Libations & Explorations

  My Rolex Submariner The Rolex Submariner is, without a doubt, the most iconic watch of all time.  First released in 1953, it has gone from a tough diver’s watch to being one of the most universally recognized status-symbols.  So what makes this damn thing so special?   In terms of specs, it can go 1000 feet underwater, has a unidirectional bezel, a helium escapement valve (ya know, for when you're breathing nitrogen-rich air in a submarine), and it tells the time!  Having said that, most Rolex Submariners these days only see water when the owner has a shower after a round of golf... In 1953 Rolex was not the top-luxury watch brand like it is today. That honour went to Omega, which had released the first ‘dive watch’ in 1932. How did Rolex overcome Omega and all others to become the most iconic brand in the world? Marketing. Translation: "If you were really  adventurous,  you'd wear a Rolex" Rolex has the best advertising department of any brand, ever...

  My personal kitchen knives The most important tool in the kitchen is a good set of knives. There are many implements and gadgets for cooking that one can go cheap on, but knives are never one of them.  I learned that from Anthony Bourdain. My personal set is the Porsche Design Type 301 knives by Chroma.  Don't let the looks fool  you, they feel great in the hand!  Also, being stainless steel, they have a perfect weight to them that will give you a lot of confidence when cutting. Most red-blooded men of the kitchen would be sold on the fact that these knives were designed by the same man who designed the Porsche 911 sportscar, Ferdinand A. Porsche, with input from famed Austrian chef Jorg Worther. I, however, am not impressed by such frivolities.  I was sold on this particular set of knives because of their use by another great man of the kitchen: Hannibal Lecter. Hannibal, about to do something creatively savage... Mads Mikkelsen, playing the aforemention...

Sadly, travelers these days do not take their luggage seriously. It's a shame because a well-worn bag should be seen as a memento and reminder of great adventures.   I completely understand that the majority of people want to travel with rolling luggage instead of carrying a duffel; and most of the time it makes perfect sense. However, there are some reasons why a duffel bag can be better. When flying, one should avoid checking a bag at all costs. This will easily save you two hours of travel time per trip.  To put that in perspective, when I was flying for work, if I had checked bags it would have cost me 12.5 days of my life per year!  Also, when you check a bag (especially for international flights) there is a real possibility you will never see it again. So we have established that you shouldn't check your bag, so why then carry a duffel instead of a rolling suitcase?  Because, if you don't board early enough, or if the plane is smaller (Bombardier CRJ7...

  At the British Airways Lounge Philadelphia International Airport Most travelers are far too blasé about their luggage.  Yes, the skies have been democratized and all class of people can purchase a plane ticket. But when it comes to travel, if you’re going to do it then do it with style… Generally speaking, I tend to not be like ‘roll-aboard’ luggage (suitcases with wheels).  It just comes off as so lazy to me.  If you can’t carry a bag, well, should you really be traveling?  Having said all of that, there is one brand of wheeled baggage that I truly adore: Rimowa. Founded 125 years ago in Cologne, Germany, Rimowa luggage is the real deal.  The brand is famous for their aluminium luggage with parallel grooves; a design they pioneered in the 1930s.  One thing to keep in mind: there is nothing more unattractive at the airport, other than people wearing pajamas, than pulling along a fake aluminium Rimowa ‘lookalike’.   There are two elements of the ...

  I'm ashamed to admit it, but I came to the world of coffee quite late in life. Around the age of 25, when going on nuclear-benders at meaningless nightclubs became boring, I needed a new culture to sink my teeth into.  Being an Englishman, I gravitated to tea...specifically Earl Grey tea.  Although I occasionally enjoyed some of the Starbucks 'ice cream drinks', coffee never really appealed to me.   That all changed in 2023 when I went to Italy.  Like many things, the Italians just do it better.  The first cappuccino I had was from the Italian equivalent of a Tim Horton's at the Milano Centrale train station...and it was delicious.  In fact, every cup of coffee I had in Italy was delicious. When I came home, I started exploring the coffee shops in my village, but none could replicate what I had experienced in Italy...except Adesso Cafe.  Run by a gem of a man named Frank, Adesso has the absolute best coffee I have every had outside of ...

    I purchased this Omega Seamaster when I was at university in my early 20s.  Probably a tad foolish to spend that sort of money on a watch at such a young age, but even then I knew this was something I would keep forever.  It was also the start of a tenet I live by to this day: buy something of quality and keep it.     The Seamaster was first launched by the Swiss watch company Omega in 1948.  It was based on watches they had supplied to the British Royal Navy during the Second World War.  Omega used a revolutionary O-ring seal for watertightness; technology that had been developed during the War for submarines.     Over the years the Seamaster would become very popular with the British military, especially elite forces like the Special Boat Service (of whom the US Navy Seals are modeled after).  Because of this, the Seamaster would be worn by my favourite fictional hero: Bond, James Bond.     Yes, I bought a watch beca...