One of the most hotly anticipated indy dive watches of the last few years is the Spanish Pita Oceana. I originally discussed the watch here while pointing out the relative high value of the available platinum version. The Oceana watch has been in development for a while now, and for 2009 there will be a limited edition of just 80 pieces. Remember that the timepiece is available in a number of metals with a broad range of customization options. This includes choosing your own hands, crystal material, strap, bezel, and more. A great array of options from a small and very dedicated watch maker. Did I mention again that it is water resistant to 5000 meters? See the original post for more details. This represents the first time Pita has really shown the world a real version of the watch in a non-prototype form. The watch as seen above will go for about $4,000 - $5,000. Pre-orders are being accepted now.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Bryan Davis loves the sauce. The founder of the Esmeralda Distillery has already launched his own highly acclaimed obsello absinthe, and has now debuted his own brand of gin. Called Port of Barcelona, the spirit offers a unique alternative to the usual Bombay Sapphire or Beefeater brands found in every bar with a more complex blend of citrus, pepper, juniper, floral iris and vanilla hints, making Port of Barcelona Gin a compelling base for a classic martini or gin & tonic. And while it's bound to impress your guests, at $30 a bottle, it won't break the bank.

Pita Barcelona is a cool and funky independent Spanish watch makers who will soon release their long anticipated Oceana diver's watch in a limited edition of just 80 pieces. The watch will be highly customizable, with over 2,300 possible combinations. One can choose from many types of parts and features, including straps, dials, hands, crystal materiel, bezel, and of course case metal. While the limited edition of just 80 may seem low, Pita's statement of "2009 limited edition" might mean that more of the desirable watches will be made in the future. The watches will be available in various styles of steel, gold, and even in platinum. Prices start at about 3,200 euros, and top out at around 17,000 euros for the 950 platinum case version. This is an incredible deal for a platinum watch that usually go for before $50,000 and way up. I cannot definitively say that this is the cheapest platinum watch out there, but is is one of the lowest prices - and as part of an incredible overall timepiece.

Many innovations went into the Pita Oceana's design. Notable is the crownless design and water resistance to 5000 meters. The case is 43mm wide and 18mm thick. The watch movement is based on a heavily modified ETA 2671 automatic, while the overall watch has two patents in the design. The small star-shaped seconds hand is also a "chromatic depth meter." Something about the colors changing as you dive deeper. A very cool looking watch that is totally unique from a couple of master watch makers in Barcelona. Check out the online Ocean customization options here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Working for Oprah certainly has its perks. The AFP is reporting that Oprah Winfrey celebrated her 55th birthday in Barcelona with 1,700 of her employees and their families. The party took place over the weekend at Poble Espanyol, a popular tourist destination with shops, bars and restaurants. Her lucky guests will spend three days in the city before embarking on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem liner sailing to Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Malta. The ship has 11 bars and lounges, 12 restaurants, pool, hot tubs, a beauty salon, spa, casino, cigar club, library and even a bowling alley. Oprah is said to be spending around $5,400 per person on the cruise.

Sheraton is getting into the apartment business in Spain. The hotel company has announced that their first ever apartment 'Residences' will be available to purchase at the Med Group's Bonmont golf and residential community on the Costa Daurada, south of Barcelona. There will be seven buildings, each with four two-bedroom Residences next to the 136-room, five-star Sheraton Bonmont Golf Resort & Spa. The Bonmont residential community is built around an 18-hole golf courses and facilities include a golf academy, gym and restaurant as well as three swimming pools and tennis courts.

All apartments will be fully furnished in the same style as the hotel and will be priced from 600,000 euros. The Residences can be divided into two units so owners can live in one half and rent the second out, or rent all of it either as two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom. Rentals will be managed by the Sheraton hotel in Bonmont. The hotel and apartments are now being built and set to open at the beginning of 2009.

In beautiful Barcelona, Spain part of the lure it the delicious food and drink. The boutique-style Casanova Hotel in Barcelona is located blocks from the La Boqueria Market has a couple of new private, gourmet food and wine tours for 2008. The La Boqueria Market Tour Package includes a market tour with Casanova's Michelin pedigree chef Jaume Brichs, a private cooking class and lunch with Chef Brichs that includes Spanish wines, and a Spanish cook book. The Sant Sadurni de Noia Wine Tour Package includes the opportunity to explore southern Barcelona wineries with a private sommelier, transportation to and from the Albet & Noya Vineyard, Catalan Wine and Cava tasting, and dinner and Cava wine pairings at Casanova's Mexiterranee restaurant. Rates for the two-night Sant Sadurni de Noia Wine Tour package start at 1208 euros (approx. $1,760) for two people in a Superior Room. Rates for the two-night Boqueria Market Tour package start at 1058 euros (approx. $1,530) for two people in a Superior Room. You might want to plan your booking for later this summer when the Casanova opens their rooftop pool and lounge complete with hammocks.

Hit any coffee shop nowadays at the right hour and laptop bags just might be a more visible fashion statement than handbags or shoes (okay, that might be an exaggeration, but still). Regardless if you're looking to express yourself, simply want something nice to carry your laptop around in, or both, Zegari has designed a couple of very nice options to choose from.

Made of fine leather and full of handy pockets and features for everything you can imagine, both The Barcelona Bag and The Minimalist were designed to appeal to those with classic tastes looking for a mix of both fashion and function, and luxury of course. The bags sell for $285-385.

A few months ago, Matthew mentioned that a Barcelona Chair, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is a must have for the well-turned out home or apartment. It is also a great way to relax if you have room in your office. Now, your budding young executive can have his (or her) very own classically-styled chair: a Mini Mies. The Mini Mies is built to exactly 2/3 scale of the full sized chair, but shares the stainless steel frame and luxuriously soft leather. It comes in black ($3,900) and white ($4,400) and is available for order from Genius Jones.

[via NYT]

King Carlos I of Spain became the latest proud owner of a Maybach. At the Laureus World Sports Award in Barcelona, Carlos I was handed the keys to a "Cote d'Azur" blue luxury Saloon  by Dr Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG.. The car has  a light beige interior with brown burr walnut trim and special sterling silver ornaments on the shift lever and the covers of the front console and the ashtrays.  King Juan Carlos I took his car for its first test drive in with Dr Zetsche at the Catalonian Grand Prix racetrack "Circuit de Catalunya." The king will be testing the automobile and letting Maybach know his opinion. Too bad Maybach doesn't hand out their test cars to commoners.