BaselWorld 2015 Watch And Jewelry Trends
BaselWorld, which will run from March 19 – 26, exhibits 1,500 brands, and attracts more than 150,000 attendees. It is said that this exhibition is one that depicts major trends and insights into the purchasing and collecting of watches as well as jewelry. Not only will it exhibit the $40M diamond watch by Graff that has been discussed on Pursuitist previously, it also has whimsical creations, like Fendi’s new limited edition, the My Way timepiece. Limited to just 50, this ultra-feathery model has diamond-clad case and a removable fur collar in blue, green, orange, or yellow. The dial is also paved with diamonds. The smaller 28mm version features a total of 421 diamonds, while the larger 36mm version features 667 diamonds.
The smartwatch is another trend, and here to stay. Apple made a huge splash with this month’s release of the iWatch. However, plenty of watch brands are also looking to incorporate new technology into their designs, including Tissot.
The brand’s T-Touch Expert Solar Extension may not allow you to place a phone call, but it does just about everything else. Functions on this model, which is the first solar-powered watch, include hours and minutes, day and week displays, two alarms, a dual time function, weather and air pressure indications, an altimeter, a chronograph with lap and split-time functions, a logbook, a compass, a timer and a regatta countdown.
Also, for the occasion of Baselworld 2015, the Digital Luxury Group, a research group from Geneva Switzerland, released the latest edition of the WorldWatchReport. This edition provides a global perspective on the market, information on pricing and materials as well as a feature on smartwatches.
These are some of their basic insights, which may become trends soon or later this year.
1. Worldwide consumer interest for luxury watches up +10%.
2. Patek Philippe enters the Top 5 most sought-after luxury watch brands.
3. Consumer interest growing for models priced between $6,000 and $8,000.
4. Opportunity for growth: white gold models underpriced.
5. Consumers are looking for smartwatches by their favorite luxury brands.
We will watch these watch trends and report on further developments.
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Now Open
The Hotel’s inauguration ceremony took place on March 1. His Excellency Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, predicted that with its great façade and expansive views of the Arabian Gulf, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay would be a new landmark in the city.
On hand to usher in Bahrain’s new era as a global culinary destination, was celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck unveiled three concepts, including the CUT and CUT Lounge, ; the new Moroccan-inspired BLUE MOON LOUNGE; and the first ever re / ASIAN CUISINE.
Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon was inspired by the grand era of ocean travel in choosing a palette of rich colors a including in-room lounge chairs based on an original design for the French liner SS Normandie. Finally, this Four Seasons has one of the largest Four Seasons spas in the world. The Spa is housed in four interconnecting garden buildings, including 17 treatment rooms and luxurious his and hers spa lounges.
In addition, the 2015 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix comes next month, making Bahrain an even more desirable resort destination. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay joins the just-opened Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and sister properties Four Seasons Hotel Doha and Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh in the brand’s growing portfolio in the Gulf region – with more to come.
Those Spendthrift Millennials! $264 BILLION to be spent by 2019.
According to a new report by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, by 2019, the global travel industry is poised to see an influx of Chinese spending worth some $264 billion, much of that powered by China’s younger generation.
By 2019, BoA Merrill Lynch estimates, the number of outbound Chinese travelers will surge to 174 million, a sizable increase from 2014, when 109 million ventured abroad and spent $164 billion. To put this in perspective, the report notes, $264 billion is roughly the size of Finland’s entire economy (and bigger than that of Greece).
The main demographic driving spending growth in the next five years will be Chinese millennials, defined as 25- to 34-year-olds, which comprise 35 percent of all outbound Chinese tourists. Younger travelers aged 15 to 24 are another vital demographic, accounting for an additional 27 percent.
The inference of these large numbers, according to Jing Daily, is for the global travel and retail industries to understand the demands of this demographic, which is set to revolutionize the way Chinese tourists travel and shop. China’s young traveler feels experience becomes an increasingly important priority for Chinese travelers, they’ll allocate more of their budgets toward activities and dining, while opting for far-flung or exotic destinations and will want to share experiences on social media
Spring Renovations From The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
British architect David Chipperfield has been selected to design a new wing for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced last week that it had appointed David Chipperfield’s firm to rebuild its southwest wing for modern and contemporary art.
Gallery space for the museum’s collection will be increased, the existing roof garden will double in size and an accessible on-site storage facility will be created. The firm could also be asked to add new galleries for art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, according to the museum.
The design is yet to be revealed, but it is expected to extend out into the museum’s grounds and include a new park side entrance, with a brief to enhance gallery configuration and improve navigation for visitors.
The new vision aims to incorporate state-of-the-art technologies into the museum complex. It follows on from the 1971 masterplan for the institution created by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kevin Roche, who has designed most of the Met’s new-build projects since then – including six new wings. Chipperfield’s appointment is the result of a year-long selection process that included over 50 international firms.
Development of the design will begin immediately.
Fairmont Opens Fairmont Heritage Place Residences at Mayakoba, Mexico
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a luxury brand in the FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) portfolio, and developer, OHL Desarrollos, this week announced the upcoming opening of Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba. The official opening on March 20, 2015, will mark the completion of the first phase of the project and includes the debut of six of 30 planned private residence club homes, which are located in Mexico’s most exclusive master-planned resort community.
Modeled as a fractional ownership opportunity, Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba combines the size, quality and elegance of a most luxurious vacation home with the five-star amenities and personalized service of a luxury resort.
Located within the award-winning Mayakoba resort development – renowned for its singular ecosystem of dunes, jungle, mangrove forests and freshwater lagoons – the residences are set away from the beach to protect the integrity of the coastal mangroves, home to myriad indigenous species of fish, birds and mammals.
Sold in 1/12th fractions with a starting price of $179,000 USD, Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba offers owners luxury amenities including access to airport transfers, valet parking, concierge services, daily housekeeping, 24-hour room service, and preferred rates at Fairmont Mayakoba’s Willow Stream Spa.
Scenic Cruises Announces More Space Ships.
What? This is not a typographical error, this is a major announcement as this elite cruise line, Scenic Cruises, is the only one to have these exceptionally large river cruising vessels called Space Ships.
Scenic is launching two new, 3rd-generation Space Ships this spring, with suites up to 50% larger, including a new Royal Panorama Suite design measuring as the largest on Europe’s rivers at 474 sq. ft.; a vitality pool on the Sun Deck, which has a plunge pool on one side and a jet pool on the other; an outdoor bow promenade that is completely enclosed with a glass wall for use during inclement weather and in the evening; new interior designs elements; and larger public spaces for even greater comfort.
These are in addition to the already included butler service for every cabin; handheld GPS Scenic tailormade independent tour device; flat-screen televisions and Mac mini infotainment systems enhanced by the ship’s complimentary Wi-Fi; six dining options; and the exclusive to Scenic, the “Sun Lounge” – a system through which each suite’s private balcony is quickly transformed into an indoor lounge with a push of a button.
While the new Scenic Amber Space Ship will be sailing Europe’s main rivers, the other new one, named ScenicAzure, is built specifically for Scenic’s newest itinerary – Portugal’s Douro River.
The company’s all-inclusive luxury means exactly that: that everything is included: unlimited beverages including premium wines and spirits 24/7; all meals (with six different dining experiences); personal butler service for all guests; all excursions, events and entertainment; electric-assist bicycles; Wi-Fi; airport transfers; and all tips and gratuities. The only thing that can be added to the bill on board is a haircut or massage. Memorable options for Space Ships!
