Editor’s Picks: Ferrari Omologata, Glenlivet Reserve and Barbour Jacket
From a quality leather watch roll from Ettinger to a pair of stripped-down sneakers from Duke + Dexter, this is what we want this week…
Occasionally, the most exciting new launches and products are the ones that feel the most familiar. And there’s a reason for that. Tried, tested and treasured formulas were made to be followed — and we all enjoy recognising style cues, types of tech or popular designs in newly launched products.
When Ferrari rolls a new supercar off the production line, for example, it’ll make sure it has a sweeping silhouette and is painted ‘rosso corsa’ red. When Google reveals a new smartphone, it’ll tend to have a similar design and dimensions to the Pixel already in your pocket. And, when The Glenlivet launches a new bottle, it’ll undoubtedly have that same smooth single malt soul that the Scottish whiskymaker is known for.
For more familiar-but-fresh products — including Tudor’s new Royal watch collection and Barbour’s latest jacket — keep scrolling…
Heaven scent: Creed Original Vetiver
Any idea what ‘vetiver’ is? No? It also goes by ‘chrysopogon zizanioides’ if that helps — which it probably doesn’t. We’ll help you out. It’s a clumpy green grass native to India, used in many perfumes and aftershaves. And perfumer Creed’s innovative take on the ingredient unusually uses both the plant’s leaves and roots — giving the brand’s signature green-bottled scent a profile of masculine, leathery and earthy aromas.
Style and substance: Barbour Supa-Corbridge Waxed Cotton Jacket
Who says that rugged, rough and ready field jackets can’t be tailored? Certainly not Barbour. The northern brand is a fierce proponent of utilitarian style — and this latest variation of its 2007 Supa-Corbridge jacket proves it. Cut to a defined fit from waxed cotton, it features oiled leather shoulder patches and a high stand collar lined with corduroy and shetland wool. Style over substance, be damned. Barbour wants both.
Roll up: Ettinger Capra Double Watch Roll
Ettinger is on a roll — literally. The British brand’s latest collection features some of the most excellent, exquisite leather goods available on the market today, from hip flasks to wash bags. But one product has particularly caught our eye; the Capra Double Watch Roll. Designed to protect two watches, a dividing ring placed on an internal pillow helps to keep your timepieces separately swathed in suede-lined sections.
Phoning it in: Google Pixel 5
Usually, when tech brands launch new products, they stuff them with so many new bells and whistles that you can’t see the wood for the high-tech trees. Google, however, has taken a different approach with its new Pixel 5 smartphone. Abandoning many of the older model’s features — including the Soli radar chip, face-unlock sensors and the faster-running Snapdragon 855 chip — they have instead focused on improving camera quality and 5G capabilities. Consider us intrigued.
Tartan Tiki: The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
We may be closer to the Cairngorms than the Caribbean thanks to lockdown, but The Glenlivet — which hails from Scotland’s Moray region — is offering up a caramel-tinged compromise. As the brand’s first whisky to be selectively finished in rum barrels, The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve dances with tropical flavours of vanilla, honeydew lemon and ripe bananas in syrup. In lieu of winter sun, we’ll be buying a bottle and whipping up a ’Tartan Tiki’ cocktail.
Listen up: KEF MUO Bluetooth Speaker
It’s no surprise that KEF’s vast, intricately-engineered home cinema systems frequently floor us with the quality and clarity of their sound. It is, however, slightly shocking that the British brand’s smaller speakers can render us speechless, too. Equipped with Uni-Q Driver Arrays, Auxiliary Bass Radiators and Qualcomm’s aptX codec, we may not understand the technology that goes into KEF’s MUO Bluetooth Speaker — but we can certainly appreciate the full-range, high-resolution results…
Red peril: Ferrari Omologata Coupé
The Prancing Horse’s line of limited edition, one-off creations is long and gasp-worthy. The latest triumph to join its ranks, the Omologata, is no different. An 812 Superfast-based GT that harks back to the marque’s long GT racing history, the subtle spoiler, fastback and unbroken surfaces are enough to turn heads and drop jaws. That 6.4-litre, 789 horsepower V12 doesn’t hurt, either…
All hail: Tudor Royal 41mm
There’s an impressive 52 variations in Tudor’s new ‘Royal’ collection. Borrowing its name from the brand’s Royal dress watch first produced in the 1950s, this 2020 reimagining is suitably regal; slick, understated and available in four sizes, and with nine different dials. Our favourite? Ref. M28603-0003 — complete with day-date function, black dial and yellow gold bezel.
Kick it: Duke + Dexter Clean White Drake sneaker
Spotted them yet? We ask because these pared-back, stripped-down sneakers are so wholly white that it’s easy to lose track. But you’re not buying Duke + Dexter’s Drake Clean White Sneakers to make a statement. You’re buying them because they’re a basic style staple done incredibly well. That means premium Italian pebble grain leather, a crisp white and hard-wearing sole — and an unrivalled level of versatility.
Spill the beans: Bodum Vacuum Coffee Maker
It’s International Coffee Day, if your caffeine-deprived brain hadn’t heard. So, if you haven’t yet had your fix of French roast, it’s high-time you got grinding, pressing and percolating. And what better piece of kit with which to do so than this; a striking Bodum coffee maker? Blending science with art (and a dash of gravity-defying magic) this counter-top creation uses the age-old process of siphon brewing to add some showmanship to your morning cup.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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