From fashion statements to state-of-the-art functionality, watches are one of the hottest accessories of the year. Luxury timepieces make an instant impression and, in some cases, can even save boaters' lives!

Imagine if you could take your family or a big group of friends to a private vacation villa in, say, Marbella, Miami or St. Tropez. The villa is perfectly located for privacy but still central to the beach, buzzed about new restaurants and any sights you might want to meander through on a lazy afternoon. It is outfitted with a pool, billiard room, home theater, chef's kitchen, fitness center and amenities like WiFi, Godiva chocolates for munching, a full library of DVDs and the plushest robes youll find outside a Four Seasons. And, most impossibly, there is a staff of concierges, housekeepers, cooks and other good time facilitators on standby, ready to address your whims on a moments? notice.

The Harley Davidson Street Rod is a sturdy, righteous motorcycle aimed at bike lovers eyeballing those submarine-sized cruisers in the window of their local Harley shop, but who don't feel like negotiating all that tonnage. It?s a cruiser to be sure, but smaller and sportier than the usual hog, and you can corner, turn around, back up and dodge potholes as though riding a Sportster. Also, unlike the teeth-chattering rides Harleys were previously known for, the Street Rod provides a smooth-as-butter experience, with a snorting, guttural engine to match.

Hop behind the wheel, turn the key, rev the engine, throw it into first and you?re immediately reminded of why Porsche remains the ultimate jewel in the crown of sports car lovers. You don't drive the Carrera so much as wear it like a finely tailored suit. The crest on the steering wheel seems to smile up at you and whisper 'faster, faster, faster'. And faster you go as you cruise, turn, downshift, accelerate and watch the needle inch further to the right.

The place is being developed faster than you can say 'conch fritter', though, and the assortment of inns, resorts, hotels and other places to hang hat and anchor can be a challenge to negotiate. Here we profile four hotels of disparate flavors, each catering to a particular type of traveler.

Mohonk is many things at once; an historic castle perched on the summit of a glorious mountain, with luxurious, TV-less rooms, tall ceilings, acres of wood, and lounges with stately libraries. But it's also a retreat where silence gently shakes the horns, crowds and work concerns out of your ears. Your days are packed full of activities if that's your preference; skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are all on the complimentary docket for winter; for spring, boating on the crystal-clear lake, hiking along miles-long trails, tennis and other recreation is available free with your room price. Or you can do nothing at all.

Tech gadgets and your lifestyle

The A8 L W12 is one of the finest automobiles Audi has ever produced, second only to stratosphere sedans like Bentley in styling, smoothness of ride, and power. Upscale? Please. There?s even an optional $1000 fridge in the back seat in the pass-through. As we cruised down the streets of Manhattan, folks treated us (well, the car, anyway) like the hunk o' class we were with looks, whistles, and comments. Acceleration is fierce, braking efficient, and cornering is phenomenal, especially considering this is a full-size, four-door sedan.

Everything But Water is your one-stop shop. We accommodate sizes 2-24, Maternity, Mastectomy, Long Torso, Cup-size separates, Cover-ups, Sandals and Sunglasses. Head to toe Everything But Water has you covered. Everything But Water?s trained certified fit specialists will help you find the perfect swimwear wardrobe.

Back in 1957, US scientists tracking the first Russian satellite, Sputnik, noticed that they could use the Doppler effect to work out exactly how far away it was. Since they knew where they were they could use that information to work out where the satellite was, and from there it?s a small step to realizing that if you know where the satellite is then you can work out where you are. It wasn?t until 1978 that the US launched the first experimental Earth-positioning satellite, and it was 1993 before the array of 24 satellites, which were needed for accuracy and global coverage, were ready for use. Now, in 2006, we can finally use this multibillion-dollar plethora of technology to calculate how far we jogged this morning and the best route to the liquor store, with the US government spending $400 million a year to keep our jogging records accurate!

'Twenty-five gallons of orange juice? Delivered by when? 5:00pm today? Um...sure, I can take care of that for you...click.' I wasn't one month into my job as a personal concierge before I had received what seemed like an impossible, if not bizarre, task.

The only gem created by a living animal, pearls have been a sign of classic good taste and beauty for more than 4,000 years. For more than 100 years, Mikimoto has duplicated the natural process, and become the world's leading producer of cultured pearls. Here, Mikimoto's Robert Artelt, shares with YV&C readers some of the company's newest designs, and offers advice on what to look for when purchasing pearl jewelry.

Bentley Motors has announced the introduction of the Continental GTC. The new luxury 2+2 convertible completes the Bentley Continental model range following the introduction of the highly successful Continental GT in 2003 and four-door Continental Flying Spur earlier this year. The new Continental GTC goes on sale in late 2006.

Designed for speed as well as style enthusiasts, The Arnage R?s a sweet pleasure to drive, look at and be seen in. You can wear pajamas as you arrive at any function and people will still treat you as though you were royalty.

Selecting the right linens is an emotional as well as a tactile experience. Here, a guide to the finest linens in the world and the criteria used to evaluate them. Yves Delorme is the leader of the pack with over 150 years of established quality and excellence, followed by Frette in 1860, and Sferra Bros. in 1898. All have established a reputation for quality and excellence through the use of the finest natural fibers and craftsmanship available. Suppliers of luxurious linens to royalty and the most affluent in the world, these companies set a standard – and pretty stiff competition – for those that would follow. Then along came Anichini. An American-owned business, Anichini is run by Susan Dollenmaier, the CEO and founder. She is a designer with a knowledge and sensibility for the quality and elegance required to compete with the big boys. Old-world craftsmanship, with the charm of classic lines, modern style, and robust colors, has put Anichini on the map. After 20 years, Anichini has also established a reputation for supplying luxury linens to yachts and private aircraft, modern-day royalty, and A-list celebrities.