Monthly Archives: July 2012

Luxury Timekeeping from the World’s Oldest Watchmaker Since 1735

In addition to being known for its Swiss bank accounts, rich chocolates and cheese with holes, the tiny country of Switzerland’s top point of pride remains in its manufacture of the world’s finest watches.  Historically, Swiss watch making came about after the wearing of jewels was banned in the middle of the 16thcentury and jewelers turned to the art of watch making.  With that, the industry was born and watches ... Read more
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Finally a Permanent Berth for the Beloved QE2

Even though the Queen Elizabeth 2 took its last voyage in 2008, it was actually purchased in 2007 by Dubai for $100 million, guaranteeing it wouldn’t be dismantled and sold for scrap.   The legacy would continue, to the relief of fans the world over.  The original intent of Dubai was to gut it and redo it into a high end floating hotel but that plan fizzled as not economically viable, and in the meantime the ... Read more
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Production Begins on New Eclipse 550

When you fall down, you get right back up.  That’s the lesson learned by Eclipse Aviation recently after the successful launch in late 2006 of their first plane, the Eclipse 500.  The company  was the originator of the Very Light Jet (VLJ) category with over 250 planes in the air before a lack of funding forced them into bankruptcy in early 2009.  The assets of the defunct business were purchased a few months ... Read more
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What Happens in Macau Stays in Macau

Next time the gambling bug hits and you feel the need to hop the next private jet to Vegas, you may want to rethink your plans.  The real action is on the other side of the world in the tiny territory of Macau.  Macau is a Chinese entity which had been under Portuguese control for over 100 years before its administration was turned back over to China in 1999.  Actually it is an island city of 500,000 and is officially ... Read more
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A New Breed of Student at New York Universities

Paris, London and New York are no longer just the style capitals of the world; they are also the capitals where the super rich from around the world are sending their children to school. At the beginning of the year Russian fertilizer mogul Dmitry Rybolovlev bought the most expensive apartment in New York for his daughter Ekaterina Rybolovleva. The Potash Prince paid a cool $88 million so that his daughter could ... Read more
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Executive Private Jet Travel: Necessity or Luxury?

Many businesses are working hard to dispel the image of private jet charters as a lavish luxury, instead insisting that they are a necessary business tool.  While private jet travel is indeed more luxurious than flying commercial, business travelers often don’t have an option.  For business travel, time is money and every minute counts.  And in the business world efficiency and convenience rule the day.  Private ... Read more
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Beverly Hills Newest Luxury Hotel Costs $12,000 to Check In

For the discriminating traveler who is tired of mediocre extended stay hotels, a dream will soon come true just around the corner from Rodeo Drive when the AKA Beverly Hills opens on October 1st.  AKA  is well known for their high end luxury extended stay residences with properties in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.  They’re currently redeveloping a 2006 Beverly Hills apartment complex with a $10 million ... Read more
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Oops — $100 Million House Valued at $50 Million

Of course we’ve all wondered how someone actually gets from zero to a billion dollars in net worth.  Are they smarter?  Was it connections?  Luck?  Or maybe just a good idea of what works in the money making business?  If you’re speaking about Russian billionaire venture capitalist Yuri Milner, the answer is simple:  invest in social media and internet startups.  He has made big money investing in businesses ... Read more
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Getting Hungry When You’re High – Dinner at 150 Feet

Sounds crazy, and it is.  Six years ago, a child’s dream of a flying dinner table was fulfilled and suddenly the idea for Dinner in the Sky (http://www.dinnerinthesky.com) was born.  Based in Brussels, an events planner and an amusement park bungee installer got together and conceived of having an elegant dinner party 150 feet in the sky with fancy meals prepared by top chefs.  A special platform with seating ... Read more
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Float Away on The World Floating Condos

If you’re the type that loves to explore the world by cruise ship visiting exotic ports 365 days a year, The World may be just the ticket for you – provided you’re rich of course.  The World Residences at Sea (http://www.aboardtheworld.com) is the first floating condominium in, well, the world.  First launched in 2002, its 165 deluxe residences sold out within three years, and it has a continuing successful ... Read more
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