In our weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news from around the world. This week’s highlights: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 101 Secrets Watch is crafted with more than 1,000 diamonds, the Bunnahabhain Fèis Ìle limited editions bring a bit Islay spirit with each sip, and more.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reveals Its Latest 101 Secrets Watch, Crafted With More Than 1,000 Diamonds
Jaeger-LeCoultre reveals a new Platinum 950 edition of the 101 Secrets watch, adorned with more than 1,000 diamonds. This high jewellery timepiece highlights the Calibre 101, the world’s smallest manually-wound mechanical movement, by combining cutting-edge microtechnology for accurate precision on the components as well as hand-assembled traditional craftsmanship. More than 182 hours was spent on gem-setting, and 40 hours to assemble the movement by hand. Hidden beneath a double row of grain-set diamonds, a secret mechanism that is activated by a concealed diamond button reveals the time in a luxurious fashion. The watch exemplifies elegance and innovation in creating a true masterpiece.
The Bunnahabhain Fèis Ìle Limited Editions Bring A Bit Islay Spirit With Each Sip
Bunnahabhain is Islay’s most remote, most northerly distillery, and unlike most Islay whiskies, puts forth an unpeated dram. It marks each edition of the annual festival with a few specially selected limited edition expressions, and for 2024, this includes a pair of cask strength whiskies: the 14-year-old Ruby Port Cask (RM699) and the 23-year-old Triple Sherry Wood Finish (RM2,390). The 14-year-old Ruby Port Cask was aged for 11 years in bourbon casks, before being transferred into ruby port hogsheads for a further three years. Bottled at 58.7 per cent ABV, this finishing period gives it a notable candied fruit overtone, all dark chocolate and berries, with a spicy finish at the end. The 23-year-old Triple Sherry Wood Finish dials things up in terms of time and complexity. Bottled at 53.3 per cent ABV, it combines amontillado, manzanilla and oloroso casks to create a powerful sherry-influenced presence with hints of creamy vanilla and tobacco.
Franck Muller And Sincere Fine Watches Collaborate On A Limited-Edition Anniversary Timepiece
The Franck Muller Vanguard Damascus Steel Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition is an exclusive masterpiece of high horology, released to commemorate Sincere Fine Watches’ 70th anniversary. The watchmaker and the watch retailer have enjoyed a close friendship ever since Franck Muller debuted in 1991. To celebrate this bond, Damascus Steel has been utilised in the crafting of the watch, in which two austenitic, non-magnetic stainless steels are combined, resulting in an alloy that is as strong as it is striking. The skeletonised timepiece allows one to view the openworked calibre MVT FM 1740-VS2 movement, which operates at 2.5Hz and has a seven-day power reserve. It has a black alligator leather strap as well as the logo of Sincere Fine Watches on the sapphire crystal caseback.
The Franck Muller Vanguard Damascus Steel Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition is limited to 28 pieces and will be available at Sincere Fine Watch boutiques at a price of SGD71,100.
Van Cleef & Arpels Launches Four New Creations In Vibrant Yellow Gold And Blue Agate
This month, the emblematic Alhambra collection welcomes a new solar combination of guilloché yellow gold and blue agate. Four new creations debut in these stunning colours, two of which are the Vintage Alhambra pendant and Vintage Alhambra earrings. Reinterpreted signatures, such as the Vintage Alhambra reversible ring and Sweet Alhambra watch also make a comeback in these vibrant hues. Previously, Van Cleef & Arpels featured two existing blue agate creations, which were the Magic Alhambra pendant and the five-motif bracelet.
Giorgio Armani And Kith Collaborate For The First Time Ever In A Menswear Collection For Fall/Winter 2024
Giorgio Armani and Kith have collaborated on their first ever menswear collection, Archetype, for the Fall/Winter 2024 season. The collection features four capsules, each representing different personas. The Artist, with black-toned, conventional pieces such as a double-breasted wool suit and bomber jackets, portrays film director Martin Scorsese. Then, there is The Entertainer, with blue-green velvet suits and outerwear, as portrayed by actor and musician Lakeith Stanfield. Meanwhile The Traveler offers brown lightweight wool suits and outerwear for global suaveness as seen in Hollywood leading man Pierce Brosnan. Last but not least is The Entrepreneur, featuring bold dark brown and navy, with tailored suits and multifaceted accessories, as depicted on Kith’s founder and creative director of Kith, Ronnie Fieg.
The collection debuted on 6 and 7 September during New York Fashion Week, followed by a showcase during London Fashion Week a few days later. It is now available online and at selected Giorgio Armani and Kith stores in America, Milan, Japan, and South Korea. It will also be available in Shanghai starting 28 September onwards, followed by Hong Kong next month.
The New Diptyque: Les Essences de Diptyque Is A Celebration Of Nature’s Hidden Treasures
Diptyque shares its latest collection, Les Essences de Diptyque, featuring five unique eau de parfum inspired by the raw beauty of nature—coral, mother of pearl, tree bark, water lily, and desert rose. Whether it’s the zest of mandarin oranges intertwined with rose bourbon, or the bold harmony of black coffee, sandalwood, and tonka beans, the scents of Les Essences de Diptyque are as enchanting as your wildest dreams. The collection is now available in stores and online. There is also a limited-edition Discovery Set for those who wish to explore the full range of this collection.
CIMB Launches The Kita Bagi Jadi Movement To Commemorate Its 100th Anniversary
CIMB recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with the launch of the Kita Bagi Jadi movement, a campaign aimed at fostering resilience and positivity amongst Malaysians. During the launch event, Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and squash champion Sivasangari Subramaniam were unveiled as figureheads of the campaign, while CIMB also announced its newest partnership with the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) to support young music talents. Notable attendees of the event were Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications of Malaysia; Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank; and many leaders representing CIMB, MyCreative Ventures, and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
As part of the collaboration, MPYO provided assistance in organising a 30-day music camp at Akademi Nazir Razak, Bangi. In addition, MPYO will be performing at CIMB’s Artober Art & Soul exhibition in October, followed by CIMB’s 100th year concert in November and ending at the MyCreative Ventures’ Rock n’ Riuh festival in December. Through this collaboration, CIMB aims to show its commitment to making an impact through community support, financial inclusion and youth empowerment. The campaign is also offering exclusive perks for CIMB Visa Infinite and Signature cardholders, such as bonus airline points and complimentary access to selected premium lounges until April 2025.
