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A S T O N M A R T I N M A G A Z I N E

INTRODUCING THE RALPH LAUREN AUTOMOTIVE WATCHSTAINLESS STEEL 45MM MODEL. ELM BURLWOOD DIAL . SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL CASE BACK. MANUAL WINDING MANUFACTURE MOVEMENT.

156 COMPONENTS, 45 -HOUR POWER RESERVE. SWISS MADE.

NEW YORK BEVERLY HILLS LAS VEGAS DALLAS CHICAGO BAL HARBOUR LONDON PARIS CANNES

MILAN GSTAAD ST MORITZ TOKYO SHANGHAI HONG KONG MACAU S INGAPORE

RALPHLAURENWATCHES.COM

32295RL_AstonMartin SPD_F11.indd 2 9/28/11 1:31 PM32295RL_AstonMartin SPD_F11.indd 1 9/28/11 1:30 PM

INTRODUCING THE RALPH LAUREN AUTOMOTIVE WATCHSTAINLESS STEEL 45MM MODEL. ELM BURLWOOD DIAL . SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL CASE BACK. MANUAL WINDING MANUFACTURE MOVEMENT.

156 COMPONENTS, 45 -HOUR POWER RESERVE. SWISS MADE.

NEW YORK BEVERLY HILLS LAS VEGAS DALLAS CHICAGO BAL HARBOUR LONDON PARIS CANNES

MILAN GSTAAD ST MORITZ TOKYO SHANGHAI HONG KONG MACAU S INGAPORE

RALPHLAURENWATCHES.COM

32295RL_AstonMartin SPD_F11.indd 2 9/28/11 1:31 PM32295RL_AstonMartin SPD_F11.indd 1 9/28/11 1:30 PM

astonmartin(october).indd 1 01/11/2011 10:18

astonmartin(october).indd 1 01/11/2011 10:18

XXXXX WWL ASTON MARTIN_Layout 1 31/10/2011 10:41 Page 1

Boodles Wonderland T: +44 (0)20 7437 5050 | www.boodles.com

XXXXX WWL ASTON MARTIN_Layout 1 31/10/2011 10:41 Page 2

XXXXX WWL ASTON MARTIN_Layout 1 31/10/2011 10:41 Page 1

Boodles Wonderland T: +44 (0)20 7437 5050 | www.boodles.com

XXXXX WWL ASTON MARTIN_Layout 1 31/10/2011 10:41 Page 2

A S T O N M A R T I N

*

r u n n i n g h e a d

*I S S U E 1 6 / 1 1

W E L C O M E

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the latest issue of the Aston Martin Magazine.

In this issue, we are aiming for the stars, as we take you to the newly opened Spaceport America in the deserts of New Mexico. This stunning building designed by Norman Foster will be the launch pad for the very first commercial space flights in late 2012. Aston Martin was on hand at the opening ceremony to provide an earthbound but extraordinary experience – our spectacular One-77 supercar running at full power down Spaceport’s 3km-long runway. America has also been at the forefront of my mind. In August, my wife and I undertook a 4,500-mile road trip across the USA and Canada in a Virage Volante, experiencing the open roads and big skies of Pennsylvania, Lake Superior, Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana. You can read about our grand tour from page 28. We are also revisiting our top-ten drive stories from Aston Martin Magazine’s past 16 issues, with a stunning retrospective photo-feature from page 50. We also take a first look at the interior of the new V12 Zagato limited-edition production car – a scintillating blend of style and power that is faithfully represented by a high-tech, hand-crafted trim evoking the fibres of muscle. Elsewhere in the magazine, Aston Martin’s interest in art, craft and design from the wider world is covered by exclusive stories on restaurant design, watchmaking, Egyptian street art and ‘ones to watch’ on the global fashion scene as selected by Trieste’s International Talent Support, now celebrating its tenth year of creativity cultivation. The One-77, V12 Zagato and Virage Volante all represent automotive modernity and contemporary craftsmanship at their most elegant and evocative. Yet for decades, Aston Martin has acknowledged the strength and importance of its heritage through the skills and experience of the Newport Pagnell Works Service department. We are delighted to announce the introduction of a new dealership at Newport Pagnell, which will work in conjunction with Works Service and Works Tailored to offer an unrivalled selection of new and historic Aston Martins for sale.

I hope you enjoy the magazine.

DR ULRICH BEZCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

C O N T E N T S

10 ASTON MARTIN L IFE Whetherit’swinninganawardcourtesy

ofQuintessentially,beingselectedasoneoftheCoolestBrandsintheUKorlaunchingtheCygnetinHongKong,therehavebeenplentyofreasonsforAstonMartintoraiseatoasttoitselfthispastseason.

28 THE ASTON MARTIN TRAIL Thissummer,AstonMartin’sCEO

DrUlrichBezandhiswifeMartinasetoutonanepicadventureacrosstheUnitedStatesinaVirageVolante.Jointhemfortheride.

37 THE NEW HIEROGLYPHICS Guerrillaarthassprunguponthe

streetsofCairo,discoversMiddleEasterncorrespondentJoshWood,withnewgalleriesflourishingagainsttheodds.

44 FORMITALIA TO THE FORE AstonMartininvitesyoutopullup

achairandwitnesstheremarkabletranslationoftheirunmistakeabledesignlanguageatthehandsofItalianfurnituremaestrosFormitalia.

46 CABIN FEVER JonathanBellgetsanexclusive

previewofthestylishlysinuousinteriorliningthemuscularV12Zagato.

50 TEN OF THE BEST AstonMartinMagazineshowcasestenof

themoststunningphotographsfromthepast16issues’exhilaratingdrivestories.

63 THE ONES TO WATCH EveryJuly,thousandsflocktothesmall

ItalianporttownofTriestetoscouttomorrow’screativestars,fromaccessorydesignthroughtophotography.RebeccaMayJohnsonreportsfromthefrontrow.

68 DINING IS IN THE DETAILS Ifdinneristheatre,thentheroomand

thedetailsaretheprosceniumarchandtheorchestra.MarkC.O’Flahertytakesinthemostprogressiveandentertainingdesignsglobally.

75 THE OTHER CRAFTS Thetraditionalcraftsofenamelling,

marquetry,engravingandstoneworkarestagingacomebackintheworldofjewelleryandwatchmaking.

80 A WRITER’S PARADISE HunterS.Thompson’snovelThe Rum

DiaryisnowafilmstarringJohnnyDepp,setamongsttheelegiaccharm,salsaandatmosphericnightlifeofPuertoRico.RobCrossanisinspiredtosoakupthesurfingcapitaloftheCaribbean.

86 STAR BOUND Thesecondspaceraceisnearlywon

withRichardBranson’sVirginGalacticgearinguptoofferthefirsttourbeyondtheozonelayerassoonasnextyear,withrivalsBlueOriginhotontheirheels.GarethRubingetsuptospeed.

90 WHAT TO BUY Whattobuythatdifficultsomeone?

Here’sourround-upoftheluxuryanddesignworld’squirkier‘littlesomethings’,justintimefortheforthcomingfestiveseason.

94 ASTON MARTIN RACING SincetheV8Vantagemadeits2006

debutattheNürburgring24-Hoursraceithasbecomethemarque’smostsuccessfulGTracingcarandthisseason,itquitesimplysurpasseditself.

100 ASTON MARTIN WORKS TheAstonMartinWorksService

demonstratesyetagainthatthepossibilitiesforpersonalisationareendless.Plus,asneakpreviewoftheexcitingnewbuilingworkatNewportPagnell,whichincludesabrand-newdealership.

A S T O N M A R T I N

*

r u n n i n g h e a d

*I S S U E 1 6 / 1 1

W E L C O M E

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the latest issue of the Aston Martin Magazine.

In this issue, we are aiming for the stars, as we take you to the newly opened Spaceport America in the deserts of New Mexico. This stunning building designed by Norman Foster will be the launch pad for the very first commercial space flights in late 2012. Aston Martin was on hand at the opening ceremony to provide an earthbound but extraordinary experience – our spectacular One-77 supercar running at full power down Spaceport’s 3km-long runway. America has also been at the forefront of my mind. In August, my wife and I undertook a 4,500-mile road trip across the USA and Canada in a Virage Volante, experiencing the open roads and big skies of Pennsylvania, Lake Superior, Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana. You can read about our grand tour from page 28. We are also revisiting our top-ten drive stories from Aston Martin Magazine’s past 16 issues, with a stunning retrospective photo-feature from page 50. We also take a first look at the interior of the new V12 Zagato limited-edition production car – a scintillating blend of style and power that is faithfully represented by a high-tech, hand-crafted trim evoking the fibres of muscle. Elsewhere in the magazine, Aston Martin’s interest in art, craft and design from the wider world is covered by exclusive stories on restaurant design, watchmaking, Egyptian street art and ‘ones to watch’ on the global fashion scene as selected by Trieste’s International Talent Support, now celebrating its tenth year of creativity cultivation. The One-77, V12 Zagato and Virage Volante all represent automotive modernity and contemporary craftsmanship at their most elegant and evocative. Yet for decades, Aston Martin has acknowledged the strength and importance of its heritage through the skills and experience of the Newport Pagnell Works Service department. We are delighted to announce the introduction of a new dealership at Newport Pagnell, which will work in conjunction with Works Service and Works Tailored to offer an unrivalled selection of new and historic Aston Martins for sale.

I hope you enjoy the magazine.

DR ULRICH BEZCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

C O N T E N T S

10 ASTON MARTIN L IFE Whetherit’swinninganawardcourtesy

ofQuintessentially,beingselectedasoneoftheCoolestBrandsintheUKorlaunchingtheCygnetinHongKong,therehavebeenplentyofreasonsforAstonMartintoraiseatoasttoitselfthispastseason.

28 THE ASTON MARTIN TRAIL Thissummer,AstonMartin’sCEO

DrUlrichBezandhiswifeMartinasetoutonanepicadventureacrosstheUnitedStatesinaVirageVolante.Jointhemfortheride.

37 THE NEW HIEROGLYPHICS Guerrillaarthassprunguponthe

streetsofCairo,discoversMiddleEasterncorrespondentJoshWood,withnewgalleriesflourishingagainsttheodds.

44 FORMITALIA TO THE FORE AstonMartininvitesyoutopullup

achairandwitnesstheremarkabletranslationoftheirunmistakeabledesignlanguageatthehandsofItalianfurnituremaestrosFormitalia.

46 CABIN FEVER JonathanBellgetsanexclusive

previewofthestylishlysinuousinteriorliningthemuscularV12Zagato.

50 TEN OF THE BEST AstonMartinMagazineshowcasestenof

themoststunningphotographsfromthepast16issues’exhilaratingdrivestories.

63 THE ONES TO WATCH EveryJuly,thousandsflocktothesmall

ItalianporttownofTriestetoscouttomorrow’screativestars,fromaccessorydesignthroughtophotography.RebeccaMayJohnsonreportsfromthefrontrow.

68 DINING IS IN THE DETAILS Ifdinneristheatre,thentheroomand

thedetailsaretheprosceniumarchandtheorchestra.MarkC.O’Flahertytakesinthemostprogressiveandentertainingdesignsglobally.

75 THE OTHER CRAFTS Thetraditionalcraftsofenamelling,

marquetry,engravingandstoneworkarestagingacomebackintheworldofjewelleryandwatchmaking.

80 A WRITER’S PARADISE HunterS.Thompson’snovelThe Rum

DiaryisnowafilmstarringJohnnyDepp,setamongsttheelegiaccharm,salsaandatmosphericnightlifeofPuertoRico.RobCrossanisinspiredtosoakupthesurfingcapitaloftheCaribbean.

86 STAR BOUND Thesecondspaceraceisnearlywon

withRichardBranson’sVirginGalacticgearinguptoofferthefirsttourbeyondtheozonelayerassoonasnextyear,withrivalsBlueOriginhotontheirheels.GarethRubingetsuptospeed.

90 WHAT TO BUY Whattobuythatdifficultsomeone?

Here’sourround-upoftheluxuryanddesignworld’squirkier‘littlesomethings’,justintimefortheforthcomingfestiveseason.

94 ASTON MARTIN RACING SincetheV8Vantagemadeits2006

debutattheNürburgring24-Hoursraceithasbecomethemarque’smostsuccessfulGTracingcarandthisseason,itquitesimplysurpasseditself.

100 ASTON MARTIN WORKS TheAstonMartinWorksService

demonstratesyetagainthatthepossibilitiesforpersonalisationareendless.Plus,asneakpreviewoftheexcitingnewbuilingworkatNewportPagnell,whichincludesabrand-newdealership.

PRIVATE ENQUIRIES - www.louismoinet.com - info@louismoinet.com - Tel. +41 (0)32 753 68 14

ASTRALISLimited Edition of 12

... Read more on www.louismoinet.com

A VOYAGE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE ...

PRIVATE ENQUIRIES - www.louismoinet.com - info@louismoinet.com - Tel. +41 (0)32 753 68 14

ASTRALISLimited Edition of 12

... Read more on www.louismoinet.com

A VOYAGE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE ...

Five-Four-Three-Two-one-77!The o f f i c ia l open ing o f v i rg in Ga lac t i c ’ s Spacepor t Amer ica in

october was a h i s to r i c moment fo r techno logy , exp lo ra t ion ,

and human ach ievement as a who le – and f i t t ing l y , As ton Mar t in ’ s

one-77 superca r was the re too , roa r ing down the runway hot on

the hee l s o f whi teKn ightTwo, bo th t r iumphs o f ca rbon- f ib re

eng ineer ing . Patr ick C. Patern ie repor t s

v i r g i n g a l a c t i c + o n e - 7 7

On 17 October 2011, the countdown to Virgin Galactic’s first commercial flights into space officially began. Under seemingly unreachable crystal-blue skies over southern New Mexico’s expansive high desert, Sir Richard Branson hosted the dedication of Virgin Galactic’s new home, Spaceport America.

As befitting such a milestone, more than 800 guests were on hand. Amongst government officials and celebrities, were no less than 150 of the 480 ‘astronauts’ who had already paid $200,000 to be the first to experience the two-hour round trip into suborbital space. Virgin Galactic, embracing the cutting-edge technology and global appeal of another British brand, also welcomed to the festivities a contingent from Aston Martin: a stunning example of the One-77, looking particularly spectacular against the backdrop of Sir Norman Foster’s 120,000-square-foot passenger terminal, pre-flight training centre, and ‘Space Fleet’ hangar.

Also on display, of course, was the Fleet itself – gleaming brilliant white on the apron: the twin-fuselage WhiteKnightTwo ‘carrier’ aircraft and the six-passenger SpaceShipTwo craft slung beneath, which is released at an altitude of 50,000 feet before rocketing into space for six minutes of zero-gravity and a view of Earth that’ll live in your memory for a lifetime.

i S S u e 1 7 / 1 1 i S S u e 1 7 / 1 11 0 1 1

A S T o n M A r T i n

Five-Four-Three-Two-one-77!The o f f i c ia l open ing o f v i rg in Ga lac t i c ’ s Spacepor t Amer ica in

october was a h i s to r i c moment fo r techno logy , exp lo ra t ion ,

and human ach ievement as a who le – and f i t t ing l y , As ton Mar t in ’ s

one-77 superca r was the re too , roa r ing down the runway hot on

the hee l s o f whi teKn ightTwo, bo th t r iumphs o f ca rbon- f ib re

eng ineer ing . Patr ick C. Patern ie repor t s

v i r g i n g a l a c t i c + o n e - 7 7

On 17 October 2011, the countdown to Virgin Galactic’s first commercial flights into space officially began. Under seemingly unreachable crystal-blue skies over southern New Mexico’s expansive high desert, Sir Richard Branson hosted the dedication of Virgin Galactic’s new home, Spaceport America.

As befitting such a milestone, more than 800 guests were on hand. Amongst government officials and celebrities, were no less than 150 of the 480 ‘astronauts’ who had already paid $200,000 to be the first to experience the two-hour round trip into suborbital space. Virgin Galactic, embracing the cutting-edge technology and global appeal of another British brand, also welcomed to the festivities a contingent from Aston Martin: a stunning example of the One-77, looking particularly spectacular against the backdrop of Sir Norman Foster’s 120,000-square-foot passenger terminal, pre-flight training centre, and ‘Space Fleet’ hangar.

Also on display, of course, was the Fleet itself – gleaming brilliant white on the apron: the twin-fuselage WhiteKnightTwo ‘carrier’ aircraft and the six-passenger SpaceShipTwo craft slung beneath, which is released at an altitude of 50,000 feet before rocketing into space for six minutes of zero-gravity and a view of Earth that’ll live in your memory for a lifetime.

i S S u e 1 7 / 1 1 i S S u e 1 7 / 1 11 0 1 1

A S T o n M A r T i n

1 2 i S S u e 1 7 / 1 1

Branson and his children, Sam and Holly, who will be the first passengers on the maiden voyage, showed they were in top condition for their roughly 68-mile high venture above the ground by rappelling down from the 60-foot high roof of Spaceport America to conclude the opening ceremonies. The following day, the 10,000-foot runway used by Virgin Galactic’s carbon composite space craft served as a ‘launch pad’ for Aston Martin’s own carbon fibre rocket ship, the limited edition One-77. Aston Martin Chief Engineer Chris Porritt piloted a prototype during a series of 185mph-plus taxi rides for international journalists and prospective owners.

The prototype, hardly the worse for wear despite nearly 14,000 hard miles of durability testing since it rolled off the production line in August, sounded like a low-flying fighter plane as its 750bhp 7.3-litre V12 effortlessly reeled off one high-speed run after another, trailed by a plume of dust kicked up by the rear diffuser.

Besides the slippery aerodynamics and powerful thrust of its engine, the One-77 construction process also mimics that of a spacecraft with a structure that consists of 3,500 separate carbon-fibre elements and approximately 2,700 hours of labour for each hand-built car. The big difference is that Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft might eventually be considered mass-transit vehicles; only 77 people will be lucky enough to pilot their own One-77.

Turn to page 86 for ‘Star Bound’, Gareth Rubin’s in-depth feature on the rise of space tourism.

HARRY WINSTON MIDNIGHT COLLECTION™

London - 165 Sloane Street Tel: +44 (0)20 7752 0246Paris - 50 rue Pierre Charron Tel: +33 (0)1 47 20 72 40

www.arije.com

HRW_MIDNIGHTBIGDATE_230x297_ASTON_UK.indd 1 24.10.11 10:54

A S T o n M A r T i n

1 2 i S S u e 1 7 / 1 1

Branson and his children, Sam and Holly, who will be the first passengers on the maiden voyage, showed they were in top condition for their roughly 68-mile high venture above the ground by rappelling down from the 60-foot high roof of Spaceport America to conclude the opening ceremonies. The following day, the 10,000-foot runway used by Virgin Galactic’s carbon composite space craft served as a ‘launch pad’ for Aston Martin’s own carbon fibre rocket ship, the limited edition One-77. Aston Martin Chief Engineer Chris Porritt piloted a prototype during a series of 185mph-plus taxi rides for international journalists and prospective owners.

The prototype, hardly the worse for wear despite nearly 14,000 hard miles of durability testing since it rolled off the production line in August, sounded like a low-flying fighter plane as its 750bhp 7.3-litre V12 effortlessly reeled off one high-speed run after another, trailed by a plume of dust kicked up by the rear diffuser.

Besides the slippery aerodynamics and powerful thrust of its engine, the One-77 construction process also mimics that of a spacecraft with a structure that consists of 3,500 separate carbon-fibre elements and approximately 2,700 hours of labour for each hand-built car. The big difference is that Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft might eventually be considered mass-transit vehicles; only 77 people will be lucky enough to pilot their own One-77.

Turn to page 86 for ‘Star Bound’, Gareth Rubin’s in-depth feature on the rise of space tourism.

HARRY WINSTON MIDNIGHT COLLECTION™

London - 165 Sloane Street Tel: +44 (0)20 7752 0246Paris - 50 rue Pierre Charron Tel: +33 (0)1 47 20 72 40

www.arije.com

HRW_MIDNIGHTBIGDATE_230x297_ASTON_UK.indd 1 24.10.11 10:54

A S T o n M A r T i n

aston martin life

COOLEST OF ALLFor an unprecedented fifth time in six years, Aston Martin has officially been awarded Number One status as the UK’s Coolest Brand, topping 499 others.

Seeing off competition from leading luxury brands including Apple and Bang & Olufsen, Aston Martin was also voted the top automotive brand, surpassing a host of other luxury and specialist manufacturers to complete a double success.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chief Executive for The Centre for Brand Analysis and Chairman of the CoolBrands Council commented: ‘Smooth, sexy and sophisticated; British built, high quality and hand finished, let’s be honest, young or old, male or female, opinion former or British public, who wouldn’t aspire to own what is truly the coolest car on the road? Number one in five of the last six years, this British icon is truly the coolest of the cool.’

Since it was established in 2001, the CoolBrands initiative has been canvassing the opinions of experts and consumers based on factors including style, innovation, authenticity, originality and desirability. This year’s council of 36 influencers includes music artist Jessie J, DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank.

STAR OF FRANKFURTThe 64th IAA International Motor Show took place between 15-25 September in Frankfurt, Germany and welcomed the largest display of contemporary Aston Martins ever seen at a motor show. The debut of the V12 Zagato, the One-77 supercar and the premiere of the two Carbon Editions of the Aston Martin DBS were unveiled to more than 1 million visitors. A series of insightful Design and Engineering Masterclass videos featuring the design expertise of Aston Martin Director of Design Marek Reichman, and the engineering achievements of Product Development Director Ian Minards focused on the models being presented at Frankfurt and offered visitors an illuminating peek into how Power, Beauty and Soul are imbued into every Aston Martin. These films, along with the full presentation of Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez’s press conference from the opening of the show can be found at astonmartin.com/frankfurt

As the smallest of the Aston Martin models has been whizzing around Europe receiving positive feedback, the Cygnet city car has now been welcomed into the Aston Martin family in Asia, touring Hong Kong and Japan’s most luxurious venues between 23 and 29 October.

Over four days, thirty journalists from both Hong Kong and Japan were each assigned a Cygnet and unleashed in pairs onto the bustling streets of downtown Hong Kong and then out to Repulse Bay for lunch. On the evening of the 27th, 300 guests were invited to enjoy a panoramic view of Aberdeen in The Peak Lookout, a blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Aston Martin Hong Kong representatives Markus Jebsen and Gordon Choy, Dr Mathew Bennett (Aston Martin Regional

Director Asia Pacific) and Marek Reichman (Aston Martin Design Director) said all a few words before Pakour dancers and gymnasts leapt into the venue to reveal the Cygnet. A similar event was also held at Vulcanize in Japan – a cool, iconic store right in the heart of downtown Tokyo, a natural environment for Cygnet. Written by Sumi Bez

a s t o n m a r t i n

1 4 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

HONg KONg STyLE

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE

CHRONOGRAPH

LONDON 165 Sloane Street Tel +44 (0)20 7752 0246PARIS 50 rue Pierre Charron Tel +33 (0)1 47 20 72 40 - 30 avenue George V Tel +33 (0)1 49 52 98 88

www.arije.com

www.audemarspiguet .com

p y g

AM17 Arije Audemars P15.indd 15 6/11/11 14:23:41

aston martin life

COOLEST OF ALLFor an unprecedented fifth time in six years, Aston Martin has officially been awarded Number One status as the UK’s Coolest Brand, topping 499 others.

Seeing off competition from leading luxury brands including Apple and Bang & Olufsen, Aston Martin was also voted the top automotive brand, surpassing a host of other luxury and specialist manufacturers to complete a double success.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chief Executive for The Centre for Brand Analysis and Chairman of the CoolBrands Council commented: ‘Smooth, sexy and sophisticated; British built, high quality and hand finished, let’s be honest, young or old, male or female, opinion former or British public, who wouldn’t aspire to own what is truly the coolest car on the road? Number one in five of the last six years, this British icon is truly the coolest of the cool.’

Since it was established in 2001, the CoolBrands initiative has been canvassing the opinions of experts and consumers based on factors including style, innovation, authenticity, originality and desirability. This year’s council of 36 influencers includes music artist Jessie J, DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank.

STAR OF FRANKFURTThe 64th IAA International Motor Show took place between 15-25 September in Frankfurt, Germany and welcomed the largest display of contemporary Aston Martins ever seen at a motor show. The debut of the V12 Zagato, the One-77 supercar and the premiere of the two Carbon Editions of the Aston Martin DBS were unveiled to more than 1 million visitors. A series of insightful Design and Engineering Masterclass videos featuring the design expertise of Aston Martin Director of Design Marek Reichman, and the engineering achievements of Product Development Director Ian Minards focused on the models being presented at Frankfurt and offered visitors an illuminating peek into how Power, Beauty and Soul are imbued into every Aston Martin. These films, along with the full presentation of Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez’s press conference from the opening of the show can be found at astonmartin.com/frankfurt

As the smallest of the Aston Martin models has been whizzing around Europe receiving positive feedback, the Cygnet city car has now been welcomed into the Aston Martin family in Asia, touring Hong Kong and Japan’s most luxurious venues between 23 and 29 October.

Over four days, thirty journalists from both Hong Kong and Japan were each assigned a Cygnet and unleashed in pairs onto the bustling streets of downtown Hong Kong and then out to Repulse Bay for lunch. On the evening of the 27th, 300 guests were invited to enjoy a panoramic view of Aberdeen in The Peak Lookout, a blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Aston Martin Hong Kong representatives Markus Jebsen and Gordon Choy, Dr Mathew Bennett (Aston Martin Regional

Director Asia Pacific) and Marek Reichman (Aston Martin Design Director) said all a few words before Pakour dancers and gymnasts leapt into the venue to reveal the Cygnet. A similar event was also held at Vulcanize in Japan – a cool, iconic store right in the heart of downtown Tokyo, a natural environment for Cygnet. Written by Sumi Bez

a s t o n m a r t i n

1 4 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

HONg KONg STyLE

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE

CHRONOGRAPH

LONDON 165 Sloane Street Tel +44 (0)20 7752 0246PARIS 50 rue Pierre Charron Tel +33 (0)1 47 20 72 40 - 30 avenue George V Tel +33 (0)1 49 52 98 88

www.arije.com

www.audemarspiguet .com

p y g

AM17 Arije Audemars P15.indd 15 6/11/11 14:23:41

aston martin life aston martin life

BEHIND CLOSED DOORSAston Martin’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, Director of Design Marek Reichman and Chairman David Richards attended a drinks reception hosted by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey at Downing Street on 21 September. Held in honour of London Fashion Week, and also, for the first time, the London Design Festival, both brought an eclectic mix of fashion, celebrity and design to the black door of No 10.

a s t o n m a r t i n

i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

a s t o n m a r t i n

i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

Jamie Cullum helped to re-launch the new-look Met Bar in London with a private performance on 5 October.

Guests in attendance – greeted on arrival by a stunning example of Aston Martin’s One-77 supercar – were milliner to the stars Stephen Jones, accompanied by his glamourous guest Cornelia de Uphaugh, as well as CEO of Aston Martin Dr Ulrich Bez, BBC Foreign Affairs Editor Jeremy Bowen, and model Tolula Adeyemi who had only landed at

Gatwick Airport hours earlier, coming straight to the party in a chauffeur-driven Aston Martin. “I couldn’t have missed this!” she joked.

The sophisticated Park Lane bar is now open to all, instead of their original members-only policy, so make sure you pop down to admire its new lava-stone bar, leather chairs and black-painted glass tables, and sample its top-secret revamped cocktail list and fresh menu of lemon-poached monkfish and beef & stilton pie.

BELgRAvIA BOOmWhen The Halkin Hotel opened in September 1991, nestled among the Georgian facades on a quite residential street in Belgravia, London, it blazed a trail that many others have followed.

Considered by many to be the city’s first boutique hotel, and until recently one of London’s best-kept secrets, the 41-room Halkin celebrated its 20-year anniversary with a unique series of events to underline its ‘home from home’ ethics. Two hundred friends of the hotel, including Nicky Haslam, The Hon. Miriam Marks, and Christine and Michael Buerk arrived to join in the fun in chauffeur-driven Aston Martin Rapides and were wowed with the stunning transformation of the dining room into a Louis Roederer Champagne and Smith and Taylor private wine cellar. The food from the award-winning Nahm kitchens – including pomelo with roasted coconut, peanut and caramel dressing, pork tapioca dumplings, and steamed red curry of scallops with Thai basil leaves, washed down with champagne, wine and cocktails – proved a hit with guests.

With their new Assouline Culture Lounge having just opened its doors this October, it is the ideal time to pop by before it surely becomes a hotspot.

FUN AND FASHION The must-see show of London Fashion Week 2011 simply had to be Mulberry, with the show taking the British seaside as its hard-to-miss theme. Outside Claridge’s ballroom, manicured potted trees had been replaced by giant plastic ice-cream cones, while waiters offered guests mini-tubs of the dessert.

Eight Aston Martin Cygnets chauffeured VIP guests who included Eliza Doolittle and Olivia Palermo to the 2012 Spring/Summer Collection. Guests were entertained by a fairground organ piping out I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside as the models took to the catwalk wearing striped dresses, inspired by Fab ice-lollies.

QUINTESSENTIALLy STARRyAston Martin helped to make the second annual Quintessentially Awards a night to remember on 28 September 2011. Held at Number One Marylebone, designer dresses spilled out of chauffeur-driven Aston Martins, and excited guests including Pixie Lott and Alexandra Burke were out in force to celebrate the very best in luxury lifestyle. Partnered by a board of luxury brands including, of course, Aston Martin (CEO Dr Ulrich Bez pictured here with host Sir David Frost) the winners included Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton sharing The Quintessentially Award for Excellence, and Marcus Wareing who pipped Heston Blumenthal to Chef of the Year.

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THE LONDON SCENE

STAR STUDDED IN THE mET

THE DOCK, DIXON AND DESIgNNow in its ninth year, the 2011 London Design Festival welcomed 180 partners and more than 250 events to celebrate the world’s creative capital.

Running from 19-23 September, Aston Martin partnered the Festival VIP Programme with a formidable fleet of chauffeured four-door Rapides and tailor-fit Cygnets. Guests were cossetted in trademark Aston Martin luxury to a specially curated series of Festival highlights.

A distinctive array of the latest model range was on display, including the recently launched Virage and V8 Vantage S at the entrance to Multiplex at The Dock, hosted by famed international designer Tom Dixon at the Portobello Dock. Visitors enjoyed indoor, outdoor, food and water-based installations, on-the-spot workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions from Moooi, Lladro, The Floating Cinema, Designers in Residence and Piet Hein Eek.

aston martin life aston martin life

BEHIND CLOSED DOORSAston Martin’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, Director of Design Marek Reichman and Chairman David Richards attended a drinks reception hosted by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey at Downing Street on 21 September. Held in honour of London Fashion Week, and also, for the first time, the London Design Festival, both brought an eclectic mix of fashion, celebrity and design to the black door of No 10.

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Jamie Cullum helped to re-launch the new-look Met Bar in London with a private performance on 5 October.

Guests in attendance – greeted on arrival by a stunning example of Aston Martin’s One-77 supercar – were milliner to the stars Stephen Jones, accompanied by his glamourous guest Cornelia de Uphaugh, as well as CEO of Aston Martin Dr Ulrich Bez, BBC Foreign Affairs Editor Jeremy Bowen, and model Tolula Adeyemi who had only landed at

Gatwick Airport hours earlier, coming straight to the party in a chauffeur-driven Aston Martin. “I couldn’t have missed this!” she joked.

The sophisticated Park Lane bar is now open to all, instead of their original members-only policy, so make sure you pop down to admire its new lava-stone bar, leather chairs and black-painted glass tables, and sample its top-secret revamped cocktail list and fresh menu of lemon-poached monkfish and beef & stilton pie.

BELgRAvIA BOOmWhen The Halkin Hotel opened in September 1991, nestled among the Georgian facades on a quite residential street in Belgravia, London, it blazed a trail that many others have followed.

Considered by many to be the city’s first boutique hotel, and until recently one of London’s best-kept secrets, the 41-room Halkin celebrated its 20-year anniversary with a unique series of events to underline its ‘home from home’ ethics. Two hundred friends of the hotel, including Nicky Haslam, The Hon. Miriam Marks, and Christine and Michael Buerk arrived to join in the fun in chauffeur-driven Aston Martin Rapides and were wowed with the stunning transformation of the dining room into a Louis Roederer Champagne and Smith and Taylor private wine cellar. The food from the award-winning Nahm kitchens – including pomelo with roasted coconut, peanut and caramel dressing, pork tapioca dumplings, and steamed red curry of scallops with Thai basil leaves, washed down with champagne, wine and cocktails – proved a hit with guests.

With their new Assouline Culture Lounge having just opened its doors this October, it is the ideal time to pop by before it surely becomes a hotspot.

FUN AND FASHION The must-see show of London Fashion Week 2011 simply had to be Mulberry, with the show taking the British seaside as its hard-to-miss theme. Outside Claridge’s ballroom, manicured potted trees had been replaced by giant plastic ice-cream cones, while waiters offered guests mini-tubs of the dessert.

Eight Aston Martin Cygnets chauffeured VIP guests who included Eliza Doolittle and Olivia Palermo to the 2012 Spring/Summer Collection. Guests were entertained by a fairground organ piping out I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside as the models took to the catwalk wearing striped dresses, inspired by Fab ice-lollies.

QUINTESSENTIALLy STARRyAston Martin helped to make the second annual Quintessentially Awards a night to remember on 28 September 2011. Held at Number One Marylebone, designer dresses spilled out of chauffeur-driven Aston Martins, and excited guests including Pixie Lott and Alexandra Burke were out in force to celebrate the very best in luxury lifestyle. Partnered by a board of luxury brands including, of course, Aston Martin (CEO Dr Ulrich Bez pictured here with host Sir David Frost) the winners included Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton sharing The Quintessentially Award for Excellence, and Marcus Wareing who pipped Heston Blumenthal to Chef of the Year.

1 71 6

THE LONDON SCENE

STAR STUDDED IN THE mET

THE DOCK, DIXON AND DESIgNNow in its ninth year, the 2011 London Design Festival welcomed 180 partners and more than 250 events to celebrate the world’s creative capital.

Running from 19-23 September, Aston Martin partnered the Festival VIP Programme with a formidable fleet of chauffeured four-door Rapides and tailor-fit Cygnets. Guests were cossetted in trademark Aston Martin luxury to a specially curated series of Festival highlights.

A distinctive array of the latest model range was on display, including the recently launched Virage and V8 Vantage S at the entrance to Multiplex at The Dock, hosted by famed international designer Tom Dixon at the Portobello Dock. Visitors enjoyed indoor, outdoor, food and water-based installations, on-the-spot workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions from Moooi, Lladro, The Floating Cinema, Designers in Residence and Piet Hein Eek.

aston martin life

RApIDE mOvEmENTSThe production of the four-door Rapide sports car will be ‘coming home’ to Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire in Autumn 2012.

In 2008, due to space constraints at Gaydon, Aston Martin appointed Magna Steyr as a partner to produce Rapide at its location in Austria. A dedicated facility, the ‘AMRP’, was then established with pre-production of the Rapide starting in 2009.

CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: ‘Gaydon is more established, more flexible and more efficient. We now produce a far richer model mix.’

SIDE By SIDEAt the 9th VLN race of the season, Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda, and Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, swapped cars to compete in the ninth round of the 2011 VLN series. ‘We have raced side by side regularly since the 2008 24-hour race here at the Nürburgring. Since then, a personal friendship has developed into this decision to experience each other’s race cars. Other company bosses meet on the golf course, we race together,’ says Dr Bez.

With a start grid of 190 cars, the V12 Zagato ‘Zig’ and the Lexus LF-A both competed in the SP8 class. Despite Zig’s collision, both cars crossed the finish line in tandem.

ONE-77, AS SEEN ON TvFor the first time on television, Aston Martin’s most advanced production car One-77 has been showcased on National Geographic’s popular Megafactories series. Following unparalleled access to Aston Martin, the hour-long programme charts the intense One-77 development schedule throughout the three years it has taken from the car’s conception in October 2007 to the build of the first production One-77 in October 2010. In never-seen-before footage of the standalone facility within the company’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, Megafactories details the highly skilled manufacturing process fusing modern technology with traditional hand-craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail culminating in over 2,700 man-hours to complete the ultimate Aston Martin.

OpEN DOORS IN TAIpEIOn 29 August, the ribbon was cut on Aston Martin’s latest showroom, in Taiwan. Following recent openings in Mumbai, Istanbul, Santiago and São Paulo, Aston Martin’s Taipei showroom takes the marque into yet another exciting emerging market. The V8 Vantage S and Virage were centre stage on the night of the launch at Aston Martin Taipei, which owners and special guests enjoyed admiring, whilst sipping on a glass of champagne.

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AND THE AWARD gOES TO…Aston Martin was delighted to win ‘Best New Design’ award from the German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The readership of 23,000 elected the Aston Martin Virage twice for the winner’s podium. 34.4 per cent of readers’ votes gave the Virage Coupe a solid victory in the ‘Sports Car’ category and the model also clinched Aston Martin the autonis Design Award for Most Beautiful Car 2011 for the third year running. The Virage Volante followed suit, receiving second place in ‘Convertibles’ as did the Aston Martin Cygnet, scoring second for ‘Small Cars’.

Life can be perfect

aston martin life

RApIDE mOvEmENTSThe production of the four-door Rapide sports car will be ‘coming home’ to Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire in Autumn 2012.

In 2008, due to space constraints at Gaydon, Aston Martin appointed Magna Steyr as a partner to produce Rapide at its location in Austria. A dedicated facility, the ‘AMRP’, was then established with pre-production of the Rapide starting in 2009.

CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: ‘Gaydon is more established, more flexible and more efficient. We now produce a far richer model mix.’

SIDE By SIDEAt the 9th VLN race of the season, Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda, and Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, swapped cars to compete in the ninth round of the 2011 VLN series. ‘We have raced side by side regularly since the 2008 24-hour race here at the Nürburgring. Since then, a personal friendship has developed into this decision to experience each other’s race cars. Other company bosses meet on the golf course, we race together,’ says Dr Bez.

With a start grid of 190 cars, the V12 Zagato ‘Zig’ and the Lexus LF-A both competed in the SP8 class. Despite Zig’s collision, both cars crossed the finish line in tandem.

ONE-77, AS SEEN ON TvFor the first time on television, Aston Martin’s most advanced production car One-77 has been showcased on National Geographic’s popular Megafactories series. Following unparalleled access to Aston Martin, the hour-long programme charts the intense One-77 development schedule throughout the three years it has taken from the car’s conception in October 2007 to the build of the first production One-77 in October 2010. In never-seen-before footage of the standalone facility within the company’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, Megafactories details the highly skilled manufacturing process fusing modern technology with traditional hand-craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail culminating in over 2,700 man-hours to complete the ultimate Aston Martin.

OpEN DOORS IN TAIpEIOn 29 August, the ribbon was cut on Aston Martin’s latest showroom, in Taiwan. Following recent openings in Mumbai, Istanbul, Santiago and São Paulo, Aston Martin’s Taipei showroom takes the marque into yet another exciting emerging market. The V8 Vantage S and Virage were centre stage on the night of the launch at Aston Martin Taipei, which owners and special guests enjoyed admiring, whilst sipping on a glass of champagne.

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AND THE AWARD gOES TO…Aston Martin was delighted to win ‘Best New Design’ award from the German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The readership of 23,000 elected the Aston Martin Virage twice for the winner’s podium. 34.4 per cent of readers’ votes gave the Virage Coupe a solid victory in the ‘Sports Car’ category and the model also clinched Aston Martin the autonis Design Award for Most Beautiful Car 2011 for the third year running. The Virage Volante followed suit, receiving second place in ‘Convertibles’ as did the Aston Martin Cygnet, scoring second for ‘Small Cars’.

Life can be perfect

aston martin life aston martin life

mOUNT mARTINAston Martin Singapore took part in the 4,095m ascent of Mount Kinabalu, the prominent mountain on the island of Borneo in South East Asia on the 9 and 10 September in support of the Coalition Duchenne Charity. Named ‘Expedition Mount Kinabalu’, seven members of the Aston Martin Singapore team joined 28 other climbers from 8 different countries including Singapore, UK, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, India and Switzerland to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a catastrophic and progressive muscle wasting disease that affects one in 3,500 boys worldwide. An incredible achievement by all.

A SUNNy STATEThe beautiful location of Ascona, Ticino, in Switzerland, otherwise known as the ‘Sunshine State of Switzerland’ provided Aston Martin, partnered with Sunseeker Yachts, the perfect backdrop to their exciting, fun-filled two-day adventure. The 1 and 2 September saw guests test-driving the Aston Martin Rapide, DBS Volante, V8 Vantage S Roadster and Virage Volante as well as taking to the waves of Eden Roc Marina at Lago Maggiore in a stunning Sunseeker motorboat.

60 yEARS IN pARTNERSHIpThe year 1951 saw the birth of a very special partnership between a Surrey-based garage and racecar builder, Hersham and Walton Motors, and Aston Martin. Six decades later, on 8 September, a dinner was held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of HWM Aston Martin in the very same building where it all began.

Hosted by Directors Mike Harting, his son Andrew and Paul Spires, special guests included Aston Martin Directors Michael van der Sande and Kingsley Riding-Felce, as well as Viscountess Downe and Richard Jackson from the Aston Martin Owners Club, and long-standing customers and friends.

The showroom also hosted a 1963 Aston Martin DB4 in stunning form, alongside the current Virage Coupe and the ultimate Aston Martin, the £1.3 million One-77 supercar – a spectacular display of past, present and future.

ASTON AHOy!The Yacht Club Porto Rotondo is the heartland of Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, and proved to be a most appropriate location for a recent Aston Martin ride-and-drive event, held between 9 and 11 September. Over three sunny days, four Aston Martins were test-driven 67 times under the guidance of professional instructors. Aston Martin Milan, Aston Martin Bologna and Aston Martin Italy, were all in attendance.

ISTANBUL SHINES Aston Martin Istanbul was the latest global dealership to host an enticing launch of the super-sophisticated Virage between the 26 September and 1 October. The event welcomed five potential customers for each day, all by bespoke appointment, with a two-hour presentation for each customer to ensure a detailed and dedicated insight into the new model. The exquisite cuisine on offer was served by The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul while luxury brands Bang & Olufsen and Jaeger-LeCoultre offered extra glitz showcasing their products to guests, all of whom received Bang & Olufsen headphones as a gift.

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pOOLE COOLOn 24 August, no fewer than six Aston Martin sports cars arrived at the Sunseeker Poole office on a glorious sunny day to welcome twelve clients onto the official Sunseeker Manufacturing Tour. Clients drove the cars of their choice, which included the Rapide, DBS, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage and Virage, dropping in at the Sunseeker Technical Centre before stopping at Hotel du Vin for a delicious lunch. The day ended with all clients hopping on board the Manhattan 63 IPS for a boat trip around Poole Harbour.

Geoff Wickens of Harwoods Aston Martin commented: ‘We have been working with Sunseeker over the last 10 months and have been delighted to host this event. Clients have had the opportunity to really get a feel for Sunseeker by meeting the different teams at the factory on the tour, then have a trip on board the Manhattan 63 around Poole Harbour and also allowing them to get behind the wheel of some Aston Martins.’

SHAKEN NOT STIRREDPaying homage to James Bond’s legendary suave sophistication, a themed evening at Dubai’s leading Japanese restaurant and lounge Okku – part of the five-star Monarch Hotel – proved a right royale affair this autumn. Aston Martin owners and VIP guests attended the evening, welcomed in style by the prominently displayed DBS Volante at the entrance of the hotel.

aston martin life aston martin life

mOUNT mARTINAston Martin Singapore took part in the 4,095m ascent of Mount Kinabalu, the prominent mountain on the island of Borneo in South East Asia on the 9 and 10 September in support of the Coalition Duchenne Charity. Named ‘Expedition Mount Kinabalu’, seven members of the Aston Martin Singapore team joined 28 other climbers from 8 different countries including Singapore, UK, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, India and Switzerland to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a catastrophic and progressive muscle wasting disease that affects one in 3,500 boys worldwide. An incredible achievement by all.

A SUNNy STATEThe beautiful location of Ascona, Ticino, in Switzerland, otherwise known as the ‘Sunshine State of Switzerland’ provided Aston Martin, partnered with Sunseeker Yachts, the perfect backdrop to their exciting, fun-filled two-day adventure. The 1 and 2 September saw guests test-driving the Aston Martin Rapide, DBS Volante, V8 Vantage S Roadster and Virage Volante as well as taking to the waves of Eden Roc Marina at Lago Maggiore in a stunning Sunseeker motorboat.

60 yEARS IN pARTNERSHIpThe year 1951 saw the birth of a very special partnership between a Surrey-based garage and racecar builder, Hersham and Walton Motors, and Aston Martin. Six decades later, on 8 September, a dinner was held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of HWM Aston Martin in the very same building where it all began.

Hosted by Directors Mike Harting, his son Andrew and Paul Spires, special guests included Aston Martin Directors Michael van der Sande and Kingsley Riding-Felce, as well as Viscountess Downe and Richard Jackson from the Aston Martin Owners Club, and long-standing customers and friends.

The showroom also hosted a 1963 Aston Martin DB4 in stunning form, alongside the current Virage Coupe and the ultimate Aston Martin, the £1.3 million One-77 supercar – a spectacular display of past, present and future.

ASTON AHOy!The Yacht Club Porto Rotondo is the heartland of Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, and proved to be a most appropriate location for a recent Aston Martin ride-and-drive event, held between 9 and 11 September. Over three sunny days, four Aston Martins were test-driven 67 times under the guidance of professional instructors. Aston Martin Milan, Aston Martin Bologna and Aston Martin Italy, were all in attendance.

ISTANBUL SHINES Aston Martin Istanbul was the latest global dealership to host an enticing launch of the super-sophisticated Virage between the 26 September and 1 October. The event welcomed five potential customers for each day, all by bespoke appointment, with a two-hour presentation for each customer to ensure a detailed and dedicated insight into the new model. The exquisite cuisine on offer was served by The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul while luxury brands Bang & Olufsen and Jaeger-LeCoultre offered extra glitz showcasing their products to guests, all of whom received Bang & Olufsen headphones as a gift.

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2 0 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

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pOOLE COOLOn 24 August, no fewer than six Aston Martin sports cars arrived at the Sunseeker Poole office on a glorious sunny day to welcome twelve clients onto the official Sunseeker Manufacturing Tour. Clients drove the cars of their choice, which included the Rapide, DBS, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage and Virage, dropping in at the Sunseeker Technical Centre before stopping at Hotel du Vin for a delicious lunch. The day ended with all clients hopping on board the Manhattan 63 IPS for a boat trip around Poole Harbour.

Geoff Wickens of Harwoods Aston Martin commented: ‘We have been working with Sunseeker over the last 10 months and have been delighted to host this event. Clients have had the opportunity to really get a feel for Sunseeker by meeting the different teams at the factory on the tour, then have a trip on board the Manhattan 63 around Poole Harbour and also allowing them to get behind the wheel of some Aston Martins.’

SHAKEN NOT STIRREDPaying homage to James Bond’s legendary suave sophistication, a themed evening at Dubai’s leading Japanese restaurant and lounge Okku – part of the five-star Monarch Hotel – proved a right royale affair this autumn. Aston Martin owners and VIP guests attended the evening, welcomed in style by the prominently displayed DBS Volante at the entrance of the hotel.

aston martin life

TIANJIN WELCOmES ASTON mARTIN The Tianjin Motor Show took place between 30 September and 5 October at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Centre, China. This was a celebration of two launches for Aston Martin: its debut in Tianjin and the regional unveiling of the V8 Vantage S, Virage and Rapide sports cars. This show is a must for car enthusiasts, offering racing demos, exhibitions and, of course, a host of stunning cars.

RETURNINg TO HIS ROOTSFeatherstone High School students were visited by former pupil and Aston Martin Project Engineer Balraj Singh Choda, along with a shiny new Aston Martin Virage Coupe. Balraj spoke to 100 pupils about his work and gave youngsters a chance to sit behind the wheel. Speaking after the visit, he said: ‘It was a pleasure visiting my old school, 30 years after leaving. It was great to see the kids take such an interest in the work that I do.’

His visit was part of an initiative by Aston Martin to strengthen links between schools and businesses. Balraj has recently been nominated to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer and will find out in December whether or not he has been selected. Best of luck, Bal!

AUSTRIAN gROWTH Since July 2011, British Luxury Cars have operated in Austria as official Aston Martin dealers. Now, in addition to their showroom in Vienna, the dealer is set to open a second location in Salzburg.

Siblings Anja Frey-Winkelbauer and Dr Friedrich Frey, both Managing Directors of British Luxury Cars, said: ‘Our start in Vienna this summer was such a success that we decided to also go to Salzburg to further represent this unique luxury brand there. With this, we are now in the position to focus on the entire Austrian territory.’

THE DUBAI DREAmAston Martin is gearing up to unveil a dedicated dealership facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at a brand-new location in which the cars will be both sold and serviced. Located in Old Town, near the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, the new premises will officially open during the first quarter of 2012.

Commenting on the opening plans, Adham Charanoglu, Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa CEO said: ‘Dubai has become a key market for Aston Martin in the Middle East. Our announcement of opening a dedicated new facility is a testament to the growth of Aston Martin in the UAE. Our new showroom, once complete, will provide our valued customers the very highest level of service supported by a highly qualified team.’

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ONE-77 SHINESA recent Aston Martin JCT600 dealership event was part of a One-77 mini tour of selected Aston Martin dealerships in the south of England, which included Grange Brentwood, Lancaster Sevenoaks, Grange Exeter and Grange Welwyn.

Held on behalf of HSBC Premier Wealth with 250 guests in attendance, HSBC presented a selection of their products and services alongside a presentation by Ian Minards, Aston Martin’s Product Development Director, on the design and building process of Aston Martin’s 200mph-plus One-77 supercar. Guests enjoyed canapés whilst admiring the car, with music provided by singer to the stars Paul Pashley.

Artist’s impression

W O R L D P R E M I E R E

M I N U T E R E P E A T E R O N C A T H E D R A L G O N G S

P E R P E T U A L C A L E N D A R O N R O L L E R S W I T H I N S T A N T A N E O U S J U M P

B E S P O K E M O V E M E N T B Y C H R I S T O P H E C L A R E T

W W W . J E A N D U N A N D . C O M

S H A B A K A ®

T H E E X C E P T I O N A L I S O U R I N S P I R A T I O N

DUE TO THE SHEER RARITY OF JEAN DUNAND TIMEPIECES,

INNATE EXCLUSIVITY DICTATES THAT THEY ARE OFFERED THROUGH A HIGHLY SELECTIVE GROUP OF WATCH AND JEWELRY SALONS.

ALL ARE SPECIALISTS WHO ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EACH WATCH'S NUANCES TO POTENTIAL OWNERS.

REPRESENTING JEAN DUNAND:

CELLINI NEW YORK +1 212 751 9824 • EMBASSY LUCERN +41 41 410 5371

WYNN & COMPANY JEWELRY LAS VEGAS +1 702 770 3520

LOUVRE MOSCOW +7 495 629 1615 • ROYAL TIME KIEV +38 044 461 9015

BERGER JOYEROS MEXICO +52 55 5281 4122 • ELEGANT HONG KONG +852 2735 8481

L'HEURE ASCH GENEVA +41 22 311 19 19

JD_Aston Martin_16_23_08_2011_Mise en page 1 23.08.11 16:25 Page1

aston martin life

TIANJIN WELCOmES ASTON mARTIN The Tianjin Motor Show took place between 30 September and 5 October at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Centre, China. This was a celebration of two launches for Aston Martin: its debut in Tianjin and the regional unveiling of the V8 Vantage S, Virage and Rapide sports cars. This show is a must for car enthusiasts, offering racing demos, exhibitions and, of course, a host of stunning cars.

RETURNINg TO HIS ROOTSFeatherstone High School students were visited by former pupil and Aston Martin Project Engineer Balraj Singh Choda, along with a shiny new Aston Martin Virage Coupe. Balraj spoke to 100 pupils about his work and gave youngsters a chance to sit behind the wheel. Speaking after the visit, he said: ‘It was a pleasure visiting my old school, 30 years after leaving. It was great to see the kids take such an interest in the work that I do.’

His visit was part of an initiative by Aston Martin to strengthen links between schools and businesses. Balraj has recently been nominated to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer and will find out in December whether or not he has been selected. Best of luck, Bal!

AUSTRIAN gROWTH Since July 2011, British Luxury Cars have operated in Austria as official Aston Martin dealers. Now, in addition to their showroom in Vienna, the dealer is set to open a second location in Salzburg.

Siblings Anja Frey-Winkelbauer and Dr Friedrich Frey, both Managing Directors of British Luxury Cars, said: ‘Our start in Vienna this summer was such a success that we decided to also go to Salzburg to further represent this unique luxury brand there. With this, we are now in the position to focus on the entire Austrian territory.’

THE DUBAI DREAmAston Martin is gearing up to unveil a dedicated dealership facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at a brand-new location in which the cars will be both sold and serviced. Located in Old Town, near the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, the new premises will officially open during the first quarter of 2012.

Commenting on the opening plans, Adham Charanoglu, Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa CEO said: ‘Dubai has become a key market for Aston Martin in the Middle East. Our announcement of opening a dedicated new facility is a testament to the growth of Aston Martin in the UAE. Our new showroom, once complete, will provide our valued customers the very highest level of service supported by a highly qualified team.’

a s t o n m a r t i n

2 2 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

ONE-77 SHINESA recent Aston Martin JCT600 dealership event was part of a One-77 mini tour of selected Aston Martin dealerships in the south of England, which included Grange Brentwood, Lancaster Sevenoaks, Grange Exeter and Grange Welwyn.

Held on behalf of HSBC Premier Wealth with 250 guests in attendance, HSBC presented a selection of their products and services alongside a presentation by Ian Minards, Aston Martin’s Product Development Director, on the design and building process of Aston Martin’s 200mph-plus One-77 supercar. Guests enjoyed canapés whilst admiring the car, with music provided by singer to the stars Paul Pashley.

Artist’s impression

W O R L D P R E M I E R E

M I N U T E R E P E A T E R O N C A T H E D R A L G O N G S

P E R P E T U A L C A L E N D A R O N R O L L E R S W I T H I N S T A N T A N E O U S J U M P

B E S P O K E M O V E M E N T B Y C H R I S T O P H E C L A R E T

W W W . J E A N D U N A N D . C O M

S H A B A K A ®

T H E E X C E P T I O N A L I S O U R I N S P I R A T I O N

DUE TO THE SHEER RARITY OF JEAN DUNAND TIMEPIECES,

INNATE EXCLUSIVITY DICTATES THAT THEY ARE OFFERED THROUGH A HIGHLY SELECTIVE GROUP OF WATCH AND JEWELRY SALONS.

ALL ARE SPECIALISTS WHO ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EACH WATCH'S NUANCES TO POTENTIAL OWNERS.

REPRESENTING JEAN DUNAND:

CELLINI NEW YORK +1 212 751 9824 • EMBASSY LUCERN +41 41 410 5371

WYNN & COMPANY JEWELRY LAS VEGAS +1 702 770 3520

LOUVRE MOSCOW +7 495 629 1615 • ROYAL TIME KIEV +38 044 461 9015

BERGER JOYEROS MEXICO +52 55 5281 4122 • ELEGANT HONG KONG +852 2735 8481

L'HEURE ASCH GENEVA +41 22 311 19 19

JD_Aston Martin_16_23_08_2011_Mise en page 1 23.08.11 16:25 Page1

aston martin life

1860 TO ASTON mARTINAston Martin has joined forces with Munich’s TSV 1860 football team as its new main sponsor. At ‘Die Löwen’s’ match on 18 September 2011 against FSV Frankfurt, the TSV 1860 players proudly sported their new strips with Aston Martin’s famous wings logo pride of place.

Robert Schäfer, General Manager of the 2 Bundesliga team stated: ‘With the renowned Aston Martin brand, we have now secured a first-class and international partner. As a long-established sports car manufacturer, Aston Martin fully understands where our cult club’s roots lie.’

pACK yOUR TRUNKThe Elephant Parade continues its march throughout the world’s major cities, with Aston Martin remaining proudly involved. Raising awareness and funds for the conservation of the threatened Asian elephant, top artists such as Paul Smith, Diane von Furstenberg and Lulu Guinness have all painted their own elephants, appearing most recently on the streets of Milan and Singapore. Aston Martin’s recent contributions are ‘Zig’ and ‘Zag’, named after this year’s red and green V12 Zagato endurance racecars, as seen at the Nürburgring 24-Hours in June. After brightening the lives of shoppers and sightseers, the Elephant Parade has auctioned the glass-fibre artworks to museums and collectors. To date, over €4 million has been raised.

vICTORy AT LAgUNA SECAAston Martin has won the annual Laguna Seca American Le Mans Series Race. Under sunny Californian skies, in a race plagued by yellow flags, the team ran faultlessly for 6 hours to take the top spot on the podium. Drivers Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke and Harold Primat drove the Aston Martin DBR1-2 consistently in the top three, and in the final hour remained dominant in first position.

Aston Martin Racing Team Principal George Howard Chappell was delighted, saying: ‘I am obviously extremely pleased with the result. I am delighted for the team who have achieved this result on our return to the States after a difficult year – they’ve all worked hard for this, so it is a just reward.’

ATLANTA ADvENTUREMore than 100 Aston Martin enthusiasts were particularly thrilled to be invited to the Aston Martin Atlanta Dealership this autumn to see the Aston Martin Racing team perform live pit stops outside the showroom on Roswell Road.

a s t o n m a r t i n

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AM17 Kingfisher Ad P25.indd 25 6/11/11 15:28:06

aston martin life

1860 TO ASTON mARTINAston Martin has joined forces with Munich’s TSV 1860 football team as its new main sponsor. At ‘Die Löwen’s’ match on 18 September 2011 against FSV Frankfurt, the TSV 1860 players proudly sported their new strips with Aston Martin’s famous wings logo pride of place.

Robert Schäfer, General Manager of the 2 Bundesliga team stated: ‘With the renowned Aston Martin brand, we have now secured a first-class and international partner. As a long-established sports car manufacturer, Aston Martin fully understands where our cult club’s roots lie.’

pACK yOUR TRUNKThe Elephant Parade continues its march throughout the world’s major cities, with Aston Martin remaining proudly involved. Raising awareness and funds for the conservation of the threatened Asian elephant, top artists such as Paul Smith, Diane von Furstenberg and Lulu Guinness have all painted their own elephants, appearing most recently on the streets of Milan and Singapore. Aston Martin’s recent contributions are ‘Zig’ and ‘Zag’, named after this year’s red and green V12 Zagato endurance racecars, as seen at the Nürburgring 24-Hours in June. After brightening the lives of shoppers and sightseers, the Elephant Parade has auctioned the glass-fibre artworks to museums and collectors. To date, over €4 million has been raised.

vICTORy AT LAgUNA SECAAston Martin has won the annual Laguna Seca American Le Mans Series Race. Under sunny Californian skies, in a race plagued by yellow flags, the team ran faultlessly for 6 hours to take the top spot on the podium. Drivers Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke and Harold Primat drove the Aston Martin DBR1-2 consistently in the top three, and in the final hour remained dominant in first position.

Aston Martin Racing Team Principal George Howard Chappell was delighted, saying: ‘I am obviously extremely pleased with the result. I am delighted for the team who have achieved this result on our return to the States after a difficult year – they’ve all worked hard for this, so it is a just reward.’

ATLANTA ADvENTUREMore than 100 Aston Martin enthusiasts were particularly thrilled to be invited to the Aston Martin Atlanta Dealership this autumn to see the Aston Martin Racing team perform live pit stops outside the showroom on Roswell Road.

a s t o n m a r t i n

2 4 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

AM17 Kingfisher Ad P25.indd 25 6/11/11 15:28:06

aston martin driving experiences aston martin driving experiences

ON TOUR IN SCOTLAND September saw the Aston Martin Global Events team host an exclusive On Tour event in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The tour began at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where the group enjoyed a private tour of the production facility, before being issued with their personal On Tour road book which outlined the itinerary, road routes and key activities planned for the week.

Across the five days of driving, starting in Yorkshire, the couples were given a daily briefing to discuss the driving route for the day, recommended stops and local attractions on the journey. These included the Aysgarth Falls, Cameron House located on the banks of Loch Lomond and Inverlochy Castle, one of Scotland’s finest hotels. One of the highlights included the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Weir factory, which produces the leather for Aston Martin’s upholstery and cabin trim, for an exclusive tour of the facility. As a charming finishing touch, each couple were given a bookmark in the same colour leather as their own car’s interior trim.

The spectacular surroundings of the Isle of Skye and the luxurious retreat of Gleneagles also featured on the group’s busy itinerary, all capped on the final evening by a traditional Ceilidh band recital, which gave the guests the opportunity to show off their very best traditional Scottish dance skills.

Anja took part in the event, saying: ‘It was a great way to meet people and it was so nice to see what’s happening at Aston Martin behind the scenes.’

To find out more about On Tour In Scotland see www.astonmartin.com/highlands-islands-on-tour

ON TOUROn Tour allows you to experience some of the world’s most magnificent, traffic-free driving roads with breathtaking scenery. Accommodation is provided in a superb selection of the most luxurious and exclusive hotels with dining in world-class restaurants. For On Tour enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644944

ON TRACK Aston Martin On Track is an exclusive series of Aston Martin-hosted track days for Aston Martin customers and enthusiasts. As an On Track attendee, you have the opportunity to experience an Aston Martin in an exhilarating, yet safe environment, at some of the world’s most prestigious motor sport venues. For On Track enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644944

pERFORmANCE DRIvINg COURSESThe Aston Martin Performance Driving Course is about two things: helping you understand the capability of your car in a safe and controlled environment and making you a safer, better driver. But, above all, it is about having fun whilst doing it! For PDC enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644285

CORpORATE EvENTSThe Aston Martin Corporate Performance Driving programme is a bespoke event which can be specifically tailored to meet your company’s individual requirements. Our facilities at Millbrook Proving Ground and Aston Martin Headquarters can accommodate groups of up to 32 people and the length of the day is arranged to suit your requirements, whether it be a half day or full day programme. For Corporate enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644285

www.astonmartindrivingexperiences.com

a s t o n m a r t i n a s t o n m a r t i n

2 7i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

ON TRACK AT SpAConsidered to be one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit played host to an exclusive Aston Martin ‘On Track’ day in September. Customers and enthusiasts were presented with the opportunity to drive the venue of not only the Formula One but also numerous other renowned races such as Historic 6 Hours of Spa and Spa 24 Hours.

The day started with refreshments and registrations followed by a circuit briefing. Guests were accompanied by Aston Martin instructors until they became familiar with the circuit and track etiquette, after which they were free to enjoy the challenges of Eau Rouge and Radillion solo.

Roar Tessem, a customer who took part in the day, had a fantastic time: ‘I’m very much looking forward to ‘On Track’ next year. Between 70 and 80 people attended from all over Europe and the V12 Vantage, V8 and Virage were all on hand for us to drive; however the V12 model was my favourite.’ The cars and track exceeded all expectations (as did the weather!) and guests thoroughly enjoyed the rare opportunity to drive such a famous and challenging track.

To find out more about On Track at Spa see www.astonmartin.com/events/spa-on-track

2 6 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

aston martin driving experiences aston martin driving experiences

ON TOUR IN SCOTLAND September saw the Aston Martin Global Events team host an exclusive On Tour event in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The tour began at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where the group enjoyed a private tour of the production facility, before being issued with their personal On Tour road book which outlined the itinerary, road routes and key activities planned for the week.

Across the five days of driving, starting in Yorkshire, the couples were given a daily briefing to discuss the driving route for the day, recommended stops and local attractions on the journey. These included the Aysgarth Falls, Cameron House located on the banks of Loch Lomond and Inverlochy Castle, one of Scotland’s finest hotels. One of the highlights included the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Weir factory, which produces the leather for Aston Martin’s upholstery and cabin trim, for an exclusive tour of the facility. As a charming finishing touch, each couple were given a bookmark in the same colour leather as their own car’s interior trim.

The spectacular surroundings of the Isle of Skye and the luxurious retreat of Gleneagles also featured on the group’s busy itinerary, all capped on the final evening by a traditional Ceilidh band recital, which gave the guests the opportunity to show off their very best traditional Scottish dance skills.

Anja took part in the event, saying: ‘It was a great way to meet people and it was so nice to see what’s happening at Aston Martin behind the scenes.’

To find out more about On Tour In Scotland see www.astonmartin.com/highlands-islands-on-tour

ON TOUROn Tour allows you to experience some of the world’s most magnificent, traffic-free driving roads with breathtaking scenery. Accommodation is provided in a superb selection of the most luxurious and exclusive hotels with dining in world-class restaurants. For On Tour enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644944

ON TRACK Aston Martin On Track is an exclusive series of Aston Martin-hosted track days for Aston Martin customers and enthusiasts. As an On Track attendee, you have the opportunity to experience an Aston Martin in an exhilarating, yet safe environment, at some of the world’s most prestigious motor sport venues. For On Track enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644944

pERFORmANCE DRIvINg COURSESThe Aston Martin Performance Driving Course is about two things: helping you understand the capability of your car in a safe and controlled environment and making you a safer, better driver. But, above all, it is about having fun whilst doing it! For PDC enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644285

CORpORATE EvENTSThe Aston Martin Corporate Performance Driving programme is a bespoke event which can be specifically tailored to meet your company’s individual requirements. Our facilities at Millbrook Proving Ground and Aston Martin Headquarters can accommodate groups of up to 32 people and the length of the day is arranged to suit your requirements, whether it be a half day or full day programme. For Corporate enquiries, please call +44 (0)1926 644285

www.astonmartindrivingexperiences.com

a s t o n m a r t i n a s t o n m a r t i n

2 7i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

ON TRACK AT SpAConsidered to be one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit played host to an exclusive Aston Martin ‘On Track’ day in September. Customers and enthusiasts were presented with the opportunity to drive the venue of not only the Formula One but also numerous other renowned races such as Historic 6 Hours of Spa and Spa 24 Hours.

The day started with refreshments and registrations followed by a circuit briefing. Guests were accompanied by Aston Martin instructors until they became familiar with the circuit and track etiquette, after which they were free to enjoy the challenges of Eau Rouge and Radillion solo.

Roar Tessem, a customer who took part in the day, had a fantastic time: ‘I’m very much looking forward to ‘On Track’ next year. Between 70 and 80 people attended from all over Europe and the V12 Vantage, V8 and Virage were all on hand for us to drive; however the V12 model was my favourite.’ The cars and track exceeded all expectations (as did the weather!) and guests thoroughly enjoyed the rare opportunity to drive such a famous and challenging track.

To find out more about On Track at Spa see www.astonmartin.com/events/spa-on-track

2 6 i s s U e 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

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U S A r o a d t r i p

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‘You can’t do this!’

‘Of course I can, we can!’

‘There are no Aston Martin dealers along the way – only Troy Michigan would be the closest one.’

‘We don’t need a dealer, we have an Aston Martin Virage Volante. Smooth, powerful, reliable – a delight over 12 days’ driving.’

The direct drive would have taken 2,350 miles. We did 4,170: an open, winding road; no big cities, besides crossing Minnesota; no Interstate Highways, except for an unavoidable few miles at the start; 100 miles of gravel road… none of it a problem for our Virage Volante. Inevitably, the car got dirty inside and out, so we washed it, then 40 miles later, more gravel! We hit one big bird and thousands of grasshoppers; and averaged as many as 19.1mpg, even with an open roof and full air-conditioning.

Our starting point was New York City, in 40ºC conditions. This was hot in a convertible, even with air-conditioning on full power, but there’s no better way to see the city. From Times Square to Central Park East, Cooper Square to the south end of Manhattan, we were in amongst it all but sailing above it at the same time.

Late in the afternoon, we finally escaped the city and took the 80. This first stage did not last long and we soon stopped at the Inn at Turkey Hill in Bloomsburg, PA: a charming hotel with its own brewery. What could be a better start?

Away from the metropolis, away from the Interstates, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of nowhere. This meant empty roads, no sheriffs… Why should they be there anyway? Instead of sticking to the 80, we found ourselves enjoying Pennsylvania and stopped whenever we thought there was something to see, even turning back if necessary. We passed The Bandits Roadhouse in Berwick, turned around and had a great lunch there, a nice chat and bought a t-shirt.

Th i s summer , As ton Mar t in CEO Dr Ul r ich Bez and h i s w i fe Mar t ina se t ou t on an ep ic adventu re ac ross the Un i ted S ta tes in a V i rage Vo lante . Jou rney ing th rough an eve r -chang ing landscape , ove r eve ry conce ivab le te r ra in , the capab i l i t i e s o f As ton Mar t in ’ s spor t s ca r s were p roven beyond any doubt , once aga in

FROM TIMES SqUARE TO ROCk CREEk RANCh

ThE ASTON MARTIN TRAIl

THIS PAGE: Times Square, New York.

INSET (from top): On the road to PA, food stop, making friends, lonely cowboy at Lake Erie, Devils Tower Wyoming, nobody there , wildlife, Cygnet was there before us.

WA

OR

CA

ID

UT

WY

CO

AZ NM

TX

OK AR

MS AL GASC

LA

FL

TN NC

KYWV

VAMOKS

IN OHIL PA

NY

MDNJ

MACT

NHVT

MEWI

MI

MN

ND

SD

NE IA

MT

NVManhattannew York

the ranch at rock creek

Montana

BlooMsBurgPennsYlvania

thunder BaYlake suPeriorontario

devil’s gulch south dakota

Mount rushMoresouth dakota

YellowstonewYoMing

A S T O N M A R T I N

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U S A r o a d t r i p

2 9I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

‘You can’t do this!’

‘Of course I can, we can!’

‘There are no Aston Martin dealers along the way – only Troy Michigan would be the closest one.’

‘We don’t need a dealer, we have an Aston Martin Virage Volante. Smooth, powerful, reliable – a delight over 12 days’ driving.’

The direct drive would have taken 2,350 miles. We did 4,170: an open, winding road; no big cities, besides crossing Minnesota; no Interstate Highways, except for an unavoidable few miles at the start; 100 miles of gravel road… none of it a problem for our Virage Volante. Inevitably, the car got dirty inside and out, so we washed it, then 40 miles later, more gravel! We hit one big bird and thousands of grasshoppers; and averaged as many as 19.1mpg, even with an open roof and full air-conditioning.

Our starting point was New York City, in 40ºC conditions. This was hot in a convertible, even with air-conditioning on full power, but there’s no better way to see the city. From Times Square to Central Park East, Cooper Square to the south end of Manhattan, we were in amongst it all but sailing above it at the same time.

Late in the afternoon, we finally escaped the city and took the 80. This first stage did not last long and we soon stopped at the Inn at Turkey Hill in Bloomsburg, PA: a charming hotel with its own brewery. What could be a better start?

Away from the metropolis, away from the Interstates, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of nowhere. This meant empty roads, no sheriffs… Why should they be there anyway? Instead of sticking to the 80, we found ourselves enjoying Pennsylvania and stopped whenever we thought there was something to see, even turning back if necessary. We passed The Bandits Roadhouse in Berwick, turned around and had a great lunch there, a nice chat and bought a t-shirt.

Th i s summer , As ton Mar t in CEO Dr Ul r ich Bez and h i s w i fe Mar t ina se t ou t on an ep ic adventu re ac ross the Un i ted S ta tes in a V i rage Vo lante . Jou rney ing th rough an eve r -chang ing landscape , ove r eve ry conce ivab le te r ra in , the capab i l i t i e s o f As ton Mar t in ’ s spor t s ca r s were p roven beyond any doubt , once aga in

FROM TIMES SqUARE TO ROCk CREEk RANCh

ThE ASTON MARTIN TRAIl

THIS PAGE: Times Square, New York.

INSET (from top): On the road to PA, food stop, making friends, lonely cowboy at Lake Erie, Devils Tower Wyoming, nobody there , wildlife, Cygnet was there before us.

WA

OR

CA

ID

UT

WY

CO

AZ NM

TX

OK AR

MS AL GASC

LA

FL

TN NC

KYWV

VAMOKS

IN OHIL PA

NY

MDNJ

MACT

NHVT

MEWI

MI

MN

ND

SD

NE IA

MT

NVManhattannew York

the ranch at rock creek

Montana

BlooMsBurgPennsYlvania

thunder BaYlake suPeriorontario

devil’s gulch south dakota

Mount rushMoresouth dakota

YellowstonewYoMing

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

THIS PAGE: Dead Indian Pass, WY.

INSET (from top): Go west, making friends again, the Virage covered in locusts outside the Bandit Roadhouse, well-deserved cold beer outside our cabin at The Ranch at Rock Creek.

I could ride my Volante like a perfectly trained western horse. It moved left and right with utmost sensitivity at a finger’s touch and when I used my spurs, so to speak, it reacted with plenty of enthusiasm. Just like our horses, Diamond and Chief, would do on the Ranch at Rock Creek when we reached Montana. The horses liked me!

The luggage we took fitted comfortably in the boot and behind the seats. For three weeks I had too much anyway even after Martina took 80 per cent of the space. T-shirts were bought in different places like Mackinaw, Jesse James or Billings, and driving shoes were a beloved pair of Tod’s – well looked after for 10 years – and my Nikwaxed cowboy boots. Cleaning these is just a step in the river... done!

Navigation was easy with the Virage’s sat-nav. We also used an iPad and an iPhone, so we had a map and, in parallel, information about our surroundings, its history, and so on. The best of all was the search function: type in ‘Vermilion lodging’ and 10 results pop up. Here, we chose the Gilchrist House, owned by a former captain and built in 1885. There was nobody there, just a telephone number at the door to call. A friendly voice told us to choose a room and write our name down on the plate at the entrance – ‘we will be there after breakfast to collect the money!’

3 0

I could r ide my Volante l ike a perfectly trained western horse. I t moved left and r ight with utmost sensit iv ity at a f inger’s touch and when I used my spurs, so to speak, i t reacted with plenty of enthusiasm

Maîtres du Temps La Chaux-de-fonds, Switzerland +41 32 911 17 17

www.MaitresduTemps.com

CHAPTER ONE® Three of the world’s most renowned master watchmakers have collaborated on a world-first combination of

complications featuring a one-minute tourbillon, mono-push chronograph, retrograde date indicator, retrograde GMT indicator, day

of the week indication on roller, and patented precise moon phase indication on roller in a fully integrated mechanical movement.

Shown in 18K red gold and limited to 11 pieces.

AM17 Maitres du Temps AD P31.ind31 31 6/11/11 15:28:46

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

THIS PAGE: Dead Indian Pass, WY.

INSET (from top): Go west, making friends again, the Virage covered in locusts outside the Bandit Roadhouse, well-deserved cold beer outside our cabin at The Ranch at Rock Creek.

I could ride my Volante like a perfectly trained western horse. It moved left and right with utmost sensitivity at a finger’s touch and when I used my spurs, so to speak, it reacted with plenty of enthusiasm. Just like our horses, Diamond and Chief, would do on the Ranch at Rock Creek when we reached Montana. The horses liked me!

The luggage we took fitted comfortably in the boot and behind the seats. For three weeks I had too much anyway even after Martina took 80 per cent of the space. T-shirts were bought in different places like Mackinaw, Jesse James or Billings, and driving shoes were a beloved pair of Tod’s – well looked after for 10 years – and my Nikwaxed cowboy boots. Cleaning these is just a step in the river... done!

Navigation was easy with the Virage’s sat-nav. We also used an iPad and an iPhone, so we had a map and, in parallel, information about our surroundings, its history, and so on. The best of all was the search function: type in ‘Vermilion lodging’ and 10 results pop up. Here, we chose the Gilchrist House, owned by a former captain and built in 1885. There was nobody there, just a telephone number at the door to call. A friendly voice told us to choose a room and write our name down on the plate at the entrance – ‘we will be there after breakfast to collect the money!’

3 0

I could r ide my Volante l ike a perfectly trained western horse. I t moved left and r ight with utmost sensit iv ity at a f inger’s touch and when I used my spurs, so to speak, i t reacted with plenty of enthusiasm

Maîtres du Temps La Chaux-de-fonds, Switzerland +41 32 911 17 17

www.MaitresduTemps.com

CHAPTER ONE® Three of the world’s most renowned master watchmakers have collaborated on a world-first combination of

complications featuring a one-minute tourbillon, mono-push chronograph, retrograde date indicator, retrograde GMT indicator, day

of the week indication on roller, and patented precise moon phase indication on roller in a fully integrated mechanical movement.

Shown in 18K red gold and limited to 11 pieces.

AM17 Maitres du Temps AD P31.ind31 31 6/11/11 15:28:46

A S T O N M A R T I N

3 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

THIS PAGE: Making an entrance at The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana.

INSET (from top): Mount Rushmore, the best ‘gun girl’, the chief on ‘Chief’, rainbow in Yellowstone National Park.

There were many more stories like this. We circled round Lake Superior, crossed Wisconsin, crossed Minnesota and visited the famous Devil’s Gulch in Garretson, South Dakota, where Jesse James famously evaded capture. We gazed at length across the land of Sitting Bull before heading to the Black Hills, not without cruising through Sturgis and its thousands of Harley Davidson bikes. The Crazy Horse Memorial was as impressive as Mount Rushmore, with its leaders who built the country and abolished the Indian tribes.

The Devils Tower was next before driving to Little Bighorn and the most important ‘Indian vs White Man’ battlefield, the site of Custer’s Last Stand in 1876. Two days we rested in Yellowstone National Park, with thousands of tourists and the most impressive rainbow ever seen.

The end of our particular road was The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, which we featured in issue 14 of Aston Martin Magazine – a luxurious, log-cabin hotel offering its guests an authentic cowboy experience. They gave us a warm welcome and delivered on expectation. Like the whole of our roadtrip in fact, where we expected nothing, hoped for everything and got everything.

No less than 1,500 photos and hundreds of memories later, we flew back to New York and home to Germany. It had been worth every mile and minute.

The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana – a luxur ious, log-cabin hotel of fer ing i ts guests an

authent ic cowboy exper ience. They gave us a warm welcome and del ivered on expectat ion

AM17 Christophe Claret Ad P33.in33 33 6/11/11 15:24:08

A S T O N M A R T I N

3 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

THIS PAGE: Making an entrance at The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana.

INSET (from top): Mount Rushmore, the best ‘gun girl’, the chief on ‘Chief’, rainbow in Yellowstone National Park.

There were many more stories like this. We circled round Lake Superior, crossed Wisconsin, crossed Minnesota and visited the famous Devil’s Gulch in Garretson, South Dakota, where Jesse James famously evaded capture. We gazed at length across the land of Sitting Bull before heading to the Black Hills, not without cruising through Sturgis and its thousands of Harley Davidson bikes. The Crazy Horse Memorial was as impressive as Mount Rushmore, with its leaders who built the country and abolished the Indian tribes.

The Devils Tower was next before driving to Little Bighorn and the most important ‘Indian vs White Man’ battlefield, the site of Custer’s Last Stand in 1876. Two days we rested in Yellowstone National Park, with thousands of tourists and the most impressive rainbow ever seen.

The end of our particular road was The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, which we featured in issue 14 of Aston Martin Magazine – a luxurious, log-cabin hotel offering its guests an authentic cowboy experience. They gave us a warm welcome and delivered on expectation. Like the whole of our roadtrip in fact, where we expected nothing, hoped for everything and got everything.

No less than 1,500 photos and hundreds of memories later, we flew back to New York and home to Germany. It had been worth every mile and minute.

The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana – a luxur ious, log-cabin hotel of fer ing i ts guests an

authent ic cowboy exper ience. They gave us a warm welcome and del ivered on expectat ion

AM17 Christophe Claret Ad P33.in33 33 6/11/11 15:24:08

OFFICIAL PARTNER TO ASTON MARTIN RACING

HACKETT.C

OM/A

MR

Aston_magazine_DPS_2_Layout 1 03/11/2011 11:38 Page 1

OFFICIAL PARTNER TO ASTON MARTIN RACING

HACKETT.C

OM/A

MR

Aston_magazine_DPS_2_Layout 1 03/11/2011 11:38 Page 1

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

T h e N e w h i e r o g l y p h i c s A new fo rm o f guer r i l l a a r t i s t r y has sp rung up on the s t ree t s o f Ca i ro , w i th young Egypt ians exper ienc ing a renewed f reedom o f express ion . S ince the revo lu t ion th i s sp r ing , independent a r t ga l l e r i e s have f lou r i shed aga ins t the odds – as the Egypt ian economy su f fe r s in the wake o f change – the i r cu ra to r s inves t ing in a new, open scene p ropagated by g ra f f i t i a r t i s t s such as Ganzeer and Ke ize r . Midd le Eas te rn co r respondent Josh wood t akes a ra re look a t the scenes p lay ing out beh ind the ce leb ra to ry mura l s

c a i r o s t r e e t a r t

3 9

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

T h e N e w h i e r o g l y p h i c s A new fo rm o f guer r i l l a a r t i s t r y has sp rung up on the s t ree t s o f Ca i ro , w i th young Egypt ians exper ienc ing a renewed f reedom o f express ion . S ince the revo lu t ion th i s sp r ing , independent a r t ga l l e r i e s have f lou r i shed aga ins t the odds – as the Egypt ian economy su f fe r s in the wake o f change – the i r cu ra to r s inves t ing in a new, open scene p ropagated by g ra f f i t i a r t i s t s such as Ganzeer and Ke ize r . Midd le Eas te rn co r respondent Josh wood t akes a ra re look a t the scenes p lay ing out beh ind the ce leb ra to ry mura l s

c a i r o s t r e e t a r t

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A S T O N M A R T I N

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c a i r o s t r e e t a r t

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PREVIOUS PAGE: A man walks by a freshly painted Keiser stencil in

a subway in the Cairo neighbourhood of Zamalek on July 23, 2011, six months after

Egypt’s revolution began.

THIS PAGE LEFT: A mural in Cairo that references alternative

media and how it played a crucial role in bringing freedom,

‘7oreya’, to the spotlight.

4 0

It is past midnight and 33-year-old graffiti artist Keizer is cruising the streets of Cairo, scouting for new spots to deface. His sedan reeks of spray paint fumes from the cans in the backseat which rattle with every turn and he grips the wheel with a gloved hand, stained from his last project that he completed just minutes ago. You might expect him to be listening to rap or perhaps metal or punk, but instead he’s chilling to the easy listening tunes and classic rock wafting out of his car’s speakers as his head – shielded by the hood of his sweatshirt to protect his identity – swings from side to side looking for his next target.

Keizer is one of the growing number of Cairenes who have turned to street art since the revolution that began to overthrow the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak back in January. As the police vanished from the streets, some of those who opposed Mubarak’s rule took to spray-painting messages against the regime on any available surface; from the burned-out trucks of the security forces to the walls of apartment blocks and the street beneath the feet of protesters in downtown’s now-iconic Tahrir Square.

The city’s initial explosion of graffiti started off basic enough. People turned the chant of the protesters in Tahrir – ‘the people want to overthrow the regime’ – into a tag. But then something else happened: artists who had filled notebooks with sketches for years but never dared to do anything on the street for fear of ending up in one of Cairo’s notoriously grimy jails started coming out and using the city as a canvas for their genius.

‘As soon as the revolution started to break out on 25 January, that’s when you started seeing it everywhere, just as a form of protest,’ says Ganzeer, the pseudonym for another of Cairo’s street artists.

Ganzeer’s most notable piece of art is located under a bridge in the upscale island neighbourhood of Zamalek. It depicts a tank facing off with a man on a bicycle balancing a tray of bread on his head, as many bread sellers in this city do. The message is clear: the military and the people are not one, as many had hoped when they stepped into power.

I catch up with him one afternoon in late July at a cheap bar called Horriya – which means ‘freedom’ – just blocks away from Tahrir. In the early days of the revolution, somebody scrawled ‘I want to see another president b4 I die’ on its outer wall with spray paint and since then the streets around the bar have been tagged by most of Cairo’s major graffiti artists, from images of protesters killed in the revolution to a sad-looking panda bear by an artist who goes by none other than ‘Sad Panda’.

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

c a i r o s t r e e t a r t

4 1

PREVIOUS PAGE: A man walks by a freshly painted Keiser stencil in

a subway in the Cairo neighbourhood of Zamalek on July 23, 2011, six months after

Egypt’s revolution began.

THIS PAGE LEFT: A mural in Cairo that references alternative

media and how it played a crucial role in bringing freedom,

‘7oreya’, to the spotlight.

4 0

It is past midnight and 33-year-old graffiti artist Keizer is cruising the streets of Cairo, scouting for new spots to deface. His sedan reeks of spray paint fumes from the cans in the backseat which rattle with every turn and he grips the wheel with a gloved hand, stained from his last project that he completed just minutes ago. You might expect him to be listening to rap or perhaps metal or punk, but instead he’s chilling to the easy listening tunes and classic rock wafting out of his car’s speakers as his head – shielded by the hood of his sweatshirt to protect his identity – swings from side to side looking for his next target.

Keizer is one of the growing number of Cairenes who have turned to street art since the revolution that began to overthrow the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak back in January. As the police vanished from the streets, some of those who opposed Mubarak’s rule took to spray-painting messages against the regime on any available surface; from the burned-out trucks of the security forces to the walls of apartment blocks and the street beneath the feet of protesters in downtown’s now-iconic Tahrir Square.

The city’s initial explosion of graffiti started off basic enough. People turned the chant of the protesters in Tahrir – ‘the people want to overthrow the regime’ – into a tag. But then something else happened: artists who had filled notebooks with sketches for years but never dared to do anything on the street for fear of ending up in one of Cairo’s notoriously grimy jails started coming out and using the city as a canvas for their genius.

‘As soon as the revolution started to break out on 25 January, that’s when you started seeing it everywhere, just as a form of protest,’ says Ganzeer, the pseudonym for another of Cairo’s street artists.

Ganzeer’s most notable piece of art is located under a bridge in the upscale island neighbourhood of Zamalek. It depicts a tank facing off with a man on a bicycle balancing a tray of bread on his head, as many bread sellers in this city do. The message is clear: the military and the people are not one, as many had hoped when they stepped into power.

I catch up with him one afternoon in late July at a cheap bar called Horriya – which means ‘freedom’ – just blocks away from Tahrir. In the early days of the revolution, somebody scrawled ‘I want to see another president b4 I die’ on its outer wall with spray paint and since then the streets around the bar have been tagged by most of Cairo’s major graffiti artists, from images of protesters killed in the revolution to a sad-looking panda bear by an artist who goes by none other than ‘Sad Panda’.

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

As we’re talking about street art over beers, protesters in Tahrir – who reoccupied the square just a few weeks earlier to protest against the military-led interim government – are setting out to march on the Defense Ministry. Over the course of our conversation, they clash with supporters of the military government – a strong reminder of just how relevant the political message of the graffiti remains.

While there is a sense of immediacy for politically motivated art, Keizer tries to balance his works between aesthetics and politically loaded messages. He stencils ‘you are beautiful’ on heavily trafficked streets and throws up images of a girl on a swing under bridges. At the same time, he tagged ‘who’s watching the watchers?’ on the building of the country’s main Internet service provider and likes to display an image of Snow White clutching an M16 assault rifle wherever he can.

Some of his stencils look like they are heavily influenced by the world’s most well-known graffiti artist, Banksy – and when we’re out the topic of conversation often turns to Banksy and other major graffiti artists.

‘Is there a Kinko’s in Beirut?’ he asks at one point, referring to the FedEx-run office store that specialises in photocopying and printing. In Banksy’s documentary (or mockumentary as it’s been alleged) Exit Through the Gift Shop, Keizer saw big-name street artists using the store to make larger stencils than one can produce at home. I tell him that indeed there is and he seems pleased.

One of Keizer’s most popular stencils that has been popping up across the city is of a pair of eyes peering over a medical mask – seemingly a play on American street artist Shepard Fairey’s famous ‘Obey’ tag featuring a mugshot of retired wrestler André the Giant that can now be found in many places of the world.

c a i r o s t r e e t a r t

4 3

LEFT: Graffiti in Egypt remains a clandestine form of art, where artists often spray their work after midnight. Here, Cairene artist Ganzeer sprays a recurring image of a bread seller confronting a tank.

RIGHT: ‘I’m free,’ declares this dramatic mural, a clever pun on ancient Egyptian mummies.

4 2

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

As we’re talking about street art over beers, protesters in Tahrir – who reoccupied the square just a few weeks earlier to protest against the military-led interim government – are setting out to march on the Defense Ministry. Over the course of our conversation, they clash with supporters of the military government – a strong reminder of just how relevant the political message of the graffiti remains.

While there is a sense of immediacy for politically motivated art, Keizer tries to balance his works between aesthetics and politically loaded messages. He stencils ‘you are beautiful’ on heavily trafficked streets and throws up images of a girl on a swing under bridges. At the same time, he tagged ‘who’s watching the watchers?’ on the building of the country’s main Internet service provider and likes to display an image of Snow White clutching an M16 assault rifle wherever he can.

Some of his stencils look like they are heavily influenced by the world’s most well-known graffiti artist, Banksy – and when we’re out the topic of conversation often turns to Banksy and other major graffiti artists.

‘Is there a Kinko’s in Beirut?’ he asks at one point, referring to the FedEx-run office store that specialises in photocopying and printing. In Banksy’s documentary (or mockumentary as it’s been alleged) Exit Through the Gift Shop, Keizer saw big-name street artists using the store to make larger stencils than one can produce at home. I tell him that indeed there is and he seems pleased.

One of Keizer’s most popular stencils that has been popping up across the city is of a pair of eyes peering over a medical mask – seemingly a play on American street artist Shepard Fairey’s famous ‘Obey’ tag featuring a mugshot of retired wrestler André the Giant that can now be found in many places of the world.

c a i r o s t r e e t a r t

4 3

LEFT: Graffiti in Egypt remains a clandestine form of art, where artists often spray their work after midnight. Here, Cairene artist Ganzeer sprays a recurring image of a bread seller confronting a tank.

RIGHT: ‘I’m free,’ declares this dramatic mural, a clever pun on ancient Egyptian mummies.

4 2

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A s t o n M a r t i n ’ s E g y p t i a n I n f l u e n c e

As a founding member of the Aston Martin Owners Club, SCH ‘Sammy’ Davis, famous as one of the foremost racing drivers of the 1920s and 1930s, originally designed the emblem upon which today’s Aston Martin badge is based. His interest in Egyptology saw him take the shape and patterns of a scarab beetle as his inspiration in 1932. The finish of the badge was silver for the outline, while the ‘ribs’ of the wing were filled with cream enamel and the name Aston Martin, in silver letters, was framed centrally within the wings and set on a black background. Davis’ first design was black; he retained this for his personal use, which he placed on the first ‘Works’ Aston Martin, LM1. The badge still remains on the car to this day.

Scarab beetles, for which the proper name is ‘Scarabaeus sacer’, were considered to be sacred to the Ancient Egyptians. The beetle became the most important religious symbol for the ability to be reborn, because it appeared to come out of nowhere and is now a prominent feature throughout Egyptian mythology. The scarab was compared to the Sun God Khepera, a man with a scarab’s head who created himself out of nothing. He was believed to push the sun along its course in the sky in the same way the beetle rolled its eggs in a ball of dung from which the offspring would emerge, giving the appearance of self-creation. Scarabs were often buried with the dead to ensure rebirth in the afterlife.

4 4

A piece by another artist on an electricity box near Tahrir Square is also in the style of Fairey’s ‘Obey’ but features one of Egypt’s fellah, a member of the poor, farming class that makes up a huge chunk of Egyptian society. The man is crying blood and underneath, Arabic text reads: ‘do not obey.’

But Keizer says that he and other Cairo graffiti artists are not imitating, but rather innovating. Just as Fairey turned a picture of US President Barack Obama into the iconic ‘Hope’ poster used in the president’s election campaign, Egyptian artists are making images their own as they experiment.

While street art in Cairo is still in its early days, it’s hard to drive around the city without noticing it. Keeping track of the artwork is nearly impossible: websites have been set up to document the locations of pieces, but they can’t keep up with the artists themselves.

As Egypt remains in crisis, it is his ‘disgust of what’s going on’ that drives Keizer’s work, be it in politics, advertising or attempts to hijack the revolution.

Attention has now turned elsewhere and the cameras have left Egypt even as the country remains in conflict and occasionally bloody. But the new, and often beautiful, street art that proliferates in Cairo continues to remind us that everything is not alright.

The streets around Tahr i r Square have been tagged by most of Cairo’s major art is ts , f rom images of protesters k i l led in the revolut ion to a sad- looking panda by an art is t who goes by none other than ‘Sad Panda’

DG

rosm

ang

in/M

CM

ora

zzan

i

Arzu : Ample and generous white gold necklace where sapphires and diamondscompose a graceful broad pattern.

adler, jewellers since 1886

GENEVE . GSTAAD . LONDON 13, New Bond Street +4420 7409 2237 . HONGKONG . TOKYO

www.adler.ch

london@adler.ch

Arzu Adler 230x297.indd 1 01/11/2011 14:16:28

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A s t o n M a r t i n ’ s E g y p t i a n I n f l u e n c e

As a founding member of the Aston Martin Owners Club, SCH ‘Sammy’ Davis, famous as one of the foremost racing drivers of the 1920s and 1930s, originally designed the emblem upon which today’s Aston Martin badge is based. His interest in Egyptology saw him take the shape and patterns of a scarab beetle as his inspiration in 1932. The finish of the badge was silver for the outline, while the ‘ribs’ of the wing were filled with cream enamel and the name Aston Martin, in silver letters, was framed centrally within the wings and set on a black background. Davis’ first design was black; he retained this for his personal use, which he placed on the first ‘Works’ Aston Martin, LM1. The badge still remains on the car to this day.

Scarab beetles, for which the proper name is ‘Scarabaeus sacer’, were considered to be sacred to the Ancient Egyptians. The beetle became the most important religious symbol for the ability to be reborn, because it appeared to come out of nowhere and is now a prominent feature throughout Egyptian mythology. The scarab was compared to the Sun God Khepera, a man with a scarab’s head who created himself out of nothing. He was believed to push the sun along its course in the sky in the same way the beetle rolled its eggs in a ball of dung from which the offspring would emerge, giving the appearance of self-creation. Scarabs were often buried with the dead to ensure rebirth in the afterlife.

4 4

A piece by another artist on an electricity box near Tahrir Square is also in the style of Fairey’s ‘Obey’ but features one of Egypt’s fellah, a member of the poor, farming class that makes up a huge chunk of Egyptian society. The man is crying blood and underneath, Arabic text reads: ‘do not obey.’

But Keizer says that he and other Cairo graffiti artists are not imitating, but rather innovating. Just as Fairey turned a picture of US President Barack Obama into the iconic ‘Hope’ poster used in the president’s election campaign, Egyptian artists are making images their own as they experiment.

While street art in Cairo is still in its early days, it’s hard to drive around the city without noticing it. Keeping track of the artwork is nearly impossible: websites have been set up to document the locations of pieces, but they can’t keep up with the artists themselves.

As Egypt remains in crisis, it is his ‘disgust of what’s going on’ that drives Keizer’s work, be it in politics, advertising or attempts to hijack the revolution.

Attention has now turned elsewhere and the cameras have left Egypt even as the country remains in conflict and occasionally bloody. But the new, and often beautiful, street art that proliferates in Cairo continues to remind us that everything is not alright.

The streets around Tahr i r Square have been tagged by most of Cairo’s major art is ts , f rom images of protesters k i l led in the revolut ion to a sad- looking panda by an art is t who goes by none other than ‘Sad Panda’

DG

rosm

ang

in/M

CM

ora

zzan

i

Arzu : Ample and generous white gold necklace where sapphires and diamondscompose a graceful broad pattern.

adler, jewellers since 1886

GENEVE . GSTAAD . LONDON 13, New Bond Street +4420 7409 2237 . HONGKONG . TOKYO

www.adler.ch

london@adler.ch

Arzu Adler 230x297.indd 1 01/11/2011 14:16:28

A S T O N M A R T I N

4 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

f o r m i t a l i a

4 5I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

On 18 April this year, at the Starhotels Rosa Grand in Milan, Aston Martin took its first steps into the world of interior design with the unveiling of a brand-new furniture collection. Previewing on the world stage during Milan’s famous Salone Internazionale del Mobile furniture fair, the new Aston Martin Interiors capsule collection immediately ignited the passions of aesthetes the world over – not just car enthusiasts and designers. For this sleek, seductive and sophisticated collection has been developed specifically to reflect the uncompromising level of design, comfort, luxury and performance embodied by a modern Aston Martin sports car: bespoke frames incorporating wood, steel and carbon fibre all combine with fine leather and wool to offer ergonomic and luxurious comfort to the owner, not least a stylish addition to any contemporary living space.

Like all of Formitalia’s furniture, every piece in the Aston Martin Interiors collection is ‘Made in Italy’ – mainly in the Tuscan region, in the cities of Firenze, Prato, Pistoia and Pisa. The first Formitalia design collection was created in 1991, its instant and continuing success down to the atelier’s deep knowledge of hides, and its selection of the most valuable tanning treatments, from ostrich to crocodile. The knowledge accrued through various partnerships with luxury brands including the architect Mirko Tattarini Monti and designer Emanuele Canova have ‘furnished’ Formitalia with the precise expertise required to communicate Aston Martin’s unique brand values of Power, Beauty and Soul.

Managed by brothers David and Gianni Overi, Formitalia is nowadays focused on design concepts that offer a carefully integrated solution for home, office and corporate environments, making them popular across a diverse range of clients. Their influence spans the interiors of magnificent villas in the most exclusive locations to hotel developments and cultural destinations around the world. Exactly the sort of environments Aston Martin is used to, in other words.

formitalia.it

FORMITAlIA TO ThE FOREThis yea r , As ton Mar t in ’ s unmis takeab le des ign language has undergone

a remarkab le t rans la t ion a t the hands o f I ta l i an fu rn i tu re maes t ros Formi ta l ia – the f i r s t o f many exc i t ing pro jects to emerge f rom the brand’s

new As ton Mar t in In te r io r s pa r tne r sh ip . Pu l l up a cha i r…

FACING PAGE LEFT: Crafting the new Aston Martin Interiors pieces in Formitalia’s Tuscan workshops.

FACING PAGE RIGHT: Two Aston Martin Interiors chaise longues with self-bearing body made of carbon fibre with polished aluminium inserts.

THIS PAGE TOP: Lounge Chair made of bent aluminium – one of the most versatile pieces of the Aston Martin Interiors collection.

THIS PAGE: Red sofa, red coffee table in aluminium and leather, plus a leather-coated black desk and LED floor lamp with carbon-fibre base, all from the Aston Martin Interiors range.

This s leek, seduct ive and sophist icated col lect ion has

been developed speci f ical ly to ref lect the uncompromis ing

level of des ign, comfort , luxury and performance

embodied by a modern Aston Mart in sports car

A S T O N M A R T I N

4 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

f o r m i t a l i a

4 5I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

On 18 April this year, at the Starhotels Rosa Grand in Milan, Aston Martin took its first steps into the world of interior design with the unveiling of a brand-new furniture collection. Previewing on the world stage during Milan’s famous Salone Internazionale del Mobile furniture fair, the new Aston Martin Interiors capsule collection immediately ignited the passions of aesthetes the world over – not just car enthusiasts and designers. For this sleek, seductive and sophisticated collection has been developed specifically to reflect the uncompromising level of design, comfort, luxury and performance embodied by a modern Aston Martin sports car: bespoke frames incorporating wood, steel and carbon fibre all combine with fine leather and wool to offer ergonomic and luxurious comfort to the owner, not least a stylish addition to any contemporary living space.

Like all of Formitalia’s furniture, every piece in the Aston Martin Interiors collection is ‘Made in Italy’ – mainly in the Tuscan region, in the cities of Firenze, Prato, Pistoia and Pisa. The first Formitalia design collection was created in 1991, its instant and continuing success down to the atelier’s deep knowledge of hides, and its selection of the most valuable tanning treatments, from ostrich to crocodile. The knowledge accrued through various partnerships with luxury brands including the architect Mirko Tattarini Monti and designer Emanuele Canova have ‘furnished’ Formitalia with the precise expertise required to communicate Aston Martin’s unique brand values of Power, Beauty and Soul.

Managed by brothers David and Gianni Overi, Formitalia is nowadays focused on design concepts that offer a carefully integrated solution for home, office and corporate environments, making them popular across a diverse range of clients. Their influence spans the interiors of magnificent villas in the most exclusive locations to hotel developments and cultural destinations around the world. Exactly the sort of environments Aston Martin is used to, in other words.

formitalia.it

FORMITAlIA TO ThE FOREThis yea r , As ton Mar t in ’ s unmis takeab le des ign language has undergone

a remarkab le t rans la t ion a t the hands o f I ta l i an fu rn i tu re maes t ros Formi ta l ia – the f i r s t o f many exc i t ing pro jects to emerge f rom the brand’s

new As ton Mar t in In te r io r s pa r tne r sh ip . Pu l l up a cha i r…

FACING PAGE LEFT: Crafting the new Aston Martin Interiors pieces in Formitalia’s Tuscan workshops.

FACING PAGE RIGHT: Two Aston Martin Interiors chaise longues with self-bearing body made of carbon fibre with polished aluminium inserts.

THIS PAGE TOP: Lounge Chair made of bent aluminium – one of the most versatile pieces of the Aston Martin Interiors collection.

THIS PAGE: Red sofa, red coffee table in aluminium and leather, plus a leather-coated black desk and LED floor lamp with carbon-fibre base, all from the Aston Martin Interiors range.

This s leek, seduct ive and sophist icated col lect ion has

been developed speci f ical ly to ref lect the uncompromis ing

level of des ign, comfort , luxury and performance

embodied by a modern Aston Mart in sports car

v 1 2 z a g a t o

4 6 4 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

CABINFEVER

Aston Mar t in ’ s l egendary re la t ionsh ip w i th Zagato en te red the modern e ra th i s yea r , w i th the muscu la r V12

Zagato – a pure b red race-ca r tha t cu t i t s tee th a t the Nürburg r ing 24-Hours . Now in l im i ted p roduct ion fo rm,

w i thout the d i s t rac t ions o f deca l s and ro l l cages , the ca r ’ s s inuous curves a re l a id ba re fo r a l l to admi re .

S l ip ins ide , however , and you’ l l d i scover an in te r io r qu i te un l i ke any th ing out the re . D i rec to r o f

Des ign Marek Re ichman g ives Jonathan Be l l an exc lus i ve p rev iew

A S T O N M A R T I N

v 1 2 z a g a t o

4 6 4 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

CABINFEVER

Aston Mar t in ’ s l egendary re la t ionsh ip w i th Zagato en te red the modern e ra th i s yea r , w i th the muscu la r V12

Zagato – a pure b red race-ca r tha t cu t i t s tee th a t the Nürburg r ing 24-Hours . Now in l im i ted p roduct ion fo rm,

w i thout the d i s t rac t ions o f deca l s and ro l l cages , the ca r ’ s s inuous curves a re l a id ba re fo r a l l to admi re .

S l ip ins ide , however , and you’ l l d i scover an in te r io r qu i te un l i ke any th ing out the re . D i rec to r o f

Des ign Marek Re ichman g ives Jonathan Be l l an exc lus i ve p rev iew

A S T O N M A R T I N

4 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The V12 Zagato’s geometr ic t r im has been produced by Aston Mart in’s latest generat ion of sewing machines to form a three-dimensional pattern that f lows f rom

the f ront to the rear of the cabin, evoking the f ibres of muscles

The interior of the new road-going V12 Zagato, enjoyed by 150 lucky owners, couldn’t have been better matched to the fluid lines of this car’s bodywork: fully lined with a striking leather pattern that runs from the seats through to the doors, headlining and rear bulkhead.

‘Zagato are very famous for their quilted leather,’ explains Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design, ‘and this flowing waveform pattern uses a very bright red stitch together with the dark signature colours.’ Developed and first sewn by hand, the geometric design has been produced by Aston Martin’s latest generation of sewing machines to form a three-dimensional pattern that flows from the front to the rear of the cabin, evoking the fibres of muscles and the bold character of the Italian carrozzeria styling house.

Like the One-77 limited edition, there is a one-piece, lacquered carbon-fibre central console, which follows Aston Martin’s cosseting cockpit design, the signature ‘Start’ button and clock taking centre stage. Unique details such as the famous ‘Z’ motif stitched into the seat backs are complemented by the presence of rear struts that follow the sweeping line of the roof, giving the V12 Zagato exceptional structural stiffness.

Through their collaboration with Zagato, from the original DB4GT Zagato of 1961 through to the V8 Zagato of 1986, and the DB7 Zagato and AR1, the Italian coachbuilder’s design language has always been elegantly synthesised with Aston Martin’s strong forms and unique identity. V12 Zagato is no different, with the signature ‘double-bubble’ roof blending into the rear flank before the bodywork terminates abruptly in a neatly angled tailgate. These exterior tensions are brought into the cabin also, with a close relationship between the Zagato’s flanks and the way the interior flows from front to rear. Finished to the uncompromising standards you expect at Aston Martin, the V12 Zagato synthesises craft, design, technology and tradition.

‘We’re using hand-crafted processes to help define what the Zagato brand stands for,’ says Reichman, ‘it pushes the boundaries of what people expect from an Aston Martin interior.’

A S T O N M A R T I N

W W W. U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

U LY S S E N A R D I N S A - S w i t z e r l a n d T. + 4 1 3 2 9 3 0 7 4 0 0 - i n f o @ u l y s s e - n a r d i n . c h

Blue PhantomCarrousel-Tourbillon, 7-Day power reserve.

Patented «Dual Ulysse » escapement in silicium.

4 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The V12 Zagato’s geometr ic t r im has been produced by Aston Mart in’s latest generat ion of sewing machines to form a three-dimensional pattern that f lows f rom

the f ront to the rear of the cabin, evoking the f ibres of muscles

The interior of the new road-going V12 Zagato, enjoyed by 150 lucky owners, couldn’t have been better matched to the fluid lines of this car’s bodywork: fully lined with a striking leather pattern that runs from the seats through to the doors, headlining and rear bulkhead.

‘Zagato are very famous for their quilted leather,’ explains Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design, ‘and this flowing waveform pattern uses a very bright red stitch together with the dark signature colours.’ Developed and first sewn by hand, the geometric design has been produced by Aston Martin’s latest generation of sewing machines to form a three-dimensional pattern that flows from the front to the rear of the cabin, evoking the fibres of muscles and the bold character of the Italian carrozzeria styling house.

Like the One-77 limited edition, there is a one-piece, lacquered carbon-fibre central console, which follows Aston Martin’s cosseting cockpit design, the signature ‘Start’ button and clock taking centre stage. Unique details such as the famous ‘Z’ motif stitched into the seat backs are complemented by the presence of rear struts that follow the sweeping line of the roof, giving the V12 Zagato exceptional structural stiffness.

Through their collaboration with Zagato, from the original DB4GT Zagato of 1961 through to the V8 Zagato of 1986, and the DB7 Zagato and AR1, the Italian coachbuilder’s design language has always been elegantly synthesised with Aston Martin’s strong forms and unique identity. V12 Zagato is no different, with the signature ‘double-bubble’ roof blending into the rear flank before the bodywork terminates abruptly in a neatly angled tailgate. These exterior tensions are brought into the cabin also, with a close relationship between the Zagato’s flanks and the way the interior flows from front to rear. Finished to the uncompromising standards you expect at Aston Martin, the V12 Zagato synthesises craft, design, technology and tradition.

‘We’re using hand-crafted processes to help define what the Zagato brand stands for,’ says Reichman, ‘it pushes the boundaries of what people expect from an Aston Martin interior.’

A S T O N M A R T I N

W W W. U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

U LY S S E N A R D I N S A - S w i t z e r l a n d T. + 4 1 3 2 9 3 0 7 4 0 0 - i n f o @ u l y s s e - n a r d i n . c h

Blue PhantomCarrousel-Tourbillon, 7-Day power reserve.

Patented «Dual Ulysse » escapement in silicium.

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

b e s t d r i v e s

5 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

10o f t h e b e s t

PAckINg A PUNch [ISSUE 7, 2009]The V12 Vantage is the ultimate performance interpretation of Aston Martin’s agile Vantage range

– and Nick Trott was the first journalist behind the wheel in January 2009, with the epic desert roads of southern Spain stretching before him.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

hIll clIMbER [ISSUE 1, 2007]Simon de Burton discovers that Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage Roadster makes light work of tackling one of

the world’s most celebrated alpine passages surrounding Mount Ventoux, west of Luberon, Provence.Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

01/02

Since 2007, Aston Mart in Magazine has conveyed i ts readers to a l l corners of the globe, on some spectacular roadtr ips – a l l of them i l lustrated beaut i fu l ly by wor ld-c lass car photography.

As another year draws to a c lose and we enter a ref lect ive state of mind, we thought i t was the perfect opportunity to showcase ten of the best shots f rom the past 16 issues.

From hong kong to Mumbai v ia New England and beyond, there aren’t many landscapes that can’t be improved by the addit ion of an Aston Mart in sports car…

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

b e s t d r i v e s

5 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

10o f t h e b e s t

PAckINg A PUNch [ISSUE 7, 2009]The V12 Vantage is the ultimate performance interpretation of Aston Martin’s agile Vantage range

– and Nick Trott was the first journalist behind the wheel in January 2009, with the epic desert roads of southern Spain stretching before him.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

hIll clIMbER [ISSUE 1, 2007]Simon de Burton discovers that Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage Roadster makes light work of tackling one of

the world’s most celebrated alpine passages surrounding Mount Ventoux, west of Luberon, Provence.Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

01/02

Since 2007, Aston Mart in Magazine has conveyed i ts readers to a l l corners of the globe, on some spectacular roadtr ips – a l l of them i l lustrated beaut i fu l ly by wor ld-c lass car photography.

As another year draws to a c lose and we enter a ref lect ive state of mind, we thought i t was the perfect opportunity to showcase ten of the best shots f rom the past 16 issues.

From hong kong to Mumbai v ia New England and beyond, there aren’t many landscapes that can’t be improved by the addit ion of an Aston Mart in sports car…

5 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 5 3I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

b e s t d r i v e s

Old ENglANd MEETS NEw ENglANd [ISSUE 3, 2007]At the wheel of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ken Kessler – a born and bred Mainer –

took a colourful tour through New England during the celebrated fall. Photographed by Nick Dimbleby

04MUMbAI cAllINg [ISSUE 15, 2011]

Commemorating the opening of Aston Martin’s first dealership in India, we dived headlong into the teeming, technicolor metropolis of Mumbai, India’s most populous city, discovering that, even on these roads,

the Rapide makes for smooth passage, not to mention a rare spectacle.Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

03

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 5 3I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

b e s t d r i v e s

Old ENglANd MEETS NEw ENglANd [ISSUE 3, 2007]At the wheel of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ken Kessler – a born and bred Mainer –

took a colourful tour through New England during the celebrated fall. Photographed by Nick Dimbleby

04MUMbAI cAllINg [ISSUE 15, 2011]

Commemorating the opening of Aston Martin’s first dealership in India, we dived headlong into the teeming, technicolor metropolis of Mumbai, India’s most populous city, discovering that, even on these roads,

the Rapide makes for smooth passage, not to mention a rare spectacle.Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

03

A S T O N M A R T I N

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

b e s t d r i v e s

5 5I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

cUTTINg A dASh [ISSUE 11, 2010]The Cygnet, Aston Martin’s luxurious city car, is a genuinely novel means of tackling the

urban environment. Jonathan Bell took to the streets of China Town, Soho and proved that its styling, inside and out, is entirely tailored to you and your lifestyle.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

06dESIgNS ON ThE FUTURE [ISSUE 3, 2007]

Jake Townsend toured Los Angeles in search of architectural masterpieces that, like the Aston Martin DBS, are leaders in the field of design and technology.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

05

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

b e s t d r i v e s

5 5I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

cUTTINg A dASh [ISSUE 11, 2010]The Cygnet, Aston Martin’s luxurious city car, is a genuinely novel means of tackling the

urban environment. Jonathan Bell took to the streets of China Town, Soho and proved that its styling, inside and out, is entirely tailored to you and your lifestyle.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

06dESIgNS ON ThE FUTURE [ISSUE 3, 2007]

Jake Townsend toured Los Angeles in search of architectural masterpieces that, like the Aston Martin DBS, are leaders in the field of design and technology.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

05

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 5 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

ThE ARcTIc ExPRESS [ISSUE 16, 2011]The four-door, four-seater Rapide proved to be a shining star in the land of the midnight sun, enduring hundreds of miles of unforgiving and bleak broadway,

all the way through Alaska and north to the Arctic Circle. Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

08VIVA VOlANTE [ISSUE 7, 2009]

West coast man Jake Townsend took to the boulevards of Barcelona in the DBS Volante – a rare breed of automobile in which the lines between driver and machine are utterly erased.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

07

b e s t d r i v e s

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 5 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

ThE ARcTIc ExPRESS [ISSUE 16, 2011]The four-door, four-seater Rapide proved to be a shining star in the land of the midnight sun, enduring hundreds of miles of unforgiving and bleak broadway,

all the way through Alaska and north to the Arctic Circle. Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

08VIVA VOlANTE [ISSUE 7, 2009]

West coast man Jake Townsend took to the boulevards of Barcelona in the DBS Volante – a rare breed of automobile in which the lines between driver and machine are utterly erased.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

07

b e s t d r i v e s

b e s t d r i v e s

5 9I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

STREETS AhEAd [ISSUE 4, 2008]Technology and beauty combine as Matthew Marsh travelled behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DBS

from the neon-lit landscape of Tokyo to the majestic Mount Fuji – swapping high-rise architecture for the serene landscape at the bottom of the sacred volcano.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

10VOlANTE ExPRESS [ISSUE 9, 2009]

Patrick C. Paternie saddled up for Aston Martin’s epic drive across Nevada and California, following the final stages of the Pony Express.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

09

b e s t d r i v e s

5 9I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

5 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

STREETS AhEAd [ISSUE 4, 2008]Technology and beauty combine as Matthew Marsh travelled behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DBS

from the neon-lit landscape of Tokyo to the majestic Mount Fuji – swapping high-rise architecture for the serene landscape at the bottom of the sacred volcano.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

10VOlANTE ExPRESS [ISSUE 9, 2009]

Patrick C. Paternie saddled up for Aston Martin’s epic drive across Nevada and California, following the final stages of the Pony Express.

Photographed by Joe Windsor-Williams

09

A S T O N M A R T I N

6 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Sacramento

Reno

Carson City

NevadaFallon

Winnemucca

Susanville

Redding

San Francisco

Stockton

Red Bluff

Portsmouth

York

Freeport

Wells

Saco

Portland

Manchester

Concord

Wakefield

ConwayWoodstock

NewHampton

Anchorage

Kenai

Fairbanks

Homer

t h R e e o f t h e b e s t

Three of Aston Mart in Magazine’s best dr ive stor ies have taken place across the USA ( in fact , you can now make that four, with cEO dr Ulr ich bez’s summer road t r ip f rom

New York to Montana featured f rom page 28). From the bleak highways of Alaska to the resplendent autumn colours of Maine, here are three of the most enjoyable, p icturesque routes our wr i ters and cameramen have exper ienced over the past

four years , and which you and your Aston Mart in should exper ience too

T h E A R cT I c E x P R E S S / 1,3 8 7 M I l E S

driving up Alaska’s notoriously unforgiving dalton highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks, before dipping a toe within the Arctic circle at milepost 15, you will encounter the delicious denali doghouse restaurant and have the opportunity to stay in the welcoming sleepertrain carriages of the Aurora Express b&b. If you’ve seen Ice Road Truckers, however, you’ll know how well prepared you should be before tackling this route.

V O l A N T E E x P R E S S / 3 5 0 M I l E S

Old ENglANd MEETS NEw ENglANd /72 MIlES

commencing in Portsmouth, New hampshire, this beautiful, undulating drive will take you up Route 1A, parallel to the north Atlantic coastline, arriving in Freeport in time for afternoon tea. before leaving Portsmouth, hebert’s Restaurant -in the Market basket Plaza on lafayette Road- will provide an excellent breakfast. Make sure you drive this route in fall – everything they say about New England’s foliage at this time of year is true.

In issues 9 and 10, Aston Martin Magazine retraced the final legs of the 1,900-mile Pony Express route, swapping convertible cars along the way, as the brave Express riders refreshed their steeds. Starting in the Nevada desert, the ‘world’s loneliest Road’ highway 50 gives way to the foothills of the Sierras about 50 miles east of Fallon, perched atop the 5,980-foot Silver hill. charging up long straights punctuated by tight hairpin turns, the scenery turns lush as you head through carson city, around lake Tahoe, through Eldorado Forest and eventually into california’s Sacramento.

PERFECT PRECISION

Discover the thrill of sports performance with Bridgestone’s ultimate ultra-high performance tyre. True high-speed stability, precision steering, superior safety and extreme grip all give you the power to unleash the full potential of your high-performance vehicle. It is time to discover the passion of driving.

The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, F1, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP,GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One group company.All rights reserved.

www.bridgestone.eu

Bridgestone EuropeFor your nearest Bridgestone Authorized Dealer,visit our website

Aston Martin Magazine print ad.indd 1 03/05/11 09:42

A S T O N M A R T I N

6 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Sacramento

Reno

Carson City

NevadaFallon

Winnemucca

Susanville

Redding

San Francisco

Stockton

Red Bluff

Portsmouth

York

Freeport

Wells

Saco

Portland

Manchester

Concord

Wakefield

ConwayWoodstock

NewHampton

Anchorage

Kenai

Fairbanks

Homer

t h R e e o f t h e b e s t

Three of Aston Mart in Magazine’s best dr ive stor ies have taken place across the USA ( in fact , you can now make that four, with cEO dr Ulr ich bez’s summer road t r ip f rom

New York to Montana featured f rom page 28). From the bleak highways of Alaska to the resplendent autumn colours of Maine, here are three of the most enjoyable, p icturesque routes our wr i ters and cameramen have exper ienced over the past

four years , and which you and your Aston Mart in should exper ience too

T h E A R cT I c E x P R E S S / 1,3 8 7 M I l E S

driving up Alaska’s notoriously unforgiving dalton highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks, before dipping a toe within the Arctic circle at milepost 15, you will encounter the delicious denali doghouse restaurant and have the opportunity to stay in the welcoming sleepertrain carriages of the Aurora Express b&b. If you’ve seen Ice Road Truckers, however, you’ll know how well prepared you should be before tackling this route.

V O l A N T E E x P R E S S / 3 5 0 M I l E S

Old ENglANd MEETS NEw ENglANd /72 MIlES

commencing in Portsmouth, New hampshire, this beautiful, undulating drive will take you up Route 1A, parallel to the north Atlantic coastline, arriving in Freeport in time for afternoon tea. before leaving Portsmouth, hebert’s Restaurant -in the Market basket Plaza on lafayette Road- will provide an excellent breakfast. Make sure you drive this route in fall – everything they say about New England’s foliage at this time of year is true.

In issues 9 and 10, Aston Martin Magazine retraced the final legs of the 1,900-mile Pony Express route, swapping convertible cars along the way, as the brave Express riders refreshed their steeds. Starting in the Nevada desert, the ‘world’s loneliest Road’ highway 50 gives way to the foothills of the Sierras about 50 miles east of Fallon, perched atop the 5,980-foot Silver hill. charging up long straights punctuated by tight hairpin turns, the scenery turns lush as you head through carson city, around lake Tahoe, through Eldorado Forest and eventually into california’s Sacramento.

PERFECT PRECISION

Discover the thrill of sports performance with Bridgestone’s ultimate ultra-high performance tyre. True high-speed stability, precision steering, superior safety and extreme grip all give you the power to unleash the full potential of your high-performance vehicle. It is time to discover the passion of driving.

The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, F1, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP,GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One group company.All rights reserved.

www.bridgestone.eu

Bridgestone EuropeFor your nearest Bridgestone Authorized Dealer,visit our website

Aston Martin Magazine print ad.indd 1 03/05/11 09:42

6 3I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

ThE OnES TO WaTch

f a s h i o n p r o d i g i e s

Every Ju ly , the great , the good and the most g lamorous of the fash ion wor ld f lock in the i r thousands to the smal l I ta l ian por t town of Tr ies te for the Internat iona l

Ta lent Suppor t . Desp i te the inausp ic ious set t ing, they’ve been coming for the past 10 years , to scout tomorrow’s creat ive s tars , f rom fash ion to accessory des ign through to jewel le ry and photography. however , these two days o f par t ies and

f ront - row pos ing are jus t the t ip o f the iceberg, repor ts Rebecca May Johnson, as ITS i s an ongoing quest for fash ion’s new prod ig ies

UN I TED K INGDOM

The Royal Arcade, Old Bond St, Mayfair London W1S 4SW

AUSTRA L IA

Sydne y Go l d Coa s t

calleija.com

C O N T E S S A

To own a rare Argyle pink diamond is to own a truly magnificent heirloom.

Contessa, beautifully handcrafted in Platinum and 18ct Rose Gold, features an exquisite combination of stunning craftsmanship and the rarest of Australian Argyle pink diamonds.

Simply, they are the rarest diamonds in the world and are revered for their unique provenance and intrinsic beauty.

Calleija-AstonMartin-297x230mm_v6.indd 1 4/11/11 5:04 PM

6 3I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

ThE OnES TO WaTch

f a s h i o n p r o d i g i e s

Every Ju ly , the great , the good and the most g lamorous of the fash ion wor ld f lock in the i r thousands to the smal l I ta l ian por t town of Tr ies te for the Internat iona l

Ta lent Suppor t . Desp i te the inausp ic ious set t ing, they’ve been coming for the past 10 years , to scout tomorrow’s creat ive s tars , f rom fash ion to accessory des ign through to jewel le ry and photography. however , these two days o f par t ies and

f ront - row pos ing are jus t the t ip o f the iceberg, repor ts Rebecca May Johnson, as ITS i s an ongoing quest for fash ion’s new prod ig ies

UN I TED K INGDOM

The Royal Arcade, Old Bond St, Mayfair London W1S 4SW

AUSTRA L IA

Sydne y Go l d Coa s t

calleija.com

C O N T E S S A

To own a rare Argyle pink diamond is to own a truly magnificent heirloom.

Contessa, beautifully handcrafted in Platinum and 18ct Rose Gold, features an exquisite combination of stunning craftsmanship and the rarest of Australian Argyle pink diamonds.

Simply, they are the rarest diamonds in the world and are revered for their unique provenance and intrinsic beauty.

Calleija-AstonMartin-297x230mm_v6.indd 1 4/11/11 5:04 PM

f a s h i o n p r o d i g i e s

6 5I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The feel ing of belonging to an extended fami ly c lear ly af fected the

winner of th is year’s overal l fashion pr ize, Shaun Samson. ‘Barbara

feels l ike my I ta l ian aunt who checks up on me every now and then!’

he commented of ITS’s founder

a S T O n M a R T I n

6 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Barbara Franchin founded the International Talent Support (ITS) eleven years ago with a simple goal: ‘to search for creativity and talent worldwide’. And as good as her word, Franchin and her team leave no stone unturned in their mission. Every spring they carry out a global scouting tour, visiting design schools backed by more than 800 schools in over 70 countries, which culminates in 45 finalists coming under the spotlight at the annual two-day show in Trieste. The sheer global scope of this treasure hunt is unique in the business – other competitions tend to centre on a single event or country.

Franchin emphasises that the competition is not about hype or creating ‘stars’, rather ‘seriously dedicated and passionate designers who would do nothing else in their lives’, although many of the alumni have gone on to achieve both, as Franchin’s insistence on substance over hype brings many opportunities for commercial success. Previous winners include Peter Pilotto and Mark Fast, who have gone on to dress the likes of Claudia Schiffer, Rihanna and Samantha Cameron, with growing brands stocked from Tokyo to New York. Other finalists now work as designers for labels such as Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton.

The integrity of Franchin’s vision has always attracted a star jury – names such as New York Times critic Cathy Horyn, the late Isabella Blow, photographer and editor of i-D magazine Terry Jones and PR guru Mandi Lennard. Brand sponsors closely mentor winners as well as giving financial support; Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and juror since 2009 has been proactively involved as a collaborator and sponsor from the very beginning, even offering an award of €25,000 and six months at Diesel creative HQ.

Swarovski are also a major sponsor. Ute Schumacher, the director of Swarovksi Elements Research & Design reckons that, since its inception, ITS has become a vital launch pad for new talent: ‘It represents one of rather few platforms for young designers to present their work, interact with their peers and be inspired by the exchange of creative ideas.’ Jeweller-cum-jury-member Vicki Beamon, of cult jewellery brand Erickson Beamon (which counts Kate Moss and Michelle Obama among its fans) agrees with Schumacher: ‘International Talent Support is done with a great deal of integrity. Barbara has steered away from the usual corporate formula and has managed to stay independent and true to her ideals of giving a platform to truly original talent.’

The heartfelt belief from everyone involved is that they share a common mission, generating the sense of being part of a big extended international family. Barbara Franchin describes the latest gathering in Trieste to celebrate their 10th anniversary as a family reunion of sorts: ‘The finalists of the four areas – fashion, accessories, jewellery and photography – were joined by around a hundred contestants from past editions, directors of top fashion schools, tutors, fashion insiders, together with the most prominent magazines and TV channels from about fifteen countries, from Russia to China to the United States.’

The feeling of belonging to an extended family clearly affected the winner of this year’s overall fashion prize, Shaun Samson, who commented: ‘Barbara feels like my Italian aunt who checks up on me every now and then!’ Samson, who trained at London’s Central St Martin’s, produced a menswear collection of cleverly mixed textures of wool in plaids, tartans and single colours. As well as the fashion design prize, it led to him obtaining a full sponsorship from Woolrich to show at London Fashion Week in September.

f a s h i o n p r o d i g i e s

6 5I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The feel ing of belonging to an extended fami ly c lear ly af fected the

winner of th is year’s overal l fashion pr ize, Shaun Samson. ‘Barbara

feels l ike my I ta l ian aunt who checks up on me every now and then!’

he commented of ITS’s founder

a S T O n M a R T I n

6 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Barbara Franchin founded the International Talent Support (ITS) eleven years ago with a simple goal: ‘to search for creativity and talent worldwide’. And as good as her word, Franchin and her team leave no stone unturned in their mission. Every spring they carry out a global scouting tour, visiting design schools backed by more than 800 schools in over 70 countries, which culminates in 45 finalists coming under the spotlight at the annual two-day show in Trieste. The sheer global scope of this treasure hunt is unique in the business – other competitions tend to centre on a single event or country.

Franchin emphasises that the competition is not about hype or creating ‘stars’, rather ‘seriously dedicated and passionate designers who would do nothing else in their lives’, although many of the alumni have gone on to achieve both, as Franchin’s insistence on substance over hype brings many opportunities for commercial success. Previous winners include Peter Pilotto and Mark Fast, who have gone on to dress the likes of Claudia Schiffer, Rihanna and Samantha Cameron, with growing brands stocked from Tokyo to New York. Other finalists now work as designers for labels such as Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton.

The integrity of Franchin’s vision has always attracted a star jury – names such as New York Times critic Cathy Horyn, the late Isabella Blow, photographer and editor of i-D magazine Terry Jones and PR guru Mandi Lennard. Brand sponsors closely mentor winners as well as giving financial support; Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and juror since 2009 has been proactively involved as a collaborator and sponsor from the very beginning, even offering an award of €25,000 and six months at Diesel creative HQ.

Swarovski are also a major sponsor. Ute Schumacher, the director of Swarovksi Elements Research & Design reckons that, since its inception, ITS has become a vital launch pad for new talent: ‘It represents one of rather few platforms for young designers to present their work, interact with their peers and be inspired by the exchange of creative ideas.’ Jeweller-cum-jury-member Vicki Beamon, of cult jewellery brand Erickson Beamon (which counts Kate Moss and Michelle Obama among its fans) agrees with Schumacher: ‘International Talent Support is done with a great deal of integrity. Barbara has steered away from the usual corporate formula and has managed to stay independent and true to her ideals of giving a platform to truly original talent.’

The heartfelt belief from everyone involved is that they share a common mission, generating the sense of being part of a big extended international family. Barbara Franchin describes the latest gathering in Trieste to celebrate their 10th anniversary as a family reunion of sorts: ‘The finalists of the four areas – fashion, accessories, jewellery and photography – were joined by around a hundred contestants from past editions, directors of top fashion schools, tutors, fashion insiders, together with the most prominent magazines and TV channels from about fifteen countries, from Russia to China to the United States.’

The feeling of belonging to an extended family clearly affected the winner of this year’s overall fashion prize, Shaun Samson, who commented: ‘Barbara feels like my Italian aunt who checks up on me every now and then!’ Samson, who trained at London’s Central St Martin’s, produced a menswear collection of cleverly mixed textures of wool in plaids, tartans and single colours. As well as the fashion design prize, it led to him obtaining a full sponsorship from Woolrich to show at London Fashion Week in September.

a S T O n M a R T I n

6 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

ITS has undoubtedly given Samson unparalleled access to people at the top of the industry: ‘Winning this prize has given me the means and confidence to launch my career, which is every graduate’s dream. I received a lot of recognition from companies and other visionary people who would have been impossible to meet, let alone show them my work.’ Samson’s work manages to balance creative design with wearability and therefore commercial potential, which is crucial for the longevity of a brand. The transition from idea to wearable clothing is a move that many young designers fail to make and is the real difference between student and professional.

The refinement of raw creative talent into designs that one can build a career upon is something that Oliver Ruger, who trained at London College of Fashion and who won the main accessories prize, is very conscious of. ‘Having produced a collection of work for ITS in a creatively purist manner, I am now working towards bringing my products to the market.’ Ruger’s accessories are surrealist twists on a man’s traditional wardrobe – like an umbrella with a horsehair tail on the handle – and shouldn’t be hard to spot on the world’s catwalks in the near future.

So what, according to Barbara Franchin, does it take to one of the coveted prizes? ‘In a word: talent,’ she states, ‘which is something you either have or you have not. It’s the primary quality we search for. You can train and reinforce your skills, work hard, but talent is something you are born with, just as having blue or brown eyes.’ Franchin has accumulated a veritable bank of talent over 10 years and is seeking a permanent space in which to immortalise her young talent.

‘We have over 9,000 portfolios, 148 outfits, over 75 accessories, 700 photos... It truly represents a portrait of young creativity in the last decade; not just a collection of examples of global creativity but a priceless resource that can inspire new creative processes.’

The names of the winners are worth remembering alone – because in a few years they’ll be running the studios that shape our taste. itsweb.org

For every single week of the year.

The Patravi Calendar is the first watch in a round case equipped with a movement manufactured entirely by Carl F. Bucherer. The CFB A1004 functional module, the peripheral rotor, the big date switching mechanism and the week display are eloquent proof that the Patravi Calendar is the perfect timepiece for aesthetes and lovers of complex technology alike.

www.carl-f-bucherer.com info@cfbnorthamerica.com To locate an authorized retailer nearest you, please call 800 395 4306

AM17 Carl F Bucherer Ad P67.indd67 67 6/11/11 15:23:12

a S T O n M a R T I n

6 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

ITS has undoubtedly given Samson unparalleled access to people at the top of the industry: ‘Winning this prize has given me the means and confidence to launch my career, which is every graduate’s dream. I received a lot of recognition from companies and other visionary people who would have been impossible to meet, let alone show them my work.’ Samson’s work manages to balance creative design with wearability and therefore commercial potential, which is crucial for the longevity of a brand. The transition from idea to wearable clothing is a move that many young designers fail to make and is the real difference between student and professional.

The refinement of raw creative talent into designs that one can build a career upon is something that Oliver Ruger, who trained at London College of Fashion and who won the main accessories prize, is very conscious of. ‘Having produced a collection of work for ITS in a creatively purist manner, I am now working towards bringing my products to the market.’ Ruger’s accessories are surrealist twists on a man’s traditional wardrobe – like an umbrella with a horsehair tail on the handle – and shouldn’t be hard to spot on the world’s catwalks in the near future.

So what, according to Barbara Franchin, does it take to one of the coveted prizes? ‘In a word: talent,’ she states, ‘which is something you either have or you have not. It’s the primary quality we search for. You can train and reinforce your skills, work hard, but talent is something you are born with, just as having blue or brown eyes.’ Franchin has accumulated a veritable bank of talent over 10 years and is seeking a permanent space in which to immortalise her young talent.

‘We have over 9,000 portfolios, 148 outfits, over 75 accessories, 700 photos... It truly represents a portrait of young creativity in the last decade; not just a collection of examples of global creativity but a priceless resource that can inspire new creative processes.’

The names of the winners are worth remembering alone – because in a few years they’ll be running the studios that shape our taste. itsweb.org

For every single week of the year.

The Patravi Calendar is the first watch in a round case equipped with a movement manufactured entirely by Carl F. Bucherer. The CFB A1004 functional module, the peripheral rotor, the big date switching mechanism and the week display are eloquent proof that the Patravi Calendar is the perfect timepiece for aesthetes and lovers of complex technology alike.

www.carl-f-bucherer.com info@cfbnorthamerica.com To locate an authorized retailer nearest you, please call 800 395 4306

AM17 Carl F Bucherer Ad P67.indd67 67 6/11/11 15:23:12

6 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 6 9I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

DInIng IS In thE DEtaIlS I f d inner i s thea t re , then the room

and the de ta i l s a re the p roscen ium

a rch and the o rches t ra . F rom the

Chane l embro ide ry on the wa l l s a t

a la in Ducasse au P laza athénée to the

s tepped bowl o f Manhat tan’ s Dan ie l ,

Mark C. O’F laher ty l ooks a t the mos t

p rogress i ve , exc i t ing des ign in the

mos t p rogress i ve and o f ten opu lent

d in ing rooms a round the wor ld

r e s t a u r a n t d e s i g na S t O n M a R t I n

6 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 6 9I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

DInIng IS In thE DEtaIlS I f d inner i s thea t re , then the room

and the de ta i l s a re the p roscen ium

a rch and the o rches t ra . F rom the

Chane l embro ide ry on the wa l l s a t

a la in Ducasse au P laza athénée to the

s tepped bowl o f Manhat tan’ s Dan ie l ,

Mark C. O’F laher ty l ooks a t the mos t

p rogress i ve , exc i t ing des ign in the

mos t p rogress i ve and o f ten opu lent

d in ing rooms a round the wor ld

r e s t a u r a n t d e s i g na S t O n M a R t I n

a S t O n M a R t I n

7 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

r e s t a u r a n t d e s i g n

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On the way to The Herbfarm, a 45-minute highway trip out of Seattle into a rural Martha Stewart fantasia, your driver will ask you what time you want to be collected. If you suggest any period shorter than four hours later, he’ll correct you: you simply won’t be finished. An evening at The Herbfarm is an epic performance, from the pre-cocktail tour around the herb garden to the velvet curtain that pulls back on the kitchen for the introduction of every staff member; and all this before the amuse-bouche. The milieu may be classic country cottage, but the evening is a study in contemporary dining, where the food is but a single component in a far bigger event.

‘It’s a myth that restaurants are all about food,’ says Jennifer Sharp, one of the UK’s most celebrated restaurant critics. ‘Just as important is the space and ambience, whether it’s balletic luxury at the Louis XV restaurant in Monte Carlo, the cramped, noisy cheerfulness of the Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco, or in Madrid, nearly 300 years of roast suckling pig from the wood-fired ovens at Botin. Every meal, every service, is a performance and the diner is both actor and audience.’ Sometimes the

elements are obvious, but sometimes they are more offbeat, like the smell of woodsmoke that Mathias Dahlgren traps beneath serving bell jars at his restaurant in Stockholm to evoke childhood memories of nearby forests, or the way fellow Swede Magnus Nilsson has his staff saw shinbones in half in the centre of the room at Fäviken before serving up the marrowbone.

The slick ambience at Vue de Monde, the dining room, located 55 floors up the Melbourne skyline remains perhaps the greatest restaurant in the Southern Hemisphere and is the antithesis of the bucolic twee of The Herbfarm, but has a similar attention to detail. There’s a radical, molecular, Willy Wonka-goes-classical-French kitchen here, but it’s also decidedly Australian, from the ingredients to the service and the sense of humour. There’s a ‘post-bushfire regrowth smoking balcony’, as chef Shannon Bennett puts it, with surfaces made from charred and lacquered wood, while the toilets are refined versions of the ‘outback dunny’ and the tables are covered in kangaroo hide.

Design is integral to the way the dining experience works, as anyone who has suffered an evening in an ill-advised ‘pop-up’ venture knows. The frisson of excitement that you get from a guerilla operation can’t compete with the sense of occasion that, say, a Friday night at the Ritz in London can still deliver. There remains a world where jackets are required and septuagenarian couples foxtrot, while elaborate salads and tartares are crafted tableside, flanked by the kind of refined, charmingly unreconstructed Belle Epoque grandeur most frequently seen these days in an episode of Doctor Who just before something explodes.

If there’s one dominant ‘new look’ for fine dining, it’s a return to heavyweight, moneyed glamour. Designer David Collins is a master of it. Restaurateurs who can’t afford him frequently rip off his look with lashings of marble mosaics, croc-textured banquettes and deco-meets-disco flourishes but they just can’t pull it off: it takes a master stylist to get it right. Massimo, the restaurant at the new Corinthia Hotel in London, is a largely monochrome, maximalist space that’s a paradigm of the Collins canon: theatrical pillars, sparkle, slightly steampunk jazz-age lighting details and an overall sense of The Special. The charismatic, bespectacled Massimo Riccioli, celebrated for his muscular, boldly prosaic Italian seafood, loves how the space works with his menu. ‘It’s a great mix, because my food is quite stripped down,’ he says. ‘And the room gives it a balance.’ The detail is ravishing, from the oyster bar to the wall lights based on oars – a near-subliminal nod to rivers and oceans.

PREVIOUS PAGE LEFT: Vue de Monde, Melbourne.

PREVIOUS PAGE RIGHT: Mathias Dahlgren Restaurant at Grand Hôtel, Stockholm.

LEFT: Handpainted chairs in The Gallery at Sketch, London.

RIGHT: Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris.

‘If something is difficult, expensive or heavy, it’s usually very good,’ says LA-based restaurateur Mr Chow, and that’s a truism for eating out. It’s difficult to get a reservation at Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley – it’s certainly expensive – and before you get into the inner-sanctum of its dining room, you pass through a door with theatrical heft that keeps the inside invisible from the hotel bar outside. It makes you feel as if you’ve passed into Narnia, albeit a dimly lit one designed by the aforementioned Mr Collins. ‘I like warmth and darkness,’ says Wareing, ‘So David created an interior to feel like being inside a bottle of Bordeaux.’

If Wareing’s dining room is a bottle of Bordeaux, then Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is a flute of Champagne. From the silver in the colour palette and the effervescent circular gaps in surfaces – as if caused by bubbles – the room is cool and sharp. It’s thawed a little since its opening, but when it launched it was almost conceptually glacial – waiters wore eyeliner and seemed to glide around the hushed space, arranging forks face down.

At Ducasse’s Plaza Athénée restaurant in Paris – totally refurbished last year – the starting point was the idea of freezing time while acknowledging the OTT palace status of the hotel. It’s a grander room than at The Dorchester, but with similar touches of futurism. If pushing the door into Marcus Wareing’s restaurant at The Berkeley lets you in on a plush, dark and textural secret, then making your way through the larger door at the Plaza Athénée is like a trip through the looking glass. Painstakingly hand-embroidered panels surround the space which is dominated by an immense ‘exploded’ crystal chandelier, hundreds of its tears

a S t O n M a R t I n

7 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

r e s t a u r a n t d e s i g n

7 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

On the way to The Herbfarm, a 45-minute highway trip out of Seattle into a rural Martha Stewart fantasia, your driver will ask you what time you want to be collected. If you suggest any period shorter than four hours later, he’ll correct you: you simply won’t be finished. An evening at The Herbfarm is an epic performance, from the pre-cocktail tour around the herb garden to the velvet curtain that pulls back on the kitchen for the introduction of every staff member; and all this before the amuse-bouche. The milieu may be classic country cottage, but the evening is a study in contemporary dining, where the food is but a single component in a far bigger event.

‘It’s a myth that restaurants are all about food,’ says Jennifer Sharp, one of the UK’s most celebrated restaurant critics. ‘Just as important is the space and ambience, whether it’s balletic luxury at the Louis XV restaurant in Monte Carlo, the cramped, noisy cheerfulness of the Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco, or in Madrid, nearly 300 years of roast suckling pig from the wood-fired ovens at Botin. Every meal, every service, is a performance and the diner is both actor and audience.’ Sometimes the

elements are obvious, but sometimes they are more offbeat, like the smell of woodsmoke that Mathias Dahlgren traps beneath serving bell jars at his restaurant in Stockholm to evoke childhood memories of nearby forests, or the way fellow Swede Magnus Nilsson has his staff saw shinbones in half in the centre of the room at Fäviken before serving up the marrowbone.

The slick ambience at Vue de Monde, the dining room, located 55 floors up the Melbourne skyline remains perhaps the greatest restaurant in the Southern Hemisphere and is the antithesis of the bucolic twee of The Herbfarm, but has a similar attention to detail. There’s a radical, molecular, Willy Wonka-goes-classical-French kitchen here, but it’s also decidedly Australian, from the ingredients to the service and the sense of humour. There’s a ‘post-bushfire regrowth smoking balcony’, as chef Shannon Bennett puts it, with surfaces made from charred and lacquered wood, while the toilets are refined versions of the ‘outback dunny’ and the tables are covered in kangaroo hide.

Design is integral to the way the dining experience works, as anyone who has suffered an evening in an ill-advised ‘pop-up’ venture knows. The frisson of excitement that you get from a guerilla operation can’t compete with the sense of occasion that, say, a Friday night at the Ritz in London can still deliver. There remains a world where jackets are required and septuagenarian couples foxtrot, while elaborate salads and tartares are crafted tableside, flanked by the kind of refined, charmingly unreconstructed Belle Epoque grandeur most frequently seen these days in an episode of Doctor Who just before something explodes.

If there’s one dominant ‘new look’ for fine dining, it’s a return to heavyweight, moneyed glamour. Designer David Collins is a master of it. Restaurateurs who can’t afford him frequently rip off his look with lashings of marble mosaics, croc-textured banquettes and deco-meets-disco flourishes but they just can’t pull it off: it takes a master stylist to get it right. Massimo, the restaurant at the new Corinthia Hotel in London, is a largely monochrome, maximalist space that’s a paradigm of the Collins canon: theatrical pillars, sparkle, slightly steampunk jazz-age lighting details and an overall sense of The Special. The charismatic, bespectacled Massimo Riccioli, celebrated for his muscular, boldly prosaic Italian seafood, loves how the space works with his menu. ‘It’s a great mix, because my food is quite stripped down,’ he says. ‘And the room gives it a balance.’ The detail is ravishing, from the oyster bar to the wall lights based on oars – a near-subliminal nod to rivers and oceans.

PREVIOUS PAGE LEFT: Vue de Monde, Melbourne.

PREVIOUS PAGE RIGHT: Mathias Dahlgren Restaurant at Grand Hôtel, Stockholm.

LEFT: Handpainted chairs in The Gallery at Sketch, London.

RIGHT: Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris.

‘If something is difficult, expensive or heavy, it’s usually very good,’ says LA-based restaurateur Mr Chow, and that’s a truism for eating out. It’s difficult to get a reservation at Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley – it’s certainly expensive – and before you get into the inner-sanctum of its dining room, you pass through a door with theatrical heft that keeps the inside invisible from the hotel bar outside. It makes you feel as if you’ve passed into Narnia, albeit a dimly lit one designed by the aforementioned Mr Collins. ‘I like warmth and darkness,’ says Wareing, ‘So David created an interior to feel like being inside a bottle of Bordeaux.’

If Wareing’s dining room is a bottle of Bordeaux, then Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is a flute of Champagne. From the silver in the colour palette and the effervescent circular gaps in surfaces – as if caused by bubbles – the room is cool and sharp. It’s thawed a little since its opening, but when it launched it was almost conceptually glacial – waiters wore eyeliner and seemed to glide around the hushed space, arranging forks face down.

At Ducasse’s Plaza Athénée restaurant in Paris – totally refurbished last year – the starting point was the idea of freezing time while acknowledging the OTT palace status of the hotel. It’s a grander room than at The Dorchester, but with similar touches of futurism. If pushing the door into Marcus Wareing’s restaurant at The Berkeley lets you in on a plush, dark and textural secret, then making your way through the larger door at the Plaza Athénée is like a trip through the looking glass. Painstakingly hand-embroidered panels surround the space which is dominated by an immense ‘exploded’ crystal chandelier, hundreds of its tears

a S t O n M a R t I n

7 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

suspended by invisible means around the main structure, as if in mid-blast. When Ducasse decided he wanted to ‘simplify’ the menu with a relatively reductionist approach to ingredients, he wanted the room to change with it. The table setting is at first stark, and then slowly builds up and up, until it’s time for the tea trolley to come around, with potted plants from which your leaf of choice is cut. ‘We wanted magic to happen,’ says Manku. ‘We suspended time with the exploded chandelier, so you wonder how long you’ve been within the space… it could be one or four hours.’

Manku and Jouin serve as choreographers as much as decorators. ‘You can sculpt emotions,’ says Manku. ‘You can have a vast space and make it seem intimate.’ Their latest project is the interior of Sur Mesure at the new Mandarin Oriental in Paris, now HQ for chef Thierry Marx. Marx does sublime things in terms of taste while deconstructing and arranging ingredients into visually dazzling concepts, adorned with edible flowers and bold brush strokes of colour. Sur Mesure is spacey, in a 2001 way. It’s dressed entirely in white cotton fabric, with abrupt folds and eruptions in strategic points. ‘We wanted to create something celestial,’ says Manku, ‘not above or below the earth; avant-garde – to reflect the food – but comfortable. Conversation has to be possible. Too often restaurants are hyper-focused on the cuisine, so if you laugh too loudly or drop a fork, it makes you tense.’

A visit to the Lecture Room & Library at Sketch, London’s most ambitious art/theatre hybrid warren of bars and restaurants for over a decade, is an operatic and multi-layered experience. The maître d’ leads you up the now iconic faux-molten-chocolate staircase in her fetish-high heels, past staff in retro black and white French maid’s uniforms, into a room that blends a lavish MGM Hollywood sunrise set with contrasting Moorish aspects. Then Pierre Gagneau’s exquisite tasting menu starts rolling out: warm stone bass carpaccio; veal and morels with pear and gorgonzola sorbet; five lavish desserts all at once… There’s a Peter Greenaway, or perhaps Matthew Barney, element to all the costume drama.

But of course, the final and most important detail of any restaurant is you, the diner – the chorus line of the theatre, as well as the lifeblood of the business. The diners can make for quiet background ambience or show-stopping entertainment. At Daniel Boulud’s three-Michelin-star Manhattan restaurant Daniel, the room is posh beyond posh and arranged like a sunken theatre in the round, with tables for two on a balcony encircling the outside. From here, many guests enjoyed the sight, one evening some years ago, of a man and woman dining in the middle of the room, getting steadily drunker, until mid-meal when the latter dropped facedown into her fish course. The man carried on eating as if nothing had happened. Sometimes, the most memorable kind of dinner-theatre has nothing to do with design, service, ceramics or background music because ultimately, dining out is all about people watching.

LEFT: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London.

BELOW: Sur Mesure at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris.

a S t O n M a R t I n

7 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

suspended by invisible means around the main structure, as if in mid-blast. When Ducasse decided he wanted to ‘simplify’ the menu with a relatively reductionist approach to ingredients, he wanted the room to change with it. The table setting is at first stark, and then slowly builds up and up, until it’s time for the tea trolley to come around, with potted plants from which your leaf of choice is cut. ‘We wanted magic to happen,’ says Manku. ‘We suspended time with the exploded chandelier, so you wonder how long you’ve been within the space… it could be one or four hours.’

Manku and Jouin serve as choreographers as much as decorators. ‘You can sculpt emotions,’ says Manku. ‘You can have a vast space and make it seem intimate.’ Their latest project is the interior of Sur Mesure at the new Mandarin Oriental in Paris, now HQ for chef Thierry Marx. Marx does sublime things in terms of taste while deconstructing and arranging ingredients into visually dazzling concepts, adorned with edible flowers and bold brush strokes of colour. Sur Mesure is spacey, in a 2001 way. It’s dressed entirely in white cotton fabric, with abrupt folds and eruptions in strategic points. ‘We wanted to create something celestial,’ says Manku, ‘not above or below the earth; avant-garde – to reflect the food – but comfortable. Conversation has to be possible. Too often restaurants are hyper-focused on the cuisine, so if you laugh too loudly or drop a fork, it makes you tense.’

A visit to the Lecture Room & Library at Sketch, London’s most ambitious art/theatre hybrid warren of bars and restaurants for over a decade, is an operatic and multi-layered experience. The maître d’ leads you up the now iconic faux-molten-chocolate staircase in her fetish-high heels, past staff in retro black and white French maid’s uniforms, into a room that blends a lavish MGM Hollywood sunrise set with contrasting Moorish aspects. Then Pierre Gagneau’s exquisite tasting menu starts rolling out: warm stone bass carpaccio; veal and morels with pear and gorgonzola sorbet; five lavish desserts all at once… There’s a Peter Greenaway, or perhaps Matthew Barney, element to all the costume drama.

But of course, the final and most important detail of any restaurant is you, the diner – the chorus line of the theatre, as well as the lifeblood of the business. The diners can make for quiet background ambience or show-stopping entertainment. At Daniel Boulud’s three-Michelin-star Manhattan restaurant Daniel, the room is posh beyond posh and arranged like a sunken theatre in the round, with tables for two on a balcony encircling the outside. From here, many guests enjoyed the sight, one evening some years ago, of a man and woman dining in the middle of the room, getting steadily drunker, until mid-meal when the latter dropped facedown into her fish course. The man carried on eating as if nothing had happened. Sometimes, the most memorable kind of dinner-theatre has nothing to do with design, service, ceramics or background music because ultimately, dining out is all about people watching.

LEFT: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London.

BELOW: Sur Mesure at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris.

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

thE othEr craftS

It is perhaps women’s changing priorities that have inspired the latest major change in top-end watchmaking. With greater appreciation and understanding of ‘proper’ watches, there is a growing belief – as women have always maintained – that a watch with an exceptional movement inside deserves an equally stunning dial on the outside. After all, watches are just another form of jewellery – albeit rather more complicated. With no apparent price resistance, collectors are prepared to pay for exquisite craftwork in both areas. If you are buying a watch where every tiny invisible screw in the movement is polished to perfection, you want the part that everyone sees to be the same.

Whereas in the past many collectors opted for discretion – a white enamelled dial with finely painted numerals can say a lot about craft quality – there are now more clients who appreciate both a little flamboyance and fine workmanship. The result has been an opportunity that the industry has grasped with both hands: the chance to create virtuoso displays of high, often artistic craft, in many cases mixing several together in one tiny space, and at the same time keeping alive skills that an increasingly mass-produced industry could so easily lose. ‘It’s a paradox,’ says Pierre Rainero, creative director of Cartier. ‘The more the world has become industrialised and machine-made, the more people want exclusive things made by hand.’

In the wor ld o f f ine jewe l le r y and watches , the a r t i sans ga rner ing a l l the a t ten t ion tend to be the gem se t te r s , go ldsmi ths and watchmakers . But inc reas ing l y , repor t s

Avr i l Groom , the a rcha ic c ra f t s o f enamel l ing , marquet r y , engrav ing , s tone mosa ic , semi -p rec ious s tonework and even Japanese s tee l fo ld ing have o f fe red the cus tomer someth ing t ru l y unusua l and se t apar t the mos t c rea t i ve a te l i e r s – b rands such as Jaeger -Lecou l t re , Van c lee f & arpe l s , car t i e r , J ean Dunand,

ra lph Lauren , even r ichard Mi I l e and h i s h igh- tech watches

a r c h a i c a r t i s a n s

7 5

Set within this exclusive development of just 14 apartments

1 Ebony Court spans the ground floor measuring over 5000

square feet and offers unrivalled specification including

Crestron sound system, Boffi kitchen, 24 hour security,

swimming pool, gym, private garden and 2 secure

underground parking spaces.

www.49thebishopsavenue.com

SKPM Property Consultants

25 Ives Street, Knightsbridge,

London, SW3 2ND

T: +44(0) 20 7993 5508

james.reed@skconsult.co.uk

www.skconsult.co.uk

Price on application

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

thE othEr craftS

It is perhaps women’s changing priorities that have inspired the latest major change in top-end watchmaking. With greater appreciation and understanding of ‘proper’ watches, there is a growing belief – as women have always maintained – that a watch with an exceptional movement inside deserves an equally stunning dial on the outside. After all, watches are just another form of jewellery – albeit rather more complicated. With no apparent price resistance, collectors are prepared to pay for exquisite craftwork in both areas. If you are buying a watch where every tiny invisible screw in the movement is polished to perfection, you want the part that everyone sees to be the same.

Whereas in the past many collectors opted for discretion – a white enamelled dial with finely painted numerals can say a lot about craft quality – there are now more clients who appreciate both a little flamboyance and fine workmanship. The result has been an opportunity that the industry has grasped with both hands: the chance to create virtuoso displays of high, often artistic craft, in many cases mixing several together in one tiny space, and at the same time keeping alive skills that an increasingly mass-produced industry could so easily lose. ‘It’s a paradox,’ says Pierre Rainero, creative director of Cartier. ‘The more the world has become industrialised and machine-made, the more people want exclusive things made by hand.’

In the wor ld o f f ine jewe l le r y and watches , the a r t i sans ga rner ing a l l the a t ten t ion tend to be the gem se t te r s , go ldsmi ths and watchmakers . But inc reas ing l y , repor t s

Avr i l Groom , the a rcha ic c ra f t s o f enamel l ing , marquet r y , engrav ing , s tone mosa ic , semi -p rec ious s tonework and even Japanese s tee l fo ld ing have o f fe red the cus tomer someth ing t ru l y unusua l and se t apar t the mos t c rea t i ve a te l i e r s – b rands such as Jaeger -Lecou l t re , Van c lee f & arpe l s , car t i e r , J ean Dunand,

ra lph Lauren , even r ichard Mi I l e and h i s h igh- tech watches

a r c h a i c a r t i s a n s

7 5

Set within this exclusive development of just 14 apartments

1 Ebony Court spans the ground floor measuring over 5000

square feet and offers unrivalled specification including

Crestron sound system, Boffi kitchen, 24 hour security,

swimming pool, gym, private garden and 2 secure

underground parking spaces.

www.49thebishopsavenue.com

SKPM Property Consultants

25 Ives Street, Knightsbridge,

London, SW3 2ND

T: +44(0) 20 7993 5508

james.reed@skconsult.co.uk

www.skconsult.co.uk

Price on application

a r c h a i c a r t i s a n s

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Though many brands – such as Patek Philippe with their own Flückiger workshop, and Jaeger-LeCoultre with their dedicated enamel workshop next door to the modern factory in Le Sentier – have in-house ateliers working on a range of crafts, highly respected individual craftsmen work on specific projects, maintaining Switzerland’s traditional cottage industry. Well-known enameller Anita Porchet, for example, spent five months reproducing Chagall’s famous 400-square-metre ceiling design of fourteen composers from the Paris Opéra Garnier on a 40 mm Vacheron Constantin watch. Such was the work that the watch, unveiled in late 2010, is not for sale, and Porchet now has a long job enamelling an edition of 14 watches, each depicting one composer – all pre-sold.

Porchet was inspired by her grandfather, in whose atelier she spent much of her childhood, but many of the top enamellers are women. ‘At one time, there wasn’t much work and it was poorly paid but women accepted it because it is their nature to conserve traditions,’ Porchet says. ‘I learnt the different aspects of the craft from women, mostly retired.’ She also works for brands including Patek Philipe, Jaquet Droz, Chaumet, Hermès and Piaget. At Piaget she shows her versatility by using three different and historic enamel techniques: cloisonné, where the pattern is formed by fine gold wire and the enamel colours set between them; champlevé where the design is engraved and then enamelled in meticulous layers; and miniatures, where the artist handpaints in enamel a design on a pre-enamelled white background over the basic gold. It is fired and cooled at every stage to make the intense colours of prestigious grand feu enamel, and is a long and painstaking process. No wonder collectors follow Porchet through the brands to obtain her work.

The Oriental influence is rife throughout the ‘other crafts’ – in keeping with the demands of the 19th-century Far Eastern market that originally led houses like Patek Philippe and Bovet to create enamelled pieces. Vacheron Constantin and Chopard have led the way in bringing urushi masters from Japan to make beautifully complex one-off dials involving gold leaf powder and paintbrushes one rat-hair thick, while a modern jet-black polish comes from Seiko for the Ananta diver’s chronograph, created by kaga makie lacquer master Isshu Tamura, with hands triple blade polished as a reminder of the katana art of samurai swordmaking. Oriental traditions are becoming popular elsewhere in dial-making. Kees Engelbarts is a Dutchman working in Switzerland who specialises in mokume gane, an old Japanese engraving craft meaning ‘wood grain metal’ also used in swordmaking, which layers precious metal colours in complex relief designs. Meanwhile, Jean Dunand is another brand to employ Anita Porchet’s talents, in this case with stunning Oriental designs for their one-off Tourbillon Orbital watches – particularly a miniature design of two koi carp on a gold honeycomb background. This dial alone requires four types of enamelling and twenty firings.

Long-standing watch houses with their own craft workshops are well placed to capitalise on the new interest. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s enamelling studio specialises in miniature portraits for the Reverso’s blank side, which also lends itself perfectly to the engraver’s art, whether for simple initials or complex coats of arms. It takes at least five years to train, as master engraver Dominique Vuez explains: ‘There are many variations – sculpting metal in relief, gem setting, engraving under lacquer – and each metal reacts differently. It all requires different skills and much practice.’ The most fulfilling part’ he says, ‘is making the sculpted metal live with human emotions, and engraving a recognisable portrait from a photograph’. Recently, Jaeger’s craft prowess has extended even further, to mosaics mixing mother of pearl, mineral slices and real feathers.

PREVIOUS PAGE AND BELOW: Enamelling another bespoke Reverso caseback at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s dedicated enamelling atelier, which occupies the brand’s original 1833 building in Le Sentier. Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the Reverso’s flippable case means that the caseback is a ripe canvas for decoration and personalisation.

MAIN: For Jean Dunand’s Tourbillon Orbital, a beautiful champlevé enamel dial by Anita Porchet – considered to be one of the world’s finest enamel workers, also employed by Hermès.

INSET: The wood-veneer marquetry process employed this year by Cartier for its Metiers d’Art collection. Limited to 50 pieces, the Rotonde de Cartier with bear motif uses 10 species of natural European wood blended together to create the bear’s fur: holly, chestnut, poplar, willow, grey and pink maple, walnut and burr walnut, mottled maple and grey aningeria.

7 77 6

the jewel lery l ink is no surpr ise: as guardians of h igh craft , with access to the best pract i t ioners , such brands have been taking watches ever more ser ious ly , employing their own movement makers (cart ier , chopard) or us ing the best f rom other brands (Van cleef & arpels , Boucheron). Now they

have the chance to show mastery of crafts other than gem sett ing

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

a S t o N M a r t I N

a r c h a i c a r t i s a n s

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Though many brands – such as Patek Philippe with their own Flückiger workshop, and Jaeger-LeCoultre with their dedicated enamel workshop next door to the modern factory in Le Sentier – have in-house ateliers working on a range of crafts, highly respected individual craftsmen work on specific projects, maintaining Switzerland’s traditional cottage industry. Well-known enameller Anita Porchet, for example, spent five months reproducing Chagall’s famous 400-square-metre ceiling design of fourteen composers from the Paris Opéra Garnier on a 40 mm Vacheron Constantin watch. Such was the work that the watch, unveiled in late 2010, is not for sale, and Porchet now has a long job enamelling an edition of 14 watches, each depicting one composer – all pre-sold.

Porchet was inspired by her grandfather, in whose atelier she spent much of her childhood, but many of the top enamellers are women. ‘At one time, there wasn’t much work and it was poorly paid but women accepted it because it is their nature to conserve traditions,’ Porchet says. ‘I learnt the different aspects of the craft from women, mostly retired.’ She also works for brands including Patek Philipe, Jaquet Droz, Chaumet, Hermès and Piaget. At Piaget she shows her versatility by using three different and historic enamel techniques: cloisonné, where the pattern is formed by fine gold wire and the enamel colours set between them; champlevé where the design is engraved and then enamelled in meticulous layers; and miniatures, where the artist handpaints in enamel a design on a pre-enamelled white background over the basic gold. It is fired and cooled at every stage to make the intense colours of prestigious grand feu enamel, and is a long and painstaking process. No wonder collectors follow Porchet through the brands to obtain her work.

The Oriental influence is rife throughout the ‘other crafts’ – in keeping with the demands of the 19th-century Far Eastern market that originally led houses like Patek Philippe and Bovet to create enamelled pieces. Vacheron Constantin and Chopard have led the way in bringing urushi masters from Japan to make beautifully complex one-off dials involving gold leaf powder and paintbrushes one rat-hair thick, while a modern jet-black polish comes from Seiko for the Ananta diver’s chronograph, created by kaga makie lacquer master Isshu Tamura, with hands triple blade polished as a reminder of the katana art of samurai swordmaking. Oriental traditions are becoming popular elsewhere in dial-making. Kees Engelbarts is a Dutchman working in Switzerland who specialises in mokume gane, an old Japanese engraving craft meaning ‘wood grain metal’ also used in swordmaking, which layers precious metal colours in complex relief designs. Meanwhile, Jean Dunand is another brand to employ Anita Porchet’s talents, in this case with stunning Oriental designs for their one-off Tourbillon Orbital watches – particularly a miniature design of two koi carp on a gold honeycomb background. This dial alone requires four types of enamelling and twenty firings.

Long-standing watch houses with their own craft workshops are well placed to capitalise on the new interest. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s enamelling studio specialises in miniature portraits for the Reverso’s blank side, which also lends itself perfectly to the engraver’s art, whether for simple initials or complex coats of arms. It takes at least five years to train, as master engraver Dominique Vuez explains: ‘There are many variations – sculpting metal in relief, gem setting, engraving under lacquer – and each metal reacts differently. It all requires different skills and much practice.’ The most fulfilling part’ he says, ‘is making the sculpted metal live with human emotions, and engraving a recognisable portrait from a photograph’. Recently, Jaeger’s craft prowess has extended even further, to mosaics mixing mother of pearl, mineral slices and real feathers.

PREVIOUS PAGE AND BELOW: Enamelling another bespoke Reverso caseback at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s dedicated enamelling atelier, which occupies the brand’s original 1833 building in Le Sentier. Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the Reverso’s flippable case means that the caseback is a ripe canvas for decoration and personalisation.

MAIN: For Jean Dunand’s Tourbillon Orbital, a beautiful champlevé enamel dial by Anita Porchet – considered to be one of the world’s finest enamel workers, also employed by Hermès.

INSET: The wood-veneer marquetry process employed this year by Cartier for its Metiers d’Art collection. Limited to 50 pieces, the Rotonde de Cartier with bear motif uses 10 species of natural European wood blended together to create the bear’s fur: holly, chestnut, poplar, willow, grey and pink maple, walnut and burr walnut, mottled maple and grey aningeria.

7 77 6

the jewel lery l ink is no surpr ise: as guardians of h igh craft , with access to the best pract i t ioners , such brands have been taking watches ever more ser ious ly , employing their own movement makers (cart ier , chopard) or us ing the best f rom other brands (Van cleef & arpels , Boucheron). Now they

have the chance to show mastery of crafts other than gem sett ing

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

a S t o N M a r t I N

a S t o N M a r t I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Rare minerals are another means of expanding dial craft. No watch is more worldly than Louis Moinet’s Astralis, which features, on a star-spangled aventurine base, a tourbillon, a split-seconds chronograph and a 24-hour planetarium inlaid with four tiny slices of meteorite, one over 4.5 billion years old and including minerals from Mars and the Moon. Such finely sliced yet beautiful stone can be used to perform functions, from the amazing carved chalcedony baseplate of Audemars Piguet’s skeletonised Millenary, to the efforts of Richard Mille – an auteur who loves questioning watchmaking’s principles – whose factory has made functioning gear-train wheels out of semi-precious minerals. After years of breakages (up to 90 per cent), he has finally succeeded with the help of master jeweller Boucheron: in lapis lazuli, onyx or tiger eye, his watch looks wonderful, complementing rather than jarring with Mille’s trademark tonneau case.

The jewellery house link is no surprise. As guardians of high craft, with access to both the best practitioners and state-of-the-art equipment, such brands have been taking watches ever more seriously, now employing their own movement makers (Cartier, Chopard) or using the best from manufactures (Van Cleef and Arpels, Boucheron). Now they have the chance to show mastery of crafts other than gem setting, and the results show brilliance in both design imagination and craft savoir-faire. Cartier have their Metiers d’Art collection, where each shows off a different craft, some scarcely associated with watchmaking, like mosaic making and marquetry – such as a bear design in many different walnut woods, sliced to unfeasible thinness, to which the same infinite nuances of colour apply. To help maintain such crafts, Cartier has its own school, alongside its jewellery apprentices. According to Rainero, at least one craftsman has given up his studio to come in-house because Cartier has the means to guarantee the future of such skills.

For all such companies, this is still an area with potential. Now that the diamond watch is commonplace, an exquisite one-off that represents weeks or months of craftwork is far more alluring.

LEFT AND CENTRE: As well as sophistication innards (an ultra-slim Piaget movement – no less) Ralph Lauren’s Slim Classique watch collection boasts a rather special exterior too: a delicately engraved guilloché pattern on the case, created using an antique rose engine lathe that dates back to the late 19th century. While at one time guilloché was a thriving art with over a thousand craftsmen in Switzerland, today the country has only four full-time guillocheurs.

RIGHT: Many years in the making, Richard Mille’s Boucheron collaboration has finally yielded a world-first in watchmaking: wheels made of semi-precious hardstone.

‘the most fu l f i l l ing part , ’ says Jaeger-Lecoult re’s master engraver Dominique Vuez, ‘ i s making the sculpted metal l ive with human emotions, and engraving a recognisable portra i t f rom a photograph’

7 8

REFLECTING ON YESTERDAY,THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW.

For those who live for the moment, there is no better place to be than on an Oyster. For here you are onboard a beautifully handcrafted cruising yacht, recognised throughout the sailing world for unmatched performance, safety and quality. You will find contemporary living environments working in harmony with sleek modern profiles, like the unmistakable triple seascape windows that flood the interior with light. In fact, with an Oyster, everything is carefully considered. Which leaves you to carefully consider the next stage of one of life’s greatest adventures.

To discover a world of difference, from 46 to 125 feet, please call +44 (0)1473 695 005 or email us at yachts@oystermarine.com

SAIL | BROKERAGE | CHARTER | REFIT

www.oystermarine.com

OYS11-BRAND-625-REFLECTING-ASTON-FP-NOV.indd 1 21/10/11 16:01:17

a S t o N M a r t I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Rare minerals are another means of expanding dial craft. No watch is more worldly than Louis Moinet’s Astralis, which features, on a star-spangled aventurine base, a tourbillon, a split-seconds chronograph and a 24-hour planetarium inlaid with four tiny slices of meteorite, one over 4.5 billion years old and including minerals from Mars and the Moon. Such finely sliced yet beautiful stone can be used to perform functions, from the amazing carved chalcedony baseplate of Audemars Piguet’s skeletonised Millenary, to the efforts of Richard Mille – an auteur who loves questioning watchmaking’s principles – whose factory has made functioning gear-train wheels out of semi-precious minerals. After years of breakages (up to 90 per cent), he has finally succeeded with the help of master jeweller Boucheron: in lapis lazuli, onyx or tiger eye, his watch looks wonderful, complementing rather than jarring with Mille’s trademark tonneau case.

The jewellery house link is no surprise. As guardians of high craft, with access to both the best practitioners and state-of-the-art equipment, such brands have been taking watches ever more seriously, now employing their own movement makers (Cartier, Chopard) or using the best from manufactures (Van Cleef and Arpels, Boucheron). Now they have the chance to show mastery of crafts other than gem setting, and the results show brilliance in both design imagination and craft savoir-faire. Cartier have their Metiers d’Art collection, where each shows off a different craft, some scarcely associated with watchmaking, like mosaic making and marquetry – such as a bear design in many different walnut woods, sliced to unfeasible thinness, to which the same infinite nuances of colour apply. To help maintain such crafts, Cartier has its own school, alongside its jewellery apprentices. According to Rainero, at least one craftsman has given up his studio to come in-house because Cartier has the means to guarantee the future of such skills.

For all such companies, this is still an area with potential. Now that the diamond watch is commonplace, an exquisite one-off that represents weeks or months of craftwork is far more alluring.

LEFT AND CENTRE: As well as sophistication innards (an ultra-slim Piaget movement – no less) Ralph Lauren’s Slim Classique watch collection boasts a rather special exterior too: a delicately engraved guilloché pattern on the case, created using an antique rose engine lathe that dates back to the late 19th century. While at one time guilloché was a thriving art with over a thousand craftsmen in Switzerland, today the country has only four full-time guillocheurs.

RIGHT: Many years in the making, Richard Mille’s Boucheron collaboration has finally yielded a world-first in watchmaking: wheels made of semi-precious hardstone.

‘the most fu l f i l l ing part , ’ says Jaeger-Lecoult re’s master engraver Dominique Vuez, ‘ i s making the sculpted metal l ive with human emotions, and engraving a recognisable portra i t f rom a photograph’

7 8

REFLECTING ON YESTERDAY,THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW.

For those who live for the moment, there is no better place to be than on an Oyster. For here you are onboard a beautifully handcrafted cruising yacht, recognised throughout the sailing world for unmatched performance, safety and quality. You will find contemporary living environments working in harmony with sleek modern profiles, like the unmistakable triple seascape windows that flood the interior with light. In fact, with an Oyster, everything is carefully considered. Which leaves you to carefully consider the next stage of one of life’s greatest adventures.

To discover a world of difference, from 46 to 125 feet, please call +44 (0)1473 695 005 or email us at yachts@oystermarine.com

SAIL | BROKERAGE | CHARTER | REFIT

www.oystermarine.com

OYS11-BRAND-625-REFLECTING-ASTON-FP-NOV.indd 1 21/10/11 16:01:17

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

p u e r t o r i c o

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A WRITER’S PARAdISE

With the upcoming f i lm re lease of Hunter S . Thompson’s 1960s nove l ‘The Rum diary ’ , se t in Puer to R ico and s tar r ing Johnny depp, Rob Crossan takes the oppor tun i ty to exp lore the e leg iac charm, sa l sa and atmospher ic n ight l i fe o f o ld San Juan and R incon, the sur f ing capi ta l of the Car ibbean and an insp i ra t ion for any budding nove l i s t

Less chaotic than Havana, more homely than New Orleans, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, has been wooing American visitors with its sultry heat and slow elegiac charm since the 1930s. They have flocked here to soak up the atavistic pace of life among the butter-coloured sands and winding cobbled alleyways of the capital’s old quarter.

It’s an American island – part of the US’s tiny band of overseas territories – but in name only. In every other respect – language, food, style, architecture – this is part of the old-world Spanish Caribbean. The fact that locals here have almost a month’s worth of public holidays each year speaks volumes of how far removed life is here from the more frenetic culture of the US mainland.

British Airways this year launched the first direct flights to the island from the UK so I arrive relatively fresh. And after a breakfast of frittatas at the delightful El Convento Hotel in San Juan – a lavishly gentrified former convent with rooms looking out onto a huge central courtyard – I set out to explore an island whose recent past has recently sprung back to life, thanks to none other than Johnny Depp.

The Rum Diary is the name of an early novel written by the godfather of ‘gonzo’ journalism, Hunter S. Thompson – only published as recently as 1998. The term, defined as being a form of journalism that is both wilfully subjective and party to wild flights of fancy, was most famously realised in Thompson’s 1971 hallucinogenic travel novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Immortalised in film by director Terry Gilliam and Depp in 1998, the Hollywood star became close friends with Thompson before the novelist committed suicide in 2005.

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 0 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

p u e r t o r i c o

8 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A WRITER’S PARAdISE

With the upcoming f i lm re lease of Hunter S . Thompson’s 1960s nove l ‘The Rum diary ’ , se t in Puer to R ico and s tar r ing Johnny depp, Rob Crossan takes the oppor tun i ty to exp lore the e leg iac charm, sa l sa and atmospher ic n ight l i fe o f o ld San Juan and R incon, the sur f ing capi ta l of the Car ibbean and an insp i ra t ion for any budding nove l i s t

Less chaotic than Havana, more homely than New Orleans, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, has been wooing American visitors with its sultry heat and slow elegiac charm since the 1930s. They have flocked here to soak up the atavistic pace of life among the butter-coloured sands and winding cobbled alleyways of the capital’s old quarter.

It’s an American island – part of the US’s tiny band of overseas territories – but in name only. In every other respect – language, food, style, architecture – this is part of the old-world Spanish Caribbean. The fact that locals here have almost a month’s worth of public holidays each year speaks volumes of how far removed life is here from the more frenetic culture of the US mainland.

British Airways this year launched the first direct flights to the island from the UK so I arrive relatively fresh. And after a breakfast of frittatas at the delightful El Convento Hotel in San Juan – a lavishly gentrified former convent with rooms looking out onto a huge central courtyard – I set out to explore an island whose recent past has recently sprung back to life, thanks to none other than Johnny Depp.

The Rum Diary is the name of an early novel written by the godfather of ‘gonzo’ journalism, Hunter S. Thompson – only published as recently as 1998. The term, defined as being a form of journalism that is both wilfully subjective and party to wild flights of fancy, was most famously realised in Thompson’s 1971 hallucinogenic travel novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Immortalised in film by director Terry Gilliam and Depp in 1998, the Hollywood star became close friends with Thompson before the novelist committed suicide in 2005.

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

p u e r t o r i c o

8 3I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Luckily, Puerto Rico is home to ‘Don Q’, one of the region’s most venerable rum brands, which has a store by the harbour where I sipped free samples next to statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza – heroes of Cervantes’ ancient novel, after which the drink is named. All this is not to say that San Juan is entirely atavistic. For every fried plantain shack and sepulchral bar, there are Burberry outlets and arts and crafts stores geared up for the cruise ship passengers that arrive here almost daily in the high season. For the real Puerto Rico however, I headed east along a highway that hugs the Atlantic Ocean to the town of Ponce – home of one of the greatest artistic treasures in the Americas.

Known, with perhaps a slight overload on bombast, as the ‘Parthenon of the Caribbean’, the striking modernist structure of Museo de Arte de Ponce houses one of the finest collections of European art in the Western Hemisphere. From the moment I laid eyes on Brushstrokes in Flight, a lurid, 28-foot-high pop-art aluminium structure by Roy Liechtenstein that sits outside the museum, it was immediately obvious from the natural light that permeates the galleries that this is a collection that wears its prestige with unusual levity, despite creaking with history.

The big hitters from the last four centuries are all present here, including Gainsborough, Rubens, Van Dyk and Millais. Interestingly, the collections in each room all have a counterpoint that is incongruous to the theme. The ‘Transience’ room, devoted to paintings celebrating Mammon also contains the work Vanitas and the Fleeting Nature of Life by local artist Myrna Báez, born in 1931. This is a freeform assemblage of vivid naturalistic colours that reminds the spectator of beauty lying beyond and above material accumulation.

Going back on myself around the coast of the island to San Juan, the essential stop-off for anyone wishing to experience the rugged charm of rural Puerto Rico is the small town of Rincon. Considered to be the surfing capital of the Caribbean, the town is located on a peninsula meaning that there’s water on three sides. Rough surfing spots lie cheek-by-jowl with tranquil sandy beach-bum retreats, and for the first time I find a few people

embracing the non-conformist spirit of the island depicted in The Rum Diary: American residents who have fled the colder climes of Boston and Maine in order to grow beards with impunity and surf the years away.

Tiny wooden beach shacks such as Tamboo have acquired legendary status among those who visit the island regularly. The al fresco terrace was wrecked by a storm late last year but inside, a motley assortment of local imbibers, millionaire playboys (and girls) and hardcore surfers drink endless bottles of local Medalla beer and devour plates of mahi-mahi with caper sauce.

Puerto Rico is in a strange situation as a Commonwealth of the United States. It means that while presidents come and visit and locals serve in the US army, locals aren’t allowed to vote in American elections. It’s a scenario that has prompted a long-standing independence movement complete with an already existent independence flag. Most locals, however, seem gruffly satisfied with the status quo.

Now, thanks to Depp’s efforts, the film version of The Rum Diary, all set in Puerto Rico and based on Thompson’s real life experiences there as a freelance journalist in the 1950s, is about to be released in cinemas. The island at that time, despite attracting scores of American visitors, was a far less glamorous place. An island depicted by Thompson as being full of heavy drinking, morally bankrupt chancers getting into brawls with savage locals is, frankly, hard to imagine when walking around the San Juan of today. ‘The film crew stayed on the island for what seemed like forever,’ claims my tour guide Enrique. ‘Benicio del Toro is a local and I think he dragged Johnny Depp to quite a few of his favourite bars while he was here. I think it was probably the first time in his life that Depp was upstaged by another man whom people wanted to meet more!’

This is a city that wears its history on its sleeve. The fortress of San Cristóbal, built in 1620 after Dutch invaders burnt the city to the ground, has walls some 40 metres high made of rubble, sandstone and mortar. Sheer white on completion, the walls today are an ashen grey hue looking out onto the dark blue waters of the ocean, which barely manages to break even the most gentle of spume against these battlements.

Inside the walls, I spent a morning strolling through the maze of cobbled streets lined with pastel-coloured buildings, drooping telegraph poles and marble-floored courtyards amid a languid heat that makes one yearn for an ice-cold rum at a quite obscene hour of the morning.

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

p u e r t o r i c o

8 3I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Luckily, Puerto Rico is home to ‘Don Q’, one of the region’s most venerable rum brands, which has a store by the harbour where I sipped free samples next to statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza – heroes of Cervantes’ ancient novel, after which the drink is named. All this is not to say that San Juan is entirely atavistic. For every fried plantain shack and sepulchral bar, there are Burberry outlets and arts and crafts stores geared up for the cruise ship passengers that arrive here almost daily in the high season. For the real Puerto Rico however, I headed east along a highway that hugs the Atlantic Ocean to the town of Ponce – home of one of the greatest artistic treasures in the Americas.

Known, with perhaps a slight overload on bombast, as the ‘Parthenon of the Caribbean’, the striking modernist structure of Museo de Arte de Ponce houses one of the finest collections of European art in the Western Hemisphere. From the moment I laid eyes on Brushstrokes in Flight, a lurid, 28-foot-high pop-art aluminium structure by Roy Liechtenstein that sits outside the museum, it was immediately obvious from the natural light that permeates the galleries that this is a collection that wears its prestige with unusual levity, despite creaking with history.

The big hitters from the last four centuries are all present here, including Gainsborough, Rubens, Van Dyk and Millais. Interestingly, the collections in each room all have a counterpoint that is incongruous to the theme. The ‘Transience’ room, devoted to paintings celebrating Mammon also contains the work Vanitas and the Fleeting Nature of Life by local artist Myrna Báez, born in 1931. This is a freeform assemblage of vivid naturalistic colours that reminds the spectator of beauty lying beyond and above material accumulation.

Going back on myself around the coast of the island to San Juan, the essential stop-off for anyone wishing to experience the rugged charm of rural Puerto Rico is the small town of Rincon. Considered to be the surfing capital of the Caribbean, the town is located on a peninsula meaning that there’s water on three sides. Rough surfing spots lie cheek-by-jowl with tranquil sandy beach-bum retreats, and for the first time I find a few people

embracing the non-conformist spirit of the island depicted in The Rum Diary: American residents who have fled the colder climes of Boston and Maine in order to grow beards with impunity and surf the years away.

Tiny wooden beach shacks such as Tamboo have acquired legendary status among those who visit the island regularly. The al fresco terrace was wrecked by a storm late last year but inside, a motley assortment of local imbibers, millionaire playboys (and girls) and hardcore surfers drink endless bottles of local Medalla beer and devour plates of mahi-mahi with caper sauce.

Puerto Rico is in a strange situation as a Commonwealth of the United States. It means that while presidents come and visit and locals serve in the US army, locals aren’t allowed to vote in American elections. It’s a scenario that has prompted a long-standing independence movement complete with an already existent independence flag. Most locals, however, seem gruffly satisfied with the status quo.

Now, thanks to Depp’s efforts, the film version of The Rum Diary, all set in Puerto Rico and based on Thompson’s real life experiences there as a freelance journalist in the 1950s, is about to be released in cinemas. The island at that time, despite attracting scores of American visitors, was a far less glamorous place. An island depicted by Thompson as being full of heavy drinking, morally bankrupt chancers getting into brawls with savage locals is, frankly, hard to imagine when walking around the San Juan of today. ‘The film crew stayed on the island for what seemed like forever,’ claims my tour guide Enrique. ‘Benicio del Toro is a local and I think he dragged Johnny Depp to quite a few of his favourite bars while he was here. I think it was probably the first time in his life that Depp was upstaged by another man whom people wanted to meet more!’

This is a city that wears its history on its sleeve. The fortress of San Cristóbal, built in 1620 after Dutch invaders burnt the city to the ground, has walls some 40 metres high made of rubble, sandstone and mortar. Sheer white on completion, the walls today are an ashen grey hue looking out onto the dark blue waters of the ocean, which barely manages to break even the most gentle of spume against these battlements.

Inside the walls, I spent a morning strolling through the maze of cobbled streets lined with pastel-coloured buildings, drooping telegraph poles and marble-floored courtyards amid a languid heat that makes one yearn for an ice-cold rum at a quite obscene hour of the morning.

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

M O f O N g O

I N g R E d I E N T S

Salt4 green plantains, peeled and cut into one-inch chunks1 pinch of saffron4 cups of chicken stockOil 4 thick slices of bacon, or salt pork, prosciutto or cracklings1 tablespoon of chopped garlicfreshly ground black pepperChopped fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

M E T H O d

Mix a handful of salt into a bowl of cold water and soak plantain chunks. Add saffron and stock to a saucepan over low heat. Bring at least one inch of oil to about 350˚C in a deep frying pan. Cook the bacon until crisp then remove and drain. Remove plantain from water and drain, then deep-fry the pieces until golden brown and tender. Add to food processor with bacon, garlic and some salt and pepper. You may have to work in batches and process to consistency of potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, then quickly shape into rough balls the size of meatballs.

Place in soup bowls, douse with broth and garnish using cilantro. Serve immediately.

‘It’s a very vocal minority,’ says bartender Susie. ‘Some protestors chained themselves to the town hall in San Juan when Obama came to visit earlier this year and they claim that America has kidnapped the island. If we didn’t have such close links though, we wouldn’t survive economically – we’re actually poorer here than the poorest US mainland state.’

Despite the fact that Puerto Rico may have a lower GDP than Mississippi, there is luxury for those that can afford it. Rincon plays host to one of the best small hotels you’ll find anywhere on earth. The Horned Dorset Primavera regularly hosts guests such as Madonna, Hillary Clinton and even Johnny Depp himself. Though there is nothing ostentatious about it. Set back from the road with a barely noticeable entrance, the resort consists of eight acres of manicured gardens built on an ancient railroad track that once skirted the breakwaters of the ocean.

Private villas all include a plunge pool and an atmosphere redolent of a slightly Moorish writer’s retreat complete with wicker chairs, huge bedsteads and tiled floors. Many of the villas continue the atavistic theme by having no televisions, meaning that the urge to put pen to paper, as the sky turns to the colour of beetroot, has never been stronger. Perfect conditions for finishing off that novel you’ve been thinking of all your life.

On my final night, I strolled over to the candlelit environs of the terrace at the Aaron restaurant where, served by waiters so smooth and polished it seemed they were gliding around the room on roller skates, I ate seared tuna with red wine pancetta and the Puerto Rican speciality of ‘mofongo’ – a stew made of green bananas, cassava and crab (see sidebar).

This kind of finesse and sophistication may be light years removed from the short drinks and tight deadlines of the journalists depicted in The Rum Diary – but Puerto Rico isn’t an island that exudes snobbery in the way Mustique or St Barts do. This is an island that has jewels on its fingers, but, no matter where you are, always seems to leave its top two shirt buttons undone.

AstonMagazine 2011.pdf 1 06/11/2011 15:51

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

M O f O N g O

I N g R E d I E N T S

Salt4 green plantains, peeled and cut into one-inch chunks1 pinch of saffron4 cups of chicken stockOil 4 thick slices of bacon, or salt pork, prosciutto or cracklings1 tablespoon of chopped garlicfreshly ground black pepperChopped fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

M E T H O d

Mix a handful of salt into a bowl of cold water and soak plantain chunks. Add saffron and stock to a saucepan over low heat. Bring at least one inch of oil to about 350˚C in a deep frying pan. Cook the bacon until crisp then remove and drain. Remove plantain from water and drain, then deep-fry the pieces until golden brown and tender. Add to food processor with bacon, garlic and some salt and pepper. You may have to work in batches and process to consistency of potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, then quickly shape into rough balls the size of meatballs.

Place in soup bowls, douse with broth and garnish using cilantro. Serve immediately.

‘It’s a very vocal minority,’ says bartender Susie. ‘Some protestors chained themselves to the town hall in San Juan when Obama came to visit earlier this year and they claim that America has kidnapped the island. If we didn’t have such close links though, we wouldn’t survive economically – we’re actually poorer here than the poorest US mainland state.’

Despite the fact that Puerto Rico may have a lower GDP than Mississippi, there is luxury for those that can afford it. Rincon plays host to one of the best small hotels you’ll find anywhere on earth. The Horned Dorset Primavera regularly hosts guests such as Madonna, Hillary Clinton and even Johnny Depp himself. Though there is nothing ostentatious about it. Set back from the road with a barely noticeable entrance, the resort consists of eight acres of manicured gardens built on an ancient railroad track that once skirted the breakwaters of the ocean.

Private villas all include a plunge pool and an atmosphere redolent of a slightly Moorish writer’s retreat complete with wicker chairs, huge bedsteads and tiled floors. Many of the villas continue the atavistic theme by having no televisions, meaning that the urge to put pen to paper, as the sky turns to the colour of beetroot, has never been stronger. Perfect conditions for finishing off that novel you’ve been thinking of all your life.

On my final night, I strolled over to the candlelit environs of the terrace at the Aaron restaurant where, served by waiters so smooth and polished it seemed they were gliding around the room on roller skates, I ate seared tuna with red wine pancetta and the Puerto Rican speciality of ‘mofongo’ – a stew made of green bananas, cassava and crab (see sidebar).

This kind of finesse and sophistication may be light years removed from the short drinks and tight deadlines of the journalists depicted in The Rum Diary – but Puerto Rico isn’t an island that exudes snobbery in the way Mustique or St Barts do. This is an island that has jewels on its fingers, but, no matter where you are, always seems to leave its top two shirt buttons undone.

AstonMagazine 2011.pdf 1 06/11/2011 15:51

s p a c e t o u r i s m

8 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Since Yuri Gagarin first drifted through a single orbit of the Earth 50 years ago, generations of schoolboys have dreamed of following him to see the oceans and continents pass in the blink of an eye. As of next year, those dreams can now be a reality – though only for those willing to pay $200,000 for the privilege.

In September, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic executed the first test flight of its passenger craft, the VSS Enterprise. At the same time, the firm completed a production plant in America’s Mojave Desert, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, which will build the world’s first fleet of commercial spacecraft. Branson said that the first passenger flights would take place within a year. ‘Today marks another important step along the road to opening space for everyone,’ he said. His pride was as clear as his excitement.

Virgin’s partners, The Spaceship Company, are building the craft that will transport paying passengers into space. The WhiteKnight mother ships, resembling giant catamarans, will carry SpaceShipTwo rocket-powered passenger planes 15km high into the atmosphere. The two crafts will then disengage and the planes will blast into sub-orbital space. Their six passengers will reach 100km above the Earth – the edge of space. They will only be there for a few minutes, but will experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.

Virgin has already taken $45 million in deposits from hundreds of people, including stars such as Tom Hanks and Stephen Hawking. ‘The mother ship is finished. The rocket tests are going extremely well, and so I think that we’re now on track for a launch within 12 months of today,’ Branson said. ‘This could be the beginning of a whole new era.’

The dream is an ancient one. In the 2nd century AD, the Greek author Lucian of Samosata wrote a story about earthmen being shot onto the moon by a giant waterspout. ‘It’s about the excitement – man’s enthusiasm for discovery,’ says Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society in London. ‘We can stand on the shore of an island and look across to the next island, or the top of a mountain and look across to the next and be driven by this curiosity to discover. Would I personally like to go up into orbit and look down on the Earth? Yes, but I don’t think I’ll be rich enough to pay Richard Branson $200,000 for the privilege.’

At least the price has come down. In 2001, Dennis Tito hitched a ride on a Russian Soyuz rocket for a seven-day stay at the International Space Station in return for a cool $20 million. Since then, there have been six other space tourists. But broad-market space travel has been a glittering prize for entrepreneurs. One prediction is that the market could be worth $700 million by the end of the decade, with ticket prices falling by at least a half during that time.

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The t rave l indus t r y i s gea r ing up fo r the f i r s t open ly ava i l ab le tour s in to space , w i th wea l thy th r i l l seeke r s keen to exper ience the u l t imate f ron t ie r adventu re . R ichard Branson’s V i rg in Ga lac t i c i s the f i r s t to bo ld l y go , w i th $200,000-a-head f l i gh t s opera t ing out o f Spacepor t Amer ica in New Mex ico as soon as nex t yea r , w i th nascent r i va l s B lue Or ig in ho t on h i s hee l s – the b ra inch i ld o f Amazon founder Je f f Bezos . Gareth Rubin exp lo res the fu tu re o f space tour i sm

STAR BOUNd

‘The mother ship is f inished. The rocket tests are going extremely well , and so I think that we’re now on track for a launch within 12 months of today,’ Branson said. ‘This could be the beginning of a whole new era’

s p a c e t o u r i s m

8 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

Since Yuri Gagarin first drifted through a single orbit of the Earth 50 years ago, generations of schoolboys have dreamed of following him to see the oceans and continents pass in the blink of an eye. As of next year, those dreams can now be a reality – though only for those willing to pay $200,000 for the privilege.

In September, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic executed the first test flight of its passenger craft, the VSS Enterprise. At the same time, the firm completed a production plant in America’s Mojave Desert, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, which will build the world’s first fleet of commercial spacecraft. Branson said that the first passenger flights would take place within a year. ‘Today marks another important step along the road to opening space for everyone,’ he said. His pride was as clear as his excitement.

Virgin’s partners, The Spaceship Company, are building the craft that will transport paying passengers into space. The WhiteKnight mother ships, resembling giant catamarans, will carry SpaceShipTwo rocket-powered passenger planes 15km high into the atmosphere. The two crafts will then disengage and the planes will blast into sub-orbital space. Their six passengers will reach 100km above the Earth – the edge of space. They will only be there for a few minutes, but will experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.

Virgin has already taken $45 million in deposits from hundreds of people, including stars such as Tom Hanks and Stephen Hawking. ‘The mother ship is finished. The rocket tests are going extremely well, and so I think that we’re now on track for a launch within 12 months of today,’ Branson said. ‘This could be the beginning of a whole new era.’

The dream is an ancient one. In the 2nd century AD, the Greek author Lucian of Samosata wrote a story about earthmen being shot onto the moon by a giant waterspout. ‘It’s about the excitement – man’s enthusiasm for discovery,’ says Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society in London. ‘We can stand on the shore of an island and look across to the next island, or the top of a mountain and look across to the next and be driven by this curiosity to discover. Would I personally like to go up into orbit and look down on the Earth? Yes, but I don’t think I’ll be rich enough to pay Richard Branson $200,000 for the privilege.’

At least the price has come down. In 2001, Dennis Tito hitched a ride on a Russian Soyuz rocket for a seven-day stay at the International Space Station in return for a cool $20 million. Since then, there have been six other space tourists. But broad-market space travel has been a glittering prize for entrepreneurs. One prediction is that the market could be worth $700 million by the end of the decade, with ticket prices falling by at least a half during that time.

A S T O N M A R T I N

8 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The t rave l indus t r y i s gea r ing up fo r the f i r s t open ly ava i l ab le tour s in to space , w i th wea l thy th r i l l seeke r s keen to exper ience the u l t imate f ron t ie r adventu re . R ichard Branson’s V i rg in Ga lac t i c i s the f i r s t to bo ld l y go , w i th $200,000-a-head f l i gh t s opera t ing out o f Spacepor t Amer ica in New Mex ico as soon as nex t yea r , w i th nascent r i va l s B lue Or ig in ho t on h i s hee l s – the b ra inch i ld o f Amazon founder Je f f Bezos . Gareth Rubin exp lo res the fu tu re o f space tour i sm

STAR BOUNd

‘The mother ship is f inished. The rocket tests are going extremely well , and so I think that we’re now on track for a launch within 12 months of today,’ Branson said. ‘This could be the beginning of a whole new era’

8 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

s p a c e t o u r i s m

8 9

On a positive note, passengers can have the novelty of choosing whether to have their bag-like beds upright or horizontal, since the weightlessness means it won’t make much difference. The views of the Earth from the space hotel’s special observation windows should be breathtaking as the craft circuits round our planet every 90 minutes – providing guests with 16 sunsets and 16 sunrises a day.

‘Our planned module inside will not remind you of the International Space Station. A hotel should be comfortable inside, and it will be possible to look at the Earth through large portholes,’ says Sergei Kostenko, chief executive of Orbital Technologies. ‘The hotel will be aimed at wealthy individuals and people working for private companies who want to do research in space.’

It is half a century since Yuri Gagarin spent just over an hour in space. Since then, five hundred people from 38 nations have followed him. In the 12 months following the first commercial passenger flight, that number could be doubled or even trebled. That could be just the beginning.

To book your place in space visit www.virgingalactic.com and fill in the online booking form. Alternatively you can contact any of Virgin’s Accredited Space Agents around the world, all specially selected and trained to handle all aspects of your spaceflight reservation.

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

While Virgin is the leader of the pack, there are other firms very much in the running. ‘People grow up just fascinated by space travel,’ says Will Pomerantz of the X Prize Foundation, which organises competitions to encourage commercial space travel. ‘It’s loud, it’s sexy, and it is in some senses dangerous’.

‘Virgin is definitely our lead dog in the field,’ he adds, ‘and it certainly has the most publicity and the most visible partners, but we are starting to see others making great leaps and bounds in their ability to fly scientific payloads. From a business point of view, you can start flying scientific payloads earlier in the testing regime because, of course, they don’t have quite the same safety requirements as people.’

The dark horse of Virgin’s competition is the ultra-secretive Blue Origin, which was established by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. It is developing manned spaceflight from its spaceport in Texas. Any doubts people had about the viability of the firm were dispelled when NASA gave it a grant of $3.7 million to develop a craft for orbital flight. The US space agency now has a budget of $75 million for such grants to commercial firms, hoping that they will take up the slack now that its own research budget has been slashed.

Money is also coming from wealthy interests looking to cash in on the future industry. Virgin received $300 million from the state of New Mexico to subsidise Spaceport America in the Mojave, and Abu Dhabi’s rulers handed over $280 million for a third of the firm and a commitment to use the cash-rich emirate as a hub for travel from the Middle East. These firms are focusing on short flights in sub-orbital space. But for those who want more, a Russian firm, Orbital Technologies, is to build a hotel in space, orbiting at 350km above the Earth’s surface. The company plans to open by 2016.

Seven guests will stay in the four cabins for weeklong trips and just getting there will be exciting – two days in a Soyuz rocket experiencing incredible speeds. It won’t even be a five-star stay, however. The Commercial Space Station will be an alcohol-free zone – iced tea will be the strongest drink on offer – and food will be microwave meals. Orbital is trying to talk up the cuisine, producing a menu of braised veal cheeks with wild mushrooms, white bean puree, potato soup and plum compote, but they will still be made on earth and reheated on arrival. The hotel’s wastewater will be recycled, as will the air after it is filtered to remove odour and bacteria. There may even be space-squatters, since the hotel will be the emergency refuge for cosmonauts from the International Space Station if anything goes wrong. For all this, guests will be shelling out around £600,000.

A S T O N M A R T I N

Previous Page and aBove right: Artist’s impressions of Spaceport America in New Mexico, unveiled this October, out of which Virgin Galactic will operate from next year.

left: Russian firm Orbital Technologies’ hotel in space, orbiting at 350km above the Earth’s surface, set to open by 2016.

BeloW right: Blue Origin’s launch complex in western Texas.

8 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

s p a c e t o u r i s m

8 9

On a positive note, passengers can have the novelty of choosing whether to have their bag-like beds upright or horizontal, since the weightlessness means it won’t make much difference. The views of the Earth from the space hotel’s special observation windows should be breathtaking as the craft circuits round our planet every 90 minutes – providing guests with 16 sunsets and 16 sunrises a day.

‘Our planned module inside will not remind you of the International Space Station. A hotel should be comfortable inside, and it will be possible to look at the Earth through large portholes,’ says Sergei Kostenko, chief executive of Orbital Technologies. ‘The hotel will be aimed at wealthy individuals and people working for private companies who want to do research in space.’

It is half a century since Yuri Gagarin spent just over an hour in space. Since then, five hundred people from 38 nations have followed him. In the 12 months following the first commercial passenger flight, that number could be doubled or even trebled. That could be just the beginning.

To book your place in space visit www.virgingalactic.com and fill in the online booking form. Alternatively you can contact any of Virgin’s Accredited Space Agents around the world, all specially selected and trained to handle all aspects of your spaceflight reservation.

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

While Virgin is the leader of the pack, there are other firms very much in the running. ‘People grow up just fascinated by space travel,’ says Will Pomerantz of the X Prize Foundation, which organises competitions to encourage commercial space travel. ‘It’s loud, it’s sexy, and it is in some senses dangerous’.

‘Virgin is definitely our lead dog in the field,’ he adds, ‘and it certainly has the most publicity and the most visible partners, but we are starting to see others making great leaps and bounds in their ability to fly scientific payloads. From a business point of view, you can start flying scientific payloads earlier in the testing regime because, of course, they don’t have quite the same safety requirements as people.’

The dark horse of Virgin’s competition is the ultra-secretive Blue Origin, which was established by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. It is developing manned spaceflight from its spaceport in Texas. Any doubts people had about the viability of the firm were dispelled when NASA gave it a grant of $3.7 million to develop a craft for orbital flight. The US space agency now has a budget of $75 million for such grants to commercial firms, hoping that they will take up the slack now that its own research budget has been slashed.

Money is also coming from wealthy interests looking to cash in on the future industry. Virgin received $300 million from the state of New Mexico to subsidise Spaceport America in the Mojave, and Abu Dhabi’s rulers handed over $280 million for a third of the firm and a commitment to use the cash-rich emirate as a hub for travel from the Middle East. These firms are focusing on short flights in sub-orbital space. But for those who want more, a Russian firm, Orbital Technologies, is to build a hotel in space, orbiting at 350km above the Earth’s surface. The company plans to open by 2016.

Seven guests will stay in the four cabins for weeklong trips and just getting there will be exciting – two days in a Soyuz rocket experiencing incredible speeds. It won’t even be a five-star stay, however. The Commercial Space Station will be an alcohol-free zone – iced tea will be the strongest drink on offer – and food will be microwave meals. Orbital is trying to talk up the cuisine, producing a menu of braised veal cheeks with wild mushrooms, white bean puree, potato soup and plum compote, but they will still be made on earth and reheated on arrival. The hotel’s wastewater will be recycled, as will the air after it is filtered to remove odour and bacteria. There may even be space-squatters, since the hotel will be the emergency refuge for cosmonauts from the International Space Station if anything goes wrong. For all this, guests will be shelling out around £600,000.

A S T O N M A R T I N

Previous Page and aBove right: Artist’s impressions of Spaceport America in New Mexico, unveiled this October, out of which Virgin Galactic will operate from next year.

left: Russian firm Orbital Technologies’ hotel in space, orbiting at 350km above the Earth’s surface, set to open by 2016.

BeloW right: Blue Origin’s launch complex in western Texas.

LittLe

SOMetHiNGSWhat could you possibly find that your friends don’t already have, without breaking the bank or appearing too cheap? Well, look no further. Here’s Aston Martin Magazine’s round-up of the luxury and design world’s quirkier offerings – a delectable mix of curiosities, perfect for the forthcoming festive season

A S t O N M A R t i N

9 0 i S S U e 1 7 / 1 1

w h a t t o b u y

9 1i S S U e 1 7 / 1 1

Picture Book

Nothing states your cultural concerns more subtly and stylishly than a beautiful coffee table book. The pages of this Dior Couture book by Patrick Demarchelier ooze the glamour and drama of Christian Dior’s designs favoured by fashionistas the world over.£70, rizzoliusa.com

Go GaGa for radio

This reissue of Brionvega’s iconic 1964 Radio Cube makes an innovative, quirky addition to any household. Adorned with a choice of six vibrant colours, the shipping forecast has never sounded brighter or breezier. £210, brionvega.it

case History

Adorn your iPad with this stylish leather Cosmati cover featuring Mark/Giusti’s signature printed lining. The perfect accessory for both work and play, doubling up as a stand for you to watch your favourite film or just to simply browse the net. £300, quintessentiallygifts.com

LittLe taLes

Literary classics don’t get more portable than these cigarette pack-sized tomes. Using iconic carton designs and branding, the books are readable and unabridged. Full Set £42.35, individual books £7.65, tankmagazine.com

GLoBetrotter

Whether it’s an epic road trip or just a last-minute Friday afternoon dash to the countryside, you’ll look the business pulling one of these smart new Aston Martin holdalls from the boot. Available in four luxurious colours, in nubuck and contrasting saddle leather. £400, astonmartin.com

disH tHem out

Bringing instant style and substance to your kitchen counter, these nifty Tate Otama ladles are able to stand independently on any flat surface. Designed with the limited space of the typical Japanese kitchen in mind, this is a beautiful example of necessity being the mother of invention. £16, bouf.com

3 in 1 fun

A salt shaker, a spoon and of course an egg cup, this Alessi Cico is a classic piece of quirky cool for kitchens of any size, shape or form. A fail-safe way to brighten your morning. £10.50, alessi.co.uk

sPeakerPHone

Bring some old school charm to your modern gadgetry. This Arkcanary acoustic speaker works like a gramophone to amplify your iPhone or iPod’s melodic emanations. £10, arkwhat.com

Prints cHarminG

The perfect gift for any Aston Martin racing enthusiast, this stylishly retro 1959 factory advertisement celebrating the marque’s victories at the Nürburgring 1,000km and 24 Heures du Mans races is fast selling out from Aston Martin’s Heritage Art range, so order yours before the Christmas rush! £97.50, astonmartin.com/heritage

room to rent

A ‘house within a house’, this luxury Fishcondo by Teddy Luong is not only stylish and contemporary but also stackable, offering the crème de la crème of accommodation for your fish. You can even create a condo village if you wish. £45, thebalconygardener.com

snuG as a BuG

Add some on-trend accent colours to your home, cosy up and forget about where you’re going or where you’ve come from with this luxury woven cashmere throw from Missoni. £240, missoni.com

LittLe

SOMetHiNGSWhat could you possibly find that your friends don’t already have, without breaking the bank or appearing too cheap? Well, look no further. Here’s Aston Martin Magazine’s round-up of the luxury and design world’s quirkier offerings – a delectable mix of curiosities, perfect for the forthcoming festive season

A S t O N M A R t i N

9 0 i S S U e 1 7 / 1 1

w h a t t o b u y

9 1i S S U e 1 7 / 1 1

Picture Book

Nothing states your cultural concerns more subtly and stylishly than a beautiful coffee table book. The pages of this Dior Couture book by Patrick Demarchelier ooze the glamour and drama of Christian Dior’s designs favoured by fashionistas the world over.£70, rizzoliusa.com

Go GaGa for radio

This reissue of Brionvega’s iconic 1964 Radio Cube makes an innovative, quirky addition to any household. Adorned with a choice of six vibrant colours, the shipping forecast has never sounded brighter or breezier. £210, brionvega.it

case History

Adorn your iPad with this stylish leather Cosmati cover featuring Mark/Giusti’s signature printed lining. The perfect accessory for both work and play, doubling up as a stand for you to watch your favourite film or just to simply browse the net. £300, quintessentiallygifts.com

LittLe taLes

Literary classics don’t get more portable than these cigarette pack-sized tomes. Using iconic carton designs and branding, the books are readable and unabridged. Full Set £42.35, individual books £7.65, tankmagazine.com

GLoBetrotter

Whether it’s an epic road trip or just a last-minute Friday afternoon dash to the countryside, you’ll look the business pulling one of these smart new Aston Martin holdalls from the boot. Available in four luxurious colours, in nubuck and contrasting saddle leather. £400, astonmartin.com

disH tHem out

Bringing instant style and substance to your kitchen counter, these nifty Tate Otama ladles are able to stand independently on any flat surface. Designed with the limited space of the typical Japanese kitchen in mind, this is a beautiful example of necessity being the mother of invention. £16, bouf.com

3 in 1 fun

A salt shaker, a spoon and of course an egg cup, this Alessi Cico is a classic piece of quirky cool for kitchens of any size, shape or form. A fail-safe way to brighten your morning. £10.50, alessi.co.uk

sPeakerPHone

Bring some old school charm to your modern gadgetry. This Arkcanary acoustic speaker works like a gramophone to amplify your iPhone or iPod’s melodic emanations. £10, arkwhat.com

Prints cHarminG

The perfect gift for any Aston Martin racing enthusiast, this stylishly retro 1959 factory advertisement celebrating the marque’s victories at the Nürburgring 1,000km and 24 Heures du Mans races is fast selling out from Aston Martin’s Heritage Art range, so order yours before the Christmas rush! £97.50, astonmartin.com/heritage

room to rent

A ‘house within a house’, this luxury Fishcondo by Teddy Luong is not only stylish and contemporary but also stackable, offering the crème de la crème of accommodation for your fish. You can even create a condo village if you wish. £45, thebalconygardener.com

snuG as a BuG

Add some on-trend accent colours to your home, cosy up and forget about where you’re going or where you’ve come from with this luxury woven cashmere throw from Missoni. £240, missoni.com

A S t O N M A R t i N

9 2 i S S U e 1 7 / 1 1

caviar to Go

Kaviari’s finest caviar is stylishly packed into these luxurious rainbow tins and oozes grab-‘n’-go appeal. Good things definitely come in small packages. €35, kaviari.fr

Head candy

Bang & Olufsen’s new range of headphones, available in all the colours of the rainbow, con-tinue the Danish audiovisual brand’s reputation for drop-dead gorgeous looks in combination with the highest fidelity. The well-defined sound will immerse you in your own little world, going wherever the mood takes you. £95, bang-olufsen.com

cLean cut

With its voluptuously sculpted body, this luxury knife set created by Guzzini will stand as an elegant centrepiece for your kitchen. They happen to slice nicely too. £161, formahouse.co.uk

Have a seat

Corresponding in colour, material and style to the historical Vitra Design Museum collection, not only does this 1956 miniature Tulip Chair make a fantastic collectable but it is also a great way to add a bit of mid-century flair to your home. £130, conranshop.co.uk

PuzzLed

This Rubik’s Cube for connoisseurs fills even the most yawning of gaps between departure and arrival with hours of fiendishly entertaining frustration. A classic toy, with a luxurious twist.£170, williamandson.com

a sPot of induLGence

A new concept in chocolate indulgence from Lick the Spoon: the elegance of a macaroon with the irresistible melt of fine chocolate within. Flavours include sea salt caramel, strawberry and elderflower, and pistachio and pink grapefruit.£19.95, lickthespoon.co.uk

Poker face

Housed in a sophisticated, contemporary-looking carbon-fibre box, these quintessentially British Alfred Dunhill poker cards are the perfect gift for the stylish man about town. £225, dunhill.com

FINE SAFES FOR WATCHES, JEWELLERY AND MORE.

SAFE ISIS III “16 VALVES”

Measurements (H x W x D): 119 cm x 52 cm x 51 cm Patented electronic locking system Stocktronic® Integrated emergency alarm, anchoring device 16 watch-winders for 16 automatic watches Two drawers for more watches and jewellery

MADE IN GERMANY

STOCKINGER.COM

A Stockinger safe will make you realise that youhave done the best for your valuables. Enjoy thisgood feeling every day of the year, wherever youare and whatever you are doing.

Stockinger bespoke safes combine security, creativity and crasmanship to form exclusive safes for you as a discerning collector of high-quality jewellery and timepieces. Ask us for details.

AM17 Stockinger Ad P93.indd 93 6/11/11 15:32:28

A S t O N M A R t i N

9 2 i S S U e 1 7 / 1 1

caviar to Go

Kaviari’s finest caviar is stylishly packed into these luxurious rainbow tins and oozes grab-‘n’-go appeal. Good things definitely come in small packages. €35, kaviari.fr

Head candy

Bang & Olufsen’s new range of headphones, available in all the colours of the rainbow, con-tinue the Danish audiovisual brand’s reputation for drop-dead gorgeous looks in combination with the highest fidelity. The well-defined sound will immerse you in your own little world, going wherever the mood takes you. £95, bang-olufsen.com

cLean cut

With its voluptuously sculpted body, this luxury knife set created by Guzzini will stand as an elegant centrepiece for your kitchen. They happen to slice nicely too. £161, formahouse.co.uk

Have a seat

Corresponding in colour, material and style to the historical Vitra Design Museum collection, not only does this 1956 miniature Tulip Chair make a fantastic collectable but it is also a great way to add a bit of mid-century flair to your home. £130, conranshop.co.uk

PuzzLed

This Rubik’s Cube for connoisseurs fills even the most yawning of gaps between departure and arrival with hours of fiendishly entertaining frustration. A classic toy, with a luxurious twist.£170, williamandson.com

a sPot of induLGence

A new concept in chocolate indulgence from Lick the Spoon: the elegance of a macaroon with the irresistible melt of fine chocolate within. Flavours include sea salt caramel, strawberry and elderflower, and pistachio and pink grapefruit.£19.95, lickthespoon.co.uk

Poker face

Housed in a sophisticated, contemporary-looking carbon-fibre box, these quintessentially British Alfred Dunhill poker cards are the perfect gift for the stylish man about town. £225, dunhill.com

FINE SAFES FOR WATCHES, JEWELLERY AND MORE.

SAFE ISIS III “16 VALVES”

Measurements (H x W x D): 119 cm x 52 cm x 51 cm Patented electronic locking system Stocktronic® Integrated emergency alarm, anchoring device 16 watch-winders for 16 automatic watches Two drawers for more watches and jewellery

MADE IN GERMANY

STOCKINGER.COM

A Stockinger safe will make you realise that youhave done the best for your valuables. Enjoy thisgood feeling every day of the year, wherever youare and whatever you are doing.

Stockinger bespoke safes combine security, creativity and crasmanship to form exclusive safes for you as a discerning collector of high-quality jewellery and timepieces. Ask us for details.

AM17 Stockinger Ad P93.indd 93 6/11/11 15:32:28

9 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

g t 4 s e a s o n r e v i e w

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

9 5

Since Aston Mart in gave the V8 Vantage i t s impress ive GT rac ing debut a t the Nürburgr ing 24-Hours race in 2006, i t has grown to become the marque’s most pro l i f ica l l y success fu l GT race car . F rom the new Blancpain Endurance Ser ies to the F IA GT4 European Cup, and of course the 2011 Aston Mart in GT4 Chal lenge of Great Br i ta in , Brian Laban re f lects on what has cer ta in ly been an incred ib le season

G T 4 A G O - G O Racing enthusiasts around the globe have a fuelled passion for GT racing. They enjoy the spectacle of hard-fought races between strongly identifiable cars that combine recognisable production roots with real racing pedigree, from the greatest sports car makers in the business. And they are rewarded with endurance races, including 24-hour classics, on some of the most iconic circuits in the world, from the Nürburgring to Silverstone, and even Silverstone.

In 2011, as major rule changes dramatically reshaped the GT1 and GT2 categories, GT4 underlined its status as the vital foundation level of serious endurance sports car racing, while Aston Martin confirmed its commitment to a class that now attracts rivals from BMW to Corvette, Lotus to Nissan, Ford to Maserati and Porsche.

At the top of the tree, the 2011 FIA GT4 European Cup ran to 18 rounds between April and October, with triple races at five venues and six weekends, starting and ending at Zandvoort, via Silverstone, Spa, Zolder and Assen. By July 2011, Aston Martin drivers from Generation AMR and Rhesus Racing had stood on the podium at every meeting, with the Generation AMR team crowning a strong season by winning at the toughest circuit of all, Spa. In the final Teams table, Rhesus took third overall, with Generation AMR fifth. In the 2011 FIA GT4 drivers’ rankings, four Aston Martin drivers appeared in the top ten, with Rhesus Racing’s Dennis Retera and Jan Joris Verheul fifth and sixth, and Generation AMR’s Ant Scragg and James Appleby seventh and tenth.

9 4 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

g t 4 s e a s o n r e v i e w

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

9 5

Since Aston Mart in gave the V8 Vantage i t s impress ive GT rac ing debut a t the Nürburgr ing 24-Hours race in 2006, i t has grown to become the marque’s most pro l i f ica l l y success fu l GT race car . F rom the new Blancpain Endurance Ser ies to the F IA GT4 European Cup, and of course the 2011 Aston Mart in GT4 Chal lenge of Great Br i ta in , Brian Laban re f lects on what has cer ta in ly been an incred ib le season

G T 4 A G O - G O Racing enthusiasts around the globe have a fuelled passion for GT racing. They enjoy the spectacle of hard-fought races between strongly identifiable cars that combine recognisable production roots with real racing pedigree, from the greatest sports car makers in the business. And they are rewarded with endurance races, including 24-hour classics, on some of the most iconic circuits in the world, from the Nürburgring to Silverstone, and even Silverstone.

In 2011, as major rule changes dramatically reshaped the GT1 and GT2 categories, GT4 underlined its status as the vital foundation level of serious endurance sports car racing, while Aston Martin confirmed its commitment to a class that now attracts rivals from BMW to Corvette, Lotus to Nissan, Ford to Maserati and Porsche.

At the top of the tree, the 2011 FIA GT4 European Cup ran to 18 rounds between April and October, with triple races at five venues and six weekends, starting and ending at Zandvoort, via Silverstone, Spa, Zolder and Assen. By July 2011, Aston Martin drivers from Generation AMR and Rhesus Racing had stood on the podium at every meeting, with the Generation AMR team crowning a strong season by winning at the toughest circuit of all, Spa. In the final Teams table, Rhesus took third overall, with Generation AMR fifth. In the 2011 FIA GT4 drivers’ rankings, four Aston Martin drivers appeared in the top ten, with Rhesus Racing’s Dennis Retera and Jan Joris Verheul fifth and sixth, and Generation AMR’s Ant Scragg and James Appleby seventh and tenth.

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 9 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

g t 4 s e a s o n r e v i e w

9 6

In the Chal lenge of Great Br i ta in,

the f ight came down to a head-

to-head between Nicholas Mee

Racing and Generat ion AMR

– a c l i f f -hanging end to a

thr i l l ing GT4 season

GT4 is spreading its wings. Launched in 2011, the Blancpain Endurance Series brings together GT3 and GT4 cars in races that usually run for three hours, and classes that include drivers on multiple levels, from full-time professionals to former superstars and ‘gentlemen’ part-time racers. Alongside several Aston Martin DBRS9s in the GT3 ranks (including Hexis, GPR and Ecurie Ecosse), V8 Vantage GT4s appeared at the first three rounds, at Monza, Navarra and the showcase 24 Hours of Spa round, putting a first toe in the water and promising a fuller programme for the expanded 2012 Blancpain series.

Appropriately, the V8 Vantage GT4 (and further developed versions of the N24) had another winning season back where it all began, in the SP10/GT4 class of the Nürburgring endurance series - on the classic circuit where the

V8 Vantage was developed for the road, and where it made its racing debut in 2006, scoring its first finish in the Nürburgring 24-Hours.

Five years since that impressive debut, three years since Aston Martin opened its permanent Test Centre at the circuit, and two years since the start of its Nürburgring-based customer racing programme under the guidance of Test Centre boss and regular racer Wolfgang Schuhbauer, the Mathol Racing team dominated the VLN series from start to finish, winning the GT4 category in seven of the ten rounds, with drivers Wolfgang Webber, Norbert Bermes and Rickard Nilsson giving Mathol a second Nürburgring title. Mathol might well have won the Nürburgring 24-Hours race, too, but having led all the way they went out with barely an hour to run. The company’s own GT4 entry, starring works driver Darren Turner was second in class after 16 hours, before a long repair for damage dropped it down the field leaving the Team Pflanz V8 Vantage to lead Aston Martin’s GT4 effort with seventh place in the class, after another tough fight. And the penultimate Nürburgring VLN round, in October, underlined in the best possible way GT4’s role as a significant first step on the GT racing ladder. In a field of some 190 starters, Joachim Kern made the leap from novice to Nürburgring racer, as the first customer graduate of Aston Martin’s seven-stage Driving Academy – sharing the V8 Vantage GT4 nicknamed ‘Smurf’ with the Academy’s Chief Instructor, Andreas Gülden.

But the hardest fight of all in Aston Martin’s GT4 season was in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain, organised by the Aston Martin Owners Club. The format mixes race lengths from 60 minutes to three hours, includes mandatory pit-stops and allows one, two or three drivers per car. The races were at Silverstone, Snetterton, Donington Park, Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, as well as Spa in July and Dijon for the finale in September. The fight came down to a last-round head-to-head between Nicholas Mee Racing and Generation AMR, who went to the three-hour Dijon race level on points after the first nine rounds. Generation AMR had won the opener at Silverstone (where the driver roll-call included Aston Martin Chairman David Richards, Director of Design Marek Reichmann and Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner); Nicholas Mee won at Snetterton. But it was Nicholas Mee who clinched the title with their fifth win, as Karsten Le Blanc hung on to slicks as rain hit the closing laps of the race.

It was a cliff-hanging end to a season where GT4 delivered all you could ask for.

2 0 1 2 f av o u r i t e s

In its third season, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain has some significant tweaks – with races increased from 90 minutes to 2 hours. As before, the series will visit home favourites Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park and the icing on the cake, Spa-Francorchamps in September. And with 25 drivers taking part in the recent Test Day, there’s every chance of 20-car grids for 2012.

There’s another major incentive to join the series, too. On 16 June, as part of the Aston Martin Festival Le Mans 2012, the traditional 45-minute one-marque race before the 24-Hours will be for Aston Martin GT3 and GT4 cars – with a guaranteed entry for any driver registered in the 2012 GT4 Challenge. It should be a great way to become a Le Mans driver.

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 9 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

g t 4 s e a s o n r e v i e w

9 6

In the Chal lenge of Great Br i ta in,

the f ight came down to a head-

to-head between Nicholas Mee

Racing and Generat ion AMR

– a c l i f f -hanging end to a

thr i l l ing GT4 season

GT4 is spreading its wings. Launched in 2011, the Blancpain Endurance Series brings together GT3 and GT4 cars in races that usually run for three hours, and classes that include drivers on multiple levels, from full-time professionals to former superstars and ‘gentlemen’ part-time racers. Alongside several Aston Martin DBRS9s in the GT3 ranks (including Hexis, GPR and Ecurie Ecosse), V8 Vantage GT4s appeared at the first three rounds, at Monza, Navarra and the showcase 24 Hours of Spa round, putting a first toe in the water and promising a fuller programme for the expanded 2012 Blancpain series.

Appropriately, the V8 Vantage GT4 (and further developed versions of the N24) had another winning season back where it all began, in the SP10/GT4 class of the Nürburgring endurance series - on the classic circuit where the

V8 Vantage was developed for the road, and where it made its racing debut in 2006, scoring its first finish in the Nürburgring 24-Hours.

Five years since that impressive debut, three years since Aston Martin opened its permanent Test Centre at the circuit, and two years since the start of its Nürburgring-based customer racing programme under the guidance of Test Centre boss and regular racer Wolfgang Schuhbauer, the Mathol Racing team dominated the VLN series from start to finish, winning the GT4 category in seven of the ten rounds, with drivers Wolfgang Webber, Norbert Bermes and Rickard Nilsson giving Mathol a second Nürburgring title. Mathol might well have won the Nürburgring 24-Hours race, too, but having led all the way they went out with barely an hour to run. The company’s own GT4 entry, starring works driver Darren Turner was second in class after 16 hours, before a long repair for damage dropped it down the field leaving the Team Pflanz V8 Vantage to lead Aston Martin’s GT4 effort with seventh place in the class, after another tough fight. And the penultimate Nürburgring VLN round, in October, underlined in the best possible way GT4’s role as a significant first step on the GT racing ladder. In a field of some 190 starters, Joachim Kern made the leap from novice to Nürburgring racer, as the first customer graduate of Aston Martin’s seven-stage Driving Academy – sharing the V8 Vantage GT4 nicknamed ‘Smurf’ with the Academy’s Chief Instructor, Andreas Gülden.

But the hardest fight of all in Aston Martin’s GT4 season was in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain, organised by the Aston Martin Owners Club. The format mixes race lengths from 60 minutes to three hours, includes mandatory pit-stops and allows one, two or three drivers per car. The races were at Silverstone, Snetterton, Donington Park, Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, as well as Spa in July and Dijon for the finale in September. The fight came down to a last-round head-to-head between Nicholas Mee Racing and Generation AMR, who went to the three-hour Dijon race level on points after the first nine rounds. Generation AMR had won the opener at Silverstone (where the driver roll-call included Aston Martin Chairman David Richards, Director of Design Marek Reichmann and Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner); Nicholas Mee won at Snetterton. But it was Nicholas Mee who clinched the title with their fifth win, as Karsten Le Blanc hung on to slicks as rain hit the closing laps of the race.

It was a cliff-hanging end to a season where GT4 delivered all you could ask for.

2 0 1 2 f av o u r i t e s

In its third season, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain has some significant tweaks – with races increased from 90 minutes to 2 hours. As before, the series will visit home favourites Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park and the icing on the cake, Spa-Francorchamps in September. And with 25 drivers taking part in the recent Test Day, there’s every chance of 20-car grids for 2012.

There’s another major incentive to join the series, too. On 16 June, as part of the Aston Martin Festival Le Mans 2012, the traditional 45-minute one-marque race before the 24-Hours will be for Aston Martin GT3 and GT4 cars – with a guaranteed entry for any driver registered in the 2012 GT4 Challenge. It should be a great way to become a Le Mans driver.

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

9 8

T O P O F T H E C L A S SGerman-based team Mathol Racing can rightly claim to be the most successful Aston Martin customer team of all in 2011. Building on a class win in the 2010 Nürburgring 24-Hours race, the team undertook a gruelling 2011 campaign, regularly running two or three cars in the Nürburgring VLN endurance championship.

Regular drivers Wolfgang Weber, Norbert Bermes and Rickard Nilsson took their V8 Vantage to its seventh class win of the year at the tenth and final VLN round − the 36th DMV Münsterlandpokal Four-Hour race, to round off a most successful 2011 season.

Reflecting on the season, Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King said, ‘Mathol Racing is a young but ambitious team who have achieved fantastic results for us in the SP10 class over the past two seasons. I thank them for their efforts and congratulate them on their successes. I’m sure they will build on this to achieve even more in the future.’

C r o W N i N G G L o r Y

Aston Martin Racing’s official partner team Hexis AMR has added another chapter to the DBR9’s seven-year success story, clinching the FIA GT1 World Championship title in exciting fashion in Argentina on 6 November.

At the Lago Potrero de los Funes circuit, the no.3 Aston Martin DB9-derived racing car of Hexis AMR scored a strong podium result, with the no.4 Hexis AMR DBR9 finishing in fifth position, propelling them to the top of the teams’ standings and onto World Championship glory.

Philippe Dumas, Hexis AMR Team Principal, said: ‘It’s just an incredible moment. It seems everyone in the paddock is happy that we took the World Championship. The suspense during the final race was incredible, but the result was just magical.’

Over the course of the 20-race FIA GT1 World Championship season, the pair of Aston Martin Racing official partner teams scored five race wins between them and a total of 22 podiums.

THE 34 I 47 RESIDENCES AT PAN PENINSULA. LONDON’S HIGHEST RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS.

PRICES ON APPLICATION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST A VIEWING, PLEASE CALL UK FREEPHONE 0808 118 2240 INTERNATIONAL +44 (0)20 7001 9650

www.panpeninsula.com

LIVEABOVEALL ELSE

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

9 8

T O P O F T H E C L A S SGerman-based team Mathol Racing can rightly claim to be the most successful Aston Martin customer team of all in 2011. Building on a class win in the 2010 Nürburgring 24-Hours race, the team undertook a gruelling 2011 campaign, regularly running two or three cars in the Nürburgring VLN endurance championship.

Regular drivers Wolfgang Weber, Norbert Bermes and Rickard Nilsson took their V8 Vantage to its seventh class win of the year at the tenth and final VLN round − the 36th DMV Münsterlandpokal Four-Hour race, to round off a most successful 2011 season.

Reflecting on the season, Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King said, ‘Mathol Racing is a young but ambitious team who have achieved fantastic results for us in the SP10 class over the past two seasons. I thank them for their efforts and congratulate them on their successes. I’m sure they will build on this to achieve even more in the future.’

C r o W N i N G G L o r Y

Aston Martin Racing’s official partner team Hexis AMR has added another chapter to the DBR9’s seven-year success story, clinching the FIA GT1 World Championship title in exciting fashion in Argentina on 6 November.

At the Lago Potrero de los Funes circuit, the no.3 Aston Martin DB9-derived racing car of Hexis AMR scored a strong podium result, with the no.4 Hexis AMR DBR9 finishing in fifth position, propelling them to the top of the teams’ standings and onto World Championship glory.

Philippe Dumas, Hexis AMR Team Principal, said: ‘It’s just an incredible moment. It seems everyone in the paddock is happy that we took the World Championship. The suspense during the final race was incredible, but the result was just magical.’

Over the course of the 20-race FIA GT1 World Championship season, the pair of Aston Martin Racing official partner teams scored five race wins between them and a total of 22 podiums.

THE 34 I 47 RESIDENCES AT PAN PENINSULA. LONDON’S HIGHEST RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS.

PRICES ON APPLICATION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST A VIEWING, PLEASE CALL UK FREEPHONE 0808 118 2240 INTERNATIONAL +44 (0)20 7001 9650

www.panpeninsula.com

LIVEABOVEALL ELSE

A S T O N M A R T I N W O R K S

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r u n n i n g h e a d

1 0 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

n e w s

WORKS LIFE WORKS LIFE

More and more Aston Martin enthusiasts are taking advantage of the Works Tailored programme at Newport Pagnell’s Works Service facility – a seemingly limitless opportunity to customise your Aston Martin, or indeed Aston Martins. Whether finished in special, non-standard colours, trimmed with bespoke interiors or fitted with special equipment such as cameras or sound systems, Aston Martin’s in-house design department are ready and waiting to guide customers through the realisation of their dream – from an initial ‘moodboard’ to demonstrate potential combinations of accessories, wheels and paintwork, right through to delivery.

Take the latest awe-inspiring commission to roll out of Aston Martin Works Service, pictured here: no less than eight brightly liveried Race Collection models, dispatched to an Aston Martin customer in China. This series of V8 Vantage cars, inspired by some of the marque’s most successful GT racers, boasts an eclectic mix of hues: orange, black, green, blue, white and yellow, all complete with sumptuous leather interiors and trim in complementary and contrasting leather hides; black mixed with cream, green mixed with yellow… The finished result is a dazzling octet of potent sports cars.

Whether for those who wish for something truly unique, or the enthusiast who wishes to test the extremes, Aston Martin Works Tailored is certainly the place to indulge, especially given the huge wealth of experience shared by the Works Service team. And it’s not only for new owners – any model, so long as it’s part of the current range, is eligible for treatment.

For further information, visit astonmartin.com or call Aston Martin Works Service on +44 (0)1908 216439

Aston Martin Works Service is now pleased to offer customers a bespoke load-space cover to help keep their Rapide in showroom condition. Available in Black Alcantara only, the cover is designed to fit over the lowered rear sears and centre console, offering protection against leather upholstery scuffs and rips. The cover boasts the Aston Martin logo and comes complete with a storage bag when the cover is not in use. Perfect for regular luggage loaders and golfers.

The loadspace cover is not just available from Works Service it is available from all dealers globally.

UNDER COVER

As Simon de Burton reports from page 104, next year sees the ribbon being cut on an exciting redevelopment of Aston Martin’s famed Newport Pagnell site, including a brand-new dealership front of house. The last sports car to be built on Tickford Street before production was entirely centralised at the company’s HQ in Gaydon was the Vanquish, so it seems fitting that Aston Martin Works Service offer Vanquish owners something rather special.

The new, free-of-charge, multi-point inspection offers a personalised inspection of your Vanquish by one of Works Service’s factory-trained technicians, many of whom actually built the Vanquish model until 2007. The procedure starts with a briefing, where the customer is given the opportunity to highlight any concerns or request information on any of Works Service’s upgrades, which includes multi-view cameras and manual transmission conversions. You’re then offered the rare opportunity to look underneath the car and ask any questions. Customers are then invited to accompany the technician on a road test, discussing vehicle dynamics in real time, and on return to the dealership the findings are discussed. What’s more, your car will even enjoy a full valet while you discuss your needs back at base. Impeccable, professional and world-class service, as you’d expect from Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Works Service attended the internationally renowned Goodwood Revival in Sussex for the first time in September to showcase the capabilities of their Heritage Centre. Over 140,000 people attended the three-day celebration of all things vintage and automotive, with many visiting the retro-styled Aston Martin paddock to admire a recently restored DB5 convertible and a barn-find DB MkIII. The team received 50 formal enquiries and even a commission to restore one owner’s DB2. Heritage Centre Manager Nigel Woodward stated, ‘The Revival is our natural marketplace, attracting thousands of collectors, many of whom were actively looking to purchase or restore Aston Martins.

The Goodwood circuit has a long association with our marque and it is interesting to note that the pace cars and safety cars for the event were both Aston Martins: a DB5 and a DB4 Zagato!’ RACING COLOURS

The poss ib i l i t ies a re endless wi th Works Ta i lored – whatever pa int scheme or t r im you can dream up, the chances are your v is ion can t ranspire into a real i ty

AT YOUR SERVICE

ADVANTAGE VANQUISH

A S T O N M A R T I N W O R K S

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r u n n i n g h e a d

1 0 1I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

n e w s

WORKS LIFE WORKS LIFE

More and more Aston Martin enthusiasts are taking advantage of the Works Tailored programme at Newport Pagnell’s Works Service facility – a seemingly limitless opportunity to customise your Aston Martin, or indeed Aston Martins. Whether finished in special, non-standard colours, trimmed with bespoke interiors or fitted with special equipment such as cameras or sound systems, Aston Martin’s in-house design department are ready and waiting to guide customers through the realisation of their dream – from an initial ‘moodboard’ to demonstrate potential combinations of accessories, wheels and paintwork, right through to delivery.

Take the latest awe-inspiring commission to roll out of Aston Martin Works Service, pictured here: no less than eight brightly liveried Race Collection models, dispatched to an Aston Martin customer in China. This series of V8 Vantage cars, inspired by some of the marque’s most successful GT racers, boasts an eclectic mix of hues: orange, black, green, blue, white and yellow, all complete with sumptuous leather interiors and trim in complementary and contrasting leather hides; black mixed with cream, green mixed with yellow… The finished result is a dazzling octet of potent sports cars.

Whether for those who wish for something truly unique, or the enthusiast who wishes to test the extremes, Aston Martin Works Tailored is certainly the place to indulge, especially given the huge wealth of experience shared by the Works Service team. And it’s not only for new owners – any model, so long as it’s part of the current range, is eligible for treatment.

For further information, visit astonmartin.com or call Aston Martin Works Service on +44 (0)1908 216439

Aston Martin Works Service is now pleased to offer customers a bespoke load-space cover to help keep their Rapide in showroom condition. Available in Black Alcantara only, the cover is designed to fit over the lowered rear sears and centre console, offering protection against leather upholstery scuffs and rips. The cover boasts the Aston Martin logo and comes complete with a storage bag when the cover is not in use. Perfect for regular luggage loaders and golfers.

The loadspace cover is not just available from Works Service it is available from all dealers globally.

UNDER COVER

As Simon de Burton reports from page 104, next year sees the ribbon being cut on an exciting redevelopment of Aston Martin’s famed Newport Pagnell site, including a brand-new dealership front of house. The last sports car to be built on Tickford Street before production was entirely centralised at the company’s HQ in Gaydon was the Vanquish, so it seems fitting that Aston Martin Works Service offer Vanquish owners something rather special.

The new, free-of-charge, multi-point inspection offers a personalised inspection of your Vanquish by one of Works Service’s factory-trained technicians, many of whom actually built the Vanquish model until 2007. The procedure starts with a briefing, where the customer is given the opportunity to highlight any concerns or request information on any of Works Service’s upgrades, which includes multi-view cameras and manual transmission conversions. You’re then offered the rare opportunity to look underneath the car and ask any questions. Customers are then invited to accompany the technician on a road test, discussing vehicle dynamics in real time, and on return to the dealership the findings are discussed. What’s more, your car will even enjoy a full valet while you discuss your needs back at base. Impeccable, professional and world-class service, as you’d expect from Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Works Service attended the internationally renowned Goodwood Revival in Sussex for the first time in September to showcase the capabilities of their Heritage Centre. Over 140,000 people attended the three-day celebration of all things vintage and automotive, with many visiting the retro-styled Aston Martin paddock to admire a recently restored DB5 convertible and a barn-find DB MkIII. The team received 50 formal enquiries and even a commission to restore one owner’s DB2. Heritage Centre Manager Nigel Woodward stated, ‘The Revival is our natural marketplace, attracting thousands of collectors, many of whom were actively looking to purchase or restore Aston Martins.

The Goodwood circuit has a long association with our marque and it is interesting to note that the pace cars and safety cars for the event were both Aston Martins: a DB5 and a DB4 Zagato!’ RACING COLOURS

The poss ib i l i t ies a re endless wi th Works Ta i lored – whatever pa int scheme or t r im you can dream up, the chances are your v is ion can t ranspire into a real i ty

AT YOUR SERVICE

ADVANTAGE VANQUISH

A S T O N M A R T I N W O R K S

1 0 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

WORKS LIFE

The overall winners of this year’s Mille Miglia road race were Giordano Mozzi and Stefania Biacca driving a 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans. The all-Italian pair finished the 1000-mile course – dubbed the ‘world’s greatest road race’ by Enzo Ferrari – from Brescia to Rome and back with a final tally of 28,690 points. The 1933 model originally had a top speed of 85mph (137km/h) and acceleration from 0–50mph (0–80 km/h) in 16 seconds.

Quirina Louwman’s 1952 Aston Martin DB3/4 began its Mille Miglia tradition in 1953 when it was part of the Aston Martin racing team. As one of only five original works team Aston Martin DB3s, it is a rare and splendid example of the marque’s racing heritage. Past drivers have included Peter Collins and George Abecassis.

The 2011 Mille Miglia marked Quirina’s (or ‘Queenie’ as she is known) 11th consecutive year of driving the DB3. Instantly recognisable as one of the only ‘all-girls’ team Queenie finds that with its 3.0-litre engine and four-speed transmission this former team DB3 is ideally suited to this historic round Italy classic.

Quirina’s passion for cars started at a very early age with some of her earliest memories being sat in the back of a classic car driven

by her grandfather. She combines this love perfectly with her day job of working in another family business, the pioneering skincare and spa brand QMS Medicosmetics (qmsmedicosmetics.com).

View the DB3/4 at the Louwman Museum (louwmanmuseum.nl)

A MILLE MIGLIA VETERAN VICTORY IN BRESCIA

The Aston Martin Owners Club continually strives to provide Members with the opportunity to enjoy their Aston Martin affair to the full. The late Mortimer Morris Goodall – ‘Mort’ to many friends – laid the foundations that have continued to be the brickwork of the Club: sharing their Aston Martin passion with like-minded people. Racing starts again in May, with an exciting programme of circuits, sprints, hill climbs, track days and driving experiences, at well-known motorsport venues. If you have not joined us before, 2012 is the year to bring your car onto the track – competitively or for a fun day. The annual Spring Concours and International Dinner take place on the 19/20 May weekend.

JOIN THE CLUB

What’s more, our Social Committee continues to conjure up ideas to give Members the opportunity to enjoy their membership, such as a tour of the Rioja region of Spain and organised trips to Le Mans and Classic Le Mans.

www.amoc.org

A S T O N M A R T I N W O R K S

1 0 2 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

WORKS LIFE

The overall winners of this year’s Mille Miglia road race were Giordano Mozzi and Stefania Biacca driving a 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans. The all-Italian pair finished the 1000-mile course – dubbed the ‘world’s greatest road race’ by Enzo Ferrari – from Brescia to Rome and back with a final tally of 28,690 points. The 1933 model originally had a top speed of 85mph (137km/h) and acceleration from 0–50mph (0–80 km/h) in 16 seconds.

Quirina Louwman’s 1952 Aston Martin DB3/4 began its Mille Miglia tradition in 1953 when it was part of the Aston Martin racing team. As one of only five original works team Aston Martin DB3s, it is a rare and splendid example of the marque’s racing heritage. Past drivers have included Peter Collins and George Abecassis.

The 2011 Mille Miglia marked Quirina’s (or ‘Queenie’ as she is known) 11th consecutive year of driving the DB3. Instantly recognisable as one of the only ‘all-girls’ team Queenie finds that with its 3.0-litre engine and four-speed transmission this former team DB3 is ideally suited to this historic round Italy classic.

Quirina’s passion for cars started at a very early age with some of her earliest memories being sat in the back of a classic car driven

by her grandfather. She combines this love perfectly with her day job of working in another family business, the pioneering skincare and spa brand QMS Medicosmetics (qmsmedicosmetics.com).

View the DB3/4 at the Louwman Museum (louwmanmuseum.nl)

A MILLE MIGLIA VETERAN VICTORY IN BRESCIA

The Aston Martin Owners Club continually strives to provide Members with the opportunity to enjoy their Aston Martin affair to the full. The late Mortimer Morris Goodall – ‘Mort’ to many friends – laid the foundations that have continued to be the brickwork of the Club: sharing their Aston Martin passion with like-minded people. Racing starts again in May, with an exciting programme of circuits, sprints, hill climbs, track days and driving experiences, at well-known motorsport venues. If you have not joined us before, 2012 is the year to bring your car onto the track – competitively or for a fun day. The annual Spring Concours and International Dinner take place on the 19/20 May weekend.

JOIN THE CLUB

What’s more, our Social Committee continues to conjure up ideas to give Members the opportunity to enjoy their membership, such as a tour of the Rioja region of Spain and organised trips to Le Mans and Classic Le Mans.

www.amoc.org

Auto-RestoRAtionA fresh chapter in Aston Martin’s 56-year relationship with the Buckinghamshire town of Newport Pagnell is due to begin in April 2012 with the opening of Works Service’s biggest restoration job yet – on itself. Its newly refurbished front-of-house will effectively serve as a ‘one-stop shop’ for anything and everything relating to the marque, most notably a brand-new dealership offering new and heritage cars. simon de Burton reports

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Auto-RestoRAtionA fresh chapter in Aston Martin’s 56-year relationship with the Buckinghamshire town of Newport Pagnell is due to begin in April 2012 with the opening of Works Service’s biggest restoration job yet – on itself. Its newly refurbished front-of-house will effectively serve as a ‘one-stop shop’ for anything and everything relating to the marque, most notably a brand-new dealership offering new and heritage cars. simon de Burton reports

A S T O N M A R T I N

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It was back in 1955 that Aston Martin’s then owner, David Brown, purchased the former site of coachbuilder Salmon and Sons in the town’s Tickford Street to use as a base for building both Aston Martins and Lagondas, a purpose it served until production moved to Gaydon in 2007. But for many enthusiasts around the world, Newport Pagnell is still the spiritual home of Aston Martin, a feeling reinforced by the fact that it has continued as the location of Works Service and, fittingly, is the place where a heritage car will end up when an owner decides to treat it to a famously meticulous Works Service restoration. Beyond all this, however, is the significance of Works Service to the specialist and highly skilled personnel and to the community of Newport Pagnell. The employees and townsfolk have long regarded their role in the development of Aston Martin with considerable pride, and it is no exaggeration to say that Works Service has become an integral part of the community. This was a pivotal factor in the decision to embark on the multi-million pound expansion project which got underway in October and will see a number of dramatic changes at the site, not least of which will be the creation of ‘Aston Martin Newport Pagnell’, a sleek, new building which will serve as the base for a dealership offering a wide range of new, used and heritage Aston Martins - the first company-owned dealership to be created since the closure of the firm’s London showrooms in Cheval Place and Sloane Street during the early 1990s.

The new building – which has been designed in line with the corporate identity that makes Aston Martin showrooms worldwide instantly recognisable – will also incorporate the recently-formed Works Tailored department which enables clients to create a bespoke car - be it brand new or a heritage model - by combining individual colours, materials and finishes.

A large hardstanding area will provide space for cars to be effectively displayed outside the showroom, and a circular link road bordering the entire site will ensure easy access to all the individual elements of the new development. ‘I think the best way to describe the project is as a centre of excellence for all things Aston Martin,’ says Kingsley Riding-Felce, Director of Works Service and Parts Operations. ‘We began discussing the idea of expansion in early 2010, partly because so many clients from around the world had expressed the desire for a fully-integrated Aston Martin location where they could access every service we have to offer, from repairs and restoration to car sales and Works Tailored. Plans were formalised in June this year, and we expect the development to be completed in time for the annual Bonhams Aston Martin auction that traditionally takes place in May – just one event that will benefit from the superb facilities that the new building will provide.’ Kingsley adds that the purpose-built dealership will be one of the largest Aston Martin showrooms in the world and will be unique in offering both new, pre-owned and heritage cars, all of which will be prepared to the typically meticulous Works Service standards. ‘The development is not just confined to creating the new dealership, but will extend to all other Works Service areas,’ he explains. ‘This means upgrading the workshops for both new model servicing and repairs to fit in with the current corporate identity – these are areas that clients have expressed an interest in being able to experience.

‘The people of Newport Pagnell are absolutely delighted with the plans because it reinforces the link with Aston Martin that was first forged in 1954 when David Brown bought the Tickford Street premises. The expansion will also mean an increase in the Works Service’s workforce which will probably grow to around 70 personnel on-site.’ The history of Works Service can be traced back to 1924, 11 years after the marque was created by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. Originally known simply as the ‘Service Department’, it became Works Service following the move to Tickford Street. From dealing with no more than a handful of cars per month in the early stages, it now handles the service, repair and restoration of up to 2,500 Aston Martins and Lagondas from more than 30 countries each year. ‘After many years, we have established ourselves as a leader in Aston Martin service, repair and restoration at Newport Pagnell and now boast a remarkable level of experience within our ranks,’ says Kingsley. ‘The opportunity to now be able to invest in our buildings and bring them to the same high standard as our knowledge and skill is very exciting indeed. The integrated plan will considerably enhance our capabilities to cater for customer demands not just as they are now, but also well into the future.’

A S T O N M A R T I N

1 0 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

e x p a n s i o n

1 0 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The new building will also incorporate the recently formed Works Tailored department, which enables clients to create a bespoke car – be it brand new or a heritage model – by combining individual colours, materials and finishes

ABOVE: Tickford Street’s Aston Martin Works Service facility has frequently reinvented itself, ever since the golden ‘DB’ years of the sixties.

It was back in 1955 that Aston Martin’s then owner, David Brown, purchased the former site of coachbuilder Salmon and Sons in the town’s Tickford Street to use as a base for building both Aston Martins and Lagondas, a purpose it served until production moved to Gaydon in 2007. But for many enthusiasts around the world, Newport Pagnell is still the spiritual home of Aston Martin, a feeling reinforced by the fact that it has continued as the location of Works Service and, fittingly, is the place where a heritage car will end up when an owner decides to treat it to a famously meticulous Works Service restoration. Beyond all this, however, is the significance of Works Service to the specialist and highly skilled personnel and to the community of Newport Pagnell. The employees and townsfolk have long regarded their role in the development of Aston Martin with considerable pride, and it is no exaggeration to say that Works Service has become an integral part of the community. This was a pivotal factor in the decision to embark on the multi-million pound expansion project which got underway in October and will see a number of dramatic changes at the site, not least of which will be the creation of ‘Aston Martin Newport Pagnell’, a sleek, new building which will serve as the base for a dealership offering a wide range of new, used and heritage Aston Martins - the first company-owned dealership to be created since the closure of the firm’s London showrooms in Cheval Place and Sloane Street during the early 1990s.

The new building – which has been designed in line with the corporate identity that makes Aston Martin showrooms worldwide instantly recognisable – will also incorporate the recently-formed Works Tailored department which enables clients to create a bespoke car - be it brand new or a heritage model - by combining individual colours, materials and finishes.

A large hardstanding area will provide space for cars to be effectively displayed outside the showroom, and a circular link road bordering the entire site will ensure easy access to all the individual elements of the new development. ‘I think the best way to describe the project is as a centre of excellence for all things Aston Martin,’ says Kingsley Riding-Felce, Director of Works Service and Parts Operations. ‘We began discussing the idea of expansion in early 2010, partly because so many clients from around the world had expressed the desire for a fully-integrated Aston Martin location where they could access every service we have to offer, from repairs and restoration to car sales and Works Tailored. Plans were formalised in June this year, and we expect the development to be completed in time for the annual Bonhams Aston Martin auction that traditionally takes place in May – just one event that will benefit from the superb facilities that the new building will provide.’ Kingsley adds that the purpose-built dealership will be one of the largest Aston Martin showrooms in the world and will be unique in offering both new, pre-owned and heritage cars, all of which will be prepared to the typically meticulous Works Service standards. ‘The development is not just confined to creating the new dealership, but will extend to all other Works Service areas,’ he explains. ‘This means upgrading the workshops for both new model servicing and repairs to fit in with the current corporate identity – these are areas that clients have expressed an interest in being able to experience.

‘The people of Newport Pagnell are absolutely delighted with the plans because it reinforces the link with Aston Martin that was first forged in 1954 when David Brown bought the Tickford Street premises. The expansion will also mean an increase in the Works Service’s workforce which will probably grow to around 70 personnel on-site.’ The history of Works Service can be traced back to 1924, 11 years after the marque was created by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. Originally known simply as the ‘Service Department’, it became Works Service following the move to Tickford Street. From dealing with no more than a handful of cars per month in the early stages, it now handles the service, repair and restoration of up to 2,500 Aston Martins and Lagondas from more than 30 countries each year. ‘After many years, we have established ourselves as a leader in Aston Martin service, repair and restoration at Newport Pagnell and now boast a remarkable level of experience within our ranks,’ says Kingsley. ‘The opportunity to now be able to invest in our buildings and bring them to the same high standard as our knowledge and skill is very exciting indeed. The integrated plan will considerably enhance our capabilities to cater for customer demands not just as they are now, but also well into the future.’

A S T O N M A R T I N

1 0 6 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

e x p a n s i o n

1 0 7I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

The new building will also incorporate the recently formed Works Tailored department, which enables clients to create a bespoke car – be it brand new or a heritage model – by combining individual colours, materials and finishes

ABOVE: Tickford Street’s Aston Martin Works Service facility has frequently reinvented itself, ever since the golden ‘DB’ years of the sixties.

MODEL RANGEPURE ASTON MARTIN

O N E - 7 7 _ I I

V 1 2 Z A G AT O _ I I I

D B S _ I V

V I R A G E _ V

R A P I D E _ V I

D B 9 _ V I I

V 1 2 V A N TA G E _ V I I I

V 8 V A N TA G E & V 8 V A N TA G E S _ I X

C Y G N E T _ X

A S T O N M A R T I N

New Aston Martin DB6 bumpers have been unavailable for 15 years. As the original supplier closed in the 1980s, and the tooling had since disappeared, Aston Martin’s Heritage Operations team at Wolverton Mill near Milton Keynes have had their work cut out to provide their usual high level of support to DB-era car owners, even taking the decision to manufacture the bumpers from scratch.

It’s not as simple as you might think. A few stainless-steel versions had been produced by independent suppliers, but they were very heavy and, of course, not the genuine article. Partly due to the increased value of the cars, and with more being restored globally, the number of enquiries for the genuine and more valuable original started to rise. The Heritage team began to contact potential suppliers, often a challenge when low volumes are required, and draft costings were finally obtained for tooling and production pressings.

Luckily, one set of perfect, original bumpers were loaned by a helpful and enthusiastic owner, and in a twist to the tale, a set of original engineering production drawings for the DB6’s bumpers were found. A sizeable batch of miscellaneous drawings had been found in the famous old three-storey building at Newport Pagnell, just prior to production finishing there in 2007. Staff estimated they had been there since the 1960s. They were duly taken back to the Parts Operations Archive at Wolverton Mill for identification and assessment, when one of the team stumbled across the full set of original drawings for the DB6 bumpers. After some restoration work, the drawings could be scanned onto Heritage Operations’ electronic database of over 28,000 engineering drawings, and finally used to create the bumper’s press tooling.

The finished article is, as you would expect, immaculate. Adjustablemountings allow for the differences in handcrafted body panels, and the parts are supplied unchromed and with extra material to allow for fettling to create perfect body gaps. With such dedication and painstaking attention to detail, owners of Heritage Aston Martins can have complete confidence to enjoy their cars to the full, in the knowledge that they have best-in-class support, both in terms of parts availability and technical expertise. After all, Heritage Aston Martins are built to be driven on the road, not kept in museums.

DB6 bumpers are now on the shelf and available to order fromAston Martin Heritage Specialists and Main Dealers.

1 0 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

B U M P E R T O B U M P E R

Aston Martin Heritage Operations provides

in-depth support for Aston Martin and

Lagonda models from the 1958 DB4 all the

way through to the Vanquish of 2007, and

is totally committed to keeping these rare

cars on the road. Over 23,000 individual

parts l ines are kept in stock, from a DB4 GT

cylinder head to a complete DB7 body shell,

all to original factory specifications – but if

it is not in stock, Aston Martin will make you

one. Such as a DB6 bumper, for example…

AM17 PartsOps - Bumpers P108_NEW108 108 9/11/11 11:11:04

MODEL RANGEPURE ASTON MARTIN

O N E - 7 7 _ I I

V 1 2 Z A G AT O _ I I I

D B S _ I V

V I R A G E _ V

R A P I D E _ V I

D B 9 _ V I I

V 1 2 V A N TA G E _ V I I I

V 8 V A N TA G E & V 8 V A N TA G E S _ I X

C Y G N E T _ X

A S T O N M A R T I N

New Aston Martin DB6 bumpers have been unavailable for 15 years. As the original supplier closed in the 1980s, and the tooling had since disappeared, Aston Martin’s Heritage Operations team at Wolverton Mill near Milton Keynes have had their work cut out to provide their usual high level of support to DB-era car owners, even taking the decision to manufacture the bumpers from scratch.

It’s not as simple as you might think. A few stainless-steel versions had been produced by independent suppliers, but they were very heavy and, of course, not the genuine article. Partly due to the increased value of the cars, and with more being restored globally, the number of enquiries for the genuine and more valuable original started to rise. The Heritage team began to contact potential suppliers, often a challenge when low volumes are required, and draft costings were finally obtained for tooling and production pressings.

Luckily, one set of perfect, original bumpers were loaned by a helpful and enthusiastic owner, and in a twist to the tale, a set of original engineering production drawings for the DB6’s bumpers were found. A sizeable batch of miscellaneous drawings had been found in the famous old three-storey building at Newport Pagnell, just prior to production finishing there in 2007. Staff estimated they had been there since the 1960s. They were duly taken back to the Parts Operations Archive at Wolverton Mill for identification and assessment, when one of the team stumbled across the full set of original drawings for the DB6 bumpers. After some restoration work, the drawings could be scanned onto Heritage Operations’ electronic database of over 28,000 engineering drawings, and finally used to create the bumper’s press tooling.

The finished article is, as you would expect, immaculate. Adjustablemountings allow for the differences in handcrafted body panels, and the parts are supplied unchromed and with extra material to allow for fettling to create perfect body gaps. With such dedication and painstaking attention to detail, owners of Heritage Aston Martins can have complete confidence to enjoy their cars to the full, in the knowledge that they have best-in-class support, both in terms of parts availability and technical expertise. After all, Heritage Aston Martins are built to be driven on the road, not kept in museums.

DB6 bumpers are now on the shelf and available to order fromAston Martin Heritage Specialists and Main Dealers.

1 0 8 I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

B U M P E R T O B U M P E R

Aston Martin Heritage Operations provides

in-depth support for Aston Martin and

Lagonda models from the 1958 DB4 all the

way through to the Vanquish of 2007, and

is totally committed to keeping these rare

cars on the road. Over 23,000 individual

parts l ines are kept in stock, from a DB4 GT

cylinder head to a complete DB7 body shell,

all to original factory specifications – but if

it is not in stock, Aston Martin will make you

one. Such as a DB6 bumper, for example…

AM17 PartsOps - Bumpers P108_NEW108 108 9/11/11 11:11:04

A S T O N M A R T I N

I I II S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

I I I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

O n e - 7 7

For a st r ict ly l imited number of d iscerning customers, One-77 fuses advanced

technology with stunning Aston Mart in des ign to create what is poss ib ly the world’s

most des i rable automotive art form

V 1 2 Z a g a t o

Aston Mart in and Zagato are celebrat ing 50 years of their famous partnership in

2011 with yet another stunning re intepretat ion of Aston Mart in’s legendary l ines –

a V12-powered natural-born racer whose ear ly prototypes proved their mett le at the

Nürburgr ing in June, now in st r ict ly l imited product ion for a lucky 150 customers

BODY

• Two-seat, two-door coupe

• Carbon-fibre monocoque structure

• Hand-crafted aluminium body panels

• Active aerodynamics with

deployable spoiler

ENGINE

• Alloy quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 7312 cc V12

• Front mid-mounted engine,

rear-wheel drive

• Max power 559 kW

(750 bhp/760 PS)

• Max torque 750 Nm at 5500 rpm

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, six-speed

automated manual gearbox with

auto shift manual/select shift

manual (ASM/SSM) electric

hydraulic control system

• Magnesium alloy torque tube

with carbon fibre propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Two-door, two-seat coupe body

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft

48-valve 5935 cc V12

• Max power 380 kW

(510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.2 seconds

• Max speed 305 km/h (190 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted six-speed

manual gearbox.

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 388 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

I I II S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

I I I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

O n e - 7 7

For a st r ict ly l imited number of d iscerning customers, One-77 fuses advanced

technology with stunning Aston Mart in des ign to create what is poss ib ly the world’s

most des i rable automotive art form

V 1 2 Z a g a t o

Aston Mart in and Zagato are celebrat ing 50 years of their famous partnership in

2011 with yet another stunning re intepretat ion of Aston Mart in’s legendary l ines –

a V12-powered natural-born racer whose ear ly prototypes proved their mett le at the

Nürburgr ing in June, now in st r ict ly l imited product ion for a lucky 150 customers

BODY

• Two-seat, two-door coupe

• Carbon-fibre monocoque structure

• Hand-crafted aluminium body panels

• Active aerodynamics with

deployable spoiler

ENGINE

• Alloy quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 7312 cc V12

• Front mid-mounted engine,

rear-wheel drive

• Max power 559 kW

(750 bhp/760 PS)

• Max torque 750 Nm at 5500 rpm

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, six-speed

automated manual gearbox with

auto shift manual/select shift

manual (ASM/SSM) electric

hydraulic control system

• Magnesium alloy torque tube

with carbon fibre propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Two-door, two-seat coupe body

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft

48-valve 5935 cc V12

• Max power 380 kW

(510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.2 seconds

• Max speed 305 km/h (190 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted six-speed

manual gearbox.

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 388 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

VI S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

I V I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

D B S [ C O U P E & V O L A N T E ] & D B S C A R B O N E D I T I O N

Seductively powerful and exquisitely f inished, the Aston Martin DBS is the ult imate

blend of ref ined performance and minimalist luxury

V i r a g e [ C O U P E & V O L A N T E ]

The Aston Mart in Virage is a new breed of handcrafted luxury sports GT. Powered by

an effort less ly muscular V12 engine mated to a smoothly responsive paddle-shi f t

‘Touchtronic 2’ automatic t ransmiss ion, the Virage is a lesson in discreet sty le and

assured performance: e legant, opulent, exclus ive and seduct ively understated

BODY

• Two-door coupe body style

with 2+0 seating or soft-cover

convertible top body style with

2+2 seating

ENGINE

• All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 5935 cc V12

• Max power 380 kW

(510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h

(62 mph) in 4.3 sec

• Max speed (manual/)

305 km/h (190 mph)

• Max speed (‘Touchtronic 2’)

295 km/h (183 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, six-speed

manual gearbox

• Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed gearbox with electronic

shift-by-wire control system

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 388 g/km1 – manual

• 367 g/km1 – automatic

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Two-door coupe or soft-cover

convertible top body style with

2+2 seating

ENGINE

• All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 5935 cc V12

• Max power 365 kW

(490 bhp/497 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.6 seconds

• Max speed 295 km/h (183 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed automatic gearbox with

electronic shift-by-wire control system

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 349 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

VI S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

I V I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

D B S [ C O U P E & V O L A N T E ] & D B S C A R B O N E D I T I O N

Seductively powerful and exquisitely f inished, the Aston Martin DBS is the ult imate

blend of ref ined performance and minimalist luxury

V i r a g e [ C O U P E & V O L A N T E ]

The Aston Mart in Virage is a new breed of handcrafted luxury sports GT. Powered by

an effort less ly muscular V12 engine mated to a smoothly responsive paddle-shi f t

‘Touchtronic 2’ automatic t ransmiss ion, the Virage is a lesson in discreet sty le and

assured performance: e legant, opulent, exclus ive and seduct ively understated

BODY

• Two-door coupe body style

with 2+0 seating or soft-cover

convertible top body style with

2+2 seating

ENGINE

• All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 5935 cc V12

• Max power 380 kW

(510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h

(62 mph) in 4.3 sec

• Max speed (manual/)

305 km/h (190 mph)

• Max speed (‘Touchtronic 2’)

295 km/h (183 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, six-speed

manual gearbox

• Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed gearbox with electronic

shift-by-wire control system

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 388 g/km1 – manual

• 367 g/km1 – automatic

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Two-door coupe or soft-cover

convertible top body style with

2+2 seating

ENGINE

• All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 5935 cc V12

• Max power 365 kW

(490 bhp/497 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.6 seconds

• Max speed 295 km/h (183 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed automatic gearbox with

electronic shift-by-wire control system

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 349 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

V I II S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

V I I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

R a p i d e

Rapide is the world’s most e legant four-door sports car. The Rapide exists in a c lass

al l of i ts own – a stunning evolut ion of Aston Mart in’s unmistakable design language,

accommodat ing four adults in luxury and comfort with benchmark levels of dr iver

engagement and ref inement

D B 9 [ C O U P E & V O L A N T E ]

The Aston Martin DB9 is the quintessential sporting grand tourer – a thoroughbred

performance car that combines true beauty with functionality. Whether in Coupe or

Volante form, it offers a supreme combination of driver involvement, character,

luxury and ref inement

BODY

• Two-door coupe or soft-cover

convertible top body style with

2+2 seating

ENGINE

• All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 5935 cc V12

• Max power 350 kW

(470 bhp/477 PS) at 6000 rpm

• Max torque 600 Nm

(443 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm

• Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.8 sec

• Max speed 300 km/h (186 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed automatic with electronic

shift-by-wire control system

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 345 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Four-door body style with tailgate

and 4 individual seats

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve 5935 cc V12

• Max power 350 kW

(470 bhp/477 PS) at 6000 rpm

• Max torque 600 Nm

(443 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h

(62 mph) in 5.2 seconds

• Max speed 295 km/h (183 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed gearbox with electronic

shift-by-wire control system

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 355 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

V I II S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

V I I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

R a p i d e

Rapide is the world’s most e legant four-door sports car. The Rapide exists in a c lass

al l of i ts own – a stunning evolut ion of Aston Mart in’s unmistakable design language,

accommodat ing four adults in luxury and comfort with benchmark levels of dr iver

engagement and ref inement

D B 9 [ C O U P E & V O L A N T E ]

The Aston Martin DB9 is the quintessential sporting grand tourer – a thoroughbred

performance car that combines true beauty with functionality. Whether in Coupe or

Volante form, it offers a supreme combination of driver involvement, character,

luxury and ref inement

BODY

• Two-door coupe or soft-cover

convertible top body style with

2+2 seating

ENGINE

• All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve, 5935 cc V12

• Max power 350 kW

(470 bhp/477 PS) at 6000 rpm

• Max torque 600 Nm

(443 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm

• Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.8 sec

• Max speed 300 km/h (186 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed automatic with electronic

shift-by-wire control system

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 345 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Four-door body style with tailgate

and 4 individual seats

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft,

48-valve 5935 cc V12

• Max power 350 kW

(470 bhp/477 PS) at 6000 rpm

• Max torque 600 Nm

(443 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h

(62 mph) in 5.2 seconds

• Max speed 295 km/h (183 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2’

six-speed gearbox with electronic

shift-by-wire control system

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 355 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

I XI S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

V I I I I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

V 1 2 Va n t a g e

One of the world’s great engines c lothed in one of the most sty l i sh coupes ever

designed, the V12 Vantage is a unique and extraordinary Aston Mart in. Compact,

agi le and bl is ter ingly quick, i t i s the most potent of the Vantage model range

V 8 Va n t a g e & V 8 Va n t a g e S [ C O U P E & R O A D S T E R ]

A supreme example of modern automotive design, the V8 Vantage and V8 Vantage S

are hand-crafted sports cars of fer ing except ional performance, outstanding agi l i ty

and everyday usabi l i ty

BODY

• Two-door, two-seat coupe body

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft

48-valve 5935 cc V12

• Max power 380 kW

(510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.2 seconds

• Max speed 305 km/h (190 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted six-speed

manual gearbox.

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 388 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Two-seat, two-door coupe or

soft-cover convertible top body style

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft,

32-valve 4735 cc V8

• Max power (V8 Vantage) 313 kW

(420 bhp/426 PS) at 7300 rpm

• Max power (V8 Vantage S) 321 kW

(430 bhp/436 PS) at 7300 rpm

• Max torque (V8 Vantage) 470 Nm

(346 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

• Max torque (V8 Vantage S) 490 Nm

(361 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

• Acceleration (V8 Vantage)

0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds

(V8 Vantage S data TBC)

• Max speed (V8 Vantage)

290 km/h (180 mph)

• Max speed (V8 Vantage S)

305 km/h (190 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, six-speed

manual transmission

• Sportshift six-speed automated

manual transmission

• Rear mid-mounted Sportshift II

seven-speed automated manual

transmission – V8 Vantage S

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 321 g/km – manual

• 295 g/km – Sportshift

• 299 g/km – V8 Vantage S

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

I XI S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

V I I I I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

V 1 2 Va n t a g e

One of the world’s great engines c lothed in one of the most sty l i sh coupes ever

designed, the V12 Vantage is a unique and extraordinary Aston Mart in. Compact,

agi le and bl is ter ingly quick, i t i s the most potent of the Vantage model range

V 8 Va n t a g e & V 8 Va n t a g e S [ C O U P E & R O A D S T E R ]

A supreme example of modern automotive design, the V8 Vantage and V8 Vantage S

are hand-crafted sports cars of fer ing except ional performance, outstanding agi l i ty

and everyday usabi l i ty

BODY

• Two-door, two-seat coupe body

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft

48-valve 5935 cc V12

• Max power 380 kW

(510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm

• Max torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft)

at 5750 rpm

• Acceleration 0–100 km/h (62 mph)

in 4.2 seconds

• Max speed 305 km/h (190 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted six-speed

manual gearbox.

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 388 g/km

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

BODY

• Two-seat, two-door coupe or

soft-cover convertible top body style

ENGINE

• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft,

32-valve 4735 cc V8

• Max power (V8 Vantage) 313 kW

(420 bhp/426 PS) at 7300 rpm

• Max power (V8 Vantage S) 321 kW

(430 bhp/436 PS) at 7300 rpm

• Max torque (V8 Vantage) 470 Nm

(346 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

• Max torque (V8 Vantage S) 490 Nm

(361 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

• Acceleration (V8 Vantage)

0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds

(V8 Vantage S data TBC)

• Max speed (V8 Vantage)

290 km/h (180 mph)

• Max speed (V8 Vantage S)

305 km/h (190 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• Rear mid-mounted, six-speed

manual transmission

• Sportshift six-speed automated

manual transmission

• Rear mid-mounted Sportshift II

seven-speed automated manual

transmission – V8 Vantage S

• Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre

propeller shaft

• Limited-slip differential

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 321 g/km – manual

• 295 g/km – Sportshift

• 299 g/km – V8 Vantage S

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

A S T O N M A R T I N

X I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

C y g n e t

We are moving in a changing world. I t i s t ime for an Aston Mart in Tai lor-Fi t for

the city. Elegant and dist inct ive, individual and practical , Cygnet is the luxury solut ion

to urban mobi l i ty

BODY

• Two door body style with full width

tailgate and four seats

ENGINE

• 1.33 litre with Variable Valve Timing

(VVT)

• 4 in-line cylinders

• 16-valve DOHC (Double

Overhead Camshaft) chain drive

• Front mounted engine

and differential

• Front-wheel drive

0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.8

seconds (manual)

0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.6

seconds (CVT)

• Max power 72 kW (97 bhp/98 PS)

• Max speed 170 km/h (106 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• 6-speed manual (with Stop & Start

technology and gear shift indicator)

• Optional Constantly Variable

Transmission (CVT) (with Eco

Driving Indicator)

CO2 EMISSIONS

•116 g/km (6-speed manual)

•120 g/km (CVT)

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

Aston Martin Magazine ispublished on behalf ofAston Martin Lagonda Limitedby Affinity Publishing. For allpublishing and advertisingenquiries please contact:

AFFINITY PUBLISHING

21 Grosvenor StreetLondon W1K 4QJUnited Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 7399 9580F: +44 (0)20 7399 9589E: info@affinitypublishing.co.ukwww.affinitypublishing.co.uk

ASTON MARTINEDITORIAL TEAM

JANETTE GREENDirector of BrandCommunications

KINGSLEY RIDING-FELCEDirector of Works Service &Parts Operations

JOHN MUIRHEADBrand Communications Manager

RAPHAËLE LOHÉAC-DERBOULLEBrand Communications Executive

ALEX DOAKProject Manager,Affinity Publishing

ASTON MARTINHEAD OFFICES

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDABanbury RoadGaydonWarwick CV35 0DBUnited Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1926 644644F: +44 (0)1926 644333

ASTON MARTIN WORKS SERVICETickford StreetNewport PagnellBuckinghamshire MK16 9ANUnited Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1908 619264F: +44 (0)1908 216439E: service2@astonmartin.com

READER ENQUIRIES

E: ampr@astonmartin.com

PRINTED BY BUXTON PRESS

Aston Martin(ISSN 2045-3787) is publishedquarterly Spring (March), Summer(May), Autumn (August) andWinter (November) by AffinityPublishing UK, 21 GrosvenorStreet, London, W1K 4QJ, UKand distributed in the USA byMail Right Int., 1637 SteltonRoad B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854.Periodicals Postage Paid atPiscataway, NJ and additionalmailing offices. POSTMASTER:Send address changes toAston Martin c/o Mail RightInternational Inc. 1637 SteltonRoad B4, Piscataway NJ 08854.

ASTON MARTINREGIONAL OFFICES

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDATHE AMERICAS9920 Irvine Center DriveIrvineCA 92618USAT: +1 949 3793100

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDAOF EUROPE GmbHUnterschweinstiege 2-1460549 FrankfurtGermanyT: +49 (0)69 770752001

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDAMIDDLE EASTPO Box 79680DubaiUnited Arab EmiratesT: +44 (0)1926 644644

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDAASIA PACIFICArk Mori Building 12F1-2-32 Akasaka, Minato-KuTokyoJapan 107-6012T: +81 (0)3 43609244

ADVERTIS INGENQUIRIES

Call the advertising sales teamon +44 (0)20 7399 9580 oremail Mavesh Chaudryonmavesh.chaudry@affinitypublishing.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORSPhilippe Amis-Santerre,Jonathan Bell, Rob Crossan,Simon de Burton, Amanda Fuller,Avril Groom, Rebecca May Johnson, Brian Laban, Mark C. O’Flaherty,Patrick C. Paternie, Gareth Rubin,Amelia Walker, Josh Wood

CREDIT ALSO GOES TO:David Shepherd (pp10-12);Janette Green (p12);Dr Ulrich Bez (pp28-32);Sam Tarling (p37);Mohamed El Hebeishy (pp38-42);Joe Windsor-Williams (pp50-59);Nick Dimbleby (p55);dinner.wordpress.com (p84);James Gibson (p97);Lee Brimble (p100)

©COPYRIGHT 2011 ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA LIMITED. All material strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission of Affinity Publishingand/or Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is strictly forbidden. All content believed to be correct at time of going to print. The views expressed are not necessarily those of Affinity Publishing orAston Martin Lagonda Limited. Aston Martin Lagonda Limited does not officially endorse any advertising material or editorials for third party products included within this publication.

DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT Aston Martin Lagonda Limited (Aston Martin) respects the privacy of every individual who receives the Aston Martin Magazine. Any information collected about you will be used to fulfil the delivery of the magazine, for readership profiling purposes and for further marketing of Aston Martin products and events. We do this by making appropriate use of the information. This information will not be disclosed to anyone outside of Aston Martin, its affiliated or associated companies, its agencies, dealers, partners or licensees. It will be treated inaccordance with the relevant legal provisions concerning data protection and may initially be stored and processed inside or outside the European Union anywhere in the world. You have the right as an individual to find out what information we hold about you and make corrections if necessary; you also have the right to ask us not to use the information. We will make all practical effortsto respect your wishes.

JOE WINDSOR-WILLIAMSOur retrospective photostory of the

10 best driving shots featured inAston Martin Magazine includes no fewer than nine from Joe. Over his

17-year career, Joe’s style has developed from fashion to specialise in automotive

photography, albeit with a lifestyle vision of the car, working on advertising campaigns

and editorial, as well as projects for Aston Martin, Bang & Olufsen, Sunseeker

and Jaeger-LeCoultre. He is based in London with his wife and family.

MARK C. O’FLAHERTYMark is a nomadic design and travel

writer and a frequent contributor to the‘Financial Times’ and ‘The Sunday Times’

as well as ‘Elle’, ‘Blueprint’ and awide variety of international journals.Mark studied film in London and hada highly successful career as a music

photographer in the 1990s beforebranching into fashion-show productionat London Fashion Week. In this issue, he explores the current trend for dining

rooms that are designed with similarextravagance to the food being served.

AVRIL GROOMExamining the prolific revival of alternative arts and crafts in the world of watchmaking is Avril, who has been writing about fashion and luxury goods, including watches and jewellery, for more decades than she now admits. She writes for a wide range of publications including the ‘Financial Times’’ ‘How to Spend It’ magazine, ‘The Australian’ newspaper and American Express’ ‘Centurion’ magazine.

GARETH RUBINGareth is a freelance writer based inthe UK and is the author of our featureexamining the brave new world of spacetourism on page 86. He specialises intravel, news, arts and personal finance,writing regular features for ‘The Guardian’newspaper amongst others. Not onlya master of the pen, he is also a vocal trainer and performer. His first novel,‘Here I Lie’, will be published in 2012.

ISSUE 17

CONTRIBUTORS

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 1 1 9

A S T O N M A R T I N

AM17 Acks P119.indd 119 9/11/11 10:51:41

A S T O N M A R T I N

X I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1

C y g n e t

We are moving in a changing world. I t i s t ime for an Aston Mart in Tai lor-Fi t for

the city. Elegant and dist inct ive, individual and practical , Cygnet is the luxury solut ion

to urban mobi l i ty

BODY

• Two door body style with full width

tailgate and four seats

ENGINE

• 1.33 litre with Variable Valve Timing

(VVT)

• 4 in-line cylinders

• 16-valve DOHC (Double

Overhead Camshaft) chain drive

• Front mounted engine

and differential

• Front-wheel drive

0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.8

seconds (manual)

0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.6

seconds (CVT)

• Max power 72 kW (97 bhp/98 PS)

• Max speed 170 km/h (106 mph)

TRANSMISSION

• 6-speed manual (with Stop & Start

technology and gear shift indicator)

• Optional Constantly Variable

Transmission (CVT) (with Eco

Driving Indicator)

CO2 EMISSIONS

•116 g/km (6-speed manual)

•120 g/km (CVT)

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N

Aston Martin Magazine ispublished on behalf ofAston Martin Lagonda Limitedby Affinity Publishing. For allpublishing and advertisingenquiries please contact:

AFFINITY PUBLISHING

21 Grosvenor StreetLondon W1K 4QJUnited Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 7399 9580F: +44 (0)20 7399 9589E: info@affinitypublishing.co.ukwww.affinitypublishing.co.uk

ASTON MARTINEDITORIAL TEAM

JANETTE GREENDirector of BrandCommunications

KINGSLEY RIDING-FELCEDirector of Works Service &Parts Operations

JOHN MUIRHEADBrand Communications Manager

RAPHAËLE LOHÉAC-DERBOULLEBrand Communications Executive

ALEX DOAKProject Manager,Affinity Publishing

ASTON MARTINHEAD OFFICES

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDABanbury RoadGaydonWarwick CV35 0DBUnited Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1926 644644F: +44 (0)1926 644333

ASTON MARTIN WORKS SERVICETickford StreetNewport PagnellBuckinghamshire MK16 9ANUnited Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1908 619264F: +44 (0)1908 216439E: service2@astonmartin.com

READER ENQUIRIES

E: ampr@astonmartin.com

PRINTED BY BUXTON PRESS

Aston Martin(ISSN 2045-3787) is publishedquarterly Spring (March), Summer(May), Autumn (August) andWinter (November) by AffinityPublishing UK, 21 GrosvenorStreet, London, W1K 4QJ, UKand distributed in the USA byMail Right Int., 1637 SteltonRoad B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854.Periodicals Postage Paid atPiscataway, NJ and additionalmailing offices. POSTMASTER:Send address changes toAston Martin c/o Mail RightInternational Inc. 1637 SteltonRoad B4, Piscataway NJ 08854.

ASTON MARTINREGIONAL OFFICES

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDATHE AMERICAS9920 Irvine Center DriveIrvineCA 92618USAT: +1 949 3793100

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDAOF EUROPE GmbHUnterschweinstiege 2-1460549 FrankfurtGermanyT: +49 (0)69 770752001

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDAMIDDLE EASTPO Box 79680DubaiUnited Arab EmiratesT: +44 (0)1926 644644

ASTON MARTIN LAGONDAASIA PACIFICArk Mori Building 12F1-2-32 Akasaka, Minato-KuTokyoJapan 107-6012T: +81 (0)3 43609244

ADVERTIS INGENQUIRIES

Call the advertising sales teamon +44 (0)20 7399 9580 oremail Mavesh Chaudryonmavesh.chaudry@affinitypublishing.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORSPhilippe Amis-Santerre,Jonathan Bell, Rob Crossan,Simon de Burton, Amanda Fuller,Avril Groom, Rebecca May Johnson, Brian Laban, Mark C. O’Flaherty,Patrick C. Paternie, Gareth Rubin,Amelia Walker, Josh Wood

CREDIT ALSO GOES TO:David Shepherd (pp10-12);Janette Green (p12);Dr Ulrich Bez (pp28-32);Sam Tarling (p37);Mohamed El Hebeishy (pp38-42);Joe Windsor-Williams (pp50-59);Nick Dimbleby (p55);dinner.wordpress.com (p84);James Gibson (p97);Lee Brimble (p100)

©COPYRIGHT 2011 ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA LIMITED. All material strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission of Affinity Publishingand/or Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is strictly forbidden. All content believed to be correct at time of going to print. The views expressed are not necessarily those of Affinity Publishing orAston Martin Lagonda Limited. Aston Martin Lagonda Limited does not officially endorse any advertising material or editorials for third party products included within this publication.

DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT Aston Martin Lagonda Limited (Aston Martin) respects the privacy of every individual who receives the Aston Martin Magazine. Any information collected about you will be used to fulfil the delivery of the magazine, for readership profiling purposes and for further marketing of Aston Martin products and events. We do this by making appropriate use of the information. This information will not be disclosed to anyone outside of Aston Martin, its affiliated or associated companies, its agencies, dealers, partners or licensees. It will be treated inaccordance with the relevant legal provisions concerning data protection and may initially be stored and processed inside or outside the European Union anywhere in the world. You have the right as an individual to find out what information we hold about you and make corrections if necessary; you also have the right to ask us not to use the information. We will make all practical effortsto respect your wishes.

JOE WINDSOR-WILLIAMSOur retrospective photostory of the

10 best driving shots featured inAston Martin Magazine includes no fewer than nine from Joe. Over his

17-year career, Joe’s style has developed from fashion to specialise in automotive

photography, albeit with a lifestyle vision of the car, working on advertising campaigns

and editorial, as well as projects for Aston Martin, Bang & Olufsen, Sunseeker

and Jaeger-LeCoultre. He is based in London with his wife and family.

MARK C. O’FLAHERTYMark is a nomadic design and travel

writer and a frequent contributor to the‘Financial Times’ and ‘The Sunday Times’

as well as ‘Elle’, ‘Blueprint’ and awide variety of international journals.Mark studied film in London and hada highly successful career as a music

photographer in the 1990s beforebranching into fashion-show productionat London Fashion Week. In this issue, he explores the current trend for dining

rooms that are designed with similarextravagance to the food being served.

AVRIL GROOMExamining the prolific revival of alternative arts and crafts in the world of watchmaking is Avril, who has been writing about fashion and luxury goods, including watches and jewellery, for more decades than she now admits. She writes for a wide range of publications including the ‘Financial Times’’ ‘How to Spend It’ magazine, ‘The Australian’ newspaper and American Express’ ‘Centurion’ magazine.

GARETH RUBINGareth is a freelance writer based inthe UK and is the author of our featureexamining the brave new world of spacetourism on page 86. He specialises intravel, news, arts and personal finance,writing regular features for ‘The Guardian’newspaper amongst others. Not onlya master of the pen, he is also a vocal trainer and performer. His first novel,‘Here I Lie’, will be published in 2012.

ISSUE 17

CONTRIBUTORS

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 1 1 1 9

A S T O N M A R T I N

AM17 Acks P119.indd 119 9/11/11 10:51:41

Move up a gear

Australia Botswana Canada Hong Kong India Ireland Mauritius Namibia South Africa Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom & Channel Islands United StatesInvestec Bank plc (Reg. no. 489604) and Investec Asset Management Limited (Reg. no. 2036094) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and are members of the London Stock Exchange. Registered at 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP.

Put a skilled team behind you. We’re driven to find opportunities for clients.

You’ll find fresh thinking and expertise right across our extensive range of

products and services in capital markets, investment banking, asset management,

wealth & investment, private banking and property investments.

Please note that returns are not guaranteed and some of our products

will place your capital at risk.

For more information, call +44 (0)20 7597 4000 or visit www.investec.com

C30126.002_SB_AstonMartin_Nov11_297x230_v2 03/11/2011 14:50 Page 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 11 2 0

[ G R E A T D R I V I N G R O A D S O F T H E W O R L D ]

Acres o f sky and the h igh dese r t p la in near Dead Ind ian Passa re a l l tha t bear w i tness he re in nor th Wyoming , as you f l y towardsthe sh immer ing hor i zon – the d i s tan t van i sh ing po in t tempt ing you

to un leash the potent ia l o f your As ton Mar t in . . .

HIGHWAY 120, WY, USA

AM17 Driving Road P120.indd 120 9/11/11 12:58:13

Move up a gear

Australia Botswana Canada Hong Kong India Ireland Mauritius Namibia South Africa Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom & Channel Islands United StatesInvestec Bank plc (Reg. no. 489604) and Investec Asset Management Limited (Reg. no. 2036094) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and are members of the London Stock Exchange. Registered at 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP.

Put a skilled team behind you. We’re driven to find opportunities for clients.

You’ll find fresh thinking and expertise right across our extensive range of

products and services in capital markets, investment banking, asset management,

wealth & investment, private banking and property investments.

Please note that returns are not guaranteed and some of our products

will place your capital at risk.

For more information, call +44 (0)20 7597 4000 or visit www.investec.com

C30126.002_SB_AstonMartin_Nov11_297x230_v2 03/11/2011 14:50 Page 1

A S T O N M A R T I N

I S S U E 1 7 / 1 11 2 0

[ G R E A T D R I V I N G R O A D S O F T H E W O R L D ]

Acres o f sky and the h igh dese r t p la in near Dead Ind ian Passa re a l l tha t bear w i tness he re in nor th Wyoming , as you f l y towardsthe sh immer ing hor i zon – the d i s tan t van i sh ing po in t tempt ing you

to un leash the potent ia l o f your As ton Mar t in . . .

HIGHWAY 120, WY, USA

AM17 Driving Road P120.indd 120 9/11/11 12:58:13

Whether it’s a transatlantic crossing on a sailboat with friends, or the birth ofa child, there are precious, life-changing moments that deserve to be recordedforever. What will yours be? Let our engraving, enamelling and gemsetting artistsimmortalise your legend. A Reverso just for you.GRANDE REVERSO ULTRA THIN. Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822. Patent 111/398.

YOU DESERVE A REAL WATCH.

THERE ARE STORIES THAT DESERVE TO BE CAPTURED FOREVER.

Jaeger-LeCoultre in partnership with UNESCO to raise awareness and protect marine World Heritage. A real commitment to a precious cause.www.jaeger-lecoultre.com