From its name, you can easily guess that the Spacruzzi involves some sort of jacuzzi. The product of an eponymous American-based company founded by Alex Kanwetz, this hot tub boat will allow you to enjoy your time in spa-temperature water even as you are surrounded by a body of water.

The Spacruzzi is a teardrop-shaped fibreglass vessel that doubles as a jacuzzi after you fill it with water and comes with a built-in gas fireplace that adds warmth to an experience that has been designed to be as luxurious as possible. It is also equipped with an internal heating and circulation system to keep the water at the right temperature, along with a UV and saltwater filtration system to keep everything clean. A small ladder on the side allows you to get in and out of the tub easily.

Measuring a little under 13 feet and weighing about 550kg when dry – a number which jumps to more than 1,800kg once it’s filled with water – the Spacruzzi can accommodate between five to six passengers comfortably.

So, how do you get this hot tub boat to access and run on water? “Options to access the water include launching with trailer, forklift, gantry, and dockside slip or mooring,” explains Kanwetz. Once on water, it is powered by a fast-charging battery pack that gives you up to five hours of runtime on a single battery. If you’re looking to spend more time at sea, all you have to do is to swap batteries.

The Spacruzzi is certified by the US coast guard and would set you back about US$48,900. However, if you’re looking to add more custom features, it will cost you more. You can visit the brand’s website to learn more.

The post The Spacruzzi is a Hot Tub Boat that promises a Unique Cruise Experience first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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The study that made the discovery

Xiaying Li, a researcher at Wuhan University of Science and Technology, alongside his colleagues, reviewed 19 studies, which included more than 1 million adults across 8 countries. They found out that the more cups of tea a person consumed daily, the more benefits they recorded. For example, participants in the study who drank one to three cups daily had a 4% drop in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who consumed more per day had a higher percentage drop.

In a separate study published in August, researchers found that drinking two or more cups of black tea per day lowered the overall risk of death by 9% to 13% among 498,000 people in the U.K. during a 14-year period, as compared with those who drank no tea. The study also found a link between drinking multiple cups of tea per day and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

Are all teas equal then?

Short answer: yes.

The researchers believe that the polyphenols they contain, which are naturally-occurring compounds in plants with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, are the reason why tea can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and even heart disease and stroke.

Since all teas — with the exception of decaffeinated teas — have polyphenols, then it does not matter what type you choose to have: as long as you’re taking several cups daily, you are sure to reap its benefits.

But, if you are really particular, then the Wush Wush green tea which originates from Ethiopia has the highest polyphenol content. But, we cannot all have access to this type, so really, whether you love black tea, green tea, or oolong, at least 3 cups a day can help keep diabetes (type II) at bay.

Does it matter how you have your tea?

Maki Inoue-Choi, PhD, a staff scientist at the National Cancer Institute told NBC News that she and her colleagues found that adding milk or sugar did nothing to reduce the health benefits of teas. She however noted that the participants tended to use those ingredients sparingly.

“The sweetened tea from the store has a lot more sugar,” she said. “We should still follow the dietary guidelines to avoid too much sugar and too much saturated fat.”

Should we all be drinking more tea then?

If you already love drinking tea, then increasing your daily dose should not be a problem. And it does not hurt to take up tea drinking as a hobby if it isn’t already a part of your lifestyle.

However, it is not mandatory. And since more research would need to be carried out to back up the conclusion of existing studies, then drinking several cups of tea a day to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and improve your overall well-being is not so much an order as it is a suggestion.

The post We may all need to ‘Spill the Tea’ for a Healthier and Diabetes-Free Life first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post We may all need to ‘Spill the Tea’ for a Healthier and Diabetes-Free Life appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The Solution: Singapore Airlines x Bynd Artisan Lifestyle Collection

For luxury brands and service providers, disposing of old stock is always a challenge. Offering discounts may cause more harm than good and just tossing merchandise in the trash is the last thing any business wants to do, especially with the discussions around climate change heating up.

To resolve this challenge, Singapore Airlines launched The Upcycling Project and teamed up with Bynd Artisan for a four-piece lifestyle collection.

Using the materials from the now-retired business class cabins, both brands came up with a capsule collection that reflects who they are. There is the key holder with a strap wristlet and the words ‘Pull For Life Vest’ on it. The keyholder resembles the strap one finds under their seats and that is used to pull out the life vest in the unlikely event of landing on water.

The second item in the collection is a crossbody pouch sling featuring the well-known Singapore Airlines’ batik motif on the inside, ideal for keeping travel documents safe during a trip or for daily essentials, while the third, a timepiece & valet tray stand, designed for a dresser or a desk, is excellent for depositing watches and jewellery.

The last product, a phone & name card stand which is useful for safeguarding relevant phone numbers and business cards also features the carrier’s iconic motif.

All the items in this collection are delivered in matching velvet drawstring bags to maintain the theme of affluence. Most importantly, the bags can be repurposed and reused for any purpose you choose.

Merchandise disposal for luxury brands

In the last couple of years, as more brands have come under scrutiny, most have come up with creative ways to let go of deadstock or old merchandise. For example, in 2021, LVMH launched Nona Source, a platform that allows it to get rid of deadstock by selling it off. Others have chosen to go the route of ‘buyback programs’ to not only control the resale market but to also let go of unsold inventory.

For Singapore Airlines, the solution involves a team effort with a legacy brand for a collection that finds new and innovative uses for the about-to-be-discarded products. Perhaps, this is a strategy that other businesses, including yours, can adopt or at least learn from.

The post Singapore Airlines offers a Perfect Lesson in Product Disposal for Luxury Goods first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Singapore Airlines offers a Perfect Lesson in Product Disposal for Luxury Goods appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

In 2019, just before the world was thrown into the throes of a pandemic, Ferrari announced that it was considering increased streams of income, but from a niche other than auto manufacturing. It was transitioning into a full lifestyle brand, and would now become a major player in the fashion, fine dining and perfumery industries, among other.

By 2021, Ferrari had launched its first full fashion line: a collection of ready-to-wear pieces that came to life on a makeshift runway in the production line of its auto plant in Maranello. Two days after, it relaunched Il Cavallino, the same restaurant where founder Enzo Ferrari once dined with friends and Formula One stars.

Now, continuing on the same path, Ferrari has once again announced plans to further strengthen its presence in the world of luxury lifestyle goods.

Ferrari aims to double revenues in its luxury lifestyle division by 2026

At Ferrari’s Capital Markets Day on June 16 2022, chairman John Elkann said, “Ferrari is at its core a luxury company and the most distinctive and innovative luxury brand, and we see huge opportunities lying ahead in further developing its lifestyle [while] never compromising to be the unmatched expression of Italian excellence.”

Chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna also said that by 2026, Ferrari aims to double revenues in the lifestyle division through luxury goods, the brand’s experiential parks and museums, and collectibles, compared with 2019, while not providing a breakdown.

“We only touched the surface, and our lifestyle pillars can be used to delight customers in different ways and in different moments. We have a strong legitimacy,” Vigna enthused. “Either you are fully committed or you are not — and we are. We are serving only a fraction of the $300 billion market. This is a unique opportunity to make the brand relevant for a wider audience. Focus is key and we must address this with the right partners and talents to make it happen. It’s a new world.”

Ferrari has been seeing a rejuvenation of its loyal customer base in the 2018 to 2022 period, and a 60 per cent growth in new collectors, with a 25 per cent gain in the average number of cars. This is seen as a potential new customer pool for the brand’s luxury fashion, too, as are key regions such as Asia. “Women are also increasingly more interested, they become our ambassadors and help influence the purchases,” Vigna said.

The global appetite for luxury is growing, he said, but he insisted that Ferrari produces “unique cars and unique products,” and he is adapting founder Enzo Ferrari’s motto of delivering “one car less than the market demands” to the lifestyle division to maintain exclusivity.

Ferrari is hardly the first luxury auto brand to venture into fashion and other lifestyle niches

Others like Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini and McLaren have launched fashion collections, and only recently, Bugatti teamed up again with UYN to release a clothing line that includes jackets, sneakers and polo shirts made using advanced technology.

But these apparel are usually made in collaboration with other fashion brands, and while they may have made the news at the time they launched, they have not made quite the splash after.

Perhaps, Ferrari is looking at Hermès which started out as an equestrian accessories company but has now grown to be one of the top luxury fashion brands in the world. It clearly is just as committed to top-tier excellence as the latter, having recruited some of the best and brightest to handle the various categories of its lifestyle division: former Armani designer Rocco Iannone is the creative director of its fashion line and Massimo Bottura, Italy’s most famous chef heads its restaurant.

Whether or not Ferrari will be just as wildly successful remains to be seen. However, judging by its Fall-Winter collection in Milan earlier this year, it is definitely taking steps in the right direction.

The post The Latest Luxury Lifestyle Brand is … Ferrari? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Latest Luxury Lifestyle Brand is … Ferrari? appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

One study showed that people who used fitness apps were more active and had a lower body mass index compared to nonusers and past users. This should come as no surprise: having a clear and accurate representation of everything you have achieved is enough to push you to do more.

If you’ve never used them but are looking to get started with one with no financial commitment, here are some really good free running apps to consider

The Nike Run Club

Nike Run Club is complete with personalized coaching plans and a community feed where you can publish (and customize) pictures of your running experience, compete with friends on leaderboards, and run without your phone if you have an Apple Watch.

Just like the old version, it records your pace, location, distance, elevation, heart rate, and mile splits so you always know your numbers.

Runkeeper

Developed by ASICS, Runkeeper is dedicated to keeping the details of your runs in your hands. The free running app records your pace, distance, total exercise time, calories burned, and other useful metrics. It also allows you to take and tag pictures on the go to use as route inspiration and sharing for the future. Additionally, the app syncs with other apps to create detailed reports of your activity that you can share with your social network.

Adidas Running by Runtastic

Following an acquisition in 2015, the Runtastic app evolved into the Adidas Running by Runtastic. Not only will the app show you the normal stats like average pace, speed, calories burned etc, but it makes progression possible and connects you to a community that will help push you forward towards your running goal(s).

There is also a paid version that gives you access to more premium features.

Strava

This app tracks distance, pace, speed, elevation, and calories burned—and has sparked countless competitions between runners and cyclists alike. With the “Challenges” and “King/Queen of the Mountain” features, average joes can claim the title of fastest known time on a route or ascent—and win bragging rights over everyone else who’s run that specific route.

Map My Run

The OG route tracker, Map My Run was given a major interface upgrade after Under Armour bought the platform in 2013. It’s free and can guide you on a route no matter where you are. Perfect for runners who travel often, Map My Run offers thousands of routes in cities across the world—often logged and rated by runners local to the area. Additionally, the app will store up to 600 of your favourite personal routes, so you can easily cue one up when motivation is low.

All these free running apps are available to download on your phone’s app store

Source: Men’s Journal

The post The Best Free Running Apps to consider for Improved Performance first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Best Free Running Apps to consider for Improved Performance appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

“I think that I conceived CRAWL when I started getting frustrated with the fact that there was not any information or correct phone numbers for different leisure and entertainment spots. Also, it became even more pressing during in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic that travelling wasn’t fun anymore, and it was more important for us to take advantage of the local businesses and the different ‘touristy’ things that we could do in our own backyard.”

“And also just tired of everyone calling me and asking me where to go and what to do. So I just literally created some sort of directory and a social calendar that is now spreading and moving across different African states,” she had told us over a Zoom call.

It is now April 2022, the year and month Ms George-Taylor turns 40. In less than a year since we spoke, a lot has changed for the public relations expert and one of Nigeria’s top PR personalities. Her PR firm, Robert Taylor Media, turned 14 on September 25, 2021 – a feat by no means small if you consider all the challenges businesses face in a clime like ours.

She has been named Director of PR, Media and Communications for the African Association of Women in Tourism and Hospitality; has formed the first chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in Lagos Nigeria, and is currently its first president, amongst other achievements.

The CRAWL app continues to grow and gain recognition as the go-to social site for Nigerians seeking the best spots to hang out and relax, and Bukky is constantly on the move, growing and seeking out new partnerships that make her media firm one of the best to work with in the country and the region.

As she steps onto life’s fourth floor with her signature elegance and style, we catch up once again with her to unravel Bukky – the woman. Ms George-Taylor is such a multifaceted individual that it would be hard to have her compress the last 39 years into a 1000+-word article. Therefore, to get as much as we possibly can here, we focus on the five facets – what we call the 5 Fs – that we think provide the best summary of who Bukky George-Taylor is.

On Food: “I cannot do without chicken”

I like a good breakfast, so, I am a pancakes-type of female. I like my sausages, I like my bacon, I like my eggs and I like a mimosa to top it off. So I do like breakfast.

My most memorable dish would have to be my grandmother’s Ofe-Nsala. My grandmother’s from Onitsha and she just makes the best Ofe-Nsala ever with pounded yam, and that would have to be my most memorable dish: I’ve always had that as a child and still enjoy it to this day.

Food that I cannot do without? I would have to say chicken: anyone that knows me knows I love chicken. As a matter of fact, if my friends go into a restaurant before me, they know to get me my chicken or chicken wings or anything chicken really.

One fine dining experience I cannot forget would have to be the launch of Kaly. The Kaly is actually one of my favourite restaurants that I have the pleasure of actually launching … with the owners … as their PR partner … so that would have to be my most memorable dining experience. It was an amazing evening, everything went really well, and I was super happy and I had fun and I worked at the same time… Goals.

What meal brings out the Michelin star chef in me? I would have to say when I’m about to grill. I’m really, really good with the oven and with grills, and so, that’s where it all happens.

On Fashion: “I can pretty much wear anything”

Fashioooon! … My go-to outfits for work and play… When I go to work and because I own my own business, I usually like to look professional so I would wear a blazer, some pants or a skirt. And when it’s time to play, I really, really have my own style and so, therefore, I dress depending on how I feel. So for example, this evening I’m going out with a group of friends, and I feel a bit ‘bummy’, so I’ll be giving them an oversized t-shirt, some sweatpants and ehrm, sneakers (chuckles).

I don’t think I’ve ever really had a fashion fail moment because again, I dress as I feel. And so, it might be a failure to the next person but to me, I’m in my comfort zone and I’m dressing exactly as I feel.

The most underrated fashion era in my opinion would have to be the 90s. The 90s had to be, or is for me, one of the best fashion eras that we have. We had the high-top sneakers, you know, with the cycling shorts; we had the overalls, we had the lumberjacks, timberland boots, chelseas, sanchos …  jellies… oh my goodness! The 90s is so dope, I think all that fashion should come back: I definitely want to wear a bandanna again.

Clothes I will not be caught dead in? Actually, I can pretty much wear anything: I just have to style it how I feel (laughs)

My most expensive style purchase would have to be my LV luggage.

Ehrrrrrr… actually I lie. No yea, I would say my LV luggage. I really don’t spend too much money on fashion: I go out quite a bit and everywhere, so I do very, very cheap clothing but then, of course, my accessories make a lot of sense. And I would rather buy both. Or a pink Vespa. And a pink helmet.

If I were to get lost in someone’s closet, who would it be? I would say RnB singer, Monica. I’m loving Monica’s style; it’s unlike anyone else’s style. It’s totally her style, which is what I’m very into: I think everyone should have their own unique style. So, If I was to jump into anyone’s closet, it’ll be RnB artiste from the 90s, Monica. Check out her Instagram page now: her style is popping.

On Faith: “I have the perfect attendance when I talk to God”

Well, I believe that God is real, I depend on Him for a lot of things. I may not be the… I may not have the perfect attendance at church, but I have the perfect attendance when I talk to God.

The one time your faith floundered badly? Ehrmmmm, I can’t really pinpoint any one time – I mean, it happens to all of us. But then again, you always notice that at the end of the day, God always comes through.

Why is my faith important to me? Because I do realise that I am a child of God and I do realise that I depend on God for a lot of things. And I do actually realise that God loves me very, very much: loves me, loves my friends, loves my family, loves everything that I have to do with. I’m super blessed, so of course, it would be very important to me. Ehrr …  without God, I’m not sure where I’ll be, honestly.

On Friendship: “I am very mindful of negative energy”

My friendship circle, as I’ve gotten older has become very, very deliberate, very intentional and super important.

I like to be surrounded by people who are very honest about who they are – honest about their flaws, about their imperfections, about their greatness and about their success.

I am also very … ehrm… or my circle is a very positive one. I am very mindful of negative energy: I really don’t want that in my space moving forward, so I have very, very interesting circles of friends and I don’t have just one circle because my friends are cut from different clothes and are all over the place. So, yeah, they are important: my circle is important.

What do I consider more important in business: friends or strong network? I would say a strong network. Your network can be your net worth.

What 3 things do you see in a person before calling them a friend? Integrity, honesty and positive vibes.

On Fun: “I love everywhere in Lagos.”

My three favourite places in Nigeria, Africa and globally. For Nigeria, my three fun places would be any great restaurant, a great lounge and a nice club. I don’t really have places per se because then, I would be biased. I love everywhere in Lagos at the moment.

Ehrr… Africa, I am loving the beaches in Cape Town, and I’m really enjoying the social scene in Accra and I’m really enjoying my mother’s house up in Aburi mountains.

Globally, I am loving Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios: just take me to Jamaica already! (chuckles)

An unusual activity that I do for fun? I play an original Nintendo Mario. Ehrmm … I still play video games: I don’t really, really …I’m not into any of the new stuff. I don’t own a PS 5 or anything like that but I do own retro consoles.

My last really fun activity … would … have … to be yesterday at Bolivar with my friends. Very, very random. It was a simple ‘I’m having a crappy day guys; let’s go and sit down and enjoy some wine and some good food’, and that was really, really fun.

Fun facts about Bukky George-Taylor

On the three things most people do not know about her:

“I am shy. When I walk into a room full of people, I tremble. I always sit down. So, I am shy, I can be shy.”

“I play video games a lot. I have the very first Nintendo. I went and looked for it. So even Duck Hunt and everything else, I play that. I play Zelda. Zelda is like nonexistent, no one remembers that. I have a super Nintendo original. I play Contra, I remember all the cheat codes… and I have an original Gameboy.”

“I think… you could say that I am stuck in the 90s. I have an original Walkman, I have cassettes, and they still work perfectly. Nobody has more 90s stuff than me: I have jellies, I have clogs, I have Dr Martens, all my lumberjack shirts are still intact, my bandanas everything.”

“[And lastly] I am scared of flying, but I fly all the time. I have full-on phobia with aeroplanes since when I was little. When I was 5, I was going to New York with my mum, and I went to the bathroom and locked myself… So I hate flying but I fly a lot. I just drink champagne and listen to music and get to my destination safely.

The experience when I was 5 also made me claustrophobic, like I can’t be in an enclosed space. Changing rooms? Never! I just shop for clothes in my size and hope that they fit right”

I never leave home without…

“My lipsticks. If I open my bag [now] I have about 10 lipsticks.”

I never go into a meeting without…

“My laptop. Most of the time, I take notes on my laptop, I do presentations on my laptop, so it goes in with me always. If I come into your meeting without a laptop, I am not interested, trust me. So I better have my laptop.”

The post Bukky George-Taylor at 40: The Quintessential Queen of Connections in Forty Paragraphs first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Evrima is the name of the first 623-foot cruise liner in the collection that is set to sail this August with paid passengers over the Mediterranean. Two bigger superyachts, Ilma and Luminara, are scheduled to join the collection in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Should you be considering a different kind of experience aboard the Evrima, here’s what to expect

1. Large, airy rooms with lavish interiors.

There are a total of 149 rooms that can take up to 298 guests. Each of them has been outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and private balconies making the big rooms appear even larger. Several loft suites offering two stories of space are also available, but if you’re a family or a large group, you can choose to have neighbouring suites combined for a bigger accommodation.

2. Privacy.

Don’t be afraid to create your own kind of fun in the safety of your room. RItz-Carlton says the walls of the rooms on the Evrima are soundproof, so 100% privacy is assured.

3. Luxurious lodgings.

It’s the Ritz-Carlton after all, so expecting anything less is nothing short of scandalous.

Regulars will find that the brand’s signature king-size beds, double-vanity bathrooms and high-thread-count linens, among other comforts, are all present on the Evrima.

4. Intimate onshore excursions and tours.

You did not think you would just be sailing all over the world, drinking rich wines out of exquisitely-crafted glasses at all-night parties now, did you?

Most voyages will range from 7 to 10 days and, depending on the season, Evrima will visit the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America and South America. Destinations along the way will vary from Spain’s Balearic Islands to the French Riviera, the Costa Rican coastlines, Mykonos, Saint-Tropez, St. Barts and more.

At each destination, you’ll be able to partake in intimate group tours from the hotel’s elevated Shore Collection. Experiences include truffle hunting in Croatia, exclusive tours of the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, and exploring the glamour of the French Riviera in a vintage car.

Of course, if you’d rather explore independently, the “Concierge Ashore” team can assist with lining up private experiences or bespoke events by working with local guides to create a more immersive, personalized journey.

5. Exclusive onboard experiences.

Ritz-Carlton has worked hard to ensure that there will be no dull moment on your trip. You would be able to indulge in deliciously decadent dishes on the yacht’s signature restaurant, S.E.A, led by acclaimed chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, a three-star Michelin restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, Wolfsburg.

Looking to relax and rejuvenate on your journey? Try the carefully curated ESPA spa treatments available.

In terms of pricing, rates for a room may vary depending on your destination. A seven-day Caribbean voyage aboard Evrima starts from $5,100 per person in a double-occupancy suite. Evrima, as well as the yet-to-debut Ilma and Luminara, will all be available for private charters.

The post Ritz-Carlton Takes its Luxury Accommodation to the Seas. Here are 5 Things to Expect first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Rarely would there be a space for housekeeping, because it is such a basic amenity that it would be inconceivable to hear top tier hotels say they don’t offer this service. Yet, just as COVID has accelerated the decline of first-class travel, so also has it helped to erase – whether temporarily or permanently – the very common room cleaning service we have all gotten used to.

Labour, Money or Supplies Shortages?

It is no news that when the pandemic hit, the hospitality industry suffered greatly due to decreased travel. And even after restrictions were lifted and borders opened, a lot of workers had moved on to other opportunities outside of the industry, and getting competent hands to fill these roles has not been as easy.

But for some other hotels, it is not so much a labour issue as it is supplies and money issue. Supply chain challenges and inflation have led to a rising cost of products, and most hotels have realised that it would only make sense to reduce overhead costs by eliminating certain services if they plan to stay afloat.

Yet others see this as a way to make more money. If they can conveniently eliminate housekeeping while introducing efficient alternatives that save costs, why not?

What can you do to ensure you enjoy housekeeping services during your hotel stay?

1. Research before you make or confirm a booking: Look for pages on individual hotel websites labelled something like “amenities”, or “COVID-19 safety”. If the cleaning calendar is not up to par, ask or consider looking elsewhere if you do not get a favourable response.

2. Book high-end hotels: Most high-end hotels are notably absent from this trend. Some Hilton brands, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, still offer daily housekeeping. Most Four Seasons offer twice-daily housekeeping.

3. Ask nicely: Marriott’s policies vary by property, but housekeeping is usually offered only on request, with all rooms cleaned automatically every sixth night. Hilton only offers additional daily cleanings at most properties if customers request them.

4. Ask at check-in what housekeeping looks like, and if you would require additional services not offered by the hotel, you can ask a staff member to help you out.

It goes without saying that the Coronavirus has changed the way corporate entities do business, and not always in a nice way. It is not clear how long modified housekeeping services at hotels will last, but one thing is for certain: there is always a way to access the services we want, even if we cannot go about it the way we used to. Hotel housekeeping is no different.

Source: Associated Press

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Whichever it is, we can hazard a guess and say that you have an emotional attachment to your timepiece and would want to have them with you for a long time, whether or not you go on to have others in the future.

Besides, with the kind of profits luxury timepieces are racking up on the secondary market, it does not matter if you are not attached to yours: you can sell them for double their original price and use the money to go on to get one you really like.

But this can only happen if you keep your timepiece in the same state as it was when you got it, or at least in a fairly good state.

So, how do care for your luxury timepieces to make them last forever?

Don’t wait until problems surface before you service them

Timepieces are like autos: you have to service them regularly to avoid a rapid decline in performance.

Timepiece servicing is a preventative measure against damage that may arise in future. It’s also worth noting that problems discovered earlier may also be easier and less costly to fix, than when the full damage sets in.

A complete overhaul, or full servicing, consists of complete disassembly of the timepiece movement, cleaning of even the tiniest parts and a thorough inspection of every single part in the movement. Any part that needs fixing will be repaired. Then, the parts will be lubricated and reassembled. The final steps include a timing calibration to ensure accuracy, the closing of the case and a water-resistance test.

Service often

Is it absolutely necessary to follow the time frame recommended by the brand that made your timepiece? It depends on a number of factors, which include the make and age of the piece, as well as the conditions under which it is being used and stored.

In general, experts recommend servicing to be done once every two-and-a-half to three years for mechanical watches, regardless of how often they are worn. For quartz timepieces, the battery should be replaced once a year, whether it is being used often or not. Besides the annual battery change, a complete overhaul should be done every five years.

Tackle problems as soon as they arise

Once your luxury timepiece stops working, of course, you should repair it. However, there are other issues that can arise that should make you immediately seek out a service centre even if the piece is still working.

Some common issues include intermittent stoppage of the movement and inaccurate time. If you notice that your timepiece has gone ahead of time, that is most likely caused by a magnetic field, and it needs to be fixed. Also, when you see any fogging or vapour inside, you should get it checked quickly as it’s not a good sign.

Exposure to magnetic forces can bring about a gain or loss of time in a timepiece, as they can magnetise running parts in the device and cause them to stick together, resulting in movement inaccuracy.

Many are unaware of how easy it is for their timepieces to come into close proximity with magnetic forces. They can come from many things used in our daily lives, such as a mobile phone, the clasp on a handbag, or even the electrical devices in our homes like speakers or the microwave.

Fogging underneath the crystal is a sign of condensation, indicating that moisture has gotten inside. This can be due to worn-out gaskets, or moisture seeping into the timepiece via the crown. Regardless of the reason, it’s best to get it checked out and fixed, as moisture within can cause corrosion in the movement over time.

When there’s rattling coming from inside the timepiece, it is likely due to parts that may have come loose. Do not shake it or wind the crown, as doing either may cause further damage – send it to the pros for a check, pronto.

Try to avoid damages to your timepiece

Damages are inevitable, but they can be avoided as much as possible. Preventing constant injuries to your device will not only save you huge repair costs, it will also help to keep your piece looking new for longer.

For one, don’t shake your mechanical timepiece to keep the time going. What you should do is simply wind up the mechanism via the crown to store energy inside it. It is a common misconception that the former should be done to a mechanical device.

Secondly, simply try not to be careless when handling your timepiece. If you drop your device, there’s a high chance that internal parts will be broken even if you don’t see any external damage.

Finally, do not keep your luxury timepieces in humid areas, such as in or near the bathroom. If you live in humid climates, you need to service your timepieces more often than others who live in less humid areas. This is why you shouldn’t exacerbate the situation by exposing it to an environment with even more moisture.

Source: CNA Lifestyle

The post How to Maintain Your Luxury Timepieces so They last Longer first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post How to Maintain Your Luxury Timepieces so They last Longer appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Analogue, whose mission is to “celebrate and explore the history of video games with the respect it deserves,” launched in 2011. Its Analogue Pocket is perhaps the greatest exemplification of this. Devoid of our modern-day digital downloads, its catalogue of systems exclusively run vintage games cartridges, making it able to play the entire library of 2,780-plus games produced for the 1989 Game Boy and its subsequent successors, the Game Boy Colour and Game Boy Advance.

More than a Game Boy fan? You’re in luck! The Pocket doesn’t just limit you to Nintendo’s archives: you can also play larger cartridges from Sega’s Game Gear through an adopter that accommodates the bigger size.

And it gets even better. Analogue Pocket copies all the features of the original Nintendo Game Boy that launched in 1989, which means that you can play all your favourite games the way they are, but with an exception. It has 10-xed the screen of the Pocket and at 1660 x 1440, you have a far greater resolution to work with than the original 160 x 144-sized device.

This is not Analogue’s first foray into the world of vintage gaming. It had started with adapting Nintendo’s NES on our current type of TVs before expanding to SNES and then Sega Genesis. So far, the Pocket is its biggest project yet.

The gaming console also offers you more than games – it contains an inbuilt copy of Nanoloop, a synthesiser and sequencer developed over 15 years ago for the original Game Boy. This flexible, low-tech software allows two Pockets to be synced together while working as an onboard digital audio workstation. In addition, an extra tool, the GB Studio, allows budding developers to create their own games through a drag-and-drop system.

Time machines may not have been created yet, but with the Analogue Pocket, you can go back to that moment when your only worry may have been winning all your games before bedtime. But not yet: orders for the device have been backed up into 2023, so you may have to wait a while to be a child again.

Source: Wallpaper

The post Looking to Recreate Childhood Memories? Analogue Pocket is the New Gameboy first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Looking to Recreate Childhood Memories? Analogue Pocket is the New Gameboy appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.