The Hublot Big Bang 20th Anniversary All Black commemorates twenty years of innovation with a bold, maximalist design that fully embraces an all-black aesthetic. By layering black ceramic, rubber, and coated titanium, the timepiece achieves a striking sense of depth that complements its skeletonized dial and visible automatic movement. This audacious watch seamlessly blends contemporary architectural elements with luxury sports flair, serving as a powerful statement piece that embodies Hublot’s signature spirit of fusion and boldness.
Discover P.J. Joseph's blog, your guide to colored gemstones, diamonds, watches, jewelry, art, design, luxury hotels, food, travel, and more. Based in South Asia, P.J. is a gemstone analyst, writer, and responsible foodie featured on Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, and CNBC. Disclosure: All images are digitally created for educational and illustrative purposes. Portions of the blog were human-written and refined with AI to support educational goals.
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Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Mamie Gourmande
Mamie Gourmande is an artisanal French bakery in Leiden that operates six days a week, baking delicious French breads and delicacies in its own oven. The bakery maintains complete authenticity, with everything being French—from the flour used for the breads to the bakers and even the majority of the staff who speak French.
The Snelway CBL
The Snelway CBL is a timeless unisex watch featuring a unique, lugless "puck" design that ensures a comfortable and versatile fit for any wrist size. Its distinctive combination of a classic blue dial and a checkered bezel creates a bold aesthetic, making it a standout "wild card" piece for any watch collection.
Hortus Botanicus Leiden
Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, is a must-visit.
Alrosa Discovers Two Christmas Diamonds
Just before the New Year, miners at ALROSA’s Severalmaz processing plant discovered two uniquely shaped diamonds that resemble festive holiday decorations. The first find is a substantial 17-carat stone shaped like a Christmas bauble, while the second is a smaller 2.7-carat crystal that strikingly resembles a puppy. These rare, naturally formed specimens have been likened to precious ornaments, marking a timely and remarkable discovery for the mining team.
Community-Based Tourism Bhutan
Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Bhutan offers travelers an authentic, immersive experience rooted in sustainable and responsible development. These initiatives provide deep cultural enrichment by sharing local accommodation (homestays and eco-camp campsites), cuisine, music, art, festivals, crafts, and traditions. By engaging directly with villages and experiencing daily life in rural areas, CBT aims to foster connections, enhance community vitality, and offer a genuine understanding of the Bhutanese way of living.
The Bulova x Stetson 160th Anniversary Bison Watch
The Bulova x Stetson 160th Anniversary Bison Watch celebrates the 1865 founding of the John B. Stetson Company by uniting two iconic American brands in a single, masterful timepiece.
Click here to visit Saju Elizamma.
Unearthed: Raw Beauty
The Natural History Museum’s Unearthed: Raw Beauty exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view massive, uncut mineral specimens, many of which are being displayed for the first time. This immersive experience takes visitors on a journey into the science of crystals and gemstones through a mysterious, atmospheric design that highlights the incredible scale of the museum's collection. By exploring these raw natural wonders, guests gain a profound appreciation for the essential role minerals play in our everyday lives and the natural world.







