Editor’s Picks: Cigar Humidor, Shotgun Paperweight and Rolls-Royce Ghost
From a rugged Blenheim Forge cocktail set to a corduroy cap to bring back golfing style, this is what we want this week…
We’ve been watching watches this week. Rolex quietly unveiled its 2020 novelties, and we spent a good day drooling over our favourites. Audemars Piguet dropped a limited edition white gold Royal Oak out of thin air. And we couldn’t decide on just one timepiece for this week’s Editor’s Picks. So we went for three.
There’s a Vertex, an Hublot and something by Ball below — as well as your requisite weekly dose of fast, luxurious cars, accessories to up your cocktail game and home furnishings to invoke envy in even the least covetous of house guests. Take a look…
Dirty Dozen: Vertex MP45S
We’ve long been admirers of Vertex, and everything the resurrected brand stands for. Founded in 1916, Vertex was one of the original ‘Dirty Dozen’, and made its name supplying the war office with reliable, hard-wearing timepieces. This, the handsome MP45S, is a contemporary take on the Mono-Pusher timing watch commissioned during the Second World War.
Shaken, stirred and sipped: Blenheim Forge Cocktail Set
Just when you thought the red hot Blenheim Forge couldn’t get any cooler. Wrapped in a handmade waxed canvas and tanned leather roll, this salt-of-the-earth cocktail kit is as manly as mixology is ever likely to get. With a Swedish high carbon steel bar knife, forged stirring spoon and charred ash muddler, you’ll be quaffing mojitos the Hemingway way in no time.
Rub of the green: Manors Corduroy Cap
Manors is on a corduroy-trimmed crusade; a diamond-printed push to bring golfing style back into the mainstream. And it’s working. The latest campaign in the brand’s driver-wielding drive is the launch of a new fashion collection — everything from twin-tipped knitted vests to Italian suit-fabric shorts. Our pick? This subtle corduroy cap — softly unstructured, embroidered with the brand’s logo and green as the green itself.
Roman Holiday: Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Special Edition Boutique Roma
Last year, we thought Ferrari’s Roma did a pretty good job of celebrating Italy’s capital. But now, a year after the inauguration of Hublot’s Piazza di Spagna boutique, the Swiss watchmaker has done the Prancing Horse one better. With only 50 examples available — and all sold through the shop at the base of the Spanish Steps — this new watch has “a dial reminiscent of the romantic atmosphere of Roman sunsets”. We’re sold.
Spirit of Ecstasy: New Rolls-Royce Ghost
This may be the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet (take that, Cullinan) but don’t fear — it still has all the elegance, luxury and tradition you’d expect from the British brand. Spearheading the carmaker’s rebrand, the Ghost’s Planar Suspension System will keep the ride smooth, its Micro-Environment Purification System will keep you COVID-safe, and its 6.75-litre, twin-turbo V12 will keep you on time.
Adventure is out there: Land Rover Explore R Smartphone
In other car news, Land Rover has released a smartphone. Touted to be as durable, rough and rugged as the carmaker’s four-wheeled offerings, the Explore R is fully waterproof for 35 minutes, dust and sand-proof — and has been subjected to repeated drop tests onto hardened steel. You can use the touchscreen with wet or gloved hands, shoot with the 12 megapixel Sony camera and enjoy a battery life of 36 hours. Not bad.
Spill the beans: Terra Kaffe TK-01 Espresso Machine
There’s not one coffee-making component that’s been skimped on with Terra Kaffe’s latest bean-to-cup machine. The stainless steel conical burr grinder is top notch. The bean hopper is sealed to stay fresh for 30 days. The brewing pressure can be meticulously controlled. You can alter the level of milk foam, the temperature of your coffee and the potency of every shot. Sounds like a good morning cup to us.
Light up: Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 Humidor
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit Vuelta Abajo — the leafy, mountainous extreme western region of the island of Cuba — you’ll know how lush the tobacco plants are. You’ll also more fully appreciate the artistry of this humidor’s 20 habanos. After selecting the most exquisite wrapper, filler and binder leaves, these Cohibas are totally handmade — and stored in the sleekest, vintage-style humidor we’ve ever clapped eyes on.
Dive deep: Ball Engineer II M Skindiver Heritage
With a COSC-certified chronometer, water resistance to 200 metres and an 80 hour power reserve, why aren’t you buckling on a Ball? This Engineer II M Skindiver Heritage has hints of classic, vintage styling — but its practicality is where it really shines. From the anti-reflective sapphire crystal to the micro gas tubes for night reading capability, it’s a serious watch for serious divers.
Lock and load: Purdey Logo-Engraved Brass Paper Weight
Some bombastic generals, it is rumoured, used live grenades on their desks as paperweights as a way to intimidate their underlings. If you’re looking for a less-explosive alternative, may we suggest this brass paperweight from Purdey? Modelled on the rifle-maker’s cartridge caps, it has a red felt base and stamped top — but is still hefty enough to frighten even the most insubordinate insubordinate.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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