FAWAZ GRUOSI / DE PRESIDENT’S PAGE GRISOGONO SINGLE MALT “YOICHI” / NIKKA WHISKY REF. 5004T / PATEK PHILIPPE JORDAN HANSELL / NETJETS ON FINE WATCHES… them escalates into the many complications one and that’s fine too—I find it spectacular that in The first generation of “smart” watches is finally can have, from minute repeaters to a perpetual a constantly evolving world of technology, the here, by Samsung on its Galaxy Gear platform. calendar that will take into account the earth’s art of keeping time is something that was near- At $299, it is less than the cost of the clasp or a erratic rotation for the next 100 years. And it’s a ly perfected several hundred years ago. That replacement strap for a high-end mechanical special fact that many of today’s watchmakers said, I am sure Samsung and Apple will do just watch, and is probably equivalent to lunch and a are descendants of those farmers and still live in fine, as well. In the meantime, I am looking for- glass of wine for two at a fine-dining restaurant. or around the same small villages where the in- ward to attending the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie, If you couldn’t care less about mechanical dustry was born. the “Oscars of the watch industry,” in Geneva in watches (although many folks like you do—elite Of course, no industry is foolproof. Steam en- November to see the latest generation of “ge- travelers account for over $9 billion in mechanical gines became diesel engines, which morphed into nius” watches. watch purchases annually), the smart watch may electric bullet trains; biplanes transformed into or may not catch your attention. As someone who DC-3s, then jets, and then jumbo jets. Each rendi- ELITE TRAVELER TV has come to enjoy mechanical watches, the launch tion brought dramatic improvement in speed or At Elite Traveler Media Group our goal is to pro- of “smart” watches is a good opportunity to talk capacity. The famed “Quartz Crisis” crippled the vide content that’s of interest to elite travelers, a about what I’ll refer to as “genius” watches. mechanical watch industry in the 1970s, until the group we describe as folks who traverse the Look up Intel cofounder Gordon Moore’s proc- trade was rescued by Nicolas Hayek, the legend- world on private jets. Earlier this year we re- lamation, “The number of transistors incorpo- ary founder of Swatch Group, and the likes of launched Elitetraveler.com with over 60 destina- rated in a chip will approximately double every 24 Jean-Claude Biver (today chairman of Hublot, who tion guides providing VIP contacts on shopping, months.” In other words, the pace of progress in was then a young gun at Blancpain). pictorials on top suites, and everything you need the high-tech world is without doubt supersonic. My bet is that this new wave of technology is to “know before you go.” Using a responsive tech- Unlike the technology that powers the just- barely a ripple, particularly for the intricate time- nology platform means that whether you are ac- launched smart watches, most of which has been pieces that can range five, six, and seven digits in cessing us from a tablet or smart phone (as 40 developed in the past decades and probably the cost. If one judges by the recent Only Watch auc- percent of you do), or from a laptop or desktop last six months, the technology behind “genius” tion in Monaco, where a Patek Philippe watch computer, the website provides a great experi- mechanical watches dates back more than 300 was bought for nearly three million euros and 33 ence without the need to download various apps. years. While it has been refined, improved, and timepieces were sold for over five million euros, Our digital library of Elite Traveler print publica- enhanced, when it comes to accurate timekeep- undoubtedly there is a large interest in fine tions over the past five years provides fingertip ing, the same engineering principles that were watchmaking. In a world that changes so fast, access to stories you read about recently or want created and applied in the Swiss Alps centuries this is something that has endured for generation to reference again. Coming up in 2014 is our ago have, at best, been incrementally beaten by after generation. “Best Residential Developments” list, as well as the powers of the modern world. The beauty of While there are many elite travelers who en- our ever-popular compilations of the world’s “Top mechanical watches for those that appreciate joy nice watches as a way of accessorizing— Restaurants” and “Top Suites.” 30 PRESIDENT’S PAGE SHEILA JOHNSON DOWNTOWN AT DUSK / ATHENS, GEORGIA / SALAMANDER RESORT AND SPA PURA ULUN DANU BRATAN TEMPLE / BALI COURTYARD / SALAMANDER RESORT AND SPA Currently we are launching Elite Traveler TV Bali” articles in the January/February 2014 issue key partners who help us get Elite Traveler to on Elitetraveler.com, as well as ElitetravelerTV and the winter Asia Edition of Elite Traveler). At you. Athens, Georgia, may be best known as the on Youtube.com. To date, we have about two doz- the same time, existing properties have not only home for R.E.M and the University of Georgia. en videos, including tours of top suites, dining been refurbished, but expanded, in particular, However, while there is only a single scheduled insider info with our award-winning food critic adding new villas and grand suites. With new pri- airline serving the town (with several flights a day Andy Hayler, lessons in mixology, and CEO inter- vate jet facilities due to open on the island and the to Nashville), the general aviation at its local air- views under the banner “Elite Traveler Meets.” G20 and Forbes CEO Conference shining a spot- field is bustling with as many as 20 flights a day, The interviews include top jewelry designers light, it was an interesting time to visit. and peaks into the hundreds when the Bulldogs such as DeGrisogono founder Fawaz Gruosi and Closer to my New York base, the much antici- are playing a big-name opponent. The weekend I NetJets CEO Jordan Hansell, who shares an pated Salamander Resort and Spa opened at visited, Georgia was ranked number seven in the amusing story about what it’s like to place the the end of August in Middleburg, Virginia, about a country for college football, and some 95,000 largest order of private jets in the history of avia- half hour west of Dulles International Airport people attended the game. Along with the univer- tion, and working for Warren Buffett. and at least a century back in time. I had already sity there is also a nice hub of businesses that seen the place while the hammers were still in have manufacturing or key facilities here, and NEW HOTELS full force a few weeks earlier. The brainchild of since Athens is about a one-and-a-half-hour During an average year, I visit at least 150 hotels BET cofounder Sheila Johnson, the 340-acre re- drive from Atlanta International Airport, the for site inspections. I don’t stay at the properties, sort is destined to become a haven for equestrian community is a great example of how private avi- just check out the suites and facilities. At least lovers with its extensive stable and riding trails. ation helps grease the wheels of local economies half of what I visit is preopening, or to put it an- Perhaps best described as an East Coast version largely ignored by commercial airlines. Watch other way, an active construction zone. The idea of Montage Laguna Beach, the resort blends our interview with Jordan Hansell, who does a is to preview what you will be experiencing. nicely into Virginia’s picturesque Blue Ridge good job of hitting on this in his discussion with Many times I end up doing five or six inspections Mountains. Its 168 suites and rooms, a Elite Traveler TV. in a single day, such as during my recent trip to 5,000-square-foot ballroom, extensive confer- Bali, an idyllic island that has become the literal ence facilities, plus 50,000 square feet of indoor epicenter of luxury hotel construction and expan- and outdoor space for events make it likely to be All the best, sion. There are multiple new hotels under con- a popular meeting venue. Leesburg Executive struction, including Luxury Collection and Ritz- Airport, with its 5,500-foot runway, provides easy Carlton properties that complement recently access as well, if you are coming by private jet. opened hotels from Regent and independent op- As I am traveling, and when security permits Group President and Editor-in-Chief erators (you can look forward to our “Top Suites of access, I like to pop in on private jet terminals, [email protected] 32 EDITORIAL TEAM LETTER REGATTA TIMEPIECE / PANERAI XKR / JAGUAR A7 / AUDI COME SAIL AWAY up to Marblehead, Massachusetts to cover the energy for the patients is obvious, but the par- My gig at Elite Traveler offers me ample op- Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge races at the ticipating sailors I spoke with at the host yacht portunity to explore many of my personal pas- Corinthian Yacht Club. While news of Jaguar’s club (as well as other participants at Marble- sions, but while the glimmer of the recent Or- new F-Type roadser is dominating the luxury head’s Boston Yacht Club and Eastern Yacht acle Team USA’s America’s Cup victory is still automobile sphere, this super-charged version Club) were positively beaming when they told vibrant and on everybody’s minds, I can happily of the company’s classic, elegant touring cou- me about their experiences with the charity.