TWIL: A Sartorial Rolls-Royce Ghost, A New Audemars Piguet Boutique In KL, And More
Catch up on this week’s most noteworthy updates from the universe of luxury.
In our weekly TWIL series, we bring you the latest in luxury news from around the world. This week’s highlights: Rolls-Royce is inspired by British tailoring for a bespoke Ghost Extended, the official opening of the new Audemars Piguet boutique at The Starhill, and Zenith’s latest high-tech, high-performance limited-edition chronograph.
Rolls-Royce Tailors a Bespoke Tribute to Savile Row
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars honours the traditions of British bespoke tailoring with Ghost Savile Row, a one-of-one Ghost Extended commission inspired by the craftsmanship of London’s iconic Savile Row. The commission translates the language of fine suiting into automotive form, its Midnight Sapphire and English White exterior reminiscent of a navy suit paired with a crisp white shirt, to a subtle silver feature line inspired by the delicate accents of cufflinks and watches.
This sartorial narrative is perpetuated in the car’s interior through Navy Blue leather and pinstripe-inspired seat embroidery. The defining flourish, however, remains hidden behind the rear centre armrest. In the most technically demanding single-frame embroidery ever done by Rolls-Royce, an artwork that required 250,000 stitches across 1,830 metres of thread was created, embodying the motor company’s uncompromising vision of Bespoke luxury.
Audemars Piguet Inaugurates A New Boutique At The Starhill
Audemars Piguet has officially unveiled its new boutique at The Starhill, in Kuala Lumpur. The 425sqm premises bring the Swiss watchmaker’s latest global concept to Malaysia, featuring a gallery-like space with design elements inspired by the manufacture’s home in the Vallée de Joux, such as glass partitions referencing waterfalls and metal pillars evoking tree trunks. In the main foyer is an artwork consisting of hanging pieces representing movement components, suspended above a topographical impression of the terrain local to the brand’s headquarters. The duplex layout includes several private lounges, allowing clients to browse in comfort and privacy.
Zenith’s Latest Defy Extreme Extends Its Line-up Of Daring Chronographs
The new Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli II (RM162,900) is material contrast expressed through audacious horology. The muscular lines of the avant-garde Defy Extreme collection are rendered here in a combination of carbon and titanium. The dial is openworked, with vivid blue lapis lazuli counters. Within is the El Primero 9004 calibre and its two independent escapements, one beating at 5Hz for regular timing, with another at 50Hz that allows it to keep track of time periods as small as 1/100th of a second—still the only chronograph calibre that can do so. This timepiece is limited to just 25 pieces.
Breitling Pays Tribute to the Aston Martin DB5
Breitling and Aston Martin revisit one of the most memorable pairings in watchmaking and automotive history with the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5. More than six decades after the two icons first shared the screen in the film Thunderball, this new collection emulates that spirit of 1960s British design.
Echoing the craftsmanship of Aston Martin’s interiors, the new Chronograph combines a wooden inner ring inspired by the DB5’s steering wheel with hand-coloured leather straps and refined dial executions. This collection offers three limited editions–a stainless steel model with a silver dial (RM48,000, limited to 1,022 pieces), a steel and platinum edition with a black lacquered dial (RM71,300, limited to 315 pieces), and a red gold piece with an onyx dial (RM184,400, limited to 250 pieces). All are equipped with the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 chronograph movement.
1926 Heritage Hotel Penang Celebrates Its Grand Launch
The 1926 Heritage Hotel Penang today celebrated its grand launch as a restored urban resort in the city. It brings a property first built a century ago into a new era of heritage-led hospitality under The Unlimited Collection by The Ascott Limited. The hotel’s 78 rooms and suites are set across 24 interconnected heritage link houses along Jalan Burma, originally built as residences for British officials. Facilities include the Sensorium Wellness spa, dining venues the Root House by Gēn, The Heritage Collection by Daily Coffee and U-Bar, and artisanal product space U-Shop.
The PuLi Shanghai Debuts Redesigned Guestrooms
The PuLi Shanghai, largely credited as Asia’s first urban resort and best known for its modern accommodations blended with traditional Chinese elements, presents a selection of new guestrooms, reimagined with an urban sensibility. Drawing inspiration from the idea of a ‘Collector’s Home’, the redesign features low-slung sofas and coffee tables, giving each room a sense of movement and rhythm. Artworks by Asian artists Zhend Zaidon and Tay Bak Chiang decorate the walls, complementing the hand-carved wooden foo dogs and dragon-scaled screens that reflect the luxury hotel’s signature style. Paired with curated floral arrangements and carefully selected books scattered throughout the space, The PuLi Shanghai combines Eastern aesthetics with Western design language to tell a story of lived experiences and culture.
The Catilina Chair Returns with B&B Italia’s New Reissue
B&B Italia unveils a new edition of the iconic Catilina chair, featuring a polished chrome frame and limited-edition fabrics. Designed by Haus Nuller in collaboration with artist Willem Cole, the Italian furniture brand takes on Luigi Caccia Dominioni’s original design and gives it a more contemporary look. Its cushion is made from hand-spun fabric, combining the three primary colours (red, yellow and blue) in Cole’s signature style, weaving it into a complex textile expression.
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