The hits keep coming for everyone’s favorite secret agent: Amidst a flurry of activity celebrating six decades of James Bond, two new editions of 007’s Omega Seamaster have just hit the market.
Each revamped take on the Seamaster adds more than a few distinctive touches to the silhouette’s illustrious history, although the original Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is impressive enough in its own right.
Fittingly, you’ll find options at multiple price points: The striking dark blue Seamaster Diver 300M 60th Anniversary Edition retails for about $7,400.
A decidedly more opulent version featuring natural diamonds (more on this in a moment) will set you back about $140,000.
At least in looks if not in price, the two designs manage to blend a sense of everyday wearability with the iconic history of James Bond.
First up: A razor-sharp anodized aluminum bezel in deep blue plays nicely off a laser-engraved blue wave-texture dial, and the design is a nod to Omega’s first turn as 007’s timepiece provider in 1995’s GoldenEye.
To bridge the gap between decades, the timepiece is outfitted with a vintage-leaning mesh bracelet design favored by Daniel Craig in No Time To Die.
That blue-on-blue design features an homage to another historic James Bond touch: It comes complete with a striped NATO strap, the same switch-up Bond made all the way back in Goldfinger (and yes, Craig sports a striped NATO strap on his Seamaster, too).
Even more impressive is the Canopus gold Seamaster, the sort of luxe watch Bond might wear for dressier occasions than grueling sprints through the field.
The striking, multi-colored watch features a bezel outfitted with yellow and green natural diamonds in a nod to the Jamaican flag and Ian Fleming’s famed island estate.
For good measure, the watch retails for well over $100K, complete with Omega’s luxury caliber 8807 movement.
Bond fans will immediately notice (and likely revel in) the uniquely 007-themed caseback, engraved with the 007 marker and Bond’s seriously cool spinning gun barrel design.
It’s a patent-pending effect animation process designed to replicate the impressive big-screen movement, pushing each timepiece even further into aspirational territory for Bond diehards.
We can’t all dress or travel like James Bond (keep dreaming), but it’s nice to know Omega still delivers wish list-worthy watches for all who aspire to the lifestyle of a secret agent.
Maxim will celebrate the November/December 2022 issue featuring cover star Ava Max with the hottest party of this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach.
On December 3, Maxim will transform Hyde Beach at the SLS South Beach into a chic outdoor lounge for the art world’s most influential trendsetters and fans.
Guests will be treated to an exclusive experience, amazing talent, intoxicating mixology courtesy of event partners 1800 Tequila and Wildlilly, and unique brand activations—all during an an epic evening of unapologetic fun.
Maxim’s 2021 Art Basel Miami Beach bash featured an appearance by Cardi B and offset, as well as custom works by New York-based artist Ryan Keely, who has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, Gary Clark Jr., Westside Gunn, Google, Hermes and more.
For this year’s event, Maxim and Hyde Beach have once again partnered with Keely to display his installations throughout the hotel and create a special piece inspired by Max.
Maxim would like to give special thanks to event partners including Hyde Beach, sbe, MADE, and VIP Nightlife. See all the details below:
Saturday, December 3
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Hyde Beach at SLS South Beach
1701 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33129
9:45 p.m. Carpet Call Time
All media must be credentialed. Interviews will be available on the red carpet only. Media must RSVP in order to attend.
ABOUT MAXIM:
Maxim is a luxury lifestyle brand with a voice that is aspirational and inspirational. Maxim publishes 11 editions distributed in 75 countries. Maxim celebrates the best of the best by covering the most beautiful women in the world, exotic destinations, supercars, as well as self-made business titans and superstar athletes. Check out www.maxim.com and @maximmag on social media.
ABOUT MADE:
For over 20 years, MADE has been the premier name in Los Angeles nightlife entertainment. In a complex industry, MADE has maintained market dominance through a combination of constant evolution. MADE’s event promotions fortify the success of every notable local operator, all while blazing trends with pop-ups, block parties and cultural partnerships. MADE flexes its digital footprint and asset execution with the best, but the company’s distinctive strength rests on a foundation of personal relationships. Before you could swap a handshake out with a tweet, MADE built a vast network of athletes, artists and tastemakers. These bonds flourish over time as top tier patrons follow the brand through years of social trends and events.
ABOUT SLS HOTELS & RESIDENCES:
SLS is the home of an extraordinary experience coupled with a playful ambiance. Culinary artistry, theatrical interiors, subversive design touches and unexpected indulgences are at the heart of every SLS property. Collaborations with leading developers, architects, designers and chefs allow SLS to continue anticipating, innovating and shaping the future of luxury lifestyle living. With seven properties in Beverly Hills, Miami, Bahamas, Cancun, and Dubai, SLS is set to open two additional properties in Puerto Madero, Argentina and Scottsdale by 2023. SLSHotels.com. SLS is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Formed in 2021, Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, which holds a majority shareholding. ennismore.com
ABOUT VIP NIGHTLIFE:
The VIP Nightlife collective launched in 2018. The ambitious production company produces elite events in over 30 major U.S. & Canada markets. VIP Nightlife focuses on high demand holiday events, nightlife, & day life experiences on key holidays: New Year’s Eve, Halloween, Memorial & Labor Day Weekends, and July 4th. Not to mention, It’s most experiential product: yacht parties coined by its unique brand, Pier Pressure®. The VIP Nightlife of Sites including, VIPnightlife.com, ClubZone.com, & PoolParties.com, and 100s of others boast over 10 Million Annual Visitors. The Collective acclimates nearly a million email subscribers, and a half million combined social media followers via: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Which is why, less than 5 years later; VIP Nightlife events stand out amongst the crowd. No one is left second guessing which party to attend when VIP nightlife throws the best events in the city.
ABOUT 1800 TEQUILA:
1800 Tequila, the world’s most awarded tequila and the #1 premium tequila brand in the US, is made with 100% blue Weber agave harvested at its peak in Tequila, Mexico. Named after the year of origin, 1800 Tequila has never wavered from its original formula and distillation process. Now, as the best taste in tequila, 1800 Tequila has reached category leadership through its liquid superiority, deep-rooted Mexican heritage and culture-driving collaborations with musicians and artists. The iconic bottle is also recognized for its trapezoidal shape, reminiscent of the centuries-old Mayan stone pyramids found throughout Mexico. Please visit 1800Tequila.com to learn more about the 1800 Tequila portfolio: Blanco, Coconut, Reposado, Añejo, Cristalino, Milenio, Colección and The Ultimate Margarita. Trademarks owned by JC Master Distribution Limited ©2022 Proximo, Jersey City, NJ. Please drink responsibly.
ABOUT WILDLILLY: Wildlilly is the newest brand under the Blended Estates portfolio, created by sisters Shera and Maxime Kaan-Lilly and founded by New York financier and venture capitalist Keith Glickman. Wildilly was aptly named by combining the sisters’ wild and free spirits with their last name. Already well known as two of South Florida’s premier realtors, Shera and Maxime are no strangers to building a successful business from the ground up. Then came the idea for Wildlilly. They found that they enjoyed drinking their red wines chilled to stay cool in the tropical heat. They soon realized they weren’t the only ones who preferred to chill down reds and that a majority of young and sophisticated consumers were seeking a refreshing alternative to whites and rosés.
Maxim hosted a series of red-hot Halloween parties around the country during Halloween weekend–and we’ve got an exclusive behind-the-scenes recap of the elite events.
In partnership with Capture Studios, Unkommon Events, and VIP Nightlife, Maxim hosted its Second Annual Maxim Halloween Party in Miami featuring a headline performance by music superstar Travis Scott.
More than 2,500 A-list attendees including models, influencers, athletes and celebrities like Flo Rida and Nelly took over the pool area at South Beach’s Fontainebleau hotel for the epic event.
The party also featured headliner DJs, surprise musical acts, go-go dancers, and an exclusive Maxim Model Lounge packed with the world’s hottest models. The event was sponsored by LIV Golf, Rémy Martin, Animal Concerts, and Ariel Jets who brought the heat with sexy installations and one-of-a-kind interactive experiences.
Chase B opened the evening with a musical set teeing up a legendary performance by rapper, singer/songwriter, and producer Scott, who took the stage to deliver an insane performance that ignited the crowd and turned up the heat on the sexiest Halloween party in the country.
The Maxim Halloween event series by Made and VIP Nightlife co-produced several other amazing Halloween events throughout the U.S. Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Austin and Los Angeles all exuded excitement as Maxim held court in each city.
L.A. represented for their second annual Maxim Halloween event. The night brought together beautiful VIP guests enjoying specialty cocktails and great music by DJ Los. Held at the Doheny Room in West Hollywood, this exclusive event was sold out and the energy was electric for those who managed to gain access to the elite event.
In Chicago, Maxim partnered with Bounce Nightclub with special DJ Sets by Kim Lee, Chantel Jeffries, J. Espinosa, DJ Jersey, diablo and Gloupjake, while guests toasted the night away with champagne from Möet & Chandon. Hennessey and Volcan tequila provided the spirits for the spooky holiday spectacular as guests partied well into the night.
The Morrie in Detroit gave attendees a lesson in celebrating Halloween in true Maxim style. Guests competed in a sexy costume contest as Murda Beatz, GloUpJake, Kevin Saunderson and others played to a full house.
In Atlanta at Domaine, T-Pain hosted the Maxim Halloween Costume Contest and Blue Martini’s second anniversary. The night was filled with enthusiastic partygoers, packed from wall to wall until the early hours of the morning.
Guests were treated to special libations from our partner Casamigos tequila. The winner of the costume contest was the beautiful Stephanie Dana.
A very special shout out goes to to Soign Beauty and Miles Models who were representing in Atlanta at this culmination of what was an unforgettable weekend of Halloween events across the country.
You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but Wallis Day can take a punch.
“I’ve had my teeth knocked out. Yeah, we don’t fuck about in London,” says the blue-eyed blonde with cheekbones sharp enough to slice a knuckle.
“In a moment like that you almost don’t feel it, cause you have so much adrenaline and you’re in the moment. But it’s only afterward. It can even be the next day where you’re like, ‘I’m so sore!’”
Trained in boxing, mixed martial arts and Muay Thai, this face of-an-angel can handle a mean right hook.
“I got to a point with MMA where I wanted to explore Wushu and Muay Thai and all the different realms of it. All of that really fascinated me. And watching it and moving, I understood how I could use it for film,” she says. “The stunt team says, ‘Oh, she can do that. So let’s make it a bit more complicated.’ And it looks better on camera.”
How else do you expect her to pull off the fight scenes and dangerous stunts required for roles like Annisia, the titular character’s wicked half-sister in the new Red Sonja, due out next year. It won’t be the first time she plays the bad girl.
Last year she was the villainous Agent Shin in Infinite, opposite Mark Wahlberg. But most know her as the good girl, Kate Kane on CW’s Batwoman, a role she took over from Ruby Rose in the second season. The showrunners told her to forget everything Rose did, do the research and make the part her own. It worked out pretty well for Wallis, who took to school like a duck to wet cement when she was younger.
“I don’t want to get into trouble for it now. But yeah, y’know, there was a fire incident at school,” she says, having attended 11 of them in 12 years. “School wasn’t for me. It felt like I was trying to be molded into a doctor or a lawyer. There wasn’t room for a creative flow. There were a few instances where I got kicked out”—one of them incendiary.
Born and raised in the Ilford section of London, as a child Wallis woke each morning at five to deliver newspapers. On her rounds, someone would inevitably tell her she looked like a model. So one day when she was 13 years old, she did a Google search and found Models 1, a premiere agency in London.
She took four photos of herself hanging out with friends, circled her face and sent them in a letter to the agency. The next day she returned from school to be confronted by her parents. “Who’s Models 1?” they asked.
After she explained, they said, “They want to see you tomorrow for a test shoot.” “I didn’t know at the time, but my whole world changed in that moment,” she gasps.
Still a minor, Wallis was the youngest model at the agency and required a chaperone on her shoots. “When I was 15, I walked onto a photo shoot and they gave me the outfit to wear. And I came out and I was wearing these nipple tassels,” she recalls.
Luckily her mother was chaperoning and pulled her off the shoot. “I remember at the time I was like, ‘Mom, this is so embarrassing!’ Now, obviously, I understand that.”
Not your average profession for a teen, modeling isolated Wallis from both schoolmates and professional peers. “I was kind of thrown into this life where I would be going off to London and shooting with other models who would then invite me to a Vogue magazine party and sneak me in there and I’d have few drinks,” she laughs at the memory.
“I’d be on the last coach back to my parents’ house at one a.m., roll into bed. And the next day I’d roll into school with these shades on. My hair, still kind of done from the night before, a coffee and Vogue under my arm, just walking into class. Now I look back on it and it feels like a real life Hannah Montana, but in the moment, it seemed so normal.”
Her modeling career financed her studies at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and later the Arts Educational Schools in London.
“I fell in love with acting more because it allows so much freedom and movement in front of a screen, creating a character and backstory and bringing that to life. With modeling, it’s somebody else’s vision, someone else’s creative decisions. Essentially I feel like a mannequin for a brand or client rather than I was creating.”
And that’s what she’s been doing ever since school, creating. Coming from Paramount this fall is Sheroes, in which she stars as one of four friends on vacation in Thailand who find themselves in a fight for their lives.
And then there’s Netflix’s Sex/Life, in which she plays Gigi in season two. The schedule is busy for a number of reasons, but the main one is, “I can’t say no to a good time,” she laughs. “I’m young, I’m having fun and I feel very grateful for everything.”
I spent last week in the beautiful city of Mérida, Mexico to explore Yucatán food and watch the unveiling of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The Pollo Pibil cooked in underground pits by the Aldea Xbatún Mayan family was something not to be forgotten, while meeting among the world’s best chefs was truly both a thrill and honor. (Congrats to Virgilio Martinez and his Central restaurant for retaking pole position, the first time since 2016 for Lima’s culinary destination.)
One of the tiny thrills was the party, partly hosted by the superb Tequila Ocho. While there we sipped a couple Blancos, and then were introduced to something even more special: the very limited edition Tequila Ocho Reposado Barrel Select Widow Jane 2022. This rare tequila — only 1,000 cases made — is aged for 8 weeks and 8 days in used bourbon barrels plucked from another of our recent MAXIM Spirit of the Week labels, the Brooklyn-based Widow Jane Distillery.
“This limited edition reposado reflects Ocho’s philosophy on agave-forward tequila by showcasing the terroir of the agave used, while bringing some notes of vanilla, oak and caramel from the Widow Jane barrels to create a pleasant and well-balanced spirit,” explains Carlos Camerena, third generation maestro tequilero at La Alteña Distillery near Arandas, Jalisco. “I am certain it will appeal to the palates of both tequila and whiskey aficionados.”
It’s hard not to be a fan of the love that Camerena pours into his tequila, and Ocho (and the El Tesoro lable as well) are the jewels of his work. The single-estate, single-field certified 100% additive-free spirit sources its agaves from Camarena’s own tree-shaded fields.
There he allows many agaves to fully mature to pollinate and help preserve the endangered bat population, critical to the livelihood of the agave azul which the entire region depends upon.
Sadly, it’s a rare practice in Jalisco as you lose those agaves once the quiotes grow — but Camarena insists upon it. Tequila Ocho’s agave-forward tequila earns subtle notes of caramel and baking spice from the Widow Jane bourbon barrels to its chocolate and citrus profile, making for a rare tequila worth seeking (45.5% ABV). $129
Follow Contributing Spirits Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.
This week chefs and restaurateurs from across the Americas gathered in the historic city of Mérida, the state capital of Yucatan, to celebrate the announcement of Best Restaurants of Latin America for 2022 by culinary media company William Reed.
Once the wealthiest city in the hemisphere, Mérida’s colonial grid of cobblestone streets and sunbaked patina make it an ideal locale for the 10th edition of the Latin America festivities.
New 2022 the prestigious list expanded from the Top 50 to revealing gastronomic destinations ranked 51 to 100.
“I think the expansion brings freshness to the list. There’s a lot people there who have been working a lot to receive some kind of recognition, so what the [Top 100] does is it brings a spotlight to these places,” chef Alvaro Clavijo tells me. The young Colombian founded El Chato in his hometown of Bogotá six years ago, and this year was informed his celebrated outpost placed highly in the highly anticipated list.
“In the end I’ve heard a lot of places were struggling, especially since Covid, and now after the list came out they’re fully packed,” he continues with palpable gratitude. Last year El Chato came in ranked at No. 25—but this year, in a couple hours at a red carpet extravaganza, El Chato’s name would be called not only in the Top 10, but No. 5 overall.
“I believe everyone’s a winner, from the first to 100.”
Joining the Latin American contingency are global superstars like Jordi Roca of Girona’s Can Roca, Osteria Francescana’s Massimo Bottura and Dabiz Muñoz, mastermind of Madrid’s three Michelin starred DiverXO—and this year’s acknowledged Best Chef in the World.
Ten restaurants enter the Top 50 for the first time, the highest debut being Fauna. The newcomer from the exploding culinary scene of Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico ranked No. 13, notching the Highest New Entry Award.
Mexico led the way with 12 entries spread across seven cities, followed by Brazil with 10 (including seven from São Paulo). But Peru brought the heavy artillery trailblazing with four entries in the Top 10, retaking the overall crown with Virgilio Martínez and Pía León’s culinary masterpiece Central. (Check out MAXIM’s deep dive into Central, Mayta, Maido and the entire Lima food scene.)
See below for the Top 10, and click here for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Follow Contributing Spirits Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.
