26+ min ago (364+ words) Below are the best watch releases of the month. It was a De Bethune kind of month, with the Swiss watchmaker releasing not one but two timepieces. The first, known as the DB Kind of Two Jumping GMT ($235,000), displays two time zones across two distinct faces. (The contemporary dial shows the hours around a balance wheel at 6 o'clock and the minutes around the periphery, while the classic guilloch" dial features the second time zone.) The second is a new 40 mm version of the DB25 Perpetual Sky ($145,000), with this iteration of the perpetual calendar featuring a titanium case and the signature starry dial with day, date, and month indications plus the brand's patented spherical moon phase." Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to give two of its models a makeover in November, releasing new versions of the Master Ultra Thin and Rendez-Vous watches. Starting with the…...

18+ hour, 26+ min ago (734+ words) The 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible, showing 19,886 miles on it, is one of only 116 examples of the model variant built that year. The middle of the last century was a golden age in automotive design and improved performance, as evidenced by the artistry and innovation that many new cars of the period were presenting. Italy, Germany, and Britain, for example, had such models as the Ferrari 250 GT, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, and Jaguar XK120, respectively. Carrying this mantle for stateside models was the Chevrolet Corvette, premiered at the 1953 General Motors Motorama exhibition in New York City. Now, an exceedingly rare example from its third generation, a 1969 Corvette L88 Convertible that's considered unrestored, is on the online auction block through SBX Cars. Despite its introduction in the early 1950s, what was dubbed "America's Sports Car" would not find real traction in the market until engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov took…...

1+ day, 26+ min ago (361+ words) Meanwhile, once you've got the time sorted, you've got to pound the pavement. And what better way than in effortless style? The Herm's Sac " D'p'ches Togo or the Berluti's calf-leather boots will instantly smarten up your suit or your weekend look. And Mark Cross's sleek and soft leather gloves will carry any wardrobe through the brisker seasons. Even if your style leans far from traditional, classics will always be a necessity no matter your style. Consider investing in pieces that will carry on year-after-year, and, in the case of your watch'potentially, well into the next generation. Jaeger-LeCoultre 45.6 mm by 27.4 mm Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in 18-karat pink gold, $41,300; Dries Van Noten gray wool blazer, $1,365; Herm's white satin shirt, $1,425; Loro Piana black calf-leather shoes, $1,280. Patek Philippe 38 mm Annual Calendar Ref. 4946R-001 in 18-karat rose gold, $66,863; Ferragamo suede tote bag, $2,950. Prada buckle…...

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (200+ words) Price: $1.22 million at Phillips in December 2019Diameter: 36 mmMovement: Rolex cal. 1556 automatic Price: $1.4 million at Phillips in May 2015Diameter: 37.5 mmMovement: Valjoux cal. 727 handwound Price: $1.54 million in July 2020 at Sotheby'sDiameter: 37 mmMovement: Valjoux cal. 727 handwound Price:$1.73 million in November 2025 at Sotheby'sDiameter:27 mmMovement:Rodium finished 9" hunter upgraded to cal. 600 with 17 jewels and patented super balance Price: $1.95 million at Phillips in December 2019Diameter: 39 mmMovement: Rolex cal. 1570 automatic Price: ~$2 million at Phillips in November 2019Diameter: 44 mmMovement: Valjoux Cal. 55 VBR handwound Price: ~$2.6 million at Phillips in May 2016Diameter: 44 mmMovement: Valjoux Cal. 55 VBR handwound Price: $3.01 million at Phillips in May 2018Diameter: 37.5 mmMovement: Valjoux cal. 72B handwound Price: ~$3.14 million at Sotheby's in Hong Kong, 2022Diameter: 40 mmMovement: Rolex cal. 4030 (Zenith base) Price: $3.7 million at Phillips in May 2017Diameter: 37.5 mmMovement: Valjoux cal. 727 handwound Price: $5.06 million at Phillips in May 2017Diameter: 36 mmMovement: Rolex cal. 655 automatic Price: ~$6.5 million at Phillips in May 2018Diameter: 37 mmMovement: Valjoux cal. 727 handwound Price: $17.75 million at Phillips in October 2017Diameter: 36.5 mmMovement:…...

3+ day, 14+ hour ago (163+ words) In late 1957, after making a 3-D model of their dream home, the couple enlisted the ambitious and ingenious young architect'Pierre Koenig'to take on their project'the result being a daringly cantilevered glass-and-steel structure that reflects the geometry and symmetry of the gridded streets that stretch out below and what is probably one of the most recognizable homes in the world. RELATED: You Can Own This Architecture Icon's Personal L.A. Home for $5 Million RELATED: A Reimagined Pierre Koenig Home in L.A. Is Up for Grabs at $5.8 Million Considered one of the California-born designer's most extraordinary works, the place has remained in the same family for over six decades. Now the pristine time capsule has popped up on the market for the first time at $25 million, with William Baker of The Agency Beverly Hills holding'the esteemed listing. RELATED: An Experimental Santa Monica Home by Master…...

3+ day, 20+ hour ago (358+ words) In 1949, long before Carroll Shelby stuffed a Ford V-8 engine into a tiny British AC Ace, a Brit named Sydney Allard conceived the Allard J2. Aimed primarily at the American market, the J2 showcased bodywork that had a burly, purposeful look, with cycle-style front fenders and nothing in the way of creature comforts. The model could be fitted with a variety of V-8 engines from Mercury, Cadillac, Chrysler, Buick, and Oldsmobile, since each car was shipped stateside sans power plant. At less than 2,100 pounds in street trim, and even lighter for the track, the car saw much success in motorsport, placing third overall at Le Mans in 1950, and taking 40 first-place finishes out of 313 races from 1949 to 1957. Allard's subsequent J2X, with improved front suspension and chassis geometry, continued until 1954. For those seeking a car with icon status among collectors and vintage racers, the Allard J2X is certainly…...

4+ day, 1+ hour ago (145+ words) The 1952 Allard J2X roadster that fetched $335,000 at auction through RM Sotheby's in 2020. This example is fit with a Cadillac V-8 that's been given six Stromberg 97 carburetors. According to RM Sotheby's, the car shown here is one of only 83 examples of the original Allard J2X made. For those seeking a car with icon status among collectors and vintage racers, the Allard J2X is a winning choice. A close-up of the Brooklands windscreens. After 12 years in operation, Sydney Allard's namesake marque went out of business in 1958. The Allard J2X features improved front suspension and chassis geometry compared to its J2 predecessor. Automotive editorial consultant Robert Ross began his publishing career in 1989, and has worked with Robb Report from 2001 to present writing about art, design, audio and especially cars'new and old...

4+ day, 14+ hour ago (476+ words) John Campbell, the former distillery manager at Laphroaig, just released a new mesquite-smoked bourbon After many years at Islay distillery Laphroaig, including a long stint as distillery manager (the only Islay native to hold that title), last year John Campbell packed his bags and departed for someplace a bit warmer'Southern California. He is now the master distiller and COO at the small Oxnard distillery Sespe Creek, which just released its first whiskey under his direction. Batch 22 of Warbringer Bourbon isn't just any bourbon, however, it's a thoroughly unique whiskey made from a mashbill of mesquite-smoked grains. While this is obviously a completely different category of whiskey than the single malt scotch made at Laphroaig, the smokiness of this bourbon does bring to mind the peated whisky produced at that Islay distillery. Sespe Creek was founded by biochemist David Brandt in…...

4+ day, 15+ hour ago (720+ words) Below find my chief takeaways from the event followed by overheard comments and quips that caught my attention. For all the anticipation surrounding Dufour's remarks at Dubai Watch Week, many people felt the only truly substantive thing he said was that Rolex's 2023 acquisition of the retailer Bucherer was an anomaly. (Partnerships are how Rolex built their success," he said. We became a mix with Bucherer, but we don't have any intention to grow further than that. It's a small part of our business.") He may as well have been having a private recollection with Thierry, who was sitting in the front row. It was a potent reminder that Patek Philippe remains a supporter of multi-brand retailers'notably, at Wempe in New York City, where the brand will reportedly be expanding its footprint as Rolex pulls out of the boutique to open…...

4+ day, 21+ hour ago (293+ words) The Dubai Airshow had some impressive aircraft news and debuts, including Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fighter jet, announcements by electric air-taxi makers Joby and Archer that they were growing their Middle Eastern markets, and a new eVTOL firm called Autocraft that is starting test-flights in the United Arab Emirates. The process took eight months from concept to completion. BenDavid has created other fantastical objects, including one of the world's largest T-Rex dinosaurs. He also wrapped an Formula 1 car to mark the start of the Miami F1 race. He has also collaborated with Zaha Hadid Architects on a concept for a futuristic home on the moon. Another piece of art on display in Dubai is the AIR4, a non-working eVTOL concept created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Renault 4L. Along the same lines as the DeLorean in Back to the Future, this aircraft…...