The best luxury gifts for men
The Brompton Electric P Line
Brompton claims this is the “most compact folding e-bike, made even lighter”. We like the concept — portable, foldable travel that can be carried on the Tube or slung in the back of a cab should you not fancy the ride home. But as it’s electric, that shouldn’t be too strenuous in any case.
The frame is built by hand from steel and titanium, and it comes in a range of colours with two handlebar options (mid and high).From GBP3,695; brompton.com[1]
Montblanc Great Characters Muhammad Ali Collection
The German maker of luxury writing instruments has a series that commemorates selected individuals, and new is a set of three pens that celebrate the life of Muhammad Ali, the three-times heavyweight champion and civil rights campaigner. They come with a host of references to the man and his sport, from shafts that replicate the look and feel of the tape wound round a boxer’s hands, to a cap based on the shape of a punchbag. Each edition of the pen references one of three victories (1964, 1974 and 1978), and there is a clip that looks like a championship belt, nibs engraved with a boxing glove motif, and a decorative butterfly on the cap to recall his most famous quote: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” — the pen’s point being the sting! Pens from GBP780; montblanc.com[2]
Paul Smith + Kask Artist Stripe Fade Protone Helmet
As a teenager Paul Smith had dreams of becoming a racing cyclist, until an accident diverted his attentions away from the road and towards the catwalk.
Cycling’s loss was fashion’s gain, but the designer has never lost his passion for two wheels. His design studio in Covent Garden is stacked with racing bicycles. So it’s no surprise that Smith has been collaborating with Kask since 2015 to create striking versions of the Italian firm’s helmet designs.
These come in a variety of colours and designs, but we particularly like the Paul Smith + Kask Artist Stripe Fade Protone Cycling Helmet.GBP250; paulssmith.com[3]
Crockett & Jones Chelsea 8 Boot
The Crockett & Jones Chelsea launched in 1961 and the latest iteration remains pretty faithful to the original, with the elegant “V” elasticated panel that distinguished the first pattern. A “City” rubber sole gives it grip, while a “whole vamp lining” means there is a leather lining that coats your foot inside like a glove, if a foot can be said to wear such a thing. The beauty of the Chelsea boot, apart from a look that recalls Swinging Sixties sartorial style, is that it is incredibly comfortable on account of it being seamless.
The newest version for this winter is in dark brown burnished calf, but the Chelsea 8 also comes in black calf, chestnut burnished calf, and black and dark brown suede.Leather, GBP570, suede, GBP470; crockettandjones.com[4][5][6]
Bennett Winch Weekender
You may know Bennett Winch for its Suit Carrier Holdall, as featured in No Time to Die, an ingenious bag with a wrap-around suit carrier (Bond’s Tom Ford tux is in this). But the design that launched the British bag company is the Weekender, which is a great bag for a couple of overnight stays — or longer trips if you travel light. The appeal is its just-right amount of space, handy pockets inside and out, and clever use of compartments.
There are two waterproof ones for gym kit, shoes and other mucky stuff, and a padded sleeve pocket to protect your laptop. Available in leather and canvas in a number of colours and in suede in storm grey, all with handle grip, base and trim in full-grain leather, shoulder strap in military-grade cotton webbing, and cotton lining.Canvas, GBP850. Leather, GBP1,550.
Suede, GBP1,750; bennettwinch.com[7][8][9][10]
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Lock & Co cashmere beanie
Lock & Co hatters on St James’s Street in London dates back to 1676, making it, apparently, the oldest hat shop in the world (and the 34th oldest family-owned business). Its customers have included Admiral Lord Nelson (the bicorne he wore at the Battle of Trafalgar, no less), Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Gary Oldman (for his role as Churchill in the film Darkest Hour) and David Beckham. Lock also introduced the bowler hat and made Oddjob’s lethal headgear for the Bond classic Goldfinger.
But our tip for the season is a Lock & Co cashmere beanie. It comes in several styles — notably the thicker Rannoch and thinner Ski model — in a bunch of colours, including a two-tone version in the Ski.From GBP155. Two-tone cashmere Ski beanie, GBP195; lockhatters.com[11]
Globe-Trotter trunk
Globe-Trotter (established 1897) dates from a time when people travelled long distances with substantial luggage.
And while the suitcases, still made from vulcanised fibreboard as they have been for years, with many featuring distinctive leather straps, are what you are most likely to see, the British firm has recently introduced its 100-litre XL trunk. Based on Globe-Trotter’s original steamer trunks, the new model has four wheels to make it manoeuvrable while still offering ample room for the most demanding of wardrobes. It is available in many colour combinations of body and leather details, and with different types of metal hardware.
And you can also design your own. A great gift is an appointment at the Globe-Trotter store in Burlington Arcade, London W1, for a bespoke consultation where you spec your own suitcase or trunk.Suitcases from GBP995. Trunks from GBP2,295 (bespoke adds to the price); globe-trotter.com[12]
Sunspel Roxburgh jumper
Sunspel may be best known for its quality T-shirts, but the Nottinghamshire-based company, founded in 1860, also makes some fine knitwear, which will be a great addition to any winter wardrobe.
The Roxburgh jumper is made using heavy-gauge (Grade A 15.5 micron) cashmere yarn from one of the oldest spinners in Scotland. This is washed using natural spring water, a process that apparently “opens the fibres” to create a smooth and soft feel.GBP950; sunspel.com[13]
J Craft Torpedo
J Craft is a Swedish boat-maker that launched in 1999 and produces only about two vessels a year from a boatyard in Gotland, the largest island in its homeland. Built entirely by hand (the boats each take more than 8,000 hours to finish), the 42ft J Craft Torpedo differs from most similar “day boats” in that it is ocean-going; Torpedoes have made long, open voyages in the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic, the South China Sea and the Mediterranean.
And despite the beautiful retro looks — mahogany deck, leather trim and an old-school instrument panel that will delight any design buff — the technology at play here is decidedly 21st century. The Torpedo can reach speeds of up to 47 knots (54mph) at full throttle, while a joystick enables the forward-facing propellers of the Volvo Penta IPS pod drive system to be deployed individually so that when docking you can even power the boat gently sideways.From about GBP1.2 million, though each boat is customisable and this will affect the price; j-craftboats.com[14]
Aja Botanicals Walk on the Wild Side candle and diffuser
Walk on the Wild Side is a scent with smoky and leather notes from the British fragrance creator Tilly Wood. The fragrance is applied to candles and scent diffusers and is handcrafted in Britain (the candle-holder glass is handblown too).
Made from high-quality pure essential oils, Walk on the Wild Side blends oakmoss, cabreuva, labdanum and cade to give a sensual, earthy aroma. Of the name, Wood says, “The fragrance reminds me of deserted late-night streets and smoke vents in New York from the movies in the Seventies, which is why Lou Reed’s song felt like the perfect match.”From GBP39 for a single-wick candle. Three-wick candle, GBP125; ajabotanicals.com and its pop-up store at 19 Air Street, London W1[15][16][17]
Applied Art Forms DM1-1 Japanese cargo trousers
Applied Art Forms flies a little under the radar.
Founded by Coldplay’s bassist Guy Berryman, who also, incidentally, runs a very cool car magazine called The Road Rat, Applied Art Forms draws inspiration from utilitarian and military garments. The DM1-1 is inspired by a pair of Swedish army trousers sourced by Berryman, a “deadstock” item that had never been worn when he bought them. “The sample item was in a very large size but we loved the volume they created on the leg,” he explains. “To retain this volume we added pleats to bring the waist in and darts at the bottom of the leg to create a slight balloon silhouette.” The Applied Art Forms version comes in Japanese Cordura (blended cotton and nylon), Japanese cotton canvas and 10oz Japanese selvedge denim. There are no pockets on the legs or hips, as is usually the case with cargo pants, but instead there is a copious patch pocket at the rear.
There’s also a patch on the back of the waistband that nods to the design of Apollo-era spacesuits.DM1-1 cargo trousers, GBP339; appliedartforms.com[18]
Vilebrequin X Okuda San Miguel Stretch Swim Trunks Animals
This beach-favourite label was founded in Saint-Tropez in 1971, the brainchild of a former Formula One reporter and his fashion designer girlfriend (pub quiz fact: Vilebrequin is French for crankshaft). Today, the firm makes clothing as well as swimwear, but these stretchy swimming trunks are just the thing to get you booking a winter break. Their pop art surrealism comes care of the Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel, who has created a capsule collection for the brand made from 98 per cent recycled polyamide and 2 per cent elastane.
The more you stare at these trunks the more creatures you see.GBP260; vilebrequin.com[19]
EB Meyrowitz Xarraca sunglasses
EB Meyrowitz makes exquisite eyewear, with a history that goes back to 1875 and a story that tells of kitting out early motorists and aviators with the brand’s Luxor goggles. Apparently these were worn by the breakers of land-speed records — Sir Malcolm Campbell, Sir Henry Seagrave and John Cobb — Andre Lagache, the winner of the first Le Mans 24 Hours (in 1923) and every successive victor in the race until 1940, and many other winners of the Mille Miglia, the Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix. In the air, Amelia Earhart wore Luxors on her first flight, while pilot Charles Lindbergh donned then to complete his famous transatlantic journey.
So, these handsome brown mottle acetate Xarraca sunglasses, named after a beach on Ibiza, with their aviator lines and retro sporty looks, come with some impressive heritage.GBP895; ebmeyrowitz.com[20]
Acqua di Parma Zafferano fragrance
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Acqua di Parma of Italy makes some beautiful fragrances that come in equally beautiful vessels and packaging. The new Zafferano (saffron) fragrance is no exception. The spicy scent, composed from a combination of saffron with jasmine sambac, geranium and orange blossom and softened by vanilla and tonka bean, is contained within a stylish black glass bottle.GBP220 for 180ml; johnlewis.com[21]
Leica M11-P camera
The Leica M series of cameras has become legendary since its launch in 1954 and has been the choice of many of the world’s greatest photographers.
It has also taken many of the world’s greatest images. Back then, of course, you could easily determine the veracity of a photo. You had a negative and you could prove that the image captured on film was authentic.
Today, digital photography is open to manipulation, and when it comes to recording world events, or even less seismic moments, that means that our trust in what we are seeing pictured is under threat. So Leica has produced the new M11-P, which uses encrypted metadata in compliance with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), assigning a digital signature to your pictures so their authenticity is easily verified. Apart from that, the M11-P has the latest Leica tech so it takes great pictures.
And like all Leica Ms, it’s a beautiful piece of design.GBP8,000 (body only); leica-cameras.com[22]
Favourbrook corduroy suit
Oliver Spencer, Favourbrook’s designer and founder, has long championed velvet as the brand’s core fabric, particularly for eveningwear. But there is a new kid on the fabric block, Spencer says, and its name is corduroy. “Corduroy is like velvet in that it takes colour beautifully,” he explains. “And the wales — the ridges — give it a three-dimensionality that makes it look rich and sumptuous.” Favourbrook offers corduroy in two widths of wale in an array of colours and a style that will ensure you are not mistaken for a geography teacher: peak lapels and one-button fastening, just like a dinner suit. And though Spencer says that his customers are indeed wearing the cord styles as an eveningwear alternative, he sees these garments as being equally suited to your daywear wardrobe.Olive Hatfield Newport jacket, GBP620, and trousers, GBP260; favourbrook.com[23][24][25]
Connolly Maxi toolkit
Connolly made its name creating the leather interiors for cars during the early years of motoring and the mid 20th century, an exciting new age of touring by luxury car.
Today, it is a British maker of motoring-inspired clothing and accessories. And while its merino wool travel sweater and relaxed corduroy trousers are made for those long-distance drives, this portable toolkit is a standout gift. Designed by Sebastian Conran, the Maxi toolkit is handmade in tanned leather and folds in half to be carried like a briefcase.
There is a smaller version (the Midi) too.GBP3,200; connollyengland.com[26]
Brunello Cucinelli Nordic jacquard turtleneck cardigan
Brunello Cucinelli started his career in fashion making cashmere knitwear, which perhaps explains his commitment to creating soft and easy pieces, whether they are coats, jackets or, indeed, knits. This zip-up Nordic jacquard turtleneck cardigan is actually a bit like an all-in-one combination of all three — coat, jacket and knit. It is made from cashmere feather yarn, which, on account of its tubular structure, gives volume but remains lightweight and soft.
The lining is shearling to add to the feeling of snugness.GBP7,300; shop.brunellocucinelli.com[27]
Vintage Rolex Submariner
The Vintage Watch Company in Burlington Arcade, central London, specialises in old Rolexes. It’s been doing this since 1995, focusing on models that date from 1910 to 1990. Many of its pieces are rare and all are sold in excellent condition.
What makes this place special is that it has a workshop of trained Rolex watchmakers who completely strip down each watch, including the movement, to restore it to perfect working order. Plus you get a three-year international guarantee. This Rolex Submariner is typical of the quality of the timepieces on offer: the 1983 version with rare enlarged maxi dial is featured on a bespoke Nato military strap.
Prices range from GBP5,000 for a classic Rolex Oyster upwards. So if you want the cachet of owning a vintage Rolex with the security of knowing it has been expertly brought back to great condition, here’s your answer.1983 Vintage Rolex Submariner, GBPPOA; vintagewatchcompany.com and 24 Burlington Arcade, London W1[28]
Dandemonium — The Dandy Defined Collector’s Edition
This handsome collector’s edition book, limited to 1,000 copies and featuring many illustrations and photographs, is the culmination of more than a decade’s work by the journalist Robin Dutt. And while it includes some fascinating history about dandyism, tracing the notion back to George Bryan “Beau” Brummell, whose statue stands on Jermyn Street, the author brings the notion of male sartorial finery right up to date.
Every chapter ends with an account entitled “Dandies Met” in which Dutt recalls his own meetings with a whole raft of modern-day dandies, including Andy Warhol, Quentin Crisp, AA Gill, Pierre Cardin and David Sylvian.Published by Kerseymere, GBP100; available online exclusively from shreejinewsagents.com/products/dandemonium[29]
Tiffany Makers collection sterling silver money clip
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The US company started in 1837 and today has a Makers collection that references this heritage. The pieces are branded with a motif inspired by the firm’s “hollowware” (crockery and cookware) workshop. Tiffany & Co claims to have set the standard for purity in sterling silver in the US more than a century ago — 925 parts per 1,000 parts silver — and has a rich tradition of making pieces in this metal.
This money clip is a handsome accessory to pull out of your pocket.GBP260; tiffany.com[30]
Hackett wool and cashmere blazer
When Jeremy Hackett opened his first shop in 1983 it was on the Kings Road in Chelsea and sold second-hand clothes. Hackett was a fan of British tailored style and was soon making his own modern versions of the garments he loved. Now 40 years on Hackett is a global business, but the spirit of that first venture lives on at 14 Savile Row, where you can get bespoke, made-to-measure and personal tailoring services.
There’s a ready-to-wear collection called No 14 Savile Row too, offering pieces such as this classic wool and cashmere single-breasted two-button navy blazer.GBP690; hackett.com[31]
Bremont Waterman Apex II Dive Watch
This limited-edition (to 350 pieces) dive watch is the latest in the British watchmaker Bremont’s Waterman series and was developed in collaboration with Laird Hamilton, the American big-wave surfer who is based in Hawaii. It has all the features you’d want in a dive watch: water resistant to 500m, crown protector, automatic helium escape valve, ceramic scratch resistant 24-hour unidirectional bezel and a 50-hour power reserve. There are GMT and date functions and a choice of rubber strap or steel bracelet.
But what we really like is that the matt-black dial displays a wave and shark fin design. Hamilton, the consummate waterman, says: “In Hawaii the sharks are your aumakua, which means that the spirits of your ancestors live in the sharks, so I particularly love the subtle dial design, which has this added significance for me.”GBP4,450; bremont.com[32]
Dunhill Rollagas Prince of Wales wool down blouson
Alfred Dunhill was an innovator and inventor, and the firm made its name producing items for early motorists such as lights and horns, as well as goggles and leather coats. This legacy is still evident in pieces like this blouson, which is designed to be practical while also looking stylish.
Made in the brand’s Rollagas fabrication, the piece is down-filled for warmth and features handy pockets. The functionality is hidden from view thanks to non-visible metal snaps on pockets and cuffs, and herein lies the beauty of this jacket, which possesses elegant simplicity that suits the choice of fabric, a Prince of Wales check.GBP1,950; dunhill.com[33]
Thomas Pink Bengal stripe shirt
Thomas Pink, the luxury British shirtmaker, is known for its use of colour. Seven hues have been created exclusively for the label, which it uses for solid-coloured styles.
The palette has also been developed as a series of seven Bengal stripes, plus there is a vibrant eighth version — a multistripe incorporating all the colours together on an off-white background. You can choose a striped pattern in orange, turquoise blue, red, green, sky blue, pale pink and a hotter pink, as well as the one composed of all the above. The soft cotton fabric is made by the Italian weaver Albini.
The shirts come in three fits — slim, tailored and classic — and feature a single cuff and mother-of-pearl buttons.GBP125; thomaspink.com[34]