8 TEAM NOTE 12 YOUR DIARY 14 YOUR BEAUTY 36 YOUR WATCHES 52 YOUR JEWELS 128 YOUR TRAVEL 132 YOUR WHEELS
EDITORIAL & BEAUTY EDITOR Ingrid Wood ingrid@yourluxury.africa CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kate Walters COPY EDITOR Tamlyn Cumings CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Leigh Herringer IMAGE EDITOR Coralie Elske DIGITAL EDITOR Jessica Levitt jessica@yourluxury.africa TRAFFIC CO-ORDINATOR Rachel Ndawo
ADVERTISING & MARKETING: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Yvonne Sha +27 (82) 903 5641 I yvonne@yourluxury.africa ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Yvette Mehl + 27 (21) 439 4907 I yvette@yourluxury.africa ACCOUNT MANAGER: NATIONAL Gina van de Wall I gina@yourluxury.africa SALES EXECUTIVE: Sumeshni Pillay I sumeshni@yourluxury.africa ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: LONDON AND THE UK Louella Stocchi I louella@yourluxury.africa MANAGEMENT: MANAGING DIRECTOR Yvonne Sha DIRECTOR Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly
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“What are you looking forward to this festive season and in 2026?”
“I’m planning a solo trip so I can spend some time recharging, reflecting, and writing my intentions for the year. 2026 is going to be my ‘Year of Audacity’ – I want to see what will happen if I go for opportunities that are bigger than my imagination. And I plan on taking up hobbies and embracing sucking at them! I will hobby hard in ’26!” – Lerato Tshabalala, Editor
“I’m holding out for downtime in my hometown to catch my breath and actually enjoy Jozi. On my wish list is the new Montblanc Digital Paper – if anything can inspire me to journal in 2026, this will.” – Ingrid Wood, Editorial & Beauty Director
“For the first time in my life, I’m going to be at home in Johannesburg over the Festive Season. I’m looking forward to tackling all the things in my home and garden that evade me all year. Regarding 2026 – I’m hoping for a more grounded year, but with a few exciting travels to look forward to!” – Kate Walters, Creative Director
“I cannot wait to step away from my laptop and onto the beach for unlimited family time – paired with unlimited Aperols, of course. For 2026, bring on health, being more intentional with my time, and adventures with my tribe… always with an Aperol in hand, obviously.” – Tamlyn Cumings, Copy Editor
“Unwinding and spending quality time with my family and my Jack Russel, Netha. In 2026, I’m excited to embrace new opportunities and focus on personal growth.” – Rachel Ndawo, Tra c Co-Ordinator
“Spending a peaceful time in our holiday home at the coast with family, cli path runs and morning sea swims, afternoon naps, sunset drinks, homemade Christmas stu ng, and some time to reflect on the past year – and the next one.” – Leigh Herringer, Contributing Editor
“Slowing down and being more present, truly savouring the joy of time with loved ones. In 2026, I'm aiming to bring more balance into my life, creating a healthier harmony between my work, personal time, and my own wellness. Hello, spa days!”
– Jessica Levitt, Head of Digital
“My wish is for strength and togetherness as we honour my mom, Dora, who recently passed away. I wish for our incredible team to soar even higher in 2026. May it be the year we truly cement ourselves as the leading luxury voice on the continent.”
– Yvonne Sha , MD and Co-Founder
“Slowing down at the coast and reconnecting with my family. I believe 2026 will be a year of bold new chapters, chasing bigger projects, and fresh adventures. I can’t wait to drive new cars, catch more flights, and set sail for the next story.”
– Edward Moleke Makwana, Motoring Writer
“The end of 2025 will be family, friends, and a serious digital detox. In 2026, I’ll be consciously uncoupling from my phone to enjoy healthy doses of culture that I’ve allowed to fall by the wayside. My soul feels undernourished from this diet of fast food – it’s time for a reset.” – Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly, Director
LEIGH
RACHEL
LERATO
INGRID
KATE CORALIE
YVONNE
JACQUIE
YVETTE TAMLYN
GINA
“I’m hoping for a year filled with learning, collaboration, and purpose – building on what’s been learned so far but staying open to surprises.” – Louella Stocchi, Advertising Sales Manager (UK)
“Being with family and friends and spending days on the beach, enjoying our beautiful summer weather. For 2026, I wish for us to be kinder and more understanding of each other.” – Yvette Mehl, Personal Assistant to MD
“Peace and quiet, more of the simple life, good health, and time with loved ones – especially the four-legged kind.” – Debbie Hathway, Watch & Jewellery Writer
“To joy – December is always attached to joy and happiness in South Africa. It’s free and isn’t attached to anything in particular, but the fact that keDEZEMBA.” – Monalisa Molefe, Culture Writer
“Languid, sunshiny lunches, morning beach walks, afternoon naps, and sharing bubbles, gifts, and laughter with friends and family. And I’m hoping to carry that feeling of light and abundance long into the new year.” – Coralie Elske, Image Editor
“Our two older children are joining us at our favourite destination in Mozambique for some sun, surfing, snorkelling, and seafood – and getting lost in a few good books.”
– Gina van de Wall, National Account Manager
“A beach break, unplugging from the busyness, and spending quality time with my dogs and family. I hope to carry that calm forward – more nature, more connection, and more joy. It’s all about slowing down and savouring what truly matters.” – Sumeshni Pillay, Sales Executive
“I moved to a di erent city this year, so I’m looking forward to spending time at home with my family. I hope 2026 brings new opportunities, growth, and most importantly great health.” – Mbali Mthimkhulu, Social Media Manager
“Slowing life down to the speed of my sons’ laughter – bikes, braais, and being properly o ine. In 2026, I’m excited to keep building assets that matter: memories with my family, miles on the bike, and portfolios that compound as reliably as a summer sunrise.”
– Bright Khumalo, Wealth Columnist
“After a year that stretched us all in di erent ways, I wish for season that restores our energy and reminds us of what really matters, so that we can step into the new year feeling grounded and grateful.”
– Maxzene Morgan, Designer
“I’m dreaming of sunny days and a little self-indulgence. At the top of my wishlist is a Fieldbar beach towel, Ray-Ban Wayfarer Reverse sunglasses, and SOL DE JANEIRO Sol Tote + Body Essentials Set to keep me glowing from head to toe.” – Monica Milan, Web & Newsletter Content Manager
Haute Joaillerie
with pear-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds and onyx beads, crafted in 18kt ethical white gold. chopard.com
SEASON Your of SPLENDOUR starts here…
DEBBIE LOUELLA
Chopard
necklace
Sarah Langa wearing Ashluxe for BOF500 2025. Photographer: Edward Wendt, @edwardwendt. Hair: Dior Kenzi @hairfromkz Makeup: Olamide Kolade @lammiescencesignature. Creative Direction: Tracey Desalu. Location: Hotel Bowmann. BoF Location: The Shangri-La Paris. Styling: Lucas Nascimento.
SUMESHNI
JESSICA
MONALISA EDWARD
MONICA
BRIGHT
MBALI
Top notes of vanilla meet a heart of orchid, grounded by ozonic accords that bring freshness to its creamy depth.
bracing itself for one of seasons in recent memory.
streets being abuzz Wears Prada or Armani (see our page 30 for more), game of musical most prestigious 15 creative runway debuts for industry has dubbed e”.
Demna at Gucci, collection at Milan
Known for his Balenciaga (we have the Kardashians as facing both hype reeling from Sabato underwhelming stint creative direction. expectations, even small
fresh from Balenciaga. His soften a brand often though I do wonder perform. While Balenciaga’s Denma ensured the collection.
Matthieu Blazy praised tenure at faces the delicate iconography –contemporary negotiates that tension most closely
is Rachel Scott’s As the founder distinctive identity
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The soft cotton terry slippers evoke the iconic prints of the Dolce&Gabbana aesthetic in textile. Colourful and elegant, they are perfect to style your outfit at home.
grounded in craft and crochet. At Proenza, she could bring an artisanal sensibility that not only influences street style, but also sparks a wave of smaller-scale trend adoption. Meanwhile, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez – the duo behind Proenza Schouler – step over to Loewe, one of the most beloved and coveted brands of the last decade. Their signature tailoring and youthful energy may prove an interesting contrast to Jonathan Anderson’s tenure – whose debut collection at Dior was met with much reverence by fashion editors and celebrities (including Rihanna, whose son wore a custom look straight o the runway).
ONLINE THIS MONTH…
“Luxury is not just defined by the label – it’s defined by the wearer”
This holiday season, YourLuxury Africa is the premier guide to sophisticated living, curating the best in fashion, wellness, jewels, watches, travel, and food.
Explore the dynamic energy of Nigeria’s Lagos with our must-visit spots. For a touch of artisanal charm, we invite you to discover the creative heart of the Cape Winelands, and if you find yourself in Franschhoek, a visit to Orgari is essential.
With so many fresh creatives at the helm, the upcoming season promises reinvention, surprises, and perhaps even the birth of a new era in luxury design.
Beyond destinations, we explore the future of personal luxury. Discover our feature with renowned perfumer Tammy Frazer as she unveils Daily Inhalables – five conscious fragrances that turn scent into a daily ritual of wellness, calm, and clarity. This is the new frontier of bespoke wellbeing.
Let YourLuxury.Africa be your inspiration into the new year.
As the fashion world girds its loins for the most interesting year in couture, this issue brings you stars of the runway and the masters of threads. Innocent Ndlovu rounds up the top 10 trends of the season (page 46), while Leigh Herringer explores the most iconic bags of all time (page 42). As a proud Sowetan, I was pleased to read Oupa Nkosi’s profile on the team behind Boys of Soweto (page 40), while Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly brings the ultimate guide to the most sought-after international cult boutiques, from Polène to Toteme (page 52).
Through my conversation with Bubu Ogisi (page 64), I was reminded that fashion is about more than just ru es, red carpets, and runways. The way we dress reveals how we see ourselves – it communicates long before we utter a word. From the structural brilliance of the Basotho hat and the vibrancy of Ghana’s Kente cloth to the coolness of Senegal’s boubous, style and fashion are the fabric of history and speak to our humanity.
Instead of an editor’s note, I decided to close off 2025 –
and start the new year – celebrating the team that puts this luxurious title together. Rather than elucidating on the year, I’m excited about the dilemma of deciding whether to have an Aperol Spritz, a margarita, or a dirty vodka martini. Happy holidays, and here’s to a glorious 2026!
SCENT
yourluxury.africa
Louis Vuitton Fantasmagory — Smelling good is a priority in the heat, and this seventh scent in Les Extraits, born from the bold collaboration between Jacques Cavallier Belletrud and Frank Gehry, reimagines Marc Newson’s apothecary bottle with a sculptural cap inspired by a windblown flower.
BAG
Pichulik Athena Handbag – Available as a crossbody or handbag, this woven rope design, finished with brass hardware and a cotton lining, is a stunner that will fit more than your hopes and dreams on a summer day out.
HAT
COASTERS
Jonathan Adler Portofino Coasters
— Crafted from high-fired porcelain and wrapped in bright candy-coloured stripes, these Assouline exclusives are where I’d like to set my cocktail of choice.
2025/09/23 15:20
Birkenstock
Madrid Big Buckle Hammered – The oldest member of the Birkenstock family, I’m obsessed with all Madrids, and these new hand-hammered pin-buckled in white will be attached to my feet all summer.
yourluxury.africa
BOOK
The Look by Michelle Obama – With more than 200 photographs, including neverbefore-seen images, this visually stunning book traces Michelle Obama’s evolving style and story – perfect if, like me, you’re too lazy to read.
Crystal Birch Saturn Crown-less Ring
Hat – Hand-braided from wheat straw and CANSA-approved, this is what I need to shade me from the harsh African sun.
SUNNIES
ETRO Rose Gold
Brown Violet Doubleshade –Safilo is the first to bring ETRO to South Africa, and these glamorous sunglasses draw inspiration from ETRO’s jewellery collection.
SANDALS
ANDREA IYAMAH R25 LOOKBOOK
MAISON & OBJET PARIS
16–20 January 2026 | Paris, France
Africa’s rising design community meets European excellence at Maison & Objet. The January edition, themed ‘Past Reveals Future’, spans seven exhibition halls at Parc des Expositions, while a groundbreaking B-to-B circuit links 100 Parisian addresses – from heritage craftspeople to avant-guard galleries. Interior decorators, luxury brand strategists, and hospitality visionaries converge to discover design that blends artistry, cultural resonance, and lasting value. maison-objet.com/en/paris
FORMULA 1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
4–7 December 2025 | Abu Dhabi, UAE
CULTURE
DIARY
Abu Dhabi signs off the Formula 1 season with twilight drama and decadence. Under the glow of Yas Marina Circuit, racing flows into headlining sets by Post Malone and Katy Perry. Premium skybox hospitality overlook waterfront corners, while the W Hotel – built directly over the circuit – offers track-view rooms. After-parties are set to spill across the marina, making December in Abu Dhabi the ultimate mix of motorsport, Middle Eastern luxury, and unmistakable entertainment. formula1.com
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026 | Morocco
This season, Morocco transforms the continent’s premier football event into a masterclass in luxury living. MATCH Hospitality – renowned for curating FIFA World Cup VIP experiences – ushers guests into a world of premium access, where Moroccan-inspired fine dining and private suites with prime views frame every match. All 24 teams, including our own Bafana Bafana, will experience luxury hotel and training-ground combinations, from Marrakech’s Four Seasons to Casablanca’s Sofitel. A reminder that African football sets global standards of skill and luxury. cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nation
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN THE MOROCCAN DESERT
31 December 2025 | Morocco
Morocco’s Sahara Desert transforms New Year’s Eve into a private starlit affair. Guests stay in heated tented suites, enjoy candlelit Berber feasts, and gather for traditional drumming around the fire. Midnight brings fireworks over the dunes, followed by a serene sunrise to welcome 2026. Perfect for discerning travellers, couples, and adventurers, this is a celebration of culture and desert splendour away from the city lights. aubergedusud.com
ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
5–7 December 2025 | Florida, USA
Miami Beach becomes the epicentre of contemporary art as El Apartamento makes history as Cuba’s first homegrown gallery to join Art Basel’s prestigious roster. The 2025 edition unveils the inaugural Art Basel Awards, with 284 galleries from 43 countries, where Latin American, Caribbean, and diasporic voices are reshaping the global art conversation. Over three days, collectors, curators, and tastemakers move between exhibitions, forging connections, celebrating ambition, and indulging in a world where artistic vision and discerning taste hold more value than mere wealth. artbasel.com/miami-beach
ENDLESS SUMMER
ONE OF THE MOST ENDURING TRENDS IS THE SEASONLESS GLOW – LUMINOUS SKIN THAT LOOKS AS THOUGH YOU’VE JUST STEPPED OFF A PLANE FROM SOMEWHERE SUN-KISSED WORDS INGRID WOOD
This season’s glow is about more than just gleaming bronzers and satin-finish body oils. It’s about that lit-from-within luminosity – the kind of light your skin catches after a long, languid holiday.
THE BODY GLOW RENAISSANCE
Facial radiance is only half the story. Body care has entered its golden era, with illuminating oils and balms that deliver both nourishment and a satin finish.
The reality is that the glow often fades the moment you’re back in tra c or under o ce lights. The good news? An arsenal of clever products promises to bottle that goldenhour radiance long after summer has gone.
SKIN THAT GLOWS (NOT SHINES)
The new glow isn’t about overt shimmer or sculpted contour. It’s about skin that looks quietly expensive – fresh, dewy, and e ortless – and some of the best formulas are surprisingly accessible. Top of the list are radiant bronzers and cream highlighters that melt into the skin rather than sitting on it.
FENTY Beauty MatchStix Glow Purrl (R735, arcstore.co.za) gives instant radiance without sparkle or glitter. It’s perfect on bare skin or tapped over makeup for a natural sheen.
If you’re looking for a more ethereal highlight, DOLCE&GABBANA Everlift Luminizer – an oil-infused powder – delivers a soft, halo-like glow that flatters every complexion. It comes in a single shade, Universal Light, which can be used on all skin tones. To enhance and subtly define, DOLCE&GABBANA Face & Eyes Match bronzer melts into skin for believable warmth.
ALL EYES ON GLIMMER
Eyes are having their own golden moment. Metallic crayons and glimmer sticks o er an e ortless, swipe-and-go approach to creating luminosity.
Start with FILORGA NCEF-Revitalise Eyes (R1 470, filorgasouthafrica.co.za) to refresh and smooth. Its targeted action helps with pu ness, dark circles, and hydration. If you need a little extra lift, CATRICE Under Eye Brightener (R100, dischem.co.za) blends nourishing hyaluronic acid and shea butter for a visibly well-rested look.
For colour, SISLEY Phyto-Eye Twist glides easily over lids and smudges beautifully for that lived-in luxe finish. Try Champagne-Pearl – summer in a single stroke. For definition, MAC Dazzleshadow Eyeshadow Stick (R550, maccosmetics.co.za) adds a soft, gilded edge.
TIP
Apply cream-based formulas with fingers. The warmth helps them melt beautifully into the skin. Tap gently along the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and eyelids. Layering liquid beneath cream or powder bronzers builds depth that feels sun-real, not sun-fake.
CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Pearly Body Gel remains the benchmark – an iridescent veil infused with the fragrance’s fresh, ambery notes. Sweep it over shoulders and collarbones for a subtle, pearlescent sheen. If you’re in the sun, NUXE Sun SPF50 Gold Oil combines high protection with a luminous, non-greasy glow. Its scent – sweet orange, tiare flower, and vanilla – gives pure summer nostalgia.
BRONZE UP
Modern bronzers do more than mimic a tan – they sculpt softly, enhancing your skin’s natural undertones. With a broader shade range than ever before, the one-bronze-fitsall era is o cially over.
There’s the obsession-worthy SOL DE JANEIRO Glowmotions, which is endlessly buildable. Blend lightly for a subtle sheen or layer for a full-on sun-kissed shimmer. REVLON ColorStay 24-Hour Face + Body Glow Lotion delivers that “just back from St. Tropez” warmth. Its watergel texture hydrates while leaving skin luminous for up to 24 hours.
THE SCENT OF SUMMER
The endless-summer aesthetic isn’t only visual – it’s a state of mind. Fragrance is following suit with sunlit notes of citrus, coconut, jasmine and tropical florals – scents that instantly transport you to the Amalfi Coast with a single spritz.
GOLDFIELD & BANKS Sunset Hour EDP is a standout: a bright opening of citrus and spice that settles into a sensual, sun-drenched floral heart. Best worn at golden hour or when you wish it were.
The beauty of this trend lies in its adaptability. You don’t need a full overhaul, just a few strategic additions. A cream highlighter here, a glow serum there, and suddenly you’re living in perpetual golden hour.
Above all, the endless-summer look is about ease. These are tactile, travel-friendly products designed to be applied with fingers. So when you return after your festive break, keep the mood warm, bright, and bronzed. Because why limit your perfect glow to one season?
TOP PICKS FOR YOUR GLOW ARSENAL
1. SOL DE JANEIRO Glowmotions. R845, arcstore.co.za; 2. DOLCE&GABBANA Face & Eyes Match. R1 340, woolworths.co.za; 3. DOLCE&GABBANA Everlift Luminizer. R1 380, woolworths.co.za; 4. GOLDFIELD & BANKS Sunset Hour EDP 100ml. R4 130, skins.co.za; 5. CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Pearly Body Gel. R1 550, Chanel Beauty Boutiques; 6. SISLEY Phyto-Touche Illusion of Summer. R2 200, sisley-paris.com/en-ZA; 7. SISLEY Phyto-Eye Twist in Pearl-Champagne. R950, sisley-paris.com/en-ZA; 8. REVLON ColorStay 24-Hour Face + Body Glow Lotion. R240, clicks.co.za; 9. NUXE Sun SPF50 Gold Oil. R995, cosmetology.co.za;
The CU
TA CURATED EDIT OF EXCEPTIONAL WATCHES AND JEWELS
GRAFF High Jewellery white multi-shape diamond and emerald baguette bracelet. POA. gra .com
Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41, Ref. 3449
With its harmoniously balanced proportions, the new Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 makes one wonder whether watch designer Gérald Genta, back in the 1970s, had an inkling that Kurt Klaus would develop his legendary perpetual calendar just a few years later. Because the sheer timelessness of the design perfectly complements a calendar whose moon phase is mechanically programmed for 577.5 years. We’ve ensured that the IWC-manufactured 82600 calibre with Pellaton winding, ceramic components and a skeletonised rotor is visible through a sapphire glass back cover – because it would be a pity to keep such a wealth of sophisticated engineering under wraps.
elegance WILD
INSPIRED BY NATURE AND REFINED BY HUMAN ARTISTRY, THESE JEWELS CHANNEL THE QUIET POWER OF OUR NATURAL WORLD
1. PICCHIOTTI Flora necklace in 18kt white gold with green tsavorites and round diamonds. $202 350, picchiotti.com
2. BAHATI PROJECT’S lioness fang pendant in 18kt yellow gold with cabochon Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines, Burmese red spinels, and emeralds on an 18kt yellow gold necklace with diamonds and green amethysts. POA, bahatiproject.com
3. LORENZ BÄUMER Inséparables Hoops in 18kt rose gold with yellow and orange pear sapphires and pink pear tourmaline. €10 900, baumer-vendome.com
4. CARTIER Panthère Chimères ring, Cartier Fauna and Flora ring, Panthère de Cartier, Indomptable de Cartier. All POA, cartier.com
5. CHOPARD Red Carpet Collection hippopotamus ring in ethical 18kt white gold with grey diamonds, garnets, and onyx eyes. POA, chopard.com
6. LOUIS VUITTON Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Splendeur earrings in platinum and yellow gold with rubies and diamonds. POA, louisvuitton.com
7. YOKO LONDON Baroque 18kt gold South Sea pearl and diamond swan brooch. £6 500, yokolondon.com
8. CHARLES GREIG diamond and rhodolite garnet brooch in 18kt yellow gold. From R39 900, charlesgreig.co.za
VICTORIA WHARF SHOPPING CENTRE, VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN
SET IN STONE
DIALS SCULPTED FROM PRECIOUS STONES GIVE THESE TIMEPIECES A UNIQUE CANVAS THAT CELEBRATE NATURE’S RAW BEAUTY
(CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP CENTRE) PIAGET creates haute couture for the wrist, its artistry shining through chromatic turquoise dials, gadrooned bezels, bracelet links, and textured gold. POA, piaget.com; BOVET Récital 12 with a Tiger’s Eye dial, blued stainless steel hands, and titanium bracelet. POA, bovet.com; ORIS Aquis Date Diamonds with a crème mother-of-pearl dial and cream rubber strap and a folding clasp. POA, oris.ch; The dial of the GERALD CHARLES Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition is decorated with a slice of lapis lazuli and a special logo denoting the anniversary. POA, geraldcharles.com; FREDERIQUE CONSTANT Classics Manchette with a malachite dial and bracelet embossed with a square Clou de Paris pattern. POA, frederiqueconstant.com; GÉRALD GENTA Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal has an orange carnelian dial and is set with 137 fire opals, individually screwed onto the circumference of the case. POA, geraldgenta.com; FRANCK MULLER Curvex CX Mineral with a malachite dial, stainless steel case, and sapphire crystal. POA, franckmuller.com; CHOPARD L’Heure du Diamant Round with a red carnelian dial, ethical rose gold case, and diamond-set bezel. POA, chopard.com; ZENITH Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar with a lapis lazuli dial and blue leather strap secured by a stainless-steel folding clasp. POA, zenith-watches.com; The H. MOSER & CIE Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Pop steel model has a Burmese jade and pink opal dial and grey leather strap. POA, h-moser.com; ARTYA Luminity AMR-01 with an Amazonite dial finish, sapphire glass, and leather bracelet. POA, artya.com
LONGINES PRIMALUNA
Each year, CARTIER Privé reveals a new interpretation of one of the Maison’s iconic timepieces – this year’s Tank à Guichets, which debuted in 1928, replaces the traditional dial and hands with a digital time display, revealing hours and minutes through minimal apertures. POA, cartier.com
Drawing inspiration from the iconic trench watches of the early 20th century, BREMONT Terra Nova Jumping Hour in 904L steel with its military-inspired design is a modern take on the montre à guichet – a small watch with windows instead of hands to display the time. £4 200, bremont.com
The LOUIS VUITTON 37mm Tambour Convergence is developed entirely in-house. The time display has rotating discs for hours and minutes, viewed through curved guichets inspired by natural light and the interiors of the Vuitton family home in Asnières. POA, louisvuitton.com
HERITAGE DESIGN MEETS MODERN MASTERY IN WATCHES THAT CELEBRATE A GOLDEN AGE OF STYLE
BACK IN TIME
CHANEL’s Coco Blush Watch with its pink satintextured leather bracelet is an ode to the House’s makeup powders. The logo is embossed on the leather in a tone-ontone hue with two black lacquer dials – including one set with a princess-cut diamond. POA, chanel.com
A revival of
The 18kt gold dial plate of PATEK PHILLIPE’s Golden Ellipse (5738/51G0010) is hollowed out to form the cavities which hold the black Grand Feu enamel (champlevé enamel). The gold areas are then hand-engraved with plant life and floral motifs. POA, patek.com
An ultra-thin dress watch was a personal favourite of DANIEL ROTH when he presented the original Extra Plat in 1990. The new Extra Plat Souscription – a simple watch with two hands –is a nod to the original in design but has brandnew mechanics. POA, danielroth.com
In 1954, LONGINES registered Conquest as its first collection with a protected name. The Conquest Heritage retains the distinctive design element of the original, now enhanced for better performance and durability. R74 600, longines.com
the classic DENNISON cushion case, the Stone Dial watch pays homage to the ’60s. Crafted in PVD gold over stainless steel with an ultra-slim 6mm profile, it has a rich Tiger’s Eye dial and comes with interchangeable leather straps. POA, dennisonwatch.com
FROM COMIC ICONS AND MISCHIEVOUS MOTIFS TO TWISTS ON CLASSIC DESIGNS, THESE LIMITED-EDITION TIMEPIECES BLUR THE LINES BETWEEN JEWELLERY AND STORYTELLING
1. The gra ti-style Chinese numeral indexes of TIMETHIS WATCH & CO’S Sichuan Panda Automatic Chronograph highlights the connection to the panda’s homeland. POA, timethis-watch.com; 2. Open up this version of CHANEL’S iconic red lipstick, and you’ll find a watch.
The necklace’s chain consists of raspberry-pink rhodolite pearls and a yellow gold band set with beryls. The glossy-black titanium tube opens to reveal a black lacquer dial. POA, chanel.com; 3. FRANCK MULLER’S Vanguard Smurfette collaboration celebrates the Smurfs. This limited-edition collection comes in three interpretations (pink, white, and blue dial), each housed in the iconic Vanguard case. POA, franckmuller.com; 4. Adding a touch of whimsy to a sophisticated design, the RESERVOIR x Olive Oyl features the Popeye character with her charge, Swee’Pea. POA, reservoir-watch.com; 5. A fusion of artistry and craftsmanship, the HERMÈS Arceau Rocabar de Rire is a humorous take on the Rocabar equestrian motif. The quirky horse has horsehair marquetry, engraving, and miniature painting, framed with a white gold case. POA, hermes.com; 6. The Behrens x KONSTANTIN CHAYKIN Edition 2025 showcases the Russian watchmaker’s joker-indication display system with two hour-and-minute displays in the shape of the character’s eyes, while the “loony” seconds hand – with a tip in the shape of the spades card suit – moves along a path in the shape of a smile. POA, konstantinchaykin.com; 7. The ORIS ProPilot x Miss Piggy celebrates the chic pig from The Muppets with its hot-pink dial and a baguette-cut lab-grown diamond at 12 o’clock. On the back, a spyhole reveals Miss Piggy’s portrait. POA, oris.ch/en-ZA
ARTISANAL f
FROM 18TH-CENTURY ARTISANS TO TODAY’S MASTER WATCHMAKERS, THE POCKET WATCH IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN TRADITION AND TIMELESSNESS
WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY
The pocket watch’s story is linked to the evolution of fine watchmaking, and few maisons embody this lineage more profoundly than VACHERON CONSTANTIN. The brand’s pocket chronometers were already winning acclaim for accuracy in the mid 19th century, while the early 20th century heralded an age of grand complications. The Les Cabinotiers division continues to honour the art form, creating record-breaking masterpieces such as the Reference 57260 with 57 complications and the Berkley Grand Complication with 63. POA, vacheron-constantin.com
charm TIMELESS
TISSOT has been creating pocket watches since 1853, and the pieces are symbols of timeless artistry reinvented for every generation. At R29 800 for this T-Pocket 1920 Mechanical Silver Skeleton, it’s the perfect opportunity to start your pocket-watch collection. tissotwatches.com
At PATEK PHILIPPE’S Rare Handcrafts 2025 exhibition in Geneva, pocket watches once again took centre stage. The Rialto Bridge captures 18thcentury Venice in luminous enamel, inspired by Canaletto’s masterful brushwork. Every wavelet and façade was engraved and fired up to 17 times at over 800°C to achieve its depth and radiance. Housed in white gold, the watch rests on a sculpted stand with a topaz-set crown. POA, patek.com
HUBLOT’S collaboration with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham reimagines the pocket watch as a sculptural vision of the future. Limited to 99 pieces, the Arsham Droplet’s titanium case is framed by Arsham Green rubber bumpers and twin teardrop-shaped crystals, while the open-worked form reveals the movement. Hublot’s double “oneclick” system transforms it from pocket watch to pendant or table clock. POA, hublot.com
LOUIS VUITTON’S Escale au PontNeuf depicts an autumn day on the Seine in Paris. The dial reveals PontNeuf, Samaritaine and the Maison’s historic headquarters through seven animations and 13 moving elements – each sculpted in gold and handenamelled. Powered by the most complex movement ever created by the House, the masterpiece is framed by an engraved, gem-set case and presented in a bespoke Asnières trunk. POA, louisvuitton.com
Vacheron Constantin
Tissot
Hublot
Patek Philippe
Louis Vuitton
WITH A TWIST
ONE PART GLAMOUR, TWO PARTS ATTITUDE… THESE COCKTAIL RINGS HAVE MORE SPARKLE THAN A SHAKEN MARTINI
1. From the BAHATI PROJECT’S High Frequency Love collection, this gira e-inspired piece is crafted in 18kt yellow gold. Its face features diamonds, the horns are set with Burmese rubies, and the eyes are modified cabochon-cut black onyx. POA, bahatiproject.com; 2. CARTIER’S Grain de Café collection centres on the House’s two cherished elements: flora and ‘the ordinary made precious’. This limitededition ring is a nod to the cocktail rings of the ’50s. POA, cartier.com; 3. Rectangular, triangular, and round pavé diamonds are artfully arranged to highlight the sapphires, while LOUIS VUITTON’S signature V motif adds a distinctive touch. POA, louisvuitton.com; 4. Inspired by nature’s elegance, this 18kt white gold PICCHIOTTI ring has round diamonds and pear-shaped rubies to form a radiant flower. POA, picchiotti.com; 5. MESSIKA’S So Move Diamond Pavé ring in white gold is both refined and elegant. R129 000, latelierparis.co.za; 6. The BOODLES A Family Journey: Around Africa in 10 Days collection is inspired by the continent’s colours, wildlife, and landscapes. Africa Green Mamba black opal and yellow gold ring, set with brilliant cut tsavorites and diamonds. POA, boodles.com; 7. PIAGET’S playful Shapes of Extraleganza High Jewellery collection pays tribute to the Maison’s artistic collaborations with artists like Salvador Dalí, Arman, and Andy Warhol. POA, piaget.com
1. BOVET Récital 12 36mm in Raspberry. POA, bovet.com
2. FABERGÉ Colours of Love Eggsistence. From R133 800, faberge.com
MECHANICAL CLOCKS – PART MASTERPIECES OF ARTISTRY AND PART ENGINEERING MARVELS – ARE REDEFINING THE POETRY OF TIME
WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY
Since the development of the mechanical gear-train clock in the 13th century, timekeeping has evolved far beyond utility. By the 15th century, table clocks had become coveted objects of prestige, commissioned by the powerful and wealthy ruling classes, allowing watchmakers to indulge their passion for designing ever more fantastical ways of telling the time.
But with their extraordinary craftsmanship, intricate detailing, and sculptural presence, these horological marvels deserve far more than a footnote in watchmaking history. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) introduced the Mechanical Clocks category in 2022 – a long overdue recognition of the clockmaker’s artistry.
The campaigning for this category was championed by clockmaker Miki Eleta, whose cosmic-themed clock, Svemir (Universe in Serbo-Croatian), had previously been nominated for the GPHG Mechanical Exception Prize in 2021. Though the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo watch won that year, Miki’s vision helped pave the way for these clocks to finally receive the spotlight they deserve.
Today, entries for this category must be “mechanical time-measuring instruments, such as longcase clocks or table clocks”. Miki’s Passage of Time was a finalist in the GPHG Mechanical Clock category in 2022 – and again in 2025, alongside Anton Suhanov, Trilobe, and Louis Vuitton. Other brands that revealed covetable clocks this year include Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Vacheron Constantin, and Chanel.
(Above) PANERAI’S Jupiterium pays homage to Galileo Galilei’s groundbreaking 1610 discovery of Jupiter’s four largest moons. This intricate mechanical installation captures the grandeur of celestial motion within its glass sphere. Planets trace their orbits on titanium arms, the zodiac constellations glow in Super-LumiNova, and Jupiter’s retrograde motion unfolds with astronomical precision. Powered by eight barrels for a 40-day reserve, the Jupiterium completes a full rotation every 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09 seconds – mirroring a sidereal day. panerai.com
MASTER OF MATERIALS
TRUE SQUARE OPEN HEART
Reimagining FABERGÉ’S imperial opulence through the lens of modern design, Anton Suhanov’s St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock is perfectly balanced, like the fabled egg of Columbus. Winner of the GPHG 2025 Horological Revelation Prize, it stands upright without support – a marvel of mechanical harmony. Crafted from mirror-polished steel, hand-guillochéd silver, and translucent hot enamel, it reveals a 24-second tourbillon beneath a domed sapphire crystal. The rotating bezel displays world time across 24 zones, highlighting Russia’s Moscow and St. Petersburg. Limited to 24 pieces. anton-suhanov.com
PATEK PHILIPPE’S 27000M001 desk clock is a fusion of tradition, innovation, and timeless design. Seven years in development, this masterpiece houses the new rectangular calibre 86-135 PEND S IRM Q SE, comprising 912 components and nine patent applications. Its manually wound movement o ers a 31-day power reserve and precision of close to one second per day, secured by a ‘precision regulator’. It’s encased in sterling silver and adorned with green flinqué Grand Feu enamel. patek.com
Conceived as both a clock and a kinetic sculpture, La Quête du Temps is VACHERON CONSTANTIN’S ultimate ode to time and artistry. Seven years in the making, this monumental masterpiece unites 6 293 components, 23 watchmaking complications, and an automaton performing 144 gestures. To mark its 270th anniversary, the Maison presented this extraordinary work at the Louvre’s Mécaniques d’Art 2025 exhibition. vacheron-constantin.com
A horological enigma from another world, BY 21Dez12ME by MIKI ELETA, blurs the lines between art, science, and fantasy. Part timepiece, part kinetic sculpture, it depicts the landing of an otherworldly craft inhabited by tiny green explorers. Within its gleaming brass (gold-plated), bronze, chrome steel, and glass structure lies a labyrinth of complications: retrograde minutes (moved by a snail), jumping hours, moon phase, world time, and the artist’s own invention – the Gravity tourbillon, which keeps itself in motion by “overbalancing”. The glass figures were mouth-blown by Swiss glass artist Guido Stadelmann. mikieleta.ch
LOUIS VUITTON’S Montgolfière
Aéro limited edition takes horology to new heights – quite literally. Crafted in collaboration with L’Épée 1839, this extraordinary timepiece combines Swiss watchmaking mastery with the Maison’s storied trunkmaking savoir-faire. A glorious red and transparent glass balloon encases a Swiss mechanical clock, poised above a miniature Louis Vuitton trunk – the smallest traditional version ever created. Each detail echoes the House’s heritage of exploration and artistry – from the Monogram Flower at its heart to the ingenious winding lever beneath. louisvuitton.com
First conceived in 1928, JAEGER-LECOULTRE’S legendary Atmos clock runs on air alone, powered by the subtlest temperature variations – a single degree providing 48 hours of energy. Now reimagined with a luminous white lacquer dial requiring 10 meticulously applied coats, it is a masterpiece of perpetual motion. Limited to 100 pieces. jaeger-lecoultre.com
TRILOBE’S Le Temps Retrouvé transcends traditional horology to become a living sculpture –one without hands, numerals, or dial. Instead, two rosettes unfurl their petals to mark the hours, while the eyes turn gently to reveal the minutes. It’s crafted from innovative marble ceramic and delicately infused with a bespoke Parisian fragrance. Four years and 3 000 hours of craftsmanship brought its bespoke calibre to life, o ering an eight-day power reserve. trilobe.com
The CHANEL Diamonds Astroclock reimagines the passage of time through the gaze of a diamond-studded lion. Carved in white gold and set with 5 037 diamonds, the regal figure rests its paw on an obsidian sphere that encloses the intricate Astroclock mechanism. Hours glide by as a comet crosses a rotating planet, while the Leo constellation marks the minutes. Eight months of meticulous gem selection and 565 hours of snow-setting bring this horological sculpture to life. chanel.com
PRECISION IN WRAPPED
FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING – EXCEPT THIS YEAR’S MOST EXCEPTIONAL TIMEPIECE WORDS INGRID WOOD
This self-winding rose gold model (4948R-001) combines the comfort of the PATEK PHILIPPE Annual Calendar (requiring only one manual correction per year) with the sparkle of diamonds (388 on the watch), highlighting the elegance of the case and bezel. The white Balinese mother-of-pearl dial creates beautiful lighting effects, while the rose gold leaf-shaped hands shimmer with white luminescent coating. POA, patek.com
The ROLEX GMT-Master II is the ultimate cosmopolitan watch, connecting people across distances and time zones. With a dedicated 24-hour hand and a 24-hour graduated two-colour rotatable bezel, it displays a second time zone in addition to the conventional time. At a glance, the wearer can see the time in their current location and in another part of the world, giving them a strengthened connection with their own personal ‘somewhere out there’, be it a special place or memory, or plans for a future journey. POA, rolex.com
OMEGA’S Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon honours the brand’s legacy of space exploration. The masterfully crafted dial made of sand-blasted platinum, creates a texture that glistens like the stars. For exceptional precision and performance, this luxury Swiss watch is powered by an automatic Co-Axial movement which can be seen through the beveled sapphire crystal caseback. The “Grey Side of the Moon” has been created for stylish adventurers who are sure to fall in love with its bold design, sporty feel and legendary spirit. POA, omegawatches.com, shemer.co.za
The ULYSEE NARDIN Freak X Gold Enamel 2305-270LE-3AE-BLUE/1A builds on the same principles as the original Freak with no hands, no dial, and no crown. The entire movement rotates to indicate time: hours are shown by a pointer on a rotating disc, while the movement itself completes a full revolution every hour to mark the minutes. This complication, known as a flying carousel, is unique in that the movement is held without an upper bridge, seemingly “flying” above the hour disc. This edition is limited to 120 pieces. POA, BHH Boutique V&A Waterfront/Hyde Park, Architects of Time (011 669 0790)
In the ’70s, legendary Genevabased designer Gérald Genta gave the IWC Ingenieur its
MONTBLANC Bohème Day & Night is a poetic take on fine watchmaking, blending elegance and functionality. Inspired by the art of handwriting and watercolour painting, it’s housed in a petite 30mm stainless-steel case and features a sunbrushed blue dial. Sparkling diamond markers and delicate floral-style numerals add feminine charm, while the hands and details are finished in a silvery rhodium tone. The standout feature is the day-and-night display, designed in the style of watercolours to show the sky’s changing hues over 24 hours. R98 100, montblanc.com
Balancing form and function to maximise reliability, readability, and resilience, PANERAI LUMINOR’S unmistakable character – with its crown-protecting device, sandwich dial, and enhanced luminescence – is in a league of its own. The new Luminor Marina introduces key upgrades in performance and comfort while preserving its emblematic identity, including 500m water resistance, a stop-seconds function, sapphire crystal caseback, and X2 Super-LumiNova that increases brightness by 10 percent. POA, panerai.com
H. MOSER & CIE.’S Streamliner Flyback
Chronograph Automatic Frozen is now available in 5N red gold or steel. While the automatic movement still ticks with the same captivating accuracy, it’s the dial that steals the show. Whether its Midnight Blue fumé for the gold model or Matrix Green fumé on the steel model, the dials are like living paintings – as you tilt the watch, the frosted finish catches the light with shimmering reflections. Both models are powered by one of the finest chronograph calibres ever created — the HMC 907, developed by AGENHOR for H. Moser & Cie. Visible through the sapphire case-back, it features a modern finish with 45° Moser stripes and anthracite rhodium-plated bridges and main plate.
POA, BHH Boutique V&A Waterfront/Hyde Park, Architects Of Time (011 669 0790)
Inspired by a ’50s classic, the new Clifton Baumatic M0A10778 by BAUME & MERCIER brings vintage charm into the present. Its slim 39mm stainless steel case and warm salmonhued dial echo the elegance of mid-century design, with subtle details like trapezoid-shaped indexes and a crisp-black minute track. Limited to just 350 pieces, this watch features the self-winding Baumatic movement, a scratchresistant sapphire crystal, and a date window at six o’clock. POA, baume-et-mercier.com
TAG HEUER’S beads-of-rice bracelet – a signature design from the ’60s and a staple of the Carrera collection – returns with a refresh. The new bracelet consists of a single row of beads with alternating rows of larger flat outer links and smaller rounded central links, resembling grains of rice. This new design is available on the black and signature blue TAG Heuer Carrera Chronographs from 2023, as well as the recently launched Panda and teal green Dato models. POA, picotandmoss.co.za
The striking new TUDOR Black Bay 54 Lagoon Blue is a fresh, sun-drenched twist on Tudor’s compact dive watch, blending vintage inspiration with breezy modern flair. The 37mm stainless-steel case echoes Tudor’s original 1954 dive watch, while the sand-textured, azure-blue dial and five-link bracelet add to the watch’s laid-back luxury vibe. R81 600, tudor.com; shemer.co.za
With its ergonomic design, the RADO Anatom 32.5mm Automatic curves onto the wrist like a second skin. The bevelled cylindrical sapphire crystal case smoothly transitions into the bracelet, blurring the case/bracelet boundary. It also features a plasma high-tech ceramic and rose gold case, with a grey lacquered dial. Ceramic is lightweight, scratch-resistant, smooth, and quickly adapts to the wearer’s body temperature. R121 400, rado.com
The LONGINES Primaluna Moonphase collection is all about timeless elegance with a feminine touch. Its smooth curves and delicate design are inspired by the moon, giving each piece a subtle celestial feel. This refined and romantic version features a luminous blue mother-of-pearl dial, diamond hour markers, and sleek silver-toned hands. R153 300, longines.com/en-za
OLD-WORLD CRAFTSMANSHIP IS TICKING LOUDER THAN EVER AS VINTAGE WATCHES RETURN TO WRISTS OF COLLECTORS
WORDS BRIGHT KHUMALO
RETRO
The vintage watch revival didn’t start in a Geneva salon – it started on couches. Lockdowns gave people time to fall down horology rabbit holes. Instagram and TikTok made provenance, patina, and reference numbers feel like a shared language. Auction headlines poured fuel on the fire – Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona fetching $17.8 million in 2017, the highest price ever for a wristwatch, was a cultural moment, and celebrities began flexing tasteful throwbacks. Remember Tyler, the Creator in vintage Cartier Crash? Suddenly “the old” became “it.”
Since then, collecting has professionalised. The market went through a frothy 2021–2022 surge, a healthy 2023 correction, and now sits in a steadier phase where great pieces still command great prices, but hype alone doesn’t. Chrono24’s recent report notes broadly stable pricing with dispersion – icons hold their value, while over-supplied modern hype cools. WatchCharts shows the same arc: a post-boom reset followed by selective strength. Translation: quality, condition, and story matter more than ever. So, what’s hot? The canon remains the canon. Rolex tool watches – Submariner 5513s, GMT-Master 1675 “Pepsi,” Explorer II 1655 “Steve McQueen Freccione,” and, of course, Daytona variants – are perennial, pairing design purity with deep cultural mileage. Omega Speedmasters from the 1960s (Pre-Moon references) remain the thinking collector’s choice: historically significant, wearable, and approachable – relative to Rolex, that is. Early Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” 5402s and Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700s sit at the apex of steel-sports chic. Cartier’s renaissance has gone from whisper to roar: Tanks, Santos, and quirky grails such as the Crash have become shorthand for taste. Celebrity enthusiasm helps visibility – John Mayer, Michael Jordan, and Jay-Z didn’t make the Daytona great, but they certainly made it seen. Where does the market go from here? Think quality-led compounding. The easy gains from stimulus and scarcity are behind us; the alpha now lives in taste, homework, and dealer selection. Platforms are more transparent, data is richer, and authentication has improved – yet misrepresentation still exists. You need to work with reputable dealers, demand highres caseback or movement shots, and be allergic to urgency. Wristcheck’s mantra is spot-on: slow down, learn the references, and let condition and coherence guide you.
Finally, remember why vintage wins: it sits at the intersection of design, engineering, culture, and scarcity. You’re not just buying steel and gears, you’re buying a chapter of 20th-century industry you can wear to dinner. As a store of value, top pieces have proven resilient through the cycles; as an experience, nothing beats the click of a period bezel or the soft glow of aged tritium. In a world drowning in “new,” vintage feels refreshingly finite. And in investing, finite is often where the magic is. For my money: buy fewer, better, and let time (and a good watchmaker) do the rest. ■
TOP TIPS
If you’re approaching this with an investor’s brain, steal a few rules from the pros:
Buy the watch, not the hype. Original dials, correct hands, unpolished or sympathetically polished cases, and honest provenance out-punch box-and-papers alone. Hodinkee and Teddy Baldassarre’s buying guides are clear: originality is king; redials and franken-watches are where value goes to die.
Condition is a compounding asset. A great example tends to get rarer each year; mediocre examples often get “optimised” and punished later.
Service reality over fantasy. Vintage servicing can be slow and pricey; factor it into your total cost.
Liquidity is reference specific. A nice 5513 moves fast; an obscure 1970s oddball may not. That’s fine if you love it – just don’t model it like a government bond.
Diversify your eras and makers. A smart mix might pair one blue-chip Rolex or Omega with a design-icon (Royal Oak/Nautilus), a dress classic (Cartier Tank or Rolex Calatrava), and one connoisseur’s pick (The Ming Moonphase Series, Patek 5711). The basket lowers single-reference risk while keeping the joy high.
REIMAGINED HERITAGE
BORN FROM LEGACY, CRAFTED FOR TODAY, TFG UNVEILS 1896 – THE BOLD NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FINE JEWELLERY
When 1896 recently unveiled its flagship store in Menlyn Park, Pretoria, it brought more than jewellery – it brought a story of African spirit, ambition, and modern elegance. The newest jewel in The Foschini Group’s (TFG) luxury portfolio, 1896 is distinctive, modern, and proudly African.
As a brand, 1896 doesn’t just elevate jewellery; it reimagines it. It’s a moment in history when pioneers built something extraordinary from almost nothing.
That year was 1896 – a year of daring dreams, of diamonds discovered, and gold unearthed. It was also the year two icons, American Swiss and Sterns, were born, marking the beginning of a legacy of elegance and artistry. Almost 130 years later, 1896 enters a new era. Each piece of jewellery is designed to move with you, tell your story, and evolve with your life. Fine diamonds, sculptural gold, and statement designs meant to be worn, loved, and lived in.
“We’re creating fine jewellery that feels modern, meaningful, and truly wearable”
– Shani Naidoo
“We are standing at the cusp of something extraordinary,” says Shani Naidoo, Group Director of Retail at TFG. “With 1896, we’re creating fine jewellery that feels modern, meaningful, and truly wearable. These are pieces that connect generations, whether you’re 18 or 96.”
At the heart of the brand is its signature logo, inspired by the rare “hearts and arrows” effect – an optical phenomenon visible in less than one percent of the world’s most precisely cut round brilliant diamonds. The emblem reflects 1896’s core values: balance, clarity, and enduring beauty.
But 1896 is more than skilled artistry – it’s also an evolution. In an era shaped by AI, lab-grown diamonds, and technological breakthroughs in design and metallurgy, 1896 embraces innovation with intent. Advanced setting techniques, bespoke metal alloys, and precision engineering ensure each piece is flawless, functional, and deeply personal.
“Jewellery is undergoing a sweeping transformation, and 1896 is at the forefront of that change,” explains Shelley WilkinsonRorich, Head of Design and Innovation at 1896. “We’re not just creating jewellery; we’re creating a new language for luxury – bold, modern, and accessible. Exclusive doesn’t need to mean expensive, but it must be exceptional. That’s the 1896 promise.”
The Menlyn Park store is a modern sanctuary where timeless elegance meets daring artistry. Visitors can explore signature diamond pieces, sculptural gold designs, and statement jewellery. Complementing the collection is a curated selection of iconic Swiss watches, including Tissot, Longines, Ebel, Rado, Raymond Weil, Maurice Lacroix, and Frédérique Constant.
As 2025 draws to a close, 1896 stands as a testament to thoughtful design, enduring mastery, and the spirit of possibility – a brand poised to define a new chapter in African luxury jewellery for years to come.
GOLDEN HOUR GLAMOUR
AS THE SUN DIPS, THE SPARKLE RISES… THESE ARE THE JEWELS WE’RE TOASTING TO THIS SEASON
BVLGARI Diva’s Dream collection earrings, R360 000; Diva’s Dream Diamond and White Gold Necklace, POA; Diva’s Dream diamond ring in white gold, 1.50ct, R325 000; and 18kt white gold 5.40ct diamond ring, R535 000; bhhboutique.co.za, picotandmoss.co.za Clothing by @alas.xoxo
(Rings, from top) 18kt rose gold spaghetti ring with 4.57 carats of cognac diamonds, R205 000; 18kt rose gold spaghetti ring with 0.93 carats of diamonds, R92 000; 18kt rose gold spaghetti ring with 1.24 carats of diamonds, R71 000; Rose gold and mother-of-pearl sautoir necklace featuring a 9-carat pear-cut cognac diamond, R3 158 000; Christoff emerald Nile crocodile leather cross body bag, R9 900; all charlesgreig.co.za
SLITHERS OF SEDUCTION
CHARLES GREIG 18kt rose gold serpent ring with tsavorites and emeralds, R383 500; and 18kt rose gold serpent earrings with tsavorites and emeralds, R441 000; charlesgreig.co.za
(Necklaces, from top) FOPE Luna Flex’it 18kt yellow gold 40cm necklace with hidden clasp, R398 000; Solo Flex’it 18kt yellow gold 38cm necklace with ornamental clasp, R227 000; Solo Flex’it 18kt white gold 38cm necklace with ornamental clasp and diamond pavé, R289 500; Panorama 18kt gold 43cm necklace, R475 000; (Wrist, from left) FOPE Luna Flex’it bracelet, R183 700; Three Eka Flex’it bracelets, from R103 800 to R177 600; Solo Flex’it bracelet with diamond pavé R152 000; Flex’it Panorama bracelet, R115 500; (Rings, from top) 18kt yellow gold spaghetti ring, R92 000; FOPE Flex’it rings, from R20 000 to R25 500; all charlesgreig.co.za
Clothing by KLûK CGDT; klukcgdt.com
DAZZLE AFTER DARK
MORAGLIONE 1922 Sofia pear shaped yellow gold, diamond encircled semi-precious stone matching set: ring, R 79 750; earrings, R122 780; and necklace R88 120; SHEMER 18kt tri-colour gold and 8ct diamond tennis bracelet, R472 500; and 18kt yellow gold 3ct round cut diamond Trilogy ring, R489 950; available in store, shemer.co.za Clothing by Vesselina Pentcheva; vesselina.co.za
HOURS HIDDEN
BENEATH LACE, BEHIND BLOSSOMS, OR UNDER A BROOCH – TIMING WAS ONCE A SECRET KEPT BY VIRTUE. TODAY, SUCH DISCRETION IS A HALLMARK OF SOPHISTICATION RATHER THAN RESTRAINT WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY
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Chopard white gold and titanium, 34ct diamonds, garnets, and onyx, feathered satin strap, diamond pin buckle, Chopard 10.01-C movement. Unique piece, POA, chopard.com
RIGHT:
Van Cleef & Arpels Cadenas in yellow gold, 9.86ct diamonds, jewellery clasp, quartz movement, 26 x 15.7mm. POA, vancleefarpels.com
In the polite society of the 18th and 19th centuries, a woman’s conduct was governed as much by silence as by speech. Etiquette manuals and ladies’ magazines counselled restraint in gesture and gaze, encouraging women to avoid anything that might draw attention to perceived impatience – which helps explain why discreet methods of timekeeping became desirable.
According to debretts.com, advice from A Manual of Etiquette for Ladies, by ‘A Lady’ (1856), emphasised composure in social interactions, saying, “Every appearance of bustle and confusion must be avoided. Ladies should be always perfectly composed, especially so when they occupy the position of hostess.” Openly consulting a timepiece in company could be read as impatience, bad breeding, or indifference to a host, hence the need for a secret or hidden watch. Fortunately, elegant solutions arose from such social constraint.
Early chatelaines and pendant watches – often suspended from belts or hidden beneath lace – allowed a lady to glance discreetly at the hour without the ostentation of a pocket watch or the impropriety of a public check. By the 19th century, jewellers refined the concept into the “secret watch”: jewelled brooches, lockets, and bracelets
“Early chatelaines often hung from belts or were hidden beneath lace to avoid the impropriety of a public check”
concealing tiny dials behind hinged covers or sliding panels, marrying horology and haute joaillerie.
During the 20th and 21st centuries, the secret watch evolved from necessity into deliberate artistry, and today they are as much about craftsmanship and storytelling as they are about manners. Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and other maisons transformed
mechanisms into narrative design –hidden faces revealed by a clip, swivel, or petal – so that discretion read as sophistication rather than restraint.
Since 1929, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Calibre 101 has embodied the magic of miniaturisation: the smallest mechanical movement in the world, weighing barely a gram. When Calibre 101 debuted, jewellery and cocktail watches were seen less as timekeepers and more as adornments for society’s elite who had little need to track the hours. The secret watch offered the ultimate discretion, evolving from 19th-century pocket watches with hinged covers that were first designed to shield the glass, later to conceal the dial. Conceived for jewellery watches, it opened new realms of design freedom and quickly became a symbol of elegance worn by exceptional women, including Queen Elizabeth II, who chose one for her coronation in 1953.
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In 2024, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled the 101 Secrets in platinum. This masterpiece hides two secrets: the dial and the ingenious mechanism that reveals it. Hidden within rows of 1 028 diamonds, a discreet diamond “button” activates the cover, allowing the dial to open and close like a book. Powered by the Calibre 101 – which evolved from the Duoplan and celebrating its centenary in 2025 – this rivière of light marries technical mastery with the ultimate discretion. Despite its minuscule size, the movement provides a 33-hour power reserve and takes 40 hours to assemble – a skill mastered by only a few watchmakers. Platinum, twice as hard as gold, adds further complexity to gem-setting, demanding another 182 hours of work. The result speaks for itself.
Chopard’s Swan Lake secret watch stands out as a 2025 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Jewellery Watch finalist. Shaped as a swan gliding across still waters, this diamond-set creation unites Haute Joaillerie artistry with mechanical ingenuity. Crafted in 18-karat ethical white and yellow gold and set with over 34 carats of diamonds, the swan unveils its secret dial as its head turns, triggering wings that unfurl in graceful succession. This reveals a mother-of-pearl dial engraved with a feather motif. Inside, Chopard’s hand-wound 10.01-C calibre delivers a 45-hour power reserve, all within a movement scarcely taller than two stacked five-cent coins. Inspired by nature and brought to life through 900 hours of artisanal work, Swan Lake embodies Caroline Scheufele’s poetic vision and Chopard’s mastery in blending fantasy with fine watchmaking.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery Cadenas watch, also competing in the category, glides elegantly around the wrist on a supple double snake chain. Its yellow gold bracelet and case, pavéd in snow-set diamonds and accented with princess-cut sapphires, recall the Maison’s revolutionary 1935 design: a padlock-shaped timepiece worn as a bracelet, with an angled dial meant to be read discreetly. At a time when women’s wristwatches were rare, its clasp-like form quietly defied convention, appealing to style icons of the era, such as the Duchess of Windsor. For 2025, the Maison refines its curves and edges in additional gold models while preserving the watch’s original elegance and understated subversion.
ABOVE & LEFT: Cartier Panthère in yellow gold, 23 diamonds, tsavorite eyes, onyx nose, black lacquer spots. POA, cartier.com
LEFT:
In 2024, Bvlgari’s Serpenti Pallini
Precious Vibrations collection entered the realm of secret watches, animated by the Piccolissimo calibre – the world’s smallest round mechanical movement. Shimmering in white, rose, or yellow gold and diamonds, the serpent coils around the wrist with emerald eyes and scales animated by thousands of gold beads, each set on a supple mesh using the 18th-century ‘en tremblant’ technique, which was designed to mimic natural movement. Inspired by a 1955 design, this contemporary Pallini fuses over 500 hours of high-jewellery artistry with Swiss watchmaking, offering versatile ways to reveal its precious dial.
BELOW:
Dolce&Gabbana Don Carlo with a jade dial and gold inlays, emerald accents, and a hand-engraved 46mm 18kt gold case on a leather strap. POA, dolcegabbana.com
LEFT:
Bvlgari Serpenti Pallini in white and yellow gold, 7.53ct diamonds, emerald eyes, mother-of-pearl dial, twotwirl bracelet, Piccolissimo BVL100 movement. POA, bulgari.com
Meanwhile, Dior celebrates the 10th anniversary of Rose des Vents this year with a secret watch that transforms the collection’s talismanic compass into a jewel of time. Concealed within a long necklace, the watch is hidden by an asymmetrical cover inspired by Dior’s “tribal” earrings, blending heritage with modernity. Diamonds, mother-of-pearl and delicate goldwork bring radiance to the twisted chain, beaded bezel, and polished star, echoing the mosaic wind rose at Christian Dior’s childhood home in Granville, France. More than jewellery, Rose des Vents is a symbol of guidance and protection – a luminous companion for those who pursue elegance and grace.
From etiquette-driven necessity to artistic expression, secret watches reveal a fascinating dialogue between social codes, technical mastery, and jewelled beauty. Their allure lies in the union of opposites – concealing time while celebrating craftsmanship, disguising function within form. Above all, they demonstrate how one of watchmaking’s most exacting principles – precision – can be seamlessly combined with the rare artistry of gem-setting to create masterpieces that endure as symbols of both discretion and desire. ■
ABOVE:
Dior Rose des Vents yellow gold necklace, mother-of-pearl dial, quartz movement. Limited edition of 20. POA, dior.com
TALISMANS TIMELESS
SERPENTS, BUTTERFLIES, BEES, FLOWERS, STARS, MOONS AND BIG CATS – THESE SYMBOLS HAVE LONG INSPIRED JEWELLERY DESIGNERS. MORE THAN DECORATIVE, THEY CARRY MEANING, HISTORY, AND SIGNIFICANCE
WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY
OPPOSITE PAGE: La Panthère de Cartier watch. POA, cartier.com
LEFT:
Cartier as seen in Vogue Italia, March 1992 BELOW: Cartier Panthère gold clipbrooch. POA, cartier.com
Owning a unique piece of jewellery isn’t just about luxurious adornment – it’s about an appreciation of craftsmanship, rare materials, and the story each piece tells. For legendary houses such as Graff, Cartier, Piaget, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Bvlgari, these creations celebrate heritage while continuing to evolve with bold, modern designs.
What truly connects these pieces across time and generations isn’t just the sparkle or skill involved – it’s the symbolism. Serpents that represent protection, panthers for strength, blooming flowers for renewal, and stars for hope or destiny. These motifs transform jewellery into more than accessories – they become personal talismans that carry meaning far beyond fleeting trends.
Among these symbols, few are more enduring than the serpent. From ancient civilisations to contemporary ateliers, it has embodied wisdom, protection, and eternity – a creature that is both feared and revered. In high jewellery, it is endlessly reimagined: Bvlgari’s Serpenti coils sinuously around a wrist or neckline, a House signature as iconic as the gems it embraces. Whether rendered in pavé diamonds, vibrant enamel, or supple gold scales, the serpent remains a universal emblem – proof of jewellery’s power to adorn and to embody meaning.
If the serpent speaks of protection, the panther commands strength and seduction. Cartier’s Panthère is more than a motif; it is the heart of the brand’s identity, symbolising independence and feminine power since the 1940s. It has become an enduring icon, embodying the spirit of the times while honouring the Maison’s naturalistic tradition. Today, she prowls across rings, bracelets, pendants, and timepieces, shifting effortlessly between bold statement pieces and refined everyday signatures.
“Jewellery has long drawn inspiration from nature”
Jewellery has long drawn inspiration from nature – especially the garden. Butterflies and insects, often symbols of transformation, reflect how jewellery can capture both lasting value and the fleeting beauty of a moment.
Dolce&Gabbana’s Spring Collection captures this duality. Using natural stones and artisanal craftsmanship, the pieces draw on Mediterranean landscapes, with warm colours and organic shapes bringing joy and freshness. The collection features flowers and butterflies in vibrant variations, using colourful stones such as garnet, morganite, aquamarine, citrine quartz, amethyst, and Mediterranean coral carved into floral forms.
Chopard takes a more structured approach to nature in its Ice Cube collection, playing with geometry and reflection. Van Cleef & Arpels’ Flowerlace line offers a delicate interpretation, with openwork yellow gold and diamond corollas. The curved petals shine as if bathed in sunlight, while golden beads and varied diamonds animate the pistil, creating a graceful harmony.
ABOVE:
Mikado Architect Bracelet by Lorenz Bäumer. €159 500, baumer-vendome.com
LEFT: Van Cleef & Arpels Flowerlace ring. POA, vancleefarpels.com
Meanwhile, Graff channels sunshine and joy through its mastery of Fancy yellow diamonds. Laurence Graff was among the first to spotlight the canary diamond – a vivid alternative to the colourless stone. Their hues vary, formed by traces of nitrogen that existed on Earth billions of years ago.
Piaget’s Shapes of Extraleganza collection includes the Flowing Curves suite, inspired by the organic, free-form design trends of the 1970s. It features rare black opals set in hand-hammered white gold, introducing a new goldsmithing technique from the “House of Gold” and building on Piaget’s signature Décor Palace style.
ABOVE LEFT & LEFT:
Piaget’s Shapes of Extraleganza necklace, POA, and cuff, POA, piaget.com
TOP: Graff High Jewellery kite- and baguette-cut emerald and multishape white diamond bangle. POA, graff.com
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:
Louis Vuitton Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Splendeur pendant. POA, louisvuitton.com; Bvlgari Serpenti high jewellery gemstone and diamond necklace. POA, bulgari.com; Dolce&Gabbana
Spring Collection Butterfly ring, POA, and Spring Collection bracelet, POA, dolcegabbana.com
Beyond nature, some designers look to architecture and the ocean. One example is Lorenz Bäumer, the only independent jeweller at Place Vendôme, known for his innovative use of bold contrasts. Since opening his showroom in 1988, he has led major projects and gained recognition for his daring vision – including two decades as Artistic Director of Fine Jewellery at Chanel and creating Louis Vuitton’s first fine jewellery line. His works blend fluid curves with geometric precision, as seen in the Écume de Diamants tiara made for Princess Charlene of Monaco – a piece that evokes both the flow of water and structural elegance. The Architecte collection follows a similar approach, using negative space and fine proportions to create pieces that balance strength, harmony, and timelessness.
At its heart, high jewellery is not defined solely by rare materials or craftsmanship – it’s about the symbolic resonance that elevates these works into modern-day talismans. Whether in the form of animals, celestial symbols, or natural motifs, these pieces endure because they represent the timeless human desire for love, power, protection, transformation, and legacy. ■
AFRICA’S new WEALTH ERA
FROM MINE TO MASTERPIECE, AFRICA’S RARE METALS ARE REDEFINING LUXURY – GROUNDED IN ETHICS, ARTISTRY, AND LEGACY
From the molten rock formations of Gauteng’s Bushveld Complex to the glittering ateliers of contemporary designers, platinum’s journey is a symbol of transformation and empowerment. This narrative has been paralleled in history over the centuries, as the wealth of Africa has spanned from kingdoms to corporations. Whether told through memory and storytelling traditions or inscribed in family heirlooms, the legacy passed down through generations is one of care and preservation.
As one of the most coveted and cherished metals, platinum tells a living story of rarity, resilience, and radiance. Its symbolism extends far beyond jewellery – from bank cards to awards and music album sales, platinum is the highest standard pursued by many, now associated with exclusivity and prestige.
With 80 percent of the world’s supply sourced and refined in South Africa, the country also serves as the location of a dazzling metamorphosis; one where platinum has been reimagined into art and investment for those beginning the journey of building generational wealth.
For Metal Concentrators (MetCon), a leading refiner and supplier, platinum is more than a metal – it’s a message of purity with purpose, artistry with accountability, and wealth that’s defined by values rather than vanity. Every gram refined is verified through the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and accompanied by a Platinum Provenance Certificate – a guarantee of integrity, sustainability, and authenticity. MetCon’s commitment to ethical luxury ensures that African-sourced metals are not just mined, but meaningfully minded.
LOCAL ROOTS, GLOBAL RESONANCE
To wear platinum is to wear the spirit of South Africa – a reflection of its creativity, its diversity, and its power to transform raw potential into refined beauty.
That spirit finds its ultimate expression in PlatAfrica 2025, the continent’s most prestigious platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition. Hosted by MetCon, Valterra Platinum (formerly Anglo American Platinum), and Platinum Guild International (PGI), PlatAfrica honours the art of transformation – where ethical sourcing meets inspired design.
As the official metal partner to PlatAfrica, MetCon provides not only platinum, but also mentorship and technical excellence, empowering the next generation of jewellers. Its purpose is clear: to elevate African artistry to international acclaim while maintaining the highest standards of environmental and ethical stewardship.
“When South African hands shape South African metal, the result transcends ornament – it becomes legacy”
SHOWCASING CREATIVITY
Now in its 26th year, the PlatAfrica competition is a platform for both professional and emerging designers to showcase the beauty and versatility of platinum. Here are five reasons the 2025 edition was noteworthy:
1. Entrants had to select a category of application: student, apprentice, or professional
2. They then had to design and manufacture one piece of jewellery reflecting the New Horizon theme.
3. Platinum needed to be central to each design, with a maximum of 20g for student and apprentice submissions and 100g for the professional category.
4. Judging criteria included creativity and originality, how the theme was interpreted, delivery of the design expectations, and technical excellence.
5. In addition to prize money, winners would be considered for participation in an international design showcasing event in 2026.
This year’s theme, New Horizon, invited designers to look beyond convention, calling for futuristic yet grounded creations that honour the earth while embracing innovation and sustainability.
Held on 24 October at the Four Seasons Westcliff, Johannesburg, the event proved that a new horizon indeed shone brightly. From seasoned goldsmiths to emerging student artisans, craftsmanship rooted in authenticity was celebrated. Each shortlisted design told a story of vision and virtuosity – showcasing South Africa’s ability to lead in global luxury while remaining deeply local.
Taking first place in the Professionals Category were Emile Pitout, Lorin Bohm, Seth Tilanus, and Rob Burton of Plantandia Jewellery Collection. Their neckpiece was hailed as a masterclass in platinum craftsmanship – a design that pushes boundaries while honoring the timeless elegance of the metal.
Seinoli Valentine was the winner of the Student and Apprentice Category with an elegant ring described as a masterpiece – a reminder that, at its finest, jewellery tells stories of courage, transformation, and enduring grace. The theme, he said, resonated deeply: “Tying back to the theme, for me going from home to varsity was a new horizon; moving from a small town and going to a bigger city. I’m also at the same point, winning this competition. So, it’s a new horizon for me, with new challenges, new opportunities.”
The People’s Choice Award, proudly sponsored by MetCon, was won by Lwandile Sibiya for his platinum jewellery piece titled Afro-Deco. Currently a student at Durban University of Technology, his design was inspired by Durban's fusion of African aesthetics and Art Deco geometry – and by a personal muse. “The earrings honour Connie Ferguson, a trailblazer in South African film. Symmetry and stepped motifs reflect her career’s ascent, while radiating patterns evoke rootedness, transformation, and convergence. Crafted in polished platinum, the piece celebrates heritage and reinvention – an expression of identity, innovation, and cultural presence beyond the horizon,” said Lwandile.
For MetCon and Valterra Platinum, all designers reinforce a central truth: when South African hands shape South African metal, the result transcends ornament – it becomes legacy.
Explore the exclusive platinum jewellery collection at Valterra – a showcase of pieces designed by independent South African jewellers, available at plat.africa
LEFT TO RIGHT: Josh Helmic, Manilla Freed, Mark Freed, Fahmida Smith, Hilton Ingram, Tai Wong
NIHAL SHAH, VIJAY SHAH CONCEPTS ANN TEN
HERITAGE IN GOLD, SILVER, AND PLATINUM
MetCon has long been more than a refiner. The company also serves as a storyteller, transforming Africa’s natural wealth into heirlooms of integrity. Every bar, coin, and bespoke creation reflects a pioneering commitment to ethical refinement, traceable provenance, and sustainable craftsmanship.
“The world is changed by our actions and the example we show others,” says Managing Director Grant Crosse. “As industry members, we have a responsibility to place sustainability at the forefront of decision-making across the supply chain.”
For collectors, investors, and connoisseurs alike, MetCon represents the fusion of purity, performance, and pride – a luxury defined not by rarity alone, but by responsibility. It places sustainability at the heart of business practices, and the unique business model expands across the precious-metal supply chain – from refining and metal supply to jeweller services and wealth investment products.
One of these is how and where they source. Provenance is integral to the company’s sustainability story – as is sourcing precious metals legitimately and responsibly. Provenance is paramount because a transparent supply chain allows buyers to make informed choices. For MetCon, provenance opens possibilities of platinum export to the global market.
MERCIA BEUKES, AURUM
RONEL JORDAAN, CAPE
UBUNTU. I AM BECAUSE WE ARE.
Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu. A person is a person through other persons
Ubuntu is knowing our oneness. Recognising that our humanity may only deepen when we acknowledge and appreciate the humanity of the one opposite us. It is the soul of Africa and its people, riches beyond the material. Ubuntu is a meal when one is hungry, and community when one is starved.
AN EVOLUTION OF WEALTH
The increasing popularity of platinum bars and coins as a financial instrument has also contributed to the year-onyear global rise in demand. The one ounce Platinum Bar from the MetCon mint, for example, is a refined investment product that’s been crafted to international standards of purity and design. Containing one troy ounce of 99.95 percent fine platinum, this bar has become an excellent choice for investors looking to diversify their precious metal portfolio with a rare and highly valuable asset.
MetCon’s Wealth Pieces also offer an exclusive range of collectible art pieces crafted from gold, silver, and platinum. They are a tangible expression of African legacy, with each metal chosen for its symbolic resonance and elemental power.
Gold – the metal of kings and continuity – represents prosperity that endures; the glow of legacy refined through time. One of the flagship pieces is the Ubuntu Round, a creative expression of culture, difference, and hope. Featuring 94 dots encircling the circumference to represent South Africa’s first free and fair election in 1994, the coin is a symbol of a prosperous and harmonious future for Africa and its people.
Silver – luminous and reflective, it embodies the continent’s spirit of clarity and renewal. In this material, a standout offering is the 100g Fine Silver Minted Bar Bullion Bear. Established in 2016, the Bullion Bear aims to encourage and facilitate the ownership of Bullion Metals in the African market. This fine silver minted bar features the deep relief stylistic head of a bear and Bullion Bear logo surrounded by a wavy modern streak pattern on the reverse. The obverse contains the MC logo, weight, metal and purity and country of origin, South Africa. Through skill and technology, the bars feature deep and detailed relief on the design which exceed the norm for bullion minted bars and adds additional security through the complexity of production. Bullion Bear minted bars are solid savings and investments buyers can bank on, literally.
A PROVOCATIVE CONTINUUM
Gold’s eternal glow, silver’s reflective grace, and platinum’s enduring strength all tell the tale of Africa’s past, present, and future. Together, these metals chart the journey of how heritage, innovation, and artistry characterises the continent.
As South Africa continues to shape the global language of luxury, MetCon stands as both guardian and innovator, ensuring that Africa’s metals will always tell a story of integrity, artistry, and evolution.
Discover the full collection of MetCon’s gold, silver, and platinum Wealth Pieces at metcon.co.za/wealth
“A legacy forged in precious metals”
RAYON S
C A V I A R , C
AS FASHION GETS CASUAL, FINE JEWELLERY IS FLIRTING WITH FRUIT, EMOJIS, AND OTHER SUMPTUOUS TREATS SET IN PRECIOUS STONES
WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA
& C HEESEB
U R G E R S 1.
There was a time when a diamond necklace whispered old money and a ruby brooch screamed aristocracy. From Mariah Carey’s famous diamond-studded butterfly ring to Beyoncé wearing custom Lorraine Schwartz jewels at the Grammys, “bling bling” was once so de rigueur that it made it into the Oxford Dictionary. Elizabeth Taylor’s collection – who can forget the 69.42ct Taylor-Burton Diamond gifted by Richard Burton, famously worn to Princess Grace of Monaco’s 40th birthday – was practically a love language.
But that was life BC – Before COVID. Today’s jewellery is less Versailles, more viral. And if you’re wearing a cheeseburger on your finger, you’re not just making a statement – you’re creating a meme.
Post-COVID, as more of us swapped suits and shoes for sweatpants and sneakers, it became “business at the top, loungewear at the bottom”. This shift pointed to the casualisation of everything from bags to accessories. Judith Leiber was one of the first luxury designers to lead this playful trend – her radio bag, ice cream cone clutch, and champagne bottle minaudière are still on my Christmas Wishlist.
But make no mistake, just because the pieces are playful doesn’t mean they’re costume jewellery.
Enter Nadine Ghosn, the LebaneseBrazilian designer whose Hamburger Ring has become the crown jewel of novelty fine jewellery. Retailing for more than $25 000, the ring comprises seven individual bands mimicking burger layers: sesame bun, beef patty, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Crafted from 18kt rose gold, white and champagne diamonds, tsavorite, yellow sapphire, and ruby accents, it’s been spotted on Louis Vuitton Menswear Creative Director, Pharrell Williams, as well as rapper Drake. The Hamburger Ring has earned cult status among collectors who like their luxury with a side of humour.
“The Hamburger Ring has earned cult status among collectors who like their luxury with a side of humour”
But if the thought of meat offends your fashion sensibilities, Nadine has a glutenfree version. The Veggie Burger Ring features gemstone greens and diamond onions. And if, like me, you long for your analogue school days, there’s the Crayon Bracelet – complete with ‘bite marks’ you left on your school stationery – alongside the Pencil Bangle, a golden nod to handwritten homework and doodled margins. The Emoji Earrings channel early internet whimsy from a time before screens replaced scribbles and charm came pixelated.
Nadine isn’t alone in this irreverent renaissance. London-based jeweller Jessica McCormack has turned her Mayfair townhouse into a playground of “Day Diamonds” where pieces are
designed to be worn with jeans, not just gowns. “I design pieces that are casual but elevated, so that my client doesn’t feel overdressed wearing them in the context of everyday life or underdressed if she were to wear them in black tie,” she told Vanity Fair
Her Summer 2025 Fruit Salad collection is a juicy tribute to orchard nostalgia, featuring cherries, lemons, apples, and pears rendered in sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. A twin cherry pendant goes for $25 250, while her apple hoop earrings are priced at $11 850. A polished emerald pear and diamond pendant? Price upon request, naturally.
With Victorian settings reimagined for the beach or brunch, Jessica’s button-back technique allows diamonds to sit flush against the skin, while her gypset styling makes even the most opulent pieces feel effortlessly wearable.
Marie Lichtenberg, the Parisian designer behind those candy-coloured lockets you’ve seen all over Instagram, is another key player in the novelty boom. Her Rani Lockets – made with enamelled gold and strung on silk cords – carry secret messages like “Love You to the Moon” or “Eye Will Protect You.” “It’s dedicated to my daughter, Paloma: ‘Love you to the moon and back’. This was the first piece in my collection,” Marie has said. For the ‘chakra huns’ who charge their crystals under a full moon and listen to sound baths, prices for these lockets start at around $5 000, but ultimately depend on customisation. Inspired by Creole heritage and global symbolism, By Marie pieces are modern heirlooms with a twist – spiritual, playful, and deeply personal.
“Make no mistake, just because the pieces are playful doesn’t mean they’re costume jewellery”
Rounding out the cohort of designers embracing irreverent jewels is Californian Lauren Harwell Godfrey, whose pieces turn culinary nostalgia into talismanic luxury. Lauren’s Saltshaker Pendant and Caviar Charm (up to $9 500) reinterpret everyday indulgences in 18kt gold and pavé diamonds. Her Honey Bear necklace and 11:11 watch (astrology fanatics, gather here!) blend childhood memory and spiritual symbolism, rendered in 18kt gold with ethically sourced gemstones. Boldness takes centre stage in the designs of Lauren Rubinski, whose oversized gold chains and sculptural bracelets favour presence over motif. Made in Italy and beloved by fashion icons like Hailey Bieber, her pieces channel hedonistic minimalism with a wink – solid 14kt and 18kt gold links that speak louder than words.
12 MUST-HAVE NOVELTY
“Novelty jewellery isn’t just about the casualisation an indicator of where we are
JEWELLERY PIECES
NADINE GHOSN
1. Hamburger Ring: rose gold, white and champagne diamonds, tsavorite, yellow sapphires, and rubies.
2. Pencil Bracelets: white gold with diamonds and sapphires.
3. The Bon Bon Block Ring: stackable rings with blue or red agate or yellow sapphires.
JESSICA MCCORMACK
4. Forbidden Fruit Necklace: necklace with rubies, yellow sapphires, emeralds, and orange sapphires.
5. Twin Cherry Pendant: gold with a diamond accent stem.
MARIE LICHTENBERG
6. Love You Scapular: rocket set with blue sapphire on back.
7. Rani Locket: engraved messages, strung on silk cords.
LAUREN HARWELL GODFREY
8. Saltshaker Pendant: a shaker-shaped charm, set in 18kt gold.
9. Caviar Pendant: diamonds in a gold tin motif.
CAROLINA BUCCI
10. Superstellar Pendant: sapphires in pixelated star formations.
11. Lucky Bracelet: woven with silk thread.
LAUREN RUBINSKI
12. Chunky Gold Chains: solid 14kt and 18kt gold.
while her Superstellar pendants and FORTE beads offer customisable colour
The reality is that, as the world grows more divisive and we find ourselves doom-scrolling and turning to AI as therapists, we crave things – and beings –that spark joy. Novelty jewellery isn’t just about the casualisation of jewels; it’s an indicator of where we are in the world. We’re hungry for some whimsy and play.
Vogue Hong Kong, “For me, creativity is about processing emotion and trauma. I believe that for many creatives, difficult experiences inspire them to translate feelings into beautiful, positive works of art.”
These designers are reshaping the jewellery landscape – not by rejecting opulence, but by reimagining it. Their work proves that irreverence, novelty, and investment can coexist, and that a lemon-shaped earring or emojistudded bracelet might just be the most meaningful purchase you make this year.
After all, who said luxury shouldn’t laugh
it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH GIFTS THAT EMBODY MEANING, CONNECTION, AND TIMELESSNESS. HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO PRESENTS THAT LINGER LONG AFTER THE SEASON ENDS…
COMPILED BY LEIGH HERRINGER AND MPUMI NTINTILI
For The Collector
1. BANG & OLUFSEN Beosound A9 5th Gen bluetooth speaker. R109 999, yuppiechef.com; 2. ZIZIPHO POSWA uMakoti (Bride) 2021 glazed earthenware, bronze, 185 x 75 x 52cm. POA, southernguild.com; 3. SWAROVSKI AX Visio 10x32 smart binoculars. R109 249, futurama.co.za; 4. MOËT & CHANDON Brut Impérial (75cl) Limited Red Edition. R729, select liquor retailers; 5. ASSOULINE Federer coffee-table book. R100 000 (signed) and R3 000 (unsigned), darocha.co.za; 6. CARTIER Love Unlimited bracelet in yellow and white gold. POA, cartier.com
BELO glass candleholder in Aqua Foam. R850, lagrangeinteriors.co.za; 2. BUGATTI Vera Easy kettle in stainless steel. R5 499, bash.com; 3. KITCHENAID artisan stand mixer in Empire Red. R15 999, yuppiechef.com; 4. BIG GREEN EGG. R25 499.15 (large), bash.com; 5. CARROL BOYES glass decanter set on the brink. R5 499, carrolboyes.com; 6. SMEG knife block. R11 999 for a
smeg.com
1. DOLCE&GABBANA Fefé fragrance mist. POA, dolcegabbana.com; 2. GUCCI collar. R8 100 (small/medium), gucci.com; 3. Luxury pet stroller with detachable carrier. R3 999, takealot.com; 4. PEDERSEN + LENNARD in flight bird feeder. R1 840, pedersenlennard.co.za; 5. LE TOUTOU poo-bag purse in Buchu. R860, chommies.com; 6. GUCCI wool pet sweater in Forest Green. POA, gucci.com
FULL BLOOM Florence in
CRUISE 2026 COLLECTION MARKS A BOLD RE-AWAKENING OF ITS FLORENTINE ROOTS
GUCCI’S
The Cruise 2026 collection –a homage to Florence, Gucci’s birthplace – revisits the city’s historic significance for the House with a sense of elegance and renewal. Revealed across the streets of Florence surrounding Piazza Santo Spirito – where the collection first debuted at the Gucci Archive – it returned to its origins as a living, breathing space that informs Gucci’s past, present, and future. The collection reflects this spirit through the influence of the archive, where the rich history of Florence is reinterpreted in a playful mélange that shifts between the minimal and the maximal. Structured silhouettes with exaggerated shoulders soften into fluid lines, creating a wardrobe that transitions effortlessly from day to night. Rich, heirloom fabrics – velvet, brocade, jacquard, silk, and lace – layered with embroidery and shimmering strass, evoke both opulence and tradition.
“This collection is not just about fabric – it’s a revival of Gucci’s symbolic language”
This collection is not merely about fabric; it’s a revival of Gucci’s symbolic language. The GG monogram makes a thoughtful reappearance throughout, while the bold single G motif is reimagined on belt buckles, shoe heels, and inlaid details. Leather goods, a cornerstone of Gucci’s identity, are reinterpreted: archival-inspired forms sit alongside softer, more accessible shapes, including a vanity-style bag and a reworked half-Horsebit design. The standout accessory, the Gucci Giglio bag – named in honour of Florence’s emblematic lily – unites heritage and craftsmanship in a single, modern icon. The Cruise 2026 collection signals a confident new era for Gucci, honouring its archival codes while embracing a refined modernity. From sculpted tailoring to tactile fabrics and reimagined signatures, it embodies a House returning to its foundations to create something finely attuned to the present. ■
EDISNI EHT
O R L D OF SARA H AGNAL
WE SAT DOWN WITH SARAH LANGA – DIGITAL TASTEMAKER, LUXURY COLLABORATOR, AND EMERGING DESIGN CREATIVE – TO CHAT ABOUT HER EVOLVING PERSONAL STYLE, GLOBAL TRAVELS, AND THE LAUNCH OF SL INTERIORS IN 2026
WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA
In a world where style intersects substance, Sarah Langa remains an unapologetic curator of dreams – seamlessly translating luxury fashion moments into stories of empowerment and African elegance. Her Instagram feed is not only a mood board of couture, travel, and aspiration, but the silent prelude to something greater. As the calendar turns over to 2026, she will launch her interior design studio, SL Interiors – a platform where architecture meets heritage and sophistication meets soul. This isn’t just a launch; it’s a redefinition of legacy.
25 QUESTIONS WITH SARAH LANGA…
1. DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC IN THREE WORDS… Expressive, explorative, and African.
2. WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE WHEN YOU WALK INTO A BEAUTIFUL SPACE? I naturally focus on the finer details – from the quality of the joinery to how the art communicates with the interiors. I look for storytelling and synergy.
3. WHICH INTERIOR DESIGNER DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?
The late Australian architect Kerry Hill is someone I deeply admire. He had an extraordinary ability to design spaces that are modern yet rooted in place, climate, and culture. I also admire Meyer Davis Studio for its effortless blend of sophistication and warmth. Its interiors are luxurious without being intimidating, and the team creates spaces that feel curated yet entirely liveable.
4. HOME FEELS LIKE… A story. It represents what it feels like to be African through my lived experience – from 1993 to now. It’s an ever-evolving reflection of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going.
5. WHAT’S THE ONE ITEM IN YOUR HOME THAT BEST CAPTURES YOUR PERSONALITY?
My S-Curve couch (pictured below right). I designed it in 2020 with my sister’s mother-in-law – it was the first furniture piece I ever created. It sits in my formal lounge and represents my new beginnings as I moved into my first home. It’s a deeply sentimental piece that I hope to keep forever.
6. HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL WHEN THEY WALK INTO YOUR SPACE? I want them to feel my vulnerability. My home is where I unwind and where I exist most authentically. It’s a canvas that tells my story, so I want people to feel like they truly know me when they enter my space.
7. PARIS IS YOUR PLAYGROUND. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANT OR CAFÉ THERE?
Hôtel Costes will always be my favourite. I also really enjoy the new Kinugawa Rive Gauche.
8. PARIS OR NEW YORK? New York.
13. THE BEST VIEW YOU’VE EVER WOKEN UP TO? Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. The drama of the mountains meeting the ocean with that incredible morning light is something I’ll never get over.
14. LOCAL DESIGNERS YOU’RE LOVING? Rich Mnisi for his bold storytelling and strong African voice. Mmusomaxwell for its impeccable craftsmanship and the way the designs celebrate the modern African woman. And Thebe Magugu for his intellectual approach to fashion and his ability to translate culture and history into beautifully constructed garments.
15. GUCCI OR LOUIS VUITTON? Gucci.
16. WHAT’S THE MOST-WORN ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE? My doublebreasted leather jacket, designed by Olivier Rousteing. I wear it almost every week because it is powerful, structured, and timeless.
17. HOW DO YOU DRESS FOR THE AIRPORT? Comfort comes first. I wear breathable fabrics, shoes that are easy to remove, always layer for changing temperatures. I like to look relaxed but polished.
9. A CITY THAT HAS MOST INSPIRED YOUR SENSE OF DESIGN? London – which is why I chose to study interior design there. The city has an extraordinary culture of craftsmanship and attention to detail, which has shaped how I approach materials and finishing at SL Interiors. London’s architectural diversity exposed me to a rich design history that taught me how to layer eras and narratives timelessly, while remaining strongly rooted in my African identity.
10. WHAT’S YOUR PACKING RULE FOR LONG-HAUL TRAVEL? I pack using a simple three-section approach that keeps everything organised. Essentials go into one pouch so I can easily reach them. I then have functional layers that I can mix and match in different climates. Lastly, I include a few statement pieces so I’m always prepared for an unexpected dinner or event.
11. THREE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT? I always carry silver spray – I use its as a sanitiser and for immune support. Long travel takes a toll on me, so prevention is important. And I never travel with expensive jewellery because high-value pieces create unnecessary anxiety.
12. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOTEL? Cheval Blanc St Barths remains special to me because of its exceptional hospitality, breathtaking views, and the warmth and privacy it offers.
18. WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT SIGNATURE SCENT? Hermès Barenia EDP. It’s warm, subtle, and confident.
19. A BEAUTY RITUAL YOU NEVER SKIP?
Vitamin C masks and exfoliation. Travel affects my skin, so exfoliating keeps it smooth and bright while vitamin C restores radiance and fights dullness.
20. WHERE WAS YOUR LAST HOLIDAY, WHO DID YOU GO WITH, AND WHAT MADE IT SPECIAL? My last trip was a brand trip with the Belmond Group and Andrea Iyamah. We stayed at the Belmond in Anguilla. It was special because it brought together luxury hospitality and African creativity most beautifully and intentionally.
21. WHO IS YOUR ULTIMATE STYLE ICON –PAST OR PRESENT? My grandmother. She was a designer and taught me how to use my hands to create. Her elegance and skill continue to inspire me.
22. IF YOU COULD SWAP WARDROBES WITH ANYONE FOR A WEEK, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Jewellery designer and founder of KNC Beauty, Kristen Noel Crawley. Her style mixes structure with ease, luxury with playfulness, and trends with individuality in a way that feels instinctive rather than performative. Her approach to fashion isn’t about clothes for the sake of it; it’s about building narratives, moods, and moments through texture, proportion, and unexpected combinations. I imagine stepping into her wardrobe would feel like trying on a different creative lens –expressed through a completely different visual language.
23. YOUR FINE DINING GO-TO IN SOUTH AFRICA? FYN and Pier in Cape Town. Both offer culinary artistry and are thoughtful in their approach to flavour, atmosphere, and detail. Dining at either restaurant feels like an experience, not just a meal.
24. NEXT PLACE ON YOUR TRAVEL WISH LIST? Brazil for my birthday in February. I want to experience Carnival and immerse myself in the culture, rhythm, colour, and energy.
25. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026? The launch of my interior design studio, SL Interiors. This is one of the most meaningful milestones of my life. The studio represents independence, purpose, and my commitment to shaping the African design narrative. I want SL Interiors to merge global sophistication with African stories, materials, and philosophies. It is not just a business for me – it’s my legacy. ■
MASTERPIECEA
reimagined
FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER FIRST DESIGNING THE WINERY BUILDING, DAVID COLLINS STUDIO HAS RETURNED TO DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE – NOT TO CHANGE IT, BUT TO PERFECT IT WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA
In the past year alone, Delaire Graff Estate has been ranked among the top vineyard’s around the world and swept up at the Best Of Wine Tourism Awards in Verona for Accommodation, Architecture & Landscape, and Wine Tourism Restaurant.
Perched on the Helshoogte Pass in the Western Cape’s Winelands, with photographic views of Table Mountain and the Simonsberg, it has long set the bar for African luxury. Delaire Graff Estate was also voted the top hotel in South Africa by Condé Nast Traveller readers and received a coveted five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide – accolades that reaffirm its position as the jewel of the Cape Winelands. Yet even perfection, it seems, can evolve. The latest chapter in Delaire Graff’s story comes in the form of a complete redesign of its Winery Building – the beating heart of the estate’s wine, food, and art experience. The project marks the return of London’s David Collins Studio, which first designed the space when the estate opened in 2009. Guided once again by Laurence Graff OBE – the legendary diamantaire and collector behind the estate –the Studio’s Chief Creative Officer, Simon Rawlings (pictured left), has reshaped the interiors with a sure hand and a clear brief: to refine, not reinvent.
“South African artisans were commissioned to create bespoke lighting, plasterwork, and wood panelling”
“Delaire Graff Estate is one of my favourite places to visit,” says Simon. “Having the privilege of being able to return to a project and update it, refine it, and better what’s already perfect is such a joy. The new Winery Building features enhanced experiences through textural timbers, bold colours, contemporary art, and gorgeous lighting. Taste, dine, and enjoy unparalleled South African hospitality, surrounded by exquisite quality and attention to detail.”
That attention is apparent from the moment guests arrive. The entrance – full-height timber doors adorned with a starburst of metal studwork –opens onto the estate’s now iconic peach-pip floor. A modern interpretation of a Cape Dutch technique, it grounds the design in local history while offering a tactile welcome underfoot.
From there, the space unfolds in layers of contrast and texture: dark-stained timbers, bronze ironmongery, richly veined marble, and opulent lighting. Hues of sunburst orange and lavender animate the earthy palette, casting a golden glow that shifts through the day – a hallmark of Rawlings’s design language and a deliberate nod to the South African light.
At the Delaire Graff Restaurant, this palette blossoms into warmth. Two sculptural serpentine banquettes in orange leather curve through the space, inviting intimacy. Vellum-toned rendered walls and timber wainscoting create rhythm and calm, while custom chairs feature the time-honoured riempie lacing technique – a traditional South African craft reinterpreted with contemporary precision. Decorative plaster mouldings reference Cape Dutch architecture, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors are framed by ecrulinen curtains edged in lavender grosgrain. Areca palms soften the scale and draw the outside in, bridging vineyard and interior with natural grace.
At the far end, the sommelier’s bar becomes a focal point of theatre and craftsmanship. An ebonised timber wine display in a bold herringbone pattern is both sculptural and functional, while a marble-clad fireplace anchors the opposite wall. Above it, a patchwork of hand-chiselled timber panels forms a rich relief, their surfaces catching the light like facets of a gem.
Under the culinary direction of Head Chef Clinton Jacobs, the restaurant’s menu mirrors this design philosophy. Clinton describes the concept as “finer dining” – a respectful evolution of traditional South African flavours. Seasonal ingredients are sourced from suppliers practising biodynamic farming, while plating favours clarity over complication. Each dish reflects the estate’s broader ethos: authenticity, sustainability, and unforced beauty.
Next door, the Wine Tasting Lounge offers a quieter, moodier dialogue. Here, deep amethyst upholstery offsets black marble and dark timber. The centrepiece fireplace, carved from gold-veined Sahara Noir marble, glows against the muted backdrop. Above it hangs Junganity by Kenny Scharf – a commanding new artwork that anchors the room, joining Mr Graff’s world-class collection of contemporary African art. The continuity of palette and proportion, from the lavender accents to the chevron-trimmed drapery, ensures a seamless transition between spaces.
“The language of design should be able to reflect wherever you are,” Simon explains. “We’ve always had a strong DNA at Delaire – timeless, tactile, connected to place. This time, we wanted to build on that confidence. It’s about subtle contrasts –high and low, dark and light, intimacy and grandeur – always in balance.”
That language of refinement extends beyond aesthetics. Material choices were guided by sustainability and local collaboration –a cornerstone of both the estate and the Studio’s philosophy. “We love to support the local economy because it’s so important,” says Simon. “Not only for the planet, but because the craftsmanship here is extraordinary.” South African artisans were commissioned to create bespoke lighting, plasterwork, and carved wood panelling, while local suppliers provided natural stone and timber.
Lighting is another integral part of the experience. Architectural and decorative illumination layers are carefully orchestrated to echo the estate’s goldenhour glow. By day, sunlight filters through linen drapery and reflects off marble surfaces;
by night, the warmth deepens into amber, amplifying the tones of wood and leather. The result is an atmosphere that evolves with the rhythm of the day – immersive, sensory, alive.
Art remains Delaire Graff’s quiet pulse. From Lionel Smit’s monumental portraiture to the richly expressive Junganity, the estate’s collection bridges Africa’s artistic heritage and its contemporary renaissance. Simon’s interiors, intentionally restrained, act as frames for these works – giving each room a sense of cultural depth and continuity.
“Material choices were guided by sustainability and local collaboration”
The redesign also reaffirms Delaire Graff’s dual identity as both sanctuary and showcase: a place to pause and a place to be inspired. The Estate’s 16 private lodges and four-bedroom Owner’s Villa offer seclusion amid vineyards, while its trio of restaurants –HOSEKI’s Japanese precision, Lorenzo’s Cucina Italiana’s intimacy, and the flagship Delaire Graff Restaurant –embody the culinary diversity of South African luxury.
Jacolien de Villiers, CEO of Delaire Graff Estate, encapsulates the project’s ambition: “Since opening in 2009, Delaire Graff has continually evolved. This renovation ensures an extraordinary experience for every guest – whether they come to dine, taste, explore our art collection, or simply take in the beauty of this place.”
What emerges from the redesign is not a reinvention but a refinement –a dialogue between past and present, art and architecture, design and nature. As the sun sets over the vineyards, its light dances across marble and timber, bringing new lustre to a place already defined by brilliance.
Delaire Graff Estate has not been transformed; it has been perfected. The Jewel of the Cape Winelands now gleams with renewed radiance –a masterpiece, reimagined. ■
In a world that’s defined by unprecedented, concentrated wealth, there’s one commodity that’s becoming increasingly rare: time. As Sarette van den Heever, Wealth Director, Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth (pictured right) notes, we can grow generational investment portfolios, build great businesses, and curate beautiful collections, but successful families are learning that the real measure of wealth isn’t just found in investment returns or capital growth – it’s in how you spend your hours and who you spend them with.
True luxury isn’t about collecting things, it’s about crafting an intentional life – one built around freedom, purpose, and connection. In fact, a landmark Harvard Study – spanning more than eight decades – has found that our deepest wellbeing and genuine happiness come from meaningful relationships, not status or success.
For Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth, crafting an intentional life comes down to three key aspects: Return on Time, Relationship Alpha, and Stewardship.
“Return on Time,” Sarette explains, “is the core performance metric that should be chased by successful families. Optimising this metric is simple – spend money to save time, not to acquire more things.” That might mean delegating, automating, or outsourcing parts of life – from investment management and administration to household operations – so that time can be spent in a meaningful way.
“True luxury isn’t about collecting things, it’s about crafting an intentional life”
The second aspect, Relationship Alpha, borrows from the investment world’s term for outperformance. But here, it’s measured in experiences, not percentages.
“For families that have accumulated generational wealth, Relationship Alpha is critical in building an intentional life. Creating shared experiences with your loved ones, spending time at a retreat, or curating learning journeys for the next generation – these are things that add to an intentional life,” says Sarette.
The final critical aspect in building an intentional life is that of Stewardship over consumption. When entrusted with a great deal of wealth, families are faced with a key decision: will you be a steward of this wealth or a consumer of it? “Current private wealth trends are showing a growing move towards stewardship,” says Sarette. “Impact investments are rising in popularity, health and wellbeing are being prioritised, and the next generation is increasingly focused on purpose and making decisions driven by values.” It’s about redefining success as contribution rather than accumulation.
For many, a family office becomes the operating system that makes all of this possible. By delegating governance, administration, and the curation of your family’s affairs, you free up time and headspace for the pursuits that enrich your life. “You spend money to save time, creating opportunities to invest in meaningful relationships,” she adds.
Luxury once lived in rare objects, but today it lives in an intentional life. It’s not the investments, properties, art, or travel that define true luxury – it’s the freedom of having the time to be present and the relationships that make that presence meaningful.
RAREST the of all LUXURY
FOR SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES, THE GREATEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT TODAY IS TIME ITSELF – THE FREEDOM TO LIVE FULLY AND MEANINGFULLY
FROM TO vineglass
THE INAUGURAL MOËT & CHANDON HARVEST EXPERIENCE OFFERED AN EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES JOURNEY INTO THE HERITAGE, ARTISTRY, AND ENDURING TRADITION OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED MAISONS WORDS INGRID WOOD
The chance to participate in the inaugural Moët & Chandon Harvest Experience in Épernay, France –the spiritual home of Champagne – was nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Timed to coincide with the Maison’s 282nd harvest, the invitation-only event promised an exclusive and rare glimpse into the meticulous journey of Moët & Chandon from vine to glass.
And so it was that I found myself being whisked from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Reims – the historic city that, together with Épernay, forms the industrial centre of the Champagne region’s wine district.
Checking into La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa offered a taste of the luxury to come. Once a fire station, it was built in 1926 as part of the broader post-World War I reconstruction of Reims, and was converted into a hotel in 2019 – the ideal location for a cultural immersion. My room looked out over the famous Notre-Dame de Reims –a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
“Below ground lies 28km of hidden passages and vaulted cellars”
Sitting on my balcony taking in the view of the Cathedral, glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial in hand – the House’s iconic Champagne renowned for its vibrant fruitiness and unique style – the day felt like it could not get better. But, of course, it did…
That evening, we were escorted to L’Orangerie, the historic event space at Moët & Chandon on 20 avenue de Champagne in Épernay, for welcome cocktails, canapés, live music, and an introduction to what lay ahead. Originally built in 1805 by Jean-Rémy Moët to shelter citrus plants, L’Orangerie is now used as a venue for private events, tastings, and exclusive experiences. Modern and elegant, it’s impressive in that effortlessly French way.
Set behind a still body of water – not quite a pool nor a pond – the building seems to float. On a clear day it perfectly mirrors the sky and façade, capturing the reflection of the Moët & Chandon logo that hovers just above the water. Around the water, everything is manicured to perfection. The lawns are deep green and stretch out neatly in every direction. There are flowers wherever you look, but nothing feels overdone, just enough colour and softness to balance out the modern lines of the building. We all instinctively paused here, drawn to the quiet grandeur of the scene.
Below ground and almost impossible to believe, lies 28km of hidden passages and vaulted cellars that cradle millions of bottles. Set at a constant 10–12 degrees, the air was cool and fresh, though I suspect my goosebumps were more from the wonder of this subterranean labyrinth than the temperature. The air is hushed, the scent mineral with a faint smell of damp stone. The walls are etched in history – chalk markings from cellar masters, vintage codes, and the occasional flourish of a signature. Bottles rest in perfect rows as the Champagne matures, shielded from light and vibration. It’s a place of patience and precision, where the second fermentation unfolds and riddling racks await the deft hands of cellar artisans.
With a better understanding of what takes place underground, we returned to the surface and made our way to Fort Chabrol, a research and training centre founded by Moët & Chandon and home to Natura Nostra, the Maison’s initiative for biodiversity.
Guided by its motto, “15 Minutes Ahead”, the Maison fosters innovation to address the challenges of tomorrow’s vineyard.
Natura Nostra aims to create 100km of ecological corridors in Champagne by 2027, while regenerative farming practices are used to cultivate and protect the soil. These include introducing different breeds of sheep for mixed eco-grazing, promoting plant cover and fallow land, and providing flower strips for pollinators. It’s a visionary blend of terroir stewardship and sustainable innovation.
At 1 300 hectares, Moët & Chandon cultivates the largest vineyard in Champagne. Here, the harvest is never hurried. Every grape –Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay – is hand-picked, an essential practice to maintain the high standards required for the Maison’s Champagne production.
As the harvest begins, around 2 000 pickers arrive to carry out the delicate process. After a brief lesson in picking, we were given boots, clippers, and buckets, and proceeded to pick Pinot Noir grapes. It’s hard work and long hours for the pickers, which is why I was pleased to hear of Moët & Chandon’s tradition of hospitality, which includes auditing working and living conditions for the workers during their season. I was also immensely proud that the clusters we cut were identified (our ‘payment’ was a donation to the protection of the region) and included in the harvest, which we also learnt was a good one, due to the favourable conditions.
“The harvest date is based on the maturity of the grapes,” explained Marie-Christine Osselin, Wine Quality and Communication Manager at Moët & Chandon. “Checking the grapes is not enough to set the actual date, we need to taste them every two weeks to ensure they match the Champagne profiles.”
Once the grapes have been picked, timing is everything. The interval between harvest and pressing must be as short as possible to prevent oxidation and preserve freshness. Moët & Chandon has several pressing centres where the grapes are pressed to extract juice for Champagne production. Ours went to Mont Aigu winery in Oiry – a site dedicated to innovation and efficiency in winemaking. There, we witnessed the sophisticated, automated conveyor systems that handle crates of freshly picked grapes, while robotic arms unload them and send them to the presses. This gentle pressing process is essential for extracting high-quality clear juice while avoiding contact with the grape skins and seeds. It is crucial for producing white wines from black grapes such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and is a key step in making Moët & Chandon’s signature blends.
Sampling the Champagne that evening over dinner brought a new appreciation for the precision and beauty behind the process of its creation. As expected, the setting was immaculate. The historic Château de Saran has been a symbol of luxury and exclusivity since it was built in 1801 for Jean-Rémy Moët, grandson of the founder of the Champagne house. In 2019, following a five-year restoration, Moët & Chandon reopened the Château to great acclaim. It was
“Once the grapes have been picked, timing is everything”
also in the spotlight for donating three centennial oak trees from the estate’s forest to be used in the reconstruction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Used to entertain the Maison’s most distinguished guests, it was an incredible privilege to experience a taste of such exclusivity. We mingled and sipped Brut Impérial before being led downstairs into the cellar for an exquisite dinner hosted by Moët & Chandon CEO and President Sibylle Scherer and Chef de Cave, Benoît Gouez. The table, dressed in crisp linen and layered with glasses, polished silver, and white flowers, stretched beneath candlelight, each place setting marked with handwritten name cards. The seasonal menu, prepared by Executive Chef Jean-Michel Bardet, was paired with four cuvées – the Grand Vintage 2016, Grand Vintage 2016 Rosé, Grand Vintage Collection 2009 and Grand Vintage Collection 2000.
As we learnt on the cellar tour, Moët & Chandon’s Art of Simplexity concept is a poetic encapsulation of its philosophy: the mastery of making something incredibly complex appear effortlessly simple. From the meticulous vineyard practices to the artful blending of over 100 wines in the iconic Brut Impérial, it defines the Maison’s champagnemaking process. I left knowing that every gesture at Moët & Chandon, from the gilded monogram to the meticulous pour, is a ritual of this timeless refinement. ■
TMEMBERS ONLY
FROM JOHANNESBURG TO DUBAI, PRIVATE MEMBERS’ CLUBS ARE REWRITING BELONGING ITSELF, TRANSFORMING PRIVILEGE INTO PURPOSE AND VELVET ROPES INTO THRESHOLDS OF CONNECTION
here was a time when entering a private members’ club meant stepping into a coded ritual. Heavy doors, strict dress, a knowing nod to lineage. Today, those same thresholds open into spaces curated not just for affluence, but for creativity, purpose, and connection. Wealth still whispers, but it no longer speaks alone. Now, the currency is attention, imagination, and the ability to contribute to a broader cultural conversation.
WORDS RYAN ENSLIN
In South Africa, a new wave is already moving, and women-led, pan-African spaces such as the Circle and the W Club are redefining belonging; not by pedigree, but by culture, creativity, and lived purpose. These are clubs where collaboration outranks convention and where influence is measured by what you build with others, not just what you own. Membership still involves discernment, but the lens has widened. Community now matters as much as credentials.
Across cities from Johannesburg to Dubai and Cape Town to New York, private members’ clubs are undergoing a quiet metamorphosis as they distil a global craving for connection with intention. Beneath the chandeliers of Johannesburg’s Rand Club, the past still glimmers – even as the city’s bureaucracy threatens to dim the lights. A disputed rates revaluation has steepened its costs, yet the chandeliers still burn above evenings of music, wine, and debate. Proof that heritage can evolve without losing its lustre.
What’s on offer now is decadent in its subtlety: worlds that celebrate art, design, and the culinary arts, but also dialogue. Privacy that invites not isolation but encounter, and where membership opens access to the best creatives and business minds worldwide. In walking through the lobby of one of these modern clubs, you might catch a curator debating an upcoming show, an investor chatting with a filmmaker, or a designer sketching ideas over a signature cocktail. The velvet rope remains, but its purpose has changed. It now frames a world where time, taste, and togetherness become the real luxuries.
ZERO BOND, NEW YORK
New York’s Zero Bond occupies a subtler register of luxury. Conceived by Scott Sartiano, a fixture of the city’s hospitality scene and founder of some of its most recognisable venues, it opened in 2020 on Bond Street behind a discreet façade. “I wanted to create an elevated environment and thought the 28- to 50-year-old bracket was under-represented in New York when it came to social options,” says Scott. The interiors, by designer William Sofield – long associated with Gucci and Tom Ford – balance art and understatement. The mood is sleek, contemporary, and unmistakably design-forward, a space pitched exactly between deal and repose.
Inside, phones are discouraged, conversations flow, and the atmosphere is calibrated for those who no longer need to be seen – they prefer to connect. From tech founders to actors to civic leaders, and with Taylor Swift and former New York Mayor Eric Adams counted among its membership, the club’s magnetism lies in its restraint. A reminder that influence still travels fastest when unannounced. zerobondny.com
“Taylor Swift and former New York Mayor Eric Adams are counted among its membership”
CAPE TOWN CLUB, SOUTH AFRICA
Founded in 1858, the Cape Town Club carries its history lightly. From its gabled façade on Queen Victoria Street, the building stands with quiet poise amid the vertical rhythm of downtown, a 19th-century silhouette flanked by glass and concrete. The scent of polished wood and the measured echo of shoes on marble recall another era, yet the atmosphere within feels distinctly alive. Evenings bring curated tastings, live music drifting from a tucked-away room, and gatherings that spark conversation around art and ideas, bridging the city’s old guard and its restless new.
The membership has broadened; younger faces, varied professions, and a wider sense of what community can mean. There’s less hierarchy now and more cross-pollination, an ease that allows different worlds to meet without ceremony. General Manager Phil Thurston sums up the shift, saying, “Diversity is at the heart of what we want the club to be.”
The club has learned that tradition endures best when it remains porous. Here, history listens as much as it speaks. It adapts, holding its tone, while new voices join the chorus. thecapetownclub.co.za
CAPITAL CLUB DUBAI
Set within the Dubai International Financial Centre, the Capital Club operates at a literal and symbolic intersection. Outside, glass towers pulse with the rhythms of commerce; inside, the tempo softens into dialogue. This is where senior business leaders, investors, and creative minds converge on an equal footing, drawn together by the ambition and hospitality of the city.
As its Executive Chairman Hussain Sultan Al Junaidy articulated, “Capital Club Dubai is more than a business venue; it is a home away from home. The Club is committed to cultivating a sense of belonging and camaraderie that transcends traditional networking.”
Panels on sustainability, private art previews, and cross-sector dinners make collaboration tangible. In Dubai, the modern club reveals itself as a translator between worlds that too rarely meet. Commerce and culture, East and West, speed and reflection.
The Capital Club shows that the modern members’ club, at its best, is not a retreat but a meeting point. A stage for civility in a time of fracture, a reminder that diplomacy often begins not in a boardroom, but over tea infused with cardamom and intent. capitalclubdubai.com ■
SOHO HOUSE, GLOBAL
When Soho House opened in London in 1995, it flipped the script: wardrobe codes loosened and membership criteria shifted from inheritance to imagination, from lineage to contribution. The formula proved contagious. From Berlin to Bangkok, the houses that followed offered a familiar refuge: interiors rooted in vintage comforts and tailored design, soft lighting, and textured surfaces creating an atmosphere of ease rather than ostentation.
In these rooms, the private club ceases to be a retreat and becomes a living space. It serves as a contemporary forum for a generation that mistrusts hierarchy but values discernment. It’s proof that community, when carefully composed, can still feel exclusive without being exclusionary.
That spirit extends to Johannesburg, where Soho House’s Cities Without Houses (CWH) model brings its globally plugged-in philosophy to life. Curated by Zanele Kumalo, the community gathers across the city for art dinners, design collaborations, and cultural salons. Here, we see that a club can thrive without walls, connecting creative talent to opportunity and platform. sohohouse.com
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CULTURECurating
INVERROCHE’S LATEST CHAPTER UNFOLDS WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF ACTRESS, HUMANITARIAN, AND GLOBAL STORYTELLER NOMZAMO MBATHA AS ITS CULTURAL CURATOR
The South African gin born in the Cape Floral Kingdom, Inverroche, has long been a symbol of refined sustainability and cultural pride.
Now, with Nomzamo Mbatha joining the brand as Cultural Curator, the story expands beyond the bottle into art, storytelling, and a sensory experience.
Rooted in the shared ethos of “giving back more than it takes,” this collaboration celebrates the intersection of nature, design, and heritage.
For Nomzamo, the role is personal. She views it as an opportunity to honour African ingenuity while shaping the way the world experiences Inverroche – not merely as a luxury gin, but as a movement built on connection and authenticity. Together, Inverroche and Nomzamo are poised to craft a new narrative of conscious luxury that resonates far beyond South Africa’s shores.
YourLuxury Africa spoke to Nomzamo about this spirited cultural collaboration.
WHAT DOES THE TITLE CULTURAL CURATOR MEAN TO YOU, AND HOW DO YOU SEE THIS ROLE SHAPING THE WAY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE INVERROCHE AS A BRAND ROOTED IN AFRICAN LUXURY AND AUTHENTICITY? Inverroche has built a strong legacy rooted in connection, craftsmanship, and creativity. As Cultural Curator, I’m a custodian of that story. I get to use the power of storytelling, weaving modernity, elegance, and authenticity into this incredible brand. This is personal. The African narrative is about our unparalleled richness and excellence, making it clear that our offering is on par with the global stage.
INVERROCHE IS KNOWN FOR ITS RESPECT FOR NATURE, COMMUNITY, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP – VALUES THAT ALIGN WITH YOUR OWN. WHAT DREW YOU TO THE BRAND INITIALLY? The thing about Inverroche is that it wasn’t a brand and spirit that needed heavy marketing. It’s been a favourite of mine since the first time I encountered it. I love the taste, but what I love most is how Inverroche honours nature, craftsmanship, community, creativity, and the incredible African soil. There’s a real and profound honouring of sustainability, social upliftment, and empowerment. Eighty percent of the employees at Stilbaai are local women, every bottle is handcrafted, and its social responsibility action and impact speak volumes. The brand is now global, but it is authentically African. YOU’VE SPOKEN ABOUT “CONSCIOUS LUXURY” AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHENTICITY. HOW DO YOU DEFINE AFRICAN LUXURY IN TODAY’S GLOBAL CONTEXT, AND HOW DOES INVERROCHE EMBODY THAT IDEAL? Inverroche is from the Cape Floral Kingdom; it prides itself on social responsibility. Luxury should not come at the expense of nature, and I’m a true champion for that. The land in which it’s rooted continues to be looked after, preserved, and harnessed. Globally, we must continue to be relentless in our pursuit of conscious luxury, appreciating and respecting nature, and constantly seeking ways to do more.
“What I love most is how Inverroche honours nature, craftsmanship, community, creativity, and the incredible African soil”
AS CULTURAL CURATOR, YOU’LL BE WORKING ACROSS PRODUCT, DESIGN, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES. CAN YOU SHARE ANY EARLY IDEAS OR COLLABORATIONS YOU’RE PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT? The House of Amber speaks for itself… It was my first ‘residence’ with Inverroche and an incredible platform from which to speak and share the Inverroche Amber story, feeling, and vibe. There are some exciting things in the pipeline for 2026, but you’ll have to wait and see. I do love to keep everyone in suspense and let the work speak for itself.
HOW DOES THE HOUSE OF AMBER POP-UP CAPTURE YOUR VISION FOR BLENDING ARTISTRY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND A SENSORY EXPERIENCE? Inverroche is not a one-dimensional brand, and The House of Amber reflects that; every moment is a joy to the senses, whether in taste, touch, sound or feeling. It was incredible to see how everyone loved the atmosphere at the launch. My hope is that as we see more of the public come join in the curated experiences we have lined up – it will spark something even greater.
YOU’RE KNOWN FOR YOUR STORYTELLING BOTH ON AND OFF SCREEN. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO WEAVE THIS INTO INVERROCHE’S BRAND NARRATIVE?
Storytelling, for me, is about elevating Inverroche beyond a product and into a movement. It’s about honouring where we come from – the Cape Floral Kingdom in Africa – while taking that story to the world through a lens of African ingenuity and conscious luxury. Through music, art and creativity, I want to build bridges that connect people to what Inverroche truly stands for: authenticity, craft, connection, and a respect for nature. Storytelling allows us to show not just the beauty of the brand, but the purpose behind it.
INVERROCHE’S GUIDING PHILOSOPHY IS TO “GIVE BACK MORE THAN IT TAKES.” HOW DOES THIS PRINCIPLE REFLECT YOUR OWN APPROACH TO WORK AND THE LEGACY YOU HOPE TO BUILD THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP? We are incredibly aligned in this ethos. It’s what I live by and I try my best to use it as a social messaging tool. It goes beyond philanthropy and humanitarian aspects – it’s embodying it in everything one does.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO ENJOY INVERROCHE? I love my drinks ‘spirit forward’ – less sugar and more of the good stuff. So, I would say double Amber, neat, with a single block of ice. If I’m to add anything, I would say a ‘hair’ of lime. For the Verdant, give me a classic G&T with a slice of lemon. And a pretty sunset.
A Cinematic Summer
FROM
VINEYARD VALLEYS TO OCEAN-CLIFF HIDEAWAYS, THE WESTERN CAPE STEALS THE GLOBAL TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT THIS SUMMER… AGAIN WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA
HOUT BAY
TINTSWALO ATLANTIC
Driving the coastal curve of Chapman’s Peak feels like entering a film set – cliffs to one side and the Atlantic Ocean sparkling below. At its base, hidden among milkwood trees and sea spray, Tintswalo Atlantic appears like a mirage: a collection of wooden decks and glass suites suspended above the tide.
When Viola Davis portrayed the US president throwing punches and taking names around Cape Town in this year’s Amazon Prime thriller G20, the city became more than a postcard – it was a character in its own right: bold, beautiful, and impossible to ignore. Add to that DJ Black Coffee’s recent jaw-dropping R157 million purchase of The Pentagon in Clifton – a glass-andsteel villa perched on what’s been dubbed Africa’s “Billionaires Row” – and it’s clear: the Mother City is having its global moment.
But beyond the glamour and the camera flash lies a quieter, more authentic rhythm. This year, the Michelin Key programme arrived on South African shores, spotlighting hotels that embody design excellence and heartfelt hospitality – proof that the world is finally paying attention to what locals have long known.
Every corner of the Western Cape offers a distinct experience, each within an easy drive from Cape Town International Airport. In Franschhoek (60 minutes), the air smells of vines and slow mornings. Constantia (25 minutes) offers heritage wrapped in green tranquillity. Hout Bay (40 minutes) brings cliffside calm and ocean spray. And central Cape Town – just 20 minutes from the runway – buzzes with vibrant nightlife and coastal allure.
The Western Cape isn’t just where you travel – it’s where you exhale.
Recently named one of the Top 15 Hotels in South Africa in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards and part of a national park, the property embodies romance in its purest form. Each suite is named after a famous island – from Corsica to Robben Island, and we stayed in the Greek island, Ithaca – and opens onto a private terrace so close to the water you can hear the waves breathe.
Head Chef Cameron Smith leads Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic, delivering Liam Tomlin’s acclaimed fine-dining tapas concept with an oceanic twist. “Our menu celebrates the connection between land and sea,” says Chef Cameron. “Every dish is inspired by what surrounds us – the salt in the air, the rhythm of the tides.” Expect oysters, risotto, and a culinary rhythm that mirrors the sea itself.
The newly expanded spa extends the serenity further, with massages performed in-suite to the soundtrack of rolling surf. Sunsets here are rituals – guests gather for a signature cocktail, the sky ablaze in orange, the day dissolving into the ocean. Jonathan Ndebele, who’s been with the Goosens – the owners of the hotel – since 2018, encourages guests to take part in the tradition of throwing a stone into the sea and making a wish before departure. Word is that’s how the owners bagged the concession, so I suggest you make a wish. I did. tintswalo.com
TOWN
CAPE GRACE
Anchored at a private quay between the marina and the V&A Waterfront, Cape Grace has long defined the essence of Cape Town sophistication. Now, under Fairmont management, it’s entering a new era – one led by Chef Wesli Jacobs at its reimagined signature restaurant, Heirloom.
The chef’s debut menu is both nostalgic and forwardlooking, rooted in South Africa’s culinary heritage. “It’s a heartfelt tribute to our flavours,” he says. “I want each dish to tell a story – of the land, the people, and the memories that made us.”
Expect the unexpected: Abalobi sashimi with candied chilli and avocado emulsion, Mozambican lobster with biryani rice and house peri-peri, and Karoo pap and vleis presented beneath a smoky cloche. Dessert – a milk tart mille-feuille –might just start a new tradition.
Beyond the plate, Cape Grace’s Penthouse Suite sets a new standard for city indulgence: a private terrace with a hot tub, a putting green, and 270-degree views of Table Mountain and the harbour. Guests are chauffeured anywhere within a 10km radius – from Sea Point’s promenade to Woodstock’s galleries. We ordered in-room breakfast like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman… God can come get me now.
From its Riviera-inspired pool deck to its Champagne-laced Library bar and docked boats, Cape Grace remains Cape Town’s most elegant address – where every sunset feels like the final frame of a perfect film. capegrace.com
CAPE
FRANSCHHOEK
ANGALA
There’s something about Franschhoek that always feels like a homecoming – whether attending a literary festival or bubbly MCC celebration. At Angala, tucked between the slopes of the Simonsberg, that sense of belonging takes on new meaning. Recently transformed under the vision of owner Tish Cunliffe, the retreat now balances soulful architecture with grounded luxury.
“The redesign was guided by a simple but profound vision –to deepen the feeling of homecoming,” says Tish. “We wanted guests to exhale the moment they arrived.” The result? Sundrenched rooms that flow into nature, terraces overlooking eco-pools, and spaces alive with birdsong and mountain air.
Central to Angala’s revival is a living masterpiece: a newly designed herb, fruit, and vegetable garden by Leon Kluge, fresh from his win at the Chelsea Flower Show. Guests can wander through the garden, pick fresh greens for their meal, and reconnect with the rhythm of the earth.
Wholefoods chef Samantha Dormehl curates a seasonal menu that feels as nourishing as it is elegant – with ingredients harvested straight from the garden and prepared with the same mindful philosophy that guides the rest of the property. This sense of wellbeing extends naturally into Angala’s wellness spaces, where guests can move between the ozonated heated plunge pool, the natural eco-pool, infrared sauna, steam room
and a menu of holistic treatments ranging from deep-tissue massages to shiatsu, facials and private yoga. It’s a sanctuary designed for recalibration: a place where food, nature and wellness converge in quiet harmony.
And if you do feel called to leave the cocoon of the hotel, some of the region’s most beloved wine estates are just moments away – including Vrede en Lust, Babylonstoren and Rupert & Rothschild – each offering its own expression of Franschhoek’s vinous character and valley charm. angala.co.za
CONSTANTIA THE CELLARS-HOHENORT
Long admired for its grace and gardens, The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa has now joined an elite global circle with its inclusion in the Michelin Key programme – one of only 27 properties in South Africa to receive the distinction.
“It’s an amazing honour and a tribute to our passionate team,” says General Manager Tanya Johnson. “We’re committed to delivering warm, personalised service in an environment that blends natural beauty, timeless elegance, and authentic South African charm.”
Set on nine acres of award-winning gardens, The CellarsHohenort’s 51 rooms and suites are each individually designed and are a tactile celebration of local artistry. Breakfasts stretch into late mornings, the gardens hum with bees, and time seems to slow down.
At The Conservatory, diners are treated to seasonal menus inspired by the property’s lush surrounds. For a more indulgent afternoon, the Fresh Wellness Spa offers an intimate escape, its treatments guided by the philosophy of restoring balance. “The spa is an extension of the serenity that surrounds us,” says Tanya.
Part of the Liz McGrath Collection and only 15 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre, The Cellars-Hohenort is the kind of place where excellence feels effortless – a sanctuary wrapped in green, where luxury whispers rather than shouts. thecellars-hohenorthotel.com ■
a Full Plate of Openings
CIN A YEAR THAT’S SEEN MORE THAN 30 NEW RESTAURANT LAUNCHES, THE MOTHER CITY CONTINUES TO PROVE WHY IT’S AFRICA’S MOST EXCITING DINING DESTINATION
WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA
ape Town’s culinary scene is in its golden era. This year, the world’s current favourite city has been setting the table for something extraordinary. With more than 30 new restaurants joining the city’s already vibrant food landscape, its appetite for innovation seems endless.
One of my first stops was Ongetem at the new Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof hotel, where I tried ox tongue for the first time – a revelation under Chef Bertus Basson’s proudly Afrikaans touch. Parisian icon Ladurée promises pastel perfection in pastry form when it joins these new eateries, while tashas celebrates 20 years of flavour and exportable flair, as founder Natasha Sideris expands her culinary empire with Le Parc opening in Mouille Point this November, alongside a new tashas at Cavendish Square.
With Michelin now having awarded Keys for hospitality excellence to several establishments, Cape Town’s dining scene has never looked – or tasted – more delicious.
OUR LOCAL SEA POINT
When Our Local first opened in Gardens, it quickly became Cape Town’s most charming creative hub – part restaurant, part design studio, part plant-filled sanctuary. Now, founders Shayne Schutte and Michael Carter have taken that same spirit to the coast with a second branch in Sea Point. The new space (you won’t have to stand in a queue for Saturday brunch like you sometimes do at its popular big sibling in Gardens) has all the warmth of the original but adds a relaxed seaside breeze – and a menu that balances comfort with creativity. The food remains soulful and generous, with handmade pastas, truffle-scented dishes, and their now-famous shakshuka. After stopping by in late 2024, Jamie Oliver took to his Instagram stories to sing the praises of the orange shakshuka and its “very delicious chilli sauce” – a stamp of approval few cafés can claim. Both branches are dog-friendly, with water bowls and shady corners for four-legged regulars, and staff who remember your order before you do. ourlocal.co.za
CAFÉ SOFI
Inspired by the woman who taught them everything about hospitality and heart, Natasha and Savva Sideris created Café Sofi as a tribute to their mother, Sophia Electra Sideris. Every detail – from the leopard print to the tiramisu – captures Sophia’s favourite dishes, sayings, and quirks into a concept that feels at once familiar and new.
“We always wanted to do something to pay homage to our mum… this is our love letter to her,” says Savva.
The food strikes that perfect balance between nostalgic and new: honey-butter croissants, rosti topped with beef ragu, steak-frites, and tiramisu that melts away with quiet perfection. Café Sofi is more than a restaurant – it’s a love letter to family, heritage, and memory. cafesofi.com
DE
TAFEL
AT PALM HOUSE
Set within the quiet elegance of Wynberg, Palm House looks unassuming but delivers an unbeatable culinary experience. Executive Chef Gregory Henderson leads with vision and restraint, offering three seasonal menus known collectively as The Series. Land and Air celebrates game –think springbok, duck, and marrow cooked over flame, paired with veld-herb broths and fynbos-inspired panna cotta. Field and Forest brings indigenous herbs, roots, and wild fruit to the fore. I chose Salt and Sea – a coastal celebration of sustainable seafood and oceanforaged ingredients. Saldanha oysters came with bokkom mayo and garlic buchu, followed by Abalobi-sourced fish, sea lettuce, and samphire that tasted of the shoreline itself. As Gregory explains, “Every dish in The Series connects ocean, memory, and place – we want our guests to taste the sea as we do.” It’s elegant, immersive dining with Cape terroir at its heart. palmhouse.co.za
NOTABLE MENTIONS
BLOOM – A floral, feminine retreat in De Waterkant where plant-based dining becomes edible poetry.
AMURA AT THE MOUNT NELSON – The Nellie’s latest jewel, marrying Mediterranean ease with Cape refinement.
CURATE AT ELLERMAN HOUSE – A private dining experience that unfolds like a culinary gallery – refined and rare.
EDGE × VUE – Chef Vusi Ndlovu’s rooftop collaboration where bold flavour meets panoramic views.
SEEBAMBAMBOES – From the Belly of the Beast team, a wild new seafood chapter defined by precision and poetry. ■
The DELTA’S secret season
SUMMER IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA IS BOTSWANA’S BEST-KEPT SECRET. STORMS ROLL IN, LIFE RETURNS TO THE PLAINS, AND BIRDCALLS ECHO ACROSS THE CHANNELS. AT THE INTIMATE MONACHIRA CAMP, NATURE, COMFORT, AND COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER WORDS RICHARD HOLMES
RETURN TO THE WILD: When the rains fall, the Okavango Delta’s lanscape bursts into life, and the understated luxury of Monchira Camp provides the ultimate base from which to fully experience it
In a landscape famous for its abundance of water, it’s curious how few people travel to Botswana in the wet season. After all, this is a country where pula – ‘rain’ in Setswana – is life; a resource so valuable that even the national currency is named after it. Yet, when the rains begin to fall over the Okavango Delta, tourists seem to dry up.
This is partly because with the rain comes the heat. As the mercury climbs through October and November, locals seek refuge. But as the blue-sky days of winter – when the annual floods transform the Delta into the world’s largest inland wetland – give way to the afternoon thunderstorms of summer, the landscape bursts into life. Botswana’s secret season has arrived. And there are few better places to discover it than at one of the newest additions to the Okavango Delta.
Monachira Camp – intimate, unfenced, and deeply rooted in the landscape – is the latest addition to the Machaba Safaris’ portfolio of camps pitched across Botswana and Zimbabwe. Founded in 2012, Machaba Safaris aims to rekindle the adventure of classic safari experiences, focusing on luxurious canvas tents, intimate communal spaces, and intuitive guiding rather than starchitect lodges or indulgence that distracts. There’s no shortage of creature comforts – like lazing in Monachira’s swimming pool while gazing out across the grasslands – but the true luxury lies in the immersion within one of Africa’s natural treasures.
“Monachira is a return to the wild,” says Alistair Rankin, Co-Founder of Machaba Safaris. “It offers all the comforts of a luxury safari, while staying true to our ethos of sustainable tourism that benefits local communities and protects Africa’s most treasured landscapes.”
LUXURY REDEFINED: From the wildlife experiences to the delicious dining, each moment leaves you feeling deeply connected to this special place
Having opened in May this year with just 10 tented suites pitched either side of the spacious shared lounge and dining area, Monachira Camp offers unforgettable views from every vantage point. Grasslands give way to riverine forest, and the Monachira Channel runs a short walk from the playful ‘beach bar’ set up for sunset. It’s a camp where you’ll feel the heat of the soil and the wildness of the landscape.
Though most travellers visit during the peak of the floods (May to August), the Delta reveals a completely new character in summer (December to February), as the rains clear winter’s dust and green shoots emerge from the sandy soils.
“Summer here is incredible,” says Thabo Legwatagwata, my guide at Monachira. “Flowers bloom, and there are so many different kinds of butterflies – especially along the channels. Also, with lower water, there’s more land so you can cover more ground on nature walks and game drives.”
And with summer’s new grass also comes an abundance of young antelope. “The African wild dogs time their pup-rearing for when the impala lambs are around, so summer is a great time to see young dogs,” adds Thabo. “All of our predators – leopard, wild dogs, hyena, lion – are more active when there are so many young antelope around.”
It’s a season of plenty. Insects abound, and birds take full advantage of the glut. Summer is prime time for twitchers, as the first migrant bird species fill the humid air with song. The woodland kingfisher, carmine bee-eaters, and a variety of raptors provide beautiful melody and vibrant spectacle, alongside a roster of special sightings – a coppery-tailed coucal, brown firefinch, slaty egret, greater swamp warbler, and chirping cisticola. Binoculars are essential, particularly from the rooftop deck of a motorboat idling slowly along the Monachira channel.
Unlike many Delta lodges, Monachira Camp offers yearround water access, with daily boat excursions meandering upstream through papyrus-lined channels, or downstream to the famous Xobega heronry. Against the soundtrack of hippos chortling across the reeds, hundreds of marabou and yellow-billed storks clatter and clash for space on the treetops, while chicks chatter for food. Avid birders will delight in spotting pink-backed pelicans that inhabit the swamps of southern Africa.
“It’s a camp where you’ll feel the heat of the soil and the wildness of the landscape”
Beyond the lush landscapes, there’s another good reason to visit the Okavango Delta in the green season: it’s a whole lot cheaper.
Travel during the peak season “comes at a significant cost, with the same lodges and camps sometimes costing as much as 50 percent more,” says Justin Chapman, Africa Safari Expert at specialist tour operator Go2Africa.
When the pula falls, so do the crowds and the prices, and one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations suddenly becomes more accessible. Perhaps that’s why Botswana’s green season is one of Southern Africa’s best-kept secrets. ■
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Serendipity by the Sea
WHAT BEGAN AS A BEACH WALK TURNED INTO A REVELATION – SAUDADE IN VILANCULOS. THIS INTIMATE BEACHFRONT HAVEN MERGES SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, MOZAMBICAN ARTISTRY, AND SOULFUL SIMPLICITY WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY JARED RUTTENBERG
Truth be told, we quite literally stumbled upon Saudade. After four days of barely leaving the sanctuary of our pre-booked villa, we embarked on an exceptionally long beach walk. At some point, we climbed a path from the beach, expecting to find another whitewashed hotel where we could order a taxi home. Instead, it was a ‘pinch me, is this real?’ moment as the astoundingly beautiful Saudade stood before us.
Saudade is the love-child of South African couple Sarah and Michael, who have poured every ounce of time, passion, and skill into it. What was once a cherished Mozambican family getaway has evolved into an intimate escape for travellers seeking an alternative to the chain-hotel experience. Michael narrates the story: “When we took over what was then a well-loved family beach cottage, it hadn’t been touched in 15 years and was in urgent need of care. Sarah and I could see the potential to create something special.”
Six bespoke rooms adorn the property, while the neighbouring Villa Coco offers four additional rooms for exclusive hire. The lawns cascade down towards the beach where an infinity pool, shaded salas, and decks for sun-soaking invite long afternoons. It’s a generous piece of paradise for just a handful of rooms. Needless to say, we changed our accommodation booking for the last two nights of our holiday, making Saudade our final beach home.
“The inspiration was high-end luxury built using locally available materials, created by the people who live in Vilanculos”
BIOPHILIC AT ITS BEST
On the second day of our new stay, Sarah appears – radiant in green and fresh off a quick flight from Johannesburg. I eagerly catch her for a chat about Saudade. “The inspiration was high-end luxury built using locally available materials, created by the people who live in Vilanculos. The challenges were finding the right artisans – it is a long process, as everything is made by hand, so very time-consuming. It’s the imperfections in a product that make it feel personal and special in a world where everything is mass-produced.”
The design ethos embodies the Japanese concept of ‘wabi sabi’ – an appreciation for simplicity and imperfection. Earth-inspired interiors and minimalist design invite stillness and contemplation. No colour appears indoors that wouldn’t be seen when stepping outside. Naturally clad walls transform into verandas and windows that frame ocean landscapes, with lush foliage and private courtyards bordering the bedrooms around the property.
Understandably brimming with pride, Sarah says, “Our reward has firstly been witnessing the sheer pride and dedication that the artisans show for their work, and then ultimately the guests’ appreciation for what we have created.”
Her playful panache is visible throughout, from the custom-designed fabrics that adorn the beds to the tantalising textures. Perhaps Saudade’s most iconic feature is the spiralled reeds covering the building’s pillars. “Originally, they looked too blocky,” Sarah tells me. “Working with local thatchers, we experimented with materials.” The result is mesmerising designs, perfectly complemented by the plaited overhanging thatched roofs and oversized hanging basket-lights that sway gently in the breeze.
Creativity spills into the kitchen too. Chef Pape serves a variety of dishes – both meals and crockery. “You eat with your eyes before anything else. I don’t want just a plain plate. It’s boring,” says Sarah. Added to the variety of dining spots, every meal feels unique – all the while enjoying one fine bucket-list view.
SCENES FROM SAUDADE:
Endless ocean views, local craftsmanship, and barefoot luxury blend seamlessly together in this coastal escape
FIFTY SHADES OF BLUE
If blue was invented in the sky, it is perfected here in Vilanculos, where the sea reflects countless hues. Thanks to a shallow bay, a significant change between the tides creates a natural spectacle I’ve not witnessed elsewhere: every six hours, an azure ocean transforms into a fluvial fantasy. You’ll see countless blue channels flanked by emerging sandbars, only to disappear again, creating an everchanging living canvas.
Following the rhythm of the tides, local fishermen sail back and forth in search of food. As they return, women waiting nearby approach the boats, ready to fill their buckets. We also see some folk wading through the waters with hand nets or lines of large nets. In the distance, the silhouettes of the six Bazaruto Archipelago islands form a dreamy backdrop.
The town is hardly sleepy though, with 23 000 people calling it home. But in classic Mozambican style, it possesses a distinctive go-slow vibe. Yet, it’s the
unique ocean and postcard-perfect archipelago that draws people from around the world. With a 90-minute flight from Johannesburg via Airlink, it’s an easy escape.
ISLAND HOPPING
We leave the lodge only once – tempted by a boat trip to the nearby islands. My only memory of Bazaruto is visiting as a child, when cruise ships delivered throngs of passengers onto land. Fortunately, those crowds have ceased, and now only a limited number of small boats visit from Vilanculos.
First, we climb the dunes of Bazaruto, where the view back to the mainland reveals narrow channels of blue ocean. Later, snorkelling at Two Mile Reef, countless colourful fish pass through my masked view. After a freshly grilled seafood lunch on the beach, we head to Benguerra Island, where the low tide leaves behind inland lakes to wade and swim through.
Finally, we lie on an isolated stretch of sand, with the rustling palms and lapping waves providing the soundtrack. It’s a halcyon experience; that’s what Mozambique does – it takes you out of time. It doesn't merely slow down but softens, carrying a sacredness.
As we head back, the crew spot movement ahead – perhaps the elusive dugong, one of the last colonies of these quasi-dolphin creatures on Earth. We cruise closer and wait in silence for 10 heavy minutes. There is no sighting, no dugong. Straddling the side of the boat, one hand clinging to the mast and the other holding my 2M beer, I feel frustrated but secretly pleased: it’s simply another reason to return to this watery wilderness. ■ saudademozambique.com
EffortlessElegance
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DESIGNED TO BLEND SEAMLESSLY INTO THE UNESCO-LISTED VHEMBE BIOSPHERE, FEW & FAR LUVHONDO OFFERS A SOULFUL RETREAT WHERE ARCHITECTURE, ECOLOGY, AND STORYTELLING CREATE A RARE SENSE OF BELONGING
WORDS RENATE ENGELBRECHT
Beyond the BIG FIVE
Stepping down from the sleepout platform, the view from the rock-covered slopes of Limpopo’s Soutpansberg mountain is breathtaking. The Few & Far Luvhondo eco-lodge lies tucked within one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions – UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. Across the valley, six cliffside suites – my home for the previous two nights – blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
The only thing separating me from the scent of the awakening veld is the delicate mosquito net, specially designed for Few & Far Luvhondo’s sleepout experiences. My accompanying guide, Lizzy, keeps watch overnight – she often hears leopards at night. For me, the mystical Soutpansberg mountains offer something quieter – an experience of intense silence and blissful solitude.
Celebrated for its low-key design philosophy, Few & Far Luvhondo’s architecture mirrors the character of the unique landscape. Nicholas Plewman Architects and Ohkre Collective drew inspiration from the natural world – the shade of the shepherd’s tree, the height of a sycamore fig, and the grandeur of the baobab. Patterns and textures echo the region’s rock formations as well as the flora and fauna, while a soft, neutral palette creates a tranquil space that feels effortlessly connected to the environment.
Here, everything centres on a connection to the orange sandstone of the mountain, the people, their stories, and the pulse of untamed Africa.
CREATING CURIOSITY THROUGH CULTURAL CONNECTION
When Lizzy and I drive to the Sand River for sundowners, I hope that a crocodile might sneakily pop its head out of the glassy water as I sip my Chardonnay. Instead of vehicle-heavy game drives, Few & Far Luvhondo offers slower, more intentional ways to engage with the land. Low-impact exploration is made possible through birdwatching, guided hikes, and visits to nearby cultural and conservation sites – with the opportunity to learn more about the mountain’s salts and the many uses of baobabs.
Soon, the lodge’s much-anticipated solar-powered Solyrus – a groundbreaking cable car – will provide uninterrupted panoramic views of the African bush.
Jacob and Sarah Dusek, the visionaries behind Few & Far, are known for their unique take on travel experiences.
The Duseks understand the power of tourism to protect and preserve the planet. At Few & Far Luvhondo, their commitment to the Soutpansberg is tangible. Their long-term vision extends beyond conservation – it’s about renewal, restoring ecosystems through an ambitious carbon management and land regeneration plan.
“Soon, the solarpowered Solyrus will provide uniterrupted views of the African bush”
Ecologist and Land Manager Dawn Booyens invites guests to join her in exploring the region’s medicinal plants and mythologies that shape its identity. She describes the butterfly season as one of the most spectacular things to witness. The “swirling masses of butterflies” are something worth slowing down for. According to her, there are at least 200 species of butterflies on the western side of the Soutpansberg. “When you do come here, your expectation should be an immersive experience with nature,” she says. “Here on the mountain, the magic is in the detail.”
There is also a wide variety of birdlife – from the elusive African finfoot to the soaring Verreaux’s eagle. Even the reptile population is remarkable, being home to unique endemic species such as the Soutpansberg rock lizard.
Just outside Luvhondo’s Vhudziki Spa, an enormous baobab brings me to an instant halt. It forms a large part of the spa experience, where Nungo – Spa Manager, Therapist, and incredible storyteller – shares her Venda heritage through healing and narrative. Storytelling extends to guest encounters around the boma, in the restaurant, and on guided hikes, where local communities play an integral part in authentic experiences. From menus infused with local flavours to traditional Venda dances, guests learn more about the local culture, beliefs, and rituals.
Remote yet refined, Few & Far Luvhondo has become a drawcard for experiential travellers looking for a truly unique, untouched destination – one that offers immersive encounters beyond the Big Five. From the chattering of birds as the sun slowly rises to the anticipation of hearing a brown hyena or even seeing a leopard at night, Few & Far Luvhondo is where wilderness meets wonder. ■ fewandfarluvhondo.com
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HOW TO ENTER: Follow both @yourluxury_africa and @shemer_jewellers on Instagram. Scan the QR code and fill in your details to secure your entry.
HOW TO ENTER
Follow @yourluxury_africa on Instagram. Click the link in the bio and fill in your details to secure your entry.
CLOSING DATE: 31 January 2026.
For a list of jewellers in your area, visit jewellery.org.za or email admin@jewellery.org.za.
CLOSING
DATE 31 January 2025
TERMS & CONDITIONS: The competition opens at 8am on Wednesday 4 December 2024 and closes at 8am on Friday 31 January 2025. The prize must be taken up (or rejected) as awarded and cannot be transferred to any other person, sold, or converted to cash. The competition is open to all residents of South Africa over 18 years of age, except employees of YourLuxury Africa, The Jewellery Council of South Africa or Murdocks. By entering, you are joining the YLA Lounge and will be receiving access to special o ers, exclusive content and marketing material. POPI DISCLAIMER: We respect your right to privacy and therefore aim to ensure that we comply with the legal requirement of the POPI Act, which regulates the manner in which we collect, process, store, share and destroy any personal information you have provided to us.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: The competition opens at 8am on Tuesday 9 December 2025 and closes at 8am on Saturday 31 January 2026. The prize must be taken up (or rejected) as awarded and cannot be transferred to any other person, sold, or converted to cash. The competition is open to all residents of South Africa over 18 years of age, except employees of YourLuxury Africa, The Jewellery Council of South Africa, or Shemer Jewellers. By entering, you are joining the YLA Lounge and will be receiving access to special offers, exclusive content, and marketing material from YLA and Shemer Jewellers. POPI DISCLAIMER: We respect your right to privacy and therefore aim to ensure that we comply with the legal requirement of the POPI Act, which regulates the manner in which we collect, process, store, share, and destroy any personal information you have provided to us.
THE WORLDS OF WATCHMAKING AND MOTORING SHARE A MUTUAL REVERENCE FOR TIMING, DESIGN, AND PERFORMANCE
WORDS EDWARD MOLEKE MAKWANA
Where meets HOROLOGY HORSEPOWER
Few passions align as seamlessly as cars and watches. Both are born of an obsession with precision, design, and performance – triumphs of human ingenuity where engineering becomes art. Whether it’s the rhythmic beat of a finely tuned engine or the intricate dance of gears within a chronograph, both embody the pursuit of measuring time and speed with elegance.
PORSCHE × TAG HEUER
When Porsche and TAG Heuer announced their strategic partnership in 2021, it felt less like a new collaboration and more like a reunion. Their stories have been intertwined for more than a century, both founded by visionaries who revolutionised their fields.
In 1889, Edouard Heuer introduced one of the world’s first chronographs. Eleven years later, Ferdinand Porsche unveiled his pioneering electric wheel-hub motor at the 1900 Paris Expo. Two minds just over a decade apart, united by innovation and daring.
From the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph to shared stages in Formula E, endurance racing, tennis, and golf, this partnership celebrates motion itself – time captured in adrenaline and design. As Steve McQueen once embodied on screen, the spirit of “racing against time” still defines both brands today.
ROLEX AND DAYTONA
Rolex’s relationship with motorsport is as timeless as the watches themselves. It began in the 1930s with Sir Malcolm Campbell, the legendary British racer who broke the 483km/h barrier in his car, Bluebird, wearing a Rolex on his wrist. That singular moment ignited a partnership with speed that has prevailed for almost a century.
Today, Rolex serves as the official timekeeper for endurance racing’s holy trinity: the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. From asphalt circuits to the concours lawns of Pebble Beach and Goodwood, the crown continues to honour those who live for precision and performance.
“The relationship between Rolex and racing is a match made in heaven,” says Tom Kristensen, nine-time Le Mans winner. “There’s so much heritage between the two – both are timeless pursuits of perfection.”
When winners step onto the Daytona podium, they don’t just get a trophy – they receive a specially engraved Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, a timepiece that immortalises their triumph long after the engines fall silent.
“From asphalt circuits to concours lawns, the crown continues to honour those who live for precision and performance”
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN × MERCEDES-AMG
Few collaborations are as enduring as that between IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG. For 21 years, these two masters of performance have shared a philosophy of engineering excellence and aesthetic purity. Their partnership was recently highlighted with the launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE Performance – the brand’s fastest accelerating car to date. To mark the F1 film, Mercedes also introduced a limited-edition AMG GT 63 APXGP Edition. Together, these moments reflect an ongoing dialogue between Swiss horology and German horsepower. Both stand as testaments to the art of control: one measures milliseconds, the other commands them.
BUGATTI × PARMIGIANI FLEURIER
For 21 years, Bugatti and Parmigiani Fleurier transformed horology into high art. Together they imagined watches not merely inspired by cars, but engineered like them.
The Bugatti Type 370, inspired by the Veyron 16.4, and the Type 390, paying homage to the Chiron, turned wrists into miniature engine bays, all cylinders firing in mechanical perfection. These timepieces weren’t just made to tell time – they were engineered to celebrate velocity, precision, and the poetry of performance.
BREITLING × BENTLEY
In 2002, Breitling and Bentley Motors forged a partnership that redefined co-branding in the luxury world. What began with an onboard clock for the first Bentley Continental GT evolved into nearly two decades of exceptional timepieces.
The collaboration culminated with the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition –a masterpiece that embodied both British poise and Swiss precision. Though the partnership concluded in 2021, its spirit endures as a reminder that true craftsmanship transcends time.
“They imagined watches not merely inspired by cars, but engineered like them”
HUBLOT & RICHARD MILLE × FERRARI
In the world of Ferrari, passion is measured in revolutions per minute. Hublot captured that essence with the Techframe Ferrari Tourbillon Chronograph, designed by Ferrari’s own team to celebrate the marque’s 70th anniversary.
Then came Richard Mille, Ferrari’s official watch partner since 2021. The collaboration gave rise to the astonishing RM UP-01 – the world’s thinnest mechanical watch – a symphony of innovation and obsession. “This meeting of minds,” Richard Mille said, “is based on shared values – a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
From Formula 1 to endurance racing and even Esports, Ferrari’s heart beats to the rhythm of precision timing – a heartbeat Richard Mille has captured in sapphire and titanium. ■
BOOKED &
BUSY
FROM DAZZLING FICTION
DEBUTS AND CULINARY CONFESSIONS TO ICONIC MEMOIRS AND DESIGN TOMES, 2025 HAS DELIVERED LITERARY GEMS ACROSS EVERY GENRE. THESE ARE THE 10 TITLES WE’RE PACKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA
There’s something about the festive season that invites you to slow down – to swap spreadsheets for paperbacks, and screens for stories. It’s when we finally have the time to reach for the books that have been sitting on our bedside tables all year, waiting patiently for a sun-drenched break or a quiet staycation.
This year’s literary landscape has been rich and varied. Former First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama, recently released The Look – a beautifully curated chronicle of her fashion during her years in the White House paired with reflections on confidence, identity, and the quiet power of presentation. South African author Kopano Matlwa returns to the spotlight with Bosadi, her first novel in eight years – a fearless, emotionally charged exploration of womanhood, loss, and spiritual renewal that has already topped local bestseller lists.
Oprah’s Book Club continues its magic touch with selections such as Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong – a sweeping, multi-generational saga about joy and resilience in post-war America; All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert – a lyrical meditation on friendship, art, and forgiveness, and the complete antithesis to her debut smash hit Eat, Pray, Love; and Tina Knowles’ Matriarch –a candid memoir about motherhood, creativity, and the legacy of raising legendary daughters Beyoncé and Solange (and bonus daughter, Kelly Rowland). Each has been praised for its emotional honesty and storytelling flair, proving yet again that 2025 is a year for books that inspire as much as they entertain.
Whether you’re in search of a transporting novel, a soulful memoir, or a visual escape through art and design, these books are our top picks for 2025 – perfect companions for the beach, balcony, or bench at the park.
NON-FICTION / LIFESTYLE
WOMEN
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
A reimagining of her seminal 1999 collection, this updated volume expands the photographer’s powerful study of womanhood. One of America’s most influential portrait photographers, Annie is famed for her work with Rolling Stone Vanity Fair, and Vogue, and turns her lens on figures who have shaped contemporary culture. Across both volumes appear icons such as Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, Rihanna, and Greta Thunberg. Critics have called the book “a moving chronicle of strength and vulnerability,” a visual testament to female resilience and influence across generations. Beautiful, bold, and deeply human, it belongs in every home library.
BAKING & THE MEANING OF LIFE
HELEN GOH
Helen Goh — psychologist, baker, and longtime collaborator of Yotam Ottolenghi, the celebrated London-based chef and restaurateur known for his vibrant, Mediterraneaninspired cuisine — brings her signature warmth to this deeply comforting blend of memoir, philosophy, and recipe collection. Nigella Lawson praised it, saying she “wholeheartedly subscribes to Goh’s thesis that baking cultivates purpose, creativity and connection.” Both meditative and mouthwatering, it’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and rediscover joy in simple acts. Perfect for gentle mornings and lazy holiday afternoons.
INTERIORS – THE GREATEST ROOMS OF THE CENTURY PHAIDON EDITORS
From Coco Chanel to Axel Vervoordt, this lavish edition compiles over 400 rooms by 300 of the world’s most influential designers. A spectacular visual celebration of interior design, critics hail it as “a design bible for the modern aesthete.” Among its many treasures are Coco’s mirrored Paris apartment, Yves Saint Laurent’s richly layered Rue de Babylone salon, and Truman Capote’s minimalist Manhattan retreat. The book also showcases modern masterpieces like Axel’s Belgian farmhouse and Kelly Wearstler’s bold Californian interiors –each a reflection of timeless taste and creative audacity.
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER –CATWALK
LAIRD BORRELLIPERSSON
Part of the acclaimed Catwalk series, this volume is the definitive chronicle of Jean Paul Gaultier’s womenswear collections from 1976 to 2020. Author Laird BorrelliPersson, Senior Fashion News Editor at Vogue, curates over 1 000 images celebrating Jean Paul’s theatrical vision – from corsets to sailor stripes. Fashion filmmaker Loïc Prigent called Gaultier’s work “less about the clothes than the gesture of the body in those clothes,” and this book captures precisely that energy. Lavishly produced and beautifully written, it’s a must-have for fashion lovers and a statement piece for any coffee table.
BUTTER
ASAKO YUZUKI (TRANSLATED BY POLLY BARTON)
Few novels have captivated global readers quite like Butter. Based loosely on Japan’s “Konkatsu Killer” case, it follows journalist Rika Machida as she interviews Manako Kajii, a woman accused of seducing and murdering men through her cooking. Through lush, sensory prose, Asako explores appetite, gender, and guilt with wit and empathy. Longlisted for the Naoki Prize and named Waterstones’ Book of the Year, Butter has been praised as “sumptuous and subversive” – the perfect read for those who like their fiction both intelligent and irresistible.
FICTION
FLESH
DAVID SZALAY
Winner of the 2025 Booker Prize, Flesh is a dark, hypnotic portrait of a man’s life told through fragments of desire, guilt, and decay. The novel follows Tomas, a Hungarian doctor whose career in London slowly unravels as he grapples with ageing, estrangement, and the physicality of mortality. Moving between youth and decline, love and loss, the author traces how the human body becomes both a witness and a prisoner to time. Known for All That Man Is, the author turns his gaze inward, creating a story that’s “brilliantly spare and hauntingly humane,” cementing his place among Europe’s finest literary voices. If you’re drawn to fiction that lingers long after the last page, this is your pick.
THE NAMES FLORENCE KNAPP
Every decision matters in Florence’s dazzling debut novel. Set in the wake of Britain’s Great Storm of 1987, The Names follows Cora Atkin as she heads out with her daughter to register the birth of her newborn son – but one decision changes everything. Whether she names him Gordon, Julian, or Bear, three separate timelines unfold over 35 years, exploring how a single moment can alter destiny. Critics have called it “a beguiling blend of Sliding Doors and Ian McEwan,” praising Florence’s emotional acuity and narrative inventiveness. Shortlisted for several debut fiction awards, this is a story of identity, chance, and the tender chaos of family life.
DREAM COUNT
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
Longlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction and her first novel in 12 years, Chimamanda returns with Dream Count, tracing the intertwined lives of four Nigerian women navigating love, motherhood, and reinvention across Lagos, London, and New York. The Guardian praised it as “a luminous, tender exploration of female friendship and self-discovery,” noting how Chimamanda “captures the quiet power of ordinary women forging meaning in extraordinary times.” The novel reflects her hallmark blend of lyricism and political insight – a resonant, emotionally intelligent work that feels both intimate and universal.
THE LOST LOVE OF AKBAR MANZIL SHUBNUM KHAN
Set in a crumbling Durban mansion filled with whispers of its past, The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil (originally titled The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years internationally) spans decades of family secrets and forbidden love. When Sana Aziz moves into the decaying house with her father, she begins to uncover stories of Meena, the woman who once lived and loved there. Rich in atmosphere and emotion, Shubnum’s debut was longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award, shortlisted for the 2025 Sunday Times Literary Awards, and won the 2025 HSS Award for Best Novel (Humanities and Social Sciences Awards – a South African literary and academic initiative). Described as “lush, lyrical, and transporting,” it’s a haunting read.
MEMOIR
TRULY LIONEL RICHIE
From Tuskegee to the top of the charts, Truly is a memoir bursting with warmth, rhythm, and storytelling charm. The music legend reflects on five decades of fame, friendship, and family – from his early days with The Commodores and the golden age of Motown to his rise as one of the best-selling artists of all time. He shares moving stories about his children, the creative pulse of his Southern roots, and the music that shaped generations. Winner of four Grammy Awards, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe, the All Night Long hitmaker brings his trademark humility and heart to every page.
HONOURABLE MENTION: FINDING MY WAY
MALALA YOUSAFZAI
Though technically outside our top 10, this memoir remains essential. In Finding My Way, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai offers a candid portrait of life beyond the headlines – a young woman navigating love, identity, and purpose after global fame. Critics describe it as “deeply personal, raw, and unexpectedly funny,” noting how it balances activism with vulnerability. A thoughtful, surprisingly hilarious, and uplifting companion for the festive season. ■
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the Luxe REPORT
THE ART OF EXCELLENCE
The Macallan Timeless Collection is a visually reimagined celebration of the brand’s heritage, craftsmanship, and iconic flavour profile – one anchored in sherry-seasoned oak and a deep artistic legacy. Unveiled with a bold new identity by acclaimed designer David Carson, The Macallan Timeless Collection brings a fresh perspective to its revered Double Cask, Sherry Oak, and Colour ranges. While the liquid remains unchanged – elegant, balanced, and unmistakably Macallan – the new packaging fuses contemporary graphic artistry with the brand’s storied past. Each collection has its own visual identity to reflect what’s inside, and every artwork was created by hand – no two are the same. themacallan.com
BUTTERFLY WINGS TO HAUTE HORLOGERIE
When the Philippe Dufour Simplicity featuring a dial made from real butterfly wings sold for CHF647 700 at Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, it captured attention for its poetic fusion of art and horology. Leading the sale of 11 bespoke pieces for the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation, it was as much a triumph of craft as of imagination.
The visionary behind that dial is Dominique ArpaCirpka, an artist whose journey from canvas and pastel to watchmaking has redefined the boundaries of Métiers d’Art. For 16 years she has collaborated with the avant-garde watch brand ArtyA, led by her husband and creative partner, Yvan Arpa. Her practice transforms natural materials – from pigments and gold leaf to seaweed, tobacco leaf, and ethically sourced butterfly wings – into luminous, layered compositions at a miniature scale. Each dial begins as an experiment in texture and light. Working with fragile, raw elements, Dominique (pictured above) preserves their organic essence through painstaking layering and fixation. For Philippe Dufour, she created a bespoke version of his iconic Simplicity – a first-of-its-kind interpretation that brought her artistry into the realm of haute horlogerie.
In Dominique’s hands, the watch dial becomes more than a measure of time: it’s a living artwork, capturing the fragile beauty of the natural world within the precision of Swiss craft. cirpka.com; artya.com
THE PEN GOES PIXEL
SWING BY SANDTON CITY
Born in Paris in 1948 and still run by the Cassegrain family, Longchamp brings its heritage of craftsmanshop, travel-ready bags, and French flair to its Sandton City boutique. It’s like stepping into a chic Parisian apartment (yes, its styled that way) with colour-pop totes, sleek leather pieces, and that effortlessly elegant energy you didn’t know you needed. The Welcome Area introduces seasonal highlights, atelier-style; the Lounge offers a sanctuary of Haussmannian detailing, vintage-inspired furnishings, and curated objects d’art; while The Le Pliage Library celebrates Longchamp’s most iconic line. Store No U9 upper level, Sandton City, 011 883 3617.
Marc Jacobs nails playful luxury – and here’s the twist: their “Bark Jacobs” activation lets you turn a bag into a smiley nod to your pet, with hand-painted portraits of your fur baby. Available on some of the most iconic silhouettes (hello, Dual Bag and Tote Bag), this is the perfect gift for the pet parent who has it all. Sandton City, 072 436 6786
Montblanc brings the timeless art of handwriting into the digital age with the launch of the Montblanc Digital Paper. True to the Maison’s mission to ‘Inspire Writing’, this elegant innovation captures the emotion and authenticity of pen on paper – reimagined for the modern world. “With the Montblanc Digital Paper, we have found a way to retain all the special qualities of writing by hand, while recognising the need for boundless space and effortless digital collaboration,” says Felix Obschonka, Montblanc’s Director of New Technologies. At its core lies the Montblanc Digital Pen – modelled after the iconic Meisterstück. It offers three interchangeable tips, each replicating a distinct paper texture for a personal writing feel. It’s paired with a high-resolution e-ink display and smart features like handwriting recognition, intuitive search and cloud connectivity. R19 400, montblanc.com
IN FULL COLOUR
The Prada Fine Jewellery Couleur Vivante Collection, designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, is a burst of colour and confidence. Sleek gold settings are paired with vivid gemstones
– each chosen for their place within a Prada spectrum – in unexpected combinations. It’s playful yet refined – a nod to Prada’s sharp, modern style translated into jewellery form. Each piece is recorded on the Aura Consortium blockchain, allowing customers to verify its authenticity. Customers can also access images tracing each gemstone’s journey from rough to cut and polished. prada.com
FROM PARIS TO CAPE TOWN
Located in the Clock Tower Retail Centre at the V&A Waterfront, the new Ladurée South Africa boutique promises to be a jewel box of indulgence – a space where the artistry of French patisserie meets Cape Town’s coastal glamour. Inspired by the gilded ceilings of Paris’s Garnier Opera House and the romantic flourishes of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, the store’s interiors are a visual feast – think pastel palettes, ornate mouldings, and the iconic Pastry Angel watching over every macaron. But it’s not just about beauty: Ladurée’s legendary confections – from rose petal macarons to pistachio éclairs – are crafted with the same devotion to detail that’s made the brand a Parisian institution since 1862. Whether you’re sipping tea in the café or selecting a gift box for someone impossibly chic, this promises to Cape Town’s own little portal to Paris. ladureesa.co.za
SIX EXTRAORDINARY RECORDS
1 At just 1.85 mm thick, the skeletonised BVLGARI Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon – winner of the GPHG 2025 Tourbillon Watch Prize – is the world’s thinnest tourbillon timepiece. bulgari.com
3 KONSTANTIN CHAYKIN’s ThinKing & PalanKing Final Prototype, measuring 1.65mm thick, is the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. konstantinchaykin.com
4 The most complicated wristwatch ever made, the VACHERON CONSTANTIN
2 GRAND SEIKO’s Spring Drive Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.) Calibre 9RB2 achieves an astounding ±20 seconds per year – the most accurate mainspringpowered wristwatch ever made. grand-seiko.com
Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication La Première boasts 41 complications and has five astronomical functions – including a world-first – and a Westminster chime minute repeater protected by seven patents. vacheron-constantin.com
6
5 ULYSSE NARDIN’s Diver [AIR] takes the crown as the lightest mechanical dive watch made,
According to everywatch.com, PATEK PHILIPPE led the luxury watch auction market in June 2025 by aggregated value, reaching $33.7 million, a 42.29 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 2499 was one of the top 10 lots by price, with a pink-gold version selling for $4 320 000. patek.com
FIT FOR ROYALTY
In a festive first for Buckingham Palace, the Royal Mews – the former 200-year-old royal stables – has been transformed into a dedicated Christmas pop-up shop, open until 5 January. The space, usually closed in winter, will host the Royal Mews Christmas Shop, offering the full seasonal catalogue from Royal Collection Trust: official royal gifts, food and drink, decorations, and new additions including mini botanical gins and a full-sized advent calendar with limited-edition treats. All proceeds support the care and conservation of Britain’s royal art and artefacts. royalcollectionshop.co.uk
A LEGACY OF LUXURY
Louis Vuitton and Assouline have released From Louis to Vuitton, a striking visual journey through the House’s evolution – from its 1854 origins to its modern mastery of art, fashion, and travel. Written by Arthur Dreyfus, with a foreword by CEO Pietro Beccari, the 406-page volume pairs 320 images with 54 key words that define the Maison’s spirit. Presented in a vibrant Damier-style case, the book will also be offered with a limited-edition Louis Vuitton trunk, produced in small quantities. assouline.com, louisvuitton.com
SALT OF THE EARTH
Helmed by chefs Craig Cormack and Beau du Toit, with Head Chef Wendy Hadebe in the kitchen, The Salt Road Houghton is Johannesburg’s newest culinary gem, earning rave reviews for its serene setting and salt-inspired menu that’s anything but ordinary.
Tucked within the leafy grounds of 10 2nd Avenue Boutique Hotel, The Salt Road draws inspiration from the Cape Winelands and the global history of salt, weaving seasonal South African ingredients with salts from across the world – volcanic crystals from Hawaii, Baleni salt from Limpopo, and Kalahari desert flakes. Its ambience – romantic, intimate, and quietly luxurious – has quickly made it a favourite amongst Joburg diners. thesaltroad.co.za/salt-at-houghton
2
The Sanctuary at Wilderness Mombo redefines wild luxury and holistic wellbeing in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Seamlessly integrated into its surroundings, this serene retreat features a lap pool, sauna and ice bath, treatment suites, open-air yoga deck, meditation cocoons, and a nourishing deli and Remedy Bar inspired by local botanicals. Treatments blend African healing traditions with advanced skincare by TheraNaka and Esse, while a bespoke soundscape by composer Mikhaela Faye captures the Delta’s living rhythms. Titled Sanctum, the piece was recorded during her stay at Mombo, capturing the authentic sounds of the Delta for an immersive acoustic experience. wildernessdestinations.com
THREE MUST-VISIT SPAS
1
Dior has opened its first permanent spa in the United States – a serene crown to its newly reinvented flagship store at the corner of 57th Street and Madison Avenue in New York City. Designed by renowned architect Peter Marino, the sanctuary occupies an entire floor – a fusion of French couture elegance with advanced wellness science. Guests begin their experience with the ‘Dior Measurements’ skin diagnostics before indulging in bespoke treatments that combine cold-laser and cryotherapy with LED masks, oxygen infusion, and light-therapy rituals, including the exclusive “Happiness” protocol. It’s the ultimate destination for couture-calibre skincare. dior.com
3
Terre Paisible has once again affirmed its place among South Africa’s leading wellness destinations, having been honoured at the World Luxury Spa Awards for Best Luxury Advanced Treatment Spa, Best Interior Design, and Best Luxury Rejuvenation Spa. A sanctuary for those seeking both vitality and stillness, Terre Paisible is renowned for its philosophy of serenity, presence, and beautifully considered detail. The estate is pioneering a new approach to longevity through its ‘Ageless by Design’ framework, which integrates advanced diagnostics, cellular rejuvenation science’ and restorative rituals. terrepaisiblemedicalspa.com
THE YEAR OF THE HORSE Gallopinginto
JAEGER-LECOULTRE MARKS THE YEAR OF THE HORSE WITH ITS NEW LIMITED-EDITION REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL CREATIONS
WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY
To celebrate 2026 being the Year of the Horse – a symbol of energy, speed, and forward momentum in Chinese astrology – Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils three remarkable white gold Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces, each reflecting the spirit of vitality and elegance of the noble steed.
Honouring Xu Beihong, the inventive Chinese artist renowned for his expressive ink paintings of horses, each caseback features a hand-painted enamel miniature of one of his masterpieces –rendered with lifelike precision on a surface barely 2cm² wide.
Crafted within the Maison’s Métiers Rares™ atelier, the creations unite the disciplines of miniature enamel painting, grand feu enamelling, and guillochage, which emphasise the depth of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s decorative artistry.
Limited to just 10 pieces per model, this refined trilogy bridges East and West, art and horology – capturing the unstoppable grace and determination that define both the horse and the Reverso itself. POA, jaeger-lecoultre.com
