Jaeger-LeCoultre is often called “the watchmaker’s watchmaker”: reference not only its reputation as the watch industry’s pre-eminent movement designer and supplier but also emblematic of the fine timepieces they themselves produce that appeal to even the most discerning customers.Their list of inventions and innovations spans almost two centuries and contains a number of world firsts, but their latest world first is one of their most breathtaking yet – and it’s highly appropriate that it comes in the form of perhaps their most forward-thinking, famous watch ever.First introduced in 1931, the Reverso is an icon of the watch world, with its novel rotating case and timeless Art Deco design. Its signature feature was designed to prevent damage to the watch during the rough-and-tumble of a game of polo, but JLC has also used it as a way to experiment with multiple complications in a single timepiece, such as two-faced watches.But their latest Reverso, unveiled during this year’s Watches & Wonders, takes the Reverso’s multitudinous nature to the next level. The Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 Quadriptyque (ref. Q7103420) isn’t just the most complicated and visually stunning Reverso ever made, but it’s also the world’s first watch with four functioning display faces.While JLC have produced many Reverso models that display information on the two faces of the main watch case – such as the Duoface Small Seconds – the Quadriptyque cleverly takes advantage of the Reverso’s carrier case itself, which adds another two faces to the watch itself.The Quadriptyque features a whopping 11 complications, including a perpetual calendar, tourbillon, minute repeater and indications of the synodic, draconic and anomalistic cycles (never before presented together in a wristwatch).Despite this treasure trove of complications, the watch has a surprisingly small form factor, with case dimensions of 51.2 x 31mm and a thickness of only 15.15mm. It even has a 50 hour power reserve – more than many other watches that can only tell the time. A white gold case and an alligator strap add to the luxury and elegance of an already breathtaking watch.

A limited edition of only 10 pieces, the Quadriptyque is a triumph of haute horlogerie and something that hardcore watch fans are sure to be talking about well into the future. But the Reverso’s 90th-anniversary celebrations don’t stop there…

Green with envy?

Earlier in February, DMARGE made the bold call that the ‘next big thing’ in watches would be green dials. It seems as if the world’s top manufacturers also believe that’s the case, with brands like Panerai, Patek Philippe, and Tudor (just to name a few) revealing exciting green dial models during W&W – with more soon to follow from other brands as the show continues.RELATED: Australians Are Finally Becoming More Adventurous With Luxury WatchesJLC’s also joined the green dial revolution (pun entirely intended) with a tasty new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds (ref. Q3978430) in a particularly verdant shade that, according to the brand, evokes the deep green of the pine forests that surround their maison in the Vallée de Joux.The sunray-brushed lacquer dial and matching calf leather strap look stunning: the Reverso has always been a canvas for artistic expression and it simply looks great in green.

Ravishing Reversos

From colours and complications to fine jewellery: the third Reverso reveal JLC blessed us with at W&W was four new Métiers Rares (Rare Handcrafts, for the less Gallically inclined). Inspired by the fine jewellery of the 1920s, the Reverso One Precious Flowers collection features luscious floral motifs that exemplify JLC’s gem-setting and design talent.

You know how we were just talking about artistic expression? Where the Quadriptyque uses the Reverso’s obverse and carrier case to show off technical wizardry, these four use the Reverso as a mobile art gallery, with precious stones as their palette.Two of the references are pink gold, two are white gold. Three feature arums, one features lilies. They all display meticulous enamelling and a mother-of-pearl dial… And they’re all exquisite.RELATED: Justin Bieber’s Music Video Flex Imparts Timeless Truth About Watch InvestingHigh complications, master jewellery, beautiful colours… it’s a fitting celebration of the Reverso, a watch that continues to hold an exalted position in the pantheon of luxury watchmaking. Bravo, Jaeger-LeCoultre.

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• IWC Schaffhausen Unveil Biggest Change Yet To Their Most Iconic Watch

The post Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Unfolds Infinity' With A Watchmaking World First appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

From $28 “reserve” espressos sending Sydney coffee snobs into fits of rapture to surfers scrimping on accommodation but happily spending $5.50 on a flat white, Australians truly worship The Bean Gods.We’re just as guilty as anyone: so long as our sense of cosmic justice is not ruffled, here at DMARGE we will happily pay any price for our morning shot of happiness.Until things get turned completely upside down.While the rest of you spent summer slurping your lattes without a care in the world (beyond, you know, a pandemic) we spent summer slurping $6 long blacks and wondering why they cost more than a three quarter milk macadamia latte.Though this phenomenon can be seen in cities all around the country, it seems particularly bad in Sydney. We’ve been everywhere from Bondi and Maroubra to Marrickville and Brookvale and felt ripped off each and every time.Before casting a curse on all your mortgaged-to-the-hilt houses, however, we decided to do a little bit of investigation.The (nutty, smoky, herby) fruits? Turns out there’s a good reason your iced coffee costs more than a regular one.Why? The materials used to make and serve it cost more money.As Insider reports, “The materials used to make and serve iced coffee add up fast. Those plastic cups with lids can cost twice as much as paper coffee cups [and] vendors also have to account for the cost of straws and all the napkins customers use to wipe down their cups.”

“And ice may sound cheap, but it’s actually expensive to make. Commercial ice machines can run into the thousands of dollars, and many coffee shops only really use them a couple of months a year. Otherwise, they take up space and waste energy.”

On top of that, even if your local hole in the wall isn’t tempting you into ordering some fancy nitrogen homebrew, the way good iced coffee is brewed is different to hot coffee.As New York reports, though less upmarket cafes still serve iced coffee by chilling their hot java, (“resulting in a watered-down and bitter swill that follows the same economics as hot coffee”) the best coffee shops use cold brew.“Like the hot stuff, cold-brewing involves mixing pulverized beans with water, but the latter process requires about twice as much ground coffee. Those grounds infuse filtered water for 12 to 24 hours, creating iced-coffee concentrate,” (New York).

“That liquid is cut with water to taste, at a ratio of about one to one. Yet even after all this dilution, a cup of cold-brewed joe can include 62 cents worth of ground coffee. A hot cup might include 35 cents’ worth of beans.”

“For a coffee shop to thrive, its owners must keep their cost-of-goods around 28 percent of menu price. This magic number, basically a four-fold mark-up, allows businesses to pay for labor, insurance, rent, equipment, and marketing,” (New York).In other words: Australia’s coffee culture (like New York, and anywhere else obsessed with cold brew) is head over heels mad, but for good reason.Stick that in your cup and drink it.

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• Cappuccino Drinkers Are Killing Australia’s Coffee Culture 

The post Iced Long Blacks Are So Damn Expensive appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Watches & Wonders – the watch industry’s most important trade show – is now in full swing. We’ve already had a bevy of high-profile announcements from brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, but one of the most exciting releases so far has been Tudor’s.In the lead-up to W&W, Tudor had been more tight-lipped about its upcoming releases, unlike sister brand Rolex, who had their product presentation just before Tudor’s and had more or less showed their hand with an unsubtle teaser video. Tudor’s teaser was a lot more abstract, showing just puffs of smoke: Tudor was stung last year with the popular Black Bay Fifty-Eight ‘Navy’ getting leaked ahead of release, so it’s not surprising they took a more restrained approach.Everyone thought that Tudor would be unveiling a new Black Bay GMT with a ‘Coke’ bezel, but the watch fraternity was rapturous to discover that their big-ticket new model was the relaunched Black Bay Chrono – one that features a colour scheme familiar to even the most novice of watch nerds.Available in either ‘panda’ (white with black subdials) or ‘reverse panda’ (black with white subdials), these two Black Bay Chronos closely resemble the legendary Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ‘Big Red’, as popularised by legendary American actor and bon vivant Paul Newman. These Daytonas are some of the most desirable watches of all time, period – so Tudor coming out with two, highly modern, very beautiful but very affordable ‘People’s Daytonas’ is an absolute masterstroke.

Unlike those Paul Newman Daytonas, the Black Bay Chrono boasts an impressive 200m water resistance, Tudor’s iconic ‘snowflake’ hands and two subdials instead of three: the Daytona’s minutes subdial at 6 o’clock replaced instead with a date window. While the homage is obvious, it’s still very much a Tudor Black Bay – which is to say, it’s one of the best sports watches on the market.There’s been a subtle change to the Black Bay Chrono’s architecture with a new, slimmer case, but the rest of the watch has been largely untouched. It still uses the Tudor Calibre MT5813 developed in association with Breitling and comes with three different strap options: a leather ‘Bund’ strap, a woven jacquard number, or a classic steel bracelet.RELATED: Breitling’s Latest Chronograph Watch Collection Is A Trip Back To The FutureIn short, it’s a very clever, very desirable release from Tudor. Both options look stunning and with a retail price of only 7,070 AUD for the steel bracelet we predict this one will be snatched up quickly (compare that to the Paul Newman, examples of which regularly fetch in excess of 500,000 AUD).But these People’s Daytonas weren’t the only exciting releases from Tudor at W&W…

Podium-worthy Black Bays

Tudor also unveiled a pair of Black Bay Fifty-Eights made from precious metals that they’ve never appeared in before: yellow gold and sterling silver. The names of the two models – Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K and Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 respectively – reflect the metals they are constructed with. Makes sense.

The Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K is a truly sumptuous watch, with the lustrous brushed gold paired with a ‘golden green’ dial and bezel. We’ve already discussed here at DMARGE how green dials are the ‘next big thing’ in modern watches, so to see Tudor come out with such a verdant colour for this gold watch is truly exciting. It’s available on either a brown alligator leather strap or Tudor’s very comfy fabric strap.Gold watches are somewhat common, but silver watches are less so, which makes the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 a particularly special beast (and by no means comes ‘second place’ to the gold). If its silver construction wasn’t unique enough, it also features a taupe dial and bezel – grey with a tinge of brown, it’s a rather unusual colour, but one we think pairs brilliantly with the clean silver of this Black Bay. Like its gold sibling, it’s available with a fabric strap, but its secondary strap option is instead a dark brown tumbled leather number.Both watches also boast another first for the brand: open case backs on a diving watch, which show off the Tudor Calibre MT5400 that powers the pair. Unlike these watches’ cases, the movement is made out of stainless steel – a relief, frankly. We don’t know how well a silver movement would function…

Other updates

Tudor also announced a few updates to their 1926 dress watch line, as well as among their Black Bay 41/36/32 models, which you can discover below:In comparison to Rolex’s reveals, which were far more iterative and restrained, Tudor’s presentation stands out as a real delight. Have they upstaged their more expensive sister brand? We’ll leave that up to you to decide.

Read Next

• Rolex Reaches Dizzying Heights With Updated Explorer II & Colourful New Releases
• IWC Schaffhausen Unveil Biggest Change Yet To Their Most Iconic Watch

The post Tudor Unveils What Can Only Be Described As 'The People's Rolex Daytona' appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

First-class is supposed to be bouncy castle of luxurious fantasies, not a desert of spiteful neglect, right? Wrong.

At least – not on American Airlines, if a recent open letter by James Asquith, the Guinness World Record holder for being the youngest male to visit all 196 countries, Holiday Swap CEO and a very frequent flyer is anything to go by.

Taking to Instagram earlier this week, James posted the following open letter to his followers, which he sent to American Airlines, after a highly unsatisfactory journey. The letter outlines his experience and encourages the carrier to dig into its coffers to provide a better experience for customers and staff, as well as donating to charity in penance for his shocking experience.

 

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“Open Letter to American Airlines,” James captioned the post. “A light hearted touch but also an important message and problem to highlight – homelessness in the US and the huge numbers of people struggling to make ends meet. Are you going to do the right thing @doug_parker and @americanair? After nearly 160 flights in 12 months, I’ve seen how so many people in aviation have been negatively affected and 99.9% are amazing and would do anything to get back into the sky.”

“I’m always willing to think that some people have a bad day but this was not only the worst I’ve seen during covid, but probably ever, not just on a plane, but in a customer-facing role. Hope you enjoy the laugh but don’t overlook the message.”

The letter, James claims, was written, “moments after being whacked in the face by a piece of dangling object after walking out of the restroom on one of AA’s ratchet old 777-200 rust buckets.”

His main issues? “I imagine the soundtrack of tractors or combine harvesters would be very similar to that of this flight.”

He was also disappointed with the airline’s customer service, which he has previously enjoyed (in 2020 he wrote: “despite @americanair offering a product akin to 1995 economy in ‘First’, their crew were funny and kind as could possibly be”).

His latest trip was very different though. In fact James said the experience was “equivalent [to] serving me a coffee, throwing it in my face, getting the pilots to come out on the flight deck and take a massive steaming dump on my face, and then requesting payment for the privilege.”

“The next time I fly on AA (next week, unfortunately), would I get a more appropriate greeting this time? Perhaps someone could headbutt me and then spit in my eye – that way I would know for sure I’m flying AA rather than be ignored and treated like shit for 5 hours like on this flight.”

James then suggests the American Airlines CEO reconsider how much he pays himself, given American Airlines’ is in its “most dire position ever.”

James finds it “unusual” the CEO is getting paid so much while “furloughing so many flight attendants who were living on food stamps.”

“My point here,” James concludes, “is that I don’t want any compensation, I would like you to donate the ticket cost that I paid to homeless shelters in Los Angeles where I am right now, and I will then also match the donation myself.”

“This could be a small chance for AA to not only do the right thing, but also gain some much needed positive PR.”

As James adds, “AA is seemingly currently rated the worst US airline, and Delta the ‘best worst’ which is indeed a sad state of affairs in US aviation.”

James argues this has come about after airline products have been “devalued for so many years where credit card loyalty is put above the care, need or want for paying passengers (particularly premium passengers in a laughably branded ‘first class’).”

“I would say thanks and get ignored. I would get ignored in general – as would the other passengers.”

“The crew dumped a plastic tray of nutrition in front of me and ran off to the galley – that’s when they spoke, loudly, to each other, but not to passengers. So loud in fact that it woke me up.”

“When I very politely requested that they were a little quieter, the response was: ‘can’t you just use the noise cancelling headphones.'”

“As a platinum elite wanker guy that flies a lot, this really was the worst I’ve seen during covid, after flying more than 270 airlines in my life.”

“How you can all justify someone paying cash for a ticket and not having things like lounge access and being given a cheese and cracker is shocking but now all airlines in the US drink the same coolaid. No one is challenging the dilution of quality.”

 

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A post shared by James Asquith (@jamesasquith)

Various Instagram users appeared to back up James’ claims. Many comments along the lines of “well said” and “me too” could be seen in the comments.

“The language is somewhat gauche, but respect for the message,” another commented.

James wasn’t done there. He also put the issue in context as he sees it: “It’s a spiral no one seems to want to break, and AA introducing schemes such as project Oasis which is cramming even more seats onto aircraft is simply embarrassing. Very beautiful name though hides the fact it should really be called ‘Project – punch our passengers in the dick.'”

“Don’t even get me started on the nail polish/engine fluid sparkling ‘champagne’ that you serve – I’m not sure this is for human consumption, but great job with the deep cost cuts, I’m sure that’s why you get paid the big bucks, amigo.”

The upshot? James reckons staff get a tough time because of how airlines are run and because “frequent flyer elite wanker passengers” expect free upgrades because the company puts selling credit cards above the actual experience (making for a miserable experience for everyone).

Food for thought…

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The post First Class Passenger's Shocking American Airlines Experience Exposes Broader Industry Problem appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Moving to a new city can be difficult, but it seems Scott Disick has quickly embraced the Miami lifestyle.The 37-year-old television personality, businessman and raconteur has integrated into his new home’s culture flawlessly: driving speedboats and exotic cars; dating a woman almost half his age; dressing like a coke dealer… But most importantly, he’s been rocking some very Miami hair.Last month he shocked us when he debuted a peroxide-bleached, slicked-back haircut that made it seem as if he was getting ready to have a mid-life crisis. Now it seems he’s committed totally to the mania, doubling down on a men’s hairstyle trend we thought we’d left back in 2020.Enjoying a leisurely stroll by the beach on Wednesday with his current squeeze, 19-year-old model Amelia Hamlin, Disick was spotted wearing a bright orange shirt (with top buttons popped to show off his chain), Loro Piana loafers, his trusty gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Date (ref. 5980/1R-001) and a Cartier bracelet – but most importantly, showing off a striking new buzz cut.

The last twelve months have seen a cavalcade of men’s grooming fads, with lads in lockdown getting creative with their locks: the notorious ‘lockdown beard‘, a revival of the mullet (and its cousin, the ‘skullet’)… And of course, men bleaching their hair.But the only thing ‘more 2020’ than bleaching one’s hair was to get a buzz cut or just shave all your hair off – the fabled ‘hard reset’. Hell, even I jumped on the trend, with somewhat mixed results.RELATED: I Got Brad Pitt’s ‘Fight Club’ Haircut & Now I Deeply Regret ItDisick jumping on could just be him trying to capture some fleeting relevance (a very Miami vibe, it has to be said), or maybe it’s evidence that 2020 really hasn’t ended… We’re just in its 16th month. With The Spicy Cough continuing to affect virtually every aspect of daily life around the world, the trials and tribulations of last year haven’t magically disappeared now that we’ve got a new calendar on the wall.Truth be told, we reckon the bleached buzz cut suits him, particularly with that outfit he’s rocking. It’s like if early 00’s Eminem ditched the tracksuits and Jordans and decided to dress like an adult. Actually, Eminem still doesn’t dress like an adult.We just want to know where Scott got that shirt…

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The post Scott Disick Rocking The Men’s Hairstyle Trend That Refused To Die In 2020 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Watches & Wonders – formerly known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (or SIHH) – is the watch industry’s most important trade show. Normally held in Geneva, Switzerland, this year’s show is entirely online, running from the 7th to the 13th of April, and any watch fan worth their salt is already strapping in for a week of horological delights.We’ve already seen some very exciting announcements from brands like Cartier, Panerai and IWC Schaffhausen – but the brand many watch fans have been on the edge of their seat for has undoubtedly been Rolex, who joined the W&W lineup after pulling out of rival show Baselworld last year alongside Chanel, Chopard, Patek Philippe and Tudor.The wait’s over – with Rolex unveiling exactly what we predicted they would: an update to the Explorer range, with both the Explorer and the Explorer II seeing subtle changes.But there’s also been some other new watches unveiled that we weren’t expecting – so let’s dive in and explore the range (pun entirely intended).

The main event: the new Explorer II

Rolex pretty heavily hinted that this was going to be their big Watches & Wonders reveal, but there were already signs pointing to this release. 2021 marks 50 years since the debut of the original Explorer II, as well as 10 years since Rolex previously tweaked the model (having previously upped its case size from 40 to 42mm).Rolex haven’t changed the size of the case this time around, but they have subtly redesigned the case to be slimmer and more in line with their current case aesthetics. What they didn’t do was introduce a new ceramic bezel, as people speculated – instead we get a classic brushed stainless steel number with recessed, blackened graduations.RELATED: 60 Second Rolex Hack Every Watch Lover Should TryThe 2021 model also features a new, optimized Chromalight display. Aesthetically it looks virtually identical to previous models but now the intensity of the blue lume’s glow lasts longer and in daylight, these display elements also have a brighter white hue.The biggest change to the Explorer II is that it’s now powered by Rolex’s Calibre 3285. First introduced in 2018, it’s a robust movement that’s resistant to both shock and magnetic fields, and boasts a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. That’s enough that if you take your watch off on Friday night after work, it’ll still be running on Monday morning for the new work week.

A new Explorer, too

What we weren’t necessarily expecting was a new Explorer I – nor one that’s so radically different – but like the Explorer II, there have been rumours about this update for a while now.Last year, DMARGE reported on how Explorers on the UK second-hand watch market were getting snatched up in unprecedented numbers, suggesting that even then Rolex insiders were preparing for a shake-up.RELATED: Strange Rolex Aftermarket Phenomenon Every Savvy Buyer Should Be Aware OfThe new Explorer I features a 36mm case size, which pays homage to the original model launched in 1953 following Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s groundbreaking Mount Everest ascent. That’s a whopping 4mm reduction in case size.Like the Explorer II, the new Explorer I benefits from updated, more intense lume – adding to its action credentials – and a 70-hour power reserve, this time powered by Rolex’s Calibre 3230.But what’s most striking is that it now comes in what Rolex call ‘yellow Rolesor’: a combination of 18ct yellow gold and Rolex’s famous Oystersteel. This is the first two-tone Explorer, and it looks a treat: with that smaller 36mm case size, it’s a really 90s look, one we’re a big fan of.But don’t worry, the classic pure Oystersteel variant will still be available.

Dazzling dials for Datejust and Daytona

2021 has also seen Rolex unveil a variety of exciting dial treatments for some of their most popular models – namely, the Cosmograph Daytona and the Datejust 36.The Daytona has now been blessed with a meteorite dial, which we’ve previously seen grace the face of the GMT-Master II. The striking dial has been paired with three different case variants, all made from gold: white gold with an Oysterflex strap, or either yellow gold or Rolex’s Everose pink gold with a classic Oyster bracelet.RELATED: ‘Sporty’ Rolex Selling Trick That Can Make You ThousandsEven wilder are the new dials making their way to the Datejust 36: two patterns available in a variety of different colours. The first is a ‘palm’ motif, a very tropical, lighthearted design; and the second is a ‘fluted’ motif, which evokes Rolex’s classic fluted bezel… It’s a remarkably Grand Seiko look, actually.You can have a green palm on Oystersteel, gold palm on Rolesor (with a Jubilee bracelet) or a silver palm on Everose Rolesor (i.e. Oystersteel and Everose pink gold). Combinations, combinations, combinations…

Diamonds are forever

Speaking of combinations, the last two models unveiled were diamond-studded updates to the Day-Date 36 and the Lady Datejust.Like the Daytona updates, Rolex has hit us with three different gold models: yellow gold, white gold and Everose. But they’ve also given each alloy its own unique, colourful touch: coral, turquoise and burgundy respectively. It’s fun to see Rolex doubling down on bright colours after their super-popular colourful Oyster Perpetual releases last year.The Lady Datejust, however, is sheer opulence. Diamonds adorn literally every surface of the yellow gold, 28mm watch except for the crown. This might be designed for titchy wrists but we can see ballers like Floyd Mayweather picking it up.You’d think that would be enough news from Rolex but what was also notable was what they didn’t advertise – namely, that they’ve brought the Oyster bracelet back for the insanely popular ‘Batman’ and ‘Pepsi’ GMT-Master IIs. The devil’s in the details with these things.

 

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…And there we have it!It’s a lot to take in – can you believe Watches & Wonders has only just started? Rolex’s sister brand Tudor also had an exciting product presentation tonight, but that’s another story…

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• Breitling’s Latest Chronograph Watch Collection Is A Trip Back To The Future

The post Rolex Reaches Dizzying Heights With Updated Explorer II & Colourful New Releases appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A ship captain getting his vessell stuck in the Suez Canal. Eve eating the apple. Napolean invading Russia. Tiger Woods indulging in extramarital activities. Chernobyl.Human history is littered with cock ups.Few were so well publicised as the Fyre Festival fiasco – a so-called luxury festival in the Bahamas, which comprised of 25-year-old ‘hot shot’ scamming investors out of $26 million (a tale which eventually got made into a Netflix documentary).Rather than luxury accommodation, there were tents, and rather than Bahamian-style sushi and pig roasts there were cold cheese sandwiches and soggy mattresses.Many A-list musical acts (think: Pusha T, Tyga, and Migos, as well as Blink-182) – pulled out in the days leading up to the event, too.“In the concert industry, there has never been anything that remotely rivals the disaster that the Fyre Festival became,” Bryan Burrough, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair, told CNBC about it.Though such a broad scale disaster has not just occurred in West Australia, an event called Bali Fest – located in Mandurah, a city 50 minutes by car south of Perth – has certainly infuriated some Australians.

 

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Though some social media users point out those expecting great things from the festival were tripping from the get-go…

I don’t know how anyone could be surprised that “Bali Fest” held in Mandurah wasn’t up to scratch https://t.co/0Ix9Knsnhz

— Georgia L. Smith (@georgia2210) April 5, 2021

Classic: Bintang singlets, thongs, beer bellies, attitude and over-priced ‘Bali cuisine’. How naive are we? What did we really expect in Mandurah: the cultural centre of the SW and home of Bali expats!

— Stevan Coll (@CollStevan) April 5, 2021

I’d love to meet the people who went to this, genuinely thinking that it was going to be anything even remotely close to Bali.

A fool and his money……— Kris’ World (@KrisAllert) April 5, 2021

… others have their jeans severely in a twist.The festival, which was meant to “bring Bali to Australia” from April the 2nd to the 6th left many disappointed. It has been called, by one Twitter user, “Perth’s very own Fyre Festival.”

LOL……Perth’s very own ‘Fyre Festival’ ……

— Channelling Gen. Wenck (@Andrew02974595) April 5, 2021

Though the advertising wasn’t quite on the same level as Fyre Festival’s…

 

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A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

… many event-goers, who paid $30 for their tickets, were thoroughly unimpressed.The organisers marketed Bali Fest as an event that would bring Balinese culture, food, entertainment, shopping and leisure lifestyle to Australia, and promised to donate money to Balinese people and charitable organisations.There wasn’t enough Nasi Goreng in the pudding though. A lack of food stall variety, Balinese cuisine and cultural dances had punters wanting to remind the organisers there was more to Bali than Bintangs.

“Dozens of people took to Bali Fest’s Facebook page to call for refunds and question what they were getting for their entry fee,” News.com.au reports.One ticket holder described his experience as “grossly disappointing” when speaking to News.com.au.“Wandered around the stalls which were a disappointment because these were what we would expect to find anywhere in a weekend market with FREE entry.”

“Bought some tickets to support the Bali Relief Fund. Wandered around the food trucks and bought something to eat and drink. Again, these were what we would expect anywhere the food trucks operate for FREE.”

“Ready to leave by 11.15am as nothing happening in the bar area. So what do you get for your entry fee? Still trying to work that out.”

“Grossly disappointing and would not recommend anyone paying a fee to enter considering you still had to pay for everything inside as well.”

Another who attended the event, Gail Barrett, who holidays in Bali, told PerthNow: “It was nothing like Bali, there were hardly any stalls open or food trucks promoting Bali cuisine, or any cultural dancers…it was absolute false advertising.”

“I will be lodging a complaint and I want to see a report of where the money they’ve raised actually goes to the charities.”

Social media shows these are far from isolated complaints.

The organisers said they were “trying to bring the relaxed Bali lifestyle where you can sit back and enjoy some cold Bintangs with live music”

Because Bali is all about Bintangs https://t.co/SR0FwRppP2— Eden Gillespie (@edengillespie) April 5, 2021

Incidentally, BALI FEST is an anagram of BEST FAIL. https://t.co/gEtW5DcBfM

— Gigs (@AndrewGigacz) April 5, 2021

I would have liked the organisers to have spoken to Ibu Konjen beforehand – with some suggestions I am sure that there would have been more cultural input. speaking to the Indonesian kuliner grup and getting more authentic food outlets instead of one truck.

— vicki richardson (@ibuvicki) April 6, 2021

That Bali Fest down in Mandurah Holy shit what a bunch of parasites.

— scott.wek (@igotmybikefixed) April 3, 2021

Complaints have led a West Australia consumer protection watchdog to issue a warning to event organisers about the accuracy of advertising.

Following the disappointment expressed by some of those who attended the Bali Fest event over the Easter weekend, a warning to event organisers and promoters to make sure their advertising is accurate and creates realistic expectationshttps://t.co/2Aa1qdmvRG pic.twitter.com/GzRiRxKLA3

— ConsumerProtectionWA (@ConsumerWA) April 7, 2021

In response to patrons’ disappointment, the organisers of Bali Fest thave issued an apology and offered refunds.

Bali Fest organisers say it is “without question” that punters will be offered refunds and free entry for the rest of the event. https://t.co/VMR8CRVFFD

— The West Australian (@westaustralian) April 5, 2021

The “first time event organiser” behind Bali Fest appears undettered in his ambition, however, telling the West Australian it will be the biggest festival in Austarlia in a year.

Geez the balls on this guy. No understanding of the industry at all. I hope his contractors have been paid. The ACCC is going to make things difficult. No way City of Mandurah will allow this next year. Upset a lot of people. Go to Bali first next time and learn about theming!

— Mr B (@mrbjp) April 5, 2021

Read Next

• I Tried Bali’s Instagram-Famous Floating Breakfast & It Was A Total Disaster
• I Went To Bali’s Most Instagram-Famous Oasis. It Blew My Mind

The post Bali Fest Mandurah Leaves Punters Fuming appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In only a short few decades, the IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch has cemented itself as one of the most iconic watch designs ever made.

First introduced back in 2002 and informed by the Swiss brand’s long history of producing pilot’s watches, the Big Pilot is instantly recognisable: the utilitarian, ultra-legible dial, the signature oversized crown and the chunky 46.2mm case… It’s a bona fide icon.

But 46mm is properly big. (It’s a very accurate name). Too big for many people’s wrists, and increasingly out of step with modern tastes: the trend over the last five years has been towards bigger case sizes, but now we’re seeing a return to smaller case sizes.

That’s why IWC’s fresh announcement, made on the first day of Watches & Wonders 2021, is so exciting (and has kicked off the trade show on a seriously high note).

The big news? The Big Pilot is now available in an all-new, 43mm, ergonomic case – as well as a whole suite of subtle tweaks, the sum of which make this new reincarnation of this absolute classic the best version of the Big Pilot’s Watch yet.

Now, before you watch purists get too hot under the collar, think of it this way: 43mm is still pretty chunky. This is no ‘Medium Pilot’. But reducing the case size by 3mm will open up the Big Pilot to a whole new audience… And more crucially, keeps the Big Pilot more in line with modern horological fashion, n’est-ce pas?

RELATED: IWC Schaffhausen Revives Famous 90s ‘Black Flieger’ Pilot’s Chronograph

Not only has the Big Pilot shrunk a little, but its weight loss regimen has also seen its date window and power reserve disappear, too, making it a time-only timepiece.

Available with either a classic black or stylish blue dial, the famous four-rivet colour-matching leather strap makes its return – with a stainless steel bracelet available for the blue dial variant.

All three references feature IWC’s new EasX-CHANGE system, which enables wearers to quickly and easily change the strap and adapt the watch swiftly to different surroundings or activities – as do IWC’s other Watches & Wonders goodies…

Read Next

• Rolex Drops Huge New Model Hint Ahead Of Watches & Wonders 2021
• Breitling’s Latest Chronograph Watch Collection Is A Trip Back To The Future

The post IWC Schaffhausen Unveil Biggest Change Yet To Their Most Iconic Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Italy was one of the first European countries to get its throat tickled by coronavirus. From being one of the most sought after holiday spots in the world it went to being one of the most feared, as rates of the Spicy Cough soared sky high at the beginning of the pandemic.Italy COVID cases reached 59,138 on the 23rd of March 2020 – the biggest coronavirus outbreak at the time outside of Asia. Italy was also the second most affected coronavirus country in the world, then, with the cases increasing at a higher rate than any other country.As Pharmaceutical Technology reported in March 2020, “COVID-19 Italy death toll reached 5,476, witnessing a sharp increase in the last few days. On 21 March, the country reported the highest deaths of approximately 800 in a single day.”“The Italian coronavirus cases surged from hundreds to thousands within two weeks, from a few hundred in the third week of February to more than 3,000 in the first week of March and crossed 10,000 on 10 March.”“The high number of coronavirus infection cases in Italy may be explained by the expanding air travel with China.”Stringent rules and regulations have since come into place in an attempt to regain control. This has led to Italians being denied many of life’s indulgences over the last twelve months.Now though, Italians have found a way to enjoy some of life’s little pleasures even while they continue to be banned on the mainland (and even while others criticize the cruise ship industry for not taking this moment in time as a moment to reform, rather than steam on).

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The solution? Cruise ships.

A dateline to admire: “ABOARD THE MSC GRANDIOSA” https://t.co/xuB0WwS68r

— Andrew Russeth (@AndrewRusseth) April 2, 2021

As Fox26 News reports, “Italy may be in a strict coronavirus lockdown this Easter but a few miles offshore, guests aboard the MSC Grandiosa cruise ship are shimmying to Latin music on deck and sipping cocktails by the pool.”

“In one of the anomalies of lockdowns that have shuttered hotels and resorts around the world, the Grandiosa has been plying the Mediterranean Sea this winter with seven-night cruises, a lonely flag-bearer of the global cruise industry.”

“Cruisers love to cruise, and they will go where the ships are sailing,” an industry spokesperson said of the holiday.

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“After cruise ships were early sources of highly publicised coronavirus outbreaks, the Grandiosa has tried to chart a course through the pandemic with strict anti-virus protocols approved by Italian authorities that seek to create a ‘health bubble’ on board,” Mail Online reports.

Carry On Cruising: How passengers have been touring the Med all winter on Covid-secure voyages aboard MSC Grandiosa thanks to regular tests, mask mandates and deep cleansvia https://t.co/SoLYFq4fjs https://t.co/nDddq2H9hB

— John B Tawn (@27Tawnyowl) April 2, 2021

Passengers and crew are tested for COVID before and during cruises. Mask rules, temperature checks, contact-tracing wristbands and frequent cleaning are all implemented to prevent outbreaks.According to Mail Online, “Passengers from outside Italy must arrive with negative COVID-19 tests taken within 48 hours of their departures and only residents of Europe’s Schengen countries plus Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria are permitted to book under COVID-19 insurance policies.”Photos under the ‘MSC Grandiosa’ Instagram geotag show passengers appearing to enjoy the freedom to eat in a restaurant or sit next to a pool – sans mask.

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“After a year of restrictive measures, we thought we could take a break for a week and relax,” said Stefania Battistoni, a 39-year-old teacher and single mother who drove all night from Bolzano, in northern Italy, with her two sons and mother to board the cruise, Mail Online reports.Instagram user @dino4499, who was also one one such cruise, told DMARGE, “It was such an amazing experience. I wasn’t used anymore to eating in a restaurant after 10pm or enjoying nightlife. All the shops were open and this was weird too considering that in Italy shops have been closed since February.”

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“The cruise was completely COVID-free, every day we have been tested with COVID tests and constantly checked with bracelets – with this all the restrictions about distance could be respected.”

“The life on the cruise reminded me of a kind of normality that we lost last year. The atmosphere was a mix of unbelief and happiness. I believe everyone was trying to find something similar to our life before COVID.”

“In every excursion, we were been constantly monitored. We were only allowed to follow the guide and the rules were very strict if someone had violated them. I think this is why this cruise is a success.”The pandemic has sunk global cruise ship passenger numbers. In 2019 the industry saw a record 30 million hop aboard, with 32 million forecast to travel by cruise in 2020. That didn’t happen. Instead, as Traveller reports, 2020 was more in the realm of 350,000 (since July).Traveller also reports that, “According to an independent consulting firm, Bermello Ajamii & Partners, just 23 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on ships since the industry began its tentative relaunch last summer.” Going by these statistics the passenger infection rate is remarkably low: 0.006 per cent.

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However, cruise industry critics argue the risk isn’t worth it. To that end – Traveller reports Jim Ace of environmental group Stand Earth saying: “Cruise ship companies could have used the COVID shutdown to address their impacts on public health and the environment. Instead, they scrapped a few of their oldest ships and raised cash to stay alive.”

“All large cruise ships burn huge volumes of the dirtiest, cheapest fuel available.”

One to mull over as you sip your next frozen Margarita.

Read Next

• Cruise Ship Staff Reveal The Wildest Things They’ve Seen On Board 
• The Ugly Truth About Virgin Voyages’ Adults Only Cruise 

The post Italians Are Exploiting ‘Lockdown Loophole’ On Mediterranean Sea appeared first on DMARGE Australia.