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Watches and Wonders Geneva announces its dates for 2024

The Salon has revealed its dates, confirming that it will be opening to the general public with a two-part program.
The next edition of Watches and Wonders Geneva will be held from 9 to 15 April 2024 in Geneva’s Halles de Palexpo. New for next year, the general public will be able to attend the event over a long 3-day weekend, from Saturday to Monday inclusive. Press and trade visitors will have access to the Salon throughout the week.

The 2024 edition intends to build on the success of 2023, further raising Geneva’s profile as an international watchmaking destination. The program will again unfold in two parts – at Palexpo and In the City – with an evening event on Thursday 11 April in the heart of town. The aim is to get the people of Geneva and local players even more involved in this major watchmaking event.

All the brands taking part in Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 will be announced at a later date, along with the full program.

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Engel & Völkers Artá | Mallorca: Year-round demand ensures stable price development

Mallorca: Year-round demand ensures stable price development

  • Buying motives of real estate clients in centre and northeast of the island focus on renewed closeness to nature and sustainability
  • Properties with top building standards offer potential for appreciation in value

Hamburg, 01 November 2022. Mallorca is the top dream destination for many German-speaking property buyers. The Balearic island is set to remain highly sought-after as an investment location in 2023. “Clients with long-term investment plans can enjoy the benefits of secluded living here, as well as the excellent infrastructure and year-round access to exclusive recreational and cultural activities, plus the broad choice offered by 17 international schools,” says Florian Hofer, Managing Director of Engel & Völkers in the Balearics. The focus of prospective property buyers has recently shifted, away from tourist hotspots, to the mountain villages steeped in history in the centre of the island and in the northeast. Client interest is increasingly focused on traditional finca estates and renovated townhouses, as well as contemporary new builds that meet the higher demands in terms of sustainability and eco standards. The limited availability of property listings and the consistent demand mean that prices are expected to stabilise at a high level moving forward.

Centre of the island: Short times to market for authentic country houses and upmarket rural estates

Inland in Mallorca’s central region, many historic mountain villages can be found nestled in glorious countryside dotted with almond and olive groves, and wine-growing estates. Traditional villages such as Alaró, Binissalem and Santa María are extremely desirable among buyers. With their beloved weekly markets, they are a magnet for local artisans, winegrowers and farmers alike. “Those looking to acquire real estate appreciate the proximity to the capital Palma, as well as the high degree of privacy offered by the substantial plots of land, where a return to nature and a more unspoilt, authentic Majorcan lifestyle can be experienced,” says Christina Deutsch, Managing Partner of Engel & Völkers Mallorca Centre & South. She is observing the following trend: “Real estate clients are looking increasingly at opportunities to own a sustainable home, and are drawn by the option of self-sufficiency, such as from growing olives or grapes in their own garden.” Demand is especially high for traditional country houses with expansive gardens and pools, as well as for authentic finca estates clad with a typical Majorcan stone façade. Such properties in prime locations in Santa María currently have average asking prices of 3 million euros. In the municipalities of Alaró and Bunyola, prices are between 2 and 3 million euros. Neighbouring towns like Binissalem and Consell command prices ranging from 1.5 to 2 million euros. The majority of buyers at the centre of Mallorca are from German-speaking countries. Recently, increasing numbers of prospective buyers from Spain, France, Belgium and the USA have been observed.

Northeast: High demand for retreats in nature and eco-efficient new properties

The northeast of Mallorca is blessed with unspoiled nature and breathtaking coastlines. Canyamel, Costa de los Pinos and Artà are among the most sought-after regions, where the Mediterranean flair of the Balearic island can be experienced in full, far removed from the heavily frequented tourist hotspots. Exclusive finca estates and villas with expansive outdoor areas, gardens and terraces with sea views are among the most desirable properties for sale in the north of the island. In prime locations around Artà and Colònia de St. Pere, the average asking prices for such homes are 1.9 million euros. In the coastal resorts between Cala Mesquida and Canyamel, and in the municipality of Manacor, prices range between 1.5 and 1.8 million euros. “Many buyers are opting to acquire a holiday property in their favourite destination and extend their stays on the island to combine holidays with remote working,” says Rainer Fischer, Managing Partner of Engel & Völkers Mallorca Northeast, adding: “The incredible restaurant scene and wealth of opportunities to pursue outdoor activities like golfing, sailing, hiking, or tennis at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, give the region yet another boost in appeal.” The majority of search clients in the northeast are from German-speaking countries. There has recently been an increase in demand from people in the Netherlands looking for a new home on the island.

Outlook: Real estate as a long-term investment

“Residential properties at the centre of the island and in the northeast are particularly attractive for their moderate prices and potential for future appreciation in value. They serve as a long-term capital investment, offering a steadfast form of protection from inflation compared to other investment alternatives,” Florian Hofer says in summary. In view of Mallorca’s ongoing evolution into a destination for top-end tourism and the Balearic government’s constant investment in the development of the island’s infrastructure, the experts at Engel & Völkers are confident that the market will continue to see positive growth. 

 

Captions:

Refurbished 17th century estate with modern standards
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This listed country house was built in 1604 between Alaró and Santa María. Its interiors span some 1,051 square metres in total, with six bedrooms and five bathrooms. Set in picturesque natural surroundings in the centre of Mallorca, the property extends over a plot of approximately two hectares. It is on the market for 6.85 million euros and features an outdoor pool and its own fountain, as well as an expansive terrace and garden grounds.
(Image source: Engel & Völkers Mallorca Central)

Eco-efficient country estate in Petra
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Just a short walk from the winegrowing town of Petra, this traditional Majorcan property is currently listed with Engel & Völkers for 2.9 million euros. It spans some 876 square metres in total, consisting of two fully appointed houses separated by an outdoor pool and sourced with solar power. The main house boasts a spacious living and dining room, a kitchen, and five bedrooms. While the second house has a tourist rental licence for up to twelve people, and features a living and dining room with kitchen, and six en suite bedrooms. (Image source: Engel & Völkers Mallorca Central)

Modern villa with sea views in Canyamel
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This newly built and ultra-modern villa is located on the sunny side of the coastal resort of Canyamel, close to Capdepera in the northeast of Majorca. It is on sale for 4.9 million euros. The three-level property spans 671 square metres in total, with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a spacious living room, and a separate dining room with open plan kitchen, plus a home gym and home cinema. All the rooms and expansive terraces afford panoramic views out to the sea, taking in the spectacular coastal panorama of Canyamel. (Image source: Engel & Völkers Artá)

Charming finca estate in Costa de los Pinos
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Very close to the coastal resorts of Costa de los Pinos and Port Vert, Engel & Völkers is currently brokering this exceptional finca estate with an asking price of 4.5 million euros. The property features a pool and has a plot spanning 7,100 square metres, with an interior of 522 square metres in size, including six bedrooms and six bathrooms. Premium natural materials were used in the construction, including untreated marble tiling, antique ceiling beams and teak window frames.
(Image source: Engel & Völkers Artá)

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CHIARA FERRAGNI BECOMES A NEW HUBLOT GLOBAL AMBASSADOR AND FACE OF THE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN

CHIARA FERRAGNI BECOMES A NEW HUBLOT GLOBAL AMBASSADOR AND FACE OF THE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN

Fusion under the influence – With Chiara, everything is possible

Chiara Ferragni has joined the Hublot family in the company of many legendary personalities such as football legend Pelé, tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, track and field champions Dina Asher-Smith and Usain Bolt and three Michelin star chef Clare Smyth. She lights up everything she touches and creates, she is a natural-born winner and shines her aura over everything she loves and chooses.

Today, she has chosen Hublot. So why Chiara Ferragni and why Hublot?

Everything I do, I do to share. The things I love, the people I love, the things I experience, my daily life, my children, my work: I put my heart into everything to inspire others, to believe in themselves and their dreams. I found my ikigai in 2009. I managed to combine my passion with my talent in response to a need and now it has become my business. By opening the door to who I am and what I experience, I am also hoping to inspire the women of today not to choose between being a wife, a mother or an entrepreneur. All these roles complete me, just as they complete each other. Beauty drives everything I do. Not only inner beauty, but everything I see around me. That is reflected in my collaborations, my words, my charity work and my daily life. Why Hublot? Because Hublot is not like any other watch brand, it follows its own distinctive path, with determination: It follows its dreams of innovation, while respecting traditions; it seeks beauty both inside and out, by showcasing much more than athletic performance or the success of a family member, it celebrates the reasons for this performance and success, in other words, the ability to be first, different and unique. Hublot’s messages and values speak to me, that’s why I have chosen to join this family today. A fusion of passion and determination has shaped who I am, across all my roles, and forged the businesswoman I have become. This same fusion has also made Hublot the company it is today.

Chiara Ferragni
Hublot Brand Ambassador

Who does not know Chiara Ferragni? Her extraordinary destiny is not down to luck, this visionary and determined woman is someone who learnt how to grow and evolve with her time. By portraying and sharing who she is and what she loves, she has realised her dream, inspiring the men and women of her generation to believe that anything is possible. As someone who is both authentic and spontaneous, she has turned her happy, positive and generous nature into her trademark. As a visionary and pioneer, she has been able to move with the times by dominating the digital platforms and turning her passion into a real business. Her passion became her job, and her natural talent transformed into a success that is seemingly within everyone’s reach. Her inspiring journey proves that anything is possible; it’s the stuff of dreams, while being very real. Who wouldn’t want to live and realise their dreams like Chiara Ferragni? At Hublot, we love inspiring women and men who believe in their dreams and move heaven and earth to fulfil them, who assert their distinctive personality, are willing to go out on a limb, who are not afraid of what people will say and who follow their path with authenticity and passion.
That’s why Chiara fits so well into our family.

Ricardo Guadalupe HUBLOT CEO

Surely, one no longer needs to present Chiara Ferragni?

Well yes, if only to highlight the very nature of this woman, a so-called influencer, a term too small to encompass all her talents. As a business woman, entrepreneur, influencer, wife and mother of two, she embodies that ‘can do’ attitude that everyone finds so inspiring.Twelve years after launching theblondesalad.com, Chiara Ferragni has achieved a success story. When she started out, Instagram did not exist and blogging was in its infancy. It took Chiara only a few months to turn a hobby into a business, attracting the attention of the media and the fashion world, and placing her name alongside the biggest luxury brands.

First, Unique, Different. Just like Hublot! She single-handedly created a job for herself, followed her instincts, asserted her choice to share and talk about her life. Honoured several times by Forbes, her career path has even inspired a study by the prestigious Harvard University to understand her success.

In tune with her times, Chiara is leaving her mark on the world. She resolutely believes in her dreams. A dreamer she may be, but she is firmly rooted in her land and her roots. Chiara Ferragni draws her strength from the stability of her family, her parents and two sisters; she has gone on to recreate this strength through her own family, which she has built with Fedez.

So, is it natural talent, intuition or destiny? What if was a bit of all three? Whatever the case, what is certain is that she achieves firsts with her writing, she asserts her uniqueness, and her difference while retaining that very inclusive feeling of being the ‘girl next door…’

She is an entrepreneur who embodies the digital revolution and the arrival of social media. Chiara is a pioneer, she is constantly achieving firsts. With her fashion blog, launched 12 years ago, she was immediately considered the most influential and most famous blogger in the world. She created her own brand of shoes, then clothing in 2015— Chiara Ferragni Brand, —she was also the first to be listed as the world’s most powerful influencer. Indeed, there is no shortage of superlatives to describe her career and she is not afraid to use them. Both her real life and her digital world are filled with sharing, joy, values and optimism. She is unique, that’s for sure! She is proud of her uniqueness, after transforming her name into a brand, a trademark, a style and an inspiration. She also uses her platforms and visibility to help the causes that are close to her heart. Ultimately, what makes her different is that she has managed to turn her passion, her daily routine and her life into a true success story. She is also different for resembling a generation of women who live with the times and manage to combine several roles, without placing any filters between the different parts of their lives. With an Instagram community of 24.7 million followers, she shares her daily life as a wife, mother and entrepreneur openly and frankly. Chiara is an inspirational figure.
Chiara and Hublot, how it began


You may remember the pictures of Chiara Ferragni wearing the Big Bang Millenial Pink. A unisex watch with an inclusive message, produced as a limited edition of 200 pieces in a shade chosen by Lapo Elkann and designed in collaboration with Garage Italia. Since this project, Chiara and Hublot have simply understood that there were many similarities between their worlds.
So, get ready, because what Chiara & Hublot are preparing for you is likely to make a big impression, once again… First, Unique, Different!
To stay up-to-date, follow: @Hublot #Hublot

HUBLOT
Founded in Switzerland in 1980, HUBLOT is defined by its innovation, which began with the highly original combination of gold and rubber. This “Art of Fusion” stems from the imagination of its visionary Chairman, Jean-Claude Biver, and has been driven forward by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe since 2012.

The release of the iconic, multi-award-winning Big Bang in 2005 paved the way for new flagship collections (Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang), with complications ranging from the simple to the highly sophisticated, establishing the extraordinary DNA of the Swiss watchmaking house and ensuring its impressive growth.
Keen to preserve its traditional and cutting-edge expertise, and guided by its philosophy to “Be First, Different and Unique”, the Swiss watchmaker is consistently ahead of the curve, through its innovations in materials (scratch-resistant Magic Gold, ceramics in vibrant colours, sapphire), and the creation of Manufacture movements (Unico, Meca-10, Tourbillon).
HUBLOT is fully committed to creating a Haute Horlogerie brand with a visionary future: a future which is fused with the key events of our times (FIFA World CupTM, UEFA Champions LeagueTM, UEFA EUROTM) and the finest ambassadors our era has to offer (Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, Pelé, Novak Djokovic).
Discover the HUBLOT universe at our network of boutiques located in key cities across the globe: Geneva, Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Zurich and at HUBLOT.com

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Dongyu Zhou joins the OMEGA family

Dongyu Zhou joins the OMEGA family


The world-famous Swiss watch brand welcomes award-winning Chinese actress Dongyu Zhou to its impressive roster of screen legends.

A winner of multiple domestic and foreign film awards, Dongyu Zhou is an accomplished actress capable of delivering convincing and critically acclaimed performances ranging in genres from crime thriller to romantic comedy.


After her outstanding 2010 debut in Zhang Yimou’s film Under the Hawthorn Tree, Dongyu starred in a string of successful films, including Soul Mate (2016), This Is Not What I Expected (2017), Us and Them (2018) and Better Days (2019).

Her many accolades include the Best Actress award at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards in 2016 for her impressive performance in Soul Mate, and best actress for Better Days at the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards and 33rd Golden Rooster Awards.

Dongyu Zhou is the youngest actress to have been honoured with the three most significant film accolades in the history of Chinese film, and OMEGA is thrilled to include her in its distinguished circle of stars, which includes George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Eddie Redmayne and fellow award-winning Chinese actress Liu Shishi.

Clearly proud of the new partnership, OMEGA’s President and CEO Mr. Raynald Aeschlimann called Dongyu Zhou: “A phenomenal talent who embraces OMEGA’s spirit of reinvention and commitment to excellence. Hard working, gracious and original, she represents the best qualities of the emerging generation and we’re honoured to have her in the family”.

The latest star in OMEGA’s universe wears the brand’s 34 mm Constellation Small Seconds released earlier this year. The slender watches, in keeping with the recent 5th generation Constellation makeover, remain true to the collection’s iconic spirit, while also enhancing the design with extra diamonds and a number of unique details.

Speaking of her new role at OMEGA, Dongyu Zhou said: “I am truly elated to be joining the OMEGA family. I have always felt that innovation and precision are at the heart of OMEGA, and I am beyond excited to grow with the OMEGA family in this collective pursuit of excellence as one of their brand ambassadors”.

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