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M A N DA R I N Oriental Ritz Madrid’s Most Iconic Hotel
Watches & WO N D E R S We get up close with some of the finest horological releases for 2024
Wa tche tchess and Won ond ders 2024 THE REVIEW As the luxury watch world descended on Geneva for this year’s Watches and Wonders, Jamie McFadden headed to the Swiss exhibition to get up close with some of the finest horological releases for 2024
Patek Philippe A specialist in World Timers, Patek Philippe introduces the Ref. 5330G to its current collection in Geneva, having been released as a limited edition at last year’s Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition “Watch Art” Tokyo, at that time an exclusive for the Japanese market. This new generation of the World Time is distinguished by a patented world first, namely a date display that is indexed to local time. Displaying time across an opaline blue-grey dial, this 40mm white gold case is complemented by a blue-grey calfskin strap with contemporary denim pattern. 5330G-001, £65,600
Throwing back to yesteryear, Patek Philippe launches the first metal bracelet to its Golden Ellipse Ref. 5738, introducing a woven bracelet in polished 18ct rose gold, made up of 363 elements, of which more than 300 links are individually mounted by hand. The bracelet, coupled with its engraved clasp, are a fine tribute to the 1970s, further supported by its crisp ebony dial, providing a timeless, understated aesthetic epitomising the spirit of the Golden Ellipse, first introduced by Patek Philippe in 1968. Ref. 5738/1R-001, £51,470
The quintessential Patek Philippe travel watch, the Alarm Travel Time Ref. 5520 was introduced this year in a new two-tone version with rose gold case, four white gold pusher tubes and a sunburst grey dial. This Grand Complication is powered by the self-winding AL 30-660 S C FUS caliber which is protected by four patents and combines the exclusive Travel Time dual-time display with a 24-hour alarm mechanism featuring a hammer which strikes a classic gong. 5520RG-001, £222,020
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature
Rolex Rolex introduced two new Oystersteel variations to its iconic GMT-Master II family this year, both featuring a new graduated two-colour Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic. The only Oystersteel watch released by the remarkable Swiss watchmaker at this year’s event, the new GMT-Master II is introduced on both a Jubilee and Oyster bracelet. Often described as the perfect watch for frequent travellers, the Rolex GMT-Master II is driven by calibre 3285, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, which enables it to display the date and an additional time zone in 24-hour format, as well as the hours, minutes and seconds. M126710GRNR, from £9,350
“An expression for every face. A personality for every dial” say Rolex of their new Day-Date dial variations. This year, the brand enriches their Day-Date range with new versions of the Day-Date 40 and the Day-Date 36 showcasing finely worked dials. Most popular at the fair have been the ombré dials, which make their first appearance on the Day-Date 40. As Rolex themselves say, this selection truly allows the wearer to display their personality on their wrist, and our favourites are the slate dial introduced on the Day-Date 40 in 18ct Everose gold, and a stylish blue-green dial introduced on the Day-Date 36 in 18ct Everose gold, surrounded by ten baguette cut diamonds. This blue-green dial was first welcomed to the Rolex family within the Sky-Dweller range in 2023. Rolex Day-Date 36, from £30,700
We’d also like to shine a spotlight on another majestic launch from Rolex, bringing light to the deep with this new Rolex Deepsea, crafted for the first time in 18ct yellow gold with blue ceramic bezel insert and a blue lacquered dial. M136668LB, £45,700
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B ea eau uty w ithout
L im imiits
TV and radio personality Jenny Powell on her role as sideline supporter, her love for Cheshire and why she opts for natural treatments from Dr Ed Robinson in Altrincham
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enny Powell is used to the spotlight and the glamour of a high-profile showbiz life but the TV and radio presenter is often doing the less glitzy car duties to her daughter’s football training and matches. But the 55-year-old, who first burst onto our screens with her vibrant personality as a teenager on the BBC2 music show No Limits, is relishing the role on the sidelines supporting 15-year-old Polly, who is a promising player with Stoke City. “She trains with Stoke four times a week and they are out there in all weathers and I’m really happy about that. Mind you it was absolutely freezing last Saturday. It was Arctic and there were hailstones,” says Jenny. “They are so focused and it is great to see their commitment. It is fantastic to see kids have a passion for something other than sitting at home with gadgets. Teenagers are under so much pressure from social media these days and it is tough for them.”
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It’s hard to believe that Jenny has been in the entertainment business for nearly forty years though no surprise she is still in high demand with TV, live events and hosting her weekend breakfast shows on Greatest Hits Radio. Her summer is also full of work fronting music festivals around the UK. “Presenting at the festivals is a great job because it is a bit like This is Your Life backstage as we pretty much all know each other and have met at various stages of our career,” laughs Jenny, who has lived in Cheshire for almost 30 years. “There’s a big sociable element to it as we are all catching up. “I’ve also got a show on commercial radio which has 1.4 million listeners, which is massive, and I’m doing a panel show on Channel 5 so I’m really busy.” Staying in the spotlight and being fresh, healthy and balanced takes some work and Jenny has just discovered new, natural aesthetics to enhance her stunning looks and the fun personality that have captivated generations of fans. She was introduced to Dr Ed Robinson, a leading aesthetic practitioner based in
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Health & Beauty
Altrincham, who specialises in natural treatments that rejuvenate skin tone, texture and colouring “I eat healthily, do lots of exercise and stay fit and have always stayed clear of Botox and fillers; it’s not for me,” she says. “My mum is 93 and looks about 63 so I’ve got good genes but I’m also an 80s girl and make-up was the thing, I don’t even take it off at night sometimes! I’m very holistic and spiritual and do a lot of yoga and would never want to change that and I wouldn’t want my face to look different. “But I was really interested in Dr Ed and it was good to talk to him and understand about these natural treatments. Being a mum in her 50s who is running around a lot, I noticed that my face was prone to becoming dehydrated and drawn and like a lot of women my age, I just want a bit of a boost. Dr Ed understood that I just want to look fresher but not look different. I was reassured by his expertise, knowledge and the fact he is an NHS anaesthetist as well so he knows his stuff.” Jenny tried micro needling – a process that stimulates the body’s natural collagen production to promote smoother, firmer skin – platelet-rich plasma therapy, a treatment that transfers plasma from the body to the face to improve texture and tone, and the use of Ameela polynucleotides, proteins involved in the body’s healing processes and regenerations.
“They were really quick and easy and there was a difference right away; a brightness in my face,” she says. “I didn’t tell my mum and she says I look so good at the moment – and she is one of the most critical people in the world! A lot of people are saying I look so well and that is exactly what I wanted. “I struggled with the concept of doing anything particularly as I’ve seen what happens to some people in the industry who have Botox and fillers. But this felt right and a way to do something gracefully. Now, I’m happy to go out without make-up more and more; something I haven’t done in decades. It’s been really liberating and I’m looking forward to walking around with a lot less make-up – my 80s vibe could possibly be eradicated by the summer! “If I have to wear make-up for work but I’m finding that it sits better on my face now so that is another benefit.” Jenny, whose other daughter Connie, 23, is an artist, has been careful to steer her children towards healthy eating and tech-lite lifestyles. “There’s so much on social media about body image with girls getting these fillers and Botox at a young age but thankfully they are not interested and have other focuses,” she says. “Image is important but I’m delighted to have found a natural way to give it a bit of a helping hand.” She is also firmly committed to Cheshire’s natural charms and adds: “Everyone loves leafy Cheshire. There has been a transformation around Altrincham and for the girls, it has been a brilliant place to grow up and be a teenager. Getting into Manchester is easy as is going to London from Stockport or Wilmslow. “A lot of my friends in London are very envious. They constantly talk about how difficult it is to get anywhere and the hassle they have. I love going to London but I love coming back to Cheshire.” dredrobinson.co.uk
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The Famous
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Drive
The BMW 5 Series has long been the world’s best saloon, writes James Fossdyke, but the new model takes the rule book and tears it up
hile I never expected to be a complete polymath, gardening is one of the many abilities that evaded my genetic make-up. At a push, I can just about keep a houseplant alive for a week while the powers that be are away, but aside from an underwhelming ability to use an electric hedge trimmer without cutting the cord, that’s about my limit. As a result, the value of a hardy perennial such as the agapanthus is not lost on me. If there’s a four-wheeled equivalent of the agapanthus – an almost indestructible thing that’s there every year no matter what – it’s the BMW 5 Series. BMW’s medium-sized saloon is one of those do-anything cars that operates as a luxury limousine, a family wagon and a sports car all at the same time. That it can do that is impressive, because the traits required for those three roles are often contradictory, but that it has done it year in and year out, no matter what the climate, country or culture, for more than 50 years is nothing short of miraculous. But the time has come for a new generation of 5 Series, and it has to remain hardy in a world that’s changing. Which is why BMW chose to change the car’s make-up quite significantly, bringing out electric versions (known as the i5 models) alongside the more conventional hybrid- and petrol-powered variants. Perhaps unsurprisingly, no diesel models are being sold in the UK. Anyway, the i5 is the big news, and because it’s a BMW, there’s more than one version of it. A lot more. Although it was launched in four-door saloon guise and with a choice of power outputs and motor layouts, there are estate versions on the way too for those who need a bit more space. Both designs look pretty smart — the ‘Touring’ estate is my favourite, but the Saloon seen here looks good too — and comes with some clever new features. Take the Iconic Glow lighting around the front grille, which gives the car a bit more presence whether it’s light or dark outside. But the interior is even more spectacular, with a massive bank of two screens that control pretty much everything in the car. One half of the housing is home to the instrument display, which
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is hugely configurable and allows you to see exactly the information you want right in front of you. But the focus is on the other half of the display, which is a massive touchscreen that commands pretty much everything in the car. If you want to adjust the temperature, use the screen. If you want to make a phone call, use the screen. And while that isn’t always helpful — adjusting the temperature is a task best suited to buttons — the huge array of functions available from that screen has its advantages. Chief among these is the ability to use the car as a kind of massive PlayStation. Using your phone as a controller, you can play video games in the car with up to four players competing in cartoonish games including one suspiciously similar to Mario Kart. The system isn’t perfect, and obviously you can only use it when the car is stationary, but it’s a good way of whiling away a charging stop. Not that you’ll need to stop all that often in the i5. There are two different versions available — the eDrive40 and the M60 xDrive — but both come with the same 81.2kWh battery. Now, that might not mean much in itself, but with the 335bhp electric motor that drives the eDrive40’s rear wheels, it means you can do up to 356 miles on a single charge — at least officially. In the real world, you’re probably talking 250 or so, and with the ability to charge at 205kW, you can fill it from 10% to 80% in half an hour. In short, you shouldn’t need to charge too often, and when you do, it shouldn’t take too long. Unfortunately, the M60 xDrive version won’t go quite as far on a charge, but then it does have
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M eet t he Desii gne Des gnerr s Projects that won BIID Interior Design Awards in the North & North West region
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ow open for 2024, the BIID Interior Design Awards returns with its new North & North West regional award and the search is on for this year’s winners. The awards celebrate exceptional design projects across the UK, with both residential and commercial projects previously receiving the accolade for the North and North West region. Yorkshire-based Design by Jo Bee received the inaugural regional award for its beautiful Howgill Lodge project in the Yorkshire Dales, followed by The Artistry House Interiors in 2023 for its impressive commercial project at Manchester Museum.
COUNTRYSIDE COLOUR Howgill Lodge is a picturesque campsite set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, on the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate. The site was acquired during lockdown and the owners were eager to get it ready for when the gates could re-open. Four tired and old-fashioned lodges needed
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to be transformed into colourful country retreats with a real wow factor. Designer Jo Duerden took on the challenge of totally refurbishing these characterful lodges to transform them into highly desirable colourful country retreats. The project won due to its clever use of space and the impactful and imaginative use of colour and textures. The addition of the wood-burning stoves and clever layering of textiles has helped to create an ambience of relaxation and calm. The judges commented that it was a ‘fun and inventive project’ with clever use of panelling, savvy sourcing, repurposed furniture and upcycling to successfully meet the brief. Jo Duerden, founder of Design by Jo Bee comments; “Winning the North Region BIID award feels like a huge achievement amongst a year of great success for my Interior Design business, Design by Jo Bee. I have worked alone until recently when I took on a design apprentice. Having two young children, I wasn’t sure how much was possible with juggling family life and running a business, but it just goes to show how much you can accomplish if you really set your heart on something and I look forward to the exciting future ahead. Having accolades to back up your work and portfolio is a great way to instil confidence in your future clients and I am super proud to have won such a prestigious award at the inaugural BIID awards.”
Homes and Interiors
URBAN MASTERPIECE As part of Manchester Museum’s ambitious ‘Hello Future’ project, its team and Wilson Mason Architects engaged The Artistry House Interiors to deliver a selection of crucial non-gallery spaces, with a multitude of purposes, including retail and learning spaces. The objective for the project was to create a visual through-line across these spaces, showcasing high impact objects, whilst being mindful of the functionality, visitor experience and flow. This impressive design successfully creates a warm, inclusive environment that perfectly reflects the aim of reimagining the museum for the people of Manchester. It encourages frequent visits and longer stays, fostering community engagement and learning, and the key spaces are designed with multi-sensory experiences and accessibility in mind. “It feels incredible to have won this award. We poured so much passion and energy into the Manchester Museum project, it was always such an honour to have the opportunity to work on a historical building of this magnitude, sharing this with a larger audience and having our achievements validated by the BIID community was really important to us” comments Rose Peploe, Interior & Spatial Designer at The Artistry House. The BIID judges said that the design for the rejuvenated Manchester Museum delivers a flexible and coherent space which shows careful attention to detail, reflecting ‘a focus
on sustainability, inclusivity and imagination’. Noteworthy features include the inviting book matched reception desk and adaptable, ethically sourced furniture. They summarised that this is a remarkable public space, designed with high-quality accessibility and versatility, which is appealing for all ages. “I realised that our Manchester Museum project seemed quite unique and felt this could be an opportunity to share our work with a larger audience. The idea of having our project viewed on a national platform was really exciting! Being a relatively new design practice based in the North West we are always looking for opportunities to expand our network.” explains Rose. biid.org.uk
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