Wimbledon Men's Final Tickets Averaged $13,351.29

Welcome to the 46th 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. Audemars Piguet Unveils Trio of New Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Watches

2. Wimbledon 2024: Record-Breaking Ticket Prices Marked Historic Finals Showdown"

3. Rolex and Patek Watch Prices Lag Behind Equities Amid Market Shift

4. Dior Welcomes Lewis Hamilton as Latest Brand Ambassador

5. David Beckham Teams Up with Prenetics to Unveil New Wellness Brand IM8

Audemars Piguet Unveils Trio of New Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Watches

Audemars Piguet has expanded its collection with the introduction of three new variants of the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked timepieces. Each model reflects a blend of advanced horology and distinctive materials: black ceramic, stainless steel, and 18-carat yellow gold.

With a case size of 41mm, these watches stand out with their visually compelling, skeletonized 3133 caliber. This self-winding movement not only ensures the watches run smoothly for up to 45 hours but also operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, highlighting its precision engineering.

The black ceramic model, priced at $101,100 USD, is particularly exclusive, available in a limited edition of just 150 pieces. It features pink gold-toned accents on its inner bezel and movement, creating a striking contrast with its dark, polished surface. Similarly, the stainless steel model is offered at $76,400 USD and includes pink gold-toned detailing that enriches its aesthetic appeal.

Meanwhile, the 18-carat yellow gold version, also priced at $101,100 USD, boasts an anthracite gray movement. This color scheme enhances the watch's two-tone design, giving it a luxurious and refined look.

These new Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked models are now available for potential buyers to inquire at Audemars Piguet boutiques and through their official website, adding a sophisticated choice for collectors and connoisseurs of high-end timepieces.

Wimbledon 2024: Record-Breaking Ticket Prices Marked Historic Finals Showdown"

As Wimbledon 2024 reached its climax, the spotlight was on the men's singles final, which took place this past Sunday on July 14 at the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in London. Last year's dramatic encounter was relived as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic faced off once again in a rematch that had all the makings of a classic. Alcaraz, defending his first Wimbledon title, and Djokovic, seeking redemption after his first Centre Court loss in a decade, provided a spectacle worthy of their burgeoning rivalry.

Historic Highs in Ticket Prices

The anticipation for this high-stakes rematch catapulted ticket prices to unprecedented levels, making them the most expensive in the history of sports. Initially, the cheapest tickets were listed at £8,901 (approximately $11,305), with premium seats, such as those along the baseline across from the Royal Box, escalating to £18,073 (nearly $23,000).

However, the secondary market saw even more dramatic price hikes as the final approached. On platforms like StubHub, the demand surged, with tickets for finals day ranging from £7,471 to an astounding £279,000 for the most coveted spots near Centre Court. The aftermarket pricing reflected not only the high stakes of the match but also the luxury and prestige associated with Wimbledon.

A Historic Weekend of Tennis

The finals weekend not only featured the men's singles but also included the Ladies' Singles Final and the Gentlemen’s Doubles Final. Each event attracted its own share of attention and high ticket prices, reflecting the prestige of Wimbledon as the third of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

This year’s tournament was marked by thrilling matches and surprising upsets, setting the stage for a final that rivaled the previous year’s drama and intensity. As the matches unfolded, fans from around the world witnessed what was arguably one of the most memorable weekends in tennis history, underscored by record-setting ticket prices that highlighted the unmatched allure of Wimbledon.

Whether attended in person or watched from afar, spectators were treated to a blend of top-tier tennis and a luxurious experience, making Wimbledon 2024 a landmark event in the world of sports.

Rolex and Patek Watch Prices Lag Behind Equities Amid Market Shift

Previously, top Swiss watch brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet experienced a meteoric rise in the secondary market during early 2022. This surge was fueled by consumers investing pandemic savings into luxury timepieces while confined at home. The Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, which tracks the transaction values of the 50 most-traded watches, skyrocketed by 40 percent in the 12 months leading up to June 2022, while the S&P 500 dipped by about 1 percent.

However, as of July 11, 2024, the landscape had shifted dramatically. The same watch index had descended, showing a slight decline of less than 1 percent in June alone. Over the course of a year, it had dropped by 8 percent, and a stark 23 percent over the past two years. In stark contrast, the S&P 500 Index had surged by 27 percent over the past year, highlighting a significant reversal in investor preference away from luxury watches towards equities.

Despite the general downturn, some brands still showed resilience. The Subdial index for Cartier watches rose nearly 2 percent in a year, indicating growing popularity among collectors for the French brand, which is generally less pricey than its Swiss counterparts and often trades below retail value.

In June, Rolex models mostly remained stable, while prices for Tudor, its sister brand, fell. The indexes for entry-level luxury watches and brands like Omega and Cartier posted modest gains, suggesting a nuanced picture within the luxury watch market, where certain segments still managed to attract buyer interest despite the broader downturn.

Dior Welcomes Lewis Hamilton as Latest Brand Ambassador

Dior has officially announced seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton as their new menswear ambassador and a guest designer. Following his recent victory at the British Grand Prix, Hamilton joins forces with Dior under the guidance of Creative Director Kim Jones, a long-time acquaintance and collaborator.

The full look book for Hamilton's guest-designed lifestyle capsule is now unveiled, showcasing his signature bold style which transcends his racing achievements. Known for his fashion-forward appearances off the track, Hamilton brings a unique flair to this new role.

Kim Jones, known for his innovative approach to blending modern aesthetics with timeless elegance at Dior Men, collaborates with Hamilton to craft a collection that embodies both luxury and practicality. The collection draws heavily from Hamilton's personal style, effectively marrying haute couture elements with the functionality of everyday wear. This synergy results in a range of garments that highlight outdoor and streetwear influences, poised for the winter season.

Highlights of the collection include pattern-rich sweaters, high-endurance snow jackets, and lifestyle accessories like Dior-branded snowboards, signifying a bold step into combining luxury with outdoor sports.

This collaboration marks a new chapter for Hamilton as he prepares to transition from Mercedes’ F1 team, his professional home for 11 years, to join Ferrari in 2025. The highly anticipated Dior lifestyle capsule, designed by Hamilton, is set to debut in stores and online on October 17, promising a fresh direction for Dior’s menswear line under his creative vision.

David Beckham Teams Up with Prenetics to Unveil New Wellness Brand IM8

Health sciences firm Prenetics has revealed a strategic collaboration with football icon David Beckham to launch a new health and wellness brand named IM8. As a strategic investor, Beckham joins forces with Prenetics under the leadership of CEO Danny Yeung.

IM8, co-founded by Beckham and Prenetics, aims to revolutionize the consumer health product market. While specific details about the product offerings will be disclosed later, the brand promises to focus on cutting-edge health solutions.

Beckham expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, citing his experiences with top-tier medical, nutrition, and fitness experts throughout his career. “My journey has been greatly influenced by professional health guidance, and that drives my passion to partner with Prenetics. Together, we aim to bring groundbreaking health advancements to a wider audience,” Beckham said.

The collaboration also includes insights from Prenetics shareholder Professor Dennis Lo, known for his groundbreaking work in non-invasive prenatal testing and his current research in early cancer detection. Beckham’s interactions with Professor Lo have deepened his understanding and commitment to global health innovations.

Danny Yeung, reflecting on the partnership, highlighted the potential for significant contributions to the health and wellness sector. “Our collaboration with David has been incredibly inspiring, reinforcing our mission to make advanced health solutions accessible to everyone. IM8 stands at the forefront of this transformative era,” said Yeung.

This initiative marks a significant step for both Beckham and Prenetics in shaping the future of global health and wellness.

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