When price is no object, experience, personalization, and rarity are among the only things that can make a gift feel like a true treat. For all the billionaires on your list, here are 10 ideas that will thrill ego and titillate the senses. (Editor’s note: It always helps if you, the buyer, are a billionaire, too.)
A Meal At Every Three Michelin Star Restaurant
Only 109 restaurants in the world have three coveted Michelin stars, and luxury purveyor VeryFirstTo, along with tour company Holidaysplease, will get you to all of them in half a year’s time. The flights will be business class and hotel stays will be in such places as the Conrad in Tokyo and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. But the real star of the show will be restaurants like London’s The Fat Duck, Arzak in Spain’s Basque region, Alain Ducasse in Monaco, and Per Se in New York. Cholesterol specialist, sadly, not included.
Price: $274,983, which includes a donation to the Prince’s Trust charity
A 1962 Aston Martin DB4/GT
Considered by many to be legendary designer Carrozzeria Zagato’s greatest work, the DB4/GT was unveiled at the 1960 London Motor Show. This particular car, which will be sold through RM Sotheby’s “Driven by Disruption” sale in New York on Dec. 10, was owned by a racing enthusiast who used it to win races in 1962 and 1963. Kept safely in storage for over 20 years, it re-emerged to win best in class at several concours events, including Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach. (That's why it's so expensive.) There are only 19 DB4/GTs with coachwork by Zagato, so this is a truly rare opportunity with serious bragging rights.
Price: Estimated to sell for $15,000,000 to $17,000,000
The First Omega Speedmaster
Certain watches are for certain people. Some guys are Rolex guys. (OK, a lot of guys are Rolex guys.) Some women are Cartier women, and that’s that. And if you’re an Omega person, chances are you love the Speedmaster—the wristwatch of choice for NASA. On December 15, Christie’s is holding a sale of 50 watches that constitute an excellent survey of the 60-year history of the Speedmaster. One of the stars of the sale is a ref. 2915-1 Speedmaster, the first of its kind. Only a few hundred were ever made, and it’s surprisingly difficult to find one in such good condition.
Price: Estimated to sell for $100,000 to $150,000
Hang Out At The Edge Of Space
The Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalogue is one of the great holiday traditions in luxury—providing gift inspiration and one- of-a-kind goods and experiences every year. For 2015, one of the gems is a two-part adventure: First, your billionaire will tour Biosphere 2 and help do a test launch of “World View,” which is a high altitude balloon that will soon be taking commercial trips to 100,000 feet above the earth. Then, in 2017, your recipient will take a trip above. A guest at that height will enjoy 360-degree views of earth ordinarily afforded only to astronauts and angels.
Price: $90,000, which includes a donation to the Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation.
A 1978 Luke Skywalker Action Figure
Say your billionaire loves the Star Wars series. He already bought tickets to The Force Awakens. Until then, he’s indulging in a viewing marathon every weekend in his private screening room/Mos Eisley Cantina. Once, he won a night at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch during a charity auction. Even he probably doesn’t have one of the very few 1978 first edition Luke Skywalker action figures with the double telescoping light saber.Only about 20 with this rare feature exist , according to Sotheby’s, which is auctioning off hundreds of pieces of Star Wars memorabilia on Dec. 11. They’re all part of the collection of mega-fan and Japanese designer Nigo, and the group includes collectible coins, cards, action figures, and even helmets and weaponry.
Price: Estimated to sell for $12,000 to $18,000
A Hand-Painted Dress By Holly Fowler
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s famous Costume Institute Gala, socialite and philanthropist Samantha Boardman wore a one-of-a-kind dress that turned heads. It was green silk, with what looked like gold and turquoise embroidery. On closer inspection, it became clear to admirers that the designs were painted. The luxurious trompe l’oeil look is the signature of Brooklyn-based gown designer Holly Fowler, an alumna of such brands as Chloe and Louis Vuitton. Having been spotted by Voguetastemaker Lauren Santo Domingo, Holly’s works are now highly sought-after. She’ll work with private clients to determine the perfect fit and look for their special pieces, a throwback to an earlier era of dressmaking.
Price: Upon request
Marc Newson 'Extruded Table 3'
A billionaire who collects fine contemporary art had better get with the program and start collecting furniture to match. This table by top designer Marc Newson is made of incredibly smooth, striated Italian marble. Newson produced it, one of only 10 that exist, for the Gagosian Gallery. One would look just perfect under that Rothko your billionaire just bought—but you'd best avoid placing your wine glass on it while you admire the art.
Price: $100,000 to $150,000
