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 >
GADGETS
Lost & found
I own one solitary AirTag: on my keyring. It’s not very useful until the day I ever lose my keys and then it will be very useful. I instinctively want to buy more but honestly haven’t ever been able to think of what I’d do with them. Until this week, when 9to5 Mac made a very compelling case for putting one in your luggage:
Once I deplane at my final destination, I use the Find My app on my iPhone to watch my AirTag-equipped bag make its way to baggage claim. This allows me to take my time getting to baggage claim and stop for any errands I need to do rather than rush to baggage claim, only to stand there aimlessly for 20 minutes. For instance, I oftentimes stop and grab a coffee and pick up my rental car keys while monitoring the location of my checked bag on my iPhone.
Also worth your time
Apple MacBook Pro with touchscreen rumoured: “The report claims that a new MacBook Pro with an OLED display could be the first touchscreen Mac in 2025.”
Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola launched: “For those who really love their ThinkPad, there is now a phone to match.”
Microsoft Surface Duo 3 axed: “Microsoft has cancelled a twin-screen Surface Duo 3, which was reportedly slated for release late this year, and will instead focus on a ‘true’ foldable phone.”
WATCHES
Old-school
I’ve had a thing for Oris since I bought one for my old man. It was his birthday, a big one, and I wanted to make something of it. He’d never had a mechanical watch and I wanted him to understand why I loved them so. So, since I was still a student, I clubbed together with my sister and we were able to just about afford an Oris. We chose it not because it was cheap but because it was incredibly good value. That’s why the brand’s new Big Crown Calibre 473 with in-house movement was the highlight of my watch week. Hodinkee reports:
This is an extra special piece of Oris' history, and for $4,000, it can be yours. For about half that, you can have a marginally special piece of Oris' history on your wrist. It's really up to you. At the end of the day, only you and God and Oris know how much you're willing to pay for that fancy new movement..
Also worth your time
Rolex price list released: “Prices have gone up quite significantly again, following an already substantial rise in early 2022.”
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 60th Anniversary Edition reviewed: “The most collectable of all vintage Carreras time travels to inspire this panda chronograph.”
Porsche Design Chronograph 1 GP 2023 Edition fondled: “It's a great-looking, distinctive, and legitimately automotive-themed chronograph that doesn't mess with a proven design while still managing to excel on small details.”
CARS
Porsche surrenders
The main thing I didn’t like about my Boxster S was its habit of skidding off the road and mounting pavements. That said, I’m willing to concede that lack of talent on the part of the driver might have played a part. What I won’t take any blame for, however, was the steaming pile of shit in the dashboard masquerading as an infotainment system. It hasn’t got much better in the decade or so since, nor has any other manufacturer really cracked it. If you want good software, it seems you have to go to a company that writes software for a living. Now our friends in Stuttgart have bowed to the inevitable. City A.M reports:
Porsche is reportedly in talks to integrate Google into its car cockpits, in a sign the luxury carmaker has overcome its doubts about data sharing. Sources told Reuters the deal would enable Porsche customers to use the Google Automotive Services (GAS) package. This will mean motorists will no longer have to connect their smartphones to the car to use the likes of Google Maps or Assistant.
Also worth your time
Bentley results reported: “Bentley has broken another sales record, as it delivered over 15,000 vehicles for the first time in its 104-year history. Over the past 12 months the luxury car maker sold 15,174 vehicles – a 4 per cent up on the record levels of 2021.”
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? >
I have air tags in all hold and cabin luggage, plus kids backpacks and laptop bag. Definitely worthwhile when a bag with an iPad Pro or Leica Q gets left somewhere. The alerts telling you something isn’t in your vicinity are very useful.