Tag: Luxury

Want a free Harley Davidson? Just purchase this watch!

Sometimes it is necessary for you to match your wrist watch to your vehicle. While most owners make do with aesthetic similarities, Swiss watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer has taken it one step ahead. Collaborating with American motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson, the company has created the ‘Bucherer Blue’ watch.

The watch is based on the manufacturer’s Patravi TravelTec II and gets a rose gold finished case with a black bezel and a blue face. Its front has a sapphire anti-reflective face while its back sports a transparent window. Its rubber strap is also designed as a tyre tread. The watch runs on CFB 1901.1 calibre automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve. Apart from the hour, minute and second dials, it also shows a date counter and three different time zones.

The owner of this watch will probably get the world’s most expensive watch holder. It is a customized Harley Davidson Softail Slim S which is called the Blue Edition. It has two armoured glass domes inside its fuel tank, which hold the watch and a solitaire ring. The holder, which is insulated with silicone rings to absorb the motorcycle’s vibrations, also doubles up as a watch winder. This charges the watch while it is sitting in the box.

Harley Davidson roped in chop-shop specialists Bundnerbike to complete their project. The basis for this bike is the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim from 2017, which was rebuilt in detail. Even the smallest parts, including bolts, were made by hand and given a high-quality finish. The wheels were specially designed for the Blue Bike, and the saddle is also hand-stitched – made in Switzerland.

 

The motorcycle is also embedded with heat-resistant LEDs on the inside that illuminate the various gold-plated components of the motorcycle. The tank doubles up as the watch holder, as well as the holder of a six-prong solitaire ring with a 5.4 carat diamond.

Mechanically, the motorcycle remains unchanged and carries forward its 107cu.in. (1753cc) V-twin engine that makes 92HP of maximum power and 145Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer at Bucherer says, “We are delighted to be able to take advantage of our many years of experience and our close relationships with our partners to create exquisite, one-of-a-kind watches and products as part of the Bucherer BLUE collection, which are available for purchase exclusively at Bucherer.”

The iridescent paint job of the motorcycle was achieved after an elaborate process of silver plating the motorcycle completely. It was then painted with six coats of different colours, that has resulted in the rich, deep blue colour.

As expected, this luxury comes with an incredible price of Rs 15 crore (when converted) of which almost Rs 12 crore go towards the costing of the motorcycle, making it the most expensive one in the world! Still, Rs 3 crore for a wrist watch is quite a fancy deal, don’t you think? Naturally, it is safe to assume that the Harley Davidson Softail S Blue Edition will definitely not be an everyday sight.

Lamborghini Squadra Corse SCV12: The Italian’s newest stallion

This lockdown has bored most of us almost to death and we don’t have much to rejoice about. Luckily, a new hypercar has been teased to rejuvenate your spirits and make you smile again. If you are a Lamborghini collector and you are wondering which one to add to your collection next, this has to be exciting news for you. For track enthusiasts, this is even better news. The Italian luxury car manufacturer has unleashed its latest track-only weapon today. Called the Squadra Corse SCV12, it features the company’s most powerful V12 engine to date.

Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s GT motorsports expertise, using its racing experience has created the car with a clear track intent. Several aspects of the SCV12 have been developed particularly for the hypercar, with specific racing solutions devised by Squadra Corse engineers, including a new fully carbon fibre chassis that allows for a greater power-to-weight ratio as well as the best handling and circuit driving experience.

Since the SCV12 is a track-only car, it does not feature compulsory street elements such as lights. Instead, the engineers have optimized every component of the car to improve its performance. For instance, The SCV12’s front bonnet has a double air intake and a central rib directing airflow to the ram-air intake scoop located on the roof. It also has a prominent splitter at the front, lateral flicks and vertical fins on the side sills, while at the rear is a custom-built carbon fibre rear wing.

The SCV12 has completed its development program and is now ready to hit the track for its world première, scheduled for summer 2020. It will be assembled entirely within the Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, as a limited edition.

Customers will become members of a very exclusive club: they will participate in advanced driving programs at some of the world’s most prestigious circuits, with the technical assistance of Squadra Corse engineers and the special tutoring of Emanuele Pirro, five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Lamborghini Squadra Corse Special Projects Consultant.

We cannot wait to check the car out at the first opportunity we get. Till then, all we can do is drool over its photos and wait with all eagerness!

Car Brands That Redefine Luxury

Automobiles have long been a symbol of wealth, with even the simplest of cars being the objects of pride. Over the years, the industry has evolved from limited and niche brands to full-blown luxurious pieces of art. While cars became available to the public and hence lost their exclusivity, car brands rose to make their products even fancier, even better and even costlier.

Luxury cars have always been kept apart from the general category, as a castle separates the king from his people. They have also been called special names– ‘auto di lusso’ in Italy or ‘voiture de luxe’ in France, both meaning luxury cars. The Germans call them Oberklasse which directly means “upper class”.

Many car brands across the world manufacture models across multiple segments. Automobile giants like Volkswagen and General Motors even have plants worldwide. In order to segregate the luxurious cars from the mass-produced models, many car brands often choose to sell their luxuries under a different banner. This has led to Toyota forming Lexus and Nissan forming Infiniti, among others. Even popular brands like Citroen, Ford and Geely have DS, Lincoln and Volvo respectively.

However, car brands have always competed to extend their luxuries to as many segments as possible, creating further division in luxury cars.

  •  There are entry-level luxury cars, also known as Premium compacts. These became popular in the mid-2000s after European manufacturers introduced a cheaper alternative to their bigger luxury cars. Some models in this category are the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X2, Lexus CT2000h and the Volvo C30. These cars might be smaller than their executive siblings, but they’re at par in luxury.
  • Then come the compact luxury cars that are also smaller than their executive siblings and can also be called compact executive cars. It includes Alfa Romeo’s Giulia, Tesla’s Model 3 and the Infiniti Q50, among others.
  • The Executives are bigger than the prior two and act as a gateway to ultra-luxury. Executive car is a British term for an automobile larger than a large family car. Jaguar XF and Volvo S90 are some examples in this segment.
  • Germany’s Oberklasse segment and Europe’s F-segment are reserved for full-size luxury sedans. Most of them are flagship models of the company and feature the newest technology that the car brands have to offer. Also called luxury saloon or luxury limousine, these include the BMW 7 Series, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Lexus LS and the Porsche Panamera, among others.

  • The Ultra-luxury segment is reserved for the elite, with all cars costing well above the Rs 10 crore mark. Here car brands offer models that will focus primarily on offering as much luxury as possible,making almost each piece unique to  its owner. Names like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Maybach 57 and the Bentley Arnage are enough to tell people one thing: You got deep pockets.

These are the car brands that will help you redefine luxury. Each car falling under this segment has not only been manufactured to carry its passengers, it has been made to set standards of luxury and style.

Electric Cars: The Luxurious Future

Electric cars have gained global recognition over the years, due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the ever-rising demand of personal cars. While it has become important for manufacturers to look for an alternate power source, they’re also looking at adding luxury to the segment.

Electric cars are considered to be the future of the automobile industry, mainly due to their practically unlimited potential. When Mahindra came up with REVA-I for the Indian market, it went quite unnoticed because of its small, diminutive structure, cramped and awkward seating position, and an all-electric drive. This was the first stint of an electric car operating in India. However, the international market is seeing a flooding of electric car across multiple segments, with luxury cars getting special attention.

Tesla’s range of fully electric cars have paved the way for other manufacturers since 2003. The Model S, Model 3 and Model X are some of the most iconic models from the company, while Elon Musk recently confirmed that Tesla’s five-seater Model Y is set to be relaunched as a seven-seater version this year.

The company is also the manufacturer of the Tesla Roadster, which is the quickest car in the world. Its latest addition, the Cybertruck promises to revolutionize the world of pickup trucks, merging it with the luxury segment.

Image: Tesla

 

Though Tesla is widely regarded as the pioneer and most successful electric car manufacturer, it hasn’t dissuaded other manufacturers from trying. Jaguar became the first mainstream manufacturer to break Tesla’s monopoly at high-end luxury SUVs. The Jaguar I-Pace, whose base models sells for Rs 50 lakh while the top trim demands Rs 61 lakh, offers outstanding performance coupled with unmatched luxury. Hyundai too tried their failsafe i20 chassis, giving it the name Hyundai Kona. Indian brands were not to be left out either, with giants like Tata and Mahindra coming up with a fleet of EVs of their own.

Image: Jaguar

Along with Indian conglomerates, international manufacturers have also invested their resources in the research and development of fully electric cars. Porsche’s first-ever electric car, the Taycan is a four-door grand tourer that borrows the looks of a Panamera, but is a whole another deal in terms of performance. Even after being the first electric car of the company, it gets a befitting price range of Rs 1.1 crore to Rs 1.4 crore for the Turbo S version. BMW also has its share of EVs, among them being the two-door sports car, the i8. It gets an additional flair of luxury with butterfly doors.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Not to be left behind, Aston Martin has also declared its entrance in the electric car market. With an all-electric Rapide sedan that is ready for production, the company is looking to redefine electric performance and luxury. While it has not been officially announced yet, it is expected to make its way to the Indian market post launch.

Image: Aston Martin

On one hand while IC engines are the best option for cars at the moment, the possibility of a completely electric future of automobiles in India does not seem bleak anymore. Coupled with the ambitious plans to make India an all-electric nation by 2030, we might be looking at the next revolution in automotive history.

 

Coronavirus Dramatic Impact On Luxury Sector

The Chinese consumer market is considered as the lion’s share in the luxury global market. But the virulent spread of Coronavirus 134769 cases around the world. For the international luxury industry, which relies heavily on Chinese shoppers, it’s already taking a financial toll.

The outbreak has dramatically reduced the number of shoppers in Chinese cities and made companies to shut stores. Travel restrictions also are curtailing the traditional flow of tourists to other destinations that sometimes host many visitors buying luxury goods. Chinese shoppers structure a few third of worldwide luxury spending, counting their spending inside and out of doors the country, consistent with management consultancy Bain & Company. That’s quite the other nationality.

 

To stop the spread of disease, travel to, from and within China has been curtailed. Stores are closed and even those that are open see a dramatic decline in pedestrian traffic . for instance, 150 out of Capri Holdings’ 250 China stores are closed, Ralph Lauren has closed half its 115 stores, and Adidas reports it’s temporarily pack up a “considerable” number of its 12,000 stores there.

 

The supply chain for goods beginning of China is additionally taking an enormous hit. Factories are traditionally closed for the Chinese New Year celebration, which this year was from January 25 through Groundhog Day, but in some regions, the shutdown has been extended through February 10, though it’s going to go longer depending upon the speed of infection.

 

But looking across China’s vast $14.3 trillion economies, Cowen’s Oliver Chen believes luxury brands are going to be the foremost impacted by the epidemic, as long as the businesses he covers depend upon China for a mean of 14% in revenues.

 

In particular, LVMH (17% of revenues) and Tiffany (17%) are most in danger, with Richemont (11%), Tapestry (10%), honker (10%), and Capri Holdings (6%) having less exposure there.

 

Farfetch is additionally heavily hooked into China, accounting for 28% of its business, but because it’s an e-commerce company, it won’t likely suffer the maximum amount as other brands relying upon in-store sales. Noting that wealthy Chinese consumers are within the habit of flying into luxury shopping capitals of the planet to form opportunistic purchases, Gandhi sees this halted, albeit people can get a flight out of the country. “Nobody’s getting to get on a plane and risk their health to shop for something.”

 

For some purchases, particularly the very high-end segment, he expects those purchases are going to be deferred and are available back once travel bans are lifted. except for cheaper luxury, like trend-driven fashion, those sales are lost permanently. “It’s an entirely different purchasing cycle.”

 

Most are relying on the Chinese luxury consumers to return roaring back after the pandemic subsides driven by pent up demand and therefore the symbolic meaning luxury brands hold for them.

 

“Luxury goods in China represent a way of accomplishment both at a private level but even more importantly, pride within the nation,” says the Jean Baptist Voisin who is the global strategist at LVMH. “While I’m not a psychologist, I hypothesise that the demand for luxury will increase once this ends.”

 

That is assuming that the consumers on which the posh market depends have jobs and remain willing to spend their income on luxury indulgences.
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