From a Swiss watch that exudes Japanese perfection to a household robot that folds the laundry without complaint: innovation and craftsmanship are coming from surprising places this week. Coffee lovers, partygoers, and tech fans can also indulge themselves. These novelties deserve a spot on your wish list.
Chopard honors Japanese craftsmanship
The Swiss watchmaker Chopard adds a special chapter to its classic LUC collection: six exclusive limited editions celebrating Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, fascinated by Japan for over forty years, drew inspiration from the philosophy and craftsmanship in which discipline, modesty, and beauty merge into pure perfection. Each creation tells a story. The LUC Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior honors the world of the samurai with a 42,5 mm white gold case and an openwork, hand-engraved dial. The LUC Quattro Spirit Enso, also in white gold, refers to the Zen philosophy of infinity and enlightenment with its circular design. The LUC Quattro Spirit Samurai Last Stand in rose gold displays a Japanese fighting fan, while the LUC Quattro Spirit Meditating Daruma depicts the legendary monk Daruma – a symbol of perseverance. An ode to Japanese art follows with the LUC XP Urushi Ukiyo-e, whose colorful lacquer dial, inspired by a woodcut by Katsushika Hokusai, depicts the majestic Mount Fuji. Finally, the LUC XP Nihontō combines Zen austerity with power: a Damascus steel dial with moiré patterns reminiscent of undulating flames on Japanese swords. All six models are crafted from 18-karat ethically sourced gold and bear the prestigious 'Poinçon de Genève' hallmark, the ultimate symbol of Swiss craftsmanship that pays homage to the Japanese spirit of perfection.
House help who never complains
The Norwegian technology company 1X proudly presents NEO: a humanoid household robot that promises never to complain about the laundry or sigh while tidying up. NEO can do it all: fold laundry, tidy rooms, open doors, fetch items, and even turn off the lights. Simply give him a list of chores and schedule exactly when he needs to get to work. Thanks to his built-in language model (LLM), he understands what you say, recognizes when you are talking to *him*, and remembers previous conversations—handy if you prefer not to explain where the laundry basket is every single day. If NEO needs to learn something new, a 1X expert steps in remotely to teach him the ropes. With his 30 kilos, 70 kilos lifting capacity, and 22 decibels of whisper-quietness, NEO is strong, polite, and discreet—a rare combination in the average household. Furthermore, he has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G, and speakers on board, so he can also serve as a mobile entertainment system. The first units of this 'household help that never grumbles and never takes a break' will roll off the assembly line in the US in 2026, for $20.000 or a subscription of $500 per month.
Barista quality within reach
What if brewing the perfect espresso is easier than you think? With the WMF Espresso Pro, you bring the experience of a professional coffee shop to your own kitchen. This stylish semi-automatic machine combines German precision with ultimate ease of use, allowing every enthusiast to effortlessly prepare barista-quality coffee. The built-in grinder with 60 grind settings ensures a consistent, full flavor from freshly ground beans. Thanks to the integrated scale, you can dose exactly the right amount of coffee, whether you choose a single or double shot. Furthermore, the dual thermoblock system makes it possible to brew espresso and froth milk for a cappuccino simultaneously, so you can enjoy both drinks without any waiting time. The powerful steam wand delivers creamy, bubble-free foam, while full control over grind, temperature, and extraction time allows you to perfect every espresso to your taste. WMF supplies the machine complete with a tamper and milk jug. With a recommended retail price of €999, the WMF Espresso Pro is an investment in taste, style, and simplicity. For those who want to start every morning with the perfect espresso.
The ultimate party on wheels
With the new JBL PartyBox 720, you turn every moment into a reason for a party. This impressive speaker delivers a whopping 800 watts of JBL Pro Sound, with deep, tight bass and a clarity that holds up even at maximum volume. Thanks to two powerful 9” woofers and AI Sound Boost, every beat sounds full, dynamic, and crystal clear. The show doesn't stop at the sound. The integrated light show – from twinkling stars to energetic strobes – moves perfectly to the rhythm. Effortlessly create your own light spectacle via the JBL PartyBox App to match the atmosphere of the evening. Indoors or outdoors, in the living room or in the backyard: with sturdy wheels, an ergonomic handle, and the option for interchangeable batteries, you can take the party with you wherever you go. Prefer something even bigger? Easily connect multiple JBL Auracast™ speakers and build your own sound system. With up to 15 hours of playtime and Fast Charge (10 minutes charging = 2 hours of music), nothing will stop the party. The JBL PartyBox 720 is available via the website below and selected retailers for €899,99.
Smart AI glasses
Samsung has developed smart glasses (or actually a 'headset') that allow you to enrich the real world with extra information. Put on the Galaxy XR headset and use your voice and hand gestures to point at things and get additional information about them. With a full battery, the glasses last for 2 hours. You can also watch movies with them. The glasses support various popular apps, including those from Google. Moreover, they use the OpenXR platform: an open ecosystem designed to encourage developers to release innovative apps for the Galaxy XR headset. It is not yet available in Europe, but for those who can't wait: just get it from the US. Price: approx. €1.800.
