It is prudent to expect the unexpected when it comes to this year's Big Boys Toys exhibition at Abu Dhabi's Adnec. Exhibitors always bring their boldest, priciest and whackiest vehicles, inventions and curiosities, so this year, we headed down on day one and put together eight of the coolest toys for you to check out this weekend — everything ranging from a giant robot to solid gold sound systems, batmobiles and electric wakeboards.
• Big Boys Toys is on Friday November 19 and Saturday November 20 from noon until 10pm at Adnec. Tickets cost from Dh50 per day. For more information visit www.bigboystoysuae.com
Water Bike
The Schiller S1-C is designed to cycle on water at speeds of up to 11 kilometres per hour. This cool contraption allows riders to “immerse” themselves in nature, literally — whether on fresh water lakes, or rougher coastal seas. Although it folds up to fit in very small spaces, it can hold up to 240kgs — making it a water cycle for two.
It uses inflatable pontoons and a propulsion system that automatically raises itself when the Schiller hits land. The water bike is also fully customisable, with alternative handlebars, pedals and even mounted fishing poles available.
Solid Gold Sound
This system, River’s Tone, was designed and built by technology invented by Michio Sakamoto, the technical director of a large Sony studio complex in Japan in the 1980s. The 60kg system is made of 99.999 per cent solid gold, and adorned with diamonds — making sure it doesn’t just sound good, but looks good too. Its box was created by Kyoto craftsmen and the three-piece set comprises two speakers and an amplifier, to make sure the system sounds as loud as it looks.
It is quite the expensive statement piece, valued at a whopping $US9 million, (Dh33 million) though there is only one of the “Dubai edition” systems in existence.
Those looking for a cheaper piece, however, need look no further than Valorado’s gold-plated electric violin.
Giant Robot
Another curious entry from Valorado, this enormous robot is more decorative than functional. Though one could be forgiven for assuming it is a Transformer, an anime otaku might scold you if you say it out loud. The mech was designed by Kunio Okawara, a legend in the world of anime, who designed mecha for Gundam and Brave Series. He was the first in the industry to be designated a mechanical designer. While it may not fire off lasers at your guests, it should at least capture their attention — given that it is taller than your average man.
Tumbler
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy introduced the world to the Tumbler Batmobile — half sports car, half tank. This replica might not ever see any vigilante action, but it does boast a V8, 5.87 litre Chevrolet Corvette engine. While it is not equipped with a rocket launcher, explosive mines or machine guns, propane tanks do shoot fire out the back.
However, the Dh3 million price tag might put any prospective owner off throttling smashing it around the city anyway.
Wingcopter
The Wingcopter is a cross between a drone and a plane — or as the company calls it, a vertical take-off and landing / hybrid aerial system. It combines the best of both worlds — when used as a copter, the motors work in front and behind the wings; during flight, they are above and beneath the wings. The Wingcopter can travel up to a record-breaking 150 kilometres an hour, and manoeuvre like a fighter jet. There are only 10 of these special edition gold Wingcopters available for US$1 million (Dh3.6 million), though the standard white line of products — which start at $60,000 (Dh221,000) — can be used for a wide range of applications; they are stable enough to use professionally for film, and fast enough to help with fire fighting and delivery.
Bienville Legacy
This 300bhp motorcycle, one of just 12 hand-built by master-craftsman JT Nesbitt, is composed of aerospace-grade materials; titanium, carbon fibre, hand-tooled leather and mahogany details. When it comes to design, Nesbitt is renowned for the outrageous and unexpected. Although it costs a huge $350,000 (Dh1.3 million), this is perhaps a small price to pay for such luxury. It not only boasts a liquid cooled, but also has the world’s first patented leaf-spring suspension, which keeps the engine and rider anchored at the centre of the motorcycle.
Radinn Wakejet Cruise
If you like wakeboarding, you will love the Radinn Wakejet Cruise — an electronic powered wakeboard. Though, you may not love the price, at $23,000 (Dh84,479), the experience is the best of wakeboarding and surfing combined. While you maintain the agility and momentum of wakeboarding, you can ride further out on water.
The electric power system is quiet and eco-efficient, with the device monitoring and balancing every battery cell in real time. It also keeps an eye on heat, and turns itself off if it detects any abnormalities that could cause permanent damage. Its speed is controlled by a waterproof remote, and it has an internal computer system and a mobile app, providing a huge range of options for future developments.
Digger Bike
LJ Miller’s newest custom chopper was built specifically for Big Boys Toys 2015, and is the world’s first to have 30-inch front and rear wheels. When Louwrens, the owner of LJ Miller Engineering who started building custom V8 cars 35 years ago, first requested the frames — he was told it could not be done. However, eventually they built a the one-off frame and front girder forks needed to house the enormous wheels. The $250,000 (Dh918,000) motorcycle boasts a 103 CI S& S Panhead motor and a suitably outlandish appearance — capped with the words “Gold Digger” emblazoned on the side.
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Match info:
Real Betis v Sevilla, 10.45pm (UAE)
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
