealth wealth, Phantom opts for overt theatre. The paint can be restrained or riotous, and history shows the extremes are part of the story. Lennon’s yellow, hand-painted Phantom V scandalised Piccadilly. Liberace’s mirrored Phantom V turned arrival into performance. Today, the modern car’s “Gallery” across the dashboard invites owners to curate art behind glass. Phantom is not just a canvas, it is a frame. Close the coach door and the temperature drops a few degrees, as if someone shut a studio door. That hush is the brand’s real luxury. Thick carpet, leathers like a well-worn jacket and that famous Starlight Headliner make the cabin feel curated rather than trimmed. Rear seats are for conversations that matter. Historically, musicians have treated Phantoms like rolling green rooms, from Elvis’s in-car microphone and writing pad to Lennon’s turntable and TV. The current car leans into that spirit with near-silent isolation and bespoke audio tuned to the owner, whether your reference is Abbey Road or Atlanta Phantom is not built to be quick, it is built to be calm. The twin-turbo V12 turns torque into glide, wafting away from junctions with a clean, unhurried push. Steering is light and patient, rear steer helps it pivot more neatly than its size suggests, and the ride feels like a fader gently pulled down on the outside world. It is a visceral experience precisely because it removes sensation. You hear less, you feel less, you arrive collected. In an era of lap times, that restraint is a kind of decadence. The flipside is obvious. A V12 that quiet is still a V12. Efficiency figures are museum-piece numbers, and some will find the spectacle out of step with the mood music of sustainability. Phantom’s most enduring trait is its talent for being relevant to whatever the zeitgeist demands. In the 1930s it was the Hollywood limousine. In the 60s it became a rebuke to tradition, painted loud by artists who wanted to be seen on their own terms. In the 2000s it reemerged from Goodwood and found its way into hip-hop’s visual and lyrical language, becoming the name-check of choice and making the Starlight Headliner a poetic shorthand for success. Rolls-Royce knows this and has a sense of humor about it. To honour the Keith Moon pool myth, the company recently parked a retired Phantom body in a seaside lido for a photo, acknowledging that legends sometimes need a nudge toward reality. A century on, Phantom still makes its presence felt without raising its voice. It remains the car that turns a journey into an entrance and a cabin into a calm, creative headspace. You can question its scale and its appetite, but you cannot deny its clarity of purpose. The world’s most famous musicians did not buy Phantoms to drive faster or farther. They bought them to be more themselves. That is the car’s enduring magic, and why the guest list keeps renewing while the soundtrack changes. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-phantom-the-sound-of-silence-behind-a-century-of-music — Citation: "Rolls-Royce Phantom: the sound of silence behind a century of music" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-22. https://menwith.com/rolls-royce-phantom-the-sound-of-silence-behind-a-century-of-music --- ## The Men Behind the Tuxedo: Six Decades of James Bond - URL: https://menwith.com/the-men-behind-the-tuxedo-six-decades-of-james-bond - Author: Kenny Jonson - Published: 2025-08-21 - Tags: James Bond, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, 007 **Summary:** Six actors have embodied James Bond over six decades, each redefining the iconic spy's style and persona. From Connery's charm to Craig's intensity, the legacy endures through tailored tuxedos and Aston Martins. For over six decades, James Bond has been more than a secret agent – he has been a style icon, a cultural phenomenon, and the embodiment of sophistication under pressure. From the cool confidence of Sean Connery to the raw intensity of Daniel Craig, six actors have carried the weight of the tuxedo, each reshaping 007 for their time. The result is not just a film franchise, but a legacy unlike any other. It began in 1962, when Sean Connery introduced the world to Bond in Dr. No. With effortless charm and steely composure, Connery defined the blueprint: a man as comfortable in a casino as he was dismantling a villain’s lair. In 1969 came George Lazenby, stepping into the role for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Though his tenure was brief, his Bond revealed a vulnerability and romantic depth that few had dared to explore. Then arrived Roger Moore, whose era from 1973 to 1985 brought wit, elegance, and a lighter touch. With seven films, he became the Bond of refinement and style, his eyebrow-raise as iconic as his Walther PPK. The late ’80s called for something darker, and Timothy Dalton answered. His two films portrayed a Bond truer to Ian Fleming’s novels – serious, intense, and unafraid of moral shadows. In the 1990s, Pierce Brosnan delivered a Bond that was sleek, modern, and global. Beginning with GoldenEye, his four films blended sophistication with spectacle, relaunching the franchise into a new millennium. And finally, in 2006, Daniel Craig redefined Bond with raw physicality and emotional depth. From Casino Royale to No Time to Die, his portrayal stripped the character down, rebuilding him for a contemporary world while never losing that unmistakable air of danger. Six Bonds, One Legacy Together, these six men crafted not only a character, but an institution. Each era of Bond reflects its time, yet the constants remain: the tailored tuxedo, the gleam of an Aston Martin, the martini – shaken, never stirred – and the unmistakable allure of a man who is always in control, even on the edge of chaos. Bond is not simply watched – he is experienced. He is the epitome of cinematic luxury: the fusion of danger and elegance, grit and glamour. James Bond is more than a character, he is an icon of cinema and style, a symbol of timeless masculinity reimagined through the decades. Six actors, twenty-five films, one unbroken thread of allure and danger. The tuxedo changes shoulders, but the legend remains. The only question is: Who is your Bond? Want to discover more articles? – Click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-men-behind-the-tuxedo-six-decades-of-james-bond — Citation: "The Men Behind the Tuxedo: Six Decades of James Bond" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-21. https://menwith.com/the-men-behind-the-tuxedo-six-decades-of-james-bond --- ## Tiffany Puts Silver Service on Center Court at the U.S. Open - URL: https://menwith.com/tiffany-puts-silver-service-on-center-court-at-the-us-open - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-08-21 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Tiffany & Co. showcases its trophy craftsmanship at the U.S. Open, blending heritage silversmithing with modern experiences like AI visualization and diamond-encrusted tennis accessories. The U.S. Open has long been a proving ground for tennis and for the brands that orbit it. This year, Tiffany & Co. returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for a third consecutive run, installing an immersive pop-up in the Fountain Plaza that makes a clear case for old-world craft in a hyper-activated sports environment. The air hums with the low roar of day-session crowds while polished silver throws back the late-summer light. At the heart of the space are the Men’s and Women’s Singles Championship trophies, produced by the silversmiths at Tiffany’s hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The cups stand roughly 18 inches tall, weigh nearly nine pounds, and read as classic American trophy design: confident profiles, crisp handles, mirror-finish surfaces. They are realized through techniques that predate professional tennis itself, including spinning, silversmithing, chasing, hand-engraving, and meticulous polishing. Each trophy takes about six months to complete, with 66 hours of handwork attending every curve and letterform. Up close you see the sharpness of the engraving, the way the light pools in the belly of the bowl, the slight whisper of cloth on silver as staff make final touch-ups. Tiffany’s relationship with sport is not a recent flirtation. The house began trophy-making in the 19th century with the Woodlawn Vase for the Preakness Stakes in 1860, then spent the next century and a half shaping American victory into silver form. Its workshop is behind the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the Super Bowl, the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the NBA Finals, silverware for the PGA Tour, and the hardware for the Miami Grand Prix. The brand also stepped into digital-native territory with the Summoner’s Cup for the League of Legends World Championship in 2022, and even collaborated with MSCHF on a puckish “Ultimate Participation Award.” Today, the tally sits at about 65 trophies a year, including the pair that will cap the Open. The pop-up does not stop at heritage. A one-of-one tennis racket, inspired by Tiffany HardWear, is set with nearly 5 carats of diamonds, its metallic geometry catching the plaza’s sunlight like sequins on a stage. Beside it sits a 24-karat gold vermeil tennis ball, its seams lined with almost 7 carats of stones. The effect is theatrical, a glittering wink at a sport that has leaned into fashion and jewelry with increasing comfort. You would not take it to the practice courts, but you might remember it long after the final tie-break. There is also an A.I. experience built with Meta that invites visitors to visualize themselves as center court contenders and leave with a digital takeaway. It is an obvious piece of brand theater, though a smart one, blending the selfie economy with a heritage story. The cool glow of the screen and the click of the camera give way to the very analog presence of the trophies a few steps away. That juxtaposition feels intentional. Tiffany wants you to connect the romance of hand-finished metal with the realities of how we consume culture now. The larger point is not subtle. Luxury has become an experiential sport, and the best players know how to stage their history where audiences are already assembled. Tiffany’s Open presence underscores how American trophy design has shaped the visual language of winning, and how a house known for engagement rings and Fifth Avenue displays also defines what excellence looks like when the cameras cut to the podium. If the diamond racket is the conversation starter, the silverware is the substance. For those heading to Queens, the Open runs through September 7, and the Tiffany space is live for the duration. Even if you are there for the upstart forehands and night-session drama, spend a quiet minute with the cups. The surface is flawless, the engraving firm, the weight unmistakable. In a tournament built on pressure and precision, that feels perfectly on message. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tiffany-puts-silver-service-on-center-court-at-the-us-open — Citation: "Tiffany Puts Silver Service on Center Court at the U.S. Open" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-21. https://menwith.com/tiffany-puts-silver-service-on-center-court-at-the-us-open --- ## Europe’s Hypersonic Space Plane Wants to Shrink the Atlantic to an Hour - URL: https://menwith.com/europes-hypersonic-space-plane-wants-to-shrink-the-atlantic-to-an-hour - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-08-21 - Tags: Tech **Summary:** Europe's Invictus space plane aims for Mach 5, cutting London-NYC travel to an hour using SABRE engine tech. Aims for a 2031 working aircraft. For a decade after the Space Shuttle bowed out, space planes felt like museum pieces. Now they are back in the conversation. The European Space Agency has funded Invictus, a hypersonic space plane concept led by U.K. engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash that targets Mach 5 and a London to New York hop in roughly 60 minutes. The brief is crisp: deliver a viable concept inside 12 months, then a working aircraft by 2031. The design draws on technology with unusually strong roots. Invictus plans to use the pre-cooler from SABRE, the air-breathing rocket engine developed by Reaction Engines, the British firm behind Skylon and, before that, the HOTOL concept. Reaction Engines closed last year, but its core idea remains compelling. By chilling incoming air in a fraction of a second, the pre-cooler lets an engine ingest hypersonic flow that would otherwise be too hot to handle. Picture a frost-laced heat exchanger swallowing air that arrives scorching from shock heating, the temperature plummeting before combustion even begins. That detail matters because it changes the mass equation. At lower altitudes the engine can pull oxygen from the air, which reduces the need to carry oxidizer. Higher up, the aircraft switches to liquid hydrogen. The result is a lighter vehicle with fewer compromises between airplane and rocket. This hybrid profile is why the team can talk about runway departures and orbital potential in the same breath, and why the promises around point-to-point travel do not sound like wishcasting. The physics is unforgiving, yet the enabling component has already been demonstrated on conventional jet engines. If you have lost track of space planes, you are not alone. The field has been a patchwork of military testbeds and ambitious startups. The U.S. Air Force’s robotic X-37B continues to circle quietly. China has flown a similar vehicle known as Shelong. On the civil side, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, Radian Aerospace’s concept and Dawn Aerospace’s Aurora have kept the category alive, while Virgin Galactic’s Delta-class vehicle remains in the queue. ESA’s move shifts the center of gravity. It is a public program with a specific schedule, a defined architecture and the credibility that comes from inheriting a rare piece of proven hypersonic hardware. What would it feel like for the traveler if Invictus gets there? The experience will be more capsule than cabin, at least in the early years. Expect sparse interiors, high strap-in moments and views where the blue fades to indigo as the aircraft climbs into thin air. On the ground, the appeal is obvious. Breakfast in Mayfair, a late morning meeting in Midtown, the sort of day that currently requires an overnight and a tolerance for stale air and cabin grime. At Mach 5, the soundtrack changes to a contained hiss and the distant rumble of systems working hard, not the usual turbofan thrum. There are caveats. Materials and thermal protection need to survive repeated shock heating. Hydrogen supply and handling on an airport ramp is an infrastructure puzzle, even as the fuel’s emissions profile looks promising at the point of use. Certification frameworks for vehicles that operate like both aircraft and rockets are still being written. Overland sonic boom restrictions remain a political and acoustic issue, even if much of the flight profile takes place at very high altitude or over water. None of this is disqualifying, but it is the difference between an artist’s rendering and a timetable. The larger cultural note is this. Supersonic business travel has long been the default fantasy for modern men who value time more than almost anything. Invictus reframes that wish through a European lens and a cooler engineering narrative. It is not chasing Instagram glamour. It is trying to make a hard problem tractable with an elegant piece of kit that chills air so quickly it feels like sleight of hand. If Frazer-Nash and ESA hit their interim target next year and keep the 2031 horizon in sight, the transatlantic will be more than a corridor. It will be a sprint. That is not hype. It is a clear statement of intent built on hardware that already does the most difficult thing in hypersonics, turning burning wind into something an engine can drink. Read more news here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/europes-hypersonic-space-plane-wants-to-shrink-the-atlantic-to-an-hour — Citation: "Europe’s Hypersonic Space Plane Wants to Shrink the Atlantic to an Hour" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-21. https://menwith.com/europes-hypersonic-space-plane-wants-to-shrink-the-atlantic-to-an-hour --- ## Ford GT Mk IV: The Final Symphony of an Icon - URL: https://menwith.com/ford-gt-mk-iv-the-final-symphony-of-an-icon - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-21 - Tags: Ford, Ford GT Mk IV, Menwithclass, Motor, Motors **Summary:** The Ford GT Mk IV, a track-only masterpiece, concludes its production run with 67 hand-built units. This V6-powered icon boasts over 820 hp and advanced aerodynamics, offering an unparalleled driving experience. With the third – and last – wave of production now set in motion, the Ford GT Mk IV prepares to bow out in the most spectacular of finales. Hand-built in just 67 examples, this track-only masterpiece embodies the essence of performance unchained, a living tribute to Ford’s immortal Le Mans legacy. The Ford GT Mk IV: A Legend Reborn The Ford GT has always existed at the intersection of heritage and innovation. From the thunder of the GT40 at Le Mans in 1967 to the rebirth of the modern GT in carbon and turbocharged ferocity, the nameplate has carried more than just speed, it has carried pride, passion, and myth. Now, in the GT Mk IV, Ford Performance and Multimatic deliver the ultimate expression of this legend, unshackled from road regulations, devoted only to the art of velocity. The GT Mk IV is not a car; it is sculpture in motion. Its long-tail silhouette, chiseled from carbon fiber, stretches like a shadow of pure intent. Every line whispers of aerodynamics, every surface taut with purpose. Beneath this skin lies a heart that beats with over 820 horsepower, a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 tuned by Roush-Yates to a pitch beyond even the Le Mans-winning machines it honors. Coupled with a bespoke six-speed paddle-shift transmission and advanced adaptive suspension, the Mk IV transcends performance, allowing its driver to bend physics to will. On the track, its presence is overwhelming. At 150 miles per hour, the Mk IV presses itself into the tarmac with more than 2,400 pounds of downforce, cornering at forces exceeding three g. It is a car that turns even seasoned racers into wide-eyed disciples of speed, and gives enthusiasts a chance to experience lap times once reserved for professionals. This is not simply an evolution of the GT – it is its final ascension. Yet Ford has ensured the Mk IV is more than just a mechanical marvel. Each of the 67 examples is part of a deeply personal journey, enveloped in the Multimatic On Track program. Owners are not merely handed the keys; they are ushered into an elite circle. Factory-supported track days, one-on-one coaching, and direct guidance from development drivers transform ownership into an immersive narrative – an experience where car, driver, and heritage unite in symphony. As the last wave of production begins, the GT Mk IV becomes both a celebration and a farewell. It is the closing note of a saga that began in rivalry and triumph, now ending in artistry and freedom. Like the 1967 GT40 Mk IV it pays homage to, this final edition is destined to be more than a machine; it is a legend, crystallized in carbon, born for speed, and bound for eternity. Read more about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ford-gt-mk-iv-the-final-symphony-of-an-icon — Citation: "Ford GT Mk IV: The Final Symphony of an Icon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-21. https://menwith.com/ford-gt-mk-iv-the-final-symphony-of-an-icon --- ## A look inside the €199 Million Yacht: “Energy” - URL: https://menwith.com/a-look-inside-the-199-million-yacht-energy - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-20 - Tags: Travel **Summary:** The €199 million Amels yacht 'Energy' redefines luxury, blending residential comfort with advanced infrastructure. It prioritizes functionality, wellness, and private routine over mere status. The Monaco Yacht Show is still the industry’s most effective mirror. It reflects the changing rituals of the global elite as clearly as it showcases metal and paint. This year, a 255-foot Dutch build named Energy will do both. Listed with Fraser for €199 million, the 2022 Amels is a study in how top-tier yachts have evolved from status objects into self-contained private infrastructure. Exterior lines by Espen Øino are purposeful rather than theatrical, prioritizing a literal connection to the water. The top deck is open, the beach club at the stern breathes, and a helipad converts into a lounge rather than sitting idle. Wide side decks serve as private guest balconies, a small but telling luxury when the breeze comes off the bay and the teak warms underfoot. At 2,885 gross tons, Energy delivers the internal volume of many 295-footers without chasing length for its own sake. Inside, Francois Zuretti’s scheme is measured and residential. Fourteen guests and 27 crew have proper space, linked by an elevator across all decks. The owner’s domain sits up high, fully dedicated, with an epic suite and a private foredeck that combines a Jacuzzi, loungers, and a marble fire pit. The contrast is tactile: cool stone under the palm, salt air, and a soft crackle of flame while the horizon drops away. On the bridge deck, a music lounge with a Steinway baby grand faces a marble-topped bar and opens to an alfresco terrace. Notes hang in the air over glass, not LEDs, and that sets the tone. The main deck has a boardroom-style office and, unusually, a full-size martial arts room. It is the most revealing amenity aboard, a signal that wellness here is about practice and discipline as much as pampering. A formal dining room seats 18 without feeling ceremonial. Below, the wellness center is comprehensive: beauty salon, spa, gym, sauna, hammam, and an extended beach club. Eucalyptus and cedar steam from the hammam while the swim platform sits a few steps away, sun-warmed and ready. Outside, Energy carries one of the largest swimming pools you will find on a 255-foot yacht. A two-tender boat deck and a proper toy store keep the working side efficient, which matters more than most owners admit. Power comes from twin MTU engines for a 17-knot top speed and a 5,000-nautical-mile range. At pace, the wake flattens and the noise drops, which is the point. Provenance matters. Energy was delivered by Damen’s Amels yard in 2022 to Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi, the Ukrainian businessman and former deputy prime minister. The yacht has been lightly used and previously appeared on the market at $215 million with other brokers. Fraser now brings it to Monaco with a clear figure and a clear intent. The show runs September 24 to 27, and Energy will be among the largest and certainly among the most fully resolved offerings on display. Culturally, Energy represents a decisive shift. The modern flagship is no longer a floating salon. It is a complete life, balanced between work, art, training, and recovery. A fire pit on a foredeck, a convertible helipad, a serious office, and a dedicated dojo are not flourishes. They are architecture for a private routine. The volume number is telling. At nearly 3,000 GT on 255 feet, the priority is interior quality and spatial calm, not a headline length. For the market, a €199 million ask for a three-year-old Northern European custom build underlines the resilience of the top of the brokerage tier. Supply of late-model, high-spec, sub-80-meter yachts from pedigree yards remains constrained, and values reflect that. For most readers, the lesson is less about purchase than influence. Expect to see the same design decisions filter down into smaller yachts and even homes: side-deck privacy as balcony, serious music spaces without gadgets, wellness that goes beyond a token sauna. Energy will not be the loudest boat in Port Hercule. It does not need to be. Its appeal is in how it organizes a life at sea without fuss. Quiet power, considered spaces, and a pool that actually invites a swim. In Monaco, that is a stronger statement than another meter of length. Read more news here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-look-inside-the-199-million-yacht-energy — Citation: "A look inside the €199 Million Yacht: “Energy”" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-20. https://menwith.com/a-look-inside-the-199-million-yacht-energy --- ## A look inside the €199 Million Yacht: "Energy" - URL: https://menwith.com/a-look-inside-the-199-million-yacht-8220energy8221 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Yachts - Published: 2025-08-20 - Tags: Travel **Summary:** The €199 million Amels yacht 'Energy' redefines luxury, blending residential comfort with private infrastructure. It prioritizes functionality, wellness, and a balanced life at sea over mere status. The Monaco Yacht Show is still the industry’s most effective mirror. It reflects the changing rituals of the global elite as clearly as it showcases metal and paint. This year, a 255-foot Dutch build named Energy will do both. Listed with Fraser for €199 million, the 2022 Amels is a study in how top-tier yachts have evolved from status objects into self-contained private infrastructure. Exterior lines by Espen Øino are purposeful rather than theatrical, prioritizing a literal connection to the water. The top deck is open, the beach club at the stern breathes, and a helipad converts into a lounge rather than sitting idle. Wide side decks serve as private guest balconies, a small but telling luxury when the breeze comes off the bay and the teak warms underfoot. At 2,885 gross tons, Energy delivers the internal volume of many 295-footers without chasing length for its own sake. Inside, Francois Zuretti’s scheme is measured and residential. Fourteen guests and 27 crew have proper space, linked by an elevator across all decks. The owner’s domain sits up high, fully dedicated, with an epic suite and a private foredeck that combines a Jacuzzi, loungers, and a marble fire pit. The contrast is tactile: cool stone under the palm, salt air, and a soft crackle of flame while the horizon drops away. On the bridge deck, a music lounge with a Steinway baby grand faces a marble-topped bar and opens to an alfresco terrace. Notes hang in the air over glass, not LEDs, and that sets the tone. The main deck has a boardroom-style office and, unusually, a full-size martial arts room. It is the most revealing amenity aboard, a signal that wellness here is about practice and discipline as much as pampering. A formal dining room seats 18 without feeling ceremonial. Below, the wellness center is comprehensive: beauty salon, spa, gym, sauna, hammam, and an extended beach club. Eucalyptus and cedar steam from the hammam while the swim platform sits a few steps away, sun-warmed and ready. Outside, Energy carries one of the largest swimming pools you will find on a 255-foot yacht. A two-tender boat deck and a proper toy store keep the working side efficient, which matters more than most owners admit. Power comes from twin MTU engines for a 17-knot top speed and a 5,000-nautical-mile range. At pace, the wake flattens and the noise drops, which is the point. Provenance matters. Energy was delivered by Damen’s Amels yard in 2022 to Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi, the Ukrainian businessman and former deputy prime minister. The yacht has been lightly used and previously appeared on the market at $215 million with other brokers. Fraser now brings it to Monaco with a clear figure and a clear intent. The show runs September 24 to 27, and Energy will be among the largest and certainly among the most fully resolved offerings on display. Culturally, Energy represents a decisive shift. The modern flagship is no longer a floating salon. It is a complete life, balanced between work, art, training, and recovery. A fire pit on a foredeck, a convertible helipad, a serious office, and a dedicated dojo are not flourishes. They are architecture for a private routine. The volume number is telling. At nearly 3,000 GT on 255 feet, the priority is interior quality and spatial calm, not a headline length. For the market, a €199 million ask for a three-year-old Northern European custom build underlines the resilience of the top of the brokerage tier. Supply of late-model, high-spec, sub-80-meter yachts from pedigree yards remains constrained, and values reflect that. For most readers, the lesson is less about purchase than influence. Expect to see the same design decisions filter down into smaller yachts and even homes: side-deck privacy as balcony, serious music spaces without gadgets, wellness that goes beyond a token sauna. Energy will not be the loudest boat in Port Hercule. It does not need to be. Its appeal is in how it organizes a life at sea without fuss. Quiet power, considered spaces, and a pool that actually invites a swim. In Monaco, that is a stronger statement than another meter of length. Read more news here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-look-inside-the-199-million-yacht-8220energy8221 — Citation: "A look inside the €199 Million Yacht: "Energy"" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-20. https://menwith.com/a-look-inside-the-199-million-yacht-8220energy8221 --- ## Precision on the fairways: OMEGA in Crans-Montana - URL: https://menwith.com/precision-on-the-fairways-omega-in-crans-montana - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-08-20 - Tags: Omega **Summary:** OMEGA's Crans-Montana presence highlights shared values with golf: precision, style, and enduring performance. The brand's timing expertise and classic designs align with the sport's exacting standards. OMEGA’s presence in the resort of Crans-Montana is not simply a logo behind the tee box. It is a neat alignment of values. Golf is a sport where fractions matter. OMEGA is a watchmaker that has built its reputation on refining those same fractions. The brand describes a lifelong pursuit of accuracy and materials-driven performance, a combination that maps neatly onto a game defined by exacting standards and repeatable results. Design and materials are more than talking points in this setting. Golf is one of the few sports where style is expected rather than excused, and OMEGA leans into that conversation, noting the importance of a classic look from head to toe. The company’s “iconic and sought-after” designs are presented as a natural fit for a sport that appreciates both restraint and presence. There is a pleasing symmetry to the idea: crisp lines on the course reflected in clear, confident forms on the wrist. OMEGA positions its watchmaking at the forefront of materials and long-lasting excellence, which in practice is about durability and consistency as much as shine. Technology and timing are where the brand’s credibility is most obvious. The company’s role as Official Timekeeper for major events is not a marketing flourish but a responsibility with very public consequences. Away from the greens, OMEGA recently unveiled a countdown clock in Cortina to mark one year to go to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, a reminder that precision on a grand scale remains part of the daily brief. Back in Valais, the measure of a tee shot might be subjective, but the rhythm of a tournament is not. OMEGA’s timing expertise underpins that rhythm. Within the brand’s broader portfolio, golf sits comfortably alongside other arenas where performance and presentation matter. The company calls its involvement a “natural fit” and backs that with dedicated partnerships and sustained support. That commitment has linked OMEGA’s name to standout players and to some of the sport’s most spectacular events. Crans-Montana is home to one such stage, and the association is now well established. The result is a clearer picture of what OMEGA wants to represent: not just watches, but a standard for how precision should look and feel in public life. For collectors, the relevance is twofold. First, consistent visibility in sport reinforces the brand’s narrative of accuracy and endurance in real-world conditions, which is the story many want on their wrist. Second, golf’s particular blend of ritual and restraint speaks to a clientele that appreciates design that does not shout. The win by Matt Wallace at the OMEGA Masters in 2024 adds a recent chapter to that story, a competitive high note attached directly to the brand’s title event. OMEGA’s Crans-Montana presence ultimately reads as a statement of intent. Golf is a proving ground where the smallest margins decide outcomes, and where style is part of the brief. That is familiar territory for a Swiss watchmaker that presents precision, performance, and classic aesthetics as its core strengths. In the Alps, those ideas are not abstract. They unfold shot by shot, round by round, measured openly for all to see. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/precision-on-the-fairways-omega-in-crans-montana — Citation: "Precision on the fairways: OMEGA in Crans-Montana" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-20. https://menwith.com/precision-on-the-fairways-omega-in-crans-montana --- ## The Record Breaking Ferrari Daytona SP3 – Sold for $26 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/the-record-breaking-ferrari-daytona-sp3-sold-for-26-million - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-18 - Tags: Ferrari Daytona SP3, RM Sotheby's, Monterey Car Week, Naturally Aspirated V12, The Ferrari Foundation, Q-Cycle, One-off Ferrari **Summary:** A one-off Ferrari Daytona SP3, featuring a unique wordmark livery and sustainable interior, sold for a record $26 million at RM Sotheby's. Proceeds benefit The Ferrari Foundation's educational programs. Ferrari has written its own name across cars for decades, but never like this. The one-off 2025 Daytona SP3 that crossed the RM Sotheby’s block in Monterey takes brand confidence and paints it at full length, the Ferrari wordmark running the car’s body like a couture sash. It sits over exposed carbon fibre that glints blue-black in sunlight and frames slashes of Giallo Modena. It is a look you do not accidentally choose. In a sea of red Ferraris and safe spec sheets, this is the loudest whisper in the paddock. The Daytona SP3 shape still does the heavy lifting: sweeping haunches, targa-style roof, and those layered rear buttresses that turn passing air into a light show. The lettering will polarize traditionalists, yet it suits the moment. Luxury today is comfortable with maximalism, and Ferrari has found a way to make its logo feel less billboard and more battle standard. Cabin Inside, the car trades trophy-room leather for something more pointed. The seats are trimmed in Q-Cycle, a sustainable fabric spun from recycled tire material. That is not a gimmick, it is a tactile statement. The texture feels technical rather than plush, more sneaker boutique than cigar lounge. Yellow seatbelts echo the exterior, and Prancing Horse embroidery lands exactly where your eyes rest as you settle into the integrated buckets. It is still a Ferrari cockpit, low and snug, with the road rising toward you and the controls arranged with a kind of ruthless clarity. Performance The SP3 remains the most romantic Ferrari of the current era because it keeps a naturally aspirated V12 in the middle, breathing without turbos, singing to the red line with the kind of timbre that modern regulations nearly priced out of existence. Numbers are not the point here, even if they are formidable. Its V12 delivers 0 to 100 km/h in 2.85 seconds and 200 km/h in just 7.4, proof that its beauty is matched by relentless capability. What matters is the sensation: the throttle that feels wired to your pulse, the dual-clutch that cracks off shifts like a conductor’s baton, the chassis that reads the road with the calm of a veteran test driver. It is one of the last great analog-adjacent experiences in a digital age. Context Monterey is where collectors flex, but it is also where charity can add zeroes. This SP3 was commissioned as an additional example beyond the original 599-unit run and sold for $26 million, a record for a new Ferrari at auction. All proceeds go to The Ferrari Foundation, a public charity that supports educational programs globally. That framing matters. Wealth often seeks significance, and philanthropy offers it, especially when the car is a singular piece that stitches brand heritage to a social purpose. Purists may grumble about stretching a limited run, yet Ferrari understands that scarcity is not only a number, it is a narrative. A one-of-one with historical provenance and a philanthropic backstory becomes its own category. In twenty years, this car will not be discussed solely as the SP3 with the big logo. It will be remembered as the Monterey record-setter that signposted where the market and the brand were heading. Verdict This Daytona SP3 is more than a rolling sculpture, less than a museum piece, and exactly the kind of artifact today’s high-culture car world craves. The livery will divide, the mission will not. It is a bold object with a clear conscience, a V12 aria wrapped in a streetwise graphic, and a reminder that Ferrari still knows how to make the room go quiet. Then loud again. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-record-breaking-ferrari-daytona-sp3-sold-for-26-million — Citation: "The Record Breaking Ferrari Daytona SP3 – Sold for $26 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-18. https://menwith.com/the-record-breaking-ferrari-daytona-sp3-sold-for-26-million --- ## The Record Breaking Ferrari Daytona SP3 – Sold for $26 Million - URL: https://menwith.com/the-record-breaking-ferrari-daytona-sp3-8211-sold-for-26-million - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-18 - Tags: Ferrari Daytona SP3, RM Sotheby's, Monterey Car Week, Naturally Aspirated V12, The Ferrari Foundation, One-off Ferrari, Giallo Modena **Summary:** The one-off Ferrari Daytona SP3, featuring a unique wordmark livery and sustainable interior, sold for a record $26 million at RM Sotheby's. Proceeds benefit The Ferrari Foundation's educational programs. Ferrari has written its own name across cars for decades, but never like this. The one-off 2025 Daytona SP3 that crossed the RM Sotheby’s block in Monterey takes brand confidence and paints it at full length, the Ferrari wordmark running the car’s body like a couture sash. It sits over exposed carbon fibre that glints blue-black in sunlight and frames slashes of Giallo Modena. It is a look you do not accidentally choose. In a sea of red Ferraris and safe spec sheets, this is the loudest whisper in the paddock. The Daytona SP3 shape still does the heavy lifting: sweeping haunches, targa-style roof, and those layered rear buttresses that turn passing air into a light show. The lettering will polarize traditionalists, yet it suits the moment. Luxury today is comfortable with maximalism, and Ferrari has found a way to make its logo feel less billboard and more battle standard. Cabin Inside, the car trades trophy-room leather for something more pointed. The seats are trimmed in Q-Cycle, a sustainable fabric spun from recycled tire material. That is not a gimmick, it is a tactile statement. The texture feels technical rather than plush, more sneaker boutique than cigar lounge. Yellow seatbelts echo the exterior, and Prancing Horse embroidery lands exactly where your eyes rest as you settle into the integrated buckets. It is still a Ferrari cockpit, low and snug, with the road rising toward you and the controls arranged with a kind of ruthless clarity. Performance The SP3 remains the most romantic Ferrari of the current era because it keeps a naturally aspirated V12 in the middle, breathing without turbos, singing to the red line with the kind of timbre that modern regulations nearly priced out of existence. Numbers are not the point here, even if they are formidable. Its V12 delivers 0 to 100 km/h in 2.85 seconds and 200 km/h in just 7.4, proof that its beauty is matched by relentless capability. What matters is the sensation: the throttle that feels wired to your pulse, the dual-clutch that cracks off shifts like a conductor’s baton, the chassis that reads the road with the calm of a veteran test driver. It is one of the last great analog-adjacent experiences in a digital age. Context Monterey is where collectors flex, but it is also where charity can add zeroes. This SP3 was commissioned as an additional example beyond the original 599-unit run and sold for $26 million, a record for a new Ferrari at auction. All proceeds go to The Ferrari Foundation, a public charity that supports educational programs globally. That framing matters. Wealth often seeks significance, and philanthropy offers it, especially when the car is a singular piece that stitches brand heritage to a social purpose. Purists may grumble about stretching a limited run, yet Ferrari understands that scarcity is not only a number, it is a narrative. A one-of-one with historical provenance and a philanthropic backstory becomes its own category. In twenty years, this car will not be discussed solely as the SP3 with the big logo. It will be remembered as the Monterey record-setter that signposted where the market and the brand were heading. Verdict This Daytona SP3 is more than a rolling sculpture, less than a museum piece, and exactly the kind of artifact today’s high-culture car world craves. The livery will divide, the mission will not. It is a bold object with a clear conscience, a V12 aria wrapped in a streetwise graphic, and a reminder that Ferrari still knows how to make the room go quiet. Then loud again. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-record-breaking-ferrari-daytona-sp3-8211-sold-for-26-million — Citation: "The Record Breaking Ferrari Daytona SP3 – Sold for $26 Million" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-18. https://menwith.com/the-record-breaking-ferrari-daytona-sp3-8211-sold-for-26-million --- ## Carbon fiber meets coopered oak: Aston Martin and Glenfiddich’s Monterey handshake - URL: https://menwith.com/carbon-fiber-meets-coopered-oak-aston-martin-and-glenfiddichs-monterey-handshake - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-16 - Tags: Aston Martin Valhalla, Glenfiddich 1976, Monterey Car Week, Brian Kinsman, Single Malt Scotch, Hybrid Supercar, Coopered Oak Cask **Summary:** Aston Martin partners with Glenfiddich at Monterey Car Week, showcasing the hybrid Valhalla supercar alongside a rare 1976 Single Malt. This collaboration blends automotive innovation with aged whisky craftsmanship. Monterey Car Week is where old money meets new horsepower, which makes it fertile ground for brand alliances. Aston Martin has chosen to formalize Glenfiddich as its official whisky partner here, and on the surface it is a neat bit of symmetry. One brand sculpts air with carbon fiber, the other shapes time inside oak. The visual cue for the union is Valhalla, Aston Martin’s first plug-in hybrid supercar, taking center stage at The House of Aston Martin. Its taut surfacing and technical stance telegraph the company’s next chapter, one that seeks to balance purity of line with a very modern powertrain. The Pour Partnerships often read like gift bags. This one arrives with something you might actually savor. Glenfiddich is uncorking a 1976 Single Malt, matured for 48 years and finished in a specially coopered 100 litre European oak sherry cask, hand-selected by Malt Master Brian Kinsman. Only 50 bottles exist, at 48.8 percent ABV, available through The Distillers Library and the Glenfiddich Distillery. The tasting notes promise red berries and butter pastry on the nose, stewed fruit and toasted wood on the palate, a long tail of sweet oak spice. The vintage year is not a gimmick. The mid 1970s were formative for both houses, with Glenfiddich modernizing its production and identity, and Aston Martin experimenting with design and performance that still echo today. Interior We have seen Valhalla mostly from the outside, all intakes and intent. Aston says Monterey will host a curated Glenfiddich tasting inside its brand house, which fits the car’s brief. The interior of an Aston is usually where British understatement meets a craftsman’s patience. If the event experience mirrors that ethos, expect fewer influencers and more quiet detail, the automotive equivalent of a slow swirl in the glass. Performance Aston Martin is not spilling new numbers here. The relevant fact is that Valhalla is the firm’s first plug-in hybrid supercar, a statement piece for a company that has traditionally favored big displacement and bigger character. Hybrids can be a hard sell to purists, but they also deliver instant torque, silent creep through town, and the sort of low-speed serenity that flatters grand entrances. If the drivetrain matches the attitude, Valhalla should feel less like capitulation to regulation and more like a sharper tool for the same job. Market context Luxury brands are increasingly swapping logos in search of cultural gravity. Many of those collabs feel like airport duty-free. This one lands better because it threads heritage and modernity without straining. Glenfiddich is, by its own measure, the world’s most awarded Single Malt, and has already been in Aston Martin’s Formula One orbit. The move from paddock hospitality to road car partnership is a logical extension, especially at Monterey where collectors buy stories as much as machines. There is an obvious tension when a carmaker embraces whisky. Both companies stress responsible drinking and the choice to never drink and drive, which is the only acceptable line. Still, some will see the optics and flinch. Others will see a considered pairing that respects ritual and restraint. Verdict Call this a tasteful alignment rather than a marketing mashup. Valhalla represents Aston Martin’s future, marrying pace to electrified pragmatism. The Glenfiddich 1976 is a time capsule in glass, limited to a level that will thrill collectors and frustrate everyone else. Together they sketch a brand narrative that prizes craft, patience, and a bit of theater. If you are in Monterey, the smart play is to admire the car, savor the whisky, and let each enhance the other without confusing their purposes. Read more about motors here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/carbon-fiber-meets-coopered-oak-aston-martin-and-glenfiddichs-monterey-handshake — Citation: "Carbon fiber meets coopered oak: Aston Martin and Glenfiddich’s Monterey handshake" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-16. https://menwith.com/carbon-fiber-meets-coopered-oak-aston-martin-and-glenfiddichs-monterey-handshake --- ## Lamborghini Fenomeno: A Masterpiece of Power and Rarity - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-fenomeno-a-masterpiece-of-power-and-rarity - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-16 - Tags: Lamborghini, Lamborghini Fenomeno, Menwithclass, Motors **Summary:** Lamborghini's Fenomeno, unveiled at Monterey Car Week 2025, is a rare V12 hybrid hypercar with 1080 CV, achieving 0-100 km/h in 2.4s. Limited to 29 units, it's a fusion of power, design, and exclusivity. When Lamborghini reveals a new creation it is never just a car. It is an event, a statement, and a declaration of what is possible when performance, design, and emotion are pushed beyond convention. With the launch of the Lamborghini Fenomeno, unveiled during Monterey Car Week 2025, the legendary Italian marque has once again rewritten the rules of automotive desire. The Fenomeno is Lamborghini distilled to its purest essence. Audacious, unrelenting, and impossibly rare, it carries the aura of an instant icon with only twenty nine examples being created worldwide. At its heart lies the most powerful V12 engine the brand has ever produced, combined with three electric motors to create a hybrid system that delivers a staggering one thousand and eighty CV. This is not simply performance, it is theatre. The Fenomeno surges from standstill to one hundred kilometers per hour in just 2.4 seconds and continues to accelerate beyond 350 kilometers per hour, turning impossible figures into reality. Yet the Fenomeno is not defined by statistics alone. Its presence is a sculpture of motion, a celebration of Lamborghini’s Centro Stile on its twentieth anniversary. Every surface speaks a language of speed, with carbon fibre curves and razor sharp angles shaping an aerodynamic form that is as breathtaking to look at as it is effective in function. From its dramatic prow to the muscular haunches that frame the engine, it exudes an aura of pure theatre. Inside, the cabin is less about conventional luxury and more about an atmosphere of high performance couture. Every stitch is considered, every material is chosen to heighten the sensation of being at the controls of something extraordinary. It is a cockpit that blends the thrill of motorsport with the refinement of Italian craftsmanship, making every journey feel like a private grand prix. To own a Fenomeno is to belong to one of the most exclusive circles in the automotive world. These cars are not sold in the usual sense, they are curated for collectors who view their garages as galleries and their vehicles as art. With only twenty nine ever to be created, each Fenomeno is destined to become a treasure, both a symbol of speed and an emblem of rarity. The Fenomeno is more than the most powerful Lamborghini ever built. It is the embodiment of the brand’s relentless pursuit of the extraordinary. It shows us what happens when power is allowed to meet poetry. For the fortunate few who will hold its keys, the Fenomeno will not simply be the ultimate Lamborghini. It will be the ultimate expression of what it means to dream without limits. Discover more about cars here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-fenomeno-a-masterpiece-of-power-and-rarity — Citation: "Lamborghini Fenomeno: A Masterpiece of Power and Rarity" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-16. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-fenomeno-a-masterpiece-of-power-and-rarity --- ## Oyster 805: Superyacht Luxury Meets Bluewater Capability - URL: https://menwith.com/oyster-805-superyacht-luxury-meets-bluewater-capability - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-08-15 - Tags: Yachts, Luxury, Menwithclass, Oyster 805, superyacht, Yacht **Summary:** The Oyster 805 blends superyacht luxury with bluewater capability in a sub-24m package. It offers spacious interiors, advanced tech, and performance for global cruising. With the new Oyster 805, the British yacht builder redefines what is possible in the sub-24 metre category, blending superyacht-inspired design with true bluewater performance. Every line, every space, and every detail speaks to a vision of sailing that is as luxurious as it is capable. The Oyster 805 is more than a yacht; it is a new chapter in the brand’s legacy of crafting vessels that can circle the globe in comfort and style. At just under 24 metres, it remains within an attractive size bracket for owners who want the freedom to explore without the logistical complexities of larger yachts. Yet in design and execution, it feels every inch the equal of much bigger vessels. From the moment you step aboard, the sense of space is striking. Expansive flush decks flow seamlessly into a cockpit designed for both relaxation and serious sailing, with innovations like wing seats at the helm that give the skipper and guests perfect views while underway. Inside the Oyster 805 The interior is bathed in light, thanks to Oyster’s signature Seascape windows and generous hull ports. It is a space designed to be lived in – comfortable on an ocean crossing and equally inviting at anchor in a Mediterranean bay. Owners can configure the four en-suite cabins to suit their lifestyle, with options for a home office, gym, or private library. The main saloon feels like a luxury apartment, with the option to incorporate a dedicated bar to make entertaining effortless. Choose between different settings. On deck, versatility is the theme. A transformable tender well can be lowered to the water or turned into a sunken lounge, while a fixed Starlight Bimini provides shade and shelter without obstructing the panoramic views. Under sail, the yacht offers the choice between a standard 3.4-metre keel or a shallower 2.7-metre draft, opening up cruising grounds that are off-limits to deeper-keeled boats. Beneath the beauty lies serious capability. Built to Lloyd’s Register certification, the Oyster 805 has the strength and stability to handle ocean passages with confidence. Her sail plan delivers performance across a range of conditions, and Oyster’s advanced sail-handling systems make short-handed cruising entirely possible. The Oyster Command system integrates navigation, onboard systems, and entertainment into a single, intuitive platform, controllable from the helm or via the Oyster app. With full satellite and Wi-Fi connectivity, the yacht is as suited to remote working as it is to leisurely island hopping. Every aspect of the Oyster 805 has been considered with an eye to long-range comfort. From the climate-controlled cabins to the seamless integration of technology and design, it is a yacht that feels as good to live on as it does to sail. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2027, and for those who have been waiting for a yacht that brings superyacht luxury into a manageable, owner-driven package, the wait may just have been worth it. Interested in yachts? – Discover another storys here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/oyster-805-superyacht-luxury-meets-bluewater-capability — Citation: "Oyster 805: Superyacht Luxury Meets Bluewater Capability" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-15. https://menwith.com/oyster-805-superyacht-luxury-meets-bluewater-capability --- ## Louis Vuitton and Jude Bellingham Make It Official - URL: https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-and-jude-bellingham-make-it-official - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-08-14 - Tags: Jude Bellingham, Louis Vuitton **Summary:** Jude Bellingham fronts Louis Vuitton's SS26 formalwear campaign, showcasing Pharrell Williams' workwear-inspired tailoring. The collection blends utility and polish for modern dressing. The Real Madrid star steps into Pharrell Williams’ tailored world, where suits borrow from workwear and ceremony meets the tunnel. The pictures set the tone. Cool studio light. Dense marine blue suiting. Hands in patch pockets shaped like a chore coat. Jude Bellingham, a year on from being named a Friend of the House, is now the face of Louis Vuitton’s Spring Summer 2026 formalwear campaign. He looks comfortable, which is the point. The clothes do not ask for deference. They move. See the products here. Pharrell’s menswear has been building toward this. His formal proposition sits on a workbench as much as a cutting table. You see it in the details. Patch-pocketed jackets cut boxy and honest. A grey zip-front with leather pockets that reads like industrial outerwear, paired with a black quarter-zip knit that keeps the silhouette clean. A sharp dark grey two-piece under a matching blouson and a mid-length coat. It sounds like layering for a cold boardroom, yet the lines stay light. Nothing clumps. The materials keep the tension between utility and polish. Suiting cloth where you expect canvas. Leather where you expect flannel. Zips where you expect horn buttons. Pharrell has been pulling this thread across his tenure, from luxe boots and hardwearing, monogrammed double-knee trousers to tailoring that nods to uniforms and shop floors. Here, he applies that language to classic dress, then trims the speech. It reads as dandyism with dirt under the fingernails. Bellingham is a savvy casting. At Real Madrid he has the calm that luxury loves and the momentum brands chase. Football’s crossover with fashion is no longer a novelty, but the midfield star slotting into formalwear is still a choice. There will be those who want a Savile Row mannequin, unbothered by a 90th-minute equalizer. Yet the modern customer understands the suit as part of a daily system. From tunnel walk to dinner table to airport lounge. A player who captains his image in public gives that system credibility. Pharrell’s own orbit matters here. Music has always treated dress codes as raw material. Hip-hop rewired tailoring in the 90s. Skate and workwear shaped proportions in the 2000s. This collection sits in that lineage. It hears the clink of glasses and the scrape of metal benches at once. The campaign’s mood carries that sound. Low light, controlled stance, fabric that photographs with weight but does not look heavy. There is also a club-level narrative running alongside the campaign. Earlier this summer, Louis Vuitton announced bespoke travel outfits for the Real Madrid squad, with Bellingham front and center. Those designs are for the team. The SS26 formalwear is not. It arrives in Louis Vuitton stores on August 28, just as the new season starts. Timing matters. Tunnel fits have become weekly runway looks, which has trained a mass audience to read silhouettes. Expect sharp eyes on these jackets. Market-wise, the collection addresses a real question. How do men dress up without dressing old. The answer here is workwear intelligence applied to ceremony. It is not rebellious. It simply refuses fussy. The reception will likely split along familiar lines. Tailoring purists will miss padded shoulders and surgeon cuffs. Everyone else will see a suit that behaves like a jacket you actually wear. Bellingham’s role is not to sell a dream. It is to show a version of reality that already exists. Athletes live in transit and on camera. The clothes reflect that rhythm. Louis Vuitton’s formalwear under Pharrell continues to chase the middle of that Venn diagram. In SS26, it lands squarely on it. Read more about fashion on MenWith. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-and-jude-bellingham-make-it-official — Citation: "Louis Vuitton and Jude Bellingham Make It Official" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-14. https://menwith.com/louis-vuitton-and-jude-bellingham-make-it-official --- ## A Closer Look at the New Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date Models - URL: https://menwith.com/a-closer-look-at-the-new-seventies-chronograph-panorama-date-models - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-08-14 - Tags: Glashütte Original, Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date, Plasma, Fusion, Calibre 37-02, Limited Edition, Luxury Watch **Summary:** Glashütte Original unveils two limited-edition Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date models: "Plasma" (purple) and "Fusion" (lime green). Both feature a 70s-inspired square case and the in-house Calibre 37-02 movement. Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity for a rare sneak peek at two new limited-edition Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date models: the “Plasma” and the “Fusion”. This preview included the rare chance to spend a week reviewing and testing them ahead of their official release. Both reinterpret the classic 1970s square chronograph case, merging period design with bold, contemporary dial colors. While each offers its own distinct personality, the Fusion in vivid lime green ultimately became my favorite. Design and Presence The 40 x 40 mm stainless steel case keeps the distinctive square shape with rounded edges that has long defined the Seventies line. It offers confident wrist presence without feeling oversized. Both dials are lacquered and produced in the brand’s own manufactory, with a velvety matte finish that brings richness and depth to the colors. The black “vinyl” textured subdials, Panorama Date at six o’clock, and Dauphine hands with Super-LumiNova® introduce a subtle vintage reference within an otherwise modern execution. The Plasma presents a deep, shifting purple inspired by virtual worlds and digital aesthetics. Its hue changes with light and perspective, sometimes leaning toward a muted violet, other times showing a more vibrant tone. The Fusion takes a more energetic approach with a bright lime green that recalls futuristic color palettes often seen in conceptual design. Both colors feel modern but have a staying power that avoids fleeting trendiness. The Fusion I tested came fitted with the matt black rubber strap, which creates a striking contrast against the vivid lime green dial. The combination makes the color appear even more intense and gives the watch a sport-focused, contemporary edge. Movement and Specifications Inside both models is the in-house Calibre 37-02 automatic movement. It features hours, minutes, small seconds, Panorama Date, flyback chronograph, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, and a power reserve display. Operating at 28,800 A/h (4 Hz), it offers a 70-hour power reserve and water resistance to 10 bar. The flyback function enables the chronograph to be stopped, reset, and restarted instantly with a single press of the pusher at four o’clock. Through the sapphire crystal caseback, the movement reveals Glashütte’s signature finishing, including the three-quarter plate, skeletonized rotor with Double-G emblem, polished bevels, and blued screws. Wearing Experience The matt black rubber strap delivers a sport-oriented look and comfort for daily wear, while the stainless steel bracelet offers a more refined presence. Both have their strengths, but the black strap with the Fusion dial creates an unforgettable contrast that lets the green truly take the spotlight. Availability Each model is limited to 100 pieces and available from August 14, 2025, through Glashütte Original boutiques and selected retailers worldwide. Read more about Glashütte Original here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-closer-look-at-the-new-seventies-chronograph-panorama-date-models — Citation: "A Closer Look at the New Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date Models" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-14. https://menwith.com/a-closer-look-at-the-new-seventies-chronograph-panorama-date-models --- ## 25.21 Seconds, Start to Stop: Jesko Absolut Reclaims the Crown - URL: https://menwith.com/2521-seconds-start-to-stop-jesko-absolut-reclaims-the-crown - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-13 - Tags: Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, 0-400-0 km/h record, Markus Lundh, Racelogic, Light Speed Transmission, Absolut Overdrive, V8 engine **Summary:** Koenigsegg's Jesko Absolut shattered the 0-400-0 km/h record at 25.21 seconds, showcasing advanced software and V8 performance. This rear-drive combustion outlier proves analog thrills persist in the digital age. What happened Koenigsegg has retaken the 0–400–0 km/h world record with the Jesko Absolut, stopping the clock at 25.21 seconds at Örebro airfield on August 7, 2025. Factory driver Markus Lundh fought a patchy surface after rain, yet the car still went from a standstill to 400 km/h and back to zero in less time than it takes to read this paragraph. The numbers are verified by Racelogic and they matter. Zero to 400 in 16.77 seconds, 400 to zero in 8.44. Koenigsegg also posted 25.67 seconds for 0–250–0 mph. That trims more than 2.5 seconds off the same car’s 2024 mark, which in this realm is a lifetime. Design The Jesko Absolut is the sleek one in the Jesko family, a long-tailed, clean-bodied bullet that prioritizes low drag over track-day downforce. The stance is shark-like, all intent and purpose. Details are Koenigsegg-familiar yet still theatrical, from the dihedral doors to the neat aero finishing around the tail. Form follows speed here. There is nothing decorative that does not pay rent at 400 km/h. Inside Koenigsegg cabins mix lab and lounge. The structure is carbon, the switchgear feels machined rather than molded, and the driving position is pure instrument. You sit low, look out through a surprisingly airy glasshouse, and face crisp digital dials. It is not plush in the traditional luxury sense, but it is exquisitely made and calming, which helps when your horizon compresses at sixteen point something seconds to 400. Performance The headline is software as much as hardware. The Jesko Absolut runs a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 that can deliver up to 1600 hp on E85, and it sends everything to the rear axle through Koenigsegg’s Light Speed Transmission. That is the old news. The new story is a suite of control strategies the company nicknames Absolut Overdrive. Torque management, engine and transmission logic, and traction control now talk to each other with sharper timing. The result is ruthless traction on less-than-perfect tarmac and a more assertive surge through the middle of the run, followed by braking that arrives with race-car conviction and uncanny stability. The figures read simple, the experience does not. To 400, the car climbs through gears with a crisp, unlagged shove that is more turbine than turbo. Braking is the other half of the art. Carbon-ceramics bite hard without the drama, the aero stays tidy, and the chassis tracks straight. No wiggle, no flare of ABS panic, just forward, then stopped, like someone clipped the film. Context In a world obsessed with instant electric torque and all-wheel-drive trickery, this is a combustion outlier. Rear-drive only, yet it has just beaten the best of the battery brigade at the most brutal combined test of pace and poise. It also speaks to how hypercars are evolving. The big leaps now come from code as much as cams. Koenigsegg will roll these software gains to customer Jesko Absoluts, which turns a record run into a real product update, not a one-off stunt. There are quirks. The Absolut’s single-minded focus on top speed means the look is pared and purposeful rather than flamboyant. Some will miss the track-spec wing of its Jesko sibling. Others will delight in the clean silhouette and the way it slices air rather than bullying it. Verdict Speed is easy to shout about and dull to read. The Jesko Absolut avoids that trap. It is not fast in the abstract. It is fast with control, credible timing, and a distinct personality. Rear-drive, combustion, and a brain full of clever code. Twenty-five point two one seconds from start to stop is not just a party trick. It is a statement that the analog thrill still belongs in a digital age, and that the most interesting luxury today is excellence that owners can actually feel. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/2521-seconds-start-to-stop-jesko-absolut-reclaims-the-crown — Citation: "25.21 Seconds, Start to Stop: Jesko Absolut Reclaims the Crown" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-13. https://menwith.com/2521-seconds-start-to-stop-jesko-absolut-reclaims-the-crown --- ## One + One: The First Mulliner Batur Convertible - URL: https://menwith.com/one-one-the-first-mulliner-batur-convertible - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-12 - Tags: Mulliner Batur Convertible, Bentley W12, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Monterey Car Week, Coachbuilt Cars, Opalite Paint, Mandarin Pinstripes **Summary:** The Mulliner Batur Convertible, Bentley's final W12 masterpiece, showcases bespoke luxury with a unique 'One + One' interior split and potent 740hp engine. It's a theatrical send-off for an iconic powertrain. Bentley’s Batur Convertible arrives not with a whisper but a wink. The first customer car, coachbuilt by Mulliner, is less a grand tourer with a folding roof than a rolling thesis on how to make the final chapters of the W12 era feel personal, theatrical and just a bit mischievous. It’s a one-off, yes, but also a signpost: a reminder that in the age of algorithms, craft still matters. After a dynamic debut at Goodwood, it heads to Monterey Car Week, precisely the kind of stage where a car like this earns its applause. Design Opalite paint sets the mood: a shimmering, silvery hue that reads rich rather than loud. Then Mulliner draws a line, literally, down the car. A gloss Beluga racing stripe, edged with Mandarin pinstripes, slices from the matrix grille over the bonnet and “airbridge” fairing, picks up again across the rear deck, and reconnects via bespoke embroidery on the tonneau. It’s a bold, motorsport-inflected gesture on a coachbuilt Bentley; purists will debate it, which is part of the fun. The grille is finished in black with Mandarin accents, echoed on five-spoke alloys. In profile, the car is all long-bonnet poise and contained muscle. There’s a confidence to the surfacing, taught rather than taut, that suits a limited-run flagship. Importantly, it still reads as a Bentley at ten paces; the drama doesn’t overwhelm the dignity. Interior Inside is where the Batur Convertible earns its “One plus One” name. The cabin is literally split: driver in Beluga black, passenger in Linen, stitched together, metaphorically and visually, by Mandarin highlights. It’s a clever riff on the idea of a driver’s car that doesn’t ignore the person enjoying the view. The driver’s side gets Beluga hide and Alcantara with a band of Mandarin sweeping from the console across the fascia and into the door cap. The passenger lounges in Linen hide and Alcantara, the same Batur pattern reversing the palette. Even the luggage area, key cases and seat belts follow the two-sided brief. It could have felt like a gimmick; instead it comes across as considered theatre. Look closer and the material choices are satisfyingly tactile. Satin black engine-turning on the fascia and door tops. Gloss Beluga veneer on the console. Light titanium dial faces ringed in black. The steering wheel wears a machined titanium marker at top dead centre, with matching titanium paddles, organ-stop vents and rotary controls. It’s not minimal, this is a Bentley. Not a monk’s cell, but it is meticulously edited. Performance Under the skin sits the headline: Bentley’s 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, tuned to 740hp. It makes the Batur Convertible the most powerful W12-powered drop-top in the company’s history. Numbers matter less here than sensation: the elastic surge of torque, the underplayed bass of the exhaust, the way big power delivered with good manners feels more luxurious than loudness ever could. There’s a pleasing contradiction to a racing stripe on a car that will spend much of its life gliding between hotels and horizon lines, roof down, conversation easy. But the Batur Convertible can do the theatre when asked, its engineering development “Car Zero” showed as much storming the Goodwood hill before heading to Monterey in a Vermilion duo-tone. This is muscle in evening wear. Market context The Batur Convertible is the third act in Mulliner’s modern coachbuilt trilogy, after the Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupé. Each build is a co-creation, with clients shaping colour, materials and detail through a dedicated visualiser, a collaborative process that’s become as important as the finished car. Production is strictly limited; scarcity is part of the value proposition, but so is authorship. It also lands at a cultural inflection point. Bentley’s future is electric by strategy, and the W12 is on its sign-off lap. That gives this car a certain gravity. As rivals chase their own bespoke commissions and ultra-low-volume statements, the Batur Convertible reads as Bentley doing Bentley, craft, tactility, and pace, one last time with twelve cylinders and the sky for a headliner. Verdict Is the split-cabin “One plus One” concept for everyone? No, and that’s the point. The first Batur Convertible doesn’t try to please the room; it courts the individual. The exterior stripe will divide opinion, but the execution is beautiful, the detailing obsessive, and the overall character unmistakably Bentley: powerful, poised, and quietly playful. As a send-off for the W12 and a showcase for Mulliner’s coachbuilt prowess, it works. As a grand tourer for people who think of cars as objects to be made as well as driven, it’s irresistible. Two voices, one song, and a strong final chorus for twelve cylinders. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/one-one-the-first-mulliner-batur-convertible — Citation: "One + One: The First Mulliner Batur Convertible" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-12. https://menwith.com/one-one-the-first-mulliner-batur-convertible --- ## Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat: Breitling’s Cosmic Tribute to a Football Phenomenon - URL: https://menwith.com/erling-haaland-signature-chronomat-breitlings-cosmic-tribute-to-a-football-phenomenon - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-08-12 - Tags: Breitling, Chronomat Automatic GMT 40, Erling Haaland, Luxury, Menwithclass **Summary:** Breitling unveils the Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat, featuring unique Muonionalusta meteorite dials. Limited editions in steel/platinum and red gold celebrate the football star's individuality and meteoric rise. When Erling Haaland steps onto the pitch there is an undeniable sense that you are witnessing something rare, almost otherworldly. It feels only natural that Breitling’s latest collaboration with the Norwegian superstar draws its inspiration from far beyond our planet. The Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat is not just a watch; it is a statement piece that captures both the precision of Swiss watchmaking and the meteoric rise of one of football’s most talked-about talents. The heart of this release lies in its dial, crafted from authentic Muonionalusta meteorite. This ancient material, over 4.5 billion years old and sourced from northern Sweden, marks a first for Breitling. Each fragment reveals a unique natural pattern, making every dial entirely distinct. It is a subtle nod to Haaland’s individuality and impact in the world of sport. The choice of meteorite was no coincidence. Haaland himself wanted a design that ensured no two pieces would ever be the same. “I wanted something one of a kind,” he says. “The meteorite makes each one different. You’re never going to see the same watch on someone else’s wrist.” Two models make up the collection, each limited in number and enriched with personal details. The Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 Erling Haaland is limited to 500 pieces and features a stainless steel case with a platinum bezel. Powered by Breitling’s Caliber 32 movement, it offers a GMT function and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Haaland’s initials appear subtly on the seconds hand, while his signature “Zen” goal celebration is engraved into the caseback. The Chronomat B01 42 Erling Haaland is limited to just 250 pieces and brings an elevated sense of luxury with its 18k red gold case. Inside beats Breitling’s in-house Caliber 01 chronograph movement with a 70-hour power reserve, paired with a meteorite dial accented by bold black subdials for a refined panda aesthetic. Both watches bear engravings indicating their exclusivity alongside Haaland’s number 9. Visually the watches achieve a harmonious balance of sportiness and sophistication. The intricate grey meteorite patterns shift with the light, creating a captivating depth, while the steel and red gold versions each convey a distinct character. This is a collection designed to move effortlessly between the energy of match day, the refinement of a dinner setting, and the prestige of a collector’s cabinet. Beyond their technical achievements these timepieces carry a deeper cultural significance. Just as Haaland has redefined the role of the modern striker, these watches expand Breitling’s creative boundaries. They unite the romance of materials formed in the depths of space with the engineering mastery of Swiss horology and the charisma of a global sporting icon. In a world where celebrity collaborations can feel fleeting, the Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat stands apart. It is not simply a product of branding but a carefully considered creation that is rare, personal, and enduring. Much like Haaland’s career, it is destined to leave an indelible mark on the world stage. For collectors, the allure of the Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat extends far beyond its limited numbers. It is a conversation starter, a piece that invites curiosity and admiration, not only for its rarity but for the story it carries. Wearing it is a subtle declaration of taste, an acknowledgment of both fine craftsmanship and the pursuit of greatness. Just as Haaland’s performances on the pitch inspire awe and set new standards, this timepiece inspires its wearer to embrace ambition without compromise. In many ways, it is less about simply owning a watch and more about holding a fragment of history on your wrist. Want to read more about watches? – Discover more here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/erling-haaland-signature-chronomat-breitlings-cosmic-tribute-to-a-football-phenomenon — Citation: "Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat: Breitling’s Cosmic Tribute to a Football Phenomenon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-12. https://menwith.com/erling-haaland-signature-chronomat-breitlings-cosmic-tribute-to-a-football-phenomenon --- ## First Look: Bugatti’s Programme Solitaire - URL: https://menwith.com/first-look-bugattis-programme-solitaire - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-11 - Tags: Bugatti Programme Solitaire, Bugatti Brouillard, Ettore Bugatti, W16 engine, coachbuilding, Monterey Car Week, Jean Bugatti, Type 57 **Summary:** Bugatti launches Programme Solitaire for one-off coachbuilt creations. The first car, Brouillard, features sculptural design, bespoke interior, and the W16 platform, reviving historic coachbuilding practices. Monterey Car Week hosts the public debut of a very Bugatti idea, made newly formal. The marque has launched Programme Solitaire, a coachbuilt avenue for one‑of‑one creations that sits beyond the already rarefied Sur Mesure service. Its first car, named Brouillard after Ettore Bugatti’s favored horse, uses the brand’s 1,600 PS quad‑turbo W16 platform as a canvas for a different kind of authorship. The exterior reads as sculpture first, mechanism second. Bugatti’s design team avoided hard character lines and instead leaned on reflection and curvature to suggest muscle, citing the way a trained horse carries tension under the skin. Surfaces are taut rather than sharp, so light does more of the describing than edges do. Proportionally, the lower third is rendered in darker tones that visually tie the body to its shadow. That trick lightens the perceived mass of the upper body, makes the car appear longer and lower, and gives the wheels more visual presence. The functional pieces have been absorbed rather than stuck on. A fixed ducktail provides aero balance without disturbing the silhouette, and the rear diffuser gains surface area through novel exhaust packaging. Intake paths are managed to pull air through the radiators and accelerate it out, improving cooling efficiency without shouting about it. Open the door and the reference to Ettore’s horse becomes part of the room rather than a theme. The glass roof gives a high, airy feel and lets the central spine run uninterrupted from exterior to interior, visible through the transparent panel above. Materials are a quiet showcase of craft. Custom‑woven fabrics from Paris introduce tartan patterns with a tailored precision. Green‑tinted carbon fiber sits alongside a greater number of machined aluminum components, so the interior reads less as a single material statement and more as a conversation between textures. The gear shifter is milled from one block of aluminum and carries a glass insert with a hand‑made miniature of Brouillard, a small focal point that rewards a closer look. Embroidered horse motifs appear in the door panels and seat backs, and the seats themselves have been shaped to the commissioning owner’s preference, finished with a distinctive leather patch layout. It all feels considered rather than collectible for its own sake, and it is designed to be read in natural light. Underneath, Brouillard represents the highest evolution of Bugatti’s W16 era. The car is built on the latest carbon fiber and aluminum chassis that supports the 1,600 PS iteration of the quad‑turbocharged engine. The brief here is not to chase a new headline number but to refine airflow, cooling and stability within a more sculptural body. Air intakes and radiators work in concert to generate a pressure drop that draws more air through for better thermal management. The fixed rear element and expansive diffuser handle balance at speed. Torque figures and acceleration claims were not disclosed, though Bugatti states there is no compromise to performance, quality or design relative to its series W16 cars. Programme Solitaire draws a straight line back to Bugatti’s roots. In the interwar years, the Type 57 chassis wore multiple in‑house bodies, from Galibier saloons to Stelvio convertibles and Atalante coupés, and of course the Atlantic that has come to define the era in the popular imagination. Jean Bugatti’s decision to bring coachbuilding inside the factory set the tone. Solitaire revives that mindset for the present day, with the intent to build no more than two commissions per year, each using existing powertrains and chassis and concentrating effort on unique bodywork and interior detail. It is an approach that suits the collector at the center of this first car, someone who collects Bugattis old and new, as well as the furniture of Carlo Bugatti and the bronzes of Rembrandt Bugatti. The brief asked for a single work that gathered those threads and acknowledged Ettore’s affection for his horses, including the story of Brouillard, the white horse speckled like morning mist that could open his stable door using a mechanism Ettore devised. The result is a Bugatti that trades bravado for restraint. It presents power and complexity behind a calm surface, and it uses proportion and light as much as vents and wings. As the first statement from Programme Solitaire, Brouillard shows how far Bugatti is willing to bend its own template while keeping faith with the engineering beneath. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/first-look-bugattis-programme-solitaire — Citation: "First Look: Bugatti’s Programme Solitaire" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-11. https://menwith.com/first-look-bugattis-programme-solitaire --- ## Riva’s New 54 Metri Is Its Largest Superyacht to Date - URL: https://menwith.com/rivas-new-54-metri-is-its-largest-superyacht-to-date - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-08-11 - Tags: Riva 54 Metri, Superyacht, Officina Italiana Design, Ferretti Group, MTU diesels, Pietro Riva **Summary:** Riva's new 54 Metri superyacht, its largest to date, spans four decks with an all-aluminum build. Designed by Officina Italiana Design, it features expansive decks and luxurious interiors for up to 10 guests. Riva has launched a 54 Metri measuring 177 feet, its largest build so far. The all‑aluminum superyacht spans four decks and carries the brand’s sharp bow and sculpted stern into a new size class. Design and exterior Created by Officina Italiana Design with Ferretti Group input, the 54 Metri keeps Riva’s low, athletic profile but scales the surfaces for a broader 28‑foot beam. The first hull pairs Moon Gray and London Gray with Bright Black and polished steel, so the sheerline reads clean while metallic accents catch the light at the rail. Fold‑out terraces at the beach club and main‑deck cockpit expand the footprint at anchor, turning hard hull sides into water‑level platforms. On deck experience A transformer platform and extra‑wide passerelle lead to a beach area anchored by a 16‑foot pool and sunbeds. Five shallow steps bring you to an outdoor lounge with a long sofa, armchairs, and a bar. Forward, two large sun pads integrate a hinge system that lifts to access tenders and toys stored beneath, keeping the foredeck visually uncluttered. Interior and accommodation The lift amidships connects lower, main, and upper decks, easing circulation across spaces finished in marble, natural teak, and leather. Up to 10 guests sleep in four cabins, with the primary suite forward on the main deck. Crew accommodations comprise five double cabins plus a captain’s cabin for a total of up to 11, separated to maintain service flow and privacy. Systems and performance Under 500 GT, the 54 Metri is built in aluminum and delivered with twin MTU diesels rated at 1,920 hp each. The standard engine fit is twin MTUs at 1,700 hp. The bridge is specified with dual X‑band radars, a Starlink antenna, full ECDIS, three 27‑inch touchscreens, and a 44‑inch stretch monitor, consolidating navigation and ship systems on a clear, glare‑resistant console. Context and relevance Founded by Pietro Riva on Lake Iseo in 1842, the shipyard has spent three decades refining its language with Officina Italiana Design. The 54 Metri extends that vocabulary into the sub‑500 GT superyacht space and precedes additional hulls slated for 2026 and 2027. A longer 70 Metri is in development. For now, the 54 Metri sets the top end of Riva’s range by length and volume. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rivas-new-54-metri-is-its-largest-superyacht-to-date — Citation: "Riva’s New 54 Metri Is Its Largest Superyacht to Date" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-11. https://menwith.com/rivas-new-54-metri-is-its-largest-superyacht-to-date --- ## Trump Implements 39% Tariffs on Swiss Watches From August 7 - URL: https://menwith.com/trump-implements-39-tariffs-on-swiss-watches-from-august-7 - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-08-06 - Tags: News **Summary:** US imposes a 39% tariff on Swiss watches, impacting luxury imports and potentially shifting market focus. This policy change could affect pricing and availability for American consumers. Recent declarations by the U.S. administration have imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss watch imports, escalating from an initial 31%. This major fiscal adjustment targets an industry integral to Swiss exports and could significantly disrupt market operations and consumer pricing structures in the United States, a primary market for Swiss luxury watches. The Trump Way Of Negotiating President Trump’s adjustment to the import tariffs marks a severe increase that industry experts predict could have far-reaching effects on both primary and secondary watch markets. Initially set at 31% during Geneva’s Watches and Wonders event, the tariffs have now surged to 39%, being some of the highest globally. This policy change follows a 90-day period where a temporary 10% tariff was tested, influencing pricing strategies across the industry. Swiss watches are cherished globally for their craftsmanship and precision engineering, making the U.S. an important market due to high consumer demand. Key insights from industry stakeholders suggest varied responses to the new tariff regime. Retailers and distributors may adjust pricing structures, potentially decreasing the accessibility of new Swiss watches for average American consumers. Authorities report that in anticipation of policy enforcement starting on August 7, brands might start redirecting their market focus away from the U.S., affecting availability and potentially benefiting markets without such tariffs in place. Market & Consumer Reactions Authorized retailers are poised for immediate changes in the market environment. And secondary market dealers are also bracing for potential shifts in consumer behavior. The increased costs for new watches might drive more buyers towards pre-owned models, potentially spiking prices in that sector as well. This tariff policy forms part of a broader series of trade adjustments by the U.S., reflecting a significant shift towards more aggressive trade barriers against what is perceived as unfair competitive practices. The watch industry, particularly the high-end segment, finds itself at a critical junction, needing to navigate through increased operational costs and shifting market demands, potentially reshaping its longstanding global market strategies. Read more news here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/trump-implements-39-tariffs-on-swiss-watches-from-august-7 — Citation: "Trump Implements 39% Tariffs on Swiss Watches From August 7" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-06. https://menwith.com/trump-implements-39-tariffs-on-swiss-watches-from-august-7 --- ## Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai: A New Standard of Urban Grandeur - URL: https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-downtown-dubai-a-new-standard-of-urban-grandeur - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-08-06 - Tags: Dubai, Luxury, Mandarin Oriental, Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Menwithclass **Summary:** Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, opening Oct 2025 in Wasl Tower, redefines urban luxury with serene design, bespoke amenities, and curated dining. It offers a sophisticated escape focused on discretion and detail. There’s something about Dubai that resists moderation. In a city where the horizon is pierced by architectural ambition and the desert heat is cooled by Michelin-starred minimalism, luxury must constantly reinvent itself to stay relevant. It is in this context – bold, beautiful, and unapologetically futuristic, that Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai opens its doors in October 2025, and it does so with an elegance that feels both entirely new and unmistakably timeless. Housed within the Wasl Tower, a 303-metre architectural statement on Sheikh Zayed Road, the new Mandarin Oriental doesn’t just offer a place to stay. It offers a philosophy, one of discretion, design, and detail. The tower’s ceramic-finned façade, the tallest of its kind, gently spirals upward like a modern minaret, echoing tradition while embracing the avant-garde. It’s a building that doesn’t demand attention; it commands it. A View From Above The hotel’s reception sits suspended 36 floors above the city, an atmospheric gesture that says: “Luxury begins where noise fades.” Step inside, and you’re greeted not just by service, but by serenity. The design whispers rather than shouts – muted earth tones, polished wood, curated lighting. It’s an antidote to the hyper-stimulation often associated with Dubai. And that, ironically, is what makes it feel so modern. Each of the 259 rooms and suites is its own private escape, with sweeping views of Burj Khalifa, the Arabian Gulf, or both. But it’s not just about what you see, it’s how you feel. Textiles are hand-chosen. Lighting adapts to your mood. Amenities aren’t simply provided, they’re anticipated. There is, for instance, a yoga mat discretely tucked away in every room, along with a curated pillow menu and signature Natura Bissé skincare essentials. Dining as Theatre Luxury, when done right, is an emotion, and nowhere is that more evident than in Mandarin Oriental’s culinary offerings. Ten restaurants and lounges sprawl across the property, each conceived like a scene in a film: the nostalgic glamour of Yù & Mì, evoking 1960s Hong Kong with lacquered screens and dimly lit intimacy; the earthy warmth of Chitarra, an ode to the simplicity of Italian cuisine, elevated through restraint and seasonality. But these aren’t mere dining rooms. They’re curated experiences designed for the discerning male guest, a man who seeks soul in his steak, intention in his ambiance, and, perhaps, a cigar paired with his grappa. It’s food as narrative. A mood, plated. Wellness Reimagined True luxury today isn’t about more. It’s about less – less noise, less clutter, less performance. The two-storey spa at Mandarin Oriental Downtown understands this with almost meditative precision. Rooted in four pillars, nourishment, movement, beauty, and rest – the spa offers everything from vitality pools and thermal experiences to personalised biohacking treatments. And yet, it never feels clinical. There is an organic softness here, a sense that healing is not only welcome, but expected. For the modern man navigating boardrooms and time zones, this isn’t indulgence, it’s maintenance. Where City Meets Stillness Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Mandarin Oriental Downtown isn’t its opulence – although there’s plenty of that, but its restraint. In a world saturated with “loud luxury,” this hotel chooses to speak in a lower register. The branded residences are an extension of that philosophy: homes in the sky designed not to impress, but to envelop. Understated, yes. But far from simple. Even the location feels carefully chosen. Steps from City Walk, minutes from the Dubai Mall, and just a private elevator ride from the hotel’s own helicopter landing pad, this is urban convenience layered with cinematic drama. You don’t stumble upon this place. You arrive with intention. The penthouse A Future Classic Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai doesn’t reinvent the concept of luxury. It redefines how it should feel in 2025 – softer, slower, more personal. In a time where experiences are bought and bragged about in equal measure, this hotel gives men something far rarer: the ability to disappear, even for a moment, into something truly refined. For those who appreciate silence as a service, craftsmanship as a currency, and perspective both literal and philosophical, this isn’t just another stop on the travel map. It’s the destination. Check out more of our articles here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-downtown-dubai-a-new-standard-of-urban-grandeur — Citation: "Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai: A New Standard of Urban Grandeur" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-06. https://menwith.com/mandarin-oriental-downtown-dubai-a-new-standard-of-urban-grandeur --- ## Lamborghini Unveils Temerario Ad Personam Customized for Sardinia - URL: https://menwith.com/lamborghini-unveils-temerario-ad-personam-customized-for-sardinia - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-05 - Tags: Lamborghini Temerario, Ad Personam, Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Grigio Serget, Twin-turbo V8, Hybrid Powertrain **Summary:** Lamborghini unveils the Ad Personam Temerario in Sardinia, featuring a unique Grigio Serget paint and hybrid V8 engine (920 CV). This bespoke supercar blends Italian coastal elegance with advanced performance. A Customized Super Sports Car Celebrates Italian Coastal Elegance Lamborghini has launched a unique Ad Personam version of its new Temerario model under the dazzling ambiance of Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Revealed on August 1, 2025, the car, customized for the elite summer locale, represents a significant blend of luxury and performance, tailored to match the exquisite Mediterranean landscape. The Temerario Ad Personam edition showcases a delectable Grigio Serget paint, a grey tone enriched with blue flakes that resonate under sunlight, crafting a mesmerizing visual effect reminiscent of the Sardinian seas and sky. Complementing its distinctive exterior, the car features black gloss carbon finishes across its front splitter, rear diffuser, and airscoops, with the Lamborghini logo and roof in contrasting shiny black. The aesthetic is completed with glossy black Velador wheels and blue brake calipers. Inside, the sophistication continues. The cabin emphasizes sporty elegance, wrapped in Grigio Octans leather and Corsa Tex upholstery, accented with Blu Nethuns leather inserts and matching stitching. Exclusive blue embroidery featuring a Lamborghini logo and ‘Temerario’ with Tricolore colors adds a vibrant touch to the interior design, celebrating Italian craftsmanship. The Temerario’s technical prowess is equally noteworthy. Equipped with a new twin-turbo V8 engine, the car presents a hybrid powertrain delivering an impressive 920 CV (horsepower), reaching up to 10,000 rpm. This engine ushers innovative standards in performance, combined with aerodynamic efficiency sculpted through meticulously designed lines and structures. The Temerario leading the lineup showcases Lamborghini’s commitment to hybrid technology, marking a shift towards sustainability without compromising on the brand’s core performance values. The car also features a series of commemorative plates branded ‘Ad Personam’ and ‘Porto Cervo 2025,’ emphasizing its exclusivity and connection to the event and location of its release. This specialized rendition of the Temerario marks an ongoing evolution within Lamborghini’s portfolio, signifying its transition to a fully hybridized product line, articulating a future-oriented approach in super sports car manufacturing. The blend of advanced technological inputs and bespoke design elements signify Lamborghini’s heritage and anticipation towards future innovation and superior craftsmanship. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lamborghini-unveils-temerario-ad-personam-customized-for-sardinia — Citation: "Lamborghini Unveils Temerario Ad Personam Customized for Sardinia" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-05. https://menwith.com/lamborghini-unveils-temerario-ad-personam-customized-for-sardinia --- ## Engineering Excellence Behind the Bugatti Veyron - URL: https://menwith.com/engineering-excellence-behind-the-bugatti-veyron - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-08-04 - Tags: Bugatti Veyron, W16 engine, quad-turbo, dual-clutch transmission, carbon fiber, hypercar, Jean-Marc Borel **Summary:** The Bugatti Veyron's engineering excellence lies in its 8.0L W16 quad-turbo engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and advanced carbon fiber construction. It achieved 1,001 hp and 407 km/h, setting hypercar benchmarks. Bugatti has detailed the engineering achievements that underpin the Bugatti Veyron, a model that set new standards in the hypercar segment. The Veyron’s design and technical development reflect a comprehensive approach to performance, precision, and innovation, positioning it as a landmark in automotive engineering. At the core of the Veyron is an 8.0-litre W16 engine featuring four turbochargers. This powertrain produces 1,001 horsepower and 1,250 newton-metres of torque, enabling the vehicle to reach a top speed of 407 km/h (253 mph). The engine’s configuration is notable for combining two V8 blocks at a 90-degree angle, which presents a unique engineering solution to achieve such power and output density within compact dimensions. The vehicle includes a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, designed to handle the immense torque output efficiently. Integrated all-wheel drive ensures optimal traction and stability under various driving conditions. Bugatti also employed advanced materials, including carbon fiber for the chassis and bodywork, contributing to the car’s structural rigidity while maintaining a reasonable weight profile. The development process emphasized cooling solutions essential for sustaining engine performance at extreme velocities. This includes multiple radiators and carefully engineered airflow management to stabilize thermal conditions. Moreover, the braking system incorporates carbon-ceramic discs to provide consistent stopping power and reduce unsprung mass. Jean-Marc Borel, Bugatti’s Chief Engineer at the time, highlighted the complexity of harmonizing power, safety, and drivability in a single package. The Veyron’s engineering team undertook extensive testing programs, encompassing wind tunnel work, track trials, and real-world driving scenarios to validate the vehicle’s capabilities. Introduced in 2005, the Bugatti Veyron represented a significant milestone, combining unprecedented power with the refinement expected in the luxury car market. Its technological advancements have influenced subsequent hypercar developments, contributing to Bugatti’s reputation as a leader in high-performance automotive engineering. Read more about automotive here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/engineering-excellence-behind-the-bugatti-veyron — Citation: "Engineering Excellence Behind the Bugatti Veyron" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-08-04. https://menwith.com/engineering-excellence-behind-the-bugatti-veyron --- ## Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025: The World’s Best Carriers for Stylish Travel - URL: https://menwith.com/skytrax-top-10-airlines-2025-the-worlds-best-carriers-for-stylish-travel - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-07-29 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Skytrax reveals its 2025 Top 10 Airlines, based on global passenger feedback. Qatar Airways leads, with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific also recognized for exceptional service and luxury. Each year, Skytrax’s World Airline Awards act as the aviation industry’s version of the Oscars—shining a spotlight on the top airlines in the world. Based entirely on feedback from millions of passengers across the globe, these awards reflect real-world excellence in service, design, comfort and reliability. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, the newest Skytrax Top 10 Airlines were revealed. For those who travel often—or travel well—this list is a valuable guide to choosing an airline that delivers both efficiency and elegance, including the skytrax top 10 airlines 2025. The 10 Best Airlines in the World (Skytrax 2025) 1. Qatar Airways Crowned World’s Best Airline for the ninth time, Qatar sets the bar with its Qsuite business class, award-winning service, and seamless global connectivity through Doha’s Hamad International Airport. 2. Singapore Airlines A symbol of hospitality and modern luxury, Singapore Airlines earns praise for its innovative suites, polished crew, and consistent performance across all cabin classes. 3. Cathay Pacific This Hong Kong icon is back at the top, with recent investments in cabin design and lounge experience elevating its premium offer. Expect thoughtful touches and a calm, elevated atmosphere. 4. Emirates With onboard showers, the ICE entertainment system, and an expansive route map, Emirates continues to dominate the long-haul travel space with unapologetic opulence. 5. ANA (All Nippon Airways) Known for spotless interiors, courteous service, and its “The Room” business class, ANA blends precision with peace-of-mind—a hallmark of Japanese design and culture. 6. Turkish Airlines Famed for its in-flight chefs and gourmet menus, Turkish Airlines combines great hospitality with a growing global network via Istanbul. One to watch for culinary-focused travellers. 7. Korean Air With soft-spoken service and expanding routes, Korean Air impresses with premium comfort and efficiency. Its upcoming merger with Asiana may make it even more competitive in 2026. 8. Air France The French flag carrier shines with renewed focus on premium cabins, thoughtful catering, and an unmistakable French flair that sets the tone from boarding to arrival. 9. Japan Airlines (JAL) A masterclass in subtle luxury and punctuality, JAL debuts its A350-1000 fleet featuring private first-class suites that rival boutique hotel rooms. 10. Hainan Airlines China’s privately owned premium airline breaks into the global top ten thanks to attentive service, a young long-haul fleet, and quiet excellence that’s now gaining global recognition. - Why Skytrax Rankings Matter What sets the Skytrax rankings apart is authenticity. No pay-to-play, no politics—just real feedback from real travellers. More than 325 airlines are reviewed each year, making this the most comprehensive and trusted airline ranking in the world. It’s no surprise these awards are a key marketing asset for brands chasing elite recognition. For the Style-Conscious Traveller Whether you’re flying to Paris for fashion week, heading to Tokyo for a capsule shoot, or escaping to the Maldives between campaigns, your travel experience matters. In a world where time and presence are currency, the airline you choose is part of your brand. These carriers aren’t just efficient—they deliver atmosphere, aesthetics and elevated service. And that’s exactly what makes the Skytrax top 10 list a powerful tool for the lifestyle-focused flyer. Understanding the Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025 If you’re planning a long-haul journey and value comfort, design and service, the Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025 list is your shortcut to smarter booking. These airlines invest heavily in: - Bespoke lounges - Enhanced in-flight wellness - Attentive cabin crew - Tech-forward aircraft and design Also, check out our Travel for more inspiration and articles When faced with two similar routes, checking this list may be what turns a good trip into a great one. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/skytrax-top-10-airlines-2025-the-worlds-best-carriers-for-stylish-travel — Citation: "Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025: The World’s Best Carriers for Stylish Travel" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-29. https://menwith.com/skytrax-top-10-airlines-2025-the-worlds-best-carriers-for-stylish-travel --- ## Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025: The World's Best Carriers for Stylish Travel - URL: https://menwith.com/skytrax-top-10-airlines-2025-the-world8217s-best-carriers-for-stylish-travel - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-07-29 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Skytrax reveals its 2025 World Airline Awards, ranking Qatar Airways first. The list highlights carriers excelling in service, comfort, and design for discerning travelers. Each year, Skytrax’s World Airline Awards act as the aviation industry’s version of the Oscars—shining a spotlight on the top airlines in the world. Based entirely on feedback from millions of passengers across the globe, these awards reflect real-world excellence in service, design, comfort and reliability. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, the newest Skytrax Top 10 Airlines were revealed. For those who travel often—or travel well—this list is a valuable guide to choosing an airline that delivers both efficiency and elegance, including the skytrax top 10 airlines 2025. The 10 Best Airlines in the World (Skytrax 2025) 1. Qatar Airways Crowned World’s Best Airline for the ninth time, Qatar sets the bar with its Qsuite business class, award-winning service, and seamless global connectivity through Doha’s Hamad International Airport. 2. Singapore Airlines A symbol of hospitality and modern luxury, Singapore Airlines earns praise for its innovative suites, polished crew, and consistent performance across all cabin classes. 3. Cathay Pacific This Hong Kong icon is back at the top, with recent investments in cabin design and lounge experience elevating its premium offer. Expect thoughtful touches and a calm, elevated atmosphere. 4. Emirates With onboard showers, the ICE entertainment system, and an expansive route map, Emirates continues to dominate the long-haul travel space with unapologetic opulence. 5. ANA (All Nippon Airways) Known for spotless interiors, courteous service, and its “The Room” business class, ANA blends precision with peace-of-mind—a hallmark of Japanese design and culture. 6. Turkish Airlines Famed for its in-flight chefs and gourmet menus, Turkish Airlines combines great hospitality with a growing global network via Istanbul. One to watch for culinary-focused travellers. 7. Korean Air With soft-spoken service and expanding routes, Korean Air impresses with premium comfort and efficiency. Its upcoming merger with Asiana may make it even more competitive in 2026. 8. Air France The French flag carrier shines with renewed focus on premium cabins, thoughtful catering, and an unmistakable French flair that sets the tone from boarding to arrival. 9. Japan Airlines (JAL) A masterclass in subtle luxury and punctuality, JAL debuts its A350-1000 fleet featuring private first-class suites that rival boutique hotel rooms. 10. Hainan Airlines China’s privately owned premium airline breaks into the global top ten thanks to attentive service, a young long-haul fleet, and quiet excellence that’s now gaining global recognition. - Why Skytrax Rankings Matter What sets the Skytrax rankings apart is authenticity. No pay-to-play, no politics—just real feedback from real travellers. More than 325 airlines are reviewed each year, making this the most comprehensive and trusted airline ranking in the world. It’s no surprise these awards are a key marketing asset for brands chasing elite recognition. For the Style-Conscious Traveller Whether you’re flying to Paris for fashion week, heading to Tokyo for a capsule shoot, or escaping to the Maldives between campaigns, your travel experience matters. In a world where time and presence are currency, the airline you choose is part of your brand. These carriers aren’t just efficient—they deliver atmosphere, aesthetics and elevated service. And that’s exactly what makes the Skytrax top 10 list a powerful tool for the lifestyle-focused flyer. Understanding the Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025 If you’re planning a long-haul journey and value comfort, design and service, the Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025 list is your shortcut to smarter booking. These airlines invest heavily in: - Bespoke lounges - Enhanced in-flight wellness - Attentive cabin crew - Tech-forward aircraft and design Also, check out our Travel for more inspiration and articles When faced with two similar routes, checking this list may be what turns a good trip into a great one. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/skytrax-top-10-airlines-2025-the-world8217s-best-carriers-for-stylish-travel — Citation: "Skytrax Top 10 Airlines 2025: The World's Best Carriers for Stylish Travel" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-29. https://menwith.com/skytrax-top-10-airlines-2025-the-world8217s-best-carriers-for-stylish-travel --- ## Limone sul Garda – Boutique Escapes & Lakefront Dining - URL: https://menwith.com/limone-sul-garda-boutique-escapes-lakefront-dining - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-07-24 - Tags: Culture, Garda, Lake Garda, Limone sul garda, Luxury, Menwithclass, Slow luxury **Summary:** Limone sul Garda offers a refined, slow-luxury escape with a rich lemon-growing heritage. Boutique stays like Hotel La Fiorita and authentic dining experiences provide a tranquil, meaningful getaway. Tucked between dramatic cliffs and the shimmering expanse of Lake Garda, Limone sul Garda isn’t the loudest destination in Northern Italy – but that’s exactly the point. It doesn’t compete. It captivates. Long before it emerged as a refined escape, Limone was known for its lemon groves. Thanks to a rare microclimate, the village became a hub for citrus cultivation as early as the 17th century. The stone terraced greenhouses still cling to the hillsides – a quiet reminder of a time when lemons from this region were prized across Europe. That heritage still lingers: in the air, in the food, and in the pace of life. Staying at the serene and storied Hotel La Fiorita, wandering quiet streets lined with lemon trees and cobblestones, and discovering culinary gems tucked between the lake and the mountains — it all feels like stepping into a different rhythm, one designed for those who move with intention. Limone is no longer just a hidden gem. It’s becoming the refined escape for those who want less noise, more meaning – and a view worth pausing for. La Fiorita Hotel – The Quiet Side of Luxury Set in a restored lakeside estate, Hotel La Fiorita is a place where time slows and details matter. Think elegant arches, crisp linens, lush gardens, and that rare kind of silence that feels intentional. From the morning light pouring through wide windows to evenings on the terrace overlooking the lake – everything here is curated for calm. There’s no showmanship, just authenticity and timeless beauty. It’s the kind of place you whisper about to close friends. Incontro – Pizza with a View, and Soul Just off the waterfront, Incontro Pizza might be easy to miss – but once you find it, you won’t forget it. With its laid-back charm, perfectly blistered crusts, and tables that catch the golden hour just right, this is one of those meals that surprises you by how memorable it is. Local, unfussy, and full of character. A true hidden gem in every sense of the word. Evenings in Limone Evenings in Limone unfold with quiet charm. One night led us uphill to a shaded courtyard where the simplicity of grilled panini, local speck, and lemon spritz felt just right – a small, rustic spot run with genuine warmth. Another evening was spent at the water’s edge, where fresh seafood, handmade pasta and a well-considered wine list set the tone. A place like Ristorante Gemma doesn’t try too hard – it doesn’t need to. You sit, you slow down, and everything around you does the same. Why Limone is More Than Just a Getaway Limone sul Garda is evolving. No longer just a postcard-perfect village, it’s becoming a quiet capital of slow luxury – a place where heritage meets fresh energy. Boutique hotels like La Fiorita, restaurants run by passionate locals, and a deep respect for quality over quantity are shaping a destination that feels both exclusive and welcoming. It’s not about what’s next – it’s about what lasts. The MenWith Takeaway - Stay: La Fiorita Hotel – intimate, historical, restorative - Eat: Incontro Pizza, Speck Stube, Ristorante Gemma, Ristorante Monte Baldo – each with its own story - Feel: like you’ve found somewhere the world hasn’t quite caught up to yet - Info: See more at Visit Limone sul Garda Limone sul Garda might not be the most obvious choice on the map. But if you’re into places that balance elegance with authenticity – it just might be your new favourite. Read more about Travel on MenWith. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/limone-sul-garda-boutique-escapes-lakefront-dining — Citation: "Limone sul Garda – Boutique Escapes & Lakefront Dining" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-24. https://menwith.com/limone-sul-garda-boutique-escapes-lakefront-dining --- ## Limone sul Garda – Boutique Escapes & Lakefront Dining - URL: https://menwith.com/limone-sul-garda-8211-boutique-escapes-038-lakefront-dining - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-07-24 - Tags: Culture, Garda, Lake Garda, Limone sul garda, Luxury, Menwithclass, Slow luxury **Summary:** Limone sul Garda offers a refined, slow-luxury escape with a rich lemon-growing heritage. Boutique stays like Hotel La Fiorita and authentic dining experiences provide a tranquil, meaningful Italian getaway. Tucked between dramatic cliffs and the shimmering expanse of Lake Garda, Limone sul Garda isn’t the loudest destination in Northern Italy – but that’s exactly the point. It doesn’t compete. It captivates. Long before it emerged as a refined escape, Limone was known for its lemon groves. Thanks to a rare microclimate, the village became a hub for citrus cultivation as early as the 17th century. The stone terraced greenhouses still cling to the hillsides – a quiet reminder of a time when lemons from this region were prized across Europe. That heritage still lingers: in the air, in the food, and in the pace of life. Staying at the serene and storied Hotel La Fiorita, wandering quiet streets lined with lemon trees and cobblestones, and discovering culinary gems tucked between the lake and the mountains — it all feels like stepping into a different rhythm, one designed for those who move with intention. Limone is no longer just a hidden gem. It’s becoming the refined escape for those who want less noise, more meaning – and a view worth pausing for. La Fiorita Hotel – The Quiet Side of Luxury Set in a restored lakeside estate, Hotel La Fiorita is a place where time slows and details matter. Think elegant arches, crisp linens, lush gardens, and that rare kind of silence that feels intentional. From the morning light pouring through wide windows to evenings on the terrace overlooking the lake – everything here is curated for calm. There’s no showmanship, just authenticity and timeless beauty. It’s the kind of place you whisper about to close friends. Incontro – Pizza with a View, and Soul Just off the waterfront, Incontro Pizza might be easy to miss – but once you find it, you won’t forget it. With its laid-back charm, perfectly blistered crusts, and tables that catch the golden hour just right, this is one of those meals that surprises you by how memorable it is. Local, unfussy, and full of character. A true hidden gem in every sense of the word. Evenings in Limone Evenings in Limone unfold with quiet charm. One night led us uphill to a shaded courtyard where the simplicity of grilled panini, local speck, and lemon spritz felt just right – a small, rustic spot run with genuine warmth. Another evening was spent at the water’s edge, where fresh seafood, handmade pasta and a well-considered wine list set the tone. A place like Ristorante Gemma doesn’t try too hard – it doesn’t need to. You sit, you slow down, and everything around you does the same. Why Limone is More Than Just a Getaway Limone sul Garda is evolving. No longer just a postcard-perfect village, it’s becoming a quiet capital of slow luxury – a place where heritage meets fresh energy. Boutique hotels like La Fiorita, restaurants run by passionate locals, and a deep respect for quality over quantity are shaping a destination that feels both exclusive and welcoming. It’s not about what’s next – it’s about what lasts. The MenWith Takeaway - Stay: La Fiorita Hotel – intimate, historical, restorative - Eat: Incontro Pizza, Speck Stube, Ristorante Gemma, Ristorante Monte Baldo – each with its own story - Feel: like you’ve found somewhere the world hasn’t quite caught up to yet - Info: See more at Visit Limone sul Garda Limone sul Garda might not be the most obvious choice on the map. But if you’re into places that balance elegance with authenticity – it just might be your new favourite. Read more about Travel on MenWith. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/limone-sul-garda-8211-boutique-escapes-038-lakefront-dining — Citation: "Limone sul Garda – Boutique Escapes & Lakefront Dining" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-24. https://menwith.com/limone-sul-garda-8211-boutique-escapes-038-lakefront-dining --- ## A New Peak in EV Without Breaking a Charge - URL: https://menwith.com/a-new-peak-in-ev-without-breaking-a-charge - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-07-17 - Tags: Tech **Summary:** Lucid Air Grand Touring achieved a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title, driving 1,205 km (749 miles) on a single charge across the Alps. This real-world feat redefines EV range and performance. When an electric car quietly crossed the Alps to Munich without a single charge, it wasn’t just a technical win – it reframed the way we think about mobility. On July 5–6, Lucid Motors‘ flagship sedan, the Air Grand Touring, set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title by covering 1 205 km (749  miles) on a single charge. The journey, starting in St. Moritz and winding through alpine passes, autobahns and country roads, ended in Munich without once stopping to rechar The full story, official data, and brand vision behind this accomplishment can be explored on Lucid Motors’s site. More Than Just a Number The route included mountain climbs, city traffic, and highway speeds – mirroring real-world driving rather than laboratory tests. The result: a record-breaking 1,205 km (749 miles) drive, exceeding Lucid’s already impressive WLTP-estimated range of 960 km (596 miles). For context, the EPA-rated range of this model sits at 516 miles, already the longest of any electric vehicle sold in the U.S. Designed for Distance, Engineered for Elegance The Air Grand Touring doesn’t just push the boundaries of range – it does so with grace. Key figures include: - Dual-motor all-wheel drive producing 831 PS (819 hp / 611 kW) - A 113 kWh battery pack - Ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.197 - Energy efficiency rated at 13.5 kWh/100 km (~220 MPGe) In other words: luxury, range, and performance in one uninterrupted statement. Not a Lab Test – a Drive Worth Remembering Professional driver Umit Sabanci, known for long-range EV expeditions, was behind the wheel. This wasn’t a closed-loop experiment. It was a real drive, in real conditions – navigating mountain terrain, highways, and city traffic with precision and patience. Regenerative braking through the Alps helped conserve energy, while meticulous pacing helped make every watt count. This was hypermiling with elegance – not austerity. As part of the brand’s broader European push, this achievement showcases more than capability – it expresses ambition. Lucid is positioning itself not merely as a car company, but as a new kind of performance standard. For more features that spotlight the evolving world of future mobility, explore our Motors section on MenWith.com. Some statements don’t need volume. Just distance. And this one, 1,205 kilometers long, says plenty — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-new-peak-in-ev-without-breaking-a-charge — Citation: "A New Peak in EV Without Breaking a Charge" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-17. https://menwith.com/a-new-peak-in-ev-without-breaking-a-charge --- ## A Weekend with the Ghosts of Rolls-Royce - URL: https://menwith.com/a-weekend-with-the-ghosts-of-rolls-royce - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-07-16 - Tags: Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost, Grand Hôtel Stockholm, Extended Ghost, Black Badge, V12 engine, Planar Suspension, Spirit of Ecstasy **Summary:** Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II and Black Badge Ghost Series II offer distinct luxury experiences. The Extended Ghost provides serene comfort, while the Black Badge delivers assertive performance with a darker aesthetic. Beneath the crystalline chandeliers of Grand Hôtel Stockholm, we experienced two models from the Rolls-Royce stable: the graceful Extended Ghost Series II and its enigmatic twin, the Black Badge Ghost Series II. Though both share the same ethereal DNA, each revealed its own version of luxury, performance, and presence. A Quiet Force: The Extended Ghost Series II There’s a quote from Rolls-Royce’s history that still lingers in the air like one of its perfumed leather cabins: “The loudest noise in this Rolls-Royce comes from the ticking of its clock.” Over a century later, that silent command of the road is alive in the Ghost Series II. The inside is where Rolls-Royce’s craftsmanship shines. Duality Twill embroidery (woven from bamboo) or Placed Perforation leather patterns allow for nearly limitless personal expression. The new Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet and 1400-watt Bespoke Audio system transport occupants to a realm that feels more like a private art installation than an automobile. With 563 bhp and 850 Nm of torque from its twin-turbocharged V12, the Extended Ghost glides like its name suggests. From inside, the experience is less “driving” and more “conducting”, as if the road itself bends to the Planar Suspension and Flagbearer system, scanning terrain ahead to deliver the brand’s iconic “magic carpet ride.” Despite its generous length (5.7 meters) and nearly 2.6-ton unladen weight, we found the Ghost surprisingly agile. It navigated the streets of Stockholm with a composure that belied its size, proof that it’s not just a chauffeur’s delight but a driver’s as well. Subtle design tweaks, such as a new illuminated grille and revised headlamp graphics, subtly modernize without compromising its monolithic stance. And then there’s Whispers, Rolls-Royce’s private invite-only digital club. It’s not just a remote key or trip planner. It’s access to a global network of fellow connoisseurs, and in the world of ultra-luxury, that’s perhaps the most valuable feature of all. The Alter Ego: Black Badge Ghost Series II If the standard Ghost is the gentleman, the Black Badge Ghost is his double life: mysterious, daring, unapologetic. This “alter ego” dials up the drama with blackened chrome elements, a darker Spirit of Ecstasy, and a rich Technical Carbon dashboard finish that’s as layered as its character. Power jumps to 600 PS and torque to 900 Nm, shaving 0.1 seconds off its 0–100 km/h time (now 4.7s). But it’s not just speed, it’s the assertiveness of it. Push the throttle past 90% in “Low” mode and the shift speeds sharpen, while the exhaust murmurs with newfound urgency. It’s still a Rolls, just one that wears a tuxedo with tattoos. Yet even in its boldest attire, the Black Badge doesn’t alienate tradition. The craftsmanship remains as exacting. From its carbon-weaved diamond patterns cured under pressure to the darkened vent surrounds created using physical vapour deposition to resist time and wear—nothing here feels rushed or brash. It’s rebellion, yes, but with pedigree. Beyond Luxury Both models harken back to history. From the Silver Ghost’s legendary 1913 Spanish Grand Prix victory to the modern-day Spectre’s nod to aerospace tech with “Sprite Mode,” Rolls-Royce has always flirted with mystique and mastery. Rolls-Royce offers over 44,000 paint colors and welcomes new ones. Clients can commission nearly any material combination. But when it comes to engineering, there is no negotiation. There is no manual. No configurable suspension. The setup is final. Because it works. Final Thoughts We arrived at Grand Hôtel expecting an indulgent experience. What we received was something far more nuanced. The Extended Ghost reminded us that true luxury whispers, never shouts. And the Black Badge proved that even icons have a side that thrives in the shadows. The drive? In a word: surprising. More nimble than anticipated. Agile, even playful, without ever losing that regal float. Two Ghosts. One philosophy. You choose how it looks. Rolls-Royce decides how it drives. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-weekend-with-the-ghosts-of-rolls-royce — Citation: "A Weekend with the Ghosts of Rolls-Royce" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-16. https://menwith.com/a-weekend-with-the-ghosts-of-rolls-royce --- ## 40 Years On: The Silent Power of Live Aid 1985, Seen Through a New Lens - URL: https://menwith.com/40-years-on-the-silent-power-of-live-aid-1985-seen-through-a-new-lens - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2025-07-14 - Tags: Live Aid 1985, Andrew Catlin, Freddie Mercury, Bono, Bob Geldof, art:ig Galerie, analog photography, music photography **Summary:** Andrew Catlin's unseen Live Aid 1985 photos reveal the quiet conviction behind the iconic event. Unveiled 40 years later, these analog portraits offer authentic glimpses into artists and purpose, contrasting with today's digital landscape. It was one of the most ambitious cultural moments of the 20th century. On July 13, 1985, Live Aid wasn’t just a concert – it was a seismic event of global empathy, amplified by television signals and FM radio waves across continents. Queen, U2, Bowie, Elton John, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney – all on one day, across two continents, with one message: the world is watching, and we care. Words by MenWith The Journal Photography: Andrew Catlin & Michael Frick What hasn’t been seen until now are the quiet frames between the sound. The stillness behind the volume. British photographer Andrew Catlin – only 25 years old at the time – was one of a handful of photographers granted full access during Live Aid. While the world was watching in motion, Catlin was documenting in pause. Now, exactly forty years later, a curated selection of these never-before-exhibited photographs has been unveiled during a one-week-only exhibition at art:ig Galerie in Munich. A quiet resurfacing of analog history – stripped of nostalgia, and full of presence. Beyond the Iconic Catlin’s images are not loud. They don’t try to be remembered. They simply are. Freddie Mercury is captured mid-performance, not in his most famous pose, but in a glance, in breath. Bono is caught with closed eyes, holding a note or a moment – it’s not clear which. Bob Geldof, the architect of the entire initiative, stands not as organizer or celebrity, but simply as a man. These are not concert photos. They are portraits of conviction. Many of these images remained untouched for four decades, quietly resting in analog negatives. The film grain, the framing, the absence of manipulation – everything speaks to a kind of visual integrity that’s become rare in a digital world. You don’t scroll past these photographs. You absorb them. A Photographer Who Doesn’t Just Document – He Understands Andrew Catlin didn’t arrive at photography through fashion or fame. With a background in psychology and zoology, he brought an observational precision to his lens – part scientist, part storyteller. His eye doesn’t chase theatrics. It reveals character. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, he photographed for NME, Rolling Stone, and Melody Maker, often capturing the soul of artists long before branding swallowed music. His later works – films, experimental photo narratives, and the acclaimed Rebel Song project – are extensions of this same belief: that stillness speaks. Portrait by Michael Frick Why This Matters Now As we sit in an era where music has become algorithmic and moments are manufactured for metrics, Catlin’s rediscovered images offer something rare: authenticity without nostalgia. The 40th anniversary of Live Aid isn’t just about looking back – it’s about reclaiming the idea that art, when rooted in purpose, leaves an imprint deeper than trend or volume. And Catlin’s photographs don’t simply show us what Live Aid looked like – they remind us what it meant. Some moments are louder in silence. Forty years later, we’re finally hearing them. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/40-years-on-the-silent-power-of-live-aid-1985-seen-through-a-new-lens — Citation: "40 Years On: The Silent Power of Live Aid 1985, Seen Through a New Lens" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-14. https://menwith.com/40-years-on-the-silent-power-of-live-aid-1985-seen-through-a-new-lens --- ## Britannic Explorer by Belmond: The Pinnacle of British Rail Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/britannic-explorer-by-belmond-the-pinnacle-of-british-rail-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-07-10 - Tags: Lifestyle, Belmond, Britannic Explorer, England, Menwithclass, Train, Wales **Summary:** Belmond's Britannic Explorer redefines luxury rail travel in Britain. Launching July 2025, it offers exclusive journeys for 36 guests with Michelin-starred dining and a spa suite. Belmond has unveiled the Britannic Explorer, England and Wales’ first truly luxury sleeper train, set to embark on its maiden voyage this July 2025. This isn’t mere travel; it’s an immersive narrative crafted across time-honored landscapes, where every detail whispers refined restraint and artisanal passion. Boarding from London Victoria, the eight-carriage marvel carries just 36 guests across 18 sumptuous cabins – 15 stylish Suites and 3 lavish Grand Suites complete with private ensuites and butler service. Interiors, penned by Albion Nord in concert with British creatives like Luke Edward Hall and Olly Fathers, meld organic textures—wood, wool, stone, with bold antiques, layered fabrics, and botanical motifs inspired by the pastoral and coastal British terrain. Dining onboard is an epicurean celebration led by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, whose menus pivot on seasonal, locally sourced British produce in two dedicated dining cars, Malva and Samphire. From elegant afternoon teas to tasting menus, each service unfolds as a journey in itself. The Botanical Bar, situated in the observation carriage, offers inventive cocktails infused with regional botanicals and a curated selection of craft spirits – perfect for reflecting on the rolling countryside vista. Complementing the culinary experience is the UK’s first spa suite onboard, developed with Wildsmith Skin, offering massage and wellness therapies while the train glides through the landscape. Journeys unfold across three-night itineraries through Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales – with the freedom to combine them into extended voyages. Onboard luxury is matched by curated off-train activities: think seaside yoga, wild swimming in Lakeland lakes, wood-fired Welsh saunas, and exclusive immersion in regional arts and culture. Pricing starts at £11,000 for a double cabin on a three-night journey – covering all meals, drinks, excursions, and onboard experiences. While the aspirational price tag may raise brows, the Britannic Explorer firmly stakes its claim as the ultimate slow-luxury retreat, where time is savored, and every moment is a curated pleasure. Belmond’s Britannic Explorer isn’t just a train, it’s a moving country manor, a stage for exploration, and a testament to British craftsmanship at its most elevated. All aboard the future of luxury, reimagined through the timeless lens of British grandeur. More about travel you will find here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/britannic-explorer-by-belmond-the-pinnacle-of-british-rail-luxury — Citation: "Britannic Explorer by Belmond: The Pinnacle of British Rail Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-10. https://menwith.com/britannic-explorer-by-belmond-the-pinnacle-of-british-rail-luxury --- ## Bentley EXP 15 Concept: The Future of Luxury in Motion - URL: https://menwith.com/bentley-exp-15-concept-the-future-of-luxury-in-motion - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-07-09 - Tags: Bentley, EXP 15 Concept, Luxury, Menwithclass, Motor **Summary:** The Bentley EXP 15 Concept reimagines luxury electric grand touring, blending heritage design with innovative tech and an asymmetrical three-seat layout. It previews Bentley's 2026 EV. There are concept cars, and then there are statements. The new Bentley EXP 15 Concept is the latter, less an automobile and more a sculpture of modern luxury. With it, Bentley doesn’t simply imagine the future; it crafts a compelling narrative that bridges past grandeur with tomorrow’s technology. This is Bentley at its most poetic, elegant, commanding, and resolutely forward-looking. From the moment you lay eyes on the EXP 15, it’s clear this is no ordinary design study. Its silhouette echoes the spirit of Bentley’s iconic “Blue Train” Speed Six, with an elongated bonnet, confident stance, and coachbuilt lines that breathe timelessness. But the details, subtle LED light work, sculpted side panels, and an impossibly refined grille, announce a radical leap forward. This is heritage reimagined, tailored for an electric age. Inside, the cabin takes Bentley’s signature craftsmanship and twists it into something new. You’re greeted not by a dashboard of futuristic chaos, but a serene interplay of analog warmth and digital discretion. There are real physical controls, knurled, precise, and deeply tactile, balanced with sleek hidden screens that only reveal themselves when needed. It’s a space designed not to overwhelm, but to indulge. The seating configuration is equally bold. Rather than follow tradition, the EXP 15 opts for an asymmetrical three-seat layout: the driver sits alone on the left, while the front passenger is centered and elevated, cocooned in comfort. Behind them, a lounge-like rear seat unfolds into an outward-facing perch, imagine arriving at a scenic overlook, popping the hatch, and enjoying a glass of champagne from what feels like the terrace of a rolling château. But make no mistake: the EXP 15 isn’t just a rolling salon. It previews Bentley’s first fully electric grand tourer, due in 2026. Underneath its fluid form lies an all-wheel-drive electric platform engineered for long-range, high-speed travel. Though performance figures remain speculative, Bentley’s intent is clear – delivering silent, seamless power with the kind of grand touring refinement the brand is synonymous with. What makes the EXP 15 particularly compelling is its philosophical clarity. This is not an EV chasing trends. It’s a Bentley through and through, opulent, deeply considered, and made for those who view driving as an art form, not just a utility. In an age of sterile futurism, the EXP 15 feels human. Emotional. Luxurious in the purest sense of the word. For those who appreciate the intersections of design, legacy, and forward movement, the Bentley EXP 15 stands as a vision of what’s next. A car that doesn’t sacrifice soul for progress, but rather fuses the two into a new form of mobility. One that whispers rather than shouts. One that proves the future of luxury is not louder or faster, but more intentional, more refined, and infinitely more elegant. In the EXP 15, Bentley is not just preparing for the electric future. It’s shaping it – beautifully. Read more about motors here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/bentley-exp-15-concept-the-future-of-luxury-in-motion — Citation: "Bentley EXP 15 Concept: The Future of Luxury in Motion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-09. https://menwith.com/bentley-exp-15-concept-the-future-of-luxury-in-motion --- ## A Belated Midsummer Drive with Volvo Cars – The Iconic XC60, Now Sharper Than Ever - URL: https://menwith.com/a-belated-midsummer-drive-with-volvo-cars-8211-the-iconic-xc60-now-sharper-than-ever - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2025-07-05 - Tags: Volvo XC60, Plug-in Hybrid, Midsummer Drive, Sweden, Gothenburg, Strana Hotell, Volvo EX30 Cross Country, Volvo 240 **Summary:** A belated Midsummer Drive highlights Volvo's updated XC60 Plug-in Hybrid, a refined evolution of the brand's all-time bestseller, praised for its sharp hybrid performance and Scandinavian design. Midsummer might have come and gone on the calendar, but at MenWith, we don’t let dates get in the way of a great tradition. So, we created our own version – a belated Midsummer Drive along Sweden’s rugged west coast, with Volvo’s updated XC60 Plug-in Hybrid as our companion. With a few days carved out for fresh seafood, cold swims, slow mornings, and open roads, this was less about where we were going – and more about how we got there. A Scandinavian Bestseller – Entering a New Chapter In summer 2025, the XC60 made history: it officially became the best-selling Volvo of all time, surpassing the beloved 240. Over 2.7 million units sold globally – and the story continues. The latest version, which launches soon, refines everything that made it a global favorite: cleaner Scandinavian lines, upgraded infotainment, improved comfort, and sharper hybrid performance. We had a first taste – and it left an impression. What stood out most? The extremely responsive powertrain. Whether accelerating onto the highway or navigating winding backroads, the XC60 feels alert, confident, and smooth – in a way that surprised even us. Combined with its perfect midsize proportions and sculpted design, this is a car that immediately makes sense. It looks the part, drives even better, and it’s easy to see why this model is Volvo’s global bestseller. Summer Driving at Its Finest We started in Gothenburg and worked our way north through the coastline, basing ourselves at the beautifully minimal Strana Hotell, where time slows down and design speaks softly. In the XC60, we slipped seamlessly between small fishing villages and wide coastal stretches – quiet, smooth, and sharp. The hybrid drivetrain offered both instant response and serene electric cruising. No noise, no fuss – just good energy and a cabin that feels like a second home. And a Nod to the EX30 Cross Country While this trip was all about the XC60, we haven’t forgotten the bold little sibling. Earlier this year, we took the EX30 Cross Country deep into the Arctic and came back impressed. It’s small, confident, and full of character – perfect for the more adventurous driver. A New Chapter for a Volvo Classic There’s a reason the XC60 continues to dominate its segment. It delivers confidence without flash, performance without noise, and design without compromise. This updated version isn’t a radical reinvention – it’s a deliberate evolution. And for those who grew up with the 240, the XC60 might just be writing the next chapter of that story – this time, in silence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-belated-midsummer-drive-with-volvo-cars-8211-the-iconic-xc60-now-sharper-than-ever — Citation: "A Belated Midsummer Drive with Volvo Cars – The Iconic XC60, Now Sharper Than Ever" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-05. https://menwith.com/a-belated-midsummer-drive-with-volvo-cars-8211-the-iconic-xc60-now-sharper-than-ever --- ## A Belated Midsummer Drive with Volvo Cars – The Iconic XC60, Now Sharper Than Ever - URL: https://menwith.com/a-belated-midsummer-drive-with-volvo-cars-the-iconic-xc60-now-sharper-than-ever - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2025-07-05 - Tags: Cars **Summary:** Volvo's updated XC60 Plug-in Hybrid offers refined Scandinavian design, sharper hybrid performance, and an upgraded infotainment system. This evolution of the brand's all-time bestseller excels in responsiveness and comfort on Sweden's west coast. Midsummer might have come and gone on the calendar, but at MenWith, we don’t let dates get in the way of a great tradition. So, we created our own version – a belated Midsummer Drive along Sweden’s rugged west coast, with Volvo’s updated XC60 Plug-in Hybrid as our companion. With a few days carved out for fresh seafood, cold swims, slow mornings, and open roads, this was less about where we were going – and more about how we got there. A Scandinavian Bestseller – Entering a New Chapter In summer 2025, the XC60 made history: it officially became the best-selling Volvo of all time, surpassing the beloved 240. Over 2.7 million units sold globally – and the story continues. The latest version, which launches soon, refines everything that made it a global favorite: cleaner Scandinavian lines, upgraded infotainment, improved comfort, and sharper hybrid performance. We had a first taste – and it left an impression. What stood out most? The extremely responsive powertrain. Whether accelerating onto the highway or navigating winding backroads, the XC60 feels alert, confident, and smooth – in a way that surprised even us. Combined with its perfect midsize proportions and sculpted design, this is a car that immediately makes sense. It looks the part, drives even better, and it’s easy to see why this model is Volvo’s global bestseller. Summer Driving at Its Finest We started in Gothenburg and worked our way north through the coastline, basing ourselves at the beautifully minimal Strana Hotell, where time slows down and design speaks softly. In the XC60, we slipped seamlessly between small fishing villages and wide coastal stretches – quiet, smooth, and sharp. The hybrid drivetrain offered both instant response and serene electric cruising. No noise, no fuss – just good energy and a cabin that feels like a second home. And a Nod to the EX30 Cross Country While this trip was all about the XC60, we haven’t forgotten the bold little sibling. Earlier this year, we took the EX30 Cross Country deep into the Arctic and came back impressed. It’s small, confident, and full of character – perfect for the more adventurous driver. A New Chapter for a Volvo Classic There’s a reason the XC60 continues to dominate its segment. It delivers confidence without flash, performance without noise, and design without compromise. This updated version isn’t a radical reinvention – it’s a deliberate evolution. And for those who grew up with the 240, the XC60 might just be writing the next chapter of that story – this time, in silence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-belated-midsummer-drive-with-volvo-cars-the-iconic-xc60-now-sharper-than-ever — Citation: "A Belated Midsummer Drive with Volvo Cars – The Iconic XC60, Now Sharper Than Ever" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-05. https://menwith.com/a-belated-midsummer-drive-with-volvo-cars-the-iconic-xc60-now-sharper-than-ever --- ## The Ferrari Amalfi: A Grand Tourer for the Modern Age - URL: https://menwith.com/the-ferrari-amalfi-a-grand-tourer-for-the-modern-age - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-07-03 - Tags: Cars **Summary:** The Ferrari Amalfi, successor to the Roma, offers a refined V8 grand tourer experience with subtle design, advanced tech, and confident dynamics for modern driving. There’s a stretch of road above Positano that snakes along the cliffside, where sky and sea blur in a haze of sun. It’s not a fast road, but it makes you want to drive. And that’s the right place to think about the new Ferrari Amalfi, a new 2+ coupé named fittingly after the Amalfi Coast. Here’s everything you need to know about the Roma replacement. Design: Subtle Strength From first glance, the Ferrari Amalfi is less theatrical than its V12 siblings, but no less expressive. It’s sculpted, not showy. There’s no traditional grille, only a body-colored wing and a dark recess that hides sensors and air intakes. The car’s proportions are rooted in tradition, long bonnet, short overhangs, but the execution is modern. A subtle wedge rises from the front fender and cuts through the flank. Lighting elements are recessed into those lines, integrated rather than highlighted. At the rear, a full-width character line connects discreet taillights and frames the integrated active spoiler. Finished in a rich Verde Costiera, the launch color inspired by Mediterranean waters, the Amalfi projects presence without shouting. Interior: Dual Focus Inside Ferrari Amalfi, the dual-cockpit layout carries over from the Roma but evolves with more texture, technology, and tactility. The dashboard is monolithic, combining the digital cluster and vents in one sculpted panel. The central tunnel, milled from anodized aluminum, floats between the seats, housing Ferrari’s gated-style gear selector and new touchpoints. The materials are luxurious, but not opulent. Contrasting stitching, faceted surfaces, and ambient lighting create a contemporary space. Optional comfort seats add massage functions and adjustable ventilation, reinforcing the Amalfi’s dual personality: part tourer, part tool. A 10.25-inch touchscreen in the center provides access to media, navigation, and vehicle settings, while an 8.8-inch passenger-side display gives co-drivers a glimpse of speed, revs, and G-forces. Powertrain: The V8, Refined Again At the core of Ferrari Amalfi is Ferrari’s latest take on the F154 twin-turbo V8. This version delivers 640 cv at 7,500 rpm, with a broad torque plateau of 760 Nm between 3,000 and 5,750 rpm. It’s a familiar engine, but thoroughly revised: lighter camshafts, a new block, and turbochargers capable of 171,000 rpm make for sharper response and greater efficiency. Throttle response is improved with equal-length runners and a flat-plane crankshaft. It still sounds like a Ferrari, not as operatic as a V12, but rich, mechanical, and unmistakable. New silencer architecture and ceramic matrix catalysts meet modern regulations without silencing character. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, first seen in the SF90, is quick and clean. It handles town driving as smoothly as mountain switchbacks, aided by intelligent torque management strategies and a dry-sump layout that lowers the center of gravity. Chassis and Dynamics: Confidence Over Drama The Amalfi isn’t chasing Nürburgring lap times. It’s chasing confidence, what you feel when the car reads the road, interprets your input, and responds without delay. Brake-by-wire and Ferrari’s latest ABS Evo system, informed by a 6D sensor, allow for precise braking on all surfaces. Side Slip Control 6.1 links everything from steering to torque vectoring for seamless transitions between cruising and pushing harder. Grip estimation via EPS is 10% faster and more accurate than before. The car doesn’t need to be driven on the limit to understand what’s happening underfoot. The active rear spoiler, harmoniously integrated into the rear profile, adapts to conditions in real time, deploying only when needed, otherwise disappearing into the design. Technology and Comfort: Grand Touring, 2025-Style Ferrari’s new HMI system anchors the Amalfi’s onboard experience. Physical buttons return to the steering wheel, an intentional pivot away from touch-sensitive overload. The start button is now aluminum, a nod to the tactile rituals of past Ferraris. Displays are plentiful, but logically organized. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with wireless charging included. The optional Burmester® premium audio system, with 14 speakers and 1,200 watts, turns the cabin into a concert hall. Materials used for the speaker grilles were selected not just for acoustics but also for their tactile appeal. Aerodynamics: Invisible Engineering A great GT doesn’t need wings and ducts to look fast. The Amalfi hides its aerodynamic work under the skin and within the shape. A front splitter, vortex generators, underbody fairings, and a reworked diffuser contribute to downforce and stability without disturbing the silhouette. The active rear wing switches between Low Drag, Medium Downforce, and High Downforce modes based on speed and cornering loads. It can deliver 110 kg of downforce at 250 km/h with minimal drag penalty. In normal driving, it disappears entirely. Cooling systems are also neatly integrated: intercoolers, air conditioning condensers, and radiators have their own paths, ensuring efficiency and avoiding thermal compromises. Dimensions and Practicality At 4,660 mm long and just over 1,300 mm tall, the Amalfi fits the classic GT profile. But its practicality has grown. The 2+ seating arrangement means the rear seats, while tight for adults, can handle children or luggage. The boot offers 273 liters of space, and with the rear seats folded, capacity increases. There’s also an optional front lifter to navigate speed bumps and driveways. Ownership Experience: Backed by Ferrari Ferrari includes its seven-year Genuine Maintenance program with the Amalfi. Annual or 20,000 km service intervals, factory-trained technicians, and original parts ensure peace of mind. It’s available globally, and extends to certified pre-owned Ferraris as well, something that quietly bolsters long-term value. Final Thoughts The Ferrari Amalfi is not a revolution. It’s a recalibration. One that understands that not every Ferrari owner wants the intensity of a track-focused supercar, but still craves connection, control, and character. It’s for those who want to drive from Milan to Marseille in one day, and enjoy every kilometer. A sports car that wears a suit well, but doesn’t forget its roots. In that sense, the Amalfi earns its name. Not just for its inspiration, but for the journey it invites you to take. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-ferrari-amalfi-a-grand-tourer-for-the-modern-age — Citation: "The Ferrari Amalfi: A Grand Tourer for the Modern Age" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-07-03. https://menwith.com/the-ferrari-amalfi-a-grand-tourer-for-the-modern-age --- ## Sadair’s Spear: Koenigsegg’s Quiet Revolution of Speed - URL: https://menwith.com/sadairs-spear-koenigseggs-quiet-revolution-of-speed - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-06-25 - Tags: Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear, Jesko Attack, Christian von Koenigsegg, Swedish engineering, Hypercar, Gotland Ring, Light Speed Transmission, V8 engine **Summary:** Koenigsegg's Sadair's Spear, based on the Jesko Attack, refines speed with enhanced aerodynamics, increased power (1,625 hp on E85), and reduced weight. This limited-edition hypercar sets new track records while maintaining road legality. Not every legacy begins with a car. For Christian von Koenigsegg, it started on horseback. Long before his family name became synonymous with Swedish engineering brilliance, his father Jesko raced as a gentleman jockey. His favorite horse? Sadair’s Spear: a name now reborn, not in the stables of Sweden but in the carbon-sculpted paddocks of Ängelholm. The new Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear is not a reinvention. It’s a refinement. A sharpened edge of what was already brutally fast and obsessively engineered. Based on the Jesko Attack, this limited-production model takes everything Koenigsegg has learned at the edge of performance and distills it into 30 units of purpose-built velocity. The Horse and the Blade The name is personal. In 2019, the Jesko honored Christian’s father for his formative role in the company’s early days. Now, the tribute goes deeper. “Sadair’s Spear” isn’t just a poetic callback to Jesko’s racing past, it’s an assertion. Where the Jesko was already aggressive, Sadair’s Spear pushes further into track-focused precision, with full road legality kept intact across global markets. The hardware is serious: a revised aerodynamic profile, a bespoke suspension setup, lighter components throughout, and a healthy bump in power, topping 1,625 horsepower when running E85. Air and Intent The aerodynamics tell a clear story. A new top-mounted double-blade rear wing balances the car under cornering loads while elongated rear bodywork improves stability. Enlarged front canards, new louvres, and hood vents aren’t just for visual drama, they work together to generate critical downforce and channel airflow to the powertrain. At speed, this car moves air with the poise of something far lighter and far simpler. That’s the achievement. Koenigsegg’s team used every surface to either cut through the atmosphere or command it. Engine and Drivetrain The twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8, still among the most explosive internal combustion units in existence, receives new breathing components and a recalibrated ECU. It now produces 1,300 hp on pump fuel. Switch to E85 and the number jumps to 1,625 hp. The flywheel-free Light Speed Transmission delivers immediate power transitions with a violent elegance that’s become a Koenigsegg hallmark. Sadair’s Spear weighs about 35 kg less than the Jesko Attack. That’s not headline-grabbing on its own, but in this context it’s surgical. The weight loss translates to improved response, higher cornering speeds, and the kind of predictability drivers want when the limit arrives without warning. The Cockpit Inside, the car is bare where it should be, rich where it matters. Minimalism isn’t a style here, it’s a necessity. The standard seats are replaced with new, lightweight carbon racing shells. The center console is simplified, and sound insulation is reduced. And yet, the essential Koenigsegg DNA remains: the SmartCluster rotating display, SmartCenter touchscreen, and even parking assist and phone charging. The car may shed creature comforts, but it does so selectively. It’s still livable, still unmistakably premium, but never overdone. Records and Legacy Early tests at Gotland Ring confirmed what Koenigsegg hinted at: this is the fastest model they’ve ever built. Beating the Jesko Attack’s own lap record by over a second is no small feat, especially on a car that remains road-legal under international homologation. All 30 examples of Sadair’s Spear were spoken for immediately at a private unveiling, a fitting response to a car that doesn’t shout, but asserts itself with clarity. Final Thought Koenigsegg has never chased numbers for the sake of headlines. Even the 1:1 power-to-weight ratio wasn’t a gimmick, it was an engineering target. With Sadair’s Spear, that philosophy continues. It isn’t louder. It isn’t flashier. It’s simply better, quicker, more agile, more honed. And somewhere in all this sharpened metal and carbon, the spirit of a man on horseback still runs quietly underneath it all. Read more about cars here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/sadairs-spear-koenigseggs-quiet-revolution-of-speed — Citation: "Sadair’s Spear: Koenigsegg’s Quiet Revolution of Speed" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-06-25. https://menwith.com/sadairs-spear-koenigseggs-quiet-revolution-of-speed --- ## End of an Era: The Buss Family Sells Majority Stake in the Lakers - URL: https://menwith.com/end-of-an-era-the-buss-family-sells-majority-stake-in-the-lakers - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-06-19 - Tags: Basker, Basket, Kobe Bryant, La Lakers, Lebron James, Los angeles Lakers, Mark Waler, Mark Walter, Menwithclass **Summary:** The Buss family is selling its majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter for $10 billion, ending 50 years of ownership. Walter, co-owner of the Dodgers, aims to revitalize the franchise. 50 years of ownership, the Buss family is selling its controlling stake in the Lakers – marking the end of a historic era. The Buss family, synonymous with the Los Angeles Lakers for nearly five decades, has officially agreed to sell its controlling interest in the franchise. The buyer is billionaire investor Mark Walter, CEO of TWG Global and co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and other high-profile sports properties. The deal values the Lakers at approximately $10 billion, making it the most expensive sale of a sports franchise in U.S. history. Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 for just $67.5 million, ushering in a golden era that produced 11 NBA championships and transformed the team into a global brand. After his passing in 2013, the family retained control through a trust, led by his daughter Jeanie Buss. Under her leadership, the team won its most recent championship in 2020. With this sale, the Buss family will relinquish majority control but retain a significant minority stake. Jeanie Buss is expected to remain involved as team governor, both to ensure continuity and to comply with NBA rules requiring a designated principal owner. Sources report she will hold onto at least 15 percent of the team. Walter is not new to the Lakers. He has quietly held a 27 percent stake in the team through his investment group and has long been considered a major player in sports ownership circles. His leadership style, marked by deep pockets and a focus on sustainability, has been credited with helping revitalize the Dodgers since their acquisition in 2012. Reactions have poured in from figures across the basketball and sports world. Magic Johnson, a key figure in Lakers history, voiced strong support for the move, calling Walter “the right person to carry on the Lakers legacy.” Walter’s reputation for investing in winning teams has fueled speculation that the Lakers may soon make major moves to return to championship contention. The deal is pending NBA approval, but it represents more than just a record-breaking transaction. It’s the symbolic end of the Buss family era – one of the most iconic and successful ownership runs in sports history. At the same time, it marks the beginning of a new chapter, with the potential to push the Lakers into a new phase of innovation, spending, and pursuit of glory. For fans and the broader basketball community, the sale is both nostalgic and forward-looking – a reminder of the past while raising expectations for what’s next. More about sports here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/end-of-an-era-the-buss-family-sells-majority-stake-in-the-lakers — Citation: "End of an Era: The Buss Family Sells Majority Stake in the Lakers" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-06-19. https://menwith.com/end-of-an-era-the-buss-family-sells-majority-stake-in-the-lakers --- ## Blancpain × Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms “Green Abyss” - URL: https://menwith.com/blancpain-swatch-bioceramic-scuba-fifty-fathoms-green-abyss - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-06-19 - Tags: Blancpain × Swatch, Green Abyss, Menwithclass, Swatch **Summary:** The Blancpain × Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms "Green Abyss" ($400) merges iconic dive watch design with sustainable Bioceramic materials and a 90-hour power reserve SISTEM51 movement. An Accessible Dive Icon for the Modern Explorer Introducing Green Abyss On June 7, 2025, Swatch released the Green Abyss, the latest dive-inspired addition to their celebrated Blancpain × Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection. Priced at $400 (≈ €390), this model combines the legendary Fifty Fathoms design with eco-conscious materials and mechanical innovation. The Details The Green Abyss is bold without being bulky. It’s housed in a 42.3 mm case made from Swatch’s signature Bioceramic – a smooth, lightweight material that’s part ceramic, part castor oil-based plastic. It feels solid but not heavy on the wrist. The bezel is unidirectional (as any proper dive watch should be), made from the same green Bioceramic with a matte black insert. It features luminous markings that glow nicely in the dark – perfect whether you’re underwater or just checking the time in a dim bar. The dial is a deep black with a subtle green hue, giving off that “sunlight through deep water” vibe. The cream-colored lume on the hands and indices adds a vintage touch, reminiscent of old-school Fifty Fathoms models. Inside, it’s powered by Swatch’s mechanical SISTEM51 movement – fully Swiss-made, anti-magnetic, with a beefy 90-hour power reserve. That means you can set it down on Friday and it’ll still be ticking Monday morning. It’s water-resistant to 91 meters (or 50 fathoms), which is plenty for casual diving, swimming, or spontaneous summer cliff jumps. And a cool little detail? There’s a water-contact indicator on the dial at 6 o’clock. It’s a vintage military touch that shows if moisture ever gets inside the watch – a nod to Blancpain’s dive watch history. Around back, the case is transparent and shows off the movement, complete with an illustration of a vibrant sea slug (Felimare picta) swimming across the rotor. There’s also an inspiring message printed on the rim: “PASSION FOR DIVING – LICENSE TO EXPLORE – OCEAN BREATH – PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE – IMMERSE YOURSELF” To tie it all together, it comes on a sturdy NATO-style strap made from recycled fishing nets – a small but meaningful gesture toward ocean preservation. Availability & Buy Tips - Release Date: June 7, 2025; one watch per person per store - Available exclusively at select Swatch boutiques, and briefly displayed (but not sold) in Blancpain boutiques - Resale Demand: Similar to the Moonswatch, expect high demand and potential gray‑market premiums Final Thoughts The Green Abyss is the culmination of what made the Bioceramic Fifty Fathoms series compelling: - Authentic dive‑watch DNA - Swatch’s fun, bold colour schemes - Mechanical automatic movement – no quartz here - Eco‑friendly materials and ocean‑centric storytelling For the modern man seeking a watch rich in history, substance, and style, this timepiece ticks all the right boxes – while reminding us to protect the very oceans that inspired its creation. Do you want to read more about watches? – Read more here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/blancpain-swatch-bioceramic-scuba-fifty-fathoms-green-abyss — Citation: "Blancpain × Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms “Green Abyss”" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-06-19. https://menwith.com/blancpain-swatch-bioceramic-scuba-fifty-fathoms-green-abyss --- ## Real Madrid x Louis Vuitton: When Football Meets Timeless Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/real-madrid-x-louis-vuitton-when-football-meets-timeless-luxury - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-06-15 - Tags: fashion, Football, Louis Vuitton, Menwithclass, Real Madrid **Summary:** Real Madrid and Louis Vuitton unite for an exclusive collection featuring custom trunks and travel pieces, celebrating the club's 15 Champions League titles with bespoke Monogram canvas designs. In a move that blends sport, heritage, and haute design, Real Madrid x Louis Vuitton have come together to release an exclusive collection that redefines what it means to carry legacy – quite literally. Unveiled in June 2025, the collaboration includes a series of custom trunks and travel pieces created to celebrate Real Madrid’s prestigious history, including their legendary 15 UEFA Champions League titles. This isn’t just a fashion crossover – it’s a fusion of craftsmanship and culture. A Trophy Worthy of Louis Vuitton At the center of the collection is a bespoke LV trophy trunk, handmade in Louis Vuitton’s historic ateliers. Wrapped in the maison’s classic Monogram canvas, the case is designed to house Real Madrid’s Champions League trophies — blending elegance and athletic excellence. This isn’t the first time Vuitton has been tasked with elevating silverware. The brand has a long-standing tradition of producing trophy trunks for FIFA, the NBA, and the Rugby World Cup. The Collection The limited capsule also includes: • Weekend bags & keepalls with co-branded LV x RM detailing • Small leather goods and accessories • A select number of personalized items available for players and VIP clientele The design language is clear: minimalist luxury with a nod to heritage — both Real Madrid’s and Louis Vuitton’s. Think deep navy, crisp whites, and subtle golds — a palette that mirrors the elegance of both brands. Why It Matters This collaboration isn’t just about fashion – it reflects the modern man’s world: where sport, style, and status collide. For men who appreciate heritage, craftsmanship, and global icons, this collection hits every note. Read about A Legacy of Class and 15 Titles — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/real-madrid-x-louis-vuitton-when-football-meets-timeless-luxury — Citation: "Real Madrid x Louis Vuitton: When Football Meets Timeless Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-06-15. https://menwith.com/real-madrid-x-louis-vuitton-when-football-meets-timeless-luxury --- ## Men’s Fashion Weeks SS26: What to Expect from Milan and Paris - URL: https://menwith.com/mens-fashion-weeks-ss26-what-to-expect-from-milan-and-paris - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-06-13 - Tags: fashion, fashion week, Menwithclass, milan, Paris, SS26 **Summary:** Milan and Paris Men's Fashion Weeks SS26 will showcase refined tailoring, evolving streetwear, and a redefinition of masculinity, blending heritage with innovation and sustainability. The men’s fashion calendar is heating up once again, with Milan Men’s Fashion Week (June 20–24) and Paris Men’s Fashion Week (June 24–29) set to define the direction for Spring/Summer 2026. From refined tailoring to boundary-pushing streetwear, these back-to-back weeks bring together heritage and innovation like no other. Classic Tailoring Returns – with a Twist Italian fashion houses such as Armani, Zegna, and Dolce & Gabbana continue to champion traditional elegance, but with softer silhouettes, lightweight fabrics, and a relaxed approach to structure. Expect to see: - Tonal suits in earthy hues - Linen reimagined with cleaner cuts - Subtle luxury in every detail The “quiet luxury” narrative is still going strong, especially for brands targeting a global, mature audience. Streetstyle Outside the Shows While the runway dictates trends, the real-time fashion conversation happens outside the venues. In both Milan and Paris, streetstyle has evolved into a genre of its own – a hybrid of archive fashion, limited-edition drops, and personal expression. Keep your eye on: - Oversized shirts layered with workwear - Unexpected accessory choices (think brooches and leather gloves – in June) - A mix of skate, tailoring, and vintage Americana This season, streetstyle is likely to strike a balance between bold and understated – with subtle nods to 90s minimalism and early 2000s experimentation. Collaborations & New Creative Leads SS26 may mark the rise of new creative directors stepping into legacy houses, and surprise collaborations across fashion, sportswear, and even tech. We’re anticipating: - Guest designers at key fashion houses - Capsule drops with performance brands - Concept-based presentations that blend art and fashion Expect the unexpected – and prepare for names you don’t yet know to dominate the conversation. Sustainability Is Taking Shape While womenswear has led the way in sustainable messaging, menswear is catching up. More brands are expected to highlight: - Recycled and organic materials - Upcycled tailoring - Seasonless garments built for longevity Look for brands that merge responsible production with impeccable design. A Redefinition of Masculinity Perhaps the most significant shift is the ongoing evolution of what menswear represents. Fluidity in shape, softness in tone, and a focus on individuality over convention will continue to emerge as major themes. Designers are exploring: - Genderless tailoring - Light pastels and silk-like textures - Silhouettes that invite movement, not restriction In short: style with substance. Final Thoughts As Milan and Paris take the stage this June, the Spring/Summer 2026 season promises a blend of confidence, contrast, and craftsmanship. Whether you’re drawn to timeless elegance or inspired by the chaos of streetstyle, the coming weeks will deliver. Stay tuned as we follow the collections – and everything happening outside the shows – with a focus on both class and street. More about fashion: click here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mens-fashion-weeks-ss26-what-to-expect-from-milan-and-paris — Citation: "Men’s Fashion Weeks SS26: What to Expect from Milan and Paris" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-06-13. https://menwith.com/mens-fashion-weeks-ss26-what-to-expect-from-milan-and-paris --- ## The Timeless Allure of Style Icons - URL: https://menwith.com/the-timeless-allure-of-style-icons - Author: Kenny Jonson - Category: Style - Published: 2025-06-05 - Tags: Alain Delon, Cary Grant, Gianni Agnelli, Menwithclass, Sean Connery, Steve McQueen, Style Icons **Summary:** Style icons like Delon, Grant, Agnelli, McQueen, and Connery defined timeless masculine elegance through attitude and authenticity, not trends. Their enduring influence lies in their unique charisma and effortless cool. When we talk about timeless style icons, a select group of men inevitably rises to the top, names that have come to define elegance, attitude, and effortless cool. Alain Delon, Cary Grant, Gianni Agnelli, Steve McQueen, and Sean Connery represent the holy grail of masculine elegance and charisma. They didn’t just wear clothes; they embodied an attitude, a lifestyle, a kind of effortless cool that continues to inspire generations. Alain Delon: The French Enigma Alain Delon is the definition of continental cool. Rising to fame in the 1960s, Delon paired his striking features with razor-sharp tailoring, crisp white shirts, and the kind of trench coats that looked like they were made just for him. Whether in a perfectly fitted suit in Le Samouraï or lounging in a polo and linen trousers on the Riviera, Delon exemplified French minimalism and quiet confidence. His style was as much about silence and presence as it was about clothes, and that mystery is why people still reference him today. Cary Grant: The Epitome of Elegance If Delon was the brooding Frenchman, Cary Grant was the eternal gentleman. Grant didn’t just wear suits; he lived in them. His look – often a classic grey flannel suit, polished shoes, and a knowing smile, represented a kind of aspirational sophistication that transcended generations. He understood proportion, simplicity, and fit like few others. Grant’s charm was rooted in consistency; he didn’t chase trends. That’s exactly why he never went out of style. Gianni Agnelli: The Industrialist with Edge Gianni Agnelli, the legendary head of Fiat, was more than just a businessman, he was Italy’s answer to old-world glamour. Agnelli broke rules with precision: wearing his watch over his shirt cuff, pairing tailored suits with hiking boots, and mixing classic tailoring with unexpected nonchalance. He didn’t dress to impress, he dressed to express. His wardrobe was both aristocratic and rebellious, making him the godfather of “sprezzatura”, the art of studied carelessness. Today, his influence echoes in every fashion-forward man who dares to blend tradition with individuality. Steve McQueen: The King of Cool Steve McQueen’s style was never about polish, it was about purpose. Whether in a Barbour jacket, Persol sunglasses, or a perfectly plain white tee, McQueen made ruggedness refined. His look was utilitarian yet magnetic, functional yet iconic. From racing overalls to chinos and desert boots, his wardrobe spoke to a life of action and authenticity. McQueen didn’t need to say much; his clothes told his story. That’s why his image still graces mood boards and style guides the world over. Sean Connery: The Bond Blueprint As the original James Bond, Sean Connery redefined cinematic masculinity. He brought toughness to tailoring, an edge to elegance. Connery’s suits in the 1960s Bond films were slim-cut, sharp-shouldered, and utterly timeless. But off-screen, too, Connery kept it classic with casual knits, Harrington jackets, and effortlessly cool eveningwear. He combined the poise of a British gentleman with the physicality of an action hero, and that duality made him irresistible, not just to fans, but to the fashion world. Why We Still Look Up to Them These men didn’t chase fashion. They had a sense of self that made style an extension of who they were. Each brought something unique: Delon’s mystery, Grant’s refinement, Agnelli’s flair, McQueen’s cool, Connery’s strength. In a world overwhelmed by fast fashion and fleeting trends, their legacy reminds us that true style is timeless – it’s about authenticity, attitude, and wearing your clothes with conviction. That’s why people still talk about them. Not because of what they wore, but because of how they wore it, and who they were when they did. Read more about fashion here — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-timeless-allure-of-style-icons — Citation: "The Timeless Allure of Style Icons" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-06-05. https://menwith.com/the-timeless-allure-of-style-icons --- ## Crystal Palace's Historic FA Cup Triumph: A New Era Begins - URL: https://menwith.com/crystal-palace8217s-historic-fa-cup-triumph-a-new-era-begins - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-05-28 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Crystal Palace secured their first major trophy, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final. Eberechi Eze scored the winning goal, and Dean Henderson made crucial saves, leading Palace to a historic European qualification. In a stunning upset that will be remembered for years, Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1–0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 17. The victory not only marks a monumental achievement for the club but also secures their place in European competition for the first time in history. Eberechi Eze’s Decisive Goal The match’s lone goal came from winger Eberechi Eze, who found the net in the first half, showcasing his skill and composure on one of football’s biggest stages. Eze’s performance throughout the tournament has been instrumental in Palace’s success, and his decisive strike against a formidable Manchester City side underscores his rising prominence in English football. Dean Henderson’s Heroics Goalkeeper Dean Henderson played a pivotal role in preserving Palace’s lead, notably saving a crucial penalty that could have shifted the momentum in City’s favor. His leadership and shot-stopping abilities were on full display, earning him accolades and solidifying his status as a key figure in the team’s historic run. A Milestone for the Club This FA Cup victory is more than just a trophy; it’s a testament to Crystal Palace’s growth and ambition. The win grants them entry into the league phase of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League and a spot in the 2025 FA Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool. For a club that has long been considered underdogs, this triumph signals a new chapter filled with promise and potential. As the celebrations continue, fans and players alike look forward to what the future holds for Crystal Palace, now etched in history as FA Cup champions. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/crystal-palace8217s-historic-fa-cup-triumph-a-new-era-begins — Citation: "Crystal Palace's Historic FA Cup Triumph: A New Era Begins" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-28. https://menwith.com/crystal-palace8217s-historic-fa-cup-triumph-a-new-era-begins --- ## Crystal Palace’s Historic FA Cup Triumph: A New Era Begins - URL: https://menwith.com/crystal-palaces-historic-fa-cup-triumph-a-new-era-begins - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-05-28 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Crystal Palace secured their first major trophy, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final. Eberechi Eze scored the winning goal, and Dean Henderson made crucial saves, earning Palace a Europa League spot. In a stunning upset that will be remembered for years, Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1–0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 17. The victory not only marks a monumental achievement for the club but also secures their place in European competition for the first time in history. Eberechi Eze’s Decisive Goal The match’s lone goal came from winger Eberechi Eze, who found the net in the first half, showcasing his skill and composure on one of football’s biggest stages. Eze’s performance throughout the tournament has been instrumental in Palace’s success, and his decisive strike against a formidable Manchester City side underscores his rising prominence in English football. Dean Henderson’s Heroics Goalkeeper Dean Henderson played a pivotal role in preserving Palace’s lead, notably saving a crucial penalty that could have shifted the momentum in City’s favor. His leadership and shot-stopping abilities were on full display, earning him accolades and solidifying his status as a key figure in the team’s historic run. A Milestone for the Club This FA Cup victory is more than just a trophy; it’s a testament to Crystal Palace’s growth and ambition. The win grants them entry into the league phase of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League and a spot in the 2025 FA Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool. For a club that has long been considered underdogs, this triumph signals a new chapter filled with promise and potential. As the celebrations continue, fans and players alike look forward to what the future holds for Crystal Palace, now etched in history as FA Cup champions. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/crystal-palaces-historic-fa-cup-triumph-a-new-era-begins — Citation: "Crystal Palace’s Historic FA Cup Triumph: A New Era Begins" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-28. https://menwith.com/crystal-palaces-historic-fa-cup-triumph-a-new-era-begins --- ## New Linen Collection From the 100 Year-Old Shirtmaker Trusted by Frank Sinatra and British Royalty - URL: https://menwith.com/new-linen-collection-from-the-100-year-old-shirtmaker-trusted-by-frank-sinatra-and-british-royalty - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2025-05-27 - Tags: Hawes & Curtis, Linen Collection, Frank Sinatra, British Royalty, Jermyn Street, Tailored Suits, Men's Fashion **Summary:** Hawes & Curtis, a 100-year-old shirtmaker trusted by royalty and Frank Sinatra, launches a new linen collection. The range offers breathable shirts and suits designed for modern life, blending heritage tailoring with effortless style. There’s something about linen in spring – the quiet rustle of quality, the elegance of effortlessness. It’s the kind of fabric that doesn’t chase attention, yet never escapes it. And in the hands of a tailor who’s been dressing men of distinction for over a century, linen becomes more than seasonal. It becomes a statement. Founded in 1913 on London’s Jermyn Street, Hawes & Curtis has spent more than 100 years refining the shirt. Worn by royalty, respected by statesmen, and – at one time – favored by Frank Sinatra, the brand has always held a place in the wardrobe of those who value subtle distinction. Yet despite the legacy, the house is not resting on its reputation. With its latest linen collection, Hawes & Curtis proves that history can evolve – and sometimes, feel even lighter. A Collection Made to Breathe The new capsule features a focused range of linen shirts and tailored suits designed with movement and heat in mind. Whether worn under the sun at a summer wedding or paired casually with chinos on a slow weekend, each piece is made to hold its shape without holding you back. Light in weight but not in structure, the collection reflects the same tailoring philosophy that built the brand’s reputation. The collars sit crisp. The sleeves roll just right. The entire garment feels balanced – between relaxed and refined. Available in a palette of earth tones, soft neutrals, and navy staples, the pieces are versatile without being bland. This isn’t fast fashion masquerading as heritage. It’s heritage adjusting the dial toward modern life. From London to Now While Hawes & Curtis continues to serve its long-standing British clientele, this new offering speaks directly to a broader, international audience – one that values heritage, but lives in the present. Through digital platforms and editorial partnerships, including a capsule with @menwithclass, the brand is inviting a new generation to rediscover the pleasures of dressing well. And in a time when many wardrobes are ruled by convenience, linen offers something more: ease, yes – but also intention. The Hawes & Curtis Linen Collection is available now at hawesandcurtis.com Follow them on Instagram: @hawesandcurtisglobal — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/new-linen-collection-from-the-100-year-old-shirtmaker-trusted-by-frank-sinatra-and-british-royalty — Citation: "New Linen Collection From the 100 Year-Old Shirtmaker Trusted by Frank Sinatra and British Royalty" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-27. https://menwith.com/new-linen-collection-from-the-100-year-old-shirtmaker-trusted-by-frank-sinatra-and-british-royalty --- ## Carlo Ancelotti Leaves Real Madrid: A Legacy of Class and 15 Titles - URL: https://menwith.com/carlo-ancelotti-leaves-real-madrid-a-legacy-of-class-and-15-titles - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-05-23 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Carlo Ancelotti departs Real Madrid with a legacy of 15 titles and unparalleled class. His calm, intelligent leadership fostered player growth and secured numerous trophies, including three Champions Leagues. In football, greatness is often measured in moments with goals scored, trophies lifted, and records broken. But true class is measured in the quieter things: the way a man carries himself when the stadium roars, when the headlines glare, or when the season ends without silver. For Carlo Ancelotti, both the moments and the manner came together seamlessly at Real Madrid. The Gentleman at the Helm When Ancelotti arrived in Madrid in the summer of 2013, he stepped into a club where the pressure was as constant as the spotlight. José Mourinho had just departed, leaving a locker room of stars and egos behind. The Italian’s presence was a balm. Calm, composed, and quietly authoritative, Ancelotti brought not just tactical clarity but emotional intelligence, a rare gift in modern management. From the start, he deviated from confrontation and spectacle. His leadership was built on trust, understanding, and a profound respect for the game. Where others sought to dominate a room, Ancelotti elevated those within it. His transformation of Ángel Di María into a tireless, left-sided central midfielder is still one of the most elegant coaching solutions of the era. Under his guidance, Real Madrid adopted a fluid 4-3-3 that maximized flair and balance, a system where stars could shine without burning the team. The Silver Harvest It didn’t take long for results to follow. In April 2014, Ancelotti’s Madrid beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Weeks later, they demolished Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals with a performance of such control and devastation that it stunned Europe. On May 24, 2014, the club captured “La Décima”—its long-awaited 10th European Cup, with a 4–1 victory over Atlético Madrid in extra time. That alone would have secured Ancelotti a place in Madrid’s lore. But he didn’t stop there. Across two spells at the club, Ancelotti collected 15 major trophies, more than any coach in Real Madrid’s 123-year history. His resume with the blancos includes three Champions League titles, two LaLigas, two Copas del Rey, and an array of international and domestic super cups. In the club of Di Stéfano, Zidane, and Cristiano, he stands tall, not as a star, but as the conductor who let brilliance breathe. A Class Apart What made Ancelotti special in Madrid wasn’t just what he won, but how he did it. He never demanded attention, never sought to be the story. He left the touchline drama to others. Instead, there was that familiar posture, arms crossed, eyebrow slightly raised, trusting his players to solve the game. Where others paced, he paused. Where others shouted, he listened. That serenity, that faith in preparation and personnel, made him not just respected but beloved. From Luka Modrić to Toni Kroos to Vinícius Júnior, his players spoke less like employees and more like protégés. He gave them freedom, but not without discipline. He gave them confidence, but never comfort. In the chaos of elite football, Ancelotti was proof that poise can win. The End, and the Echo Now, as he steps away from the Santiago Bernabéu one final time, Real Madrid prepares a tribute fitting for a man who gave them not just trophies, but peace. Club president Florentino Pérez called him a “true legend” and a man who “embodied our club’s values.” That isn’t mere flattery. It’s fact. Madrid, for all its grandeur, is a place of relentless scrutiny. Yet in both triumph and adversity, Ancelotti never betrayed a flicker of insecurity. He never lashed out, never made it about himself. He showed that leadership in sport, as in life, is not always about louder voices or stronger arms. Sometimes, it’s about the steady hand on the tiller when the sea grows rough. A Farewell, Not a Goodbye Where he goes next is his decision. He’s earned that right. But for Madridistas, his legacy is carved in stone. Carlo Ancelotti will always be remembered not only for the titles and the tactical intelligence but for showing, in the harshest of arenas, that elegance still matters. And in the echo of Bernabéu applause, he will remain, a gentleman in a game that rarely rewards grace, a legend by any measure. Ancelotti‘s open letter to the club: Today we part ways again. Today, once again, I carry in my heart every moment lived in this wonderful second spell as coach of Real Madrid. These have been unforgettable years, an incredible journey full of emotions, titles and, above all, the pride of representing this crest. Thank you to President Florentino Pérez, to the club, to my players, to my staff and, above all, to this unique fanbase that has always made me feel like one of them. What we have achieved together will remain forever in the memory of Madridismo, not only because of the victories, but because of the way we achieved them. The magical nights at the Bernabéu are now part of football history. Now a new adventure begins, but my bond with Real Madrid is eternal. See you soon, Madridistas. Hala Madrid y Nada Más. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/carlo-ancelotti-leaves-real-madrid-a-legacy-of-class-and-15-titles — Citation: "Carlo Ancelotti Leaves Real Madrid: A Legacy of Class and 15 Titles" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-23. https://menwith.com/carlo-ancelotti-leaves-real-madrid-a-legacy-of-class-and-15-titles --- ## Charles Leclerc x Ferrari: A Capsule of Speed, Style, and Signature Red - URL: https://menwith.com/charles-leclerc-x-ferrari-a-capsule-of-speed-style-and-signature-red - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-05-23 - Tags: Style **Summary:** Ferrari and F1 driver Charles Leclerc unveil a limited-edition fashion capsule, blending motorsport heritage with modern, street-ready design. Co-created with Rocco Iannone, the collection emphasizes speed, style, and Leclerc's personal touch. Ferrari has always stood at the intersection of performance and prestige. But with its latest capsule collection, the Italian powerhouse shifts gears once again—this time into the world of modern fashion—with a fresh drop co-designed by its Formula 1 star, Charles Leclerc, and Ferrari’s creative director, Rocco Iannone. This isn’t your average celebrity collaboration. It’s a calculated blend of motorsport heritage and sharp, street-ready design—anchored in Ferrari’s unmistakable DNA but tuned for a new generation of fans. A Personal Touch from the Driver’s Seat Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s Monegasque F1 driver and one of the sport’s most recognizable faces, has long embodied the elegance and precision the brand is known for. With this capsule, he steps into a new role: co-creator. The collection channels his off-track personality—minimal, bold, and performance-driven—into a series of limited-edition pieces that feel just as at home on the streets of Milan as in the paddock. “It’s about capturing emotion and speed,” says Leclerc. “But also making it wearable, making it mine.” Design with a Pulse Rocco Iannone, who has been redefining Ferrari fashion since taking the creative lead, brought his signature architectural tailoring to the table. The result is a sleek 7-piece lineup featuring: - A racing-inspired bomber jacket in Ferrari red, trimmed with tonal embroidery and Leclerc’s signature number 16. - Monochrome technical trousers cut with laser-sharp precision. - A lightweight knit turtleneck, perfect for layering with subtle nods to track gear. - Graphic tees and hoodies with sculptural logos, blending Ferrari’s past and present. Materials include performance fabrics, structured cotton, and subtle eco-leather accents—a nod to innovation and responsibility. The Ferrari Lifestyle, Reimagined This isn’t just a merch line—it’s a statement. It speaks to Ferrari’s expanding lifestyle universe, where speed meets sustainability, and where a motorsport brand can pivot into high fashion with credibility. Shot in a moody urban setting with Leclerc himself modeling the collection, the campaign oozes cool confidence. It feels premium but grounded, exclusive but wearable. Limited, Collectible, and Already Coveted The capsule is available in extremely limited quantities at Ferrari’s flagship stores and select fashion retailers. Early buzz from fashion insiders suggests the drop won’t last long—especially with collectors of both fashion and Formula 1 memorabilia circling. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/charles-leclerc-x-ferrari-a-capsule-of-speed-style-and-signature-red — Citation: "Charles Leclerc x Ferrari: A Capsule of Speed, Style, and Signature Red" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-23. https://menwith.com/charles-leclerc-x-ferrari-a-capsule-of-speed-style-and-signature-red --- ## Where to Stay – Sicily - URL: https://menwith.com/where-to-stay-sicily - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-05-21 - Tags: Etna Wine Eco Resort, Casa Lawa, Tonnara di Scopello, San Domenico Palace, Four Seasons Hotels, The White Lotus, Mount Etna, Noto **Summary:** Sicily offers unique luxury stays blending tradition and modernity. From vineyard resorts near Etna to historic coastal fisheries and glamorous Taormina hotels, discover island soul. Sun-drenched, salt-licked, and steeped in ancient charm, Sicily offers far more than picture-perfect landscapes and delicious cuisine—it’s also home to some of the most characterful stays in Italy. Whether you’re craving vineyard calm, dramatic seaside views, or cinematic history, here are four distinct properties that capture the island’s soulful essence. 1. Etna Wine Eco Resort – For Vineyard Views and Volcanic Serenity Tucked into the fertile slopes of Mount Etna, this boutique eco resort offers rustic luxury with a view. Surrounded by centuries-old vines and lava-stone terraces, the resort blends organic design with immersive experiences: wine tastings, slow farm-to-table dining, and guided walks through the volcanic terrain. Each suite nods to Sicilian tradition while staying minimal and modern. It’s an ideal escape for those who want to breathe in silence—and some seriously good Syrah. 2. Casa Lawa – For Design-Forward Seclusion A creative hideaway near Noto, Casa Lawa is an architect’s dream and a guest’s delight. This minimalist stone villa, set among olive groves and golden light, is where off-grid meets refined. Solar-powered and entirely private, the house is filled with artisanal ceramics, natural textures, and panoramic windows that frame the Sicilian countryside like art. There’s no concierge—but there is a plunge pool, a wood-fired oven, and absolute peace. 3. Tonnara di Scopello – For Coastal Drama and Heritage Charm Set along the rugged coastline of northwestern Sicily, this former tuna fishery-turned-guesthouse offers a rare chance to sleep in a piece of history. The Tonnara di Scopello, with its craggy rock stacks and 13th-century towers, feels like a movie set—and in fact, it often is. The rooms are simple and storied, the sea is steps away, and the vibe is pure Mediterranean nostalgia. Don’t expect luxury; expect magic. 4. San Domenico Palace, Taormina – For Iconic Glamour Once a 14th-century monastery, now a Four Seasons hotel, San Domenico Palace is Taormina’s crown jewel. Perched high above the Ionian Sea with views of Mount Etna, this is where baroque architecture meets five-star polish. Elegant suites, cloistered courtyards, Michelin-star dining, and a glamorous infinity pool overlooking the coast—this hotel is as cinematic as the HBO series The White Lotus, which was filmed right here. Final Thoughts Sicily is a land of contrasts—wild yet elegant, ancient yet ever-evolving. Whether you’re sipping wine beneath a volcano, floating in a saltwater cove, or waking up to the scent of citrus trees, the island invites you to slow down and savor. And with stays like these, the hardest part isn’t finding a great place—it’s leaving it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/where-to-stay-sicily — Citation: "Where to Stay – Sicily" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-21. https://menwith.com/where-to-stay-sicily --- ## Digital Detox, Real Life: Why More Men Are Logging Off - URL: https://menwith.com/digital-detox-real-life-why-more-men-are-logging-off - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Published: 2025-05-18 - Tags: Digital Detox, Analog Hobbies, Tom Aldridge, Men's Wellness, Mindful Living, Craftsmanship, Intentional Living **Summary:** Stylish men are embracing digital detoxes, prioritizing real-life experiences and analog hobbies over constant connectivity. This shift reflects a desire for mental clarity, craftsmanship, and intentional living, redefining modern luxury. In a world wired 24/7, a quiet movement is gaining momentum among stylish, self-aware men: the digital detox. It’s not about tossing your phone into the ocean or deleting every app—it’s about choosing when to log off, and more importantly, what to log into instead. Today’s man is realizing that real luxury isn’t always about having the latest gadget. Sometimes, it’s about having the mental space to think clearly, move deliberately, and live intentionally. Style Beyond the Screen It’s reflected in their wardrobes: raw denim over fast fashion, handmade leather shoes over hype sneakers, mechanical watches over digital distractions. There’s a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, quality, and the tactile satisfaction of things that last. The Rise of Analog Hobbies Fly-fishing. Vinyl collecting. Cycling without a fitness tracker. These aren’t just hobbies—they’re subtle rebellions against a hyper-connected culture. Analog pastimes are gaining cult status, not only for their calming effect but for the sense of identity they provide. “Men are looking for ways to ground themselves,” says Tom Aldridge, founder of a London-based men’s wellness studio. “There’s something deeply satisfying about doing one thing at a time. Reading a hardcover book. Brewing coffee manually. Fixing a vintage motorcycle. It’s a reminder that not everything has to be immediate.” Time, Reclaimed Logging off is also a power move. The most stylish men aren’t constantly available—they know the value of being unreachable. It’s a mindset that says: “I control my time, not my inbox.” Instead of scrolling mindlessly at night, they’re sleeping better, journaling, or spending real time with people who matter. Digital detox isn’t about deprivation; it’s about optimization. The goal isn’t to live in the past, but to reclaim focus and energy in a distracted world. Finding Balance, Not Perfection The modern man doesn’t need to vanish into the woods (unless he wants to). It’s about moderation. Maybe it’s turning off notifications after 7 p.m. Or taking Sundays screen-free. Or switching Instagram for intentional photo albums shared with close friends. It’s also about dressing the part. When you spend less time online, you become more present in your physical space—and how you show up in it. From the clothes you choose to the scent you wear, everything becomes more deliberate. The Real Flex? Being Present. In 2025, true style isn’t just what you wear—it’s how you live. More men are discovering that being digitally unavailable is the new status symbol. Because when you’re not always connected, you’re free to connect—with yourself, your surroundings, and a life that doesn’t need filters to feel rich. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/digital-detox-real-life-why-more-men-are-logging-off — Citation: "Digital Detox, Real Life: Why More Men Are Logging Off" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-18. https://menwith.com/digital-detox-real-life-why-more-men-are-logging-off --- ## Aston Martin Adds Apple CarPlay Ultra: Subtle Tech, Same Soul - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-adds-apple-carplay-ultra-subtle-tech-same-soul - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-05-15 - Tags: Tech **Summary:** Aston Martin integrates Apple CarPlay Ultra across its DBX, DB12, Vantage, and Vanquish models. This evolution extends iPhone functionality to the instrument cluster, offering a personalized, seamless digital experience that complements the marque's tactile luxury. Aston Martin Debuts Apple CarPlay Ultra We drove the DB12 through the quiet precision of Der Öschberhof, a setting where the balance between performance and refinement felt instinctive. In Sardinia, behind the wheel of the Vanquish, the car’s raw edge met the island’s cinematic curves. Both drives spoke to the visceral charm of Aston Martin. Now, the marque is extending that experience into the digital realm with the debut of Apple CarPlay Ultra. This isn’t just a new feature. It’s a redefinition of the interface between driver, machine, and phone. Seamless Integration, Reimagined for Aston Martin Aston Martin becomes the first manufacturer to offer Apple’s CarPlay Ultra, a deeply integrated evolution of the in-car iPhone experience. Available now on the DBX SUV and core sportscar models DB12, Vantage, and Vanquish, CarPlay Ultra doesn’t just sit on the screen. It shapes the entire visual and tactile interface of the cabin. What makes Ultra different is its reach. It stretches beyond the infotainment screen into the driver’s instrument cluster, letting you control media, maps, and vehicle settings across a multi-display layout. The experience is instantly recognisable for iPhone users but wears a distinctly Aston Martin suit. Designed with Purpose, Tailored to Taste Working closely with Apple, Aston Martin has embedded its identity into every layer of CarPlay Ultra. From custom gauge clusters to curated themes, colours, and wallpapers, drivers can personalise the digital environment to match their aesthetic, just as they would spec a steering wheel or leather trim. The integration feels thoughtful. Physical buttons remain for key controls like gear selection, climate, and chassis settings, while touchscreen functionality adds flexibility. It’s an elegant balance of technology and tactility, preserving the emotional connection at the heart of the brand. Built on an In-House Platform This new interface builds on Aston Martin’s bespoke infotainment system, launched in 2023 with the DB12. Developed entirely in-house, it gives the company the control needed to align digital and mechanical elements with its design language. Full capacitive gesture control, a 10.25-inch Pure Black touchscreen, and intelligent widget placement all serve to keep information accessible without overwhelming the driver. Final Thoughts Did the DB12 or Vanquish feel like they were missing a more advanced version of CarPlay? Not really. These are cars that already connect with you in more visceral ways, through sound, steering feel, and presence. But CarPlay Ultra is a welcome addition. It doesn’t dilute the experience. It enhances it, quietly. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-adds-apple-carplay-ultra-subtle-tech-same-soul — Citation: "Aston Martin Adds Apple CarPlay Ultra: Subtle Tech, Same Soul" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-15. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-adds-apple-carplay-ultra-subtle-tech-same-soul --- ## Chalkboard Masterpieces: The Teacher Who Creates Art Only to Erase It - URL: https://menwith.com/chalkboard-masterpieces-the-teacher-who-creates-art-only-to-erase-it - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Published: 2025-05-14 - Tags: Hirotaka Hamasaki, @hamacream, Chalkboard Art, The Last Supper, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Nara, Japan, Ephemeral Art **Summary:** Japanese teacher Hirotaka Hamasaki creates intricate, ephemeral chalkboard art for his students, showcasing masterpieces and pop culture scenes. His work highlights art's impermanence and the beauty of the creative process. In the realm of educationalistry, few have garnered as much admiration as Hirotaka Hamasaki, known on Instagram as @hamacream. A high school teacher from Nara, Japan, Hamasaki has captivated the online community with his intricate chala artworks, meticulously crafted for his students and then erased to make way for new creations. Hamasaki’s chalkboard canvases have featured a diverse array of subjects, from recreations of iconic masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” andusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” to scenes from popular culture and original compositions. Each piece is rendered withmkable detail and precision, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. Beyond their visual appeal, these ephemeral artworks e as a profound lesson in the impermanence of art and the beauty of the creative process. By sharing his work on Instagram, Hamasaki not only inspires his students but a global audience, demonstrating that art can transcend traditional mediums and spaces. For those interested in exploring more of Hamasaki’s choard masterpieces, his Instagram profile offers a comprehensive gallery of his work. Additionally, features on platforms like Bored Panpvide further insights into his artistic journey and the impact of his creations. Hirotaka Hamasaki’s dedication to his students and his art exemplifies the profound infle educators can have when they bring passion and creativity into the classroom. His chalkboard art not only enriches the educational experience but also leaves a lasting ression on all who encounter it, even if the artworks themselves are fleeting. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/chalkboard-masterpieces-the-teacher-who-creates-art-only-to-erase-it — Citation: "Chalkboard Masterpieces: The Teacher Who Creates Art Only to Erase It" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-14. https://menwith.com/chalkboard-masterpieces-the-teacher-who-creates-art-only-to-erase-it --- ## A Decade of Craft and Culture: Dubai Watch Week Returns Bigger Than Ever - URL: https://menwith.com/a-decade-of-craft-and-culture-dubai-watch-week-returns-bigger-than-ever - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-05-14 - Tags: Collecting, Watches **Summary:** Dubai Watch Week 2025, now in its 7th edition, expands to a new 200,000 sq ft venue at Burj Park, featuring over 90 brands. The event emphasizes craftsmanship, culture, and accessibility for collectors and enthusiasts. At MenWith, we love the world of watches and some events belong on calendars not because of size, but because of substance. Dubai Watch Week, entering its 7th edition this November, has quietly earned its place among the most anticipated moments on the horological map. What began in 2015 as a regional celebration of watchmaking now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the global greats – and this year, it’s stepping into even more ambitious territory. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, Dubai Watch Week 2025 will unfold from November 19 to 23 at a new 200,000 square-foot venue in Dubai Mall’s Burj Park. Surrounded by the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera, and The Dubai Fountain, the location offers more than spectacle – it reinforces the city’s role as a crossroads of innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange. Over 90 Brands, One Purpose This year marks a 46% increase in participating maisons, with more than 90 brands confirmed. Some, like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Van Cleef & Arpels, are the pillars of traditional watchmaking. Others, like MB&F, Kurono Tokyo, and Studio Underd0g, offer fresh perspectives that push the category forward. All will exhibit in bespoke stand-alone spaces, reflecting the curated approach Dubai Watch Week has taken since inception. Notably, the exhibition will also include dedicated zones for microbrands and ultra-niche creators. It’s a reminder that true innovation often comes from the edges of the industry. Not Just a Fair – A Movement More than a trade show, Dubai Watch Week has always leaned into storytelling, education, and accessibility. Free to attend and open to the public, the event is as much about community as it is about commerce. Expect immersive programming formats, collaborative activations, and a focus on independent voices across horology. “Creating a memorable experience for guests by refreshing our programming and curating activations is at the heart of what we do,” said Hind Seddiqi, CEO of Dubai Watch Week. “As we celebrate 10 years since our founding, this edition is not just a milestone – it’s a new beginning.” The Bigger Picture Supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Culture, and Dubai Mall, the event dovetails with broader ambitions for the emirate: to position itself as a global nexus of creativity, commerce, and luxury. From the local collector to the international connoisseur, everyone is invited to witness this unfolding chapter in the story of timekeeping. To register or learn more, visit dubaiwatchweek.com. For a closer look behind the scenes, follow @dubaiwatchweek on Instagram. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-decade-of-craft-and-culture-dubai-watch-week-returns-bigger-than-ever — Citation: "A Decade of Craft and Culture: Dubai Watch Week Returns Bigger Than Ever" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-14. https://menwith.com/a-decade-of-craft-and-culture-dubai-watch-week-returns-bigger-than-ever --- ## Saint-Tropez After Dark: The 2025 Hotspots You Can’t Miss - URL: https://menwith.com/saint-tropez-after-dark-the-2025-hotspots-you-cant-miss - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-05-07 - Tags: Saint-Tropez nightlife, Les Caves du Roy, Sanctum Saint-Tropez, Bar du Dior Spa, NOTO Saint-Tropez, Hôtel Byblos, French Riviera 2025 **Summary:** Saint-Tropez's 2025 nightlife scene shines with legendary clubs like Les Caves du Roy and Sanctum, chic bars like Bar du Dior Spa, and festive restaurants such as NOTO. Experience luxury and vibrant energy on the French Riviera. In 2025, Saint-Tropez reaffirms its status as the crown jewel of the French Riviera’s nightlife. From legendary clubs to chic cocktail bars and festive restaurants, the town offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and excitement. Here’s your curated guide to the most captivating spots to see and be seen this season. Clubs: Dance Until Dawn Les Caves du Roy Nestled within the iconic Hôtel Byblos, Les Caves du Roy continues to be the epicenter of Saint-Tropez’s nightlife. Since 1967, this legendary club has attracted international jet-setters and celebrities with its opulent decor and electrifying atmosphere. Reopening on April 18, 2025, it will be open every Friday and Saturday until early October, and nightly during July and August. Sanctum Emerging as a must-visit destination, Sanctum offers a sensory-rich experience with its fusion of music, innovative cocktails, and gourmet cuisine. This venue captures the essence of a Parisian summer night, blending sophistication with unbridled fun. Gaïo Gaïo seamlessly transitions from a fine dining restaurant to a vibrant nightclub. Its eclectic music and stylish crowd make it a staple for those seeking a dynamic evening in Saint-Tropez. Cocktail Bars: Sip in Style Bar du Dior Spa Located within the Dior boutique, this elegant bar offers a serene ambiance perfect for pre-dinner drinks or a relaxing nightcap. Its refined setting and exquisite cocktails make it a favorite among fashion enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Le Bar du Cheval Blanc Situated in the luxurious Cheval Blanc hotel, this bar exudes old-school French Riviera charm. Guests can enjoy meticulously crafted cocktails in a setting that combines elegance with comfort. Festive Restaurants: Dine and Revel NOTO Positioned on Quai Jean Jaurès, NOTO offers a blend of classic charm and modern flair. With its DJ-curated music and delectable cuisine, it transforms dining into a lively celebration. Le Tigrr This Asian-inspired restaurant in the heart of Saint-Tropez is known for its vibrant atmosphere and innovative dishes. As the evening progresses, it evolves into a spirited venue where guests can dance and mingle. Maison Revka Maison Revka combines culinary excellence with a festive ambiance. Its unique blend of flavors and lively setting make it a go-to spot for those looking to dine and celebrate in style. In 2025, Saint-Tropez continues to captivate with its blend of timeless elegance and contemporary vibrancy. Whether you’re dancing under the stars, savoring a handcrafted cocktail, or indulging in gourmet delights, the town offers an unforgettable nightlife experience that caters to every desire. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/saint-tropez-after-dark-the-2025-hotspots-you-cant-miss — Citation: "Saint-Tropez After Dark: The 2025 Hotspots You Can’t Miss" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-07. https://menwith.com/saint-tropez-after-dark-the-2025-hotspots-you-cant-miss --- ## TUDOR’s Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25”: Lightweight Precision Ahead of the Miami F1 GP - URL: https://menwith.com/tudors-black-bay-chrono-carbon-25-lightweight-precision-ahead-of-the-miami-f1-gp - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-05-03 - Tags: Cars **Summary:** TUDOR's Black Bay Chrono "Carbon 25" merges motorsport heritage with advanced engineering. Limited to 2,025 pieces, its carbon fiber construction and Breitling-collaborated MT5813 movement offer lightweight precision. Built for the Track, Inspired by the Bulls TUDOR’s motorsport roots run deep. In the late 1960s, their watches were worn by drivers racing Porsche 906s in Japan. That spirit of timing under pressure is still alive today in their partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One team. The new Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25 is a product of that legacy, and it wears its motorsport DNA with confidence. The watch’s design language is drawn directly from the 2025 Racing Bulls livery. The 42-millimetre case is crafted entirely from carbon fibre, including the end-links that secure the hybrid strap. The fixed tachymetric bezel is also a single piece of carbon fibre, built for function as much as for aesthetics. Even the chronograph sub-counters are made from carbon fibre, a rare detail that speaks to TUDOR’s focus on authenticity. Limited to just 2,025 pieces, each individually numbered on a titanium case back finished with black PVD. That makes it far more accessible than a Formula One seat, yet no less engineered. An Engine Worthy of the Badge Inside the Carbon 25 beats the Manufacture Calibre MT5813. Developed in partnership with Breitling and based on the Chronograph Calibre B01, it’s been refined by TUDOR to meet stricter tolerances and deliver long-haul reliability. It is a self-winding chronograph movement with a bidirectional rotor system, a silicon balance spring, and a column wheel mechanism with a vertical clutch. The movement delivers approximately 70 hours of power reserve. Precision is no afterthought. COSC certification ensures a variation of -4 to +6 seconds per day, but TUDOR goes further by regulating the assembled watch to a tighter range of -2 to +4. The movement’s finishing includes an openwork tungsten monobloc rotor with sand-blasted and satin-brushed surfaces. Laser-decorated bridges and a robust 28,800 vph frequency complete the technical profile. Details that Matter The dial is domed and finished in what TUDOR calls “racing white,” a soft matte tone that offers strong contrast against the carbon fibre sub-dials. At three o’clock sits the 45-minute chronograph counter. Small seconds are positioned at nine, and the date aperture rests cleanly at six. Every element is considered for both symmetry and legibility. TUDOR’s signature Snowflake hands, first introduced in 1969, are rendered here in black with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova for high visibility in low light. The hands, hour markers, and subtle detailing reflect TUDOR’s blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern utility. The strap is a hybrid of leather and rubber, textured like a performance tire. Its end-links are carbon fibre, keeping the weight down and the integration sharp. A domed sapphire crystal covers the dial, and the case is water-resistant to 200 metres, making it one of the more durable chronographs in this weight class. From Asphalt to Wrist Some watches nod to racing. This one drives the idea home. Every gram removed, every surface treated, every complication added serves the larger goal of performance. The Carbon 25 is less a watch inspired by motorsport and more a technical instrument built with racing in mind. For those who understand timing as more than a display on a dial, for collectors who appreciate mechanical honesty, and for fans who find beauty in purpose-built design, this release offers something real. It brings decades of TUDOR’s watchmaking and motorsport experience to a sharp point. Not every chronograph earns the right to sit at the intersection of pit lane and wrist. This one does. Discover more watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tudors-black-bay-chrono-carbon-25-lightweight-precision-ahead-of-the-miami-f1-gp — Citation: "TUDOR’s Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25”: Lightweight Precision Ahead of the Miami F1 GP" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-03. https://menwith.com/tudors-black-bay-chrono-carbon-25-lightweight-precision-ahead-of-the-miami-f1-gp --- ## Discover Stockholm's Top 5 Must-See Museums - URL: https://menwith.com/discover-stockholm8217s-top-5-must-see-museums - Published: 2025-05-02 - Tags: Millesgården, Moderna Museet, Fotografiska, Vasa Museum, ABBA The Museum, Carl Milles, Stockholm museums, Swedish art **Summary:** Stockholm's top 5 museums include Millesgården (sculpture), Moderna Museet (modern art), Fotografiska (photography), the Vasa Museum (maritime history), and ABBA The Museum (pop music). Stockholm, a city rich in history and culture, offers a plethora of museums that cater to diverse interests. From classical sculptures to contemporary photography, here are five must-visit museums that showcase the best of Stockholm’s artistic and historical heritage. 1. Millesgården – A Sculptural Oasis Located on the island of Lidingö, Millesgården is a unique combination of art museum and sculpture garden. Originally the home of sculptor Carl Milles and his wife Olga, the museum features an extensive collection of Milles’ works set amidst terraced gardens with stunning views over Stockholm’s archipelago. Visitors can explore the artist’s home, studios, and the impressive sculpture park, making it a serene retreat for art lovers. 2. Moderna Museet – Modern and Contemporary Art Situated on the island of Skeppsholmen, the Moderna Museet is Stockholm’s premier museum for modern and contemporary art. Its extensive collection includes works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Matisse, alongside contemporary pieces by Swedish and international artists. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops, offering a dynamic experience for visitors. 3. Fotografiska – The Center for Contemporary Photography Fotografiska, located in the Södermalm district, is one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to contemporary photography. Housed in a former customs building, it features rotating exhibitions by both established and emerging photographers. The museum also boasts a top-floor café and restaurant with panoramic views of the city, making it a popular spot for both art enthusiasts and casual visitors. 4. Vasa Museum – A Maritime Marvel The Vasa Museum, located on Djurgården Island, is home to the Vasa ship, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was salvaged centuries later. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Sweden’s naval history, with exhibits detailing the ship’s construction, sinking, and recovery. Its well-preserved state and the stories surrounding it make the Vasa Museum a must-visit for history buffs. 5. ABBA The Museum – A Tribute to Pop Legends Also situated on Djurgården Island, ABBA The Museum celebrates the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA. This interactive museum allows visitors to delve into the band’s history, try on virtual costumes, and even sing along in a recording studio. It’s a fun and engaging experience for fans and those interested in music history alike. Stockholm’s diverse museum landscape offers something for everyone, whether you’re an art aficionado, history enthusiast, or pop culture fan. These five museums provide a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural tapestry and are essential stops on any Stockholm itinerary. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/discover-stockholm8217s-top-5-must-see-museums — Citation: "Discover Stockholm's Top 5 Must-See Museums" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-02. https://menwith.com/discover-stockholm8217s-top-5-must-see-museums --- ## Discover Stockholm’s Top 5 Must-See Museums - URL: https://menwith.com/discover-stockholms-top-5-must-see-museums - Category: Culture - Published: 2025-05-02 - Tags: Millesgården, Moderna Museet, Fotografiska, Vasa Museum, ABBA The Museum, Carl Milles, Stockholm museums, Vasa ship **Summary:** Stockholm's top 5 museums include Millesgården (sculpture), Moderna Museet (modern art), Fotografiska (photography), Vasa Museum (maritime history), and ABBA The Museum (pop culture). Stockholm, a city rich in history and culture, offers a plethora of museums that cater to diverse interests. From classical sculptures to contemporary photography, here are five must-visit museums that showcase the best of Stockholm’s artistic and historical heritage. 1. Millesgården – A Sculptural Oasis Located on the island of Lidingö, Millesgården is a unique combination of art museum and sculpture garden. Originally the home of sculptor Carl Milles and his wife Olga, the museum features an extensive collection of Milles’ works set amidst terraced gardens with stunning views over Stockholm’s archipelago. Visitors can explore the artist’s home, studios, and the impressive sculpture park, making it a serene retreat for art lovers. 2. Moderna Museet – Modern and Contemporary Art Situated on the island of Skeppsholmen, the Moderna Museet is Stockholm’s premier museum for modern and contemporary art. Its extensive collection includes works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Matisse, alongside contemporary pieces by Swedish and international artists. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops, offering a dynamic experience for visitors. 3. Fotografiska – The Center for Contemporary Photography Fotografiska, located in the Södermalm district, is one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to contemporary photography. Housed in a former customs building, it features rotating exhibitions by both established and emerging photographers. The museum also boasts a top-floor café and restaurant with panoramic views of the city, making it a popular spot for both art enthusiasts and casual visitors. 4. Vasa Museum – A Maritime Marvel The Vasa Museum, located on Djurgården Island, is home to the Vasa ship, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was salvaged centuries later. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Sweden’s naval history, with exhibits detailing the ship’s construction, sinking, and recovery. Its well-preserved state and the stories surrounding it make the Vasa Museum a must-visit for history buffs. 5. ABBA The Museum – A Tribute to Pop Legends Also situated on Djurgården Island, ABBA The Museum celebrates the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA. This interactive museum allows visitors to delve into the band’s history, try on virtual costumes, and even sing along in a recording studio. It’s a fun and engaging experience for fans and those interested in music history alike. Stockholm’s diverse museum landscape offers something for everyone, whether you’re an art aficionado, history enthusiast, or pop culture fan. These five museums provide a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural tapestry and are essential stops on any Stockholm itinerary. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/discover-stockholms-top-5-must-see-museums — Citation: "Discover Stockholm’s Top 5 Must-See Museums" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-05-02. https://menwith.com/discover-stockholms-top-5-must-see-museums --- ## Savoring Rome: 5 Must-Try Restaurants for Authentic Italian Flavors - URL: https://menwith.com/savoring-rome-5-must-try-restaurants-for-authentic-italian-flavors - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Published: 2025-04-30 - Tags: Pro Loco Pinciano, Mercato Centrale Roma, Trattoria Morgana, Osteria La Sol Fa, Salotto Caronte, Roman cuisine, Italian food **Summary:** Discover Rome's culinary heart with five must-try restaurants. From Pro Loco Pinciano's regional Lazio focus to Mercato Centrale's vibrant food hall, these spots offer authentic Italian flavors with creative twists. Rome isn’t just a city of ancient ruins and Renaissance art—it’s a food lover’s paradise. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, there’s no better way to experience the city than through its flavors. We’ve rounded up five standout restaurants that combine authenticity, creativity, and serious taste appeal. Pro Loco Pinciano Tucked away in the Salario district, Pro Loco Pinciano feels like a countryside escape right in the city. Known for championing Lazio’s local products, this eatery serves up regional cheeses, artisanal charcuterie, handmade pasta, and stone-baked pizza with farm-fresh ingredients. It’s warm, rustic, and a local favorite for good reason. Mercato Centrale Roma Housed inside the historic Termini Station, Mercato Centrale is a modern food hall buzzing with energy. With dozens of vendors offering everything from fresh pasta to gourmet burgers and cannoli, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure of Roman and regional Italian fare. It’s ideal for casual bites or a full-on tasting spree. Trattoria Morgana For something both traditional and inventive, Trattoria Morgana in Esquilino delivers. Their spin on Roman classics—think wild boar ragù or oxtail stew—brings bold, earthy flavors to the table. It’s where locals go when they want the comfort of home cooking with a chef’s touch. Osteria La Sol Fa – A Hidden Gem in Trastevere Located in charming Trastevere, this cozy, family-run osteria keeps things classic with a modern edge. Handmade pastas, rich sauces, and daily specials that highlight market-fresh produce make this a perfect stop for a relaxed, authentic Roman dinner. Salotto Caronte A stylish bistro with a flair for the unexpected, Salotto Caronte offers dishes that blend Italian tradition with global inspiration. From tuna tartare to perfectly seared beef fillets, it’s all paired with inventive cocktails and an ambiance that’s both elegant and inviting. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these Roman restaurants offer a culinary experience that’s rich, authentic, and unforgettable. Come hungry—you’re going to want to try everything. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/savoring-rome-5-must-try-restaurants-for-authentic-italian-flavors — Citation: "Savoring Rome: 5 Must-Try Restaurants for Authentic Italian Flavors" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-30. https://menwith.com/savoring-rome-5-must-try-restaurants-for-authentic-italian-flavors --- ## Ralph Lauren: The Icon Who Defined Classic American Style and Cars - URL: https://menwith.com/ralph-lauren-the-icon-who-defined-classic-american-style-and-cars - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Category: Style - Published: 2025-04-25 - Tags: Ralph Lauren, Classic American Style, Luxury Cars, Automotive Enthusiast, Polo Ralph Lauren, Fashion Designer, Vintage Cars, Cary Grant **Summary:** Ralph Lauren, a fashion icon, built a lifestyle empire blending classic American style with a passion for rare automobiles. His curated car collection reflects his impeccable taste and appreciation for automotive artistry. Ralph Lauren, a name synonymous with timeless American fashion and unparalleled elegance, is a living legend in both the fashion and luxury car worlds. Over the decades, his career has transcended clothing to encompass a multifaceted lifestyle brand that has captured the essence of American culture. From his humble beginnings to becoming a global icon, his story is one of ambition, innovation, and an undying love for the finer things in life – including cars. Here’s a deep dive into the history, present, and future of Ralph Lauren, both as a designer and as an automotive enthusiast. Early Years: A Humble Beginning Born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in The Bronx, New York, Ralph Lauren grew up in a working-class Jewish family. He was the youngest of four siblings, and though his parents weren’t wealthy, his aspirations were boundless. Inspired by the classic sophistication of Hollywood icons like Cary Grant and Fred Astaire, Lauren always dreamed of a life where elegance and refinement ruled. Lauren’s path to fame wasn’t straightforward. Initially, he studied business at Baruch College in New York City but left before completing his degree. He worked in a variety of jobs, including as a salesman for Brooks Brothers, where he quickly realized that his passion lay in fashion design. His big break came in 1967 when he launched a line of neckties that caught the eye of high-end department stores, signaling the birth of what would become Polo Ralph Lauren. Building an Empire: Fashion as a Lifestyle In 1968, Ralph Lauren introduced his first full clothing line under the brand name Polo, inspired by the sport of polo and its aristocratic connotations. It wasn’t just about clothing — it was a lifestyle he was selling. Lauren was not only designing clothes but an entire persona of American sophistication and style. Polo Ralph Lauren’s signature look – clean-cut, preppy, yet luxurious – resonated deeply with affluent Americans and soon attracted attention worldwide. Lauren’s genius lay in his ability to blend classic American motifs with elements of European aristocracy, creating a unique and aspirational style. From the polo shirt to the iconic tweed jackets, Ralph Lauren had redefined what it meant to be casually chic. By the 1980s, the Polo Ralph Lauren brand was synonymous with success and sophistication. The brand expanded to include everything from suits to fragrances to homeware. Its success was solidified when Lauren’s designs became a staple in the wardrobes of the rich and famous, further cementing his place in the fashion world. The Shift to Luxury Cars: A Passion for the Exotic Though Ralph Lauren is best known for his fashion empire, it’s his lifelong passion for automobiles that makes him a truly fascinating figure. The designer has always had a love affair with cars – and not just any cars. Ralph Lauren is a true aficionado of rare, vintage, and exotic automobiles. His personal collection is one of the most impressive in the world, valued at more than $350 million. Lauren’s collection is a reflection of his impeccable taste. His first car purchase, an early 1960s Jaguar XK140, marked the beginning of a lifelong obsession. Over the years, his collection has grown to include some of the most rare and coveted vehicles on the planet. His garage is home to cars like the 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, and a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe – each car a work of art in its own right. The cars in Lauren’s collection are not just status symbols; they’re pieces of history. He’s often seen at high-profile car auctions, where his cars consistently fetch record prices. What’s truly remarkable is his dedication to preserving these automotive masterpieces. Many of the cars in his collection are in their original, unrestored condition, an homage to their timeless beauty and craftsmanship. Present Day: A Global Icon of Style and Innovation Today, Ralph Lauren’s brand continues to thrive as a multi-billion-dollar empire. The Polo Ralph Lauren name is instantly recognizable, and the brand remains synonymous with luxury and quality. In recent years, Lauren has focused on expanding his presence in international markets, with flagship stores in cities like Tokyo, Paris, and London. He’s also embraced digital innovation, offering his exclusive products online to a new generation of luxury shoppers. One of the most important shifts in the past decade has been Ralph Lauren’s commitment to sustainability. The designer has made strides in ensuring that his brand not only represents luxury but also social and environmental responsibility. Polo Ralph Lauren has introduced sustainable materials and practices into its collections, helping to ensure the future of the brand while maintaining its reputation for quality. Ralph Lauren himself has remained very much in the public eye, attending high-profile events, including the Met Gala and the US Open, where he continues to influence both the fashion world and beyond. The Future: Legacy, Innovation, and Sustainability As Ralph Lauren enters his 80s, the question of his legacy looms large. What will be the future of his brand, and how will his impact be remembered? For one, Lauren is committed to continuing the brand’s evolution, staying true to the values that have made it iconic. He’s also made it clear that he’s not simply interested in creating clothing but in fostering a culture that reflects his ideals of elegance, quality, and sophistication. Sustainability will undoubtedly be a major focus in the future. With his continued push for innovation, it’s clear that Ralph Lauren will keep evolving with the times. From the sustainable practices in his clothing lines to his collection of iconic cars, Ralph Lauren remains dedicated to preserving the beauty of the past while advancing forward into the future. The influence of his cars, like his legacy in fashion, will remain long after he’s gone. Not just a designer of clothes, but of dreams, Ralph Lauren has woven a narrative that encompasses more than just style — it’s about crafting a lifestyle. Ralph Lauren and the Road Ahead Ralph Lauren’s life story is more than just about the success of his brand. It’s a narrative of passion, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to the things that truly matter in life – quality, beauty, and luxury. Whether he’s creating the perfect outfit or the ultimate automobile collection, Ralph Lauren continues to leave an indelible mark on the world. His cars may be rarities, but in the same vein, his legacy is something truly rare – a man who has shaped both the way we dress and the way we live. As he looks ahead, Ralph Lauren’s vision will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations, ensuring that his influence endures for years to come. Whether it’s a tailored suit, a luxurious fragrance, or a prized vintage car, Ralph Lauren will remain synonymous with the pursuit of excellence – and that’s something that will never go out of style. This story is not only a reflection of Ralph Lauren’s iconic career but also a tribute to his ongoing influence on the worlds of fashion, cars, and beyond. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ralph-lauren-the-icon-who-defined-classic-american-style-and-cars — Citation: "Ralph Lauren: The Icon Who Defined Classic American Style and Cars" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-25. https://menwith.com/ralph-lauren-the-icon-who-defined-classic-american-style-and-cars --- ## Meet the Mi SmartGlove: Xiaomi Just Dropped the Most Futuristic Wearable of the Year - URL: https://menwith.com/meet-the-mi-smartglove-xiaomi-just-dropped-the-most-futuristic-wearable-of-the-year - Author: Sanja Catenacci - Published: 2025-04-16 - Tags: Xiaomi, Mi SmartGlove, Wearable Technology, OLED Display, Gesture Control, Smart Home, Biometric Sensors **Summary:** Xiaomi unveils the Mi SmartGlove, a futuristic wearable with an integrated OLED display for gesture control, haptic feedback, and smart home integration. This innovative glove redefines personal tech for the modern man. In a bold leap into the future, Xiaomi has just revealed the Mi SmartGlove, a next-gen wearable t Designed for the modern man who wants his tech and style on point, the Mi SmartGlove redefines what wearables can be. Unlike anything we’ve seen before, it features a flexible OLED display integrated directly onto the back of the hand, allowing users to swipe, tap, and control their digital lives right from their glove. No phone in hand? No problem. But it’s not just about the cool factor. This glove is loaded with functionality: - Gesture control to navigate apps or control music - Haptic feedback for immersive interaction - Smart home integration, letting you adjust lighting, thermostat, or lock doors with a flick of the wrist - Fitness tracking and biometric sensors built-in Xiaomi says it was created for those “who live fast, think ahead, and demand innovation at their fingertips.” Think Iron Man, minus the suit. Launching later this year in select markets, the Mi SmartGlove is already being hailed as the “most innovative wearable of 2025.” With influencers, tech YouTubers, and fashion-forward early adopters buzzing about it, this could be the accessory that changes how we think about smart gear. So if you’re into tech, design, or just want to flex the coolest gadget of the year—this is one drop you don’t want to miss. Stay tuned for updates, hands-on reviews, and the official release date. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/meet-the-mi-smartglove-xiaomi-just-dropped-the-most-futuristic-wearable-of-the-year — Citation: "Meet the Mi SmartGlove: Xiaomi Just Dropped the Most Futuristic Wearable of the Year" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-16. https://menwith.com/meet-the-mi-smartglove-xiaomi-just-dropped-the-most-futuristic-wearable-of-the-year --- ## LeBron James Becomes the First-Ever "Kenbassador" in Groundbreaking Barbie Collaboration - URL: https://menwith.com/lebron-james-becomes-the-first-ever-8220kenbassador8221-in-groundbreaking-barbie-collaboration - Published: 2025-04-14 - Tags: LeBron James, Kenbassador, Barbie, Mattel, LeBron James Family Foundation, Nike Terminator High, Beats headphones **Summary:** LeBron James is honored with a limited-edition Ken doll, becoming the first "Kenbassador." The collaboration celebrates his cultural impact and supports his foundation's initiatives. LeBron James has broken records on the basketball court—but now, he’s making history in an entirely new arena: the toy aisle. In a bold move by Mattel, the NBA icon has been honored with his own official Ken doll, becoming the first male athlete to be named a “Kenbassador” for Barbie. This limited-edition doll isn’t just about style (though it has plenty); it’s a tribute to LeBron’s wide-reaching impact on culture, fashion, leadership, and community-building. Dressed in a blue-and-white varsity jacket emblazoned with his initials “LJ” and his name in bold on the back, the LeBron Ken doll is rich with symbolic detail. Patches on the jacket feature nods to his iconic jersey number 23, his Ohio roots, and the phrase “We Are Family,” a meaningful reference to the LeBron James Family Foundation. The accessories pack a punch too—Nike Terminator High sneakers, Beats headphones, sunglasses, a gold watch, and a sleek fanny pack all come standard with this mini LeBron, creating a look that bridges the gap between streetwear cool and inspirational role model. James himself shared his excitement about the release: “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassador doll is such an honor.” Set to launch on April 14, the doll will be available for $75 through Mattel’s website and select retailers. Even more inspiring? A portion of the proceeds will go toward educational and community initiatives supported by the LeBron James Family Foundation, helping to fuel real-world impact for kids and families in Akron and beyond. In a world where representation and storytelling matter more than ever, this collaboration is bigger than toys—it’s about legacy, leadership, and the power of showing up for your community. Whether you’re a Barbie collector, a basketball fan, or simply someone who loves seeing culture rewritten in bold new ways, this is one launch worth paying attention to. Ken just got an upgrade—and his name is LeBron. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lebron-james-becomes-the-first-ever-8220kenbassador8221-in-groundbreaking-barbie-collaboration — Citation: "LeBron James Becomes the First-Ever "Kenbassador" in Groundbreaking Barbie Collaboration" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-14. https://menwith.com/lebron-james-becomes-the-first-ever-8220kenbassador8221-in-groundbreaking-barbie-collaboration --- ## LeBron James Becomes the First-Ever “Kenbassador” in Groundbreaking Barbie Collaboration - URL: https://menwith.com/lebron-james-becomes-the-first-ever-kenbassador-in-groundbreaking-barbie-collaboration - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2025-04-14 - Tags: Culture, Sports **Summary:** LeBron James is honored with a limited-edition "Kenbassador" doll by Mattel, celebrating his cultural impact. The doll features symbolic details and accessories, with proceeds supporting his foundation. LeBron James has broken records on the basketball court—but now, he’s making history in an entirely new arena: the toy aisle. In a bold move by Mattel, the NBA icon has been honored with his own official Ken doll, becoming the first male athlete to be named a “Kenbassador” for Barbie. This limited-edition doll isn’t just about style (though it has plenty); it’s a tribute to LeBron’s wide-reaching impact on culture, fashion, leadership, and community-building. Dressed in a blue-and-white varsity jacket emblazoned with his initials “LJ” and his name in bold on the back, the LeBron Ken doll is rich with symbolic detail. Patches on the jacket feature nods to his iconic jersey number 23, his Ohio roots, and the phrase “We Are Family,” a meaningful reference to the LeBron James Family Foundation. The accessories pack a punch too—Nike Terminator High sneakers, Beats headphones, sunglasses, a gold watch, and a sleek fanny pack all come standard with this mini LeBron, creating a look that bridges the gap between streetwear cool and inspirational role model. James himself shared his excitement about the release: “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassador doll is such an honor.” Set to launch on April 14, the doll will be available for $75 through Mattel’s website and select retailers. Even more inspiring? A portion of the proceeds will go toward educational and community initiatives supported by the LeBron James Family Foundation, helping to fuel real-world impact for kids and families in Akron and beyond. In a world where representation and storytelling matter more than ever, this collaboration is bigger than toys—it’s about legacy, leadership, and the power of showing up for your community. Whether you’re a Barbie collector, a basketball fan, or simply someone who loves seeing culture rewritten in bold new ways, this is one launch worth paying attention to. Ken just got an upgrade—and his name is LeBron. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lebron-james-becomes-the-first-ever-kenbassador-in-groundbreaking-barbie-collaboration — Citation: "LeBron James Becomes the First-Ever “Kenbassador” in Groundbreaking Barbie Collaboration" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-14. https://menwith.com/lebron-james-becomes-the-first-ever-kenbassador-in-groundbreaking-barbie-collaboration --- ## Shocks, Serves & the Riviera: Inside the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters - URL: https://menwith.com/shocks-serves-the-riviera-inside-the-2025-monte-carlo-masters - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-04-11 - Tags: Travel **Summary:** The 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters features upsets like Tabilo defeating Djokovic. Explore luxury stays and dining in Monaco, plus tips for attending this premier clay-court event. The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is a premier event in the tennis calendar, offering not only world-class matches but also an opportunity to indulge in the luxurious ambiance of Monaco. Whether you’re a tennis enthusiast or a traveler seeking an upscale experience, this guide will help you make the most of your visit. Tournament Overview Held annually at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is renowned for its picturesque setting overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The 2025 edition features top players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Casper Ruud, competing on the iconic clay courts. Current Highlights Who’s Making Waves at the 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters? The 2025 edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters has already delivered drama, upsets, and standout performances—cementing its place as one of the most exciting clay-court tournaments on the calendar. One of the biggest shockers came early when Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo pulled off a headline-making upset, defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets (6–3, 6–4) during the second round. This marks Tabilo’s second victory over Djokovic in less than a year, having previously beaten him at the Rome Masters in 2024. Tabilo is quickly earning a reputation as a rising clay-court specialist and a player to watch. Despite the early exit, Djokovic’s presence in Monte Carlo once again drew huge crowds, with fans eager to see the Serbian legend chase another title on the red clay. His loss opens the field to new contenders and adds even more intrigue to this year’s competition. Other top players still in the mix include Jannik Sinner, the Italian powerhouse with a growing fan base and serious Grand Slam ambitions, and Casper Ruud, known for his consistent performance on clay. With the tournament heating up, every match feels like a potential classic. This year’s Monte Carlo Masters isn’t just about favorites—it’s a stage for underdogs and emerging stars to shine. And so far, they’re making the most of it. Where to Stay Monaco offers a range of accommodations to suit various preferences: - Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: A 5-star luxury palace offering opulent rooms and exceptional service. - Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort: A blend of luxury and modernity, this hotel provides stunning sea views and a tranquil environment. - Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo: Combining classical architecture with contemporary design, this hotel is situated in the heart of Monaco. For more budget-friendly options, consider staying in nearby Nice, France, which is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Where to Eat Monaco boasts a vibrant culinary scene. Here are some dining spots to consider: - Nobu at Fairmont Monte Carlo: Offers a fusion of Japanese and South American flavors with panoramic sea views. - Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse: Located in Hôtel de Paris, this 3-Michelin-starred restaurant offers exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. - Café de Paris: A historic brasserie offering classic French dishes and a lively atmosphere. Tips for Attending the Tournament - Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance, especially for prime matches. The venue has 21 courts, with the main matches held on the larger courts. - Transportation: Spectators can utilize Monaco’s bus lines for free with a tournament entry ticket, thanks to a collaboration with the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco. - Practice Sessions: Take advantage of the opportunity to watch players practice on the smaller courts, offering a more intimate viewing experience. Exploring Monaco Beyond tennis, Monaco offers numerous attractions: - Casino de Monte-Carlo: Experience the glamour of this iconic casino, a symbol of Monaco’s luxury. - Prince’s Palace: Explore the official residence of Monaco’s royal family, rich in history and architecture. - Oceanographic Museum: Discover marine science exhibits in a stunning building overlooking the sea. Attending the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is more than just watching top-tier tennis; it’s an immersion into the elegance and charm of Monaco. Plan ahead to fully enjoy both the sporting event and the myriad experiences this unique destination offers. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/shocks-serves-the-riviera-inside-the-2025-monte-carlo-masters — Citation: "Shocks, Serves & the Riviera: Inside the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-11. https://menwith.com/shocks-serves-the-riviera-inside-the-2025-monte-carlo-masters --- ## Shocks, Serves & the Riviera: Inside the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters - URL: https://menwith.com/shocks-serves-038-the-riviera-inside-the-2025-monte-carlo-masters - Category: Sports - Published: 2025-04-11 - Tags: Travel **Summary:** The 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters showcases thrilling clay-court tennis, featuring upsets like Tabilo over Djokovic. It offers luxury stays and dining in Monaco. The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is a premier event in the tennis calendar, offering not only world-class matches but also an opportunity to indulge in the luxurious ambiance of Monaco. Whether you’re a tennis enthusiast or a traveler seeking an upscale experience, this guide will help you make the most of your visit. Tournament Overview Held annually at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is renowned for its picturesque setting overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The 2025 edition features top players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Casper Ruud, competing on the iconic clay courts. Current Highlights Who’s Making Waves at the 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters? The 2025 edition of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters has already delivered drama, upsets, and standout performances—cementing its place as one of the most exciting clay-court tournaments on the calendar. One of the biggest shockers came early when Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo pulled off a headline-making upset, defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets (6–3, 6–4) during the second round. This marks Tabilo’s second victory over Djokovic in less than a year, having previously beaten him at the Rome Masters in 2024. Tabilo is quickly earning a reputation as a rising clay-court specialist and a player to watch. Despite the early exit, Djokovic’s presence in Monte Carlo once again drew huge crowds, with fans eager to see the Serbian legend chase another title on the red clay. His loss opens the field to new contenders and adds even more intrigue to this year’s competition. Other top players still in the mix include Jannik Sinner, the Italian powerhouse with a growing fan base and serious Grand Slam ambitions, and Casper Ruud, known for his consistent performance on clay. With the tournament heating up, every match feels like a potential classic. This year’s Monte Carlo Masters isn’t just about favorites—it’s a stage for underdogs and emerging stars to shine. And so far, they’re making the most of it. Where to Stay Monaco offers a range of accommodations to suit various preferences: - Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: A 5-star luxury palace offering opulent rooms and exceptional service. - Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort: A blend of luxury and modernity, this hotel provides stunning sea views and a tranquil environment. - Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo: Combining classical architecture with contemporary design, this hotel is situated in the heart of Monaco. For more budget-friendly options, consider staying in nearby Nice, France, which is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Where to Eat Monaco boasts a vibrant culinary scene. Here are some dining spots to consider: - Nobu at Fairmont Monte Carlo: Offers a fusion of Japanese and South American flavors with panoramic sea views. - Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse: Located in Hôtel de Paris, this 3-Michelin-starred restaurant offers exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. - Café de Paris: A historic brasserie offering classic French dishes and a lively atmosphere. Tips for Attending the Tournament - Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance, especially for prime matches. The venue has 21 courts, with the main matches held on the larger courts. - Transportation: Spectators can utilize Monaco’s bus lines for free with a tournament entry ticket, thanks to a collaboration with the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco. - Practice Sessions: Take advantage of the opportunity to watch players practice on the smaller courts, offering a more intimate viewing experience. Exploring Monaco Beyond tennis, Monaco offers numerous attractions: - Casino de Monte-Carlo: Experience the glamour of this iconic casino, a symbol of Monaco’s luxury. - Prince’s Palace: Explore the official residence of Monaco’s royal family, rich in history and architecture. - Oceanographic Museum: Discover marine science exhibits in a stunning building overlooking the sea. Attending the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is more than just watching top-tier tennis; it’s an immersion into the elegance and charm of Monaco. Plan ahead to fully enjoy both the sporting event and the myriad experiences this unique destination offers. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/shocks-serves-038-the-riviera-inside-the-2025-monte-carlo-masters — Citation: "Shocks, Serves & the Riviera: Inside the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-11. https://menwith.com/shocks-serves-038-the-riviera-inside-the-2025-monte-carlo-masters --- ## Last Week In Geneva: Discoveries Beyond the Salon - URL: https://menwith.com/last-week-in-geneva-discoveries-beyond-the-salon - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-04-09 - Tags: Travel **Summary:** Beyond Watches & Wonders, Geneva revealed niche brands like Mauron Musy (gasket-free tech), Tutima (diverse collection), and Wolf (watch accessories). These quiet discoveries highlight innovation and craftsmanship. There’s a particular kind of calm in Geneva that surfaces early in the morning, before the boutiques open and the lakeside walkways fill. That’s when the city feels personal. Last week, during Watches & Wonders, we stayed just steps from the water, near the Beau-Rivage, a grand old hotel that carries its age well. From that base, we spent our days immersed in the noise of the fair, and our evenings seeking out the quieter stories just beyond it. In private suites at the Beau-Rivage, tucked away from the main crowd, we met with a handful of niche brands that aren’t always in the spotlight. But that’s the point. These were quiet conversations. The kind that happen when you’re not rushing from one appointment to the next. Among them: Mauron Musy, Tutima, and Wolf. Mauron Musy: The Absence of a Gasket Mauron Musy doesn’t come from traditional watchmaking. The founders are engineers first, and it shows. Their mission is simple: rethink the fundamentals. Most mechanical watches rely on rubber gaskets to achieve water resistance. Mauron Musy decided to remove them entirely. The result is their patented nO-Ring technology, a mechanical sealing system that uses pure machining, rather than synthetic materials, to keep water and dust out. It’s a solution that feels almost counterintuitive at first, until you see how tightly their watches are assembled. Every component is Swiss made, every screw precise. It’s not about minimalism; it’s about control. The watches themselves are unapologetically modern, with strong case architecture and industrial finishes. They feel purpose-built, less about nostalgia and more about technical integrity. Tutima: Looking Ahead, Quietly Tutima’s German roots go deep, and their work reflects that heritage, clean design, chronograph expertise, and a certain understatement that doesn’t ask for attention. At Beau-Rivage, we were given a private look at what’s next for the brand. It’s still under embargo, so we won’t spoil the surprise, but the upcoming piece has presence while staying traditionally classy. What stood out was the breadth of the collection. Tutima isn’t fixed to a single tier. They offer accessible pieces with solid build quality and clarity, but also develop high-end movements in-house. For collectors who want options without compromise, that range matters. Wolf: A Century in the Details Wolf has been in the game since 1834, though their story often flies under the radar. They don’t make watches, they make what watches live in: winders, boxes, and safes. And they do it with a level of adjustability and finish that puts them in a class of their own. What we appreciated most was the individual customization in their winders and safes. You can fine-tune the rotation settings for each watch, based on its caliber. That’s more than convenience, it’s care. Especially for anyone with a mix of vintage and modern movements in rotation. After 190 years in operation, Wolf’s continued relevance comes from small touches like that. Quiet craftsmanship. The kind you only notice if you’re paying attention. Discover more watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/last-week-in-geneva-discoveries-beyond-the-salon — Citation: "Last Week In Geneva: Discoveries Beyond the Salon" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-09. https://menwith.com/last-week-in-geneva-discoveries-beyond-the-salon --- ## Dive into A Coruña: Spain’s Secret Coastal Gem You Need to Discover - URL: https://menwith.com/dive-into-a-corua-spains-secret-coastal-gem-you-need-to-discover - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-04-07 - Tags: A Coruña, Galicia, Tower of Hercules, Santiago de Compostela, Catedrales Beach, Rias Baixas, Roman lighthouse, Spanish cuisine **Summary:** Discover A Coruña, Spain's Galician coastal gem, offering urban beaches, Roman history at the Tower of Hercules, and affordable Galician cuisine. It's an accessible, budget-friendly destination with day trip potential. ​Tired of the usual tourist traps? Discover A Coruña, Spain’s best-kept secret for an unforgettable getaway!​ Nestled in the heart of Galicia, A Coruña offers a delightful blend of urban beaches, rich history, and mouthwatering cuisine—all without breaking the bank. Here’s why this charming port city should be your next destination:​ 1. Stunning Urban Beaches Imagine stepping out of your hotel and onto one of six pristine beaches right in the city center. With pleasant spring temperatures averaging around 23°C, it’s the perfect spot for sunbathing or a refreshing dip.​ 2. Rich Cultural Tapestry History buffs will be captivated by the UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules, the world’s oldest operational Roman lighthouse. Wander through the medieval old town, marvel at iconic glass balconies, and visit landmarks like the Church of Santiago and Plaza Maria Pita.​ 3. Gastronomic Delights Foodies, rejoice! A Coruña boasts a vibrant culinary scene featuring local seafood, empanadas, and exquisite wines. Indulge in authentic Galician flavors at budget-friendly prices.​ 4. Affordable and Accessible With direct flights from the UK starting at just £42 and the airport a mere 7 km from the city center, A Coruña is both accessible and economical. Accommodations range from budget apartments under £50 a night to renowned hotels like Hilton and Melia.​ 5. Exciting Day Trips Use A Coruña as your base to explore nearby gems like Santiago de Compostela and Catedrales Beach. Or embark on scenic boat tours to Rias Baixas for wine tasting adventures.​ Don’t miss out on this “secret gem” that offers the perfect blend of beachside relaxation, cultural richness, and fantastic value. Pack your bags and set your sights on A Coruña—before everyone else does!​ — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dive-into-a-corua-spains-secret-coastal-gem-you-need-to-discover — Citation: "Dive into A Coruña: Spain’s Secret Coastal Gem You Need to Discover" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-07. https://menwith.com/dive-into-a-corua-spains-secret-coastal-gem-you-need-to-discover --- ## Tudor at Watches & Wonders 2025: Purposeful Progress - URL: https://menwith.com/tudor-at-watches-038-wonders-2025-purposeful-progress - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-04-04 - Tags: Tudor, Watches & Wonders 2025, Black Bay 68, Black Bay 58 Burgundy, Black Bay Chrono, Pelagos Ultra, METAS certification, MT5601-U **Summary:** Tudor embraces purposeful evolution at Watches & Wonders 2025, introducing larger Black Bay 68 and METAS-certified Black Bay 58 Burgundy. The Black Bay Chrono and Pelagos Ultra showcase refined design and technical prowess. Tudor at Watches & Wonders While much of the watch world continues to shrink its case sizes in pursuit of vintage proportions and wrist-friendly comfort, Tudor has taken a different route this year. With the introduction of the Black Bay 68 in a bold 43 millimeter case, the brand sends a clear message. This is not a company that simply follows trends. It listens, refines, and responds with intention. Across the board, Tudor new lineups build on what has already worked. These are not radical departures or attention-seeking novelties. They are quiet, thoughtful evolutions that speak to long-term owners as much as new buyers. Black Bay 68 The Black Bay 68 is perhaps the most direct example of Tudor charting its own path. While other brands focus on scaling down, Tudor offers a larger format for those who found the Black Bay 58 and even the 41 millimeter Monochrome a bit too restrained. With this model, Tudor meets a new audience without diluting the DNA of the Black Bay line. The dial options are understated yet effective. You can choose between a sun-brushed silver or Tudor Blue, both giving a modern edge without the need for gold accents or faux vintage patina. The watch also debuts a cleaner three-link bracelet with a T-fit clasp and no faux-rivets. As someone who appreciates function and comfort in a daily piece, this version feels right. It also uses the Manufacture Calibre MT5601-U, a larger movement that matches the increased case size and carries METAS Master Chronometer certification for precision and durability. This is not a watch for everyone, but that is exactly why it matters. It offers something fresh within a familiar frame and steps away from the herd in the process. Black Bay 58 Burgundy Tudor has given the Black Bay 58 a deeper level of technical legitimacy by upgrading it to METAS certification. The new burgundy dial brings a subtle twist on a well-loved model, and the addition of the 5-link bracelet rounds out the package. At 39 millimeters, it still wears perfectly for those who prefer classic proportions, but the added precision and resistance to magnetic fields make this more than just a cosmetic refresh. The color has to be experienced in person. Black Bay Chrono For me personally, the new Black Bay Chrono stands out. The opaline dial with black sub-dials delivers a strong visual contrast that collectors often associate with classic chronograph layouts. At 41 millimeters, it has just the right wrist presence. It is a sports watch, but it avoids that heavy, oversized feel that sometimes comes with the category. What impressed me most is the 5-link bracelet. It wears beautifully and feels more refined than the older 3-link rivet-style design. The T-fit clasp makes a real difference in everyday wear. Being able to adjust the bracelet on the fly is not just convenient, it is something every steel bracelet should offer. The Chrono still runs on the MT5813 movement, a collaborative build with Breitling. It is reliable, COSC-certified, and brings solid specs including a column wheel and vertical clutch. Pelagos Ultra The Pelagos Ultra is Tudor at its most technical. This 43 millimeter titanium dive watch pushes the depth rating to 1000 meters. It comes with a redesigned bracelet and clasp that includes a visual indicator for adjustment position, as well as a backup rubber strap. The luminescence is dual-color for legibility at depth, and the watch runs on the METAS-certified MT5612-U calibre. While few people will ever need a watch that can perform at this level, that is not the point. The Pelagos Ultra shows what Tudor is capable of when it builds with no limitations in mind. Black Bay Pro Finally, the Black Bay Pro returns with a clean opaline dial. Still housed in a 39 millimeter case, it keeps its GMT function and yellow 24-hour hand. The black-outlined ceramic hour markers offer improved legibility, and the watch continues to be offered on a rivet-style bracelet, fabric strap, or a hybrid rubber and leather option. It may not be the flashiest release, but it adds value through small improvements and keeps the Pro feeling current without losing its tool-watch identity. Final Thoughts Tudor’s 2025 releases are not about chasing headlines. They are about refinement, usability, and offering something that aligns with how people actually wear their watches. The 68 takes a deliberate step in the opposite direction of the current industry trend, offering size without sacrificing comfort or design integrity. The Chrono hits a personal sweet spot with its balanced case, striking dial, and improved bracelet. And the expansion of METAS certification across the lineup signals a real commitment to quality that goes deeper than appearances. Tudor is not chasing anyone this year. It is simply building better versions of what it already does best. And that, in a landscape filled with noise, speaks volumes. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/tudor-at-watches-038-wonders-2025-purposeful-progress — Citation: "Tudor at Watches & Wonders 2025: Purposeful Progress" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-04. https://menwith.com/tudor-at-watches-038-wonders-2025-purposeful-progress --- ## A. Lange & Söhne’s Minute Repeater Perpetual: Precision in Poetry - URL: https://menwith.com/a-lange-038-shnes-minute-repeater-perpetual-precision-in-poetry - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-04-04 - Tags: A. Lange & Söhne, Minute Repeater Perpetual, Platinum Watch, Perpetual Calendar, Minute Repeater, L122.2 calibre, Saxonia line **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne’s Minute Repeater Perpetual, a platinum masterpiece, combines a poetic minute repeater with an exacting perpetual calendar, showcasing unparalleled horological mastery. There are watches that tell time, and then there are watches that remind you why time matters. A. Lange & Söhne’s Minute Repeater Perpetual, crafted in platinum and limited to just 50 pieces, belongs firmly in the latter camp. This is not about novelty. This is about mastery. From the outside, it carries the quiet authority we’ve come to expect from the Saxonia line, clean Roman numerals, a subdued enamel dial in deep black, and Lange’s unmistakable outsize date at 12. But beneath that calm surface lies a machine of staggering complexity: 640 components working in harmony, all brought to life by the manually wound L122.2 calibre. The minute repeater is the soul of this watch. Activate the discreet slide on the left side of the case, and the time is chimed with a precision and clarity that borders on the poetic. Low tones mark the hour, a rich double chime for the quarters, and sharp, clean strikes count the minutes. The gongs are hand-tuned. The hammers black-polished to perfection. The sound is engineered, not just to be heard, but to be felt. But this is no one-trick complication. The perpetual calendar is just as exacting, a mechanism that accounts for leap years, tracks day, date, month, and moonphase, and won’t need adjustment until 2100. The moonphase alone is accurate to within a single day every 122.6 years. A single corrector advances the entire calendar display, because of course it does. That’s the Lange way: deeply technical, effortlessly refined. Flip the watch over and you’re met with a visual symphony. German silver bridges. Screwed gold chatons. A freehand-engraved balance cock. And two gleaming gongs that arc around the movement like drawn bows, waiting to release their note. The centrifugal governor spins silently at over 2,000 rpm, ensuring a perfect cadence to each chime. This isn’t a watch for daily wear. It’s a watch for a lifetime, and beyond. A mechanical echo of time, crafted not just to track the hours, but to honor them. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-lange-038-shnes-minute-repeater-perpetual-precision-in-poetry — Citation: "A. Lange & Söhne’s Minute Repeater Perpetual: Precision in Poetry" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-04. https://menwith.com/a-lange-038-shnes-minute-repeater-perpetual-precision-in-poetry --- ## Chopard at Watches & Wonders 2025: A Tale of Two Titans in Platinum - URL: https://menwith.com/chopard-at-watches-038-wonders-2025-a-tale-of-two-titans-in-platinum - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-04-03 - Tags: Chopard, Watches & Wonders 2025, L.U.C Quattro Mark IV, Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum, Platinum watches, Quattro movement, Poinçon de Genève, COSC certified **Summary:** Chopard unveils two platinum titans at Watches & Wonders 2025: the L.U.C Quattro Mark IV, celebrating 25 years of its Quattro movement, and the ultra-thin Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum. Both showcase refined innovation and understated luxury. Chopard at Watches & Wonders didn’t reinvent the wheel, they simply polished it to a mirror shine. And in doing so, they reminded us that innovation isn’t always about disruption. Sometimes, it’s about refinement. Two new platinum releases lead the charge this year, both technical marvels wrapped in quiet sophistication: the L.U.C Quattro Mark IV and the Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum. Let’s start with the Quattro. L.U.C Quattro Mark IV: This is Chopard celebrating 25 years of its Quattro movement with the kind of low-key confidence that comes from knowing exactly what you’re doing. Housed in a newly reshaped 39 mm platinum case, the Quattro Mark IV offers nine days of chronometer-certified precision thanks to its legendary four-barrel configuration. That’s nearly two meters of coiled spring energy, humming beneath a sky-blue frosted dial. The power-reserve indicator has moved to the back, letting the dial breathe, a subtle but effective evolution. This piece is all about restraint and mastery. The hand-engraved bee between the lugs, the swan’s neck regulator, the Phillips terminal curve, every detail whispers high horology. And with both the COSC and the Poinçon de Genève stamps, it backs up the talk. Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum: Then comes the Alpine Eagle, Chopard’s modern sports-luxury flagship now elevated in 950 platinum. Thinner than ever at just 8 mm, this version debuts a redesigned bracelet and a mesmerizing “Shades of Ice” gradient dial inspired by glacial blues. It’s serene, elegant, and quietly powerful — like a still lake hiding its depth. Inside beats the ultra-thin L.U.C 96.42-L calibre, with a platinum micro-rotor and Chopard Twin technology delivering 65 hours of power. COSC certified, Poinçon de Genève approved, and water-resistant to 100 meters, this is a sports watch for those who don’t need to flex. Both watches are deeply Chopard. Timeless, beautifully made, and unapologetically understated. They’re not designed to shock, they’re built to endure. Read more about watches here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/chopard-at-watches-038-wonders-2025-a-tale-of-two-titans-in-platinum — Citation: "Chopard at Watches & Wonders 2025: A Tale of Two Titans in Platinum" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-03. https://menwith.com/chopard-at-watches-038-wonders-2025-a-tale-of-two-titans-in-platinum --- ## Back to the Fast Lane: Breitling Top Time B01 Racing and Martini Racing - URL: https://menwith.com/back-to-the-fast-lane-breitling-top-time-b01-racing-and-martini-racing - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-04-02 - Tags: Culture, Watches **Summary:** Breitling revives its classic Top Time chronographs with new B01 Racing and Martini Racing editions. These 38mm watches feature the in-house Caliber B01 and pay homage to 1960s designs with motorsport-inspired aesthetics. At first glance, this didn’t feel like a Breitling. Rounded and playful, nothing like the cockpit-ready chronos most associate with the brand. But after spending time with the new Top Time B01 Racing editions, that impression changed completely. This isn’t Breitling straying from its path. It’s Breitling tracing it all the way back. When we visited the boutique, we had the chance to see and handle the original pieces these new editions are based on. That changed everything. The blue dial Top Time from 1967. Reference 2006, the first with that square cushion case. And the 1969 reference 2211, the same year Breitling introduced the distinctive “squircle” subdials and dashboard dial motif. These watches weren’t an outlier, they were a foundational part of Breitling’s story on the ground, not just in the skies. The new Top Time B01 Racing and Martini Racing editions carry that same spirit. Sized at 38 millimeters, the case feels crisp and compact, true to the era it recalls. The subdials are still not quite square, not quite round, and the elliptical dashboard layout gives the whole dial presence without shouting. It’s refined, a little rebellious, and unmistakably rooted in motorsport history. Inside is the Breitling Caliber B01, a proper manufacture chronograph with a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a 70-hour power reserve. COSC-certified and reliable, it brings substance to the style without compromise. It also marks a clear move by Breitling to be more self-reliant with its watchmaking, less dependent on external suppliers, more focused on internal craft. The Racing models are available in two colorways. One classic in black and white with a brown-ish (officially beige) strap. One a bit bolder in green and white, paired with a green racing leather. Then there’s the Martini Racing edition, wrapped in those iconic red and blue stripes that have lived on the track for over fifty years. It’s visually loud, yes, but executed with discipline. This isn’t just a throwback. It’s Breitling digging into its archives, finding the pieces that mattered, and bringing them forward without distortion. There’s something special about handling the original, and then seeing how those lines and ideas have been carried into today. You don’t need to explain it. You feel it. Top Time is back, and it’s not looking for validation. It already knows where it came from. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/back-to-the-fast-lane-breitling-top-time-b01-racing-and-martini-racing — Citation: "Back to the Fast Lane: Breitling Top Time B01 Racing and Martini Racing" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-02. https://menwith.com/back-to-the-fast-lane-breitling-top-time-b01-racing-and-martini-racing --- ## Game, Set, Match: Four Seasons & Giorgio Armani's Elite Tennis Tournament Unveiled - URL: https://menwith.com/game-set-match-four-seasons-038-giorgio-armani8217s-elite-tennis-tournament-unveiled - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-04-02 - Tags: Sports **Summary:** Four Seasons partners with Giorgio Armani for "The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic," an elite doubles invitational. Guests receive coaching from tennis legends at select Four Seasons resorts, culminating in finals at London's Hurlingham Club. ​In an innovative fusion of luxury hospitality and world-class tennis, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has partnered with Giorgio Armani to introduce “The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic.” This exclusive doubles invitational offers guests the unique opportunity to engage in high-level tennis competitions across select Four Seasons properties, culminating in a prestigious finale at London’s historic Hurlingham Club from June 26 to 28, 2025. A Grand Slam of Destinations The tournament series unfolds across four distinguished Four Seasons locations, each offering its own blend of elegance and sporting excellence. - The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas (March 14-16): Participants received personalized coaching from 22-time singles titleholder Juan Martín del Potro on the resort’s signature Har-Tru courts amidst Paradise Island’s breathtaking beauty. - Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach (April 18-20): Tennis legend Venus Williams will guide players through tailored sessions, enhancing their skills in this idyllic beachfront setting. ​ - Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel (May 9-11): Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera, participants will train under the expertise of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, known for his dynamic play and charismatic presence. ​ - Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire (June 6-8): Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević will offer his insights and coaching prowess to guests amidst the English countryside’s serene landscapes. Exclusive Participation and Personalized Coaching Guests staying at these properties during the tournament dates are invited to apply for one of eight coveted spots reserved for Four Seasons patrons. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with participants required to self-assess their skill levels to ensure balanced and competitive matchups. ​ Each tournament features personalized coaching sessions led by the aforementioned tennis champions, providing participants with invaluable insights and techniques honed at the highest levels of the sport. This bespoke instruction aims to elevate players’ games while immersing them in the luxurious ambiance synonymous with Four Seasons. The Culmination: Hurlingham Club Finals Victorious doubles teams from each property tournament will earn the esteemed opportunity to compete in the semi-finals and finals at London’s Hurlingham Club during The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic. This event, with a storied history spanning over three decades, has hosted tennis luminaries such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The Hurlingham Club, renowned for its timeless elegance and quintessential British traditions, provides an intimate setting for this grand finale. A Synthesis of Sport and Style This collaboration between Four Seasons and Giorgio Armani epitomizes the seamless integration of sport, luxury, and style. Marc Speichert, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Four Seasons, emphasizes that the partnership “blends world-class hospitality, sport, and style, offering the selected guest participants an exclusive opportunity to engage with tennis champions while immersed in Four Seasons unparalleled service and elegance.” For those passionate about tennis and luxury travel, “The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic” presents an unparalleled experience, combining personalized coaching from tennis legends, competition in breathtaking locales, and the pinnacle of hospitality.​ Four Seasons Press Room+5VT News+5Four Seasons Press Room+5 — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/game-set-match-four-seasons-038-giorgio-armani8217s-elite-tennis-tournament-unveiled — Citation: "Game, Set, Match: Four Seasons & Giorgio Armani's Elite Tennis Tournament Unveiled" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-02. https://menwith.com/game-set-match-four-seasons-038-giorgio-armani8217s-elite-tennis-tournament-unveiled --- ## Game, Set, Match: Four Seasons & Giorgio Armani’s Elite Tennis Tournament Unveiled - URL: https://menwith.com/game-set-match-four-seasons-giorgio-armanis-elite-tennis-tournament-unveiled - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-04-02 - Tags: Sports **Summary:** Four Seasons and Giorgio Armani launch 'The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic,' an elite doubles invitational. Guests receive coaching from tennis legends at select Four Seasons resorts, culminating in a London finale. ​In an innovative fusion of luxury hospitality and world-class tennis, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has partnered with Giorgio Armani to introduce “The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic.” This exclusive doubles invitational offers guests the unique opportunity to engage in high-level tennis competitions across select Four Seasons properties, culminating in a prestigious finale at London’s historic Hurlingham Club from June 26 to 28, 2025. A Grand Slam of Destinations The tournament series unfolds across four distinguished Four Seasons locations, each offering its own blend of elegance and sporting excellence. - The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas (March 14-16): Participants received personalized coaching from 22-time singles titleholder Juan Martín del Potro on the resort’s signature Har-Tru courts amidst Paradise Island’s breathtaking beauty. - Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach (April 18-20): Tennis legend Venus Williams will guide players through tailored sessions, enhancing their skills in this idyllic beachfront setting. ​ - Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel (May 9-11): Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera, participants will train under the expertise of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, known for his dynamic play and charismatic presence. ​ - Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire (June 6-8): Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević will offer his insights and coaching prowess to guests amidst the English countryside’s serene landscapes. Exclusive Participation and Personalized Coaching Guests staying at these properties during the tournament dates are invited to apply for one of eight coveted spots reserved for Four Seasons patrons. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with participants required to self-assess their skill levels to ensure balanced and competitive matchups. ​ Each tournament features personalized coaching sessions led by the aforementioned tennis champions, providing participants with invaluable insights and techniques honed at the highest levels of the sport. This bespoke instruction aims to elevate players’ games while immersing them in the luxurious ambiance synonymous with Four Seasons. The Culmination: Hurlingham Club Finals Victorious doubles teams from each property tournament will earn the esteemed opportunity to compete in the semi-finals and finals at London’s Hurlingham Club during The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic. This event, with a storied history spanning over three decades, has hosted tennis luminaries such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The Hurlingham Club, renowned for its timeless elegance and quintessential British traditions, provides an intimate setting for this grand finale. A Synthesis of Sport and Style This collaboration between Four Seasons and Giorgio Armani epitomizes the seamless integration of sport, luxury, and style. Marc Speichert, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Four Seasons, emphasizes that the partnership “blends world-class hospitality, sport, and style, offering the selected guest participants an exclusive opportunity to engage with tennis champions while immersed in Four Seasons unparalleled service and elegance.” For those passionate about tennis and luxury travel, “The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic” presents an unparalleled experience, combining personalized coaching from tennis legends, competition in breathtaking locales, and the pinnacle of hospitality.​ Four Seasons Press Room+5VT News+5Four Seasons Press Room+5 — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/game-set-match-four-seasons-giorgio-armanis-elite-tennis-tournament-unveiled — Citation: "Game, Set, Match: Four Seasons & Giorgio Armani’s Elite Tennis Tournament Unveiled" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-02. https://menwith.com/game-set-match-four-seasons-giorgio-armanis-elite-tennis-tournament-unveiled --- ## Hublot Big Bang at 20: Still Breaking the Rules - URL: https://menwith.com/hublot-big-bang-at-20-still-breaking-the-rules - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-04-02 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Hublot's Big Bang celebrates 20 years of rule-breaking design with five anniversary editions. These models fuse original rebellious spirit with modern Unico movement innovation. Some watches fit into history. Others disrupt it. When Hublot Big Bang was unveiled in 2005, it didn’t ask for permission. It didn’t chase classicism. It threw together rubber, ceramic, and gold with an unapologetic attitude that still sparks debate today. Love it or hate it, the Big Bang forced the industry to take notice, and two decades later, it’s just as polarizing, just as relevant. To mark 20 years of defiance, Hublot drops five anniversary editions. Each one channels the original energy of the 2005 Big Bang, fused with the mechanical muscle and material innovation that defines the Unico era. The Titanium Ceramic and King Gold Ceramic editions are a direct line to the past. Their silhouette, with pinched lugs, knurled bezels, and rubber-tipped pushers, echoes the early Big Bang models. But the heart is pure modern Unico: in-house flyback chronograph, 72-hour power reserve, and a redesigned carbon-pattern dial that feels both familiar and forward-looking. The Red Magic is Hublot’s flex. Bright red ceramic, difficult to engineer, even harder to ignore, wrapped around a black carbon dial. This isn’t subtle. It’s a statement in color and confidence, and only 100 exist. The All Black edition taps into one of the most radical ideas ever introduced in modern watchmaking: form over function. Readability was never the point. It’s monochrome minimalism taken to the extreme, with layered textures and a matte ceramic case that draws you in, even without contrast. Finally, the Magic Gold edition showcases Hublot’s material mastery. A proprietary alloy that’s scratch-resistant, industrial yet precious. The case glows with a greenish-gold tint, paired with gold-tone hands and markers that reflect Hublot’s fusion-first philosophy better than words ever could. Each piece is powered by the Unico movement and features a commemorative rotor engraved for the anniversary. They come strapped to structured rubber with the One-Click system, practical, yes, but also part of the Big Bang’s signature identity. Two decades on, the Big Bang still gets people talking. Still draws sharp lines between admiration and critique. And that’s exactly the point. Hublot didn’t create the Big Bang to blend in. It built it to challenge, and in doing so, carved out a place no one else could. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hublot-big-bang-at-20-still-breaking-the-rules — Citation: "Hublot Big Bang at 20: Still Breaking the Rules" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-02. https://menwith.com/hublot-big-bang-at-20-still-breaking-the-rules --- ## Rolex Land-Dweller Unveiled: A Bold New Era - URL: https://menwith.com/rolex-land-dweller-unveiled-a-bold-new-era - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-04-01 - Tags: Rolex Land-Dweller, Watches & Wonders 2025, Oyster Perpetual, Flat Jubilee bracelet, Calibre 7135, Dynapulse escapement, Rolesor, Everose gold, Platinum **Summary:** Rolex unveils the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller, a new sport model featuring an integrated "Flat Jubilee" bracelet and the innovative Calibre 7135 movement with Dynapulse escapement. In the ever-evolving landscape of horology, few moments capture the collective attention of enthusiasts and collectors alike as when Rolex unveils a new timepiece. This year, at Watches & Wonders 2025, the brand introduced the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller, marking a significant addition to its storied lineup. A Bold New Direction The Land-Dweller represents Rolex’s first entirely new sport model in over a decade, a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation while honoring its rich heritage. Drawing inspiration from the angular aesthetics of the 1970s Oysterquartz, the Land-Dweller features a distinctive integrated bracelet design. This bracelet, aptly named the “Flat Jubilee,” presents a seamless fusion of case and band, characterized by flat, beveled links that exude both strength and elegance. The interplay of polished and satin finishes enhances the watch’s visual appeal, creating a continuous ribbon of light that captivates the eye. Technical Mastery At the heart of the Land-Dweller lies the Calibre 7135, a movement that operates at a high frequency of 5 Hz. This increased frequency enhances timekeeping precision, a crucial factor for any discerning collector. The movement introduces the “Dynapulse” escapement, a groundbreaking mechanism that improves energy efficiency by 30% compared to traditional Swiss lever escapements. Despite its advanced capabilities, the Calibre 7135 maintains a commendable power reserve of approximately 66 hours, ensuring reliability for the modern wearer. Design and Variations The Land-Dweller is available in multiple configurations to suit varied tastes. The white Rolesor version (a combination of Oystersteel and white gold) features a fluted bezel and an intense white dial adorned with a honeycomb motif, offering a classic yet contemporary look. For those inclined towards opulence, the 18 ct Everose gold variant boasts a bezel set with 44 trapeze-cut diamonds and a dial punctuated by ten baguette-cut diamond hour markers. The platinum model, with its ice blue dial, a hue reserved for Rolex’s platinum pieces, presents a subtle nod to exclusivity and prestige. Personal Reflection As someone deeply appreciative of the Genta-esque design language, characterized by integrated bracelets and harmonious case profiles, the Land-Dweller resonates profoundly with me. Rolex has masterfully blended its traditional DNA with contemporary design cues, resulting in a timepiece that feels both fresh and timeless. The integration of the Flat Jubilee bracelet with the angular case pays homage to the past while firmly planting its roots in the present. This release signifies a bold step for Rolex, embracing innovation without forsaking the elements that have solidified its esteemed reputation. Conclusion The introduction of the Land-Dweller is indeed positive and significant news for the horological community. It exemplifies Rolex’s ability to evolve and adapt, offering collectors a piece that is both a nod to history and a beacon of future possibilities. For those who, like myself, have an affinity for integrated bracelet designs and the seamless blend of form and function, the Land-Dweller is a compelling addition to consider. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rolex-land-dweller-unveiled-a-bold-new-era — Citation: "Rolex Land-Dweller Unveiled: A Bold New Era" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-04-01. https://menwith.com/rolex-land-dweller-unveiled-a-bold-new-era --- ## Geneva Day One: Where Art Meets Time — A Visit to Jacob & Co. - URL: https://menwith.com/geneva-day-one-where-art-meets-time-a-visit-to-jacob-038-co - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-03-31 - Tags: Jacob & Co., Astronomia Revolution, Four-Axis Tourbillon, Haute Horlogerie, Luxury Watchmaking, Geneva Watch Week **Summary:** Jacob & Co. unveils the Astronomia Revolution, a radical four-axis tourbillon celebrating the collection's 10th anniversary. This limited edition timepiece redefines watchmaking boundaries with its hypnotic movement and exquisite design. We began our time in Geneva with a visit to Jacob & Co., a house that has never subscribed to limitations. For the past decade, the Astronomia collection has been their most expressive canvas. This year, to mark its tenth anniversary, they introduced something truly radical; the Astronomia Revolution Four-Axis Tourbillon. At the heart of the piece is a four-axis flying tourbillon. Each axis moves at its own tempo (60, 18, 15, and 60 seconds) while the entire movement completes a full rotation in just 60 seconds. On paper, it reads like an engineering puzzle. On the wrist, it’s something else entirely. The watch moves with such intentional rhythm that it becomes almost hypnotic. Every rotation offers a different angle, a new reflection, a fresh perspective. In the hands, the watch truly comes to life. The gold-plated geometric mosaic on the dial catches and reflects light with a kind of precision that feels alive. Paired with the motion of the tourbillon, it creates a dynamic interplay between form and energy. No two glances feel the same. It is a timepiece that rewards attention. You find yourself looking not to check the time, but to experience how it shifts moment to moment. Jacob & Co. has always pushed against the edge of what’s possible. The Astronomia Revolution is a clear expression of that mindset. From its sapphire and rose gold case to the high-frequency constant force movement inside, every element serves a single purpose: to prove that there are no fixed boundaries in watchmaking. Not in design. Not in mechanics. Not in ambition. Only 18 pieces will be made. Priced at 700,000 dollars, the Astronomia Revolution is not created to blend in. It exists to challenge the conversation, to ask what else could be done if we stop accepting the word “impossible.” In that sense, it’s more than a watch. It’s a reminder of what vision, backed by fearless execution, can look like. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/geneva-day-one-where-art-meets-time-a-visit-to-jacob-038-co — Citation: "Geneva Day One: Where Art Meets Time — A Visit to Jacob & Co." — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-31. https://menwith.com/geneva-day-one-where-art-meets-time-a-visit-to-jacob-038-co --- ## Geneva Day One: Where Art Meets Time — A Visit to Jacob & Co. - URL: https://menwith.com/geneva-day-one-where-art-meets-time-a-visit-to-jacob-co - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2025-03-31 - Tags: Watches **Summary:** Jacob & Co. unveils the Astronomia Revolution, a radical four-axis tourbillon celebrating the collection's 10th anniversary. This $700,000 timepiece pushes watchmaking boundaries with its hypnotic, dynamic movement and limited production. We began our time in Geneva with a visit to Jacob & Co., a house that has never subscribed to limitations. For the past decade, the Astronomia collection has been their most expressive canvas. This year, to mark its tenth anniversary, they introduced something truly radical; the Astronomia Revolution Four-Axis Tourbillon. At the heart of the piece is a four-axis flying tourbillon. Each axis moves at its own tempo (60, 18, 15, and 60 seconds) while the entire movement completes a full rotation in just 60 seconds. On paper, it reads like an engineering puzzle. On the wrist, it’s something else entirely. The watch moves with such intentional rhythm that it becomes almost hypnotic. Every rotation offers a different angle, a new reflection, a fresh perspective. In the hands, the watch truly comes to life. The gold-plated geometric mosaic on the dial catches and reflects light with a kind of precision that feels alive. Paired with the motion of the tourbillon, it creates a dynamic interplay between form and energy. No two glances feel the same. It is a timepiece that rewards attention. You find yourself looking not to check the time, but to experience how it shifts moment to moment. Jacob & Co. has always pushed against the edge of what’s possible. The Astronomia Revolution is a clear expression of that mindset. From its sapphire and rose gold case to the high-frequency constant force movement inside, every element serves a single purpose: to prove that there are no fixed boundaries in watchmaking. Not in design. Not in mechanics. Not in ambition. Only 18 pieces will be made. Priced at 700,000 dollars, the Astronomia Revolution is not created to blend in. It exists to challenge the conversation, to ask what else could be done if we stop accepting the word “impossible.” In that sense, it’s more than a watch. It’s a reminder of what vision, backed by fearless execution, can look like. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/geneva-day-one-where-art-meets-time-a-visit-to-jacob-co — Citation: "Geneva Day One: Where Art Meets Time — A Visit to Jacob & Co." — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-31. https://menwith.com/geneva-day-one-where-art-meets-time-a-visit-to-jacob-co --- ## All Aboard the Orient Express… at Sea! - URL: https://menwith.com/all-aboard-the-orient-express-at-sea - Published: 2025-03-26 - Tags: Orient Express Corinthian, Stirling Design International, Maxime d’Angeac, Yannick Alléno, luxury sailing yacht, Art Deco, maritime travel **Summary:** The Orient Express Corinthian, launching June 2026, will be the world's largest sailing yacht, blending Art Deco luxury with modern design and Michelin-starred dining by Yannick Alléno. In a bold fusion of heritage and innovation, the legendary Orient Express is set to embark on a new journey—this time across the seas. Scheduled to launch in June 2026, the Orient Express Corinthian promises to redefine luxury maritime travel, seamlessly blending the opulence of the golden age of travel with cutting-edge design and technology. A Nautical Marvel Spanning an impressive 220 meters, the Orient Express Corinthian is poised to become the world’s largest sailing yacht. This oceanic treasure will feature 54 lavish suites, each averaging 70 square meters, including a monumental 1,000-square-meter Presidential Suite. The vessel’s exterior, crafted by the esteemed Stirling Design International, showcases sleek lines and three towering inclinable masts adorned with 4,500 square meters of sails, enabling the yacht to harness wind power and reach speeds of up to 17 knots. Interior Elegance Renowned architect Maxime d’Angeac has been entrusted with the interior design, drawing inspiration from the Art Deco era to evoke the timeless elegance associated with the Orient Express. Guests can anticipate a harmonious blend of rich materials, intricate detailing, and modern comforts, ensuring an ambiance of unparalleled sophistication. Culinary Excellence Elevating the gastronomic experience, Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno has been appointed as the executive chef for both the Orient Express Train and the Corinthian yacht. Alléno plans to offer a unique culinary journey by sourcing local produce at each port of call, crafting dishes that reflect the flavors of the regions visited. His innovative approach promises to delight the palates of discerning travelers. Unparalleled Amenities Beyond its luxurious accommodations and dining, the Corinthian boasts an array of upscale amenities. Guests can indulge in two swimming pools, including a lap pool, unwind in the speakeasy bar, or savor gourmet meals in one of the yacht’s two restaurants. Every aspect of the vessel has been meticulously designed to offer an extraordinary travel experience. A New Era of Exploration The Orient Express Corinthian represents more than just a return to the seas; it signifies a renaissance of the art of travel. By marrying the romance of the past with the innovations of the present, this sailing yacht invites travelers to embark on voyages that promise both adventure and indulgence. As the launch date approaches, anticipation builds for what is poised to be a transformative chapter in luxury exploration. For more information and updates on the Orient Express Corinthian, visit the official Orient Express website here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/all-aboard-the-orient-express-at-sea — Citation: "All Aboard the Orient Express… at Sea!" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-26. https://menwith.com/all-aboard-the-orient-express-at-sea --- ## Lost for 40 Years: Rare Lamborghini Miura SV Found Hidden in Italian Palazzo! - URL: https://menwith.com/lost-for-40-years-rare-lamborghini-miura-sv-found-hidden-in-italian-palazzo - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-03-19 - Tags: Lamborghini Miura SV, Simon Kidston, Bruno Metallizzato, Italian Palazzo, Classic Car Discovery, 1972 Lamborghini **Summary:** A rare 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, finished in unique Bruno Metallizzato, was discovered hidden in a sealed room in an Italian palazzo after 40 years. This untouched 'time capsule' offers a rare glimpse into automotive history. In a discovery that has captivated automotive enthusiasts worldwide, a rare 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV has been unearthed from a sealed room within a decaying palazzo in northern Italy. This remarkable find offers a glimpse into automotive history, as the Miura SV is celebrated as one of the most iconic sports cars ever produced. A Hidden Gem Revealed The Miura SV, finished in the rare Bruno Metallizzato—a rich chocolate brown metallic hue—was discovered in a bricked-up room inside the deteriorating palazzo. Classic car expert Simon Kidston and his team, known as the “Miura Whisperers,” led the search, which culminated in this extraordinary find in late 2020. The car had been concealed to deter theft, and following the owner’s passing in April 2020, his family sealed the room to preserve its condition. A Storied Past The late owner, an Italian car enthusiast, acquired the Miura SV in 1975 for approximately 7,500,000 Lire (around $11,000 at the time). Despite numerous offers over the ensuing decades, he steadfastly refused to part with his prized possession. Prior to his ownership, the car had a few custodians, including a young woman who drove it from 1972 to 1974. For over 40 years, the Miura remained untouched, a well-guarded secret within the palazzo’s walls. Preservation of a Classic Notably, this Miura SV is one of only two ever produced in the Bruno Metallizzato color, enhancing its rarity and desirability. The vehicle retains its original features, including a cigarette burn on the driver’s seat and traces of hair gel on the headliner, serving as authentic markers of its history. Chassis number 5102, it is the 755th Miura built, equipped with a 3.9-liter V12 engine delivering 380 horsepower. A Time Capsule on Wheels The Miura SV’s untouched condition offers a unique window into the past, allowing enthusiasts to appreciate the authenticity of a vehicle that has remained unaltered for decades. Such discoveries are exceedingly rare and provide invaluable insights into automotive history. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lost-for-40-years-rare-lamborghini-miura-sv-found-hidden-in-italian-palazzo — Citation: "Lost for 40 Years: Rare Lamborghini Miura SV Found Hidden in Italian Palazzo!" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-19. https://menwith.com/lost-for-40-years-rare-lamborghini-miura-sv-found-hidden-in-italian-palazzo --- ## Adventure Awaits: Planning the Ultimate Outdoor Excursion - URL: https://menwith.com/adventure-awaits-planning-the-ultimate-outdoor-excursion - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-03-14 - Tags: Outdoor Excursion, Adventure Planning, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Camping, Leave No Trace, AllTrails **Summary:** Planning an ultimate outdoor excursion involves choosing your adventure, mapping routes, packing essential gear, and prioritizing safety. Embrace the journey, practice Leave No Trace principles, and reflect on your experience for future explorations. The call of the wild is impossible to ignore. Whether it’s the thrill of conquering rugged trails, the peace of sleeping under a starry sky, or the rush of a mountain bike descent, outdoor adventures offer a unique kind of freedom. But a great trip doesn’t just happen — it takes planning. Here’s your guide to crafting the perfect outdoor excursion, ensuring every step is packed with excitement, safety, and unforgettable moments. 1. Choose Your Adventure First, decide what kind of experience you’re after. Are you craving the challenge of a multi-day hike, the adrenaline rush of mountain biking, or a tranquil weekend camping by a serene lake? Pinning down your adventure sets the tone for everything that follows. 2. Map Out Your Route Research trails and campsites ahead of time. Websites like AllTrails or local park websites offer detailed maps, difficulty ratings, and reviews. Note the estimated time and elevation changes, and have a backup route in case conditions change. 3. Gear Up Your gear list depends on the activity, but essentials include: - Backpack: Comfortable and spacious enough for all your supplies. - Clothing: Dress in layers and opt for moisture-wicking materials. - Navigation Tools: GPS, map, and compass. - Food and Water: High-protein snacks, dehydrated meals, and plenty of water. - First Aid Kit: Including blister treatment, painkillers, and any personal medications. - Safety Equipment: Headlamp, multi-tool, and emergency whistle. 4. Prioritize Safety Before setting off, check the weather forecast and inform someone of your plans. If you’re venturing into unfamiliar territory, consider bringing a buddy. Pack a personal locator beacon (PLB) for remote locations. 5. Embrace the Journey Take time to soak in the scenery. Whether you’re hiking through dense forests, scaling rocky peaks, or pedaling down mountain paths, savor the moments that make the journey special. Snap photos, breathe deeply, and let nature recharge you. 6. Leave No Trace Respect the environment by following the Leave No Trace principles: pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and minimize campfire impact. 7. Reflect and Recharge After the adventure, take time to reflect. What worked? What would you change? Every trip teaches you something new, building skills and confidence for future explorations. Adventure is out there. All you need is a plan, a little courage, and the right mindset. Whether you’re chasing mountaintop sunsets or carving through forest trails, the outdoors is your playground. Ready to answer the call? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/adventure-awaits-planning-the-ultimate-outdoor-excursion — Citation: "Adventure Awaits: Planning the Ultimate Outdoor Excursion" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-14. https://menwith.com/adventure-awaits-planning-the-ultimate-outdoor-excursion --- ## This One-Off Bugatti Baby II Is Stealing the Spotlight — Here’s Why! - URL: https://menwith.com/this-one-off-bugatti-baby-ii-is-stealing-the-spotlight-heres-why - Published: 2025-03-12 - Tags: Bugatti Baby II, Bugatti Type 35, Jascha Straub, Hedley Studios, Ettore Bugatti, Nocturne black, Giallo Midas yellow, Bridge of Weir leather **Summary:** A one-off Bugatti Baby II, a three-quarter-scale electric Type 35 tribute, features hand-drawn historical sketches by Jascha Straub etched onto its body panels, blending heritage with modern artistry. Bugatti, the legendary French automobile manufacturer, has long been synonymous with luxury, performance, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Founded in 1909 by the visionary Italian-born French automobile designer Ettore Bugatti, the brand quickly established itself as a producer of high-performance vehicles that were as much works of art as they were feats of engineering. Models like the Type 35 Grand Prix car and the Type 57SC Atlantic have become icons in automotive history, celebrated for their design elegance and racing prowess. In a nod to this rich heritage, Bugatti has unveiled a one-of-a-kind creation: the Bugatti Baby II, crafted in collaboration with Hedley Studios (formerly The Little Car Company) and Bugatti’s Manager of Sur Mesure and Individualisation, Jascha Straub. This bespoke vehicle is a modern tribute to the brand’s storied past, reimagining the iconic Type 35 in a three-quarter-scale electric version. The Bugatti Baby II is finished in a striking duo-tone of ‘Nocturne’ black and ‘Giallo Midas’ yellow, a color scheme personally favored by Ettore Bugatti and featured on legendary models such as the Type 57 Grand Raid Usine. The interior is adorned with black leather from ‘Bridge of Weir,’ reflecting Bugatti’s commitment to luxury and attention to detail. drivespark.com What sets this particular Bugatti Baby II apart are the intricate, hand-drawn sketches by Jascha Straub, etched onto the body panels. These illustrations depict key moments and figures from Bugatti’s history, including the Château Saint Jean, Ettore and Jean Bugatti, and their famed racing machines. These artistic elements are preserved under a clear coat, making the vehicle a drivable work of art that pays homage to the brand’s legacy. moderncarcollector.com This unique creation not only showcases Bugatti’s dedication to preserving its heritage but also highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation and individuality. By blending historical elements with modern craftsmanship, the Bugatti Baby II stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a marque that continues to define automotive excellence. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/this-one-off-bugatti-baby-ii-is-stealing-the-spotlight-heres-why — Citation: "This One-Off Bugatti Baby II Is Stealing the Spotlight — Here’s Why!" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-12. https://menwith.com/this-one-off-bugatti-baby-ii-is-stealing-the-spotlight-heres-why --- ## Palma Perfection: Your Dream Weekend Getaway - URL: https://menwith.com/palma-perfection-your-dream-weekend-getaway - Published: 2025-03-07 - Tags: Palma de Mallorca, Concepció by Nobis, La Seu Cathedral, Castillo de Bellver, Santa Catalina, Valldemossa, Sóller Valley, Tramuntana mountains **Summary:** Palma de Mallorca offers a perfect weekend escape blending luxury stays like Concepció by Nobis with historic sites, charming neighborhoods, and scenic valleys. Explore La Seu Cathedral, Castillo de Bellver, and the Tramuntana mountains. Planning a weekend getaway to Palma de Mallorca? Here’s your ultimate guide to experiencing the best this vibrant city has to offer, from luxurious accommodations to charming locales and breathtaking valleys. Stay: Concepció by Nobis For a blend of Scandinavian design and Mallorcan charm, book your stay at Concepció by Nobis. Located in the heart of Palma, this luxury hotel offers stunning rooms that feel like a warm hug—wrapped in style and charm, a rooftop pool, and exceptional dining options. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the city. Explore: Palma’s Historic Gems - La Seu Cathedral: This Gothic masterpiece boasts one of the tallest naves in Europe and a stunning rose window. Its reflection over the sea adds to its allure. - Castillo de Bellver: A unique circular castle offering panoramic views of Palma and its bay. - Baños Árabes: One of the few remnants of Moorish architecture on the island, these ancient Arab baths provide a glimpse into Palma’s past. Stroll: Quaint Neighborhoods - Santa Catalina: Known as Palma’s “SoHo,” this area is filled with trendy cafés, boutiques, and the bustling Mercat de Santa Catalina. - El Jonquet: A picturesque neighborhood with traditional fishermen’s houses and windmills, offering a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle. Dine: Culinary Delights - Mercat de l’Olivar: A vibrant market where you can savor local delicacies, fresh seafood, and traditional tapas. - Café Ca’n Toni: A charming café known for its authentic Mallorcan dishes and cozy atmosphere. Discover: Serene Valleys - Valldemossa: Nestled in the Tramuntana mountains, this village is famed for its stone houses, cobbled streets, and the historic Royal Charterhouse. - Sóller Valley: A lush valley filled with citrus groves, best explored by taking the vintage train from Palma to Sóller, offering scenic views along the way. Unwind: Coastal Beauty - Port de Sóller: A charming coastal village with a beautiful harbor, perfect for a leisurely stroll or dining by the sea. - Cala Deià: A secluded cove ideal for a peaceful swim, surrounded by rugged cliffs and clear waters. With its rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, and stunning natural landscapes, Palma de Mallorca offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for your weekend escape. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/palma-perfection-your-dream-weekend-getaway — Citation: "Palma Perfection: Your Dream Weekend Getaway" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-03-07. https://menwith.com/palma-perfection-your-dream-weekend-getaway --- ## March Madness: The Ultimate Month for Fashion, Fast Cars, and Unmissable Events - URL: https://menwith.com/march-madness-the-ultimate-month-for-fashion-fast-cars-and-unmissable-events - Published: 2025-02-28 - Tags: Paris Fashion Week AW25, Givenchy, Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Formula 1, Australian Grand Prix, Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton **Summary:** March 2025 is a pivotal month for luxury, featuring Paris Fashion Week AW25 with major debuts, the F1 season kick-off in Melbourne and Shanghai, and multiple fashion weeks in LA, Dallas, and a special Rebirth Fashion Event. March 2025 is packed with thrilling events that cater to a variety of interests. Here are some highlights to look forward to: 1. Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 From March 3 to 11, Paris will host its renowned Fashion Week, featuring 72 shows and 37 presentations. This season promises significant debuts, including Sarah Burton for Givenchy and Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford. Established houses like Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga will also showcase their latest collections. Emerging talents such as Christopher Esber and Hodakova are set to make their mark, ensuring a dynamic mix of fashion innovation. voguebusiness.com 2. Formula 1 Season Kick-Off The 2025 Formula 1 season revs up with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 14 to 16. Following this, the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is scheduled for March 21 to 23. Fans can anticipate intense rivalries, especially with Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and his reunion with former trainer Angela Cullen. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are also expected to continue their competitive clashes, adding excitement to the season’s start. formula1.com talksport.com thesun.co.uk 3. Los Angeles Fashion Week From March 13 to 15, Los Angeles Fashion Week will present a diverse array of designers and styles. This event offers a platform for both established and emerging talents, reflecting the city’s eclectic fashion scene. Attendees can expect innovative runway shows and opportunities to engage with industry professionals. thebureaufashionweek.com 4. Dallas Fashion Week Scheduled from March 20 to 22, Dallas Fashion Week continues to grow as a significant event in the fashion calendar. The week will feature runway shows, designer showcases, and networking events, highlighting both local and international fashion influences. thebureaufashionweek.com 5. Rebirth Fashion Event On March 16, the Rebirth Fashion Event will take place, featuring top-tier couture designers and over 50 high-stepping models. This runway show aims to celebrate fashion’s transformative power and offers attendees a chance to witness cutting-edge designs in an immersive setting. eventbrite.com Whether you’re a motorsport enthusiast or a fashion aficionado, March 2025 offers a plethora of events to keep you entertained and engaged. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/march-madness-the-ultimate-month-for-fashion-fast-cars-and-unmissable-events — Citation: "March Madness: The Ultimate Month for Fashion, Fast Cars, and Unmissable Events" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-28. https://menwith.com/march-madness-the-ultimate-month-for-fashion-fast-cars-and-unmissable-events --- ## Milan Fashion Week Awaits—Don’t Miss a Moment! - URL: https://menwith.com/milan-fashion-week-awaitsdont-miss-a-moment - Category: Style - Published: 2025-02-26 - Tags: Culture, Travel **Summary:** Milan Fashion Week (Feb 25-Mar 3, 2025) showcases fashion innovation with shows from Alberta Ferretti, Fendi, Prada, and Giorgio Armani. Explore top dining and luxury stays. Milan Fashion Week, running from February 25 to March 3, 2025, is set to be a vibrant showcase of fashion innovation and creativity. As the city transforms into a global fashion hub, attendees can look forward to a blend of high-end runway shows, exquisite dining, and luxurious accommodations. Here’s your guide to making the most of this stylish week. Must-See Fashion Shows The official schedule, curated by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, features a lineup of esteemed designers and emerging talents. Highlights include the debut of Lorenzo Serafini at Alberta Ferretti, Fendi’s centennial celebration, and Prada’s anticipated collection unveiling. Giorgio Armani will conclude the week with a grand finale. For a comprehensive schedule, visit the official Milan Fashion Week calendar. Culinary Delights: Restaurants Not to Miss Milan’s culinary scene is as fashionable as its runways. Here are some top dining spots to enhance your experience: - Da Giacomo: Renowned for its classic Italian dishes and elegant ambiance, making it a favorite among fashion insiders. - 28 Posti: Offers stylish sustainable fine dining in a cozy setting. - Trattoria La Pesa: Celebrated for traditional Milanese cuisine, including exceptional ossobuco and risotto alla Milanese. Luxurious Accommodations To complement your fashion week experience, consider these top-rated hotels: - Galleria Vik Milano: Located within the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, offering art-filled rooms and unparalleled city views. - SINA The Gray: A boutique hotel known for its contemporary design and central location, perfect for easy access to fashion week venues. citeturn0search10 - The Street Milano Duomo: Offers modern accommodations just steps away from the iconic Duomo Cathedral. Insider Tips - Navigli District: After a day of shows, unwind in this charming area known for its canals, vibrant nightlife, and eclectic dining options. - Transportation: Milan’s efficient public transport system, including trams and the metro, makes navigating the city convenient. Consider purchasing a multi-day pass for ease of travel. - Weather: Late February to early March in Milan typically sees mild temperatures, averaging around 10°C (50°F). It’s advisable to carry a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings. Embrace the fusion of fashion, food, and culture that Milan offers during this exciting week. Whether you’re attending runway shows or exploring the city’s rich heritage, Milan Fashion Week 2025 promises an unforgettable experience. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/milan-fashion-week-awaitsdont-miss-a-moment — Citation: "Milan Fashion Week Awaits—Don’t Miss a Moment!" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-26. https://menwith.com/milan-fashion-week-awaitsdont-miss-a-moment --- ## Embark on Luxury: The Guardian of the Nile Awaits - URL: https://menwith.com/embark-on-luxury-the-guardian-of-the-nile-awaits - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-02-19 - Tags: Interior **Summary:** Egypt's "Guardian of the Nile" luxury rail cruise, launching 2027, offers opulent travel along the Nile. A collaboration between Arsenale S.p.A. and ENR, it features 15 carriages for 80 passengers. If you’re captivated by luxury trains like the Belmond, you’ll be thrilled to learn about the upcoming “Guardian of the Nile,” Egypt’s first luxury rail cruise. This ambitious project is a collaboration between Italian high-end hospitality company Arsenale S.p.A. and Egyptian National Railways (ENR), aiming to redefine opulent travel along the historic Nile River. A New Era of Luxury Travel in Egypt Scheduled to commence operations in 2027, the “Guardian of the Nile” will feature up to 15 meticulously designed carriages, accommodating 80 passengers across 40 cabins. These cabins will be categorized into deluxe, suite, and honor suite classes, ensuring a range of high-end options for discerning travelers. The train’s design will seamlessly blend luxury with Egypt’s rich cultural heritage, offering an immersive experience that reflects local aesthetics while adhering to international standards. railwaygazette.com Journey Through Egypt’s Timeless Landscapes The luxury rail cruise will traverse iconic destinations from Cairo to Upper Egypt, including Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. Passengers can expect curated stops at Egypt’s most significant historical and cultural sites, providing a unique perspective on the country’s ancient wonders. This initiative is poised to boost Egypt’s tourism sector by offering an unparalleled travel experience that combines comfort, elegance, and cultural immersion. railcolornews.com A Collaborative Effort The “Guardian of the Nile” marks Arsenale’s fourth international luxury rail project, following ventures like the “Orient Express La Dolce Vita” in Italy and the “Dream of the Desert” in Saudi Arabia. This partnership with ENR signifies a significant milestone in Egypt’s tourism industry, promising to enhance the country’s appeal to global travelers seeking unique and luxurious experiences. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/embark-on-luxury-the-guardian-of-the-nile-awaits — Citation: "Embark on Luxury: The Guardian of the Nile Awaits" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-19. https://menwith.com/embark-on-luxury-the-guardian-of-the-nile-awaits --- ## The Great Winter Escape: Volvo’s EX30 Cross Country Owns the Arctic - URL: https://menwith.com/the-great-winter-escape-volvos-ex30-cross-country-owns-the-arctic - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2025-02-16 - Tags: Volvo EX30 Cross Country, Swedish Lapland, Electric SUV, Arctic Adventure, All-wheel drive, Winter Driving, Volvo EX90 **Summary:** Volvo unveils the EX30 Cross Country in Swedish Lapland, showcasing its adventurous electric SUV designed to embrace winter. The vehicle's rugged capabilities and design are tested in Arctic conditions, from frozen lakes to snow-covered trails. There’s winter, and then there’s Swedish Lapland, a place where snow blankets the land for months, where lakes freeze into endless stretches of ice, and where Volvo chose to unveil its most adventurous electric SUV yet: the EX30 Cross Country. More than just a car, it’s a statement. Winter isn’t something to endure—it’s something to embrace. From the City to the Wilderness The journey starts in Luleå, where the Arctic air instantly reminds us we’re far from home. A Volvo XC90 carries us through snow-packed roads, deeper into the wilderness, toward something special. At the end of the drive, a secluded Scandinavian cabin comes into view. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, wooden walls warmed by firelight and untouched snow stretching to the horizon. And then, from the frozen lake, the EX30 Cross Country makes its entrance. Raised suspension, all-terrain tires, all-wheel drive. It’s built for this. The design takes inspiration from Sweden’s wilderness, proving that small SUVs can be just as rugged as their bigger counterparts. Inside the cabin, a fireside chat unpacks the design philosophy behind the car. Aurora Dreams & Arctic Treks A short drive takes us to The Aurora Village, where we check into cozy glass-roofed pods, the perfect place to wait for the northern lights. But before night sets in, the wilderness calls. Layered up, we head out for a snow trek, weaving through frozen landscapes that seem untouched by time. The cold bites, but the silence is something else. Pure, vast, uninterrupted. At a hidden Volvo outpost, a fire crackles, and we’re treated to grilled mushroom wraps with locally made cheese—smoky and simple, yet perfect for the setting. Back at the lodge, we prepare for the evening. Norrbotten Destilleri crafts the drinks, while the chefs prepare a three-course feast. It was a true celebration of northern flavors. As the meal winds down, all eyes turn to the sky. Anticipation builds for the aurora. The night is still, the stars impossibly bright. But the northern lights? Tonight, they remain hidden. And yet, there’s something about standing in this vast, frozen landscape, under a sky full of stars, that feels just as magical. Ice Tracks & Pushing Limits Morning comes, and so does the drive even further north. The destination? A frozen lake turned ice track, where we push the latest Volvos to their limits. The EX90 impresses with its rock-solid stability—so much so that even when we try to slide, the safety systems step in effortlessly. The EX30 Cross Country is compact and nimble. Confident on ice, it grips where it should and lets loose when allowed. With higher ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and rugged detailing, it’s not just built for adventure. It encourages it. A Winter Escape Done Right As we make our way back south, one thing is clear: Volvo hasn’t just launched a car. They’ve launched a mindset. The EX30 Cross Country isn’t about enduring winter. It’s about embracing it. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-great-winter-escape-volvos-ex30-cross-country-owns-the-arctic — Citation: "The Great Winter Escape: Volvo’s EX30 Cross Country Owns the Arctic" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-16. https://menwith.com/the-great-winter-escape-volvos-ex30-cross-country-owns-the-arctic --- ## Dive Into a World of Jaw-Dropping Scenery - URL: https://menwith.com/dive-into-a-world-of-jaw-dropping-scenery - Published: 2025-02-14 - Tags: Zanzibar, Stone Town, Nungwi Beach, Spice Farms, Mnemba Atoll, The Rock Restaurant, Tanzania **Summary:** Zanzibar offers a rich blend of history and natural beauty. Explore Stone Town's UNESCO site, relax on Nungwi Beach, discover spice farms, snorkel Mnemba Atoll, and dine at The Rock Restaurant. Zanzibar: 5 Must-Experience Highlights Zanzibar is a dream destination where history, culture, and breathtaking beaches come together. Whether you’re exploring the island’s rich past or soaking up the tropical atmosphere, here are five things you shouldn’t miss: 1. Wander Through Stone Town Lose yourself in the winding alleys of this UNESCO-listed historic center. Admire the intricate wooden doors, visit the House of Wonders, and soak in the island’s blend of Swahili, Arab, and European influences. 2. Relax on Nungwi Beach One of Zanzibar’s most stunning beaches, Nungwi offers powdery white sand and crystal-clear water. Spend the day sunbathing, snorkeling, or setting sail on a traditional dhow boat at sunset. 3. Visit the Spice Farms Known as the “Spice Island,” Zanzibar is famous for its cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon. A guided spice tour lets you see how these fragrant ingredients are grown and used in local cuisine. 4. Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll A paradise for divers and snorkelers, Mnemba Atoll boasts vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Swim alongside tropical fish, dolphins, and even sea turtles in the clear turquoise waters. 5. Dine at The Rock Restaurant Perched on a rock in the Indian Ocean, this iconic restaurant offers fresh seafood with breathtaking views. At high tide, you’ll arrive by boat—an unforgettable dining experience. Zanzibar is more than just a beach escape—it’s a place full of culture, adventure, and incredible flavors. Whether you’re exploring history or indulging in island luxury, you’ll leave with memories to last a lifetime. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dive-into-a-world-of-jaw-dropping-scenery — Citation: "Dive Into a World of Jaw-Dropping Scenery" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-14. https://menwith.com/dive-into-a-world-of-jaw-dropping-scenery --- ## The Art of Pairing Part II - URL: https://menwith.com/the-art-of-pairing-part-ii - Category: Style - Published: 2025-02-13 - Tags: cufflinks, pocket squares, ties, black-tie events, smart casual, business attire, accessory pairing **Summary:** Master accessory pairing for any occasion, from black-tie elegance to smart casual flair. Learn to select cufflinks, ties, and pocket squares that enhance your look and express personal style. Accessories are the finishing touches that complete your outfit, adding personality, sophistication, and a touch of flair. When chosen carefully, accessories like cufflinks, ties, pocket squares, and even napkins can elevate your look and show a deep understanding of style nuances. The key is knowing how to pair them for the right occasion. Here’s our guide to pairing accessories like a pro. 1. The Black-Tie Affair: Keep It Classic Outfit: Tuxedo or formal evening wear Accessories: Elegant cufflinks, silk pocket square, and a classic tie or bow tie When you’re attending a black-tie event, less is more, and every accessory should reflect that timeless elegance. Opt for simple yet refined cufflinks, preferably in silver, gold, or onyx. A silk pocket square in a neutral shade like white or ivory complements the formality of the tuxedo. If you’re wearing a bow tie, ensure it’s a silk one in black, perfectly tied to maintain the classic look. Avoid any flashy or oversized pieces, as the goal is to enhance your outfit, not overshadow it. Keep the accessories minimal and let your tuxedo be the star. Tip: Your cufflinks should match your watch or tie bar in metal tone (silver, gold, etc.) for a cohesive, polished look. 2. Business and Boardrooms: Understated Elegance Outfit: Suit (navy, grey, charcoal) Accessories: Subtle cufflinks, leather tie bar, and classic pocket square In a professional setting, your accessories should convey confidence and refinement without being overpowering. Opt for understated cufflinks—perhaps a sleek round design or minimalistic square style. A leather tie bar adds a sophisticated touch, while a white or light blue pocket square neatly folded in your breast pocket ties the look together. Choose accessories that are functional but stylish. Stick with neutral tones and polished finishes, such as silver, gold, or matte black, to reflect professionalism and taste. Tip: Match your cufflinks with your belt buckle or watch strap for consistency, but don’t overdo it. Less is more in the business world. 3. Smart Casual: The Effortless Edge Outfit: Blazer, chinos, dress shirt, or fine-knit sweater Accessories: Casual cufflinks, leather straps, and patterned pocket squares For a smart casual look, accessories can add personality and dimension. Choose cufflinks that are a little more fun, such as enamel or wooden designs, to complement your blazer and chinos. A patterned pocket square—perhaps a subtle plaid or geometric design—adds a modern twist to a classic look. Leather straps on your watch, belts, and even cufflinks give a grounded, sophisticated feel that transitions easily from business to casual. Pairing leather with casual items like a leather-strapped watch or an easygoing cufflink design ensures your outfit maintains its elegance without looking too stiff. Tip: Opt for bold but controlled patterns. Think of a deep blue or burgundy pocket square with a hint of texture for a smart casual vibe. 4. Weekend Casual: Relaxed Yet Refined Outfit: T-shirt, jeans, or casual knitwear Accessories: Casual cufflinks, leather bracelets, and scarves Weekend wear allows you to express a bit more personality with your accessories. Leather bracelets and casual cufflinks—perhaps in brushed metal or wooden designs—will complement a laid-back yet stylish look. A scarf can be the perfect final touch, especially during colder months, while adding an element of comfort and style. Here, accessories should be more about personal style than rules. Opt for accessories that add a bit of edge but still remain comfortable and functional. Tip: Keep the accessories relaxed and organic. Avoid anything too formal—focus on textures and materials that speak to a weekend of leisure and ease. 5. The Statement Piece: Bold Accessories for Impact Outfit: Casual streetwear or statement clothing Accessories: Bold cufflinks, oversized rings, and chunky necklaces If you’re looking to make a bold statement, this is where accessories take center stage. Chunky rings, standout cufflinks with a bold design, or a daring necklace can transform an otherwise simple outfit into something with attitude. Think of silver or gold-plated cufflinks with intricate designs or a signet ring that makes a statement. However, with bold accessories, moderation is key. If you’re going for a statement piece, make sure the rest of your outfit is simple so the accessories can shine. Tip: When opting for bold accessories, balance is crucial—don’t over-accessorize, let one piece take center stage. Final Thoughts: Accessories Make the Man A well-chosen accessory does more than just complement your outfit—it can elevate your overall look and reflect your personality. From cufflinks and ties to scarves and pocket squares, each piece should be thoughtfully selected to suit the occasion. Whether you’re dressed in a tuxedo for a black-tie event or donning a casual blazer for the weekend, your accessories will make a lasting impression when chosen with care. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll elevate every outfit with ease. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-art-of-pairing-part-ii — Citation: "The Art of Pairing Part II" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-13. https://menwith.com/the-art-of-pairing-part-ii --- ## A Thrilling Journey into the World of James Bond - URL: https://menwith.com/a-thrilling-journey-into-the-world-of-james-bond - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-02-07 - Tags: Culture **Summary:** The 007 Action Exhibition in Vienna offers an immersive dive into the James Bond universe, showcasing iconic vehicles, gadgets, and behind-the-scenes content. Running until February 9, 2025, it's a must-see for fans. 007 Action Exhibition in Vienna For decades, James Bond has captivated audiences with high-speed chases, sophisticated gadgets, and an undeniable sense of style. Now, fans of the world’s most famous secret agent have the chance to step into his world at the 007 Action Exhibition in Vienna, Austria. Officially launched on September 7, 2024, this immersive exhibition brings together iconic vehicles, legendary gadgets, and behind-the-scenes insights from the Bond franchise, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the action up close. A Spectacular Exhibition for Bond Enthusiasts Located at the METAstadt Convention Centre, the 007 Action exhibition spans a massive 3,400 square meters, making it one of the most extensive James Bond exhibitions ever curated. From the moment visitors enter the venue, they are transported into the thrilling world of espionage, filled with action-packed moments, cutting-edge technology, and the unmistakable charm of 007. Among the highlights of the exhibition are: - The legendary Aston Martin DB5 – The most iconic Bond car, complete with hidden weapons and high-tech modifications. - Original movie gadgets – From wristwatch lasers to mini jetpacks, visitors can marvel at the incredible spy tools featured in the films. - Costumes and props – A collection of suits, dresses, and accessories worn by Bond and his most memorable adversaries. - Exclusive behind-the-scenes content – Rare insights into the making of Bond’s most thrilling action sequences. A Must-See for Fans and Newcomers Alike The exhibition has been carefully curated to appeal to both lifelong Bond enthusiasts and casual visitors who are curious about the cinematic legacy of the franchise. Interactive displays and multimedia elements allow guests to relive their favorite Bond moments, from the ski chase in The Spy Who Loved Me to the underwater battle in Thunderball. Additionally, the exhibition offers a unique look at how the Bond franchise has evolved over the years, showcasing the technological advancements and storytelling innovations that have kept it at the forefront of action cinema. Plan Your Visit The 007 Action Exhibition is housed in the WAGENwerk building at the METAstadt Exhibition Grounds, located at Dr.-Otto-Neurath-Gasse 3, 1220 Vienna. - Opening Hours: - Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM - Fridays and Saturdays: Open until 9:00 PM - Tickets: Available for purchase online at 007actionexhibition.com Final Chance to Experience Bond Like Never Before The 007 Action Exhibition is scheduled to run until February 9, 2025, making it a limited-time opportunity to explore the world of James Bond in an unprecedented way. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the franchise or simply appreciate action-packed cinema, this exhibition promises an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss your chance to step into the shoes of 007 and discover the glamour, excitement, and intrigue that have made James Bond a cinematic legend. For more information, visit 007actionexhibition.com or follow them on Instagram for updates. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-thrilling-journey-into-the-world-of-james-bond — Citation: "A Thrilling Journey into the World of James Bond" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-07. https://menwith.com/a-thrilling-journey-into-the-world-of-james-bond --- ## Atlantis The Royal Dubai: Not Built to Blend In – And That’s the Point - URL: https://menwith.com/atlantis-the-royal-dubai-not-built-to-blend-in-8211-and-thats-the-point - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-02-06 - Tags: Interior, Lifestyle **Summary:** Atlantis The Royal Dubai defies convention with its bold architecture and layered luxury. It offers distinct experiences from the nature-inspired Elements Lounge to the exclusive Royal Club Lounge and world-class dining at Nobu by the Beach, Milos, La Mar, and Ariana's Persian Kitchen. Some places don’t just exist – they make an entrance. Atlantis The Royal on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah is one of those places. You don’t just check in; you arrive. A structure that looks like it was designed during a brainstorm between a world-class architect and someone who simply said, “Let’s defy logic.” And somehow, it works. It’s bold without trying too hard, extravagant without screaming for attention – a rare balance in a city that isn’t exactly known for subtlety. Architecture That Doesn’t Apologize Atlantis The Royal isn’t shy. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, it stacks up like a giant game of Jenga played by someone with impeccable taste. The exterior is a mosaic of glass and steel that shifts in appearance depending on the time of day – sometimes reflecting the golden hues of a Dubai sunset, other times mirroring the cool blues of the Arabian Gulf. Inside, it’s all about contrast: sleek marble meets soft textures, sharp lines balanced by fluid design. It’s luxury with layers, not just a glossy surface. Elements Lounge: Nature Got an Upgrade First stop, Elements Lounge – where earth, air, fire, and water aren’t just elements; they’re part of the decor brief. Think flickering fire pits, water features that ripple just enough to feel intentional, and an outdoor space that somehow manages to feel both grand and intimate. The cocktails are as photogenic as they are potent (yes, that’s a thing), and the vibe? Effortlessly cool. You could show up in a linen suit or post-beach casual, and it’d still feel right. The Royal club Lounge: Like Business Class, but on Land If Elements Lounge is where you go to unwind, The Royal Club Lounge is where you go to feel like you’ve made it. It’s exclusive, but not in that velvet-rope, bouncer-at-the-door way. More like an understated kind of privilege – you know you belong, and so does everyone else. Think panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline, breakfasts that make “continental” look basic, and evening cocktails that hit just right. The staff? Invisible when you don’t need them, magically present when you do. Nobu by the Beach: Beach Chic and Lounge Club Nobu by the Beach isn’t your typical beachfront spot. Sure, there’s sand and an infinity pool, but there’s also a menu that reads like a greatest hits album of Japanese-Peruvian fusion. Picture Yellowtail Jalapeño with just the right kick, Black Cod Miso that melts like it’s part of some culinary magic trick, and cocktails that are basically a vacation in a glass. Private cabanas add that extra layer of “I could get used to this,” and honestly, you probably will. Milos: Proof That Simplicity Wins Then there’s Milos, where less really is more – if “less” includes the freshest seafood flown in like it’s got frequent flyer status. The vibe is clean, crisp, and Mediterranean-chic without the clichés. Dishes are simple but flawless: grilled octopus that’s tender in all the right ways, and a tomato salad that somehow tastes like sunshine. It’s the kind of place where you realize olive oil can be life-changing if you’ve been settling for the supermarket stuff back home. La Mar: Where Peru Crashes the Party (In a Good way) La Mar, where Peruvian flavors steal the show. It’s bold, colorful, and unapologetically vibrant – kind of like Peru itself. Ceviche that wakes up your taste buds, tiraditos with the perfect citrus punch, and anticuchos that’ll make you question why skewered meat isn’t a global staple. The energy here is infectious, with just enough buzz to keep things interesting without feeling overwhelming. Ariana’s Persian Kitchen: A Taste of Heritage with a Modern Twist Enter Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, where Persian heritage meets contemporary flair. This isn’t just dinner—it’s a cultural deep dive. Chef Ariana Bundy’s modern take on classic Iranian dishes is both bold and comforting. The Ghormeh Sabzi – an herb-packed stew with tender meat and dried limes – is rich, tangy, and layered with flavors that linger long after the last bite. The décor mirrors the food: vibrant, elegant, and steeped in tradition with just the right amount of modern edge. It’s like stepping into a story, with every dish revealing a new chapter. Final Thoughts: Is It Over-the-Top? Absolutely. And That’s the Point. Atlantis The Royal doesn’t whisper luxury – it says it out loud, but with a confident charm that feels earned. It’s not trying to be cool; it just is. Whether you’re there for the views, the food, or just to say you’ve been, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just another five-star hotel. It’s a destination where every detail, from the architecture to the last sip of your cocktail, feels like part of the story. And trust me, it’s a story worth telling. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/atlantis-the-royal-dubai-not-built-to-blend-in-8211-and-thats-the-point — Citation: "Atlantis The Royal Dubai: Not Built to Blend In – And That’s the Point" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-06. https://menwith.com/atlantis-the-royal-dubai-not-built-to-blend-in-8211-and-thats-the-point --- ## Atlantis The Royal Dubai: Not Built to Blend In – And That’s the Point - URL: https://menwith.com/atlantis-the-royal-dubai-not-built-to-blend-in-and-thats-the-point - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-02-06 - Tags: Interior, Lifestyle **Summary:** Atlantis The Royal Dubai defies logic with its bold architecture and luxurious amenities. From the Elements Lounge to Nobu by the Beach, it offers an extravagant yet balanced experience. Some places don’t just exist – they make an entrance. Atlantis The Royal on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah is one of those places. You don’t just check in; you arrive. A structure that looks like it was designed during a brainstorm between a world-class architect and someone who simply said, “Let’s defy logic.” And somehow, it works. It’s bold without trying too hard, extravagant without screaming for attention – a rare balance in a city that isn’t exactly known for subtlety. Architecture That Doesn’t Apologize Atlantis The Royal isn’t shy. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, it stacks up like a giant game of Jenga played by someone with impeccable taste. The exterior is a mosaic of glass and steel that shifts in appearance depending on the time of day – sometimes reflecting the golden hues of a Dubai sunset, other times mirroring the cool blues of the Arabian Gulf. Inside, it’s all about contrast: sleek marble meets soft textures, sharp lines balanced by fluid design. It’s luxury with layers, not just a glossy surface. Elements Lounge: Nature Got an Upgrade First stop, Elements Lounge – where earth, air, fire, and water aren’t just elements; they’re part of the decor brief. Think flickering fire pits, water features that ripple just enough to feel intentional, and an outdoor space that somehow manages to feel both grand and intimate. The cocktails are as photogenic as they are potent (yes, that’s a thing), and the vibe? Effortlessly cool. You could show up in a linen suit or post-beach casual, and it’d still feel right. The Royal club Lounge: Like Business Class, but on Land If Elements Lounge is where you go to unwind, The Royal Club Lounge is where you go to feel like you’ve made it. It’s exclusive, but not in that velvet-rope, bouncer-at-the-door way. More like an understated kind of privilege – you know you belong, and so does everyone else. Think panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline, breakfasts that make “continental” look basic, and evening cocktails that hit just right. The staff? Invisible when you don’t need them, magically present when you do. Nobu by the Beach: Beach Chic and Lounge Club Nobu by the Beach isn’t your typical beachfront spot. Sure, there’s sand and an infinity pool, but there’s also a menu that reads like a greatest hits album of Japanese-Peruvian fusion. Picture Yellowtail Jalapeño with just the right kick, Black Cod Miso that melts like it’s part of some culinary magic trick, and cocktails that are basically a vacation in a glass. Private cabanas add that extra layer of “I could get used to this,” and honestly, you probably will. Milos: Proof That Simplicity Wins Then there’s Milos, where less really is more – if “less” includes the freshest seafood flown in like it’s got frequent flyer status. The vibe is clean, crisp, and Mediterranean-chic without the clichés. Dishes are simple but flawless: grilled octopus that’s tender in all the right ways, and a tomato salad that somehow tastes like sunshine. It’s the kind of place where you realize olive oil can be life-changing if you’ve been settling for the supermarket stuff back home. La Mar: Where Peru Crashes the Party (In a Good way) La Mar, where Peruvian flavors steal the show. It’s bold, colorful, and unapologetically vibrant – kind of like Peru itself. Ceviche that wakes up your taste buds, tiraditos with the perfect citrus punch, and anticuchos that’ll make you question why skewered meat isn’t a global staple. The energy here is infectious, with just enough buzz to keep things interesting without feeling overwhelming. Ariana’s Persian Kitchen: A Taste of Heritage with a Modern Twist Enter Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, where Persian heritage meets contemporary flair. This isn’t just dinner—it’s a cultural deep dive. Chef Ariana Bundy’s modern take on classic Iranian dishes is both bold and comforting. The Ghormeh Sabzi – an herb-packed stew with tender meat and dried limes – is rich, tangy, and layered with flavors that linger long after the last bite. The décor mirrors the food: vibrant, elegant, and steeped in tradition with just the right amount of modern edge. It’s like stepping into a story, with every dish revealing a new chapter. Final Thoughts: Is It Over-the-Top? Absolutely. And That’s the Point. Atlantis The Royal doesn’t whisper luxury – it says it out loud, but with a confident charm that feels earned. It’s not trying to be cool; it just is. Whether you’re there for the views, the food, or just to say you’ve been, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just another five-star hotel. It’s a destination where every detail, from the architecture to the last sip of your cocktail, feels like part of the story. And trust me, it’s a story worth telling. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/atlantis-the-royal-dubai-not-built-to-blend-in-and-thats-the-point — Citation: "Atlantis The Royal Dubai: Not Built to Blend In – And That’s the Point" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-02-06. https://menwith.com/atlantis-the-royal-dubai-not-built-to-blend-in-and-thats-the-point --- ## The Art of Pairing Part I - URL: https://menwith.com/the-art-of-pairing-part-i - Category: Watches - Published: 2025-01-31 - Tags: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, Cartier Tank, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Rolex Datejust, Omega Aqua Terra, Vacheron Constantin Patrimony, Tudor Black Bay 58, IWC Pilot's Watch, Omega Speedmaster, Rolex Submariner **Summary:** This guide pairs watches with outfits, from black-tie elegance (Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso) to weekend casual (Seiko SKX007). It emphasizes matching watch style to the occasion for sophisticated presentation. A watch is more than just a timepiece—it’s a statement. The right watch can perfect an outfit, reinforce your personal style, and show that you understand the unspoken rules of sophistication. Whether you’re suiting up for a black-tie event or going for a casual weekend look, knowing which watch to wear (and when) is key. Here’s our guide to get it right. 1. The Black-Tie Affair: Keep It Classic Outfit: Tuxedo or formal evening wear Watch: Dress watch (slim, elegant, minimalist) When wearing a tuxedo, simplicity is key. A classic dress watch with a slim case, a clean dial, and a leather strap is the only acceptable choice. Think of a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, a Cartier Tank, or a Patek Philippe Calatrava—timeless icons that complement formalwear without stealing attention. Avoid chronographs, chunky cases, and metal bracelets; a formal event is not the time for sport-inspired pieces. Tip: Black-tie events are all about elegance, so opt for a black leather strap to match your shoes and belt. 2. Business and Boardrooms: Understated Sophistication Outfit: Suit (navy, charcoal, or grey) Watch: Dress watch or luxury sports watch (steel or gold case, leather or metal strap) A business setting calls for something refined yet authoritative. A Rolex Datejust, Omega Aqua Terra, or Vacheron Constantin Patrimony strikes the perfect balance between understated luxury and professional confidence. A steel bracelet adds a modern edge, while a leather strap keeps it traditional. Avoid overly complicated dials—moon phases and perpetual calendars are great conversation starters but might be excessive for daily business wear. Stick to a simple three-hand watch or a subtle chronograph if you prefer a more technical aesthetic. Tip: Match your watch’s metal with your cufflinks and belt buckle for a polished look. 3. Smart Casual: The Versatile Everyday Piece Outfit: Blazer, chinos, dress shirt, or a fine-knit polo Watch: Sporty yet refined (luxury sports watch, field watch, or GMT) For a relaxed but sophisticated look, you need a watch that transitions effortlessly from work to dinner to weekend outings. A Tudor Black Bay 58, IWC Pilot’s Watch, or an Omega Speedmaster fits the bill. These watches have a strong presence on the wrist without being too formal. This is where leather straps, NATO bands, or rubber options come into play, allowing for personal expression. A GMT or chronograph function adds practicality for frequent travelers or those who appreciate a touch of aviation history. Tip: Brown leather straps pair well with navy and earth tones, while a steel bracelet is a go-to for versatility. 4. Weekend Casual: Effortless Cool Outfit: T-shirt, jeans, sneakers, or casual knitwear Watch: Field watch, dive watch, or digital (comfortable and rugged) On the weekend, comfort takes priority. A Rolex Submariner, Seiko SKX007, or a Hamilton Khaki Field is a solid choice. Dive watches and field watches are built for durability and adventure, whether you’re heading to a café or a weekend getaway. If you’re feeling bold, a G-Shock or an Apple Watch adds a modern, practical twist to your weekend look. These are perfect for the gym, running errands, or casual hangouts. Tip: A rubber or NATO strap keeps things casual and functional, while a well-worn leather strap adds character. 5. The Sports and Adventure Watch: Built for Action Outfit: Activewear, performance gear, or casual streetwear Watch: Dive watch, pilot watch, or digital sports watch For outdoor activities, choose a watch that can handle impact, water, and the elements. The Omega Seamaster, Breitling Superocean, or Casio G-Shock are rugged yet stylish options for adventures. If you’re into fitness tracking, a Garmin or Apple Watch Ultra keeps up with your pace. Tip: Water resistance is key—make sure your watch can handle unexpected swims or rain. Final Thoughts: The Watch Makes the Man A well-chosen watch is a subtle but powerful detail that sets you apart. By understanding the right watch for each occasion, you show attention to detail and respect for style traditions. Whether you’re wearing a tuxedo or a t-shirt, there’s a perfect timepiece for the moment—choose wisely. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-art-of-pairing-part-i — Citation: "The Art of Pairing Part I" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-31. https://menwith.com/the-art-of-pairing-part-i --- ## Lewis Hamilton’s First Days at Ferrari: A New Era Begins - URL: https://menwith.com/lewis-hamiltons-first-days-at-ferrari-a-new-era-begins - Category: Cars - Published: 2025-01-29 - Tags: Lewis Hamilton, Scuderia Ferrari, Formula 1, Fiorano Circuit, Tommy Hilfiger, Richard Mille, Charles Leclerc **Summary:** Lewis Hamilton begins his historic F1 tenure at Ferrari, testing at Fiorano and bringing key sponsors like Tommy Hilfiger. His debut in red generated record social media engagement. The moment Formula 1 fans had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived—Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, officially began his journey with Scuderia Ferrari. His first days with the team in Maranello were marked by excitement, adaptation, and a strong commitment to making history in the legendary red car. First Laps at Fiorano: A New Chapter Begins Hamilton’s first laps in a Ferrari took place at the team’s private Fiorano test track, where he had the opportunity to get a feel for his new environment. In damp and cool conditions, he completed 30 laps, gradually adapting to the car’s handling and characteristics. Describing the experience as “one of the best feelings of my life”, Hamilton expressed deep admiration for Ferrari’s racing heritage and the warm welcome he received from the team. “Driving in red for the first time is something truly special. The car, the atmosphere, the passion—it’s all incredible,” he shared with reporters. Fans had gathered near the track, eager to witness the historic moment as Hamilton donned the Ferrari racing suit for the first time. The sight of the British superstar in Ferrari red was symbolic—not only for him but for the millions of supporters worldwide who had followed his career since his McLaren debut in 2007. Seamless Sponsor Transition: Hamilton Brings His Brand Power One of the biggest talking points surrounding Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was the seamless transition of his key sponsors. Over the years, Hamilton has established himself as more than just a racing driver—he’s a global brand with powerful partnerships in the fashion and luxury industries. As expected, Tommy Hilfiger, which had been a major sponsor during Hamilton’s Mercedes tenure, followed him to Ferrari. The brand has been a longtime supporter of Hamilton’s personal style, and their continued partnership ensures that Ferrari benefits from his unique crossover appeal between motorsports and fashion. Another major shift occurred in the watch industry. While at Mercedes, Hamilton was the face of IWC, frequently seen sporting their timepieces. However, Ferrari’s long-standing partnership with Richard Mille has introduced Hamilton to a new horological relationship. Shortly after his first Ferrari test, he was seen wearing the RM67-02 ‘Italy’ edition, a lightweight, ultra-thin timepiece designed for high-performance athletes. Social media has already proven the value of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. His first Instagram post in Ferrari colors shattered records, gaining over 5.4 million likes, making it the most-liked Formula 1 post in history. Analytics firm Sponsorlytix estimated that this single post generated $400,000 in brand value for the sponsors displayed on his new Ferrari suit, with HP, Shell, IBM, and Ceva among the biggest beneficiaries. What’s Next for Hamilton and Ferrari? With his first Fiorano test complete, Hamilton’s full integration into the Ferrari team is now underway. His next private test will take place at the Circuit de Catalunya, giving him more time to adjust before the official pre-season testing in Bahrain. Ferrari fans are eager to see what Hamilton can bring to the team as he partners with Charles Leclerc in one of the most exciting driver pairings in recent F1 history. His competitive debut in red will take place at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where expectations will be sky-high. For now, Hamilton is focused on fine-tuning his approach and learning everything he can about Ferrari’s systems and operations. “This is a team with so much history and passion. I’m here to give my absolute best, and I can’t wait to get started,” he said. With an electrifying start to his Ferrari career, Lewis Hamilton is ready to make history once again—this time, in the iconic red of Scuderia Ferrari. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/lewis-hamiltons-first-days-at-ferrari-a-new-era-begins — Citation: "Lewis Hamilton’s First Days at Ferrari: A New Era Begins" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-29. https://menwith.com/lewis-hamiltons-first-days-at-ferrari-a-new-era-begins --- ## Hidden Gem: Polo Palladio Jaipur - URL: https://menwith.com/hidden-gem-polo-palladio-jaipur - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-01-24 - Tags: Interior **Summary:** Polo Palladio Jaipur, a new members-only club launched March 2024, offers an exclusive retreat within the Rajasthan Polo Club. Designed by Marie-Anne Oudejans, it blends Indian maximalism with vibrant colors and tropical motifs. Nestled within the historic Rajasthan Polo Club in Jaipur, Polo Palladio stands as a testament to the city’s rich heritage and evolving cultural landscape. Launched in March 2024 by Italian entrepreneur Barbara Miolini, renowned for her acclaimed establishments Bar Palladio and Villa Palladio, this members-only club offers an exclusive retreat for polo enthusiasts and connoisseurs of refined leisure. The club’s design is a visual feast, masterfully crafted by Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans. Departing from traditional country club aesthetics, Polo Palladio embraces a vibrant palette of sunshine yellow, deep emerald green, and rich maroon, adorned with hand-painted tropical motifs and bold geometric patterns. This design ethos pays homage to Indian maximalism, creating an atmosphere that is both opulent and inviting. Polo Palladio comprises four meticulously curated rooms: two dining areas, a lounge, and an intimate private dining space with French doors that open onto the garden and polo field. Each room houses a carefully selected assortment of historical artifacts, reflecting the club’s deep connection to Jaipur’s polo heritage. Access to Polo Palladio is reserved for members of the Rajasthan Polo Club, with social memberships available on an annual basis. This exclusivity ensures that the club remains a sanctuary for those who appreciate the finer things in life, offering a space where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously. In essence, Polo Palladio is more than just a club; it is a celebration of Jaipur’s enduring polo legacy and a beacon of contemporary design. For those seeking an unparalleled experience that marries history, culture, and luxury, Polo Palladio Jaipur emerges as a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hidden-gem-polo-palladio-jaipur — Citation: "Hidden Gem: Polo Palladio Jaipur" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-24. https://menwith.com/hidden-gem-polo-palladio-jaipur --- ## Emirates: Where Flying Feels Better Than Landing - URL: https://menwith.com/emirates-where-flying-feels-better-than-landing - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-01-16 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Emirates elevates the travel experience with chauffeur services, luxurious suites, gourmet dining, and extensive entertainment. Their onboard lounge and redefined cabin classes ensure comfort and enjoyment from departure to arrival. What if we told you that your journey could start the moment you step out of your front door? With Emirates, flying becomes a part of the journey you’ll actually enjoy. Whether you’re a globe-trotter or a once-in-a-while wanderer, this is your golden ticket to the skies. Fly, Drive, Relax Why stress about the drive to the airport? With Emirates Business Class or First Class, your journey begins on the ground. Emirates will chauffeur you to and from the airportt, ensuring your trip starts on a high note—before you’ve even taken off. Sit back, relax, and let them handle the details. Your Personal Sky Suite Step into Emirates Business Class and experience travel redefined. Unwind in the perfect living space, where comfort and luxury are unmistakable. Relax in spacious seats that transform into fully flat beds, and enjoy exclusive amenity kits featuring Byredo skincare products enriched with vitamins and calming chamomile extracts. See why this isn’t just flying—it’s a journey as comfortable as your own bed. And the perks don’t end there. Fancy a fine dining experience? Enjoy gourmet cuisine crafted to perfection and tailored to your preferences. Craving entertainment? With up to 6,500 channels of movies, shows, and music, boredom simply isn’t an option. The Lounge Above the Clouds For those moments when you want to stretch your legs or socialize, head to the onboard lounge—a chic escape at 40,000 feet. Sip on expertly mixed cocktails, share stories with fellow travelers, or simply revel in the joy of being miles above the world. Designed for Every Kind of Traveler Emirates caters to more than just luxury; it offers an experience. Whether you’re in it for the adventure, the relaxation, or the memories, you’ll find everything you need—and more—onboard. - Business Class Excellence: A balance of productivity and indulgence, with spacious seats that transform into fully flat beds. Your home away from home. - First Class Comforts: Your suite, your rules. From spa-inspired showers to customizable lighting, every detail is designed for your ultimate relaxation. - Economy Redefined: Even theEconomy Class offers a level of service that’s a cut above, with thoughtful touches to make your journey exceptional. Catch Flights, Not Feelings… Or Maybe Both With Emirates, every flight is a story waiting to be written. Whether you’re jetting off for business, leisure, or love, Emirates promise a journey that’s as memorable as the destination. So what are you waiting for? With Emirates, it’s a call to rediscover why airplanes were made! — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/emirates-where-flying-feels-better-than-landing — Citation: "Emirates: Where Flying Feels Better Than Landing" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-16. https://menwith.com/emirates-where-flying-feels-better-than-landing --- ## Le Club 55: The Riviera’s Most Coveted Reservation - URL: https://menwith.com/le-club-55-the-rivieras-most-coveted-reservation - Category: Travel - Published: 2025-01-16 - Tags: Culture, Lifestyle **Summary:** Le Club 55 in St. Tropez is a legendary beach club on Pampelonne Beach, embodying Riviera chic since 1955. It offers a timeless, unpretentious experience with fresh Provençal cuisine and a welcoming ethos for its elite clientele. The Timeless Legend of St. Tropez Nestled along the golden sands of Pampelonne Beach in St. Tropez, Le Club 55 isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an institution. For over six decades, this seaside haven has epitomized the effortless glamour and laid-back luxury that defines the French Riviera. Its history is as vibrant and captivating as the A-list clientele it continues to attract, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking the true spirit of St. Tropez. Humble Beginnings Le Club 55 began its journey in 1955 when local fisherman Bernard de Colmont opened a simple beach hut to serve hearty meals to the crew filming And God Created Woman, starring Brigitte Bardot. The movie became a sensation, catapulting Bardot and St. Tropez to international fame. In the midst of this newfound spotlight, Le Club 55 quickly became a favorite haunt for celebrities, intellectuals, and socialites. The restaurant’s charm lay in its simplicity—long wooden tables set under tamarisk trees, rustic Provençal dishes, and a relaxed ambiance that encouraged guests to linger for hours. What started as a modest eatery soon grew into a destination that embodied the effortless sophistication of the Côte d’Azur. The Essence of Elegance Despite its star-studded reputation, Le Club 55 has always remained true to its roots. Its motto, “The customer is not king here, because he is a friend,” reflects its welcoming ethos. Guests are treated like family, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate and unpretentious despite its glittering clientele. The menu is a tribute to the flavors of Provence, featuring dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Iconic offerings like the crudités platter—served with a tangy anchovy-laced dip—and perfectly grilled fish reflect the restaurant’s dedication to simplicity and quality. A Playground for the Elite Over the years, Le Club 55 has played host to a veritable who’s who of the world’s elite. From Pablo Picasso and Coco Chanel to Bono and Beyoncé, its guestbook reads like a history of modern celebrity culture. Yet, the restaurant’s unassuming charm ensures that everyone, from royalty to regulars, feels equally at home. Even the iconic straw parasols and blue-and-white striped tablecloths have become symbols of its enduring appeal. Le Club 55 isn’t about flashy displays of wealth—it’s about understated elegance, where the focus is on savoring good food, good company, and the breathtaking beauty of the Riviera. A Legacy That Endures Today, Le Club 55 remains one of the most sought-after destinations in St. Tropez, a timeless retreat that captures the essence of Riviera chic. While trends come and go, this legendary beach club continues to thrive, staying true to the spirit of its founders. For those lucky enough to snag a reservation, a visit to Le Club 55 is more than a meal—it’s an experience, a step back into a world where time slows down, and life revolves around the simple pleasures of sun, sea, and sensational food. In the ever-changing landscape of St. Tropez, Le Club 55 stands as a testament to the enduring allure of authenticity and tradition, reminding us all why the French Riviera remains one of the most captivating destinations in the world. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/le-club-55-the-rivieras-most-coveted-reservation — Citation: "Le Club 55: The Riviera’s Most Coveted Reservation" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-16. https://menwith.com/le-club-55-the-rivieras-most-coveted-reservation --- ## Neuralink’s Bold Move: The Future of Brain-Tech Integration - URL: https://menwith.com/neuralinks-bold-move-the-future-of-brain-tech-integration - Published: 2025-01-15 - Tags: Neuralink, Elon Musk, Brain-Computer Interface, BCI, Neurological Conditions, Paralysis, Parkinson's Disease, X **Summary:** Neuralink has implanted brain-computer interfaces in three human patients, aiming to restore function for those with neurological conditions. While promising for paralysis and disorders like Parkinson's, ethical and safety concerns surrounding data privacy and misuse remain. Neuralink’s Progress: A Balanced Perspective Elon Musk’s Neuralink has recently implanted its brain-computer interface devices in three human patients, all reportedly in good condition. During a Las Vegas event streamed on X (formerly Twitter), Musk stated, “We’ve got now three humans with Neuralinks implanted and they’re all working well. Bloomberg Positive Implications Neuralink’s advancements hold promise for individuals with neurological conditions. The technology aims to enable patients with paralysis to control devices through thought, potentially enhancing independence and quality of life. Additionally, it could contribute to treatments for disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Concerns and Considerations Despite these potential benefits, concerns persist regarding the safety and ethical implications of such implants. Risks include medical complications from the implantation process and broader societal issues related to data privacy and the potential for misuse of neural data. Future Outlook Neuralink plans to expand its clinical trials, aiming for 20 to 30 additional implants this year.These developments will be closely monitored to assess both the efficacy and ethical considerations of integrating technology directly with the human brain. As Neuralink progresses, it is essential to balance optimism for technological innovation with careful consideration of the associated risks and ethical dilemmas. Sources — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/neuralinks-bold-move-the-future-of-brain-tech-integration — Citation: "Neuralink’s Bold Move: The Future of Brain-Tech Integration" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-15. https://menwith.com/neuralinks-bold-move-the-future-of-brain-tech-integration --- ## Mark Your Calendar: The 40th Snow Polo World Cup Awaits - URL: https://menwith.com/mark-your-calendar-the-40th-snow-polo-world-cup-awaits - Published: 2025-01-08 - Tags: Snow Polo World Cup, St. Moritz, Polo, Winter Sports, Luxury Travel, Badrutt's Palace, Suvretta House **Summary:** The 40th Snow Polo World Cup returns to St. Moritz Jan 24-26, 2025. Experience elite polo on snow, alpine luxury, and exclusive celebrations. Every January, the pristine white landscape of St. Moritz transforms into a playground of elegance, athleticism, and adrenaline as it hosts the legendary Snow Polo World Cup. In 2025, from January 24th to 26th, this exclusive alpine destination will mark a milestone—40 years of the world’s only high-goal polo tournament on snow. For connoisseurs of sport, this is the place to be. A Tradition Like No Other Since its inception in 1985, Snow Polo St. Moritz has captivated audiences with its unique blend of tradition and innovation. What began as a daring experiment—playing polo on a frozen lake—has become one of the most prestigious events in the sporting and social calendars. Players and ponies alike display extraordinary skill as they gallop across the icy terrain, delivering a spectacle of speed and precision against the backdrop of the stunning Engadin Valley. This year’s 40th-anniversary tournament promises to be a celebration of history and achievement, drawing some of the world’s top polo players and teams for a weekend of high-stakes competition. Why You Should Be There The Snow Polo World Cup is more than just a tournament; it’s an experience that blends sport, culture, and high society. Here’s why this anniversary edition is unmissable: - Elite Polo Action Witness exhilarating matches featuring high-goal teams competing on a one-of-a-kind snow-covered field. The frozen surface adds an element of unpredictability, making each game as thrilling as it is challenging. - St. Moritz Glamour Known as the birthplace of winter tourism, St. Moritz epitomizes alpine luxury. From five-star hotels to Michelin-starred dining, the town offers a wealth of indulgent experiences to complement your polo weekend. - Unparalleled Atmosphere The tournament attracts a global crowd of royals, celebrities, and elite sports enthusiasts. The energy is electric, with après-polo parties, champagne toasts, and exclusive networking opportunities set against the majestic snow-capped Alps. - Anniversary Celebrations The 40th edition will include special events and tributes to the tournament’s rich legacy, making it an even more extraordinary occasion. A Weekend to Remember The tournament unfolds over three days, each offering something unique: - Day 1: Opening Day The event kicks off with fanfare as teams take to the ice for the first matches. Opening ceremonies set the tone for a weekend of elegance and excitement. - Day 2: Intense Competition The stakes rise as teams vie for a spot in the final. Between matches, spectators can enjoy gourmet food, live music, and the festive ambiance of the VIP area. - Day 3: The Grand Finale The weekend culminates in a breathtaking final match, where the champions are crowned. The celebratory atmosphere peaks with a closing ceremony worthy of the tournament’s historic anniversary. Plan Your Visit To make the most of this unforgettable event, consider these tips: - Stay in Style: Book your accommodations early at one of St. Moritz’s luxury hotels, such as Badrutt’s Palace or Suvretta House. - Dress the Part: The dress code is chic yet weather-appropriate—think elegant layers and statement accessories. - Spoil yourself in Local Cuisine: Don’t miss the chance to enjoy Swiss delicacies like raclette, fondue, and Engadin walnut tart. - Explore Beyond the Polo Field: Take advantage of St. Moritz’s world-class skiing, designer boutiques, and wellness spas. Celebrate Tradition, Elegance, and Excellence The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz is more than a sporting event—it’s a testament to the enduring allure of tradition and the boundless possibilities of innovation. As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, this iconic tournament promises an unforgettable blend of high-octane polo, luxury, and camaraderie. Mark your calendar for January 24-26, 2025, and be part of history in the making. Whether you’re a polo aficionado, a lover of winter sports, or simply in search of an extraordinary experience, Snow Polo St. Moritz is the ultimate destination. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/mark-your-calendar-the-40th-snow-polo-world-cup-awaits — Citation: "Mark Your Calendar: The 40th Snow Polo World Cup Awaits" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-08. https://menwith.com/mark-your-calendar-the-40th-snow-polo-world-cup-awaits --- ## Discover Hacienda de San Antonio - URL: https://menwith.com/discover-hacienda-de-san-antonio - Published: 2025-01-03 - Tags: Hacienda de San Antonio, Mexico Highlands, Boutique Hotel, Luxury Travel, Colima Volcano, Farm-to-Table, Sustainable Tourism, Coffee Plantation **Summary:** Hacienda de San Antonio is a restored 19th-century coffee plantation turned boutique hotel in Mexico's highlands. It offers luxury suites, farm-to-table dining, and sustainable experiences amidst nature and the Colima Volcano. Hacienda de San Antonio: A Hidden Gem in Mexico’s Highlands Nestled in the verdant highlands of Western Mexico, Hacienda de San Antonio is a treasure waiting to be discovered. This boutique luxury hotel, with just 25 elegantly appointed suites, offers an intimate escape surrounded by thousands of acres of lush, unspoiled nature. A harmonious blend of history, elegance, and serenity, this destination is an essential addition to your travel bucket list. A Legacy of Elegance and Charm Originally a 19th-century coffee plantation, Hacienda de San Antonio has been meticulously restored to its former grandeur. The property retains its colonial charm, complete with arched verandas, vibrant hand-painted tiles, and antique furnishings. The suites, each uniquely designed, exude timeless sophistication with high ceilings, opulent textiles, and large windows framing breathtaking views of the gardens, mountains, and volcanoes. An Enchanting Natural Setting The hacienda is set amidst thousands of acres of verdant landscapes, offering a tranquil retreat from the bustle of daily life. From manicured gardens to wildflower meadows and coffee plantations, the property is a haven for nature lovers. The majestic Colima Volcano stands as a dramatic backdrop, adding an air of mystery and grandeur to the setting. Guests can explore the sprawling grounds on horseback, enjoy guided nature walks, ATV-tours or simply relax by the pool with the soothing sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves. Culinary Delights Hacienda de San Antonio takes pride in its farm-to-table dining experience. Most ingredients come directly from the estate’s organic gardens, offering guests a taste of Mexico’s freshest flavors. Whether you’re savoring handmade tortillas, sipping estate-grown coffee, or indulging in gourmet dishes infused with local spices, every meal is a celebration of the region’s culinary heritage. Tailored Experiences The hacienda specializes in curating unique experiences that immerse guests in the culture and natural beauty of the region. Highlights include: - Volcano Hikes: Explore the rugged beauty of the Colima Volcano with guided excursions. - Coffee Tours: Learn about the hacienda’s coffee production process, from bean to cup. - Artisan Workshops: Participate in pottery or weaving workshops led by local craftspeople. - Horseback Adventures: Traverse the scenic countryside on well-trained horses. Each experience is designed to create lasting memories while celebrating the authenticity of the region. A Commitment to Sustainability Beyond its beauty and luxury, Hacienda de San Antonio is deeply committed to sustainability. The estate operates with eco-conscious practices, including organic farming, water conservation, and supporting local communities. Staying here means indulging in luxury with a clear conscience. Why You Can’t Miss It Hacienda de San Antonio is more than just a hotel; it’s a portal to a bygone era, a serene retreat, and a celebration of Mexico’s natural and cultural treasures. With its limited number of suites, the experience is exclusive and personalized, ensuring every guest feels like a part of this magical estate. For those seeking a destination that combines understated luxury, breathtaking scenery, and a connection to nature, Hacienda de San Antonio is an unparalleled choice. Add it to your bucket list—you won’t regret discovering this hidden gem in the heart of Mexico. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/discover-hacienda-de-san-antonio — Citation: "Discover Hacienda de San Antonio" — MenWith Magazine, 2025-01-03. https://menwith.com/discover-hacienda-de-san-antonio --- ## Breaking Tradition: The Rise of Men’s Engagement Rings in Modern Love - URL: https://menwith.com/breaking-tradition-the-rise-of-mens-engagement-rings-in-modern-love - Category: Culture - Published: 2024-12-27 - Tags: Style **Summary:** Men's engagement rings are a rising trend in 2024, symbolizing equality, modern love, and shared commitment. Celebrities like Brooklyn Beckham and Ryan Reynolds are popularizing diverse designs, from minimalist bands to diamond accents. Men’s Engagement Rings: The Bold New Trend Redefining Tradition In recent years, the world of jewelry has witnessed an intriguing shift—engagement rings for men are becoming a significant and celebrated trend in 2024. Traditionally seen as a symbol of commitment reserved for women, engagement rings are now being embraced by men as a modern declaration of love, individuality, and equality in relationships. The Growing Popularity of Men’s Engagement Rings As societal norms evolve, so do the traditions surrounding love and marriage. Men’s engagement rings are no longer a novelty; they’re an emblem of progress, reflecting the growing desire for shared expressions of devotion. By wearing engagement rings, men are making a powerful statement: that love and commitment are a mutual journey, equally represented by both partners. This trend aligns with the ongoing shift toward inclusivity and breaking down gendered traditions. Whether it’s a simple band or a bold, gem-encrusted design, these rings are more than just accessories—they’re symbols of equality and modern love. Influencers and the Spotlight on Men’s Engagement Rings Cultural icons and celebrities have been instrumental in bringing men’s engagement rings into the spotlight. Brooklyn Beckham’s sleek diamond-studded band and Ryan Reynolds’ penchant for layered rings highlight the versatility of these pieces. Their choices showcase that engagement rings for men can range from minimalist designs to elaborate, statement-making jewelry. These high-profile endorsements have encouraged more men to view engagement rings as an extension of their personal style rather than just a cultural formality. Designs That Speak to Every Taste The burgeoning market for men’s engagement rings offers designs that cater to a wide variety of aesthetics and preferences. Some of the most popular styles include: - Timeless Bands: Sleek gold or platinum bands, perfect for those who prefer a classic and understated look. - Diamonds with Subtlety: Rings with small diamond accents add sophistication without being overly extravagant. - Contemporary Materials: Modern metals like tungsten, titanium, or black zirconium bring an industrial and edgy feel to engagement jewelry. - Personal Touches: Engravings, unique patterns, or symbolic designs make the ring deeply meaningful and one-of-a-kind. The diverse array of options ensures that every man can find a ring that aligns with his personality, values, and relationship. What Men’s Engagement Rings Represent The rise of men’s engagement rings is more than just a fashion movement—it’s a cultural evolution. These rings represent a modern rethinking of masculinity, where self-expression and emotion are celebrated rather than subdued. They also symbolize a shift toward equality in romantic partnerships, breaking away from outdated norms that placed all the symbolism of commitment on women alone. By embracing engagement rings, men are not only making a personal statement but also contributing to a broader cultural conversation about love, gender roles, and individuality. A New Era in Commitment The increasing popularity of men’s engagement rings showcases a bold reimagining of what love and commitment look like in today’s world. These rings offer a unique way for men to express their devotion and style, redefining tradition while honoring its essence. Whether it’s for the man who values timeless elegance or the one who loves a modern twist, engagement rings are becoming an integral part of the conversation around contemporary relationships—and they’re here to stay. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breaking-tradition-the-rise-of-mens-engagement-rings-in-modern-love — Citation: "Breaking Tradition: The Rise of Men’s Engagement Rings in Modern Love" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-27. https://menwith.com/breaking-tradition-the-rise-of-mens-engagement-rings-in-modern-love --- ## The 6 Best Fashion Collaborations of 2024 - URL: https://menwith.com/the-6-best-fashion-collaborations-of-2024 - Published: 2024-12-20 - Tags: Kith x Giorgio Armani, Pierce Brosnan, Porsche x Aimé Leon Dore, Jil Sander x Moncler, Huni x Adidas, Gucci x Balenciaga, Fashion Collaborations 2024 **Summary:** 2024's top fashion collaborations blend luxury, streetwear, and sportswear. Iconic brands like Armani, Porsche, Jil Sander, Adidas, Gucci, and Balenciaga partner with designers and personalities for groundbreaking collections. In 2024, fashion collaborations are taking the spotlight, merging the worlds of luxury, sportswear, and streetwear. These partnerships prove that when iconic brands unite, the results are groundbreaking. From heritage aesthetics to futuristic designs, here are five collaborations that are shaping the fashion scene this year. 1. Pierce Brosnan for Kith x Giorgio Armani In a collaboration that oozes timeless charm, Kith enlisted the suave Pierce Brosnan to front their partnership with Giorgio Armani. This collection fuses Armani’s legendary tailoring with Kith’s modern streetwear aesthetic, creating a lineup that is both classic and contemporary. Brosnan, embodying effortless sophistication, is the perfect face for a campaign that bridges generations of style. Highlight Piece: A tailored double-breasted blazer paired with Kith’s signature logo embroidery—perfect for a polished, modern look. 2. Porsche x Aimé Leon Dore Porsche and Aimé Leon Dore are back with another collaboration that bridges the gap between automotive luxury and streetwear cool. This collection takes cues from Porsche’s classic designs, incorporating retro vibes into contemporary fashion. Alongside exclusive apparel, the partnership also unveiled a custom-designed Porsche 911 that pays homage to the brand’s rich heritage. Highlight Piece: A leather varsity jacket with Porsche branding, blending vintage aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. 3. Jil Sander x Moncler Jil Sander and Moncler joined forces to create a collection that redefines outdoor luxury. Known for her minimalist and modernist approach, Jil Sander’s influence is evident in the clean lines and neutral tones of the collection. Moncler’s technical expertise complements this aesthetic, resulting in outerwear that’s as functional as it is sophisticated. Highlight Piece: A sleek, oversized parka with subtle detailing that seamlessly blends high fashion and outdoor utility. 4. Huni x Adidas The rising London-based designer Huni made waves this year by teaming up with Adidas for a collection that redefines sportswear. Known for blending bold colors with avant-garde streetwear, Huni’s touch has elevated Adidas staples into futuristic, fashion-forward pieces. The collection includes updated sneaker silhouettes, vibrant tracksuits, and cutting-edge accessories that blur the line between performance and style. Highlight Piece: A reimagined Adidas Originals tracksuit with asymmetrical cuts and Huni’s signature neon accents. 5. Gucci x Balenciaga Redux Gucci and Balenciaga have once again joined forces to create a collection that thrives on maximalism. Their latest collaboration blends Gucci’s playful vintage influences with Balenciaga’s edgy, deconstructed style. Featuring oversized logos, daring patterns, and bold accessories, this collection is a statement-maker in every sense. Highlight Piece: A co-branded trench coat with dramatic silhouettes and vibrant prints. Final Thoughts These 2024 collaborations exemplify the magic that happens when fashion houses push creative boundaries together. Whether it’s the bold innovation of Huni x Adidas or the luxurious edge of Pierce Brosnan for Kith x Giorgio Armani, each partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration. Which one will you be adding to your wardrobe? These pieces won’t just push your style—they’re defining the future of fashion. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-6-best-fashion-collaborations-of-2024 — Citation: "The 6 Best Fashion Collaborations of 2024" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-20. https://menwith.com/the-6-best-fashion-collaborations-of-2024 --- ## A Weekend in Kigali at the FIA Awards 2024 - URL: https://menwith.com/a-weekend-in-kigali-at-the-fia-awards-2024 - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-12-20 - Tags: Cars, Lifestyle **Summary:** Kigali hosted the FIA Awards 2024, celebrating motorsport excellence. The event highlighted driver camaraderie and the spirit of competition against Rwanda's vibrant urban and natural landscapes. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the FIA Awards 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda, an experience I’ll carry with me for a long time. Set against the rolling green hills of Rwanda’s capital, the event brought together motorsport’s biggest stars, dedicated teams, and passionate fans who watched online from all over the world. A Night to Celebrate Excellence The evening was great, but one of the highlights happened even before the awards ceremony began. I had the privilege of standing by the blue carpet, where I watched the drivers, teams, and motorsport legends arrive. Seeing them up close, taking in their excitement and interview them. The energy was infectious as champions shared their thoughts on the season, their journeys, and the anticipation of the night ahead. It was a rare opportunity to see the human side of motorsport’s elite—smiling, laughing, and connecting with fans and media alike. This moment made the night feel even more personal and special. As the awards ceremony began, it was clear this was going to be good. The setting was polished, elegant, and full of excitement. I watched as champions took the stage, sharing stories of dedication, resilience, and dreams realized. Every speech was a reminder that behind every trophy is a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice. What struck me most was the sense of unity in the room. Whether it was Formula 1 legends or grassroots motorsport heroes, there was a mutual respect and camaraderie that transcended competition. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about celebrating the spirit of motorsport—the courage to push limits and the passion that drives this global community forward. Discovering Kigali’s Unique Charm While the FIA Awards were the highlight, Kigali itself was a huge part of what made the weekend unforgettable. The city welcomed me with open arms, and I was captivated by its mix of modern vibrancy and rich cultural heritage. I wandered through bustling local markets, and everywhere I went, people were warm, kind, and full of pride for their country. What amazed me most was the balance—one moment I’d be exploring the city’s lively streets, the next I’d be taking in the calm of its scenic, rolling landscapes. Kigali felt alive, yet peaceful, with stories waiting to be discovered at every turn. Memories to Last a Lifetime The FIA Awards 2024 turned out to be so much more than just an event; it was a celebration of dreams, achievements, and the community that makes motorsport special. Kigali, with its beauty, charm, and hospitality, was the perfect backdrop for it all. As I reflect on this incredible weekend, I feel deeply grateful—not just for witnessing the glamour of the awards but also for experiencing the energy of the blue carpet and connecting with the drivers before the night began. And, of course, for discovering a city as inspiring as Kigali. It’s a place I hope to return to, a reminder that some moments stay with you far beyond the final applause. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-weekend-in-kigali-at-the-fia-awards-2024 — Citation: "A Weekend in Kigali at the FIA Awards 2024" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-20. https://menwith.com/a-weekend-in-kigali-at-the-fia-awards-2024 --- ## From Tapas to Truffles: Europe’s Ultimate Food Market Tour - URL: https://menwith.com/from-tapas-to-truffles-europes-ultimate-food-market-tour - Published: 2024-12-18 - Tags: La Boqueria, Borough Market, Mercato di San Lorenzo, Naschmarkt, Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, Great Market Hall Budapest, Mercado de San Miguel, Torvehallerne **Summary:** Europe's vibrant food markets offer a sensory journey through culture and history. From Barcelona's La Boqueria to Copenhagen's Torvehallerne, discover culinary traditions and local delicacies. A Culinary Journey Through Flavor and Culture Europe’s food markets are more than just places to buy groceries—they’re vibrant hubs where culture, history, and culinary traditions converge. From the bustling stalls of Barcelona to the historic halls of Budapest, these markets offer a feast for the senses. Here’s a guide to some of the best food markets across Europe, perfect for gourmands and adventurers alike. 1. La Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain Located off the iconic La Rambla, La Boqueria is a dazzling mosaic of colors, aromas, and flavors. With its origins dating back to the 13th century, this market is a haven for lovers of Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you’re savoring fresh seafood, sipping on a tropical juice, or sampling Spanish jamón, La Boqueria promises an unforgettable experience. Don’t Miss: The seafood tapas bars tucked inside the market—try the calamari or gambas al ajillo. 2. Borough Market, London, England A stone’s throw from London Bridge, Borough Market is one of the city’s oldest food markets, operating for over 1,000 years. Today, it’s a gourmet paradise offering everything from artisanal cheeses to exotic spices. With a mix of local producers and international delicacies, it’s a must-visit for food lovers. Don’t Miss: A bite of the famous raclette or a fresh oyster platter paired with a crisp white wine. 3. Mercato di San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy Also known as the Central Market, this Florentine gem is a two-story haven for Italian food enthusiasts. The ground floor features fresh produce, meats, and cheeses, while the upper level hosts a food court with local dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina and handmade pasta. Don’t Miss: Truffle-based products and the creamy burrata cheese. 4. Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria This historic market in the heart of Vienna has been serving locals since the 16th century. Stretching nearly 1.5 kilometers, Naschmarkt offers an eclectic mix of Austrian staples and international cuisine. It’s a great place to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or shop for unique ingredients. Don’t Miss: A plate of Wiener schnitzel or a baklava from one of the Middle Eastern stalls. 5. Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, Lyon, France Named after the legendary chef Paul Bocuse, this market is a tribute to Lyon’s status as the gastronomic capital of France. It’s a treasure trove of fine wines, charcuterie, and pâtisserie. Perfect for those who appreciate the artistry of French cuisine. Don’t Miss: A serving of quenelles or a box of macarons from one of the artisanal patisseries. 6. Great Market Hall, Budapest, Hungary Situated in a stunning neo-Gothic building, Budapest’s Great Market Hall is as much an architectural marvel as it is a food lover’s dream. The market showcases Hungarian specialties, including paprika, sausages, and Tokaji wine. Don’t Miss: Lángos—deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese. 7. Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid, Spain A culinary jewel in the Spanish capital, Mercado de San Miguel is the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. With its elegant glass structure, the market is a hotspot for tapas, paella, and fine Spanish wines. Don’t Miss: A tapas of octopus or a glass of Rioja wine. 8. Testaccio Market, Rome, Italy Located in the Testaccio district, this market is a favorite among locals for its authentic Roman flavors. From pizza al taglio to suppli (fried rice balls), it’s the ideal place to dive into Italy’s street food scene. Don’t Miss: A sandwich from Mordi e Vai, packed with slow-cooked Roman meats. 9. Torvehallerne, Copenhagen, Denmark For a more modern market experience, Torvehallerne offers a curated selection of Nordic cuisine and international dishes. It’s sleek, stylish, and perfect for both foodies and Instagrammers. Don’t Miss: A smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich) or Danish pastries. Final Bite European food markets are more than just places to eat—they’re cultural landmarks that tell stories through their flavors and traditions. Whether you’re a foodie on a mission or a traveler soaking up the atmosphere, these markets offer unforgettable experiences worth savoring. Which market is on your must-visit list? Let your culinary adventure begin! — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/from-tapas-to-truffles-europes-ultimate-food-market-tour — Citation: "From Tapas to Truffles: Europe’s Ultimate Food Market Tour" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-18. https://menwith.com/from-tapas-to-truffles-europes-ultimate-food-market-tour --- ## Martin Key The Leather Visionary Redefining Modern Craftsmanship - URL: https://menwith.com/martin-key-the-leather-visionary-redefining-modern-craftsmanship - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2024-12-13 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Martin Key redefines modern craftsmanship with bespoke leather creations that blend heritage and individuality. His designs, worn by icons like Slash and Marilyn Manson, tell stories and transcend trends. Martin Key – The Designer of Iconic Stories Some designers create fashion, but Martin Key crafts narratives – stories stitched into every seam and cut of leather. His brand isn’t just about clothing; it’s about channeling the energy of bold personalities, bridging tradition and individuality with masterful precision. From his atelier in Sweden, Martin has built a reputation as a designer who doesn’t just follow trends but sets them, with bespoke creations that transcend time and place. From Humble Beginnings to Rock Royalty When Martin Key took over a struggling leather factory in Malung, Sweden, he didn’t just save a piece of history – he reimagined it. The factory, once a cornerstone of leather craft, now serves as a space where heritage techniques meet modern creativity. For Martin, this transformation wasn’t about nostalgia. It was about breathing new life into the world of leatherwork, proving that true craftsmanship has universal appeal. It’s this authenticity that caught the eye of rock legend Slash. At the Oscars 2024, Slash stepped onto the global stage in a custom Martin Key leather suit, a masterpiece that combined edgy, rock-and-roll energy with the refined elegance of couture. The outfit didn’t just complement Slash’s persona – it elevated it, becoming a defining moment in both fashion and music. Another iconic collaboration came with haute couture designer Lars Wallin. Together, they blended Wallin’s signature sophistication with Martin Key’s mastery of leather. A Seamless Connection What makes Martin Key unique is his ability to tailor not just garments but entire experiences. His pieces are designed to become part of the wearer’s story, aging gracefully and evolving with time. Marilyn Manson chose it for precisely this reason, donning a bespoke jacket during his European tour that perfectly embodied his dark, theatrical persona. Recently, Key’s design philosophy has extended into other realms of craftsmanship, with the launch of an elegant collaboration with GoS Watches. A Global Vision with a Personal Touch The vision is undeniably global. His work resonates with those who value individuality, quality, and the power of storytelling. Whether it’s a leather jacket worn by a rock icon or an elegant creation for the couture runway, each piece is a testament to belief in the enduring art of craftsmanship. The creations, inspired by the past but reimagined for the present, are a reminder that true luxury lies in authenticity, artistry, and the ability to make something personal feel universal. To see more of Martin Key’s creations and collaborations, visit martinkey.com or follow along on Instagram @the_martinkey. For a personal touch, visit the boutique in Stockholm or book a custom appointment to explore the craft firsthand. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/martin-key-the-leather-visionary-redefining-modern-craftsmanship — Citation: "Martin Key The Leather Visionary Redefining Modern Craftsmanship" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-13. https://menwith.com/martin-key-the-leather-visionary-redefining-modern-craftsmanship --- ## Last-Minute Gift Ideas For Men - URL: https://menwith.com/last-minute-gift-ideas-for-men - Category: Style - Published: 2024-12-11 - Tags: Christmas gifts, Cashmere jumper, Bar cart, Turntable, Stanley Quencher, Suede slippers, COS, Anthropologie **Summary:** Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for men include cashmere jumpers, bar carts, turntables, tumblers, and suede slippers. Thoughtful and stylish picks from brands like COS and Anthropologie ensure a memorable holiday. Running out of time to find the perfect Christmas gift? Don’t worry— We got you covered! Whether you’re shopping for a partner, friend, or family member, these thoughtful and stylish ideas will ensure your gift stands out under the tree. Follow the links below to make your shopping even easier. 1. Cashmere Funnel-Neck Jumper, Adlink Cos 2. Green Bar Cart, Adlink Anthropologie 3. Crosley Mercury Turntable, Adlink Anthropologie 4. Le Café Mug, Adlink Anthropologie 5. Stanley Quencher Tumbler, Adlink Anthropologie 6. Suede Slippers, Adlink Asos 7. Chess Game Set, Adlink Anthropologie 8. Hand Lotion, Adlink Wakakuu 9. Rechargeable Table Lamp, Adlink Anthropologie 10. Ace Marble Coasters, Adlink Anthropologie 11. Chunky Cashmere Socks, Adlink Cos No need to stress about last-minute shopping—We rounded up the best ideas to save the day! Click the links to explore these thoughtful picks and find the perfect gift that’ll leave a lasting impression. Make this Christmas one to remember with presents he’ll truly appreciate! — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/last-minute-gift-ideas-for-men — Citation: "Last-Minute Gift Ideas For Men" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-11. https://menwith.com/last-minute-gift-ideas-for-men --- ## Ralph Lauren Goes Vintage - URL: https://menwith.com/ralph-lauren-goes-vintage - Category: Style - Published: 2024-12-06 - Tags: Archives **Summary:** Ralph Lauren Vintage offers curated, authenticated iconic pieces from the brand's history, celebrating timeless American luxury. Explore heritage designs and the documentary 'Very Ralph'. Ralph Lauren Vintage: A Celebration of Timeless Style Ralph Lauren has redefined the world of luxury fashion once again with the launch of Ralph Lauren Vintage, an exclusive collection of iconic pieces spanning decades of design excellence. This initiative offers customers the chance to own a piece of fashion history, curated directly by the brand’s team of design and vintage experts. From the 1970s to the present, the collection highlights the enduring appeal of Ralph Lauren’s signature style. The Ralph Lauren Vintage collection includes standout designs such as heritage Polo shirts, signature blazers, and equestrian-inspired outerwear. Each piece has been meticulously sourced and authenticated, ensuring the highest quality and authenticity. These pieces are not just wardrobe additions; they are timeless artifacts that tell the story of a brand that has defined American luxury. Available now on the Ralph Lauren website, this collection is a treasure trove for collectors, enthusiasts, and style aficionados alike. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a slice of fashion history, Ralph Lauren Vintage delivers unparalleled charm and sophistication. Explore the collection today and discover why Ralph Lauren’s legacy of timeless design continues to captivate generation after generation. And you don’t want to miss out on the new documentary Very Ralph. This captivating film takes viewers behind the scenes of Ralph Lauren’s extraordinary journey, offering an intimate look at the creative process, the legacy he’s built, and the enduring impact of his designs on American fashion and beyond. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ralph-lauren-goes-vintage — Citation: "Ralph Lauren Goes Vintage" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-06. https://menwith.com/ralph-lauren-goes-vintage --- ## The 'Money Can't Buy' Champions League Experience - URL: https://menwith.com/the-8216money-can8217t-buy8217-champions-league-experience - Published: 2024-12-04 - Tags: Champions League, Anfield, Liverpool FC, Real Madrid, Crypto.com, Crypto.com Visa Card, Luxury Hospitality **Summary:** Experience Liverpool vs. Real Madrid at Anfield with Crypto.com, offering luxury hospitality, pitch-side access, and seamless crypto-to-spend rewards via their Visa Card. There’s something magical about stepping into Anfield, where the echoes of history mix with the present-day electricity of a top-tier Champions League clash. Liverpool vs. Real Madrid — a showdown that needs no introduction. But this trip wasn’t just about the match; it was an experience that went far beyond the pitch, thanks to the seamless touch of Crypto.com. Arriving at Anfield, we were welcomed into the Champions Club, where luxury hospitality elevated the evening. Fine dining stations were laid out with a mix of gourmet offerings, paired with beverages that perfectly set the tone for the evening. And as the buzz in the stadium began to rise, halftime desserts and post-game snacks ensured that the indulgence continued long after the final whistle. It was more than a meal; it was a taste of what makes football nights unforgettable. Then came the pitch-side experience—a rare privilege. Watching players warm up just meters away, observing their focus, their camaraderie, their sheer physical presence. We even witnessed the referee’s calm, commanding conversations with staff, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how order is maintained on nights as electric as this. Walking the perimeter of that sacred turf, we soaked in the sights and sounds of Anfield—an atmosphere you don’t just hear, but feel in your chest. When the match began, our seats was great. The sea of red scarves clashed with the traveling support’s white — a visual representation of two giants vying for supremacy. The intensity of the chants, the synchronized clapping, and the moments of nail-biting anticipation—it’s the kind of energy you can’t replicate in any other sport. And while Liverpool’s relentless pressing met Real Madrid’s counter-attacks, we were immersed in a footballing masterclass. But none of this would have been possible without one key facilitator: Crypto.com. Their platform and card made this journey not only seamless but rewarding. From booking flights to securing exclusive hospitality packages, the Crypto.com Visa Card was our passport to an extraordinary evening. The perks? Beyond the functional ease, it offered cashback and benefits that made the experience even sweeter. It’s a nod to how luxury and tech are coming together to make dreams like these a reality. To make spending digital assets even easier, the Crypto.com Visa Card offers a seamless way to convert crypto into traditional currency for everyday purchases. Whether you’re buying a designer bag or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, this card turns your crypto into spending power, complete with cashback rewards, lounge access, and perks like Netflix and Spotify rebates. Get your rewards here. As we left the stadium, hearts still racing from the thrill of the game, I couldn’t help but reflect on the blend of tradition and modernity we’d just witnessed. Anfield’s storied history met with the digital innovation of Crypto.com—proof that while the game evolves, its essence remains the same. And whether you’re a Red or a Madridista, nights like these remind us why we love the beautiful game. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-8216money-can8217t-buy8217-champions-league-experience — Citation: "The 'Money Can't Buy' Champions League Experience" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-04. https://menwith.com/the-8216money-can8217t-buy8217-champions-league-experience --- ## The ‘Money Can’t Buy’ Champions League Experience - URL: https://menwith.com/the-money-cant-buy-champions-league-experience - Category: Lifestyle - Published: 2024-12-04 - Tags: Champions League, Liverpool FC, Real Madrid CF, Anfield, Crypto.com, Champions Club, Crypto.com Visa Card **Summary:** Experience Liverpool vs. Real Madrid at Anfield with Crypto.com's exclusive Champions Club hospitality and pitch-side access. The Crypto.com Visa Card facilitated this luxury football journey, blending tradition with tech. There’s something magical about stepping into Anfield, where the echoes of history mix with the present-day electricity of a top-tier Champions League clash. Liverpool vs. Real Madrid — a showdown that needs no introduction. But this trip wasn’t just about the match; it was an experience that went far beyond the pitch, thanks to the seamless touch of Crypto.com. Arriving at Anfield, we were welcomed into the Champions Club, where luxury hospitality elevated the evening. Fine dining stations were laid out with a mix of gourmet offerings, paired with beverages that perfectly set the tone for the evening. And as the buzz in the stadium began to rise, halftime desserts and post-game snacks ensured that the indulgence continued long after the final whistle. It was more than a meal; it was a taste of what makes football nights unforgettable. Then came the pitch-side experience—a rare privilege. Watching players warm up just meters away, observing their focus, their camaraderie, their sheer physical presence. We even witnessed the referee’s calm, commanding conversations with staff, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how order is maintained on nights as electric as this. Walking the perimeter of that sacred turf, we soaked in the sights and sounds of Anfield—an atmosphere you don’t just hear, but feel in your chest. When the match began, our seats was great. The sea of red scarves clashed with the traveling support’s white — a visual representation of two giants vying for supremacy. The intensity of the chants, the synchronized clapping, and the moments of nail-biting anticipation—it’s the kind of energy you can’t replicate in any other sport. And while Liverpool’s relentless pressing met Real Madrid’s counter-attacks, we were immersed in a footballing masterclass. But none of this would have been possible without one key facilitator: Crypto.com. Their platform and card made this journey not only seamless but rewarding. From booking flights to securing exclusive hospitality packages, the Crypto.com Visa Card was our passport to an extraordinary evening. The perks? Beyond the functional ease, it offered cashback and benefits that made the experience even sweeter. It’s a nod to how luxury and tech are coming together to make dreams like these a reality. To make spending digital assets even easier, the Crypto.com Visa Card offers a seamless way to convert crypto into traditional currency for everyday purchases. Whether you’re buying a designer bag or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, this card turns your crypto into spending power, complete with cashback rewards, lounge access, and perks like Netflix and Spotify rebates. Get your rewards here. As we left the stadium, hearts still racing from the thrill of the game, I couldn’t help but reflect on the blend of tradition and modernity we’d just witnessed. Anfield’s storied history met with the digital innovation of Crypto.com—proof that while the game evolves, its essence remains the same. And whether you’re a Red or a Madridista, nights like these remind us why we love the beautiful game. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-money-cant-buy-champions-league-experience — Citation: "The ‘Money Can’t Buy’ Champions League Experience" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-04. https://menwith.com/the-money-cant-buy-champions-league-experience --- ## Red Carpet Revolution - URL: https://menwith.com/red-carpet-revolution - Category: Style - Published: 2024-12-04 - Tags: Timothée Chalamet, Haider Ackermann, Brad Pitt, Daniel Kaluuya, Gucci, Jeremy Pope, Balmain, Paul Mescal, Louis Vuitton, Michael B. Jordan **Summary:** Men's red carpet fashion is embracing bold colors, unique silhouettes, and elevated accessories. Celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Brad Pitt are pushing boundaries, blending comfort with high fashion. The Most Talked-About Men’s Looks on the Red Carpet This Season Red carpets have long been a stage for sartorial brilliance, and this season, the men have stepped up their game, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to dress for the spotlight. From bold tailoring to avant-garde statements, here are the most talked-about looks from the latest red-carpet events and the celebrities who wore them best. Timothée Chalamet: Breaking Tradition Timothée Chalamet continues to be a trailblazer in men’s fashion, consistently challenging conventions. At the Venice Film Festival, he turned heads in a backless scarlet halter-neck ensemble by Haider Ackermann. The look balanced elegance and edge, proving that red-carpet menswear is no longer confined to classic suits. Brad Pitt: Effortless Cool Brad Pitt’s style evolution took center stage during the promotion of his upcoming F1 film. Opting for a loose linen suit in pastel tones, paired with crisp sneakers, Pitt showcased how to balance relaxed tailoring with red-carpet sophistication. His look served as a masterclass in how men can embrace comfort without sacrificing style. Daniel Kaluuya: Vibrant Monochrome Daniel Kaluuya made a bold statement at the BAFTA Awards, donning a head-to-toe violet ensemble by Gucci. The vibrant color choice and sleek tailoring demonstrated that monochrome dressing can be both daring and refined, cementing his status as a modern style icon. Jeremy Pope: Avant-Garde Drama Jeremy Pope took the avant-garde route at the Met Gala, wearing a dramatic cape that paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld. Designed by Balmain, the piece combined theatrical flair with impeccable tailoring, reminding everyone that the red carpet is a space for high-fashion artistry. Paul Mescal: Old-School Glamour Paul Mescal’s look at the Oscars nodded to old-school Hollywood glamour with a twist. Wearing a white tuxedo jacket by Louis Vuitton, he paired the classic piece with a black bow tie and high-waisted trousers. The ensemble struck the perfect balance between timeless and contemporary. Michael B. Jordan: Elevated Accessories Michael B. Jordan turned heads with his attention to detail, accessorizing his double-breasted suit with a custom Tiffany & Co. brooch. This small yet impactful addition elevated his look, proving that accessories can make or break an outfit on the red carpet. Austin Butler: Understated Elegance Austin Butler’s sleek Saint Laurent look at the Golden Globes epitomized understated elegance. His all-black ensemble, featuring a velvet jacket and slim trousers, exuded confidence and sophistication without the need for bold embellishments. What We’re Seeing This season, men’s red-carpet fashion has embraced individuality and creativity. Key trends include: - Bold Colors: Vibrant hues like violet, emerald, and scarlet are making a statement. - Unique Silhouettes: From backless designs to oversized tailoring, men are experimenting with new shapes. - Sharp Details: Accessories like brooches, statement shoes, and unexpected textures are taking center stage. - Mixing Comfort with Glamour: Relaxed tailoring and softer fabrics are proving that comfort and high fashion can coexist. The Takeaway As the red carpet becomes a space for bolder expressions, the line between menswear and womenswear continues to blur. This evolution is not just a trend but a movement, encouraging individuality and creativity. Whether you’re inspired by Chalamet’s daring choices or Pitt’s laid-back elegance, there’s no better time to rethink your wardrobe and embrace your unique style. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/red-carpet-revolution — Citation: "Red Carpet Revolution" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-04. https://menwith.com/red-carpet-revolution --- ## Volvo XC90 Meets Swedish Elegance - URL: https://menwith.com/volvo-xc90-meets-swedish-elegance - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-12-02 - Tags: Lifestyle, Travel **Summary:** The Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid blends Swedish elegance with powerful performance during a scenic drive through Österlen. Enhanced infotainment and comfort elevate the luxury SUV experience. A Scenic Drive Through Österlen: Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid Meets Swedish Elegance Imagine cruising through Österlen, a picturesque countryside in southern Sweden where rolling fields meet rugged coastlines and tranquility reigns supreme. That’s exactly where Volvo invited us to experience the new XC90 T8 Hybrid. It wasn’t just a test drive; it was an immersion into the essence of Swedish craftsmanship and natural beauty. To elevate the experience, Volvo partnered with Daniel Berlin and his celebrated Vyn Restaurant, the celebrated Michelin-starred chef, to curate a sensational 12-course tasting menu. Each dish was a reflection of the local terroir, perfectly mirroring the understated luxury that defines the XC90. It set the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable day. A Familiar Friend, Now Refined Having driven Volvo cars – and the XC90 in particular – many times before, I approached the T8 Hybrid with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Volvo has built its reputation on creating cars that feel like home: safe, reliable, and effortlessly stylish. With this latest model, however, they’ve taken their signature formula to new heights. The most noticeable upgrade? The infotainment system. It’s smoother, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before. Pair this with the improved seating comfort – complete with new materials and enhanced lumbar support – and you’ve got a cabin that feels like a Scandinavian sanctuary. A Familiar Friend, Now Refined Having driven Volvo cars – and the XC90 in particular – many times before, I approached the T8 Hybrid with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Volvo has built its reputation on creating cars that feel like home: safe, reliable, and effortlessly stylish. With this latest model, however, they’ve taken their signature formula to new heights. The most noticeable upgrade? The infotainment system. It’s smoother, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before. Pair this with the improved seating comfort – complete with new materials and enhanced lumbar support – and you’ve got a cabin that feels like a Scandinavian sanctuary. Driving the T8 Hybrid: Power Meets Peace What sets the XC90 T8 Hybrid apart is its dual personality. Beneath its elegant exterior lies a powerhouse: a plug-in hybrid system that delivers a combined 455 horsepower. The electric motor offers enough range for most daily commutes, with up to 73 kilometers of electric driving. Switching between modes – electric for city streets or hybrid for long stretches – was seamless as we glided through Österlen’s idyllic roads. The electric motor provided a near-silent experience, amplifying the peacefulness of the surroundings, while the petrol engine kicked in with confidence when more power was needed. A Taste of Swedish Sophistication The Volvo XC90 has always been a beacon of understated luxury, and the T8 Hybrid takes it to another level. The interior design speaks to Volvo’s Scandinavian roots: minimalist yet warm, refined but approachable. Every detail is thoughtful, from the Orrefors crystal gear selector to the meticulously crafted wood and leather accents. Add to that the Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which transformed the drive into a private concert hall, and you’ve got an interior that feels as curated as Daniel Berlin’s tasting menu. For the Modern Adventurer Whether you’re a busy entrepreneur juggling deadlines or a family man seeking comfort and safety, the XC90 T8 Hybrid offers something for everyone. It’s a car that adapts to your lifestyle, whether you’re navigating city streets, exploring the countryside gems, or going on a weekend getaway. Final Thoughts Driving the Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid through Österlen wasn’t just a test drive – It’s a reminder that luxury doesn’t have to shout to be heard; sometimes, it’s in the quiet confidence of a car that does everything right. Volvo has perfected the art of creating vehicles that feel as timeless as they are innovative. And while the XC90 already strikes an impressive balance between comfort and performance, it’s intriguing to imagine how the experience could evolve with slightly wider tires. A broader stance might elevate its handling dynamics further, complementing its refined powertrain on winding roads and open stretches alike. With the T8 Hybrid, Volvo has proven once again that sustainability and sophistication go hand in hand. If you’re looking for a car that’s equal parts performance, elegance, and conscience, the XC90 T8 Hybrid is ready to redefine your expectations. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/volvo-xc90-meets-swedish-elegance — Citation: "Volvo XC90 Meets Swedish Elegance" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-12-02. https://menwith.com/volvo-xc90-meets-swedish-elegance --- ## Explore Iceland: Nature’s Ultimate Playground - URL: https://menwith.com/explore-iceland-natures-ultimate-playground - Published: 2024-11-29 - Tags: Iceland, Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon, Laugavegur Trail, Fagradalsfjall **Summary:** Iceland, the "Land of Fire and Ice," offers dramatic landscapes, from the Golden Circle's geysers and waterfalls to Jökulsárlón's glacial lagoon. Experience the Northern Lights, whale watching, and volcanic exploration. A Land of Natural Wonders and Adventures Iceland, often referred to as the Land of Fire and Ice, is a breathtaking destination that captivates travelers with its dramatic landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant cultural experiences. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, hiking along volcanic trails, or marveling at its unique geothermal features, Iceland offers a blend of adventure and tranquility that’s unmatched. What to See in Iceland 1. The Golden Circle A must-do for any visitor, the Golden Circle route encompasses three iconic sites: - Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. - Geysir Geothermal Area: Home to Strokkur, a geyser that erupts every few minutes, sending water high into the air. - Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, with powerful cascades plunging into a rugged canyon. 2. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Located in southeast Iceland, this glacial lagoon is a surreal sight. Watch as icebergs drift serenely in the crystal-clear water, and don’t miss Diamond Beach nearby, where glistening ice fragments rest on black sand. 3. Reykjavík The capital city is a hub of culture and creativity. Visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church, stroll along the colorful streets, and indulge in local cuisine at bustling restaurants. 4. Blue Lagoon For relaxation, the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa perfect for unwinding in milky-blue waters surrounded by lava fields. Don’t Miss These Unique Experiences - The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): Visit between September and April for the best chance to witness this natural phenomenon. Head to remote areas away from city lights for optimal viewing. - Whale Watching: From Húsavík, known as the whale-watching capital, take a tour to see majestic whales in their natural habitat. - Volcano Exploration: Visit Fagradalsfjall, the active volcano that captured global attention, or explore dormant lava fields scattered across the country. Where to Hike in Iceland 1. Laugavegur Trail This multi-day trek is one of the most famous in Iceland. It leads you through a diverse landscape of hot springs, glaciers, and volcanic terrain. 2. Fimmvörðuháls Pass This challenging yet rewarding hike connects Skógafoss Waterfall with Þórsmörk Valley, offering stunning views of glaciers and cascading rivers. 3. Glymur Waterfall Trail Just an hour from Reykjavík, this hike takes you to Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, Glymur, through lush landscapes and across a river. 4. Landmannalaugar Known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, this area offers shorter hikes that immerse you in geothermal hot springs and surreal vistas. Practical Tips for Visiting Iceland - Pack Layers: The weather is unpredictable, so bring warm, waterproof clothing. - Rent a Car: For flexibility, rent a 4×4 vehicle to explore the rugged landscapes. - Respect Nature: Stay on marked paths to protect the delicate environment. - Stay Safe: Check road and weather conditions regularly, especially in winter. Conclusion Iceland is a destination that promises unforgettable adventures and jaw-dropping natural beauty. Whether you’re hiking through volcanic landscapes, relaxing in geothermal waters, or marveling at the auroras, Iceland will leave you spellbound. With so much to see and experience, it’s time to pack your bags and set out for this extraordinary island. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/explore-iceland-natures-ultimate-playground — Citation: "Explore Iceland: Nature’s Ultimate Playground" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-29. https://menwith.com/explore-iceland-natures-ultimate-playground --- ## A Must-Visit Gem in Paris - URL: https://menwith.com/a-must-visit-gem-in-paris - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-11-27 - Tags: Interior, Archives **Summary:** Relais Christine, a 13th-century abbey in Paris's Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is a luxury hotel redesigned by Laura Gonzalez. It blends historic charm with contemporary elegance, offering unique rooms, a garden, and a Guerlain spa. Nestled in the heart of Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Relais Christine is more than just a boutique hotel—it’s a testament to refined French elegance, meticulously brought to life by celebrated interior designer Laura Gonzalez. With its 17th-century charm and contemporary sophistication, this must-visit destination offers a blend of history, luxury, and impeccable design. The History and Charm of Relais Christine Housed in a former 13th-century abbey, Relais Christine retains its historic roots while exuding modern luxury. This architectural gem has been reimagined under the creative direction of Laura Gonzalez, known for her ability to mix styles, textures, and eras seamlessly. Her work breathes new life into the property, creating spaces that feel both timeless and fresh. Design That Speaks of Parisian Elegance Gonzalez’s design philosophy shines in every corner of the hotel. Each of the 48 rooms and suites is unique, featuring handpicked fabrics, custom furnishings, and curated art pieces that reflect the spirit of Paris. The interiors pay homage to the building’s history, blending vintage accents with contemporary comfort. Expect lush velvets, floral patterns, and intricate woodwork, all carefully balanced to create a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. Architectural Details to Admire The renovation of Relais Christine was guided by respect for its original structure. The work involved renowned architects who preserved the historical elements of the building, such as its vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. This harmonious blend of old and new makes the hotel a true architectural treasure in the heart of Paris. Notable Highlights - The Garden Courtyard: A tranquil oasis in the bustling city, the hotel’s courtyard is adorned with greenery and elegant seating, making it perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or a quiet moment of reflection. - The Spa: Located in the stone-vaulted cellars, the Guerlain Spa offers a serene retreat with luxurious treatments designed to rejuvenate both body and soul. - The Lounge: A cozy, intimate space with a roaring fireplace, ideal for unwinding with a glass of wine or a good book after a day of exploring. Why You Must Visit Relais Christine offers more than just a place to stay—it’s an experience. Laura Gonzalez’s design elevates the property into an artful retreat that embodies the best of Parisian style. Whether you’re drawn by its historic roots, its artistic interiors, or its prime location near the Seine and Notre-Dame, Relais Christine promises a stay that is as inspiring as it is luxurious. Plan Your Visit Located at 3 Rue Christine, the hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Paris’s cultural and culinary delights. From the charm of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the nearby Louvre and Orsay museums, Relais Christine is your gateway to the ultimate Parisian experience. Make your next trip to Paris unforgettable—book your stay at Relais Christine and immerse yourself in a masterpiece of design and hospitality. Ready for your Parisian escape? Book your stay at this must-visit destination today! Here – Relais Christine Paris | OFFICIAL SITE | Luxury Hotel Paris Left Bank — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-must-visit-gem-in-paris — Citation: "A Must-Visit Gem in Paris" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-27. https://menwith.com/a-must-visit-gem-in-paris --- ## Dive into the Magic of Christmas: Your Festive Guide to London - URL: https://menwith.com/dive-into-the-magic-of-christmas-your-festive-guide-to-london - Published: 2024-11-22 - Tags: Covent Garden, City Winter Market, Annabel's, Tiffany & Co., Leadenhall Market, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, John Lewis, Somerset House Ice Rink, Queen's House Ice Rink **Summary:** London transforms into a festive wonderland with enchanting markets, dazzling lights, and iconic displays. Explore Covent Garden, City Winter Market, and stunning shop facades like Annabel's and Tiffany & Co. for a magical Christmas experience. London transforms into a glittering wonderland during the holiday season, offering an unforgettable Christmas experience for locals and visitors alike. From enchanting markets to dazzling lights, here’s your guide to the best festive spots to explore in the city this Christmas. Start at Covent Garden No London Christmas guide is complete without mentioning Covent Garden. The iconic square comes alive with twinkling lights, a towering Christmas tree, and festive decorations that transport you straight into a winter fairytale. While you’re there, stop by Arôme Bakery, a hidden gem serving exquisite pastries and hot drinks—the perfect treat to fuel your festive adventure. City Winter Market Next, head to the City Winter Market, where you’ll find charming wooden chalets filled with artisan crafts, holiday gifts, and mouthwatering seasonal snacks. Sip on mulled wine or hot chocolate as you wander through the market, soaking in the cheerful atmosphere. Dive into Christmas Shops and Decorations London is renowned for its extravagant Christmas displays, and this year is no exception. Here are the must-visit spots for a dose of holiday glamour: - Annabel’s Festive Facade: The exclusive Mayfair club stuns every year with its larger-than-life Christmas façade, perfect for an Instagram-worthy shot. - Tiffany & Co. Christmas Display: The iconic jeweler brings a sparkle to Old Bond Street with a magical festive façade that exudes luxury and charm. - Leadenhall Market: This historic market dazzles with elegant decorations and a giant Christmas tree under its Victorian roof—a true Dickensian Christmas vibe. - Harrods: Step into a wonderland of luxury gifts and festive décor at the world-famous department store. Don’t miss their iconic Christmas windows! - Fortnum & Mason: Renowned for their gourmet hampers, Fortnum’s festive windows and interior decorations are an absolute must-see. - John Lewis: Famous for their heartwarming Christmas adverts, the Oxford Street flagship store delights with whimsical window displays and holiday shopping galore. Go Ice Skating For a magical winter experience, hit one of London’s stunning outdoor ice rinks: - Somerset House: Skate under the stars in this grand neoclassical courtyard, complete with a towering Christmas tree and live music. - The Queen’s House: Located in Greenwich, this rink offers breathtaking views of the Thames and a romantic, festive atmosphere. Christmas at Kew Gardens Immerse yourself in the wonder of Christmas at Kew, a spectacular after-dark experience featuring an illuminated trail through the famous gardens. Marvel at the glowing tunnels, shimmering trees, and a stunning light show over the Palm House Pond. This event is a highlight of London’s festive calendar, perfect for families or a romantic evening. Christmas Lights Bus Tour End your festive adventure with a Christmas Lights Bus Tour, a relaxing way to see London’s most iconic decorations from the warmth of a double-decker bus. Admire the dazzling displays along Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Knightsbridge while learning fun facts about London’s holiday traditions. Conclusio London at Christmas is a magical blend of tradition, luxury, and festive cheer. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine at a market, skating beneath the stars, or marveling at dazzling lights, this city promises an unforgettable holiday season. So grab your scarf, explore these festive gems, and make this Christmas in London one to remember! — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/dive-into-the-magic-of-christmas-your-festive-guide-to-london — Citation: "Dive into the Magic of Christmas: Your Festive Guide to London" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-22. https://menwith.com/dive-into-the-magic-of-christmas-your-festive-guide-to-london --- ## The F1 Film Everyone’s Talking About - URL: https://menwith.com/the-f1-film-everyones-talking-about - Published: 2024-11-20 - Tags: Brad Pitt, Formula 1, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Jerry Bruckheimer, F1 Movie, Top Gun Maverick, Mercedes-AMG Petronas **Summary:** Brad Pitt stars in a new F1 film directed by Joseph Kosinski, featuring authentic racing and Lewis Hamilton's input. The movie promises groundbreaking filming techniques and a grounded narrative. Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie: What to Expect from Hollywood Meets Motorsport Brad Pitt’s upcoming Formula 1 (F1) movie is already revving up excitement, promising to bring the adrenaline-fueled world of motorsport to the big screen like never before. With a high-profile production team, an authentic approach to storytelling, and the endorsement of F1 itself, this project is set to be a game-changer for both Hollywood and racing enthusiasts. The Power Team Behind the Film The untitled film is helmed by director Joseph Kosinski, the visionary behind Top Gun: Maverick. Kosinski’s track record of blending high-octane action with emotional storytelling suggests the F1 movie will be much more than just cars zipping around a track. Joining him is producer Jerry Bruckheimer, renowned for blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean and Days of Thunder, ensuring the film’s scale and excitement will match the grandeur of F1 itself. Adding credibility to the project is Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time F1 World Champion, who is involved as a producer and advisor. Hamilton’s input ensures the movie captures the authentic spirit of the sport, from its high-stakes rivalries to the intricacies of life in the paddock. The Plot: A Fresh Take on Racing Drama While details are still under wraps, the story centers around Brad Pitt as a retired F1 driver who returns to mentor a promising young talent. This dynamic sets the stage for a blend of drama, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of greatness that defines Formula 1. Unlike previous racing films that rely heavily on dramatized interpretations, this movie promises a grounded narrative. It aims to highlight the psychological and physical challenges drivers face, as well as the relentless pace of innovation that makes F1 a technological marvel. Revolutionizing Filming Techniques Kosinski has teased the use of groundbreaking filming techniques, including cutting-edge camera rigs developed specifically for capturing the speed and intensity of F1 racing. The production team has partnered with Mercedes-AMG Petronas to use real F1 cars modified for filming, ensuring an unprecedented level of realism. Additionally, parts of the movie have been filmed during actual F1 race weekends, including the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. This integration of real-world racing events will add authenticity and immerse viewers in the electrifying atmosphere of a live F1 race. The Perfect Timing F1’s popularity has surged in recent years, thanks in part to Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The series has introduced millions of new fans to the sport, making it ripe for a cinematic exploration. Brad Pitt’s star power and Hollywood’s storytelling magic could propel F1 into an even broader cultural spotlight. What Fans Can Expect Fans of motorsport and cinema alike can anticipate a film that goes beyond mere spectacle. With a strong emphasis on character development, authentic representation of F1, and breathtaking visuals, this project is poised to capture the essence of what makes the sport so captivating. Moreover, the movie’s release could act as a bridge, bringing casual moviegoers into the world of F1 while giving long-time fans a chance to see their passion reflected on the big screen with unparalleled authenticity. Conclusion Brad Pitt’s F1 movie is more than just another racing film—it’s a celebration of speed, grit, and human ambition. With an all-star cast and crew, cutting-edge technology, and the full support of Formula 1, it has all the ingredients to become a cinematic masterpiece. For fans of F1 and movie buffs alike, this film is one to watch for in the fast lane of 2025 releases. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-f1-film-everyones-talking-about — Citation: "The F1 Film Everyone’s Talking About" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-20. https://menwith.com/the-f1-film-everyones-talking-about --- ## The Sophisticated Traveler’s Guide: Hidden Gems, Essentials, and Dining Like a Local - URL: https://menwith.com/the-sophisticated-travelers-guide-hidden-gems-essentials-and-dining-like-a-local - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-11-15 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** Enhance travel by discovering hidden gems, packing smart essentials, and securing dining reservations. This guide offers tips for a sophisticated, local-infused experience. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended escape, uncovering a city’s secrets, packing smartly, and dining at the right spots can make all the difference. Here’s how to enrich your travel experience with these key tips. Unearthing Hidden Gems: Explore Like a Local Move beyond tourist hotspots to discover the soul of your destination. These tips will help you uncover those lesser-known treasures: - Research Smartly: Dive into travel blogs, niche Instagram accounts, and local forums. Apps like Atlas Obscura spotlight off-the-beaten-path attractions. - Ask Locals: Don’t hesitate to chat with hotel staff, taxi drivers, or shop owners. They often know the best-kept secrets. - Time It Right: Visit popular areas during off-peak hours to experience them differently, like a sunrise view from a famous landmark. Example: In Rome, skip the crowded Trevi Fountain at noon and visit Piazza Mattei’s Turtle Fountain for an equally charming, quieter experience. Must-Have Essentials: Pack for Style and Functionality A well-curated travel bag keeps you prepared for unexpected adventures and ensures comfort without compromising style. - Light Layers: A versatile jacket and scarf keep you stylish and prepared for varying weather. - Compact Extras: A reusable water bottle, portable phone charger, and packable day bag are game-changers. - Smart Footwear: Comfortable, stylish shoes suitable for long walks and a chic dinner are a must. - Multi-Purpose Pieces: A polished shirt or dress that transitions seamlessly from daytime exploring to an evening out. Pro Tip: Keep your suitcase light to leave room for unique finds from hidden boutiques or markets. The Art of Reservations: Dining Done Right Culinary experiences are central to travel, but nothing derails plans like a missed table at a coveted restaurant. - Plan Ahead: Research and reserve at least a week before your trip for popular spots. Apps like OpenTable or Resy are indispensable. - Be Flexible: If dinner slots are full, opt for lunch, when restaurants are often less crowded and equally delicious. - Seek Alternative Experiences: Many restaurants offer private dining or chef’s tasting menus for a truly unique experience. Example: In Paris, if you can’t book a table at the iconic Septime, consider its wine bar counterpart, Septime La Cave, for an equally delightful evening. Combine All Three: A Seamless Experience Plan your days with a mix of hidden gems and reservations for meals, ensuring downtime for spontaneous discoveries. Pair a morning exploring a tucked-away neighborhood with a lunch at a pre-booked restaurant, and pack essentials like a camera and a local map for a hassle-free adventure. In Summary By uncovering hidden gems, packing only what you need, and securing those must-have dining reservations, you create a well-rounded, sophisticated experience. Embrace the thrill of exploration with a plan that leaves room for the unexpected—you never know what hidden treasure might be waiting around the corner. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-sophisticated-travelers-guide-hidden-gems-essentials-and-dining-like-a-local — Citation: "The Sophisticated Traveler’s Guide: Hidden Gems, Essentials, and Dining Like a Local" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-15. https://menwith.com/the-sophisticated-travelers-guide-hidden-gems-essentials-and-dining-like-a-local --- ## Professional Networking: Essential Etiquette and Style Tips - URL: https://menwith.com/professional-networking-essential-etiquette-and-style-tips - Published: 2024-11-13 - Tags: Professional Networking, Business Etiquette, Networking Style, First Impressions, Professional Development, Career Advice **Summary:** Master professional networking with etiquette and style tips. Focus on dressing well, impactful introductions, quality conversations, graceful exits, and strategic follow-ups to build lasting connections. Dive Into These 6 Tips for Networking Like a Pro In today’s fast-paced professional world, making a great first impression is crucial. Whether you’re at a business mixer, a formal gala, or a casual networking event, knowing how to navigate the social scene with style and confidence can set you apart. Here’s your ultimate guide to mastering the modern etiquette and style tips for networking like a pro. 1. Dress to Impress: Classic, Understated Elegance Your outfit often speaks before you do. For most business events, aim for a classic look with a modern touch. A well-fitted blazer, crisp button-down shirt, and tailored trousers make a statement without shouting. Stick to neutral colors—navy, gray, or black—which exude sophistication and versatility. Quick Tip: If the event is more creative or casual, feel free to incorporate one bold piece, like a patterned tie or pocket square, to reflect personality without compromising professionalism. 2. Perfecting Your Introduction: The 10-Second Rule When meeting someone for the first time, those first 10 seconds are critical. Practice a firm handshake, hold eye contact, and smile genuinely—it shows openness and approachability. A solid, confident introduction is often more memorable than a business card. Pro Tip: Keep an “elevator pitch” ready but avoid sounding rehearsed. Think of it as a brief, natural introduction that mentions your name, profession, and something specific about your current project or role. 3. Engaging Conversations: Quality Over Quantity Networking is not a numbers game; it’s about building quality connections. Instead of rushing through multiple conversations, focus on creating meaningful exchanges. Listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and stay engaged in what the other person is sharing. - Openers: “How did you get into this industry?” or “What are you currently working on that you’re excited about?” These show genuine interest and help build a memorable connection. - Stay Informed: Being aware of current events, industry trends, and key players allows you to jump into conversations with confidence. It also gives you material to connect on shared interests. 4. Avoid Over-Networking: The Art of Knowing When to Exit It’s easy to get swept up, but pacing is key. When you’ve had a meaningful interaction, gracefully exit with a warm close, like, “It was great talking with you. Let’s connect soon!” Move on to avoid overstaying and give yourself the chance to make other connections. Polite Exit Tip: If someone else approaches your conversation, include them briefly, then politely excuse yourself, leaving your current contact with a warm goodbye. 5. Follow-Up is Key: The Professional’s Next Step Networking doesn’t end at the event. Within a few days, send a brief follow-up message to solidify the connection. It could be an email or a LinkedIn request with a personal note. This simple act of follow-up turns an introduction into a relationship and leaves a lasting impression of professionalism and thoughtfulness. 6. Final Touch: Confidence and Authenticity Your style and etiquette should ultimately reflect who you are. Be yourself, and enjoy the opportunity to connect with others. True confidence lies in being genuine, not in trying to impress. When you’re authentic, people remember you for the right reasons. In Summary Mastering networking etiquette and style is all about the right mix of elegance, confidence, and connection. From dressing appropriately to knowing when and how to exit a conversation, every detail adds to your presence. Networking like a pro is a skill worth perfecting—not only to build contacts but to establish lasting professional relationships. So next time you head to a business event, put these tips into practice and watch your connections grow, one professional exchange at a time. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/professional-networking-essential-etiquette-and-style-tips — Citation: "Professional Networking: Essential Etiquette and Style Tips" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-13. https://menwith.com/professional-networking-essential-etiquette-and-style-tips --- ## HOKA Elevon X – Crafted for the Urban Pulse - URL: https://menwith.com/hoka-elevon-x-crafted-for-the-urban-pulse - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Style - Published: 2024-11-12 - Tags: Culture, Lifestyle **Summary:** The HOKA Elevon X sneaker blends cutting-edge comfort with Stockholm-inspired urban style. Available in black, white, and an upcoming beige, it offers seamless transitions from day to night. Stockholm is a city defined by style – a place where fashion meets function, where every street has its own rhythm. To capture the essence of HOKA’s latest model, the Elevon X, we created our campaign content right in the heart of this urban landscape. The result is a sleek interpretation of modern sneaker style, inspired by Stockholm’s architecture and subtle yet striking aesthetic. Available in three colorways, the Elevon X perfectly suits the discerning city dweller. Released in classic black and white, now available online (HOKA US site here), as well as an upcoming beige edition, this model reflects the sophisticated energy of the city and transitions seamlessly from the workday to an evening out. A Design for the Rhythm of the City The Elevon X captures HOKA’s essence – cutting-edge comfort and technology – in a cleaner, more refined package. The sole is crafted to balance support and comfort, allowing you to move effortlessly through the city streets without sacrificing style. This sneaker is a statement piece for those who seek both function and form. It’s a shoe for those who enjoy a stylish stroll through Södermalm’s neighborhoods just as much as a night out in the night clubs. The black and white editions are versatile and timeless, while the upcoming beige colorway brings a softer, modern look – a touch that elevates any outfit. Comfort and Function in Every Step HOKA’s signature cushioning continues in the Elevon X, making it an ideal choice for urban life. With its lightweight feel and shock absorption, the Elevon X offers both comfort and durability, perfect for days when you’re always on the go. At the same time, its chromatic detailing and understated tones give it a distinctive yet unpretentious look – much like Stockholm itself. A Sneaker for the Conscious Urban Lifestyle The Elevon X is a staple for those who demand a sneaker that combines style and function with Scandinavian sophistication. For those who want a shoe that keeps up no matter the occasion, the Elevon X is the ideal choice. Explore the timeless black and white editions today, and watch for the upcoming beige release – a must-have for those who want to take their urban style to the next level. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/hoka-elevon-x-crafted-for-the-urban-pulse — Citation: "HOKA Elevon X – Crafted for the Urban Pulse" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-12. https://menwith.com/hoka-elevon-x-crafted-for-the-urban-pulse --- ## Top Hotels and Must-See Spots for the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix - URL: https://menwith.com/top-hotels-and-must-see-spots-for-the-2024-f1-las-vegas-grand-prix - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-11-08 - Tags: Travel **Summary:** The 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix (Nov 21-23) offers luxury stays at MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, The Venetian, and Wynn. Experience thrilling races, exclusive F1 packages, and vibrant Vegas entertainment. The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix returns from November 21–23, 2024, bringing a thrilling race experience to the iconic Las Vegas Strip. If you’re planning to attend, here’s a guide on where to stay and the must-see attractions for a weekend that combines high-speed action with Vegas’ famous glamour. Where to Stay - MGM Grand MGM Grand provides prime access to the race action with luxurious suites and exclusive viewing spots, making it a convenient choice for race enthusiasts. Guests can expect to enjoy upscale dining, entertainment, and easy transportation access along the Strip. MGM Resorts also offers F1-specific packages, so keep an eye out for any last-minute specials tailored to race fans. - Planet Hollywood Located near the Strip circuit, Planet Hollywood brings a lively ambiance and convenient access to race festivities. With its prime positioning, it’s perfect for those wanting to explore both the race events and the surrounding nightlife. The Miracle Mile Shops and entertainment venues add an extra layer of excitement to your stay. - The Venetian Resort Offering exclusive F1 suite reservations, The Venetian promises a sophisticated stay. With spacious rooms, gondola rides, and a European-inspired ambiance, this resort provides luxury with close proximity to race events, ensuring an immersive experience. They also have F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix packages that include special viewing access and amenities. - Wynn Las Vegas Known for its elegant design and luxurious offerings, Wynn Las Vegas offers premium F1 experiences, from VIP seating to high-end dining options. Located on the Strip, Wynn provides close access to the race and many after-race parties. Their exclusive packages offer a high-end experience for those looking to fully indulge in the Grand Prix festivities. What Not to Miss - Race Highlights: With practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the main event spread across three days, there’s plenty to experience. Be sure to check out different viewing zones like the Grand Prix Plaza and T-Mobile Zone for the best views. - Entertainment: Race week will feature a mix of music performances, DJ sets, and other events. Expect appearances by popular artists and unique Vegas entertainment acts at the T-Mobile Zone and other nearby venues. - Dining and Nightlife: Las Vegas will be buzzing with special events, including exclusive dining experiences and themed parties at top venues. Make a reservation in advance to enjoy dining at signature restaurants in each of the major hotels. Plan ahead, reserve your ideal spot, and prepare for a weekend filled with adrenaline and luxury during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix! For full race details, tickets, and hotel packages, visit the official site –Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix –ps://www.f1lasvegasgp.com/). — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/top-hotels-and-must-see-spots-for-the-2024-f1-las-vegas-grand-prix — Citation: "Top Hotels and Must-See Spots for the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-08. https://menwith.com/top-hotels-and-must-see-spots-for-the-2024-f1-las-vegas-grand-prix --- ## Top 5 Captivating Reads to Add to Your List - URL: https://menwith.com/top-5-captivating-reads-to-add-to-your-list - Published: 2024-11-06 - Tags: The Bee Sting, Paul Murray, The Best of Me, David Sedaris, Luster, Raven Leilani, Tom Lake, Ann Patchett, Everything/Nothing/Someone, Alice Carrière **Summary:** Discover five captivating reads for cozy evenings: Paul Murray's "The Bee Sting," David Sedaris' "The Best of Me," Raven Leilani's "Luster," Ann Patchett's "Tom Lake," and Alice Carrière's memoir "Everything/Nothing/Someone." Books to Get Lost In Right Now As the days grow shorter and colder, there’s no better time to cozy up with a captivating read. This season, let these carefully chosen books whisk you away from everyday routines into imaginative, moving, and memorable worlds. Here are some must-reads that blend humor, depth, and vivid storytelling to warm up any chilly evening. 1. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting is a darkly humorous and layered novel that centers around the Barnes family, whose once-comfortable life unravels after a series of personal and financial misfortunes. The novel delves into the intricate dynamics between the family members, exploring their individual struggles, secrets, and yearnings with sharp wit and compassion. Murray’s storytelling is known for blending the absurd with the deeply emotional, and in The Bee Sting, he captures both the tragic and comical aspects of life’s unexpected twists. As the Barnes family attempts to adapt to their new, challenging circumstances, each member’s journey is filled with insights into resilience, love, and the elusive nature of happiness. For readers who enjoy complex characters and narratives that balance humor with existential reflection, The Bee Sting is a brilliant and absorbing choice for this cozy season. 2. The Best of Me by David Sedaris David Sedaris’s The Best of Me is a treasure trove of humor and insight. Known for his wit and sharp observations, Sedaris brings together his most memorable stories in this collection, from his early life adventures to the often absurd reflections of adulthood. This book includes fan favorites like “You Can’t Kill the Rooster” and “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” along with more reflective pieces that touch on themes of love, family, and identity. Whether you’re new to Sedaris or a longtime fan, The Best of Me is bound to bring both laughter and nostalgia on a cozy night in. 3. Luster by Raven Leilani Raven Leilani’s Luster is a bold and vibrant debut that follows Edie, a young woman navigating a precarious life in New York City. Working a lackluster job and experiencing various romantic entanglements, she soon finds herself entangled in a complex relationship with Eric, a middle-aged married man with an unusual open marriage arrangement. Edie’s journey is as sharp as it is poignant, with Leilani’s raw prose bringing humor, honesty, and vulnerability to themes of race, intimacy, and economic struggle. Luster is as much a page-turner as it is a stunning portrait of millennial uncertainty and desire. 4. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Set against the backdrop of a cherry orchard in Northern Michigan during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is a family-centered novel that intertwines past and present. As Lara spends the quarantine with her three grown daughters, she tells them the story of her summer romance with a young actor who eventually becomes a famous Hollywood star. Tom Lake is a graceful exploration of love, family, and the choices we make, with Patchett’s rich prose capturing the bittersweet, enduring bonds between mothers and daughters. This one is perfect for fans of quiet, introspective narratives with lush, descriptive settings. 5. Everything/Nothing/Someone by Alice Carrière In this profound memoir, Alice Carrière explores her coming-of-age amidst the complex worlds of art, fame, and personal discovery. Raised by two iconic figures, artist Jennifer Bartlett and actor Mathieu Carrière, Alice shares her experience growing up in a family where boundaries were blurred and expectations high. Her writing is poetic and unflinching, touching on mental health, identity, and finding one’s own voice. Everything/Nothing/Someone is a haunting yet hopeful read, a journey of self-discovery and healing that resonates with readers looking for deeply personal narratives. Grab a Blanket and Dive In! These books offer a perfect mix of depth, humor, and introspection. So grab a warm blanket, make your favorite tea, and let these stories provide a delightful escape into different worlds and minds. This cozy season, let reading take center stage and enjoy the calm, reflective moments that each of these titles brings. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/top-5-captivating-reads-to-add-to-your-list — Citation: "Top 5 Captivating Reads to Add to Your List" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-06. https://menwith.com/top-5-captivating-reads-to-add-to-your-list --- ## Pedestal – Redefining TV Stands and Beyond - URL: https://menwith.com/pedestal-redefining-tv-stands-and-beyond - Category: Interior - Published: 2024-11-05 - Tags: Lifestyle, pedestal **Summary:** Pedestal redefines TV stands with Danish design, offering the Moon Rollin' Chrome. Their focus is on stylish, functional furniture that integrates technology seamlessly into modern homes. Danish design has a way of making a space feel calm, modern, and effortlessly stylish. Pedestal’s approach to furniture captures this spirit beautifully, starting with their standout product: the Moon Rollin’ Chrome TV stand. But their vision doesn’t stop there. Pedestal is reshaping how we think about everyday furniture, setting new standards for style and function not only in TV stands but in a growing range of pieces that enhance the modern home. Thoughtfully Packaged Luxury When you open a Pedestal package, it feels like unboxing a sleek, luxury product—flat-packed for convenience yet presented with care and elegance. Each component is arranged with attention to detail, reminding you of their commitment to quality and style. Imagine something as simple as a TV stand arriving in a design-focused box, neatly organized with clear instructions, reminiscent of IKEA’s practicality but with an added sense of luxury and sophistication. Designed for Every Space The Moon Rollin’ Chrome is not just a functional stand; it’s a design piece. With its rounded frame and smooth, minimal lines, it’s available in multiple colors to fit seamlessly into different interiors. The stand even has a color-matched cord that blends in perfectly, so there’s no distracting tangle of cables. It’s subtle but powerful—a stand that enhances the room rather than competing for attention. ” If you’ve ever wanted a TV in a room, an office space, or a corner without a suitable wall or shelf, or if you simply want the freedom to adjust your TV’s angle as needed, Pedestal’s stands offer an elegant and modern solution. The Moon Rollin’ lets you position your TV wherever you want it while keeping your space refined and stylish. “ Expanding into Functional Art While the Moon Rollin’ Chrome was where they started, Pedestal is already expanding their collection. Their offerings now include accessories designed to keep technology hidden and organized, like a sleek compartment for your Apple TV or hidden cable systems to keep your space looking clean and streamlined. Each piece follows the same refined design language, hinting at Pedestal’s potential to create a fully cohesive home experience that merges elegance with functionality. Pedestal’s innovation goes beyond the TV stand itself. Their clever accessories allow you to hide away every last cord and device, so everything feels organized and streamlined. With their dedicated compartments, you can even store your PlayStation and controllers neatly behind the stand, keeping your setup clean and sleek without sacrificing access to your gear. This attention to detail transforms tech storage from a hassle to a highlight of the room. This is what makes Pedestal exciting: they’re not just filling a need for stylish TV stands. They’re crafting a complete range of furniture that combines elegance with everyday function, bringing a fresh perspective to home design. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pedestal develop even more products in the future, creating beautiful, practical solutions for every corner of the home. The Moon Rollin’ Chrome and Pedestal’s other stands aren’t just for holding up a screen – they’re for people who want their home to feel put-together and who value design in even the smallest details. With Pedestal, your technology blends effortlessly with your decor, elevating your living space and making it feel a little more intentional, a little more polished. Pedestal is on a mission to make every part of the home feel thoughtfully designed, and if their growing range of furniture is any indication, they’re just getting started. For those who want their home to reflect their style – down to the TV stand – Pedestal offers a glimpse into the future of modern design. I’d recommend checking them out to see their full collection at Pedestal.com. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pedestal-redefining-tv-stands-and-beyond — Citation: "Pedestal – Redefining TV Stands and Beyond" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-05. https://menwith.com/pedestal-redefining-tv-stands-and-beyond --- ## Pedestal – Redefining TV Stands and Beyond - URL: https://menwith.com/pedestal-8211-redefining-tv-stands-and-beyond - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2024-11-05 - Tags: Pedestal, Moon Rollin' Chrome, Danish design, TV stand, Luxury furniture, Tech organization, Home decor **Summary:** Pedestal redefines TV stands with the Moon Rollin' Chrome, blending Danish design with luxury packaging and functional art. Their expanding collection offers elegant solutions for tech organization. Danish design has a way of making a space feel calm, modern, and effortlessly stylish. Pedestal’s approach to furniture captures this spirit beautifully, starting with their standout product: the Moon Rollin’ Chrome TV stand. But their vision doesn’t stop there. Pedestal is reshaping how we think about everyday furniture, setting new standards for style and function not only in TV stands but in a growing range of pieces that enhance the modern home. Thoughtfully Packaged Luxury When you open a Pedestal package, it feels like unboxing a sleek, luxury product—flat-packed for convenience yet presented with care and elegance. Each component is arranged with attention to detail, reminding you of their commitment to quality and style. Imagine something as simple as a TV stand arriving in a design-focused box, neatly organized with clear instructions, reminiscent of IKEA’s practicality but with an added sense of luxury and sophistication. Designed for Every Space The Moon Rollin’ Chrome is not just a functional stand; it’s a design piece. With its rounded frame and smooth, minimal lines, it’s available in multiple colors to fit seamlessly into different interiors. The stand even has a color-matched cord that blends in perfectly, so there’s no distracting tangle of cables. It’s subtle but powerful—a stand that enhances the room rather than competing for attention. ” If you’ve ever wanted a TV in a room, an office space, or a corner without a suitable wall or shelf, or if you simply want the freedom to adjust your TV’s angle as needed, Pedestal’s stands offer an elegant and modern solution. The Moon Rollin’ lets you position your TV wherever you want it while keeping your space refined and stylish. “ Expanding into Functional Art While the Moon Rollin’ Chrome was where they started, Pedestal is already expanding their collection. Their offerings now include accessories designed to keep technology hidden and organized, like a sleek compartment for your Apple TV or hidden cable systems to keep your space looking clean and streamlined. Each piece follows the same refined design language, hinting at Pedestal’s potential to create a fully cohesive home experience that merges elegance with functionality. Pedestal’s innovation goes beyond the TV stand itself. Their clever accessories allow you to hide away every last cord and device, so everything feels organized and streamlined. With their dedicated compartments, you can even store your PlayStation and controllers neatly behind the stand, keeping your setup clean and sleek without sacrificing access to your gear. This attention to detail transforms tech storage from a hassle to a highlight of the room. This is what makes Pedestal exciting: they’re not just filling a need for stylish TV stands. They’re crafting a complete range of furniture that combines elegance with everyday function, bringing a fresh perspective to home design. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pedestal develop even more products in the future, creating beautiful, practical solutions for every corner of the home. The Moon Rollin’ Chrome and Pedestal’s other stands aren’t just for holding up a screen – they’re for people who want their home to feel put-together and who value design in even the smallest details. With Pedestal, your technology blends effortlessly with your decor, elevating your living space and making it feel a little more intentional, a little more polished. Pedestal is on a mission to make every part of the home feel thoughtfully designed, and if their growing range of furniture is any indication, they’re just getting started. For those who want their home to reflect their style – down to the TV stand – Pedestal offers a glimpse into the future of modern design. I’d recommend checking them out to see their full collection at Pedestal.com. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/pedestal-8211-redefining-tv-stands-and-beyond — Citation: "Pedestal – Redefining TV Stands and Beyond" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-05. https://menwith.com/pedestal-8211-redefining-tv-stands-and-beyond --- ## White Desert Antarctica: Luxury and Adventure at the Edge of the World - URL: https://menwith.com/white-desert-antarctica-luxury-and-adventure-at-the-edge-of-the-world - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-11-01 - Tags: Lifestyle **Summary:** White Desert Antarctica offers unparalleled luxury adventure, combining exclusive eco-friendly camps with access to the South Pole and emperor penguin colonies via direct flights from Cape Town. The experience prioritizes sustainability and unique wildlife encounters. The Ultimate Wilderness Adventure The White Desert experience in Antarctica combines luxury with thrilling adventure, providing a rare opportunity to explore the continent’s untouched interior. Guests can access iconic landscapes like the South Pole, emperor penguin colonies, and ice formations, all with ease thanks to direct flights from Cape Town. This five-hour journey minimizes travel time, allowing travelers to spend more time exploring.​ Read White Desert​, White Desert. Exclusive Accommodations with Eco-Friendly Elegance White Desert’s premier accommodations, such as the Whichaway and Echo Camps, offer eco-friendly luxury in one of the harshest environments on Earth. These camps feature chic, insulated sleeping pods, gourmet dining by a private chef, and cozy lounge spaces for relaxation. Guests are treated to daily tailored excursions, from scaling ice cliffs and hiking through surreal ice tunnels to enjoying a champagne picnic atop rugged peaks​ Read White Desert​, White Desert. Meet the Emperor Penguins Up Close The Emperor Penguin tour, a key highlight, allows visitors to get close to a large colony of over 28,000 penguins. Visiting early in the season provides an especially magical experience as chicks are still with their parents, offering a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter in a pristine setting​. Sustainability at the Core White Desert is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, following stringent guidelines from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Since 2007, it has maintained carbon neutrality, ensuring a minimal ecological footprint while supporting conservation efforts in Antarctica.​ Read White Desert​, White Desert. For a more detailed look at White Desert’s offerings, you can visit their official website at white-desert.com. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/white-desert-antarctica-luxury-and-adventure-at-the-edge-of-the-world — Citation: "White Desert Antarctica: Luxury and Adventure at the Edge of the World" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-11-01. https://menwith.com/white-desert-antarctica-luxury-and-adventure-at-the-edge-of-the-world --- ## Ballon d’Or 2024 - URL: https://menwith.com/ballon-dor-2024 - Category: Style - Published: 2024-10-30 - Tags: Ballon d'Or 2024, Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmatí, Emiliano Martínez, Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain **Summary:** Lionel Messi won his 8th Ballon d'Or, while Aitana Bonmatí took the Women's award. Emiliano Martínez and Lamine Yamal also received top honors at the 2024 ceremony. The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards celebrated football’s top individual talents across several categories, with standout performances in both men’s and women’s leagues. Argentina’s Lionel Messi captured his record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or, capping off a season highlighted by his World Cup win with Argentina in 2022 and solid displays with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. His victory further cements his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. In the Women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí clinched the Ballon d’Or Féminin, honoring her instrumental role in Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup win and her consistent excellence with FC Barcelona. Bonmatí’s season was marked by her pivotal contributions in both domestic and international tournaments, leading Barcelona to multiple victories. The Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper, went to Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez for his outstanding performances, particularly during the World Cup, where his crucial saves contributed to Argentina’s title. Meanwhile, the Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player, was awarded to Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who impressed with his promising talent and impactful displays at FC Barcelona. This year’s ceremony continued to highlight not only top scorers and playmakers but also players and coaches demonstrating fair play, commitment to humanitarian work, and managerial excellence. As the football world looks ahead, the 2024 Ballon d’Or honorees set a high standard for future seasons, showcasing both individual brilliance and impactful teamwork that will inspire players and fans worldwide.​ UEFA.com​ Soccer Transfer News. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ballon-dor-2024 — Citation: "Ballon d’Or 2024" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-30. https://menwith.com/ballon-dor-2024 --- ## Ballon d'Or 2024 - URL: https://menwith.com/ballon-d8217or-2024 - Category: Style - Published: 2024-10-30 - Tags: Ballon d'Or 2024, Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmatí, Emiliano Martínez, Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain **Summary:** Lionel Messi secured his 8th Ballon d'Or, while Aitana Bonmatí won the Féminin award. Emiliano Martínez and Lamine Yamal also received top honors. The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards celebrated football’s top individual talents across several categories, with standout performances in both men’s and women’s leagues. Argentina’s Lionel Messi captured his record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or, capping off a season highlighted by his World Cup win with Argentina in 2022 and solid displays with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. His victory further cements his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. In the Women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí clinched the Ballon d’Or Féminin, honoring her instrumental role in Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup win and her consistent excellence with FC Barcelona. Bonmatí’s season was marked by her pivotal contributions in both domestic and international tournaments, leading Barcelona to multiple victories. The Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper, went to Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez for his outstanding performances, particularly during the World Cup, where his crucial saves contributed to Argentina’s title. Meanwhile, the Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player, was awarded to Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who impressed with his promising talent and impactful displays at FC Barcelona. This year’s ceremony continued to highlight not only top scorers and playmakers but also players and coaches demonstrating fair play, commitment to humanitarian work, and managerial excellence. As the football world looks ahead, the 2024 Ballon d’Or honorees set a high standard for future seasons, showcasing both individual brilliance and impactful teamwork that will inspire players and fans worldwide.​ UEFA.com​ Soccer Transfer News. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ballon-d8217or-2024 — Citation: "Ballon d'Or 2024" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-30. https://menwith.com/ballon-d8217or-2024 --- ## Glashütte Original: Five Watches, Five Stories - URL: https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-five-watches-five-stories - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2024-10-29 - Tags: Archives **Summary:** Glashütte Original's diverse watch collection highlights a blend of aesthetics, complications, and innovation across five distinct models, each with a unique story and design ethos. After weeks with five standout models from Glashütte Original, I came to appreciate not just their individuality but also the brand’s diverse design ethos. These watches demonstrate Glashütte’s ability to blend aesthetics, complications, and technical innovation across a wide spectrum—bold colors, intricate complications, and rugged tool watches, all crafted with timeless detail. PanoMaticLunar – A Different Kind of Familiar The PanoMaticLunar is a familiar face for those who know the Pano collection, but this orange-strapped version brings a new attitude. Last year, I reviewed the PanoMaticCalendar in red gold on a leather strap—a watch that felt stately and refined. This iteration builds on that foundation. Its steel case and bold orange strap add a modern edge to the asymmetric layout, which has become a signature look for Glashütte’s Pano series. The in-house Calibre 90-02, with a 42-hour power reserve, is visible through the sapphire case back, showcasing the Glashütte three-quarter plate and meticulous finishing. Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date – Retro Roots, Forward Thinking The Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date turns back time to leap forward in design. Its squared-off 40mm cushion case and green dial are pure retro, but this is no vintage reissue. Powered by the in-house Calibre 37-02 with a 70-hour power reserve, it features a flyback chronograph. I reviewed this watch before Cubitus was even known, but Patek Philippe’s latest novelty sparked a lot of discussions and it shares a few commonalties such as the steel cases, square design, and green dial. Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition – The Unassuming Favorite The Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition was a surprising favorite. The finely embossed stone-grey dial, with its mesmerizing dégradé effect, transitions from lighter tones at the center to a darker edge. It features Arabic numerals, incised hour markers, and red gold domed hands. Powered by the in-house Calibre 39-34, it has a power reserve of 38 to 40 hours, combining simplicity with rich personality. SeaQ Chronograph – Built to Endure, Styled to Impress The SeaQ Chronograph takes Glashütte’s watchmaking into rugged territory without losing style. Its 43.2mm case in silver and blue dial are purpose-built for diving, with lumed indices and a unidirectional bezel. The 300-meter water resistance and screw-down pushers make it perfect for underwater use. The Calibre 37-02 movement, with a 70-hour power reserve, and the polished steel details make it versatile enough for both boardroom and beach. Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar – A Quietly Complicated Classic The Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar offers sophistication without showiness. Its 42mm stainless steel case, cream-colored dial, and Roman numerals give it a classical elegance. The perpetual calendar layout is clean and harmonious. Powered by the Calibre 36-02 movement, with a 100-hour power reserve, this watch is practical and refined—a grail for collectors who appreciate complexity with understated style. Final Thoughts These five models showcase Glashütte’s craftsmanship, from bold contemporary designs to classic horological traditions. The PanoMaticLunar brings daring personality, the Seventies Chronograph combines retro design with modern mechanics, and the Sixties Chronograph captivates with its stone-grey dial. The SeaQ Chronograph offers rugged sophistication, while the Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar delivers timeless precision and poise. Together, Glashütte Original’s lineup feels like a group of old friends—each with a unique personality and story to tell, inviting you on a journey through time and style. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-five-watches-five-stories — Citation: "Glashütte Original: Five Watches, Five Stories" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-29. https://menwith.com/glashtte-original-five-watches-five-stories --- ## Aston Martin Vanquish V12 – A Drive in Sardinia's Pure Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-v12-8211-a-drive-in-sardinia8217s-pure-luxury - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-10-28 - Tags: Lifestyle, Travel **Summary:** The Aston Martin Vanquish V12 offers a thrilling yet elegant driving experience in Sardinia, blending 835hp V12 power with refined comfort. This limited-edition icon redefines luxury automotive. With the sun over Sardinia’s coast and the Aston Martin Vanquish before me, there’s no question – this car is a modern icon. After years of development, Aston Martin has crafted a machine that’s not just fast; it’s pure elegance on wheels. Turning on the engine felt like waking a sleeping giant – a deep, resonant growl hinting that today would be unforgettable. “The new Vanquish perfectly blends elegance with power, delivering a driving experience that’s both thrilling and timeless” Our journey began at the Cala di Volpe Hotel, a luxurious spot where The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed, setting the perfect stage. Aston Martin’s team walked us through the car’s details, from its reengineered 5.2L Twin-Turbo V12 that pushes an impressive 835 horsepower to the sleek, driver-focused interior with its panoramic glass roof. Just sitting in those low, leather-trimmed seats felt like stepping into a work of art. From GT to Sport mode When the engine came to life, it wasn’t just a start; it was an experience. The sound was rich, confident, and unmistakably Aston Martin. As we set off, the Vanquish instantly felt at home on Sardinia’s winding mountain roads. In GT mode, it’s incredibly smooth, handling uneven terrain with ease and bringing a sense of calm to the journey. But switch to Sport or Sport+, and you unlock a whole different side – one that grips curves and accelerates with pure energy. Halfway through, we stopped for lunch at the Cascioni Eco Retreat, a secluded luxury spot. Over a rustic Italian meal, the Aston Martin team shared stories about the journey from concept to reality. It’s clear that this car is about more than speed; it’s a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. Limited to fewer than 1,000 units a year, the Vanquish is as rare as it is attention-grabbing. You won’t see it often, but when you do, you’ll feel its presence immediately. On the drive back, I returned to GT mode, enjoying the balance of supercar performance with everyday comfort. The Vanquish glides with timeless sophistication, a car built to be loved for decades to come. Aston Martin has created something remarkable here. The new Vanquish perfectly blends elegance with power, delivering a driving experience that’s both thrilling and timeless. For anyone who dreams of driving luxury, this car is waiting to redefine what it means to own a true classic. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-v12-8211-a-drive-in-sardinia8217s-pure-luxury — Citation: "Aston Martin Vanquish V12 – A Drive in Sardinia's Pure Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-28. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-v12-8211-a-drive-in-sardinia8217s-pure-luxury --- ## Aston Martin Vanquish V12 – A Drive in Sardinia’s Pure Luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-v12-a-drive-in-sardinias-pure-luxury - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-10-28 - Tags: Lifestyle, Travel **Summary:** The Aston Martin Vanquish V12 offers a thrilling yet elegant driving experience on Sardinia's roads. Its 835hp V12, luxurious interior, and adaptable modes redefine automotive craftsmanship. With the sun over Sardinia’s coast and the Aston Martin Vanquish before me, there’s no question – this car is a modern icon. After years of development, Aston Martin has crafted a machine that’s not just fast; it’s pure elegance on wheels. Turning on the engine felt like waking a sleeping giant – a deep, resonant growl hinting that today would be unforgettable. “The new Vanquish perfectly blends elegance with power, delivering a driving experience that’s both thrilling and timeless” Our journey began at the Cala di Volpe Hotel, a luxurious spot where The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed, setting the perfect stage. Aston Martin’s team walked us through the car’s details, from its reengineered 5.2L Twin-Turbo V12 that pushes an impressive 835 horsepower to the sleek, driver-focused interior with its panoramic glass roof. Just sitting in those low, leather-trimmed seats felt like stepping into a work of art. From GT to Sport mode When the engine came to life, it wasn’t just a start; it was an experience. The sound was rich, confident, and unmistakably Aston Martin. As we set off, the Vanquish instantly felt at home on Sardinia’s winding mountain roads. In GT mode, it’s incredibly smooth, handling uneven terrain with ease and bringing a sense of calm to the journey. But switch to Sport or Sport+, and you unlock a whole different side – one that grips curves and accelerates with pure energy. Halfway through, we stopped for lunch at the Cascioni Eco Retreat, a secluded luxury spot. Over a rustic Italian meal, the Aston Martin team shared stories about the journey from concept to reality. It’s clear that this car is about more than speed; it’s a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. Limited to fewer than 1,000 units a year, the Vanquish is as rare as it is attention-grabbing. You won’t see it often, but when you do, you’ll feel its presence immediately. On the drive back, I returned to GT mode, enjoying the balance of supercar performance with everyday comfort. The Vanquish glides with timeless sophistication, a car built to be loved for decades to come. Aston Martin has created something remarkable here. The new Vanquish perfectly blends elegance with power, delivering a driving experience that’s both thrilling and timeless. For anyone who dreams of driving luxury, this car is waiting to redefine what it means to own a true classic. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-v12-a-drive-in-sardinias-pure-luxury — Citation: "Aston Martin Vanquish V12 – A Drive in Sardinia’s Pure Luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-28. https://menwith.com/aston-martin-vanquish-v12-a-drive-in-sardinias-pure-luxury --- ## Ferrari F80 with V6 Engine: A €3.5 Million Gamble? - URL: https://menwith.com/ferrari-f80-with-v6-engine-a-35-million-gamble - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-10-25 - Tags: Ferrari F80, V6 engine, turbocharged, hybrid, supercar, automotive innovation, environmental consciousness **Summary:** The Ferrari F80's €3.5M price tag and V6 turbo engine spark debate. It balances performance, efficiency, and eco-consciousness, challenging traditional Ferrari V8/V12 appeal. The Ferrari F80: A Bold Shift for the Prancing Horse The launch of the Ferrari F80 with its turbocharged V6 engine has stirred up Ferrari enthusiasts, sparking a range of reactions from admiration to skepticism. Ferrari’s decision to innovate with a smaller engine is aimed at balancing performance, fuel efficiency, and environmental consciousness, but it’s a shift that has divided fans. The Appeal of the Ferrari F80 For those who embrace the F80’s evolution, the V6 engine doesn’t just represent a nod to modern engineering; it’s a testament to Ferrari’s commitment to high-performance standards in a changing automotive landscape. The turbocharged V6 manages to produce an impressive 700 horsepower, showing that Ferrari’s engineering ingenuity can push a six-cylinder configuration to deliver similar power as some of its V8 predecessors. This impressive output is paired with a lighter, more aerodynamic chassis, meaning the F80 promises agile handling and acceleration that feels responsive and exhilarating. Another plus for the F80 is its environmentally conscious design, reflecting Ferrari’s attention to carbon footprint reduction. This vehicle uses hybrid components to enhance performance while reducing emissions, making it an appealing option for those who appreciate high-end, responsible sports cars. Ferrari has hinted that the F80’s lightweight, electric-assist components not only make the car easier to handle but also amplify the car’s performance, allowing for rapid speed with lower emissions and better fuel economy. The Controversy: A V6 in a Ferrari? However, not all fans have warmed to the F80’s V6. For some, Ferrari’s identity has always been deeply connected to the roar of a V8 or V12 engine. These larger engines have been synonymous with Ferrari’s distinctive power and sound, and a V6, no matter how advanced, feels like a compromise. For purists, the sound profile of a V6 lacks the traditional growl they expect, potentially changing the visceral experience that’s integral to Ferrari’s allure. Furthermore, some enthusiasts feel that the shift to a V6 undermines Ferrari’s long-standing ethos of unrestrained performance. For decades, Ferrari has been known for its commitment to pushing limits without compromise, and the F80’s downsized engine could be viewed as yielding to regulatory pressures at the expense of legacy and power. A Balanced Evolution or a Step Back? The Ferrari F80 ultimately embodies a modernized Ferrari experience, merging efficiency with high-end performance and advanced engineering. For some, this represents Ferrari’s versatility and resilience; for others, it’s a departure from tradition. While the F80 may have traded some of the iconic auditory experience for efficiency, it showcases Ferrari’s ability to adapt while still delivering an exhilarating ride. In the end, the F80 is likely to earn its place among Ferrari’s iconic line-up, as much for what it challenges as for what it retains. For both supporters and skeptics, it’s a bold, thought-provoking entry that reflects Ferrari’s willingness to drive forward into the future. Who Is the Ferrari F80 For? The Ferrari F80 caters to a new generation of supercar enthusiasts who value innovation and sustainability alongside raw power. With its striking €3.5 million price tag and cutting-edge turbocharged V6 engine, it appeals to those seeking a unique blend of performance and eco-conscious design. While traditionalists may yearn for the classic roar of a V8 or V12, the F80 invites drivers to embrace the future of high-performance vehicles. Ultimately, it’s a bold choice for those willing to challenge conventions and experience the evolution of the legendary Ferrari brand. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/ferrari-f80-with-v6-engine-a-35-million-gamble — Citation: "Ferrari F80 with V6 Engine: A €3.5 Million Gamble?" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-25. https://menwith.com/ferrari-f80-with-v6-engine-a-35-million-gamble --- ## 5 Festive Cocktails to Serve This Holiday - URL: https://menwith.com/5-festive-cocktails-to-serve-this-holiday - Published: 2024-10-23 - Tags: Bordeaux Sour, Whiskey Smash, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Dry Martini, Bourbon, Gin, Holiday Cocktails **Summary:** Elevate your holiday celebrations with five festive cocktails: Bordeaux Sour, Whiskey Smash, Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Dry Martini. These classic and innovative drinks offer diverse flavor profiles to impress any guest. 5 Festive Cocktails to Serve This Holiday Season The holiday season is the perfect time to shake up some exciting and festive cocktails that will make your celebrations unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet evening, these five holiday cocktails are sure to impress your guests. 1. Bordeaux Sour For a festive twist – the Bordeaux Sour offers a sophisticated blend of rich bourbon and the boldness of Bordeaux red wine. With its balanced sweetness from maple syrup and the tartness of fresh lemon, this holiday cocktail delivers a unique flavor profile that’s both refreshing and smooth. A garnish of Maraschino cherry adds a festive touch, making it an ideal option for holiday entertaining. 2. Whiskey Smash The Whiskey Smash is a refreshing yet warming cocktail that pairs perfectly with the holiday season. Made with bourbon, muddled mint, lemon, and simple syrup, it’s a delightful mix of sweet and tart. This classic whiskey cocktail is quick to prepare and adds a burst of flavor to any winter celebration. Plus, whiskey cocktails are always a hit for holiday entertaining, making the Whiskey Smash an excellent addition to your drink menu. 3. Old Fashioned The Old Fashioned is a staple cocktail for any occasion, no cocktail list is complete without this classic. Made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and garnished with a twist of orange peel, this cocktail offers rich, smoky flavors that complement festive gatherings. The Old Fashioned is a perfect choice for holiday cocktail parties as it appeals to those who enjoy a strong, flavorful drink. Serve it over a large ice cube to maintain its chill without diluting the taste. 4. Negroni For lovers of bold and bitter flavors, the Negroni is an excellent cocktail to serve during the holidays. Made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, the Negroni offers a well-balanced, sophisticated flavor profile. This Italian classic is ideal for festive cocktail parties where guests appreciate a stylish drink with a strong punch. Garnish with an orange peel to add a citrusy aroma and complete the experience. 5. Dry Martini The Dry Martini is an unbeatable classic and is perfect for holiday gatherings. Whether made with gin or vodka, this cocktail is always a showstopper, especially when served chilled in a sleek martini glass. Combine gin and dry vermouth, then garnish with an olive or a twist of lemon peel for that classic finish. The Dry Martini is a favorite for those who enjoy crisp, elegant cocktails—ideal for making a strong impression at your holiday cocktail party. These 5 holiday cocktails are guaranteed to impress your guests and boost your celebrations. Whether you prefer the fruity, punch-like Bordeaux Bowl or the timeless elegance of a Dry Martini, these drinks offer something for every palate. So, get ready to mix, shake, and stir your way to a perfect holiday party with these must-try festive cocktails! Drink responsibly! — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/5-festive-cocktails-to-serve-this-holiday — Citation: "5 Festive Cocktails to Serve This Holiday" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-23. https://menwith.com/5-festive-cocktails-to-serve-this-holiday --- ## Behind MenWith.com: Crafting our website with the Razer Blade - URL: https://menwith.com/behind-menwithcom-crafting-our-website-with-the-razer-blade - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Published: 2024-10-22 - Tags: Razer Blade 16, MenWith.com, Web Development, Productivity, Creative Tasks, Mini LED Display, Laptop Review **Summary:** The Razer Blade 16, typically for gaming, surprisingly excels in professional web development and creative tasks due to its speed, performance, and Mini LED display. When I think of Razer, I immediately picture gaming. And while I’ve hung up the controller for now, the Razer Blade 16 caught my eye—mostly because I was curious if a machine known for gaming could actually fit into my world today. So when we got one to test, I figured why not see how it could hold up in our daily grind at MenWith? Our website, menwith.com, was in the middle of a redesign, and we decided to use the Razer Blade 16 for the build. It wasn’t exactly the obvious choice—after all, this laptop is geared toward gamers with its high-end specs and flashy marketing. But the specs that make it great for gaming—speed, performance, and top-tier graphics—are also things we look for when developing a site. Putting the Blade 16 to Work The first thing that surprised me was how easily the Blade 16 slipped into my routine. Aesthetically, the silver design is clean, minimalistic, and not overly aggressive like some of the neon-lit gaming laptops you see. It fits right into a professional setting—sleek, sharp, and understated. I kind of appreciated that subtle vibe. It’s a laptop that doesn’t draw attention but still manages to look good wherever you take it. From the moment I started working on the site, the Razer’s performance was hard to ignore. We’re not just throwing text into a template—we’re constantly dealing with high-resolution imagery, custom layouts, coding and lots of functionality. As I juggled between designing layouts, Photoshop and working on the backend, the laptop handled it all without breaking a sweat. No lag, no freezing up. Everything just flowed. I also lent the laptop to our creative team, who used it during photoshoots and for editing high-res images. They were impressed with how well it managed large files and video editing without slowing down, even when juggling multiple programs at once. In fact, our lead photographer mentioned how the Blade’s Mini LED display gave more accurate color representation than what they were used to. That’s not something I would’ve picked up right away, but it made a big difference during editing. Blending Work and Design I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the Razer Blade 16’s design as much as I did. I usually don’t get hung up on how a piece of tech looks, but there’s something about this laptop that feels more polished than I anticipated. It’s not a show-off machine, and that’s what I liked. It’s silver, minimalistic, and doesn’t scream “gamer” at you. Instead, it blends into our office environment seamlessly. I think that’s where the surprise came—this laptop, which I thought was strictly for gaming, ended up being a serious tool for productivity and creativity. From building our website to managing the visuals for our shoots, the Blade 16 handled it all. Even though gaming isn’t part of my life these days, the Razer Blade 16 has proven that it’s capable of so much more. Now, the question is whether I’ll be lending it to the team again, or keeping it on my own desk for the next round of projects—or maybe, just maybe, I’ll pick up the controller again and see if this machine can remind me why I loved gaming in the first place. Either way, the Razer Blade 16 proves it can win at work and play, and if you’re curious to see how it balances both, check out their campaign here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/behind-menwithcom-crafting-our-website-with-the-razer-blade — Citation: "Behind MenWith.com: Crafting our website with the Razer Blade" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-22. https://menwith.com/behind-menwithcom-crafting-our-website-with-the-razer-blade --- ## Breaking Boundaries: The New Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection - URL: https://menwith.com/breaking-boundaries-the-new-patek-philippe-cubitus-collection - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2024-10-18 - Tags: Patek Philippe Cubitus, Reference 5821/1A, Reference 5821/1AR, Reference 5822P, Caliber 26-330 S C, Caliber 240 PS CI J LU, Octagonal case watch, Grand Complication watch **Summary:** Patek Philippe's new Cubitus collection features three distinct models, including stainless steel and platinum options with innovative complications. The collection introduces a bold octagonal case, blending heritage with modern design. Patek Philippe’s Cubitus collection has already been on the radar of watch enthusiasts, thanks to early leaks and speculations. The leaked images hinted at something new and exciting, sparking curiosity about how the brand might be evolving. The leaked images hinted at a stainless steel timepiece with a blue strap and moon phase complication, sparking conversations about whether this would be Patek’s answer to the growing demand for more accessible sports watches. The anticipation surrounding the Cubitus collection wasn’t just about design—it was about what it might represent. Could Patek Philippe, a brand synonymous with exclusivity and elegance, be taking a calculated step to appeal to a broader audience while staying true to its roots? Now that the collection has officially been revealed, it’s clear that Patek has stayed true to its heritage of exclusivity, even while introducing new elements. The Timepieces: Focus on Design and Features The Cubitus collection debuts with three models, showcasing a departure from Patek’s more familiar silhouettes. Leading the lineup is the reference 5821/1A, a 45mm stainless steel piece featuring an olive green, horizontally embossed dial. While the use of stainless steel might suggest a more approachable price point, this model still commands $41,000, placing it firmly within luxury territory. While some enthusiasts (including me) may have hoped for a lower price, it’s worth noting that the 5167A in stainless steel trades for well over $41,000 on the secondary market, despite a significantly lower retail price, which underscores the strong demand for Patek Philippe’s sports watches. The design introduces a bold octagonal case—a striking departure from Patek’s classic round styles like the Calatrava, yet retaining a subtle connection to the Nautilus and Aquanaut. At just 8.3mm thick, the watch retains a refined profile despite its substantial size, powered by the caliber 26-330 S C, an updated movement with a stop-seconds feature for precise time-setting. The juxtaposition of a daring case shape with Patek’s characteristic attention to detail results in a watch that feels both fresh and authentically Patek. The two-tone reference 5821/1AR adds a touch of opulence, combining stainless steel with rose gold. Its deep blue dial and polished finishes offer a slightly dressier alternative within the collection, while still maintaining the sport-luxe aesthetic that defines the Cubitus line. For collectors who appreciate versatility, this model bridges the gap between everyday wear and refined occasions. At the top of the collection sits the reference 5822P in platinum, boasting a new instantaneous grand date, day, and moon phase complication. This model, powered by the highly complex caliber 240 PS CI J LU, demonstrates Patek’s ongoing commitment to technical mastery. The platinum case, paired with a blue composite strap, underscores the piece’s modern yet sophisticated edge, though the 45mm diameter might feel substantial for those more accustomed to smaller timepieces. Nevertheless, the complexity and elegance of this model are unmistakably Patek Philippe, reflecting the brand’s pursuit of innovation within a framework of classic luxury. A New Direction Amid Market Expectations While the Cubitus collection certainly introduces fresh design elements, it lands in a market where stainless steel sports watches from Patek Philippe—particularly the Nautilus and Aquanaut—have become symbols of exclusivity. Stainless steel references within the Cubitus collection, despite being part of a rumored “accessible” line, remain priced well above what some might have hoped for, with the two-tone and platinum models escalating further. The decision to go bold with the octagonal design is another talking point. It signals a clear shift in Patek’s approach, aiming to break away from the round-dominated catalog. The octagonal design signifies a willingness to venture into bolder territory, and yet Patek’s iteration retains its own distinctive flair. However, the 45mm size—while thin at just over 8mm—may be divisive, especially in an era where smaller, vintage-inspired pieces are gaining traction. Still, the Cubitus’s finely executed craftsmanship, from its satin-brushed finishes to its intricate movements. For collectors and enthusiasts, the Cubitus collection also raises questions about future collectibility. Will these models attain the same legendary status as the Nautilus or Aquanaut, which have not only defined Patek’s contemporary offerings but also soared in popularity on the secondary market? The answer may lie in the evolving tastes of watch enthusiasts, but there’s no denying that the Cubitus’ boldness adds a new chapter to Patek’s legacy. Conclusion: A Bold Step for a Storied Brand The Cubitus collection is a notable addition to Patek Philippe’s storied lineup, blending bold design with the technical sophistication collectors expect. It represents a new direction for the brand while maintaining a sense of exclusivity, despite early rumors suggesting a more accessible model. The collection’s octagonal case, updated complications, and balance between sportiness and elegance push the boundaries of what Patek can offer while still retaining its quintessential appeal. The Cubitus isn’t just a new chapter for Patek Philippe—it demonstrates how even the most storied traditions can evolve while embracing bold new directions. Whether it will hold the same iconic status as the Nautilus or Aquanaut remains to be seen, but it undeniably adds a new layer to Patek Philippe’s evolving narrative. For those who are lucky enough to add one of these timepieces to their collection, the Cubitus should be a reminder of the bold steps Patek Philippe is taking—for the generation ahead. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/breaking-boundaries-the-new-patek-philippe-cubitus-collection — Citation: "Breaking Boundaries: The New Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-18. https://menwith.com/breaking-boundaries-the-new-patek-philippe-cubitus-collection --- ## 8 Hotels Perfect for Remote Work - URL: https://menwith.com/8-hotels-perfect-for-remote-work - Published: 2024-10-18 - Tags: remote work hotels, co-working spaces, The Hoxton, Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, Am Hof 8 Wien, Soho House, Lawson Club, Miss Clara Stockholm **Summary:** Hotels are evolving into co-working hubs, offering remote workers productive and social environments. This selection highlights top hotels like The Hoxton and Nobis Hotel, blending work with luxury and networking. My Selection Of Hotels For That Perfect Co-Working Experience With a growing co-working concept a hotel becomes the perfect space for the distance worker and a great way to network. As remote work continues to grow in popularity, hotels are stepping up to offer more than just a place to rest. Many have evolved into dynamic co-working hubs, creating ideal environments for digital nomads, freelancers, and distance workers looking for a blend of productivity and social interaction. Here is a curated selection of hotels that provide exceptional co-working experiences. Find your co-working space near you. 1. The Hoxton Hotel: A Trendy Hub for Creative Professionals The Hoxton, with its chic interiors and community-driven ethos, has quickly become a favorite among remote workers. Known for its open lobbies and welcoming atmosphere, The Hoxton offers spaces where you can settle in with a coffee, host a meeting, or join a creative workshop. With locations in cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, and beyond, The Hoxton is an ideal choice for those who want a vibrant work environment paired with the comforts of a boutique hotel. 2. Nobis Hotel Copenhagen: Scandinavian Design Meets Productivity Situated in the heart of Copenhagen, the Nobis Hotel offers an elegant space where Scandinavian design meets modern work needs. The minimalist yet cozy interiors create an atmosphere that is perfect for focus and relaxation alike. With private meeting rooms and comfortable communal areas, it’s a great spot for both solo work and collaborative projects. Plus, its central location makes it easy to explore the city once the workday is done. 3. Am Hof 8 Wien Private Members Club: Exclusive Co-Working in Vienna For those looking for an exclusive co-working experience in Vienna, the private members’ club at Am Hof 8 offers just that. This refined space is designed for professionals who value privacy and high-end amenities. Members gain access to private rooms, quiet work areas, and elegant meeting spaces, making it an ideal location for serious work sessions and intimate networking opportunities. It’s a sanctuary for those who appreciate a touch of luxury while working remotely. 4. Soho House: A Global Network for Creative Co-Workers Soho House has become synonymous with a sophisticated co-working experience, offering locations worldwide, from New York to Barcelona, and even Bali. These members-only clubs cater to creatives and entrepreneurs, providing beautifully designed spaces, rooftop terraces, and event programming that encourages connection and collaboration. Members can enjoy access to workspaces, lounges, and exclusive networking events, making it a perfect place for remote workers who appreciate both style and community. 5. Lawson Club, Australia: Inspiring Spaces Down Under Located in Australia, the Lawson Club is a standout choice for those seeking a relaxed yet inspiring environment. This boutique hotel emphasizes the importance of balance between work and play, offering beautifully designed work areas alongside wellness-focused amenities like yoga classes and nature trails. The serene environment makes it perfect for recharging between work sessions, while the networking opportunities ensure that you stay connected with like-minded professionals. 6. Miss Clara: Meeting and Event Spaces at Sveavägen, Stockholm For remote workers in Stockholm, Miss Clara by Nobis offers a stylish setting for productivity. They has expanded its meeting and event space within the historic Thule House on Sveavägen, offering 550 square meters of versatile options. This new area includes a spacious room for up to 70 guests, three smaller meeting spaces, and a lounge with panoramic views of Sveavägen—ideal for breaks or private events. Designed in collaboration with Wingårds, this space blends the building’s rich architectural history with modern elegance, creating a dynamic setting for meetings, events, and cultural experiences. 7. Locke Hotels: The Co-Working Innovator in the UK and Beyond Locke Hotels have made a name for themselves with their modern, flexible approach to co-working across the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, and Switzerland. Each location offers beautifully designed apartments and communal spaces that feel more like a home than a traditional hotel. Remote workers can enjoy access to high-speed internet, cozy lounges, and in-house cafes, making it easy to transition seamlessly between work and relaxation. Locke’s focus on community makes it an ideal choice for those looking to meet fellow digital nomads while on the road. 8. Villa Dahlia, Stockholm: A Boutique Retreat for Remote Professionals Tucked away in Stockholm, Villa Dahlia provides an intimate and stylish space for those who seek a quiet and private co-working environment. The charming interiors and personalized service create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it a great choice for solo work or small team retreats. Villa Dahlia’s cozy common areas, combined with beautiful surroundings, offer a peaceful haven for focused work sessions and meaningful conversations. Why Hotels Are the Future of Co-Working With more professionals seeking flexible working arrangements, hotels are evolving to meet the needs of today’s digital workforce. These venues offer the best of both worlds—beautifully designed spaces for work, alongside the comforts of a luxury stay. Whether it’s for a day of focused work or a week-long remote retreat, these hotels offer the perfect blend of productivity and relaxation. In addition to providing workspace, these hotels create a sense of community that can be hard to find when working remotely. So, whether you’re a digital nomad searching for your next inspiring location or a freelancer looking for a change of scenery, these hotels offer the perfect co-working experience. They are more than just places to stay—they’re spaces where ideas flourish, connections are made, and work feels a little less like work. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/8-hotels-perfect-for-remote-work — Citation: "8 Hotels Perfect for Remote Work" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-18. https://menwith.com/8-hotels-perfect-for-remote-work --- ## A Must-See Alpine Extravaganza of Classic Cars on Ice - URL: https://menwith.com/a-must-see-alpine-extravaganza-of-classic-cars-on-ice - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-10-16 - Tags: Lifestyle, Archives **Summary:** The ICE St. Moritz returns Feb 21-22, 2025, transforming Lake St. Moritz into a stage for rare classic cars on ice. This event blends automotive heritage, luxury, and winter charm. The Chicest and Fastest Snow Event of the Year, The ICE St. Moritz Mark your calendars, on February 21st and 22nd, 2025, the stunning Lake St. Moritz will transform into a sparkling white backdrop for one of the most breathtaking motor racing spectacles in the world: The ICE St. Moritz. This exclusive event brings together a remarkable display of some of the rarest and most beautiful cars on Earth, turning the frozen lake into a dynamic stage where luxury and speed meet under the clear Engadin skies. A historic bond connects the Engadin region to classic cars, a connection that weaves through decades of motoring events, from competitive races to exhibitions showcasing the elegance of prestige cars. This enduring relationship has typically come to life in the summer months, where the region’s excellent roads and stunning landscapes create an ideal environment for driving. Yet, The ICE St. Moritz reimagines this tradition in winter, offering an exhilarating experience on ice and snow. The cars on display are true automotive masterpieces, seamlessly blending with the refined artistic atmosphere of St. Moritz. Their sleek lines and polished bodies reflect the winter sun as they glide over the frozen lake, making for a striking contrast against the crisp white snow. Whether it’s a classic Ferrari or a rare Porsche, each vehicle tells a story of craftsmanship and history that enchants car enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The event’s ambiance extends beyond the track. The warm notes of the piano bar drift through the crisp mountain air, accompanying drinks served outside among sun loungers. The ICE St. Moritz is more than just a motor racing event; it’s an exclusive celebration of heritage, luxury, and winter charm. Whether you’re a car aficionado or simply in search of a unique alpine experience, this event is a must-see. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-must-see-alpine-extravaganza-of-classic-cars-on-ice — Citation: "A Must-See Alpine Extravaganza of Classic Cars on Ice" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-16. https://menwith.com/a-must-see-alpine-extravaganza-of-classic-cars-on-ice --- ## A New Benchmark: Introducing McLaren’s Latest Supercar - URL: https://menwith.com/a-new-benchmark-introducing-mclarens-latest-supercar - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-10-14 - Tags: McLaren, Supercar, Twin-turbo V8, Active Aerodynamics, Carbon Fiber, Motorsport Heritage **Summary:** McLaren unveils a new benchmark supercar, "The Real Supercar," featuring a twin-turbo V8, active aerodynamics, and lightweight carbon fiber construction for unparalleled performance and driver connection. McLaren has once again raised the bar with its latest creation, a supercar that embodies the cutting-edge technology and performance the brand is known for. This new model, introduced under the banner “The Real Supercar,” channels McLaren’s rich motorsport heritage and engineering expertise, resulting in a car built for thrill-seekers who demand the very best. At the heart of the car is a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, an engineering masterpiece capable of delivering staggering power and speed. What sets this McLaren apart is not just its brute force, but the focus on precision. Everything from the lightweight design to its active aerodynamics is finely tuned to deliver a driving experience that’s both electrifying and razor-sharp. McLaren has a well-established reputation for its uncompromising approach to weight reduction, and this model is no exception. It incorporates advanced materials like carbon fiber throughout its chassis, resulting in a remarkably low curb weight that enhances both agility and efficiency. This translates into not only blistering acceleration but also a sense of connection with the car that’s hard to rival. One of the standout features is its active aerodynamics system, which adjusts on the fly to optimize downforce and minimize drag, depending on whether you’re cruising on the highway or tearing up the track. Combined with McLaren’s signature hydraulic suspension, this ensures that the car remains planted even under the most extreme conditions. Inside, the cabin strikes a balance between driver-focused minimalism and high-end luxury. The design is sleek, but comfort hasn’t been sacrificed for performance. Premium materials like Alcantara and carbon fiber adorn the interior, while the technology suite ensures that you’re always connected, whether you’re on a winding backroad or the track. In terms of aesthetics, McLaren’s design DNA is clearly visible, but this model introduces a more aggressive, sculpted look. The aerodynamics play a role here as well, with every curve and surface crafted for a specific function. It’s not just beautiful—it’s purposeful. Overall, this new McLaren isn’t just about hitting top speeds. It’s a pure driver’s car, designed to thrill not only in a straight line but through every twist and turn. It offers the perfect blend of innovation, performance, and luxury—an embodiment of what a real supercar should be. Whether you’re a long-time McLaren fan or new to the brand, this machine delivers on all fronts, cementing McLaren’s status as a leader in the supercar world. For a closer look at the details, check out the full reveal on McLaren’s official site here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-new-benchmark-introducing-mclarens-latest-supercar — Citation: "A New Benchmark: Introducing McLaren’s Latest Supercar" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-14. https://menwith.com/a-new-benchmark-introducing-mclarens-latest-supercar --- ## Rome Awaits: Your Guide to Must-Visit Locations - URL: https://menwith.com/rome-awaits-your-guide-to-must-visit-locations - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-10-11 - Tags: Baglioni Hotel Regina, Hassler Roma, Bvlgari Hotel Roma, Hotel de Russie, Borghese Gallery, Gagosian Rome, MAXXI Rome, Monte Mario **Summary:** Rome offers a blend of luxury stays, world-class art at Borghese Gallery and Gagosian Rome, and panoramic views from Monte Mario. Explore ancient wonders like the Colosseum for an unforgettable experience. Next stop? Rome! The eternal city of Rome has captivated visitors for centuries with its unparalleled history, art, and vibrant culture. Whether it’s your first time visiting or a return to relive cherished memories, Rome has something for everyone. From luxurious stays to renowned galleries, panoramic hikes, and unforgettable dining, this guide will help you uncover the must-visit spots that define the city’s charm. Where to Stay: Luxurious Hotels in Rome - Baglioni Hotel Regina Located on the iconic Via Veneto, Baglioni Hotel Regina embodies classic Roman elegance. This Art Deco gem offers beautifully appointed rooms with touches of Italian flair, making it the perfect retreat after a day of exploring. With its exceptional hospitality and a spa that offers panoramic views over Rome, it’s an ideal home base. - Hassler Roma Hotel Perched atop the Spanish Steps, Hassler Roma holds a special place in my heart. It embodies timeless Roman elegance, offering an unmatched blend of sophistication and breathtaking city views. With its luxurious rooms, impeccable service, and stunning rooftop dining, it’s always my top choice for experiencing the finest hospitality in Rome. - Bvlgari Hotel Roma A stay at the Bvlgari Hotel is an experience in opulence. Nestled in the heart of Rome, it exudes a modern luxury that perfectly complements the city’s ancient charm. With rooms that boast sleek designs and views of Rome’s stunning skyline, guests can unwind in style while savoring world-class amenities. - Hotel de Russie Located just steps away from Piazza del Popolo, Hotel de Russie is recognized for its serene garden courtyard—a tranquil oasis amid the city’s bustle. Years ago, on a sunny afternoon at the Hotel de Russie, Pablo Picasso or Jean Cocteau might have been found picking and peeling oranges right from the hotel’s garden. After a sixty-year break, the Russie has made a graceful comeback, maintaining its pure charm. While today’s creative minds—or more likely, models and film stars—may not indulge with the same carefree spirit, you might find them lounging in the lobby library, flipping through the International Herald Tribune. The hotel blends traditional Roman elegance with contemporary design, offering a relaxing haven with a spa, exceptional service, and some of the city’s finest views. What to Visit: Art & Culture - Borghese Gallery Tucked away in the stunning Villa Borghese gardens, the Borghese Gallery is home to a remarkable collection of Renaissance and Baroque art. Wander through rooms adorned with sculptures by Bernini and paintings by Caravaggio, surrounded by lush gardens that offer a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle. - Gagosian Rome For contemporary art enthusiasts, a visit to Gagosian Rome is a must. This renowned gallery showcases the works of leading international artists, offering a fresh perspective amid Rome’s classical art scene. Located in a modern space near the Villa Borghese, it’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in cutting-edge exhibitions. - MAXXI Rome Designed by Zaha Hadid, the MAXXI (National Museum of 21st Century Arts) is a striking contrast to Rome’s ancient architecture. This innovative museum houses a collection of contemporary art and architecture that will captivate modern art lovers. The building itself is a masterpiece, with flowing lines and open spaces that encourage exploration. Nature & Views: A Scenic Hike - Monte Mario Natural Reserve If you’re craving a bit of nature, head to the Monte Mario Natural Reserve for a hike that offers sweeping views over Rome. As you walk through the serene trails, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of the city, including the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s a peaceful way to appreciate the city from a different perspective. - Of Course, The Colosseum No visit to Rome would be complete without experiencing the awe-inspiring Colosseum. Step back in time as you wander through the ancient amphitheater, imagining the gladiatorial combats that once captivated Roman audiences. The nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill add further layers of history to your visit, making it a must-see. Start the Day Right: Best Breakfast Spots - Barnum Café Start your morning at Barnum Café, a cozy spot known for its artisanal coffee and laid-back atmosphere. Here, you’ll find a range of breakfast options, from fresh pastries to hearty avocado toast, making it a great place to fuel up for a day of exploring. - Casa Manfredi Casa Manfredi is a haven for pastry lovers, offering some of the best cornetto (Italian croissants) in the city. Located near the Baths of Caracalla, this chic patisserie is the perfect place to enjoy a cappuccino and a sweet treat before venturing into Rome’s historic center. Where to Dine: Unforgettable Dining Experiences - Pier Luigi Nestled in a charming piazza near Campo de’ Fiori, Pier Luigi has been a staple for seafood lovers since 1938. With fresh catches prepared to perfection and a romantic outdoor seating area, it’s an ideal spot for a memorable dinner in the heart of Rome. - Antica Pesa Rome A favorite among celebrities and locals alike, Antica Pesa offers a refined dining experience in the Trastevere district. This historic restaurant, with roots dating back to the 17th century, serves traditional Roman dishes with a modern twist, using the freshest seasonal ingredients. - Ristorante La Matriciana Rome The ambiance of Ristorante La Matriciana is warm and inviting, with rustic decor that reflects the city’s rich history. It’s the perfect setting for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. The knowledgeable staff is dedicated to ensuring a memorable dining experience, providing recommendations and insights into the dishes. In a city known for its gastronomic delights, Ristorante La Matriciana stands out as a beacon of authenticity and tradition, inviting diners to savor the true flavors of Rome. - La Pergola For those seeking a more elevated dining experience in Rome, La Pergola is a destination that promises not only exceptional cuisine but also a memorable atmosphere. After indulging in the classic comforts of Ristorante La Matriciana, a visit to La Pergola offers a glimpse into the pinnacle of gastronomic excellence. Discover Rome’s Endless Allure Rome’s blend of ancient history, artistic treasures, and modern elegance offers a unique experience for every traveler. Whether you’re admiring centuries-old sculptures at the Borghese Gallery or savoring a candlelit dinner at Antica Pesa, the city invites you to create your own unforgettable memories. Let this guide be your roadmap to exploring the best of Rome—where every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/rome-awaits-your-guide-to-must-visit-locations — Citation: "Rome Awaits: Your Guide to Must-Visit Locations" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-11. https://menwith.com/rome-awaits-your-guide-to-must-visit-locations --- ## How crypto is shaping the future of luxury - URL: https://menwith.com/how-crypto-is-shaping-the-future-of-luxury - Published: 2024-10-09 - Tags: Cryptocurrency, Luxury Goods, Gucci, TAG Heuer, Balenciaga, Farfetch, Crypto.com Visa Card, Bitcoin, Ethereum **Summary:** Cryptocurrency is reshaping luxury by enabling tech-savvy buyers to purchase high-end goods with digital assets. Brands like Gucci and TAG Heuer are adapting, integrating crypto payments for speed and privacy. In the world of luxury, paying with cryptocurrency is no longer a novelty—it’s becoming part of the experience. Imagine walking into a Gucci store or sitting down to finalize a deal on an exotic sports car, and instead of pulling out your wallet, you pay with Bitcoin or Ethereum. What was once futuristic is now becoming the new normal. But how did we get here? A new breed of luxury buyers Enter the new generation of wealth—crypto millionaires. These are tech-savvy individuals who didn’t amass their fortunes through traditional means like stocks or real estate. Instead, they rode the wave of blockchain and cryptocurrency, watching their digital assets soar. For these individuals, buying a luxury item with crypto isn’t just convenient; it aligns with their modern, tech-first worldview. They seek speed, privacy, and flexibility—qualities that digital currencies provide in abundance. Whether it’s paying for a rare watch or a high-end vacation, they value transactions without the friction of exchange rates or bank delays. In this world, privacy isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity. To make spending digital assets even easier, the Crypto.com Visa Card offers a seamless way to convert crypto into traditional currency for everyday purchases. Whether you’re buying a designer bag or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, this card turns your crypto into spending power, complete with cashback rewards, lounge access, and perks like Netflix and Spotify rebates. Discover more here. How brands are adapting Luxury brands have quickly caught on. From Gucci and Balenciaga to Farfetch, these labels are adapting to this shift by accepting crypto payments. It’s not just about staying trendy—it’s about meeting their new customers where they are. Brands like TAG Heuer now accept crypto for their exclusive timepieces, signaling a broader shift where digital currency and luxury goods are converging. The future of luxury As cryptocurrency continues to grow, its presence in the luxury market is only set to expand. Paying for high-end products with crypto is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s happening now, and it’s redefining the way luxury is experienced. Whether you’re buying a limited-edition car or an exclusive piece of jewelry, crypto is quickly becoming the currency of choice for the world’s new elite. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/how-crypto-is-shaping-the-future-of-luxury — Citation: "How crypto is shaping the future of luxury" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-09. https://menwith.com/how-crypto-is-shaping-the-future-of-luxury --- ## All Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: A Legend in Motion - URL: https://menwith.com/all-aboard-the-venice-simplon-orient-express-a-legend-in-motion - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-10-09 - Tags: Archives **Summary:** The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a luxurious journey through Europe, blending Art Deco elegance with modern comfort. Experience gourmet dining and breathtaking scenery on this iconic train. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Journey Through Pure Elegance Your journey starts on the platform of a renowned European city, where vintage carriages stand ready for your arrival. Greet the conductor, hand over your bags to the attentive porters, and let the anticipation grow. Then, step into a realm of classic elegance. Departure is just moments away. Few travel experiences rival the iconic allure of a trip aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. This living legend on rails has carried the world’s elite for decades, from royalty to screen icons, and continues to enchant travelers seeking an experience far beyond mere transportation. It’s about more than just getting from point A to point B—this journey offers a deep dive into a world of pure and enduring elegance, where the adventure itself becomes the centerpiece. A Step Back in Time The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is synonymous with the glamour of a bygone era. Boarding the train transports you to the 1920s and 1930s, when travel was a luxurious and exciting affair. Every detail onboard, from the meticulously restored marquetry in the cabins to the gleaming brass fixtures, evokes the timeless Art Deco style that made the original Orient Express an icon. Each carriage has been painstakingly restored to reflect the rich heritage of the train. The carriages you see today were crafted between 1926 and 1949, echoing the luxurious style introduced in the U.S. by George Mortimer Pullman—an enduring symbol of luxury rail travel. Inside, wood-paneled walls and plush furnishings recall an era when the journey itself was a luxury to be savored. With modern comforts thoughtfully woven into the vintage charm, passengers can relax in their private cabins and immerse themselves in the romance of this extraordinary voyage. Destinations as Grand as the Train The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is more than just a mode of transport; it’s your gateway to some of Europe’s most breathtaking destinations. Starting in Venice, the journey winds through the majestic Swiss Alps, Paris, and beyond, depending on your chosen itinerary. With routes that stretch as far as Istanbul, this train offers the rare opportunity to experience Europe’s grandest cities and landscapes, all from the lap of elegance. Every moment aboard feels like a cinematic experience, whether you’re traversing Europe’s stunning countryside or pulling into Paris at dusk. The train’s opulent design, paired with the breathtaking views outside your window, creates an unforgettable journey. Dining in Elegance Dining on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is nothing short of a royal affair. Lavish, multi-course meals are served in exquisitely restored dining cars, rich with history. The train’s chefs craft menus inspired by the regions you’re traveling through, ensuring that every bite is a celebration of both flavor and place. From fresh Venetian seafood to French artisanal cheeses, the culinary experience on board is as memorable as the journey itself. As you dine in formal evening attire, surrounded by elegance, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an era when dining was a grand event. With impeccable service and a menu sourced from Europe’s finest regions, every meal is an occasion to savor. A Journey Like No Other What truly distinguishes the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is its unique ability to intertwine history with an unparalleled luxury experience. Each journey is more than just a means of transport; it’s an invitation to step into a narrative filled with rich heritage and charm. As you glide through stunning landscapes, you’re not merely a passenger—you’re part of a captivating story that celebrates the art of travel. This train transforms each mile into a memorable experience, leaving an indelible mark on your travel journey that extends far beyond the tracks. Each authentic Art Deco carriage holds a captivating story. For instance, Sleeping Car 3309 was stranded in a snowdrift for ten days in 1929, an incident that inspired Agatha Christie’s iconic Murder on the Orient Express. Meanwhile, Sleeping Car 3425 is linked to King Carol’s dramatic escape from Romania in 1940, while Sleeping Car 3544’s journey included hosting the wealthy on Le Train Bleu and even serving as a wartime brothel. Whether you’re marking a special occasion, taking a dream vacation, or indulging in a passion for vintage travel, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an experience where the journey is as significant as the destination. Step aboard and become part of a legend—where time slows, elegance prevails, and every mile tells a new story. The Perfect Fusion of Elegance and Legacy For those seeking an unforgettable journey, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an escape from the ordinary, where each detail caters to those who appreciate life’s finest pleasures. In a world where travel is often rushed, this experience reminds us that the ride itself is what makes it truly remarkable. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/all-aboard-the-venice-simplon-orient-express-a-legend-in-motion — Citation: "All Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: A Legend in Motion" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-09. https://menwith.com/all-aboard-the-venice-simplon-orient-express-a-legend-in-motion --- ## The “Hampton Court Edition” goes to auction - URL: https://menwith.com/the-hampton-court-edition-goes-to-auction - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Watches - Published: 2024-10-08 - Tags: Archives **Summary:** A. Lange & Söhne's unique DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN "Hampton Court Edition" will be auctioned for The Prince's Trust. This special timepiece celebrates the 25th anniversary of Lange's first chronograph calibre. A. Lange & Söhne is marking the 25th anniversary of their first chronograph calibre in a pretty special way this year. They’ve created a unique DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN “Hampton Court Edition” that’s set to be auctioned on November 9th in Geneva, with all the proceeds going to The Prince’s Trust. It’s one of those rare moments when a watch isn’t just a beautiful piece of craftsmanship—it’s also for a good cause. This particular DATOGRAPH was on display at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace recently, which, if you haven’t been, is an incredible event. It brings together some of the most stunning vintage cars, and Lange has been involved for a few years now. This year, though, they really made an impression with this one-off piece. The watch itself is classic Lange—white gold with a grey dial and black subdials, and it’s got that signature Lange flair with a hinged cuvette engraved with the Concours crest. Inside, there’s the L951.6 calibre, manually wound, made up of over 450 parts. But what really stands out is the craftsmanship; Lange has this way of making movements that are just as beautiful as the watch itself, and this one’s no exception. What adds to the significance of this edition is the history behind the DATOGRAPH itself. Launched 25 years ago, it was Lange’s first proprietary chronograph calibre, and it really set a new standard in high-end watchmaking. The flyback function, precisely jumping minute counter, and column-wheel control weren’t just technical feats—they redefined what collectors expected from a chronograph. Over the years, the DATOGRAPH has become something of a cult favorite among serious collectors, and this “Hampton Court Edition” is the latest chapter in that legacy. What’s even better is that all the money from the auction, including the buyer’s premium, is going straight to The Prince’s Trust, which helps young people build skills and find jobs. It’s a cause that’s close to King Charles III, and it feels like a natural fit for Lange, given their commitment to both tradition and future generations. If you’re into watches—or even if you just appreciate precision and quality—this auction’s worth keeping an eye on. Not only is it a rare opportunity to own something truly unique, but it’s also a chance to support something bigger. Definitely one of those moments where luxury meets purpose. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-hampton-court-edition-goes-to-auction — Citation: "The “Hampton Court Edition” goes to auction" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-08. https://menwith.com/the-hampton-court-edition-goes-to-auction --- ## Paris Fashion Week with HOKA - URL: https://menwith.com/paris-fashion-week-with-hoka - Author: Erik Simmingsköld - Published: 2024-10-07 - Tags: HOKA, Stinson EVO OG, Paris Fashion Week, Gorp Tech, Sneaker Release, Fall 2024, Le Marais **Summary:** HOKA's Stinson EVO OG sneaker blends performance and street style, previewed during Paris Fashion Week. Its gorp tech influence and bold colorways make it a versatile, comfortable statement piece for Fall 2024. Being in Paris during Fashion Week is a vibe like no other. The streets are alive with style, and every corner feels like a runway. This time around, I stayed in Le Marais, one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods. Think narrow cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and cozy cafés. During Fashion Week, the whole area is buzzing, and it’s the perfect backdrop for catching some of the most unique street style looks. But I wasn’t just there for the fashion shows. I got an early look at HOKA’s Stinson EVO OG, which is set to make a serious comeback in Fall 2024. If you think HOKA is just about running shoes, this sneaker is here to change your mind. Stinson EVO OG – a sneaker with edge HOKA is known for its performance shoes, but the Stinson EVO OG is where style and function meet perfectly. It’s got that signature HOKA cushioning and chunky sole, but with a fresh look that works just as well on the street as it does on a trail. Seeing it unveiled in Paris, surrounded by the Fashion Week crowd, made it clear that this sneaker has street cred. Colors that pop At the preview event, the new colorways caught my eye right away: bold orange, deep red, and classic black. These colors aren’t just for show — they make a statement. The orange is loud, just like the energy in Paris, while the red adds a rich, striking touch. And then there’s black, always sleek and versatile, ready to match any outfit. Gorp Tech Influence What really makes the Stinson EVO OG stand out is how it taps into the growing gorp tech trend. For those not familiar, gorp tech is all about blending outdoor performance with urban style — technical gear made for hiking, but looking sharp in the city. HOKA, with its roots in performance footwear, has nailed this crossover. The oversized sole and trail-ready grip speak to the functionality of a serious running or hiking shoe, while the clean lines and bold colors make it perfect for the streetwear scene. Comfort without compromise When it comes to comfort, HOKA is nearly unmatched. The Stinson EVO OG is no exception. The brand’s signature cushioning and oversized sole provide incredible support, making it easy to navigate the bustling Parisian streets or, in my case, stroll through the chic alleyways of Le Marais. It’s a sneaker designed for those who want style without sacrificing comfort — perfect for those long Fashion Week days when you’re always on the move. The gorp tech influence here means you’re not just wearing a stylish sneaker, but one that’s built for adventure. HOKA’s Stinson EVO OG isn’t just about performance; it’s about standing out. Whether you’re pairing it with relaxed streetwear or something a bit more elevated, it’s a sneaker that turns heads and keeps you comfortable while doing it. Paris was the perfect place to preview this drop, and come Fall 2024, the Stinson EVO OG is going to be a must-have for anyone serious about their sneaker game. If you’re as excited as I am to get your hands on the Stinson EVO OG, check out HOKA’s site for more details and updates on the release here. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/paris-fashion-week-with-hoka — Citation: "Paris Fashion Week with HOKA" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-07. https://menwith.com/paris-fashion-week-with-hoka --- ## The 8 Must-Visit Luxury Destinations for Tennis Lovers - URL: https://menwith.com/the-8-must-visit-luxury-destinations-for-tennis-lovers - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-10-04 - Tags: Belmond Hotel Splendido, Reschio Estate, Chelsea Barracks, Puente Romano, Monte-Carlo Country Club, Château de la Messardière, Luxury Tennis Travel, Portofino **Summary:** Discover eight luxury destinations blending world-class tennis with breathtaking scenery and exclusive amenities. From the Italian Riviera to the Swiss Alps, elevate your game and indulge in unparalleled comfort. It’s time to pack your racquet and dive into a world of sport, beauty, and indulgence. For tennis lovers, the sport is more than just a game—it’s a lifestyle, a passion, and an opportunity to explore the world’s most luxurious and breathtaking destinations. Imagine playing on world-class courts surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, rolling hills, or the majestic Swiss Alps. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual enthusiast, these locations offer a chance to elevate your tennis experience while indulging in luxury. Here is your guide to eight must-see destinations for tennis lovers. 1. Belmond Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy Belmond Hotel Splendido is where tennis meets the timeless beauty of the Italian Riviera. Set high on the hills of Portofino, the hotel’s courts offer stunning views of the glittering Mediterranean. Here, tennis is not just a sport but an experience. After an invigorating match, unwind at the hotel’s spa or stroll through the enchanting village of Portofino. Belmond Splendido offers the perfect blend of Italian elegance and tennis bliss, making every serve and volley as memorable as the scenery. 2. Reschio, Estate, Hotel & Houses Step into a world of privacy and charm at this Thousand-Year-Old castle, Reschio Estate. A hidden gem in the Umbrian countryside. With its private tennis courts nestled among vineyards and olive groves, Reschio offers an intimate setting where tennis becomes a luxurious escape. The estate’s restored farmhouses and chic villas serve as the ideal retreat after a match. Whether you’re hitting the court or savoring the tranquil landscapes, Reschio provides a perfect balance of sport and serenity. 3. Chelsea Barracks, London, United Kingdom For tennis enthusiasts who enjoy the buzz of city life, Chelsea Barracks offers a peaceful sanctuary right in the heart of Belgravia. Tucked away within the estate is the Garrison Club’s tennis court, a private spot where tradition and modern comfort come together. Here each serve echoes with timeless elegance and can be enjoyed whether you´re poised to play or simply wish to revel in the spectacle. 4. Puente Romano, Marbella, Spain If you’re seeking sun, sea, and tennis, Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella is your ideal destination. The resort’s renowned tennis club boasts 10 courts, including clay and hard surfaces, all framed by lush gardens and views of the Mediterranean. Home to international tennis tournaments, Puente Romano lets you play where the pros do. Afterward, unwind at the beach, indulge in fine dining, or explore Marbella’s lively nightlife. This is the ultimate tennis getaway on Spain’s glamorous Costa del Sol. 5. Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monaco With its stunning Art Deco architecture and a history that has attracted royalty and international elites, the Monte-Carlo Country Club stands as one of the world’s most captivating and picturesque destination. Few places capture the elegance and exclusivity of tennis like the Monte-Carlo Country Club. With courts perched above the sparkling Mediterranean, this is tennis at its finest. The club, famous for hosting the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, offers an extraordinary experience for players of all levels. Pair your tennis sessions with a stay in one of Monaco’s ultra-luxury hotels, and enjoy a weekend of sport, sophistication, and spectacular views. Monaco’s opulence and tennis history make this a must-visit for enthusiasts. 5. Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monaco Discover the perfect balance of luxury and sport at Airelles Saint Tropez, Château de la Messardière. Overlooking the French Riviera, this lavish hotel provides a dreamy setting for tennis lovers. The estate’s private tennis courts are surrounded by stunning gardens, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Saint Tropez. After a few matches, immerse yourself in the glamour of the Côte d’Azur, from high-end shopping to yacht-filled harbors. For a tennis holiday with a touch of French elegance, this is the place to be. 7. Hotel Cala Di Volpe, Sardinia, Costa Smeralda, Italy For tennis enthusiasts who crave exclusivity, Hotel Cala Di Volpe in Costa Smeralda offers a matchless experience. Set against the azure waters of Sardinia, this luxury resort boasts state-of-the-art tennis courts in an unforgettable setting. The hotel’s signature blend of Mediterranean architecture and world-class amenities creates the perfect backdrop for your tennis vacation. Whether you’re competing on the court or relaxing by the water, Cala Di Volpe delivers unmatched luxury. 7. Hotel Cala Di Volpe, Sardinia, Costa Smeralda, Italy In the heart of the Swiss Alps lies Grand Hotel Suvretta House, a destination where tennis is as breathtaking as the surrounding scenery. During the summer months, Suvretta’s outdoor courts offer players the chance to hit balls against a backdrop of towering peaks and lush forests. As one of Europe’s most prestigious hotels, Suvretta House ensures that your stay is as luxurious as your time on the court. When winter arrives, switch your tennis gear for skis and explore the legendary slopes of St. Moritz. These eight luxurious destinations offer tennis players more than just a game—they provide an unforgettable experience where world-class sport meets opulent surroundings. Whether you’re perfecting your backhand on the Mediterranean coast or serving in the shadow of the Swiss Alps, these locations promise a tennis getaway unlike any other. Ready to combine your love of tennis with a luxury escape? — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/the-8-must-visit-luxury-destinations-for-tennis-lovers — Citation: "The 8 Must-Visit Luxury Destinations for Tennis Lovers" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-04. https://menwith.com/the-8-must-visit-luxury-destinations-for-tennis-lovers --- ## Watches That Keep Ticking — and Increasing in Worth - URL: https://menwith.com/watches-that-keep-ticking-and-increasing-in-worth - Category: Watches - Published: 2024-10-02 - Tags: Archives **Summary:** Certain watches appreciate in value, becoming heirlooms. The pre-owned market highlights models like the Rolex Daytona 6263, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Tudor Submariner as strong investments. Let us dive into five remarkable timepieces Watches are more than just accessories or tools to tell time—they’re pieces of history that can be passed down through generations, becoming treasured family heirlooms. For many, a timepiece holds priceless emotional value, while for others, it’s equally important to choose a watch that retains its worth over time. A well-chosen watch can become a legacy, appreciated both for its craftsmanship and its financial worth. However, if you want to ensure that the watch you buy retains or even increases its value over time, the pre-owned market plays a critical role. The secondary market often reveals which watches have held their value the best, offering a clearer picture of their long-term potential. 1. Rolex Daytona – Reference 6263 Among the many Daytona models that have seen a significant rise in value, the Rolex Daytona reference 6263 is a standout. Produced in the 1970s and 1980s, the 6263 is part of Rolex’s manually-wound Daytona series, featuring a black acrylic bezel and screw-down pushers, making it a favorite among collectors. Vintage Rolex Daytonas, particularly the 6263, are highly sought after, with prices soaring on the pre-owned market. Their rarity, combined with the history of Rolex’s earlier chronograph designs, ensures their increasing worth. Depending on condition and provenance, certain 6263 models have fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions, making this reference a prime example of a timepiece that grows in value over time. 2. Rolex Daytona – Arabic Dial Saudi Edition Another rare and coveted model is the Rolex Daytona Arabic Dial Saudi Edition, a special edition reportedly made for the Saudi royal family. This unique timepiece features Arabic numerals on the dial, setting it apart from traditional Daytona designs. Collectors with an interest in limited edition or region-specific models prize the Arabic Dial Daytona for its rarity and historical significance. Watches like this hold their value exceptionally well, primarily due to their scarcity and distinct aesthetic. As one of the rarer Daytona models, its value has been increasing steadily on the secondary market, and it’s considered a valuable collector’s piece. 3. Patek Philippe Nautilus The Patek Philippe Nautilus is an icon of horology and one of the most desirable timepieces on the market. Designed by the legendary Gérald Genta and first launched in 1976, the Nautilus is known for its distinct porthole-shaped case and integrated bracelet, which broke the mold of conventional luxury watch design. In recent years, the Nautilus has become a symbol of exclusivity, especially the now-discontinued reference 5711. This discontinuation has fueled its desirability, pushing prices into the stratosphere on the pre-owned market. Patek Philippe’s limited production ensures that demand far exceeds supply, and those lucky enough to own a Nautilus have seen its value double or even triple. It’s a true example of a watch that appreciates over time. 4. Tudor Submariner Often overshadowed by its more famous sibling, the Tudor Submariner has developed a strong following among collectors in recent years. First introduced in 1954, the Tudor Submariner shares many design elements with the Rolex Submariner, including its water resistance and sturdy construction, but it comes at a more accessible price point. Vintage Tudor Submariners, especially those produced before the 1990s, have become increasingly valuable. The “snowflake” hands and unique blue dials on earlier models are particularly sought after. As these watches become harder to find in good condition, their value on the pre-owned market continues to rise, making the Tudor Submariner a solid investment for those looking to enter the world of vintage watches. 5. Patek Philippe Aquanaut – Reference 5167 The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167 is another timepiece that has seen a steady rise in value over the years. First introduced in 1997, the Aquanaut was designed to appeal to a younger, sportier audience while still maintaining Patek Philippe’s legendary craftsmanship and prestige. The Aquanaut’s unique design, featuring a rounded octagonal case and tropical rubber strap, quickly gained popularity. Reference 5167, with its sleek, modern look, has become particularly coveted. Due to its relative scarcity and the continuing rise in demand for Patek Philippe sports watches, the Aquanaut has appreciated significantly in the pre-owned market. It’s now seen as a more accessible yet still valuable alternative to the Nautilus, offering strong potential for future growth in value. So what about the Pre-Owned Market? If you want to ensure your timepiece not only retains its value but also has the potential to appreciate, keeping a close eye on the pre-owned market is key. The resale market often gives a clearer picture of a watch’s true long-term value, and purchasing a pre-owned model with a proven track record can offer better returns than betting on a newer piece. By working with trusted pre-owned dealers, you can access rare and sought-after models like the Rolex Daytona 6263, Patek Philippe Nautilus, or even the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167, all of which have shown strong appreciation over time. When buying a luxury watch, it’s essential to choose a piece you genuinely love, one you might one day pass down. With iconic pieces from brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Tudor, you’re not just buying a beautiful timepiece—you’re investing in something that will continue to appreciate in worth for years to come. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious about what makes certain watches special, this article is your ticket to exploring the hidden gems of the watch universe. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/watches-that-keep-ticking-and-increasing-in-worth — Citation: "Watches That Keep Ticking — and Increasing in Worth" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-10-02. https://menwith.com/watches-that-keep-ticking-and-increasing-in-worth --- ## Exciting weekend with Aston Martin - URL: https://menwith.com/exciting-weekend-with-aston-martin - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-09-02 - Tags: Aston Martin DB12 Volante, Black Forest, Der Öschberghof, Convertible, Luxury Car, Performance Driving **Summary:** The Aston Martin DB12 Volante offers an extraordinary driving experience in the Black Forest, blending potent performance with refined comfort. Its driver-focused cockpit and adaptable modes enhance connection to the road and surroundings. Driving through the Black Forest is always a sensory experience, but when you’re behind the wheel of the new Aston Martin DB12 Volante, it becomes something truly extraordinary. Recently, we had the privilege of testing this remarkable machine at the luxurious Der Öschberghof, and the combination of Aston Martin’s engineering prowess with the serene beauty of the Black Forest was nothing short of magical. Der Öschberghof, with its rolling hills and lush greenery, provided the perfect backdrop for what would be an unforgettable driving experience. The resort itself is a haven of relaxation, with every detail meticulously crafted to offer a sense of peace and indulgence. But as stunning as the setting was, the real excitement was waiting in the form of the DB12 Volante. As we approached the car, it was hard not to admire its sleek design. Even with the top down, the DB12 Volante maintains that signature Aston Martin aesthetic—elegant, yet undeniably powerful. The lines are sharp, the stance aggressive, and the whole package exudes a sense of purpose. This is a car that commands attention without shouting for it. Sliding into the driver’s seat, we immediately noticed how the cabin is designed for the driver. The seats are set low, wrapping around you with that high-quality leather Aston Martin is known for. Everything feels tailored to your comfort and control, from the intuitive touchscreen to the placement of the controls. It’s a cockpit that invites you to take charge, yet doesn’t overwhelm with unnecessary complexity. Aston Martin has done away with the fuss, offering an infotainment system that is simple, functional, and, most importantly, effective. But the real magic happened when we put the DB12 Volante in motion. The first part of the journey was all about the thrill of the drive. In Sport+ mode, the car came alive, responding to the slightest touch with an eager roar. The Black Forest’s winding roads provided the perfect playground, allowing us to push the car’s limits while feeling completely in control. The power under the hood is matched by the precision of the handling—every curve, every straightaway, was a chance to experience the engineering mastery that Aston Martin has poured into this car. After the exhilaration of Sport+, we switched to GT mode, allowing the DB12 Volante to show off its versatility. The drive became smooth, almost effortless, as we cruised through the forest, soaking in the scenery. The convertible design truly comes into its own here, as you feel connected to your surroundings in a way that’s rare in today’s insulated driving experiences. With the top down, the sights, sounds, and even the crisp, cool air of the Black Forest became part of the drive, enhancing the sense of luxury and freedom. Back at Der Öschberghof, after a day of high-speed thrills and serene cruising, we reflected on how well the DB12 Volante embodies what Aston Martin stands for. It’s a car that offers both excitement and comfort, able to adapt to your mood and the road ahead. And testing it in such a beautiful setting only highlighted its ability to combine raw performance with an elegant, refined driving experience. In a world where many luxury cars can feel overly complicated or distant, the DB12 Volante is a breath of fresh air. It’s a reminder that true luxury is about more than just opulence—it’s about connection, to the car, to the road, and to the world around you. And there’s no better place to experience that connection than in the heart of the Black Forest, with the open road ahead and the DB12 Volante at your command. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/exciting-weekend-with-aston-martin — Citation: "Exciting weekend with Aston Martin" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-09-02. https://menwith.com/exciting-weekend-with-aston-martin --- ## A day with Lucid Motors in Geneva - URL: https://menwith.com/a-day-with-lucid-motors-in-geneva - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Cars - Published: 2024-07-04 - Tags: Lucid Motors, Lucid Air Grand Touring, Geneva, Electric Vehicle, Luxury Car, Watches & Wonders **Summary:** The Lucid Air Grand Touring enhances a Geneva exploration, blending luxury, 819hp power, and refined handling with the city's charm. Its opulent interior offers a tranquil escape. Geneva never ceases to captivate. Each visit feels like a new chapter in a city where tradition effortlessly blends with modernity. During our recent trip for Watches & Wonders, we had the chance to experience the Lucid Motors Air Grand Touring once again—a car that had already won us over around Lake Constance last year. This time, it became our perfect companion, elevating our exploration of Geneva. Navigating Geneva with the Lucid Air was more than just a means of transportation; it was a seamless integration of luxury and practicality. The drive between Palexpo, where the main events were held, and Beau-Rivage, the hub for independent watchmakers, was nothing short of a pleasure. The car’s refined power and smooth handling made every trip feel like an experience in itself, whether we were gliding along Lake Geneva or weaving through the city’s elegant streets. The city’s iconic sights, like the Jet d’Eau and the historic architecture along the waterfront, took on a new level of beauty from behind the wheel of the Lucid Air. With 819 horsepower at our command, the car’s quiet, confident acceleration paired perfectly with Geneva’s serene atmosphere. Inside, the luxurious interior—with its plush leather seats and expansive glass canopy roof—offered a tranquil space to relax between appointments, letting us enjoy the city’s views in comfort. But Geneva is more than just a backdrop. We immersed ourselves in the city’s rich cultural offerings—strolling through the cobblestone streets of Old Town, visiting exquisite boutiques, and savoring the finest dining experiences. Each moment was enhanced by the ease and elegance of the Lucid Air, which made getting around the city not just convenient, but genuinely enjoyable. As our time in Geneva drew to a close, we found ourselves already looking forward to the next visit. The Lucid Air Grand Touring had not only elevated our experience of the city but also set a new standard for luxury travel. Geneva, with its timeless charm and commitment to excellence, never disappoints. And with the Lucid Air, every journey through this remarkable city promises to be just as memorable as the last. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/a-day-with-lucid-motors-in-geneva — Citation: "A day with Lucid Motors in Geneva" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-07-04. https://menwith.com/a-day-with-lucid-motors-in-geneva --- ## Unforgettable journey with Qatar Airways - URL: https://menwith.com/unforgettable-journey-with-qatar-airways - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-07-04 - Tags: Qatar Airways, Business Class, Doha, National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, Vendome Mall, Corniche **Summary:** Qatar Airways offers a luxurious travel experience, from its opulent business class lounge to gourmet in-flight dining and lie-flat seats. Doha complements this with a blend of modern marvels and traditional souqs. There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when you step onto a plane, knowing it’s more than just a journey but the beginning of an adventure. That was the feeling as we boarded our Qatar Airways flight to Doha—a trip where luxury, comfort, and excitement were promised and abundantly delivered. The experience began long before takeoff. At the Qatar Airways business class lounge, we were greeted by an ambiance that redefined opulence. The plush seating beckoned us to unwind, while gourmet dining options tempted even the most discerning palate. The service was nothing short of impeccable, setting a high bar for what was to come. Boarding was seamless, and from the moment we were welcomed by the crew, it was clear that this journey would be extraordinary. Settling into our spacious lie-flat seats felt like sinking into a cloud. With soft bedding and an amenity kit designed to pamper, comfort was guaranteed. The in-flight entertainment system was a treasure trove of movies and TV shows, perfect for passing time in style, though it was the gourmet meals that truly stood out. Every dish served was a masterpiece, making it easy to forget that we were cruising at 35,000 feet. As the plane touched down in Doha, the excitement of a new adventure began to bubble up. Doha is a city where tradition meets modernity in the most spectacular ways. Our first stop, the National Museum of Qatar, left us in awe. The building’s design is a masterpiece, reflecting the natural desert rose, and the exhibits inside offered an immersive journey through Qatar’s rich history and culture. It was the perfect introduction to a city that beautifully blends its past with its future. But Doha isn’t just about grand museums and towering skyscrapers. A visit to Souq Waqif transported us to a different world entirely—a bustling market filled with the sights, sounds, and scents of Qatar. Here, every corner was an invitation to explore, whether it was savoring local delicacies or haggling for unique handicrafts. Yet, just a short drive away, we found ourselves at the opulent Vendome Mall, where the contrast between old and new was stark but thrilling. One of the most serene moments came as we strolled along the Corniche. With the panoramic views of Doha’s skyline stretching out before us, it was easy to forget the hustle and bustle of the city. The calm waters and the soft glow of the setting sun provided a tranquil escape, a moment to reflect on the journey so far. Doha, in all its contrasts, offered an experience that was as luxurious as it was culturally enriching. From the unmatched service of Qatar Airways to the city’s blend of tradition and modernity, this trip was unforgettable—a true testament to the art of travel. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/unforgettable-journey-with-qatar-airways — Citation: "Unforgettable journey with Qatar Airways" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-07-04. https://menwith.com/unforgettable-journey-with-qatar-airways --- ## Exploring novelties at Watches & Wonders - URL: https://menwith.com/exploring-novelties-at-watches-038-wonders - Author: Ash Mirghadiri - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-07-04 - Tags: Watches **Summary:** Watches & Wonders 2024 in Geneva showcased horological innovation, featuring the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, Vacheron Constantin Berkley Grand Complication, Hublot BIG BANG Integrated Time Only King Gold, and De Bethune DB28xs Purple Rain. Stepping off the plane in Geneva always brings a rush of excitement. The air carries a certain crispness, mingling with the anticipation of what’s to come. This year’s trip to Watches & Wonders 2024 was no different. For anyone passionate about horology, this event is a pilgrimage—a rare chance to see the future of watchmaking unfold. The halls of Palexpo buzzed with energy as enthusiasts, collectors, and industry insiders converged, all eager to explore the latest innovations in luxury timepieces. It’s a unique feeling to be surrounded by such reverence for craftsmanship, and from the moment we stepped in, it was clear that 2024 would be a good year. One the first timepieces that captured my attention, the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 stood out effortlessly. It represents a direct lineage to the original 1939 Reference 325, with its iconic timeless design. The reworked case, featuring double box-glass sapphire crystals, adds a fresh sophistication to its heritage and fits comfortably on the wrist. The way it balanced simplicity with precision—the clean dial paired with the intricacies of the movement created a beautiful harmony of tradition and modern elegance. There’s a moment when a watch transcends its role as a timepiece and becomes a testament to human craftsmanship—and the Vacheron Constantin Berkley Grand Complication is exactly that. With 63 complications, including a Chinese perpetual calendar, a celestial sky chart, and a triple-axis tourbillon, this masterpiece is a fusion of horological genius and artistic precision. It’s not just about keeping time—it’s about capturing the universe in mechanical form, crafted over 11 years. In contrast, Hublot’s BIG BANG Integrated Time Only King Gold demanded attention with its bold style and technical prowess. Hublot has never been one to shy away from making a statement, and this piece is no exception. I appreciate that it’s 38mm—it feels more comfortable and understated compared to the larger Big Bang models that are usually too big for my wrist and personal preference. The integration of gold with the rugged, almost industrial design of the Big Bang line created a striking balance between opulence and toughness. It’s a watch that commands presence. While the big names always draw crowds, one of the more intimate and rewarding parts of the trip was our time at Beau Rivage, where we spent an afternoon with independent watchmakers. Here, the focus shifts from the grand to the personal, and nothing encapsulated this better than our hands-on experience with the De Bethune DB28xs Purple Rain. Its dial, achieved through the thermal oxidation of metals, plays with color in a way that feels almost otherworldly, as if the hues themselves are alive. Beyond the watches, this event is always about connections—meeting up with old friends, exchanging insights, and discussing the latest trends with colleagues. The conversations often veer beyond watches, touching on shared passions, future collaborations, and the ever-evolving landscape of the industry. As we left Geneva, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Watches & Wonders is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of artistry, a glimpse into the future, and a reminder of why we love this craft. Every watch tells a story, and every trip to Geneva adds another chapter to our own. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/exploring-novelties-at-watches-038-wonders — Citation: "Exploring novelties at Watches & Wonders" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-07-04. https://menwith.com/exploring-novelties-at-watches-038-wonders --- ## Exploring novelties at Watches & Wonders - URL: https://menwith.com/exploring-novelties-at-watches-wonders - Category: Travel - Published: 2024-07-04 - Tags: Watches **Summary:** Watches & Wonders 2024 in Geneva showcased horological innovation, featuring the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, Vacheron Constantin's 63-complication masterpiece, and Hublot's BIG BANG Integrated Time Only King Gold. The event also highlighted independent watchmakers like De Bethune. Stepping off the plane in Geneva always brings a rush of excitement. The air carries a certain crispness, mingling with the anticipation of what’s to come. This year’s trip to Watches & Wonders 2024 was no different. For anyone passionate about horology, this event is a pilgrimage—a rare chance to see the future of watchmaking unfold. The halls of Palexpo buzzed with energy as enthusiasts, collectors, and industry insiders converged, all eager to explore the latest innovations in luxury timepieces. It’s a unique feeling to be surrounded by such reverence for craftsmanship, and from the moment we stepped in, it was clear that 2024 would be a good year. One the first timepieces that captured my attention, the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 stood out effortlessly. It represents a direct lineage to the original 1939 Reference 325, with its iconic timeless design. The reworked case, featuring double box-glass sapphire crystals, adds a fresh sophistication to its heritage and fits comfortably on the wrist. The way it balanced simplicity with precision—the clean dial paired with the intricacies of the movement created a beautiful harmony of tradition and modern elegance. There’s a moment when a watch transcends its role as a timepiece and becomes a testament to human craftsmanship—and the Vacheron Constantin Berkley Grand Complication is exactly that. With 63 complications, including a Chinese perpetual calendar, a celestial sky chart, and a triple-axis tourbillon, this masterpiece is a fusion of horological genius and artistic precision. It’s not just about keeping time—it’s about capturing the universe in mechanical form, crafted over 11 years. In contrast, Hublot’s BIG BANG Integrated Time Only King Gold demanded attention with its bold style and technical prowess. Hublot has never been one to shy away from making a statement, and this piece is no exception. I appreciate that it’s 38mm—it feels more comfortable and understated compared to the larger Big Bang models that are usually too big for my wrist and personal preference. The integration of gold with the rugged, almost industrial design of the Big Bang line created a striking balance between opulence and toughness. It’s a watch that commands presence. While the big names always draw crowds, one of the more intimate and rewarding parts of the trip was our time at Beau Rivage, where we spent an afternoon with independent watchmakers. Here, the focus shifts from the grand to the personal, and nothing encapsulated this better than our hands-on experience with the De Bethune DB28xs Purple Rain. Its dial, achieved through the thermal oxidation of metals, plays with color in a way that feels almost otherworldly, as if the hues themselves are alive. Beyond the watches, this event is always about connections—meeting up with old friends, exchanging insights, and discussing the latest trends with colleagues. The conversations often veer beyond watches, touching on shared passions, future collaborations, and the ever-evolving landscape of the industry. As we left Geneva, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Watches & Wonders is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of artistry, a glimpse into the future, and a reminder of why we love this craft. Every watch tells a story, and every trip to Geneva adds another chapter to our own. — Source: MenWith Magazine | https://menwith.com/exploring-novelties-at-watches-wonders — Citation: "Exploring novelties at Watches & Wonders" — MenWith Magazine, 2024-07-04. https://menwith.com/exploring-novelties-at-watches-wonders ---