< Previous30 C EO M I D D L E E A S T MAY 2 0 21 WARM METAL BRONZE AGE WARM METAL ACCENTS ARE THE COOLEST LOOK THIS SUMMER JAPAN S ASICS SNEAKERS The Japanese sports lifestyle brand is high on style and performance, with its #SunriseMind approach that encourages people of all fitness levels to make the most of their morning and start as they mean to go on. AED295 BEOPLAY HX HEADPHONES, BANG & OLUFSEN This is the latest iteration of the popular and best-selling H series headphones from Bang & Olufsen. It provides a powerful and authentic sound experience with digital ANC, up to 35 hours of play time and elevated comfort. AED 2,700 BLAST HOURSTRIKER, ULYSSE-NARDIN A highly complex watch in rose gold, with a striking mechanism that sounds out the passing hours. AED383,258 MEN’S TROUSERS, DUNHILL Fusing New Romanticism with relaxed Japanese and Italian tailoring, previously hidden materials and techniques are revealed. SUMMER COAT, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI WOMEN A light, metallic coat ideal for anywhere but the UAE. Put it on your wishlist along with summer travel plans. GUERLAIN ORCHIDEE IMPERIALE RADIANCE ESSENCE IN-LOTION The new Radiance Essence-in-Lotion combines the power of Guerlain Research-selected orchids with a combination of two unique technologies. AED535 VERTUO PLUS NESPRESSO MACHINE Mornings get a sleek yet essential upgrade with this pod-based coffee maker. Do not speak to us until we’ve had at least one perfectly percolated cup. TUMI INTERNATIONAL EXPANDABLE 4 WHEELED CARRY-ON The upscale luggage company draws on fluid fabrics, metallics and earth tones, focusing on sustainability, not only through materials, but also design that extends beyond singular, seasonal function. AED3,845 FLORAL PRINT BAG, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Casually floral yet elegantly structured, this versatile tote upgrades your ensemble with a subtle statement of flowers and wicker. VERTUO PLUS NESPRESSO MACHINE Mornings get a sleek yet essential upgrade with this pod-based coffee maker. Do not speakMAY 2 0 21 CEO MIDDLE E A ST 31 TIMEPIECES IS THIS THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY WATCH BRAND ON THE PLANET? Panerai Submersible eLAB-ID is made of 98.6 percent materials – a world record, and accompanies a Luminor Marina made from recycled steel ith its heritage intertwined with the oceans – the brand has its roots making tool watches and marine instruments for the Italian Navy, it’s fi tting that in recent years Panerai has asserted a commitment to protecting the oceans. This year, the brand announced a partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) to develop programmes and actions that contribute to safeguarding the oceans and its marine life. “Panerai has always been known for its pioneering role and in this case, we want to set new boundaries in terms of environmental responsibility, being one of the fi rst in the watch industry to raise awareness towards such an important topic. As a company, we have the responsibility to be active and support the urgent need for change and protecting our planet” says CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué. “The next ten years will be crucial to reverse the decline of ocean health worldwide.” In addition to the partnership, the company has established a groundbreaking supply chain that allows the watch industry access to recycled materials for the very fi rst time. The Submersible eLab-ID is made mostly of recycled materials – its case, sandwich dial and bridges are made of recycled titanium and even the blue Superluminova on the hour markers and hands is recycled. The brand has published the list of its suppliers – a fi rst in the secretive world of watchmaking – and is urging other brands to follow suits. This year the brand also unveils the Luminor Marina eSteel, which is made from recycled steel. The eSteel was created by Panerai in conjunction with manufacturers outside the watch industry, many of whom are used to dealing with tonnes of material, rather than the few kilogrammes requested by the watch brand. “We will be very happy if all our peers in Switzerland and around the world get in touch with the same suppliers to use the same materials,” says Pontroué. “The looming environmental crisis will have a global impact, and it will require a global effort to combat it. Panerai is prepared to lead the effort in the watch sector. With Submersible eLAB-ID™, the brand has created a model that will serve as a blueprint for others to follow and build upon. “We don’t want to be the only one doing this,” adds Pontroué. “Acting alone won’t save the world.” W $72,000 The starting price of the Panerai Submersible eLab-ID Built for the sea The Panerai Submersible eLab-ID is made mostly of recycled materials32 C EO M I D D L E E A S T MAY 2 0 21 TIME | ROLEX he wristwatch worn by movie stars, royalty and sports stars is never far from the wishlists of collectors and style-minded overachiev- ers. For 2021, its novelties, presented vir- tually during the opening day of Watches & Wonders, reveal a brand that continues to be on top of its game. The broad theme that unites its new timepieces is ad- venture, be it geographical, technical or aesthetic and as usual, fans of the brand have not been left wanting. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer and Explorer II The Explorer models were originally created to accompany the most extreme exploration missions on earth: the first explorers to summit Mount Everest in 1953 wore Rolex Oysters. An advert from the 1950s bears the legend: “Rolex watches are always found where frontiers are being advanced” and this has under- pinned this elegant, yet mighty tool watch ever since. The new Explorer and Explorer II models are emblematic of the brand’s perpetual forward drive, and this flagship launch for the year doesn’t disappoint. The Oyster Perpetual Explorer is released in a yellow Rolesor edition that combines Oystersteel and 18-carat yellow gold. A black dial is crafted from lacquer – new for this model – and the display, highlighted in powerful Chromalight, ensures visibility even in dark conditions. The watch is powered by a leading-edge Calibre 3230, which gives it over 70 hours of power reserve, while the case, a paragon of robustness and reliability, is guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres, with its caseback hermetically screwed down with a special tool that only Rolex watchmakers can open. The Explorer II, meanwhile, is a COSC and Rolex-certified chronometer, which makes it amongst the most accu- rate timekeepers on the planet. Forged in proprietary Oystersteel, a white lacquer dial offsets the black PVD hour markers and characteristic orange seconds hand. At 42mm in diametre and featuring the same highly scratch-resistant sapphire ROLEX WATCHES 2021 It’s the most famous watch brand in the world bar none and has just revealed its 2021 novelties, with new Explorer models, an exciting new dial for the classic Daytona, and diamond-covered women’s watches for the ultimate expression of luxury watchmaking BY JOLA CHUDY T TIME | ROLEXMAY 2 0 21 CEO MIDDLE E A ST 33 ROLEX crystal as the Explorer, the watch features a Cyclops lens over the date window, and fits seamlessly around the wrist thanks to the bracelet that is completed with the three-piece Oysterlock folding safety clasp. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 and Oyster Perpetual Lady- DateJust Rolex’s expertise in diamond-setting takes a resplendent step into the lime- light courtesy of two women’s watches that display staggering complexity in gem-setting. Set one by one into the dial, the diamonds adorn the full surface of the dial and bezel of the Day-Date 36, which is presented in a yellow gold and burgundy, white gold and turquoise or Everose gold and orange. The watch boasts enamel markers to match the dif- ferent coloured straps, and is powered by the Calibre 3255 manufacture movement. It is water resistant to 100 metres, should you be wild enough to go deep-sea diving while wearing one, and packs an impres- sive 70 hours of power reserve. The Lady-Datejust takes the pres- ence of diamonds to its most glorious extreme, with 158 on the case sides and lugs, 44 on the bezel, 596 on the bracelet and 291 on the dial. That’s 1,089 sparklers in total, encasing a Superlative Chronometre certified watch, with a de- cidedly diminutive 29mm case diameter. Petite and powerful, this statement wrist- watch is about as much of a statement watch as any woman of formidable means could hope for. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 Four editions of the Datejust 36 are released as part of the brand’s 2021 novelties and feature intriguing new palm and fluted dial motifs. The palm motif is seen on three of the new watches, in olive green on Oystersteel, in gold on the Rolesor version, and silver on an Everose Rolesor version. The fluted motif meanwhile, is seen in a yellow gold Role- sor version. Each of the four watches is equipped with Calibre 3235. The Datejust was the first self-winding chronom- eter wristwatch to display the date in a window at three o’ clock on the dial when launched in 1945 and its timeless design has spanned eras, retaining the enduring aesthetic that makes it such an instantly recognisable Rolex. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Three versions of its iconic motorsport- inspired watch should satisfy diehard Daytona fans, each of which features rare meteorite from space on the dial. The three editions are powered by Calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chrono- graph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. It incor- porates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thereby enhancing the movement’s reliability. Launched in 1963, it’s one of the brand’s most sought-after models so fans will be delighted with the choice of three new models to hanker after. “THE EXPLORER MODELS WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED TO ACCOMPANY THE MOST EXTREME EXPLORATION MISSIONS ON EARTH” Exploration The new generation Oyster Perpetual Explorer is released in a yellow Rolesor version Exceptional Four editions of the Rolex Datejust 36 are released as part of the brand’s 2021 novelties Exquisite Diamonds adorn the full surface of the dial and bezel of the Rolex Day-Date 36 Historic Launched in 1963, the Daytona is one of the brand’s most sought-after models 34 C EO M I D D L E E A S T MAY 2 0 21 n a desert country renowned for its love affair with supercars, sleek beasts and four-wheeled fantasy drives, the G-Wagon has achieved something few other car brands have managed; it has become the unoffi cial automotive emblem of the country. No doubt helped by the fact that the nation’s most high-profi le individuals are fans of Mercedes’ distinctively shaped vehicle, the G-Wagon, already a classic of popular culture and contemporary car design, is held in high affection by the $215,000 The starting price of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 DREAMS ON WHEELS THE NATION’S FAVOURITE CAR GETS A CELEBRATORY MAKEOVER IN HONOUR OF THE COUNTRY’S 50TH JUBILEE. HAVE YOU PUT YOUR NAME DOWN FOR THE EXCLUSIVE MERCEDES-AMG G 63 UAE GOLDEN JUBILEE EDITION BY GARGASH YET? country’s car-loving residents. One of Mercedes’ earliest models and originally designed with military use in mind, it’s a super-sturdy, powerful beast capable of easily handling some of the most challenging terrain in the world, and yet sit inside one and you will feel as though you’re in a grand tourer, thanks to its focus on exceptional luxury fi nishing. That’s pretty much also an accurate refl ection of life here: a passion for the great outdoors mixed with an appreciation for the very fi nest that life can offer. With the country celebrating its 50th Jubilee in 2021, Gargash Group is releasing – yep, you’ve guessed it – 50 limited- edition models of the G-Wagon. “We are glad to be able to pay tribute to DRIVE | MERCEDES BY JOLA CHUDY IMAY 2 0 21 CEO MIDDLE E A ST 35 MERCEDES the UAE and the brand with this vehicle. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 UAE Golden Jubilee is a testament to the evolution of our country as well as to the legendary G-Wagon,” says Shehab M. Gargash, MD and Group CEO of Gargash Group. An automotive design icon, the G-Class is reimagined with a two-tone exterior; 25 units in a white/iridium silver combination and 25 in magnetite black/graphite grey. The body of the vehicle features Golden Jubilee badges to commemorate the occasion, complete with grey brake calipers and a specially designed grab- handle for the model. Blending a tough off-road character with matchles s expressions of luxury, the G-Class is forged from the fi nest materials inside and out, with every detail fi nished by hand. Each of the 50 units will have an exclusive serial number, to represent every year of the UAE’s union, and each vehicle sold comes with the Gargash promise of seamless after-sales service, making this highly exclusive edition destined to become a sought-after model amongst the nation’s car-loving cognoscenti. “THE MERCEDES- AMG G 63 UAE GOLDEN JUBILEE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE EVOLUTION OF OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS TO THE LEGENDARY G-WAGON” Exclusivity With only 50 units on offer, each Mercedes- AMG G 63 UAE Golden Jubilee edition will have an exclusive serial number to represent every year of the UAE’s union36 C EO M I D D L E E A S T MAY 2 0 21 homas Flohr has taken off on a route to make business aviation more available to the masses. And the founder and chairman of VistaJet, part of UAE-based Vista Global Holdings, tells CEO Middle East a huge part of that journey will be banish- ing the stereotype surrounding flying via private jets. Initiative VistaJet, part of UAE-based Vista Global Holding, has also taken off on an ambitious journey to become carbon neutral by 2025 ‘HOLLYWOOD-CREATED IMAGE’ OF PRIVATE AVIATION IS A THING OF THE PAST Founder and chairman of VistaJet, Thomas Flohr, is on a mission to make business aviation more available to the masses He says: “I think what we need to make sure is that this stigma about this industry, I always call it the Hollywood- created image about a private jet and having a glass of champagne, this is over.” However, arguably the greatest tur- bulence for Flohr will come around the price-point and making it an affordable option for companies as an alternative to first or businesses class on commer- cial operators. “I believe it’s in using the assets more. It sounds simple but it’s highly complicated and technology will help. I think it’s self-feeding, if you have more customers in more regions, then they will use this infrastructure more,” he says. He reveals that there are currently around 20,000 business jets operating AVIATION | VISTAJET BY GAVIN GIBBON TMAY 2 0 21 CEO MIDDLE E A ST 37 VISTAJET compared to 2019 – it recorded a 78 per- cent growth of private jets movements in Q4 2020 alone, compared to Q4 2019. Flohr says that the company wit- nessed growth of new VistaJet members globally of more than 29 percent last year in what was a V-shaped recovery from the ill-effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with business returning to 2019 levels by the third quarter. Earlier last month, VistaJet took delivery of the first two of its Global 7500 aircraft, ready for commercial availability, and the order of 10 new Challenger 350 planes, from long- standing partner Bombardier. Setting a new speed record of Mach 0.925 between New York and Los Ange- les, the Global 7500 completed the US coast-to-coast flight in three hours and 54 minutes. Its capability means that passengers can fly 21 percent faster from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. “We do have the confidence. It’s not like we’re putting up our finger and try- ing to guess this. We are in very intense, deep contact, every single day with our client base and they’re telling us where the world is going,” says Flohr. Business Aviation Association predicted that in 2020 the business aviation sector in the MENA region would achieve a growth rate of around 9 percent, higher than the global growth estimate of 4 to 6 percent. Indeed, in January, the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South revealed that private jet movements in 2020 grew by 21 percent “I WANT TO CHANGE THESE OLD, EXPENSIVE HABITS WHICH, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CUSTOMER IS PAYING FOR” “WE ARE IN VERY INTENSE, DEEP CONTACT WITH OUR CLIENT BASE AND THEY’RE TELLING US WHERE THE WORLD IS GOING” Travel The MBRAH in Dubai South revealed that private jet movements in 2020 grew by 21 percent compared to 2019 in the world, with 7,500 medium-sized or long-haul carriers. According to Flohr, these are being used on aver- age 250 hours per year compared to a commercial Boeing 777, which he says is used 4,000 hours per year. “We’re currently using them 1,000 hours,” he says. “I want to drive this to 1,500 or 2,000 hours.” An initiative aimed to achieve this, which the group has launched in the US through VistaJet’s sister brand XO, is a crowdfunding model, similar to Uber share, where people can advertise places in the aeroplane to join for a specific journey. Flohr explains: “We should have more people in the cabin. Sharing this by technology, sharing this cabin with more people allows you to bring the ticket cost down and I think, in general, it’s the own fault of the industry. The industry was way too backward looking. Everything had to be double or triple as expensive because it has this stigma of a business jet. “I want to change these old, ex- pensive habits which, at the end of the day, the customer is paying for, and why should they if there are methods avail- able to bring the price-point down.” The attraction to business aviation has been accelerated as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, particu- larly on health and safety grounds. The Middle East and North Africa Confidence Flohr says VistaJet has witnessed growth of new members globally 38 C EO M I D D L E E A S T MAY 2 0 21 ith travel corridors reopening and rules relaxing, the opportunity to fl y somewhere seems almost too good to pass up, and with Eid beckoning, many of us are making travel plans again. Even the mildly irritating process of searching for fl ights is fi lled with a frisson of adventure – and for an escape that’s light on fl ight time and heavy on the pay-off, Maldives remains one of the region’s most popular destinations for ultimate ‘long weekend’ escapes. The process of going for a PCR test and messing about online comparing and booking our fl ights barely registers on the scale of small inconveniences, thanks to the palpable LIFE IN COLOUR With Eid just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to reintroduce travel back into your life. A short hop from the UAE, Anantara Dhigu in the Maldives delivers escapism, abundant serenity and thoughtful luxury – exactly the kind of infusion of happiness we all need a bit more of sense of excitement about travelling again. Our destination is a tiny island in the South Male atoll. Dhigu, a speck of white and green in the Indian Ocean, is part of the Anantara Group, a byword in thoughtfully designed luxury. Founded in Thailand in 2001, the group has fi ve properties in Maldives. The hypnotic rhythm of a speedboat rocks away the stiffness of the short fl ight between Dubai and Male, and then it’s a case of simply immersing oneself into the ambience of island life. Which isn’t, frankly, much of a tough adjustment to make. Not at all. The frenetic pace of daily life is temporarily suspended in a fantasy of cerulean, ivory and white. Greeting guests at the island’s main pontoon, the staff whisk our luggage away while proffering cool towels and warm smiles. Dhigu boasts 110 beach villas and over-wa- ter suites, making it large enough to offer enough food, dining and entertainment to punctuate the soporifi c pace of island life, but small enough to feel intimate and personal. Its next-door neighbour, a small boat trip of a few minutes, is Veli, so there’s also the opportunity to explore next door, as well as a smaller island that boasts a swimming pool set into the sea, and a stunning coral reef. The over-water villas at Dhigu are just as fabulous as you’d want them to be: boasting views straight into that blissfully blue ocean, EID ESCAPE | ANANTARA DHIGU MALDIVES RESORT BY JOLA CHUDY WMAY 2 0 21 CEO MIDDLE E A ST 39 ANANTARA DHIGU MALDIVES RESORT tional Maldivian dishes are amongst the offer- ings, while breakfast each day seems to cater to every possible whim including plant-based diets; the banana coconut pancake as deca- dent and fl avourful as any dessert, and easily justifi ed by the promise of a vigorous swim at some point in the day. There’s a beautiful over-water spa on the they offer a sense of privacy and connected- ness to the natural surroundings. Thanks to fl oor-to-ceiling windows (and even a cheeky porthole by your feet in the bathroom) water- colour sunrises and sunsets punctuate the start and end of each day, with an in-villa butler to attend to any whims or require- ments. Life here is geared towards the aquatic, and if you’re lucky, you may spot a sea turtle swimming lazily past, or even small sharks and schools of fi sh. A little further out and the marine life reveals itself in rich, living colour. The Maldives have suffered more than their fair share of coral bleaching thanks to global warming and so now many of the resort islands are taking direct action courtesy of conservation programmes to encourage new reefs to grow. Snorkelling around the island gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the sea life, or for a more adventurous dip, the island offers – amongst several ocean- themed activities – the chance to swim right next to nurse sharks. This is the kind of buck- et-list adventure that leaves you feeling euphoric, adrenalised, alive and fully charged – emotions not usually associated with a lazy few days on a white-sanded island of pure luxury, but Dhigu is full of opportunities for enchantment and wonder. Free-diving is one of the more unusual experiences offered alongside scuba diving and dolphin watching cruises. One day we wade over to Gulhi Fushi, a tiny little mound of sand that features an ocean pool, reef and bar, and while away a few hours splashing about on the water’s surface and following fish, before sitting beneath the shade of the traditional thatched roof bar and cooling down with ice-cold fi zzy drinks. There are eight food options at the island and neighbouring Veli, and the close of each gorgeously relaxed day beckons with a new dining experience – Japanese, Thai and tradi- island, and a treatment here is about as agree- able an experience as one can wish for. Submitting to the skilled hands of the thera- pist, knots are kneaded away and the rhyth- mic, soothing sensation of skilled touch is blissfully hypnotic. Thankfully a stirring ginger tea is offered post-massage to rouse you from your blissed-out state and send you fl oating back to the beach. A heightened sense of appreciation is fertile ground for happiness to grow, and on Dhigu, the idyllic setting offers ample opportunity to slow down and savour small moments of plea- sure – something that many of us have been reminded over the past year or so, is really what the art of living gratefully is about. “WITH TRAVEL CORRIDORS REOPENING AND RULES RELAXING, THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLY SOMEWHERE SEEMS ALMOST TOO GOOD TO PASS UP” Sun, sand and sea Guests are treated with adventures across silvery sands, at sea, and below the water’s surface Breathtaking view Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort is designed with 110 beach villas and over-water suites Next >