Luxury Launches

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone with rich taste? You might want to consider a bottle of super-expensive Scotch whiskey.

Macallan, one of the world's leading brands of whiskey, is selling a 55-year-old single malt in a Lalique crystal container in a limited edition for C$12,000 ($11,840).

Only 420 will be sold worldwide.

"You very seldom encounter 55-year-old whiskies because the chances for the whiskey to continue to age beautifully, to continue to interact with the wood in such a way that it remains nice and positive and harmonious are rare as the whisky grows older," said Marc Laverdiere of Macallan.

First released in 2006, the single malt was matured in Scotland for half a century in a sherry oak cask. Laverdiere said it takes three years by law to make whiskey but most varieties are matured for only 10 to 12 years.

"If you have an exceptional cast, the whiskey in it will mature gracefully over a long period of time," he added.

The most expensive Scotch whiskey sold at auction was a 1926 bottle of Macallan Scotch that fetched $54,000. It was bottled in 1986 after spending 60 years in a wooden barrel. A private New York investor bought the bottle earlier this month.

At the same sale in New York an anonymous buyer paid $102,000 for what was described as "an instant Scotch library" containing 729 bottles from blended Scotches to single malts from distilleries in the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands.

A glittery diamond studded bra or the lady wearing it to woo you. I feel that the price tag attached to this stunning piece of lingerie is most attention-grabbing. For 10 million Yuan ($1,355,000), it is worth every penny is it is created out of 2,500 diamond that weigh more than 100 carats. It was recently exhibited at a department store in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province.

Here is a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle and that too sizzling in gold! Encrusted with the tiles made of a blend of 18-karat gold and glass, this sizzling coupe was revealed at the annual Luxury Show in Bucharest. So go for a drive in this blazing hot Herbie thats fully loaded. If this is what you want to splurge on then it’s just for $88,000

Special Gift for your family this ChristmasWhy not take them to the luxurious journey? Extending the proud tradition of providing the luxury cruise, Cunard Line has launched its much anticipated £300 million Queen Victoria.

At 90,000 tons, Queen Victoria is smaller than her sister ship Queen Mary 2, but bigger than her predecessor the QE2. She can carry 2,000 passengers at up to 23.7 knots, and her 18 decks include seven restaurants, three swimming pools, 4,000 sq ft of shops, a casino, theatre and library.

Tickets for a world cruise will cost up to £210,000 for the grandest suites and 24-hour butler service.

More than 2,000 invited guests will witness the ceremony in a specially-built auditorium next to the City Cruise Terminal where Queen Victoria will be berthed.

The vessel will join two other Cunard queens - the QE2 and the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) - as part of the company's fleet, with the three vessels meeting in New York next month.

Cunard's president and managing director Carol Marlow said: "The naming of a Cunard queen is a very special occasion.

Representing a variation on this same theme, Breitling has created a timepiece endowed with a mechanical complexity embodying several centuries of precious horological expertise. The new Mark VI Complications 29 is a marvel of miniaturization such as only a few master watchmakers are still capable of creating. This chronograph consists of nearly 500 parts.The heart of this watch is an in-house automatic movement Breitling caliber 29 B. Mark VI Complications 29 is officially chronometer-certified by the COSC. It includes 38 jewels, a 48 hours power reserve and its beating at 28,000bph. Other noteworthy features include a chronograph that is able to estimate 1/4 of a second, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, perpetual calendar with date, day, week, month, as well as season and even moon phases. The case of the watch has 42mm and it is 100 meters water resistant due to a sapphire crystal covering the face. And it’s not uncommon to know that boost it exclusivity, this watch too is presented in a limited numbers. To be precise, 250 in gold and 100 in platinum

The 2009 Jaguar XF is as majestic as it can be. Designed as rival to the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class, the XF dons a more sporty look with a lower roofline and more aggressive stance. It comes standard with fender vents and a bulging hood that add to this perception. Replacing the aging S-Type early next year, the XF is based on the C-XF Concept car, with considerably less dramatic headlights and a tamer exterior. Powering the ride is a naturally-aspirated 4.2-liter V8 and a supercharged 4.2-liter V8, making 300 horsepower and 420 horsepower, respectively. The Supercharged version will hit 0-60mph in an estimated 5.1 seconds, while the other versions will trail behind the tarmac at 6.2 seconds. Roughly five inches longer than the old S-Type, the 195-inch XF provides ample room for five adults, despite its coupe-like roof. U.S people can opt for a XF with 18, 19 or 20-inch wheels. The Supercharged is the only car in its class to have 20-inch wheels as standard. One unique feature that made its way from the concept to the production XF is the JaguarDrive Selector. It features a rotary shift interface unlike anything else currently on showroom floors. The device rises into the palm of the hand when the car is turned on, and can be rotated to select park, reverse, neutral, drive, and sequential mode.

Audio Junkies has been granted the privilege of showing the very first pictures of the new Rogue Acoustics Audio System (RA:1K). This new car audio system from Australia utilizes digital signal processing, high efficiency drivers and some of the most advanced amplifiers ever made.Featuring digital signal processing, high efficiency drivers and most highly developed amplifiers, the RA:1K features various drivers flexible enough to be used in each system set up. It will also feature a central amplifier with a built-in mobile phone, allowing technicians to dial-in and adjust or evaluate the system from any part of the globe. Moreover the amplifier of the system will also be capable of detecting all the problems and automatically notify the dealer for further services, if required any. The highlight is that you may alter almost each and everything, including Titanium amplifier housings and jewel encrusted logos or designs, using Rogue Acoustics’ in-house design service for alteration according to your preferences as well as the constraints of the vehicle.More pictures an info here

A Gansu lottery player won the biggest jackpot ever in China yesterday. The lucky winner was on the receiving end of 102.71 million yuan (US$13.9 million).

The winner bought 20 tickets, for two yuan each, all with the same combination. The jackpot was more than five million yuan, thus the winner will receive 20 times the jackpot for holding 20 winning tickets, the report said.

The winner bought the tickets at an outlet in Jiayuguan City, where another person also won a top award and 15 second prizes in the same draw. The individual walked away with more than 10 million yuan, the report said.

There was no official information on the winners.

The draw is held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Two lottery machines pick out six of 33 red balls and one of 16 blue-colored balls to generate the winning combination of numbers.
The former record jackpot was nearly 65 million yuan, won by a person in Heilongjiang Province in October. The person bought one combination of numbers 15 times, each bringing him the top award of 4.33 million yuan.

The British-designed ThrustSSC is touted as the world's first supersonic land vehicle. Propelled by twin Rolls-Royce Spey jet engines, it managed to hit a staggering 763.035mph, driven by Andy Green.After you jump see the video

Here is a diamond Christmas tree, standing at a little lesser $500,000. It is the work of Steve Quick Jeweler, created out of five pounds of solid18K gold, with a 4.52 carat stone set in a platinum star that adorns its top. The glitzy tree flaunts diamond-briolette ornaments and a layer of 200 carats of diamond, which form a shiny covering of snow. The Quick tree will soon be unveiled at the Steve Quick store in Chicago, on the 7th of December and will be there for all to view the entire season. From December 17th onwards the tree will be put up for auction on eBay, and 100 percent profits from its sale will go to the American Cancer Society. If you can’t spend that much cash but still want some bling to glitter this Christmas, then you can settle for the mini versions of the tree in sterling silver or gold-plated for $25 or the one in 14K gold, for $195.via Born Rich

La Prairie have been gifting the beauty freaks with creams blending the luxurious caviar for external use, but this time they have outclassed themselves! They have come out with a creampot encrusted with Swarovski crystals, which is a product of 48 hours of toil. I was relieved to know that you needn’t throw the creampot away as it could be refilled, after you were done with its contents. The Face Cream with Caviar La Prairie comes in a limited Luxury Edition of 50 ml diamond-studded creampot, for approximately $2,900.

Here a special gift for Christmas day! Sneakers are a real fashion accessory and if you’re ready to shell out $50,000 you can be a proud owner of diamond-studded Nikes. Atlanta’s Laced Up Boutique is selling Air Force 1 ‘So Cals’ sneakers flooded with 11 carat diamonds around the Nike logo which is cast in gold metal. Don’t worry about the falling of diamonds as they are studded in casings held together by a fine gold stitching. What if you get this pair for free? Sounds wonderful, right! But you have to be lucky enough like hip-hop singer Antwan Patton, aka Big Boi who received the pair for free.

Are you irritated with those wires dangled all round your room, courtesy the iteration of a home theatre? The scenario won’t quite be the same probably if you choose to spend your dosh wisely on the new small yet potent offerings from the KEF.

Its just not the ‘all good things come in a small package’ notion being personified by the latest KIT 120 and KIT 140 instant theathres, there is more to them as they beat the ordinary ones even in the way they look.

At $30,000, it is quite possibly the world's most expensive and does not belong in between the couch cushions. Made by Danish manufacturer Lantic Systems, it is called the Gold RC1 and offers sleek design and total control of your TV/video/DVD, music/CD, internet, e-mail, CCTV, burglary alarm, lights, curtains, air-conditioning and surveillance of navigation systems. Unveiled a the METS 2007 Exhibition in Amsterdam, Holland, it is made from pure gold and will become available in December.via Born Rich

Guys always love tools, and although getting wrenches is almost always useful it's hardly exciting -- getting more wrenches is kinda like getting more socks: oh yay. But these wrenches are something else altogether: available from Sears, this Craftsman 4 pc. set of full polish reversible ratcheting standard wrenches is fully plated in 22k gold. Set comes in an engraved walnut display box and is adorned with the 80th anniversary logo. A truly unique luxury gift for the guy who's got everything! $119.99

The bathroom always seems to conjure giggles or embarrassment depending on the topic discussed but I have never seen so many weird bathroom fixtures and accessories in my life. From the codependent commode to the wooden barrel sink it is bound to make you think, "Who would put this in their house?" Personally I think using the commode while someone else is in the room is bad enough, let alone sitting close enough to share the paper or built in earphones!

Ecosse ES1 Superbike is a dreamy piece of machine that maxes 250 mph and has a custom tailored, state of the art carbon fiber body. Like the makers say these customized motorcycles will be fully developed, F1-spec machines that will be available at least one year ahead of the production model. The bike will boast of an ergonomic fitment, to advanced composite construction, to desired engine output parameters, to electronic control systems, thus recreating F1 on two wheels. Apparently 10 customers can expect full-factory support and involvement for a limited time period. This support will include everything required to properly and safely ride the ES1; comprising of personal protective equipment, paddock equipment, spare parts, scheduled inspection/rebuild program, training with champion road racers.Ecosse ES1 Superbike sells for $3.6 million.

Recently a dog by the name of Ritchie modeled a diamond-studded collar worth £500,000 ($1.03million) at Harrods department store, London. Designed by jeweler Stephen Webster, who created Madonna's wedding ring, this collar is set with a Dali web cut diamonds, a centre stone and a gold bone attachment. This over priced collar is part of a collection that carries about £1.5M ($3M) worth of jewels. It was shown off by top mutt models on a 60-foot long, neon-lit catwalk at London's Harrods.

The war is on and this time its not about oil, gas or money. It's about who constructs the tallest building in the world. On one hand you have the Burj Dubai, which is supposed to be over 800 meters; the actual height has not been disclosed and as they are in mid-construction, they may add on a bit to up the ante. The other hand sees the Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir coming up in the City of Silk or Madinat al-Hareer. This city outside a city is coming up in Kuwait. Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir will stand 1,001 meters (3,284 ft). Madinat Al-Hareer is an $86 billion dollar project built on a natural desert reservation of 2 square kilometers, a duty free area, a new airport, plus a large business center, conference areas, environmental areas, athletic areas, and areas that concentrate on media, health, education, and industry are to be incorporated into the plans. The City of Silk will also include numerous tourist attractions, hotels, spas, and public gardens



Burj Mubarak al-Kabir tower will take approximately 25 years to complete if it comes to fruition. The plan also includes a bridge that will eventually link Madinat Al-Hareer with Kuwait City, which sits across a bay from the planned location of Madinat Al-Hareer. The Burj Dubai is already taller than Taipei 101 and will be the tallest free standing structure ever when completed, that is till Burj Mubarak al-Kabir comes up.

This is the Hollandia Platinum-Luxe Elite sleep system; that's a bed with TV in layman's terms. BTW it's no ordinary TV, it's a 32" Sony Bravia HDTV that has been incorporated into the bed's footboard. It is spaced at about 80" away from the headboard and the brightness level self-adjusts dynamically thus reducing viewer eyestrain. A Sony Bravia theater system that includes a five DVD/CD changer, a five speaker surround sound system, a subwoofer beneath the bed for a complete hi-end experience, and an iPod docking station complement the ensemble. The bed hosts up to a dozen individual massage programs to de-stress you.

Modern furnishings are a delight to the visitors. The more they see them, the more they like them and the more they want them. But hey, that was just the picturisation of how coveted your home will be when you place the Sophie chair. The thin, light, dark and modern “Sophie” is a carbonified ribbon turned into a chair. It’s nothing like a conventional chair really, but that’s what makes this piece so unique. If want “Sophie” created by designers Andrea Fino and Samantha Snidaro, to rest is your living room, then jump down for details.

Receiving the Jury Prize for the Watch of the Year 2007 - “Montre de l’Année 2007”, Juan-Carlos Torres, Vacheron Constantin’s CEO, quoted “By its decision to give first prize for the Watch of the Year 2007 to Vacheron Constantin for its Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date, the jury has rewarded and honored the excellence of the horological tradition that respects the Geneva Hallmark.” And that’s not it. The watch has also been honored for the technical achievement, artistic elegance and savoir-faire that Vacheron Constantin has transmitted without interruption for over 250 years.
Vacheron Constantin's Patrimony Contemporaine day-date bi-retrograde features an automatic, 2460R31R7 caliber, Retrograde mechanical movement. The movement features 31 numbers of days of a month, and 7 for the number of days in the week. Besides the typical hour and minute display, you also have two retrograde indicators - one for the day of the week (by day name) and one indicator for the date. The movement was designed and made exclusively by Vacheron Constantin manufacture and is stamped with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. The 18kt pink gold case measures a perfect size of 42.5mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 30 meters. The silver opaline dial which is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, features 12 applied 18kt pink gold hour makers and a minute circle of applied gold cabochons. Its convex sapphire back reveals the exceptional finishing and the decoration on the movement that has met Vacheron Constantin’s most stringent quality criteria. Vacheron Constantin's Patrimony Contemporaine Bi-Retrograde is complemented with a chestnut brown alligator strap with an 18kt pink gold folding clasp.

Fabrizio Cavalca has launched a line of Steinway & Sons Watches. Incase the name Steinway didn’t ring any bell to you then let me tell you that Steinway & Sons is one of the most famous piano manufactures world wide. The world's most recognized name in pianos now appears on a distinctive wrist watch collection. Fabrizio Cavalca's designs are influenced by more than pleasingly gilded proportions ‘Golden Ratio’ plus they are also strongly shaped by music. Visual design meshes with auditory sounds to create such items as this watch with SwissYou can find the famed logo on the to right hand corner of the watch dial. The seconds hand looks like a tuning fork. The watch dial features a grand piano soundboard shape for the 18k white gold, yellow gold or 18kt red gold with 12 hand attached strings on the dial. And in the diamond version, instead of strings, the soundboard is decorated with 140 individually set diamonds. This limited edition watches are surely gonna burn a deep hole through your wallets though.

As a growing kid and trying to understand the economy of the world at that age, I always understood that Tokyo is the costliest city to live in. However the facts have changed now and that I am grown up enough to talk about it based on relevant sources. Tokyo no longer exists on the list of 10 most expensive cities in the world for expatriates. Tokyo, the world's biggest city, slipped from 10th to 13th in the survey by ECA International, which measures the cost of food, basic items including drink and tobacco, and other costs such as clothing and electrical goods. Seoul remains Asia’s most expensive city, moving to 7th from 8th in the global rankings. Taipei fell six places to 94th in the world, or 6th in Asia, the survey said. Hong Kong remained the 5th most expensive city to live in Asia, while Singapore rose 10 places to 122nd globally and ninth in the region, because of a stronger Singapore dollar. Rapid economic growth has pushed up the cost of goods and services in India and China, the survey said. China's most expensive city, Beijing, rose 13 places to 95th in the global ranking because of a gain in the yuan and higher food costs, while Mumbai gained 14 spots to 177th place. The two cities rank seventh and 24th respectively in Asia. Source