ocean

Christian Bale Wears Harry Winston Watch At Academy Awards

Chistrian Bale Wears Harry Winston Watch At Academy Awards

Actor Christian Bale received the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2011 Oscars for his role in "The Fighter." His winning speech was of the more lively you could say - with rambling a aplenty. I am happy the Academy decided to let speeches go long this year as the "meat" of the show is packed in this often amusing/embarrassing unscripted content. Bale was himself, proving to audiences that his real personality is far less composed and reserved than his on-screen persona might suggest (though perhaps his famous rant was more telling of that). Though I was barely listening given that I was staring at his unshaven maw as though the closest thing to a shaving razor had was a lawn mower. What was up with facial hair as the Oscars this year?

What I also barely noticed was the Harry Winston Ocean Dual Time watch on his wrist. In an Ocean style case, the watch has two dials for the time, a small subsidiary seconds dial, a day/night indicator, a big date indicator, and a moon phase indicator. Interesting that this was Bale's choice, I like seeing men's Harry Winston watches getting more celeb wrist time. It would have been awesome to see him wearing one of their Opus collection timepieces.

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

Tags: 2011, academy awards 2011, Christian Bale, ocean, oscars, oscars 2011, watch, watchspotting, wears, what

Celebrate Valentine's Day in Luxe Style at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The desire to do something extraordinary for Valentine's Day often clashes with the cold reality of no time to travel somewhere truly exotic. We've found the U.S. Virgin Islands to be an ideal escape without having to cross borders (and all that entails) to get somewhere special. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas manages to be a magical oasis despite its relative proximity to the area's only major airport – a big plus when time is of the essence. The resort's secluded setting on 30 acres fronting an intimate white-sand beach and the gracious elegance of its main building, the Italianate Palazzo (above), set the scene for really romantic getaways. In front of the Palazzo are landscaped gardens leading to a stunning infinity pool overlooking the beach and turquoise waters of a sheltered bay.

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, The signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level at the property has 55 Deluxe rooms featuring standing rain showers and soaking tubs and unobstructed ocean views from private balconies. The Club Level accommodations in St. Thomas also include one-bedroom Executive suites, a top-floor Ritz-Carlton Club Suite and three stunning 1,850-square-foot Presidential suites boasting a dining and living area and fitness room with treadmill, where Barack Obama and family have stayed in the past. All Club Level rooms and suites include access to the elegant Club Lounge with a spacious outdoor terrace, offering elaborate culinary presentations throughout the day and evening, chic cocktails and a dedicated Club Concierge.

Once ensconced in your luxe accommodations there are several options for making your getaway even more magical. A particular favorite for celebrating Valentine's Day is a champagne sunset sail aboard the Lady Lynsey, the resort's luxurious 53 ft. catamaran. You can take a cruise to Honeymoon Beach across the bay on St. John featuring some of the finest snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, and then hop back on board for a leisurely lunch for two complete with a champagne toast. Stay out on the water to watch the sunset and then finish the day with a starlit dinner in a private gazebo on the beach with a chocolate and wine tasting, or enjoy a private dinner for two at Bleuwater restaurant, one of four distinctive oceanfront-dining options as unique and colorful as the Caribbean scenery that surrounds them. [cont'd]

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Tags: Barack Obama, beach, Caribbean, catamaran, champagne, dining, hotel suites, luxury hotel, ocean, Prada, Prada Beauty, Ritz-Carlton, sailing, spa, St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton, U.S. Virgin Islands, Valentines Day, Virgin Island

Continue reading “Celebrate Valentine's Day in Luxe Style at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas”

Harry Winston Ocean Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Do my eyes deceive me or is this really a symmetrically dialed Ocean collection watch!? Me thinks it is. While not one of a kind, Harry Winston men's watches are rarely symmetrical - especially in the Ocean collection. This Ocean Chronograph is one of them, and doesn't look half bad. Harry Winston opts for a retrograde system of hands for the chronograph. Not a new interpretation of the complication, but appreciated enough among collectors.

The triple retrograde display doesn't help you read the chronograph any better (it actually makes it a bit harder), but these hands that move to the edge of the dial and then jump back to the starting position are arguably more cool than your standard round dial. The time is told in a subdial at the top of the face - in an uncharacteristically simplistic style by Harry Winston standards. There is a little window in the minute retrograde counter that has a subsidiary seconds hand - that is more an icon versus a readable dial. The chronograph pushers are set in, curved near the crown guards. Harry Winston decided to make the 44mm wide case in 18k white gold. Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic movement with a retrograde chronograph module on it. Look for the Harry Winston Ocean Chronograph soon.

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

Tags: chronograph, harry winston, ocean, watch

Harry Winston Ocean Lady Zalium Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

At 36mm wide this is definitely a woman's watch. But if it was larger I could envision a few men who could pull this off. White and red is surely a "showy" combo - and you don't see it that often. What is this "zalium?" It is an alloy that Harry Winston likes to use to made of a blend of zirconium and aluminum. In addition to being light (and used for aeronautical purposes) it is said to be hypo-allergenic and resistant to corrosion. Is this metal necessary in a jewelry watch? Not at all, but part of what comes with the high-end watch experience (a bunch of people looking for odd materials to use).

Zalium is mixed with diamonds for decoration on the case and dial. While the dial design is complex, the Swiss automatic movement only shows the time (with subsidiary seconds dial) and a moon phase indicator. The Ocean Lady Zalium comes on a white rubber strap for a sporty, iconic "Ocean" look.

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

Tags: harry winston, ocean, watch, zalium

Historic 355 Acre Caribbean Property for Sale at $15 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Last month we wrote about some of the Caribbean's most exclusive escapes. Want to create your own private refuge in paradise? Manatee Peninsula (above), a picturesque and historic 355-acre property in the Dominican Republic with 4.4 miles of pristine beachfront is being offered for sale at $15 million – $6 Million below a 2008 bank estimate. Named the Manatee Peninsula due to the extensive lagoon filled with playful, gentle manatees, the property has an interesting history: Christopher Columbus discovered the peninsula on his second trip to the New World in 1493 and anchored his boats in the lagoon. The property is minutes from Columbus' original settlement, La Isabela, considered the first formal European settlement in the New World and now a National Park. The undeveloped parcel is protected a 10,000 foot mountain range to the southeast that acts as a natural hurricane shield, making it an ideal haven for yachts as well.

Gallery: Manatee Peninsula

Tags: beach, Caribbean, Christopher Columbus, Dominican Republic, ocean, property, real estate

The Classicist: A Piece of Architectural History in Watch Hill, Yours for $19.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, The Classicist, Wealth

Last week The Classicist told you about a historic Hudson River estate being restored to its former glory. That posh property is being thoroughly enjoyed by its new owners, but there's another architectural gem of equally impressive provenance now available with the added bonus of oceanfront acreage – The Timbers in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Set high above the ocean on a picturesque stretch of beach, the majestic eight-acre compound comprises one of the grandest historic oceanfront estates in New England that's still in private hands. The mansion was built in 1917 and designed by celebrated architect John Russell Pope, who created the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The estate recently underwent a meticulous and historically accurate $10 million restoration, reflecting Pope's original vision. It's now been listed for sale by Christie's Great Estates affiliate Seaboard Properties for $19.5 million.

The opulent 10,500-sq.-ft. main residence was styled after a grand English Tudor manor and features baronial touches such as 15 elegant fireplaces, a magnificent grand staircase and a bell tower. In addition to panoramic ocean views it boasts wide-plank oak floors, wrought-iron chandeliers, archways, and light-filled, generously scaled rooms. The spectacular living room features 35-foot-high cathedral ceilings, exposed English oak beams, and a beautifully crafted wraparound balcony with a carved wooden balustrade. Large French doors on the east side of the living room open to a large covered veranda which features glorious views of the beach and the sounds of the surf as it rolls ashore. At the far end of the veranda, an octagonal dining area features an outdoor woodburning fireplace, wrought-iron chandelier, vaulted ceilings, and archways overlooking the ocean.

Gallery: The Timbers, Watch Hill

Tags: architect, architecture, beach, Christies, Christies Great Estates, historic houses, Jefferson Memorial, John Russell Pope, mansion, ocean, oceanfront, real estate, Rhode Island, Tudor, Washington, Watch Hill

Continue reading “The Classicist: A Piece of Architectural History in Watch Hill, Yours for $19.5 Million”

Conservation International's Seas of Hope Bash

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Events, Charity, Green, Big Givers

As BP's latest stumble over stopping the flow of upwards of 200,000 gallons of oil into our oceans reminds us, we don't need an excuse to start protecting our marine ecosystem now. While oil officials volleyed the blame back and forth, in another corner of the world, at New York's Museum of Natural History, Conversation International offered a new kind of hope, this past Thursday at their Seas of Hope Celebration gala.

Under the infamous blue whale hanging from the Museum's ceiling, New York revelers pooled together to offer a new kind of solution, donating toward Conservation International's mission of empowering local communities to care for nature and humanity. After an address from JP MorganChase CEO Jamie Dimon on the role of finance in sustainable growth, and an overwhelmingly successful fundraising appeal for CI's Protect an Acre program, guests retreated to the gallery halls for an after party sponsored by Havaianas.

The quintessential Brazilian brand teamed up with CI to protect the country's Albrolhos region, an area on the South Atlantic that contains some of the world's richest coral reefs. Albrolhos serves as breeding ground to the Southern humpback whale population, with nearly 10,000 members, and also represents several species of corals, mollusks and fish that are exclusive to the area.

Gallery: Conservation International and Havaiana's Seas of Hope Celebration

Tags: conservation, Conservation International, coral, havaianas, museum of natural history, new york museum, new york museums, ocean

Continue reading “Conservation International's Seas of Hope Bash”

Fairmont's Global Explorer Series Launches New Travel Packages Focused On The Ocean

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts first debuted its Global Explorer Series last year and now for its second year there are three new adventure vacation packages built around exploring the world's oceans. Offered in collaboration with the National Geographic Society to promote responsible and sustainable tourism, guests can explore wondrous underwater worlds along with an expert to make the experience truly unforgettable.

Join National Geographic environmental anthropologist and underwater cave expert Dr. Kenny Broad on a snorkeling expedition through the freshwater jungles of the Mayan Cenotes.
Snorkel around The Big Island of Hawaii with National Geographic environmental anthropologist Dr. Kenny Broad.
Enjoy an unforgettable weekend of diving, exploring and learning at Fairmont Mayakoba with legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Rates start at $399/night and are 'mostly inclusive,' with details varying per location.

Source

Tags: adventure travel, diving, eco travel, fairmont, mayakoba, national geographic, ocean, oceangraphy, travel, travel adventure

$2.7 Million Nautilus VAS, the World's First Luxury Submarine

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Yachts & Sailing

Nautilus Submarines & Diving Systems is offering what it calls the world's first luxury submarine, the Nautilus VAS. The retro-futuristic craft with its lines out of a James Bond film features a bathroom, full size stairs (versus a ladder), minibar, digital entertainment system and standing room ceiling height. The Nautilus uses large flat, distortion-free optics which translates into crystal clear vision for passengers of the VAS, whereas most submersibles use curved domes or viewports which distort the natural beauty of the undersea world and can also create a degree of vertigo and/or nausea. The VAS is also the only private submarine offering the option of a Diver Lockout which allows you to exit and re-enter the submersible while underwater. The Mk III version carries five passengers, can do up to 6 knots and is available in lime green.

[via JamesList]

Tags: diving, James Bond, luxury sub, luxury submarine, nautilus vas, ocean, submarine, underwater, worlds first luxury submarine

Rare British Ocean Liner Model for Sale at $175,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Yachts & Sailing

A massive, marvelous and rare model of a famed World War I British ocean liner-turned battle cruiser has been listed for sale at $175,000. The 640 ft. HMS Alcantara was built by Harland & Wolff of Belfast for Royal Mail Lines and launched in October 1913. Shortly after her maiden voyage in 1914 she was converted to an armed merchant cruiser; she was sunk by the German armed merchant cruiser SMS Greif on the 29th of February 1916 in the North Sea. Daniels Antiques of Miami is now offering a 14-ft. long model of the ship made in the 1920s in its original mahogany display case, a must-have for any moneyed enthusiast of maritime history.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: antiques, maritime, model ship, ModelShip, ocean, ocean liner, OceanLiner, ship, UK, World War I, WorldWarI

The World's Coolest New Bar

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

The world's coolest new bar has just opened at the ultra-luxe Ayana Resort & Spa in Bali. To get to the Rock Bar, towering 46 feet above the crashing waves, you have to take a special lift that traverses the face of a dramatic craggy seaside cliff. There are uninterrupted, 360-degree views on all sides in a setting any Bond villain would love. Designed by Yasuhiro Koichi of Japan's Design Studio SPIN, it's an enviable feat of engineering, architecture and mixology. Designed to ensure maximum seclusion for every guest, the Ayana's 78 free-standing, cliff-top luxury villas are set in traditional Balinese compounds with private pools surrounded by tropical gardens.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: architecture, Ayana Resort Spa, AyanaResortSpa, Bali, bar, cocktails, Japan, ocean, resort

160 Years of Maritime Photography

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

Pierre Borhan, former director of photography for the French Ministry of Culture, presents a compelling anthology of maritime photography since 1843 in his beautiful new book, The Sea. The slipcased volume features 300 color and black and white images ranging from historical photos, documentary photos, and art photos to archival works and pictures taken in the present day. Images include striking seascapes and perspectives, including lonely lighthouses, bustling port towns, early explorations of Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, and abstract compositions of waves,
water, and light by some of the world's best-known photographers. It makes a perfect gift for lovers of all things related to water and the ocean.

Tags: books, luxury, ocean, photography, Pierre Borhan, PierreBorhan, sea

High Style in Sun-Drenched Climates

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Books

Fashion historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank examines the history of warm weather wear in a beautifully illustrated new book called Resort Fashion from Rizzoli. From the first "beach pajamas" designed by Coco Chanel and Lilly Pulitzer and Pucci prints, to sailor stripes and the Kennedys' laid back yachtsman style, to Michael Kors and Tory Burch's beach-inspired designs and of course the evolution of the swimsuit, Milbank crosses continents and generations. The seven chapters break the looks down by category: At Sea, Stripes, Prints, White, Playclothes, Summer Dress and Bathing Suits, with photos from destinations like Palm Beach, Montego Bay and St. Tropez by legends like Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Norman Parkinson, Helmut Newton, and Scavullo.

Tags: beach, Coco Chanel, CocoChanel, fashion, Kennedys, Lilly Pulitzer, LillyPulitzer, Michael Kors, MichaelKors, ocean, resort

Varvatos, Hilfiger & More at Oceana New York Launch

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Charity, Green, Big Givers

Oceana, an international nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to protecting and restoring the world's oceans, celebrated the launch of Oceana New York on Monday night with a star-studded bash at the stunning penthouse of socialite philanthropists Alexander and Brenda Schweickhardt (above, far right). A tableaux vivant of mermaids entertained guests at the event, which was sponsored by Tiffany & Co., including Sam Waterston and Sue Cohn Rockefeller (above, far left), John Varvatos and wife Joyce (above, center) Jeff Goldblum, Gina Gershon, Tommy Hilfiger and wife Dee, New York Jets tackle Damien Woody, New York Gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio, and socialtes Denise Rich, Bettina Zilkha and Jean Shafiroff. Since its founding in 2001, Oceana has achieved several major victories including protecting more than 640 million acres of ocean habitat.

Tags: celebrity, environment, John Varvatos, JohnVarvatos, New York, NewYork, ocean, Oceana, Tiffany Co., TiffanyCo., Tommy Hilfiger, TommyHilfiger

Harry Winston Ocean Diver Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Harry Winston continues to fill out its line of sport watches with another Ocean Diver, this time a chronograph. A logical layout and color scheme for the chronograph subdials makes sense matched up to the luxury of 18k rose or white gold. The watch also contains copious amounts of Zalium - a special Harry Winston only metal alloy made up of aluminum and zirconium. Realize that "Ocean" is a name applied to an entire line of Harry Winston watches, so calling this watch the "Ocean Diver" Chronograph is not just a silly obvious statement. Harry Winston will not be releasing a "pond" or "stream" diver. The case is an admirable 44mm wide with three dial colors that are slate, silver, or rose gold. A fine looking dive watch with a nice rubber strap and the name of a good luxury brand attached to it. Pricey at between $36,400 and $39,400 dollars.

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

Tags: chronograph, diver, harry winston, HarryWinston, ocean, rose gold, RoseGold, sport, watch

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