Category Archives: Lifestyle

Franck Dubarry ‘Crazy Wheel’

After a year of patiently waiting, my UK publisher finally sent me the first draft of my ‘Independent Watchmakers’ book. The project was immensely rewarding for many, many reasons. Not only did I get to feature most of my favourite watchmakers but I also got include my own timepiece called the ‘Pure Carbon’. This piece took me over two years to manufacturer (with the assistance of several collaborators) because every single component is bespoke. It also is the world’s largest Swiss mechanical watch measuring a whopping 67mm (excluding the crown). Another bonus is I discovered (literally days before my deadline) a visionary watch designer called Franck Dubarry and was able to promote his fantastic ‘Crazy Wheel’. » Read more

Giorgio Piola SHIFT Collection

In the last two years, my passion for design has really been ignited mainly because of the books I have authored. The research for these projects exposed to a broad range of topics including architecture, luxury goods, automobiles, technology and horology. It is a really exciting time to be a writer because of the amount of creative talent out there. One great example is legendary Formula One artist Giorgio Piola. His illustrations are so accomplished that they were featured in many prestigious international Motorsport magazines. This also inspired an American watch brand to adopt his name and employ him as the chief designer. » Read more

Super Veloce Espresso Veloce Flat Six

Over the last few years, I have become more passionate about stylish cars. Ultimately my increased interest has heightened, mainly because my son Paolo is absolutely fanatical about the subject. In fact, he helped me choose most of the selections in my ‘Luxury Design for Living’ book. However, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet (in my opinion) takes vehicle design to a completely different level. Parallels can be made within another creative powerhouse called Paolo Mastrogiuseppe who creates the most astonishing coffee machines under the brand name Super Veloce. A great example can be found in their phenomenal automotive inspired Espresso Veloce Flat Six.
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Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet

Around 15-years ago the property market in the UK was very buoyant and there were huge profits to be made. For several years renovating properties was one of my main passion in life. Vividly remember spending my weekends at salvage yards actively searching for antique radiators, cast iron fireplaces and stained glass windows. I always gravitated towards historical homes from the Victorian and Edwardian era. However, there were also some beautiful 1920’s dwellings within the suburb I lived. The one I purchased required an element of restoration and a certain amount of effort. Ultimately the experience ignited my interest in the glorious ‘Art Deco’ era and its glorious architecture. This is why I am captivated by the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet. » Read more

Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance: Masterpiece 1

In the next few months, my ‘Independent Watchmakers’ book will be released by ACC Publishing. The project was exceptional fun to research and write but subject to various delays. It was very important to my editor and me to create the best product possible and that meant various amendments. There are numerous high profile companies including Patek Philippe, Greubel Forsey, Richard Mille, Louis Moinet, Cabestan etc. and many small micro brands. I tried to be as comprehensive with my selections but due to editorial restrictions) some slipped through the net. Unfortunately, on this occasion, Armin Strom didn’t make the shortlist. However, their amazing Dual Time Resonance: Masterpiece 1 was included in my ‘Horological Highlights of 2018’ article. » Read more

Horological Highlights of 2018

You could be mistaken by thinking the watch industry is in crisis. Early this year the Swatch Group announced they will no longer be exhibiting at Baselworld, which was a shock to many. As the biggest player at the event, many thought it might cause ripples in the industry. Certainly, profits are down and many smaller micro brands have decided to cease trading or have a hiatus. Other larger companies have been bought out by groups and executives are changing teams (or industries) on a musical chair basis. Another contributor is the continued success of Smartwatches and in particular Apple devices. Even interest in crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo is diminishing. However, I am still optimistic about the world of horology and am excited about the future. » Read more

K2A 136_HOUSE_WW

Before I relocated to Australia (2012) I resided in Manchester, England for over 20-years. This vibrant city (dubbed the capital of the North) experienced an enormous amount of regeneration. My personal favourite suburb was Chorlton, which became a real property hotspot. This happened because there were several chic bars, restaurants and independent clothing boutiques. Most of the local architecture was late Victorian/Edwardian terrace homes. These dwellings were originally built for blue collar workers and therefore the footprint was exceptionally narrow. However, with the assistance of a progressive architect and a bit of lateral thinking, the results could be outstanding. » Read more

Eves & Gray Tattooed Shoe Collection

As many of my readers are aware I am a huge admirer of Tim Waring and what he’s achieved with Eves & Gray. Not only has Tim designed many sensational shoes, but he has also branched out into furniture and more recently stylish waterproof jackets. A couple of years ago I introduced him to Max Van Brauge and they co-created some exquisite Swiss mechanical timepieces. In return, Tim connected me with a very clever gentleman called Pan Yiannakou, who has invented a special method of printing onto leather. The best way to describe this patented technique is as a ‘digital tattoo’. » Read more