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Join us as we explore the best cuisine in Vancouver, and share your own experiences, recommendations and reviews in our exclusive group for food lovers. Find us on Facebook and join the conversation!
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THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP
ISSUE No. 3 | JAN - MAR 2021
CONTENTS A Message from the Publisher THE POWER OF WORDS | 11 Pen & Ink A TRIBUTE TO THE ETERNAL: MONTBLANC REVIVES THE GLORY OF EGYPT FOR ITS NEW EGYPTOMANIA COLLECTION | 13 A TREASURE FROM THE SEA: THE SEA TURTLE COLLECTION FROM DAVID OSCARSON | 17
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Featured Ink THE RETURN OF SEPIA: MONTBLANC’S JAMES PURDEY & SONS CIGAR | 21 Horology PATEK PHILIPPE UNVEILS A TRIO OF GRAND COMPLICATIONS | 33 LEGENDS OF THE FALL: MB&F RELEASES FOUR NEW MODELS FOR THE 2020 FALL SEASON | 41 HIGH HOROLOGY FOR THE DEPTHS: THE BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS IN TITANIUM | 51
Special Feature CAMERA DEL TESORO: VANCOUVER’S ICONIC PALLADIO JEWELLERS | 57
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Automotive ROLLS-ROYCE AWAKENS THE DAWN WITH ITS NEW SILVER BULLET LIMITED EDITION | 65 Yachting MONTE CARLO UNVIELS THE NEW MCY 76 SKYLOUNGE | 69 Cuisine HAWKSWORTH | 77 After Hours THE DAVIDOFF WINSTON CHURCHILL LATE HOUR TORO | 85 The Last Word HOLLYWOOD CONNECTIONS | 89
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加入圈子！ 圈子 | 普 通 話 是溫哥華首屈一指的奢侈品和生活方式雜誌，專門為高級鐘錶， 精美書寫工具以及溫哥華乃至全世界的最佳收藏品和鑑賞家提供 服務。
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THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP
ISSUE No. 3 | JAN - MAR 2021
Publisher Joel Derksen Banck editor.thecirclevancouver@gmail.com Online Edition and Print Edition Editor Joel Derksen Banck Photography Herbert Derksen THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER MAGAZINE Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. 圈子 | 普通話 Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. Web Interactive Media (WIM) Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. Web Interactive Magazine (WIM) Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. The written contents of THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER Online Edition, republished here, are subject to copyright. Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. The written contents of THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER MAGAZINE Print Edition and Digital Edition are subject to copyright. Copyright © 2021 by Joel Derksen. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER MAGAZINE is published by Joel Derksen, as a quarterly journal of the articles produced by THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER Online Edition.
www.TheCircleVancouver.com
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A Message from the Publisher THE POWER OF WORDS
When I was a young man and still in middle school, I wrote a letter to Peter Legge, the Vancouver business and publishing legend, telling him about a book of my own that I wanted to publish. Thoughtfully, he replied by sending me a copy of his own book, If Only I’d Said That, signed in the front with the inscription: “To Joel, Good luck in your venture!” – Peter Legge Twenty-five years later and my venture, THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER, has grown from a concept to a website to a magazine. We are ever grateful to those who supported us and who have become our partner brands, allies and friends. We are pleased to be able to share their extraordinary creations, and we have been honoured by the interest and enthusiasm of our readers. I still appreciate Peter Legge’s kind words to me, and have carried them with me in my journeys around the world. Perhaps, in a larger sense, they exemplify the power of words: to spark creation and manifest our dreams – what we first hold only as a belief. The unbelievable is what I believe, and have made it my endeavour to build this publication as a platform for those who dream, both as creators and collectors. I invite you, our readers, to join us in this journey, and offer my sincerest thanks to you, Mr. Legge, for the kind wishes!
Joel Derksen Banck Publisher THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER
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Pen & Ink
A Tribute to the Eternal MONTBLANC REVIVES THE GLORY OF EGYPT FOR ITS NEW EGYPTOMANIA COLLECTION
Unveiling the High Artistry edition of the new Heritage Egyptomania Collection, Montblanc dazzles with jewels which appear to be unearthed from the sands of Egypt.
Drawing inspiration from its own past, as well as the ancient past, Montblanc has recreated the legendary 1920’s ‘Egyptian Fountain Pen’ for its Heritage Egyptomania Collection – production writing instruments available in resin, or as a Doué edition inscribed on its barrel with hieroglyphics from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. But it is the High Artistry, Heritage Egyptomania - A Revival of Ancient Egyptian Treasures editions which, appearing to be excavated from the sacred burial places of the Pharaohs, show in a seeming display of ancient splendour that BEAUTY is eternal.
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Emulating the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun, the yellow gold exterior portion of the Heritage Egyptomania - A Revival of Ancient Egyptian Treasures edition is ornamented with a carnelian decorated, turquoise scarab opening mechanism, which unclasps to reveal the precious writing instrument within. Encased with unfaceted and seemingly invisibly set semiprecious stones, the barrel of the inner writing instrument brings to life the culture of Ancient Egypt and its ornamentation. The fountain pen is fitted with an Au 750 solid gold heritage nib featuring an Egyptian figure holding an Ankh, which is set with a single sapphire. The Heritage Egyptomania Collection’s resin and Doué editions are likewise equipped with heritage nibs, embossed with a scarab and featuring a triangular heart-hole designed to give a softer writing touch in the style of vintage Montblanc nibs. Notably, both collections have their barrels engraved with authentic Egyptian hieroglyphics, developed together with an expert Egyptologist. These symbolic markings have been designed to read: “White Stone Mountain,” referencing the gleaming peak of Montblanc. Whether admiring these fine writing instruments as art pieces, bearing the beauty and sacred meaning of an ancient culture, or by putting nib to paper, we preserve and even practice the traditions represented by them. Designed to bring the inspiration of the ancient past into the daily practices of modern life, Montblanc’s Heritage Collection succeeds in highlighting the continuity of ages, by bringing to us objects of eternal beauty. The Montblanc Heritage Egyptomania Collection, as well as Montblanc’s High Artistry Collections, are available through the Montblanc boutique in Vancouver. Montblanc Vancouver 1055 Alberni Street Phone: (604) 235-1770
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A Treasure from the Sea
THE SEA TURTLE COLLECTION FROM DAVID OSCARSON
Celebrating the beauty, rarity, life cycles and struggles of this majestic sea creature, David Oscarson’s sterling silver and enamel creations dazzle with stunning colours and vivid ocean scenes.
Releasing his 33rd Limited Edition writing instrument collection, David Oscarson pays tribute to the majestic Sea Turtle with a collection crafted in sterling silver. Using the centuries-old technique of guillochĂŠ and coloured by the masterful art of hard enamel, each piece is created by hand, with a composition of glass, water and metal oxides ground by mortar and pestle, applied with a quill and ground down by hand using a diamond file. Showing that these historical practices of art and skill are still relevant and innovative today, these hard enamel creations are as rare and precious as the creatures they honour.
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A salt water companion to the Koi Collection released in 2017, the Sea Turtle Collection depicts Seat Turtles swimming through a seascape with Angelfish and coral set against the delicately rippled sand of the sea floor. Bringing the scene into full 3D form, the sculpted clip is shaped in the form of a piece of coral. Japanese symbols for Sea and Turtle are displayed on the bottom and top of each piece in high relief.
, meaning Turtle, appears on the top of the Cap; and
, meaning Sea, is found at the end of the
barrel. And in the tradition of the Koi Collection, the name David Oscarson is engraved in Japanese script on the ring of the cap. The Sea Turtle Collection is slated to be produced in seven color variations: Translucent White, Teal, Mossy Black, Azure Blue and Deep Blue, with additional White and Mossy Black versions featuring Blue Sea Turtles. David Oscarson Davidoscarson.com
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Featured Ink
The Return of Sepia
MONTBLANC’S JAMES PURDEY & SONS CIGAR
In the second instalment of our series, The Return of Sepia, we try Montblanc’s special edition ink, James Purdey & Sons Cigar, designed to match the tone and shades of tobacco leaves.
Continuing our exploration of sepia inks in a series we call, The Return of Sepia, we test Montblanc’s special edition James Purdey & Sons Cigar. A tribute to the renowned English gunmaker and the shooting culture around it, Montblanc has released this ink as a part of the Great Masters James Purdey & Sons Limited Edition collection. The collection is further complimented with a second variant, the James Purdey & Sons Single Malt: a golden brown or dark yellow ink resembling the colour of Scotch whiskey.
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Although darker in colour than Montblanc’s standard Toffee Brown, the James Purdey & Sons Cigar does not contain the colour variations or coppery undertones of its regular production counterpart. While applying a relatively even shade in writing, on a larger ink sample the Cigar manages to mimic very well the colour and shading of aged tobacco leaves. Designed with an accuracy of tone and complexity of shade, the Cigar was clearly created with those in mind who would notice the theatre of ink interacting with the page, and who would appreciate the unfolding of this ink, like leaves of fine tobacco. Packaged in the cubical, 50 ml glass bottles now synonymous with Montblanc’s special edition inks, the James Purdey & Sons Cigar lends itself to being an elegant desk accessory in its own right, resembling more an ink well from a bye gone era than a modern ink bottle. Recommended for the lover of fine tobacco products, the collector of fountain pen inks or the aficionado of Montblanc’s special and limited edition pieces, the James Purdey & Sons Cigar uniquely celebrates the leisure and refinement of English country life and those who have kept it alive through the centuries. Montblanc Vancouver 1055 Alberni Street Phone: (604) 235-1770
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Featured Ink
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Join the Circle! We invite you to join THE CIRCLE | CONNOISSEURS, our exclusive new group on Facebook for collectors of high horology and fine writing instruments. Join local and international industry leaders, and enjoy special reveals and direct, personal access to the creators of the pieces you collect, including: Nino Marino, David Oscarson and MB&F’s Maximilian Büsser.
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Horology PATEK PHILIPPE UNVEILS A TRIO OF GRAND COMPLICATIONS
Patek Philippe releases three extraordinary grand complications for collectors, ahead of the heavily anticipated Spring 2021 watch season. Setting the bar high for future new releases, the Geneva based watchmaker unleashed its technical and artistic prowess with three distinct references.
Perhaps uncharacteristic for a discrete Geneva watchmaking house, Patek Philippe has released three grand complications at once in a seeming show of strength, leaving watch collectors wondering what the Maison has in store for the 2021 watch season. Elaborating on existing references with new variants of classical complications and lavish applications of the decorative arts, Patek Philippe has created a trio of extraordinary pieces which show its trademark style of evolution within the realm of the classical.
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First released at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore in 2019, the Ref. 5303 Minute Repeater Tourbillon has now been transformed into the skeletonized Ref. 5303R-001, featuring hammers and gongs exposed on the watch’s dial side for the first time. The tourbillon’s cage, likewise, has been discretely put on display behind the seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, and is fully visible from the reverse side. Featuring a rose gold case with contrasting white gold minute repeater slide, perhaps the most striking aesthetic addition to the Ref. 5303 are white gold inlays with foliage-like engravings. Further reinforcing this natural design theme, the hour and minute hands are crafted in an Art Nouveau motif and finished in black.
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Joining the Ref. 5303 is the Ref. 5370P-011 Split-Seconds Chronograph. Housed in a Platinum case, Patek Philippe has enhanced its proprietary calibre CHR 29-535 PS movement with a new blue dial made of 18-karat gold and finished by hand in Grand Feu enamel. Accenting the dial are applied white gold Breguet numerals and luminescent-filled leaf shaped hour and minute hands. A two-phase chronograph movement, the Ref. 5370P-011 is most notably a rattrapante, with a pusher built into the crown at 3 o’clock. Replacing its predecessor with a black enamel dial, the Ref. 5370P-011 gives this reference a fresh look in keeping with its sporting functions.
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The magnificent trio is completed with the Ref. 5270J-001 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with a yellow gold case featuring beautifully sculpted two-tier lugs and a silvery opaline dial. The Ref. 5270J001 houses the calibre CH 29-535 PS Q movement, the first chronograph movement with a perpetual calendar, which was developed by Patek Philippe in 2011 and is entirely manufactured in-house. The movement boasts six patented innovations and a calendar mechanism composed of 182 parts within a thickness of 1.65 mm. Showing to the world that it is a horological force, Patek Philippe has released three of the most desirable collectors’ pieces to be revealed this year, and has set the stage for Spring 2021, building anticipation for what is to come. Patek Philippe Vancouver 1014 West Georgia Street Phone: (604) 282-7068
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Legends of the Fall
MB&F RELEASES FOUR NEW MODELS FOR THE 2020 FALL SEASON
Your complete guide to MB&F’s new releases for the 2020 Fall watch season.
Maximilian Büsser and Friends have been busy this year, designing, constructing and testing four new models in their workshops in Switzerland. From the classical, to the extreme, to the outrageous, the new Fall collections have rounded out MB&F’s offerings to fill every need and to suit every occasion. Making MB&F not only a collector’s brand, but a lifestyle brand, these new creations are companion pieces for our sacred – and sometimes rough – journey in this world.
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Beginning with MB&F’s most recent departure from the delicate mechanical work we are accustomed to from the already legendary, independent watchmaker, the Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo takes the innovative “mechanical processor” based perpetual calendar Legacy Machine, and makes it a rugged, go anywhere timepiece. “Not a watch for sports,” according to MB&F, “but a watch for life,” this high horology companion piece is designed to endure the rigours of an active life, and still be suitable for everyday life. Sporting three colours of PVD/CVD-coated dial plates, Black, blue and Atomic Orange (limited to 15 pieces in each colour, to mark the brand’s 15th anniversary), the LM
“Not a watch for sports, but a watch for life.”
Perpetual EVO is fitted with a 44 mm zirconium case, lighter than stainless steel and more durable than titanium. Protecting what MB&F calls the ‘engine,’ is the brand’s “FlexRing” monobloc shock-absorption system, which is paired with a screw-down crown and water resistance rating of 80 metres to make it a rugged utility watch for land and sea. Perhaps its most striking feature is a sapphire crystal which is thermo-bonded to the zirconium case, eliminating the need for a bezel and creating an open and easy to read dial, accented by Super-LumiNova® dial markings. An integrated rubber strap with titanium folding buckle complete the new look.
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For more classical tastes, MB&F’s collaboration with renowned Swiss engraver Eddy Jaquet has produced the LM Split Escapement Eddy Jaquet Limited Edition series. “We’re brainstorming around the table, and a theme that comes immediately to mind is the writing of Jules Verne, because I’m so into science fiction, and because the Legacy Machine collection that Eddy has been working on is basically the watch that I would have created if MB&F was founded 150 years ago,” says Büsser. In preparing for this project, Eddy Jaquet read up to 60 novels and short stories by the 19th century French author, with the eight stories which were selected being: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, From the Earth to the Moon, Around the World in Eighty Days, Five Weeks in a Balloon, The Adventures of Captain Hatteras, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Michael Strogoff and Robur the Conqueror. With a dial plate as thick as 1.15 mm in some places, Jaquet was able to engrave in deep relief, sculpting the scenes he envisioned out of the lustrous silver. Finishing his work with a dark rhodium alloy, Jaquet was able to give his creations the added depth of his artistic shading. Each of the eight unique pieces is housed in an 18-karat red gold case.
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“We’re brainstorming around the table, and a theme that comes immediately to mind is the writing of Jules Verne, because I’m so into science fiction, and because the Legacy Machine collection that Eddy has been working on is basically the watch that I would have created if MB&F was founded 150 years ago.” – Maximilian Büsser
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“The precision of the sphere had to be very, very accurate. It’s not at all common for a ball-shaped piece of glass to have the tolerance of an optical lens.” – Arnaud Nicolas CEO, L’Epée 1839
Concluding with, perhaps, the most unconventional of the Fall releases, MB&F’s collaboration with clockmaker L’Épée 1839, has given form to the creative vision of Berlin-based designer, Maximilian Maertens. TriPod, the latest of MB&F’s ‘Robocreatures,’ features a dial which gives the time in three sets of hours and minutes which make one revolution in 36 hours. The time is read through three lens-quality glass spheres, reinforcing the Tripod theme of the three delicate, insect-like legs upon which the clock sits. Having a master’s degree in optics, L’Epée 1839 CEO, Arnaud Nicolas, explains, “The precision of the sphere had to be very, very accurate. It’s not at all common for a ball-shaped piece of glass to have the tolerance of an optical lens.” Powering the dial is a three level, 182-component movement with a vertical balance beating at a rate of 2.5 Hz. Wound by key, the movement has an eight day power reserve, and is visible through a neon blue, neon green or neon red casing, with 50 pieces available in each colour. …And then it happened. Just when we thought the Fall releases were over and only days before this issue was to be printed, our publisher got an email in his inbox from Arnaud Légeret, Communications Manager at MB&F, telling him that there would be another release this year: The return of the Frog!
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Known properly as the Horological Machine No. 3 FrogX, “The Frog” is a revival of an MB&F classic, first launched ten years ago. The Frog now sports a full sapphire crystal case made from Corundum, a mineral crystal with a rating of 9 on Moh’s scale of hardness. Beneath its crystal skin are two large aluminum domes, marked with Super-LumiNova®, indicating the hours and the minutes and giving the Frog its distinctive frog-like appearance. As the name implies, the mechanism powering this piece is MB&F’s HM3 engine, in its MegaWind Final Edition form. Built by award-winning master watchmaker, Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, the HM3 is based on a Girard-Perregaux calibre, which has been turned face-down to expose the 22-karat gold and titanium winding rotor and to exhibit the movement’s balance wheel in trademark MB&F style. The HM3 FrogX 10th anniversary limited editions will be available in three versions of 10 pieces each: blue, purple or turquoise rotors and matching colours of Super-LumiNova® and case gaskets. Showing their capacity to produce unique pieces which appeal both to collectors and users of high horology time pieces, MB&F has proven it has not only depth of creativity and skill, but the range to build mechanical sculptures for every part of life.
MB&F Mbandf.com
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High Horology for the Depths THE BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS IN TITANIUM
Blancpain releases a fully titanium version of the utility watch first introduced in 1954, and made famous by its use within the French and American Navies.
Conceived through the personal and experimental diving experiences of Blancpain CEO, JeanJacques Fiechter in the early 1950’s, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was famously developed for military use by the, then, newly formed French Navy Combat Diving Corps and later by the U.S. Navy. Following in this military tradition, Blancpain first used titanium in its watch manufacturing in the early 1960’s, for the case backs of its MIL-SPEC II models developed for U.S. Navy minesweeping teams. And now, over 65 years after its inception, Blancpain has released an all titanium version of its iconic diving watch, in a nod to its heritage as an innovator of utility watches for professionals. THECIRCLEVANCOUVER.COM
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Housing Blancpain’s Manufacture 1315 or 6918B calibres, within 45 mm titanium cases, the Fifty Fathoms Automatique and Grande Date models feature silicon balance-springs impervious to magnetism and a five day power reserve by way of three series-coupled barrels. On the dial, the Fifty Fathoms shows its utility watch nature with Super-LumiNovaŽ hour-markers and hands, and completes its new, full titanium look with a fluidly interlocking titanium bracelet. Giving the Fifty Fathoms its unique aesthetic among utilitarian diving watches, a unidirectional rotating bezel is set with a scratch-resistant sapphire insert, enlarging bezel markings and adding to the perceived mass of this true, high horology sport watch. Water-resistant to 30 bar (approximately 300 meters), the Fifty Fathoms Automatique is equipped with a black or blue sunburst dial, with the Fifty Fathoms Grande Date being offered with only a black dial. Blancpain Blancpain.com
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THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER magazine is now accepting quality advertising partners for 2021. Reach the best audience in Vancouver through our print and digital magazines and discover how our Web Interactive Media platform can connect our readers with your business. We invite you to get your copy of our Media Kit and contact us at:
TheCircleVancouver.com
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Welcome to Vancouver’s first Web Interactive Magazine, A marketing platform linking print media to the digital world and connecting our readers to you.
A radical innovation in the way businesses reach new customers, the Web Interactive Media platform connects readers directly to you or your website. Allow readers to seamlessly transition from reading about your products to talking with you directly on our social media platform, THE CIRCLE | CONNOISSEURS, browsing your website or ordering from your shop. Find out more at: TheCircleVancouver.com.
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Special Feature
Camera del Tesoro VANCOUVER’S ICONIC PALLADIO JEWELLERS
Home to the rarest, Swiss mechanical marvels and the finest, artisan-crafted custom jewellery, we discover the history and passion behind Vancouver’s premier, locally owned boutique, Palladio Jewellers, in a candid conversation with its owner and curator, Jason Bosa.
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Jason, your family has owned Palladio for decades and have made it a Vancouver institution, can you give us a little of Palladio’s history, the story of how it came into being? In the 1950’s, a Swedish fellow started a goldsmithing/jewellery store in Vancouver and named it “Swedish Jeweller.” Over the years, he sold the business and in the year 1996 my family acquired it. What we discovered is that our interest in high quality craftsmanship and hand-made jewellery was more suited for a street level boutique and we determined that we would move from the malls to one destination location in downtown Vancouver. At the same time, we chose to re-brand from Swedish Jeweller to Palladio. We chose this name because we are Italian and wanted that message to come across instantly when customers think of our boutique. The name ‘PALLADIO’ comes from the same region in Italy as our family (the Veneto region) and it historically belongs to one of the world’s most famous and respected architects – Andreas Palladio. Our ideas for jewellery, style, design and influence seem to mirror in many ways his ideas for architecture. The historical tie with Palladio, the architect, is also very significant and important because of our family’s involvement in architecture and development – Bosa Developments.
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Since 1998, we have been at the intersection of Hastings and Hornby. It was an instant success, we found that the city was hungry for local businesses that provide international quality and craftsmanship, using historic, artisan techniques to create one-of-a-kind pieces suited to their tastes. As we grew, we also evolved our business into the world of Swiss timepieces. We are proud to say that we introduced many of the best manufacturers to the city and continue to seek out the most rare, collectible and finely made timepieces. What aspect of Palladio would you say showcases the ethos of your work and the experience you have sought to build for your clients? Our custom jewellery is the part of our business that I love the most. To be able to sit with our clients and go from a series of ideas, to a sketch, to a hand-made piece that is made just for that individual is always an honour for us. These pieces are purchased as lifetime, heirloom gifts. We know when we hand make a piece for a client that there is a level of trust that is bestowed upon us. We do not take that lightly. Knowing that each piece we make for a client has connected Palladio to that person’s life for one of the most important emotional steps in their journey is always something we take pride in.
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After its artisanal jewellery, Palladio is perhaps best known for its extraordinary collection of rare, limited edition and high horology timepieces. We know you stock Rolex, Backes & Strauss, Carl F. Bucherer, F. P. Journe, H. Moser & Cie., Parmigiani Fleurier and Raymond Weil. How did you build up a portfolio of brands as exclusive and sometimes elusive as Parmigiani and Journe? I recall the day that Mr. Francois Paul Journe was travelling from L.A. back to Geneva and had a stop in Vancouver. It was a regular work day and he walked into our store just to browse. Of course, we recognized him immediately and he was surprised‌ not everyone knows a watchmaker whose production is limited to less than 1,000 units per year. We chatted about life, business, Geneva and Vancouver, and the direction that watchmaking was going at the time, and where we believed it would go in the future. Our ideas and ideals synced up very well and he ultimately arranged for me to fly to L.A. and discuss business further with his North American business partner, Pierre Halimi. After two days and two nights in discussions with Pierre, we made a hand-shake deal while having a bite at the farmer’s market and have been friends and colleagues since.
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I also recall a time when Mr. Michel Parmigiani (the founder of Parmigiani Fleurier) came to visit Palladio and Vancouver. We organized a very intimate collector’s dinner and my father and a family friend (also collectors) were in attendance. Of course, being from Veneto Italy, my father and his friend were speaking in their dialect to each other when Mr. Parmigiani beamed with a smile and exclaimed (in dialect) “I had to travel half way around the world to hear the dialect of my Mother’s home town.” Michel is Swiss born, but his parents are Italian and his mother is from the Veneto region of Italy. Palladio Jewellers is located in Vancouver’s prestigious financial district at 900 West Hastings Street. Known for its collections of fine jewellery and timepieces, Palladio is also an authorized dealer for Montegrappa fine writing instruments. Palladio Jewellers 900 West Hastings Street Phone: (604) 685-3885
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Automotive ROLLS-ROYCE AWAKENS THE DAWN WITH ITS NEW SILVER BULLET LIMITED EDITION
We find Rolls-Royce’s new limited edition Dawn Silver Bullet stirring the morning air on the shores of Italy’s majestic Lake Garda. Discover the special creation which has restored the balance between the cutting-edge and the classical.
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The first of the client commissioned Collection Cars to roll off the production line at the Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence, in Goodwood, Rolls-Royce’s new Dawn Silver Bullet cuts a distinct profile with new aero cowling and ultra-metallic, bespoke silver paint. Drawing its inspiration from the dramatic and cutting-edge trial cars of the past, such as the Silver Dawn, Silver King, Silver Silence and Silver Spectre, Rolls-Royce has created a new iteration of the Dawn, clad in ultra-metallic Brewster Silver Paint. Further enhancing the Silver Bullet is sleek new aero cowling with a vapour-blasted titanium finish. Rolls-Royce has found a harmonious reconciliation between the best of the past and true innovation in a style defined by the warmth of natural leather tones and the raw aesthetic strength of metal. Although only 50 examples will be produced, we hope the Dawn Silver Bullet is a portend of things to come.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver 1809 West 5th Avenue Phone: (604) 659-3208
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Yachting MONTE CARLO UNVIELS THE NEW MCY 76 SKYLOUNGE
Cutting the silhouette of a sport yacht, the new Monte Carlo MCY 76 Skylounge surprises with the interior volume and layout of a much larger boat.
The Nuvolari Lenard designed MCY 76 Skylounge motor yacht from Monte Carlo is destined to be a classic, delivering a large yacht feel with the ingenuity and style now synonymous with the Itallian boat builder. Featuring an enclosed skylounge with a bridge, seating and gracious outdoor deck space for entertaining, the MCY 76 Skylounge demonstrates Monte Carlo’s unique approach to design and boat building, incorporating true innovation while retaining the best of classical nautical style.
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“Volume, light and harmony are the hallmarks of the MCY 76 Skylounge,” say Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard. “We worked on designing a boat able to offer a new cruising experience with extreme levels of comfort and safety on board, to be enjoyed all year round. We are proud to say that the new MCY model perfectly matches these ambitious goals, representing the right place for those looking to escape for unique and exclusive moments.” Offered in a rear or front galley layout, the MCY 76 Skylounge can be configured for causal or
“Volume, light and harmony are the hallmarks of the MCY 76 Skylounge.” – Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard
formal living with the forward galley layout allowing for a more formal dining area, well suited to elegant dinners indoors. Further generous deck spaces on two levels offer no shortage of options for intimate al fresco dining or entertaining on a grand scale, with an additional outdoor galley on the skylounge deck creating a separate space for grilling, tailored to the more casual, clubby atmosphere of the second level.
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Below deck, an aft master stateroom boasts beautifully sculpted windows and opening portholes, an ensuite head and an exceptional walk-in dressing room. Down a central corridor are two twin staterooms with ensuites and a VIP cabin, giving accommodations for eight guests. Fore of the engine room are configurable, full-height crew quarters, with space for up to three crew members, or one crew cabin with the possibility of a separate crew galley and dinette. The interior styling of the MCY 76 Skylounge is defined by light coloured lacquered panels and maple wood surfaces in warm, natural tones. Accenting chrome details and marble and glass mosaics in the heads give a sophisticated touch to a light and airy design scheme. Whether enjoying the bright master stateroom, flooded with light from its large and elegant windows, or climbing the internal wood and steel staircase, which connects the main saloon to the skylounge and bridge, the genuine spaciousness of this vessel is enhanced with clever styling and excellent uses of space.
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“The levels of comfort and privacy …are maximized, thanks to the versatile layouts and the different possible uses of both the main deck and the upper deck saloon.” – Sergio Loiacono, Sales and Marketing Director, MCY
“The levels of comfort and privacy on board the new MCY 76 Skylounge are maximized, thanks to the versatile layouts and the different possible uses of both the main deck and the upper deck saloon,” says Sergio Loiacono, MCY’s Sales and Marketing Director. “With the second model of the Collection we are continuing our path of innovation, introducing a new concept of onboard experience, able to match the desires of freedom and well-being of owners worldwide.” With the flexibility of customizable interior and exterior features and timeless exterior styling, this genuinely beautiful motor yacht will no doubt be a gracious backdrop for many memorable excursions with family and friends, enchanted evenings spent entertaining guests and moments of pleasure in peaceful seclusion.
M & P Yacht Centre 110-510 Nicola Street Phone: (604) 692-0333
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Cuisine HAWKSWORTH
We tour B.C.’s diverse regions by air, land and sea through the haute cuisine creations of Chef David Hawksworth, at his eponymous restaurant at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.
Entering Chef David Hawksworth’s flagship Vancouver restaurant, the fruit of a long and well studied journey through the culinary world, one is reminded of the contrast between hospitality and cuisine: The refinement of theatre which creates the illusion of graciousness and ease delicately interwoven with the reality of a logistical operation and demanding behind-the-scenes labour of skill and art. Balancing these two worlds is a Vancouver culinary figure whose reputation for professional mastery and personal straightforwardness have been honed through a real world journey.
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Passing from bar and lounge to first dining room with adjacent wine room, the sense of occasion grows, with a touch that is both West Coast chic, and yet noticeably international. Marble-topped tables and glistening chandeliers are off-set with the warmth of fireplaces and cushioned seats which create an atmosphere both elegant and warm. Entering the world of David Hawksworth, we were led to explore the regions of British Columbia by air, land and sea through a chef’s tasting menu which thoughtfully brings to the table the drama of our coastal fisheries, valley foul and rugged interior ranches. Highlighting dishes available on the Hawksworth dinner menu, these creations exemplify modern West Coast cuisine, interpreted through a mosaic of influences no doubt both personal to their chef and well suited to the nature of this vibrantly diverse city.
Setting the stage for seven courses of building complexity, we began with a kanpachi ceviche amuse-bouche, dressed with citrus, pickled onions and sea asparagus and complimented with a blackened squid-ink rice cracker. Each dish in the Hawksworth repertoire seemingly demonstrates a finely tuned harmony of seasonings, textures and alkalinities, which meld to create a full and deeply satisfying experience. For a first course salad, the crab and shrimp sunamono honoured its Japanese origins (酢の物) with a complex contrast of vinegary acidity and light sweetness. Following the sunamono was an earthy steak tartare, paired with full-sized potato chips, showcasing a regional staple in a dish not commonly presented in our local cuisine. Transitioning to a third course, our first main dish was an oyster mushroom agnolotti with a light and frothy, vegetarian squash hollandaise and cashew dukkah. 80 | THECIRCLEVANCOUVER.COM
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From the fields and forests we shifted to the rough coastal waters of Haida Gwaii, with B.C. halibut on a bed of quinoa and complimented with emulsified spinach. And for our fifth and final savoury course, we took to the fields of the Fraser Valley for the Yarrow Meadow’s duck breast, prepared perfectly medium rare, with accompanying celeriac, roasted apple and duck jus. For dessert we were served a deceptively simple quenelle of house-made condensed milk ice cream with red fruit and aerated white chocolate honey-comb, accompanied with shards of Breton pastry. Our dinner was completed with three types of house-made macarons on a wood presentation box topped with raw cacao.
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Those inspired by such works of culinary art will be pleased to know that you can add many of them to your own repertoire, with many items on the Hawksworth menu marked by the trademark “H” to show they can be found in Chef David Hawksworth’s new book: Hawksworth: The Cookbook, available online at: Hawksworthrestaurant.com. For those interested in enjoying the Hawksworth experience, inspired by the beauty and rich resources of British Columbia and cultivated in a journey through the world famous kitchens of chefs Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc, we encourage you to visit Hawksworth, in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Those interested in following the culinary adventures of THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER magazine are invited to join Vancouver’s premier group for lovers of haute cuisine: THE CIRCLE | CUISINE. Use the icon below or find us on Facebook to join the group and share your own experiences, recommendations or reviews! Hawksworth Restaurant (Located in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia) 801 West Georgia Street Phone: (604) 673-7000 Reservations: Sevenrooms.com For delivery or pickup: Doordash.com
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After Hours THE DAVIDOFF WINSTON CHURCHILL LATE HOUR TORO Revisiting Vancouver’s largest cigar shop, City Cigar, we try one of Davidoff’s extraordinary Late Hour cigars. Crafted using tobacco aged in Scotch single malt whisky casks, this cigar lives up to is name as a rich, late hour indulgence.
Esteemed with legendary status among cigar aficionados, Davidoff has managed to establish itself as the King of Dominican cigars from its seemingly unnatural and far removed home in Switzerland. Founded by Zino Davidoff, who began selling tobacco products from his Geneva shop in the mid-1930’s, Davidoff has become a favourite of cigar connoisseurs, with extraordinary collections of specially made cigars unmatched by any other brand.
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Hand-making its cigars in the Dominican Republic, Davidoff has maintained the superior quality of its products by carefully selecting the finest individual leaves from the best estates in the most suitable areas of the Dominican Republic. Aging their tobacco for four years, Davidoff has refined its methodology for nurturing the consistently rich and aromatic flavours associated with their cigars. The Winston Churchill Late Hour is a particularly good example of Davidoff’s special collections, featuring Davidoff's first blend of tobacco aged in Scotch single malt whisky casks. Encased in a dark, moist and almost oily Habano Oscuro Ecuador wrapper, smoking the Winston Churchill Late Hour is not just a casual activity, it is an event. Building in intensity, this cigar is reminiscent of a fine cognac, beginning with rich and aromatic spicy and oaky notes and then finishing with an equally powerful fruitiness which lingers on the tongue. Having spent time with José Antonio Capia Linares, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic and friend of its President, we can speak to the importance the Dominican Government places on its relations with its important trading partners. Davidoff is a prime example of how effective these relationships can be, bringing together the traditions and agricultural riches of the Dominicans and the vision and technical prowess of the Swiss, to create what may be the world’s preeminent brand of cigars. Shown with cigar in opening image is a Montblanc 149 fountain pen, available at Montblanc Vancouver; and a Smythson Mara A5 leather writing folder, available at Smythson.com. City Cigar Company 888 West 6th Avenue, Phone: (604) 879-0208 88 | THECIRCLEVANCOUVER.COM
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The Last Word HOLLYWOOD CONNECTIONS Recalling my childhood friendship with a Hollywood starlet.
Some of our readers may know that Hollywood producer, Michael Blakey recently announced a design contest, in which the winning watch design will be built by Jacob & Co. In talking with Producer Michael, as he is known by his YouTube audience, about the contest – the winner of which will be featured in a future issue of THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER – I was reminded of the adventures of my youth: Being holed up at the Captain Whidbey Inn when Linda Bullock was staying there to support her sister in the filming of Practical Magic; exploring the Patagonian coast with Bonnie Sveen (Spartacus: Vengeance, Home and Away) and her husband, investment guru Phil Town; and my elementary school friendship with the daughter of Dr. Carlos A. Yates, the President of Azteca Films and the Instituto Mexicano De Cinematografia. Although now a Hollywood actress, having shared a stage with Eva Longoria and mingled with celebrities at Sofía Vergara’s wedding, I met Yvette Yates in grade four, when her family moved to Vancouver for her father’s work. I remember sitting with Yvette on a large cushion on the floor of our classroom one day when, in her very mature manner she asked, “What are you interested in?” I reflected on this for a moment and replied, “Fountain pens and watches,” realizing that I had not had so mature a conversation about my personal interests with someone my own age before. Yevette told me about her older brother who was also interested in watches, and said she would ask him if I could have one of his. We talked on a Friday, and on the next Monday she walked into class and presented me with a blue calculator watch. I kept that watch until recently, when I paired down my souvenirs for an international move. So many years later I still love fountain pens and watches, but the most precious of all the things we may collect during this remarkable journey are the friendships and special moments that we have cherished along the way.
Joel Derksen Banck Publisher THE CIRCLE | VANCOUVER THECIRCLEVANCOUVER.COM
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Join Vancouver’s exclusive group for Rolls-Royce and Bentley owners and enthusiasts. Share your experiences, read our latest car reviews and get our quarterly magazine. Find us on Facebook!
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