PRESTIGE

PRESTIGE
F E AT U R E
i n t h e l a p o f l u x u r y
• Louis Vuitton • Supersonic Jets • South African Art • Dom Pérignon • Cape to Rio
• Collectors’ Wines • Private Island Investments • Montegrappa • Seychelles
• Blancpain • Princess Yachts • Patek Philippe • Travel Africa • Dalmore Whisky
www.prestigemag.co.za 1
ISSUE NO. 44 R39.95 South Africa’s Premier Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

F E AT U R E
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Absa Wealth, a division of Absa Bank Limited, Reg No 1986/004794/06. Authorised Financial Services Provider Reg No 523. Registered Credit Provider Reg No NCRCP7.

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True balance is a quality rarely observed; only achieved when all
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It’s something that those who bank with us understand all too
well. www.absawealth.com
The Jupiter Drawing Room 44183

contents
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28
36
86
2824
PARAGONS OF LUXURY
Battle for all Time – Patek Philippe 20
Setting High Standards in Luxury – Louis Vuitton 24
Creativity, Passion, Craftsmanship – Montegrappa
COLLECTIBLES & RARITIES
The Skeleton – See-Through Safe from Döttling 34
Investing in Wine – Better than Gold 46
Art on a Bottle – Dom Pérignon & Andy Warhol 78
Fine, Fine Whisky – The Dalmore 86
Hidden Treasures, Ancient Secrets – Persian Carpets 124
MOTORING & AVIATION
Classic Cars – Made to Last 36
All New – The McLaren MP4-12C 54
The Big Boom – Supersonic Jets 84
Preaching to the Converted – Great Drop Tops 94
Dassault Falcon – It’s What’s Inside that Counts 118

contents
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116
108 72
BOATING & YACHTING
SuperYacht Lady Christine – A Royal Touch
Going Large – Princess Yachts
Heineken Cape to Rio – 2011 Race 50
58
76
102
Living on a Wave – Best Boat Charters 122
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Five-Star Retreat – Platinum-Rated Bush Lodges 42
For the Whole Family – Constance Ephelia Seychelles 72
Alone Time – Private Cruise to Robben Island 98
Travel Africa – And Don’t Miss This 108
HAUTE HORLOGERIE & AUDIO-VISUAL
ID Bracelets – Variety Rules in the World of Watches 50
Blancpain – World’s Best Watch Brand 68
French Revolution – New Era in Gallic Hi-Fi Equipment 90
Haute Fidelity – A Hi-Fi System that Dazzles 120

contents
20
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LUXURY LIVING & LIFESTYLE
A Star on the Rise – Creation Wines
Sabrage – Fit for Dashing Frenchman and You
South African Art – The Allure
The Great Classics – Inspired Education with Dr Demartini 100
66
92
100
106
A Good Walk Perfected – SA’s Best Golf Courses 114
A Thousand Years in Every Sip – Malus 116
Supporting the Growth of Luxury Brands – SALA 128
BUSINESS & PROPERTY
REGULARS
58
62
Brands and Heritage – The New Buzzword 32
Treasured Islands – Buying the Robinson Crusoe Dream 62
A Home in Cyprus – The Perfect Getaway 82
This Time It’s Different – Investment Outlook for 2011 112
Letter from the Chairman 10
Letter from the Editor 12
Live the Life 16
Premier Travel Portfolio 127

letter from the
chairman
10 preStiGe
With a magazine of the calibre of
Prestige, the ‘Best of the Best’ always
presents a problem to us. Needing to
accommodate a plethora of interests
and tastes, we have to strive to
maintain a balance that keeps
everyone happy. So this edition is
dedicated to everything special and
in many cases special is not only
about price.
A wise person once said to me
that authenticity and remaining true
to one's values are key ingredients in
one's recipe for life. This year has
been a revelation for many – one for
taking stock, going back to basics and
for establishing a purpose. We are
hopefully reaching the end of a trying
period for the world, where perceived
value did not exist and led to
the demise of many established
corporates, which is why authenticity
will play a crucial role in underpinning
many business and personal
relationships going forward.
Amidst the doom and gloom that
pervades much of the world, there are
some great initiatives emerging, along
with the focus on environmental
sustainability. We are entering a
period of practical resourcefulness,
where we look to nature to guide our
inventiveness. Over and above that,
we find an acceleration of information
on both a push and a pull basis, a
bombardment that is difficult to
handle. The digital age has made a
critical and irreversible impact on the
world. Our hunger for instant
gratification has become so voracious
that we have come to a turning point:
mankind has to survive its own ego in
order to sustain itself.
In the luxury market, many of
whose members are unscathed by
world events, there is a different
debate around purpose, and in some
cases even, forced guilt in being one
of a few 'haves' when there are so
many 'have-nots' around. So this
market has needed to adapt to be
more innovative, more socially
responsible and present more value
for money to sustain itself.
So, the odds are that you as a
discerning reader are also taking
stock of where you are, and yes I
applaud that, especially as we are in
those same shoes. In our many
strategy planning sessions, we spend
a fair amount of time understanding
our market. We have an everincreasing
and loyal reader base that
loves Prestige for its content.
Through extensive research we have
gained some great inputs for the
magazine's direction.
Finally, I thank you for your
support and wish you a safe and
joyous festive season.

12 preStiGe
letter from PUBLISHER
the editor
“Dreams are true while they last,
and do we not live in dreams?” –
Alfred Lord Tennyson
There is much out there in the world that could be called the best of this or the
best of that, but it isn’t possible to feature everything here, as our lovely luxury
magazine would then be too heavy to handle. However, we have gathered, in gorgeous
detail, some of what we’ve deemed to be among the best, and laid it out for you to
pore over as you indulge in (responsibly, I’m sure) a little holiday tipple.
Patek Philippe stars as one of our ‘paragons of luxury’, joined by the likes of Louis
Vuitton and Montegrappa. These three brands have a history that collectively spans
several centuries, each of them employing time-honoured techniques of hand
craftsmanship and incredible attention to detail in all their creations. They set a very
high precedent for luxury contenders to follow.
Farhad Vladi enlightened us, in great detail, on the joys of buying a private island
of one’s own, while Princess Yachts shared with us a secret, set to launch on the
market in late January: their new 32M cruising yacht. We looked back at some of the
best classic cars but also penned our thoughts on what we think are some great
modern convertibles, too. Our travel journalist racked her brains to compile a piece on
Southern Africa’s best, platinum-rated bush lodges, and while doing so divulged the
dirt on what she believes are some of the best experiences to be had on this continent,
from walks with wild lions in Zimbabwe and treatments at traditional Tunisian
thalasso spas, to sunning yourself on a beach that is all your own on the island of
Medjumbe. And the ‘Best of the Best’ wouldn’t be complete without news from
Döttling. We spoke with Markus Döttling himself about their latest luxury safe.
If you’re partial to collecting items of value, there’s South African art, currently
fetching record prices on auction; one-of-a-kind watches from various Houses, some
pieces dating back to the early 20th century; jewel-encrusted pens endorsed by great
authors; whiskies so good they’re only made in seriously limited quantities; and
Persian carpets handcrafted in extremely fine detail.
We also had some fun, as we’re partial to do at Prestige from time to time, and
traipsed our way from green to green in order to recommend the three best courses
in South Africa at which you need to tee off, at least once. We looked into the
advances being made with supersonic flight, and the good news is that private jets
capable of even more incredible speeds than ever before are on the cusp of being
commercially available. And what else can you look forward to in the New Year? The
arrival of the super-sweet supercar, the McLaren MP4-12C, that’s what. And what a
fine feat of form and function it is!
This is Prestige’s annual ‘Best of the Best’ edition for you to enjoy, so as always,
please do.
Toni
PRESTIGE
i n t h e l a p o f l u x u r y
www.prestigemag.co.za
– Neo Publishing (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 11 484 2833
Fax: +27 86 699 2266
CHAIRMAN – Vivien Natasen
vivien@neoafrica.com
EDITOR – Toni Muir
toni@prestigemag.co.za
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY EDITORS –
Charl du Plessis – charl@prestigemag.co.za
Tanya Goodman – tanya@prestigemag.co.za
ADMIN & CIRCULATION – Adesh Pritilall
adesh@prestigemag.co.za
MARKETING & EVENTS – Brandon Mcleod
brandon.mcleod@neoafrica.com
ADVERTISING
Adie Ceruti
Tel: +27 83 601 2291 / +27 11 465 1572
adie@prestigemag.co.za
Katy Essa
Tel: +27 82 633 2962
katy@prestigemag.co.za
Rui Barbosa
Tel: +27 84 290 2070
rui@prestigemag.co.za
DESIGN & LAYOUT
VDS Design Studio
Liesel van der Schyf
Tel: +27 82 336 7537
liesel@vdsdesign.co.za
PROOF-READING
Beth Cooper Howell
PRINT
Paarl Web, Gauteng
SUBSCRIPTIONS
R480 for 12 issues; R840 for 24 issues
To subscribe, send us an email with the
words SUBSCRIBE PRESTIGE in the
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DISTRIBUTION
Prestige is available on newsstands and
through subscription. Free public space
distribution includes charter fleets operating
in the Southern African region. Top five-star
hotels and all major business class airport
lounges nationally receive free monthly
copies. Also look for Prestige in upmarket
coffee shops, spas and private banking
waiting areas.
COVER IMAGES
Des Ingham-Brown; Graham's Fine Art
Gallery; Montegrappa; Bulova; The Dalmore
Distillery
All rights reserved. Prestige is published by Neo Publishing. Opinions expressed in this
publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or any of its clients. Information
has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time
of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. While every
effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information and reports in this magazine,
the publisher does not accept any responsibility, whatsoever, for any errors or omissions,
or for any effects resulting therefrom. No part of this publication may be used, or
reproduced in any form, without the written permission of the publisher. Copyright
2010. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to Neo Publishing
and/or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

IRELAND/DAVENPORT 65533
JOY MAKES EVERY
DAY LESS EVERYDAY.
Redefine the realm of possibility in the new BMW X3. It effortlessly transcends form and function, precisely sculpted
around a variable and modernly trimmed interior. With BMW EfficientDynamics as standard, its performance is as
impressive as its lower emissions. This technology includes, among other innovations, Brake Energy Regeneration
and Auto Start/Stop which work together to effortlessly offer best-in-class fuel consumption of just 5.6 litres
per 100 km in the xDrive20d Auto. Unrivalled urban elegance and athletic agility fill every second in the new
BMW X3 with endless possibilities. For more information go to www.bmw.co.za/X3
The new BMW X3 is available in xDrive20d Auto and xDrive35i Auto.
THE NEW BMW X3.

BMW X3
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Driving Pleasure

livethelife Carry Cartier
The new Feminine Bag from Cartier blends conservative chic with formal appeal,
and flamboyant materials with sophisticated style. It expresses a certain French
idea of elegance, a city version of a handbag that is at once feminine and
precious, mysterious and bold – the ideal accessory. Grey flannel, patent, matt or
exotic leather, a version with a cheetah or zebra motif, a bag that features
contrasting pairs of materials – these are just some of the finishes on
offer. Contact the Cartier boutique on +27 11 666 2800
(Sandton) for more.
See the Winelands in
Sky-High Style
Visit the Stellenbosch winelands in utter luxury on a scenic helicopter flight to
Hartenberg Wine Estate, one of South Africa’s finest wine producers. The
40-minute flight takes off from the V&A Waterfront, passes over the
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek winelands, then sets down on the 300-year-old
Hartenberg Estate for a VIP tasting and cellar tour, topped off with a homestyle
picnic or cellar lunch before returning to base. Tours are available daily on
request from R9,720 for a group of up to three people. Contact
+27 21 418 4763 or email tracy@heli.co.za to book.
16 preStiGe
Immortalise
Your Loved One
In the past, newly discovered
species were named after royalty,
patrons of science, and even the
explorers themselves, such as the
Queen Victoria crowned pigeon,
Rothschild's giraffe and Roosevelt's
elk. In a first for South Africa,
Strauss & Co will be auctioning the
naming rights of a delicate blue iris
recently discovered near Saldanha
on the West Coast. The money
raised during the auction will
support the WWF Table Mountain
Fund to protect and restore the
natural wilderness of Table
Mountain and the Cape, one of the
most biologically rich yet
threatened places on Earth. The
online auction will open in
December 2010 and close in March
2011, culminating in a private
dinner where guests will have the
opportunity to beat the highest bid.
The highest bidder wins the right to
name this beautiful, rare flower.
Visit www.straussart.co.za to
participate.

Chic New Designs
from Avoova
The likes of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, owner of the world’s
largest and most luxurious superyacht, Eclipse, ordered five Avoova
tables, all made by hand at the company’s workshops in the Karoo. Why?
Because Avoova is fast becoming known and respected as a luxury
brand of high quality and unique design, blending African inspirations
with European flavour to create a sophisticated and entirely South
African look. Some of Avoova’s larger designs include side tables, coffee
tables and cow horns, all skilfully wrapped in a mantle
of sensual ostrich eggshell, and many
resembling works of art. Visit
www.avoova.com.
PRESTIGE
i n t h e l a p o f l u x u r y
TIMELESS BARDOT
Bentley is Back
Champagne
Giants on Safari
PANTHALASSA
• Collectible Vintage Watches • Luxury Diesels • Moving Sushi Expedition
• Wayachts’ Wake 66 • Bob Geldof • Panerai • Robin Hood • Grande Utopia
• Gobi Desert Dinner • New Vehicle Technologies • Nedbank Golf Challenge
ISSUE NO. 43 R39.95 South Africa’s Premier Luxury Lifestyle Magazine
A Gift of
Prestige
For the person who has everything, give that
special someone in your life a gift that
lasts the entire year. A subscription to
Prestige is a much appreciated gift. Prestige
incorporates the latest from the boating and
yachting, motoring and aviation playgrounds,
as well as luxury travel, style, art, design,
food, decor, collectibles, jewellery, business
and well-being. Working with a finely
nuanced definition of luxury, it is a magazine for families with finesse and
financial freedom who engage with the world across many dimensions. With
each edition, Prestige pursues a mix of luxury elements that include rarity,
nostalgia, elegance, understatement, freedom, curiosity, generosity,
intelligence, wit, aesthetics, adventure and more. Simply holding and enjoying
Prestige should already feel like a luxury in itself. Email ‘subscribe Prestige’
and your name and contact number to mail@prestigemag.co.za for more
information.
Metal Mettle
from Veronica
Anderson Jewellers
This new collection marks a milestone for
Veronica Anderson Jewellery, which opened
the doors to its jewellery ‘gallery’ five years
ago. Launched with the specific intention of
promoting South African jewellers, the store
gives these artists a platform for their oneoff,
handmade pieces. This new range of gold
and silver jewellery is precious, plucky and
spirited, and showcases the work of 15 top
goldsmiths. Without the addition of stones
or other metals, it is about discovering the
raw beauty of these two materials, and
turning them into extraordinary pieces, each
a bold and stylish statement. Collections are
presented two or three times a year, each
one a new concept, and each curated by
Veronica Anderson herself. Contact
+27 11 783 7036 (Sandton store) or
+27 11 268 2021 (Rosebank store), or visit
www.veronicaandersonjewellery.co.za.
www.prestigemag.co.za 17

Head Of fice: +27 11 615 9544 | www.europashoes.co.za

20 preStiGe

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: © PATek PhIlIPPe MuseuM
P A R A G O N
Battle
for All Time
Patek Philippe’s Calibre 89
An historical duel between two captains of industry in America
– Henry Graves Jr and James Ward Packard – was not about
corporate capital, but rather for the title of owning the most
complicated watch ever made. Both commissioned Patek
Philippe, an internationally renowned watchmaker, to design
the most complicated watch of the early 20th Century.
Bill Gates might have thought that the introduction of his newest generation of personal
technology devices, like a smart watch that has customisable watch faces, access to
personal messages and appointments, and the ability to receive up-to-date news,
traffic, weather and sports information, would revolutionise what people wear on their
wrists. But it was a competition that ratcheted up between Graves and Packard over
more than 30 years that resulted in one of the most sophisticated watches the world
has ever seen, and culminated in the world’s most expensive timepiece, the Graves Supercomplication.
Henry Graves Junior was born into a prominent banking family. He was somewhat of a mysterious
character in New York, responsible for financing railroads and making millions. He was also an art
collector and fond of fine watches. James Ward Packard, meanwhile, was a famous automobile
engineer, best known for his formation of the Packard Motor Car Company and the manufacture of
the ‘Ohio Model A’ automobile. His cars gained a reputation as the finest luxury vehicles produced
www.prestigemag.co.za 21

F E AT U R E
in America. Both men were captivated
by the craft and science behind
watchmaking, both as symbols of
status and as pieces of art.
Starting in 1900, James Ward
Packard began commissioning Patek
Philippe to produce watches for him.
A total of 13 complicated watches
were commissioned between 1900
and 1927 by Packard, one of which is
now kept at the Patek Phillippe
Museum in Geneva. This fascinating
stem-winding pocket watch combines
10 horological complications: a
minute repeater on three gongs, a
perpetual calendar with phases and
age of the moon, indication of sunrise
and sunset, equation of time, and a
magnificent celestial chart in blue
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enamel, depicting the movements of
over 500 stars as they would appear
in the sky above Packard’s home near
Warren in Ohio.
Not to be outdone by Packard,
Graves soon decided he wanted to
own the watch with the most
complications. Patek Phillippe took up
the challenge and created, within a
It was sold for over $11
million, a recordbreaking
amount, to a
secretive, anonymous
bidder at a Sotheby's
auction held in New
York City in 1999.
few years’ interval, the two most
complicated watches in the world.
The ‘Graves’ watch, with its 24
complications, was completed in
1933 after six years of research, with
Graves having spent more than five
times what Packard spent on his 1927
version and the watch containing an
additional eight complications. Only
one such watch was ever built. And
this watch undoubtedly ensured that
Graves won the competition.
Called The Supercomplication,
after Graves’s death this pocket watch
was held in the Museum of Time near
Chicago, Illinois for years. It was sold
for over $11 million, a record-breaking
amount, to a secretive, anonymous
bidder at a Sotheby's auction held in
New York City in 1999.
It wasn’t until 1989 and the
occasion of Patek Philippe’s 150th
anniversary that the Graves watch
was surpassed in terms of
complications. The Calibre 89 took
over nine years to develop – five years
in research and four years to
manufacture. What makes it so
special is that independently of mean
time (hours, minutes and seconds), it
incorporates a total of 1,728
components and 33 complications
that display a number of functions.
Weighing 1.1 kilograms, it exhibits 24
hands and a number of subdials. A
star chart, thermometer, century
leap year correction, sun hand and
both a grande and petite sonnerie are
just some of its features. Only four
were made. In comparison to the
Graves Supercomplication, one of the
Calibre 89s in white gold was sold
at auction in 2004 for just over
$5 million.
Today, Patek Philippe continues its
legacy of creating some of the world’s
most sophisticated watches for some
of the world’s most demanding
clientele. The Patek Philippe Museum
offers a fascinating history of
watchmaking. Visit it in person or
online at www.patekmuseum.com.
Visit www.patek.com for more on
Patek Philippe’s current offerings. �

IT’S NOT
A BENTLEY FOR JUST
OVER ONE AND
A HALF MILLION RAND.
IT’S NOT
A BENTLEY FOR
JUST OVER
ONE AND A HALF
MILLION RAND.
IT’S SIMPLY ALL
THE PROMISES YOU EVER
MADE TO YOURSELF
COMING TRUE.
IT’S SIMPLY ALL
THE PROMISES
YOU EVER MADE
TO YOURSELF
COMING TRUE.
Your barely driven, perfectly prepared Bentley comes to you in a truly immaculate condition.
You’ll be reassured to know that every hand-turned gear, every walnut rim, every titanium-
sheathed piston has been examined, tested, polished and brought to perfection. You’ll be
delighted to learn all that is missing is the original price. The savings are substantial yet
without any compromise to quality or your driving pleasure. And for your complete
reassurance, every Bentley Approved Pre-Owned vehicle comes with a 12 month factory
warranty. To secure your Bentley from our current stable, please visit our website at
www.bentleyapproved.co.za, or better still, come to our showrooms on William Nicol
Drive, Bryanston (+27 11 361 6600) or Lower Loop Street, Cape Town (+27 21 419 0595).
M&C SAATCHI ABEL/BENTLEY/PS/447/E

LouisVuitton
Setting High Standards in Luxury
24 preStiGe

Words: lOuIs VuITTON; TONI MuIR Images: © lOuIs VuITTON; lOuIs VuITTON ARChIVes
In 1854, Louis Vuitton, ‘layetier, trunk-maker and
packer’, offered a modern trunk that combined
pragmatism and elegance, perfectly adapted to
the current modes of transport and changes in the
lives his clients led. Some 150 years later and the
House of Louis Vuitton is still considered the one
and only source of ultra-high-end luggage, every
piece a work of art, meticulously crafted in the
company’s Asnières workshop.
Presentation card of the Louis Vuitton Agent in Scotland at
the Gleneagles Hotel, 1926-1927.
P A R A G O N
me your
luggage and I'll tell
you who you are.”
This 1921 Louis
Vuitton advertising
“Show
slogan evokes the
close relationship that every traveller
has with his or her trunks and luggage.
From trains and legendary ocean liners
to automobiles and the first aircraft,
the Louis Vuitton trunk crossed time
and borders. Indeed, the House of
Vuitton has served explorers and
adventurers, princes, dandies, elegant
ladies, and artists of all kinds. The
Maharaja of Baroda, Pierre Savorgnan
de Brazza, Douglas Fairbanks, Ernest
Hemingway, Jeanne Lanvin – even
Damien Hirst and Sharon Stone have
travelled with Vuitton.
From the first domed trunks to the
most modern designs produced today,
the spirit of the House of Louis Vuitton
is still driven by the same reputation
for excellence and expertise – and a
desire to elevate travel to an art. Louis
Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks,
showcases the most beautiful
creations of the House through more
than 800 photographs. The trunk-bed,
steamer trunk, tea case, toiletry kit,
circus trunk, library trunk, and caviar
box are just a few of the many pieces
featured in this incredible tome, along
with the fascinating stories of their
creation. A full technical survey – the
bible of the artisanal trunk-maker –
reveals the secrets of making a Louis
Vuitton trunk.
What follows are extracts from
the book’s preface by Patrick-Louis
www.prestigemag.co.za 25

Vuitton: “Luggage, which was first
and foremost utilitarian, only recently
became a luxury item. One hundred
years ago, the notion of luxury did not
even exist. A jewel box was a jewel
box, something essentially useful.
Luxury resulted from the standards
set by the trunk-makers for their
own manufacturing process. These
standards became increasingly rare,
which led to today’s ‘luxury’ label.
“We opened up our archives,
combed through long-forgotten
customer cards, exhumed anecdotes,
26 preStiGe
and revived a past never fully hidden
away and of which we are very proud.
Following chronological threads,
shining light on contexts, sometimes
frivolous, sometimes serious, it
became increasingly apparent that
my ancestors possessed an infallible
flair for their times, in which they
were so solidly rooted.
“Unfortunately, there are no
statistics that give the exact number
of trunks made in our workshops over
the last century and a half. Surely, the
number is in the hundreds of
thousands. They are scattered to the
four corners of the globe... Some
sleep in attics, others are in museums,
others are still travelling. Trunks are
like special possessions, jealously
preserved or lost forever – no one
knows how many Louis Vuitton trunks
there were on the Titanic. Some were
in the movies; others played at
spying. Some carried the feathers
of the music hall, others the score of
a symphony. Yes, the whole world
came to Vuitton and placed their trust
in us, even when it was a matter of
sending out a family’s dirty laundry
or its adulterous passions. Even when
it concerned the owner’s most
beautiful jewels or well-guarded
secrets.
“My grandfather, Gaston-Louis
Vuitton, was a great collector. His
collection is the nucleus of our
museum in Asnières. Like Gaston-
Louis’s trunks, each of the trunks in
this book has a fabulous history. It is
told through those who ordered the
trunks, those who owned them,
and the times in which they were
made, as if, once wide open, they are
no longer trunks but albums. The
best part of the story is often tucked
away in the inner recesses of a
drawer as, for example, when an
unpublished manuscript by Hemingway
was discovered by chance in a
Vuitton trunk.
“The solid reality of a utilitarian
object made with care and pragmatism
often merges with the immense

omanticism of a person or a work. This
juxtaposition is valid for each of the
hundred trunks here, chosen for their
incredible variety and versatility. From
stagecoach to train, from ship to
airplane and, of course, automobile,
the House of Louis Vuitton anticipated
all progress and modes of travel. It also
expressed and respected its clientele’s
privacy, literally as well as figuratively.
A private order always remains private,
and special; it opens a dialogue, poses
a challenge, stimulates creativity, and
At Louis Vuitton, special orders are a glorious tradition,
one which takes pride in fulfilling every exceptional request
of every exceptional customer. It has been so for over a
century and a half now. From the legendary foldout trunkbed
designed by Louis and Georges Vuitton for expeditions
to far-flung corners of the globe to the solar-powered DVD
and Coffee secretary trunk, Louis Vuitton has devised
countless elegant and ingenious ways to help its customers
satisfy their specific needs and express their individuality.
Louis Vuitton’s historic Asnières workshop near Paris
has traditionally made all its special orders. The workshop is
personally overseen by Patrick-Louis Vuitton, representing
the fifth generation of the founding family, a trained and
talented craftsman himself. Patrick-Louis Vuitton is fond of
quoting the words of Georges Vuitton, his great-grandfather,
who used to say, “The main thing is to allow your personal
effects to travel in the greatest possible comfort.” Thus, the
essential condition for any special order is that it must
respect the spirit of travel.
Louis Vuitton distinguishes between two types of
special orders: made-to-order and custom-made. Made-toorder
is an exclusive service allowing for selected items
from the permanent collection to be interpreted in other
materials. Custom-made pieces, meanwhile, are unique,
always results in the client’s entire
satisfaction, wherever he or she may
live. It has been that way for 150 years.
And these one hundred extraordinary
trunks simply convey all the evolving
know-how that must be transmitted.
You don’t have to be a Vuitton to do
this. We make marvellous objects from
wood, leather and canvas. It is
important to know that all of our
luggage was, and continues to be,
designed to be repaired, even after two
generations of use; old trunks and
louis Vuitton special Orders
suitcases can be restored using raw
materials and spare parts dating from
the period of manufacture. Of course
they can no longer travel, but their
story, in transit for a time, takes
another turn. This book brings them all
back to safe harbour.”
The book, 100 Legendary Trunks
is now available from Louis
Vuitton stores for R1,500. Contact
+27 11 784 9854 (Sandton City,
Johannesburg) or +27 21 405 9700
(V&A Waterfront, Cape Town). �
one-off creations that elegantly reconcile a client’s wishes
with technical considerations and established design codes,
at the same time affording Louis Vuitton's craftsmen the
opportunity to demonstrate their exceptional expertise.
The House has always offered personalisation services
such as hot-stamping one’s initials onto a wide selection
of soft leather goods and accessories or hand-
painting one’s initials onto hard-sided luggage. Now, Louis
Vuitton is proposing a new way to personalise a monogram
bag and really make it one’s own: Mon Monogram,
which can be done on the Speedy handbag, the Keepall
travel bag, the iconic Pégase 55 suitcase and The
Neverfull handbag.
A set of two-tone initials of up to three letters, either
vertical or diagonal stripes, or a combination of both initials
and stripes can be chosen from a range of 17 different
colours, meaning more than 200 million possible
combinations per bag. Once a choice has been made, the
client’s order is sent directly to one of the Louis Vuitton
workshops, where the bag is created and hand
assembled. This Mon Monogram personalisation is
currently offered in around 100 Louis Vuitton flagship
stores worldwide, including the two in South Africa. Visit
www.louisvuitton.com for more information.
www.prestigemag.co.za 27

P A R A G O N
Montegrappa
Creativity, Passion, Craftsmanship
A legend in the world of stationery, Montegrappa has been crafting highquality
writing instruments since 1912, building a reputation not simply for the
superb performance of its products, but for their artistic beauty, too.
28 preStiGe
Words: MONTeGRAPPA; JACQuI hIGGINs; TONI MuIR Images: © MONTeGRAPPA

F E AT U R E
30 preStiGe
Montegrappa, the first
Italian manufacturer
of writing instruments,
is recognised and
lauded the world over
for its creativity and
style. First opened in Bassano del
Grappa in 1912, Montegrappa has a
long tradition of craftsmanship; its
spectacular designs a collaboration
between artists, artisans and
engineers; their pens an emblem of
skill and genius.
Working out of the same historic
building for over a century,
Montegrappa has been a part of the
lives of great men, and has born
witness to moments of intense
creativity and innovation. During the
First World War, Bassano was one of
the most crucial areas of the conflict.
At that time, Villa Ca’ Erizzo, the
Venetian villa next to the Montegrappa
factory, was used as a military
hospital. Among the many soldiers
here were Ernest Hemingway and
John Dos Passos, both Red Cross
volunteer ambulance drivers, who
used Montegrappa (then known as
Elmo) implements to pen their
thoughts and write letters home.
In the late thirties, the modern
fountain pen became more than just a
writing instrument and was
transformed into a fashionable,
statement accessory. Thanks to the
wide variety of colours, tasteful
design, and special jeweller’s
techniques – for which the Vicenza
area is famous – Montegrappa really
became a recognised symbol of
excellence.
Although styles and materials
may change, all Montegrappa pens
possess distinctive features: the
octagonal shape, the rotating sphere
on the end of the clip, the use of
precious materials such as gold, silver,
and valuable gems. At the very high
end, Montegrappa pens are made
from celluloid, with coloured pigments
and powdered mother of pearl,
sterling silver and 18-carat gold,
embellished with precious stones.
Techniques include hand-etching,
low-relief engraving, die-casting and
enamelling. The finest attention to
detail can be seen on the nib, the clip,
and the top of the cap, which slides
easily onto the pen, aligning perfectly
with a satisfying click.
World-renowned writer Paulo
Coelho is brand ambassador for the
Espressione and Espressione Duetto
collections. Both icons of emotion,
Montegrappa and Coelho share a
passion for the written word. “The
fascination of a pen consists in being
strictly linked with the past, the
present and the future,” Coelho says,
“and a beautiful Montegrappa pen
can be the best ally to express and

epresent one’s own personality.”
The Montegrappa collection is
divided into two large families: the
Regular Range, comprising glamorous,
beautifully designed accessories that
make the daily task of writing much
more enjoyable, and the Limited
Editions, an extraordinary blend of
craftsmanship and design inspired by
the passions and myriad expressions
of human creativity, and coveted by
connoisseurs of fine things.
Collectors of Montegrappa pens
are successful and discerning, with a
sophisticated appreciation for the
finer things in life. They understand
quality, precision and detail, and for
such a person, there is no greater gift
than a bespoke pen, which captures
this passion in art form.
Montegrappa writing instruments
are distributed in nearly 60 countries,
and are now available in South
Africa. For distributor details contact
+27 87 943 5390. �
“The Pen”
– by Paulo Coelho for Montegrappa
The pen is the intention.
It is what manifests the inspiration of
the hand as a sentence in the paper.
The intention must be crystal-clear,
straight and balanced. Once the pen
has moved, the abstract becomes real.
Therefore, it is better to interrupt a
word in the middle because the
thoughts that led up to it were not
sufficiently precise and correct, than
to act carelessly, simply because the
hand was holding a pen and the paper
was waiting.
But never hold back from using the
pen if all that paralyses you is fear of
making a mistake. If you feel the call
of inspiration, start writing. Even if
the pen does not express clearly your
thoughts, you will learn how to
improve next time.
If you never take a risk, you will never
know what changes you need to
make.
Each stroke of the pen leaves a mark
not only in the paper, but also in your
heart. And it is the sum of those marks
that will make your writing and your
life better and better.
The Peace Pen
Montegrappa has always developed magnificent pieces both in its core
range and Limited Edition series. But even its own exacting standards were
exceeded when craftsmen produced what is widely considered to be not only
the most opulent but also the most expensive pen in the world – the $1,187,000
Peace Pen.
Designed by David Monalto di Frangito, an internationally feted craftsman
specialising in crystal carving, the Peace Pen is as much a work of art as it is a
writing implement. Its crystal and platinum body, encrusted with 1,259
separate diamonds weighing a total of 48 carats, is a creation to marvel. “This
is an absolutely unique creation,” says Giuseppe Aquila, Montegrappa's CEO.
“We will never make anything like it again. It is one of a kind. It is the result of
Montegrappa's capacity to conceive a pen as a jewel, to create something that
is at once both functional and artistic.”
Among other elements, it includes an octagonal barrel made of platinum
and pure Baccarat crystal, its eight panels engraved with 184 miniature doves,
and a hidden clip that is sprung by pushing a diamond on the top of the pen.
The pen comes in a crystal presentation casket sculpted in the form of a hand
cradling a dove.
The inspiration for the pen came from Montegrappa's association with the
Peace Parks Foundation, an organisation that seeks to promote stability,
economic development and cross-border cooperation in Africa by the creation
of trans-national conservation areas (Nelson Mandela is the organisation's
patron). This exceptional item was recently sold to a South African collector by
the Luks Group, the local distributors of Montegrappa. Says Marc Hoffman,
CEO of the Luks Group, “We are so excited to have the Peace Pen in South
Africa. It has been all around the world – it’s a one-of-a-kind pen. It is incredible
that it has returned to Africa where it was first conceptualised, and we are
thrilled to have it with a South African collector, which seems a fitting home
for the Peace Pen.”
www.prestigemag.co.za 31

Brands&
32 preStiGe
Heritage
The New Buzzword
Luxury brands live in their own universe of beautiful and groomed people who
are world-wise and sophisticated. Heritage and history have often been a
mainstay of differentiation among the world’s most luxurious brands, yet more
and more brand managers and CEOs in other categories are catching onto
the value of legacy.

Words: ChARl Du PlessIs Image: © IsTOCkPhOTO.COM
Here is how the
story was told: a
20-something-yearold
woman with lots
of attitude got the
position at a large
corporation, and was bent on making
her mark. One of the first things she
did was to start making unreasonable
demands to their supplier, who was
telling us the story, and threatening
to suspend business. Her company
represented 60 percent of this
supplier’s revenue and they had to
act fast.
Their solution was simple. They
sent her a copy of their company’s
recently published history book. Once
she understood what the supplier was
all about, where they came from, and
how deep the relationship with her
company had been for several
decades, she changed her tune
immediately. No doubt, seeing photos
of her superiors, several floors higher
up by now, spending social and project
time when much younger with the
principals at the supplier’s company
must have made the penny drop that
her threats to this old, trusted
relationship were a sure-fire way of
damaging her own career.
Suddenly, companies are catching
onto how valuable their own history
may be, both in finding some true
differentiation and in finding ways of
leveraging their legacy. In the South
African context, where two trends,
namely BEE and mergers and
acquisitions have fast reshaped the
corporate landscape, CEOs are acting
fast to use their history as a weapon
in the battle for profits. No longer is a
simple ‘History’ tab on the website
sufficient to pay lip service to origin.
They are deploying a sophisticated set
of legacy tools to develop dynamic
communication strategies for
both their internal and external
constituencies. Digital archives,
corporate museums, history books,
media clipping books and disks,
induction videos, corporate culture
training and business case studies are
proliferating as a small group of very
sophisticated legacy and heritage
experts work with the top captains of
industry in this area.
The trend is strongly supported by
the best management and social
theories. Concerning employees and
their change in attitude when
presented with a better understanding
of what they are part of, sociologist
Émile Durkheim wrote about socalled
‘collective effervescence’, that
one moment of insight when a group
of people understand and remember
the shared values and objectives that
initially brought them together.
Collins and Porras, best-selling
management theorists, write in Built
to Last about how the very best
companies owe their success mostly
to the ability of their leadership to
articulate a clear vision of what the
company stands for and what it is
about. What the practitioners of
legacy projects do best is to convert
corporate values into value – helping
CEOs to articulate to all constituencies
a very clear message. And make no
mistake, history is not about the past,
L E V E R A G E
it is about the future.
According to Gordon Metz of
Memory Inc, the process of unfolding
history is fascinating to his team and
to the CEO’s team alike. Starting off
with a meta-narrative of key
milestones, such as ownership
structures, people, new markets,
products, awards, major clients,
campaigns, and the evolution of
logos, a project team starts delving
deeper into the company’s history.
Interviews with key individuals help
to tell the story through its people,
and meantime, physical artefacts
such as the original documents of
incorporation or the first prototypes
of later famous products keep
surfacing and are archived and
presented across various platforms.
Exhibitions, corporate videos, client
pitches, training sessions and major
events are channels where the onetab
history line of the current website
expands. “It’s an iterative process, as
the more people we interview within
an organisation, the more we learn
about what else to look for in both
private storage areas and in the public
domain,” says Metz. “The story keeps
growing thicker and more interesting,
and the underlying values and culture
of the firm gradually emerge in a very
clear fashion.”
The secret of using heritage has,
of course, long been known by the
luxury brands of the world. IWC
opened its own museum. Panerai
owns its original founder’s store. Four
centuries of family underpin the Rémy
Martin estate. Yet, according to Metz,
even though we have some really old
companies in South Africa, the most
exciting work is happening with
young, dynamic companies who have
made their presence felt over the past
20 or so years. He concludes, “A brand
is trust in a predictable experience.
With Memory Inc, we expose the real
DNA of the organisation and go
beyond trust to intimacy, the ultimate
relationship with any stakeholder.
Smart CEOs are seeing the value of
this, and given our rich recent history,
the stories to tell are fascinating.” To
learn more about Memory Inc, contact
Gordon Metz on +27 83 270 3088. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 33

34 preStiGe
The
Skeleton
See-through Security

Words: ChARl Du PlessIs Images: © DÖTTlING
T R E A S U R E
Two years ago, a seemingly unobtrusive purchase of an old safe in Berlin lead
to one of the most innovative design ideas to come out of the Döttling ultraluxury
safe manufacturing workshops: a see-through safe made from bulletproof
glass.
In the world of specialist safe
manufacture, it is the German
family Döttling that has set the
industry standard over four
generations. Their products
grace the insides of the world’s
most expensive superyachts, as well
as the homes and villas of only the
most well-to-do across the globe.
Döttling technicians and artisans
have collaborated on restoring
antique safes that date back to the
days of the De Medici family in early
Renaissance Europe. In fact, they have
restored safes that belonged to the
family itself.
It would be safe to say then that
the specialists at Döttling are familiar
with only the best that this fine craft
has ever produced. So, when they
purchased an antique safe from one
of their regular clients, a well-known
German private banker family, and
laid their hands on a 120-year-old
safe made for the Prussian Emperor, it
had to be something absolutely
exceptional that would make them all
look and look again. Says Markus
Döttling, “When we first opened the
six-seamed door of this 120-year-old
masterpiece, the view on display took
the breath of even longtime staff
members away. The most sumptuous
chasings and engravings decorate the
four-sided bolt work featuring no less
than 14 locking bolts. We have seldom
seen a more impressive example of
Prussian forged art from the time of
Emperor Wilhelm II.”
Döttling explains how, in their
specialist circle, a revolutionary idea
took shape: what if they were to make
the inner workings of this safe
visible, even when the doors are
locked? In a unique feat of precision,
the steel components of the doors
were extracted and replaced with
double-walled, 25-mm-thick special
Silatec bulletproof glass. In this
manner, the world’s first ‘Skeleton’
safe was born. Even when closed it
allows a glimpse of its high-gloss
chrome-plated locking bolts and
luxurious interior, consisting of the
finest grained poplar and 15 Döttling
watch-winders. A hand-polished
grand piano lacquer finish and
cognac-colored goat suede coverings
round off the overall impression of an
antique luxury safe that is no less
than breathtaking.
The customer from the US who
bought the first Skeleton is one of
Döttling’s best clients. He already
owns three ‘Legends’ safes, yet he
wanted the craftsmen at Döttling to
make him something where his
precious luxury watch selection
would be more visible, while retaining
a high standard of security. It was
suggested that the bulletproof glass
would be able to offer both visibility
and safety, and he loved the idea.
“Little did this customer know that
perhaps the most attractive part of
this new design would be one’s ability
to see the moving bolts and
mechanical parts of the locking
mechanism. When we saw it the first
time, the name ‘Skeleton’ just seemed
obvious,” says Markus.
Döttling has received several
orders for similar designs, but given
the limited nature of antique safes,
might proceed with building the
concept from scratch and giving it a
vintage look. At 600 kilograms and
€275,000 for an original, only a select
few will ever own one of these safes.
Markus continues to explain that
both the technical and aesthetic
aspects of blending a modern material
such as bullet-proof glass with an
antique mechanical system are
something no-one has ever done
before. The customers who line up for
their own Skeleton do so because of
the combination of the shiny, highly
complex locking mechanism together
with the glossy black piano lacquer
and the warm, poplar burr interior.
And of course, because there is a
great story to tell friends and the
ability to show off collections of other
precious items without compromising
security one bit.
Visit www.doettling.com. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 35

36 preStiGe
Cars
Classic
Made to Last

Words: AleXANDeR PARkeR Images: © IsTOCkPhOTO.COM; MOTORPICs.CO.ZA; QuICkPIC.CO.ZA; FRANsChhOek MOTOR MuseuM
Firstly and most importantly, it almost doesn’t
matter what you buy. You can, indeed, buy a
brand you love; a car that expresses the heritage
of that brand. But when you buy a classic car, no
matter what it is, you’re buying exclusivity. An R8million
Rolls-Royce is certainly exclusive, but they
can ultimately build you a new one. And that’s
what sets the classic car apart: it’s irreplaceable.
C L A S S I C S
If you’re in the market for a
classic car, it’s wise to go into it
with eyes wide open. They do
not come with warranties. The
most important thing to do is
to try to drive a good example
of the car before you buy one. Old cars
are very, very different to drive, and it
would be a pity to discover this too
late. They are, naturally, often slower
and less wieldy. They all brake far
worse than modern cars, and they do
not necessarily come with the toys to
which you’re accustomed. If this is
going to be a problem for you, it’s best
to establish this before you sign the
cheque.
Having worked out which car
you’d like to buy, always join a club.
Get involved with the greybeards and
get a diversity of opinion on not only
what to look out for when buying the
car, but also from whom to buy one
(and who to avoid). The advice from
these clubs and their members will
quite possibly save you many hundreds
of thousands of Rands, and a great
deal of heartache.
A classic car brings you the kind of
yesteryear joy that’s thin on the
ground in modern cars, and which
won’t depreciate. A good classic car,
like an artwork, is a safe place to park
a little cash for whatever purpose.
But what to get? While most cars
will give you much enjoyment there
are some favourites that are just more
solidly built and unusually special. It’s
important to note that the cars that
follow are driver’s classics, not
priceless cars that, due to their value,
would never get a good run. They exist
of course. The Mercedes-Benz 300SL,
the original Gullwing, is an example.
The Mercedes-Benz 500K, that
beautiful, imposing machine is
another. When Bernie Ecclestone
auctioned his in 2007, it fetched
almost $1.5 million. Others might
include the original Alfa Romeo 8C or
www.prestigemag.co.za 37

the Bugatti Type 57, the Talbot-
Lago Figoni-Falaschi coupe or the
Cord 810.
Now, these are categorically not
cars to take outside of Joburg for a
slow, Sunday afternoon drive. The cars
that follow are. They are modern
enough to use and easy enough for
someone accustomed to modern cars
to operate, and yet they are old
enough to bring about that classic
car smile.
The most obvious starting point is
the Mercedes-Benz SL. The Stuttgart
manufacturer, especially in the 1970s
and 1980s, was famous for ‘overengineering’
its cars. They were built
and designed to stratospheric
tolerances, which means that those
which have been looked after are still
perfect. You can go right back to the
60s with this, the most famous being
38 preStiGe
the ‘pagoda’ 280 SL, but you can find
truly excellent examples of the SL from
deep into the 1980s that look
magnificent and drive beautifully. They
come with a variety of engines, perhaps
the most tempting being the big
rumbly V8s of the 450 and the 500.
Various Jaguars make excellent
classic buys if you can find a good
one. E-Types, simply stunning of
course, are always popular, as are the
old S-Types. But perhaps the most
sought-after Jaguar classic is, with
good reason, the Mk2. The lines on
this car are especially pretty. The best
is the 3.8-litre manual overdrive, and
buyers would be amazed at the kind
of performance a car released in 1959
would offer, including – dramatically
for the era – all-round disc brakes.
You thought BMW invented the sports
saloon? Or that Alfa did? Nope. It was
Jaguar, and the pace of the Mk2 made
it a firm hit with cops and robbers
alike in London’s East End. Huffy old
Blighty it is not – it’s the BMW M5 of
the 1960s. The Mk2 is such a lovely
car that they’re very, very hard to find.
To prise a good one from the grips of
its happy owner is likely to require, in
the words of Simon Mann, “a serious
splodge of wonga.”
Now, any classic Rolls-Royce
comes with an unmatched regal sense
to it, but be warned that when Rollers
go wrong, they can really cost a
fortune to fix. There is no such thing
as an inexpensive Rolls-Royce.
Finally, it is possible to cheat, as
one can buy a brand-new ‘classic’. If
you’d like a Ford GT40 (Bailey Edwards
Cars) or a Lotus 7 (Birkin Cars) or
perhaps a Shelby Cobra (Backdraft
Racing) but don’t want poor brakes,
bad handling and hideous bills, just
buy a new one. Each of these cars is
built and sold locally by various small
operations. They’re equipped with
modern technology but absolutely go
and look the part, meaning you can
drive a fast, V8-powered Cobra that
knows how to go around corners
without killing you. It means a
priceless Ford GT40 that goes and
looks like the original, but was built
here in sunny South Africa. And
though it might make the purists
weep, it is a fairly practical option, if
we’re honest. �
Franschhoek Motor Museum
In a society where fine art is
measured against the great masters,
and couture by the names of the great
designers who created the pieces, it is
often overlooked that the finest
automobiles have passed through the
hands of the greatest coachbuilders
and carrozzeria in the world. Names
like Barker, Hooper, Pinin Farina,
Bertone and Touring, to name only a
few, have been responsible for
creating and setting the benchmark
for the most stunning and collectable
automobiles known to man. Many of
these creations can be viewed at
the Franschhoek Motor Museum.
Visit www.fmm.co.za or contact
+27 21 874 9002.

0861 300 159 • www.wetherlys.co.za
WET0910_019B
Cape Cod Collection
Inspired by the stormy weather of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod region and the seaside
clapboard houses in Nantucket, the unfussy Cape Cod Collection suits comfortable living.
Cape Cod pieces are available for the living room, diningroom and bedroom.
NOW OPEN ON WILLIAM NICOL BRYANSTON, CLEARWATER MALL AND NELSPRUIT

Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton • Tel +27 11 784 0203 • www.worldsfinest.co.za

S TAY
Platinum-Rated
Bush
42 preStiGe

Southern Africa’s bush and game lodges are world
renowned for their exceptional levels of luxury and
service. While there are countless excellent lodges from
which to choose, some have the added attraction of
being in iconic natural areas – places so beautiful they
will take your breath away.
S TAY
Lodges
www.prestigemag.co.za 43
Words: keRI hARVeY Images: © WIlDeRNess sAFARIs; RANI ResORTs

There may not be a bush in
sight on the Skeleton
Coast, but this desolate,
duned landscape possesses
a beauty that is surreal. It’s
both tranquil and harsh,
washed by the cold Atlantic and often
shrouded in fog, but this delicate
environment holds many secrets.
Garnet and agate mountains,
others that resemble clay castles,
massive seal colonies and more space
than the mind can imagine make this
area intoxicating. Set in the heart of
this 300,000-hectare private
wilderness area is Skeleton Coast
Camp, built and run according to the
strictest environmentally friendly
principles. On the banks of the mostly
dry Hoarusib River, the tented lodge
runs on solar power, water is ferried in
and the lodge platforms barely touch
the earth. It’s impeccably organic and
100-percent luxurious.
Day trips from the lodge in Land
Rovers enable guests to commune
with the ancient Himba tribe, see rare
desert elephants and view gemsbok,
springbok, giraffe, zebra and hyena –
possibly even lion and cheetah. It’s an
exceptional wildlife experience, in a
very different environment amid
roaring dunes and shipwrecks. The
lodge is only accessible by light
aircraft, which land on a sand runway.
All who visit here are forever changed
by this desert experience, in one of
Africa’s most spectacular settings.
Skeleton Coast Camp, Namibia –
visit www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Named for the two great African
explorers, the Stanley and Livingstone
hotel is set in the Victoria Falls Private
Game Reserve. Surrounded by prolific
wildlife and situated just a stone’s
throw from the falls, the Stanley and
Livingstone offers the best of both
worlds – wild and water.
With opulent decor that reflects
the old era of African adventure and
colonial culture, the lodge encourages
relaxation, reading and revelling in
the atmosphere of a time now past.
Game viewing can be enjoyed from
44 preStiGe
your private veranda or on daily game
drives, and includes black rhino
tracking atop open vehicles.
Close by are all the attractions of
Victoria Falls town, the actual tumbling
Falls just 10 minutes away. Shop for
sandstone curios in the village, float
along the Zambezi River on an evening
sundowner cruise, fly over the falls in a
helicopter or plane, or bungee jump off
the bridge linking Zimbabwe and
Zambia – if you’re after an adrenalin
rush, this is easily arranged, though
one could just as happily sit quietly
and listen to the birds. Stanley and
Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
– visit www.raniresorts.com.
There are few places left in Africa
that are true wilderness areas –
pristine, untouched and largely
inaccessible to everyday travellers.
Lugenda Wilderness Camp, deep in
the Niassa Reserve of northern
Mozambique, has this claim, without
forgoing any luxury.
The tented lodge rests on the
banks of the Lugenda River, and is
only accessible for eight months of
the year – from May to early
December. The area is flooded during
the rainy season and not even
accessible by air. The lodge is simply
packed up and watched over by herds
of elephant that inhabit the area.
After the rainy season, Lugenda opens
its camp once more.
Wildlife and birdlife is plentiful in
the massive reserve, marked by
enormous granite domes that tower
out of the surrounding landscape.
Grazers and browsers live here,
enjoying the scenic woodlands and
the tall grasses. Game walks and
mokoro excursions down the Lugenda
River make for fascinating outings,
but the feeling of being in a true
wilderness area, free from modern
technology and irritations, yet
swathed in comfort, is the real
reason to visit Lugenda. Lugenda,
Niassa Reserve, Mozambique – visit
www.raniresorts.com.
Mombo Camp – on Mombo Island
just off the tip of Chief’s Island,
Botswana – rests under shady trees
with views over the vast floodplains.
A man of vision, Chief Moremi
declared this area a wildlife reserve
decades ago, and today it’s teeming
with wildlife – just like old Africa.
The elegant camp is built on
raised platforms connected by

walkways, so at night buffalo or
elephant may literally sleep beneath
your tent. However, wildlife roams
freely through the camp by day and
night. While game drives are on offer
to guests, extraordinary wildlife
viewing is possible from your luxury
suite, or your private thatched sala on
a raised viewing platform. This is as
close as you get to living with wildlife,
but in complete five-star comfort.
You can even game view from your
outdoor shower, or while lying flat on
your back in bed. This iconic wildlife
area is particularly well known for its
lions and huge herds of buffalo
numbering hundreds of animals.
Dining is in the main lodge, under
thatch or in the outdoor boma, where
traditional dinners are served. There’s
a pool in which to cool off and a
library for relaxation. Plan a visit and
be pleased to stay in ‘Africa’s Best
Resort’ – so voted in 2010 by Conde
Nast Traveller magazine. Mombo,
Chief’s Island, Moremi, Botswana –
visit www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Set in possibly the world’s greatest
outdoor art gallery, Bushmans Kloof
lodge is surrounded by a treasure
trove of ancient rock art. This lends an
ancient air of calm to the area, which
is magnificent in its natural beauty.
While game viewing includes rare
mountain zebra and a wide variety of
antelope, there are no predators on
the reserve, so nature walks can be
enjoyed freely. Explore the open plains
or follow the river course on foot,
mountain bike or rock climb – it’s all
possible here in perfect safety.
But Bushmans Kloof is perhaps
best known for its spa, a sanctuary for
relaxation. Treatments can also be
done in the privacy of your suite, or
outdoors in a rock art cave if you
prefer. Dine on sumptuous cuisine
infused with indigenous flavours of
rooibos, herbs and flowers, before
turning in for the night, cocooned in
bushveld comfort.
This multi-award-winning
establishment is also a Relais &
Chateaux property and was recently
voted the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ as
well as the ‘Best Hotel in the Middle
East and Africa,’ by prestigious Travel
and Leisure magazine. If you go there,
you’ll quickly see why. Bushmans
Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness
Retreat, Cederberg, South Africa – visit
www.bushmanskloof.co.za.
A joint venture with the Makuleke
community of northern Kruger, Pafuri
Camp lies in a bend of the Luvuvhu
River, shaded by indigenous trees.
Wildlife congregates daily to drink at
the river, so sightings are excellent
right from the lodge. The area is also a
birding Mecca, with myriad species of
birds from diverse habitats found here.
The refreshingly colourful suites
of Pafuri Camp are tented and under
thatch. Decor reflects the vibrancy of
the Makuleke people, whose culture
and hospitality can also be savoured
by guests, with visits to the nearby
community and possibly even an
overnight stay available on request.
Guests to Pafuri Camp can enjoy
game drives and bush walks and trails,
as well as venturing further to
Crooke’s Corner on the border of
Mozambique for a sundowner with a
difference. Pafuri Camp, Kruger
National Park, South Africa – visit
www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Whatever your heart’s desire, there
is a lodge to satisfy it. It may be a hop
over the border, but within southern
Africa you’re spoilt for choice – all
these lodges are exquisite and offer
the best in five-star stays. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 45

Better
gold
than
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C O L L E C T
Investing in Wine Takes on a New Tenor
Demand from countries with an abundance of disposable income has forced
French wine prices through the roof. In Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in
October 2010, two cases of unbottled 2009 Lafite commanded $68,632 – the
sort of money previously realised by wines 20 years their senior, and four times
greater than the estimate. As for the vintage wines, how about three bottles
money’ from mainland
China has targeted
the French greats is a
subject of much
discussion in behindclosed-doors
sessions among the
world’s wholesalers, vendors and
auctioneers. Perhaps they’re following
their predecessors in economic
miracles (the Japanese in the post-
Second World War years), who also
embraced French wine?
For Japanese collectors, wine was
approached with the finesse and
dedication they apply to the
acquisition of vintage cars and
wristwatches: with a passion that
combines the academic and the
spiritual, and with attention to detail
and condition that can only be
described as ‘fastidious’. Chinese wine
fanciers are better described as
‘enthusiastic’.
A half-serious reason may explain
Words: keN kessleR Images: © keN kessleR; IsTOCkPhOTO.COM Quite why the ‘new
of 1869 Lafite Rothschild at $233,972 each?
the fervour for Lafite, precisely in the
way that numerology prevents the
Chinese acquisition of products
bearing the number 4. The Mandarin
for ‘4’ sounds too much like the word
for ‘death’, so exporters to Hong Kong
and the mainland prefer not to
feature that digit in model
nomenclature. Conversely, it’s been
posited by some – without tongue in
cheek – that ‘Lafite’ sounds like the
Chinese word for ‘prosper’. If that
seems a specious reason for spending
a cool $68k on wine yet to be bottled,
then you’re underestimating the
genuine importance of numbers for
the Chinese consciousness.
Yet another twist to wine
acquisition for which the Chinese are
credited is actually drinking the stuff.
While the more mercenary among
global collectors are perfectly happy
(or maybe a tiny bit frustrated) to
leave their wines to their heirs, the
new-wave Chinese connoisseurs
enthusiastically consume their
acquisitions. One imagines that the
1869 Lafite Rothschilds might be
secreted to a cellar, but the fate of
more recent vintages is to be enjoyed
by the glass.
Whether or not you’re a drinker or
a hoarder (I consider myself to be one
of the former – my son can buy his
own wine), it’s worth investigating
other wines beyond the five great
French houses of Haut Brion, Lafite,
Latour, Margaux and Mouton
Rothschild. The same applies to the
‘halo’ wines that denote deep pockets,
especially when imbibed in
restaurants frequented by paparazzi,
such as Petrus or Domain Romanée-
Conti, also subject to inflation.
There’s no suggestion that the
French are losing their grip, or that
the likes of La Tache, Petrus, Lafite,
Mouton Rothschild et al have to
worry about anything other than too
much demand. But for those who
www.prestigemag.co.za 47

Fantasia sassicaia
A beautiful woman on the other end of the phone. “Ken, I have two tickets
for dinner in London. At Harry’s Bar.” Hmm…quick recall: private dining club,
sublime food. “All of the wines will be Sassicaia. Are you free?” Poker is not my
game, nor is acting. “Ohyesohyesohyesthankyouthankyouthankyou,” was my
response. The next month went by with agonising slowness.
Some 70 or so diners, all who looked as if they knew their ‘87s from their
‘88s. The staff was all-Italian. The guest of honour? Dott Sebastano Rosa,
Direttore Commerciale of Tenuta San Guido, parent of Sassicaia, one of Italy’s
most noble wines. Dining in his presence would be like hanging around the
Ferrari pits at a Formula One race with Luca di Montezemolo.
A corner table, romantic atmosphere – alas, she’s a dear friend and not my
wife. We commenced with a melt-in-the-mouth Tuscan rejoinder to foie gras,
supported by fresh, raw porcini. The first wine arrived: a 2008 Guidalberto,
Sassicaia’s ‘second wine’ and a genuine bargain. Fresh and young it may have
been, but there was no mistaking its provenance. I’d had enough bottles of it
before to know that an evening with only that wine would not be a hardship.
An exquisite dish of tagliatelle with a sauce of boar arrived, complementing
a 2007 Sassicaia. Despite its youth, the wine belied or even contradicted any
need to wait-wait-wait, as if justifying the impatience of the modern age. But
Sassicaia ‘old hands’ would know that its best years were ahead of it, even
though one can delight in its pre-pubescent state.
A main dish fit for a king provided the platform for the next two wines. It was
Chianina beef marinated in, yes, Sassicaia. We started the course with a ‘98, in
and of itself a wine not to be forgotten – greater depth, interwoven tastes and
aromas, never overpowering, always enticing. The tenderest cut of beef, fried
zucchini, and the creamiest potatoes. And then a 1982 Sassicaia arrived. They
saved a legend for last. Any Sassicaia from the 1980s is wine to savour with
respect, control, deliberation. I could have spent the evening merely inhaling its
perfume. On the tongue? A realisation that this breed of wine from Italy’s
Western coast, commercially available for less than 40 years, has a permanent
place among the global greats.
It beat the world’s best in 1978, with the 1972 vintage. It has been a
permanent recipient of Gambero Rosso’s ‘three glasses’. It is everything you’ve
heard said of it and more.
48 preStiGe
want to drink wine rather than merely
hoard it, there’s reason enough to
be cheerful: most mature wineproducing
countries long ago
graduated from the ‘table wine’ class.
French wines may still be the ‘default’
purchase, but only for those who lack
imagination.
Among the fabulous wines with
far less forbidding prices than the
French classics targeted by Far
Eastern consumers, with perceived
prestige determined by the openmindedness
of the drinkers, are
Spain’s superior Riojas, the exquisite
Vega Sicilia Unico, or the legendary
Dominio de Pingus, though the latter’s
prices approach those of the French.
Then again, so too, does the taste. I
recently savoured a Spanish red at a
monastery between Saragossa and
Barcelona, in the company of a
Parisian and an Italian journalist. We
assumed it was around €80 per bottle.
It was selling for €7 at the door.
Napa Valley’s finest Cabernets are
dismissed only by xenophobic
Frenchmen, still bruised by the
battering Californian wines gave
them in 1976. I love the curiouslynamed
Paraduxx (32 percent
Cabernet), which even the English can
purchase for under £35 a bottle.
Similar treasures can be found from
Portugal, South Africa, a smattering
of South American countries and
further afield to Australia and New
Zealand.
As for my preferred tipple, I bow
to the wines of Italy. The country has
over 1,000 vintners, with variety that
even the French cannot match. I’m
partial to red, preferably but not
exclusively Tuscan, and have a cellar
housing Tignanello, Guado Al Tasso,
Ornellaia, Solaia, lots of Amarone and
Brunello, a smattering of Barolos and
cases of ‘bargain’ wines such as Le
Difese, Guidalberto, Le Volte and Le
Serre Nuove.
And it looks like I won’t be
competing with Far Eastern
connoisseurs for Italian wines from
the best year in recent memory: 2004.
Because 4 is, after all, the unluckiest
number in Chinese lore. �

50 preStiGe
idB r a

Words: keN kessleR Images: © BReGueT; BulOVA; RAlPh lAuReN; ROMAIN JeROMe; ZeNITh
Any watch wardrobe – and you should always
have one each for work, dress and play – ought
to include a ‘personal statement’ timepiece.
Watches have, for a decade or more, become
a form of shorthand for revealing a person’s
personality and tastes.
T I C K T O C K
Watchmakers have
always served up a
mind-boggling range
of unusual deviations
from the classical
norm, from radical
case shapes to garish dial colours to
straps made of uncommon materials.
Of late, though, they’ve managed to
convey individual looks without
necessarily reverting to the bizarre.
Certainly, the high-end watch
market is filled with creations so
freakish that they look like props from
the 1960s SF film, Barbarella. Trouble
is you have to be either a well-known
rockstar or rap musician, or a wellheeled
19 year old, to be able to carry
off the look. But what if there remains
in you a bit of a rebel? Instead of
eccentric watches that would soon
lose their appeal, like catwalk fashions
with a ‘life of one month’, the latest
individualist watches exhibit enough
restraint to ensure that their
attractiveness will remain for as long
as that of simpler timepieces.
Limited edition status helps
because you’ll be wearing a watch
unlikely to adorn another wrist at the
same dinner, cocktail party or
boardroom session. Often, this is the
result of a new model with a unique
function – one of those capabilities
beyond time-telling that makes a
watch special, like a calendar or moon
phase indicator. Manufacturers
deliberately restrict the production,
for both the obvious reasons – they
have a fairly accurate idea of how
many they can sell – and for the
c e l e t s
Variety Rules in the World of Watches
www.prestigemag.co.za 51

simple need to endow the model
with exclusivity.
In the past, such functions
were integrated with discretion
bordering on the bashful. There
were, for example, tourbillons with
utterly plain, full-face dials. Only
the wearer knew that the watch was
somehow special. Not so the
tourbillons of the current show-me
age, such as Zenith’s exceptional new
El Primero Tourbillon Chronograph.
That watch connoisseur sitting to
your left knows all about the El
Primero. He won’t need to be told that
it’s one of the finest chronograph
movements ever devised, launched in
1969 and still regarded with awe by
enthusiasts. He’ll also know that a
tourbillon – in which key parts of the
movement rotate within a minuscule
cage, to counter the effects of gravity
– is one of the most difficult
complications to produce.
Zenith’s new model, offered in
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steel or rose gold, combines the two
in an elegant case, with a large dial
offering the legibility and clarity
needed to allow the stop-watch
functions of the chronograph to be of
use. And yet there, in the upper lefthand
quadrant, is the tourbillon in full
view, a microscopic masterpiece that
captures your attention. Closer
examination, however, reveals an
added detail available nowhere else:
the wizards at Zenith have devised an
ingenious calendar that forms the
circumference of the tourbillon
aperture.
If a tourbillon represents the
mechanical and therefore intellectual
pinnacle, then watches that make
music attain the emotional heights. It
is appropriate that the House of
Breguet advances the musical
watch to another level, with the
Réveil Musical, providing the gentlest
way imaginable of being alerted to
the time. It employs the
manufacturer’s new self-winding
movement with silicon escapement
and a patented musical mechanism.
The watch plays a tune either by the
user pressing a push-piece positioned
at 10 o’clock or at time pre-set by the
alarm function.
Breguet devised a patented
application of a music-box mechanism
principle, but using a disc adorned
with pins rather than a traditional
music-box’s cylinder, excited by the
15 metal teeth of a comb. Acting as
its 'amplifier’ is a metallic glass
membrane, engine-turned by hand,
which increases the sound to audible
levels, to produce the tune. Breguet
addressed the fundamental acoustic
factors that would ensure lasting
superlative sound quality, while
optimal sound transmission is
guaranteed by several openings
drilled in the gold case, allowing the
music to be distributed uniformly and
without distortion.
Enhancing the musical event is a
visual treat: connected to the pinbearing
disc is an inner dial which
performs a complete turn during the
20 to 25 seconds while the tune is
being played. Ingeniously, the dial will
not rotate should there be insufficient
power on reserve, as displayed at 3
o’clock. It also ensures that the piece
of music will always be played in its
entirety.
New kid on the block (in
horological terms) is Ralph Lauren,
which launched a range of watches
that reflected the famed designer’s
ethos on every level: tasteful, subtle,
understated. For 2011, however, the
company has turned to its founder’s

passion for vintage cars for inspiration.
The new Sporting Collection features
a truly distinctive timepiece that pays
homage to his 1938 Bugatti Type
57SC Atlantic Coupe – arguably the
most beautiful car of all time.
Noting the details of its interior,
the watch’s designers employed the
look of the dashboard and its period
dials, right down to the wooden
panelling. Their watch marries the
contemporary and the vintage, its elm
burl inlay surrounding a white-onblack
dial with Arabic numerals and
sword-shaped hands. Purists will
appreciate that within beats a
manual-wind movement made for
Ralph Lauren by IWC.
If the ‘period’ look of the Ralph
Lauren Sporting appeals to you, or
you’d like a vintage milestone but
don’t want to indulge in old watches,
Bulova has a limited edition replica
that will sell out its 1,000-piece
production run with alarming rapidity.
It will mark the 50th anniversary of
the iconic Accutron, known
colloquially as the ‘tuning fork’ watch
because it was controlled by an
electronically activated tuning fork –
instead of a ticking it hummed. The
version chosen is the still-futuristic
Accutron Spaceview 214, with its
mechanism in full view.
Each handmade replica of this
historically important timepiece will
be presented in a specially-designed
wood and glass display case.
Collectability is enhanced by an
official plaque on the presentation
case, inscribed with its limited edition
number.
If, however, you want something
individualistic, with a model name
you may not be able to pronounce,
move quickly to acquire one of
Romain Jerome’s ‘Eyjafjallajökull-
DNA’ models. This often-peculiar
company – it has produced watches
containing rust from the Titanic
and moon dust – has chosen
to commemorate the erupting of
the Eyjafjallajökull volcano by
incorporating ash from the cloud. The
dial itself looks as if lava is about to
burst through a fissure.
Beyond its limited edition status
and the fact that underneath the
dramatic dial is a decent movement,
Romain Jerome's Eyjafjallajökull-DNA
will forever remind you of all those
cancelled flights suffered throughout
2010. And it certainly proves, as with
the other watches in this round-up,
that even a tiny object worn on the
wrist, not even two inches across, can
make a powerful – or in this case,
volcanic - statement. �
Dr. John Demartini has
consulted for Fortune
500 CEOs, entrepreneurs,
Hollywood celebrities, sports
personalities, financiers and
other professionals. He has
appeared on hundreds of
national and international
radio and television talk
and financial news shows
including CNN’s Larry King
Live, CNBC, CBS, NBC, PBS
and more.
The Breakthrough Experience
Real Solutions To Your Problems
Whatever your challenge, whether professionally at work,
or personally in your home or social environment, the
Demartini Method®, the primary methodology taught in
the Breakthrough Experience, is a certain solution to the
most common issues that people deal with every day from
low self esteem to depression, relationship challenges
to divorce, lack of drive and focus to uncontrollable
emotions, breakdowns in communication and more. In the
Breakthrough Experience Dr. Demartini imparts a depth
of knowledge about human behaviour so that you have
certainty of direction and clarity as to the most important
goals you would love to achieve now and into the future.
The outcome is that you learn how to overcome personal
and professional challenges, manage any emotion and
unfold a more meaningful, focused, driven, inspired and
purposeful life.
Will the Breakthrough Experience help me in a relationship
breakdown?
Absolutely. The Breakthrough Experience will show you how
to dissolve relationship fantasies, set realistic expectations,
calm emotions and tension, reinstate communication and
break down the barriers that keep you and your partner
from appreciating each other.
I am experiencing a career crisis and don’t know what my
next step should be. What can I do?
At the Breakthrough Experience you will be shown how
to clarify your direction by determining what is most
important to you with a process called the Demartini Value
Determination Process. Learn how to identify which of
the 7 fears is holding you back from living your dream and
discover how to dissolve the fear so that you get to make
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I would love to grow my wealth, how will the Breakthrough
Experience help me to make money?
When you receive money, do you save it or spend it as fast
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The Breakthrough Experience - Johannesburg
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 December 2010
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 February 2011
The Breakthrough Experience - Cape Town
Saturday 5 March & Sunday 6 March 2011
Cost: R6900 new / R3900 repeat
Time: Saturday 8am - midnight, Sunday 9am - 6pm
For bookings and specials:
083 370 2201 or info@drdemartini.co.za
Ask us about other Demartini December Programs
www.drdemartini.com

S U P E R
All New
McLaren
The
MP4-12C
54 preStiGe

Well, this is interesting, almost like watching
a flower unfurling with time-lapse
photography. There’s a new supercar
player in town, with an all-new supercar,
and yet they’ve kind of been around
forever.
Words: AleXANDeR PARkeR Images: © Des INGhAM-BROWN
F E AT U R E
www.prestigemag.co.za 55

Anyone who’s ever
watched a Formula
One grand prix will
have heard of McLaren,
the outfit that keeps
on winning F1
championships (although not this
year) under the tutelage of the
legendary Ron Dennis. And people will
have vague memories of a car called
the McLaren F1, released in 1991.
They might remember how it
was the fastest car on Earth until
the Bugatti Veyron came along,
many years later.
Remember McLaren’s involvement
with Mercedes-Benz, not just on the
circuits of Formula One, but also in
the collaboration that spawned the
mighty SLR? Well, filled with
confidence, the company is, over the
next few years, set to launch at least
56 preStiGe
three new cars for sale, the first car of
this assault onto the established
brands of supercar manufacturing
recently launched in South Africa.
It’s called the McLaren MP4-12C.
This, truthfully, is typical of the
company, which believes quite openly
that form should follow function; that
engineering triumphs first and
foremost, and that what follows will
naturally be beautiful. As a result, all
the new McLarens will be more
McLaren believes that
form should follow
function; that
engineering triumphs
first and foremost, and
that what follows will
naturally be beautiful.
engineered than designed. And it’s
there in the name too. It’s a
complicated naming convention that,
when you get into the detail, makes
sense. As to whether it’s ‘pretty’, well,
that’s for you to decide.
The launch kit included a rolling
chassis, which speaks volumes of
McLaren’s pride being more in the
engineering and the sheer outright
cleverness of what resides under the
skin. And, boy, is there some clever
stuff under there.
The MP4-12C has hydraulic
adjustable suspension. In terms of a
‘comfort’ mode, the benchmark,
they’re happy to admit, is the ride of a
new 5-Series BMW. Get to the track,
or start to hammer down a winding
country road, and you can dial that
suspension as hard as a rock to
improve road holding.

Then there’s the gearbox – a
seven-speed, twin-clutch affair.
People may be accustomed to doubleclutch
gearboxes as perfected by Audi
and VW, but in this case the paddleoperated
gearbox has a really cool
trick up its sleeve. To pull the gear
paddle there are two very obvious
‘steps’, much like using an SLR
camera: half a press to focus, a full
press to take the shot. In the case of
the MP4-12C, half a tug on the
paddle informs the car as to
which gear you will want next. The
‘resting’ clutch then selects that gear
for you. Then you give the paddle a
full tug and the gear change is
absolutely instant. In a normal
double-clutch affair the computer
would’ve had to have guessed which
gear you wanted next, but of course
the computer can’t see the rapidly
approaching corner. It’s a really good
example of McLaren giving back the
responsibility of driving to the driver,
while keeping the useful side of
technology.
Other elements of genius are
McLaren’s long-held expertise with
carbon fibre. The car is incredibly light
(less than 1,300 kilograms) and yet it
comes with a 3.8-litre twin turbocharged
V8 that pumps out almost
600 horses. As a result of this power-
to-weight ratio, which they happily
point out is better than a certain
Veyron, the MP4-12C will hit 200km/h
in less than 10 seconds. That’s
savagely quick.
But the obsession with weight
also helps with the braking. You can
spec the car with carbon ceramics of
course, but those who will use the car
on the road will be glad to know that
‘standard’ steel brakes weigh less
than the ceramics. And they’ll bring
the car from 100km/h to a dead stop
in just seven car lengths.
I asked a smiling Ian Gorsuch,
head of sales and marketing for the
Middle East and Africa, how they
achieved such breakthroughs. “It’s
about starting with a blank piece of
paper, of finding the solution that
works best,” he answered. “Not
worrying about what other people do
and finding our own way.”
There’s no denying that the MP4-
12C is aimed at the Ferrari 458. I ask
Gorsuch how one takes on that brand,
that heritage? Gorsuch’s response is
vintage McLaren, “You call it heritage,
we call it baggage.”
The MP4-12C is available from
next year from the Daytona Group,
Sandton Isle. Expect to pay something
in the region of R3.5 million. And
expect to be utterly blown away. �

A D M I R E
ARoyal
Touch
The aesthetic of the newly launched
68-metre Lady Christine is dramatically
different, even for the renowned
Netherlands-based boat builder,
Feadship. She was designed for worldclass
sailor Lord Irvine Laidlaw and his
wife Lady Christine, who themselves have
built a succession of multi-million-Pound
sail yachts called Highland Fling.
58 preStiGe
SuperYacht Lady Christine

A D M I R E
www.prestigemag.co.za 59
Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: © FeADshIP

After his first week
onboard Lady Christine,
Lord Laidlaw said,
“We set exceptionally
high standards for
our houses, boats and
cars and yet, in every way
possible, Feadship has exceeded
60 preStiGe
our expectations on this project.”
The Laidlaws certainly have
sufficient benchmarks to make
such a statement. Leveraging on all
their rich building and sailing
experiences, they threw themselves
into the design and construction of
Lady Christine. Their own lifestyle and
respect for craftsmanship dominate
the design both inside and out,
including her unique exterior looks,
the creation of a split-level layout in
order to incorporate an owner’s
observation lounge, the ‘terraces’
either side of the main deck, and the
addition of an extra helm station on
the sun deck.
Despite Lord Laidlaw’s exceptional
degree of involvement, however, the
Feadship designers and artisans still
managed to surprise him with extra
touches that were not in the original
specs. “Take the stairs that link the
sun deck with the owner’s deck,”
explains Lord Laidlaw. “Any other yard
would have simply brought these
stairs straight down. Curving them in
the way Feadship has done must have
cost them a significant amount of
extra time as the central spine also
had to be formed into a curved shape
along with the stairs and the banisters
themselves. It is all beautifully done,
and the initiative came entirely from
the yard itself.”
Lady Christine has, in essence, six
decks. Her exterior is characterised
by enormous flowing windows on

the main deck and owners' stateroom
and, at the owners’ request, green
colouring elements were incorporated
in the superstructure to match the
green of the glass and the false
windows; all of which create grand,
sweeping lines. For the interior, British
designer Rodney Black has certainly
made a stunning debut with Lady
Christine, his first superyacht project.
The result is a wonderful fusion of
materials, fabrics, woods, glass,
precious metals and marbles that
offers endless surprises at each and
every turn.
Among her many outstanding
entertainment spaces is an impressive
indoor area called the Key West
Room, located at the peak of the
sundeck. A fabulous place to sit and
relax with virtually 360-degree
views, this is the area that the owners
use most during the day when
cruising. The central table is made of
a natural teak root that was initially
slated to be hung from the ceiling.
However, as it weighs over 400
kilograms, the piece was given a
stainless steel base, cleaned, waxed,
polished and topped off with an
attractive glass top.
There are various cooking options
available on the sun deck aft area,
including a BBQ, teppanyaki grill and
pizza oven. The furthest aft area
serves as a storage spot for tenders
and a crane, but the primary purpose
of this section of the deck is to act as
a helipad, a facility that is regularly
used as Lord Laidlaw enjoys flying a
helicopter himself.
Another unusual innovation for a
superyacht of this size is a flybridge,
featuring two pilot chairs so that the
owner can sit beside the skipper.
Everything needed to operate the
yacht is found here, including
electronic chart, conning display and
autopilot. The motivation for this
idea was so that if the owners spot a
lovely little bay they wish to
discover, there is no need to run down
to the wheelhouse to request a
change of course.
The owners’ deck is a raised,
private area featuring 180-degrees of
glass to ensure a panoramic vista.
Lord and Lady Laidlaw always
sail with their two dogs, and the
master stateroom has therefore been
deliberately left uncluttered and
spacious, embracing the full beam of
the boat. Located forward of the
bedroom is the owners’ bathroom,
finished in cream onyx and soft
mouldings.
The quest for fine detailing is
taken even further in the two
studies. Both ‘his’ and ‘her’ studies
have wonderful views aft and to
the sides, with glass doors leading
to a large private deck. Lord
Laidlaw’s study is dominated by
strong tones and mahogany, whereas
hers has an altogether different
atmosphere of femininity and
flamboyance.
The formal entrance to Lady
Christine on the main deck makes an
instant and dramatic impression.
Here, the full-height windows can be
opened up on both sides and a large
platform slides out horizontally from
beneath the floor to create terraces to
both port and starboard, increasing
the beam of the deck in this area to
almost 15 metres.
Accessible from both the bar and
dining room, the main deck lounge
boasts gorgeous cherry panels with
maple inlay interspersed with six
glass columns containing carved glass
figurines. The lower deck hosts four
guest suites, all placed athwartships
rather than the traditional fore and
aft arrangement. Poplar joinery is the
main decorative theme of the suites,
and the two forward cabins have
walk-in closets.
On the tank deck, Lady Christine is
powered by 12-cylinder MTUs, not the
16 cylinder engines one might expect.
This reflects the fact that the owners
are never in a hurry and find a top
speed of 15.5 knots easily sufficient.
Given the attention to lifestyle and
the personalised elements and taste
integrated into Lady Christine, it is
no surprise that she is not available
for charter.
Visit www.feadship.nl. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 61

A C Q U I R E
Buying the Robinson Crusoe Dream
Since 1971, Farhad Vladi has sold around 2,000 private islands to celebrities
and to people who simply want somewhere to really get away from it all. They
can cost anything from $100,000 to tens of millions. So why is owning your own
island ‘pharmacy for the soul’ and, even in these economically challenged
times, a good investment?
62 preStiGe

Words & Images: © ANDY ROuND/TCs
In uncertain times it’s always
good to have a few certainties
in life. And one of the biggest
of all is that nature is not
creating any more islands soon.
For your honest-to-goodness,
never-to-be-repeated-anytime-soon
paradise lost, you can’t beat a
naturally created island. As Farhad
Vladi says, “Owning an island really
lightens your soul.”
And Vladi should know. Since
1971 he’s sold at least 2,000 and is
known as a ‘fine art dealer of nature’.
He’s the globetrotting president of
Vladi Private Islands – the biggest
island-selling company in the world.
Naturally, he even has his own. Just
off the coast of New Zealand is
Forsyth Island in the Marlborough
Sound. Although it’s become “part of
the Vladi family”, it’s up for rent if
you’re interested.
At any one time there are about
120 islands on Vladi’s books, of which
between 20 and 30 are sold every
year, with prices ranging from
US$100,000 to US$5 million.
According to Vladi, demand over the
past 20 years has grown. “These days,
many of our clients feel the need to
get away from modern noise, daily
sorrows and lighten up,” says Vladi,
speaking from his headquarters in
Hamburg, Germany. “When we travel
we put distance between problems
and ourselves. On an island this
healing is magnified considerably. It’s
a pharmacy for the soul.”
Behind the poetry of ownership,
of course, there is serious business
intent, and many shrewd investors are
seeking out islands for their rarity
factor. Uniqueness always sells and in
times of economic downturn it’s wise
to back sure-fire winners. “At Vladi
we have seen several economic
downturns and during these times I
think clients come to us for reliable
A C Q U I R E
additions to their portfolios,” he says.
“There is a finite supply of naturally
created islands, nature really isn’t
making that many more, and clients
like that. They feel safe. They may buy
an island from us and only visit it for
a day every three years, but they know
that it’s steadily increasing in value.”
Vladi believes that quality islands
consistently offer a return that
comfortably beats inflation every
year. One New York island, which was
bought through Vladi in 1997 for
$1 million, was sold 10 years later by
Luxury Head Restraints.
An extension of our luxurious seats.
Another reason to take the long way round.
With its many luxurious touring car features, the New Generation
Mercedes-Benz R-Class provides you with many reasons to keep driving it.
The New Generation Mercedes-Benz R-Class. Take the long way round.

the brokers for a recession-beating
US$18 million. “But it’s impossible to
make generalisations about island
prices,” he says. “A lot depends
on what is on the island, accessibility,
international connections, infrastructure,
and location. We sell a very
special commodity. Islands don’t
follow normal rules of economics.
Demand depends on availability.”
Vladi maintains that of all the
privately owned islands in the world,
there are only five percent that he
64 preStiGe
would describe as ‘quality’, and these
are always in demand. They are
extraordinarily beautiful, very
habitable, close to infrastructure and
not too far from the mainland. “The
remaining 95 percent are what I
would refer to as ‘adventure islands’,”
he says. “And these have been
affected by the economic situation.
Speculators bought them at inflated
prices thinking they would grow in
value the same way as quality islands.
It’s not the case, the bubble has burst
and prices are in free fall.”
One joy of island buying is that
you can get involved for under
US$40,000. That kind of money would
get you a “small parcel of land with
mixed woodland” on a Canadian lake
in Nova Scotia. There are no amenities,
no electricity and, to be honest not a
lot of people around. If you worry
about WiFi connections or iPhone
reception this is probably not the
place for you. With a little more cash,
say, €18 million, you could be the
proud owner of 12-acre Trinity Island
off the Greek Gulf of Euboea. From
Athens it’s just 90 minutes by car and
ferry and enjoys hundreds of olive,
pistachio, pine and cypress trees, a
natural water supply, electricity, a
four-bedroom, 115-square-metre
house with a nearby private church,
watchtower, separate beach house
and a villa to accommodate the staff.
Oh, and three beaches.
Most of the islands sell in the
‘mid-range’ of between US$3 million
and US$5 million. One of Vladi’s
recent favourites is the 400-acre
Sanda Island off the coast of Scotland,
which not only comes with its own
helipad and lighthouse but also
includes the title Laird of Sanda,
granting owners the right to print
their own stamps and coins.
Vladi’s company caters to a varied
clientele and while he won’t disclose
names he is happy to discuss buyer
trends. “Our buyers are always
individuals, we don’t sell to
Celebrity Islands
For the rich and famous, escaping tabloid telephoto lenses is a serious business and an island retreat is the perfect
hideaway. The list of celebrity owners is extensive: Marlon Brando owned Te’tiarao in French Polynesia; John Lennon, Clew
Bay Island, Ireland; Nicholas Cage owns Leaf Cay in the Bahamas; Robin Williams, Pender Harbour Island, Canada; John
Wayne enjoyed Taborcillo Island in Panama; ABBA’s Agnetha Faltskog has an island off the coast of Sweden and the founder
of CNN, Ted Turner, a little place off South Carolina.
Hollywood actor Mel Gibson bought Mago Island in Fiji for US$14.8 million. The 5,500-acre island is surrounded by
white beaches, soaring cliffs, turquoise lagoons, has free-flowing spring water and a farm. Nearby, Malcolm Forbes of
Forbes magazine sold his island to Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull, for US$10 million. Singer Diana Ross is no
stranger to island life. When she married Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess, Ross found that her new husband also
came with the Tahitian island of Taino.
More contemporary island dwellers include Johnny Depp who, after the hit trilogy Pirates of the Caribbean, decided to
invest US$3 million in Little Hall’s Pond Cay, which enjoys six beaches, a lagoon and harbour and is only accessible by boat.
Sir Richard Branson has always been a shrewd businessman, and his purchase of Necker Island in 1978 for US$300,000
was no exception. Almost 30 years later, after extensive transformation into a miniature Bali, the island is valued at
US$106 million.

* Optional extra.
developers; that’s not our market. If
there are defining characteristics I
would say they are usually inspired by
nature and don’t want leasehold. They
want to genuinely own the island
outright and like solitude, tranquillity
and privacy. One client of mine bought
an island off the coast of Canada a
few years ago. When we later asked
him if he wanted to sell it for a
20-percent profit he said ‘no, he
wanted to be buried there’. There are
those who like to have something in
the family portfolio,” Vladi continues.
“It’s nice to have a fat file in the
library to show friends detailing your
own island even if you don’t visit very
often. Families like the Rockefellers
have had islands in their families for
many, many years.”
Vladi believes it’s vital to create a
strong dialogue with clients. Before
setting up island visits, he likes to
establish climatic preferences, airport/
boat connections, international
lifestyles, budgets, proposed usage
(and expected investment) and the
level of a client’s expectations. “I need
to know if you enjoy a sense of
isolation or if you would not feel
happy being cut off completely from
civilisation,” he says. “Accessibility is
important for people, as are tax
implications. And we always urge
people to invest in a region that is
politically safe and where the laws of
ownership are clear.”
Island buying and selling is a long,
drawn-out process that requires the
patience and international insight of
a diplomat. Vladi has to kindly inform
clients that by buying an island they
are not creating their own country or
buying another nationality. He has to
untangle legal issues, family ties,
ownership problems and the
occasional greedy vendor while
ensuring clients make informed
choices. For example, in The
Philippines the islands are beautiful
but cannot be owned outright by
foreigners. Practical details have to be
considered in depth, from building
regulations and mainland accessibility
to uncomplicated freehold title and
political or climatic stability. In many
respects technology has made the
world a smaller place, but if a
generator breaks down in the middle
of an island monsoon, it’s not easy to
find a handy electrician nearby.
So where are fashionable island
hunters jetting off to buy? “Some
areas such as the Caribbean or Indian
Ocean will always be popular, but
availability is scarce,” says Vladi. “In
The Seychelles there is nothing for
sale now and in the Maldives there
are environmental problems, but
these places are the perfect palmlined
island dream.” Areas that are
becoming more popular, according to
Vladi, are good islands off Belize –
with a wonderful colonial history and
idyllic climate – and untouched areas
of Scandinavia. But, ultimately, this
natural art broker prefers to look
beyond the economics of fashionable
locations and return to the basics of
what island ownership is all about. “I
think in these challenging times a
biologically created piece of natural
paradise is the perfect way to
unburden a heavy heart.” Visit
www.vladi-private-islands.de.�
Bi-Xenon Headlamps*.
Giving you the luxury of illuminated night-time
driving. Another reason to take the long way round.
With its many luxurious touring car features, the New Generation
Mercedes-Benz R-Class provides you with many reasons to keep
driving it. The New Generation Mercedes-Benz R-Class.
Take the long way round.

Apart from glittering at
the 2010 Veritas Awards,
the Creation 2008
Bordeaux blend and the
2009 Merlot having
won gold, Creation also
recently distinguished itself by
winning a Diamond Award at the
Investec Winemakers’ Choice Awards.
Creation Wines is situated high up
on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge near
Hermanus. When Mother Nature
created this tiny piece of paradise
she bestowed upon it not only
spectacular beauty but also exceptional
winegrowing conditions. The vines
climb the steep hills of Babylon Toren
Mountain to a lofty altitude of 350
metres above sea level. Here they bask
in generous sunlight, flourish in clayrich
soils and dance in the cool
breezes blowing in from the nearby
Atlantic Ocean. In fact, the vineyards
are within seven kilometres of Walker
66 preStiGe
Creation
Wines
A Star on the Rise
When Creation Wines was recently
awarded the coveted Veritas Double Gold
for its 2009 Syrah Grenache blend, it only
confirmed what those in the know have
been predicting all along: that this boutique
Walker Bay winery is destined for greatness.
Bay and, according to co-owner and
winemaker Jean-Claude Martin, these
maritime conditions are fundamental
to the quality of their wines.
When the Swiss-trained Jean-
Claude and his family bought the
small property at the top end of the
Hemel-en-Aarde Road in 2002, there
was nothing but the virgin land. No
telephone lines, no running water;
only the courage of their conviction
– a conviction that rested in the vast
potential of the terroir. With Swiss
precision, Jean-Claude set out to
select 22 hectares of prime land,
establishing virus-free strains of the
finest varietal clones. Meticulously
chosen for their suitability to the soil
and prevailing conditions, the young
vines quickly flourished, yielding
flavourful grapes of the finest quality.
In 2005 the Martins’ friends, Swiss
winemaker Christoph Kaser and family,
co-invested in the farm. The custom-
designed cellar was completed in time
for the 2007 harvest, and since then
Creation has established itself as a
trendsetting winery, currently offering
a range of seven exceptional wines.
These wines have become highly
sought after in both local and
international markets – with demand
often exceeding supply.
The year 2008 heralded another
highlight for Creation Wines: the
completion of their tasting venue. Set
in a beautiful, indigenous garden
overlooking a picturesque landscape of
mountain, vineyard and lake, this
impressive venue has been vital in
establishing this winery as a worldclass
tourist destination. Touches of
class and creativity are everywhere –
from the classic Riedel tasting glasses
to the fine local art adorning the walls.
A star on the rise? Indeed so. Visit
www.creationwines.com or email
info@creationwines.com. �
Words: CAROlYN MARTIN Image: © CReATION WINes

S H I N E
Haute
Stuff
The World’s Oldest Watch Brand
When celebrating your 275th anniversary, it’s safe to assume you’ve seen
everything life can throw at you. Since 1735, Blancpain, Swiss watchmaking’s
oldest name, has seen off a litany of wars, the (original) Depression, quartz
watches and their threat to the mechanical, the closing of the firm’s doors, a
revival, another decline, and yet another revival. The reward for Blancpain’s
tenacity? A survey from the New York-based Luxury Institute identified it as the
best watch brand around.
When you consider
that it came in ahead
of the equally
venerable firms of
Vacheron Constantin
and Breguet in the
second and third positions, it’s a
remarkable achievement for a oncedormant
brand. Those polled rated the
companies in four categories,
including ‘Consistently Superior
68 preStiGe
May Be Its Best
Quality’, ‘Uniqueness and Exclusivity’,
‘Making the Customer Feel Special
Across the Entire Experience’, and
‘Being Consumed by People Who
Are Admired and Respected’. Heady
stuff, but then Blancpain certainly
warrants a place among the best in
any list of legendary haute horlogerie
manufacturers.
When some yet-to-be-born
watch historian – from a suitable
vantage point many years hence –
writes the enthralling saga of the
mechanical watch revival, he or she
will be able to point to Blancpain as
having been a prominent figure in the
first wave. Although the company had
been inactive for more than a decade
when it was revived, its impact was
immediate. After all, its heritage was
genuine, and not the imaginings of
some marketing whizz-kid.

Words: keN kessleR Images: © BlANCPAIN
S H I N E
Blancpain first opened its doors in
1735, when Jehan-Jacques Blancpain
– born in 1693 – established himself
as a watchmaker in his farmhouse in
the village of Villeret. Land-locked
Switzerland, with its brutal winters,
developed communities with a
mentality of creative shut-ins: the
burgeoning need for watches was the
trade that attracted many Swiss
during the long winters, the St Imier
valley being typical of this
trend. Blancpain saw a commercial
opportunity, one that would prove to
be a cornerstone of the Swiss nearmonopoly
in watchmaking, as well
as a template for conglomerates
that wouldn’t emerge for a couple
of centuries.
Blancpain would visit
watchmakers at their farms to collect
completed watches, which he would
sell on to wholesalers in Geneva. Once
he had set up his own workshop, he
was able to produce parts and to
finish ‘blank’ movements, known as
ebauches, fitting them into cases for
eventual sale.
Blancpain’s descendants were
capable and industrious, rather than
merely being the recipients of
nepotistic largesse. They kept the
name alive for six generations, moving
from their cottage-industry origins to
larger-scale production by 1815,
opening a modern manufacture in
1836. By 1932, the last of the family
members had passed away.
While under the family’s reign,
continued modernisation led the
company to building a plant in the
late 1890s that used electricity
produced by its own generator,
driven by the Suze River, on whose
banks it stood – a green gesture over
a century ago. During this period, the
twilight years of the pocket watch,
Blancpain produced the complications
to which it would return a century
later, as well as extra-flat watches
and small ladies’ watches. The
company was also a pioneer in the
development of self-winding, or
www.prestigemag.co.za 69

‘automatic’ watches, introducing
them as far back as 1926.
After the passing of the last heir, a
management buy-out kept the
company alive. Another major
achievement that would have a huge
impact on the company’s success in
recent years was the development in
1953 of the Fifty Fathoms diving
watch. Produced for the French and
US Navies, it was water resistant to
100 metres. It also caught the
attention of underwater explorer
Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who wore a
70 preStiGe
Fifty Fathoms in his milestone film,
The World of Silence – an example of
monumentally successful product
placement before the term existed.
After the firm was sold to the
watchmaking conglomerate SSIH, the
company lay dormant throughout the
1970s. Quartz had decimated the
watch industry, destroying the
livelihood of hundreds of thousands
of Swiss who were employed in the
manufacturing of mechanical
timepieces.
A visionary named Jean-Claude

Biver, then employed but let go by
Omega, along with Jacques Piguet,
who manufactured movements,
acquired the Blancpain name in 1982.
Concurrent with this, others in the
watch industry were slowly,
painstakingly re-establishing the
mechanical watch as a highlydesirable
form of functional jewellery.
Young watchmakers who learned
their craft before quartz arrived
would append their names to their
own creations. Biver, with perfect
timing, chose, instead, to revive the
by-then relatively obscure Blancpain.
It was a brave move, one that predated
the explosion in interest in haute
horlogerie by nearly a decade. But by
the time the rest of the industry had
caught up with the revivalists,
Bivet had already established
Blancpain as a must-own brand, based
in the Vallee de Joux, and able to
produce the most complicated pieces
consumers could covet.
Biver’s recipe was a successful
one that still works for the brand:
round, slim, elegant watches with
automatic movements, from timeonly
pieces to those that feature
complications including perpetual
calendar, moon-phase indication,
split seconds chronograph, a minute
repeater and a tourbillon. Biver would
combine these to create the 1735
Grande Complication, of which only
30 were produced, with a price of
approximately $700,000.
In 1992, Biver sold Blancpain to
the company we now know as the
Swatch Group, Blancpain joining
Breguet as one of their most
prestigious marques. The new owners
moved Blancpain headquarters to
Paudex, east of Lausanne on Lake
Geneva. Since 2001, Blancpain has
gone from strength to strength under
the aegis of Marc A Hayek, grandson
of the Swatch Group’s late founder,
Nicolas G Hayek.
The younger Hayek, with watch
manufacturing in his genes, relaunched
the Fifty Fathoms. In under
a decade, he has developed it into one
of the most desirable sport watches
on the market. Hayek, a keen racing
driver, also formed an alliance
between Blancpain and Lamborghini,
the two producing a one-make
series of motor races called the Super
Trofeo Series.
And Hayek has maintained
Blancpain’s reputation for producing
complications and models of
unbridled extravagance, such as the
Tourbillon Diamants, that most
coveted of watch statements, which
is housed in a case covered entirely
in diamonds.
To mark the brand’s 275th
anniversary, three exceptional
launches have taken place: the
extreme, exotic and expensive
Carrousel Répétition Minutes Le
Brassus, with the world’s first carrousel
powered cathedral
gong minute repeater movement; a
new Villeret collection reinterpreting
the look of Blancpain’s most
traditional and understated line; and
a new complicated addition to
the L-evolution Collection featuring a
week of the year indication. All
are manufactured completely inhouse.
And all are unmistakably
Blancpain. �

U N W I N D
Constance
Ephelia
72 preStiGe
Seychelles
For the Whole Family

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: © CONsTANCe hOTels eXPeRIeNCe
U N W I N D
The Seychelles can, without exaggeration, lay claim to some of the most
spectacular beaches in the world, with powdery soft sand, giant pink
boulders, and perfectly transparent water. But of all the bays we’ve visited
since our love affair with the region began four years ago, it is Baie Gran Lans
at Constance Ephelia that has our family quite smitten.
www.prestigemag.co.za 73

For most South Africans,
despite the Seychelles
being only a short trip from
OR Tambo International
Airport, the archipelago is
still one of the most
neglected Indian Ocean destinations.
Finding a five-star-plus retreat that
surpasses all expectation is actually a
rather easy task – exclusive villas,
private residences and boutique hotels
are all on offer. But when it comes to
finding a place that caters to the entire
family without compromising style
and luxury, the Constance group of
hotels comes out tops.
Their newest offering is Constance
Ephelia, located on the north-western
tip of Mahé. This means that for those
travelling with young children, you
need not island hop to get to your
final stop. And once you arrive at
74 preStiGe
Constance Ephelia, life slows down,
even if just for a few days, and
becomes sheer tranquillity.
We chose to stay in one of the
Family Villas for the ultimate familyfriendly
environment. A master
bedroom en suite plus two additional
bedrooms upstairs, each with two
twin beds, meant that mom and dad
could have some private time in their
own air-conditioned, elegantly
designed and decadent space. Each
Villa has its own private courtyard
and generously sized pool along with
a dining pavilion and shaded gazebo.
Many hours were spent out here,
watching the kids learn to swim like
dolphins, their little naked bodies
turning brown by day and the
moonbeams reflecting off their skins
at night. For more traditional
entertainment, LCD TV, Mac mini
(iPod connection, CD & DVD),
complimentary Wi-Fi, mini bar, mini
wine cooler with a selection of
wine, and espresso machine were all
on hand.
A number of other suite and villa
configurations are available, with most
equipped to host children. While the
superb Family Villa accommodation
means that you may not ever need to
leave your home-away-from-home, it
would be a great shame not to
experience the rest of the resort.
Set in a nature reserve, the
property straddles two beaches and
spans 120 hectares of land bursting
with lush vegetation. Yoga and
meditation instruction is available
every day at the Spa for the
experienced and novice alike. Hikes
and daily bike rides are an option for
the athletically inclined, and more

than a few energetic guests were seen
jogging at sunrise and sunset along
the paths. There’s also tennis,
kayaking, wind surfing, a full gym
and, naturally, PADI certified diving. A
spot of deep sea fishing is another
way to work the muscles, and we
thoroughly enjoyed one long, lazy
evening with our toes in the sand,
dining on my husband’s catch of the
day served both sushi-style and grilled
by the chef at the Seselwa restaurant.
For those interested in other
forms of wellness, this is a hallmark of
Constance Ephelia. The spa village, set
in beautiful tropical gardens, is the
largest in the Indian Ocean and
provides both the Spa de Constance
Spirit and Shiseido Spa, which
specialise in different treatments.
With close attention to every detail,
one need simply enter this space to
begin to feel a sense of harmony. And
if you are serious about a wellness
experience, Constance Ephelia now
offers ideal accommodation to do so.
If you opt for a Spa Villa you have
your main bedroom with Victorianstyle
bathtub, own sauna, hamman
and swimming pool, plus a private
couple’s massage pavilion both
indoors and out. Bathed in natural
light and decorated with organic
materials, this space is quite obviously
devoted to well-being.
Everywhere at Constance Ephelia
there is water, be it in the myriad
geometric swimming pools that abut
each restaurant, the state-of-the art
shower that washes off the sea salt
and sunscreen, magical waterfalls
that enhance the sense of relaxation
at the Spa, or the turquoise ocean
that greets you each morning. And
then there is Gran Lans; an idyllic
beach with gentle waves, walk-in
snorkelling, and a bevy of boats
beckoning to be taken out for an
excursion at sea.
Constance Ephelia offers a Mini
Club for kids, fully equipped with all
things that might intrigue a child as
well as an appropriately sized pool
and scheduled outings. We had so
much fun, though, and even some
grown-up down-time that we barely
took advantage of it. Instead, we
filled our days and nights with shared
laughter and discovery – the stuff of
which family memories are made. �
For more information, contact
Constance Ephelia Resort:
• Tel: +248 395 000
• Email: info@epheliaresort.com
• Visit: www.epheliaresort.com
www.prestigemag.co.za 75

F E AT U R E
Princess
76 preStiGe
Yachts
Going Large
When the London International Boat Show opens its
doors in January 2011, the British yacht manufacturer
Princess will be showcasing its latest addition, the
32M. For the first time, with this launch, Princess will be
entering 100-foot-plus territory.

Words: ChARl Du PlessIs Images: © PRINCess YAChTs INTeRNATIONAl PlC
The 32M will be the largest
overall vessel to have been
showcased inside London’s
Excel exhibition halls. At
32 metres in length and
over 13 metres in height
at her tallest point, she only narrowly
fits through the enormous South Hall
doors at the exhibition centre, posing
a challenging logistical feat. Once
inside, she promises to be a hugely
impressive feature, dominating the
new boardwalk arena.
The new 32M is a remarkably
accomplished long-range cruising
yacht with an authoritative style, and
engineered to the highest seagoing
standards. Her huge saloon features
vast windows to each side and sliding
doors leading out to a drop-down
balcony to starboard, which gives the
entire main deck the benefit of a
spectacular open vista. Offered with
four or five guest cabins, her owner’s
suite is located on the main deck,
benefitting from large windows that
offer excellent views on two sides,
and an equally impressive bathroom
forward with spacious shower and
separate whirlpool bath.
Down below, a full-beam VIP
suite is also truly imposing and
there is an additional double guest
cabin on the port side, with a roomy
twin to starboard, reached via an
impressive central lobby. Owners who
enjoy cruising with larger groups, or
those with an eye on the charter
market, are able to opt for the fivecabin
layout, with two double guest
suites in place of the palatial midships
VIP, as is the arrangement on hull
number one.
The 32M heralds the dawn of a
C R U I S E
new era for Princess Yachts, and a
distinct horizon for the brand.
Approval has now been gained to
transform the Company’s South Yard
site through a £45-million investment
programme, to create an industryleading
manufacturing facility for a
range of larger yachts. And 2012 will
see the arrival of the 40M, a 130-foot
tri-deck vessel and new flagship for
the company. Construction will
commence in early 2011.
Princess has invested heavily in
products across their entire size
range, and 2010 saw the company
launch five new models, some of
which will make their London debut
at the show. The Princess 64 and
revised Princess 42 will be on display
together with the V52 sports yacht,
while the V56 will feature a full-beam
master cabin layout. �
experience Princess
Princess South Africa offers several charter options onboard the 85-foot Princess Emma. Charters are tailor-made according
to the needs of the client and the time he or she has available. Call +27 21 794 6561 or email info@thelastword.co.za.
One-day charters
• Clifton – depart Waterfront mid morning for Clifton. A gourmet lunch will be served onboard before a relaxing afternoon
of sunbathing and swimming. After watching the sun set, Princess Emma will take a slow cruise along the Atlantic seaboard
back to her berth at the Cape Grace marina. With luck, guests will enjoy sightings of dolphins and whales while out at sea.
• Hout Bay, Clifton – depart Waterfront mid-morning, cruise along the Atlantic coast for lunch at Hout Bay harbour either
onboard or at one of the well-known harbour restaurants, returning via Clifton for sundowners and dinner onboard at
Clifton or back at the marina.
Two-day charters
• Waterfront, Hout Bay, Simon’s Town, Kalk Bay, Cape Point – depart mid-morning from the Waterfront to Hout Bay for
lunch. Continue around Cape Point to overnight in Simon’s Town harbour, with dinner either onboard or at one of the wellknown
restaurants nearby. The next day, cruise False Bay to Kalk Bay and Seal Island, returning via Clifton Beach for
sundowners and afterwards the marina for dinner and overnight stay onboard.
Three-day charters
• West Coast to Langebaan – cruise up the West Coast via Dassen Island, Yzerfontein and Saldanha Bay, to overnight in
Club Mykonos harbour. The following day, cruise Langebaan lagoon to Kraal Bay and stay overnight. Depart at lunchtime
and return to the Waterfront for dinner and overnight stay at the marina.
Three to five-day charters
• Southern Cape Coast cruises to Knysna can be tailor-made to suit clients’ needs.
www.prestigemag.co.za 77

E X C L U S I V E

Words & Images: © The ANDY WARhOl FOuNDATION
art
E X C L U S I V E
bottle
oN A
Dom Pérignon Pays Homage to Andy Warhol
With the creation of an exclusive
collection of three bottles by the Design
Laboratory at Central Saint Martins
School of Art & Design, Dom Pérignon
pays tribute to Andy Warhol, creative
genius and one of the most illustrious
artists of the 20th century.
www.prestigemag.co.za 79

F E AT U R E
Below is an entry from
Andy Warhol’s diary on
8 March, 1981. Warhol,
the pope of Pop Art and
a leading figure of the
New York underground
art scene, had just returned from
Munich where he had had a show,
and was recounting what he had
seen. “Went to the gallery where they
were having a little exhibition of the
glittery Shoes, and had to do
interviews and pics for the German
newspaper and then we had to go
back to the hotel and be picked up by
the ‘2,000’ people – it's a club of 20
guys who got together and they’re
going to buy 2,000 bottles of Dom
Pérignon, which they will put in a
sealed room until the year 2000 and
then open it up and drink it and so the
running joke is who will be around
and who won't...”
Warhol really loved this story. Not
surprising. He once said that he had
80 preStiGe
been to thousands of parties in his
life. In the late 1970s he liked to go to
New York’s Studio 54, the wildest and
most theatrical club of the period
(along with Le Palace in Paris), with
his friends. And they loved to drink
Dom Pérignon there.
Inspired by Warhol’s unconventional
representation of icons and the playful
use of codes and colour in his work,
Dom Pérignon commissioned the
Design Laboratory at Central Saint
Martins School of Art & Design to
reinterpret its timeless bottle. The
result, Dom Pérignon Pays Tribute to
Andy Warhol, is a unique collection of
three bottles, each with a distinct label
in red, blue or yellow – a tribute to
Warhol’s iconic colour games.
Andy Warhol was born Andrew
Warhola on 6 August, 1928. From an
early age he showed an interest in
photography and drawing. After
attending Carnegie Mellon University,
Warhol moved to New York and
worked as an illustrator for several
magazines including Vogue, Harper's
Bazaar and The New Yorker. In 1952,
the artist had his first solo exhibition,
and four years later participated in his
first group show exhibited at the
Museum of Modern Art.
Appropriating images from
popular culture, Warhol created many
paintings that remain icons of 20thcentury
art including the Campbell's
Soup Can, Marilyn and Elvis series.
Warhol worked in a variety of
mediums from painting to
photography, and in the eighties
hosted his own talk show on MTV.
Andy Warhol died on 22 February,
1987, firmly established as one of the
most important artists of the 20th
century.
Warhol challenged the world to
see art differently. His cultural legacy
lives on through his artworks and
the works of The Andy Warhol
Foundation and The Andy Warhol
Museum. This project with Dom
Pérignon is produced under licence
from The Andy Warhol Foundation
for the Visual Arts, Inc, a New
York not-for-profit corporation
that promotes the visual arts
(www.warholfoundation.org).
The Dom Pérignon Warhol Gift
Box is available from leading
liquor merchants nationwide, for
R1299.95. �
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000 Tasting Notes by Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave
Dom Pérignon is made from grapes grown on Dom Pérignon’s eight Grand Crus,
together with the Hautvillers Premier Cru. Each vintage is a new creation. Fresh,
crystalline and crisp, the first notes on the nose reveal a unique vegetal, aquatic
world, with accents of white pepper and gardenia. Then the wine’s maturity
softly, lightly declares itself before exhaling peaty accents. On the palate, the
first impression is direct, a prelude to hints of anise and dried ginger, gliding over
the skin of a pear and a mango, an effect that is more tactile than fleshy. The
finish stretches out and then comes to rest, calm, mature and diffuse.

acquire PERMANENT RESIDENCY in
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PO Box 785553, Sandton, 2146
Tel +27 11 881 5706 | Fax +27 86 670 6490
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• Purchase of a property required*
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Tel +27 21 680 5272 | Fax +27 86 670 6490
CYPRIOT REALTY - official South African marketing agent for LEPTOS ESTATES (www.leptosestates.com)
CONTACT Jenny Ellinas: +27 83 448 8734 | jenny@cypriotrealty.com | www.cypriotrealty.com

S E T T L E
If you think Cyprus is a
backwater country with
outdated infrastructure, a
struggling economy and little
to offer the traveller and
seasoned investor – think
again. Cyprus will amaze you with
what’s on offer.
In Cyprus the lifestyle really is the
best of the best. Boasting one of the
lowest crime rates in the world, expect
the utmost in peace and tranquillity
here – you can be anywhere, anytime
and never experience or be threatened
by crime. The country will surprise you
with its excellent healthcare facilities,
82 preStiGe
A Home in
Cyprus
The Perfect Getaway
first-rate banking services, top-notch
road network and exceptional
telecommunications setup. And this
European destination continues to
improve facilities, services,
infrastructure and development for its
residents, visitors and investors.
For avid sports enthusiasts
wanting to enjoy the best in sports,
the 320 days of annual sunshine and
the short, mild winters offer a wide
choice of activities – not to mention
world-class facilities and many
international sporting tournaments.
The golf courses are set in magnificent
surrounds, and Cyprus is fast
Cyprus, located in the Eastern
Mediterranean, and the birthplace
of the Goddess Aphrodite, has
been attracting visitors to her shores
for centuries. The combination of
beautiful and contrasting scenery,
fascinating coastal seascapes
and priceless mosaics makes
this paradise island a must-visit
destination.
becoming known as the next hotspot
on the global golfing calendar. For car
enthusiasts, both the annual FxPRO
Car Rally, which spans two days and
covers 850 kilometres, and the Classic
Car Rally, take participants through
incredible rural scenery and
breathtaking hillside routes. In winter,
go skiing or snowboarding and then
visit an authentic cobble-stoned
mountain village for glühwein and a
cheese fondue, and the chance to
experience the warmth of Cypriot
hospitality.
Cyprus has an established and
flourishing yachting and boating

Words: JeNNY ellINAs Images: © CYPRIOT ReAlTY
industry and is regarded by many
as the best sailing centre in the
eastern Mediterranean. A wealth
of nautical adventures can be
enjoyed here, from short excursions
and exploring secluded bays to weeklong
charters and exquisite wreck
dives, as well as time spent navigating
your way past exotic sea caves.
With three new, state-of-the-art
marinas under development, Cyprus
will soon offer the most modern
mooring facilities in the Med too.
Superb retail, residential and
commercial opportunities will
complement these marinas.
Where Cyprus sets itself apart
from most European countries is that
the best real estate is available mere
metres from the sparkling
Mediterranean Sea. Internationally
acclaimed and award-winning
developments like Apollo Beach Villas
showcase ultimate island-living,
combining exquisite location, leisure
and luxury with privacy and elegance.
Each custom-built home offers a rare
opportunity to own a very valuable
seafront asset that will create a
legacy for generations to come.
If living on the water’s edge isn’t
quite for you, then an opportunity
exists to invest in an exclusive and
luxurious hillside location: Kamares
Village – ranked in the Top Five Villa
Developments in the world. Here,
original architecture, clever interior
planning and landscaped exteriors
blend harmoniously into the
surrounding natural environment.
For ultimate luxury, a stay at the
5-star Thalassa Boutique Hotel in
Paphos – on the western side of the
island – should definitely form part of
your itinerary. Thalassa has developed
a new service concept: a personal
butler for every suite, which is a first
for the island. Thalassa is more than a
hotel, it’s an experience. It’s a place
where boundaries between the hotel
S E T T L E
Cyprus: some Facts and Figures:
• Total Size: 9,248 square kilometres
• Cyprus is a completely independent country to Greece, and not part of Greece
at all.
• Greek is not the main language. Cyprus was a British Colony and everyone
speaks English.
• They drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• July and August are the hottest months of the year but from late December to
early February Cyprus offers great snowboarding and skiing.
• The currency is Euro.
• A Cypriot visa is required for all citizens excluding UK, USA and EU citizens
and passport holders.
• Permanent residency is possible.
and its guests fall away, and Thalassa
becomes your home, where you are
looked after and tended to by friends,
and where the motto of the staff is
‘The answer is yes, what is the
question?’.
Life here sure is laidback, and you
can set your own pace. And what
better place to do this than where the
blue skies meet the Mediterranean
Sea, on the beautiful island
of Cyprus? �
Contact Jenny Ellinas at Cypriot
Realty:
• Tel: +27 83 448 8734
• Email: jenny@cypriotrealty.com
• Visit: www.cypriotrealty.com
www.prestigemag.co.za 83

The
Big
Boom
Supersonic Jets
Flying faster than the speed of sound is still civil aviation’s biggest dream.
Although Concorde was sadly scrapped several years ago, its appeal lingers.
But, despite much success over the years, the major hurdle to supersonic flight
still stands. The draw is in the journey times. In the Concorde, New York to Paris
flights took around four hours and 15 minutes versus about seven hours and 30
minutes in existing subsonic aircraft.
84 preStiGe

Words: lIZ MOsCROP Images: © AeRION; GulFsTReAM AeROsPACe
It’s LOUD. So noisy, actually,
that it’s banned over land in
many parts of the world. Shock
waves develop around
airplanes as they near speeds
of Mach 1, and at ground level
these are perceived as a loud double
boom or bang.
Many manufacturers, however,
refuse to be daunted by the task of
building a new supersonic plane and
claim to have resolved the noise
problem. Aerion, for example, has
secured around 50 orders for its
$80-million supersonic business jet
(SSBJ) from customers in key markets
including Europe, the Middle East,
Asia and the USA. Last October the
company revealed early results from a
new round of flight tests carried out
in collaboration with NASA's Dryden
Flight Research Center. The tests
achieved a top speed of Mach 2.0.
Vice chairman Brian Barents called
this “a tremendous validation of the
aircraft’s appeal.”
The company is still looking for
someone to build the aircraft – which
will likely cost $3 billion by the time
the first one rolls out. Should Barents
eventually realise his goal, the SSBJ
will carry eight to 12 passengers and
travel at both supersonic and subsonic
speeds. Barents reckons that Aerion
is “at least seven years ahead” of
major competitors Gulfstream and
Supersonic Aerospace International
(SAI), both of which are developing
technologies optimised for supersonic
flight only.
Other original equipment
manufacturers investigating
supersonic flight include Gulfstream
and Dassault, both of which are
working on sonic boom reduction.
John Rosanvallon, Dassault Falcon’s
CEO, said, “Dassault wants to be part
of the international team that builds
the first supersonic business jet.”
However, Dassault seems to have
parked its plans for the time being as
it concentrates on other products.
Gulfstream, meanwhile, is
concentrating on sonic boom noise
reduction using ‘Quiet Spike’
technology, which it has flown on a
NASA F-15 flight test aircraft capable
of flying at speeds in excess of Mach
2.0, or twice the speed of sound. The
company has developed a telescopic
spike that extends from 14 feet in
subsonic flight to 24 feet in supersonic
flight. This spike flattens out
traditional spiky ‘N’-wave sonic boom
pressure waves into more rounded
shapes, fashioned roughly like a
sideways ‘S’. This modification creates
a softer sound that is quieter than
Concorde’s sonic boom by a factor of
10,000. The manufacturer is also
working with the International Civil
Aviation Organisation, the US Federal
Aviation Administration and NASA to
gain regulatory approvals for its work.
Recently, Italian aviation giant
Alenia was reported to be in talks with
S U P E R S O N I C
Russia’s Sukhoi to bring a new
supersonic business jet to market by
2015. The plane is slated to fly at more
than Mach 1.6 and carry eight
passengers, with muffled sonic booms.
Sukhoi and Alenia are collaborating on
the Superjet, a commercial airliner,
which is now in flight testing. Fellow
Russian airframer Tupolev has also
developed concepts for a supersonic
business jet, the Tu-444.
Others also wish to muscle in on
the market. Back in 2001, Michael
Paulson founded SAI to fulfil his late
father's wishes as outlined in his will.
Allen E Paulson wanted to create a
quiet, low-boom supersonic business
jet, and hired Lockheed Martin to
complete a feasibility design study
for a revolutionary ‘low boom’
supersonic passenger aircraft. The
study resulted in the design of the
Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST), an
aircraft that would have a sonic
signature 1/100th that of the
Concorde at a speed up to Mach 1.8
and a range of 4,000 nautical miles
(roughly 7,400 kilometres). SAI is
looking for a consortium to develop
the QSST.
Slated to cruise at 60,000 feet at
speeds of Mach 1.6 to 1.8
(approximately 1,960 to 2,200 km/h),
with a range of 7,400 kilometres, the
twin-engine QSST was designed to
create a sonic boom only 1 percent as
strong as that generated by Concorde.
A long fuselage and ensuring that the
individual pressure waves generated
by each part of the aircraft structure
did not impact as heavily on each
other would have achieved this result.
The idea is that this would produce a
longer, but quieter, boom.
Interestingly, civil and military
giant Boeing has concluded that
supersonic aircraft could be
economically and environmentally
viable in multiple markets. With such
a powerful advocate, supersonic
speeds may be back in vogue sooner
than we think. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 85

86 preStiGe

The
C R A F T
Fine, Fine Whisky
The Dalmore whisky is crafted in small batches using an artisan
philosophy that has been passed down through generations. The
small band of stillmen who run the distillery all originate from a
handful of local families with years of experience, showing true craft,
dedication and pride when creating one of the finest malt whiskies
in the world.
Words: ROB BRuCe; TONI MuIR Images: © The DAlMORe DIsTIlleRYDalmore
www.prestigemag.co.za 87

88 preStiGe
The first bottle of whisky in
the world to break the sixfigure
price barrier originated
from The Dalmore Distillery,
which sold two bottles for
£100,000 – each. The two
bottles of the 64-year-old Trinitas,
named because there were just three
bottles produced in total, were
acquired by a luxury whisky lover in
the US and a renowned whisky investor
in the UK. The third bottle of this
record-breaking spirit was recently
sold at the Whisky Show in London,
though organisers have remained
tight-lipped about the exact details of
this most-exclusive sale.
Industry experts claim that if the
bottle was sold by the glass in
exclusive restaurants and clubs, it
could fetch up to £20,000 for a typical
50ml dram. Exclusive indeed! But this
is because Trinitas is believed to
contain some of the rarest and oldest
stocks of whisky in the world, some of
which have been maturing in the
distillery on the shores of the Cromarty
Firth, the Scottish Highlands, for more
than 140 years.
The Dalmore Distillery is watched
over by master distiller, Richard
Paterson, the third generation of a
family long associated with the Scotch
whisky industry. After many years

working his way up, learning all he
could about whisky, from stock records
to distillation and blending, perfecting
his ever-improving abilities, Paterson
joined Whyte & Mackay Distillers in
1970. He was just 26 years of age,
reputed at that time to be Scotland’s
youngest master blender. Ever since,
Paterson has been responsible for
crafting Dalmore’s great malts.
Paterson used his unrivalled
expertise to fuse together a range of
those most exclusive malts to produce
Trinitas. He says this was not about
breaking world records but about
making the best whisky money can
buy. “The hand of time has been
generous and rewarding with the
malts I chose to use,” he says. “They
allowed me to create a taste sensation
that will never again be repeated and
which will only ever be available to
those who own these bottles. You
cannot put a price on that.”
The Dalmore has become one of
the most sought after whiskies in the
world. In 2005, The Dalmore 62 was
bought in a Surrey Hotel by an
anonymous businessman for a recordbreaking
£32,000, and was consumed
there and then. Last year, 12 bottles
of Sirius were snapped up in four days
despite the price tag of £10,000 per
decanter. Six months later they were
reported to be changing hands for
double that. More recently, a bespoke
Dalmore expression called Oculus was
sold on auction, fetching more than
£28,000.
The magnificent and rare Northern
Lights phenomenon, Aurora borealis
– a natural light show very few get to
see – inspired The Dalmore to create
its very newest product, one they’ve
simply christened, Aurora. Just 200
bottles will be made available at a
toe-curling £3,000 each. This
particular spirit has been maturing in
the distillery for 45 years.
The part of the Scottish Highlands
where The Dalmore Distillery is
located is also one of the places
where, when the conditions are right,
you can see the northern lights in all
their glory. Says Paterson, “The
Northern Lights are an amazing
natural wonder offering an intense,
unique experience and no matter how
Industry experts claim
that if the bottle was
sold by the glass in
exclusive restaurants
and clubs, it could
fetch up to £20,000 for
a typical 50ml dram.
cynical and jaded you are, they will
stop you in your tracks, awaken your
senses and make you shout ‘wow’. I
try to make sure The Dalmore offers
that in each and every bottle we
produce, whether it is through our
permanent core range or that one-off
exclusive bottle that sells for tens of
thousands of Pounds. Tasting Aurora
will be like experiencing the Northern
Lights for the first time – once will
never be enough. You will just want
more. And pretty soon, it may be
easier to find the heavenly lights than
it will be to find one of these bottles!”
The Dalmore has a history of
breaking the conventions of the
whisky industry; an authentic and
original Scottish product with a
growing presence in today’s
burgeoning market. It enjoys an
unrivalled richness of tradition and
craftsmanship; a key trigger for luxury
purchasers. Paterson believes that
people recognise they have to pay a
premium for this exclusive quality;
this heritage. He says in conclusion,
“Even in this day and age, when
times are tough, those who enjoy
the finer things in life want to
reward themselves with something
very special.”
For more information, visit
www.thedalmore.com.
www.prestigemag.co.za 89

F E AT U R E
FRENCH
90 preStiGe
Revolution
Gallic Hi-Fi Equipment Enters a New Era
France has always had a strong reputation
for manufacturing extreme hi-fi components.
Traditionally, this manifested itself as huge record
decks, outré tube electronics or loudspeakers
that bore a greater resemblance to avant-garde
sculpture than to audio equipment. But the
country embraced digital technology from the
outset – France is simply mad about Apple and the
iPod – so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that its
wireless offerings are truly forward thinking.
It was the launch of the
genuinely radical Devialet
D-Premier amplifier, at Paris’
Salon Hi-Fi Home Cinema back
in 2009, that made it clear
France was producing very
advanced and ultra-modern home
entertainment equipment. They had
delivered something unlike anything
we’d seen before. It was simply
gorgeous, as chic as you’d expect of
something so utterly French, a proper
objet d’art so far-removed from the
knob-festooned boxes of yore that it
was hard to believe it was, yes, an
audio amplifier.
But not just any amplifier – it takes
the form of a polished metal slab

Words: keN kessleR Images: © DeVIAleT
measuring only 12 inches by 12 inches
– like an LP sleeve – and is less than
two inches thick. You can place it on a
shelf or hang it on the wall. What you
most certainly would not do is hide it.
All it features beyond the metal
expanse is a discreet display: everything
else is accessed by the sexiest wireless
remote control you’ve ever seen.
And yet, despite such a minimalist
presence, the D-Premier accepts every
form of digital source, from DVD to
CD to computers, with HDMI for
routing the signals from DVD and Bluray
players, compatibility with multiroom
controllers – it will even address
your vintage sources, like tape, FM
radio and the signal from not one but
two turntables. As for its drive
capabilities, the D-Premier pumps out
a massive 240 watts per channel, for
sublime stereo playback. There are
surely no currently available speakers
that D-Premier is incapable of
powering to concert levels.
With total flexibility and the
unlikelihood of reaching obsolescence
in the near future, the D-Premier raised
the bar to new heights. In turn, this
inspired a new wave of components
that will position the French ‘high-end’
electronics community alongside those
of Germany, the UK, Italy and the USA.
As of 2011, France is giving the
rest of the world a run for its money
with cool wireless devices, servers,
amplifiers and upscale docking
hardware, from companies such as
Micromega, Vismes, Jarre, Storm and
Soledge. They’re offering impressive
components designed to exploit
everything from iPods to state-ofthe-art
CD players, whether wirelessly
or through conventional cables.
What’s certain is that the music lover
of the 21st century will be able to
feed the music stored in his or her
mobile phone or portable device
directly to the ‘proper’ hi-fi system in
the home, with no more difficulty
than needed to hook it up to a
sonically inferior dock.
Soledge’s Maestro is an arresting
device with a screen that raises or
lowers when addressed; its styling
sublime, its finish immaculate. This is
a full-function, remote-controlled
server system with a built-in CD
mechanism (the slot is located inbetween
the fins at the front) for
uploading your CD library, with a
standard capacity for between 500
and 900 hours of uncompressed
music. Options include an FM or DAB
module, while an array of inputs allow
for memory expansion if your library
is larger than the standard storage
can accommodate. Also available is a
matching power amplifier, the Tenor,
which actually looks like a vertical
portable hard drive!
If you’re simply after something
to feed from your iPod, but you’re too
discerning to suffer the terrible iPod
docks that dominate the market,
high-quality loudspeakers with builtin
amplifiers are an ideal solution.
And don’t let the dimensions of
Vismes’ handsome 22x22x22cm Cube
fool you: it weighs a deceptive 17
kilograms because it’s fashioned from
steel, each box containing a 25-watt
power amplifier to drive its frontfiring,
full-range speaker and a 57watt
amp for its subwoofer. The Cube
may be small, but it delivers serious
bass. For those who value convenience
as well as sound quality, it can be
connected easily to any line source
such as a TV or iPod, or driven by a
conventional pre-amp.
Another clever alternative for
those who have filled their iPods with
many hours of music is a space-age
cylinder from Jarre Technologies. And,
yes, this loudspeaker is the brainchild
of that Jarre – as in ‘Jean-Michel’. The
AeroSystem One is an iPod/iPhone
dock developed over four years by Jarre
and a team of sound engineers. It plays
pretty much every format – MP3, AAC,
WMA, and so on – and is compatible
with all iPod and iPhone models. It can
also ‘talk’ to computers and other
devices through USB 2.0 ingress. The
sleek unit stands 1.085 metres tall,
with a diameter of 115mm and 260mm
at the base, yet it contains a 30-watt
France is giving the rest
of the world a run for its
money with cool
wireless servers.
V I VA L A R E V O L U T I O N
amp for each 75mm tweeter and a 60watt
amp for the 135mm woofer. Price
in Europe is only €799.
Storm’s knock-out V55 Vertigo
integrated amplifier may seem almost
conventional, but, if my schoolboy
French served me well, it features a
circuit they call ‘StormFocus’, which
dynamically tracks the impedance of
the speaker load and behaves
accordingly. Forget the technobabble:
the audible result is supposed
to provide a far more accurate
matching of amplifier-to-speaker
behaviour, for superlative sound.
Available in the usual black or silver,
or – for the adventurous – a sexy
shade of red – it’s rated at 2x170
watts, accepts five line sources such
as a CD player or FM tuner, and the
build quality is divine.
Even if you already have a fine
system, you’ll probably want to add
wireless capability to it, and
Micromega’s WM-10 AirStream (€990)
might be just the device to do it. It uses
the company’s in-house ‘WHiFI’ system
and Wi-Fi 802.11n technology to
ensure that the wireless communication
will provide unparalleled sound quality,
enough to survive critical listening
with true, high-end credibility. The
technology is extremely fast, and the
AirStream ensures that the sound
reproduction system is isolated
electrically from the computer or other
source on which your music content is
stored. Also new from Micromega is
the AS-400 integrated amplifier with
built-in AirStream, and a phono stage
for your LPs!
It would seem, then, that despite
embracing the best that digital can
offer, the French still have plenty of
respect for the venerable black vinyl
record. Or as they might put it, Plus ca
change… �
www.prestigemag.co.za 91

W I E L D
Sabrage
Fit for Dashing Frenchmen,
Cossacks and You
There’s more to the traditional devil-may-care,
conversation-stopping art of sabrage than
shearing off the top of a champagne bottle
with a sword.
If you want to be a sabreur and
impress your friends, what you
do is this: obtain a bottle of
(preferably French) champagne,
chilled in the fridge to as near
six degrees Celsius as you can
get it. That’s important. Never put it
on ice, as the neck cools at a different
rate to the rest of the bottle, and it’s
the neck (or collar) in which we’re
interested. Because we’re going to
casually lop it off with an almighty
92 preStiGe
great sabre, the way swashbuckling
young officers in Napoleon’s day
used to do to celebrate a victory on
the battlefield, or to impress the
young filles.
What happens now, although it
looks impressively reckless, takes
mastery. And mastery takes practice.
Sabrage is a tradition, built as much
around bravado as it is around
honouring fine wine.
“One of the more spirited tales
surrounding the tradition,” says
Miguel Chan, Southern Sun Hotel
Group’s Certified Sommelier, “is that
of Madame Clicquot, who inherited
her husband’s champagne house at
the age of 27.” She apparently used to
entertain as many of Napoleon's
officers in her vineyard as she could
squeeze into her busy nights, and as
they rode off tired but happy in the
early morning with their bottles of
champagne, they would casually open
them with their sabres to impress the
rich young widow."
Although you can theoretically do
it with the back of the kitchen
breadknife, the effect isn’t quite the
same. You need to use the back edge
(that’s the blunt one) of a beautiful,
shimmering, pedigreed aristocrat of a
sabre. Having availed yourself of the
implement in question, you need to
locate the ‘seam’ that runs along the
bottle and over the collar. Strip the
foil wrapping off to expose the seam.
Then, holding the blunt edge of the
sabre against the seam at an exact
20-degree angle, you simply slide the
sabre purposefully (but not violently)
along the seam towards the neck,
which then comes off neatly in one
piece, the cork still inside. There’s no
risk of debris, as the contents are
under pressure and any glass particles
will always go upwards rather than
sink back into the wine.
Says flamboyant sabrage master
and raconteur Achim von Arnim, of
top wine estate Haute Cabrière:
“Despite the showmanship associated
with sabrage, wine shouldn’t be put
on a pedestal or made a cult of, but
shared with friends in good spirit. The
real value of wine is the sharing of it.”
To acquire an authentic French
sabre to call your own, contact Dan
Vergottini, who imports solid brass,
high carbon steel sabres in leather
scabbards direct from the continent.
Contact +27 79 595 8011 or email
info@vergottini.co.za.
Words: GAVIN BARFIelD Images: © hAuTe CABRIeRe

frika 21688 www.jhafrika.co.za
Exclusively available at
MELROSE ARCH JOHANNESBURG 011 684 2820 &
ALSO AT GERI, MANDELA SQUARE 011 783 2814
www.prestigemag.co.za 93

C O N V E R T I B L E S
94 preStiGe
Preaching
to the
Converted

C O N V E R T I B L E S
It is, in a way, almost criminal not to own one. They are available to almost
every budget and this country is one of the best for owning them. Contrary
to popular belief, our roads are often superb and, of course, the weather is
perfect.
www.prestigemag.co.za 95
Words: AleXANDeR PARkeR Images: © MOTORPICs.CO.ZA; QuICkPIC.CO.ZA; ROlls-ROYCe; lOReNZO MARCINNO/FeRRARI

Convertible cars are
often a compromise.
They lose structural
rigidity, they lose
solidity and sharpness,
and the strengthening
beams and struts the manufacturers
have to use to beef up the stiffness
lost by cutting off the roof usually
add a good 100 or so kilograms,
blunting performance. But come on,
it’s not every day that you live on the
ragged edge; that thrilling place
between a neatly caught tailslide and
96 preStiGe
an accident that’ll have your insurance
broker wincing. Most of the time you
just drive and, if you’ve never
experienced it, top-down motoring is
closer to heaven than you might
imagine. It’s motoring, with the
volume turned up full.
It assails every sense. You can feel
the wind, that clear indication of
speed. You can smell the flowering
wattle and, in winter, smoky fires and
braais. You can hear the tyres
scrabbling for grip on the tarmac.
Driving with the roof down is truly an
event. One of the great sports cars of
our time is a relatively cheap Japanese
roadster – the Mazda MX-5. Some
will scoff at such a notion, but then
they’ve usually not driven one. The
Mazda is the direct descendant of
legends of open-top motoring from
England’s sports car era – cars such as
the MG-B, the Triumph Spitfire, the
Lotus Elan and the TR6. None was
particularly fast in a straight line. All
were epic in the twistys.
It is said that the engineers at
Mazda deliberately copied the

transmission whine from an Elan in
the original 1989 MX-5. It’s all so
simple. Keep it small and light. Put the
drive to the rear and the engine up
front. Resist the temptation to add
horses. Rather remove weight. And
that’s why the MX-5 is such fun. It
fairly skips across the road. The
steering is weighty enough and as
sharp as a razor. Grip isn’t huge, but
that’s the point. You don’t want too
much grip. It’s a toy, after all, not a
track-day superstar.
Up the scale and it’s hard to
ignore the new Mercedes-Benz
E-Class convertible. Not only is it
elegant and as quiet as a coupe with
the roof up, it is utterly outstanding
with the roof down. Of all the
convertibles I have ever driven,
including some truly expensive pieces
of kit, this car is remarkably devoid of
the dreaded scuttle shake, the jellylike
wobble you get in drop-tops with
the roof down. It felt solid and, in
E500 form, was a real performer too.
It is a great car for the real world.
Drive to work in the teeming rain with
the roof up. Cruise the suburbs on a
balmy Sunday afternoon, sans roof.
One might say it’s a car that’ll change
to suit your mood.
Aston Martin makes some pretty
special drop-tops. You can have a V8
Vantage Roadster or both DB9 and
DBS in Volante form. All are beautiful
and all are pricey. My choice would be
the DB9 Volante. It is elegant beyond
belief and more suited to the role of
boulvardier than the harder DBS, and
taller men will find the V8 cramped.
For smaller men and women, the
V8 makes perfect sense. The V12 is,
as we know, one of the great
engines, with its linear power delivery
and – especially with the roof down
– that wonderful V12 yowl that
speaks of relaxed wineland roadtrips
and happy days.
When it comes to the ultimate
convertible it really starts to come
down to taste. They say the Ferrari
California is almost too good to be
true. Some folk like to keep it oldschool
and simple, and park R150,000
in a solid 1980s Mercedes-Benz SL
280. But the ultimate convertible, to
me, is the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Thing
is, it’s still Rolls-Royce. It’s got that
sense of otherworldly perfection
about it, be it the decking on the rear
of the car or the perfection that is the
interior. It may be the utterly unique
and somewhat intimidating style, but
the truth is that no matter what the
car may say about you, no matter
what it expresses about success and
taste and all those good things, the
real joy of the Phantom remains in
the drive itself.
They are special cars, in every form,
these Phantom coupés. The detachment
from the vulgarities of the road is total,
the silence with the roof up astounding.
The view down that long, elegant
bonnet, with the spirit of ecstasy some
distance away from the driver, remains
one of the most coveted in motoring.
With the roof down, it’s not just
motoring with the volume turned
up to 10; it’s driving a Rolls-Royce
with the volume turned up to 10. And
that has to be experienced to be
believed.
In conclusion, if there are no kids,
or if they’ve moved on, whether you
commute or not, whether budgets are
tight or stratospheric, you’ve got to
ask yourself; why don’t you have a
convertible? It’s a question we all
ought to ponder. �

S T R AY
98 preStiGe
Alone
Time
Private Cruises to Robben Island
Rather than experiencing Robben
Island as one of several hundred
people flooding the monument
en masse, might we suggest an
exclusive tour through
Original Boats onboard
luxury motor yacht,
Inala. This is currently
the only trip of its kind
and guarantees a
most memorable
experience.

Words: AFRICAN ACCess hOlDINGs Images: © TheBe TOuRIsM
Robben Island, the onceinfamous
maximum
security prison off the
coast of Cape Town, has
long been associated
with the great local
leaders who contributed towards the
struggle for freedom in South Africa.
During the Apartheid regime, between
1964 and 1991, African chiefs,
political heavyweights and business
leaders who were brave enough to
stand against any form of oppression,
were incarcerated at Robben Island.
The list of freedom fighters includes
one of the world's most respected
icons, former President of South
Africa and Nobel Laureate, Nelson
Mandela, who spent decades
imprisoned here. Today, Robben Island
is a symbol of strength, resilience,
hope and freedom, and attracts
visitors the world over.
What better way to be part of this
historic experience than to travel there
in style? The Inala, which means
‘having enough for all’ in Zulu, is a
spacious, 50-foot, luxury motor yacht
with six beautifully styled en
suite cabins accommodating up to 12
guests. With her teak floors, cherry
wood finishes, leather upholstery,
exquisite interiors, quality construction
and superior performance, Inala is in a
class of her own.
Original Boats has brought
together the best in exclusive boating
with this most remarkable of Heritage
sites, to offer discerning travellers an
experience unlike any other.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted
with rose scented towels to freshen
up, followed by welcome cocktails.
The boat has a full bar, with a selection
of local beers and wines available and
snacks or meals provided, suitable to
the time of the cruise. Once at Robben
Island, a dedicated guide accompanies
guests on a private tour in an airconditioned
vehicle, visiting sites of
the island and the prison that are not
available to the general public. On the
return cruise, guests are treated to
views of the world famous Table
Mountain and the beautiful Cape
coastline, along which they may
encounter seals, dolphins or other
marine life, including whales when
in season.
The brains behind this unique
visitor’s concept are Thabane Zulu,
one of Robben Island’s youngest
prisoners, and legendary yachtsman
and skipper, John Martin. Martin has
sailed in excess of 560,000 kilometres
and has had a very successful career
achieving notable success in six
Transatlantic Races and two Round
the World, Single-Handed Races. He
has achieved Springbok colours nine
times and was awarded the State
President's Sports Award (Gold) twice.
He was also voted Yachtsman of the
Year twice and was the three-time
winner of the Gordon Burnwood
Trophy for Outstanding Yachting
Achievements in South Africa.
S T R AY
He retired from the SA Navy in
1990 with the rank of Comannder and
17 years of service behind his name,
with many honours and awards
including a Chief of Defence Force
Commendation Medal for outstanding
Seamanship and Leadership. He is
also the Commodore of Royal Cape
Yacht Club.
Martin and his crew are on 24-
hour standby and focused on
delivering superior service to guests
wishing to enjoy this fantastic day
out at sea.
For more information or to book,
visit www.africanaccessholdings.com,
email info@originalboats.co.za, or
contact +27 82 941 4389. Original
Boats is a subsidiary of African Access
Holdings. �
experiences – Choose from the following charter options:
• Private Robben Island cruise – This 3-hour tour includes an exclusive charter
of the Inala Antares and a private tour of Robben Island with a personal tour
guide. Local beverages and a finger buffet are served onboard.
• Sunset Cruise – This 2-hour cruise to the famous Clifton beaches, with
panoramic views of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles, includes sparkling wine
on arrival, and local beverages and canapés.
• 3-Hour Cruise – A personalised cruise, including local beverages and a
finger buffet.
• 4-Hour Cruise – A personalised cruise including local beverages and a
finger buffet.
• Additional Cruise Options – Full day charters, overnight charters, photo shoots
and movie productions.
www.prestigemag.co.za 99

The Allure of
South
art
African
Anyone doubting the importance of art as a worthwhile asset class capable
of delivering serious returns will have been quietly hushed as record prices
were repeatedly set for South African art in the later months of 2010.
Substantial gains were made in the local art market, with 12 major artists
breaking auction records during this short time.
100 preStiGe

Words: BRONWeN shelWell Images: © GRAhAM’s FINe ART GAlleRY
These consistent results
indicate that the market
for quality works is strong.
Paintings by Irma Stern
achieved particularly high
results during October and
November. Stern thus not only holds
the record for the top price recorded
for a South African artwork, but is
also the South African artist whose
work has consistently fetched the
highest prices. Tracking some of
Stern’s auction records for the past 10
years gives a clear indication of
market growth:
• 2000 – R1,782,297 (estimate
R500,000 to R800,000)
• 2006 – R2,450,800 (estimate
R90,000 to R120,000)
• 2007 – R7,352,400 (estimate
R1 million to R1.4 million)
• 2010 – R13,368,000 (estimate
R5 million to R7 million)
• 2010 – R26,857,560 (estimate
R6.6 million to R9.9 million)
Other South African artists, such
as Stanley Pinker, JH Pierneef, Maud
Sumner, Cecil Skotnes and Alexis
Preller, among others, also achieved
considerable growth, shifting the role
of South African art from an aesthetic
statement to that of a desirable
investment vehicle. Prices paid for
paintings have gained much
international publicity and South
African Art has become particularly
appealing.
Art as an asset class can also serve
as a valid form of diversification in
one’s investment portfolio, while
having the added advantage of being
movable and easily transferable. The
recent recession saw works by top
artists continue to increase in value.
True quality is rare and therefore
remains ever-more collectible.
Charlotte Burns, in a recent article
for The Art Newspaper, reminded us
that “art appeals because it is
tangible, can be traded in any currency
and comes with kudos – collectors
cannot hang stocks and shares on a
wall to show their friends. Art may
be particularly attractive now because
of the uncertainties of the stock
markets, big currency fluctuations
and the looming spectre of inflation
in some major countries, and deflation
in others.” Experts agree that
when considering art as an
investment, the most important
consideration is quality.
Where you buy your art should be
an important consideration, too.
A P P R E C I AT E
Respected showrooms and
dealers such as Graham’s Fine Art
Gallery offer one of the finest
collections of South African
masterpieces, with a focus on
presenting clients with excellent
investment pieces. Graham’s Gallery
only deals with works that
illustrate great significance through
execution, condition, aesthetics, value
and iconicity. The Gallery specialises
in 20th Century, Post-War and
Contemporary South African art
and is situated in the upmarket
area of Broadacres in Fourways,
Johannesburg. Contact +27 11 465
9192 or visit www.grahamsgallery.
co.za for more information. �
Considering art as an investment?
Graham’s Fine Art Gallery
recommends the following:
• Buy what you like, but always
prioritise quality.
• Structure your portfolio for
maximum return and enjoyment.
• Consider Historical and
Contemporary Art.
• Buy top-quality art and focus on
always acquiring the best work which
you can find by an artist.
www.prestigemag.co.za 101

Heineken
Cape
102 preStiGe
to Rio
2011 Yacht Race

Words: AleX PeTeRseN Images: © BReNTON GeACh
S A I L
www.prestigemag.co.za 103

When the Heineken South Atlantic fleet sets out on 15 January 2011, leaving
Table Mountain astern, it will be returning once again to its roots, and to that
other famous skyline of Rio de Janeiro. It will be 40 years almost to the day
since the first competition in 1971 – an impressive record for a trans-ocean
race.
In fact, this race is just a few
years younger than the
northern hemisphere 1968
Trans-Atlantic Race which
inspired it. As Anthony Hocking
notes in his book Yachting in
Southern Africa, when the race was
originally planned, “clearly the
organisers had underestimated the
interest of the race for overseas
competitors.” Competitors included
some of the greatest names in
international yachting.
Cornelis Bruynzeel, with his
Dutch-registered Stormy, was one of
the first international yachtsmen
attracted to the event, soon followed
by Robin Knox-Johnston and Leslie
Williams in the 71-foot Ocean Spirit
and other entries from Britain.
104 preStiGe
Famous French single-hander Eric
Tabarly, with a full crew on Pen Duick
III, plus two other top French entries
also participated. From Germany
came three entries, three from the
United States, two from Italy, and
others from Denmark, Canada, Hong
Kong, Australia, and a little closer to
home, Mauritius and Mozambique.
In South Africa, several boats
were built specially for the race,
including the Royal Cape official
entry, Stormkaap, with the hull from
the same mould that had produced
Bruynzeel's Stormy. Boats were
produced all around the country,
including Durban, Port Elizabeth,
Knysna, Germiston, Springs, and
Johannesburg. Altogether there were
nearly 60 entries.
On the start day in 1971, Cape
Town docks closed for the event,
while a howling southeaster and a
thick horde of spectator boats met
the fleet. Southeasters at the start are
now almost a tradition, and the Cape
Doctor is an expected, if slightly
fearsome, guest.
There are other features of the
initial race, equally fearsome, which
still reappear. The Cape to Rio may be
billed as a pleasant down-wind race,
but all ocean sailing has inherent
dangers. Gear failures are one menace.
In the ’71 race, both Stormkaap and
Jakaranda, favourites among the local
entries, had rudder failure in heavy
seas, and despite valiant and nervewracking
attempts at repair, with
Stormkaap in Port Nolloth and

Jakaranda in Cape Town, they were
eventually forced to retire.
Because of the almost continuous
heavy forces crossing the Atlantic,
rudder failures are practically an
occupational hazard on yachts. Keel
failures, though, can be more
terrifying. In the 2006 race, the 52foot
Thunderchild was nursed into
Salvador with a partly-sheared keelframe.
For nearly half the crossing the
crew had been in terror of sinking. In
heavy winds, masts are also at risk.
In the 2009 race to Salvador, both
Gumption and Vineta lost their masts
within hours of each other off the
Namibian coast.
Whales are another danger. In the
‘71 race, Pionier, skippered by Gordon
Webb, was 11 days out of Cape Town
and lying third shortly after midnight
when there was a shuddering crash,
and then another seconds later.
Looking aft, Webb saw the huge
tailfin of a whale in the glow of the
stern light. It took Pionier just 16
minutes to sink. Floating in a life raft,
away from major sea-lanes, the crew
were despondent. It was only the
alertness of 3rd Officer Roy Newkirk
on the bridge of a US grain-carrier,
Potomac, which led to their rescue
the following afternoon. Similarly, in
the 2006 race, Hi Fidelity, a potential
winner, hit a whale and limped into
Walvis Bay with a bent rudder shaft
and in danger of sinking.
Even in benign circumstances,
ocean sailing has life-threatening
risks, which is why it offers such an
excellent training ground, not just for
sailing, but for general life skills. It is
for this reason that navies around the
world recognise and rate sail-training
so highly. It is a view that Royal Cape
Commodore, John Martin, takes as
axiomatic. “About 60 percent of the
sailors racing this time will be people
under the age of 25,” he notes, as he
reflects on the type of training such
an event offers. Martin has long
been a strong supporter of the
Izivunguvungu Sailing School in
Simon’s Town, run partly under SA
Navy auspices. In 2006 he skippered
the 42-foot SA Navy yacht, MTU, with
a crew of Izivunguvungu graduates,
and remembers their performance
with pride.
For the upcoming race Martin has
gone one step further. During a visit
to Rio in June, he contacted the Grael
Project, initiated by Brazil's top sailor
and Olympic medallist Torben Grael.
With similar aims to that of
Izivunguvungu, the Grael Project
takes youngsters from the favelas
(slums) of Rio and teaches them
varied skills based around sailing. At
Martin's invitation, four of their
senior trainees will be flying to Cape
Town to participate in the race.
The Heineken Cape to Rio has
other objectives too, such as
developing closer bi-lateral ties with
Brazil. These relationships have
already been boosted by the 2010
FIFA World Cup South Africa, with
numerous visits here by Brazilian
officials seeking advice on South
Africa's success. In addition to the
sporting connections and a naval
agreement between the two nations,
Brazil's Consul-General in Cape Town,
Joaquim A Whitaker Salles, anticipates
that the event will certainly create
opportunities for strengthening trade,
investment and technical cooperation
ties. Says Salles, “The Cape to Rio
Yacht Race is not just a yacht race but
a very special one linking, in a
transatlantic embrace, these two
cities displaying strikingly similar
physical and human landscapes.”
The 2011 race organisers
anticipate at least 25 entries on the
start line this year. To follow the race
visit www.capetorio.heineken.com. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 105

F E AT U R E
Inspired Education:
The
Great
Classics
It could be said that without education we will blunder and slumber, but
through education we will climb and soar. The journey of our species has
shown repeated advancements of creativity and technology as a result of
perpetual education. Without having continually marched forward through
ever-advancing study and expanding our minds, we may have ceased our
evolution and destined our extinction.
Education has been
essential to the fulfilment
of our individual and
collective being. It is
through this intellectual
and intuitive development
and the resultant greatness of mind
that we have catapulted our
civilisation across the world. When
symbolic language and written
106 preStiGe
alphabets emerged, stone tablets,
papyri, vellum, parchments and tree
leaves became the documents of our
progress and the birth and offspring
of the first and subsequent great and
classical books of inspired wisdom.
Our road to inspired education lay
through reading and understanding
the great classical works. We cannot
claim to be truly educated unless we
have become acquainted with such
literary masterpieces. These great
books have endured, mainly because
they are what the common voice of
humanity has come to call the finest
creations in writing. From epoch to
epoch, new masterpieces have been
written and have won their place in
our list of significant tomes.
The process of such literary change

Words: DR JOhN DeMARTINI Image: © DeMARTINI INsTITuTe; IsTOCkPhOTO.COM
will continue as long as we think,
become inspired and write. It is the
task of each generation to reassess the
world or tradition in which they live, to
discard what they cannot use and to
bring into context, with the distant
and immediate past, the most recent
contributions to the great masterworks.
We constantly need to recapture and
re-emphasise and bring to bear upon
our present problems the wisdom that
lies in the works of our greatest and
most masterful thinkers.
Though we do not live in any time
but the present, we are wise to want
the voices of great and enduring
thinkers of the past to be heard again
and again because they help us live
greater and more inspired lives now.
Their books shed light on all of our
basic problems and it is folly to do
without any enlightenment that
becomes available.
Reading and understanding great
classics provides us with a standard
by which we may judge all other
writings. Without such masterpieces
of literature through time, we are
reduced to objects of propaganda and
subordination. They strengthen our
minds and represent great educational
instruments for our youth and aged.
This education may be considered
liberal for it frees our minds from
the constraints of mediocrity. For
centuries, liberal education was
offered primarily, if not only, to those
with economic, social or political
position and vocational education
was provided for those more common.
But today, greater numbers can
educate themselves with the inspired
classics throughout their lives. Every
book we consume leads to another
that amplifies, modifies or even
contradicts those before it, which
works towards strengthening our
minds and developing the character
of our souls. By educating ourselves
on the great principles of truth, we
free ourselves from the superstitious
and pseudo-mysterious.
Our quest for education began at
the dawn of history and continues to
the present day. The spirit of
civilisation is the spirit of such
educational inquiry. Its dominant
elements have been the logos or the
reasoned, ordered, and spoken word,
knowledge and wisdom and gradually
its many specialised ‘ologies’. Nothing
has remained un-investigated or undiscussed
in its pursuit, and no
proposition has been left unexamined.
The exchange of ideas has been held
to be the path to the realisation of the
potentialities of our race or species.
The great books of antiquity and
of today are the means of
understanding our society and
ourselves. They contain the great
ideas that dominate us without
knowing it. There is no comparable
repository of our tradition than these
great masterpieces. Leave these
unread for a few generations and we
will put an end to the spirit of inquiry
and begin our decadence and fall.
D I S C O V E R
Such great books have salvaged,
preserved and transmitted traditions
and perpetuated our progress.
They hold before us the habitual
vision of greatness and of virtue.
These great classics have endured
because great thinkers in every
era have been lifted beyond
themselves by the inspiration of their
example, cause and soul. In their
company the ordinary world is
transfigured and seen through the
eyes of wisdom and genius and some
of their vision becomes our own. The
aim of such learning is human
transformation, refinement and
excellence, for it is the education of
free or liberated human beings. By
becoming liberally educated, our
minds can operate well in all fields
and can be at home in the world of
conceptual ideas and the realm of
practical and perceptual affairs.
Our liberal education is not merely
indispensable; it is unavoidable, for
nobody can decide whether or not
they are going to be a human being.
The only question open is whether he
or she will be an ignorant, undeveloped
one, or one who has sought to reach
the highest point humans are capable
of attaining. Our determination about
the distribution of the fullest measure
of this education will govern our
loyalty to the best in our own past
and our total service to the future of
the world.
May we all be inspired by the
words of Giorgio Vasari concerning
the great genius, Leonardo Da Vinci:
“Heaven sometimes sends us beings
who represent not humanity alone
but divinity itself, so that taking them
as our models and imitating them, our
minds and the best of our intelligence
may approach the highest celestial
spheres. Experience shows that those
who are led to study and follow the
traces of these marvellous geniuses,
even if nature gives them little or no
help, may at least approach the
supernatural works that participate in
his divinity.”
May we all continue with our
inspired education through imbibing
the classical writings of the great
geniuses. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 107

E X P L O R E
108 preStiGe

E X P L O R E
Africa
And Don’t Miss This
Words & Images: © keRI hARVeY Travel
www.prestigemag.co.za 109

It’s a world in one continent: magical, diverse
and surreal in both beauty and vibrancy.
Africa epitomises nostalgia and one-of-akind
experiences. It’s where you will be utterly
enchanted.
But there are some
experiences that just
out rank others, such as
hot-air ballooning over
Luxor, Egypt. Luxor is a
living, breathing
outdoor museum – the world’s largest
by far. Lining the banks of the languid
river Nile are temples and tombs so
ancient, so magnificent and startling
110 preStiGe
that they defy description. No pictures
can tell the full story of their size
and intricacy. The grandiose temple
of Luxor has an entire avenue
of sphinxes, Medinet Habu has
hieroglyphs so deep you can sink your
fist into them, and the Valley of the
Kings and Queens has artwork so
detailed and intricate it is beyond
comprehension.
Sunk into a rocky cliff face, the
temple of Hatshepsut is a monument
to Egypt’s greatest female pharaoh.
The tumbled statues of Rameses at
the Rameseum are so massive you will
feel Lilliputian in comparison. And
right in the middle of cultivated
farmland are the two seated statues
of the Colossi of Memnon. From
ground level, the temples of Luxor are
exquisite and grandiose, but from the
lofty heights of a hot air balloon in
the early morning, these ancient
wonders are even more beautiful.
Wafting gently above, almost
touching the temple tops, the view is
perfect and their magnificence can be
savoured in the soft morning light.
Visit www.sandsafaris.com.
Ever wondered how it feels to be
the first person to set foot on a
tropical island? That’s precisely the
feeling you’ll have when walking out
of the water and onto Medjumbe
Private Island, in the heart of
Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago.
Here, giant conch shells lie strewn
on the castor sugar beaches, among
ripples of pure white sand. A tepid
turquoise sea licks your toes and as
far as you can see there is nothing but
smooth Indian Ocean, with the
occasional white-sailed dhow silently
cruising in the distance. It is idyllic,
tranquil, and the whole island is yours
to explore. It’s like walking in
Robinson Crusoe’s sandals.
Strolling the island or lazing in a
hammock are favourite pastimes here,
where time seems to stand perfectly
still. Days are governed by the tides
and the sun and pure pleasure.
Palm trees fringe the beach and
rustle in the sea breeze and the
weather is balmy all year round.
Scuba diving, snorkelling and
plenty of other watersports are
possible in these calm waters. But the
feeling of having an entire tropical
island almost entirely to yourself is
an unforgettable experience – and
the norm on Medjumbe. Visit
www.raniresorts.com.

King Lalibela claims the ideas for
some of his unique churches came to
him in dreams; other churches he
swears were built by angels in a single
night. However these impressive
buildings were fashioned, the
subterranean rock-hewn churches of
Lalibela are impressive both
architecturally and in that there really
are no others like them in the world.
All the churches – and there are a
few dozen of them – are carved from
a single block of solid rock below
ground level. From inside the rock,
rooms were hollowed out and altars
built. Some of the rock churches are
set in caves in the surrounding
hillsides of Lalibela, others are so high
up the mountainside that they are
only accessible by ropes.
Inside the churches, resident
priests in elaborate layered robes pray
and bless pilgrims by touching them
with ornate crosses – each with its
own design for the individual
churches. It’s a fascinating aspect of a
very ancient culture, one which boasts
its own Amharic alphabet, a year of
13 months, a 12-hour clock and over
80 different local languages.
Ethiopia is also where the Queen of
Sheba lived, and the Arc of the
Covenant resides. Plus it’s the home
of coffee – strong and dark. Visit
www.unusualdestinations.com.
They rise from the earth like
fanciful sand castles, and allude to an
ancient way of life. You can easily
imagine galloping horses in the
distance, being waited on hand and
foot, and living a life of definitive
decadence. But Kasbahs were
originally built in the old city walls to
house the military away from the
population. In later years they
became palaces for rulers, and now
many have been transformed into
decadent accommodation for
travellers who love to receive the
royal treatment.
Morocco is sprinkled with
Kasbahs, some with desert views and
others overlooking leafy palmeries
and oases. Inside they are beautifully
adorned with vibrant carpets,
cushions and exotic furnishings, and
serve tantalizing local cuisine that’s
spicy and authentic.
The city of Ait Benhaddou is
Morocco’s most famous Kasbah, and
it’s built into a steep hillside. If you’ve
watched Lawrence of Arabia,
Gladiator or Jesus of Nazareth, then
you’ve seen Ait Benhaddou, as these
movies were all filmed here. Walking
its steep and winding streets is like
stepping back in time to the evocative
and atmospheric life of ancient
Morocco. It’s a taste of Arabian
Nights beyond the movie. Visit
www.sandsafaris.com.
The island of Djerba, off the east
coast of Tunisia, appears to float on
the Mediterranean. It’s just 25
kilometres long and roughly as wide;
tiny and picturesque – and the
coastline is idyllic, always warm and
inviting.
Elaborate hotels open right onto
the beach, their interiors hiding a
prized secret: traditional thalasso
spas. These magical spas are more
than indulgent and quite unlike spas
as we know them.
Reminiscent of the traditional,
ornate Arabic hammams or wet rooms
iconic of Arabian countries, and
clad inside in creamy marble and
mosaic, Tunisia’s thalassos epitomise
tranquillity and relaxation – these are
places of perfect calm. And the
thalasso treatments take pampering
to new levels. Full body treatments
are the norm, performed by
experienced, soothing hands and
using exotically fragranced oils.
Treatments can be for just an hour or
The tumbled statues of
Rameses at the
Rameseum are so
massive you will feel
Lilliputian in
comparison.
continue for the entire day – whatever
you wish. Steam and water flow freely
here too, and the experience is surreal;
heavenly. Contact traveltunisia@
icon.co.za.
Early mornings in Victoria Falls
Private Game Reserve offer a
different experience. Of course,
there’s more than enough wildlife to
view in the traditional way, from the
safety of an open vehicle, but being
with lions at ground level really
gets your blood pulsing. Walking with
lions is a very up-close-and-personal
experience.
Yes, it’s exhilarating, intimidating
and a complete adrenalin rush,
because these are not tame lions. All
the big cats here are rescued animals
that live in massive enclosures in the
park. In the mornings they’re taken
deeper into the bush on ‘walks’,
though a walk with lions is definitely
no casual stroll. Depending on
their mood, the lions may amble along
or fire off into the bush hunting, as
they did when we walked with
them. A marabou stork became
takeaway breakfast for the male lion
in the group.
Only a handful of guests at a time
are permitted on the outing and the
safety briefing is stringent. The group
needs to walk together, as stragglers
may be seen as prey. No loose hair or
flapping skirts because they attract
the lions’ attention, no bending or
crouching to resemble prey either. It’s
important information that ensures
the safety of guests, because these
lions – though familiar with humans
– remain very wild at heart. Visit
www.africanadrenalin.co.za.
Wherever you travel and whatever
your choice of experience – relaxed or
riveting – respect is key to savouring
the experience and taking home
unforgettable memories. Respect for
different cultures and religions,
ancient places and unusual customs
– and when it comes to lions,
thorough respect for the king of
the beasts. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 111

I N V E S T
Throughout 2010, the global economy has shown signs that it is, in fact,
getting back on its feet. However, it cannot walk unaided just yet. According
to Sir John Templeton, renowned investor and philanthropist, the most
dangerous words in investing are: “This time it's different.”
As my colleagues and I
at Absa Wealth cast
our gaze to what lies
ahead, I can’t help but
hear these sage words
in the back of my mind
as the global economy looks to the
emerging economies to keep its ship
afloat. Barclays Wealth Insights
Volume 11, ‘The Changing Wealth of
Nations’, confirmed that the global
economic meltdown had a significant
impact on investment decisions and
behaviour. After the fraught climate
112 preStiGe
Investment
Outlook
for 2011 and Beyond
This Time It's Different
in the first two quarters of 2010, the
more positive turn of events is a
welcome relief to all.
A little over a year ago, market
analysts noted that 2009 was an
exceptional year in terms of the
changing fortunes of the global
economy and capital markets. They
believed that 2009 had overcome the
fears of a second ‘Great Depression’. A
revival in risk appetite was noted in
what they termed the environment of
economic recovery.
While the prospects for the global
economy are brightening at last, the
fragile nature of recovery means
that we have had to move away from
what worked in the past. Investment
pundits and financial advisors have
learned several major lessons from
market upheavals. Most of what they
have learned revolves around the
uncertain behaviour of investors.
So what lies ahead for 2011?
Despite the relatively positive outlook
for the global economy, some serious
challenges still lie ahead, namely a
fragile economic recovery process;

Words: PhIlIP BRADFORD Image: © IsTOCkPhOTO.COM
geopolitical threats; trade conflicts;
and unprecedented budget deficits
across the globe, which threaten
long-term economic stability.
Predictions for the pace of growth
are unlikely to match that of the precrisis
boom years, and will remain
slow into 2011. The anticipated profile
of growth will likely experience the
odd quarter of weak or even negative
growth – specifically in developed
markets.
The biggest challenge for investors
in 2011 will not be ‘whether’ to invest
but rather ‘where’ to invest. The
difficulty of this decision is caused by
the fact that the traditional developed
market economies like the US, Europe
and Japan are unlikely to grow
substantially for quite some time. The
problem investors face is that these
developed countries make up over 85
percent of global stock markets. In
short, this means that one can no
longer simply invest blindly into the
global stock market and realistically
expect double-digit returns. The
developing economies (including Asia,
Brazil, Australia and Africa and which
mostly managed to escape the global
financial crisis unscathed) have
emerged as the contenders for future
economic growth. Taking just a little
bit more risk, direct investment into
emerging markets should do well, but
investors need to be prepared to
commit for the long-run.
Developing markets offer a far
more attractive return, but make
sure that you pursue investments
with high returns, lower risk and
be prepared to stay the course. At
Absa Wealth we always advise
clients to wait out the storm to reap
the rewards.
Earlier this year, the Wealth
Insights survey revealed that South
African investors favour property,
though in my experience most local
investors are already over-exposed to
the property market. Over the last
decade, South African property has
outperformed all other asset classes
and investors have become
accustomed to exceptional returns,
but it is unlikely that the future will
provide similar good fortune.
The domestic residential property
market may well have run out of
steam. We now have a marginal
buying market with the cost of
building new houses far exceeding
the cost of purchasing an existing
home. Hard-earned savings and
investments seldom produce the
returns people seek from their
residential property investments.
Commercial property, on the other
hand, represents greater potential
returns in the long-run.
Investment challenges exist at
any given moment. They are not new
or unique to a post-recession world.
What is more important for investors
to understand is that investing poorly
can produce the same results as not
investing at all. Investors need sound
advice, and need to keep themselves
informed. Gone are the days of passive
investment.
One of the biggest mistakes
wealthy investors make is that they
take an amount of money, hand it over
to an investment advisor or stock
broker, walk away from that meeting
and expect solid returns. These
investors would actually do themselves
more good by appoining a wealth
manager whose focus is on the
investor’s entire profile, including not
only their circumstance but also their
entire asset base and their personal
attitudes to risk and investing.
There is a growing trend among
the ultra-wealthy to call upon wealth
managers to manage, on their behalf,
a range of investments, funds and
asset managers who have each been
entrusted with varying amounts of
money. This allows the wealth
manager to ensure that all of the
investments are performing with an
end-objective for the overall wealth
in sight. But, like any successful
business, an investment portfolio
requires an end goal, a well thoughtout
strategy and a strong management
team to ensure that you get there.
Another anticipated trend for
2011 is the rise of the wealthy
I N V E S T
philanthropist. The economic
downturn has had little to no effect
on South Africa’s high net worth
individuals’ (HNWIs) generosity.
Indeed, more wealthy local investors
are giving ‘under the radar’. With the
ever-increasing divide between the
‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’, the
wealthy have taken on an activist role
– wanting to give back to meet
specific needs and ensure that their
charity is not wasted.
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates
committed billions of their personal
wealth to address specific social issues
affecting individual communities.
Buffett alone has committed 99
percent of his wealth to charity (some
$40 billion plus), and is very specific as
to how it should be spent. Oprah
Winfrey has established similar
initiatives in South Africa, and other
local HNWIs are also adopting a more
hands-on approach to their giving.
Investment into socio-economic
upliftment projects has seen a growing
number of our wealthy almost
demanding greater transparency and
accountability with regards to the
impact of their investment. They want
to see tangible positive results, and at
the same time, don’t necessarily want
to use these investments as a publicity
opportunity. They give because they
believe it is the right and responsible
thing to do. �
Philip Bradford is Chief Investment
Officer at Absa Wealth. Absa Wealth,
a division of Absa Bank Ltd and an
affiliate of Barclays Wealth, serves
ultra high net worth and family office
clients in South Africa, providing
holistic international wealth solutions
using best of breed products,
wealth management, investment
management, risk management and
structured lending. With the backing
of Absa Capital, Absa Group and
Barclays Wealth, Absa Wealth offers
clients a sophisticated, integrated
wealth management proposition,
centred on the individual, leveraging
the depth and breadth of its global
and local expertise.
www.prestigemag.co.za 113

T E E
Perfected
114 preStiGe
Mark Twain once described golf as “a good
walk spoiled”. But then, he had never felt
the contentment of splitting the fairway with
a corking long iron down the beachfront.
Neither had he startled resting impala off a
manicured green with an accurate pitch
shot, nor faded a drive artfully through a
dogleg on a blustery Cape lagoon. All this is
possible in South Africa. A peep at three of
our finest courses helps explain why our elite
tracks belong among the best worldwide.

Words: IAN MACleOD Images: © DuRBAN COuNTRY CluB
Durban Country Club
(DCC) is the old gent of
local golf courses –
fatherly, established and
intriguing in its history.
Like some Narnian
wonderland, the course is dense with
sub-tropical greenery through which
the immaculate holes are cut, ambling
over an undulating base of sand dunes.
Adjacent is the warm Indian Ocean,
the arch of the Moses Mabhida
Stadium running across the sky to the
west. DCC was also the site of Gary
Player’s inaugural SA Open victory in
1956 – a tournament it will host for a
17th time in December 2010. From
terrifying chute-like tee shots to
sanity-testing coastal winds, the
course is a taxing one where key shots
simply have to be made. Failing that,
only the scenic views and welcoming
white-gable clubhouse could rescue
the afternoon.
Perhaps most intriguing at Durban
is the par-five third. Widely rated as
one of the finest number threes on
the planet, it plays like a bucolic
rollercoaster. Perched up high at the
tallest point on the course, the tee
box looks down a daunting half-pipe
valley, bordered by uninviting panels
of ball-guzzling bush on each side.
Down the centre stretches 468 metres
of grassy carpet, garnished by a
ravenous fairway bunker on the left of
the tee shot’s landing strip.
The percentage play is to gulp,
pull out an iron and aim at the short
green stuff in between all the scary
stuff. Strolling into the dip is then a
real pleasure. Sheltered in that bushy
corridor, the city’s sounds fade out,
replaced by birdsong and the buzz of
insect life. Pin-straight iron play is
required again as you climb to the
elevated green. On the approach,
beware of two more bunkers and the
tall trees standing sentinel behind the
green. A decent score will be
thoroughly rewarding.
In recent years a spry newcomer
has trumped Durban (now 6th) for the
honour of top South African course
in the Golf Digest ratings. In 1995
the golf-adoring and media-shy
businessman Johann Rupert brought
in Gary Player to design his Leopard
Creek course on the southern border
of Kruger National Park – about a
20-minute drive from Malelane
towards absolutely nowhere. The
result was a striking layout,
contrasting the lush precision of the
course with the browner surrounds of
the untidy Lowveld bush. Importantly,
the setup is luxurious but not
ostentatious – some visitors even
miss the estate’s humble signpost. Its
vistas across the Crocodile River into
big-five country, resident buck and
strategic water hazards are all part of
a synergy which, as one erstwhile
guest puts it, “makes you feel special”.
Just one fascinating hole at
Leopard Creek is the downhill par-five
18th. Opening on a podium tee, the
fairway slopes away gently towards a
landing area supervised by white-sand
bunkers left and right. A strong slice
here may even end up in the stream
that hugs the right flank of the hole. A
gentle hitter then needs a responsible
lay-up, earning a chance to pitch into
the three-leafed, double-bunkered
island green. For more burly strikers, a
keystone decision arises: join the little
chaps with a neat mid-iron, or boom
one at the green? Understandably, the
lure of a magical swing straight onto
the dance floor is irresistible to many.
However, the risks are real.
At the 2007 Alfred Dunhill
Championship hosted by Leopard
Creek, Ernie Els arrived at the 18th
with a two-stroke lead over
Englishman John Bickerton. Strong
enough for the riskier option, the ‘Big
Easy’ went for it with his second, and
not once, but twice found the moat.
The gamble had failed. He carded a
triple-bogey, handing Bickerton the
win. He called the
feeling “the most
disappointed I’ve ever
felt walking off a golf
course.” But then, top
courses are meant to
make you feel things, so
it seems Leopard Creek
did its job.
Finally, the princess
royal of South African
golf courses must be the
T E E
Western Cape’s Arabella Golf Club.
Suffusing the gentle slopes beside the
Bot River lagoon near Hermanus, and
nestling aside the rugged Kogelberg
mountain range, Arabella has a look
all of its own. Playing surfaces are
tailored as deftly as a general’s tux
and tall trees stand regal throughout.
Tricky, but still beautiful, is the almost
ubiquitous fynbos. Unplayable when
you find it, this quintessentially South
African flora comes out in a platter of
unimaginable colours, from lipstick
pinks to polar whites. The balanced
and aesthetically captivating course
is relentlessly interesting and fun for
players of any standard.
A hole sui generis is Arabella’s
par-five 8th. Almost indecipherable
from the tee, the fairway quite
elegantly drops off towards a wide
and bunker-straddled landing area,
inviting bold use of the driver. The
second shot faces an easing slope to
set up an approach to a green that is
second to none for imagination. A
river of sand-traps drifts across the
mouth of the green from left to right,
inhaling tentative punches, and reeds
await overhits behind the green. As if
for back-up, water then loops around
in a U-shape, completing the
impressive phalanx.
As Arabella course designer, Peter
Matkovich, explains, “The 8th is a link
hole that comes at just the right
moment in the round and plays
differently every time. Its strategy is
very important.” Indeed, with a
coastal wind blowing and the fynbos
in bloom, this hole is quite simply an
epic. Perhaps even Twain himself
would find his inner monologue
debating tactical moves while
strolling this one. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 115

F E AT U R E
Every now and again in the
world of premium spirits
something so special
comes along, either by
happy accident or careful
experimenting, that no
mere bottle, no matter how elegant,
can do it justice.
Malus Domestica is a relatively
common South African eating apple
from which, together with other
varieties, a cider of uncompromising
quality is skilfully made. Unlike the
fiery apple brandy Calvados, in which
the manufacturing process begins with
almost inedible, bitter cooking apples,
unhurried tree-ripening maximises the
subtle, harmonious flavours and helps
impart the perfect sugar balance to the
infant Malus. The apples chosen are
pulped, the juice filtered and some
yeast added to start the fermentation
process, which takes between six
weeks and three months.
Founding partner and director of
the Elgin Distilling Company,
producers of Malus, Tim George grew
up in the lush and drowsy apple
orchards of Somerset and Kent. “Each
116 preStiGe
Malus
A Thousand Years in Every Sip
Inspired by tradition, distinct from so many other spirits and available only on
application, Malus is the ultimate hand-crafted, limited-release spirit.
barrel of the cider,” he says, “passes
through our Cognac-style still twice.
Contact with the copper helps
preserve the aromatic complexity and
the flavours. It’s not the most efficient
method, admittedly, but there’s
nothing to touch the result.”
Maturation in second-fill oak
barrels, the same process that the
better whisky-makers use, smooths
off the harsh edges. “The oak imparts
a special flavour to the spirit that
helps give it its character,” says
George. “What you want is the
moment where the apple and wood
balance into a perfect complexity and
‘nose’. We think we’ve got it right.
We’re pretty proud of it.”
Just outside Elgin in the Western
Cape, the De Rust estate is home to
Elgin Distilling as well as to Paul
Cluver Wines. “We built a Cognacstyle
pot still right there, among the
apples on the estate,” says George. No
additives, flavourants, maturation
accelerants or anything else is added
to Malus. “It’s a consequence of
the natural conditions in the Elgin
environment.” He describes the taste
as such: “Malus has a fragrant
apple nose, rich and rewarding on
the palate and with a hint of nut. It
roams around the mouth, and it isn’t
overly spirituous or ‘hot’ when
served neat.”
Based in Worcester near Cape
Town, South African master
glassmaker, David Reade, was
commissioned to create an elegant,
cut-glass decanter for the inaugural
release. His design, faithfully
following the makers’ minimalist
approach, symbolically reflects each
drop of its precious cargo, and the
only branding on each numbered and
signed decanter is underneath the
stopper, where it can’t be seen unless
you’re looking for it.
Only 1,000 decanters will be
issued this year, and at about R2,500
per bottle, Malus – if you can get it,
for it is only available on application,
remember – is a product that will
afford you a wonderful, subjective
experience.
Contact +27 21 844 0061,
email enquiries@malus.co.za, or visit
www.malus.co.za. �
Words: GAVIN BARFIelD Image: © elGIN DIsTIllING COMPANY

F LY
Dassault
It’s What’s Inside that Counts
When you’ve spent several million on an aircraft, you want to make sure
the interior meets your requirements precisely. From their Arkansas premises,
Dassault Falcon does everything possible to ensure their customers enjoy the
very best of the high life.
118 preStiGe

Words: lIZ MOsCROP Images: © DAssAulT FAlCON
Beauty, they say, is in the
eye of the beholder,
though it is sometimes
necessary to balance
personal tastes with
what is acceptable in
the marketplace, depending, of
course, on how you intend to use your
plane. What your aircraft looks like
inside affects your experience
onboard as well as the resale value of
your asset. But choosing a workable,
luxurious design, cabin layout, seats,
carpets, side panels, galley, IFE and
avionics, lighting and exterior paint
can be a daunting task for anyone,
especially someone buying a plane for
the first time.
What you want to do with your
aircraft – the purpose behind your
purchase – should lie at the heart of
all decision making. It is also
important to involve everyone who is
likely to use the aircraft, including
passengers and pilots, as well as your
family if you are using it for personal
trips, in making choices.
Dassault Falcon Jet’s Arkansasbased
Little Rock facility has employed
expert in-house staff to help in such
cases. They will show samples of
leathers, carpets, textiles, veneers,
cabinetry and other furnishings, and
will frequently offer 3D renditions of
interior layouts either in mock-up or
computer form. Little Rock fuses
ultra-modern technology and
traditional, highly skilled practices
with a system it calls the Product
Lifecycle Management (PLM) process.
Andrew Ponzoni, Dassault Falcon Jet’s
senior manager communications,
says, “We create a very accurate
virtual model, and from that we know
what we have to do in manufacturing.
With a full digital model of the
specification we can expect that
when we build a cabinet and wiring,
for example, the digital model will be
compliant with the aircraft.” The
aircraft is then distilled down into
mere terabytes of digital data, which
Dassault stores on sophisticated
computers at its headquarters. This
digitisation means that the airframer
is more easily able to create interiors
that exactly fit the aircraft shell, and
is better able to repair or modify them
in future years.
More than 80 percent of each
new aircraft can be customised, from
the in-flight entertainment to the
wood, the fabrics and the floor plan.
For the exterior it typically takes nine
coats of paint to spray an aircraft. If
there are lines on the fuselage, they
will likely be hand painted and drawn
to precision by way of special masking
tape. It usually takes between four
and five months to complete an
aircraft, depending on the complexity
of the design and materials used.
Should a customer choose a wood like
eucalyptus, there are no two sheets
the same, which makes for a timeconsuming
installation process.
And Dassault is quite happy to
work with whatever its customers
want. Although the standard layouts
are better value for customers,
Little Rock will design anything
feasible on request. “We have had
customers choose exotic fabrics like
ostrich hide for the seats and a handmade
silk carpet from China. In the
case of the carpet we normally buy
two, but in this instance it was so
expensive that we cut a cheaper
More than 80 percent
of each new aircraft
can be customised,
from the in-flight
entertainment to the
wood, the fabrics and
the floor plan.
F LY
version to test for fit before we
installed it,” says Ponzoni.
There are several default options
available to customers and while
many are urged to take the standard
option, which of course is more cost
efficient, there is still a great deal of
choice available within this. But,
ultimately, if you are buying a jet, it is
your aircraft and should be beautiful
to you in as many respects as possible.
The industrial process of creating
interiors has to keep up with
technology. Two years ago Dassault
had to increase production while
retaining the quality of its aircraft.
The OEM’s first concern was to
maintain high quality, so it increased
its buildings, hangars and tools and
implemented the PLM process. Now,
PLM can be a difficult concept to
grasp. Only basic processes and
substructures are industrialised, and
indeed Dassault only industrialises
the substructure, the assembly of the
cabinet, the bracketry – what is
behind what the customer sees – and
still maintains a highly skilled
workforce for tasks such as varnishing,
sanding, adjustments and exact
fitting. One Dassault executive
remarked, “One of our customers was
horrified when he heard we were
industrialising. He said, ‘Industrialise?
Does that mean I won’t get my haute
couture aircraft? Am I paying for a
‘ready to wear’ at the same price?’ No,
this is not at all what we’re doing.” �
Contact Dassault Falcon:
• Tel: +33 147 11 4022
• Visit: www.dassaultfalcon.com
www.prestigemag.co.za 119

A M P L I F Y
HauteFidelity
A Hi-Fi System that Dazzles
Rare are the brands producing
luxury hi-fi equipment that
understand the world of luxury
beyond audio. For too many years,
only loudspeaker manufacturers
have appreciated that aesthetics,
fit-and-finish and perceived
value matter as much as sheer
performance. Dan D’Agostino,
after three decades heading Krell,
is about to apply the standards of
the great automobile, wristwatch,
camera and pen manufacturers to
consumer electronics.
120 preStiGe
His name is the giveaway: Dan D’Agostino is
Italian. True, he’s American through-andthrough,
but his DNA is shared with the
people who have created the most beautiful
objets the world has seen, from the finest
fashions to cars with lines that take your
breath away. Thing is, D’Agostino doesn’t design suits or shoes
or GT cars: he designs high-end audio amplifiers. And such
devices are normally fashioned as metal boxes with little
scope for pleasing the eye or the hand.
Although constantly surrounded by the whiff of hot solder
and usually found refining a circuit diagram, D’Agostino is not
unfamiliar with the luxury articles against which his amplifiers
must vie. He’s played with every supercar, having customised
Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches when their details didn’t
please him. How many owners, shocked by a plastic door pull,
will refashion it in machined metal? With fastidiousness more
common among watchmakers, D’Agostino has approached his
latest amplifier with a determination to suffer neither
concessions nor compromises.
His new Momentum amplifier caused pandemonium
when it was unveiled to the public for the first time at Milan’s
2010 TOP Audio Show. An event filled with not just audiophiles,

Words: keN kessleR Images: © D’AGOsTINO INC
but Italian audiophiles, it was a litmus
test. D’Agostino knew that the
amplifier would be a success if it
passed the taste test of a nation
where even the cleaning ladies at
motorway diners practice the ethos of
la bella figura.
It takes a lot to stop Italians dead
in their tracks – they’re used to
gorgeous designs. When the first-ever
public view of Dan D’Agostino’s
Momentum power amplifier took
place, the crowds went nuts.
D’Agostino was vindicated, having
parted from the company he’d cofounded
in 1980, exactly one year
earlier. Working furiously for 12
months, he returned with an
outrageous new product that he
hoped would have the same effect on
the high-end amplifier market as did
his KMA and KSA series Krells, some
30 years earlier. His renewed assault
on the high-end would commence
with a compact yet powerful
mono-block power amplifier, the
herald of a new contender in the
luxury audio sector.
It almost goes without saying
that, first and foremost, D’Agostino
would concern himself with the needs
of its functionality to be above
reproach. Fabulous styling or not, it
had to pass muster in the sound
arena. It would be scrutinised just like
any other power amplifier. Did the
music it amplified sound realistic,
undistorted, authentic? Could it
power tough, hungry speakers that
would eat lesser amplifiers for
breakfast? Was it dependable under
all conditions? D’Agostino left nothing
to chance, relying on three decades of
expertise.
Even before the first units have
shipped to their eager recipients, the
Dan D’Agostino Momentum has
been extolled for unique selling points
that will find immediate resonance
with audio enthusiasts. D’Agostino
used copper heat sinks instead of the
more common, less expensive
aluminium extrusions, because the
thermal conductivity of copper is 91
percent greater than that of
aluminium. For design purposes, it
enabled him to employ smaller
conductors instead of the bulky fins
that render most amplifiers too
industrial-looking to earn pride of
place in a well-appointed living room.
He enhanced the heat conductivity by
the use of ‘venturis’, a series of holes
drilled through the copper blocks. At
the top, the holes measure 0.75
inches, narrowing to 0.5 inches.
Those who appreciate ‘geekspeak’
will crow about the Momentum
featuring 28 output transistors as the
active devices which amplify the
signal, and which “run at a blistering
69MHz” for “incredible bandwidth”.
Each transistor is mounted with two
stainless steel fasteners for maximum
thermal transfer to those copper heat
sinks. A capacitor/resistor network
connected to the base of each
transistor ensures stability even at
high frequencies and with lowimpedance
speakers – which
translates into an amplifier that
should have no problems with any
speakers currently available.
Every Momentum will be handbuilt
in the US. The vault-like
casework, with no screws visible in its
assembled form, is non-resonant and
said to provide superior shielding
from the distortions created by RFI/
EMI interference. The circuit boards
feature through-hole construction, to
resist heat and add reliability and
longevity of a greater level than
surface-mounting provides. All
resistors are 1 percent metal-film
types, and there are no capacitors in
the signal path. The amp is DCcoupled
throughout.
While the above clearly addresses
audiophilic concerns – power to
spare, sound quality to die for – the
unit is aimed, too, at people who
cherish the finer things in life,
regardless of type: wines, shoes,
luggage or anything else that makes
life a bit more pleasurable. When
D’Agostino and Petra, his wife and
partner in the venture, explain the
concept behind the brand, they refer
often to luxury icons, with the
familiarity of those who understand
quality and prestige beyond mere
price-tags.
D’Agostino cites watchmaker
A M P L I F Y
Breguet, whose distinctive hour-andminute
hands inspired the shape for
the needle in the Momentum’s power
meter. D’Agostino cooks with a Viking,
stores food in a Sub-Zero. He ‘knows’
Goyard luggage, Cohiba cigars,
Romanée-Conti wine. Petra, who has
worked with luxury clients for a
number of years, matter-of-factly
states that “their mission is to
establish a rapport with clients who
are comfortable with ‘the best’.”
What such individuals will
appreciate, whether audiophiles or
not, are dimensions smaller than the
monoliths that have identified highend
amplifiers of the past: the
Momentum measures only 4x12.5x18
inches (hwd). Although the main
chassis is machined from a solid
aluminium billet, the massive,
machined-from-solid-copper heat
conductors along the unit’s sides add
to the weight of around 40-odd
kilograms.
The Momentum will sell for US
$42,000 per pair, as required for
stereo playback. Because each one is
hand-built, one might anticipate a
waiting list to match the patience
needed while awaiting delivery of a
fine wristwatch – if not quite so long
as the time needed for wine to
mature. For more information, visit
www.dagostinoinc.com. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 121

F E AT U R E
Wave
on a
Best Boat Charters
Whether your taste in yachts is for traditional sail, a
roaring motor yacht, or a sleek, sybaritic seagoing
panther of a thing with a fawning crew of 80 that
makes even the QE2 in her heyday look like a
prison ship, it’s all out there. You just have to pick
one and tell the captain where to take you.
122 preStiGe
Living
In a world of jaded appetites and
instant gratification, there are
those whose frantic, schedulecrammed
lives are so hectic
that they can’t even take the
time to plan their own holiday.
So they end up spending a fortnight
squinting through their Nikons at a
tailor-made, holiday-in-a-box – the
sort of if-it’s-Tuesday-this-must-be-
Belgium scramble around whichever
destination happens to be ‘in’ that
year. Yachting, on the other hand, is a
very personal thing.
Top-end yachting holidays remain
the preserve of the fortunate few. And

Words: GAVIN BARFIelD Image: © IsTOCkPhOTO.COM
for these lucky chaps there are
destinations to be discovered that will
be all your own at any time of year.
Enjoy your luxurious floating passport
to hedonism and discovery and leave
everything to your crew, who are in
the business of making people happy.
And you don’t have to go to the ends
of the earth to find peaceful charter
destinations either.
The Exumas in the Bahamas is one
example that springs to mind – easy
to get to, you fly into Nassau and
board your yacht there, then cruise
down into the quiet Exumas and
explore each of its 365 cays, atolls
and coves at your leisure. For northern
hemisphere winter destinations, the
Caribbean, particularly places like St
Lucia and the Grenadines, which
offer some of the best blue-water
sailing in the world, is among the
most popular. The same goes for the
British Virgin Islands and the waters
of nearby Belize. Summer destinations
include the Western and Eastern
Mediterranean, New England, the
South Pacific or Northern Europe,
particularly Norway. For South
Africans, of course, the Indian Ocean
is another possibility, though the
selection of charter yachts there is
more limited. Why not escape to the
Bahamas, see and be seen in the
South of France, or experience the
culture of Greece – it’s your call, and
therein lies much of the attraction.
“Chartering a yacht,” says CEO
Tim Nelson, who has run Seven Seas
Charters out of Nokomis, Florida
since 1987, “really comes down to
personal taste and budget. If you
don't have any idea how yacht charter
pricing works, it would be a good
starting point to visit the websites of
a few charter brokers, where basic
high- and low-season prices will be
listed. Once you have a general budget
– if budget is a constraint at all – all
the information you’ll need is some
dates, an indication of the type and
size of boat you had in mind, and a
rough idea of where you’d like to go.
From there any broker will put
together a selection of yachts for
you to consider, based on what you’ve
told them. And there are literally
thousands of them, both power
and sail.”
Charter yacht crews can range
from two to more than 80 on
the largest motor yachts. All of
them will be professional, fully
trained, certificated and experienced.
Depending on their position aboard,
most will have gone through hundreds
if not thousands of hours of training.
C H A R T E R
Positions on top-end charter yachts
are hugely sought-after in the
yachting world, and competition for
them is fierce. Confronted with the
volume of candidates, owners can
afford to pick the best.
While most sailing yachts
available for charter are happy to
allow competent guests to do some
sailing, the fact is that you’ll
struggle to find one that would go out
without the owner’s own skipper
aboard, no matter how experienced
the guest. If you’re looking for a
‘bareboat’ charter (one where the
client is skipper and provides his own
crew), it is highly unlikely that most
commercially available charter yachts
would look at it, unless it was for a
long-term charter, and here we’re
talking months. Owners will not
normally let them go out without a
full, professional crew aboard that
they know.
So when choosing an operator,
how do you weed out the Johnnycome-latelies
with an eye for a buck?
Ask them how long they’ve been in
business, and if they are members of
professional industry associations like
the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers’
Association (MYBA), the Charter
Yacht Brokers’ Association (CYBA) or,
like Nelson’s operation in Florida, the
Florida Yacht Brokers’ Association
(FYBA). Many reliable charter outfits
will be members of all three;
sometimes more.
The yacht you choose will likely be
listed with several companies, just as
houses often are with estate agents.
There are seldom any exclusive
listings, so when you book, you should
get the same rate as anyone else will
offer, as prices are set by owners and
managers and not by brokers.
And, once you’ve got all that
admin out of the way, settle back and
enjoy the big boat ride to Destination
Anywhere. �
www.prestigemag.co.za 123

F E AT U R E
124 preStiGe

Words: ChARl Du PlessIs Images: © IsTOCkPhOTO.COM
S C O U T
Hidden Treasures
Ancient Secrets
South Africa’s doyen of Persian and Oriental rug dealers, Victor Lidchi, talks
about his travels to ‘hidden markets’, the characters he met across the world
when trading for beautiful, special, decorative and even collectors’ items,
and some of the magnificent works of the rug art he has handled or seen
during his lifetime in the trade of this dying craft.
Prestige Magazine (PM):
Victor, there is this
romantic idea of people
like you sniffing around
ancient markets deep in
the mountains of Persia
and across the central Asian Crescent,
looking for special rugs to bring to
your customers. Tell us about your
buying trips to these exotic locations.
Victor lidchi (Vl): I have
travelled to Persia (Iran) countless
times over some 50 years of dramatic
cultural and political change. As well
as to regions like Afghanistan,
Pakistan, India, and of course Turkey,
from where my family originates.
Over time I have established
relationships with leading local
dealers, exporters and agents who
help me know what is in the market
and where, and who is interested in
selling the right items to me at the
right price. And given the nomadic or
rural nature of some of the tribes who
create these special items, you might
just not find them there when visiting!
There is of course, also the ‘cottage
industry’ from villages with central
markets like Hamadan and Shiraz,
where the nomadic and village
creations get marketed, and the fine,
sophisticated rugs and carpets of
famous urban centres like Tabriz,
Isfahan and Mashad. They all have
their own centuries-old romance and
magic.
PM: I suppose you must have met
some very colourful characters
through the years?
Vl: Yes, even some of the Arabian
Nights-sort that you are suggesting!
They are fascinating people with
unique oriental charm – especially
some of the famous names, one of
whom is Vahan Keshishian, a legend
in the trade in London in the1950s,
and another, C John, supplier to the
British royal family. Then there’s my
dear friend, Akbar Heristchian, of the
renowned and powerful exporting
family, in Iran since the 1950s. Over
several decades this kind, patient and
generous gentleman has taken me to
some of his most valued and guarded
sources. We have bought millions
together over the years. He is now the
retired ex-President of the Iranian
Left: An antique 19th Century Persian silk carpet with hunting scene. A regular pursuit
of the upper classes, hunting scenes such as these were rather typical of the region
and period.
Top right: Oriental carpets in a village market. With the growth in tourism across the
Crescent, pricing of good quality rugs in certain regions has been affected as uninformed
visitors often over pay for inferior quality. The real gems lie deeper in the hinterland
than where regular tourists travel.
Carpet Export Association. Some of
the exceptional examples he helped
me source have become museum
pieces, and many are textbook
collectors’ items today.
PM: Is there a particular region or
country you would recommend when
purchasing rugs?
Vl: No. As with good wine and
art, each region has its levels of merit
and excellence from museum pieces
www.prestigemag.co.za 125

Arguably the most magnificent and valuable Oriental carpet, the Ardebil, a 16th century Persian, is now housed in the Victoria and
Albert Museum in London.
at the top, down through rare items
of great beauty, down to mediocre,
purely ‘commercial’ bazaar items. My
advice to any buyer, whether buying
purely for beauty and decor, but
especially when building a collection
or buying for potential hard-asset
growth, is that the secret lies in
having a relationship with a dealer
who shares his insight of what to
chose and why. I’ll give you an
example: I had a client in the 1960s
and 70s, a novice at the time, who
grew interested in tribal artefacts and
rugs of Turkoman tribes – the region
of Northern Iran and adjoining
territories of Turkmenistan, and
Northern Afghanistan. Over a period
of 10 years we built up his collection,
with him eventually becoming an
acknowledged expert and his
collection an important and wellrecognised
international one.
PM: What are the most
magnificent rugs you have ever held
or seen?
Vl: Oh, there have been so many!
From items in private collections sold
by my father in the 1930s to those
belonging to merchants and which I
saw in my many travels, and a good
number I have sold over the past 50
years. But for me the most stunning
masterpiece is the Ardebil Carpet, a
magnificent 16th century Persian
carpet housed in London’s Victoria and
Albert Museum. Another is the Silk
Hunting Carpet in the Vienna Museum
for Decorative and Applied Arts. The
Metropolitan Museum in New York
also has a fantastic collection. As
126 preStiGe
dealers, our family has handled some
very special rugs, yet for me personally,
none quite like the 2.7 x 1.6-metre
pure silk Kum Kappu with inlaid gold
thread we exhibited at our 1970's Gold
Book Exhibition of rare rugs. No, I
cannot disclose who the buyer was.
We never do! This rug was made in the
atelier of the legendary master Zare, in
the Armenian quarter of Kum Kapu in
Istanbul. The technical excellence, the
glorious colours, the superb design and
velvet-like texture... Ah, it was
magnificent. It was then priced at
around R40,000 – a high price at the
time. Well, today it would cost many
millions of Rands, if you could replace
it. But there are numerous other
important examples my family and I
have sold over the decades, many
featured in the so-called Blue Book, a
book of exceptional Rugs in Private
Collections.
PM: As the industry has changed
through the years and so many
newcomers have entered the market,
are there any secrets left?
Vl: Realise that, as with any art
form, there are levels of dealers and
dealings just as there are levels of
excellence and value. So there are
specialists at each level. And any
hand-crafted rugs, even the humble
ones, have some beauty and merit.
But, perhaps the most important
‘secret’ is to understand that the hand
crafting of Eastern rugs, especially
those of superior merit, is a dying
craft. I give it one more generation,
two at the most, before it becomes an
anachronism. Only small pockets of
families will continue to produce at
astronomical prices, the rest will be
machine made. I would equate the
fate of this handicraft and art to what
happened with Samurai swords in
Japan and hand-woven tapestries in
France. There are so few skilled
craftsmen in these ancient arts, and
the costs are so high. It thus makes
good sense to buy the best you can
afford, as your investment will surely
become a store of wealth. The next
secret when choosing is to think of
Persian and Oriental rugs in the same
way as one does good music and fine
art: they should be a source of delight.
Remember too, that a real connoisseur
never compromises on quality. And
finally, it is important to develop a
relationship of trust with your
dealer, who must understand your
motivations, and what you seek to
enhance your life. He or she will help
you grow knowledgeable while
simultaneously building a mostvalued
collection. �
Visit a Victor Lidchi showroom to
see, touch and learn more. Or, attend
an introductory talk, open to anyone,
where beautiful examples from all
value ranges are shown and explained,
and questions answered. Victor
will also offer advice on care and
cleaning, and judging quality and
value. Call +27 11 341 0367 (Victor
Lidchi) for Dunkeld showrooms, and
+27 11 675 5008 (Sharon Lidchi)
for Clearwater Mall showrooms
(Roodepoort area). Alternatively,
email vl@victorlidchi.co.za or visit
www.victorlidchi.co.za.

TWelVe APOsTles CAPe TOWN
Stand at the edge of the world where you can enjoy
nature or explore Cape Town’s cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront
with car transfer or helipad services. Voted Africa’s leading
spa resort, the Twelve Apostles welcomes children and
pets and promises an idyllic getaway
for the whole family.
www.12apostleshotel.com
Reservations: +27 21 437 9000
FORDOuN sPA MIDlANDs
This family-run hideaway in the Natal Midlands, with its pristine
country air and rolling hills, offers luxurious accommodation and
some of the most advanced, award-winning spa facilities.
Highly personalised service includes the very best in traditional
African treatments. Fordoun is the perfect place to escape
and refresh mind, body and spirit.
www.fordoun.com
Reservations: +27 33 266 6217
RADDIssON JhB & PORT elIZABeTh
Spas, gyms and a unique “Yes I Can” concept that includes
100 percent Guest Satisfaction, both hotels have conference
facilities and free Internet and offer luxurious rooms,
fine dining experiences as well as opportunities
to “paint the town Blu.”
www.radissonblu.com/hotel-portelizabeth and
www.radissonblu.com/hotel-johannesburg
Reservations: +27 41 509 5000 (PE) and +27 11 245 8000 (JHB)
PREmIER
TRAVEL
The sAXON BOuTIQue hOTel & sPA sANDhuRsT
Voted the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel six years in a row,
The Saxon is the ultimate city base when in Johannesburg.
Close to the financial and business hub of South Africa, the lush
tranquillity offers a calm retreat from a busy day’s work.
Enjoy discreet and highly personalised
service in a tasteful African elegance.
www.thesaxon.co.za
Reservations: +27 11 292 6000
OYsTeR BOX DuRBAN
Hovering on the ocean’s edge, the Oyster Box Hotel
is conveniently close to Afro-chic Durban, yet exudes an
air of charm and elegance. This iconic hotel’s dramatic revamp
now offers guests a vibrant, contemporary old-world
experience, while evoking the warm
nostalgia of days gone by.
www.oysterboxhotel.com
Reservations: +27 31 514 5000
TINTsWAlO ATlANTIC
With unsurpassed views of the Sentinel, this lodge
can only be described as one of the most secluded and
breathtaking jewels on the Atlantic seaboard. Its 10
luxury suites and one regal presidential suite provide an
environment that offers a time for stillness and reflection
in total privacy.
www.tintswalo.com
Reservations: +27 11 300 8888
www.prestigemag.co.za 127

Silvana Bottega – CEO, The Southern
Africa Luxury Association
In order to lay the foundations
of a thriving and vibrant sector,
SALA regularly hosts events in
Johannesburg and Cape Town
to stimulate debate, facilitate
networking and foster
collaboration between member brands
and their High Net Worth clients.
Silvana Bottega, SALA’s CEO, says, “We
produce these events to help bring
together the CEOs and marketing
directors of the country’s most
exclusive businesses with the hope of
generating product and service
improvements that will ultimately
benefit the sector as a whole.”
The Association sits alongside
international contemporaries like the
Comité Colbert in France, Alta Gamma
in Italy and the Walpole Association
in the UK, all of which have a similar
philosophy. Despite its relative
newcomer status and its inception
during the economic crisis, SALA has
already grown to over 70 member
brands. Unlike its peer group however,
it operates an ‘inclusive’ model that is
tailored to a niche, emerging market
scenario such as South Africa. While
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Supporting the Growth of
Luxury Brands
in South Africa
The Southern Africa Luxury Association (SALA)
was launched in September 2009 with the explicit
purpose of encouraging interaction and collective
thinking within the region's luxury and premium
lifestyle industries. In the new year, SALA will function
as a Section 21 non-profit association with Timothy
George, of The Elgin Distilling Company, and Richard
Schafer, of Cape Cobra Leathercraft, joining as
board members.
this happily incorporates überexclusive,
high-end brands, it also
provides access to a broader base of
premium lifestyle brands currently
active in the market.
Determined to be more than just a
platform for established brands to
meet, SALA is also committed to
raising awareness of younger, local
luxury enterprises. Keith White made
his name as a master jeweller creating
pieces for Graff, David Morris and
Asprey in London before re-establishing
himself in South Africa by designing
and manufacturing handmade
investment pieces in Johannesburg.
Bottega worked with White and his
team to help shape the ‘Black & White
Master Apprenticeship’ – a programme
that takes a number of previously
disadvantaged apprentices each year
from rough talent through to polished
brilliance, developing a new generation
of South African masters in
handcrafted jewellery design.
“This year, I am excited to be
working hand-in-hand with Jonathan
Berning and Jennifer Fair of Ardmore
to help the Ardmore Excellence Fund,”
says Bottega. “I have been a longtime
supporter of their ceramic
artworks, which already grace
Christies' and Sotheby’s catalogues,
and I greatly admire their approach to
creating change by providing
employment opportunities to those
affected by HIV/Aids.”
Alongside its existing agenda, the
Association also aims to host an
international luxury conference in
2011 and will be supporting a distinct
‘Salon’ area at Design Indaba in Cape
Town, where there will be a focus on
high-end design with a Veuve Clicquot
bar. Says Bottega, “I firmly believe
that the full potential of this sector
has yet to be realised. A positive sideeffect
of support for those operating
in this space is the prospect of
generating countless employment
and training opportunities that could
position South Africa as a centre of
manufacturing excellence on the
luxury map.”
Prestige magazine is a media
member of the Southern Africa Luxury
Association. Visit www.sa-la.org for
more information. �
Words: MATT MORleY Image: © sAlA

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