Ateliers deMonaco unveils new bespoke timepiece

As the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix gets under way, Ateliers deMonaco has revealed details of its spectacular new watch based on the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix.

Fifty years ago, British driver Graham Hill won the Monaco Grand Prix in his Lotus Ford Cosworth, and this year is the 10th anniversary of Ateliers deMonaco. To celebrate, the watch manufacturer has created a unique piece inspired by the official poster of the event, signed by Michael Turner.

Ateliers deMonaco's Grand Prix de Monaco 1968 watch

Impressive relief effect on the dial

The most outstanding part of the Grand Prix de Monaco 1968 timepiece is its dial, which is hand-engraved by master-engraver Bernard Ditzoff. The dial consists of three different plates made of 18ct white gold. Applied on each other, this construction allows for an impressive relief effect. 

The first plate represents the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix winner Denny Hulme driving his Babham-Repco, closely followed by Graham Hill and his Lotus turning the hairpin bend. The second plate depicts Monaco’s harbour and surrounding buildings, while the third is dedicated to the French Riviera’s partly cloudy speckled sky. On the dial, dauphine-shaped hands sweep by small lozenge indexes, the emblem of Ateliers deMonaco. 

The movement is enveloped in a hand-brushed, hand-polished and hand-assembled 18ct white gold 44mm diameter case. The sapphire case-back showcases the dMc 700 Ateliers deMonaco manufacture movement. This self-winding mechanical movement includes 26 rubies, has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a 40-hour power reserve. The delicate finishing includes a 22ct hand-engraved gold rotor representing the crown of the Principality of Monaco, and hand-decorated bridges. 

The hand-stitched alligator leather strap features a 18ct white gold folding buckle. I love it!

MCM celebrates classic Puma Suede sneaker

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its iconic Puma Suede sneaker, the German sportswear maker has teamed up with luxury brand MCM for a footwear and apparel capsule collection. 

The exciting collaboration also highlights the history of the German-born luxury brand, featuring the monogram created for its launch in 1976.

Pictured above and below: The Puma x MCM collaboration

Drawing on hip-hop heritage

MCM’s version of the Suede sneaker draws on its hip-hop heritage, creating streetwear-inspired footwear and apparel.

The capsule spans three pairs of sneakers in shades of Cognac, white, and a red and blue combination, and two tracksuits.  

The collection is available at Puma and MCM stores from May 24, 2018.

Global art nomads flock to the seaside

Design and art expo NOMAD Monaco brought together leading collectible design and contemporary art galleries for the second time in the splendid seaside setting of Villa La Vigie.

The historic villa was transformed in April with standout presentations including a whimsical lounge created by Vincent Darré, and pieces by talented French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, who also displayed his work at Monaco’s Musée Océanographique. Lehanneur showcased MJ Rabbit’s favourite furniture piece of the whole show – his amazing pink Elephant chair – perfect for storing my ever-growing magazine mountain (courtesy of Monocle, Shoes Up et al).

Mathieu Lehanneur's Elephant chair on show at NOMAD Monaco, Villa La Vigie

International roster of art galleries

Throughout the four-day event, visitors enjoyed a series of NOMAD talks featuring Parley for the Oceans’ founder Cyrill Gutsch, Pin-Up editor-in-chief Felix Burrichter and Brooklyn-based architect Rafael de Cárdenas. MJ Rabbit loves the American architect’s charity book, which celebrates his 10-year career in the business of residential and retail design, among many other projects. (He was formerly a Calvin Klein menswear designer.) Prince Albert II of Monaco visited the fair, highlighting its importance in Monaco’s event calendar. 

Galleries showcasing their work included David Gill Gallery, London; Etage Projects, Copenhagen; Friedman Benda, New York; Gallery FUMI, London & Louise Alexander Gallery, Porto Cervo; Galleria Luisa Delle Piane, Milan; Gian Enzo Sperone, New York; Massimo De Carlo, Hong Kong, London, Milan; Nilufar, Milan; and Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London.

Special projects featured the work of Charles Burnand; Lizworks by Liz Swig; Mathieu Lehanneur & Christie's Paris; and Parley for the Oceans.