Do you have $1,700,000?

In the world of luxury there is another Big name. Bugatti Veyron. Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piëch announced the production Veyron at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show. It was promised to be the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive car in history. And he fulfilled his promise.


With its 16-cylinder four-wheel drive, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 may well be the most sophisticated production vehicle of all times.
Most of the components tucked beneath its hood are ingenious innovations that were formerly only deemed possible by visionaries like Ferdinand Piëch.


Boasting a maximum speed of more than 400 km per hour, the Veyron is unmatched in the super sports category. It offers a total of 1,001 HP, and its ample power reserves even at high speeds are the fabric of dreams for luxury-class limousines: for a constant speed of 250 km/h, the Veyron only needs 270-280 HP. This means that the seven-gear clutch transmission works with a torque of up to 1,250 Newton meters. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ensures the necessary flexibility and maneuverability at any speed. The Veyron reaches velocities that would literally lift the car off the ground – if it weren’t for its ingenious aerodynamics, which keeps it firmly on the road even at full speed. Adjusting the back spoiler, reducing ground clearance, opening and closing the lids – it all adds to the perfect balance between propulsion and downforce. Such a super sports car may not seem to be brought to a halt easily, but the Veyron’s ceramic brakes slow it down faster than it can accelerate. While it takes this exceptional car only 2.5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, it needs even less time – a mere 2.3 seconds – to come to a standstill from 100 (reference point). To reduce the risk of injuries in accidents, Bugatti had a Formula 1 safety concept adapted for the Veyron. All these technical details combine to make the Veyron a truly exceptional super sports car.

Best Gift to your Valentine

What could you think the best gift you can give to your valentine this 14th February? Apart from your pure heart, here is something you can think of. Most precious perfumes available on earth might be a good choice, well theses perfume will surely glorify the value of your heart with your loved ones. That is because they are the most expensive Perfumes as per Forbes.



#1




Clive Christian's Imperial Majesty: $215,000 (16.90z)
Australian dollar: $285,000
Canadian dollar: $245,846
Euro: €177,727
Pound: £115,000
Rupee: Rs9,496,550

Only ten of these collectors' edition bottles were made: they're Baccarat crystal with a solid, 18-carat gold collar with a five-carat, brilliant cut, white diamond. The bottle is filled with nearly 17 ounces of No. 1, Clive Christian's signature scent, which has been widely marketed as the world's most expensive perfume.

For more information, call 011 44 207 839 3434 or visit www.clive.com.




#2




Clive Christian's No.1: $2,150 (1oz)
Australian dollar: $2,851
Canadian dollar: $2,458
Euro: €1,777
Pound: £1,208
Rupee: Rs94,966

The bottle for No. 1 isn't as spectacular as its big sister, but it's no stinker, either. It's hand-made lead crystal with a .33-carat diamond in the neck. Production of No. 1 is limited by the scarcity of its ingredients, which include ylang ylang specially grown in Madagascar, vanilla, orris, natural gum resin, sandalwood and bergamot.

For more information, call 011 44 207 839 3434 or visit www.clive.com.


#3




Caron's Poivre: $2,000 (2oz)
Australian dollar: $2,652
Canadian dollar: $2,287
Euro: €1,654
Pound: £1,123
Rupee: Rs88,340

Caron was established in Paris, and the company today is 101 years old. Poivre, which was originally created in 1954, means pepper in French. The scent lives up to its name: It's a lively blend of red and black pepper, cloves and other spices and can be worn by either sex. The bottle above is limited-edition Baccarat crystal.

For more information, call 212 319 4888 or visit www.parfumscaron.com


#4



Chanel's Chanel No. 5: $1,850 (15.2oz)
Australian dollar: $2,452
Canadian dollar: $2,117
Euro: €1,530
Pound: £1,039
Rupee: Rs81,715

Chanel No. 5 is perhaps the world's best-known fragrance, the first perfume to bear a designer's name and the benchmark for elite perfumes ever since. The oversized crystal bottle pictured above is parfum, the purest form available, and has 15.2 ounces of the fragrance, so you won't keep running back to Chanel for refills.

For more information, call 800 550 0005 or visit www.chanel.com







#5




Baccarat's Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes: $1,700 (.25oz)
Australian dollar: $2,253
Canadian dollar: $1,944
Euro: €1,405
Pound: £955
Rupee: Rs75,089

Baccarat, better known for its pure and high-quality crystal, decided to get in on the fragrance act in the late 1990s, with three limited-edition fragrances of its own. There are only six bottles of Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes left at the Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie at Harrods, in London. The price is largely due to the pyramid-shaped bottle, made of Baccarat crystal, and the fragrance, which includes frankincense and myrrh, is meant to evoke the ancient Egyptians.

For more information, call 011 44 20 7730 1234 or visit www.harrods.com.





#6



Annick Goutal's Eau d'Hadrien: $1,500 (3.4oz)
Australian dollar: $1,989
Canadian dollar: $1,715
Euro: €1,240
Pound: £843
Rupee: Rs66,255

Annick Goutal is a European perfumer, former model and prize-winning pianist. Her Eau d'Hadrien is a fresh, citrus-y blend of Sicilian lemons, grapefruit and cypress. The limited-edition bottle pictured above is Baccarat crystal and was released in 2005.

For more information, call 011 31 10 40 49 602 or visit www.annickgoutal.nl.






#7







Hermès' 24 Faubourg: $1,500 (1oz)
Australian dollar: $1,989
Canadian dollar: $1,715
Euro: €1,240
Pound: £843
Rupee: Rs66,255

24 Faubourg is a classic Hermès scent, a feminine floral containing rose, iris and orange blossom. There were only 1,000 of these limited-edition bottles released worldwide; the one above is St. Louis crystal.

For more information, visit www.hermes.com


#8




Shalini Parfums' Shalini: $900 (2.2oz)
Australian dollar: $1,193
Canadian dollar: $1,030
Euro: €744
Pound: £506
Rupee: Rs39,753

Shalini was created by Maurice Roucel, the perfumer behind Hermès' 24 Faubourg and Tocade. Neroli, ylang ylang and coriander are the high notes of the fragrance, with tuberose, tiare, vanilla, sandalwood and musk rounding out the base. The image above is of a limited-edition Lalique crystal bottle, exclusively available at Bergdorf Goodman and introduced for Valentine's Day. Only 900 bottles were produced.

For more information, call 212 505 2765 or visit www.shalini.net







#9





Jean Patou's Joy: $800 (1oz)
Australian dollar: $1,061
Canadian dollar: $915
Euro: €662
Pound: £449
Rupee: Rs35,336

Bulgarian rose, tuberose and jasmine form the base of Jean Patou's Joy, but the concentration is higher than most commercially available perfumes: 10,600 jasmine flowers and 336 roses go into every ounce of the fragrance. When Joy was introduced in 1930, it was marketed as the costliest fragrance in the world. The bottle pictured above is Baccarat crystal.

For more information, call 011 33 142 92 07 22.


#10




JAR Parfums' Bolt of Lightning: $765 (1oz)
Australian dollar: $1,014
Canadian dollar: $875
Euro: €633
Pound: £430
Rupee: Rs33,790

The world-renowned jeweler Joel A. Rosenthal has ventured into the realm of perfume-making, and his Paris boutique is a testament to his sense of drama and style. Hand-painted lightning bolts decorate the ceiling, and the store itself is as small and intricate as one of his jeweled creations. Bolt of Lightning is an extrait de parfum, and comes in a hand-etched glass bottle designed by Rosenthal himself. The fragrance is available at Rosenthal's Paris boutique or at Bergdorf Goodman.

For more information, call 011 33 1 40 20 47 20

Time Value...

Do we really need a watch to know time? How many of Gen X guys use a watch to know time? Our craze for a wrist watch may not be the same that our older generation has. But these designer watches will definitely tempt you to buy one. Of course the prize tag may stop you. May be as per my theory “It may inspire you” Check out the most expensive and luxurious watches for your wrist.


1.





Oh, you can keep your perpetual calendars, minute repeaters and tourbillons, dahling--we'll take diamonds and plenty of 'em, thank you very much. As functional for suburban moms as it is glamorous for Park Avenue ladies who lunch, Chopard's "Super Ice Cube" is practically dripping with pricey ice--66.16 carats of diamonds altogether, including 1,897 brilliants, 288 trapeze-cuts, and a center case set with 16 squares. The "Super" is just one of over 50 variations on the "Ice Cube," from black diamonds to pastel sapphires to rubies and, if you can believe it, at least a few models for men.

2.





Named for the year Jehan-Jacques Blancpain opened his first factory, the shimmering 1735 boasts a half-dozen complications--two more than necessary to qualify as a "grand complication," and perhaps five more than you'll ever really need. But never mind. Within the ultra-slim, 42 mm platinum case--itself a complication, according to Blancpain's owner, the Swatch Group--the 1735 has a perpetual calendar, split-second chronograph, minute repeater, tourbillon and moon phase minder. It takes steady Swiss hands eight-to-ten months to piece together all 740 components, and only 18 out of a limited run of 30 watches have been assembled to date. With a crocodile strap and 80-hour power reserve, it'll wear well with just about anything--and for quite a while.

3.







Talk about inconspicuous consumption. The perfect timepiece for those who don't like to draw attention to themselves--or at least to their wrists--Vacheron Constantin's plain vanilla, manually wound Minute Repeater makes its statement in hushed tones. Though the sparkling white dial reveals only good ol' hours and minutes, the 36.5 mm, 18K yellow gold case harbors a mechanical minute repeater, first designed by Vacheron Constantin for Napoleon to let the little Emporer check the time on the battlefield without getting shot under torch light--or so the legend goes. There is also 34 hours of power reserve to spare. Sophisticated and gentleman's club classy all around.

4.





Complicated, mechanical and hand-wound, this Minute Repeater with Tourbillon from the Jules Audemars line dazzles with an 18K white gold case studded with 168 diamonds--1.31 carats altogether. If that weren't enough, the silvered dial is set with 104 diamonds (not shown here) and offers a tantalizing glimpse at the tourbillon movement, though apparently they could only find room for eight roman numerals. Pretty as the front is, there's no less of a show behind the scenes where a sapphire skeleton back lets you examine the ever-whirring ingenuity inside. A beautiful timepiece, made even more so by its classy black alligator strap

5.





For those with eyes for color and complication, Roger Dubuis's laboriously numbered Hommage watch is just the ticker. From its 43 mm, 18K white gold case to its mother of pearl dial, its white gold and blue steel hands to its applied and painted numbers, the watch practically jumps off the wrist. Fully mechanical and manually wound, the Hommage's complications include bi-retrograde perpetual day and date calendar, week, month, leap year and moon phase indication, and minute repeater with hours and minutes struck by gongs. In a limited edition of a nine pieces, each with its own hand-sewn crocodile strap with 18K white gold buckle.

6.





Part of the Haute Horlogerie collection, the Magistral Tourbillon has a face that just says, "power" though of course its actually hand-wound. The see-through, 36-by-37 mm case reveals the beauty of Girard-Perregaux's tourbillon movement and is water resistant down to 30 meters--though given the price tag you'd have to be crazy to test it. On the dial reside two seashell-shaped indicators, one for the instantaneous calendar and the other for 110 hours of power reserve. At first glance you might wonder whether they forgot about 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock, but something tells us you'll be able to get along without them.

7.





Introduced in summer 2003 as a very limited edition of seven, the 5437PT was created from original movements rediscovered in a safe at the Breguet factory in L'Abbaye, Switzerland--and at roughly $275,000 per timepiece, you can bet those are some movements. A tribute to company founder Abraham-Louis Breguet, the hand-finished complicated watch boasts minute repeater and perpetual calendar including moon phase functions, as well as handsome traditional styling all around. With a stylish black crocodile strap and a 39 mm platinum case surrounding a smart-looking 18K gold dial of engine-turned patterns and studious roman numerals, the 5437PT says "punctuality" so you won't have to.

8.





One of those rare Grand Complications that doesn't have to shout it from the rooftops, Patek Philippe's 10 Day Tourbillon is subtle and immensely stylish. Fully mechanical and manually wound, the watch boasts a sophisticated tourbillon movement and generous ten-day power reserve indicator, tricky complications to pull off together. A small second hand gives you something to watch on the commuter train. A rectangular platinum case with a 32 mm movement diameter surrounds a rose gold dial, while water resistance down to 25 meters assures you'll be able to wear it into the pool--if you dare.
9.





Inspired by the classic Italian automaker, the Pamigiani Bugatti Type 370 is a sports car for the wrist that turns time telling on its side with the first-ever transversal movement. Resembling an engine block, the watch's movement is divided into five separate plates, with hours and minutes appearing on its side and push-button crowns for setting and winding on the back. A patented power reserve ensures 10 days of walking around time, while the eight-part case includes six sapphire crystals which reveal automotive-inspired components including double-rim shaped wheels. Tailor-made Hermès straps are suited to the wearer, and purchasers can count on being invited to Fleurier for a factory tour with Michel Parmigiani. Limited to 150 pieces--50 each of red, silver and black dials, and only 50 individual pieces per year for the next three years.


10.






Now that's a busy watch. With 659 mechanical parts, IWC's self-winding Grande Complication features 17 functions all together, including chronograph, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, perpetual moon phase with a disc of burnished gold, small seconds with stop function, and convenient four-digit year display--as if you're ever really going to need that. Price varies according to the case--which comes in platinum or yellow gold--and the strap--with alligator at the low end and a pure platinum bracelet at the high end.

Golden Bricks

Luxury has no limit. Even many great spiritual gurus are fond of luxurious lives. Once I read that founder of Indian IT giant Infosys Mr.N.R.Narayana Murthy’s monthly expenditure is just about Rs.11000. i.e. about $300. We can rarely find such modest people in the world. But usually people can’t resist spending high when they earn more. I personally feel actually the life style of this rich and famous is the real inspiration for growth in life. Check out this list of most expensive homes published by Forbes. May be they can inspire some one.


1. $165 million Beverly Hills, Calif.



Once owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, this expansive villa sits on six and a half acres in Beverly Hills.



A massive 75,000 square feet of living space is spread across three stories. The home boasts 29 bedrooms and 40 bathrooms.



The home was built in 1926 in the style of a Mediterranean villa and was featured in the 1972 film The Godfather. The compound comprises six buildings, three swimming pools and a movie theater.





2. Bran Castle $140 million

Brasov, Romania



Once inhabited by Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Count Dracula, this castle, built in 1212, sits on 20 acres.




The 17-bedroom castle rests on the top of a cliff and offers views across the countryside and surrounding mountain



The current owner, Dominic von Hapsburg, is running the home as a museum. For more information, contact Baytree Capital






3. $138 million Updown Court
Windlesham, Surrey



Larger than either Buckingham or Hampton Court palace, this 103-room home has 58 acres of gardens and woodlands, making it the idyllic English country home for those flush with cash.




Several ballrooms and grand entrance ways punctuate this house, which has a panic room, an indoor squash court, bowling alley, 50-seat cinema, helipads, space for eight limousines and a heated marble driveway






Marble bathrooms are nice, but some would say indoor spas, jacuzzis and pools with views of the grounds are better.

For more information contact Savills, Beauchamp Estates or Hamptons International


4. $135 million Hala Ranch
Aspen, Colo.



Until Tim Blixseth finishes constructing his $155 million Montana ski lodge, this 95-acre ranch owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S., is the most expensive in the country.




The Starwood Ranch estate boasts a 56,000-square-foot mansion with 15 bedrooms and 16 baths.



The estate features several smaller buildings, stables, a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool.

For more information contact Joshua Saslove at Joshua & Co., or Gregory Antonsen of Christie's Great Estates.







5. $125 million Maison de L'Amitie
Palm Beach, Fla.



In 2004, Donald Trump bought former health care executive Abe Gosman's palace, Maison de L'Amitie, center, at a bankruptcy auction for $41.25 million.




With the refurbished version--complete with ballroom, conservatory and 475 feet of oceanfront--Trump is confident the property will move.



If the water is too rough on the beach, the property has a 100-foot swimming pool surrounded by gardens.

For more information contact Christina Condon at Sotheby’s International Realty.







6. $100 million Tranquility
Lake Tahoe, Nev.




Conveniently on the tax-free Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, this 210-acre property is owned by Joel Horowitz, the cofounder of Tommy Hilfiger, who built the property from scratch.






The main house has 20,000 square feet of living space, is modeled after a northern European mountain home and has a 3,500-bottle wine cellar.




An indoor swimming pool and atrium, as well as a 19-seat movie theater, ensure constant entertainment, even if snowed in.

For more information contact Shari Chase at Chase International.


7. $100 million Waterfront Estate
Istanbul, Turkey



The fifth most expensive home in the world is in a somewhat unexpected spot, located on three-quarters of an acre directly on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.





This residence offers more than 30,000 square feet of opulent living space in 64 rooms, which feature large windows looking to the water.



Details include gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers. The mansion has a rare quay that is nearly 200-feet long.

Listed with Alp Sahin at Luici Real Estate Agency.






8. Eurasia $100 million
Moscow




This sizable property consists of an 11,700-square-foot manor house, two 4,000-square-foot guest houses and a 91,000-square-foot recreation center that has a pool, Turkish and Russian baths; a gym; sauna; and lounges. The property is 15 miles from the Moscow city center






9. $99 million Bishops Avenue
Hampstead, London



Just under the $100 million mark--depending on today’s exchange rate--the Toprak Mansion was built by Turkish entrepreneur Halis Toprak.




The 28,000-square-foot house has a double staircase and glass elevator.





There is a swimming pool with a glass bridge and a Turkish bath for 20.

For more information, contact Glentree Estates.






10. 75 million Three Ponds
Bridgehampton, N.Y.




Three Ponds, which encompasses more than 60 acres of Hamptons farmland, is named for its surrounding lakes, but also features its own USGA-rated Rees Jones golf course.




Surrounding the main house are 14 gardens, a 75-foot-long swimming pool, golf pro shop, grass tennis court and a guest house.



The main house, designed by architect Allan Greenberg, has a great room with a 28-foot-high domed ceiling.

For more information contact Susan Breitenbach at Corcoran






11. $75 million The Portabello Estate
Corona del Mar, Calif.



The triple oceanfront lot along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California is only part of what makes the Portabello Estate so pricey.



The unique design resembles a nautilus shell, with a dramatic grotto surrounded by "chambers."





Built in 2002, the home has eight bedrooms and 10 full baths in nearly 30,000 square feet of ultramodern space.