_Objects of Desire: the luxury collectables wealthy Australians are investing in
Fine wine, luxury watches, cars, jewellery and art were among the best performing luxury assets for the year 2021.
In a very special second edition of Knight Frank's Australian Luxury Investment Index, the index tracked the relative capital value of selected collectable assets such as furniture, coloured diamonds, coins, art, handbags and rare whisky, in addition to fine wine, luxury watches, cars and jewellery over a 12-month and 10-year period.
Image: 'Objects of Desire' event in the Crown Residences Penthouse
To provide a uniquely Australian flavour, the 2021 report ‘Objects of Desire’, which launched at The Penthouse at Crown Residences, One Barangaroo last week draws discerning insight from leading Australian and international experts within these asset classes.
Among them two iconic Australian family-owned brands Penfolds and Paspaley, leading watchmaker Audemars Piguet and luxury automobile maker Rolls-Royce by Motorcars Sydney.
Suspended 245 metres above the sea against the backdrop of Sydney harbour, the double-height penthouse and pinnacle of Crown Residences at One Barangaroo provided the perfect setting for this celebration of Australian investments of passion.
A bespoke menu inspired by each of the luxury items by Crown Sydney was matched to a selection of Penfold’s finest blends by Treasury Wine Estates’ Fine Wine Director, George Samios, who spoke to guests throughout the evening about Penfold’s rich history in winemaking, while enjoying tastings of Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling, 311 Chardonnay, 128 Coonawarra Shiraz, 2019 St Henry Shiraz and RWT 2019 Shiraz.
Showcased throughout The Penthouse was each of the top six asset classes, including prime real estate, with the latest 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost on display at the entrance of the building, courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sydney.
A selection of stunning pieces were on show from luxury jeweler Paspaley, among them pieces Lavalier Noir necklace and earrings, Mejisti necklace, Paradis collier and mother-of-pearl Daisy pendant with Paspaley Creative Director, Christine Salter in attendance, sharing stories of her family’s pearling origins in Western Australia to the design journey that has led to their newest collection, Dive, a tribute to their pearl divers and the intrepid spirit of adventure.
For watch enthusiasts, a very rare line up of 10 Audemars Piguet timepieces were available to guests to experience through luxury watch retailer Swiss Concept. Of these ladies and men's pieces, seven of Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak chronograph and self-winding models were there in stainless steel and rose gold alongside three new 43mm Royal Oak Offshore models from the brand’s Royal Oak Offshore range.
Rounding out this celebration of luxury collectibles was fine art with various pieces featured throughout The Penthouse, curated by Crown Sydney’s Art Consultant Veronika Molnarova. Among these were two abstract paintings produced especially for the event by Melbourne artist Adela Kusur, one of hundreds of artists who contributed to the collection of over 2,000 pieces of artwork housed within Crown Sydney.
Image: painting by Australian artist Adela Kusur
Learn more about the index results and interviews with each luxury brand in the Luxury Investment Index report.