Last night IX Magazine attended the official launch of the new Lexus sponsored film “Takumi - A 60,000-hour story on the survival of human craft” at Japan House in Kensington for a special  screening with the director, writer and Kirie artist Nahoko Kojima.
Lexus has produced a new documentary that poses the question of whether the skills of devoted craftsmen and women can survive in a world increasingly powered by Artificial Intelligence.

Eighty Percent of yacht activity takes place in 20% of the world's oceans. Only 5% of what is beneath the world's oceans has been seen, let alone experienced. Oceanco's newest project, the 105-meter (345ft) diesel-electric driven Esquel has been conceived and designed to explore new territories.
Oceanco has created Esquel in collaboration with Timur Bozca Design, stylist Gina Brennan, Lateral Naval Architects and Engineering, and Pelorus—a leading experiential and yacht expedition travel company.

Automobili Pininfarina’s ground-breaking Battista luxury electric hypercar will be revealed in three different beautiful specifications at the World Premiere of the all-electric hypercar in Geneva on 4th March at 20:30 (CET). All three examples will then be available to view by visitors to the Geneva International Motor Show 2019.

Ferrari has revealed the first official photographs of the F8 Tributo, the new mid-rear engined sports car that represents the highest expression of the company’s classic two-seater berlinetta. The name is an homage to both the model’s uncompromising layout and to the engine that powers it – with a massive 720 cv and a record specific power output of 185 cv/l, it is the most powerful V8 in Prancing Horse history for a non-special series car and sets the benchmark not just for turbos, but for engines across the board.

I would have loved to see the look on the old guys face, comfortably oblivious of his surroundings, safe in his generic eurobox, as we exited the roundabout side by side, me on the V-Strom, cranked over will a full set of luggage. ‘Round the outside, hard on the gas, then off in to the distance.
I'd like to think he would have turned to Dorris in the passenger seat and muttered, “I didn't expect that.”

It’s been a surreal season this London Fashion Week. I set out with one agenda and finished up with quite another, which illustrates perfectly the joys of being freelance and having to be prepared for anything. Work as a fashion freelancer can definitely be compared to London buses - you can wait around for ages until your feet get sore then several all come at once.

Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has today announced the launch of a new batch of Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength; the only cask strength Jameson to be available globally that finishes its maturation in Dublin’s only live Maturation House in the Jameson Distillery Bow Street. To mark the launch, Jameson has partnered with artisanal Dublin cheesemonger, Loose Canon, to inspire discerning whiskey drinkers to master whiskey and cheese pairing with the Jameson 18 family this St. Patrick’s Day.

One word “friendly” sums up Banff’s Sunshine Village ski resort, but do not be fooled by thinking that all its slopes are flattering even to the lazy skier.  There is a good spread of runs to keep the interest of all skills within a mixed abilities party across three mountains, all within the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Banff National Park.  Cruise to your heart’s content through tree lined trails, take the lifts to the top of Lookout Mountain for some more demanding slopes,  or tackle the ‘Double Diamond Blacks’ on Goat’s Eye Mountain.  

Dating back to 1865, Zenith has been creating innovative time pieces, driven by the passion for developing accurate and reliable watches. In 1969 Zenith became the first brand to develop a high-frequency automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph that beats at 36,000 vibrations an hour.
The Zenith Defy Zero G watch is exceptional due to the revolutionary escapement which is designed to maintain both the escapement and balance wheel upright at all times, whatever the position of the watch so that it keeps better time unaffected by a change in the direction of gravity.

Well, I was born there, so I figured I should spend my stag weekend there too. I called up my oldest chum and soon to be best man, whom I used to party with in New York many years ago, and told him we were getting the band back together and returning to the Big Apple for a last blast.

The flight over with British Airways was smooth and hilarious due to my companion Mr D Lynsdale, who charms everyone with his laid back, gentle nature and infectious good humour, abetted by some some moderate drinking of fine Champagne.