Experience: Maserati Quattroporte Executive GT. One of the Most Luxurious Maseratis.

The Maserati Quattroporte Executive GT is a car that comes with some of the most fascinating touches and details of any car in this price range. Maserati’s flagship sedan is powered by a Ferrari-engineered 4.7 liter 425hp V8 engine. The Quattroporte was launched in 1963, a year after His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV —magnate, racehorse breeder and current 49th Imam of Nizari Ismailism— ordered a special Maserati 5000 WP, chassis no. 103,060 designed by Pietro Frua —the famous Maserati, Glas and Renault car designer.

The Executive GT version of the Quattroporte was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2006. It is based on a special Neiman-Marcus version with 19-inch ball-polished wheels and an 'Alcantara' suede interior roof lining. Other features include chrome side and front grilles and a wood-trimmed steering wheel. Included as standard equipment with the Executive GT version is a Maserati comfort pack with ventilated, heating, massaging rear seats, retractable wood rear tables, and curtain shades on the rear windows. Unfortunately, the Executive GT is no longer on the Quattroporte line-up.

In 2004, Maserati started production of the Pininfarina-designed Quattroporte and it is a continuation of the long tradition of Quattroporte luxury saloons in the Maserati line-up. As you can appreciate in the images, the attention to detail is unparalleled and the finishes on the interior of this vehicle are significantly better than those on other Quattroportes.

For those of you that own a Maserati or have ridden in one, you clearly know what we are talking about. As soon as you open the doors of a Maserati Quattroporte, you can smell the distinctive Poltrona Frau leather that is used to cover its comfortable seats. Fitted with paddle shifters on the steering wheel just like a Ferrari, the transmission on this car is smooth and powerful with every gear change. The clock on its wood dashboard is an unmistakeable element in the design of its interior with superb craftsmanship that surrounds you with sporty elegance.

As with most Maseratis, this is a temperamental car that is made for those that like the finer things in life and won't worry about having cranking issues when getting ready to leave the garage to take it on a joy ride.

The new generation of Maseratis is now designed at a special Maserati-only department within the Fiat Group Centro Stile design center under the guidance of ex-Pininfarina designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti. Time to get one.

Pre-owned Sticker Price $60,000-80,000 USD. For more info on Maserati click here.

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Maserati Quattroporte Executive GT Pietro Frua Prince Karim Aga Khan IV Poltrona Frau.

Encounter: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse. The One to Appear in Tranformers 4: Age of Extinction.

This past weekend here in Chicago was a very active weekend around the shoot of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster movie Transformers 4: Age of Extinction. As it is now a common thing, our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver a.k.a. the 'fancy car magnet' attracted this amazing car while we were cruising around the lower-lower level of Wacker Drive. The only thing we could've wished for is that the whole car had been uncovered.

Watchlifestylers, meet the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse in dark blue with lighter blue accents. This is the very same car that you will get to see in the movie next June 27, 2014. Paramount Pictures, thank you for bringing this beauty to our city!

It was quite exhilarating to get this close to the most amazing automobile ever created in the history of mankind.

We tried to get as close as possible; however, very tight security and police protection didn't allow us to take as many shots as we would've liked. Regardless, here are some spy shots for your viewing pleasure.

This Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is not only the most powerful but also the fastest roadster in the world. Fitted with a quad-turbocharged 8.0 liter 16-cylinder engine, this machine outputs an astounding 1,200 hp and reaches a top speed of 258 mph —granted that you have the clear plastic top on.

This Bugatti is twenty percent more powerful than its predecessor the Grand Sport with a torque of 1,106 lbs/ft. and it is the most amazing automobile ever built and it will take you from 0 to 60 mph in mere 2.4 seconds. We wonder what the g-force would be with the pedal to the metal from full stop to 60 mph.

If you are thinking of getting one of these amazing machines, you need to act fast because as you know, Bugatti’s self-imposed decree caps the production of the Grand Sport at 150 units. You know we hate stock images; however, since we couldn't get the full car, we have included a stock image at the bottom of the post so you can see the what the full car looks like.

Sticker Price $2.4 Million USD. For more info on Bugatti click here.

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Bugatti Veyron Transformers 4 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Lower Lower Wacker Drive Chicago Filming Transformers 4 Age of Extinction Paramount Pictures.

Encounter: Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda'. A Saturday Afternoon Classic.

Nothing like summers here in Chicago. Chicagoans often say that withstanding the harsh winters is just worth it because of the amazing summers we have in the Windy City. After moving from New York City to Chicago five years ago, we now fully understand why people say that.

On a perfect Saturday evening, we stumbled upon this amazing classic car. This is an automobile perfectly suited for an summer evening joy ride. The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL —a.k.a. W113 'Pagoda'— was introduced in 1967 as a successor to the 230 SL and the 250 SL and was in production for just four years. Afterwards, it was replaced by the entirely new 350 SL. Over the years, the W113 evolved from a sports roadster to a comfortable grand tourer.

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, along with its predecessors, is perhaps one of the most classic cars from the sixties and early seventies. This beautiful example in teal blue with cream interiors, definitely caught our eye while wearing our 'fancy car magnet' Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver.

This Mercedes-Benz 280 SL circa 1969 is a two-door roadster coupé with a soft-top and an optional slightly concave hardtop —hence the nickname 'Pagoda'. It was only sold between 1963 and 1971 –just a year short of the launch of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo. Fitted with a six-cylinder engine that outputs 170 hp, this car is classic, elegant and a joy to drive.

The exquisite lines of this car and its amazing condition provide unparalleled eye candy to any watchlifestyler passing by. The iconic Mercedes-Benz three spoke star is a synonym of class, luxury and amazing design just like the double baton at 12 o'clock on an Audemars Piguet timepiece. Enjoy the rest of the pictures of this amazing looking car.

Pre-owned Sticker Price for one like this in such excellent condition, anywhere between $35,000-$75,000 USD. Becoming more and more scarce as time goes by.

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Circa 1969 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Mercedes-Benz Pagoda Mercedes-Benz W113 Top Automobiles 2013.

Encounter: Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite. A Car Make that Disappeared at the time the Royal Oak was Launched.

A few days ago, we stumbled upon one of the most classic British sports cars ever made, an Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite a.k.a. Frogeye in the U.K. —due to its headlights strategically located on top of the hood resembling the amphibian animal.

Austin-Healey was launched in 1952 through a a joint-venture between Leonard Lord of the Austin division of the British Motor Corporation —the BMC— and the Donald Healey Motor Company, a renowned automotive engineering and design firm in the old days. Austin-Healey cars were produced for only a period of 20 years and discontinued in 1972 when the 20-year agreement between Healey and Austin came to an end. Right when the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was launched.

This gorgeous British green Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite, circa 1960, is a perfect example of one of the most iconic models in the Austin-Healey line-up. Something quite interesting about this roadster, is that the car lacks of roll-up windows or a hardtop. The windows that came with this car are one-piece detachable frames with sliding panels and the car comes with a soft vinyl cover to protect it from the rain —there is no hardtop or retractable roof for this vehicle.

The Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in 1958 and eliminated just like all other Austin- Healeys in 1972. At the time, this automobile was presented as a direct competitor to the MG Midget. One hell of a competitor to be quite frank.

The interior —simple, uncluttered and functional— still in pretty good shape, is living testament of the cars from that era. The only thing one could wish for, is that this car had the wooden steering wheel instead of the resin one. Its leather bucket seats with no headrests—also in British green— still present the unmistakeable original white piping that adds the perfect contrasting touch. This car is so tiny that anyone taller than 6'2" will not be able to drive it.

If you want to go back in time and feel like you are ready to conquer the iconic 'Carrera Panamericana', then get ready to pay between $18,000 to $25,000 USD for a mint example like this one. Keep in mind that this automobile is one of the most iconic vehicles of all-time and definitely worth the money.

For more info on Austin-Healeys click here.

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite Austin-Healey Circa 1960 Austin-Healey Frogeye British Motor Corporation Donald Healey Motor Company British Green Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST Estimated Price Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite.

Insider: BMW E90 M3 Saloon. Farewell to an Amazing Four-Door Beast.

As we all know, good things always come to an end. As they say: "Let's say goodbye to the old and make room for the new". Over the course of the last three years, we have been hearing rumors and reading some contradicting news about the possibility that BMW's M3 line will be renamed M4 and that the new generation of these automobiles will be fitted with a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine with an output of 450 horsepower. Even though, all this has not been officially confirmed by BMW, what we do know is that the roomy four-door M3 Saloon is now long gone —it doesn't even appear on BMW's website anymore.

Some time not long ago, we had the pleasure of meeting with one of our close watchlifestyler friends and take a close look at this wonderful machine that you can't buy brand new anymore. This time, the watch on the wrist an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver that we have decided to name the 'fancy car magnet' a few stories ago. The more we look at our pictures, the more we confirm that no other watch could've looked any better inside this gorgeous automobile. A match made in heaven.

The BMW M3 was launched in 1986 based off the 3-series line as the E30 and since then, it's been absolute synonym of performance, speed and comfort among automobile enthusiasts and BMW aficionados.

The 4th generation M3 Saloon four-door was presented as a concept car at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. This powerful car featuring a BMW S65 V8 engine boosts 420 hp capable of getting from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds. Driving this car is a true pleasure and an exhilarating experience. Its lines, engine roar and driveability are unparalleled.

The BMW E90 M3 Saloon four-door is a car that was designed with one goal in mind: speed with uncompromised comfort. The look of the car is very masculine, powerful and quite sporty. This amazing machine comes with 19-inch wheels and 265 tires on the back in order to keep proper control and stability of the powerful rear-wheel drive. One of the greatest advantages of the E90 M3 Saloon over the M3 Coupé, is that you don't need to lose engine power in exchange for more room. This car is almost as powerful as the coupé but rear passengers won't feel cramped up in the back. Just as with any other BMW, the interior is very nicely done, spacious and features the traditional M-line touches with a carbon fiber trim that adds a sportier look to the interior of the vehicle.

Now the really sad part of this story is that if you want one of these cars to go with that Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver, you'll have to settle for a pre-loved example of it. Certified Pre-Owned Sticker Price approximately $48,000-52,000 USD. For more info click here.

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged BMW E90 M3 Saloon Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver M3 BMW M4 Discontinued BMW E90 M3 Saloon Four-Door Four-Door BMW M3.

Encounter: Porsche 997 Targa 4 in Bronze. Nothing is More 70s Than a Targa and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

The other day, during a quick gas stop at a service station on one of Chicago's busiest freeways, we ran into this beautiful Porsche 997 Targa 4 in bronze color. That same day —during the morning—, we had already spent a number of hours drooling over the classic Porsches that one of our close friends and watchlifestylers owns. However, the Targa —regardless of the year— is our all-time favorite Porsche and unfortunately we don't run into it often enough, especially in this very unique color.

The Porsche Targa was launched in 1967 as a model that would combine the best of both worlds in one single car —a coupe and a cabriolet Porsche. Using a roll bar under a stainless steel cover, the Targa featured a removable, folding top from that bar forward to the windshield header and a soft canvas cover with a flexible plastic window that could be unzipped from the car and removed. Today, Targas are equipped with a glass roof and hatch. At any speed, the roof can be opened where it drops down an inch and slides a meter back underneath the hatch. When the glass roof is retracted, a small glass deflector above the windshield is raised to aid in aerodynamic stability.

Unlike previous versions of the Porsche 911 Targa, the Porsche 997 Targa 4 and Targa 4S come with an all-wheel-drive drive-train, hence the '4' in the name. This Targa is fitted with a powerful 3.6 L Six-cylinder engine that delivers 345 hp and reaches 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. The Targa 4S is even more powerful with 385 hp and 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.

As we parked our Cayman S next to this fascinating car, we admired its beauty for a few minutes and realized how similar all Porsches are regardless of the model. All core Porsche design elements are present in both models when looking at them side-by-side. From the headlamps, to the car hips and the overall silhouette, there is really no substitute for a Porsche —a car with a look as unique as the look of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Before getting back in our Cayman S, we decided to check the time on our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and take one last picture of this gorgeous automobile to immortalize this encounter. As we drove away, we remembered our childhood memories and our lifetime dreams of one day owning a Targa. For now, the Cayman S will have to suffice; however, a Targa will continue to be on the wish list. We really need one sooner rather than later.

If you were born in the 70s —just like the Royal Oak—, you clearly understand why Porsches are so fascinating and particularly the amazing Targas.

Sticker Price $106,400 USD. For more info click here.

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Porsche Targa 4 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300ST Porsche Cayman S Cayman S Royal Oak ref. 15300.

Encounter: Maybach 62S. One of the Last Ones Ever Made.

Seeing a Maybach in New York City is as common as having a cupcake from Crumbs by Bryant Park. This time, we stumbled upon this elegant vehicle right next to the Murray Hill area. The watch on our wrist, a classic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST.OO.1000ST.01.

Maybach is an ultra-luxury car brand founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and named Maybach Motorenbau in 1912. The company became famous during WWI and WWII as the company was responsible for manufacturing the engines for zeppelins, tanks, trains and tanks for the German army. In 1960, the company was purchased by Daimler-Benz and it's currently owned by Daimler AG out of Stuttgart, Germany.

After failed attempts to compete against Rolls-Royce, it has been announced that Maybach will cease operations this year. The company leaves behind approximately 3,000 vehicles that were made since its revival back in 2002. The last Maybach was produced in December of 2012. Now, could the car in the picture be the very last Maybach ever made?

During the past 11 years, Maybachs have been sold in two different lengths under the model names 57 and 62 —the model number reflects the length of the vehicle in decimeters. Additionally, there are two other less popular models: the Landaulet and the Guard. The Guard is an armored version of the 62 that is the perfect automobile for those watchlifestylers seeking protection everywhere they go —especially while cruising the streets of Mexico or Colombia.

Fitted with electronic curtains, fully reclining climatized backseats, 19" cinema screen, automatic transparent partition for full privacy, intercom system to communicate with the driver when the partition is closed, duplicate instruments for rears passengers —in order to stay informed regarding the speed, time and exterior temperature— and individual rear seat entertainment system, the 62S is Powered with a 6.0L V12 Bi-Turbo engine with 620 hp.

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In addition to all of its luxurious features and superb design, the Maybach 62S is characterized by outstanding engineering and effortlessly superior performance. An exceptional car created for true connoisseurs. For those that are savvy enough, a Maybach can be spotted from a block away. If you feel like making a grand entrance on your next dinner at Lavo, make sure you arrive in one of these amazing automobiles.

Last know Sticker Price $467,600 USD. For more info on this fabulous car click here.

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Maybach 62S Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST Audemars Piguet ref. 25721ST.OO.1000ST.01.

Insider: Porsche 964 Racing Car. Cruising the Racetracks of America Since 1990.

A few days ago, we were invited by one of our watchlifestyler friends to take a closer look at some of his Audemars Piguet watches and his Porsche 964 Racing Car. This gorgeous racing car is a 1990 964 that started its life as a regular street car before turning into a podium maker.

The previous owner started tracking it on open lap days until he decided to finally race it and make it into a full blown race car. This Porsche 964 bearing the race number 971 has a long history of races and victories. Initially raced at Road America, this powerful six-cylinder made its way to other important tracks including Gingerman Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Putnam Park Road Course, Sebring International Raceway and Daytona International Speedway.

Purchased in 2006 by our friend, the car has seen numerous changes along the way. From an engine rebuilt —as a piston had scored the inside of a cylinder wall— to the fitting of adjustable shocks —JRZ race type— and the installment of a full computer to gather and report full AIM race data including lap times, break pressure, track GPS info, steering angle, oil pressure and temperature, acceleration, RPM and everything else that goes on with the car performance while racing.

Currently, this beauty races in the G-Class Prepared category in the Porsche Club of America. It's in the Prepared Class —not the Stock Class— because several modifications have been done including the addition of Turbo 911 brakes, a different transmission ratio, a rear wing and a front splitter and also considerable weight reduction. This car has over a dozen podiums and it's very competitive in its class. Additionally, Patrick Long —a Porsche works driver— has driven this car as well.

The car features a flat six-cylinder 3.6L fuel injection engine that provides 290hp with an acceleration from 0-60mph in just 5.5 seconds. The car comes with all the racing gear necessary to conquer the tracks including a carbon fiber rear wing, extra-wide slick tires, ABS brakes, a Recaro Hans driver seat, a Recaro Pole Position passenger seat, adjustable suspension, full interior cage rollbars and a detachable Momo steering wheel. Our friend is an experienced driver that races this car with the pedal to the metal while keeping track of his lap times with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 25721ST.OO.1000ST.01

If you feel like turning your street legal Porsche into a racing car click here.

Encounter: Ferrari F430 in Light Blue on the Highway. We Just Couldn't Keep Up.

A few days ago, while driving a Porsche Cayman S on one of Chicago's most transited freeways, we stumbled upon a gorgeous light blue Ferrari F430. For once, the freeway wasn't as plugged up with traffic as usual.

As we were comfortably cruising, a loud, low-pitched engine roar called for our attention. As we looked in the mirror, there it was. A gorgeous Ferrari F430 hiding in our blind spot. The watch on the wrist is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver that we now like to call 'the fancy car magnet' per a previous story.

The Ferrari F430 comes with a V8-engine with 490hp and cutting-edge racing technologies —perfected to be street legal— such as the electronic differential and the handy steering wheel mounted commutator switch that controls the systems governing vehicle dynamics.

The F430 is very light and reaches 0-60mph in just 4.0 seconds. This Ferrari is as close as you will get to the performance and driveability of a Formula One racing car. For instance, a braking system using carbon-ceramic discs comes as a standard feature and the aerodynamics are also highly innovative for a street car. It is shaped in a way where air flow increases down-force and improves cooling.

As this remarkable automobile with its yellow brake calipers passed us, we tried to follow as close as possible —always obeying traffic laws and safety standards— but unfortunately we just couldn't keep up.

As its roaring engine dwarfed ours and its cruising speed kept increasing, we did nothing else but to see it drift away like a cruise on the Mediterranean or the disappearing sound of the final notes on Schubert's Improptu in A Flat, Opus 142 No. 2.

As we tried to reach the F430 one more time and gave our Porsche all the gas possible, we finally gave up and let it disappear. Only these pictures are testimony of that encounter.

Since this automobile is not available in the current Ferrari range, we are giving you an approximate pre-owned price.

Sticker Price $165,000. For more info on Ferrari click here.

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Ferrari F430 Porsche Cayman S Audemars Piguet Diver Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Audemars Piguet ref. 15703ST.OO.A002CA.01 Chicago Ferrari F430 Pre-Owned Price.

Insider: Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda' from 1964. A Family Jewel Never to be Sold.

A few days ago, we met with a very close friend and watchlifestyler to talk about watches and the good life. In all honesty, what can be better than driving a classic Mercedes-Benz SL 230 —a.k.a. W113 'Pagoda'— from 1964 in the company of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 15202ST.

Interestingly enough, the interior of this beautiful classic car matches the dial of the Royal Oak Jumbo as if they had been conceived at the same time. The Mercedes-Benz SL 230 is a two-door Roadster Coupé with a soft-top and an optional slightly concave hardtop —reason why it was nicknamed Pagoda— that was only sold between 1963 and 1971 –just a year short of the launch of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo.

This beautiful car with a six-cylinder engine and ground-breaking design for its time, is not only in mint condition but drives like a dream and has a wonderful story. Only 48,912 SL 230s were ever produced and only 19,440 were sold here in the U.S. This beauty is one of them.

This car was fully restored by the previous owner and meant to be driven as he didn't want it to just be a museum piece. A very close friend to our friend, purchased the car approximately seven years ago and it became a precious family jewel never to be sold. A few years later, he decided to relocate from Massachusetts to Asia and sold all of this belongings with the exception of this car. Since he didn't want to sell the car to a stranger or have it sit in a garage, he made a deal with our friend where both would have ownership of the car. It is very clear that the car will never leave either family. Wouldn't you do the same if you owned one?

Just like this beautiful car, the classic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo is a watch that is meant to never leave a watchlifestylers wrist and a family jewel never to be sold. For more info on the Jumbo click here.

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Mercedes-Benz SL 230 1964 Mercedes W113 Pagoda Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 15202ST Classic White Mercedes SL 230 Mercedes-Benz Pagoda.

Encounter: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II. Quite Rare and Exclusive.

This time we stumbled upon a gorgeous Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II in the company of our Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean XL. The precursor to the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II was the Silver Shadow I, a core model of the Rolls-Royce company from 1955 thru 1966. In 1977, the model was renamed Silver Shadow II due to several modifications that improved the handling and drive-ability of the automobile. From an appearance standpoint, the bumpers where changed from chrome to a combination of alloy and rubber and the small grilles beneath the headlamps were removed.

In 1979, a limited number of Silver Shadow II cars were made to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the company and these were fitted with red 'RR' badges. The Rolls-Royce featured here, is from a batch of only 8,425 units made between 1977 and 1980. Therefore, quite rare but formidably beautiful.

The iconic hood figurine that has adorned the Rolls-Royce cars since 1911 —commonly known in the U.S. as the 'Flying Lady'— has an interesting story behind. The actual name of the hood figurine is the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' and it was designed by Charles Robinson Sykes. The story accounts that the figurine was modeled after a young woman named Eleanor Velasco Thornton, whose affair with John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu — 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, British politician, promoter of motiring and editor of 'The Car'— remained a secret for over a decade as she was his secretary.

John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu ordered his friend Charles Robinson Sykes to create a special figurine for his Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The creation: a small statue of a young woman in fluttering robes with her forefinger shutting her lips, christened 'The Whisper'. Upon completion, Montagu made the decision to put it on top of the radiator of his Rolls-Royce. Years later, Rolls-Royce presented the 'Spirit of Ecstasy', which was easily recognizable as a variation of the 'The Whisper'. The similarity was hardly coincidental because the model for both had been Ms. Thornton.

Since 1911, the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' has adorned the grill of every Rolls-Royce. Each figurine is casted using the lost-wax technique. This practice where the molds are destroyed to reveal the casting, results in having figurines that are completely unique and no two are identical.

Now, everyone wonders why is the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' fitted with a retracting mechanism. Well, it's because from 1911 to 1914 the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' was silver-plated and victim of frequent thefts. In addition, safety regulations in some countries qualified the figurine as a sharp-edged piece of metal that could injure a victim in an accident. Therefore, Rolls-Royce solves the issues by fitting the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' with a mechanism that allows the driver to hide the figurine by sinking it into the radiator area upon demand.

Without a doubt the Rolls-Royce designs are as timeless as the designs of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean.

For more info click here.

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Spirit of Ecstasy Flying Lady The Whisper John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu Charles Robinson Sykes Eleanor Velasco Thornton Rolls-Royce Hood Mascot Rolls Hood Emblem.

Encounter: Porsche 911 circa 1966. A Glimpse of the Past.

A few days ago, while driving around our old neighborhood trying to find a parking spot, we ran into one of our all-time favorite automobiles, a legendary Porsche 911 from the 1960s. This Porsche 911 circa 1966, is still in very nice condition and running strong and loud as any 911 should be.

After parking our own Porsche, we decided to then snap a few pictures to record this memorable encounter. The watch on our wrist an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver. It's really crazy how often we run into fancy cars while wearing this watch. From now on, we should call our Diver the 'fancy car magnet'.

Porsche launched the 911 back in 1963 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. At that time, the 911 was originally called 901; however, Peugeot objected the use of the name 901 and Porsche changed it to what is now the most iconic number in automobiles, the '911'.

In 1965, the production of the 911 a.k.a. 356 was stopped, and the 912 was launched. The 912 was a less expensive model featuring a four-cylinder engine from the last 356s and was less luxurious than the 911. This 1966 model we stumbled upon, is still a 911 that maintained the same line and details of the first 911s up until 1970, year in which the new line of 911s was released.

This particular vintage Porsche is fitted with all original parts and its black paint is still in very decent shape considering the age of the vehicle. Nothing like fancy timepieces and fancy cars to enjoy the 'good life'.

For more info on Porsche click here.

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Audemars Piguet Diver Royal Oak Offshore Diver Porsche 911 Porsche 911 1966 Porsche 912 Porsche 901 Top Automobiles.

Encounter: The Rolls-Royce Phantom at Baselworld

A few weeks ago, while at Baselworld 2013, we ran into some magnificent automobiles. One that definitely caught our attention —due to its elegance and beauty— was this Rolls-Royce Phantom parked next to the Press Center. This particular contrast paint scheme in Diamond Black and Silver, is one of our favorites. Just a perfect match for our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is hand-built at the home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. From seamstresses to surface finish technicians and French polishers, it takes sixty pairs of hands to design, craft and construct a Rolls-Royce before it's ready for its new owner.

Powered with a V12 direct injection engine and 21" alloy wheels, this car has a power output of 463hp getting from 0 to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds. Definitely a powerful car and the comfiest ride on earth.

This Phantom with seat piping and contrast paint scheme has a sticker price of approximately $420,000 USD. For more info on the Phantom click here.

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Rolls-Royce Phantom Audemars Piguet Diver Royal Oak Offshore Diver.

Experience: Porsche 991 Carrera 4S. In the Company of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver.

After driving the Porsche 991 Carrera 4S in the company of our beautiful Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver, all we can say is that the automobile and the watch are both outstanding performance machines. The 991 Carrera 4S is powerful, loud, comfortable and very stable, just as powerful as the calibre 3120 that powers the Royal Oak Offshore Diver. The Porsche 991 is the internal designation for the seventh generation of the 911 which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Fitted with a 3.8 liter direct injection flat six engine, the 991 Carrera 4S provides 400 hp with a seven-speed manual gearbox or Porsche's PDK Automatic transmission. 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Compared to the 997, the 991's wheelbase is longer. A new trans-axle was developed so that the rear wheels could be moved 7.6 centimeters backward in relation to the position of the engine, which significantly improves the weight distribution and cornering performance of this car.

Once you get in the car, the seat embraces your back and your spine gets ready for the G-Force this car will put you under. As soon as you start the engine and select the sport mode and boost on the exhaust, you know this automobile is ready to deliver an unforgettable experience with all of its horsepower.

The powerful engine roars as the instrument panel lights up with all sort of indicators including tire pressure gauge display and the ability to display the navigation information next to the tachometer. The steering wheel, thick and sporty featuring two toggle controls that allow the driver to browse thru the information panel. You can also control the stereo and the hands-free phone settings right on the steering wheel.

Fitted with 19-inch wheels and the widest tires you can imagine, the cornering ability of this car is as good as on the Cayman S. Once you pass the 5,000 rpm mark, you'll discover where the fun starts. It's amazing when you are already going at 70 mph on third gear at 5,000 rpm and you step on the gas a little bit and all of a sudden you hit 90 mph in just a few seconds.

In our opinion, the 991 stays true to Porsche's brand promise. Porsche, there is no substitute. Sticker price for the base model with no options $105,630.

For more info click here.

Here's a short video that will show you how beautiful the engine of this car sounds.

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Audemars Piguet Diver Porsche Porsche 991 Carrera 4S Porsche Carrera Royal Oak Offshore Diver Audemars Piguet Carrera 911 Carrera 4S Price.

Experience: Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB in Beijing

It is 3:13pm in Beijing and we are beyond exhausted from an almost 14-hour flight all the way from Chicago. Lucky enough, we have a Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheel Base waiting for us at the airport. After such a long flight, nothing like the comfort of the best car in the world. As we get in the car, the legroom is hard to miss, the smell of the leather and wood inside the car are captivating and we are now inside the quietest ride in the world. Mr. Ogilvy's advertising campaign for Rolls-Royce delivers on its promise with the tagline that reads: "At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock". So true!

As we head into the heart of Beijing in such a quite ride, it almost feels like we are inside an audio recording studio and not in a car. The attention to detail that comes with a vehicle of this caliber, is just above the rest. The wood trim, the clock, the windows, passenger controls and comfort of the seats are just some of the things that makes a Rolls-Royce the most elegant car in the world. Our final destination in Beijing, The Peninsula Hotel —located just a few blocks away from where watch shopping paradise is located in the Wangfujing area.

Sticker price on this car approximately $475,000 USD. For more info on Rolls-Royce click here.

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Rolls-Royce Phantom Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Beijing Rolls Audemars Piguet 25721ST.

Encounter: Rolls-Royce Silver Spur. A Classy and Elegant Ride.

There's nothing more exciting than running into amazing timepieces or posh classic cars while going for a walk. This time it's the turn for a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur—also known as Silver Spirit—parked a few steps away from the Hermès, Prada and David Yurman boutiques located in Chicago's exclusive boutique row on Oak street, right between Michigan avenue and Rush street.

This beautiful car from the 80s is in mint condition and features one of our favorite color combos in ivory cream with a chocolate brown top. The interior also in dark brown with magnificent wood trim makes this automobile a true classic and a perfect example of a time machine.

The Silver Spur, was introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1980 and was the first new generation of models for the company. The chassis on this car is the same chassis that was also used by Bentley on their Mulsanne series.

With a 6.75 liter V8 engine with automatic transmission, the Silver Spur continues to offer the powerful, yet smooth and quiet ride prevalent across all Rolls-Royce cars.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Rolls.

Experience: The New 2014 Porsche Cayman. For Sale on April 27th.

Yesterday we got a sneak preview of the new 2014 Cayman available for sale on April 27th. This time, a discontinued Omega Planet Ocean XL came along with us.

The new Cayman, just like the new Boxster, comes with a longer wheelbase, less weight and more power. The base Cayman with a 2.7-liter flat-six engine provides 275 hp, while with the Cayman S, you get a 3.4-liter flat-six engine with 325 hp. Porsche the Cayman with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed PDK—Porsche Doppelkupplung—automatic transmission.

The new Cayman comes fitted with 18-inch wheels but the option to go with 19 or 20-inch wheels is also available. The Cayman S now features the front discs and also the sport exhaust system—that enhances the car's sound by the push of a button—from the Carrera. The new Cayman is now even more stable on the road with it's longer improved wheelbase. The interior as well was drastically modified and you really can't tell the difference whether you are inside a 911 or a Cayman.

In our opinion, the new Cayman resembles the 911 even more than in the past and with the major changes done to the rear, doors, ventilation intakes, mirrors, tail lights and even a new smoothly finished Porsche crest on the hood it's definitely a car that will guarantee unlimited fun on the road. Sticker price of $52,600 for the base Cayman and $63,800 for the Cayman S. For more info on the new Cayman check out Loeber Porsche.

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Porsche Cayman Cayman S Cayman 2014 Omega Planet Ocean.

Experience: 50 Years of the TAG Heuer Carrera. The Panamericana.

This is a great video by TAG Heuer and the Carrera Panamericana. It's almost hard to believe that the TAG Heuer Carrera was launched half a century ago. Time definitely flies.

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged TAG Heuer Carrera Carrera Panamericana 50 Years of TAG.

Experience: Museo Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese

Driving our way through Italy, all the way from Venezia down to Rome, we decided to briefly stop at Sant'Agata Bolognese —the birthplace of Lamborghini—and visit the 'Museo Lamborghini'. Sant'Agata Bolognese is a small community located east of Modena and about 38 kilometers northwest of Bologna. The 'Museo Lamborghini' is located adjacent to the factory on Via Modena and a must-see for watch lifestylers that appreciate automobiles. The 'Museo Lamborghini' offers a unique collection of vintage Lamborghinis that clearly show the evolution and history of this automaker.

At the museum you will be able to appreciate some of the most iconic Lamborghini machines ever made, all the way from a Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Superleggera to a Espada, a Countach 25th Anniversary Edition—only 658 pieces made—, a few Miuras and a LM002, amongst others.

Next to the 'Museo' by the factory side, we came across a beautiful Lamborghini Murcielago in carbon fiber that was just remarkable. As you make your way out of the 'Museo' you will find the Lamborghini store. A must shop type of place. Get plenty of Super Trofeo merchandise with Blancpain's logo on it. After taking off from Sant'Agata, stop by for a delicious meal at Gran Torino and experience the amazing Northern Italian cuisine in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region. A visit that is well worth it.

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Museo Lamborghini Sant'Agata Bolognese Top Automobiles.

Experience: Driving a Ferrari California in Maranello

The experience of driving a Ferrari gets amplified when you get to drive it in the place it was born. After visiting the Ferrari factory and Galleria Ferrari in the small town of Maranello—just south of Modena and northwest of Bologna—, we had the exhilarating pleasure of driving a Ferrari California around the streets of this picturesque town, house to the Ferrari dynasty.

Our companion during this adventure, a Rolex GMT Master ref. 16753. No other watch could've been better suited for this experience. As you all know, Italian watch collectors are extremely passionate for vintage Rolexes and especially for the 'occhio di tigre' as the GMT Rootbeer is commonly known in Italy.

After driving all the way to Reggio Emilia —the capital for Reggiano located northwest of Maranello— we decided to treat ourselves to the best Parmigiano Reggiano we've had in a very long time, some cold Lambrusco and Crescentinas di Modena.