Zenith Academy Tourbillion El Primero Quantieme Perpetuel

The Zenith Academy Tourbillion El Primero Quantieme Perpetuel is only the latest in a cavalcade of high-end Swiss watches to feature a tourbillion escapement.  In this case, as with all other wrist watches, a tourbillion escapement is strictly an exercise in mechanical complication, as the whole purpose of a tourbillion is to prevent a pocket watch's regulator from settling and thus losing accuracy.  Wrist watches eliminated the need for this type of system, as they don't sit in the same position all of the time, like their predecessors.  

This watch, however, takes everything a step further.  On top of the already elaborate and difficult to engineer tourbillion, the Zenith ads a perpetual calendar and chronograph to the 35 jewel 492 component automatic movement, which vibrates at a strong 36,000 vibrations per hour for 55 hours.  

This amazing and complex movement is set in a beautiful 45mm 18k rose gold case with an ornate guilloche dial.  Frequently, complicated and grand-complicated focus much of the design efforts on the movement, to the expense of the case and overall look of the watch.  They can often be quite boring.  This is not the case with the new Zenith.  This watch is beautiful.  A black leather band sets off the cream colored and rose gold dial very nicely.  

Elegant enough to wear with a tuxedo and stylish enough for every day use, this watch is truly special.  The only draw back to this watch is its size. At 1.8 inches wide, it may be too large for some wrists. 

The Lux Report gives the Zenith Academy Tourbillion El Primero Quantieme Perpetuel an 8 out of 10.

Stripper Tags and All Things "Return to Tiffany"

If you live in the same world I do, you have no doubt seen more than your fair share of "Return to Tiffany" Heart Tag Necklaces and chokers.  The infestation has spread to every segment of society. This merchandise is the most accessible of Tiffany products, having some of the lowest price points in the company.  As a result every 13 year old girl or middle aged woman who is trying to hard, feels its an easy way of getting the "little blue box."  I understand the need for Tiffany's jewelry.  We all want a bit of luxury to connect us with something special.  The cliche Return to Tiffany Heart Tag merchandise is not the way to go.  Ladies there are so many choices for under $200 that can give us that taste of luxury without trying too hard.  May I recommend one of the many Elsa Perreti pendants or even an 1837 collection pendant.  Each of these fall around $150.  Why not achieve luxury... and class.  

If you want a piece that connects you to something special, something larger than life, Tiffany & Co. has many things to offer, but please don't by anything that says Tiffany on it.  If on the other than you wish to blend into the false impression of luxury to merely show-off to a few teenage friends or coworkers, then by all means.  

As a sales professional at Tiffany & Co. once told me, a customer who happened to be a strip club owner, came in asking for "stripper tags" since it is apparently a tradition to give exotic dancers one of these "Return to Tiffany" Heart Tag Necklaces with their names engraved.  Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident.  As a result to Tiffany employees, they will always be..."stripper tags.

You pick how you want to be percieved, as an elegant woman or as a tacky follower.

The Lux Report gives this product a 1 out of 10.

The BeoLab and BeoSystem: Amazing Audio at a Cost

Bang & Olufsen is known as a purveyor of some of the best, most creative, and most stylistic audio visual equipment around.  So, when I went to listen to their premier home surround sound system, the BeoSystem 3 with BeoLab speakers, I had very high hopes.  

 

Aurally, those hopes were well justified.  The quality of the sound coming from the R2-D2-like speakers rivaled that of real life.  The music, the movie explosions, the voices seemed almost clearer than they would have in person, if that's even possible.  The range of highs coming from the tweeters and lows coming from the sub created a complete and, for lack of better term, surrounding audio environment.  I couldn't ask for a better sound experience.  

 

However, visually, the BeoSystem and BeoLab speakers leave a lot to be desired.  They look like something left over from the set of "2001: A Space Odyssey".  They are far from discreet.  B&O equipment is never discreet, but, normally, they manage their outrageousness by masking it with beautiful, well designed pieces of audiological art.  

  

If you want amazing sound quality, no matter the visual cost, the BeoSystem with BeoLab speakers are not doubt the way to go.  If the appearance of your system counts, The Lux Report suggests something else.    

  

The Lux Report give the BeoSystem with BeoLab speakers a score of 7 out of 10.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Once seated in the carbon fiber and alcantra pod Lamborghini has molded as the cockpit for their new super-car, the Gallardo Superleggera, you can instantly tell this is not your ordinary Gallardo.  It's not even your ordinary fighter jet.  This $268,000, 530 Horse, 200 mph modernist sculpture is perhaps one of the greatest cars ever created.  As Lamborghini's answer to the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, it has to be.  

Shunning the Ignition Button as a trendy frivolity, once you turn the key of the Superleggera, you know you're in for a spinal realignment, as the car launches you from a standstill to 60 mph in about 3.6 seconds.  At this point, the sound coming from the nearly 5000cc V-10 would put Thor to shame.  Now, a lot of cars are fast, but the laser-sharp steering and endless grip from the Audi-sourced all-wheel drive really set this car apart as not only a muscle bound dragster, but a street legal track car with the finesse of an F1 racer, which still manages to maintain real-world drivability.

Normally, the interior of such cars leaves a lot to be desired, but not in the case of the Superleggera.  The fit and finish of the leather, alcantra, and carbon fiber interior rivals that of a Bentley or Spyker. With a great sound system, a navigation system, rear video camera, and racing seats that hug you tighter than your Grandma Irene, this is truly a masterpiece of auto design.

The Lux Report gives the Superleggera a score 10 out of 10.

Welcome to The Lux Report

Welcome to The Lux Report, a blog dedicated to all things luxury. Ever wonder what designer has the best new handbags? Or, what car rules the road?  We can help. The Lux Report is your source for reviews of everything from watches to single-barrel bourbons, from Jimmy Choo to Lamborghini, from diamonds to ski resorts, and everything in between. Regardless of what you're dying to have, we'll tell you if it's really worth it.  It is good enough for...The Lux Report?