Some people collect stamps; others collect rare cars. John Staluppi, a billionaire with a lifelong obsession with James Bond, collects superyachts named after the 007 films. Over the years, he has owned eighteen of them, with names that read like a Bond marathon: For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, Moonraker, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Diamonds Are Forever. Now he is building his most ambitious tribute yet. Project Bond, an 82-metre flagship currently under construction at Bilgin Yachts in Turkey, is both the largest vessel Staluppi has ever commissioned and the biggest yacht the Turkish yard has undertaken. It is a project that fuses cinematic nostalgia with state-of-the-art yacht building, designed not only to turn heads in every port but also to serve as a genuine home for its owners. The vessel, still in the build phase, has been planned around light, space, long-range cruising and the personal requirements of a man who has spent decades thinking about what a perfect yacht should be. For Staluppi, this is the grand finale—a chance to create a floating masterpiece that brings together his love of Bond, his passion for the sea, and his desire to spend more time with family and friends. The result, judging from early images and the enthusiasm of everyone involved, is set to be one of the most characterful superyachts ever launched. It is also a significant milestone for Bilgin Yachts, which is proving that Turkish shipbuilding can compete with the very best in the world. The exterior styling and naval architecture come from Unique Yacht Design, while the interior is being crafted by H2 Yacht Design, the studio that previously worked with Staluppi. Project Bond is expected to continue Staluppi’s long-standing association with the Bond films, becoming the largest and most personalised vessel in his fleet. The 82-metre hull gives it a commanding presence, but the real magic is inside, where every detail has been chosen to make guests feel like they have stepped into a film.
At the heart of Project Bond lies a creative partnership between the owner and Jonny Horsfield, founder of H2 Yacht Design, who has been responsible for the interior. Horsfield was asked to create a contemporary interpretation of Art Deco, the sleek, geometric style that has always felt at home in the world of espionage and old-school glamour. Staluppi had previously owned a yacht with a contemporary interior by H2, but what really caught his eye were two other projects that showed a modern take on Art Deco. That became the starting point for the entire design. “The client has previously owned a yacht designed by H2 Design with a contemporary interior, but he was particularly impressed with two interiors we had designed that illustrated our modern take on art deco style, so this was the starting point,” Horsfield explains. The brief was clear: the interior had to be liveable and comfortable because the Staluppis spend weeks on board every year, but it also had to deliver a definite “wow factor.” “Unlike many yachts of this size today we are not following a new fashion or trend; instead we have created a timeless classic interior,” he says. The team achieved this by mixing rich materials, bold geometric shapes, subtle lighting and a carefully curated collection of Bond-related details, including portraits of the actors who have played 007 over the years. Every surface, every piece of furniture, every colour choice was considered with a cinematic eye. Horsfield’s approach was deeply collaborative; he listened to the owner’s stories about previous yachts, his favourite Bond moments, and his vision for entertaining on board. The result is a space that feels like a cross between a glamorous 1930s hotel and a modern superyacht, with just enough playful reference to Bond to keep it from feeling too serious. It is a tricky balance, but the early images suggest they have pulled it off beautifully. The design is not meant to be flashy or trendy; it is meant to be elegant and enduring, the kind of interior that will still look stunning in twenty years.
Perhaps the most striking feature of Project Bond is the open staircase that connects the main saloon with the beach club below. In most yachts of this size, those areas are separated by decks and corridors, but here the two spaces flow into each other through a sweeping, sculptural staircase. Horsfield calls it the highlight of the series. “The highlight of this series by Bilgin must be the open staircase from the main saloon down to the beach club,” he says. “Connecting these two areas so openly is very rare. The main saloon is the highlight area of the interior as she captures the modern art deco vibe perfectly.” The beach club itself is designed to feel like a Bond villain’s lair, with easy access to the water and plenty of space for entertaining. Naturally, there is also a private cinema room on board—the perfect place to watch classic Bond films on a rainy evening at anchor. The owners’ deck is another standout, with a bar area that Staluppi himself has already named as his favourite spot. “The owners deck bar area, it’s a place to get together with your guest and have great conversation,” he says. Whether guests are sipping a martini—shaken, not stirred, of course—or simply enjoying the sea views, the space is designed to encourage lingering. The yacht also features large windows and open-plan living areas that maximise natural light, making the interior feel even more spacious. For a man who loves Bond, the attention to detail is extraordinary; even the smallest design elements seem to nod to the world of espionage and luxury that 007 inhabits. It is the kind of yacht where every doorway feels like it could lead to a secret mission, yet it remains warm and welcoming rather than theatrical. The balance between fun and sophistication is what makes Project Bond so special.
While John Staluppi’s Bond obsession is the driving concept behind the yacht, his wife Jeanette has been equally important in shaping the final result. Her input helped define the layout, the atmosphere and the day-to-day usability of the vessel, particularly in the entertainment and relaxation areas. This is not a bachelor pad on water; it is a family home that happens to be named after a spy film. The couple wanted spaces where they could host friends, spend time with children and grandchildren, and enjoy long stretches at sea without ever feeling cramped or tired of the design. That means everything had to be practical as well as beautiful. The galley needed to be efficient, the crew areas needed to be well organised, and the guest suites needed to be quiet and comfortable. Jeanette’s influence can be felt in the softer touches—the choice of fabrics, the placement of loungers, the flow from indoor to outdoor spaces. John, meanwhile, was more focused on the big picture, making sure the yacht delivered on its promise of light, space and long-range capability. Together they have created a vessel that feels personal and polished. It helps that this is far from their first rodeo. Staluppi has owned eighteen yachts in total, with names that read like a Bond marathon: For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, Moonraker, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Diamonds Are Forever and now Project Bond. Each one has been a stepping stone, but this latest vessel is intended to be the definitive statement. The Staluppis know exactly what they want from a yacht, and they have spent decades refining their vision. Project Bond is the result of that experience—a boat that feels like it has been designed by people who truly understand the sea and the art of hospitality.
For John Staluppi, Project Bond is not just a new toy; it is a deeply emotional project, possibly the last yacht he will ever build. Simon Graham, sales broker at FGI Yacht Group and the owner’s representative, understands this better than anyone. “From an emotional standpoint, John wanted a yacht where he could sit back, travel the world with family and friends, and simply enjoy life at sea in this next chapter,” Graham says. “For him, this is about creating lasting memories rather than chasing the next build.” That sentiment explains why Staluppi has been so hands-on during construction. He recently visited Bilgin Yachts’ shipyard to see the project firsthand, and he was particularly impressed by the quality of the workmanship. When asked what stood out most, he pointed to “the way the welding is coming and the fit and finish of the steel and the aluminum.” For a man who has seen eighteen yachts through construction, that kind of attention to detail matters. He also spoke about what he hopes visitors will experience when they first step aboard. “Great quality, lots of space and the fit and finish of the furniture,” he said. These may sound like simple things, but on a superyacht of this scale, they are the hardest to achieve. The steel hull and aluminium superstructure need to be flawless, the joinery needs to be precise, and every surface needs to feel solid and expensive. Project Bond is being built to a standard that will allow Staluppi to host friends and family in complete comfort, whether they are crossing the Atlantic or anchored in a quiet bay. As the yacht nears completion, Staluppi’s excitement is palpable; he is already planning the first long cruise, imagining the sunsets, the dinners with friends, and the evenings spent watching Sean Connery or Daniel Craig on the big screen. It is, in every sense, a vessel for the next chapter of his life.
The people building Project Bond are just as excited as its owner. Berkay Yılmaz, commercial director of Bilgin Yachts, has been full of praise for the design and construction teams. “Absolutely stunning interior design,” he says. “Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, creating a perfect balance of elegance, sophistication, and timeless luxury. A truly exceptional yacht interior—refined, harmonious, and beautifully executed. Congratulations to the entire team behind this remarkable work.” Such words are not just marketing; they reflect the pride that goes into building a yacht of this ambition. For Bilgin Yachts, Project Bond represents a milestone: the largest yacht the Turkish shipyard has ever constructed, and a proof point that it can compete with the world’s best builders. For Staluppi, it is the crowning achievement of a lifetime spent loving James Bond and the sea. The yacht will carry his personal stamp, from the Art Deco lines to the Bond-themed artwork, from the open staircase to the owners’ deck bar. It is also the most personalised vessel in his fleet, a floating home designed around his tastes, his habits and his dreams. When she finally hits the water, Project Bond will not just be another superyacht; she will be a tribute to a cinematic icon, a family gathering place, and a testament to what happens when obsession meets craftsmanship. For anyone who has ever watched a Bond film and imagined living that lifestyle, Project Bond is the closest thing to a licence to dream. And for John Staluppi, it is the perfect way to enjoy the next chapter of his life, surrounded by family, friends, and the spirit of 007.
