Although the brand was recently acquired by the Swatch Group, they’ve managed to buy a flawless 101.73-carat diamond for the record sum of $26.7 million at an auction held in Geneva on Wednesday, according to Christie’s. In fact, Harry Winston is the first ever buyer of the diamond and has had the privilege of naming it. Thus the Harry Legacy was born.

Furthermore, this is the first major purchase of the diamond dealer since it was acquired by the world’s number one watchmaker for $1 billion, back in March. As for the diamond, the Harry Legacy has been described by The American Institute of Gemology as a top colourless grade D and the best clarity grade, flawless, characterised by perfect symmetry, as Christie’s describes.

The auction house further reports that the precious gem was sold at the auction by a diamond merchant and had reportedly weighed 236 carats before the cutting process. It was extracted from the Jwaneng Mine in Botswana and was painstakingly sculpted over a period of 21 months. The recent sale has marked the highest price ever paid for a flawless colorless diamond at auction, in spite of the fact that Christie’s had hoped it would fetch around $30 million.

As a comparison, back in December 2011, the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, described as a similar D-color and weighing 33.19 carats, got sold for $8.8 million at an auction in New York.

[Luxuo]

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An epitome of flawless craftsmanship, high exquisiteness and ultimately luxury, the Commedia dell’Arte wristwatch boasts with an 18-carat dial in white gold, displaying a vibrant scene from a play which displays the characters in such a manner that they seem to be coming out from the watch. The image the brand has displayed on the dial represents a scene from a classic Italian palace of the sixteenth century, fully painted and embossed by hand. The central part of the watch and the right corner gorgeously display the characters, while the left corner has been taken by the numerals. This image seems quite realistic and, in fact, it makes this timepieces quite a stunner.

Inside you’ll find a BVL 618 caliber working at a frequency of 18,000 beats per hour. It further sports jumping hour mechanics, charge reserve of 48 hours and retrograde minute between 7 and 11 hours represented by the right of the controller arm black pearl bridges and plate. This timepiece is a staggering gadget worth remembering every time we hear of Dante.

[HauteHorlogerie]

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The CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has recently recaptured the title of “The Richest Person in the World” from the renowned Mexican magnate and investor Carlos Slim Helu, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The 57-year-old American, co-founder of Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), has now got an estimated fortune of around $72.7 billion, 16 percent year-to-date. His brand has hit a five-year high as the original report describes. The largest mobile-phone operator throughout the Americas, Carlos Slim’s America Movil (AMXL), has dropped an unhappy 14 percent this year, as the Congress of Mexico had passed a bill which can ruin the Mexican billionaire’s financial domination. Therefore, the estimated net worth of Mr. Slim has lost a whopping $3 million.

Greg Lesko, managing director at Deltec Asset Management LLC, from New York, describes: “When they’re talking about reform in a country that’s generally poor, and the guy shows up No. 1 on the list – not a good thing.” Mr. Lesko was appointed a high position in Slim’s company, overseeing an astonishing $750 million. He further adds: “He’s had a pretty good monopoly situation in Mexico, and the Mexican cellphone user has been paying more than he should. We applaud it for the country.”

Given the fact that 70 percent of Mexico’s mobile-phone subscribers have chosen America Movil (AMXL) and that 80 percent of Mexico’s headlines are held by the brand, the bill passed in Mexico last month has pretty much dismembered Slim’s fortune. Backed by President Enrique Pena Nieto and now facing state legislatures, the bill will reportedly allow regulators to break up phone companies with more than half of the market and compel them to share their networks.

On the side of Microsoft, the brand’s shares have risen 28 percent this year, buoyed by sale of business and server software, alongside cost controls, in contrast to the weak demand of Windows 8 operating software system for personal computers. A large percent of Bill Gates’ rising fortune is also due to recent increases in stock holdings, including waste-collector brand Republic Services Inc. (RSG) and the Canadian National Railway Co (CNR).

Much of Bill Gates’ fortune is held in Cascade Investment LLC through which he owns stakes in quite a large number of publicly traded brands and a few closely held operations. The holding includes Corbis Corp. and Four Seasons. Microsoft actually holds less than a quarter of Bill Gates’ fortune. In addition, this charismatic figure has earlier donated $28 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

[Bloomberg]

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There’s a fantastic resort in Mexico, in Playa del Carmen, just south of Cancun. They say it’s called Blue Diamond Riviera Maya, but we like to call it Heaven on Earth. Stick with us for more info.

Part of Blue Ray Resorts, Blue Diamond Riviera Maya is nestled among splendid golden sandy beaches, half an hour away from Cancun International Airport. This adult-oriented resort is able to carry a rather high number of guests to a world that expresses style and relaxation in a flawless manner. Being located a stick’s throw away from 36 acres of lush jungle, guests aren’t exclusively greeted by a luxurious getaway but also by adventure.

The white sandy beaches, delicious dining options, the deep blue ocean and the entire array of places to go make up a large portion of the pampering you’ll meet here. Upon check-in, a cool cloth is provided on your face and neck as tradition dictates, and all you need to do is enjoy your tropical stay. There are 128 suites and junior suites available, spread through the resort, set along waterways, the Mexican Caribbean Sea and a mystical Mayan Cenote. The place shares private docks, roof top terraces and beachfront casitas, all fully fitted with extraordinary amenities.

Culinary-wise, the options are quite numerous as well – al fresco, indoor dining or throughout the elegant lounges and bars of the resort. Furthermore, the spa is able to provide all sorts of services, combining Asian healing principles and traditions with the philosophy of the Mayans.

If you’re looking forward to experience something that’s not from this world, something to transpond you into different dimensions of luxury, Blue Diamond Riviera Maya will provide. Nightly rates start at $424 and there are 128 suites to choose from.

[KiwiCollection]

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Quite interestingly, a Lamborghini Aventador has reportedly been part of the Aeroporto di Bologna until the 19^th of May.

This event comes to follow the anniversary tour the Italian automotive brand has recently undergone and the launch of the mind-boggling Lamborghini Egoista Concept. The cars manufacturer has chosen to send one of its fierce bulls to serves as airport vehicle in Bologna. This may have happened due to the institution’s close proximity to the Lamborghini headquarters, just around half an hour from Sant’Agata Bolognese.

The airport staff, accordingly trained, has guided arriving flights from within the supercar, which is been fitted with a light bar. The Aventador was further garnished with a white and red theme, an entire array of decals including a sticker which says “follow me” and all sorts of fittings to serve celebratory purposes for the anniversary of the Italian brand.

[WorldCarFans]

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What we have here is one of the last few remaining single family homes near New York’s legendary and gorgeous Central Park. It was constructed by William Noble back in 1887, a prominent developer of those times, as his own residence.

This staggering architectural masterpiece comprises 12,000 square feet of living space and boasts with a mix between contemporary styles and historic details from the era before the world wars. Two of the most compelling features of the parlor floor are the stunning glass and steel staircase crowned by a domed skylight flooding the place with ample amounts of natural light and a stalwart double height ceiling.

Beyond the third floor, the dramatic staircase starts following a Guggenheim sweep providing the residence’s owner with additional walls where he can display his gorgeous art collections. Mind you, there’s enough space for that, as this home spans over 6 different floors, all accessible via elevator. There’s also an additional level with a 60-foot fresh water pool and fully fitted home gym.

All in all, the wonderful residence sports 5 massive bedrooms, 2 half-bathrooms, 2 offices, 6 full bathrooms, spa-like bathroom, terrace and a magnificent master bedroom floor with breathtaking panoramas of the Central Park and a lavish dressing area. There’s also a professional, fully endowed chef’s gourmet kitchen and a dining room that opens onto a Zen-like bamboo garden. The terrace on top of the roof shares even better views of the park.

Apart from its humongous listing price, of $37 million, future owners will have to pay additional $44,000 annual taxes for it. You’ll find the listing at Stan Ponte and Vannessa Kaufman of Sotheby’s International Realty.

[PriceyPads]

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Standing for “beautiful” in Swahili, Zuri is also the name of the German brand hand-manufacturer of bikes from locally harvested bamboo in Zambia.

These magnificent bikes are made for mountain biking purposes as much as they’re designed for the new urban generation. They are sustainable, nice to look at and uniquely built, great means of transportation and a highly modern handmade way to get away from the masses.

Crafted from aluminium or steel, they are nicely put together in Africa from locally sourced bamboo wood. The wood is gorgeously ornate by Zuri craftsmen, which is than shaped into these highly sturdy and very durable bicycles. Furthermore, they’re entirely waterproof and imperishable against fire and chemicals. They are manufactured in four different designs like Urban Jungle, Urban Fixie, Urban City and Urban Speed, with prices starting at €2,490 or $3,320.

[Extravaganzi]

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Whenever we hear of Ralph Lauren, we imagine extreme luxury, total exquisiteness, superb styling and a humongous degree of tradition. Upraising the principle of Art Deco, Ralph Lauren has recently come up with the RL 867 Diamond timepiece.

This gorgeous gadget was reportedly named after Ralph Lauren’s historic store at 867 Madison Avenue, in New York. The watch draws inspiration from the glamour and the optimistic elegance of the 1920s and those are clearly obvious in every corner of the watch. It boasts an 18-carat white gold case encrusted with baguette- and round-cut diamonds.

The flawless diamond pattern is being carried on halfway down the superb black suede strapping and all along the elegant 18-carat gold clasps. The dial further shows an opaline appearance and includes black Arabic and Roman numerals. Inside lies a 40-hour power reserve and the fantastic caliber RL430.

Put shortly, this is a simply stunning creation of Ralph Lauren, an additional proof for the exquisiteness the brand is able to put up. The Ralph Lauren 867 Diamond was unveiled at 2013 Baselworld.

[LuxuryLaunches]

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