Little conflict

Firearms (the picture shows a trade show in Macedonia) also fall into the “miscellaneous” category, which has grown progressively smaller in recent years: in 2006, before the crisis, this category accounted for 16 percent of such passion investments (as they are called); but in 2009 the figure was only 3 percent. The so called passion investments that come into play here involve plowing your money into something that won’t earn you any income but that you’re prompted to purchase by acquisitiveness – or the sheer pleasure of owning it.

The world’s most expensive cell phone costs just under 2 million euros

This one-of-a-kind cell phone, which was purchased by an Australian gold mine owner for just under 2 million euros, was designed by Liverpool-based Stuart Hughes, who spent ten months making the piece.

A diamond-studded TV: at 1.6 million euros, the world’s most expensive TV

Any thief who breaks into a house and stumbles on this item will be pleased as punch, to say the least. This TV is flat, light and worth a fortune, not because of its standard 08/15 flat screen, but thanks to the decorations British designer Stuart Hughes has added to the TV, making it the most expensive TV in the world.

Probably the most unusual wristwatch of all time: Horological Machine No. 4 Thunderbolt

The “mission” of a classic wristwatch couldn’t be simpler: it’s supposed to show the time as accurately as possible. And for that you need at least a minute and a second hand. A reserve power display is also quite useful, since it enables the wearer to determine whether and when the watch should be rewound.

The world’s most expensive model car: the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Ltd Edition

If you simply can’t live without owning a Bugatti Veyron, for sure this one won’t ever be parked in your garage. And unfortunately it costs twice as much as the original, but is, in fact, a 1:18 scale model replica created by British designer Stuart Hughes and his partner, who spent two months handcrafting this mini-sports car out of pure gold set with diamonds.

Fisher Island, which is located off the coast of Miami, is often referred to as the priciest zip code in the U.S., what with resident luminaries such as Andre Agassi, Ricky Martin, Julia Roberts, and Oprah Winfrey. But ordinary mortals can also partake of the pleasures of Fisher Island, via a sojourn at the newly remodelled Fisher Island Club.