On October 7, two extraordinary diamonds will hit the auction block: An enormous 118.28-carat D-flawless diamond nearly the size of a small chicken egg—the largest D-flawless diamond ever to appear at auction—and the 7.59-carat internally flawless vivid Premier Blue Diamond, the largest round vivid-blue diamond to be sold at an auction. Both sales are expected to set record prices at the Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction.
The white diamond—which was discovered in 2011 as a 299-carat piece of rough in a southern Afr…

The reopening of the Hermès flagship boutique in Beverly Hills—which took place last week following an 18-month renovation—marks a new era in the brand’s U.S. retail presence. Its address at 434 North Rodeo Drive is just a few doors down from the lot where Hermès opened its first Beverly Hills boutique 41 years ago, but the focus of the 12,000-square-foot shopping mecca—which comprises three floors connected by a spiral staircase and a rooftop garden for events—is on its future.
The store has areas for ready…

Montblanc has introduced the newest model in its Nicolas Rieussec chronograph collection, which launched five years ago boasting a rotating disc in the place of hands to measure the hour. The new Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours watch features an additional disc with a day-to-night indicator.
Visible through an aperture at 12 o’clock, the hours display features 12 cut-out Arabic numerals turning in continuous motion. Directly beneath it, a second, day-night disc turns in intervals, casting a pale blue color thro…

A good year is worth its weight in wine, according to the Napa Valley winery Domaine Carneros, which has announced that for $20,000, it will stock the cellars of Champagne lovers for the next year. The package comprises 365 bottles of some of Domaine Carneros’s most popular sparkling wines: 222 bottles of the 2009 Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvee ($27 per bottle) for midweek enjoyment, 52 bottles of the 2006 Late Disgorged Brut Cuvee ($48 per bottle) to enjoy on Friday nights, 24 bottles of the 2008 Verméil Demi Se…

Mercedes-Benz had barely taken the wraps off its new S-Class before it also announced the high-performance AMG version of the flagship sedan. Usually, a manufacturer will introduce a new model and then either six months or a year later add variants, to keep interest high on the entire product range.
The all-new S-Class debuts as the S550 in October, followed a month later by the 4Matic all-wheel-drive version and the S63 AMG, which also has all-wheel drive. Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8 that mak…

On September 25, Daniel Boulud and the sommeliers from each of his New York restaurants will share their favorite wines with 40 guests. Now in its third year, the Detour de France event (from $350 per person) features each sommelier’s favorite classic French-style wine followed by a blind tasting of a second wine, from a different terroir, whose selection was inspired by the first. For instance, a white Burgundy might be followed by a Chardonnay from a different region of France. The tasting will be held over …

The new 30-room J.K. Place Roma will open on September 1 in the heart of Rome. Located just off of the Via Condotti, it is within walking distance of major sites including the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. In addition to its 22 standard guest rooms, which are priced from $770 per night and include daily buffet breakfast, the hotel has eight spacious suites that start at $1,700 per night. It also features a lounge, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar and garden. (+39.06.982634, www.jkroma.com)

Flanked by a shopping mall and two championship golf courses, Raffles Hainan opened September 1 as the top-end choice within the Chinese megaresort Clearwater Bay.
Why to Go: If you are traveling in China and want a warm-weather reprieve, Hainan Island is a popular domestic retreat. The island is at the same latitude as Hawaii, with similar weather. International investment is pouring into the tourist destination: A Mandarin Oriental opened on the island in 2009, and the Four Seasons will be complete next yea…

Now through October 31, guests who book a one-bedroom jungle villa at the Song Saa Private Island resort in Cambodia can take advantage of a three-, five-, or seven-night wellness retreat included in the cost of their stay (from $1,336 per night). Song Saa designed its Season of Wellness program to tap into the natural resources of the largely undeveloped island chain where it is situated, including physical activities and new spa and food menus that incorporate ingredients from local rain forests, organic far…

Shenzhen typically attracts domestic tourists and business travelers, but Western leisure guests are also finding their way to the city. The Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen opened this month amidst a sea of unusual attractions and modern skyscrapers.
Why to Go: If you’ve stayed in Hong Kong before and want to return to the region, give Shenzhen a try. The Hong Kong–adjacent city of roughly 10 million sprung up from a fishing village of a few hundred thousand in the last 30 years. Golfers appreciate access to more…