Karl-Henry Edström reveals what readers can look forward to from this special edition—out across newsstands today.
As Robb Report approaches its sixth decade in existence—it was founded in the US in 1976—the fires of our ongoing passion for the history and tradition that underpin fine living are burning more fiercely than ever before. And this isn’t just nostalgia: the older and wiser we become, the more we realise that heritage is as much about forging the future as it is cherishing the past.
This, surely, is why people of means love to accumulate collections of beautiful, game-changing artefacts—and why an issue of Robb Report Monaco & Côte d’Azur devoted to such personal archives, and the meticulously curated artefacts that make them up, is so eternally relevant to our core values.
From page 105, you’ll find Nick Scott’s exploration of the finer points of collecting watches, art, wine, fashion accessories and other luxury commodities: an investigation which draws in expertise from the relevant doyens at Bonhams, Christie’s, Artcurial, Sotheby’s and locally based Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo.
On top of factors such as beauty, rarity, provenance, intrigue and inspiration, Scott writes, “the main motivation for collecting… is the power these items have to recalibrate our relationship with the world, and reconnect us to the finer nuances of human ingenuity.” It’s a focus, we’re sure readers will agree, that emphasises the duality, these days, of the word “investment” —the Robb Report universe is one in which emotional returns are as edifying, as crucial, as those depicted on a spreadsheet full of decimal points and euro symbols.
Elsewhere in this issue, turn to page 24 for Elizabeth Doerr’s summary of the very best pieces unveiled at this year’s Watches and Wonders event in Geneva: four new Pont des Amoureux automaton models in Van Cleef & Arpels’ Poetic Complications range; a métier d’arts dial graced with horsehair marquetry from Hermès; and Bulgari reiterating its prowess in ultra-thin watchmaking yet again with a flying tourbillon piece that is only 1.85 mm in height.
Our regular Dream Machines section (pages 76-90) begins with a preview of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and what car-collector disruptors Broad Arrow Auctions will bring to the table (“They’re the new kids on the auction block, so I think it’s a cocktail which should produce some fireworks,” comments Simon Kidston, renowned Geneva-based collector). Elsewhere, Vince Jackson examines Aston Martin’s new SUV, the DBX S, while Rachel Ingram delves into Vripack’s intriguing biomimetic superyacht concept for Oceanco.
There are many possible answers to the question, “What is Robb Report all about?” The content we’ve put together for this issue calls to mind a philosophical one: it’s about the link between the past and the future, and how humanity’s insatiable obsession with improving what already seems to be perfect links the two.
All of which is why we’re so upbeat about Robb Report turning quinquagenarian. We get to look back on so much that has wowed us over the decades—and also brim with excitement at the thought of what wonders might grace these pages when the title reaches its 60th birthday. Enjoy the issue!
