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
⌚️ In the latest episode of Persiflage, Eric and I stroll around the hallowed halls of Watches & Wonders.
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CARS
Polaris
It’s not easy to get excited about the idea of SUV ownership. But I got very excited this week about the prospect of owning a Polestar 4. Volvo’s sexy EV offshoot brand has been inching closer to something truly desirable since its first offering, the Polestar 1 (which, confusingly was a hybrid not a pure EV) - teasing us along the way with its beautiful Precept concept car (a true Audi e-Tron GT competitor) - and this is the closest they’ve yet come. It looks sensational inside and out. The Verge reports:
The Polestar 4 is a coupe-style SUV with a targeted range over 300 miles, a substantial 102kWh battery, and a starting price of $60,000. It will be positioned in size and price between the Swedish brand’s Polestar 2 fastback and upcoming Polestar 3 SUV.
The Polestar 4 is designed to highlight the company’s commitment to design, technology, and performance. Slightly smaller than the Polestar 3 but higher off the ground than the Polestar 2, the compact SUV will come in all-wheel and rear-wheel drive variants. One of the most distinctive features is the total absence of a rear window, which Polestar argues “enables a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience.” Ambient lighting “inspired by the solar system” is intended to elevate the back seat ride quality even more.
A criticism of Polestar? They insist on using Android for their operating system and their Apple CarPlay integration is patchy. You might think that a detail but CarPlay is now an integral part of my driving experience and I want more not less of it.
Also worth your time
New Porsche Cayenne revealed: “Think of it as more of a heavy facelift than an outright new model, but the upgrades ready the Cayenne for a future battery-electric model coming in a year or two as part of the brand’s electric car strategy.”
Porsche 911 Dakar reviewed: “A sports car with the stance of an SUV. An off-piste explorer equipped for the urban jungle. A tribute to Porsche’s rallying heritage that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The slowest 911 since 1983 and arguably the most fun to drive. The new Dakar is chock-full of contradictions.”
Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV pimped: “The ridiculously ultra-luxury version of the standard EQS for owners who prioritize first-class comfort over the size’s actual utility.”
GADGETS
Farewell quality
You might not be old enough to remember but I do. Netflix didn’t start as a steaming service. Its original business model was DVDs by post. For a monthly fee, they’d send you a number of DVDs and later Blu-rays in a red envelope. You’d keep them as long as you wanted, then return them in the same envelope. On receipt, they’d post out more titles on your list. It was random and wonderful. And, until this week, that service was still available via DVD.com, a domain Netflix acquired to keep the legacy business going. No more, as BGR reports:
If you are one of the remaining DVD.com subscribers, you will have until October 27th, 2023 to return any outstanding discs. Netflix will stop billing all DVD.com subscribers in August, but they can continue to rent discs until the service shuts down. After September 29th, Netflix will cancel all DVD subscriptions automatically.
You might think this is natural evolution in an age of streaming. You might think that if you’ve never compared a movie via streaming - even at the best resolution available - to a movie played directly from Blu-ray. The difference is tangible. So, for movie fans who truly want the best home cinema experience but don’t want to have to buy every movie they watch, this is a sad week.
Also worth your time
Apple HomePod upgraded: “It can now alert you if a smoke alarm goes off while you’re out.”
Sony photography contest won: “Artist Boris Eldagsen refuses the award, saying he entered his AI-generated piece The Electrician into the World Photography Organization’s Sony World Photography Awards to make a point.”
Sega’s Sonic The Hedgehog spun: “Lego has made another fan toy dream come true: its new Sonic The Hedgehog sets actually let you send Sonic spinning through an entire miniature level.”
WATCHES
Reverso revered
As Eric and I strolled around Watches & Wonders, the piece that we both loved most was the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph. Not that it matters much nowadays (remember when Hodinkee had style?) but this week Hodinkee agreed with us:
The Reverso Tribute Chronograph manages to distill all of JLC's watchmaking into a package that's actually beautiful and wearable, something it doesn't always accomplish. On one side, the Reverso Tribute Chronograph is a modern take on a classic dress watch; on the other, a well-executed new chronograph caliber is put on display.
Also worth your time
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium considered: “By presenting the Yacht-Master 42 in this most instrumental of alloys, Rolex no longer denies the Yacht-Master its destiny as a Super Sub.”
IWC titanium Big Pilot IWC Racing Works Edition introduced: “The use of titanium for the case is what makes this limited edition truly special. Retaining the classic dimensions of the model, the case is crafted from grade 5 titanium, finished with a matte blasted surface. What’s also new is the 100m water-resistance, while all BP watches were until now rated at 60m.”
Tudor's manufacture in Le Locle toured: “Tudor can protect its price point, its production, and its supply chain in a manner that sets the brand up for continued success, especially when it comes to actually getting Tudor watches on the wrists all over the world.”
More for subscribers
👑 Persiflage № 13 takes the Crown to task over its pre-owned watch programme.
Listen in >
🏎️ 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 >
I’m not convinced with the Yachtmaster RLX when the Tudor Pelagos is an in-law and a better titanium tool watch. The IWC looks great, but it’s pricey. Much nicer than the dull as dishwater Ingenieur released recently.
The Polestar 4 looks fantastic. I’ve been to a Polestar showroom and am impressed with their vehicles overall. But I have to agree that having seamless Apple CarPlay is table stakes now.