Editor’s Picks: Zagato Driving Simulator, Leather Boots and Chardonnay Vodka
From a print of Sir Michael Caine from the classic ‘Get Carter’ to Lamborghini’s latest track car, this is what we want this week…
2020; we’re calling it. Another year down — and what a doozy. Lockdowns, scandals and injustices have plagued this never-ending year, but we’ve done our best to keep our heads high, chins up and maintain a good healthy dose of hope for the future.
And that’s the spirit of Editor’s Picks. Every week, we round up the most outrageous, expensive gear to stir up your desire, to inspire you and give you something to aspire towards. So, from a handsome, marble-clad wine chiller to the finest home racing simulator we’ve ever clapped eyes on, here’s your final shot of motivation in a very demotivating year…
Chill out: RBT Marble Wine Chiller
A week or two ago, we featured a Champagne Sabre from this brand; the perfect piece of showmanship for New Year’s Eve. But RBT also offer more everyday items — this contemporary wine chiller among them. Fashioned with a brass base to prevent condensation, and boasting a body hewn from attractive marble, it’s as much a piece of sculpture as it is a Champagne chiller.
Double measures: Spirited: Cocktails from Around the World
While we’re on the topic of drinking — because who doesn’t want a glass or two to wash away 2020? — let’s elevate your cocktail game. From Phaidon (the coffee table cognoscenti) this bold blue book contains recipes from 60 countries going back 500 years — and is overflowing with lip-smacking libations from Jimmie Roosevelts to Jägeritas…
Sound it out: Transparent Speaker
Swedish audio brand Transparent Sound have a simple aim: combine fashion with function. With this stripped-back, pared-down speaker, the Scandinavian designers have achieved just that. Constructed using just a simple aluminium frame and tempered glass panels, this completely clear speaker allows you to appreciate its fine, inner workings — as you also appreciate its crystal-clear sound.
Lock and load: Michael Caine ‘Get Carter’ Print from Sonic Editions
When Get Carter was first released, in 1971, it wasn’t overly well-received. It wasn’t badly received, but it slipped under the radar — despite compelling, double-barrelled performances by Ian Hendry and Britt Ekland. But, by far the star was the titular ‘Jack Carter’, played with a steely, hard edge by Michael Caine. This print, from Sonic Editions, rightfully celebrates his performance — 50 years on.
Give it the boot: Crockett & Jones Aldershot Derby Boot
With the New Year in sight, it’s time to put your best foot forward. That means lacing it into a scotch-grain, rough-out suede and brass buckle-adorned boot crafted by Crockett & Jones. There’s really no safer bet if you want to hot-foot it out of 2020 and into 2021 — as quickly as your cleated Vibram soles will take you…
Raise a glass: Chapel Down Chardonnay Vodka
You must have heard of Chapel Down by now. The world’s leading English winemaker, based in Kent, has not only created bottles from Bacchus to Brut — but it’s also had a bash at spirits. A recent gin used winemaking grapes as part of the botanical recipe — and now this Chardonnay Vodka (with notes of light citrus, summer flowers, aniseed) is distilled from the skins of Chapel Down’s British-grown grapes.
Start your engines: Lamborghini SC20 Track Car
Talk about a limited edition. Only one of Lamborghini’s latest will ever be built; the angular, V12 Lamborghini SC20. Inspired by some of the Italian carmaker’s most outlandish concepts and cars, this 759bhp speedster is based around a carbon-fibre body and has a white-and-blue paint job specified by the buyer. That’s right, this road-legal, 6.5-litre beast was privately-purchased. Lucky them.
The write stuff: Smythson ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ Notebook
It’s all too easy to delete a note on your phone, isn’t it? And you know the note we’re talking about; your New Year’s Resolutions list. By February, you’ll have sneakily deleted all and every virtuous goal from your phone. But commit them to paper, and it’ll become considerably harder to scrub them out. Enter Smythson, and this cross-grain, gilt-edged notebook.
Game on: Zagato eClassic Driving Simulator by TCCT
Aside from the Mille Miglia — which tore off the starting line at the eleventh hour this year — 2020 has been sadly lacking on the motoring front. Thankfully, the The Classic Car Trust’s new eClassic concept has used state-of-the-art high-end technology to give us perhaps the most handsome racing simulators the world has ever seen. One is designed by Pininfarina, but our favourite has to be this bright-red, wire-framed beauty from Zagato.
Button it: Tod’s Trench Coat in Beige
There’s a storm coming. Because, while we hope 2021 holds brighter skies and sunnier days in general, we’re still deep in the dark days of winter. And, from snow and slush to rain and wind, you need a proper, hardy coat to protect yourself. Tod’s, masters of Italian fashion, have just the thing — a horn-buttoned, leather-trimmed take on the classic trench coat.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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