He is one of the greates artists of our time: Lenny Kravitz. Jaeger-LeCoultre is therefore delighted to be able to present the American as their new ambassador.

«We weren’t put here to be miserable. We were put here to do the best we can, and we should take our energy and improve our state of being,» Lenny Kravitz once said in an interview. And what could better describe the pursuit of perfection and ceaseless self-improvement? In everything one does, the goal should be to elevate oneself to a new level. What the 59-year-old rock musician so aptly puts in a nutshell is an excellent description of the values that are also promoted at Jaeger-LeCoultre.

So it was actually only a matter of time before the Swiss watch manufacturer and the world-famous star entered into a collaboration. Now the time had come and both are happy about the new partnership.

A man with his own style
Unyielding and original, Kravitz forges his own path and has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve artistically. He always has his finger on the pulse. «With his artistry, inventiveness and ability to transcend genres, Lenny embodies the values and style of Jaeger-LeCoultre», says Catherine 
Rénier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. «We are delighted that he is a representative for our company.» As the new ambassador, Kravitz, who is also a photographer, designer and actor, champions all Jaeger-LeCoultre designs. But he admits that he has a favourite: the Reverso. That’s why he wore this watch at the Oscars in 2023, stylishly paired with a black silk jumpsuit and layered jewellery. «Function is important,» says the singer himself. «But how the watch looks and how it fits on the wrist plays an important role. I have to be able to identify myself with my watch.»

With the Jaeger-LeCoultre designs, he has found the brand that suits him. That’s why he owns more than just a timepiece from the Vallèe de Joux. «My Jaeger-LeCoultre watches feel like they’ve always been around – they suit me and their style is absolutely timeless,» Kravitz says. «You can really make these watches your own, and when you want to change the mood and atmosphere, they always fit the bill. It’s as though they become one with you.»

Or, to sum up with the lyrics of one of his songs:

“And you,
you belong to me too,
you make my life complete,
you make me feel so sweet.”

Photos Copyrights: Jaeger-LeCoultre

The new Mikuriya restaurant in The Dolder Grand signifies enjoyment with all your senses. Unique culinary art, for the guest, in front of the guest. The host is Atsushi Hiraoka and he enters into a culinary dialogue with the guests

Omakase, Mikuriya & Atsushi Hiraoka – the concept «made in Japan» now reigns supreme in the Swiss luxury hotel the Dolder Grand. And it’s a concept full of pleasure and one that provides even more in the way of an experience. «Omakase» signifies a very special Japanese menu. The guests sit, mostly in small numbers, directly at the kitchen counter and watch the chef prepare the dishes. Above all, however, they rely or trust in the selection of the right dishes by the master at the stove. «Mikuriya» means the kitchen in which «special guests are served with something special». Very fitting, therefore, that this is the name given to the new luxurious restaurant in the Dolder Grand, as everyone in charge thinks. And Atsushi Hiraoka? He is the master who prepares the omakase for the selected guests in the Mikuriya restaurant. A unique experience repeated every evening.

Located on the fourth floor of the traditional Dolder Grand hotel, the restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday. A maximum of eight people can sit at the counter to watch Atsushi Hiraoka prepare the 18 courses and to enjoy his culinary artistry with all their senses. The cost per person is CHF 300.00 excluding drinks. But it’s definitely worth it. Since during the preparation, the chef initiates his guests into the art of Japanese cuisine, the culinary dialogue is about preparation, origin and of course the centuries of omakase. Because, as Atsushi Hiraoka himself says, it’s «a form of eating that is revered in Japanese culture and arouses curiosity.»

Info:
Part of the spectacular Suite 100 in the Dolder Grand was converted for the new restaurant concept. The restaurant impresses with its puristic design, artwork and a unique view of the historic main building, the city, Lake Zürich and the Alps. The restaurant seats eight people and is open from Wednesday to Sunday evenings. Booking essential.

Photos Copyrights: Dolder Grand

Lohri offers an extensive and very lovingly curated collection of sophisticated vintage and pre-owned timepieces for all lovers of exquisite watches. Several of the models have written chapters in the history of time, others are coveted rarities that make collectors’ hearts beat faster. We met the team responsible for the Certified-Pre-Owned (CPO) watch world at Lohri for an interview and began the search for you.

Mr. Kupper, why is «old» more popular than «new»?

Colin Kupper: The increasing demand for second-hand watches is based on different factors. We feel on the one hand that the topic of sustainability has also assumed a central role in the watch industry. There is a trend towards long-lasting watches and the timepieces are still cutting-edge and in demand after years. This is also the reason why limited edition watches in particular can often only be purchased on the CPO market. In addition, a number of luxury watch manufacturers are making the latest editions of iconic pieces from the 60s and 70s again. However, a reproduction can never replace an original from this time, as they have their very own charm. Something else that definitely played a role in the past few years is that people had more time due to the pandemic to research watches and now they are interested in the new offer of certified pre-owned timepieces. They have gained increased appreciation. Knowledge about sustainability often encourages the customer to prioritize a watch from the secondary market over a new watch.

Will this boom continue over the next few years?

Colin Kupper: We are convinced that the CPO market will continue to grow. Watch dealers in particular, who are the official agents for known luxury watch brands, sense the great potential for the certified second-hand watch market. The customers have recognized that this form of watch purchase provides them with completely new possibilities and is extremely attractive. Wearing a pre-owned watch has become completely fashionable.

Which brands do you trade and sell in the CPO sector?

Colin Kupper: We stock a wide range of vintage and new watches. We also offer exquisite collector’s pieces, so every watch enthusiast can find exactly the right time-piece. Basically almost every watch finds a new home, regardless of the brand. We also trade, of course, in luxury brands and not with fashion watches and there has to be a basic level of quality and intrinsic value.

As an expert in second-hand, vintage and collector pieces you also offer the possibility to exchange watches? How does that work exactly and where can the customer get an evaluation beforehand?

Colin Kupper: It is very simple to get an evaluation at our store and we offer three options: The customer can spontaneously bring their second-hand watch to one of our stores, send photos of the watch using an online form or send us the photos via WhatsApp. At the same time they can tell us which watch they are interested in acquiring. We can ascertain the trade-in value for the watch within a few days. This offer is free-of-charge for our customers. Incidentally we offer the best price in Switzerland for second-hand watches! If you want a change or would like to have something new, call by and trade in your second-hand watch and leave the store with a pre-owned or vintage piece.

Which service can the customer expect from you in contrast to the anonymous online market, what makes Lohri stand out?

Colin Kupper: Our know-how and our experience! Since the 80s our family has been extremely passionate about vintage watch trading on a worldwide scale and as an official agent for premium and luxury watches we have years of experience with high-quality prestige models – with current models as well as rare time-pieces. Another valuable asset is that all watches are checked by our special-ized watchmakers on site in Zug and tested and certified for their authenticity and integrity. This gives our CPO customers the security and guarantee that they are not purchasing stolen or counterfeit products. Thanks to our know-how in the luxury watch sector we can inform all our customers precisely on the value of the watch in question and issue a comprehensive watch description. This clear overview of the condition of the watch helps the customer to decide whether to sell or not. We offer this service in all of our Lohri boutiques as well as online. But of course, speaking personally with a watch connoisseur or watch-maker and looking at the timepiece together is a service that is very much appreciated and often given preference by our customers. The sale and acquisition of a second-hand or vintage watch in our renowned boutique is a unique experience, because watches are our passion.

www.lohri.com

The enthusiastic man of action

The top ticino architect, Mario Botta (79), on his new construction of the oldest thermal spa in Switzerland, the Fortyseven in Baden, and the frequent controversies about his architectural style.

When you turned 75, you said you would leave the large party until your 100th birthday. But then you celebrated the completion of Fortyseven?
Mario Botta: Yes, because I consider it to be an important project – a project of maturity, not of age! (Laughs) It is important because it is not just any building, but the seam that connects the historical city and the needs of today’s society on one side and the geographical city with the thermal springs, the river and the hill of Ennetbaden on the other side. That is the accomplishment. Not the handwriting or the language of the building.

Did you book a hotel room for a few days in the spa quarter before planning the project, to get a feel for the situation?
Of course, but the concept of the new thermal baths did not emerge from one day to the next, it was a gradual process. It came from far away and took a long time. Somehow I am also happy that the project dragged on for such a long time. Because I had the chance to learn so much, it developed into a present to the city. Which is fitting, as the river, the countryside and the 47 degree water are also a present from the earth.

How did the project change during the 13 years?
It was never a self-contained cube, but always a hand reaching into the Limmat and serving the city. The thermal baths should not take centre stage. Only the materials and colours, which refer back to the warm, steaming water and the environment, have changed and enriched the concept. It is extremely satisfying for me, as the architect, when an idea, a utopia, becomes reality in this way.

The shell construction gave rise to fears that the thermal baths could appear too bulky for this location, but the final design widely dispelled those fears.
The architect did not think it up! (Laughs) We told ourselves we would create something that picks up the colour of the hill, the vines, the trees and the water.

Which criteria do the materials have to fulfil?
We not only tested how resistant they are when the guests visit the thermal baths, but also relating to the erosion and corrosion from the mineral-rich thermal water. That proved complex. The stone was sourced from near Verona, the maple wood from Europe.

A musician once told me, after he had just delivered a new album to the record company, that the previous night had been the most difficult time for him because he was constantly thinking about how he could no longer do anything to improve his work. Do you understand this sentiment?
Definitely, that’s why we continued to change something right through to the last minute! (Laughs) I asked my colleague to remove several pieces of furniture indoors so the area would appear more spacious.

Are you someone who takes a bath or goes to the sauna?
Normally I don’t but I do think it is great when others can enjoy it. I get short of breath when I’m up to my ankles in water! (Laughs) But it is not really a prerequisite. I have also designed banks although I am not a banker, and churches although I am not a priest … The architect has to understand and correctly interpret those availing of the building.

What is in your opinion the greatest challenge of modern architecture?
The question is: What do people need and what damages them? What contribution can architecture make in our culture to provide a zest for life? In particular in these times of the corona virus, in which we also have to recognize the drastic consequences arising from climatic changes and that nature will not fix these unless we finally take action.

How ambitious are you to create buildings that endure for centuries?
For me it comes down to fulfilling the needs of the people and the location. It is neither my intention to warm up what other architects have done in the past nor to anticipate the future.

Has one of your buildings ever been demolished?
No, they are not old enough yet, although the rectory in my home village of Genestrerio, near Mendrisio, which I designed when I was 18, is already over 50 years old. But it has thick walls and is also in other respects very solidly built. It will certainly outlive me!

Your buildings often trigger controversial discussions. Is it your intention to provoke?
No, I never intend to provoke – I simply follow my intuition. Initially there were discussions about the Fortyseven but in the meantime I think I can claim that 90 percent of people are happy with it. At any rate I get a number of letters saying «Thank you for what you have created » or «The river finally belongs to the city ».

Where do the differences of opinion that your designs seem to trigger originate?
Architecture is difficult to sell to the public. It is not the same as a completed picture which you can judge. When it is built, it wants to be lived, day and night and every season. But it is true that a number of my buildings, in particular churches, have provoked strong reactions, but they are now on placards and attract tourists! It is a paradox: What was once damned is now revered.

But if a project is not discussed it is also uninteresting, isn’t that right?
Sure, no one would have talked about a normal building. But these thermal baths are not a banal construction. They come from far away and have their own story. Unfortunately politicians often lack the courage to give due consideration to heritage and culture. They avoid the risk. They accept that the cities are becoming increasingly more similar and uglier.

More and more high-rise buildings are being built because building land is scarce and expensive. Do you consider that a good idea?
No, compact building may be necessary, but I think that extreme vertical buildings inflict a force upon people. Why should I work in an office on the 200th floor, if I could also sit in the garden with my Notebook?

Then the home office is the solution for space problems?
Living should be linked to relaxation. When I am tired I want to go home because it is a place of love, family, community and the meeting of young and old – and not work. The pandemic was a temporary phenomenon that forced us to severely restrict personal contacts. The technical, virtual connection was supposed to be just a tool and not the goal.

Your three grown-up children all work in your architecture office. Why are you no longer sure that it was a good thing that they also studied architecture?
It is great for me, but for my daughter and both my sons? They certainly have the passion; however you need potential investors to realize major projects.

Did any ideas from your children flow into Fortyseven?
Not directly, we do discuss things together but decisions on which changes and corrections to make to my original plans are primarily made in conjunction with the project management during implementation. Architecture is always a collaboration.

The Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio, which you initiated and influenced, had its 25th birthday last year. Are other values taught there than at the ETH or EPFL
Yes, I believe that we have a different approach. A prospective architect today requires more education in the social sciences than in technology. The university has to deliver ideas and promote critical awareness. In this way they also employ professors who are not architects: philosophers, economists, historians and neurologists. In the other universities the technological approach is dominant, which is, of course, also important.

How do you find the name «Fortyseven» for thermal baths in German-speaking Switzerland, in which the ancient Romans bathed?
I find it beautiful. Sure, it is in English but the number is magic, as it does not designate the baths but the temperature of the water that comes from the earth.

Mario Botta was born on 1st April 1943 in Mendrisio. Following his apprenticeship as a structural draughtsman, he studied architecture in Venice and worked during his studies on the local new hospital building for Le Corbusier. The Ticino architect became self-employed in 1969 and developed his unique style, a mixture of simple, round and square geometric shapes and solid structures and materials. His most famous works in Switzerland include the churches in Mogno and on Monte Tamaro, the Banca del Gottardo in Lugano and the UBS and Tinguely Museum in Basel or the Centre Dürrenmatt in Neuchâtel. Last year both the spa thermal baths Fortyseven and the ice hockey arena for the HC Ambri-Piotta by Botta were opened.

Photos Copyrights: Enrico Cano, Mario Krupik, Pino Musi, Joel Lassiter

The artwork «Right Here, Right Now» is a pleasure for all the senses. An impressive thank you from the Danish artist Jeppe Hein for the «carte blanche» at the Maison Ruinart.  

It is old and beautiful. The first of its kind: the Maison Ruinart. The house of Champagne opened its doors for the first time in 1729. The landlord was Nicolas Ruinart. His uncle, the monk Dom Thierry Ruinart had told him of the «Wine with pearls». He had had his first contact with it during his time in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés abbey. Popular among young noblemen and women and at the aristocratic courts, it still lacked a name at this time, but had abundant connoisseurs. Nicolas recognized the potential of the pearl wine. As however at that time there was still a ban dictating that the transport of wine was restricted exclusively to barrels, he had to be patient with realizing his concept – the Maison Ruinart. In 1728 the time was ripe; wine could be transported in bottles effective immediately. And Nicolas laid the foundation stone of a now almost 300 year old success story.

ort von Wein ausschliesslich auf Fässer beschränkte, musste er mit der Umsetzung seiner Idee – der Maison Ruinart – warten. Im Jahr 1728 war es dann so weit, ab sofort durfte Wein in Flaschen transportiert werden. Und Nicolas legte den Grundstein einer nun fast 300 Jahre andauernden Erfolgsgeschichte. 

An artistic production

To honor the house and keep the family heritage alive, Ruinart issues contemporary artists today with a so-called «Carte blanche» once a year. The intention is both a challenge and an aspiration that an artist confronts the theme of the Maison Ruinart, the unique history of the brand and the exclusivity of the Champagne in their own specific manner. This year the Danish artist, living in Berlin, Jeppe Hein, received the card. And he skillfully displayed his artistic flair. Sun, earth, water and air – Champagne could not be produced without these four elements. They therefore became Hein’s source of  inspiration for the artwork «Right Here, Right Now» created specifically for Ruinart. His words on the subject: «It is important to me that my art helps people to understand who they are and where they are going, but also how they can be present in the here and now. Because with our hectic lifestyle we sometimes forget to enjoy the moment and to experience it consciously.»

An exclusive exchange with kindred spirits

The result is, strictly speaking, not a finished work of art but an installation that inspires the observer to participate. It unfolds the different steps in Champagne production and invites you to use your conscious, pleasurable perception. The scent of a Chardonnay blossom, raisins to touch, large boards in different shapes and colors on which the visitors can leave their ideas in chalk. Hein says himself he would like to encourage dialogue. He would like to develop Nicolas‘ idea of creating a place for interaction and a meeting point – Maison Ruinart – from an artist’s perspective. As did his predecessors, Jaume Plensa, Liu Bolin, Vik Muniz and David Shrigley. Hein‘s work can also be experienced at other locations, including at Art Basel, the Frieze London and the Gallery Weekend in Berlin. Since its debut at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris in April 2022 the installation has been travelling the globe, enticing us to join in an exclusive and pleasurable interconnection. 

Photos Copyrights: Mathieu BONNEVIE, Strempel Photography

Timeless, precious and shaped by stories – the boom in Certified Pre-Owned watches.

The demand for luxury watches is exploding; the value of CPO watches has partially multiplied in the past few years. What lies behind this particular fascination with rare models from renowned brands? They are easier to obtain than new watches, the mechanism is impressive, every watch tells its own story and on top of that it is usually also a sound investment. At Bucherer, CPO watches have been in focus for some time. Each week there are highlights on offer on the website with integrated web shop. The Global Head Europe for Pre-Owned watches at Bucherer, Odilo Lamprecht, answered our questions. 

How long have you been working with Pre-Owned watches and which timepiece was number one in your personal collection?
Odilo Lamprecht: I always had a flair for watches but it is only since I began working for Bucherer that I have been actively involved in the field. As there is immediate availability of Certified Pre-Owned watches, I was keen on several models straight away and was able to build up an interesting collection in a short time. 

… is there one watch that you particularly fancy at the moment?
If the passion has already seized you it is difficult to answer this question precisely and conclusively …there are new watches as well as watches from our Certified Pre-Owned portfolio that constantly catch my eye. 

The purchase of a watch – whether it is new or worn – is always an extremely emotional experience. What does the customer get at Bucherer?
The customer can buy both online as well as in our stores. In the boutiques we ensure a very luxurious customer experience. Certified Pre-Owned areas are not only simply sales areas, but also meeting places for all watch enthusiasts, who often meet with like-minded watch lovers for a drink, e.g. at the bar on the second floor of the Zurich Bucherer boutique with a sensational view of Bahnhofstrasse. All Certified Pre-Owned watches are also available in the Bucherer online shop; customers can always discover our changing collections, an exciting and emotional experience that can also arouse the hunting instinct.

How do you at Bucherer guarantee that the customer also gets authenticity? 
All our watches are tested by a certified watchmaker for functionality and authenticity. All watches are completely serviced; access to original spare parts is essential in this process. A two-year international Bucherer Certified Pre-Owned guarantee completes the experience. As such Bucherer’s customers never incur the risk.

Do you think that certified models replace new models? 
Certified Pre-Owned watches are an exciting alternative to new watches.

Is the collection value higher when the customer keeps the original documents and the original box? What is the policy at Bucherer? 
The original documents and box are definitely important. However the condition of the watch is the main factor for determining the price. 

When you think of your target groups, do they prefer stationary trading or the online platform when purchasing a watch? 
Bucherer has several boutiques at top locations, in particular in Switzerland in all major cities, so we can welcome the vast majority of our customers primarily in the stores. In others countries, where Bucherer is not represented as extensively, the online ratio is higher.

The main target group for ADAM THE MAGAZINE is between 25 and 39 years old. How do you appeal to Generation Z in the world of CPO watches? 
Certified Pre-Owned watches are products that basically appeal to all age groups. In the past few weeks we have initiated a dedicated Gen-Z campaign and regularly conduct Gen Z events to get specifically the younger customers enthusiastic about the topic.

So when you say that the millennials are keen on CPO watches, can that be understood as a sustainability topic? 
The positive aspect of luxury watches is that they have been produced for an eternity. In this respect it is self-evident that these products will also be worn across generations. 

Bucherer has opened a Pop-Up-Store with Enea in the luxury department store, Globus, on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich. What does Bucherer wish to convey/aim to achieve with this step?
The partnership with Enea is built on the idea of «timeless values». Bucherer and Enea are both family companies and we share the same standards in quality, aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. Bucherer and Enea want to fuse the past with the present using this consistent vision. Visitors to the Pop-up spaces in Zurich experience the curated selection of unique Bucherer Certified Pre-Owned timepieces, embedded in impressions of an urban garden landscape of the future. Enea has managed to create a spatial platform, a green design oasis in which watch, design and garden enthusiasts can linger and exchange experiences. Community and experience concepts are again in the foreground here.

How do you envisage the future of Certified Pre-Owned?
Bucherer invests a lot of time and effort in this certification to provide customers with a high level of trust in Pre-Owned products. Because this is the only way that the market can continue to survive and grow in the long term. As an official retailer of the leading watch brands we are constantly seeking contact and try to set a new course for the future of Certified Pre-Owned in conjunction with the brands.