Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibition: The greatest watch show on earth is getting ready to launch at the Saatchi Gallery June 4, 2015 In one month’s time Patek Philippe will open its Grand Exhibition, a two-week takeover of the Saatchi Gallery. There will be scores of fabulous historic and modern watches, but perhaps none more beautiful than the new 5370 split-seconds chronograph. It costs the earth (£180,160 to be precise), its dual chronograph mechanism being one of the [...]
Timeless classics: The right watch will never go out of fashion June 4, 2015 You know exactly what period of history someone is talking about if they mention drop waists and Evelyn Waugh, or baggy jeans and grunge. Fashion, literature and music are the cultural touchstones by which we navigate our recent history. This doesn’t really hold true in the world of watches, though; the best ones are timeless. [...]
Ghost in the machine: Rolls-Royce’s new Ghost hits the almost imperceptible sweet spot between manufacturing and art June 4, 2015 Automobiles are no strangers to art galleries. Among the MoMA’s permanent collection in New York is a pristine multi-story car park that includes a scarlet 1946 Cisitalia 202 GT, a matt olive ‘52 VW Beetle, and a blue metallic 1961 Jaguar E-type roadster. For three days in London last Christmas, though, there was a marque [...]
Birthday Bordeaux: In praise of Chateau Lynch-Bages, the quintessential Claret and the best present an oenophile could wish for June 4, 2015 I recently had a Big Birthday, my half century in fact, so you can imagine I took excessive care with the wine list when some old friends came round for dinner. We had a lovely white Monthelie 2008 to start and a 1963 port to round off the evening. But the star of the show [...]
The ultimate foodie break to Jersey: The largest Channel Island has more than tax breaks and sunshine to offer June 2, 2015 Have you been to Jersey lately? Why not? It’s the sunniest place in the British Isles. You can leave your City office at 6pm and make an 8pm dinner reservation (I flew from London City with Blue Islands, which provides you with free drinks and won’t shout at you about the size of your carry-on [...]
Working lunch in Fitzrovia: Pied-a-Terre still serves the best meal in town June 2, 2015 Our guide to the best places to eat during office hours. WHAT? A Fitzrovia fixture since 1991, Michelin-starred Pied-a-Terre specialises in classic French cooking with the obligatory modern twist. It’s quiet but fun, a nostalgic throwback to a pre-street food, pre-pop up culinary scene, when great dining still meant baskets of artisan bread and linen [...]
Get better acquainted with France’s favourite C-word June 2, 2015 Over the last 100 years the French have successfully petitioned for strict controls on the use of the C-word. Champagne isn’t just a fizzy wine, it’s a brand. The word can only be used on a bottle when the contents were made using the Méthode Champenoise (traditional method) with grapes grown and vinified in Champagne. [...]
Blue Sun-day June 2, 2015 This summer blue isn’t just the warmest colour, it’s positively hot: time to roll out the azure sunnies. Rejoice, for this season’s must have colour is the most liveable and convenient of them all: blue. But just because you can wear it with anything, doesn’t mean it has to be dull. As the above sunglasses [...]
A close shave June 2, 2015 Your morning ritual need not be a chore with grooming products this luxurious This shaving kit from Acqua di Parma will turn your morning shave into a ritual to be savoured. The Italian brand has become a firm favourite, known for its fine craftsmanship and subtle, masculine fragrances. This stand, razor and shaving brush are [...]
Car review: Why BMW’s Alpina XD3, the fastest 4×4 ever made, is the smart choice June 1, 2015 It’s funny how meanings change. In the early 1990s, diesel was a dirty word. But then diesel got clean, went green, became the low-CO2 champion to save the planet – and the Congestion Charge. Then scientists started noticing how London’s nitrogen oxide levels were spiking. Indeed, Oxford Street is one of the dirtiest roads on [...]
