Lifestyle
News on consumer habits, trends, and lifestyle spending.
Sony has announced a new ultra-fast and high resolution mirrorless camera, a flagship product of the Alpha series. The Sony Alpha A1 II costs A$10,989 for the body, for a limited time only. The A1 II announcement comes nearly four years since the first Alpha 1 came onto the scene in early 2021. The original is well-regarded for its sensor, latitude, features, 8K recording, fast autofocus, and subject recognition. The mark two model builds upon the foundation of the previous Alpha model, introducing further refined features like the new AI Processing Unit. This brings real-time, fast recognition autofocus, which can accurately recognise people, animals, bugs, planes, trains, and cars. There is a 30% improvement in human eye recognition and 50% in bird eye recognition. Additionally, data can be automatically transferred to Adobe Lightroom or Google Drive via Sony's cloud storage service. Sony also added some new features and enhancements for videography, including two image stabilisation modes which ensures smooth handheld shooting.
Audemars Piguet (AP) has once again pushed the boundaries of watchmaking by collaborating with the renowned contemporary artist KAWS (Brian Donnelly) to create the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion". This limited-edition timepiece is a fusion of high-end horology and pop art, featuring KAWS's iconic "Companion" character at its heart. The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion" is a 43 mm watch crafted entirely from titanium, with a black ceramic crown. The case is both large and lightweight, with a thickness of 17.4 mm, making it surprisingly wearable despite its size. The dial showcases the "Companion" figure, which appears to be pressing up against the crystal, rendered as a miniature titanium sculpture with a flying tourbillon at its core. One of the standout features of this watch is its peripheral time display, where the hour and minute hands rotate around the edge of the dial, thanks to the newly-developed Calibre 2979 movement. This innovative design allows the "Companion" character to take centre stage without obstructing the view of the time. Given the exclusivity and craftsmanship involved, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion" is expected to be priced at a premium. While the exact price in Austra
Many restaurants in California offer exceptional dining experiences thanks to its diverse food scene. In spite of this, some establishments are famous for their high prices, because they use the best ingredients, create a unique ambiance, and present the food exquisitely. There is one restaurant in the state that stands out among them as the most expensive dining destination. According to LoveFood, Atelier Crenn in San Francisco is the most expensive restaurant in California. Chef Dominique Crenn's prestigious restaurant offers multi-course tasting menus that cost over $400 per person. Michelin-starred eateries such as The French Laundry, where similar experiences cost $350, narrowly lose out to Atelier Crenn. Dining at Atelier Crenn is expensive because Crenn's inventive and poetic approach to cooking is a major factor. Bringing the beauty of nature and art into her dishes, she provides her guests with an unforgettable culinary journey combining exceptional flavors and stunning presentation. In the quest for an unforgettable dining experience, the price tag is well deserved. A high price at the Atelier Crenn is also reflective of the general dining experience, which encompasses not just the food, but th
Photos of a scrapped Jaguar electric vehicle have leaked. A single photo of the would-be EV was posted by Richard Seddon on X (formerly Twitter). The company scrapped the EV project back in 2021, stating it did "not fit with our vision for the reimagined brand”. This has been the best look at Jaguar’s electric XJ, as a total rethink of the future of the brand occurred before the car could launch, despite being near production-ready. The long-time Jaguar designer Ian Callum replied to the X post, saying “That looks familiar. Long time ago… shame.” Jaguar pivoted away from the brand at the time to focus on a more premium market than it has targeted previously. Earlier this month their new electric vehicle, pictured below, was photographed while testing in Britain.Credit: Jaguar Land Rover and Road & TrackThe photos came from Jaguar Land Rover, leading up to its official reveal in Miami next month, followed by production expected late in 2025.
Louis Vuitton has launched the Montgolfière Aéro, a new limited edition high-end table clock. The Montgolfière Aéro was produced in partnership with Swiss mechanical clock brand L’Epée. Louis Vuitton acquired L'Epée last year. “In a continuation of watchmaking excellence, these unique creations harness the Maison's spirit of adventure and discovery while breaking the boundaries of traditional clock-making,” according to Louis Vuitton. The clock is modelled after a hot-air balloon attached to a miniature trunk. It features L’Epée’s 1855 LR Calibre mechanical movement, which can be manually wound. The trunk is made of brass and wood, and incorporates Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram canvas. Both glass-based and precious wood Aéro clocks have been made, with the glass editions available in either red or transparent glass. The wood version boasts 1,420 small diamonds and two citrines. The clock can be used on a table, or suspended from the ceiling. Just eight wooden Aéro clocks are available for sale. The glass editions are priced at A$96,500. LVMH’s (EPA: MC) share price closed at EU€588.60, up from the previous day’s €586.30. Its market cap is EU€293.6 billion.
