Leading luxury brands are to showcase their latest finery at Salon Privé London on 20-22 April 2023 at the exclusive Royal Hospital Chelsea – with UK product debuts including an exclusive new Montblanc collection of timepieces on display just weeks after its world debut in Geneva. The season-opening spectacle is one of just a handful of trophy events approved at the fittingly-elite Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds.
The world-class luxury brands are a unique draw to Salon Privé London guests, lining up alongside a series of cutting-edge automobiles making their UK debuts, plus the unique Concours de Vente gathering of 75 collectable classics priced from £250,000 to well over £1 million – all of which are available to buy.
Synonymous with excellence in craftsmanship and design, Montblanc has been pushing the boundaries of innovation ever since the Maison first revolutionized the culture of writing in 1906. This innovative spirit is also prevalent in the Maison’s watchmaking history, which started in 1858. The Montblanc 1858 8000 Capsule collection, pays tribute to the brand’s rich watchmaking heritage and is described as a timepiece tribute to the world’s 14 highest peaks and the alpinists who scaled them. All four models join the Maison’s series of ‘Zero Oxygen’ timepieces, boasting features for explorers in harsh environments – including zero oxygen inside the case to eliminate fogging and stop the movement oxidising. Each of the ‘Eight Thousanders’ also has a Sfumato-effect dark grey glacier pattern dial, replicating the colour of rock and ice at 8,000 metres, and orange touches that reference the details on mountaineering outfits and equipment so they are visible against snow and ice.
The Montblanc 1958 Iced Sea Collection, also gains a new dark grey dial colour, and this too will be displayed at Salon Privé London and in the UK for the first time. The colour is inspired by the Mer de Glace, a valley glacier located on the northern slopes of the Mont Blanc massif. Creating the glacier dials involves a special technique called gratté-boisé as the base, giving a striking sense of depth and luminosity. It comes in a 41mm stainless steel case with a caseback featuring a 3D engraving of an iceberg and a black scuba diver.
Famous family-run jewellery house Boodles was established more than two centuries ago and boasts an illustrious reputation for innovative design and quality craftsmanship. Epitomising the ‘best of British,’ notable creations include the silver stand for Queen Elizabeth II’s 1947 wedding cake. Salon Privé London visitors to Boodles are encouraged to try on its famous Raindance ring – which is in the V&A Museum as an icon of British jewellery design.
New life has been breathed into Norton Motorcycles and the famous brand will be showing the latest models from its revival, focused on the reborn Commando 961. The legendary marque’s racing history is celebrated by the V4SV, resplendent in full carbon fibre bodywork with aerospace-grade billet aluminium frame, while the upcoming, stripped-back VC4R will also be teased to Salon Privé London visitors.
Krazy Horse motorcycles will exhibit both the latest Indian Motorcycle models and exclusive one-off bikes from the Krazy Horse Custom collection. Salon Privé London visitors will even be able to configure their own dream Indian Motorcycle at Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Ventura is a specialist in classic Riva boats, not only helping sales and brokerage, but also helping buyers find particular models. It is the exclusive UK dealer for Ferretti Group brands, which include Riva, Pershing, Ferretti Yachts, Itama, Mochi Craft, Custom Line and Wally. Royal Hospital Chelsea’s Thameside location is the perfect location for this expert yacht broker.
Andrews Boathouses restores and revives the glorious Andrews slipper launches built from the 1930s to the 1970s. Synonymous with lazy days on the Thames, they perfectly complement the Salon Privé lifestyle – particularly as each handcrafted boat is restored to ‘concours standard’ with features including Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers and fold-away Champagne flute holders.
Leading UK helicopter provider Sloane Helicopters has more than half a century of heritage and has been the sole UK and Ireland distributor for VIP Agusta helicopters for nearly 30 years. It has also sold more than 500 new Robinson helicopters, offers authorised support and maintenance from four bases, and even operates a renowned flying school from Sywell Aerodrome. Salon Privé London will be the perfect introduction for those looking to take to the skies.
Suns Lifestyle brings luxury outdoors with a range of premium aluminium louvered pergolas and complementary lounge and dining collections. Designed to be used all year round, the Suns Lifestyle team will demonstrate the amount of personalisation on offer, so Salon Privé London visitors can create genuine extensions of their home.
One-of-a-kind sculpture and furniture from Lord & Lama will include the latest private collection from the suppliers to private clients, collectors, and interior designers, titled ‘Prehistoric.’ It sees fossilised wood expertly crafted into breathtaking home furnishings.
Vibrant artist Anna-Louise Felstead is a well-known name from the classic car world, and the graduate from Central Saint Matins and the Royal College of Art has been capturing scenes from classic car events for more than 15 years. Described as a reportage artist, her work has been featured in motorsport magazines including Octane – and she is also known for her distinctive ‘naughty’ car scenes!
Salon Privé London is one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events and the sister event to the globally renowned Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace which is now in its 18th year.
Located in the heart of affluent Chelsea, Salon Privé London attracts a younger audience with a high disposable income; the inaugural event proved to be a huge success with an audience focused on those within the South East and home counties.
Set to be the capital’s most exclusive automotive party, Salon Privé London offers plenty to see and do in addition to the motoring attractions. There will be a luxury shopping village featuring brands such as high-end British Jewellery designer Boodles, and watches from famed luxury brand, Montblanc.
Food and hospitality will also be first class, in the famed Salon Privé tradition, with a three-course luncheon, delicious Pommery Champagne, cocktails from the London Essence Co and fine wines from Chateau La Gordonne.
Further highlights include Friday’s Boodles Ladies’ Day, fun for all the family during Saturday at Salon Privé, plus exclusive VIP hospitality at The Sloane and DJs keeping the party going well into the evening on Thursday and Friday.
Organisers are still able to consider late entries for the Concours de Vente, too: interested dealers are advised to contact Nick Wilkes on nickw@salonpriveconcours.com. He’s on + 44 (0) 7795 213 361.