THE KONSORTIUM

The Omega Speedmaster: 50th-Anniversary Edition

The Omega Speedmaster: 50th-Anniversary Edition

Omega launched its Speedmaster watch in 1957, but it wasn’t until July 20, 1969, that this multifunctional chronograph became a legend. The Speedmaster went to the moon, where it recorded the exact time of the first lunar landing. NASA chose the Omega for its sturdy and dependable reputation—and the fact that it just looks so damn cool. We agree. It has both guts and gleam, making it suitable for double duty as a dress watch and a sport watch. It gets our vote wherever it’s worn, from Manhattan to Mars.

$5,380. At Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers, 703-448-6731; London Jewelers, 516-627-7475; Tourneau, 800-348-3332

Canon - HD camcorder

Prices of HD televisions may be plummeting, but the cost of a solid HD camcorder is holding steady at around $1,000—though you do get a good bit more for your grand than you did last year. Canon's new Vixia HV30—an upgrade from 2007's HV20—shoots in speedy 30p progressive mode. It also has a full-HD CMOS that produces sharp contrasts and vivid color, a svelte black body, and a curb weight of about a pound and a half. And what's held over from last year's model—10x zoom, image stabilization, instant auto-focus, and a 2.7-inch wide-screen display—remains top-notch. In other words, highly deserving of a buy rating. (Remember those?)
Canon Vixia HV30, $999, usa.canon.com

ADAM BAER
10:27 AM, March 17, 2008
Photo: Courtesy of Canon

The Most Lucrative Neighborhoods For Real Estate Investing

by Laura Malesich

Ever wondered which neighborhoods are experiencing the most growth and are the most lucrative in terms of real estate investing? Forbes has compiled a list of the top five neighborhoods that have grown above and beyond the rest. Whether the growth is due to a dramatic drop in crime or rezoning and infrastructure development, here are the top five and their percentage of growth since 1990 which make the rest of our hometowns look measly on the investment scale.

* Miami Beach (City Center) in Miami, Florida -- 1532% growth
* Ohio and Westgate Avenues in Los Angeles, California -- 3081% growth
* Rosslyn/Highlands in Washington, D.C. -- 566% growth
* Riverside Drive and 149th Streets in New York City, New York -- 4391% growth
* Grove and Webster Streets in San Francisco, California -- 522% growth

How To Blow Your Bonus: Metal Shutter Houses in Chelsea, NY

The Metal Shutter Houses in the West Chelsea of New York City take a look usually seen when storefronts close down for the evening and roll down metal garage-door-like shutters and makes it high end. The nine-unit condo project designed by Japan's Shigeru Ban was inspired by the metal shutters on industrial buildings. The mechanized shutters have horizontal perforated slats that allow the resident to see out when closed but block out the city's prying eyes. When the shutter rolls up it reveals a terrace which is separated from double-height living rooms by windows that can also be raised to create one large indoor/outdoor space.The units range from three-bedroom, 1,950-square-foot duplexes with terraces to four-bedroom, 2,700-square-foot duplexes with terraces and one four-bedroom duplex penthouse which has 3,319 square feet and 1,963 square feet of outdoor space including private roof deck. The units start at $3.6 million and the penthouse, shown above, is listed at $10.5 million.

Triumph Scrambler

Steve McQueen made this bike famous, but the Scrambler was already a familiar sight on British and Irish country lanes by the time The Great Escape hit theaters. This new limited edition is the same as the one that McQueen commandeered on-screen, only with a matte black paint job that gives a sixties classic an all-business twist.

Triumph Scrambler, $7,999; www.triumph.co.uk/usa

Stealth Wealth: Bontoni - Custom Made Shoes

Bontoni is a third-generation Italian family manufacturer of fine hand-crafted men's shoes, based in the Marche region of Italy. Until 2004, Bontoni created their objects of art only for a limited number of friends. They soon realized that there was an opportunity to broaden their offering to others -wherever they may be- who also would value the art of hand-made elegance. Inspired by Italy’s 1950’s iconic jet-set era, the Bontoni style merges the past with the present, the simple with the sophisticated, and the discreet with the bold.

A Bontoni ready-to-wear shoe takes 9 weeks to make. Bontoni’s modest workshop, or bottega, finishes anywhere from 7-11 pair a day. Beyond their distinctive hand-crafted approach, it is Bontoni’s superb hand-finishing and antiquing that is truly exquisite-and remarkable. Striking patinas on buttery soft calf-skin leathers are the hallmarks of a Bontoni shoe. While the name is still obscure, the brand is creating a real stir and a following. The shoes are featured in some of the most renowned clothing stores including Wilkes Bashford, Stanley Korshak, and Mario’s. Beginning in August 2007, Bontoni will make its debut at Bergdorf Goodman New York. Prices for ready-to-wear start at $995, while custom prices begin at $3,500.

bontoni

Where to Buy

Bergdorfgoodman

wilkesbashord

marios

Bower & Wilkins Signature Diamond Speakers

We've been finding all sorts of pricey speakers lately. The latest come from another famed industrial designer, Kenneth Grange, who has designed Parker pens, Kenwood food mixers, the Kodak Instamatic camera and the Wilkinson Sword razor. His latest project is the Bowers & Wilkins Signature Diamond limited edition speaker.
The Signature Diamond is a two-way speaker with a Kevlar midrange/bass drive unit inside a sculpted, cylindrical cabinet. It also has a marble tube-loaded tweeter with a dome of synthetic diamond to deliver high frequencies. The speakers come in a limited-edition of 1000 individually-numbered sets for £11,000.

How to Blow Your Bonus: Richard Mille RM 012 Tourbillon

Most ultra-high-end timepieces are as lightweight as they are affordable. This $450,000 model from Richard Mille—based on a model recently custom-made for Brazilian race car ace Felipe Massa—is at least one for two. Thanks to details like a winding barrel and tourbillon cage made from a featherweight aluminum alloy usually reserved for skyscrapers and ships, the RM 012 clocks in at a mere 30 grams.

$450,000, www.richardmille.com

Photo: Courtesy of Richard Mille

40 Bond - Luxury Residences in NYC

If you have any taste and a want to live better than the avg joe, then I have found your new home.

AVAILABLE AT 40 BOND
24 hours a day, 7 days a week complete residential apartment oversight, supervision, administration, management and care (Lifestyle Management)
Valet parking, limousine service and car wash
24-hour doormen/concierge trained by Gramercy Park Hotel
Complete housekeeping service
Turn-down service
Room service
Bathroom amenity services
Massage and spa services
Catering services and event planning for private meetings, events or functions
Supervised childcare and babysitting services
Benefit of preferred “bulk rate” discount programs arranged with local vendors
Personal shopping and delivery services, including groceries, cleaners, pharmacies, etc.
Messenger services for local pick-ups and deliveries
Newspaper delivery to door
Pet walking and sitting services
Pick-up and delivery services for laundry and dry cleaning
Technical support services for computers, entertainment centers and telecommunication equipment
Painting service
Repair service
Fresh flower service
Take-out service
All personnel at 40 Bond are trained and supervised by the Gramercy Park Hotel’s five-star, world class human resources department

40bond.com

Travel: Tulum, Mexico

This unique residence and spa at Xtabay estate is devoted entirely to your well-being. The integration of lush vegetation, pure air and turquoise sea provides the perfect environment to awaken the senses, and to renew, restore and enhance the harmony between body, mind and soul.
The concept is simply lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that affords you the ultimate in minimalist elegance amid the natural beauty that is exclusive to Tulum beach. An opportunity to enjoy living in your personal, tropical hideaway. The emphasis is on the opportunity to allow you to share in the experience, magic and lifestyle of the area.

This residence provides all the expected facilities with unparalleled elegance through unique interior design that combines Asian and European influences. Beautiful imported fixtures, Mexican artifacts, hand made furniture and exquisite tapestries and carvings. Personal touches can be found in every corner, delighting the senses and offering glimpses into the cultures of the region.

Master terrace suite has an incredible 180 degree view of sea and Tulum coast line, large top floor private sun deck with chaise loungers, extra king size bed with large bath tub. This is a wonderful suite for a romantic getaway or honeymoon. *Weekly Rental Rates: Jan 3-Apr 30: $2,350; May 1-Dec 16: $2,120; Dec 17-Jan 2: $2,745*

Master beach suite is the only superior sea level suite, only steps to the sea, with an extra king size bed, separate bath and shower room, walk-in closet and private bar. The residence nearest suite to the sea. *Weekly Rental Rates: Jan 3-Apr 30: $2,350; May 1-Dec 16: $2,120; Dec 17-Jan 2: $2,745*

Master jungle suite offers an amazing 180 degree view of jungle and sea, private terrace, extra king size bed with large bath tub and additional twin bed with spacious living room area. Jungle superior suites also boast an observatory terrace with your own telescope. *Weekly Rental Rates: Jan 3-Apr 30: $2,350; May 1-Dec 16: $2,120; Dec 17-Jan 2: $2,745*

Partial sea view suite 1 room with extra king-size bed, ceiling fan and bathroom with bathtub. *Weekly Rental Rates: Jan 3-Apr 30: $1,805; May 1-Dec 16: $1,570; Dec 17-Jan 2: $1,960*

Mayan courtyard suite 1 room with extra king-size bed, ceiling fan and bathroom with bathtub.
*Weekly Rental Rates: Jan 3-Apr 30: $1,410; May 1-Dec 16: $1,215; Dec 17-Jan 2: $1,570*

**Upon request at the residence: 24 Hour SPA and Food Catering Service.**

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