Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i Robb Report Singapore

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you fire up Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys on Spotify to experience perfect harmony. From the moment Brian Wilson and his band hit you with their mellifluous “Ahhhs” at the song's intro, your brain is catapulted to a state of bliss. After you recover sufficiently to register how and why this is so—it is the blend of voices, surely—there is the impossible task of trying to discern the different singers. Until you finally give up and simply surrender to the song's pleasures. The Cambridge dictionary describes harmony as an agreement of ideas, feelings or actions, or a pleasing combination of different parts. As The Beach Boys expertly demonstrate, harmony—to have everything balanced and in sync—is a glorious pleasure to desire, and not just in…

Objectified Conceived as a commemorative piece for the launch of the SHH boutique in Kuala Lumpur, Greubel Forsey's Balancier Convexe S2 SHH Edition delivers horological finesse with a blend of progressive mechanics and seductive design. Sporting a subtle khaki green dial, this six-piece limited edition boasts the line's smallest-to-date titanium case—now at 41.5mm, compared to the original's 46.5mm. Besides accentuating the curvaceousness of the watch's profile, the smaller case and subdued green dial ensure better wearability while allowing its sculptural movement to shine. Central skeletonised hands tipped with white SuperlumiNova rise above the dial, supported by a polished and open-worked titanium bridge arching over a series of wheels that evokes a sprawling megacity. The steeped dial dips along its lower quarter, drawing your eyes towards the inclined balance wheel, a…

IN THE LOBBY of Peninsula Hong Kong, a group of Americans ponder the winter ski season. “It's still so much cheaper to ski in France than it is in Whistler.” “When you grow up skiing in New England, the powder out west is just…” “Our instructor's grandfather started Aman hotels. He must be the richest ski instructor there is.” “But everyone knows that the best apres ski is in Aspen.” Since Hong Kong reopened its borders in 2022 and ended mandatory masking requirements last February, millions of tourists have flooded back, from both abroad and mainland China. Last July saw over 612,000 non-mainland travellers arrive, nearly 164,000 of whom came from long-haul markets such as the US, the UK and Australia, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. But that's…

FOR ALL ITS formidable players, the luxury space is not without its areas of overlap. Across disparate disciplines and canvases, the respective ardour and legacy of individual brands resound with symphonic gravitas when perceived as universal markers of finery. From that rarefied playing field, we present the best luxury collaborations in recent memory; the ones that make the most compelling case for intertwining approaches to craftsmanship, design and quality. CARS Sacai x Mercedes-AMG Proving that the worlds of luxury fashion and high performance motoring can commingle meaningfully, this collaboration includes a capsule collection of apparel and a wrap for the latest Mercedes-AMG GT. This vehicle pays direct homage to the German automaker's iconic first race car, the MercedesBenz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, better known as Red Pig. Throwback details adorn…

SELF-CARE. JOURNALLING. AN intimate proximity to nature. In Tierra Umi Wilson's musical universe, that trinity is a non-negotiable basis of creation. The music of the 24-yearold American singer-songwriter, who uses her middle name professionally, is the convergence point of the raw, open-hearted earthiness of her lived experience and the ethereality of her register. Throughout her blossoming oeuvre, which includes her 2022 debut album Forest in the City, she examines the infinitely profound proximity between art and the human condition. Every song is a meditation on what it means to commune with one's inner self and find a meaningful sense of holism within. Your music is a refreshing break from the pop and R&B that the industry seems intent on pushing. What made you want to take a different approach? I'm…

WHEN IT COMES to collectibles, the earliest examples of any item are often the most coveted. In the rarefied sphere of high-end automobiles, though, where the alpha and omega of significant models can be equally appealing—and, sometimes, equally pricey—collectors are now at a crossroads never before encountered. The current market window has opened wide enough that legacy marques will soon be able to present both their first electric vehicles (EVs) and grand finales of line-ups powered solely by internal-combustion engines (ICE). It begs an interesting question: which will offer the greatest return on investment down the road: the vehicles at the end of an era or those that usher in a new one? “Collectors have always prized these ‘bookends’ of production, and it seems logical to expect this phenomenon to…

WILL THAT BE methanol, biofuel or hydrogen for your superyacht? It's something you might hear at the fuel dock in the not-so-distant future. That's because builders have essentially been pushed onto a carbon-neutral timeline. “Both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European Commission are asking for drastic carbon reductions,” says Paolo Bertetti, vice president of research and development for Sanlorenzo Yachts, of cuts that could be as much as 40 per cent by 2030 using the IMO framework. “At the same time, environmentalists are also targeting us.” This scenario has prompted three approaches to cleaner propulsion: hydrogen fuel cells for yachts under 79ft, green methanol converted to hydrogen for larger vessels, and hybrid diesel power acting as an interim solution for both categories. The last uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO),…

The Goods | TIME…

BRUTALISM IS BACK—and softer than ever. Marked by a stark, materials-forward palette and an imposing sidewalk presence, this mid-century aesthetic is arguably one of the most divisive architectural styles and a longstanding source of conflict in the design world. Some praise its modernist language and experimental forms, while others find its buildings heavy and oppressive. Recently, it has re-emerged with an elevated twist. No longer reserved for civic and institutional structures, brutalism has become a popular playground for many practitioners, from furniture makers to interior designers. Blocky silhouettes and bulky geometric shapes are cropping up in residential and commercial projects alike, but designers are softening the overall look with natural textures and elegant materials. Brutalism emerged in Europe after World War II and rose to prominence in the 1960s, its…

The Resource | TRAVEL THE NEW ETHOS underpinning the most noteworthy hospitality launches this year? Straddling the divide between pampering and pushing boundaries. “People want to be on the edge of the wilderness,” says Jules Maury, who runs Scott Dunn Private, noting that “it's about being one step back from being completely abandoned in the middle of nowhere”—a sentiment heard more than once. “You're in the middle of nowhere, but not having to think for yourself, versus a place where there are lots of other hotels and people looking at you,” says Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, co-owner and director of Cazenove & Loyd. In other words, hotels are trying to be destinations in themselves, the over-the-top properties reason enough to visit, no matter how remote. The raft of new private-island resorts is…

Objectified L'epee 1839, a Swiss purveyor of highend clocks, has unveiled its Time Fast II collection, which pays homage to Formula 1 race cars from the 1960s. An aperture on the lateral side of each aluminium-forged chassis houses two stainless steel discs, for the hour-andminute display, to evoke the vehicles’ competition number. In the cockpit, the steering wheel doubles up as a time-setting mechanism. Under the hood are two independent movements: one for driving the time display with an eight-day power reserve, and another that fires up the engine automat. When activated via a key on the dashboard, the pistons of the V8 engine pump with vigour—as any high-performance engine ought to. Weighing 4.7kg, each variant is richly detailed and exquisitely realised. Available in five colours—Ferrari red, British racing green,…

Australian luxury yacht-builder Silver Yachts, led by acclaimed naval architect Espen Øino, has announced the 2026 release of its most exquisite steed yet, Silver Edge. While it sports a similarly slender profile to its 2015 predecessor Silver Fast, this 80m, fully aluminium yacht boasts military detailing that was specially created by Øino. The vessel's ruggedness is also expressed in its spatial design: despite its sleek silhouette, it can house 18 guests across a 95sqm owner's cabin, three main deck VIP staterooms and four lower deck cabins. Designated staff cabins can accommodate a crew of 17. Other features include a 5m-long glassbottomed swimming pool, sun lounge, wine cellar, winter garden and helipad. Likewise, the interiors are set to be just as impressive. Renowned superyacht design firm Piredda & Partners has furnished…

Dream Machines | WHEELS 2024XXS AND OHS Ferrari SF90 XX EVER SINCE 2013, when Ferrari's LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder became literal poster cars for plug-in-hybrid power trains, the set-up has been the de facto choice of highperformance automakers looking to squeeze as much juice as possible from the unlikely combination of silly speed and serious efficiency. Maranello's latest twists on this are the SF90 XX Stradale and Spider, limited-production offshoots of the SF90 (which debuted in 2019) that tip a hat to the marque's ultra-exclusive XX race programme for clients, yielding track-only screamers such as the 599XX EVO and FXX-K EVO. Now, for the first time, the XX nomenclature is on streetlegal releases. Compared to the original SF90, the new variants eke out another 30hp from the…

“SIMPLIFY, THEN ADD lightness.” Colin Chapman, founder of the Lotus brand, was known for his pragmatism and a keen eye for applying new ideas in innovative ways. Heavy and complicated electric cars weren't exactly on his mind. However, a track-obsessed past is being complemented with an electric future, starting with the limited-run Evija hypercar, Eletre SUV and Emeya GT, 2024's rival to Porsche's Taycan and the Audi e-tron GT. By 2028, the lineup will be fully electric. As the flagship model of Lotus's luxury performance electric vehicles, Emeya is the automaker's first fourdoor hyper GT. Due for production in the coming year, it is expected to be one of the fastest electric GTs in the world. It's a bold claim, but numbers suggest a top speed of 256km/h and a…

There's a prevailing misconception about rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs), especially stateside, that they are, well, a bit utilitarian. It's true that, with their fibreglass hulls and puncture-resistant Hypalon tubes, they certainly seem better suited for work than for leisure. Yet that's also why they have a long and respected history as go-to vessels for special forces units, not to mention as hardworking yacht tenders. And when did reliable, low-maintenance performance become a bad thing, anyway? Now, with lengths approaching 72ft and equipped with as many as five outboards, RIBs are gaining prominence in the Mediterranean as Italian builders rush to produce larger models to meet increased demand. In the US, meanwhile, day-boat markets such as Miami, Los Angeles and the Hamptons are ripe for RIB takeovers. “Americans tend to think…

ANANTARA DESARU COAST RESIDENCES JOHOR, MALAYSIA A prime location on a pristine beachfront, resort facilities and a rental programme managed by the adjacent five-star Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. These are just three highlights offered by this Minor International development. The most exclusive residences in the all-villa project are the four-bedroom duplex villas. Three en suite bedrooms and an indooroutdoor living and dining area are on the ground floor, while the upper floor features an opulent master bedroom and a vast multi-purpose space comprising a living and dining room with a private bar, mini theatre and a sun lounge with 180-degree ocean views. All 20 residences feature a private infinity pool. Prices: from RM8 million for three-bedroom units, from RM16.9 million for fourbedroom units, via Minor International NOBU BRANDED…

RENOWNED FOR HIS distinctive visual style characterised by bold geometric motifs, Shepard Fairey's journey from the skateboarding scene to global stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. His initial recognition stemmed from the iconic Andre the Giant Has a Posse street art campaign, and his evolving artistic vision, synonymous with hope itself, achieved further international acclaim through the iconic Hope poster during Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Last October, Fairey held his debut solo exhibition in Southeast Asia, titled The Future is Unwritten, in Singapore at Opera Gallery. The works on display underscored his belief in art's transformative power to ignite change and forge a better future. In a world often marred by uncertainty, his works seek to kindle empathy and harness the power of hope, inviting viewers to confront…

THOUGHTS OF PROVENCE evoke images of winding roads bordered by a sea of olive trees, grapevines and lavender; of iron gates, unpaved lanes and enormous stone homes filled with handwoven carpets, Louis XV furniture and an infinite supply of pale-pink rose. And nothing, perhaps, is more picture-perfectly Provence than Château d'Estoublon. Built in 1489 by an aristocratic Genoese family, this wineand olive oil–producing estate has been lovingly chauffeured into the 21st century by a dream team of collaborators: Stéphane Courbit, owner of the Les Airelles hotel collection and Ladurée, the French macaron bakery turned cafe; former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, the model, singer and one-time first lady of France, Carla Bruni; and Jean-Guillaume Prats, whose family owned Cos d'Estournel and who has previously held the role of…

THE PLAN, REALLY, is not having to plan. Perhaps just have the luggage packed, climate- and occasion-appropriate, and ready to roll. Of course, you'd know what to expect from this vacation. After all, your demands and desires have been strictly conveyed and executed. But wait. That's not entirely accurate, either. Because what is travel without an element of surprise and delight? For members of Scott Dunn Private, the inviteonly cognoscenti of discerning travellers who are committed to an annual spend of US$100,000 for the company's white-gloved door-to-the-world service, the above is the least one can expect. There is unbridled luxury, of course. From arrangements to fly private at their convenience, to access to exclusive accommodation of their choice. But indulgences in luxury travel shouldn't be reduced to logistical pampering, opines…

Released in 2020, the two-seat, V6 engine-powered Maserati MC20 is emblematic of the Trident's style- and performance-driven ethos. With the new MC20 Notte, the Italian marque delivers more of the above, with an extra touch of mystique. Limited to 50 units, the custommade Notte (Italian for night) is rolled out from Maserati's Fuoriserie division, which is responsible for the marque's limited-run models. Finished in luminescent matte black ‘nero essenza’ paint, the vehicle glows with an enigmatic sheen, complemented by white-gold-accented badging. The matte, white-gold decoration exudes refinement and is a brilliant switch-up from the chrome badging found on the base MC20, the convertible MC20 Cielo and the MCXtrema. On the inside are a semi-carbon steering wheel and Alcantara black-grey seats with yellow stitching. Like the standard MC20, the Notte is…

THE SOUL OF any sports car comes down to the alchemy of its tuning—how the engine, suspension and chassis blend into a chorus of sensations. The secret sauce of Porsche's new 911 S/T, developed as a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the brand's flagship model, is more potent than most; in fact, it makes a serious case for being the most driver-focused 911 of all time. Sharing the S/T designation with the homologation special from the 1960s, the (mostly) innocuously styled commemorative model borrows underpinnings from the more visually extroverted GT3 RS. Yet what the S/T (from US$290,000) lacks in fender cutouts and massive spoilers it makes up for in directness: a flat-six power plant that revs to 9,000rpm, a motorsport-derived double-wishbone suspension, and a manual gearbox. It's a…

Dream Machines | WINGS LIKE A BABY boom after a blizzard, an influx of next-generation flying machines is heading to market following the pandemic-driven demand for private aviation. “COVID was a great accelerator for interest,” says industry analyst Rolland Vincent. “It brought in people who could afford, but couldn't justify, getting into the space.” And according to forecasts from aerospace giant Honeywell, business-jet deliveries in 2024 will be up 10 per cent over the past year. Also benefiting from the trend is the batterypowered eVTOL landscape, currently rife with start-ups looking to democratise the skies over the next 24 months. Here, six aircraft—from the conventional to the futuristic—that are on our radar. Gulfstream G700 The ultra-long-range Gulfstream G700 promises to be a category leader in business aviation. Its newly certified…

The Resource | MONEY Jack Griffin, now 25, was a high-school sophomore in Atlanta when he saw a 60 Minutes broadcast on hunger in America. Dismayed, he resolved to be part of the solution, one bag of groceries at a time, by volunteering at a local food pantry. There was just one catch—he couldn't find one. Then a thought struck him: what became of all the desperate, hungry people who couldn't find their neighbourhood food pantry, either? To be sure, Griffin was not the first teenager to have his conscience pricked by the plight of the disadvantaged—just the rare one who identified a need, conceived a solution and followed through on it. At the ripe age of 16, he established his all-virtual non-profit, FoodFinder. It began as a website listing…

Ula, Verónica Mar The Ula Sculpture Bench (around US$90,000) can hold a room. Its distilled calligraphic form is commanding, and the material mesmerising. While you can choose from a variety of marbles, our preferred hue—sodalite blue—lends a whalelike look. Verónica Mar did, in fact, draw inspiration for the minimalist piece from the “strength and sweetness of the sea”. In creating a piece both energised and serene, the Spanish artist-designer captures the soul of summer holidays spent at the shore. Togo, Ligne Roset Whoever said, “Don't slouch!” didn't understand the Togo. Designed by Michel Ducaroy—who was inspired by a tube of toothpaste folded back on itself—the frameless, quilted-polyestercovered foam seat debuted in 1973 to a puzzled public. Once people sat in it, they eagerly embraced the chair's flopfriendly appeal; today, Togo…

The Resource | SAVOUR Twenty years ago, tequila was considered the basest of spirits, relegated to dives and college bars. Most of what you'd see were mixtos, cheap versions made of 51 per cent agave and 49 per cent corn or sugar syrup, resulting in the type of low-quality swill that demanded not only a chaser but also a sort of pre-chaser. You may recall the ritual: lick a pile of pure salt, choke down the shot, then bite into a lime wedge as your throat burns, your eyes water and the regrets begin. Today's tequila landscape is unrecognisable. The growth has been profound. Tequila consumption in the US has roughly doubled in the past seven years, recently overtaking whisky and set to pass vodka. What's more, the majority of…

EXPLORERS AND HISTORY lovers, allow us to point you in the direction of Siem Reap. The resort city of Cambodia is one of Singapore's most cheerful neighbours, and we can only attribute it to the genuinely friendly locals and tourists who don't have to spend much to fully enjoy a bucketlist destination. Plus, that sunrise at Angkor Wat that people willingly wake up for? Breathtaking. Located in northwestern Cambodia, Siem Reap is Asia's secret gem and offers untold riches when it comes to history, culture and architecture. And with cooler weather until February, now is the perfect time to visit. Do so in the comfort of Amansara, a luxury resort that's as much of a destination as Siem Reap. Getting there If speed impresses you, you are off to a…