Keeping watch April 16, 2014 Cartier UK’s new managing director tells Alex Doak how he made the unlikely transition from investment banking to top-end luxury goods IN THE year that Cartier is choosing to focus afresh on its men’s product, it makes plenty of sense for the London arm of Richemont Group’s flagship brand to recruit a regular wolf of [...]
While Cartier mans up, women get more of what they want April 16, 2014 Chanel Première Triple Row The Première was the first watch created by Chanel back in 1987, its case referencing the stopper of the No. 5 bottle and, by extension, the footprint of Place Vendôme. This year, its strap mimics that of the iconic 2.55 bag. Layer with bracelets or, if you boast a midriff of [...]
The new school of cool April 16, 2014 From Nomos Glashütte’s Berlin to Shinola’s Detroit, we’re experiencing a fresh wave of watchmaking that combines metropolitan sophistication, crisp, contemporary design, and hip-to-the-game urban credentials (without a hint of irony) LET'S GET one thing straight: Shinola do not make “hipster” watches. Nor do they make vintage-inspired “hipster” bicycles, and nor are the baristas in plaid [...]
Less Metro, more Astro | Horolo-hipsters rule the streets but virtuoso watchmakers are looking to the stars April 16, 2014 MB&F If you’re excited by the Helvetica watch above, then there might be enough geek in you to get excited by this table clock, launched behind closed doors at Baselworld last month. Yes, it does look like The Federation’s Deep Space Nine, and yes, that was on purpose. MB&F’s watch designers have always sought inspiration [...]
It’s about time for a spring clean April 16, 2014 Your watch is probably long overdue a service – and what better time of the year to do so? Allow the watchmakers at Wempe to explain VENTURE down the stairs at Breitling or Vacheron Constantin’s shiny new boutiques on Bond Street, or simply browse the windows of David M Robinson in Canary Wharf’s subterranean Jubilee [...]
Good little runners | Three new in-house-manufactured engines launched this year April 16, 2014 TAG Heuer CH80 An especially slimline chronograph made at TAG’s new Chevenez factory (hence CH) that promises to be good for 80 hours’ timekeeping. tagheuer.com Eterna Calibre 39 Eterna invented the use of ball-bearings in a winding rotor in 1948, then ceramic bearings in 2006 – both seen in this new workhorse “tractor” designed to [...]
Restaurant review: One Kensington April 15, 2014 @steve_dinneen RESTAURANT 1 Kensington High Street, W8 5NP Tel: 0207 795 6533 FOOD Two Stars VALUE Two Stars ATMOSPHERE Two Stars Cost for two without booze: £100 I’m pretty sure Jason Atherton’s Berner’s Tavern featured prominently on the mood-board for Tamarind Collection’s new opening, One Kensington. They’re both big, high, grand old halls that have [...]
Let’s get cracking | Six of the best Easter eggs April 15, 2014 Fortnum & Mason’s hand decorated milk chocolate egg Billed as a “work of art in chocolate”, this oval marvel was hand-crafted in England. Available with a pink or blue ribbon, the egg is filled with chocolate treats. £39.95 fortnumandmason.com Harrod’s milk chocolate easter egg with dolly mix The deep groove detailing that runs down the [...]
A Great British beast of a sports car April 14, 2014 It may not be in the same league as the P1 but the 650S is the best consolation prize anyone could hope for THE McLaren P1 hyper-hybrid might just be the greatest car in the world right now. But it costs nearly a million quid, only 375 are being made and I haven’t been allowed [...]
Not convinced? April 14, 2014 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… FERRARI 458 SPECIALE PRICE: £208,000 0-62MPH: 3.0 secs TOP SPEED: 202+ mph CO2 G/KM: 275g/km MPG COMBINED: 23.9mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Five Stars PRACTICALITY Two Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Three Stars LAMBORGHINI HURACAN PRICE: £200,000 (est) 0-62MPH: 3.2 secs TOP SPEED: 202mph CO2 G/KM: 290g/km MPG COMBINED: 22.3mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Three [...]