Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Robb Report

“Dungeness crab is special,” says Jack Strong, executive chef at the Allison Inn & Spa, a resort in Oregon's renowned Willamette Valley wine region. He's presenting the amuse-bouche of a new tasting menu at the hotel's restaurant, Jory. The nine-course experience, called the Indigenous Foods Chef's Table, costs $245 (with an additional fee for wine pairings). It begins with crab, spruce-tip-infused panna cotta, and fennel-pollen foam, all housed in the shell of a chicken egg. It's as elegant as the setting, a private room separated from the open kitchen by a wall of glass so you can watch the cooks at work. “When I was a kid, my uncles worked in a fish plant,” the 49-year-old tells Robb Report. He grew up about two hours west of here, near the…

Aside from August and its Monterey Car Week, rarely does a single month provide collectors with as many holy-grail automobiles crossing the auction block as this one. RM Sotheby's is offering nearly a dozen standouts from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, divided among three sales. On February 1, in Stuttgart, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen, driven by both Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, is poised (as of press time) to be the second-most-expensive car sold at auction, should its high-end estimate of more than $52 million be realized. Here, Leslie Kendall, curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum, and Nic Waller, president of the Audrain Automobile Museum, comment on five more from this incredible group. Viju Mathew 1 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I In the mid-1960s, with…

In early 2020, Kenn Ricci believed that Flexjet was failing in front of him. “It was the start of Covid, and our fractional business dropped from 200 to eight flights per day,” says Ricci, the principal at Directional Aviation Capital, which owns Flexjet, the second-largest fractional provider in the world. Yet Flexjet soon boomeranged, then kept expanding, as did the fractional model in general, mirroring the eventual growth the rest of business aviation experienced during the pandemic. Fractional ownership, where individuals or corporations buy a share of the aircraft—typically ranging from one sixteenth to one quarter—for three to five years, involves greater time and financial commitments compared to jet cards and charter services. But it also guarantees availability, newer aircraft, fewer peak days, higher service standards, and the ability to…

YACHT INTERIORS HAVE long been defined by both their joinery and custom decor—the latter often including traditional fine art. But a handful of artisans are now combining the two, transforming run-of-the-mill materials such as leather, glass, and metal into functional masterworks. Blending durability with an aesthetic edge, Guido De Cesare's Marine Leather designs and produces embossed, woven, and printed leathers for superyacht interiors. The Italian firm recently installed a panoramic mural comprising custom-embroidered-leather panels on the main salon wall of a 295-foot yacht. On a 236-footer, handwoven panels in the primary suite became focal points of creative expression, eliminating the need for conventional paintings or photographs. Embroidered doors, ceilings with handcut patterns, and intricate furniture inlays are examples of the atelier's smaller, subtler work. “Hand-laced leather pieces are very meticulous…

THE ULTIMATE VARIETY PACK A STRIKING DICHOTOMY defines the top tier of today's automotive market. Performance capabilities considered extreme just a few years ago are now common in vehicles ranging from luxury grocery-getters to baronial sedans to grand tourers, all with a similar baseline of amenities. (Shared platforms, it should be noted, play no small part here.) But when it comes to where that boost in output comes from, the engineering decisions are now as disparate as can be, reflecting the fact that the industry is in a state of flux unlike any other in the history of the motorcar—which, evidenced by the broadest assemblage of contenders presented in the more than two decades of Robb Report‘s Car of the Year (COTY) competition, one could argue is a very good…

HELI-SKI FROM A YACHT When your lodge is a luxury yacht equipped with an A-star chopper, you never need to wait for a weather window: You sail to the best conditions for flying and skiing. Bella Coola Heli Sports (above), a British Columbia heli-skiing operation that offsets 110 percent of its carbon output, runs trips in the extensive fjord network of Canada's Great Bear Rainforest aboard the 138-foot, eight-cabin M/V Cascadia. Being able to anchor near prime conditions maximizes your hours to explore upwards of 5,500 square miles of terrain—to which the outfit has exclusive heli-skiing access—in the Coast Range. From about $195,000 for four nights for up to eight guests HIRE A POWDER CONCIERGE Steve Conney, the weather-obsessed founder of snow-forecast site Powderchasers, offers a concierge service that delivers…

I recently returned to Monterey Car Week after a several-year hiatus. And while I would have considered it impossible when I last left, the world's biggest automotive event somehow—against all constraints of space and time—got bigger. At this point, considering the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance a mere car show is like thinking of Dubai as a beach town. Every August this small, northerly stretch of coastal California becomes the superheated epicenter of the automotive universe, a sprawling bacchanal of nearly unfathomable vehicular excess, with the finest of absolutely everything crammed cheek by jowl as far as the eye can see: invaluable prewar classics, legendary race cars, iconic coachbuilt designs, seemingly every supercar and luxury saloon ever produced, and a rolling sea of exotica you never even knew existed—any of which…

Sara Maestrelli had passed the building regularly since she was a child. It was right next door to Tennis Roma, a racquet club in the charming Tuscan beach resort of Forte dei Marmi, where she has played every summer since she was old enough to swing. For decades, her family has owned and operated one of this town's finest fivestar hotels, the Villa Roma Imperiale. By contrast, the structure near the courts had, over time, become decidedly rundown. Previously a lively hotel, it was now nearly abandoned. Pigeons had taken up residence on the crumbling walls, and there was a rusty car sitting in the overgrown garden. But Maestrelli couldn't shake her fascination with the place and, after several attempts, reached an agreement with the owners, who lived on the…

Krishna Choudhary easily could have stayed with the family business. His ancestors have spent 10 generations sourcing jewels for India's great and good and most notably supplied exquisite gems to maharajas and noble families in the 18th century. But after working for Royal Gems & Arts for several years, Choudhary started his own jewelry brand in 2019, called Santi, named after his dear old dad. The London-based company's wares marry contemporary design with centuries-old stones, work that requires the 36-year-old to flit between the United Kingdom and Jaipur's Old City. Not only is the ancient metropolis a deep source of inspiration for Choudhary, but it's also his clan's ancestral home. He spent his childhood roaming the halls and rooms of his family's sumptuous haveli—a richly decorated traditional mansion—that various relations…

A Classic, Revisited For even the most discerning reviewer, there have been enough design classics since the middle of the past century to have rendered the term “design classic” entirely meaningless. But you know ‘em when you see ‘em, and what you're looking at here is certainly one—albeit one with an exceptional twist. The Barcelona chair by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich debuted in 1929 at the German Pavilion of the International Exposition in Barcelona. Only two were initially produced: The story goes that they were designed to support the regal posteriors of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and his wife, who would be attending the Exposition, van der Rohe saying at the time that the chair would be “fit for a king.” But while that view has…

The family resemblance between Dassault's Rafale fighter and its new Falcon 10X business jet is evident-and intentional. Engineers borrowed heavily from the French airframer's warbird to give its latest civilian aircraft the crisp handling and short-field capabilities that Dassault's combat jet is known for. The new Falcon is the largest, most powerful business jet that Dassault has ever designed, created to compete in the ultra-long-range category, which includes recent launches from Bombardier, Gulfstream, Airbus Corporate Jets, and Boeing Business Jets. Dassault's military features are major differentiators between the 10X and its competition in private aviation's most elite class. “The same aerodynamic specialists are involved in our fighter and Falcon development,” says Carlos Brana, executive vice president of civil aircraft for Dassault. Similar to the Rafale, the 10X has multiple control…

Although chartering a modern yacht often provides the latest in contemporary trappings and tech, provenance is an intangible amenity that can only be earned. The 325-foot Christina O, for example, was the first shock-and-awe superyacht when presented in 1954; its stature, beyond its size, was owed in part to a pool tiled with a mosaic of a Minoan bull, a wood-rich library, a marble-clad en suite in the primary stateroom, and exotic upholstery on the bar stools made from a whale's scrotum. Shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis rescued the former Royal Canadian Navy support boat from the scrap heap for $34,000 after World War II and spent $4 million (now about $50 million) transforming the military vessel into a statement of postwar opulence. Eighty years after its original conversion, and multiple…

Form rarely surpasses function when it comes to the lowly doorknob. Until now. One nauticalaccessories maker has brought fine art to hand with custom pieces that range from intricately painted porcelain knobs to a one-of-a-kind Bohemian-crystal example covered with microdiamonds. “I wanted to find creative ways to incorporate precious materials on our handles,” says Giangi Razeto, chief of the Innovation and Design Lab for Genoa-based Razeto & Casareto. Razeto, an artist beyond his day job, partnered with sculptor Rosanna Siciliano on a series of hand-painted knobs inspired by medieval Sicilian landscapes. Siciliano commissioned Italian artists she respected, several of whom have worked for large fashion houses, to portray knights, castles, and even figures from hand-puppet fables. In one collection, hand-painted porcelain provides the canvas for these two-inchlong scenes reflective of…

And yet the Swiss watch remains an avatar for painstaking, old-world craftsmanship. How? (Hint: Asia.) IF YOU HAPPEN to be wearing a Rolex, a Patek Philippe, an Audemars Piguet, a plastic Swatch, or virtually any watch from the approximately 700 brands operating in Switzerland, look carefully at the bottom of the dial and you'll make out two tiny words: Swiss Made. If the timepiece is vintage, you might see the simpler label “Swiss,” or maybe the less-common construction “Made in Switzerland,” but over the past few decades, the phrase “Swiss Made” has become industry standard. Carefully regulated by the Swiss government, this seemingly straightforward code is meant to guarantee the origin of your watch—and, by association, a presumed superiority to those made anywhere else. Meanwhile, half a world away, Chinese…

When Vacheron Constantin brought back its all-gold 222 three years ago, it was on everybody's list as one of the hottest horological releases of 2022. The design, penned by Jorg Hysek and introduced in 1977, was created to celebrate the Swiss watchmaker's 222nd anniversary. And this revival felt right on time: The disco decade's aesthetics were beginning to catch on again, and collectors were looking for a little retro flair after a long emphasis on steel tool watches. The $74,000 boutique-exclusive “Jumbo” model, with its wearable 37 mm case, is mostly faithful to the original—save for a few upgrades, such as an in-house movement, subtle ergonomic improvements, an 18-karat-gold rotor, and a sapphirecrystal caseback. But an all-gold watch is a flashy proposition—even at a time when enthusiasts have embraced the…

If the role of an artist is to observe and critique society at a remove, Christine Sun Kim could rightly claim she was born for the job: She's a Deaf woman of color with ADHD, as well as a first-generation American who has herself expatriated to Germany. “Oftentimes I wonder if my upbringing—being in an immigrant household, never being entirely comfortable in one language—pushed me to look further into what is beyond the construct of text and letters,” the 44-year-old says through an interpreter, sitting in the Berlin flat she shares with her husband and two young children. “At this point, I also see being an artist as just so much fun, like I'm making up for what I didn't get when I was younger.” In that case, Kim must…

Gulfstream G700 Gulfstream's flagship has a range of 7,750 nautical miles, a maximum speed of Mach 0.935, and a takeoff distance of 5,595 feet—about the same as the 10X. The G700 claims business aviation's largest cabin, with 2,603 cubic feet of interior volume across five living areas. Low decibel levels, continuously recirculated fresh air, and a pressurization equivalent of 2,840 feet (at 41,000 feet) enhance the comfort of this 19-seater, which has the ability to sleep up to 13 passengers. More intimate layouts include a grand suite with a shower, an entertainment center, and dedicated social and dining areas. $81 million Gulfstream G800 The new 19-seat G800's cabin has less volume than that of the G700, with four living areas—compared to the latter's five—and the ability to sleep 10 throughout…

Sibenik, Croatia Venetian traders not only paved Šibenik with marble; they're also responsible for its Cathedral of St. James, constructed from 1431 through 1535, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sailors might recognize from Game of Thrones. A cruise on the Luka Kanal reveals more historic buildings along stone-clad banks, and the waters surrounding St. Nicholas Fortress make for an excellent mooring spot. Ortigia, Sicily Although the tiny island of Ortigia may have lived its best life 2,500 years ago, its enduring Sicilian cuisine and architecture make it a compelling port of call. Savor almond and espresso gelati while visiting baroque churches on piazzas built by ancient Greeks. Two bridges connect Ortigia to Syracuse, the main Greek city of ancient Sicily, where the local pescherie stock enough…

As usual, the most recent Art Basel Miami Beach, in December, was a glittering, celebratory spectacle of wealth and creativity. Champagne flowed, well-heeled crowds mingled, and seven-figure sales made headlines. It was almost enough to belie a simple fact: The art market is already in a recession; it just doesn't realize it yet-or won't admit it. As someone who has spent years immersed in the art world—as a collector, a teacher at Yale University, and an author—I've seen the data firsthand. In a 2018 Science paper I coauthored, which examined information on 500,000 artists across millions of transactions, my fellow researchers and I uncovered a striking truth: Financial success stories in the art world are reserved for an extremely small group. In fact, just 20 artists—names such as Jeff Koons,…

WHEN I ARRIVE in northern Italy's Aosta Valley in early April of last year, the seasons are playing tug-of-war. At the base of Courmayeur, a chic ski resort snuggled into the foot of Monte Bianco—better known by its French moniker, Mont Blanc—trees brim with pale-pink buds on the verge of blossoming, and waterfalls and rivers gush with snowmelt. The temperature hovers in the upper 60s, and sun-drenched terraces overflow with tanned Italians sipping spritzes. Spring is in the air. But higher in the mountains, where it's barely 15 degrees, winter lingers. A late-season storm recently rolled in, and the slopes are carpeted in fresh snow, just as my guide and organizer, Danielle Stynes, confidently predicted. The Australian founder of SwisSkiSafari has lived in Switzerland for 30 years and for the…

On the first morning of Doc, an exclusive health and longevity event that convened its inaugural meeting this past October, scoring a caffeine hit required navigating a human obstacle course that had sprung up in the overflow tent. A shifting group of 20 to 30 attendees eagerly chatted by the coffee bar and make-your-own-trail-mix station, while a separate gaggle formed around Eric Verdin, CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, as if he were a celebrity—which, in this crowd, he was. At about noon, a directive appeared on a message board politely asking those who'd congregated to move their conversations outside; their voices were carrying into the main room. The small cliques did as they were instructed, migrating into the mild Napa Valley sun, where they continued their…