Alpina, the Geneva-based high precision sports watchmaker whose history dates back to 1883, has just introduced their very first underwater timepiece. The Alpina Extreme Diver 1000 Meters (above) employs similar technology and aesthetics as their line of mountain climbing watches such as the Avalanche Extreme Regulator, made for conquering the heights of the Swiss Alps. It's heritage however goes back much father.
From pocket watches, early wristwatches and timepieces commissioned for military use, Alpina, whose enthusiasts were known as "Alpinists," evolved its first sports watch, the steel Blockuhr, in 1933. This early model became the Alpina 4 in 1938. The "4" stood for the four major qualities of an Alpina sports watch: 1. Anti-magnetic, 2. Waterproof, 3. Anti-shock, and 4. Stainless steel. The sports watches were a tremendous success, and at its height in 1958 the company exhibited 1000 different models.
Derek Jeter's collaboration with Movado has resulted in four new watches sporting Yankees-style pinstripe design. The fanciest model in the Special Edition Series 800 Chronograph Watches is the Limited Edition Movado Series 800 Derek Jeter Chronograph in 18K rose gold. It is a series of 10 pieces and has a 47mm case with sapphire crystals on both sides and an alligator strap. Jeter's name and team number decorate the edge of the caseback, and the 18K central winding mass has his number on it. It sells for $25,000.
There is also a version in black PVD-finished "Performance Steel" and 18K rose gold with a black strap in kevlar-reinforced "XtremeResin". It retails for $7,700. Two Special Edition Series 800 Derek Jeter Chronographs in Performance Steel have a matching steel bracelet, blue or black stripe-textured dials with silvered subdials, and battery-powered ETA quartz chronograph calibers. They sell for $1,700.
Movado will donate $100,000 to Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation, which works with kids to inspire them to avoid drugs and alcohol and "turn 2" education and a healthy lifestyle.
Movado has also done a similar series with Tom Brady and though I will always be a Boston girl (and a Boston sports fan) at heart, I have to admit Jeter's watches are more stylish.
Baller Toys is a new website designed to bring you the very best in glamorous home entertainment--and we're not talking TVs and stereos!
Above is the Climatech 1001 Climate Controlled Cabinet Humidor. At $4,695.00, it is the least expensive of the four humidors available from Baller Toys.
Some exclusive items from the luxury website include:
We've seen the splendor of China's Bird's Nest, now check out a new contender for the prize of most unique stadium. The Wall' stadium in Doha, Qatar's capital city, will be the first underground stadium and the world's first open-air, air-conditioned stadium. The stadium design by MZ & Partners Architects has already earned the nickname "The Laptop." The main stand is upright with most of its height coming from the underground field. All lights will be embedded in the surrounding architecture of the stadium. It is hoped that the underground stadium will help keep the players and spectators cooler. It is expected to be completed in 2010 and will seat 11,000 people.
He may be beaming in the picture above but Olympic swimmer Brendan Hansen wasn't too happy recently when he found that his gold medal had gone missing. Hansen, who won the gold in the 4x100m medley relay, found that his medal was missing after he flew from Philadelphia to Austin, Texas. His medal was looked at by security personnel at Philadelphia International Airport but it was reportedly put back in the bag. Hansen put the bag under the seat in front of him on the plane and fell asleep. The plane had a layover in Nashville and then Hansen found the medal was missing after he landed in Texas.
MyFox Philadelphia reports that a passenger on board the flight found the medal on the floor of the plane and called the FBI. Now Hansen and his medal will be happily reunited although I suspect he might keep it a bit closer next time he travels.
Continuing my look at sports star homes lingering on the market, this week's WSJ Private Properties column also mentioned the home of Rasheed Wallace, a Detroit Pistons forward who played for eight years with the Portland Trail Blazers. Wallace bought his 1924 brick house in Portland, Oregon for around $3 million back in 2000. The Tudor-style home is on 2.16 acres that include a pool, sports court and guest house. The five-bedroom home has a red home theater, built-in saltwater fish tank, home office and more. The listing agent told the WSJ that Wallace and his wife Fatima spent more than $1 million on improvements. The couple briefly listed the house in 2006 for $5.5 million before relisting it last year, for $5.2 million and have now lowered the price to $4.895 million. Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.
Today is the latest in a long series of sports star homes lingering on the market. Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson has been looking to sell his home in Villanova, Pennsylvania for a year now. I first heard about it last year when the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties column first reported on it. Now a year later the same column reveals that Iverson has dropped the price on the 14,000 square foot home to a desperation price of $4 million. That's $1 million less than the former Philadelphia 76er and his wife Tawanna paid for it in 2003. The six-bedroom home is on four acres that include a pool house, stream and waterfall.The chateau-style home on Chateau Lane has four levels including a great room with floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows. The master suite has his and hers marble bathrooms, a coffee bar, media area and a veranda overlooking the grounds. There are four additional en-suite bedrooms and a separate guest quarters with a bedroom, living room and kitchenette. The entertainment level has a 12-seat movie theater, billiard room, and a lounge with a custom wood carved bar accommodating 200+ wine bottles. It is now listed at $3.999 million.
The Real Estalker Mama already ably skewered this one but let's take a look at the pictures for the home owned by Nascar driver Denny Hamlin. Hamin, a young driver on the circuit, has a rather large bachelor pad on Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina. Hamlin bought the five-bedroom mansion in 2006 for $3.4 million and is said to have spent another $1 million decorating it to its current gaudy standard. The home includes lots of single guy-friendly features like a large home gym , bar area, and a dramatic red and black billiards room as well as huge plasma televisions mounted improbably high above fireplaces. It is clear that a lot of money was spent here on touches like the shiny golden home theater room, gourmet kitchen with adjoining domed breakfast room and the master bed and bath which looks a bit like a suite at the Bellagio. The property includes a pool/spa area, outdoor fireplace, basketball court, boat house and a long dock with a boat lift. This home is listed at $4.9 million. Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.
In the buildup to London's hosting duties of the 2012 Olympics, the city's planners have created a "Cultural Olympiad" to generate buzz, highbrow British style. Twelve new public works of art are slated to open, the Royal Shakespeare Co. will produce a Shakespearean festival, a film competition will inspire the next wave of British filmmakers and Windsor Castle will be illuminated by a dazzling light show. The city plans to invest around $70 million in the project.
Lord Sebastian Coe, the chair of London's organizing committee for the 2012 Games, will even participate in Martin Creed's conceptual piece of moving sculpture currently on exhibit at the Tate, a piece featuring a runner sprinting across the museum galleries every 30 seconds, followed by an equivalent pause. The museum is calling it the "purest expression of human vitality."
The hope, organizers say, is to connect sports and the arts and provide a major injection of culture that will inspire young artists the way Michael Phelps makes you want to don a Speedo.
We've got a new candidate competitor in the rather selective race to create the world's most expensive golf ball marker. This new marker is from Shano, who I've covered for their flashy golf accessories before. Their platinum and diamond golf ball marker uses 1/2 of a carat of white VS Diamonds and measures 1" in diameter and 1/10" in thickness. It retails for $10,200 which still puts it a bit behind the TriMark marker which sells for $10,500. Personally I'd rather spend the money on a new driver or greens fees but the dimpled design is rather attractive.
The sparkling racket, created by jeweler Michael E. Minden, featured her first name initial in 0.50 carats of diamonds on the handle. How much to get one of your own? Well you have to supply your own racket (or other sports equipment) and then it's just $1,750 for one initial or $3,400 for both.
One of the world's most famous luxury hotel brands is getting into the polo game in a big way this summer with the first annual St. Regis International Cup. England and Italy will compete for the prestigious trophy in the inaugural match, taking place this Sunday (the 31st) at the historic Cowdray Park Polo Club in West Sussex, surrounded by the ruins of Cowdray Castle.
Of course, St. Regis isn't about to slack off when it comes to hospitality either. They've partnered with Asprey, Veuve Clicquot and Audi to create the ultimate VIP tent at Cowdray, where a crack regiment of St. Regis butlers brought in from the hotels will cater to the toffs' every need. Even the general public will be able to avail themselves of a bar serving the signature St. Regis Bloody Mary. Damned democratic of them, no?
Most people, when they get an Olympic gold medal hang onto it for dear life. Jason Kidd, who played on the Olympic basketball team however is giving his away. And to whom? No other than Elaine Wynn, wife of casino mogul Steve Wynn. It turns out that Kidd met Mrs. Wynn last year while he and the rest of the U.S. team were staying at the Wynn while training in Las Vegas. They got to talking over a banquet and Kidd promised that if the team won the gold he would give her his medal. No, he's not in debt to the house, Kidd says it's just a thank you because "the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do." I'm hoping the Wynns display the medal at one of their hotels.
Tennis season's not over yet! Why not help the economy and get yourself a fresh, new bag for the fall? Bally's bright pearl orange Arkel bag is made of patent calf with a patent leather-trimmed twill lining. It measures 15.5" H x 18" W x 4.5" D and has a 6.75" shoulder drop. The top is open for ease of putting in and taking out your tennis wear and accessories, and the zippered exterior pocket holds your tennis racket. Made in Italy, dust bag included: $1,095. (But you can get it at Endless for just $492.75, with free overnight shipping.)
TaylorMade has revealed the design of their limited-edition Patriot Golf Day driver, which is a customized version of their popular r7 line featuring Movable Weight Technology. The special limited-edition design features the Patriot Golf Day logo on the toe of the club, an F-16 on the sole, a red, white and blue headcover, and a commemorative Patriot Golf Day box for display.
The clubs will be sold via silent auction at participating golf courses around the country (locations found here) running from Aug 29th to Sept 5th, with proceeds going to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation.
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