Sylvester Stallone’s $5.4M Patek Philippe Grandmaster

Welcome to the 41st 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!

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On this week’s agenda:

1. Sylvester Stallone’s $5.4M Patek Philippe Grandmaster

2. Thieves Steal €6 Million of Goods from Chanel Avenue Montaigne Boutique

3. Nadine Ghosn Unveils "Color-FULL" Crayola Collection

4. Au Revoir to Chanel’s Virginie Viard

5. Jacquemus FW24: Celebrating 15 Years of Fashion Innovation

Sylvester Stallone Secretly Owned a Legendary Watch—And It Just Sold for $5.4 Million

Sylvester Stallone, renowned for his influential watch collection over the past 30 years, has just auctioned off 11 pieces from his personal collection, including the highly coveted Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300. This watch sold for an impressive $5.4 million at Sotheby's auction in New York, surpassing its high estimate of $5 million.

Stallone, who became enamored with Panerai in the mid-'90s and helped popularize the brand, has included watches in this auction that he wore in movies like The Expendables 2. The standout piece, however, is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300, a rare and highly sought-after timepiece that Stallone never wore, still sealed in its original packaging.

The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300 is known for its complexity, with features including a grande sonnerie, a petite sonnerie, and an alarm. This particular model, 6300G-010, is made of white gold and comes with a grand presentation box engraved with Stallone's name, as well as a "Grandmaster Chime book," a certificate of origin, and various accessories like a travel case, cufflinks, a USB drive, and an iPad with a Patek Philippe leather case.

Stallone expressed his passion for watch collecting, stating, “I’ve had the privilege of owning some truly remarkable watches over the years, each with its own unique character and history. I enjoy the collecting process like so many others in this passionate community, who don’t just see watches as an accessory but admire them for their history, craftsmanship, artistry—but most importantly, how they make them feel. Looking at these watches, I feel truly lucky to have owned them; they serve as a reminder that hard work pays off. While parting ways with this collection is bittersweet, I cherish that I’ve owned them with pride, and hope they will be appreciated and admired in their next homes.”

In addition to the Grandmaster Chime, the auction featured other notable watches from Stallone's collection:

• Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 PAM00382 ($30,000 to $60,000): Featured in The Expendables 2.

• Patek Philippe Reference 5711/1300A-001 ($200,000 to $400,000): A gem-set Nautilus with a green dial, highly sought after.

• Panerai Luminor Submersible ‘Piece Unique’ PAM00269 ($30,000 to $60,000): A unique Luminor cast in yellow gold.

• Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon 50th Anniversary ($100,000 to $200,000): Known for its distinctive smoky dial.

• Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-001 ($50,000 to $100,000): Once the hottest watch in the world.

• Rolex Reference 228235 Day-Date ($25,000 to $50,000): Featuring Rolex’s signature green on the dial.

• Cartier Pasha Seatimer W301970M ($15,000 to $30,000): A sport watch in yellow gold with oversized numerals.

• Panerai Reference Luminor Submersible 1950 Chrono ‘Slytech’ PAM00202 ($6,000 to $12,000): Part of Stallone's collaboration with Panerai in the '90s.

• Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta ‘Classic Yachts Challenge PAM00332 ($20,000 to $40,000): A tough-looking Panerai with a black PVD coating.

• Piaget Reference P10623 Polo Grande ($6,000 to $12,000): The most petite watch on the list at 38 millimeters.

Stallone's previous auction in 2020 featured a smaller collection of five watches, including a Panerai Luminor worn in Daylight, which sold for $214,200.

Thieves Steal €6 Million of Goods from Chanel Avenue Montaigne Boutique

In the early morning hours of Monday, Chanel’s Avenue Montaigne boutique in Paris was the target of a major heist, with luxury goods worth between €6 million and €10 million stolen. According to reports, four individuals carried out the robbery by ramming a car into the store’s front windows at approximately 5:15 a.m., breaking their way in.

After gathering high-priced items, the suspects set the vehicle on fire and fled in a second car. AFP's police source stated, “The individuals used a first vehicle to enter the establishment by breaking the window before fleeing in a second vehicle, taking goods from the store.”

A spokesperson for Chanel confirmed the incident, stating, “We confirm that a ram-raid occurred in the Chanel boutique, located at 42 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, during the night of June 9 to 10, 2024. Fortunately, no employees were injured. A police investigation has been opened and we are working closely with the police to assist them in their inquiries.”

The store has been closed until further notice. The spokesperson added, “The amount of the loss is unknown at this stage. The shop will remain closed for a few days while the damage is repaired.”

The investigation is ongoing, and this robbery marks the second such incident on Avenue Montaigne, following a similar theft at Harry Winston’s store on May 19.

Nadine Ghosn Unveils "Color-FULL" Crayola Collection

Nadine Ghosn has taken her creativity to new heights with a vibrant collaboration with Crayola, resulting in a unique collection of bangles. This innovative partnership reinterprets the beloved wax crayon, blending Ghosn’s bold, colorful designs with Crayola's timeless appeal.

Titled "Color-FULL," the collection draws on the whimsical creativity of childhood, combining Ghosn's signature trompe l'oeil humor and Italian craftsmanship with Crayola's imaginative spirit. Many remember using Crayola crayons to express artistic visions as children, and this collaboration aims to rekindle that carefree creativity. Ghosn’s gold bracelets now feature a Crayola-inspired twist, complete with customizable options to make each piece unique.

Each bracelet in the collection resembles the iconic Crayola crayon shape and is available in various colors. You can personalize the bracelets with letters in Crayola's signature font and colors. Designed to be worn individually or stacked, these playful and colorful pieces serve as a reminder to embrace our inner child. This Crayola collaboration marks Ghosn's eighth collection and continues her trend of stationery-inspired creations. After teasing the collection with Lil Yachty, a close friend of Ghosn's, it is now available to the public.

Ghosn explained the collaboration's origins: “Bold perseverance and shared values and missions brought us together. I pursued Crayola with a passion since the pencil is one of my iconic designs, as well as the BIC form, and naturally, crayons felt like the perfect extension [for] summer to one’s stack and a reminder of the inner child that exists within us.”

The collaboration with Crayola felt like a natural fit due to their shared values of bold creativity and perseverance. Ghosn has always been passionate about Crayola, and crayons seemed like the perfect addition to her designs. Once she connected with the Crayola team, it was clear that both aimed to promote creativity and encourage people to see things differently. Their shared motto is "Color outside the lines." This partnership is a new venture for Crayola, blending an iconic brand with Ghosn's playful designs.

Ghosn shared about Lil Yachty's involvement: “This collection has been ongoing for a year and a half. I was in discussion with Crayola’s team, encouraging a new kind of collaboration from what they are used to. As they too value creativity, we got along on a shared vision and mission. In parallel, I was exploring the manufacturing process with my atelier in Italy, and when I met Lil Yachty, I had told him what I was working on, and I promised him he would get the first piece. He is also an avid crayon lover, and it felt very fitting. I had not expected he would post, but once he received the piece, he shared it on his social, which then naturally got people curious whether this was a sneak preview or a custom order.”

Ghosn also reflected on the collection's nostalgic value: “This collection evokes joy, curiosity, fun, creativity, and color and naturally brings us back to when doodling in our free time was seen as a favorite childhood pastime. It was my first dabble with these colors and shades, and for some reason, every time I see crayons, my heart swells with joy.”

A selection of pieces from the "Color-FULL" collection will be launched exclusively at Dover Street Market London on June 4 for a two-month period. These pieces will be made to order and customizable.

Au Revoir to Chanel’s Virginie Viard

Chanel has confirmed the departure of its artistic director, Virginie Viard, after five years in the role. This announcement comes shortly after Chanel reported a 16% growth to $19.7 billion and an 11% increase in operating profit to $6.4 billion for 2023. Despite earlier reassurances from Chanel's president of fashion and accessories, Bruno Pavlovsky, that Viard was secure in her position, the rumors of her exit have proven true.

In a statement, Chanel said, “Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich collaboration of five years as artistic director of fashion collections, during which she was able to renew the codes of the house while respecting the creative heritage of the brand. A new chapter is opening for Chanel Mode. We are confident in the teams’ ability to ensure the continuity of the collections during this period of transition. A new creative organization for the House will be announced in due course.”

Viard succeeded Karl Lagerfeld, who had been Chanel's creative force from 1983 until his death in 2019. Under Viard's leadership, Chanel's fashion business multiplied by 2.2 times, with ready-to-wear increasing by 2.5 times, and a 23% growth in ready-to-wear sales last year. Despite these achievements, some critics felt her collections lacked the innovative flair of her predecessor. Cathy Horyn of The Cut noted, “Chanel Needed a Change. Outgoing designer Virginie Viard didn’t, or couldn’t, give the house the modernity or innovation required.”

Nevertheless, Chanel customers have embraced Viard’s work, reflected in the company's robust financial performance and a significant rise in Chanel’s ranking in the Global RepTrak 100 study, moving from 39th to 24th place.

Viard's departure is seen as disruptive, given her successful tenure, and speculation is rife about her successor. Potential candidates include Hedi Slimane from Celine, Pierpaolo Piccoli formerly of Valentino, and Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen, among others.

Susanna Nicoletti, editor of the SUN Deluxe newsletter, cautioned that the search for novelties at Chanel risks disrupting its heritage. “Change is sometimes due, but it’s the way that it is managed that can change the destiny of even the most distinctive and well-kept houses,” she said. Jacques Roizen, managing director of Digital Luxury Group, believes that Chanel’s strong position in the luxury market will help it weather the transition smoothly. He emphasized, “Chanel has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to exclusivity and excellence while consistently delivering outstanding financial performance, underscoring its enduring appeal and status in the luxury industry.”

Finding a replacement who can innovate while honoring Chanel's legacy will be challenging. Roizen highlighted the complexity of the role: “It requires not merely the ability to continuously design captivating collections but also a deep understanding of a brand's history, codes, and DNA, as well as the skill to consistently evolve that brand's image across every customer touchpoint.”

The departure of Virginie Viard marks a significant transition for Chanel. The fashion world will be closely watching how the iconic brand navigates this change and who will take up the mantle of creative director.

Jacquemus FW24: Celebrating 15 Years of Fashion Innovation

At the historic Casa Malaparte in Capri, Jacquemus marked its 15th anniversary with a milestone Fall/Winter 2024 collection, featuring iconic brand signatures and a special runway appearance by BLACKPINK’s Jennie. The event, held on Monday, was a spectacular blend of fashion, history, and star power.

Private boats ferried notable guests, including Dua Lipa, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Manu Rios, through Capri's deep-blue waters to the show’s unique location. Casa Malaparte, designed by Italian rationalist architect Adalberto Libera in the 1930s, served as the stunning backdrop. This villa, perched on the 104-foot-high rocky spur of Punta Masullo, was also a key filming location for Jean-Luc Godard’s 1963 movie Le Mépris, which inspired Simon Porte Jacquemus to create his brand in 2009.

On Instagram, Jacquemus shared, “I decided to create my brand after watching Le Mépris from Jean-Luc Godard, being inspired by the beauty and modernity of his vision. Today I feel honored to be able to present our next show in Casa Malaparte.”

On this historic cliff with a live orchestra, models ascended 99 steps to reach a single row of 40 invitees. The first look featured a model holding a towel-like robe at her chest, evoking post-swim luxury. Grey formalwear, including a signature fold-over collared top paired with a teal head scarf, was followed by bright blue leather bags and belts accessorizing the subsequent kaleidoscopic outfits.

Semi-transparent dresses with dramatic slits exposed models' sides from shoulder to knee, while a deep-blue sweater with an expansive neckline highlighted an asymmetrical button-up shirt. The collection also included a thin, sailor-like tank top paired with oversized, zebra-printed Bermuda shorts. Classic navy stripes, fitting for the seaside setting, adorned shirts, and detailed garments.

Sculpture, a recurring theme in Jacquemus’ designs, played a significant role. Stiff gowns shaped like cones, wool coats with triangular lapels, and tops that bloomed around models’ waists like rigid artworks were standout pieces. A suede green top featured ballooning sleeves, reminiscent of Gigi Hadid’s look from last season. Bold accessories like vivid leather belts, lunchbox-shaped handbags (the Pochette Rond Carré), circular totes, and zebra loafers took center stage.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie closed the show in look 47: a dramatic black dress with a teal clutch. After the final walk, she shared an embrace with Simon Porte Jacquemus, who was wearing one of his signature striped shirts, and led him up the steps for a round of applause.

The collection showcased Simon’s signature design elements, or "Jacquemus-isms," and celebrated the brand’s 15-year journey. The event was more than just a fashion show; it was an intimate celebration of a brand that has captivated audiences, influenced fashion trends, and achieved commercial success through its world-building, sharp marketing, and exceptional design.

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