Table of contents for September 2018 in Robb Report

IN THE WORLD OF motorcycling, leather has always been the standard uniform for riders both seasoned and new. Berluti (berluti.com) is elevating that rugged image with the distinctive new pieces in its Off the Road collection, which presents a range of performance accessories reflecting the brand’s century-plus heritage of crafting fine leather shoes and items. Heavy-duty Norwegian-constructed biker boots with a leather shield to guard them from exhaust pipes are proof that Berluti can deliver more than just handsome designs. The 11-piece collection also includes a Volume MM backpack ($4,250) and Complice cross-body bag ($2,950) made in the brand’s signature Vitello Fiore leather, which over time develops a warm, soft patina. The helmet ($4,150) was created in collaboration with Veldt—a new high-end headgear brand created by the people behind the…

YOU COULD BE forgiven for suspecting that a wristwatch from the German camera manufacturer Leica is simply a marketing ploy. In fact, at the debut of the inaugural watch collection from Ernst Leitz Werkstätten (ernst-leitz-werkstaetten.com ) at Leica’s headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, supervisory board chair Andreas Kaufmann made a point of showing off a selection of past Leica-branded timepieces built in collaboration with other companies that either relied on gimmicks or missed the mark aesthetically. The new L1 and L2 wristwatches, by contrast, were created by the company from the ground up. Working with the German watchmaker Lehmann, Leica designed two original movements—a small-seconds for the L1 and a GMT for the L2—that are first constructed and assembled by Lehmann and then finished by the Werkstätten team in Wetzlar. The…

IN 1968, RUSSIAN-BORN Zino Davidoff—whose well-stocked tobacco store in Basel, Switzerland, had already made him an internationally known purveyor of Havana cigars—was given permission by the Cuban government to establish his own brand. Rather than emulate the colorful bands historically used for Cuban cigars, he opted for a minimalist white oval band with his name in gold script. Even though Davidoff cigars are now produced in the Dominican Republic, the original band remains nearly unchanged and has become a mark of quality among premium cigars. This year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of what is now called the White Band, Davidoff has introduced a 6¾ × 50 Diademas Finas (davidoff.com ). With its Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, Dominican Olor Seco binder, and 10-year-old Dominican fillers, the cigar’s creamy smoke intertwines around…

Last July, renowned Parisian jewelers— Cartier, Boucheron, Chanel, and more—invited top customers for the unveiling of their haute joaillerie collections, a most imaginative culmination of at least a year of labor. There was much more to the visit than just jewelry. Many guests enjoyed extravagant cultural immersions, exclusive events, and personal visits to company workshops, along with private viewings of designs that never reach the inside of a store. This is the way high jewelry is sold today. The stakes are especially high given that many of these one-of-a-kind creations sell for six and seven figures, and the jewelers spend millions of dollars feting these clients. Does romancing with stones work? Do the customers buy? In such fantasy settings and with such personal attention, the lure is apparently irresistible: The…

One, one thousand. Two, one thousand. Three, one thousand. Charles’s flippers are growing smaller and smaller as he descends deeper and deeper into the Pacific Ocean—and I’m floating on the surface of the water. “Wait here,” he had said with a wink, before taking a deep breath and free-diving into the sparkling blue. So I wait, counting the seconds he’s under. Bobbing like a buoy, peering down through my goggles, I watch him—now some 30 feet below, gripping his long spear gun at his side—disappear beneath an overhang of ashy coral reef. Suddenly I’m all alone out here in the open water. The nearest landmass is miles away. Without warning, a snap ricochets through the water, and a cloud of tiny bubbles scuttles up from the reef. Then, through the…

AS WITH EVERYTHING in this storied city, Bordeaux’s culinary scene is rooted in tradition. But not every dish you’ll taste here is old-fashioned Bordelais. Joining the bastions of hearty classics are evolving restaurants where both Michelin-starred chefs and up-and-coming talent are spinning local produce, fish, and wine into something entirely of-the-moment. Here, we take a tour of the best establishments, both old and new. LE PRESSOIR D’ARGENT GORDON RAMSAY Ramsay’s Michelin two-star restaurant in the InterContinental Bordeaux–Le Grand Hotel takes advantage of the local bounty with a menu that highlights Breton lobster, foie gras from the Landes, and organic vegetables from Basque country. gordonramsayrestaurants.com LA TABLE DE PLAISANCE Touted by some as the best restaurant in Saint-Émilion, this Michelin two-star eatery in the charming Relais & Châteaux Hostellerie Plaisance serves…

NOTHING QUITE RIVALS the artful cuisine and presentation at Pierre Gagnaire’s Michelin two-star restaurant in Bordeaux, which is perhaps the hottest dinner reservation in town. Situated inside La Grande Maison (lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com ), an elegant 19th-century mansion that houses six rooms and two suites, the restaurant serves the inventive and meticulously presented cuisine that made Gagnaire famous. The menu features dishes inspired by Bordeaux’s terroir, and while many of the dishes change seasonally, the restaurant also offers a selection of some of the chef’s most celebrated dishes—including his langoustine appetizer, which presents the crustacean prepared five ways, from cooked in a custard to raw in a galette. Also on the menu is Gagnaire’s famous take on duck, smoked in a bitter chocolate shell and dramatically hammered open tableside. Of course, there…

“PERFECTION IS NOT attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence,” said gridiron guru Vince Lombardi. One team that seems to be winning with that philosophy is Singer Vehicle Design (singervehicledesign.com ), the Southern California–based automobile restoration house that’s determined to reimagine the air-cooled Porsche 911 as impressively as possible. Singer’s latest project, the result of its Dynamics and Lightweighting Study (DLS), is nothing less than a game changer. The reborn Porsches (from $1.8 million) are reenvisioned versions of the 964 variant built from 1989 through 1994. The process represents a partnership between Singer, Williams Advanced Engineering, and a handful of other automotive specialists—most of whom developed components specifically for the car. Animating the transformation is a quest for both weight reduction and performance improvement. Modifications include modernizing…

In 1994, the Italian Grand Prix fell on May 1, which also happened to be my birthday. What appeared to be the makings of a doubly joyous Sunday became irreparably seared into my memory when Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna, hero to me and countless others, started the race in pole position but lost his life on lap seven at the Imola circuit’s Tamburello corner. Nearly a quarter-century later, I find myself at the Estoril circuit near Lisbon, Portugal, for the launch of a supercar that bears the name of the legendary racer: the McLaren Senna. Ayrton Senna earned his first Formula 1 victory here in 1985, and wicked winds are whipping the 2.59-mile track today. Estoril bears the visible weight of the intervening years: Exterior surfaces are heavily patinated; the…

Rare by name, rare by nature, the 180-foot Rarity delivers space and style in abundance. Originally delivered in 2008 by Italian shipyard Rossinavi, the superyacht has undergone a significant 2017 refit that not only spruced up its exterior and revamped its interior but also added an all-important 5.9 feet to its length, too. ¶ You may have admired Rarity’s steel hull and aluminum superstructure from afar, as the yacht was previously only for private use. But 2018 saw Rarity make its charter debut in summer, when it cruised the Mediterranean and welcomed charter guests on board for the very first time. And Rarity has never been in better shape for it. The yacht looks immaculate, sporting a gleaming light-gray hull and a new bulbous bow. Even the engine room—housing two 2,231…

Porsche created a sensation when it introduced the Boxster concept car in 1993 and followed up with the first production model in 1996. Inspired by the 550 Spyder made famous by the ill-fated James Dean, the elemental roadster was the first spyder from the company since Dean’s “Little Bastard,” and featured a mid-mounted flat-six (boxer) engine of 2.5 liters. The car, priced well below a 911, soon became the gateway drug to the intoxicating world of Porsche. A hardtop iteration of the two-seat roadster, called the Cayman, came to market in 2005 as a 2006 model. Its name referred to a crocodile (caiman), and it quickly became a favorite of the weekend racer crowd. Since model year 2016, the Boxster and Cayman have been on their fourth and third generations,…

CRYSTAL CRUISES crystalcruises.com Sail into the heart of fashion and fast cars, right to where the action is—Monaco’s Grand Prix. Explore Europe aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity on a six-day round-trip Barcelona voyage departing May 23, 2019. TECHNOGYM technogym.com Technogym’s Personal Line combines state-of-the-art technology, elegant design and innovative motion to create the ultimate wellness experience and statement piece for your home. A treadmill like no other, Run Personal combines form and function to deliver stunning results. WESTPORT westportyachts.com Westport is the largest builder of vessels over 100 feet delivered in North America. Founded in Westport, Washington, in 1964, the firm’s heritage of excellence stems from the decades of experience and family traditions passed down through generations of its workforce. Based on its own commitment and financial strength, Westport has…

FOR ALL OF ITS FAMOUS REDS, Bordeaux remains a mystery to many—even serious wine lovers. France’s premier winemaking region may be home to lauded and legendary labels—Lafite Rothschild, Latour, and Margaux among them—but the birthplace of the grand crus is notorious for its old-fashioned (some may even say snobbish) ways. Lately, however, it seems the Bordelais are turning over a new leaf: Longstanding wineries are slowly—quietly—opening their cellar doors to eager oenophiles, and new châteaux, Michelin-starred restaurants, and museums are even encouraging visitors to stay awhile. It’s not quite friendly Napa, but Bordeaux is suddenly more social than ever. And now is the time to sample all of its fruits.…

WHEN IN BORDEAUX, a château stay is a must. More intimate than hotels, these family-run estates offer an in-depth experience among the vines—not to mention a chance to sample the newest vintages. CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY Perched on a hilltop in the heart of the Sauternes region, this 400-year-old estate recently reopened under the auspices of Swiss entrepreneur Silvio Denz with 13 rooms and suites and a gourmet restaurant. The house grand crus are especially palatable thanks to Denz’s house collection of Lalique glassware. lafauriepeyragueylalique.com LES SOURCES DE CAUDALIE This countryside château set among the cru vineyards of the Smith Haut Lafitte wine estate is a beloved retreat as much for its Caudalie spa (where you can soak in a grape- infused barrel bath) as for its Michelin two-star La Grand’Vigne (featuring…

EIGHTH-GENERATION vintner Stephanie de Boüard-Rivoal began tasting wine at the dinner table when she was just seven years old. It prepared her palate for a lifetime of winemaking. “Our family has owned this vineyard for more than two centuries,” says the young vintner, who took over the premier grand cru Château Angélus (angelus.com ) from her father, Hubert Boüard, and uncle Jean Bernard Grenié in 2012. “I’m a link in a chain that has to survive for a long time.” Boüard-Rivoal’s deep connection to her family’s history—and trade—is a common occurrence in Bordeaux, where the business of winemaking means more than just exceptional vintages. Here, multigenerational families are laying down roots beyond their vineyards in an effort to champion a newer, friendlier wine country. The Boüard family, for example, recently…

“The most exciting bikes I’ve ever ridden are Vincents. . . .Maybe it’s the history—the intangible aura—but these bikes inspire like no other.”-ROBERT ROSS, ROBB REPORT AUTOMOTIVE CONSULTANT There’s no arguing with the power of the black-and-white image—a man clad in swim trunks and sneakers lying flat across a speeding motorcycle, his head down and his feet dangling far past the back wheel. The man was Rollie Free, and the 1948 picture shows him setting the American motorcycle land-speed record of 150 mph (it has since been broken many times, including by Free himself two years later). There is arguing about the bike, however. Some say it’s a Vincent Black Shadow; others claim it’s a Vincent Black Lightning. While the Vincent Black Lightning shares its lineage with the Shadow, which…

1 SINGULAR VISION HUSQVARNA VITPILEN 701 “Vitpilen is Swedish for ‘white arrow,’ and in this case that arrow is a thoroughly modern motorcycle from a company with 115 years of history. It’s a naked bike that is functional, practical, and made for purists like me. It doesn’t get any more elemental than putting a liquid-cooled, 700 cc single-cylinder engine into a lightweight trellis frame. Such simplicity in a world of needless complexity has genuine appeal.” —ROBERT ROSS 2 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS HOMO FABER EXHIBITION “Even Virgos need a day off, and mine will be spent in Venice, where the Michelangelo Foundation presents Homo Faber: Crafting a More Human Future (September 14–30). This showcase is all about live artisan demonstrations, where everything from European jewelry and lace-making to art restoration, woodworking, and…

FLYING PRIVATELY was once a reality reserved for only the wealthiest individuals or Fortune 500 companies. But with the emergence of a pioneering new player, Wheels Up, one of the absolute safest and highest-quality private aviation experiences available is more accessible than ever before. Through the company’s innovative Membership model, those who wish to bypass the hassles associated with commercial travel or long road trips can experience the benefits of flying private without having to own an asset, pay a large upfront capital cost, or agree to a long-term commitment. With as little as 24 hours’ notice, Wheels Up Members can book a flight, find shared flights with other Members to reduce a trip’s cost, or purchase individual seats on scheduled private shuttles traveling to and from popular events and…

IN MAY, FINNISH yacht builder Nautor’s Swan announced the Germán Frers–designed Swan 98 sailing yacht (swan98.com), a versatile addition to its growing Maxi Swan line. “We are particularly proud of the fact that we managed to create two different layouts with four staterooms and en suite bathrooms” in just 98 feet, says Peter Naeyé, project line leader for the Maxi Swan group. Choose a forward or full-beam aft location for the owner’s suite. Three additional en suite cabins for guests and two for crew provide more than sufficient room for your entourage. The saloon and dining area sit in the middle, with the coach roof above providing natural light. The 98’s multipurpose deck makes for an appealing hangout and sunning area while at the same time offering space for sail…

GAZING OUT THE windows of Manhatta (manhattarestaurant .com), which opened in July, you may forget that you’re there to eat. From the 60th-floor perch in New York City’s Financial District, your eyes drift away from the plate toward the concrete canyons northward up the spine of Gotham and the skyscrapers sprouting in Brooklyn to the east. In the wrong hands, the room could veer more toward observation deck than restaurant—but you’re not in the wrong hands. You’re in Danny Meyer’s. “We talked about ‘how do we make the view secondary?’” says executive chef Jason Pfeifer. “It’s breathtaking, but we don’t want it to be the most important thing about eating at Manhatta.” Pfeifer and restaurateur Meyer do it by creating a reprieve from the bustling streets below. The food, service,…

DRILL DOWN INTO a vintner’s experience these days and you’ll find an internship in Bordeaux, a harvest in Australia, a year in Argentina, a progressive stint in California. The movement of winemakers around the globe resembles nothing so much as an in-flight magazine’s map of airline routes. One path, though, has become more heavily grooved in recent years. More and more winemakers (many representing major houses back home) are traveling on a one-way ticket—from France to the West Coast of the United States. It’s a commitment to concentrate on land lesser known than the great domaines and châteaux of Burgundy or Bordeaux; to raise families an ocean and a continent apart from grandparents; and to risk entire careers on early promise and a hunch. FOR NAPA VALLEY’S PHILIPPE MELKA, it…

The more things stay the same, the more they change. The highest-performance versions of Porsche’s mid-engine sports models really do rearrange the words of that shopworn phrase. Because even though the 718 Boxster and Cayman GTS look similar enough to the base and S models, these hottest iterations deliver performance—however it’s measured—that eclipses that of any mid-engine predecessor save the outgoing Cayman GT4. And both new GTS models may even inspire technical types to question the logic of opting for a 911 Carrera. Whether on acceleration, handling dynamics, or amenities, the open-top Boxster and Cayman coupe present tough propositions to beat, and in the under-$100K segment they have no equals. (Remember when that amount of money would buy a new 911 Turbo?) First, a quick lesson in Porsche taxonomy. At…

IT WASN’T LONG AGO that Bordeaux was cloaked in a dark and dirty layer of soot. But the port city brims with new life thanks to Mayor Alain Juppé, whose ambitious urban-renewal project has buffed and polished the 18th-century Haussmannian structures, Romanesque churches, and cobblestone streets to a brilliant shine. No longer a mere pit stop en route to the vineyards, Juppé’s new Bordeaux overflows with reasons to stay in town: Newly constructed trams, pedestrian walkways, and bike paths now connect the historic city center with burgeoning neighborhoods packed full of vibrant cafés, boutiques, and museums. And perched on the banks of the Garonne River in the Bassins à Flot district is perhaps the most convincing evidence of a city on the rise: the striking new Cité du Vin (laciteduvin.com…

OCEANCO builtbyoceanco.com Oceanco specializes in building bespoke yachts—each Oceanco epitomizes the owner’s perfect yacht. Three of their groundbreaking superyachts include Jubilee, the largest yacht ever built in the Netherlands at the time of her launch; Black Pearl, the largest 3-masted sailing yacht in the world; and Dar, with a revolutionary use of glass to enhance her exterior styling. CHRISTOPHER DESIGNS christopherdesigns.com Christopher Designs portfolio of proprietary and patented diamond cuts ignite and release the maximum fire potential within a diamond and provide the highest perceived value. PADRÓN CIGARS padron.com Padrón adds Presidente and Soberano Tubos to the acclaimed 1964 Anniversary Series. 15-count boxes of portable tubos – complex, balanced, full-bodied tobacco aged a minimum four years – natural and maduro.…