Editor’s Picks: £100k Whisky Trunk, Indian Motorcycle and Hemingway Pen
From Blenheim Forge’s first folding knife to Swiss watchmaker Piaget’s skeletonised Polo, this is what we want this week…
Words: Jonathan Wells
We’re showing our mettle in this week’s Editor’s Picks. Or should that be ‘metal’? After all, from the blue steel blade of Blenheim Forge’s latest knife to the anodised trim of Hispano Suiza’s new hypercar, there’s a lot of the high-shine, high-tensile stuff going around.
We’ve got an 18ct gold pen from Montegrappa, a sporty steel skeletonised watch from Piaget and Indian’s new motorcycle — a scrambler with a lick of ‘Titanium Smoke’ paint. Even our new favourite sneakers from Uniform Standard are crafted from ‘Platinum Suede’. For the rest of this week’s copper-bottomed Editor’s Picks, take a look below…
Start your engines: 2022 Indian FTR Rally Motorcycle
We may only just have motored into 2021, but motorcycle manufacturer Indian are zipping even farther into the future. The brand’s 2022 FTR Rally Motorcycle is a treat; kitted out with knobbly tyres, wire spoke wheels and a ‘Titanium Smoke’ paint finish. And it doesn’t only look good — that liquid-cooled V-Twin also churns out an impressive 120 horsepower.
Knock-in: Piaget Polo Skeleton
This week, the illustrious Swiss watchmaker unveiled a striking, all-new look for its most famous luxury sports watch; the Polo. Available in two highly individual colours (Piaget blue and slate grey), the Polo Skeleton’s case has been reduced to a mere 6.5mm thick (almost 3mm slimmer than before) and the intricate movement — hands included — has been pared-down for unparalleled transparency.
Roll it!: Nebula Astro Projector
Last week, we rounded up the best theatre-beating gear for those of you building a home cinema. This projector didn’t make the cut — but it’s nonetheless a pretty fun gadget to have around the house. It may only have 480p resolution, but for something the size of an orange, it still packs a cinematic punch.
A farewell to screens: Montegrappa Ernest Hemingway Rollerball Pen
If your work-from-home journey has led you away from screens and back to the traditional pen-and-paper approach to work, you’re in luck. We’ve not only been discovering the best luxury pens — from fountains to ballpoints — we’ve also discovered a whole host of special edition writing implements. Our favourite? This polished chrome tribute to Ernest Hemingway — complete with Art Deco patterning, swordfish design end-cap and deep-filled engraving of the legendary author’s signature.
Sharpen up: Blenheim Forge Damascus Folding Knife
The very first folding knife from Blenheim Forge is something to behold. The result of countless concepts and trials, this handsome blade is constructed from nickel damascus and blue paper steel; with a design inspired by both Japanese ‘Higonokami’ knives and the idiosyncratic wood finish found on high-end Japanese chisels. Each limited example is delivered in a handcrafted cotton canvas sheath.
Check it out: Ralph Lauren Tartan Balmacaan Topcoat
If the cold weather’s been getting you down, Ralph Lauren’s latest topcoat is a surefire way to put a smile back on your face (and warm you up at the same time). Woven from Irish Black Watch wool tweed and tailored in Italy, this bold, belted coat is easily the most arresting piece of outerwear we’ve seen all season. RL does it again.
Electrifying: Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne Hypercar
This little-known Spanish carmaker has a chequered past. Founded in 1904, it attempted to speed back onto the supercar scene in 2010, but failed. 2019 saw a new burst of life — and culminated in the concept ‘Carmen’ model. This week, the Carmen ‘Boulogne’ special edition has been unveiled; a high-output electric car clothed in clear-coated carbon fibre panels and boasting a nifty 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds.
Listen up: KEF Mu3 wireless headphones
Designed by visionary designer Ross Lovegrove, pioneering high-performance audio brand KEF has this week unveiled its Mu3 true wireless earphones. Benefitting from specially tuned Active Noise Cancellation technology, each earphone delivers well-balanced, coherent sound with rich midrange, detailed bass and crisp high tones. And, with 9 hours use at full charge, there’s enough playtime to please even the most passionate music enthusiast.
Special Forces: ThruDark Patriot Jacket
This incredible jacket from British outerwear experts ThruDark — discover how two Special Forces soldiers founded the brand here — is a serious piece of kit. With a water repellant Pertex Quantum outer injected with 100% Italian Goose down, it offers the ideal warmth-to-weight ratio — whilst never impeding on movement. Throw in fleece-lined pockets, reinforced shoulder panels and abrasion-resistant Cordura, and you’ve got the perfect solution to savage winter climates.
Dram roll: Glenfarclas ‘The Family Casks’ Whisky Trunk
Okay, so Glenfarclas isn’t our favourite whisky. But we’ll look past that — considering how impressive this extremely-limited, leather-bound, scotch-stuffed collection is. Only 60 of these ‘Travel Trunks’ will ever be produced — and each contains fifty 200ml bottles, sampling every single Glenfarclas Family Cask vintage from 1954 until 2003. Also in there, a set of Glencairn crystalware, four Scottish slate coasters and a painting of the distillery itself. Neat.
Kick it: Uniform Standard Series 1
Handcrafted from fine Italian suede, Uniform Standard’s Series 1 sneakers in ‘Triple Platinum’ suede have solved the smart-casual conundrum once and for all. Thanks to minimal clean lines, premium recycled materials and sublimely hand-finished detailing, these kicks are as versatile as they are sophisticated.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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Further reading
Editor’s Picks: Grand Seiko watch, Crockett & Jones shoes, Littlemill whisky and My Style Bags watch case
A bigger splash: The best RIB brands on the market
