QUART ERLY - P.I. 21/07 /2017 Intern ationa l € 10, Spedizione in Abbon Chf 10,50 , UK £ 7,50 Poste Italian e S.p.a. amento Postale - 70% - LO/MI
J A D E I S S U E
JADE ISSUE - n° 11 - 2017 - € 10
• n ° 1 1 • 2 0 1 7
The Art of Sailing
[ HARBOUR L I F E ]
by Cristina Griner
Nestling between the Rock and Monte Carlo, right in the heart of the Principality itself, Port Hercule has long been the playground of yachting royalty. It also provides a privileged viewing point for the Formula 1 Grand Prix and a showcase for the world’s most exclusive yachts
MONACO PORT HERCULE
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I
t should come as no great surprise that it plays host to that
deep. Redevelopment work completed by Prince Albert sealed
most exclusive of luxe showcases, the Monaco Yacht Show,
the deal. Likewise the new Sir Norman Foster-designed Yacht
at the end of September each year. Port Hercule has long been
Club de Monaco clubhouse which has the slightly-retro lines of a
at the top of the game. Since the 1970s, in fact, when Prince
20th century steamer and balconies that also mimic the decks of
Rainier built a seawall designed to protect the early-20th
a yacht as well as providing a perfect viewing point for watching
century port built at the foot of the Rock in the natural harbour
the F1 cars whizzing through the city streets during the Monaco
overlooked by the old La Condamine quarter. A colossal
Grand Prix. Port Hercule can accommodate 700 yachts in all
structure stretching 352 metres in length, the seawall is also
but, obviously, anyone wishing to moor at one of the 30 transit
semi-floating to protect the marine flora and fauna, allowing the
berths available at the Quais des Etats-Unis and the central T
port to accommodate larger pleasure vessels as its waters are
overlooking the pool, needs to book well in advance.
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[ HARBOUR L I F E ] Just a stroll away is the vibrant city of Monte Carlo itself where luxury is a byword and designer brands jostle for a place in the sun. The beach is the Plage du Larvotto – perfect also for grabbing a light lunch at La Note Bleu. If you prefer a private club but aren’t a member of the Yacht Club de Monaco, try the trendy, recently-opened Thirty-Nine which has a restaurant, lounge, gym and beauty area. Also brand-new and very hot with the in-crowd is the Odeon Spa Sisley in the Tour Odeon, Monaco’s tallest skyscraper and home to some of the most expensive apartments in the world. In the same skyscraper is the Odeon Cafe by Cipriani – the perfect choice for an elegant retreat from the sun. Sticking with the Italian theme, the legendary Milanese Pasticceria Cova has just opened a branch at Boulevard des Moulins 19, but the coolest place for cocktails, particularly on Thursdays, is Blu Gin on the terrace of the Montecarlo Bay. If you fancy giving your onboard chef the night off, you have a positive embarrassment of riches for dinner, starting with that traditional favourite, Rampoldi, which is probably Monaco’s most iconic restaurant and has just emerged revitalised after a four-year closure. For slightly more exotic fare, Maya Bay does excellent Thai food and there is also the soon-to-open Maya Jah for lovers of Indian cuisine. If you like music with dinner or after dining, then the famous Sass Café, the absolute favourite of the international jet set, is the place to go.
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Wellness is the byword. Aboard as much as on the beach, in the shade of the ubiquitous palm trees or around the pool at the elegant Sir Normal Fosterdesigned yacht club. The same holds true for the Tour Odeon, Monaco’s highest skyscraper which is home to the brand-new and ultra-in Spa Sisley as well as the Odeon Cafè by Cipriani, a real touch of sophistication
by Paolo De Vecchi
ABATE’S PRECIOUS OBJECTS For both haute horlogerie enthusiasts and experts on the Cote d’Azur in general and Monte Carlo in particular, as well as the Italian Riviera, family tradition and professional expertise are the guarantee of excellent results. The Monegasque city recently lost its Official Patek Philippe retailer. So, now fans of the prestige brand - a classic favourite among knowledgeable and highly discerning clients - have to go all the way to San Remo in the province of Imperia, across the Italian border, to “Abate, jewellers since 1920” to peruse the Geneva maison’s beautiful creations. They could not be in better hands as Abate is something of an haute horlogerie expert, being an official retailer for Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Bulgari and Panerai, as well as Patek Philippe. A quick look at the Abate history reveals just how well-placed the trust of those enthusiasts and collectors is. In the early years of the 20th century, founder Michele Abate began his jeweller’s apprenticeship in Biella and, in 1920, opened his own business, which flourished. In 1934, when on a work trip to San Remo, Michele was given the chance to buy the prestigious Missaglia store. Ever the astute businessman, he saw huge potential for developing a closer relationship with the public. The store at number 3 Corso Imperatrice has been the calling card for Abate ever since. As time went on, retail sales increasingly took priority over the workshop’s output, in fact. In the 1950s, Andrea’s son, Michele, who was named after his grandfather, moved to San Remo. This was the Golden Age on the Riviera and many famous names were added to Abate’s client list. Michele eventually took over the business and broadened its product range to include luxury watches. In the new millennium, he was joined by his daughter Elena (pictured above, with his father
Michele Abate) and the historic store was expanded to include an entire room devoted to Patek Philippe’s range. Something that, of course, brings a delighted gleam to the eyes of the prestige brand’s many enthusiasts.
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