It’s Friday; it’s six o’clock in London. That means it’s time to down tools, pour yourself a drink and look back at what A Prodigal Week it has been.
Glass in hand? Let me offer you some canapés of news and views.
BUT FIRST
👑 Rolex will now sell you a pre-owned watch and our latest episode of Persiflage finds us dissecting the news in the name of downtrodden watch fans everywhere.
Listen in >
CARS
Il mostro
The car that got me into cars was the Alfa Romeo SZ. To this day I remember with giddy excitement the sight of its monstrous face staring at me from the cover of the Sunday Times Motoring supplement. It was other-worldly. And if it wasn’t for the fact that I know it would break down every time I tried to drive it, I’d have one today. Il mostro will always have a special place in my heart. That’s why news this week of Alfa and Zagato’s latest collaboration caught my eye. Monochrome reports:
The project that would celebrate the 100-year bond between Zagato and Alfa Romeo would be green-lit in 2021 and was finally revealed a couple of weeks ago. It’s called the Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato, which should ring immediate bells. It is basically a gorgeous greatest-hits ensemble of some of Zagato’s historic styling cues built into a modern-day performance coupe.
Also worth your time
BMW M3 E46 revisited: “It’s an analog, old-school future classic.”
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore reviewed: “Genuinely superb. Softer and more relaxing than a Taycan and all the better for it.”
The best electric vehicles previewed: “2023’s designs will be bold, weird, and wonderful.”
GADGETS
Apple’s Submariner
My love of gadgets and my love of watches collided when Apple announced its Watch. I resisted for years. My wrist was precious real-estate, dedicated to showcasing ‘proper’ mechanical watches. I resisted until I caved. And I type this note to you now with an Apple Watch Series 5 on my wrist. It rarely leaves it. And that makes me feel conflicted me on a daily basis. Which is why this week’s review of Apple’s latest wrist-bound gadget, the Watch Ultra, by the watch nerds at Hodinkee was so interesting to me:
Apple, with the Apple Watch, could rightfully be considered the "Rolex" of the smartwatch and wearables industry. The comparison rings true for a number of reasons. Rolex and Apple Watch are globally synonymous with their product category (luxury wristwatches and smartwatches). They're two of the highest-profile consumer-facing organizations in each of their home countries (Switzerland and the United States). And they both prefer to grow and evolve through a process of iterative excellence. It's all about gradual improvements that can end up resulting in a big difference as time goes by.
The review is typically detailed and I recommend you read the whole thing but this is the crux of it for me. With the Ultra, Apple has created a tool that is over-engineered for the vast majority of its owners. It’s rugged, butch, purposeful. It reminds me of the 14060M Submariner sitting neglected in my safe…
Also worth your time
Sony A7R V questioned: “The 61-megapixel full-frame sensor is brilliant, the autofocus tracking is impeccable, the articulating screen is the best around, and yet Sony cameras are still plagued by terrible ergonomics.”
Seagull Pro announced: “Pool cleaning company Aiper is launching the world’s first quad-motor pool-cleaning robot.”
Withings U-Scan previewed: “The pebble-shaped gadget fits in a toilet bowl and captures urine, which is then analyzed internally by cartridges that assess various biomarkers. The user can check the results through the Withings Health Mate app and share it with their doctor.”
WATCHES
The real Submariner
And speaking of my 14060M Submariner... I love it. It’s the world’s most iconic dive watch. But there’s a bit of me that knows it doesn’t deserve to be. That honour should rightfully go to Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms of 1953. Now coming up for its 70th birthday, the FF is celebrating with a new 42mm model offered in three series of 70 pieces each, available for pre-order on Blancpain’s website in January 2023. Monochrome reports:
Marking a first for the Fifty Fathoms family, the new 70th-anniversary pieces debut a 42.30mm diameter (regular models share 45mm cases and limited editions 40mm). This is not a move to cover the missing 42mm segment in the collection but a historically significant gesture that reflects the diameter of the original 1953 Fifty Fathoms. Another reason for increasing the case size to 42mm is mechanical and responds to the incorporation of Blancpain’s in-house automatic calibre 1315.
Also worth your time
The best annual and perpetual calendar watches of 2022 revisited: “These watches are among the most complex and alluring in the industry and can come in many shapes.”
The new dimpled dial of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak introduced: “A welcome break from the ubercool but expected Tapisserie style dials.”
Rolex Explorer ref. 114270 vs. Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570: “They might share the exact same hollow center-link Oyster bracelet and glossy black dial but don’t worry, there’s still more than enough to battle over.”
More for subscribers
🏎️ Persiflage № 12 is about Eric’s Lotus. He’s finally seen sense and plans to sell it.
Should he let it go? >
🍎 Our despatch from Apple’s WWDC 2022 keynote in June is here for you in case you missed it live: all you need to know about Cupertino’s latest announcements.
Catch up >
🎧 Persiflage № 11 finds us bickering over different ways to replace an irreplaceable watch.
Which would you choose? >