When horology fiends say that a price can’t be placed on a heritage timepiece, it’s likely they haven’t encountered an auction quite like this.

Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe have just taken the record for the world’s most expensive watch ever sold. Passing hands at Phillips Bacs & Russo auction in Geneva on Saturday, the stainless steel Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 perpetual calendar with chronograph went for an astonishing 11,002,000 Swiss francs – about AU$14,693,529.

The 1518 timepiece is a special one. It was constructed in 1941 with only four pieces believed to have been made. This particular example managed to attract seven well-heeled buyers all vying for a watch that is considered the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph to be crafted in a series by a watchmaker.

The record was taken from the previous record holder, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 which went for around the AU$9,800,000 mark at an auction last year.

[via Hodinkee]

The post This Patek Philippe Is The World's Most Expensive Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

After a disastrous launch with the Galaxy Note 7, the Korean electronics giant is looking to claw back some credibility in the tech space with a brand new foldable smartphone concept.

Note, the term here is ‘foldable’ and not the fashionable flip phones of the early 2000s (sad face). The latest Samsung innovation which was patented in April this year will boast a bendable screen which Engadget claims can be “folded or unfolded semi automatically”.

A secondary display which can not be seen from these images will also appear when the phone is closed. It’s still early days but there are reports that the smartphone has been dubbed Galaxy X, a name which may just be cool enough to stick around until its official production.

The only downside on what we know about the Galaxy X is that it’s significantly long when unfolded, resembling a TV remote control more than a phone. The reasoning for this resurgence in the new folding smartphones comes from the notion that they can be used as tablets.

Non-exploding flip phones back in fashion? Only time will tell. Check out the images in the gallery and let us know what you think.

The post Samsung Is Fighting Back With A Foldable Smartphone appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Vespa name is renowned the world over by legions of riders.

This reputation was never just about an overnight success though. Since its humble inception in 1946 by Piaggio, the Vespa, which means ‘wasp’ in Italian, has become a style icon in its own right.

Heralded for their signature front fairing and body design, the Vespa slowly became the prime form of transport for millions around the world who lived in major cities.

For some, the Vespa became more than just a mode of transport as stylish folk began inheriting the unique Italian lines, bold colours and extensive list of custom accessories.

Today that very same formula has seen Vespa reach its 70th anniversary, a true milestone in engineering, mass production and most importantly, Italian design.

We sat down with Vespa’s Head of Design, Marco Lambri to find out how Vespas are made and why they’ll continue to be the premiere mode of mass transport on two wheels for generations to come.

Preserve & Evolve

In a world of design where the wild, outrageous and even weird receive all the attention, Vespa has remained true to its core design without looking dated. Achieving this monumental feat with every new model iteration is a task that Lambri calls “Preserving while changing”.

In other words, don’t mess with an icon; instead, manage the change by respecting Vespa’s inherent history and values.

“Everything has changed from the first Vespa, the legendary 98cc,” explains Lambri.

“The original Vespa and the latest models do not share even one, even the tiniest component. Yet, even the latest Vespa is immediately recognisable as a Vespa.”

The reason for this? Vespa’s style values have always been respected, with lines that were always classic but fully in tune with the times. This, according to Lambri is why Vespa is still a household name today.

Origins Of Inspiration

Inspirational design is what makes the Vespa instantly recognisable amongst a sea of scooters in the world.

To continually be inspired, Lambri and his team always draws from Vespa’s history – that is, a tradition of a vehicle conceived with a human at the centre of the design.

From here, the Vespa was able to evolve in terms of technology as well as style.

“It embodied, at all times, the best available technology,” explains Lambri. “This has always been our goal.”

More specifically, all of Vespa’s modern scooters all began at the same point – from incredibly simple models of the past which featured basic design and construction.

Eventually they’d evolve into today’s models such as the Vespa Primavera, Vespa Sprint, Vespa GTS which adds layers to that proven foundation.

Those layers are technologies such as riding assistance, electronic controls, traction control, anti-block braking systems (ABS) and LED lighting technology.

The one uniform part of Vespa which was never compromised? A unibody built entirely out of steel.

An Enduring Design Process

Piaggio’s Centro Stile includes over 50 skilled personnel. Of that crew, two or three are the managers, each of whom is a specialist in a specific area overseeing the Vespa design.

The head of the Centro Stile coordinates all activities and has the final say on stylistic choices. That design is then submitted to senior management to make the final choices.

This is a crucial part of the Vespa design stage as it is about providing customers with a personal that is both functional and fashionable.

“The strong personality allowed Vespa to be always above of fashion, to dictate new ways in style rather than follow,” explains Lambri.

“The great feature, the uniqueness, if you wish, of Vespa is the fact that it went beyond its role of easy and elegant vehicle, perfect for commuting, and became a symbol of the various eras through its life.”

“Today, Vespa is much more than a mere means of transportation. It is a symbol of Italian technology and style throughout the world.”

One can argue that Vespa embodies the most classic, but also the youngest and most irreverent aspect of urban transportation. The secret to Vespa’s success was the ability to interpret the yearning for mobility and freedom of generations of young people throughout the world.

As it was common for a Vespa to be passed down from father to son, the practice slowly became a tradition in looking after a family heirloom. The soul of Vespa was therefore created, maintained and preserved by its owners well beyond the average lifetime of any other vehicle.

Some even call it a cult object. The more sane call it a true collector’s item.

Future Of Vespa

Vespa is now going through one of the most successful periods of its life with over one and a half million units sold in the last ten years.

A lot of this has to do with the brand’s distinct ability to renew itself and evolve over time, whilst remaining faithful to its European roots.

Vespa’s future, according to Lambri, will develop along this path.

“In the years to come Vespa may be electrically powered, may be different than today’s Vespa from a mechanical point of view, but it will be, unmistakably, a Vespa. Just like it was in 1946.”

The post An Exclusive Look At 70 Years Of Iconic Vespa Innovation & Design appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Watch aficionados around the world know of the reputable Patek Philippe name, but not so much its illustrious 175 year history.

In 2016 that all changes with Nicholas Foulkes’ official Patek Philippe biography, The Authorized Biography, which contains over 500 pages of exclusive documentation from the closed archives which details everything from the watchmaker’s founding owners to the employees who helped make it the iconic brand it is today.

The pages will also feature unique anecdotes from the brand’s past and interviews with the Stern family, owners of Patek Philippe empire. If that’s not enough to add credibility to your coffee table, there’s also an accompanying 40-page watch reference appendix with picture notes and specially commissioned photographs.

“This is the first time that the Patek Philippe archive has been accessed and brought to life in a factual and definitive work,” said Philippe Stern, the Honorary President and father to Patek’s current CEO, Thierry Stern.

Nicholas Foulkes meanwhile is no standard fish out of the sea either. Foulkes has been a contributing editor for Vanity Fair and the Financial Times and holds the author title for over 20 books.

To receive such an unprecedented access to the watchmaker, Foulkes has long specialised in the art and luxury industries and most importantly he’s the current horological consultant for the Patek Philippe magazine.

“The Authorized Biography,” can now be purchased from the Patek Philippe online library for US$225.

The post Patek Philippe's History Revealed In An Official Biography appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

So, you’re a magnificently smart bastard and you’ve made some smart investments in your time.

That refurbed 1963 Corvette Stingray? Not so smart. That property you bought? You smart cookie you.

Now putting said investment property on the market for sale or lease is not simply the act of selling or leasing a home out. The key point to realise here is that you are also selling a lifestyle. One that your buyers and tenants want more than anything.

Mind blowing, we know.

Open Inspection Rules

Open for inspections only last fifteen minutes long so first impressions are really crucial. During this short time frame the interested parties are frantically running around, attempting to keep a poker face, eyeballing the competition, kissing the agent’s ass and also hopefully marking off their ‘Does it have…’ lists.

During these intense fifteen minutes, you’d preferably want to:

1. Make a good impression and evoke the atmosphere buyers desire
2. Know your market, know what they have on their “Does it have…” list and make it easy as pie for them to find big fat ticks
3. Show them how best to utilise and set-out the property

Look At Your Property Like A Product

Be sure to ask your agent who the clientele is and what their typical lifestyle is like. From here, jot down your target market’s priorities, values and aspirations.

This will help you clarify their needs and how to best present that in your property.

Remember, it’s not just about highlighting the obvious benefits of the property – yeah, those timber floors sure are great but it’s also about highlighting and setting the scene for your target market’s aspirational dreams.

We always strongly recommend having your property professionally styled by a real-estate stylist which is quite affordable considering the benefits.

If for whatever reason you can’t or don’t want to (particularly if you’re just wishing to lease it out), here are a few tips to best present your property.

Keep It Simple

Yes, you’ll want to be styling your place towards your target market, however avoid getting too out there as you could always get a buyer you weren’t expecting.

Also, never assume what you like is what everyone else likes too. Your interests and style may be too niche, so do your research and pick up a few interior design magazines from the newsagent to get an idea on what is in trend and is acceptable. Alternatively, check out our interior design tips section.

It is a much better idea to keep things simple and uncluttered than to attempt going with a particular style you can’t nail.

Spick & Span

Don’t just ‘clean’ away the clutter, get all that grime and dirt too. Get into all of those nooks and crannies and make sure your property is impeccably clean. If you’re not up to it, outsourcing is your best bet. If you have carpet, without a doubt, get a professional carpet cleaner in. You’ll be amazed at the huge difference it makes.

Freshen It All Up

Want to know a killer combination to a sellable property? A crisp lick of white paint, new light bulbs, invigorating candles, fresh sheets and new throw pillows will all do absolute wonders.

Flowers & Greenery Are Mandatory

Place fresh flowers and greenery throughout your property for every open inspection and also when your marketing photos are taken.

Fresh flowers and greenery work really well in brightening things up, whilst connecting the inside with nature outside. Don’t go cheap on the flowers, we absolutely do not want to see grocery store Tiger Lilies or Gerberas.

Take some snaps of your place and ask your local florist to help you out with a fitting selection here.

Now, go forth and lay out your best real-estate styling knowledge. We bet even the agent will be impressed. Which could be handy if they’re single too.

The post Smart Ways To Style Your Property For The Real Estate Market appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Great news, movie buffs. Your time relegated to binge watching The Walking Dead via iPhone in your bathroom may soon be over.

As homes get smaller the humble home theatre will also begin its slow death.

Not on our watch. We’re all about that Netflix and apartment life and we’ve previously spoken about how to maximise its interior space. Today we’re taking a closer look at how to turn that centre for ants into an effective home theatre space with a simple bag of expert tricks.

Sound Bars Are The New Cool

Sound Bars have been around for a few years now but little know their arrival coincides with the modern day conundrum of space saving. This in turn makes them perfect for use in smaller areas such as apartment living rooms or share rooms.

Lifestyle Editor at tech publication EFTM, Geoff Quattromani, explains the benefits being that the walls of an apartment are all closer so the sound can bounce around properly.

“People spend thousands on a TV and then ignore audio – huge mistake.”

For high quality audio to match the picture without breaking the bank, Quattromani recommends the Bose Solo 5 ($399) or the more capable Sonos Playbar ($999). The latter does command a bigger price tag, but it’s a much more formidable device for audiophiles who want a bigger punch.

“Pair the Sonos with the Play Sub and you’ve absolutely got a home theatre in your apartment,” says Quattromani.

Treat Your Speakers Right

Speaker positioning is an unspoken art form amongst the tech heads, so it’s crucial to pay attention to this if you want the best sound quality from a tight space.

More specifically, most of the audio experience comes down to the shape of the room and how you’re sitting within it.

“Positioning yourself in direct line of sight to the TV is a must,” explains Quattromani.

“Having the couch away from the back wall is also important, as this allows sound to bounce back at you rather than only being hit from the front.”

Another factor that often goes unnoticed in optimising the home theatre experience in a smaller space is tuning the system to work with one another (sound system, TV, etc).

Almost every system has a tool that allows users to tune their speakers to suit the location they sit in, yet the majority of people don’t tend to it. In other words, look at the manual to find out what those funny symbols on the remote does. Tweak it and you could have an aural and visual experience in your hot little hands.

A final hot tip from the experts?

“If you have rear speakers, don’t position them right next to your head – they’re for ambiance, not headphones.”

Position Your Furniture Right

As we already mentioned, speaker positioning is paramount in any tight space. Trial and error is the key since every small space is different but where possible, also move around your furniture. Do not position side tables or boxes directly in front of speakers and always have the viewing couch at least a metre from the back wall.

“This allows the audio to travel properly around you,” says Quattromani. “Sitting and facing the TV dead on is also critical for prime viewing.”

Projectors Vs Thin Panel Televisions

Ah, the million dollar home theatre question. Projectors have been around since our days in schooling but in modern times they’ve been fine tuned and elevated to theatre duties. This means high end devices which can produce astounding picture quality at a fraction of the price of televisions when it comes to comparative viewing dimensions.

Quattromani explains in a recent test he had with an Optoma short throw projector: “I put it on my TV cabinet in place of where the TV usually is (around 40cm from the wall) and managed a 110inch image. At $1,699 you won’t be able to buy a TV that big and with remarkable picture quality.”

Hence, the real decision between projector vs television will depend solely on when you’ll be watching the content and for how long.

“If you want to watch the morning show while eating breakfast then you’ll be wanting a TV,” explains Quattromani.

Televisions are naturally brighter and can produce quality images in seconds. For the movie buffs who love to binge on Netflix during the after hours, a projector would probably suit best for the cheaper cinema experience. Bear in mind though, a projector won’t have a TV tuner or built-in speakers installed, so you’ll need a set top box or Foxtel to get broadcasting stuff up and running as well as external speakers.

Finally, being honest with what you need out of your living room is most important. Interior designers will recommend a smaller television for smaller spaces since the lounge is often for socialising.

This is a fair point but at the end of the day it’s imperative to know what your priorities are since you’ll be playing with money for gear in a very limited space. Do it right and you’ll be enjoying films with friends, do it wrong and you’ve got some very expensive paper weights.

RELATED: How To Boost Wi-Fi In Your Bachelor Pad

The post Simple Hacks For Creating A Home Theatre In Small Spaces appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Good news, late risers: science has your back. According to the research of Dr. Paul Kelley, a clinical research associate at the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at Oxford University, the best time to start working is later than you think.

The magical number is 10AM. In a 2015 speech for the British Science Festival, Dr. Kelley explained that later mornings are more in line with our natural circadian rhythms. By sleeping and waking in accordance with your body’s internal clock, you combat sleep deprivation, boost cognitive performance, and enhance productivity. 10AM is the enchanted hour when all of those things are collectively at their peak.

At 10AM, your body temperature is warmer and you’re more fully awake than if you’d started work at 8 or 9AM. Your brain and body are operating optimally, making it far less likely that you’ll make a costly mistake (like a car accident or a forgotten report) due to grogginess. It’s an ideal time to tackle whatever task requires the most focus and brainpower.

The circadian rhythm is hardly a new discovery, but science continually discovers new ways it affects your life – from jet lag to napping to how you eat, drink, and exercise. Dr. Kelley’s own research revealed that the ideal wake-up time shifts with age. Young children tend to naturally wake at 6:30AM, while adolescents favour 8AM and 18-year-olds wake best at 9AM. The optimal waking hour for adults is 10AM, until they reach the age of 55. From the mid-50s onward, sleep patterns reverse back to favouring earlier mornings and earlier nights.

Describing the average sleep loss per night for different age groups, Dr. Kelley told The Guardian: “Between 14 and 24 it’s more than two hours. For [people aged between] 24 to about 30 or 35, it’s about an hour and a half. That can continue up until you’re about 55 when it’s in balance again. The 10-year-old and 55-year-old wake and sleep naturally at the same time.”

This could explain why the 9 to 5 work day is so ingrained. The hours are maintained by bosses, many of whom are in that 55+ age bracket. They’re choosing what’s best for them, though it may not be best for their employees. It begs the question:

Should workplaces adopt staggered starting times?

Dr. Kelley believes doing so could have “many positive consequences. The positive side of this is people’s performance, mood and health will improve. It’s very uplifting in a way, because it’s a solution that will make people less ill, and happier and better at what they do.”

The post Why 10AM Is The Best Time To Start Your Work Day appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Face it men, money can ultimately decide the quality of life you want to live.

With that notion there comes a many common mistakes that you should avoid when investing your hard earned cash. Educating yourself on the basics will go a long way to helping you stay out of pocket or worse, out of home.

“Just because your parents made money in property doesn’t mean you will.”

Here’s how to get rich and stay rich.

Rookie Mistake #1: Not Setting Goals Before You Start

Before you even lay out any money, ask yourself these questions:

• What are you hoping to achieve?
• How long are you intending to hold the investment?
• What risks are you exposing yourself to? ( if you can’t see any risks, alarm bells should sound)

If you’re not thinking about the mechanics, the reasons and the potential outcomes, then you’re not really investing, you’re just gambling and hoping for the best.

Rookie Mistake #2: Listening To Others Rather Than Your Own Research

Don’t just rely on investment advice from your parents or from BBQ chat with your friends.

Unless they’re professional investment advisers (and you’re paying them in that capacity), what they’re telling you is only going to be based on their personal experience.

Just because your parents made money in property doesn’t mean you will. We’re living in a different property market than the one they first bought in 30-40 years ago.

Also be cautious of any “hot” stock tips that you receive from acquaintances. Everyone’s appetite for risk, timeframe and goals are different, and this mate probably hasn’t considered yours.

He certainly won’t be there to help you recover if it doesn’t work out. You also need to be aware of insider trading (and similar market-based crimes) that you’d be well advised to steer clear of.

Rookie Mistake #3: Ignoring The Finer Details

When dealing in the stock market, it’s easy to fall victim to psychological biases and illogical and irrational behaviour.

Everyone knows you should “buy low, sell high”, but in reality fear and greed cause people to do the exact opposite. There’s a whole field of study called Behavioural Finance that is dedicated to how people fail to make rational decisions.

For example, one dollar has the same value as any other one dollar, but people will be more averse to losing $5,000 that they have had to work to earn and save, rather than losing $5,000 that they have made in the stock market.

Even though they have the same value, people place more value on the earned $5,000, even when, rationally, they shouldn’t. There are many really interesting biases that people fall prey to and being aware of them is the first step in avoiding them.

Do a little research on these biases and you might save yourself some heartache.

Rookie Mistake #4: Dodgy Investment Schemes

This may sound like a no-brainer but don’t get sucked into investment schemes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Whether it’s day-trading, options-trading, CFD-trading, currency-trading…any seminar that promises you the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of and guarantees you could be making millions via satellite on your yacht if you just complete their 6 week course for “one low fee” should be treated with a healthy dose of scepticism.

There is no system, no magic pill and no secret formula. It’s all just sales tactics, marketing and preying on your emotions. If it was so lucrative, they wouldn’t be trying to sell it to you to make their living.

Rookie Mistake #5: Trying To Save Money By Ignoring Professional Advice

Lastly, don’t scrimp on professional advice. Could you tile a bathroom yourself and save money? Possibly, yes.

But you’ll spend a lot of time trying to teach yourself how to tile, a lot of time buying materials and doing the actual job, and the quality you end up with will probably be mediocre.

A professional tiler has many hours of experience and can do the job quicker than you, easier than you and better than you. The same is true of investment professionals.

Yes you can DIY your financial future, but it doesn’t necessarily give you the best possible chance of achieving your goals. Find a professional with a quality education, who has the systems and the resources behind them and who spends all day, every day managing money.

Align your interests with a quality practitioner who you trust and can develop a long standing relationship with and they will be your biggest asset.

The post These Are The Worst Ways To Invest Your Money appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Taiwan is home to some of the coolest apartments in the world so it’s not surprising that when the family grows up, so does the interior design. Sort of.

This fine example by designer Manson Hsiao sports a nordic mix of clean lines paired with contemporary furniture pieces which oddly works. The hero feature of the home starts in the lounge with a stunning mason-cut stone wall with the entire entertainment system embedded into it. It a narrow lounge but it works wonders in creating space through clever ways.

Moving beyond the lounge will take you to the mother of all garages housing the owner’s Ferrari 458. We call this a stable for wild horses. The ceiling art is a piece of work in itself, featuring geometric wood panelling with contrast black strips and raw concrete walls.

If that’s not industrial enough, the bedrooms upstairs feature the same cement detailing with a more classic approach to fit out details.

The post This Luxury Family Residence In Taiwan Comes With A Stable appeared first on DMARGE Australia.