You don’t need to step aboard a superyacht to imagine the splendor within. Thanks to glimpses shared online, we can piece together the unparalleled grandeur of these floating palaces. For royals, these yachts truly embody the term palatial, with their golden interiors, extravagant additions, and priceless art creating a world of opulence. Each detail, no matter how small, is meticulously designed to reflect a lifestyle of unparalleled luxury. A prime example of this devotion to extravagance is found aboard Katara, the superyacht of the Qatar royal family, where one feature stands out as a remarkable testament to this ethos: a diamond-studded door handle.
This seemingly modest element is rumored to be the most expensive superyacht door handle ever crafted, perfectly complementing the magnificence of the $400 million vessel. Designed with both comfort and privacy in mind, Katara has been a symbol of royal grandeur since its launch in 2010, earning its place as the 23rd largest yacht in the world. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that the world caught sight of this understated yet extraordinary feature. Reflecting the broader design philosophy of the yacht, this door handle is a reminder that in the realm of royal luxury, even the smallest details hold the power to astonish.
Dubbed the ‘Tribute to Doha’ handle, or the 100K by its makers F.lli Razeto & Casareto, this accessory sparkled with diamond dust and gemstones. Adding to its allure was a backlit LED system, patented for its design. At the time, the Tribute to Doha, a.k.a. 100K, was the most expensive superyacht door handle, and I’d assume it still holds that title, thanks to its staggering €100,000 ($107,000) price tag. Suddenly, Donald Trump’s private jet, dotted with 24-carat gold-plated bathroom fixtures, light switches, and seatbelt buckles, doesn’t seem as luxurious.
Crafted by F.lli Razeto & Casareto, specialists in door handles and accessories for the yachting industry since 1919, the Tribute to Doha is often called “furniture jewelry.” It was unveiled at the Qatar International Boat Show. The handle itself combines diamond dust and diamonds (both natural and manmade) and is made from anodized brass. It’s also quite high-tech, featuring three levels of brightness and ten different colors. The colors indicate the mood of the occupants: red signals that they don’t want to be disturbed, green means the room is unoccupied, and so on.
Katara, a megayacht longer than a FIFA soccer field, weighs 7,922 tons and boasts a beach club, swimming pool, gym, spa, and an on-deck hot tub. Some say that the main saloon towers over two decks, and it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that the doors to this floating sanctuary open with the 100K.
