Early on in her career, she was often labeled “the most beautiful woman in the world.” This might have played havoc with the mind of a lesser mortal; for Brigitte Bardot, forever typecast as the blonde bombshell, it was all in a day’s work. Throughout her illustrious career, she acted in 47 films, performed in several musicals, and recorded more than 60 songs. She became a muse for the likes of Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, and Pierre Cardin. And she was awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest decoration, in 1985, ten years after retiring at age 40 to pursue a “more meaningful life” out of the withering glare of the press, when she could have continued to shine on the silver screen.

Bardot appears to be having a major moment in 2025. Sabrina Carpenter’s new Vogue Italia cover shoot, shot by fashion photographer Steven Meisel, was clearly influenced by the legendary actress’s ’60s-era glamour. And two new art books pay tribute to her considerable legacy. Being Bardot, published by ACC Art Books, features photography by Douglas Kirkland and Terry O’Neill, who took some of the most iconic images of the actress ever captured on film; while Brigitte Bardot: Intimate, from Assouline, showcases never-before-published photos by her longtime friend Glislain “Jicky” Dussart. All still utterly enthralling nearly six decades later.

“In a period of just a little more than 20 years, Brigitte Bardot exploded established perceptions of beauty and femininity,” writes author James Clarke in the introduction to Being Bardot. “In doing so, she dramatically rewrote expectations around—and perhaps even established a new version of—femininity. She was a movie star and a pop-culture icon whose image was emblematic of a particular moment in time. Bardot’s film career spanned 21 years, from 1951 to 1973. Her screen performances, and the still images of her that became such a constant and vivid element of popular culture, brought a new sense of what female movie stardom could be, not only in French cinema but globally.”

Bardot’s killer looks and knockout style have been emulated by the likes of Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Lara Stone, Amy Winehouse, Georgia May Jagger, Scarlett Johansson, and Paris Hilton. Asked about her many imitators, Bardot simply sniffed, ”None have my personality.” She put Saint-Tropez on the map after filming And God Created Woman there in 1953, directed by her husband Roger Vadim, establishing such a strong connection with the Mediterranean paradise that she lives there to this day, having made it her permanent home; many of Dussart’s photographs were taken there.

Terry O’Neill created one of the most iconic images ever taken of Bardot, a photograph of her smoking a cigarette on the set of The Legend of Frenchie King in 1971.”I thought if I could get a close-up of the moment the wind blew her trademark hair into her eyes, combined with the cigarette dangling from those lips, it would capture how sexy, strong and wild her image was,” O’Neill recalls in Being Bardot. “I didn’t have many frames left, so I went in closer. The wind blew, and I clicked the shutter. I had no idea if the photo would match the image I had in my mind until the film was developed. The first time I saw these images, I got chills.” It’s safe to say that the rest of the world did, too.

On the occasion of her 90th birthday, the town of Villefranchesur-Mer, another picturesque French Riviera town she elevated to icon status, honored Bardot with a celebratory photo exhibition. “The images show her sometimes bursting with joy, sometimes introspective, but always imbued with this aura which has fascinated and still fascinates entire generations,” the exhibition noted. “Bardot’s authenticity is one of the most striking to people. Even though she was a global star, she always stayed true to who she was and did not yield to the expectations of others.”

From the very start of her career, the curators wrote, “from Paris to Saint-Tropez and via Villefranche-sur-Mer, all along her path to fame, from one film to the next, Brigitte had all the makings of a celebrity: Whether copied, scrutinized, followed, persecuted or adored, she made one successful film after another based on her sex appeal, in which she often plays a young French woman who is portrayed as wild, suave, and beautiful. Often the object—and victim— of a malicious curiosity, on screen she is revealed as a true, uninhibited and moving actress. Bardot irritated and amused her contemporaries all the more by her blatant disregard of public opinion and lack of approval of known critiques.”

Her impact on cinema, fashion, and culture cannot be overstated, all the more so because she decided to turn her back on it and devote herself to a cause close to her heart; in 1986, she founded the Fondation Brigitte Bardot to protect wild and domesticated animals. Beyond simply becoming famous, she radically altered the whole concept of female stardom. And she continues to influence and inspire generations of actresses, models, and women from all walks of life. Vive Bardot. 

This article originally appeared in Maxim magazine’s September/October 2025 issue.

When Kevin Plank, the assured founder of sports apparel powerhouse Under Armour, set his sights on whiskey back in 2012, it wasn’t just another bold business move—rather it was a love letter to his home state’s long forgotten rye heritage. Plank, along with partner Bill McDermott, wanted to invest in Maryland in a way that resonated with the region’s past. Their inspiration? The limestone-rich spring at Sagamore Farm, a thoroughbred horse racing estate Plank had purchased in 2007.

That spring water—long prized in whiskey-making—sparked research that led them to uncover Maryland’s once-booming rye industry. Before Prohibition, more than 40 distilleries thrived in the state, their spicy, full-bodied ryes renowned across the country. By the 1970s, they were all gone, casualties of war, changing tastes (aka the infamous whiskey crash) and consolidation. So Plank and McDermott saw a chance to resurrect rye in Charm City with Sagamore Spirits.

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The early days were about building a foundation. While they steadied themselves, and built their distillery in Baltimore’s Port Covington neighborhood, Sagamore Spirit initially sourced whiskey from Indiana’s MGP. One of the largest rye producers in America, renowned for their 95% rye / 5% malted barley mash bill, MGP’s recipe built labels like Templeton, Bulleit, High West and Redemption, while also being used by the likes of Angel’s Envy, Smooth Ambler, George Dickel and more. 

From the beginning, however, one of the ways Sagamore distinguished itself was utilizing a unique mash bill philosophy. Instead of leaning solely on MGP’s now-classic “high-rye” 95% rye, Sagamore uses two recipes—adding a “low rye” (52% rye, 43% corn, 5% malted barley) to the mix. By blending this other rye that hovers close to a bourbon in its high-corn grain bill, Sagamore creates a whiskey with rye’s spice but also a softer, sweeter profile. “We’re trying to educate the consumer,” Ryan Norwood, the brand’s Vice President of Operations, tells Maxim. “At the same time we’re trying to bring bourbon drinkers into rye.”

Those barrels gave the fledgling brand a foundation while their own Baltimore distillery took shape. In 2017, steel and copper finally met in Sagamore’s Patapsco River waterfront home, and the brand began laying down its own whiskey—mostly replicas of those twin MGP high- and low-rye whiskeys which built the Sagamore name. But the team made a deliberate choice: instead of flipping a switch, they slowly transitioned, blending their own whiskey into the MGP juice until Sagamore’s flagship Small Batch and Cask Strength expressions were fully Maryland-made—an achievement the former only achieved last year, and latter earlier this year.

That approach comes to full expression in Sagamore’s latest Reserve Series release: a 10-Year Rye, bottled at just over 110 proof (55.4% ABV). Made from some of the earliest MGP stock Sagamore ever purchased, the whiskey is both a farewell and a milestone—one of the last sourced barrels before the brand fully transitions to its own distillate. For Norwood, it’s a fitting capstone: “For me, rye kind of has that sweet spot between about six and ten years.”

Despite being sourced from Indiana, Maryland’s climate leaves its own fingerprint on the spirit. With humid summers and frigid winters, the state’s seasonal swings push whiskey deep into the oak barrels’ wood and back again, extracting flavor in bold strokes. Unlike Kentucky or Indiana, Norwood reveals Sagamore’s rickhouses often see proof rise during maturation, adding another layer of character. The result in the 10-Year is a whiskey the VP describes as “super balanced… with notes of peach crumble, roasted nuts, rye spice, with just enough sweetness to round it out.”

The 10-Year release is limited, and rye aficionados will likely snap it up for its SRP of $80. But for Sagamore it’s less about chasing hype than telling a story—about water and wood, about Maryland’s forgotten past, and about a decade-long gamble slowly paying off. Beyond being Sagamore Spirits oldest rye to date, the newest addition to its award-winning Reserve Series is also both an ending and a beginning, a tribute to the barrels that carried them this far, and a promise of what’s to come as more of their whiskey carries the unmistakable mark of Baltimore.

Follow our Deputy Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.

Luxury watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. officially unveiled the Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly at the Singapore Grand Prix, a timepiece designed in collaboration with the celebrated Formula 1 driver. The watch, a blend of high-end horology and contemporary sporting style, is described by the company as capturing the driver’s vision and aesthetic.

The project was “deeply personal” for Gasly, a French driver who competes in F1 for Alipine. He aided in the design from choosing textures and signing off on the watch’s refined appearance to positioning the tourbillon as its central mechanism.  “More than lending his name, he shaped every detail of this watch, meticulously selecting textures, defining its pared-back elegance, and ensuring the tourbillon would serve as its heart,” according to H. Moser. “The result is a timepiece that feels like an extension of Pierre himself: bold, refined, and unmistakably unique.”

Gasly went with a rich chocolate fumé dial, reflecting his preference for understated tones. This is contrasted with the strong, contemporary presence of the 5N red gold Streamliner case. On the bracelet version, a discreet ruby is set at the ten o’clock position on the bracelet, a subtle reference to Gasly’s racing number.

The Streamliner Tourbillon Pierre Gasly is available in two limited editions: A sport-chic edition on a chocolate rubber strap, limited to 100 pieces, is priced at $98,500. A collector’s edition on a red gold bracelet with the ruby detail, limited to 10 pieces, is priced at $148,500. The 10 future owners of the full gold version will receive a helmet replica and can participate in a yet-to-be-determined activity with Gasly in 2026.

Ni-Ni Lashay (@charliannmanny)

Ni-Ni Lashay is bringing fresh energy to the competition. A rising star with a serious passion for fashion. Beyond the camera, Lashay lives for music, art, and the beauty of nature. One night you’ll catch her lighting up the dance floor, the next she’s lost in a great book—or perfecting her latest recipe.

Charliann Manny (@kat3457)

Charliann Manny isn’t just a credentialed athletic trainer, she’s a certified stunner. This Jersey girl knows how to turn heads, whether she’s lacing up a fresh pair of kicks or crushing it in the gym. A proud shoe fanatic with a graduate degree under her belt, Manny is chasing big dreams in modeling and acting—all while living that fitness-first lifestyle.

Katie Cooper (@breighannmarie)

Katie Cooper is serving looks—and spiking goals. At 25, this aspiring model is balancing her studies as a future physical therapist assistant with time spent coaching on the volleyball court. Cooper’s a dedicated foodie and a serious shopper who knows how to turn everyday moments into style statements. Her striking eyes will stop you mid-scroll. 

BreighAnn Marie (@livhan91)

BreighAnn Marie is proof that strength comes with style. A kickboxing mama of three, she puts family first but knows the power of carving out “me time.” From arranging fresh bouquets and painting flawless nails to indulging in travel, Marie embraces the little luxuries that fuel her creativity.

Olivia Hanrahan

Olivia Hanrahan is redefining strength and beauty on her own terms. At 33, this thyroid cancer survivor has embraced a powerful new chapter—one fixed in self-love and unapologetic confidence. Hanrahan radiates both resilience and allure, proving that true beauty comes from within. Powerful. Beautiful. Unstoppable. That’s a winning combination.

Members of our editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.

In an industry where celebrity-backed labels often dominate the spotlight, Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila represents the new generation of tequila leadership. Starting as a father–son vision, the spirit became a reality in under a year. 

What began as a bold dream has quickly evolved into a premium tequila embraced by renowned hotels, retailers, and tastemakers worldwide. Grounded in tradition while driven by ambition, Mr. Sancho Pancho seeks to offer a new perspective on modern tequila culture. “Heritage, resilience, and ambition—that’s what fuels every bottle of Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila,” the company states.

Turning Loss Into Legacy

For them, loss wasn’t the end; it was the spark. “Tragedy doesn’t destroy you—it defines you,” the founder says. Like the tequila-making process, his journey was shaped by challenge and persistence. “I refused to let pain silence me, and instead I poured that fire into Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila—a symbol of resilience, boldness, and the belief that no matter how many times life counts you out, you can always rise stronger.” 

A Brand Rooted In Family & Loyalty

Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila is more than a business; it’s a family legacy in the making. Founded as a true father–son venture, the founder built the brand alongside his father and a lifelong friend-turned-trusted partner, completing the circle of loyalty that defines MSP.

“Working side by side with my father and our lifelong friend adds weight to every milestone,” the founder says. “This brand is built on trust, loyalty, and family. It’s ours to build—or break—and we’re all in together.”

“This isn’t just a tequila brand—it’s our story,” the founder continues. “Every bottle reflects our journey, our resilience, and our values. At its core, this brand is built on family — and that’s what gives it lasting relevance. We’re not in this for quick monetary gain; instead, we prioritize building something generational.”

Not A Celebrity Brand—But Celebrity-Approved

Unlike many tequila brands that rely on celebrity names, MSP Tequila’s authenticity is its true star. The founder is quick to clarify that Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila is not another celebrity vanity project. “We’re proud and beyond grateful to have the support of cultural icons and tastemakers, but at the end of the day, Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila is about authenticity,” he says. “MSP Tequila was designed to deliver a sense of celebration and occasion for every drinker. That’s the experience we want every consumer to have.”

MSP Tequila’s strength comes from its substance, not star power. Still, the brand has earned admiration from entertainers, influencers, and cultural leaders who recognize its bold story and undeniable quality. From its innovative bottle design to its small-batch, handcrafted production in Jalisco, every detail is designed to turn the drinking experience into a moment of prestige. “Legacy means more when it’s earned, not inherited,” the founder adds.

Although the family has roots in the spirits world, nothing about Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila was handed to them. It is a brand built, and continually shaped, through persistence and vision. What truly sets MSP apart is not endorsement, but authenticity. It’s led by one of the few female Maestras Tequileras in the industry, crafted from 100 percent Blue Weber agave, and double-distilled in the highlands of Jalisco.

Partnering With The Right Teams To Build A Luxury Powerhouse

To activate and initiate accelerated growth, Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila has forged strategic alliances with a dynamic group of industry leaders, innovators, and tastemakers—each bringing their unique strengths to help propel the brand into elite hospitality venues and secure premium retail placements.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision,” says the founder. “Every member of our team contributes their own expertise, but what unites us is a common goal: creating an emotional connection with the consumer and redefining how tequila is experienced. Protecting the brand’s integrity while building cultural influence, engagement, and demand is at the core of everything we do.”

Together, these partnerships are positioning Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila exactly where it belongs: at the top shelf of world-class venues, positioned as a distinct choice. “Integrity builds legacy. That’s why every partnership is about more than growth—it’s about protecting the brand,” the team states.

Closing Thoughts

For the founders, Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila isn’t just business—it’s personal. His journey was shaped by loss, setbacks, and rebuilding from the ground up. What once felt like rock bottom became the foundation for something far greater. He believes that the darkest chapters can become the most powerful stories. That belief drives the brand’s mission: to stand for resilience, boldness, and brotherhood. To the team, Mr. Sancho Pancho is more than a premium tequila;  it’s a tribute to those who’ve been counted out, who’ve had to rise under pressure, and who chose to let adversity forge their strength. Success doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from chasing the uncomfortable, getting used to, and also thriving under pressure, while staying true to one’s vision.

Every bottle of MSP Tequila carries that message: a reminder of persistence and determination. 

Audemars Piguet continues to raise the bar as it toasts an illustrious milestone, and while its lineup is plenty eye-catching on its own, the inner specifications of a new Audemars Piguet watch consistently raise the bar, as is the case with its newest Royal Oak timepiece.

Audemars Piguet watches tend to set the pace in the luxury world, at least as far as an impressive blend of bold looks and precise craftsmanship is concerned (there’s a reason Jay-Z, among others, is a fan of the company’s wrist candy). The company notes that with its latest release, “simple is complicated,” and so while its textured dial and visually appealing case might strike the same chord as other Audemars Piguet watches, the end result offers more than meets the eye.

To be more specific: The new Jumbo Extra-Thin Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph RD #5 150th Anniversary does the nearly impossible by taking the Royal Oak silhouette and then retooling it with an inner movement that manages to blend both a flyback chronograph and flying tourbillon construction in an impossibly small package.

Accordingly, just 150 units worldwide are available when it comes to the suitably rare timepiece, which Audemars Piguet says “marks a new era of complications, offering a balance of lightness, durability, and brilliance.” The company notably toasted its 150th anniversary with a new green ceramic Royal Oak Offshore this spring, among a suite of other covetable and ultra-exclusive releases. Of this new edition, Bulk Metallic Glass makes up the caseback and bezel, while the sleek 39mm titanium case delivers imperceptible thinness and utterly chic style.

The trademark cushioned geometric AP Royal Oak case is offset by a striking blue “Petite Tapisserie” dial in equally recognizable Audemars Piguet fashion. Its hour markers and its 18-carat white gold luminescent bathtub hands also stand out in handsome and elegant fashion alongside a refined AP script logo. An integrated titanium bracelet finishes off the remarkably rare timepiece in streamlined style, and is another sort of Audemars Piguet signature.

That the watch manages to look and feel as thin on the wrist seems to be a testament to Audemars Piguet ingenuity, while its dual functionality is also exceptionally difficult to pull off at a such a small scale in terms of thickness (the dial is just 8.1mm thick). The all-new Calibre 1800 achieves a degree of precision that’s not to be overlooked.

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As the watchmaker says, the new Jumbo Extra-Thin Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 150th Anniversary succeeds at “combining technical sophistication, performance and iconic design with a new standard of ergonomic refinement.” As one might expect, pricing information is available upon request for the stunning new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak achievement.

Quentin Tarantino’s rarely-seen, single-film version of his martial arts revenge saga, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, is set to be released nationwide in theaters for the first time on Dec. 5, 2025, distributor Lionsgate announced.

The unified epic, which combines Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2 into one unrated film, will include a new, never-before-seen 7 1/2-minute animated sequence. This special presentation removes the cliffhanger ending from the first volume and the recap that opened the second.

Tarantino, who wrote and directed the film, emphasized the importance of seeing the combined work on the big screen.

“I wrote and directed it as one movie—and I’m so glad to give the fans the chance to see it as one movie,” Tarantino said. “The best way to see Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair is at a movie theater in Glorious 70mm or 35mm. Blood and guts on a big screen in all its glory!”

Select presentations of the film are anticipated to screen in 70mm and 35mm in all major markets.

The film stars Uma Thurman as The Bride, who awakens from a coma four years after her former boss and lover, Bill, ambushes her wedding rehearsal, shoots her in the head, and steals her unborn child. The story follows her quest to hunt down Bill and the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.

Lionsgate, which manages library distribution rights for a large portfolio of Tarantino films, will handle the release. The studio’s Tarantino collection also includes Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, and Death Proof.

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair also stars Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, Gordon Liu, Michael Parks, and David Carradine as Bill. The film is produced by Lawrence Bender.

In 2013, four years after Bitcoin (BTC) launched, skepticism surrounding the nascent digital asset was far from waning. Early price swings spurred think pieces describing a financial investment bubble or even fraud, and the world’s first widely adopted cryptocurrency had little to no value as a currency that could be exchanged for goods or services. “People say it’s a Ponzi scheme, it’s a bubble,” Cameron Winklevoss told The New York Times in a piece published that April. “People really don’t want to take it seriously. At some point, that narrative will shift to ‘virtual currencies are here to stay.’ We’re in the early days.”

Cameron and his 6-foot-5-inch twin sibling, Tyler, were then best widely known as the crew-rowing bros who’d won a $65 million settlement in 2008 after a protracted legal battle with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, that recognition being largely due to the story’s somewhat fictitious retelling in 2010’s Oscar-winning film The Social Network. At the time of the aforementioned article’s publication, you could purchase one BTC for $115, and the Winklevosses held $11 million worth.

“It has been four years and it has yet to be discredited as a viable alternative to fiat currency,” Tyler told The New York Times. “We could be totally wrong, but we are curious to see this play out a lot more.”

Wrong, they weren’t. Dug in to the most bullish of positions—Cameron reportedly told CNN Money in 2015, “We’ve never sold a Bitcoin, we’re in it for the long haul”—that initial $11 million investment saw the media declare them “Bitcoin’s first billionaires” by 2017, at which point the value of the BTC had skyrocketed to nearly $11,827, well over a 9,000 percent increase from its 2013 price.

While the Winklevosses may have hit the jackpot, they clearly didn’t see Bitcoin as a lucky speculative investment, but part of an emerging crypto market brimming with untapped potential. Very shortly after revealing the initial Bitcoin investment to The New York Times, the brothers publicly announced their intent to put not just money, but their time, effort, and reputation on the line in launching Gemini, a new cryptocurrency exchange. Built from the ground up to comply with financial laws and regulations, Gemini stood out from other early crypto ventures that were known to operate in legal gray areas.

“In our early experiences with Bitcoin, we found how few people were building Bitcoin exchanges the right way,” Tyler said in a 2016 interview with New York Business Journal. “They really weren’t taking the regulation seriously; they were taking it too much like how you would approach something when you’re 18, full of the excitement of youth and throwing caution to the wind.

“We were passive investors in a Bitcoin company whose CEO went to prison for laundering, which was a valuable lesson for us, because it showed us how to do this the right way,” Tyler added, referencing BitInstant founder Charles Shrem IV, who has since been released. “Since that experience, we’ve taken considerable steps to ensure a higher standard of care. We’ve created a great security system that essentially acts as a more effective form of insurance.”

Gemini officially launched in October 2015 with a notable, consumer trust-building certification that very few crypto exchanges could claim: “We’re licensed by the New York Department of Financial Services, which is the highest regulator in the land for both banks and insurance companies in New York,” Tyler said in a statement. “We have bank exams every six to twelve months, which is a very rigorous process. We want to look and feel just like your other financial service companies, so we spent a lot of time ensuring that we do this the right way.”

Following its launch, Gemini quickly moved to expand its offerings beyond Bitcoin. Most notably, it became the world’s first licensed Ether exchange in May 2016. While also a decentralized digital currency, Ether and the Ethereum network on which it’s used are more ambitious in scope than Bitcoin, which was conceived primarily as a currency to be used as a medium for the exchange of goods and services without the need for intermediaries like banks. Ether, in contrast, is the cryptocurrency (or “gas”) that fuels the Ethereum blockchain network, which is often described as a “world supercomputer” that allows developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. From creating financial platforms for lending, borrowing, and trading to drafting insurance policies built on smart contracts that are automatically executed when conditions are met, Ethereum’s applications as a blockchain-based network are almost endlessly vast.

As it evolved to offer more cryptocurrencies—Gemini now allows its users to trade and buy over 70 “coins,” or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether that are built on their own native blockchains—the company has remained unwavering in its commitment to market integrity and security. In 2018, it began using Nasdaq’s SMARTS Market Surveillance technology, a system widely used in traditional financial markets, to monitor all its transactions—a fitting development, considering that Cameron had presciently said in a 2015 CNBC interview, “This is our effort to bring Bitcoin mainstream, to build it into a regulatory box. When we think of Gemini. com, it will be like a Nasdaq for Bitcoin.”

The following years saw Gemini undergo a number of System and Organization Controls examinations—independent audits that assess the operational effectiveness and security of businesses—to overwhelmingly positive results. But, like so many ventures in the crypto space, Gemini’s biggest challenge to date came about in part because of 2022’s “crypto winter,” a brutal cryptocurrency-wide downturn punctuated by the notorious collapse of the FTX crypto-trading exchange. A year earlier, Gemini and crypto lender Genesis Global Capital had partnered to launch Gemini Earn, a program that allowed users to earn interest on their crypto by lending it to Genesis. The controversy erupted in November 2022—the same month in which FTX collapsed—when Genesis unexpectedly halted customer withdrawals, citing “unprecedented market turmoil.” This freeze left over 200,000 Gemini Earn users unable to access approximately $900 million in digital assets…and seriously pissed off the Winklevoss twins.

Having worked tirelessly to establish an iron-clad credibility with its user base, they fiercely advocated for Gemini users as the company engaged in legal battles with Genesis and its parent company, Digital Currency Group (DCG). Cameron even went so far as to call out DCG CEO Barry Silbert via an open letter, writing, “There are over 340,000 Earn users that are waiting. It’s important to them, and it’s important to us. Every time we ask you for tangible engagement, you hide behind lawyers, investment bankers, and process.”

Those relentless efforts paid off. By the end of June 2024, Gemini had returned 100 percent of digital assets that had been frozen as of November 2022, including all appreciation. “It’s important to note that the Genesis bankruptcy was not a crypto problem,” the Winklevosses said in a joint statement to Gemini users. “It was old-fashioned financial fraud compounded by a lack of regulatory clarity. To that end, we will continue to fight for clear rules and guidance for our industry that foster both innovation and consumer protection. And we will win this fight. The future is bright.”

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It is indeed. In June 2025, Gemini confirmed it had filed for an initial public offering, taking its first steps to becoming a publicly traded company. Gemini has expanded to support over 160 digital assets, including tokens—digital assets built on existing blockchains—like XRP, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu. Gemini’s inaugural “Global State of Crypto” report, released in partnership with Data Driven Consulting Group, indicates a worldwide growth of crypto adoption. According to the report, roughly half of the Gen Z and millennial global population either are or have been invested in crypto.

Perhaps most encouragingly, Bitcoin has hit multiple record highs in 2025, with the most recent being a breach of $120,000 in mid-July, suggesting a value of over $11 billion on the Winklevosses’ initial $11 million Bitcoin investment. “Orange is the new gold. Bitcoin is gold 2.0, and that’s been true since day one,” Tyler said during a panel discussion with David Sacks, the White House crypto and A.I. czar, at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. “$100,000 per bitcoin, that’s exciting. But if you take twenty-one million into the above-ground marketplace of gold, really it should be a million dollars a coin.” If Bitcoin goes to $1 million, then the Winklevoss twins will be centibillionaires.  

This article originally appeared in Maxim’s September/October 2025 issue.

Hublot has officially expanded its Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve collection with the release of four new ceramic color options: red, black, yellow, and sky blue. The debut marks a significant extension of the line, which had previously only been available in white ceramic or carbon. The move, according to the luxury watchmaker, demonstrates its determination to reach all Spirit of Big Bang enthusiasts.

Born in 2014, the Spirit of Big Bang collection is known for its tonneau profile, structured design, and airy aesthetic. The new 42 mm models embody this spirit, carrying over signature design codes such as a skeleton movement, a bezel with six screws, a crown with a rubber grip, and a multi-layer case construction. Each of the four ceramic color editions is highly limited, with only 20 pieces available per model.

Collectors can choose from the new quartet of bright colors, each housing the HUB6020 manual movement. Specifically developed for the tonneau-shaped case, the movement features a tourbillon visible at 6 o’clock, a complication that enhances precision by compensating for the earth’s gravity. The caliber also boasts an off-center hour and minute dial at 3 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 8 o’clock. The power reserve is extended to five days, one of the longest autonomies for this type of complication. The 100% Manufacture caliber is notable for its extreme skeletonization, a technical feat that hollowing out components to the very limits of their strength.

To celebrate the launch of these four colored ceramic models — which are joined by a fifth model in black sapphire, also limited to 20 pieces and priced at $161,000 — Hublot is unveiling a first-ever customization experience. New owners of one of the four limited-series ceramic models will receive their timepiece accompanied by two straps, one rubber and one velcro.

They will also receive a third bracelet and an additional bezel, chosen from an exclusive range of some 20 possible variants in different colors and materials, including carbon, ceramic, and optional stone-setting. Combined with the One Click interchangeable bracelet system, these options offer a high degree of personalization.

Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, noted the special place the Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon holds with collectors. “The tonneau format is rarely a first acquisition. It requires a certain amount of watchmaking experience, which we are taking a step further today with these colored ceramic variants,” Tornare said.

Each of the four ceramic Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve models—Red Magic, Black Magic, Yellow Magic, and Sky Blue Ceramic—is priced at $104,000 each.

Luxury automaker Aston Martin and famed French Champagne house Bollinger have forged a prestigious global partnership, the two brands announced. The upscale union brings together two icons of the luxury market known for their enduring heritage, impeccable craftsmanship, and pursuit of excellence–as well as joining James Bond’s preferred automobile and the superspy’s favorite Champagne under one experiential umbrella.

Champagne Bollinger was named the Official Champagne Partner of Aston Martin, which in turn becomes Bollinger’s Official Automotive Partner. “This partnership is a natural alignment of two iconic brands,” said Charles-Armand de Belenet, Managing Director of Champagne Bollinger. “We are proud to see Champagne Bollinger become part of Aston Martin’s most exceptional moments around the world.”

Founded in 1913, Aston Martin is a symbol of British performance and handcrafted excellence. The marque’s century-long history of creating celebrated sports cars, which combine cutting-edge engineering with timeless design, mirrors the values held by the 196-year-old Champagne house. Since its founding in 1829, family-owned Bollinger has maintained a distinctive balance between heritage and forward-thinking excellence, even holding a continuous Royal Warrant from the British Royal Household since 1884.

Stefano Saporetti, Director of Brand Diversification at Aston Martin, said the partnership exemplifies the automaker’s spirit of creating “unforgettable experiences that blend performance, craftsmanship, and artistry.”

As part of the agreement, Champagne Bollinger will be present at key Aston Martin VIP events and customer gatherings globally, from exclusive launches to intimate unveilings. The strategic partnership aims to reinforce both brand’s commitment to elevating lifestyle experiences for discerning global audiences. Stay tuned to see what the collaboration has in store for fans of both brands.