Watch collectors either love or hate designs from Franc Vila. No other watch has a face that loosely resembles a cobra head—set into a case that looks like an egg sitting on its side. The reptilian look is furthered by the segmented scale style of the rubber strap (a separate crocodile strap is also included). With an almost ominous look, the famed FV Evos 8 Cobra watch is in all black and blue here; a special limited edition set reserved for the U.S. only. Eighty-eight people will be able to enjoy the look of this timepiece.

While technologically speaking there is nothing about Franc Vila watches that are absent in other timepi eces—his unorthodox designs capture the imagination in a way that other more classic timepieces often fail to do. At 55-mm wide, the size of the case (300 meters water resistant) sounds intimidating, but wearing it isn’t unwieldy. This is because the cases are wider than they are tall. Being just 42-mm tall, the watches won’t take over your wrist. The oblong shape is also flattering to one’s wrist—helping to visually elongate the arm. This special version of the Cobra is the Blue Bandido with a variety of materials for the case. You’ll quickly notice the wealth of carbon fiber all over the case, surrounding the bezel, and on the crown guards. The watch also uses a black toned allow called DieHard Extreme steel (for the bezel), as well as titanium used on other parts of the case. The thick rubber strap forms a flowing shape with the watch and grows thinner around your wrist, while its thick end pieces help the watchcase preserve an elegant unbroken line.

Using a large barrel style crown and hefty chronograph pushers, the FV Evos 8 Cobra is also a highly functional timepiece. Reading the dial is a charm due to Franc Vila’s excellent contrast between black and blue. The electric blue colors for the hands, and hash marks on the dial and applied wonderfully (like a rich lacquer) giving the watch a reassuring luxury presence. Carbon fiber is once again found on the dial, with a textured black metal decorative element in the center of the dial. While complex, the arrangement of elements on the face and dial of the watch are well balanced given their awkward proportions.

While Franc Vila sources high-end mechanical movements, the watches are fitted with a custom automatic rotor that the brand calls their “Gold Concept Rotor.” Using gold for weight, the rotors are meant to resemble the shape of the watchcase and dial—a design decision that may be a first. The automatic chronograph movement also has a big date indicator below the 12 o’clock position. While Franc Vila designed the chronograph subdials nicely, the date indicator discs would have benefitted from arriving in a color to match the black and blue theme of the timepiece. Limited to just 88 pieces and available only in the U.S., the watch is priced at $28,000. www.francvila.com

1. 55-mm wide x 42mm tall case size
2. Black DieHard Extreme steel bezel
3. Carbon fiber used on the case and dial
4. Arrives with segment style rubber strap as well as crocodile strap
5. Face has time, big date indicator, and 12 hour chronograph

Ariel Adams is the Haute Living Watch Editor and also publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Custom Line, a division of the Ferretti Group, unveiled plans for its new flagship, a 124, just last summer. The first of the series hit the water on May 26—after the traditional breaking of the bubbly across the bow, of course.

The Custom Line 124 may replace the 112 as the largest yacht that the Italian builder offers, but it doesn’t mean the 112 is gone. Rather, it’s become a smaller sister, even a stepping stone into the 124. Indeed, the 124 offers owners a few extra features. There’s the option of fold-down terraces off the saloon, for example, or full-height windows. Either way, the idea is to make the relaxation space feel larger and bring more of the outside environment inside. One of the four guest staterooms below decks can be optionally outfitted as a gym or a wellness area, complete with massage table. Even the en suite baths here and in the main-deck owner’s suite can contain hydro-massage shower heads or other therapeutic-oriented fixtures.

The interior design and the naval architecture for the Custom Line 124 both come from Studio Zuccon International Project, with works with many of the Ferretti Group companies. To ensure that the 124 would perform as well as she looks, the studio and the Ferretti Group’s in-house engineering team selected twin 3,510-hp MTU diesel engines. These permit a 27-knot top speed, which is sure to be appreciated when port-hopping in the Med. Furthermore, the 124 is fitted with a Mitsubishi ARG (Anti Rolling Gyro), a proprietary system that damps roll motions upwards of 50 percent.

The lessened rolling motions will make all areas onboard more comfortable, but particularly the upper deck, as the higher you go on a yacht, the more you feel the motion. The deck is outfitted for sunbathing and dining, with dedicated space for both aft of an elevated helm. If a good number of guests are onboard and someone feels the need for more space to spread out, he or she can head down to the bow’s sunpads and semi-circular seating area.

In 2008, famed glass artist Dale Chihuly created a series of dramatic sculptures in stunning shapes and colors to be displayed in Arizona’s Desert Botanical Garden in Chihuly: The Nature of Glass. While the exhibit saw thousands of arrangements installed throughout the garden, the DBG seeks to permanently display a few such sculptures so that visitors may continue to enjoy their beauty indefinitely – but the garden needs the public’s help in making this wish a reality.

At the entrance to the DBG are the “Desert Towers,” magnificent yellow-green sculptures resembling yucca plants, which Dale Chihuly designed specifically for this location. Since their installation, the “Desert Towers” have been on loan from the Chihuly Studios, and their presence, along with the other works, have drawn such a high number of visitors that the DBG began making plans to keep a few of the sculptures as public art. The original goal was to raise $1 million by June 2010 in order to purchase the towers and create an endowment fund to provide for any future maintenance they would require. As of the end of May, the DBG has received more than $553,000 toward reaching this goal, and Chihuly Studios has graciously extended the timeframe for the towers’ purchase.

The garden is asking the public to join its community in a final push toward meeting this objective and securing the future of the “Desert Towers” as a Phoenix landmark and unique expression of the beauty found in our Sonoran landscape. Gifts and donations may be made online here.

Image by Alex Smith

Blinging rocks on your fingers? Or a discreet little signets on your toes? There’s no doubt that jewelry should reflect your personality but even with so much choice out there, it does at times feel like it’s all just the same. Step forward Swarovski Crystallized. Spend an hour here, which will soon become an afternoon, and quite simply you can design your own crystal creations.

Choose a simple bracelet or necklace and go from there. Pair your solid bangle or delicate chain with a crystal charms, add another (or ten maybe?) to go as mad or as muted as you wish. Teardrop, butterfly and heart jewels, horseshoe and festively themed charms; whatever your style, pick out bright trinkets from Swarovski’s iconic, rainbow-colored selection of gems.

There are more than 2,000 jewel designs to choose from and so you may want to take a break in the elegant café upstairs to refresh your imagination. As luxurious and as sparkling as you would expect from Swarovski, both store and lounge are chic and modern with helpful staff to inspire you to get your designer potential flowing. Relax, have a coffee, and then get back to work. Hopefully it will all become crystal clear.

After you are happy with what you have created, leave it to be custom built, ready for you to pick up from the store or sent to your home. However, if you don’t have the time to join the creative ranks of Alexa Chung and Lindsay Lohan in designing your own, you can always take a look at Crystallized’s ready-to-wear pieces.

24 Great Marlborough St., Soho, London W1F 7HU, 020 7434 3444

Weather forecasters are already predicting that Las Vegas will hit triple digits by the end of the week, so you need to stake out a cool place to hang out and drink cold beverages. That means Rhumbar at the Mirage. The sexy lounge decked out in a mojito motif serves up more than 40 rums behind the bar and 50 specialty cigars stashed in the humidor.

This indoor-outdoor venue worthy of Ernest Hemingway sits near the Mirage’s volcano, which erupts with fireballs shooting in the air and lava flowing over three acres every hour on the hour. When the earth isn’t moving, Rhumbar’s 20-foot glass walls with their abstract mint leaves and white marble bar offer a calm respite from the heat. Try the 1944 Mai Tai, the Latin Manhattan and the Samba Swizzle with a candied ginger garnish. Or if you’re on the go, walk up to the frozen daiquiri bar for a cool drink to take.

During the week, Rhumbar offers Summer Nights out on the 3,000-square-foot patio. Mondays bring Pink Sugar Jam, a mix of percussion-inspired bears from resident deejay Rodney with guest appearances from performers on the Strip. Tuesday bring Jazz Under the Starz on the patio. Bubble Wednesdays offers Champagne specialty drinks and stylish giveaways. Puff ‘n’ Pulse Thursdays brings reggae music from Bonafide, specialty hookahs and hand-rolled cigars.

Cigar aficionados will find customized cocktail and rum pairings to balance out those tobacco aromas. Hookahs come in a menu of bold flavors ranging from sangria and mint to pomegranate.

Be sure to check out the 15 Jeff Koons-inspired chrome sculptures of fighting cocks encased in glass on the wall above you.

Rhumbar is open from 11 a.m. until midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, call 702.792.7615, or visit www. RhumbarLV.com.

The newly constructed home comes with an open door policy, picture glass walls of the main living area slide open to welcome the fresh sea air flowing from ocean side gunite pool and spa through to interior landscaped courtyard and guest wing. An al fresco living experience at its best. Stairs lead down to a private beach with some of the county’s best surfing and fishing. The house was built to the highest standards and every detail was custom designed. A true modern marvel!

Offered @ $13,900,000

Contact Ursula Reimann @ 631.827.0240 or Ursula.Reimann@sothebyshomes.com. Or visit www.sothebyshomes.com.

The attached apartment with 1 bedroom & 1 bathroom, kitchen and living area. The home has garage and parking for 5 vehicles.

Offered @ $5,800,000

Contact Joseph Trabaccone@ 435.640.6003 or Joe@DeerValleyProperties.com. Or visit www.DeerValleyProperties.com.

Grandeur is found in this sprawling Boca Raton estate perched on over an acre. The exterior is defined by a covered loggia with a fireplace and summer kitchen, an infinity-edged pool and spillover spa. Exquisite Old World styling with thoroughly contemporary features define a stunning Mediterranean-style estate comprising 15,469+/- total square feet in Boca Raton, with 7 bedrooms and 8 full baths, including a carriage house. The formal living room is graced by a baronial fireplace and a wall of French doors leading to the pool and patio. Custom furniture-grade cabinetry adorns the chef’s kitchen, with a center island and professional-grade appliances overlooking a family room and breakfast area. The grand master suite is found through a private double-door vestibule with two oversized walk-in closets and his and her marble baths. Six additional bedrooms offer en-suite baths, while a formal dining room with Venetian plaster ceiling; a state-of-the-art theater, an office and library complete this magnificent residence.

Offered @ $4,950,000

Contact Alex Curcio @ 561.910.3576. Or visit www.premierestateproperties.com.

Featuring 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, formal family and dining rooms all designed around spacious entertaining areas with indoor/ outdoor flow. Upstairs master suite with large baths, huge deck and firepit. Paddle tennis court/sports court. Walking distance to California Incline, shops and restaurants.

Offered @ $7,900,000

Contact Jeff Hyland @ 310.278.3311 or jeff@hiltonhyland.com. Or visit www.hiltonhyland.com.

What a weekend for the nightclub scene in Las Vegas. Surrender, the newest nightclub to hit The Strip, opened Friday night at Encore Las Vegas with more than 2,000 revelers breaking in the new digs. Friday night kicked off with resident deejay Steve Aoki, Surrender’s musical director, spinning the tunes and Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher in the house and kept going Saturday when Grammy Award-winning superstar and Vegas native Ne-Yo performed for 20 minutes.

During his first song, “Miss Independent,” Ne-Yo grabbed socialite Paris Hilton from the audience and brought her onto the stage to dance with him. Ne-Yo went on to sing his hits “Sexy Love,” “Closer” and a new song, “Beautiful Monster,” from his upcoming album, his first live performance of the tune. Ne-Yo then headed to his second-story cabana, where he drank Grey Goose and Red Bull with an entourage of more than a dozen friends.

Hilton showed up just before Ne-Yo’s performance at 12:45 a.m. She donned a black and gold dress with a gold headband. Hilton held court at a patio table at Surrender until 2 a.m. Also at Surrender on Saturday was UFC president Dana White, who showed up after UFC 114, where Rashad Evans defeated Quinton Jackson at the MGM Grand Garden Arena earlier in the night.

Tonight, LMFAO performs at the club.

The 5,000-square-foot nightclub gets bigger when the doors open to the surrounding outdoor Encore Beach Club to fit 2,600 in the club one time. Inside the club is decorated with bright yellow tufted leather banquettes, rich brunt orange silk drapery, espresso hardwood and stainless steel floors and leopard carpets. Get comfortable on one of the 24 seating areas inside Surrender. Bottle service starts at $450, and opening weekend called for 2,000 bottles of champagne and 4,000 bottles of vodka on hand. Make a big impression by ordering the $50,000 six-liter bottle of Cristal champagne.

The club is open from 10 p.m. until the party ends every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 702.770.7300.

Photos by Erik Kabik/RETNA