Ukraine and Russia have nerves fraying this morning. Many fear a Russian invasion has already begun after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops across the border into eastern Ukraine to “maintain peace” after recognizing the independence of two separatist regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine won’t give up any land. A US official has said that at this stage Russian troops in Donbas won’t trigger sanctions because it’s “nothing new.”

Another US official has said The United States will continue to pursue diplomacy with Russia until “tanks roll.”

Additional measures aimed at the affected cities will be announced, but separate from a wider set of sanctions that Washington has promised to implement with its allies if Russia invades Ukraine.

This all in mind, the airspace around Ukraine is currently making the beleaguered country look like a drunk guy at a party. You know: the dude who drinks too much and creates his own force field of dickhead comments and beer breath (even though in this case it’s not Ukraine’s fault no one is flying near, but Russia’s).

Both Flightradar24 and Plane Finder, live flight tracking sites, show commercial flights are giving Ukraine a wide berth.

It’s worth pointing out this has been the case for some years, ever since Russian rebels shot down passenger plane Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 as it flew over Eastern Ukraine.

So it’s really not Ukraine’s fault it’s become the aviation equivalent of ‘the obnoxious drunk guy at the party.’ But that’s how it now looks.

With Ukrainian troops facing a powerful enemy on their own land, Western policymakers must quickly respond to a geopolitical nightmare long in the making, The Atlantic Council reports.  

John Herbst – senior director of the Council’s Eurasia Center and a former US ambassador to Ukraine – is quoted by The Atlantic Council as saying it is time for strong sanctions.

Herbst said: “Vladimir Putin surprised no one today when he recognized the ‘independence’ of the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics, the areas of Ukraine’s Donbas where Moscow engineered a ‘revolt’ against Ukraine’s central authorities.” 

“What the United States, NATO, and the European Union do next is extremely important.  Putin has committed a substantial provocation. If the West’s response is simply rhetorical, Putin will smell weakness and escalation is likely.”

John Herbst

Herbst added: “The West must respond now. That means impose some sanctions immediately—strong sanctions. It appears that the Biden administration will sanction economic activity in the areas Putin just recognized as independent. If that is the extent of the response, the United States will be inviting Moscow’s further escalation. The administration is now saying that there will be additional sanctions for this latest provocation after consultations with allies and partners.”

Herbst then said that the ideal sanctions target should be Nord Stream 2, which Herbst says “the Biden administration should never have permitted to proceed last year.” If not that, Herbst is of the opinion: “the United States must sanction at least one major Russian bank, as well as some of the high-profile figures around the Russian president.”

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The post Flight Radars Show Airlines Are Giving Ukraine A Wide Berth appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

‘An adult version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.’ ‘Jurassic Park but for rum and whiskey.’ ‘A theme park for grown-ups.’ Lost Spirits Distillery has been called a lot of things since it opened in Los Angeles in 2016 (it has since moved to Las Vegas).

What has remained consistent, however, is that it also provides tourists with a moral dilemma: do you put your rum and whiskey traditions aside and drink? Or do you refuse to drink a beverage that tastes like it has been aged for 20 years (but is really only 6 days old)?

This is the (light-hearted) question any visitor to Lost Spirits must answer. But before we get into that, here’s a bit of backstory.

After a fire a couple of years ago, owners Bryan Davis and Joanne Haruta rebuilt the distillery, which was located in a building in Los Angeles’ arts district, with an amusement park type atmosphere (in Vegas), adding new features to their existing rotation of award-winning, freaky ‘whiskey’ and rum tasting experiences (or, as they are more technically known, dark spirits engineered to taste like rum and whiskey).

Forbes reports the place is a bit like a “roving submarine” with all sorts of nooks and crannies and attractions, and of course, tastings (from sunny outdoor gardens to indoor Frankenstein-like brewing labs). Apparently, there is also a ‘river’ somewhere inside. To give you a taste of how the owners’ brains work, they tried to set up a GPS blocker that would tell guests they were in The South China Sea (until they realised it was illegal).

The place’s main thing, though, is making ‘whiskey’ and ‘rum’ that taste decades old, but which are actually produced in a flash. They’ve been getting praise for this ever since opening. Though they’ve probably pissed a few traditionalists off, they’ve been given acclaim for their ingenuity.

We had a fun time at the @LostSpirits1 distillery tour at @AREA15official. It was like the @OmegaMartUSA of distillery tours. Super themed and fun! And several potent potables to taste! pic.twitter.com/K6mObrHL2G

— George Addams (@George_Addams) December 10, 2021

Their first immoral whiskey iteration became known as “Abomination” to reflect this. The Crying Of The Puma (one iteration of The Abomination) was called World Whiskey Of The Year in 2019.

Whiskey aficionado Scotch Noob describes the “Abomination” well over on their blog. One pertinent couple of paragraphs can be seen below.

“This aptly-named Abomination is bottled at a hefty 54% ABV without added coloring or chill filtration, and comes in two varieties. The Crying of the Puma uses oak staves that have been toasted prior to the Riesling treatment, while The Sayers of the Law uses staves that have been charred first. It’s worth noting that nobody has ever released a whisky finished in late-harvest Riesling casks (or any Riesling casks, to my knowledge) because there is no such thing.”

“Riesling is kept in stainless-steel tanks after fermentation and is not aged in wood. To create this effect, Bryan sourced used wine barrel oak staves, stripped the tannins from the wood in his lab amongst bubbling beakers and during a lightning storm (OK that last bit is just in my head), toasted/charred the staves, and then soaked them in late-harvest Riesling before using them in his reactor.”

Scotch Noob

In a review of (the Los Angeles version of) Lost Spirits by Traveller, Lost Spirits co-owner Davis explains: “You can’t make rum in a dry arid climate, you need a hot humid jungle. So we built one.”

Traveller also explained how Lost Spirits was able to ‘age’ whiskey in under a week.

“Properly aged bottles routinely cost more than $1000 each; Lost Spirits are able to sell them at the much friendlier price point of $US40.”

Traveller

On Tripadvisor, one tourist wrote (of the Lost Spirits In Vegas, which appears somewhat similar to the Los Angeles version): “Woah! What an interesting experience! For $55 we had 4 tastings of their liquor, 3 burlesque dancers, one aerial act, a ‘submarine’ ride and lots of laughs! It’s dark, it’s weird, it’s discombobulating and and absolute blast! If you’re looking for entertainment in Vegas without spending $100’s check this out!”

Intrigued? The underworld awaits.

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The post ‘Adults Only’ Distillery In Los Vegas Leaves Tourists With A Moral Dilemma appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In the past we took you down the path of dressing stylishly as a portly man. Today we’re taking it one step further into more prolific territory – the dad bod.

If you’re not hitting the gym like you used to and enjoying a few more beers on the weekend in between minding kids, you’ve probably got some extra cushioning on that once rippling torso.

A relatively new body type for men, the dad bod is described as “softly round” by Urban Dictionary, and has been associated with men like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jon Hamm. The name reflects the theory that once a man has found a mate (and fathered a child), he doesn’t feel the need to worry about maintaining a sculpted physique any longer.

Not a dad? Maybe you’re single and look, how should we say it, ‘fatherly’ across the tummy. Again, we’re not here to judge your pudge. But, we do have some dad bod styling tips, meaning you don’t need to cut the carbs or invest in stylish gym kit to look good.

For now, embrace the dad bod you’ve earned – every jiggly bit of it – and learn to still look good.

What Is The Dad Bod

While no two dad bods are the same, today’s style exercise (don’t worry, there’s no actual exercise involved) starts with a clarification warm-up. A dad bod falls into the following body shape categories:

• Oval or triangle
• Not exactly ‘fat’, the triangle gent will be larger around the waist and hips, getting narrower as you head up toward the shoulders
• Legs and arms are generally ‘in shape’ in comparison to the paunch located in the middle
• Oval shapes appear round, particularly at the centre of the body
• Beer belly and man boobs are not uncommon
• The shoulders and lower legs looking slimmer by comparison, but ovals tend to have large thighs, giving off a complete rounded look to your silhouette

Unfortunately, most off the rack clothing is cut to dress the exact opposite body type – the V-shape. So, dad bods, you’re at a disadvantage from the start when shopping for clothes that fit. But, underdogs are known to come through for the win. Here’s how you can.

What To Avoid With Dad Bod

• The goal is to detract attention away from your belly region. Patterns such as horizontal stripes are out, only emphasising wideness, as well as busy prints, which just look overdone of larger gents. Avoid coloured belts, keeping brights and prints to accessories that accentuate your leaner features such as bags, caps and sneakers.
• Skinny fits and overly tapered ankles are out, emphasising the thickness of your thighs. Gents with short legs should also avoid high-top sneakers and boots as they cut you off at the shin, making you appear shorter and chunky.

What To Wear With Dad Bods

To undo some of the dad bod’s roundness, you need to accentuate the shoulder line, before slim down the body from the chest through to the knees. Meanwhile, the hips and thigh region is where dad bods tend to be the roundest. So, tailored and straight trousers create the illusion of balance throughout your frame. Still not quite sure? Here are three outfit ideas suitable for work and the weekend.

Suit With Dad Bod

When it comes to tailoring a dad bod, stick to a single-breast suit in a dark grey, navy or black, with classic notch lapels – clean and easy – paired with a crisp, plain shirt. Pay attention to the suit length: the trousers and sleeves might be too long (a common occurrence where dadbods need a larger pant and jacket size to accommodate their bellies), which only makes you look stumpy. You’ll need the suit tailored if you’re buying off the rack.

As for cuts, the double-breasted suit is out. It just makes dadbods look thicker through middle and barrel-chested, especially if you’re a short guy. When going for separates, stick to classic navy blazer (but don’t do the second button up, per above) with a pair of khaki trousers. Inject some personality with a statement pocket square, a striped tie or coloured socks. Subtle additions like these show you’re the man, but you don’t take yourself too seriously.

Smart Casual With The Dad Bod

When dressing to impress on the dad bod weekends, look to weightier cotton fabrics and stiff fabrics, which hold their shape and don’t tend to cling. Workwear pieces like shirt jackets, open button downs (over a cotton crew neck tee), waxed or canvas jackets are you friend, as well as breezy parachute silk bombers and windbreakers, not too puffy though, and with ribbed cuffs to give shape at the sleeves.

Pair with selvedge denim or cotton twill chinos, as heavier casual trousers which sit better. Opt for a nice straight-fit, loosely tapered, in a neutral shade. This will slim down your legs, as wide-leg makes your pins look shapeless while skinny looks too tight and ridiculous. Pair with loafers or minimal sneakers – no socks, which creates space between the foot and ankle.

T-Shirt & Jeans With Dad Bod

Jeans and a tee are the dadbod’s best friend. Opt for a raglan sleeve t-shirt Believe it or not, shorts are one of the dadbod’s best purchases, giving length to the leg. But avoid cargos at all costs. Come summer, you want a pair of bermuda shorts, which are casual but tailored and sit almost knee-length – the hem an inch above the knee. Pair with a linen granddad collar shirt in a dark shade, always untucked to masked your paunch, and leather boat shoes for a vacay vibe.

Dad Bod FAQ

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The post Dad Bods: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Jun Du, the co-founder of Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Huobi, says that Bitcoin may not experience another bull market until the end of 2024.

In an interview with CNBC, Du said that bitcoin bull markets are closely correlated to a process called halving, which occurs roughly every four years, and that investors can expect to wait a while before seeing some positive price action in the crypto market.

“Following this cycle, it won’t be until end of 2024 to beginning of 2025 that we can welcome next bull market on bitcoin.”

Jun Du — CNBC

Halving refers to a step in the Bitcoin mining process, where “miners” use enormous amounts of computing power to solve complex cryptographic problems to validate transactions on the bitcoin blockchain. When a miner successfully solves a puzzle and validates a transaction, they are given bitcoin as a reward. So, “Halving” is literally when the amount of bitcoin miners receive as a reward gets cut in half. 

Historically, price action concerning ‘halving’ has followed a somewhat similar pattern. The last halving occurred in May 2020 and 12 months later Bitcoin had rocketed to a new all-time-high — similar price movement occurred when halving took place in 2016. 

Du went on to explain that while certain patterns can serve as good indicators making concrete predictions in the crypto market is extremely difficult.

“It is really hard to predict exactly because there are so many other factors which can affect the market as well — such as geopolitical issues including war, or recent Covid, also affect the market,” added Du.

At the time of writing Bitcoin is trading for $37,641 USD ($52,380 AUD) down 43.9% from it’s all-time-high late last year. This continued slide from the Bitcoin’s recent all-time-highs in November last year has many investors concerned that this may be the start of a “crypto winter”.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Jesse Powell, the CEO of crypto exchange Kraken, said that he was forced to reverse his prediction of ‘$100k Bitcoin’ in late-2021, and accept that a crypto winter is now “possible” for 2022 and beyond.

However, according to Aussie-crypto exchange BTC Markets CEO, Caroline Bowler—the current market conditions aren’t cause for too much concern:

“I’ve been through a crypto winter before and I don’t think that’s what we’re in now… what we’re seeing now is more of a reasonable response to market conditions than a fully fledged crypto-winter”

Bowler: Cointelegraph.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is not intended as definitive legal, financial or investment advice and should not be construed or relied on as such. Before making any commitment of a legal or financial nature you should seek advice from a qualified and registered legal practitioner or financial or investment adviser.

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The post Don’t Expect Crypto To Recover Until 2024, Analyst Says appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Michael Jordan hardly needs an introduction. The greatest basketball player of all time, a global cultural icon, sneaker mogul and star of the original (and best) Space Jam film… The 59-year-old’s influence on basketball and its most prestigious league, the NBA, is still strongly felt today.

He’s also got a pretty GOATed watch collection, too. MJ’s always been known for his love of the finer things, but he seems particularly fascinated by horology. He has a particular passion for commissioning customised watches, too – just check out this ‘winterized’ Rolex Daytona he was spotted wearing last year.

His latest timepiece flex is yet another custom piece. While schmoozing at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Cleveland, Jordan was spotted rocking a rather special Urwerk UR-220 piece that we reckon would be worth at least AU$300,000.

Urwerk is one of the most interesting watchmakers to call Switerzland home. The independent firm is known for its forward-thinking, unconventional designs – many of which feature unique ‘planetary’ time-telling systems and utilise exotic materials such as carbon fibre, ceramics and unique metal alloys.

RELATED: Leica, The ‘Patek Philippe Of Cameras,’ Unveils Its Very First Watch Collection

Jordan’s UR-220 is a typical Urwerk (which is to say insanely high-tech). A time-only piece constructed primarily from carbon fibre, it features a retrograde minute hand that encloses the three hour-depicting ‘satellites’ as it transverses the 0-to-60-minute scale, then flies back to ‘dock’ with the next hour satellite. It even has an ‘oil change indicator’ on the back to record the time elapsed between services.

What makes MJ’s particularly special is that it features red accents (a standard UR-220 has yellow or green accents) as well as the Roman numerals XXIII (i.e. 23, his iconic jersey number) engraved below the piece’s crown. MJ previously commissioned 23 UR-220s with the same design but with blue instead of red accents. This must be his personal, one-off UR-220.

It’s an awesome watch that’s made even cooler by being so unique. But imagine being able to casually order over 23 customised six-figure watches… Now that’s GOAT status.

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The post Michael Jordan’s Custom $300,000 Urwerk Watch Is Pure GOAT Material appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

On a recent trip to NSW’s south coast, I had a literal white knuckle experience. I tried to hike to Gerringong Falls – the Instagram famous attraction dumb Sydneysiders like myself have reportedly been flocking to.

The first part of the trip involved an 8.5km walk along an uneventful couple of fire trails. The first one, Budderoo Plateau Fire Trail, is about half an hour inland from Jamberoo, and you follow it for about 6km. The second, Hersey Fire Trail, begins at a turn off from Budderoo Plateau (after about 6km of walking). You then follow this for 2.5km.

The exciting bit is the next bit: a kilometre long (if you don’t get lost) clamber down to the falls themselves. This is where I had a mildly nerve-wracking experience, which made me turn back less than 800m away (I believe) from the falls, sacrificing all opportunity for Instagram glory in the process.

Despite regretting this, I don’t regret the experience as a whole, for a number of reasons.

Interesting piqued? Here’s everything I learned during my failed trip to Gerringong Falls, which The Daily Mail warned last week, are “not easy to get to.”

Bring A Bike For The Fire Trail

The Daily Mail was right: it’s not easy to get to. So unless you love walking long flat stretches of long flat fire trails (almost 20km of them!); rent a mountain bike. If you mountain bike from the car park then getting to start of the waterfall walk will probably take you 45 minutes or so (it’s 8.5km). If you walk, expect a good 2-3 hour slog. And that’s before the tricky bit even begins…

Pay Proper Attention To Whatever Obscure Online Blog You Are Entrusting Your Directions To…

When you get to the end of the fire trail, there is a creek. I crossed this creek and bush bashed my way through a very overgrown path for about half an hour, hunched over the whole way, before realising, “this can’t be right.” I then backtracked to the creek, re-checked the screenshots of a blog that explains where the secret entrance to the waterfall path is (there’s little-to-no phone signal), and finally found the start (if you’ve gone as far as the creek you’ve gone too far).

The only thing that gave me the confidence to continue down the secret path was seeing a couple hiking up it. If this hadn’t happened, I probably would have given up then and there. Looking at photos other people have taken, in my experience, was really only helpful in hindsight (“ah, now I see what they mean”).

Ensure You Have Adventure & Navigational Skills Of Your Own, Too

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A post shared by C H R I S T I A N (@krazy_kokonut)

Always bear in mind that you shouldn’t place your life in the hands of some random internet guide. Don’t attempt this hike unless you are confident in your own bush bashing, climbing and hiking abilities (and even then, be very careful, as various people have become stranded or fallen off cliff ledges attempting to find or return from Gerringong Falls over the years). Also: remember you need to conserve some energy to make it back out. It’s a 19km walk in total, 17km of which is the firetrail, and 2km of which is the sketchy secret waterfall path bit.

Do Your Research

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A post shared by The Trax Tribe 》Travel♡Nature (@thetraxtribe)

Some bloggers – even ones who were smart enough (unlike me) to rent a bike – have come away from this walk saying “this hike was probably one of the most dangerous hikes I have ever done, and I have hiked all over the world” and “If you are even considering doing this hike, I strongly recommend against it.”

Londoner in Sydney, in 2017, wrote: “Finding the path and then the way down is absolutely impossible and if you do find your way down, it’s a death trap waiting to happen. No place is worth this kind of hike at all.”

They also added in 2021: “On some hikes around Sydney, you might see ribbons or markers on trees to help you guide the way. When we did this hike and wrote the above article in 2017, there was absolutely nothing to guide us which is why it was so hard.”

“If you are a very experienced hiker then obviously you might see this article differently. We are trying to help day trippers who might not be used to navigating off the beaten path hikes, because this hike is not on the same level as going to The Royal National Park where there are well marked hiking paths for example.”

Londoner In Sydney

The takeaway? Don’t just buy into the social media hype. Check in with yourself if you are really up for a hike like this. And then check again, and be bloody careful (and don’t go when it’s really slippery).

Reconsider This Hike If You Have Vertigo

Walk My World doesn’t give quite the same impression that Londoner In Sydney does that the walk is a death trap, but they still say you need to be very careful. They describe it as follows: “You’ll need to be comfortable negotiating a rough track for approximately 1km.”

“Whilst there are short patches of easy level track, the majority is rocky and there is plenty of loose leaf litter which can be slippery. Small parts of the track are exposed and would not be much fun for vertigo sufferers.”

Walk My World

Don’t Climb Down Obstacles You Couldn’t Come Back Up

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A post shared by Jaime Doreski (@missjaimeee_)

If you’re relying on the rope to make it down the chimney, you’re not alone. But the experts would probably say it’s dodgy to place your faith in something which might be there one week, and gone the next.

The Ribbons And Markers Are Useful, But Don’t Rely On Them (And Keep Your Eyes Peeled)

As Walk My World puts it: “There are no official signposts and people have left many arrows and tags which are often pointing in different directions and can actually be more of a hinderance than a help (although we have no doubt they were left with good intentions). Taking a wrong turn could be potentially dangerous if you stray too close to one of the cliff edges.”

Set Off Early In The Morning

Don’t do what I did and set off at 2pm. Even in summer when it’s light until quite late. Otherwise what might end up happening is that you spend the majority of your afternoon walking on a nice, but not amazing, fire trail, and then start the more serious (read: slightly sketchy) part of the walk around 4:30pm. And then get to the chimney and freak out and decide to turn back before you find yourself stuck and wandering around in the dark.

Assume You’ll Get Lost At Least A Couple Of Times

It took me an hour of wandering around near the creek at the end of the Hersey Fire Trail to find the start of the secret 1km down-to-the-waterfall part of the walk. And the only reason I found it is because I saw someone coming back up it. I’m not the only one to suffer navigational niggles, either. Blogger Travel Made Me Do It got lost on the fire trail section itself (there is a turn off about 5km in which they missed). Assume, if this is your first time doing it, you will waste time at certain points, and factor that in.

Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

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A post shared by NSW NATURE (@naturalattractionsnsw)

5 years ago I probably would have sneered at myself for turning back after the chimney (after climbing down it I decided to climb straight back up and go home). And sure: the fact I didn’t make it all the way to the falls is going to haunt me. And sure: if you have a super experienced hiker leading the pack, even some families have been known to do this walk.

Watch Out For The Brown Snakes

Apparently, they love the boulders down in the middle of the river.

Bring Plenty Of Water

Especially when it’s hot.

If You Make It There, Enjoy Nature’s ‘Power Shower’

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A post shared by Loving All Things Sydney (@sydneyvisitorcentre)

But look out for leeches…

Leave Plenty of Time To Get Back Up

It’s hard enough with plenty of daylight.

Remember: If The Walk To The Bottom Of The Falls Is Too Much, There Are Options At The Top Too (But You Still Need To Be Really Careful)

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A post shared by The Trax Tribe 》Travel♡Nature (@thetraxtribe)

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The post Gerringong Falls, The Dangerous Waterfall Experience appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One), the first of a two-part sequel to the Oscar-winning film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, is set to swing into theatres this year. Here’s everything you need to know about the film before it does.

Release Date Australia

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) will be released in Australian cinemas on the 1st of June 2023.

Cast & Crew

Shameik Moore is reprising his role as Miles Morales/Spider-Man, and both Jake Johnson and Hailee Steinfeld are also reprising their respective roles from the first film (Peter B. Parker/Spider-Man and Gwen Stacey/Spider-Woman).

Plot

Following the events of the first film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) will see Miles Morales team up with Gwen Stacey and various other Spider-People to travel across the Multiverse and fight an extremely powerful villain.

What The Critics & Reviews Say

Currently, as the film is still a few months away, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) has no reviews. However, fans on Twitter can’t wait until the film is released and are anticipating it’ll be just as good as the first one.

Trailer

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) make sure you do below:

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The post Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Release Date Australia, Cast, Trailer & Reviews appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Leica is an interesting company. The German firm has been deeply influential in the development of modern photography and is widely acknowledged as producing some of the finest cameras on the planet. Incredibly expensive, incredibly well-made and incredibly prestigious, Leica enjoys a truly dedicated cult following.

Indeed, Sydney’s very own master watchmaker Nicholas Hacko (who’s also a film camera aficionado) has even dubbed Leica “the Patek Philippe of cameras” – likening the high-end cameras to the world’s most prestigious and valuable watch brand. It’s an apt comparison… But even Hacko would have been surprised to hear the news that Leica was entering the luxury watch game.

You read that right. Leica makes high-end mechanical watches now. Meet the Leica L1 and Leica L2: Germany’s newest luxury watches. Now, we can hear you already. Why would you buy a watch from a camera brand? Just cause they’re good at making cameras, doesn’t mean they’re good at making watches, right?

But these two timepieces are more than just a mere marketing gimmick. Featuring a distinct aesthetic and a boatload of unique features that bring some exciting new things to the table, Leica’s L1 and L2 might just be the most exciting new watch collection we’ve seen so far this year.

First of all, it’s worth pointing out these watches are made in Germany and boast bespoke in-house movements produced in collaboration with independent German watch brand Lehmann. This isn’t a case of Leica just slapping an off-the-shelf ETA 2824 movement into a nice case and asking big bucks for the privilege.

Indeed, the L1 and L2 movements have a feature that’s never been seen on watches before. Normally, you pull out a watch’s crown in order to wind it. With the L1 and L2, you push in the crown. The watches’ crowns feature a red button which you push to stop the movement and adjust the time – the idea being that it mimics the release button of a camera. The small window at 3 o’clock switches from red to white to indicate the button’s status.

This is a clever mechanical innovation that really sets these two watches apart whilst also perfectly reflecting Leica’s history, but the camera-related idiosyncrasies don’t stop there. Between 8 and 9 o’clock, there’s a power reserve indicator, which has two blades that slowly close, like a camera shutter. The crowns are knurled like a camera’s settings dials. The pusher, which is used to cycle through dates on the date window, is also evocative of a camera. Short of actually being able to take photos, the watch is about as close to a Leica camera as you can get.

The L2 model additionally features a GMT function with a compressor-style internal 12-hour bezel which can be adjusted using the crown at 4 o’clock and is supported by a day/night indicator, also at 4 o’clock. Both watches are 41mm in diameter and feature 50m of water resistance plus a 60-hour power reserve.

The L1 and L2’s beautiful hand-wound movements are visible through sapphire crystal casebacks and are truly a sight to behold. Flipping the watch over reveals how their straps feature red backings, continuing that signature Leica black and red colour scheme.

RELATED: The ‘Gelato’ Colour Trend Taking The Watch Industry By Storm

Leica’s cameras are often called pieces of art and we’ve gotta say, the Leica L1/L2 are also pieces of art. They pay homage to their photographic origins in a meaningful way without sacrificing functionality – quite the opposite, really. They strike a perfect balance.

The only tricky bit is the pricing: AU$15,500 for the L1 and AU$22,000 for the L2 (these are indicative prices ahead of the launch, but still). Those are some pretty punchy price points for what are effectively microbrand watches. Maybe Leica fans who are used to shelling out five figures can easily wrap their heads around doing the same for a watch?

For what it’s worth, we reckon the L1/L2 stand on their own merits and represent reasonable value for a high-end timepiece. They’re something different, and sometimes being as staid as Patek Philippe can be a bit tedious…

The Leica L1 and the Leica L2 are currently available at select Leica Stores worldwide, with availability in Australia set for later this year. Find out more at Leica’s webstore here.

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Succession may make for a hugely entertaining HBO TV show, but when it goes on in real life it can be quite a stressful experience. Speaking of which, a real-life game of Succession is currently going on in China.

Stanley Ho Hung-sun, the billionaire founder and chairman of SJM Holdings – a Macau company that owns nineteen casinos including the Grand Lisboa – married four times and fathered sixteen children. After Ho’s death in 2020, his children are still, almost two years later, fighting over the tycoon’s estate.

Ho, survived by three of his four wives and fifteen of his sixteen children, did not leave a will. His children could not come to an agreement over his multi-billion dollar estate, so in November last year, a Hong Kong court was asked to name administrators to manage it, Bloomberg reports.

Many of Ho’s children have branched out over the years and arguably don’t need a cut of the estate or inheritance. While Daisy Ho has been the chairman and executive director of SJM Holdings since she succeeded her father in 2018 prior to his death, she is also deputy managing director and chief financial officer of Shun Tak Holdings, a large shipping company, that her older sister, Pansy Ho, is the group executive chairman and managing director of.

Sabrina Ho has been the director and CEO of Poly Auction Macau, an art auction house, since 2015 and she also founded ​​Chiu Yeng Culture, a non-profit organisation that’s “an international platform for the local rising creatives”.

One of Ho’s sons, Mario Ho, is the chairman and co-CEO of Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) group, a professional e-sports organisation. Lawrence Ho is the CEO and chairman of both Melco International – a multinational investment holding company – and its subsidiary, Melco Resorts & Entertainment and has even won ‘Asia’s Best CEO’ at the Asian Excellence Awards an impressive seven times.

Josie Ho, Ho’s eighth child, is a successful singer and actress in Hong Kong despite her late father not wanting her to pursue a music career.

While many of Ho’s children have been successful in their own various ventures, much like in Succession where Logan Roy’s four children vie for control of the fictional media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, Ho’s children are still wanting a portion of the billion-dollar Ho estate. We’ll just have to wait and see what the courts decide.

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