DMC Does Olssons Lambo

Weve written about Swedish ski superstar Jon Olssons winter sports-adapted Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce in the past. Recently he traded it in for a new Aventador, but hes still awaiting delivery. Meanwhile hes making do with a Gallardo which was just given an upgrade by German luxury tuner DMC has transformed his Gallarado into an official Ski Transporter. Olsson, master of the double flip with nine Winter X-Games medals to his credit, now runs his own competition, the Jon Olsson Super Sessions, so he needs a stylish ride to tackle events in.

Using a basic Gallardo of the first generation as a base car, DMC brought in their signature GT3 front to give it a more aggressive look. The front diffuser also helps by adding downforce to the front-axle. Of course the components are made of carbon fibre, DMCs favorite material. The rear of the car was transformed by using OEM components: A brand new rear-deck lid, new lights with LED elements and a new bumper along with the brand new rear diffuser. Add acamo wrap job from Autostripe and a 255 km/h-approved carrier on top and youve got one hell of a ski rack.

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Worlds most expensive Nappy Cream Carrier

Slightly unusual we know, but Sudocrem, the Nations favourite nappy rash cream, sure know how to celebrate their 80th birthday. The brand recently commissioned jewellery designer to the stars, Theo Fennell, to make them a unique one off piece of jewellery that they could auction off to raise funds for the NSPCC.

The exquisitely crafted 10,000 charm bracelet has been created from white gold and is encrusted with 24 rubies. The one of a kind piece, which looks like a mini Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream tub, took craftsmen in Theos South Kensington workshop three months to create.

Theo said: I loved the idea of designing something for Sudocrem which appealed to the big baby in me. I hope it raises a huge amount for the NSPCC.

Glam mums can bid for the item by visiting Ebay for Charity in the first week of December!

Theo with baby Suuki.

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Chocolate Festival at Jade Mountain Resort

The Jade Mountain Resort will be having its annual chocolate festival December 9th 12th, 2011, and it is sure to be a unique and exciting event. If youre a chocolate lover who is curious about understanding and experiencing the alchemy of chocolate, then this festival is absolutely for you. Cacao has a history in St. Lucia dating back to the 1700s, and this resort has over 1000 cacao trees, which have been the source for harvesting cacao beans for generations. Make a reservation at the Jade Mountain Resort and be one of the first to taste their premiere vintage chocolate.

SPOTTED: Vice President Joe Biden Wearing a New Vulcain Cricket

If you read HODINKEE, you might know that Vulcain has a rich history of having the companys Cricket watches worn by Presidents and Vice Presidents. Take this special Cricket, for instance.

The historic connection between the Vulcain Cricket and the White House has only gotten stronger now that Vice President Joe Biden has been spotted wearing a Vulcain Cricket the last few days. You can see him clearly wearing what looks to be the 50s Presidents Watch Automatic Steel in this White House weekly address video on Saturday, November 5. The watch appears to be bright stainless steel, has the familiar position of the alarm pusher in relation to the crown, looks to be on a same dark alligator strap with curved ends, appears to have a flat sapphire crystal, seems to have larger dimensions (42mm) than the vintage non-Nautical Crickets, appears to have the minute markings for ease of alarm setting around the edge of the dial, and with further close photographic analysis appears to have the date by the 6 oclock position, all signature elements of the 50s Presidents Watch Automatic Steel. It is availableat Tourneau for $11,650.

A loyal reader alerted me that she saw Vice President Biden attending Mass at St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington, DC yesterday (November 8, 2011) and heard the alarm of his Cricket go off, which triggeredthis familiar sound.

Perhaps Biden is just trying to become a bit more presidential in anticipation of a run in 2016, which he has not ruled out.

(Thanks for the tip, Christine!)

You're Invited: Salon QP Watch Exhibition In London, This Week

Salon QP is back! Later this week over in the motherland, the public will be welcomed into what is becoming one of our favorite annual gatherings of watch lovers, Salon QP. Here you will get to see the latest offerings from some of the largest and most interesting watch companies on earth. Tickets are available here, and below is a full list of exhibitors. Hope to see you there!

BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST Dive Watch

Heres a new and very well-specd dive watch from BALL, the DeepQUEST. The DeepQUEST has a water-resistance rating of 3,000 meters, setting it apart from your typical field of dive watches. In fact over the last year or so the Hublot Oceanographic 4000 is the only other timepiece that I can think of in this ultra-deep dive rating category, so kudos to BALL on this release. The 3,000 meter water resistance is achieved largely through a monoblock case construction. This means that the entire case was milled from single block of metal, in this case titanium, thus minimizing possible weak points that could compromise the timepieces water integrity at great depths. Enhanced crown seals are also used as this is perhaps the most vulnerable point for a watch with this depth rating. The sapphire crystal is also a very hefty 5.3mm thick.

Technical elements aside, I really like the clean dial and simple functionality of the watch. BALL keeps the look simple and functional with a simple 3-hand layout (hours, minutes, second), which allows the watch to stand and be recognized on the merits of its impressive 3,000 meter depth rating rather than diluting its appeal with additional functions and a busy dial. This said, you can see that there is a small date window on the watch, and while this is a feature which I would have preferred not to see on the dial, it does not detract from the overall aesthetic by much. I also appreciate that this watch has a 43mm case size (16mm thick), a very wearable size. Black and silver dial variants are offered. Priced near $4,500, a lot of watch for your money. All in all, a very nice dive watch with nice design and impressive technical specs that results in a very attractive piece.

BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST Dive Watch

43mm monoblock titanium case (16mm thick), ! automati c mechanical movement (ETA 2892, COSC), tapered titanium + stainless steel bracelet with extension system or rubber strap with pin buckle

Of coures this watch would not be complete without BALLs signature tritium gas tubes to light up the dial and bezel like a Christmas tree!

I would add that this piece features a rotating bezel that is equipped with a BALLs new patented setting system (SafetyDIVE) that allows the diver to count down with a half-minute precision its immersion time. Exactly how this functionality works is not obvious to me but Id guess it has something to do with the second set of hash marks on the lower-left bezel quadrant.

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FOUND: A Complicated Patek Philippe The World Never Knew Existed

In the coming week of big sales from Antiquorum, Sothebys, and Christie's, this is perhaps this watch that has garnered the most attention. It is not the watch with the highest estimate - that title belongs to the platinum Patek 1579 we showed you here. The thing is, vintage watches are all about discovery, and new truths are being uncovered all the time.

For instance, it was commonly held that Patek Philippe's seminal perpetual calendar reference 3448 was primarily housed in yellow gold, with a few examples in white gold, and one or two in platinum. There was a rumor going around in Patek circles that two examples of the 3448 was made in rose gold, but it was dismissed as hearsay.

Until Christie's found this watch in the dark corners of a collector's safe.

What we have here is a Patek Philippe Reference 3448 self-winding perpetual calendar in red gold, the only example ever to be found in the world. On top of the rarity, this watch is in completely original condition and even comes with the original presentation box and certificate. Add to this is an original signature by Freccero, in itself a valuable trait on a watch such as this, and you have one very serious timepiece.

Pre-sale estimates are $553,905 - $1,107,809 (500,000CHF - 1,000,000CHF) and we have no doubt the bidding on what is undoubtedly the first and possibly the only Patek 3448 to be made in red gold will be fast and furious. For more details from Christie's, click here.

Did You Know? The Patek Philippe Ref 3448 was the world's first automatic perpetual calendar.