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T ime never stands still, and a sip of wine or the tick of a clock is fleeting. But what about the memories that go with it? A new Sotheby’s initiative in partnership with Luxury Group by Marriott International is offering prospective bidders two exclusive European experiences, each with an itinerary punctuated by sights and surroundings designed to immerse participants in rich cultural histories.
Two guests will venture on a bespoke journey into the heart of Swiss watchmaking for a one-of-a-kind experience hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva Grandmasters, on offer during Sotheby’s Important Watches auction on 6 December, takes a deep dive into the Swiss region that is considered to be the world’s watchmaking capital.
The history of Swiss watchmaking dates back centuries – and Geneva wasn’t always the industry leader. It’s thought that German locksmith and watchmaker Peter Henlein created the first model watch that was compact enough to be portable in the 16th century. For hundreds of years, German, Dutch, French and English artisans vied to be at the forefront of the craft. It was only in the 19th century, when Swiss watchmakers began embracing the newly invented établissage production method – in which watches are assembled out of externally sourced premade parts, rather than fashioned from scratch by hand – that the country emerged as the definitive leader in the venerated field.
At The Ritz-Carlton de la Paix, guests will revel in the splendor of the Grace Kelly Suite, named in honor of the Hollywood icon-turned-princess who was once a frequent visitor to the hotel. The two-bedroom chambers, decorated with photographs of Ms. Kelly, feature outdoor seating overlooking the southernmost bay of Lake Geneva, where the Rhône River reforms and continues its path through the Alps. A welcome package will include an Assouline book on watches, a chocolate concoction in the shape of a Swiss watch and the quintessential Genevan pastry of Meringue-shaped swans.
The first night will see a dinner of traditional Scandinavian fare at the hotel’s Michelin-recommended Fiskebar, where guests will be welcomed in a private dining room with lake views and personal greetings from head chef Francesca Fucci.
The next morning the real adventure will begin, as luxury transport will bring travelers about 90 minutes to La Chaux-de-Fonds. The town is home to the Girard-Perregaux Ateliers, headquarters of the classic Swiss watchmaker that was originally founded in Geneva in 1791. A company representative will greet the party before leading them on a private tour of the atelier. A highlight of the trip will come in the form of a hands-on watchmaking workshop that will put guests in the traditional uniforms of watchmakers while employees guide them through the finer points of actually assembling a real watch, including its movements and complications. The company’s representative will then host the guests at a private lunch to be held in the historic Girard-Perregaux villa.
On their last morning at The Ritz-Carlton de la Paix, Geneva, guests will be treated to an in-room brunch, cooked in-suite and further complemented with a bottle of champagne. Afterwards, participants can decompress with a 30-minute spa treatment at the hotel’s La Vallée Spa. The final excursion dives into the watch-making culture of Geneva one last time with a tour of the Patek Philippe Museum, known for its sprawling collection of 2,500 watches and other pieces spanning 500 years of watchmaking history. It will certainly be a time to remember.
There is no question that Switzerland is to watchmaking like France is to fine wines. A Taste of France, offered via a single-lot auction until 10 December, will offer two guests a two-night stay at the quintessential Parisian Art Deco hotel Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, just off the Champs-Élysées. The Macassar Suite is so named after Macassar ebony, the dark, variegated wood that lines the walls of the designated accommodations. The historic hotel first opened its doors in 1928 in honor of a visit from the then-Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, and remains a go-to stay for international dignitaries.
Once checked in, guests can indulge in a 45-minute in-room massage provided by the hotel’s spa services – the perfect recovery antidote for journeys long and short. The first day’s itinerary will also include afternoon tea and champagne hosted by world-acclaimed chef and artist Laila Gohar, who is also a Global Explorer for Marriott’s The Luxury Collection and is more broadly known for her creative, larger-than-life food-centric presentations.
In the morning, guests will be chauffeured via luxury transportation for the roughly two-hour drive to Lallier Estate in the commune of Aÿ, the heart of the Champagne province. The history of the region dates back to the 1st century AD, when the Romans established vineyards in northern France and began producing wine that became popular among locals; over the centuries, it became known as the drink of kings. Champagne’s unique, extra-bubbly signature owes to the climate: freezing winters prevented the beverage from properly fermenting, but then fermentation would go at double the rate in spring.
In present day, at the Lallier Estate, guests will gain a true insider’s look at the delicate Champagne-making process over a private tour of the family-owned vineyard, which dates back to 1906. This will be followed by lunch – with, of course, a champagne pairing. Namely, the champagne served will represent the pride of Lallier’s 2021 harvest, with the maison’s Réflexion R.021 Brut and Rosé wines and its iconic Ouvrage expression.
On the final night of this extraordinary journey, the Prince de Galles hotel’s expert sommelier will welcome guests for a pre-dinner wine tasting in the property’s private cellar. Afterwards, guests will be welcomed to a dinner at 19.20, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, which boasts a menu designed by executive chef Norbert Tarayre, also a renowned French television personality.
While true watch and wine enthusiasts will know the thrill of acquiring a unique timepiece or tasting a rare vintage, very few have experienced a bespoke journey to the heart and soul of where these artisan industries began. There is perhaps no entity better able to host these one-of-a-kind adventures than Marriott International’s Luxury Group, nor a more apt channel to match journey and guest than Sotheby’s Luxury Sales.
These curated itineraries, informed by the most elite tastes the luxury hospitality industry has to offer, will leave even the most cultured travelers with innumerable unforgettable experiences.
