Editor’s Picks: Aston Martin Simulator, GoPro Hero 9 and The Godfather
From a rare 25 Year Old whisky from Longmorn to the supercar spearheading Maserati's revival, this is what we want this week...
Words: Jonathan Wells
Maybe it’s the colder evenings, or the falling leaves — or the fact that we’ve binged everything worth watching on Netflix — but we’ve come over all literary this week. We’ve pulled on our thickest socks, opened that bottle of single malt Scotch we’d been saving and cracked the spines on some of the best books to hit shelves this September.
Whether it’s a new edition of a world-famous mafia epic, a coffee table trawl through the history of the French Riviera’s most glamorous town or a mouth-watering look at 67 Pall Mall’s best wine and recipe pairings, this week we’re all about books. With the odd supercar, fine timepiece and superyacht thrown in, of course…
An offer you can’t refuse: The Godfather, Folio Society Edition
Hands up if you knew that The Godfather was a book before an Oscar-winning film trilogy. No? Well you’d better put that right sharpish — or else. Brilliant and brutal, Mario Puzo’s story of mafia feuds in post-war New York has been turned into a page-turning work of art thanks to this new lavishly illustrated edition from The Folio Society.
Earn your stripes: Turnbull & Asser Navy Wool Stripe Tie
Oh, you hadn’t heard? Ties are back. One of AW20’s hottest trends, the humble necktie is looping its way back into mainstream fashion. So, if you’re heading back into the office and want to upgrade your Double Windsor, what better option than this understated, subtly patterned piece from Turnbull & Asser?
Raise a glass: 'Wine and Food. The Perfect Match'
For wine lovers, there is no better private members’ club than 67 Pall Mall — and no better book than Wine and Food. The Perfect Match. The club’s inaugural publication, this new hardback includes expertise from 67 Pall Mall’s Head of Wine Ronan Sayburn, as well as 100 sumptuous recipes from the club’s Executive Chef Marcus Verberne — from Thai octopus salad to Roquefort ice cream. Enough to get your mouth watering?
Winter warmer: Longmorn 25 Year Old Whisky
The Secret Speyside Collection, recently launched to UK stockists, is brimming with special bottlings. But this, a 25 Year Old Single Malt from Moray’s Longmorn Distillery, is one of the best, in our opinion. With comforting, subtle spicy notes of cinnamon, plum and sultanas, it’s a whisky with such a long, smooth finish that it’ll keep you warm until winter.
Watch out: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold
The sixth rattrapante chronograph from A. Lange & Söhne is special. A limited edition, this “Homage to F. A. Lange” is crafted from ‘honey gold’ — a rare material developed especially for the German brand, and characterised by remarkable hardness and a warm sheen. Inside, the eponymous complication allows lap-time measurements — and is topped charmingly, if surprisingly, with a modern black dial.
Rough and ready: GoPro Hero 9 Black
You know the gist by now. After all, every time GoPro reveal a new camera, it has higher resolution, a larger display and is even more difficult to destroy than the last. This time around, that means the latest Hero supports 5K video recording, can take 20 megapixel stills and boasts improved battery life, image stabilisation and a new front display. Adventure sportsmen, you know what to do…
Game on: Jonathan Adler Sorrento Backgammon Set, from Not-Another-Bill
Backgammon is an odd game — not that we know how to play it. Lockdown probably would have been a perfect time to learn, but we didn’t. What we did do, however, is buy this incredible ‘Sorrento’ board from curated, personalised gifting service Not-Another-Bill. Inspired by by bold 1960s Italian geometric patterns, it’s a coffee table must-have — and might even persuade you to learn the rules.
Setting sail: Baltic 142 Yacht 'Canova'
The thought of pushing ourselves onto a packed plane at the moment sends shivers down our spines. We want to explore, but we’d rather do it on our own, solitary terms. Aboard Canova, perhaps — a foil-assisted Baltic 142 originally conceived as a global cruising yacht. The best part? She maintains high levels of luxury and comfort even at a sustained speed of over 20 knots. Certainly beats any airline we can think of…
Behind the wheel: Curvrs AMR-C01 Driving Simulator
Presumably we don’t have to convince you of this. Just look at it. Crafted from Carbon Fibre, with a seat stolen from the Aston Martin Valkyrie and blessed with screens of such a high resolution that you’ll actually think you’re tearing around a track, this incredible simulator is so sleek that we’re thinking of cashing in our supercar fund just to get our hands on one.
Shifting gears: Maserati MC20
Maserati loves a relaunch. Multiple times throughout the brand’s high-octane history, it’s switched off the engines, had a total revamp, and then come speeding back onto the supercar scene. The latest revival was meant to happen in May. Suffice to say, it was delayed — but the turbocharged, mid-engined, sleepy designed MC20 looks to more than make up for lost time.
Place in the sun: St. Tropez Soleil by Assouline
We all know St. Tropez. Sparkling away on the French Riviera, the glamorous destination has been enjoying the spotlight for over half a century. This latest coffee table book from Assouline celebrates its celebrity — with stars from Brigitte Bardot to Mick Jagger cropping up across its 300 cloth-bound pages.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal member. Find out more here.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
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
