Record-Breaking Monaco Yacht Show

Welcome to the 57th edition of Maximalist! Dive into the ultimate guide, filled with insider insights into the world of fashion, art, real estate, travel, jewelry, and horology.

The world of luxury is never boring, and this week is no exception. Let’s dive in!

Markets

On this week’s agenda:

1. Record-Breaking Monaco Yacht Show

2. Richard Mille Unveils RM 17-02 Tourbillon in Titanium

3. Bottega Veneta Introduces Animal-Filled "Ark" for SS25 Show

4. LVMH Has Sold Off-White

5. 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed: A Properly Updated Grand Tourer

Record-Breaking 2024 Monaco Yacht Show

The highly anticipated 2024 Monaco Yacht Show delivered four days of opulence and luxury, showcasing some of the most impressive superyachts in the world. The event, which took place in Port Hercule, was a celebration of yacht charters and luxury, with a fleet that left visitors in awe.

This year’s show featured 116 superyachts, 50 of which were available for charter, with an average length of 158 feet (48.17 meters). A total of 80 superyachts made their debut, marking a milestone for the event. Despite varying weather, attendees experienced firsthand some of the largest yachts on the market, along with insights into the industry at attractions like the Sustainability Hub.

Industry giants such as Heesen, Lurssen, Oceanco, and Abeking & Rasmussen were among the exhibitors, further solidifying Monaco's status as the premier yacht show. The 2024 edition left an impression on visitors, delivering a show that embodied luxury and grandeur.

Among the standout superyachts was the 404.2-foot (123.2-meter) GOLDEN ODYSSEY, which replaced the 345.4-foot (105.26-meter) luxury yacht H3 in the lineup, snatching the title of the longest yacht at the event from the 400.3-foot (122-meter) superyacht KISMET. KISMET, a favorite due to her iconic jaguar emblem, retained the record for the longest charter yacht at the show.

Accompanying GOLDEN ODYSSEY and KISMET was the 367.5-foot (112-meter) RENAISSANCE, one of the largest yachts by gross tonnage and one of only two Freire Shipyard yachts on the market, alongside the 241.6-foot (73.61-meter) NAIA.

Other noteworthy yachts included the recently refitted 295.3-foot (90-meter) DAR and the global debut of the 256.11-foot (78.3-meter) PLATINUM. Additionally, the 191.3-foot (58.3-meter) explorer yacht PINK SHADOW, the newly launched 140.6-foot (42.83-meter) catamaran SEAWOLF X, and the 173.11-foot (53-meter) motor yacht FIVE OCEANS all drew attention from attendees.

As the show looks ahead to 2025, the industry eagerly awaits the return of popular attractions like the Design & Innovation Hub and the exotic car exhibit, as well as another collection of extraordinary superyachts.

Richard Mille Unveils RM 17-02 Tourbillon in Titanium

Richard Mille has introduced the RM 17-02 Tourbillon in titanium, a watch that blends the brand's innovative vision with high-end watchmaking expertise.

The watch features a 40mm tonneau-shaped case, crafted from lightweight yet strong grade 5 titanium. This case design was the result of a year-long R&D process, which Richard Mille compares to the precision engineering seen in Formula 1, where “the chassis and engine are developed in complete harmony.”

In this watch, the high-performance movement is mounted directly onto the chassis using rubber supports, secured with titanium screws, eliminating the need for a casing ring. The case is further reinforced with two Nitrile O-ring seals, providing water resistance up to 50 meters.

At the heart of the RM 17-02 is a manual-winding tourbillon movement. Its intricate mechanism is fully visible on the watch face, featuring titanium components coated in gold and blue PVD. The vibrant color scheme extends to the golden yellow Arabic numeral hour markers, adding to its visual appeal.

For inquiries regarding pricing and availability of the RM 17-02 Tourbillon, visit Richard Mille’s official website.

Bottega Veneta Introduces Animal-Filled "Ark" for SS25 Show

Bottega Veneta has long blended fashion with design, and for its SS25 show, Creative Director Matthieu Blazy drew inspiration from the Zanotta Sacco chair, a design icon since 1968. The Sacco, an elevated version of the bean bag chair, earned the Compasso d’Oro Lifetime Achievement award in 2020. Blazy saw parallels between the chair’s soft, malleable qualities and early Bottega Veneta bags. He also appreciated its low-to-the-ground design, offering a unique perspective for those seated.

For the show, Blazy crafted an “Ark” of animal-inspired beanbag chairs. Sixty chairs, representing 15 animals, lined the runway. These playful designs included dogs, pandas, rabbits, ladybirds, snakes, birds, chickens, dinosaurs, otters, elephants, cats, foxes, bears, horses, and whales. Blazy described the collection as “a joyful world with a sense of wonder, populated by friendly companions that make you smile.”

The first pieces from The Ark collection became available on the Bottega Veneta website on September 22, 2024, with two of each animal available—symbolizing the animals entering the Ark in pairs. The collection will also be showcased at Design Miami from December 1 to 8, 2024.

LVMH Has Sold Off-White

Just three years after acquiring 60% of Off-White™ from Virgil Abloh, LVMH has sold Off-White LLC, the brand’s parent company, to brand management firm Bluestar Alliance. The announcement came on what would have been the late Virgil Abloh's birthday.

Although financial terms were not revealed, Off-White™ now joins Bluestar Alliance's portfolio, which includes brands like Hurley, Scotch & Soda, Bebe, and Brookstone.

"Virgil was a creative pioneer who deeply impacted the fashion world," said Bluestar Alliance CEO Joey Gabbay. "Acquiring Off-White™ allows us to honor and expand his legacy, blending street culture with high fashion, a hallmark of Abloh's work."

LVMH expressed confidence in Bluestar Alliance, calling them the "perfect partner" to continue Off-White™'s innovation while respecting the brand's values.

Virgil Abloh launched Off-White™ in 2012, following his PYREX VISION project. The brand's first womenswear collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 2014, and it was nominated for the LVMH Prize in 2015. Later that year, Off-White™ joined New Guards Group, which was bought by Farfetch for $675 million in 2019.

Bluestar Alliance’s acquisition follows a transitional period for Off-White™, as the brand navigates new leadership under Ib Kamara and recent structural changes at New Guards Group.

2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed: A Properly Updated Grand Tourer

Bentley has perfected the art of grand touring with its latest 2025 Continental GT Speed, combining the powerful twin-turbo V8 engine with an electric motor in a hybrid setup that enhances both performance and driveability.

At over 40mm in diameter, this hybrid powertrain makes sense not for efficiency, but for the smoothness and instant power delivery. Priced above $300,000 USD, the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed is an exceptional grand tourer, as demonstrated during a 100-mile test drive through the Swiss Alps.

With a muscular, aggressive stance, the new Continental GT features updates that refine its design. The front now sports a sleeker look, with sharper headlights replacing the classic quad lamps. At the rear, elongated LED tail lamps and a redesigned trunk enhance both aesthetics and aerodynamics, removing the need for an active spoiler. This redesign firmly establishes the GT as a modern grand tourer.

Inside, Bentley stays true to its luxurious roots. The GT Speed's interior features high-end materials such as polished aluminum, alcantara, and finely crafted carbon fiber. The quilt-pattern door panels and custom leather accents are part of Bentley's extensive Mulliner customization program. Every element in the cabin, from the metallic paddle shifters to the dashboard, is designed for an ultra-premium feel.

The hybrid engine is what truly elevates the 2025 Continental GT Speed. With 771 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque, the car delivers a thrilling experience on long journeys. Despite its hybrid system, the GT Speed excels in handling, balancing power and comfort. Though the cold conditions in the Swiss Alps caused some initial brake noise, the car's carbon ceramic brakes performed well once warmed up.

Bentley’s decision to hybridize the Continental GT Speed proves it remains the ultimate grand tourer, combining luxury, power, and innovation in one of the most formidable vehicles on the market.

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