BHUPINDAR SINGH, THE most famous maharajah of Patiala, was an extraordinary man. Towering above all others at just over two metres, he married five times, had numerous concubines, and fathered a grand total of 88 children. Known for his insatiable appetite for luxury – he was the first man in India to own a private airplane and had an entire fleet of Rolls-Royce motorcars at his disposal – the maharajah was also famous for his immoderate taste for jewellery.
He paid regular visits to the best jewellers on Place Vendôme in Paris, with servants in tow carrying trunks full of diamonds and gemstones, requesting to transform these fabulous jewels into magnificent showpieces befitting his status and stature. These special orders by the maharajah always stirred up lots of excitement around the square. His biggest commission took place in August 1928 – two years after the legendary Patiala necklace was made – but this time he had walked into the house of Boucheron instead.
Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Celebrating Traditions
Celebrations: Tradition Reimagined sees the Commune flagship showroom furnished with local artist Goh Beng Kwan's new collage works evoking the zeitgeist of the Lunar New Year.
Resilient In The Extreme
Here’s how some architects are tackling the challenges of climate change.
Building Blocks
CEO of retail investment start-up BigFundr, Quah Kay Beng, on starting small and thinking big.
Food For Thought
Didi Gan, co-founder and managing director of biosciences start-up N&E Innovations, on staying the course and making a real impact in the sustainability industry.
The Woman Behind the Hermès Man
For 36 years, Véronique Nichanian has supplied the exacting creative vision for the storied French house's menswear. Her secret: navigating the space between fashion and style.
All Dressed Up, Everywhere To Go
Drawer the Daytona—a small, slim dress watch is the discerning wristwear of the moment.
Jewel In The Crown
Bvlgari’s Lvcea watch looks more radiant and sensual since its debut over a decade ago.
Deeply Committed
More than a year after the Titan disaster, interest in deep-sea submersibles hasn't just returned-it has flourished.
First Class On Four Wheels
Recline in an oasis of relaxation or have a private business meeting on the go—the four-seater LM 500h from Lexus ticks all the boxes.
Making Waves
Noam Bounekala, a 27-year-old upstart hotelier, turned a business-school idea into an impressive network of private villas. Next up? A Michelin star.
