What’s a bigger automotive flex than buying a luxury car to drive around? Plunking down upwards of $300K and never sitting behind the wheel. Enter the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase—the kind of vehicle that’ll make your chauffeur the envy of every other driver on billionaires’ row.
At a preview in London in late February, we had the chance to inspect the new Bentayga up-close. Our first impression: The EWB is going to be an instant must for those hyper-affluent types who either hate driving or just want even more space.
Courtesy Image
The Lap of Luxury
As a “spiritual” replacement to Bentley’s Mulsanne (the brand’s now discontinued, limo-like sedan), the good folks in Crewe have taken their most popular model and stretched it a little over seven inches to give the rear seats more room. The aim here is to create the poshest rear cabin experience found on four wheels.
Customers can choose between two and three rear seats or the optional “airline” configuration that affords passengers an experience akin to flying in a private jet—with which we are sure much of the brand’s clientele is familiar.
Courtesy Image
These seats feature 22-way adjustment, and recline to 40 degrees in relax mode. A foot rest emerges from the passenger seat for added comfort. The configuration also offer a “business” mode for those who want to get some work done on the go.
Bentley has also incorporated a suite of wellness features which includes technology that detects the temperature of the passenger and the seat’s surface humidity, and then figures out whether it should add heat, ventilation or both to achieve “optimum thermal well-being.” If that weren’t enough (and one with the means can never have enough luxury), the massaging seats also deploy a postural adjustment system that automatically alters the seating position using 177 pressure modifications to minimize the impact of lengthy trips on the body.
Courtesy Image
On the Outside
To the unfamiliar eye, the extra length is barely perceptible as the EWB’s exterior is quite similar to a standard Bentayga, but there are some key differences. The EWB gets a new front grille and polished 22” 10-spoke wheels to help distinguish it from its little sibling.
Luxury is in the Details
From handcrafted wood paneling and inlays, the finest seating surfaces and colors, plus paints that can be matched to nearly any sample one could provide, Bentley offers an almost unfathomable 24 billion trim combinations alone. So buyers should have no problem customizing a highly personalized Bentayga EWB.
The rear seating area features “waterfall illumination” to subtly light the cabin as well as LED lights that shine through perforations in the door panels in a hallmark diamond pattern. It’s the sort of next-level attention to detail that leaves you marveling at both the imagination and the craftsmanship.
Courtesy Image
When the EWB goes on sale (around Q4 of 2022), Bentley will offer two even further elevated specs. The classically styled Azure gets unique 22-inch, ten-spoke wheels, bright lower bumper grilles, as well as Azure embroidery and badging. Rounding out the spec, Bentley has included quilted seats specific to the spec, mood lighting, a heated steering wheel, and an enhanced driver’s assistance package.
The First Edition, which will be available for the first year of production, kicks up the opulence one more notch. This package comes with metal overlays in the veneer, First Edition specific embroidery, inlays and badging, as well as a Naim for the Bentley Premium Audio system (one of the finest we’ve ever experienced)—plus LED welcome lamps.
Courtesy Image
Power and Performance
For a vehicle designed around a lavish passenger experience, the Bentayga EWB can still move. The 542-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission will get the behemoth from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180mph—though going that fast probably diminishes the comfort level. Standard electric all-wheel steering should minimize the impact of the increase in size at both high speeds and when maneuvering in a driveway or parking lot.
Courtesy Image
The Extravagance is the Point
Bentley estimates the EWB will represent 45% of all Bentaygas sold when it hits markets late this year. That’s an incredible amount of demand for a vehicle that has yet to launch, but we have no doubt Bentley understands its customers. They simply want the best.
Pricing has yet to be announced but the Mulsanne it’s replacing had a sticker over $300,000. It’s probably a safe guess the Bentayga EWB will land somewhere in this rather exclusive ballpark. Bottom line: This isn’t a vehicle for regular folks; it’s for the one percent of the one percent.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Luxury watches don’t just tell time. They tell a story, a chronicle of how and why they came to be on your wrist. Was it a cherished gift from a loved one? An impulse buy before taking off on an adventure? A celebration of a realized ambition? Luxury watches, no matter the price, have the power to become a tangible symbol of a memory.
“As well as precisely tracking the minutes of the day, a watch is the perfect way to mark life’s important moments and achievements,” says Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of Omega. “It’s like wearing your best memories. Every glance at the dial recalls an important milestone.”
Celebrating special occasions with luxury watches helps keep memories at the forefront of one’s mind. It’s similar to how scent can transport you back to a time or place.
“Every watch marks something and somewhere for someone,” says Damian Otwinowski, vice president of Watches of Switzerland USA. “Whether you make a choice for someone or yourself, there’s an emotional value attached.”
If you’re shopping for luxury watches for yourself, a friend, or loved one, heed our gifting guide below. We’ve matched a one-of-a-kind timepiece to a pivotal life milestone. Here’s how we’d mark 21 of life’s biggest moments on the wrist.
21 Luxury Watches to Celebrate Every Milestone in a Man’s Life
Swatch SOBLEUCourtesy Image
1. First Watch: Swatch SOBLEU
Watch collecting should be fun. When first-time buyers are ready to get their feet wet, it’s best to keep it light. That’s why we’re going with Swatch.
This SOBLEU version is colorfully eye-catching and easy to read. At 34mm, it looks great on smaller or still-growing wrists. It makes a great gift for a birthday, graduation, or religious rite of passage,
You or someone in your life is gainfully employed for the first time. Nice work. Time to celebrate with something even cooler for clock-watching than your phone. Whether pushing grocery carts or manning a lifeguard stand, a durable watch that’s easy to read is a must.
Nixon’s Base Tide Pro is made from recycled ocean plastics and features a large digital display. It’s water resistant to 100 meters and offers tide info on 550 pre-programed beaches.
Those four years may have felt like an eternity, but (trust us) time is now officially speeding up—and graduation day’s a big deal. Hell, just surviving high school is an accomplishment worthy of dropping a wad of grad loot on a fine mechanical automatic watch.
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf is a cool, colorful piece with rugged, modern construction and vintage style. It’ll serve anyone well, whether matriculating to the Big 10 or going the entrepreneurial route.
Don’t say we didn’t just warn you. Those four college years blurred by at break-neck speed. What’s next? Grad school? An internship? Straight to work? Don’t know yet? The first plan of attack should be lauding the degree with the Weiss Field Watch.
Hand-built in the U.S., it’s powered by a hand-wound mechanical movement. The piece is offered in four dial variations with a multitude of strap options so you can dial in your look regardless of post-grad plans.
We’re movin’ on up! The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is not just a classic, but it also goes with everything. Seriously, wear it everywhere. Sure, we love the Coral Red version like everyone else, but you’re diverging from the crowd, so go silver.
The yellow gold hands and indexes contrast with the silver sunray dial, giving this piece amazing visual texture to be admired with every glance.
Congrats for acing your 20s. Now you’re totally legit. The Omega Speedmaster Professional is a legendary watch with a manually wound movement befitting your new age bracket.
As you take the time to wind it up to face the day, set an intention to tackle the day with the same sense of purpose with which you turn the crown.
Whether the big day is formal black tie or barefoot on the beach, a Cartier Tank fits the bill. It’s a timeless classic and the only dress watch you’ll ever need.
If you’re getting hitched in Hawaiian shirts, may we suggest changing the strap into something a little more colorful?
Even if you just blew all your savings on the down payment, you can still celebrate one of life’s biggest purchases with the Seiko Prospex—a piece with substantial cachet for a modest sum.
The case design, commonly known as the “Samurai,” is one of the brand’s most popular—thanks to its brawny build and 200 meters of water resistance. Featuring a blue dial with a fun wave design, you can marvel upon this model every bit as much as the tax benefits of home ownership.
Entering parenthood yields profound joy and intense gravity. Yep, you’re suddenly responsible for this teeny human now—and for a very, very long time.
Take a deep breath. Now take on this huge life transition with the Rolex Submariner. The Sub is simply iconic and built to stand the test of time. Sure, you’ll be wearing the hell out of it for decades. Then, when the time is right, it’ll become an heirloom for you to pass on.
Caveat: If you give your first-born a Rolex, you’re gonna have to do something equally cool for his or her siblings.
This one can hit hard, but remember age ain’t nothing but a number, and there’s no need for a mid-life crisis quite yet. It might be time to inject a little youthful whimsy back into your watch collection.
Thanks to its white ceramic construction, contemporary style, and skeletonized dial, Zenith’s Defy Classic has a playful panache that can serve as a reminder that 40 is the new 30.
13. 10th Anniversary: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar
A decade of marital bliss earns our sincerest congratulations. Treat yourself to a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar.
This elegant-yet-complicated piece (there’s your working marriage metaphor) provides a triple calendar function, displaying the day of the week, month, and date, as well as a moon phase that sits below the piece’s small second register.
H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Center SecondsCourtesy Image
14. 20th Anniversary: H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Center Seconds
After 20 years, here’s hoping the good times have far exceeded the bad. Even if it’s a coin flip, treat yourself to something far simpler than the intricacies of a two-decade relationship.
H. Moser’s Endeavour Center Seconds is a minimally pristine, time-only watch in white gold with a “Funky Blue fumé” dial that doesn’t beg for your attention but wordlessly captivates it…kind of like enduring love and commitment.
15. 50th Birthday: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein II
At 50, you’re entitled to a bona fide mid-life crisis. If you’ve been eyeballing the Porsche but still want a bit of wrist candy that’ll leave some gas in the bank account, the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein II is easily one of our favorite releases of the year, thanks to its lighthearted design and whimsical use of color.
The watch’s ‘regulator’ layout uses three dials to tell time—for hours, minutes, and seconds, respectively. It roughly retails for your annual insurance premium on a high-performance sports car—after a speeding ticket or two.
16. First Child’s College Graduation: Vacheron Constantin
You’ve raised a helpless infant into a functional adult, a feat worthy of celebration and relief. No more tuition payments, so now you can treat yourself to your first in the trinity of high horology.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is a refined piece without pretension. As the name implies, it keeps impeccable local time while offering the wearer a reference time displayed on a sub-dial at six o’clock.
Congratulations, you’re officially old! This Patek Philippe annual calendar chronograph in platinum is a grail-level piece—perfect for celebrating six spectacular decades on Earth.
Graduated minute scale, applied hour markers, dauphine hands, and a concentric circle motif make the dial a work of art. Turn the watch around and it’s no less stunning. Through a display case back, you can view the beautiful circular dressage finishing on the automatic movement and its 21K gold rotor. There are luxury watches and then there are luxury watches.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra ThinCourtesy Image
18. Retirement: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin
A gold watch at retirement has been a tradition in the U.S. since the 1940s. The convention of companies gifting them to workers is on the wane—so go ahead and pick out this Audemars Piguet for yourself.
The case and bracelet are made of dazzling 18K pink gold—a stunner whether you’re lounging at the club in Boca Raton or Rancho Mirage. In time, if you decide to go back to work, it’ll play equally well as a wonderful post-post-retirement reminder that you love what you do.
Let’s not harp on the number. Let’s just say monitoring your body—specifically your ticker—isn’t a bad idea at this point. The Apple Watch tracks your vitals and can be set up to provide high and low heart rate warnings, as well as detect irregular rhythms. While it can’t actually detect a heart attack, it can help serve as a barometer for heart health.
Get yourself a silicone sport band for workouts, and something more elevated like the magnetic Leather Link or the pictured stainless steel Milanese Loop for dressier affairs.
So, the circle is complete: Your child now has a child of their own. You’ll once again be pushing a playground swing and pretending you’re a horse with a tiny tyke on your back. To mark this chapter, we’d pick an heirloom-quality piece that’s a bit rough and tumble.
The Rolex Explorer II is built for spelunking and Arctic expeditions, so it can handle whatever you, or a toddler, cares to throw at it. Plus, it has a 24-hour hand you can set to use as a reference time if your family doesn’t live nearby. Best of all, the caseback is engravable. When it’s time to pass it down, it’s something they’ll treasure—just like their memories of you.
21. 50th Anniversary: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down
If you’ve been married 50 years, does time even have meaning to you anymore? Joking…we kid because we love! A golden anniversary deserves an equally glitzy commemoration.
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down is one of the most desirable luxury watches any collector can hope to obtain. The in-house, manually wound chronograph has become a gold standard in haute horlogerie. The movement architecture and finishing are so deep and complicated, we can’t help but find their totality a perfect metaphor for being together for a half-century. If you pick one of these up, you should probably grab something for your spouse, too. Then again, after five decades of marriage, you don’t really need our relationship advice, do you?
“Sooner or later everything old is new again.” The Stephen King aphorism is especially true in the world of style. Thus is the case with two-tone watches. But let’s not call it a comeback. After all, they’ve been around for years.
Two-tone or bi-color watches typically feature a steel case with some gold flourishes on the bezel and hands, or the smaller links of a bracelet. It’s a style that exploded in the excesses of the ‘70s and ‘80s. It waned a bit over the past few decades, but with demand at a simmer, brands like Omega and Rolex kept making and selling two-tones to customers who appreciated them.
While customer orders haven’t totally boiled over, today we’re seeing a resurgence of two-tone options. But that has a bit to do with the fact brands are offering more options in general, according to Damian Otwinowski, vice president of Watches of Switzerland USA. “Now there’s more creative freedom in the way collections come together,” he says, which allows brands to experiment more with materials.
Bi-color watches aren’t for everyone. But if you’re ready to take the plunge, here are eight of our favorite two-tone watches right now.
Rolex Sky-DwellerCourtesy Image
1. Rolex Sky-Dweller
Stunning in steel and yellow gold, the Sky-Dweller is currently the most complicated piece Rolex makes. The watch features an annual calendar and allows the wearer to track a second time zone with the off-center 24-hour disk, perfect for travelers on the go.
This limited-edition timepiece features a stainless steel case glitzed up with both an 18K pink-gold bezel and a dial to match. The manual wound, time-only piece is on the larger size with a 46.6 mm width. However, it wears more comfortably thanks to a 33.9 mm lug-to-lug measurement and 7.5mm thickness.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore DiveCourtesy Image
3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Dive
AP flipped the script with this dive watch. The case, unlike most bi-color pieces, is made from 18-carat pink gold, while the bezel is titanium. Served up on a grey rubber strap with a pink gold pin buckle, the watch features an internal dive timer and 300 meters of water resistance.
Yellow gold and stainless steel wrapped around a textured blue dial, this Aquaracer is perfect for anyone who loves classic ‘two-tone’ style. Powered by a rock-solid caliber 5 automatic movement and 300 meters of water resistance, this is a great go-anywhere, do-anything wristwatch.
Watching one of Zenith’s 1/100th of a second chronographs track time is hypnotic, but the experience is made even more beguiling when the movement is cased in titanium and rose gold. The contrast of materials makes the watch a bold statement that wears light on the wrist.
For enthusiasts looking for something a little different, this Omega Seamaster is cased in black ceramic and accented with the brand’s Sedna gold around the bezel, hands, indexes, crown, and helium escape valve. The intense contrast gives the piece a distinctive look, whether you’re swimming under the sea or chipping away at a mountain of work in the office.
For watch-wearers who dig an integrated bracelet with a bi-color flourish, this is a fun and funky piece to add to your collection. The rounded square case combines satin-finished steel with 18-carat rose gold and alternating links in the bracelet for a retro-modern look that beguiles.
This chronograph also functions as a wrist-worn slide rule, making it a classic pilot’s tool watch. This iteration features red gold accents around the bezel, hands, and indexes that catch the light and create a stunning wrist presence, especially at 30,000 feet.
