Day: 1 April 2019

Oceanco’s recently delivered 109-meter motoryacht, Bravo Eugenia, won the award in the category Technology and Innovation on 28 March at the Yacht Club. This newly conceived award is based on the Yacht Club of Monaco’s fundamental values and criteria, which include Naval Etiquette, Preservation of the Ocean and its biodiversity, and Technological Innovation.

HSH the Sovereign Prince attended the Annual Conference for the Energy Transition on March 29, at the Yacht Club of Monaco.

Also attending were HE the Minister of State, Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Government Councilor – Minister of Equipment , Environment and Urbanism, as well as Julien Vidal, guest of honour for the evening.

The evening featured a presentation of the eco-citizen approach of Julien Vidal, a review of year 1 of the National Pact and the perspectives of development of the approach, the awarding of “Trophies of the Energy Transition To three Laureates, rewarded for their good practices and a strong announcement from Décathlon Monaco, which is now abandoning the sale of single-use plastic water bottles. 

HSH the Sovereign Prince concluded the evening by recalling, “To reunite goodwill in the service of our common future, we must of course go beyond international bodies, beyond government decisions, beyond all these projects that we drive. 

“We must involve everyone, as we do today. We must identify, propose and promote concrete and shared solutions, like those of the laureates we have just honoured […] I think especially, more widely, the invention of a new model, more innovative, more virtuous, more sustainable, serving the planet and the quality of life, serving our contemporaries and serving our children.”

As part of the Monaco Ocean Week (MOW), the Scientific Center of Monaco (CSM), and in particular its WHO Collaborating Center, organised a workshop on Ocean Pollution and Human Health.

The workshop was led by Professor Rampal on Wednesday, March 27, in collaboration with Professor Philip Landrigan, Boston College and Coordinator of the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health.

HSH the Sovereign Prince and HE Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President and Managing Director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, attended the conclusions of this workshop and met the various participants.

A reflection was initiated to achieve, by the MOW 2020, a special report to be distributed at the scientific symposium “Human Health and the Ocean in a Changing World” organized in Monaco by the CSM, in collaboration with WHO and other partners from 11 to 13 May 2020.

The 14 participants, marine biologists, doctors, and / or representatives of international organizations, took part in presentations on the different types of pollution and their effects on the health of populations, then set up the working groups that will take into charges each of the types of pollutants in this special report (plastics, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides and pollution from biological sources such as toxic algae or micro-organisms).

This special report, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will be written by the CSM and Boston College, in partnership with selected scientists from around the world.

It will include a systematic review of the impacts of ocean pollution on human health, with special attention to vulnerable populations. The report will critically analyze current knowledge about each pollutant that may affect human health, examine the influence of climate change on these effects, and attempt to predict future trends. It will also include economic data. Simultaneously with its broadcast in Monaco in May 2020, this report will also be published in a high-level peer-reviewed journal.

We continue our interview with industry insider Antonio Cecere, President of Geneva Diamond Exchange and founder of Monaco Diamond Exchange, about his experience at Baselword 2019.

ML: Baselworld is the place where historical watch manufacturers unveil their grand complications horlogerie. Which models captured your attention this year?

AC: Chopard presented its first calibre equipped with a flying tourbillon, L.U.C Flying T Twin, a sophisticated timekeeper both from a technical and visual perspective with two guilloché patterns and an ultra-thin case measuring a mere 7.2 mm in height. It is a 50 pieces limited edition and the flying tourbillon can be admired through the skeleted dial. The self-winding movement is a Calibre 96.24-L that delivers, through two barrels, a 65-hour power reserve.

Jacob & Co. partnership with Bugatti was announced by Jacob Arabo and Stephan Winkelmann, presidents of the two companies during the show. To celebrate this the watch manufacturer redesigned the Twin Turbo Furious, a twin triple-axis tourbillons, column-wheel chronograph and decimal repeater timepiece that we observed last year. The Bugatti Edition, limited to 39 pieces, features turquois around the dial that pays homage to Bugatti’s 110 year anniversary Chiron.

ML: What are the highlights in haute horlogerie?

AC: Patek Philippe presented the Calatrava Weekly Calendar showcasing two central hands to indicate the days of the week, the calendar week and the month. The new self-winding movement is a Calibre 26-330 S C J SE made of 304 components that can be seen through the skeleted back of the 40 millimetre diameter case. The numerals on the dial are made to look as if they were handwritten adding a handcraft feel to this sublime timekeeper.

In terms of ground-breaking watch making, it is Bulgari this year to break a record with the slimmest mechanical chronograph ever produced in watchmaking history. It is the Octo Finissimo Chronograph with 3.3 millimetres calibre BVL 318, a GMT function and a 55-hour power reserve. The 42-mm case surrounds a sand-blasted titanium dial with a skeleted back. The total height of this watch is a staggering 6.9 millimetres.

ML: In terms of jewellery watches, which you think stood out from the rest?

AC: This year I think that Graff deserves a mention. Each of Graff’s secret watches unveils a clever and charming way of tell the time, devised by their master craftsmen and watchmakers. A 24.37 carats intricately carved emerald covers the dial of this elegant secret watch and allows its wearer to read its dial by peering through the depths of the gemstone complemented by a delicate bracelet of white diamonds.

The most important anniversary this year was Zenith’ El Primero. The history of the El Primero is fascinating as after conception in 1969, Zenith was acquired by an American company that decided to destroy all the tools and plans in order to move on to Quartz. One of the watchmakers, Charles Vermot, decided to secretly hide the tools and plans into the factory attic rather than destroying them. Once under Swiss ownership again in 1978, the production of El Primero started again after Rolex purchased the movements to be placed in the casings of the Daytona watch. For the 50th anniversary Zenith produced a set of three watches: an original reproduction of the 1969 El Primero, the Chronomaster 2 El Primero, and the Zenith El Primero Defy 21.

In honour of artist and sculptor Richard Orlinski., Hublot unveils the new Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Orlinski Red Ceramic watch. To date, Hublot is the only brand that has been able to perfect such a vibrant red ceramic presented by the brand last year with the Big Bang Unico Red Magic. The Aerofusion watch is a self-winding chronograph calibre HUB 1155 and it is a limited edition of 200.

TAG Heuer revamps the Autavia collection with the Isograph chronometer, a 42 mm three-hand watch with Super-LumiNova hands and numerals on a rich blue dial. The automatic Calibre 5 housed within the new Autavia watch beats at 4 Hz and offers 38 hours of power reserve. The chronometer-certified watch has a date indication and a bi-directional bezel of blue ceramic.

The hugely successful Women in Monaco series continues, highlighting females of the Principality who empower, excel and inspire. This week, thanks to She Can He Can, we talk to Natasha Frost-Savio, president of Pink Ribbon Monaco.

What does success look like to you?

Like many other things, success takes on different forms for various people. In my opinion, and because of my gender, success is represented by a capability of achieving the perfect balance between my career and my family while nurturing my own personality. Being a career woman, a wife and a mother is one thing, but I want to also be me! It can be tricky and overwhelming, but I think that most would agree. If you can harmonise this triad, I believe you can be very happy person!

What is the main thing that needs to change to improve entry into your field of work, including opportunities for development and the day-to-day life of women at work?

I work in craft brewing, which is not that common for women to begin with, but especially in France. However, I am happy to see that preconceived notions are changing as the trend for craft beer is evolving. There is a fabulous craft brewery in Antibes, ran entirely by a woman (Solene, with B06) who should be pointed out as one of the local precursors in this field, and I have a lot of respect for her and the hard work that she does. The main thing that needs to happen for things to change is basically acceptance and realising that the beer industry does not only begin and end with men. I work in a rapidly evolving business and I’m confident that there will be a lot more women present in the near future. I’m actually excited to see what they will come up with!

Tell us about a woman you admire and how she’s inspired you to become who you are today?

That’s a tricky question because there are so many women I admire just like there are so many men I admire. I admire my mother and step mother and have taken so much from them in terms of motherhood and always standing up for oneself. I could also mention Kate Powers, from Stars and Bars, whom I worked for right after university and who’s leadership skills I try to model my own on. On a formative level, I would have to say historical figure Eleonore of Aquitaine, as geeky as it sounds. I was, and still am, a huge fan of Medieval history and she stood out. She was born into a world were women in her position were bargaining chips, yet after several political twists and turns, became ruler of England and a large part of France. She was a recognised political adviser to her 1st and her second husbands and her son King Richard Lionheart, she was the first divorced queen, and she went on crusades when everyone told her not too. Her political astuteness and determination made her an indelible historical figure, sadly dissimilar from most female counterparts. Reading about her as a child, then a teen and still now as an adult showed me that strength and determination would make you stand out in an otherwise hostile environment. Reading stories about her when I was a child definitely shaped me in many ways. This further reinforces the importance of young girls to be introduced to positive female characters, both fictional and non-fictional. It certainly had a positive impact on me!

An interview with industry insider Antonio Cecere, Principal of Cecere Monaco and Founder of Monaco Diamond Exchange, about his experience at Baselword 2019.

ML: How was Baselworld 2019 and what are the highpoints in haute joaillerie?

AC: Every year the first luxury house that I visit remains Graff for their commitment to create unique designs that withstand times and fashions. This year was no different and my continuous interest in this brand was rewarded with some breath-taking new designs.

The Ruby and Diamond Necklace was the main piece of the Art Inspired collection. The spontaneity of modern art has inspired this exquisite necklace which showcases the superlative abilities of Graff master craftsmen. The gemstones are invisibly set and the metal is skilfully hidden from view creating an endless loop of radiance and rich colour with an intense play of light on the décolletage.

The earrings were inspired by the free-flowing lines of modern artists such as Cy Twombly and Christopher Wool; Graff’s art-inspired collection paints abstract forms and these ruby detailed earrings are testimony to this intent.

New additions to the Bow collection feature the seamless hand-tied effect. The bow showcases rows of tapered baguette diamonds alongside pavé diamonds with an emerald centrepiece: timeless elegance.

ML: Which brand this year surprised you for unconventional materials and unusual designs?

AC: Jacob & Co is renown for their high jewellery designs detailed with the most incredible gemstones expertly set in pave` as much as in solitaire settings. For a diamantaire visiting their booth is both inspirational and emotional. This year I was enticed by their fine jewellery collection named Cerastes that featured green snakeskin. Cerastes is a creature of Greek legend, the most flexible of all serpents, a slithering symbol from the ages embodying seductive charms and alluring danger.

Jacob & Co. offers two jewelled interpretations of one of these most exotic and dangerous vipers. The gold and snakeskin necklace and bracelet wrap and twist sensually around the body like the serpent who guards the mythical tree of life and immortality featured in many cultures’ mythology. A higher version replaces the darker hues of the snakeskin by alternating white and brown diamonds in the pave.

Jacob Arabo continues to surprise with his high jewellery collections through a selection of rare and exceptional stones. Inventiveness and inspiration merge with the finest jewelry making techniques, giving birth to iconic and intricately crafted masterpieces. Gemstones and diamonds are set are to maximize the capture of light delivering striking colors and the dazzling fire of flawless diamonds.

ML: This year was the 40th anniversary of Stenzhorn, the German house best known for their invisible settings. How did they celebrate this milestone?

AC: Stenzhorn celebrated this important year in the best way they know, by creating a completely new invisible setting that took over two years from sketch to market. The concept is revolutionary and the technical complexity is a highly guarded secret.

The Stenzhorn brothers since 1979 continue to evolve and push the boundaries of this setting technique; their vision and aptitude in cutting precious gemstones position them as market leaders alongside historical power houses like Graff and Jacob & CO.

ML: Which designer most impressed you for creativity and story-telling?

AC: Roberto Coin inexhaustible love for history and legend shone through a limited-edition piece inspired by the Chinese horoscope. The Venetian designer educated us to always be surprised and enchanted by his creativity. I was honoured to inspect the Dragon Neckalce as it was unveiled at Baselworld 2019.

This extraordinary masterpiece was inspired by the ancient oriental legend about dragons as symbol of fortune. A sublime mixture of imagination and elegance was delivered by using complex techniques that gave flexibility and a tactile experience. Diamonds, enamel and rubies brought this piece to life creating a feeling of opulence and mysticism.

ML: Was there any design that was particularly innovative?

AC: I met with Alex Komarov, owner of the Russian brand Bykovs’ Jewellery. Their designs and concepts are quite unique and include a bespoke brooch that is set with the horse’s mane of the final client. Their jewellery is a modern revisitation of Russian traditional style; my favourite was a family of gold purses studded with a variety of gemstones hung on a 21 inches chain; it is worn as a necklace, however the purse opens up and the user can place inside something small, like another jewel or a lover’s letter, emblematic of Russian romanticism.

ML: Have you seen any loose diamonds that captivated you?

AC: I had the absolute pleasure of conversing with Oded Mansori of R.D.H. Diamonds, an Antwerp based cutter and polisher that specializes in polished diamonds Type II above 10 carats. He is known in the trade for being zealous in sourcing the rarest type of diamonds and being personally involved in every step of the process, from planning to cleaving, from cutting to polishing.

Starting from a rough diamond, Oded spends months planning; using the most advance technology and his decennial experience he develops a feeling with the diamond before cleaving it. Only diamantaires can understand the emotional journey that Oded undertakes every time he cuts a diamond, often overriding the indications given by computers and trusting only his own feel for the stone. At the show I fell in love with a Heart shape 90 carats D Flawless diamond. The Heart shape is an antique cut developed in 16th century, much liked by the Medici family; it is today considered a variation of the Pear shape and has a similar refraction of light.