Photo finish December 3, 2014 Stella McCartney’s Linda Bag is a picture perfect hybrid of fashion and photography These days, you’ve only been there and done it if you’ve also taken the picture. So why not combine portable technology with portable fashion in the Linda Bag, created by British designer and Beatles progeny Stella McCartney. She’s teamed up with Canon [...]
Christmas at Tiffany’s December 3, 2014 The famous jeweller’s new design director Francesca Amfitheatrof unveils her bold debut collection New Tiffany design director Francesca Amfitheatrof took inspiration from the brand’s spiritual home: NYC. The “Tiffany T” range uses graphic swoops and bold symmetry to create understated but beautiful pieces. “I wanted to create a symbol for modern life and its relentless [...]
In the zone: Be on time wherever you happen to be with these exquisite world timers December 3, 2014 There are times – 8.30am, Monday morning, on the Northern Line, say – when the idea of a watch that fires lethal darts might seem rather appealing. And if we can land robots on comets and squeeze scores of mind-boggling complications into single wristwatches (see Patek Philippe’s anniversary mega-watch), one has to believe it’s possible. [...]
Listen, it’s complicated: The £2.05m Grandmaster Chime from Patek Philippe is not the world’s most expensive watch December 3, 2014 In November, Sotheby’s in Geneva set a new world record for the most expensive timepiece ever sold – namely the Henry Graves Supercomplication, made by Patek Philippe in 1926 for the eponymous American banker, which hammered for no less than £15m. The watch was for several decades the most complicated watch ever made, and Patek [...]
Vintage-inspired ladies’ watches that have stood the test of time December 3, 2014 Watching Interstellar the other night was a thought provoking experience. Yes, the film posited theories about the nature of time travel, relativity, the true nature of time as a dimension and various other themes taking in the full gamut of life, death and the human experience. However, it was a watch, or rather the watch [...]
Time is money: Why are watches so expensive? December 3, 2014 There’s a very good reason top quality watches can set you back six figures. Let us start with a description of two dramatically different approaches to highend mechanical watchmaking. Bear with me. Firstly: “At certain moments you might leave the drawing and let the metal guide you… I really value the fact that I can [...]
The return of an icon: Parker unveils new Duofold pens to celebrate its 125th anniversary December 3, 2014 Parker has delved into its history to celebrate its 125th anniversary – and the classic Duofold is better than ever. Who among us hasn’t received the gift of a Parker pen? From our earliest academic achievements to milestone birthdays and, of course, Christmas, many of us have grown up with this iconic brand. Today, [...]
Keeping score: Hans Zimmer on re-inventing film music, playing live and ruining the Oscars December 3, 2014 Film scores are typically there to draw the audience into the world of a movie, to guide their emotional response without acting as too much of a distraction – a delicate piano concerto over a couple’s first kiss or a soaring orchestral movement as soldiers march into battle. Few are memorable enough to hum after [...]
Rock the cashmere: Nothing says luxury quite like this incredibly soft wool December 3, 2014 A lot of people see cashmere as being a little self-indulgent, an unnecessary extra expense when just plain wool is perfectly serviceable. But trust me: once you try it, you won’t go back. The finest cashmere knitwear comes from Scotland and the best Scottish cashmere is from a town called Hawick – pronounced Hoyk – [...]
2014 Christmas gift ideas: Luxury treats from Smythson totes to Tiffany bracelets December 2, 2014 Be the star of the show on Christmas day with these festive treats. Davidoff Cool Water £40 (125ml) Harrods.com Burberry blanket Stay cosy this winter with this wool and cashmere blanket £995 mrporter.com Ernest Jones exclusive jewellery Le Vian chocolate & vanilla diamond ring, £8,499; Le [...]