The Gent Cheshire & Manchester by Neal Moran

ISSUE 1 // AUTUMN 2011

ONE DESTINATION Three gourmet choices

SPELLBOUND The irresistible rise of Hugh Jackman

THE FF

WORD INFORMATIVE // ENTERTAINING // EDUCATIONAL // RELEVANT

The Fusion between Ceramic, 18K Red Gold and Rubber.

Harrington & Hallworth

62 Grove Street • Wilmslow • Cheshire SK9 1DS • 01625 548 570 www.harringtonhallworth.com Hublot TV on: www.hublot.com

THE GENT MAGAZINE // WELCOME

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10 GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES WITH NOT INCONSIDERABLE PRIDE WE PRESENT THE VERY FIRST ISSUE OF THE GENT. The Gent is for the gent who knows his own mind. And would like to enrich it. So put your head in our hands as we peel away the layers of contemporary life and take you directly to the ﬁnest bits. If you like the idea of how to succeed in business without, apparently, trying – come and meet restaurateur Tim Bacon. Your reservation awaits on page 32. Have you ever had a suit made? There’s a danger you will once you’ve met Richard Smith on page 39. We unveil the gastronomic heights and delights of Bray, home of Blumenthal and Roux. We explain why gold is still attracting the smartest money. We take you to California and Barbados. And we settle you back into a Ferrari, a BAC Mono and an Auburn Speedster.

EMPORIO ARMANI MANCHESTER

So mirror, signal and manoeuvre into the world of the Gent. It’s a pleasure to have you along.

Cover image from Emporio Armani Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection.

For more information about The Gent Magazine, general enquiries or advertising opportunities please visit www.thegentmagazine.co.uk or email us info@thegentmagazine.co.uk

NEW LONDON SHOWROOM by appointment 0207 118 1780 www.ﬂeminghowland.com/bone NEW YORK

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THE GENT MAGAZINE // CONTENTS

CONTENTS:

Issue 1 - Autumn 2011

39 56

From Hollywood to Knutsford

TRUE GRIT

The BAC MONO: By enthusiasts, for enthusiasts

PART OF THE FABRIC OF MANHATTAN

SHOES THAT SHINE

BESPOKE TAILORING THAT PACKS A PUNCH

26 30

the irresistible rise of Hugh Jackman

FLANNELS THE FASHION PHENOMENON We see how they measure up

THE HOTTEST WATCHES A watch is a fantastic opportunity for any man to express his true sense of style

A BOY AFTER THE SEA An untold story by Kevin Snook

SEASON OF MISTS AND MELLOW FRUITFULNESS

INTERVIEW WITH TIM BACON

BRAY: HEAVEN ON A PLATE

WHY MEN FLOCK TO ADELE LOCK From apprentice competitor to successful entrepreneur, Adele Lock is groomed for great things

HEALTHY SKIN

HALE AND HEARTY

SPELLBOUND:

Recommended wines

Oliver Sweeney

Richard Smith

Meet Stacey Manton, a Northern artist with a searing eye for the raw side of urban life

// FOOD & DRINK

Now at Brooks Brothers Manchester

Why Gold? Why You? Why Now?

HELL. RAISED

// FASHION

GOLD

No one knows healthy skin better than Dermalogica

The ﬁtness page

// TRAVEL

BAJA - CALIFORNIA

FUSTIC HOUSE, BARBADOS

A momentum adventure by Private Label Worldwide

Idyllic meets mesmeric

A delicious recipe for success

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Nestling beside the tranquil River Thames, Bray is a feast for the eyes, the soul - and the taste buds

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FOR ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE GENT PLEASE CONTACT TONY CARTER ON 01565 624 380, MOBILE: 07742 910977 OR EMAIL: TONY@THEGENTMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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THE AUBURN

James Pickford and his career to date

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PODIUMS AND PILE-UPS

The all new Ferrari FF

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THE FF WORD

// HEALTH & WELLBEING

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// FEATURES

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// AUTOMOTIVE

THE GENT MAGAZINE // PRIVATE LABEL WORLDWIDE

CALIFORNIA Can you think of something that in just one week, builds you up, knocks you down and leaves you shaken and stirred? Well here it is. Welcome to Baja California.

Baja California, actually a peninsula that forms the 12th largest state of Mexico, is a spectacular collision of colour and terrain that could be God’s own playground. The arid plains of the Vizcaino and Sonoran deserts, in the south and east respectively, meld into volcano ﬁelds and the peaks of the Sierra de Baja California mountain range, before dropping into a rugged coastline and beautiful beaches at the edge of the Paciﬁc ocean. It’s into this spectacular landscape we venture at the wheel of state-of-the-art dune buggies for the raid-meets-rally experience of a lifetime. SEVEN //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // PRIVATE LABEL WORLDWIDE

So what makes a travel experience an adventure? Some extreme desert temperatures, boiling by day and freezing by night? The humidity of a forest-clad valley, with a cacophony of strange sounds and unusual scents? A mountain trek to a distant peak, where the air is thin and the view spectacular? Or some time among the crashing surf on a beach that many would deﬁne as a paradise? Or just a series of activities to exercise the mind and body, with an adrenaline shot thrown in?

The third day, after breakfast, sees us strike out in earnest, with a terriﬁc run from Loreto to the village of San Javier. Tucked up high on the side of a deep mountain valley, this Jesuit-built community dates back to 1699 and features a beautifullypreserved mission, with gardens boasting what are thought to be the oldest olive trees in the Californias. From here, across cobbled streets, we head west into the Sierra Giganta for an al fresco lunch amidst an open, desert landscape.

Let’s face it, any one of those boxes ticked would do the job – changing a trip’s status from mere holiday to more epic journey, from souvenir snapshot to scene burned into the memory. But what to make of a trip that, without exaggeration or embellishment, combined every single one of those things? That, in the space of just one week, builds you up, knocks you down and leaves you shaken and stirred? Well, here it is. Welcome to Baja California.

The afternoon sees us en route, via the settlement of San Jose de Comondu, to San Juanico Bay (also known as Scorpion Bay) on the north-west coast. We’ll arrive in good time to choose from a water sports menu including surfing, spear fishing and snorkeling, having checked in at the Scorpion Bay Surfing and Fishing Club – adjacent to what is described as one of the best surf breaks in the world. Indeed, it’s said to be at least the equal of the like of Malibu, Rincon and Jeffrey’s Bay, and where – when the swell is right – few waves on earth can match the form and length. Here, before a bonfire on the beach and a well-earned dinner, is the place to make your name on the board.

Your adventure begins with a flight into Los Angeles, the City of Angels. From LAX it’s a swift limousine transfer to one of the top Beverly Hills hotels for a power nap and a power shower, before joining your guides for dinner and a briefing on the coming days’ events. A cocktail or two in a Hollywood bar where the mixers make their magic will see you off to sleep, ahead of an itinerary to remember. Day two sees us transfer to Loreto, a short flight from LA and one of the most striking places on earth. Baja’s first established pueblo (town), Loreto was the first capital of the Californias and remains both authentic and thoroughly charming. Historic ‘missions’ (ancient religious outposts) sit in the shadows of the Sierra La Giganta mountains and dozens of fishing boats dot the azure blue Gulf of California, known locally as the Sea of Cortez. We check into the La Mision hotel, located right on the water’s edge, and rendezvous with the waiting Momentum team and your personal transport for the rest of week: a small fleet of state-ofthe-art dune buggies. Safe, rugged and reliable, these remarkable vehicles are not only practically unburstable but – more importantly – are capable of going just about anywhere. As will be demonstrated more than once...

Day four, and we’re running along the Pacific coast and through vast areas where the wildlife is your only company. South lies Bahia Magdalena, a bay more than 30 miles long where the sandy barrier islands of Isla Magdalena and Isla Santa Margarita provide a sheltered cove. It’s here that pods of California Grey whales come as part of a substantial seasonal migration that makes for compulsive viewing, as we’ll see from our vantage point at Puerto Lopez Mateos. We overnight at a tailor-made campsite with safari-style tents and will enjoy a fresh seafood dinner around a roaring fire. Beneath an unfiltered night sky there will be no shortage of instruction and practice in pursuit of the perfect margarita. The following morning heralds a day that will be one of the highlights of the trip, as we take on some fast and furious ‘two track’ trails. These punch through the wilderness and between forests of cactus so thick they seem like natural tunnels in many places. You’ll carve through spectacular sand washes, tracking from

left to right and back again as the car loads and unloads on its springs like a skier through fresh powder. After lunch at Punta Conejo, another surfer’s dream destination, we head back inland, taking many of the trails covered by racers in the revered Baja 1000 since 1967. Cruising through vast, open ranches and across a terrain speckled with jumps, dives and turns, we’ll get the blood pumping and keep it that way, peaking on the legendary ‘Waterfall’ trail that leads into the seaside town of La Paz. We’ll stay at the Fiesta Hotel and eat at the Buffalo BBQ for an authentic, local dining experience. Our last day with the buggies, and the penultimate day of the trip, sees an early start and some breathtaking, fast-flowing roads through desert vegetation and down onto wide, white sand beaches as we close in on the colourful town of Todos Santos. A lunch by the ocean precedes a last blast, along mountainous trails that snake through rolling plateau and then into the high country, past ancient oak trees and through woody scrub. The grand finale is a blaze through the village of Candelaria and down dry riverbeds to the sanctuary of the luxury resort that is the 5-Star Las Ventanas hotel in Los Cabos. A world-class spa, elegant casitas and a beautiful outlook mean our last night’s dinner in the signature restaurant will be one to remember. We are homeward bound the following day, with connections via LA, Houston or Dallas all easily accessed, though you may want to stay just a while longer and unwind. And why not? Poolside awaits, or maybe the golf course, or perhaps the chance to hang out a ‘gone fishing’ sign? After all, however strong your sense of adventure, there’s no harm in just a moment or two to reflect. To find out more about ‘Momentum Adventure’ - the Savile Row tailor of the travel industry, contact Private Label Worldwide on Tel: +44 (0)1628 77 11 71 or email: info@privatelabelww.com www.privatelabelww.com

NINE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // FERRARI FF

THE FF WORD

// TEN

THE GENT MAGAZINE // FERRARI FF

NOW, AT LAST, YOU CAN MAKE THE MOUNTAIN CLIMB TO YOUR SKI CHALET - IN A FERRARI. ALL YOU NEED IS THE NEW FF (AND £227,026).

It’s a surreal concept: taking your Ferrari across a ploughed ﬁeld or indeed the snow, slush, ice and salt of an Alpine climb. But with the new Ferrari FF, you have the marque’s most versatile four-seater ever. Which will be available to order from Stratstone Wilmslow beginning October 2011. True, the badge of the prancing horse will never adorn a workhorse, but the FF challenges every perception you may have about what makes a Ferrari a Ferrari. To begin with, it accommodates two realsized people in the back. Not only that, the four of you are even allowed a reasonable amount of luggage. FF stands for Ferrari Four, as in four seats and - for the very ﬁrst time by this marque four-wheel drive. Ferrari describes the FF as revolution not evolution, with its Pininfarina

design melding together Ferrari’s sporting DNA with extraordinary usability. You wouldn’t expect any compromise on performance, and there is none. This is still a V12 supercar that will propel you from 0-62 mph in 3.7 of the most exhilarating seconds of your life. If you can ﬁnd somewhere legal to do it, it will also take you to 208 mph. The FF’s patented 4RM four-wheel drive system weighs 50% less than conventional systems, maintaining perfect weight distribution (53% over the rear axle). It enables the car to deliver record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via an intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels.

Continued >>

ELEVEN //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // FERRARI FF

The FF at the new Stratstone

This Autumn, there could be no better showcase for the new Ferrari FF than Stratstone’s state of the art new showroom in Wilmslow. The result of Italian design and materials, Stratstone has created the definitive location for the iconic Ferrari marque. The Wilmslow showroom can display up to seven cars. You can also see leadingedge software conﬁguring your Ferrari to your personal speciﬁcation. The location also includes full workshop facilities, with six service bays and all diagnostics, maintenance and repair facilities on-site. To see the new FF and indeed the Ferrari range, contact Graham Reedy, Dealer Principal, on 01625 445544.

// TWELVE

FAST YET PRACTICAL: THE FF SQUARES THE CIRCLE

THE GENT MAGAZINE // FERRARI FF

It’s a remarkable feat if you can pull it off: to create a supercar that meets the impossible expectations ignited by the Ferrari name, in every kind of terrain and climate. Yet it seems the FF accomplishes exactly that. Top Gear says: “The FF really does do it all… it’s a true V12 supercar. The seven-speed transmission shifts faster than you can think. But however good the engine is, the chassis has no trouble keeping it man-marked. You don’t turn this thing into a corner. You just swivel your eyeballs towards the curve, and the car seems to follow.” Car Magazine writes: “This is a very special car: effortless, nimble despite its dimensions and it

retains that super-exclusive V12 glamour that runs from 456GT through 612 Scaglietti.” The Daily Telegraph concludes: “The lasting impression is of that V12… ripping across the snow ﬁelds like a giant sheet of tearing calico. It’s almost an avalanche hazard in its own right. And while one has to question the sanity of owners who would jeopardise their Ferrari on the salt-drenched roads… here’s just the machine in which to do it.”

FERRARI FF: THE NUMBERS Engine Type: 65-degree V12 Overall displacement: 6,262 cc Maximum speed: 335 km/h Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 3.7 sec Fuel consumption: 15.4 l/100 km Emissions: 360 g/km

To fully appreciate and experience this truly magnificent supercar, visit the outstanding new showroom of Stratstone Wilmslow. It could just be the best thing you have ever done!

THIRTEEN //

Podiums and pile-ups: Diaries of a racing driver. Mere talent is not enough in motor racing. You need luck, contacts, sponsors and huge financial backing. Racing driver James Pickford gives The Gent the inside track on his quest for the grid. Racing has always been in my life. Growing up, my Dad ran successful bike racing teams, so initially I was attracted to two wheels rather than four. However, parental ‘persuasion’ swiftly came into play: if I was determined to embark on such a foolhardy adventure, the (relatively) safer option was cars. So, at eight years old, I headed off to a test in a kart, the first step on the motor racing ladder. Karting was (and is) insanely competitive and one of the purest forms of motorsport because everyone has, broadly, the same equipment. Here you truly begin to learn your craft, and in competing at regional and national championship level, I began to win races and ultimately, championships. Many people choose to go no further than karting. However by my mid-teens I was dead set on making a career in motorsport, so the switch to car racing, and a whole new learning curve, followed as soon as I was old enough. If you’ve seen the fantastic ‘Senna’ movie, you’ll know that karting is just the first step. When you arrive in car racing you’re starting again; it’s like your first day at secondary school. Real race cars For me, the school in question was the 1997 Formula Honda championship. My first car race was at Castle Combe. Result? Pole position, win, fastest lap. I ended the 1997 season as inaugural Honda Champion, and looking forward to a new season in a new championship. I thought life couldn’t get any better and, looking back, I wasn’t far wrong. However, as with stocks and shares, fortunes in motor racing can go down as well as up... 1998 saw me compete in British Formula Ford, one of the most competitive championships you’ll find anywhere, as team-mate to a guy from Somerset called Jenson Button. Even then I was starting to see just how budgetary constraints could affect what happened on the track. Nevertheless, I ended ‘98 as one of the six nominees for the prestigious McLaren Autosport ‘Young Driver of the Year’ award, alongside that Button fella. Jenson eventually won that, and jumped straight to Formula Three in ‘99 and Formula One the year after. For me, 1999 saw a new sponsor and a full season competing exclusively in another new series, Formula Palmer Audi. In this championship all the cars were centrally prepared, placing the emphasis on the driver rather than the engineering of the teams. Apparently.

Lean times It wasn’t a hugely successful year and nor was Formula Renault Sport in 2000; the budgets to even remotely compete at the front were simply beyond us. Something had to give. As it turned out, our principal sponsor then decided on a change of direction, so for 2001 I headed to GT racing. GTs are quite simply brilliant. I was racing on two fronts: one week in a ﬁre breathing V12 Lister Storm, the next in a Honda Fireblade-engined Radical. I raced all over Europe, was winning again, and then came... Nothing. 2002 saw all the sponsors, money, drives and opportunities dry up completely. Suddenly I needed a job, and that came working for a road car tuning company. I was in a role that put me in front of car dealers, and importantly, car manufacturers on an almost daily basis. After a Volkswagen Group corporate karting event – where, to be honest, I cleaned up - the Brand Manager of SEAT asked for a chat. They wanted to build their brand, putting motorsport at its core. I was offered a drive in their Cupra series. I was back! Well, almost. There was still the ever-present issue of budget to overcome, but I was back in a car, and that was all that mattered. In Lewis’s footsteps We ended 2003 with several wins, and in 2004 I won the Cupra Championship, and with it the chance to race professionally for SEAT in the British Touring Car Championship in 2005. Readers of ‘Autosport’ magazine even voted me their ‘Club Driver of the Year’, a crown I inherited from one L. Hamilton. My one and only season (to date) in the British Touring Car Championship was a bittersweet experience. It was amazing to compete with a proper ‘works’ team, but we could seldom test the current race car outside of the race weekends.

That said, I ended the season top ‘rookie’ with seven podium ﬁnishes and a near-victory in my last race at Brands Hatch. Since SEAT I’ve raced for Porsche and clinched the GT3 Cup Championship with a win on a drenched street circuit in Bucharest. I’ve raced a Lamborghini Gallardo, and like many racing drivers I instruct on track days and help novice drivers to terrify me and themselves. As I write this, I’m on my way back from Brands Hatch where I’ve been racing in the British GT Championship, co-driving with a long standing friend Paul Hogarth. So what of the future? Well, GT racing is deﬁnitely where I want to be. The British GT Championship is in the ascendancy just now, with a great mix of cars and marques competing in it. For now though, it’s two days off, then back to corporate duty at the Thruxton circuit in Hampshire, before racing at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Who knows what’s in store, but whatever happens you’ll read about it here in The Gent. You can follow James on Twitter @JamesPickford1 or if you want to make contact with him, please do so via emailing The Gent at info@thegentmagazine.co.uk

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THE GENT MAGAZINE // FINANCE

WHY GOLD? WHY YOU? WHY NOW?

“

... WE NOW FACE A CRISIS THAT WILL MAKE THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS LOOK LIKE A WALK IN THE PARK... GOLD OFFERS AN ALMOST UNIQUE WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

”

By Thomas Paterson, Chief Economist at Gold Made Simple®

// EIGHTEEN

THE GENT MAGAZINE // FINANCE

Gold versus FTSE value since 2000

If you’ve only ever thought of gold as something pretty and decorative, now’s the time to look at it differently. The fact is, Gold is also a form of money and has been so for over 6000 years. In fact it was only relatively recently (1971) that the world took the decision to stop using gold as a means to buy things. It was a move with far-reaching consequences. By de-linking currency from gold, the central banks have had no restraint on the amount of ‘money’ they can print. This is at the heart of our ﬁnancial problems today. Indeed, in history there has never been a paper currency that survived which wasn’t also linked to a commodity. For some very good reasons, gold has a nickname: ‘honest money’. Gold doesn’t restate earnings, it isn’t someone else’s promise to pay and it won’t go bankrupt. Gold is real: it’s an asset you can physically touch, and not just a number on a screen created by a (hopefully solvent) central bank. Gold has already made some very impressive gains this millennium. Whilst equities have floundered, gold has ﬂourished, out-performing the FTSE by some 560%. Demand for this precious metal is also at historic highs, especially in Asia where a burgeoning middle class is looking to protect its wealth.

Bank of England puts the US Federal Reserve to shame in the money printing business

The Financial Times recently quoted one senior banker as saying “the demand [for gold in Asia] is unbelievable. The size of the orders is enormous.” It added that “precious metals traders in London and Hong Kong were stunned by the strength of Chinese buying in the past month.” A lot of people think they’ve missed the move, so it’s worth bearing in mind that the last bull move in gold during the 70s generated a 2500% top-to-bottom rise. So far in this bull run gold has put on about 500%. So there is a long way yet to go in gold. Not surprisingly, gold is ﬁnding serious support in the UK as well. At its heart, owning gold is about preserving your wealth. Whether you’re a businessman, entrepreneur or simply an astute saver or investor, you work hard for your money. History says that gold is a proven way of keeping it.

The worst is yet to come The mountain of personal, corporate and government debt that lay at the heart of the 2008 ﬁnancial crisis has not gone away. Quite the reverse: the debts have now increased and appear to be growing exponentially. In fact they’re now so big (just look at Ireland or Greece), there’s no chance they’ll be repaid. The answer? ‘Quantitative easing’ (QE), which simply means printing up some more notes, rather than admit national insolvency.

As a result we now face, in the next couple of years, a much bigger crisis that will make the 2008 financial crisis look like a walk in the park. It will take the form of a currency crisis. Excessive QE could lead to the very real likelihood of people losing faith in printed money. This is more commonly known as hyper-inflation. Hyper-inflation is surprisingly common and completely destructive. It wipes out your savings and destroys the value of assets that rely on credit to be bought - such as your house. This loss of faith usually happens with breathtaking speed. One day your life savings are there; the next, they can’t buy a thing. Gold offers an almost unique way to protect yourself in such an event. In every sense, you have a golden opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

For more information visit Gold Made Simple® www.goldmadesimple.com +44 (0)20 3468 8016 Thomas Paterson is Chief Economist at Gold Made Simple®. A keen student of the Austrian School of Economics, his career spans both politics and economics. He is becoming increasingly well known in the ﬁnance and economics ‘blog-sphere’. The views expressed are the author’s and not necessarily those of the Gent Magazine.

NINETEEN //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // CLARK ART

True Grit Meet Stacey Manton, a Northern artist with a searing eye for the raw side of urban life.

L.S. Lowry. Roger Hampson. William Turner. The North has a proud tradition of capturing the not-so-chocolate-box reality of life for ordinary people. Now those illustrious artists have an heir apparent: his name is Stacey Manton and he has created hundreds of portraits of the ordinary, forgotten and ignored people who inhabit the Manchester area. He is also – and you read it here ﬁrst – becoming seriously collectable as his work commands the attention it deserves.

After training in graphic design he moved to Hong Kong and worked for an advertising agency as an illustrator. But the combination of the new digital world, and being told what to do, meant that he ached to “get back to my easel where I could paint the things I really wanted to portray - mainly people.” He soon returned to the North-West and the semi-rural town of Romiley, near Stockport.

First shoot, then paint Manton works from photographs. Some are shot with hidden cameras, or grabbed on a quick drive-by, or taken through the judicious use of a few quid for a photo opp.

Formative years Born in Marple near Stockport in 1971, Manton was painting in oils by the time he was seven. At school, he quickly discovered he could make his pals laugh (and his teachers livid) with a few strokes of his pen. He says: “For as far back as I can remember I have been fascinated with drawing and painting people. Wherever I go I’m looking for the same things: the characters in the street, in the doorways, at the bus stops or on the benches. These paintings are about the observation of the reality of human existence in our society.” His inﬂuences are an eclectic mix: from the Dutch masters to Norman Rockwell, and in particular Goya, Velasquez, Rubens, Caravaggio, Hogarth, Daumier and Vermeer.

// TWENTY

Usually, Stacey paints down and outs, drug addicts, alcoholics and people suffering from mental health problems. He photographs individuals who interest him; they rarely object and he says he has never had any negative feedback from his work. Using photographs also helps him to meet the responsibility he feels to get a good likeness. He explains: “The way their faces are dishevelled and weather beaten, they are just more crumpled and interesting to look at than average Joes in their pinstriped suits.” There is also humour in his work, such as the ‘No Smoking’ reference above.

Manton paints most days and likes to have several paintings on the go. If it’s not going well he takes his dog for a walk and comes back to it. He says,

I know exactly when a picture is ﬁnished although like many artists I ﬁnd it hard to leave it alone. Sometimes I will scrape off the paint and start again which can be soul destroying at the time, but I always get it in the end. Lately he has produced a series of small paintings which he paints very quickly, usually within a day. A large detailed painting may take many months and several hundred hours of work to complete.

Manton has regularly exhibited in local galleries, but a big break came when the prestigious Manchester City Art Gallery agreed to show his work. A number of his paintings are included in a two-year exhibition in a section dedicated to the city. Prints and cards produced by the gallery have sold in their thousands. Stacey Manton now exhibits at Clark Art in Hale, the North’s leading gallery, where his work hangs alongside Lowry originals. The gallery’s MD Bill Clark says: ‘Stacey Manton is the rising star of northern art and I see him becoming a very important artist in the future. In our recent Northern Show his work almost sold out immediately. He is still evolving as an artist and I think the best is still to come. His larger paintings now sell for up to £10,000, but you can still buy a wonderful small piece for less than £1000. I consider his work a great investment for the future.”

A rising star Manton’s ‘Ladies on a Chorlton Beach’ appears on the first album of Mancunian band, I Am Kloot. (Drummer Andy Hargreaves is a school friend and former flatmate.) When he’s not painting he has worked on TV and in film and holds regular art workshops. He was involved in the major threepart BBC series ‘The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood’. In the series he demonstrated the traditional preparation of oil-paints and the techniques that these painters would have used. He was also filmed posing as John Everett Millais and did close-up work of painting and sketches of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Holman Hunt. He was also involved in the BBC’s ‘Rolf on Lowry’.

Stacey Manton’s work can be viewed at Clark Art Ltd, 155 Ashley Road, Hale Cheshire. WA14 2UW. Tel: 0161 929 5150. Email: art@clark-art.co.uk. Paintings can be viewed online at www.clark-art.co.uk TWENTY ONE //

NEW YORK

LONDON

PA R I S

MILAN

THE AVENUE, SPINNINGFIEL D S , M A N C H E S T E R , M 3 3 H F ( O f f D e a n s g a t e ) • T E L : 0 1 6 1 8 3 4 6 6 4 9

THE GENT MAGAZINE // BROOKS BROTHERS

PART OF THE FABRIC OF MANHAT TAN

Now at Brooks Brothers Manchester HOW A US ICON IS DRESSING MANCHESTER WITH THE STYLE THAT BUILT AMERICA.

Fashion is temporary. But style... style is something altogether more substantial. It’s a movement. It endures. It’s a way of life. Brooks Brothers is America to its core. It was founded in 1818 in downtown Manhattan by Henry Sands Brooks. He was a haberdasher by trade, and clearly a dashing haberdasher at that. When he returned from his buying trips abroad, his customers would request items he had brought home for his personal wardrobe. He duly started stocking men’s clothing and accessories. It was a move that would turn his name into a byword for all that is American and elegant.

Indeed, Brooks Brothers has the unique distinction of having dressed every US President since Abraham Lincoln. Together with a host of style icons from Clarke Gable to Andy Warhol, and illustrious families from the Vanderbilts to the Rockefellers.

Manhattan to Manchester Today’s Brooks Brothers continues to occupy a unique niche. It is recognised instantly by those who value tailored business and formalwear, and classic, casual daywear. Our shirts are 100% cotton and stay crisp and structured all day (and indeed all evening, for late meetings or spontaneous dinners).

And for sheer innovation, discover our stunning range of BrooksCool suits, originally created to keep business travellers cool and smart in the sweltering humidity of South East Asia. Whatever you choose, the emphasis never changes: a great silhouette, high quality fabrics and excellent value for money. Brooks Brothers’ newest UK store is at Manchester Spinningﬁelds. Unit G19, The Avenue, Spinningﬁelds, Manchester, M3 3HF. Tel: 0161 834 6649

TWENTY THREE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // OLIVER SWEENEY

// TWENTY FOUR

THE GENT MAGAZINE // OLIVER SWEENEY

SHOES THAT SHINE OLIVER SWEENEY NEW FLAGSHIP STORE COMES TO MANCHESTER. You can’t keep a good thing down south. Oliver Sweeney, purveyors of luxury footwear and accessories, has created a new essential style destination in Manchester. It is located in the exclusive Avenue within Spinningﬁelds, rubbing shoulders with high-end brands such as Mulberry and L.K.Bennett. Give yourself some time, because what awaits you is a masterclass in style. Exquisite Italian footwear made from the ﬁnest, softest leathers is joined by a range of outerwear and beautifully crafted small leather goods.

The collection includes a transformation of a Sweeney classic: the Triple Welt collection, incorporated into some of their most classic styles including a sartorial essential brogue. And there’s much more, with a diverse collection of contemporary designs. Even the store itself is state of the art: an eco-friendly creation that was recently shortlisted from 200 contenders for a major architectural award. A feat for feet, you might say.

TWENTY FIVE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // A BOY AFTER THE SEA

a boy after the sea

Kevin Snoock

AN UNTOLD STORY

www.dansnooktrustfoundation.com Dan Snook was just 19 when he died.

If you love ﬁsh, we urge you to buy it. If you want to be inspired by the world’s greatest chefs, and are concerned about sustainable ﬁshing – buy it. And if you want to help raise funds for a sorely needed lifeline for young people – well that’s a reason in itself.

His father Kevin describes him as “kind, caring and compassionate, and there was not an ounce of bad in him. He was also shy and sensitive, and would go out of his way to help others in need.” Tragically, Dan died of a drug overdose. Kevin explains: “His all too brief existence in this world had been scarred by sexual abuse, inﬂicted whilst he worked 18 hour shifts on a commercial ﬁshing boat. Isolated at sea, with no land in sight, this from our oceans, rivers and lakes created by 26 renowne became too much for a from young14 man to different countries deal with.”

The book is called “A Boy After the Sea” and is the creation of chef Kevin Snook. It’s a tribute to his late son Dan. It celebrates recipes from our oceans, rivers and lakes, contributed by a roll-call of cooking’s greatest exponents: some 26 internationally known chefs from 14 different countries have taken part, including Heston Blumenthal, Alain Roux and Rick Stein.

Kevin Snook spends his time between Vancouver, Canada and Bray-on-Thames in England, working together with his sons Christopher and Elliot in establishing a trust foundation for his late son Dan. They devote their time to helping troubled youths to ﬁnd a better way of life.

Visit our website www.dansnooktrustfoundation.com

Heston Blumenthal

He also, along with his partner Denise, owns a successful cottage business, taking care of discerning clients from around the world who visit this famous culinary village. www.braycottages.com Heston Blumenthal

A stunning new book begs to be explored, for a number of reasons.

Their diverse and highly creative approaches to fish and seafood makes fascinating reading. Stunning photography, extraordinary contributors and fantastic recipes all ensure that this book appeals to cooks of every level. The book also highlights the problems we have in the world today regarding sustainable fishing and fish farming. It shows 109excellent examples of how fish can be farmed in a safe and respectful way, through new initiatives. “A Boy After the Sea” is a tribute to a young man who loved fishing and who loved to cook.

enticing collection of recip

Kevin’s book is his way of honouring his son’s memory, and to raise money for a charity he has established in Dan’s name. The Dan Snook Trust Foundation exists to help and enrich the lives of young people challenged by sexual or substance a boyabuse. after A foreword by Heston Blumenthal It is a mark of the quality of this book, and its importance, that Heston Blumenthal both contributes to it and writes its foreword.

Indeed, Heston is already involved in a charity for people in the catering industry facing problems with drugs or alcohol, All proceeds of this book be donated to the Dan Snook Trust Foun and fully appreciates the will widespread www.dansnooktrustfoundation.com need for support.

Wild * Sustainable * Pure

He is also delighted to be part of such an impressive publication. He writes: “It is a testament to Kevin that he has gathered such an impressive collection of worldrenowned chefs together in this book and I am honoured to ﬁnd myself in such distinguished company.” To purchase ‘A Boy After the Sea’ book please visit www.amazon.co.uk or your favourite book store.

// TWENTY SIX

the sea

THE GENT MAGAZINE // A BOY AFTER THE SEA

Halibut Tea from ‘A Boy After the Sea 2’

enticing collection of recipes from our oceans, rivers and lakes created by 26 renowned chefs

183

INGREDIENTS: (SERVES 6) Sea bass:

Beet relish:

• 4 x 225g boneless ﬁllets, leave the skin on, scaled and scored • Pinch of sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 2tbsp olive oil

• 250g cooked whole beetroots, peeled and diced in small cubes • 3tbsp coarse grain mustard • 1tbsp honey • 2tbsp balsamic vinegar

Samphire: • 225g fresh marsh samphire • 2tbsp unsalted butter • 1tbsp lime juice • Freshly ground black pepper • Sea salt

Spiced yellow pepper purée: • 4 yellow peppers • 3⁄4tsp chilli powder • 1tsp Dijon mustard • 2tbsp olive oil

• 8 Jersey royal baby potatoes • 1 generous bunch of English fresh mint • 1tsp sea salt • 4 sprigs of coriander leaf

Photography Adrian Wroth

Kevin J Snook

To accompany:

215

Kevin J Snook The eternal explorer Kevin Snook is a chef, entrepreneur and author. He trained in two renowned threeMichelin starred restaurants: Le Moulin de Mougins, under the guidance of Roger Verge, and the Bonne Auberge in Antibes. His passion for travel then took him to Canada, where he owned two restaurants. He won many awards and accolades through his love of organic produce. Kevin continued his travels, this time to the Caribbean, St. Lucia and then on to the magical island of Mustique. His passion for food has evolved but his philosophy is still the same. He prepares simple, fresh, seasonal dishes, often seasoned with his own spices, drawn from different ethnic cuisines. He then adds his own culinary twist to give each dish his signature. After 35 years Kevin still has his own catering company, and has written and published four cookery books. He also runs Bray Cottages in the culinary village of Bray on Thames, taking care of food lovers from all parts of the globe.

P R E PA R AT I O N : Beet relish gently mix together the cooked diced beets, the mustard, honey and vinegar. Set aside until ready to serve. Spiced yellow pepper purée – quarter the yellow peppers, discarding the stems, seeds and ribs. Brush the pepper pieces with olive oil and place them, skin side down, in a hot frying pan, or on a hot griddle. Cook until dark brown. Place them in a small bowl and cover them with plastic wrap, allowing them to steam for 5 minutes. Remove and peel off the skin, place in a blender, together with the chilli powder, mustard and olive oil. Purée, refrigerate and set aside until ready to use. Samphire – pick through the samphire, removing the roots and any tough stems. Wash and rinse thoroughly, to remove any grit or sand. Put into a bowl of boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes, strain and add the butter, lime juice and black pepper. Toss and place on warm plate in preparation for serving. Jersey potatoes – cook the potatoes in salted water with the mint for approximately 15 minutes, keep whole to retain the heat and just before serving slice in half. Sea bass – preheat the grill to a high temperature. Brush the sea bass fillets with olive oil and season with salt and fresh ground pepper. Grill the fish, skin side down first for 3-4 minutes, then turn and cook for 1 minute, allowing the fish to stay moist. Finishing and presentation – arrange the samphire and the potatoes in the centre of the serving plates. Place the sea bass on top and garnish with the coriander leaf. Add the beet relish on one side and spoon on some yellow pepper purée, to the other side.

THE GENT MAGAZINE // A BOY AFTER THE SEA

grilled line caught Cornish sea bass

TWENTY NINE //

Photography Adrian Wroth

with marsh samphire, beet relish and spiced yellow pepper purĂŠe

217

THE GENT MAGAZINE // WINE

“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” TO AUTUMN’. JOHN KEATS, 1820

The air is scented with the first of the bonfires. Your goose-pimpled forearms send you searching for last year’s sweaters. Fronds of bracken are now fringed with brown. And a final evening barbecue will probably end up requiring a torch. Meanwhile all over Europe, our wine producing friends are preparing for their weinlese, their vendange, their vendemmia: the grape harvest. Each day they test for sugar content and study the sky, in the annual art of timing the picking to perfection. Back home, your summer’s chilled prawns, gazpachos and salads now give way to comfort food. Hearty soups and steaming stews. Shepherd’s Pie. The first roast potatoes, accompanying the season’s early game. And as the menu becomes richer, so do the wines. Rich, weighty, comforting whites. Autumnal herbal flavours of white mushroom, fallen leaves and even truffles. Light, spicy reds with flavours of black cherry, blackberries and hints of bonfires. Muscular rosés that think they’re reds. So try some new things this Autumn. Soft, full-bodied Chardonnays from Burgundy, Australia, Chile, California – everywhere! Chenin Blancs from the Loire and South Africa. North Italian Pinot Grigio and Gavi, barrel fermented White Rioja. All deep, mellow and rewarding. Unusually full-bodied, dry-fermented rosés from the Languedoc in Southern France, Navarra and Rioja in Northern Spain... Or perhaps something light, spicy, adventurous and red. Beaujolais from the Gamay grape, whether everyday Villages wines or single village Fleuries. Smoky Chianti from the Tuscan Hills, earthy Pinot Noirs from Burgundy, California, Chile, New Zealand and disguised as Pinot Nero from Northern Italy. So as the mists descend and our appetites turn to weightier matters, so our wines will follow. Mellow fruitfulness in bottle form, just waiting to be discovered. Enjoy!

Imbiber

// THIRTY

IMBIBER RECOMMENDS: Imbibing Out The Fox & Barrel, Cotebrook (tel 01829 761000) L’Endroit, Congleton (tel 01260 299548) Cafe Tuscano, Knutsford (tel 01565 754 443) Old Hall, Sandbach (tel 01270 758170) The Lime Tree, West Didsbury (tel 0871 811 4873)

Imbibing In Gerrard Seel Ltd, Warrington (www.gerrardseel.co.uk) tel 01925 819 695 DeFine, Sandiway (tel 01606 882101) Corks Out, Chester (tel 01244 310 455) Smokehouse Wines, at Cheshire Smokehouse, Morley Green, (tel 01625 540 123) Fancy a drive out? – Barrica Wines, at Huntley’s Farm Shop, Samlesbury nr Preston (www.barricawines.co.uk) tel 01772 877 933

THE GENT MAGAZINE // LIVING VENTURES

A delicious recipe for success: add Bacon

Tim Bacon goes from success to success with his restaurant ventures in the North-West. The Gent profiles a living legend in hospitality. You know the joke. If you want to make a small fortune in (choose your industry), start with a big one. The restaurant business is just such a sector. The road to success as a restaurateur is lined with countless spectacular accidents and heroic failures. We’ve seen Hollywood actors dabble, only to beat a hasty retreat. We’ve seen celebrity chefs driven to the point of bankruptcy. But here in the North West, we’ve also seen entrepreneurs such as Tim Bacon. Bacon has repeatedly negotiated the pitfalls, and shrugged off trifles such as chronic recessions to create hugely successful operations, with price tags to match. In December 2005 the Sunday Times identified Bacon’s Living Ventures as the fastest growing company in hospitality. That year he sold his hugely successful Prohibition in Manchester for £2.75m. Two years later, buyers started circling after the phenomenal success of his Living Room brand. It sold for £28m. Australasia: a frightening success As we sit down with Tim we fully expect our interview to be punctuated with ringing phones, pinging Blackberries and PAs looking pointedly at their watches. It goes with the territory with successful businessmen - but not a bit of it here. Tim exudes the air of man who, swan-like, glides effortlessly from task to task. Albeit there’s a lot of paddling going on under the surface: he and co-founder Jeremy Roberts are now concentrating on a rebranding exercise of the remaining 15-strong estate with two new brands: Blackhouse Grills and Gusto Restaurant and Bar. As if that isn’t enough, they have also scored notable successes in the heart of Manchester with The Alchemist and Australasia – the latter described by Bacon as “the most terrifying project to date”. It wasn’t so much the size of the project (he’s done bigger) but the concept itself that got his adrenaline pumping. Australasia brings fine-dining, a different type of menu and a very different way of eating to the city.

Of course, he needn’t have worried. Manchester flocked, and keeps flocking, to the prime location that sits right underneath Armani’s beautiful store on Deansgate. After you step into the wedge shaped glass entrance (originally conceived as a waterfall, until even Bacon baulked at the cost) you sweep down a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers Australasia staircase. All that’s missing is a Busby Berkeley dance troupe to greet you at the bottom. It’s big, bold and ambitious, with cuisine and service to match. The people factor At the heart of their success is an acute understanding of how people want to feel. Bacon says: “I consider our restaurants to be public spaces, where people can feel relaxed and comfortable. I want to create places where a woman can walk through the door on her own and not feel intimidated or threatened in any way.” Indeed, theirs is a people-focused company. He adds: “We only employ nice people... they share the same beliefs and passions as I do. They are all given the freedom to express themselves and to always go that extra mile for our customers.” And for their next trick... It almost seems the wrong way round, but from the large scale and opulent, Bacon’s next venture brings things back to basics: the pub. He says: “I’ve never done the pub thing before but I always wanted to.” And so to the Oast House, which is planning to open it’s doors on the 10th October in Spinningfields and promises to be a beer drinker’s heaven. Tim: “It will have 36 different types of beer...but real drinkers know their stuff so we have to get the cask ales spot-on. Otherwise I’ll be in trouble...”

Australasia

Away from Living Ventures life • Tim is married with two children, seven and four • He enjoys his sport. Cricket and Rugby being the most important and admits to only a mild interest in football. Man Utd, only because they’re on his doorstep though! And his London team, well we’ve all got one, are Tottenham.

THIRTY THREE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // THE AUBURN MOTOR CAR

From Hollywood to Knutsford

THE AUBURN It happens just occasionally. You’re driving down an ordinary road, thinking about ordinary things like the price of cheese, when WOW! A fabulous sight comes towards you: an exquisite car with a stature and elegance like nothing else on the road. Within moments it has swept by and gone again, leaving just a tantalising image in its wake. The Auburn is just such a machine, and if you happen to spend any time on the Cheshire’s roads, you too may be rewarded with a glimpse. Its home is now in Knutsford, a fair haul from its Indiana roots. Sex on wheels The Auburn Speedster was in fact the last throw of the dice for the ailing Auburn Automobile Company in Indiana. The year was 1934, sales were slow and times were hard. Model T Fords pootled west, packed to bursting with families and all their belongings in the hope of work and a new life. The Auburn was the company’s attempt to sex-up the forecourt with something truly

// THIRTY FOUR

arresting. And it worked. Hollywood A-listers and sportsmen quickly found its unmissable looks and serious performance an irresistible combination to enhance their image.

and Gary Cooper. It was clearly a success: the car was soon conveying starlets such as Betty Grable and Lana Turner to parties and premières.

Indeed, a signed plaque adorned each dash with the legend: “Tested at 100.1 mph”. What the gimmick lacked in strict truth – they didn’t have the resources to test every model it more than made up for in driver appeal. But there was no denying the car was quick: indeed at Bonneville in 1935 it smashed the speed records for an American production car.

The car then moved on to Colorado, where its styling was altered back to something closer to the original design. It stayed there for most of its post-war years in the US, before its present owners, Lawrence and Carl Cookson, brought it over to England.

Like many Auburn Speedsters, the car you see here has a glamorous past. It was ﬁrst bought by the Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton as a gift to her husband in the midst of their failing marriage. But even the Auburn had its limits; the relationship ran out of gas and the car was put into storage. This Speedster was then bought by a Hollywood publicist, who decided to enhance the car’s style. He sent it to a coach builder favoured by fellow car enthusiasts Clark Gable

For more than 20 years now, the Auburn has graced our roads in the North West. At heart, it’s an effortless cruiser and despite the lack of sidescreens it protects and welcomes you in the snug cockpit. It has a vibrancy and presence as if it were built yesterday. Indeed sitting on its broad seats, it’s almost like they’re still warm from some of the world’s most illustrious behinds…

THE GENT MAGAZINE // THE AUBURN MOTOR CAR

THIRTY FIVE //

Photograph By Greg Williams.

Hugh Jackman in his latest ﬁlm ‘Real Steel’

THE GENT MAGAZINE // HUGH JACKMAN

Spellbound: the irresistible rise of Hugh Jackman

THE GENT MAGAZINE // HUGH JACKMAN

All you need to transform your life is the charisma of Hugh Jackman – and a friendly local witch. It has happened since time immemorial. An aspiring actor or model is waiting tables, answering phones or pumping gas when suddenly he or she is plucked from obscurity by a sharp-eyed passer-by. And the rest is history. In Hugh Jackman’s case, that’s exactly what happened. Back in his native Australia he had enrolled at a drama studio and was paying the bills working at a Sydney gym. His job was to smile nicely and hand out the locker keys. Which he duly did to perfection one day when a lady by the name of Annie Semler strolled in. As the wife of an Oscarwinning cinematographer, she knew about Hollywood. But a greater power was at work here: she levelled an intense stare at Jackman and told him “you are going to be a big star.” The naturally poleaxed gym attendant was only just starting to process this announcement when she came in with the clincher: “Listen to me, I’m a white witch.” And she was right. Days later she introduced him to an agent, and at his very ﬁrst audition he landed a part in the major Australian soap Neighbours. It was a part he didn’t in fact take, preferring to continue studying drama. But Jackman’s destiny was assured, just like the witch had said.

A BORN PERFORMER Hugh Michael Jackman was born on the 12th of October, 1968, in Sydney, New South Wales. His parents were English, his father Chris being an accountant from Cambridge. Hugh discovered acting at a very early age, appearing onstage in Camelot at the age of 5. He continued through a string of musicals and plays, pupils being strongly encouraged by the school to both contribute to ofﬁcial productions and put on their own.

A good student, Hugh Jackman attended Knox Grammar School, an elite all-boys establishment in the Wahroonga district of Sydney. He gained a BA in Communications but realised that his original plan, journalism, wasn’t for him. He wanted to be a serious actor, and despite the instant ﬁx of fame awaiting him on Neighbours, he instead spent three years at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts in Perth.

In 2003, he returned to Wolverine with X-Men 2. This time, Wolverine, on a quest for his roots while battling the bad guys, was most definitely the star. Hugh’s razor fight with Kelly Hu’s Deathstrike took three weeks to film on its own. He also faced a fabulously embarrassing moment when, nude, backlit and running down a corridor, he turned a corner to find the entire female cast hooting and waving dollar bills at him.

Graduating in 1994, he walked straight into the Australian production of Beauty And The Beast. A sequence of TV work followed, including Correlli where he would meet his future wife, the actress – and later director Deborra-Lee Furness.

If you can handle that, you can handle Broadway and here he made his debut in The Boy From Oz. This was the tale of Peter Allen, an Australian singer and dancer spotted by Judy Garland. He would go on to marry daughter Liza Minnelli, before dying in 1992 of AIDSrelated throat cancer.

SCENE 2: MOTION PICTURES

A SERIOUS ACTOR

Then came movies, including Erskineville Kings, an intensely emotional drama which earned Hugh a Best Actor nomination by the Australian Film Institute. But it wasn’t this plaudit so much as good old fashioned luck that brought about his big break. The director Bryan Singer was six weeks into shooting X-Men when he discovered that Dougray Scott, signed to play Wolverine, was overrunning on Mission: Impossible 2 by two months. A replacement had to be found, and the producers turned to Jackman having seen him in Oklahoma! The movie went down a storm, and predictably Jackman faced a ﬂood of action-hero offers. Smartly, he decided to vary his roles and followed this with Someone Like You, based on Laura Zigman’s hit novel “Animal Husbandry”. Then came the lead in Swordﬁsh, playing a brilliant computer hacker.

It was a huge hit, prompting renowned screenwriter William Goldman to write in Variety “I have been going to the

theatre for 60-some years. I was there for Brando in Streetcar. But nothing prepared me for Hugh Jackman.”

From this point on his A-list status was cemented and increased with a string of major performances. These included Van Helsing, The Fountain, Australia and, of course, X-Men: the Last Stand and 2009’s X-Men’s Origins: Wolverine. Autumn 2011 will see Jackman in the ultimate boxing movie, ‘Real Steel’. But in this world, the ﬁghters are robots as Jackman teams up with his son (Dakota Goyo) to build the supreme champ. But then, as the white witch said, Jackman was always destined to be a contender...

This was followed by Kate & Leopold, a time-travelling rom-com with Meg Ryan. It earned him a Golden Globe nomination, en route to making his stage debut in Carousel at Carnegie Hall.

THIRTY SEVEN //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // THE GENTRY GROOMING CO

Why men flock to Adele Lock FROM APPRENTICE COMPETITOR TO SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR, ADELE LOCK IS GROOMED FOR GREAT THINGS. It takes a certain steel to survive The Apprentice. And a certain sensitivity to operate in the rarefied world of men’s grooming. Adele Lock is remarkable mixture of both. She appeared in the very first series of Sir Alan’s fire-fest, navigating uncharted (and some would say shark-infested) waters as she went. Yet at the time she had already spotted a niche which – like all really good ideas – is something that now seems blindingly obvious. Men, both in business and socially, understand that grooming can make a vital contribution to their overall persona. So in 2004, Adele created The Gentry Grooming Co together with business partners Matt and Jon Lock. In 2005, The Gentry Grooming Co opened its first flagship male grooming salon in Manchester. It found an immediate following amongst a cultured male audience. So much so, two additional salons followed in Didsbury and Wilmslow.

Men are more delicate But the Locks’ ambition did not end there. The next step was to develop a high-quality male grooming range that contained hand-selected ingredients to complement male skin. Adele explains:

Our research proved that men actually have more delicate skin than women. This led them to write a challenging brief to their formulations house: to create a range that is over 93% natural, PH-balanced, free from alcohol, parabens and chemical preservatives, and which contains NMFs (Natural Moisturising Factors). A year later The Essentials Range was born, a luxurious grooming range consisting of seven daily skincare products. Ideas are the lifeblood of any brand, and Adele’s next vision focused on grooming on the go. Her Express Shave & Skin Centres are now located in Frasers in Glasgow, and the House of Fraser stores in Manchester and Birmingham. With a celebrity following that already boasts Jason Orange and Peter Crouch, it’s all turned out beautifully for The Gentry Grooming Co.

// THIRTY EIGHT

WIN

£200 worth of The Gentry Grooming Co shaving products. To enter visit our website at www.gentrygrooming.com and answer this simple question ‘What year was Adele on The Apprentice?’

THE GENT MAGAZINE // RICHARD SMITH BESPOKE TAILORING

BESPOKE TAILORING

PACKS A PUNCH Greetings from a man of the cloth An open letter to Gent readers, from master tailor Richard Smith. “Hello, my name is Richard Smith and I run a bespoke tailoring business in the heart of Manchester called, suitably enough, Richard Smith Bespoke. For seven years I worked for the Giorgio Armani stores in Manchester, before realising a dream. I wanted to bring a fashionable spark to the world of bespoke tailoring, which is often seen as a bit conservative. Conservative I’m not. As I write, I am wearing my black turned up trouser in a super 130s Italian cloth, grey herringbone lapelled cloth-backed waistcoat, a fitted white shirt with rolled up sleeves, finished off with a black and white microdot Ascot tie. There’s a strong connection to the 30’s fashion at the moment. I adapt a lot of this style with subtle country checks with rolled, rather than pressed, turn-ups. Going bespoke There is simply nothing better than creating your own bespoke suit. Together with you, we start with a blank canvas. This means that the fabric, the cut and every detail are at your command – including the lining, the buttons, contrasting buttonhole stitch, monograms and much more. Regardless of your physique, it will fit and wear perfectly. It will also be a one-off, unique to you. Yet surprisingly, it can even cost the same as an off-the-peg designer suit. In fact, bespoke has only one disadvantage: time. My team and I need 4-5 weeks to create your perfect suit. But I guarantee it will be well worth the wait. Style tips for suits THE FIT: If you need the convenience of an off-the-peg suit, make sure it fits perfectly. Get that suit straight round to a tailor and invest a few extra pounds in having it fitted to you. It can transform a basic garment into a modern fashionable piece. LESS IS MORE: Don’t overdo it! Quirky is great, but unless you have the wallet for a wardrobe full of suits, stay classic. With a nicely fitting black, navy or grey suit, you can then create any number of looks with different shirts and ties. STYLES: Today, the dandy is back. At the moment I am making a lot of three-piece suits with lapelled waistcoats and rolled turn-up trousers. I am also creating more suits with neat fitting jackets and a crop trouser. Contrasting white tab collars and cuffs are becoming more popular at the moment as well as bolder colours. Coming through for this autumn and winter I see more fitted double breasted styles with a pleated trouser and the potential of keeping the turn ups. I feel this will then bring through more peak lapelled sport jackets contrasting with a trouser, resembling a Mediterranean smart casual vibe for Spring/Summer 2012. You read it here first! Richard Smith Bespoke offers you a world of different looks, weights, fabrics and detail options. For more, please visit: www.richardsmithbespoke.co.uk

THIRTY NINE //

HARVEY NICHOLS - JAMIE WEARS, PAUL SMITH HAT £140, NICOLE FARHI TROUSERS £109, DUCHAMP SHIRT £155, BURBERRY LONDON COAT £1295, GUCCI HOLDALL £730, FIORENTINI & BAKER BOOTS £255

THE GENT MAGAZINE // HARVEY NICHOLS

HARVEY NICHOLS - JAMES WEARS, POLO RALPH LAUREN TROUSERS £250, PAUL SMITH CAP £120, MCQ JUMPER £190, MARKUS LUPFER COAT £700, BELSTAFF BAG £180, PAUL SMITH SCARF £390, NIXON WATCH £440, WORKER BOOTS £120

Images taken from Harvey Nichols Manchester’s AW Fashion Show held at the Manchester Town Hall www.harveynichols.com

(Photography by Sven Eselgroth Photography)

THE GENT MAGAZINE // FLANNELS

FLANNELS SPINNINGFIELDS:

TAKE A LOOK AT US NOW. If the art of a fashion store is to discover and present the most inspiring collection of international designers all under one roof, then Flannels are artists are indeed.

Dries Van Noten Six Button Double Contrast Flap Jacket - £795.00

Flannels is now the UK’s largest independent luxury retail group and this autumn celebrate their 35th Anniversary.

Canali Two Button Pocket Plain Wool Suit £825.00

Dolce & Gabbana Steve McQueen Print T-Shirt - £150.00

First opening in Knutsford in 1976, the company pioneered debuts from major designers such as Paul Smith and Giorgio Armani to the North West. The vision turned Flannels into an essential mens & womenswear luxury shopping destination with nine stores across Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham alongside a newly launched online store at Flannelsfashion.com. The latest addition is the stunning new 20,000 sqft ﬂagship store located in The Avenue, Spinningﬁelds; Manchester’s new luxury shopping area. The space offers a quality and relaxed environment to endorse the Flannels ethos and highlights the importance of individualism and attention to detail. Visually, the store brings together contemporary design with quintessential antique furnishings sourced from across the world creating an ideal space to showcase the 100 plus brands available in store. For sheer choice, nothing rivals Flannels when it comes to bespoke tailoring and ready to wear classics. From Made to Measure tailoring of Canali, Ermenegildo Zegna, Boglioli to Ready to Wear classic suiting from Tom Ford, Paul Smith,

Hugo Boss and William Hunt, the choice and service is impeccable. To provide the perfect fit, the knowledgeable staff and experienced in house tailors are also on hand to ensure that each piece fits to your exact specification. The store also caters for the more casual shopper. From the casualwear of Stone Island, CP Company, Ralph Lauren and contemporary fashion of Nigel Cabourn and Moncler to classics such as Dries Van Noten, Maison Martin Margiela, Dunhill, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Lanvin; the collections have all your wardrobe needs covered. And for those that cannot make it into their spacious and comfortable stores, just click and order online. Great photography and easy navigation make it the next best thing to being there. Flannels online: Bookmark: www.flannelsfashion.com For all enquiries, please contact the Flannels store at: flannels.manchester@theflannelsgroup.co.uk

T: 0161 837 6293.

FLANNELS SPINNINGFIELDS THE AVENUE, CROWN SQUARE, SPINNINGFIELDS, MANCHESTER M3 3FL

FORTY THREE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // DERMALOGICA AVAILABLE AT HARVEY NICHOLS

dermalogica

Because shaving is a science. They only offer the very best at Harvey Nichols. That’s why you’ll ﬁnd Dermalogica Shave there with our highly effective 3-step regimen. The raw truth about your razor Next time you’re at the bathroom mirror, razor in hand, consider this. It could be a traumatic experience - for your skin, at least. In-grown hairs, irritation and redness are just some of the visible signs of trauma your skin undergoes when you take a razor to it. To your skin, a shave is mechanical exfoliation – and it can sometimes go too far. It can also compromise your lipid barrier, which leads to dry, scaly, cracked skin, and dehydration on the lower layers of the epidermis.

The Dermalogica solution To ensure a clean, streamlined shave and to minimize skin trauma, both beard growth and skin condition must be considered when selecting your regimen. Dermalogica Shave dual-action products are customized to care for both your skin and beard growth. They also allow skin care professionals to outline a straight-forward, three-step regimen that includes products for the Pre-Shave, Shave and Post-Shave process. Each step acts as a progression, designed to help further eliminate the main skincare concerns brought on by shaving. The Dermalogica Shave system offers a complete regimen to guarantee not only the closest shave possible, but also your healthiest skin ever.

WIN

a full regimen of shave products To enter simply answer this question. What is another name for the skin? Email your answer with your name, address and telephone number to tony@thegentmagazine.co.uk for your chance to win a full regimen of shave products. Entries to be received by 30/11/2011. The winner will be drawn on 05/12/2011 and will be announced in the next issue of The Gent Magazine. See www.thegentmagazine.co.uk for competition terms and conditions.

THE GENT MAGAZINE // HALE PERSONAL TRAINING

Hale And hearty The fitness page Whether you’re one of those driven types who must keep fit to stay sane – or one of life’s sofa dwellers with a nagging feeling there’s more to life than pizza - you’re in the right place. At The Gent we believe good advice on exercise, diet and overall good health is important, and we’ve gone straight to the top to get it. Please meet: Chris Horton, ex-Royal marine commando and qualified personal trainer at Hale Personal Training.

Chris: “A great way to do this is through interval training. By pushing your body to its limit, then letting it recover, it forces it to adapt. By increasing your metabolism your body will burn off fat and eat away at the calories.”

On your feet

So how do go about it? Try this. Find a park or football pitch with two points that are 100-200m apart. Sprint your fastest to the ﬁrst line, then just jog back to the start. Try repeating this 10-20 times. As you improve you’ll be able to increase distance or sets. This is a good way to monitor progress.

At Hale Personal Training they have a wealth of knowledge and experience on all aspects of ﬁtness and nutrition. But they don’t pretend your path to ﬁtness will be easy. Chris says: “There’s no two ways about it. Fitness, whether it’s for health, vanity, a goal or a sport, is all about hard work.” More than that, it’s also about working to a programme that is right for you personally, and with the right mental attitude. It also demands a balanced and nutritious diet to fuel your body, and plenty of restorative rest.

The right approach One of the ﬁrst mistakes we amateurs make is doing the same thing, over and over again. We think that’s the way to get ﬁt. In reality, you get bored and your body starts to plateau. It’s essential to mix things up, and refresh the programme with new goals and challenges.

Chris adds a second idea: “If you have access to a gym, set the rower to a distance of 100m, with 20 seconds rest in between. I challenge you to do 10 at 20 seconds or under. To start with, aim for under 25 seconds.” Try one or both of these for now. In the next issue, Chris will be back with new ways to bring variety and spice to your training.

Give it a go and good luck!

Caffeine and its Ergogenic Benefits Neil Walker is Chris’s business partner and a runner and Olympic Distance Triathlete. Here, he reveals the benefits of a substance that usually gets a bad press. ‘Ergogenic’ is a big word with a simple explanation: it’s about aiding performance. As a runner, fell runner and triathlete I’ve found that ordinary caffeine contained in coffee can be used as an effective ergogenic aid for my type of events, and indeed for strength training. It increases the use of fat as an energy source. This can have a glycogen sparing effect. Glycogen is the primary source of energy when exercising. In strength training, caffeine increases the availability of calcium which is needed for muscular contraction. In fact, if you happen to speak Arabic, their word for coffee (‘qahweh’) actually means ‘give strength’. If you plan to use caffeine as an ergogenic aid, first abstain from it for at least four days. The longer you haven’t had it, the more pronounced its effects. If you’re used to caffeine it shouldn’t have much of a diuretic effect. However, as always, make sure you are well hydrated whilst exercising. If you’re getting your caffeine from coffee , go for good quality and brew it freshly. Ideally, buy whole beans and grind them yourself, and as with all things – consume in moderation.

If you’re starting any new training regime, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP ﬁrst

// FORTY SEVEN

THE GENT MAGAZINE // BRAY

BRAY

Heaven on a plate Nestling beside the tranquil River Thames, Bray is a feast for the eyes, the soul - and the taste buds. Only one thing surpasses the sublime experience of gastronomy in its finest form: and that’s gastronomy enjoyed in idyllic surroundings. At Bray, a quintessentially English village on the River Thames in Berkshire, the two come together quite beautifully. Now you can enjoy some of the finest food in the world, while settling in to an enchanting cottage in Bray for a long and unforgettable weekend. For any serious gastronome, and for people who simply enjoy the finer things in life, heaven on earth is at Bray.

Where to eat In the UK, only four restaurants hold the coveted three Michelin stars; it’s therefore extraordinary that two of them are located in Bray. The Waterside Inn was founded by the brothers Michel and Albert Roux, following the success of Le Gavroche in Mayfair, London. Their spirit and vision remains very much alive: the Chef Patron is now Michel’s son, Alain. He maintains the standards that have seen the restaurant retain its three stars, without interruption, since 1985. A very different proposition is The Fat Duck, whose three stars have been won through the same attention to standards – but an altogether different take on cuisine.

FORTY EIGHT //

Here, the owner and chef Heston Blumenthal reveals his fascination with how the brain inﬂuences our appreciation of food. From this process come creations such as nitro-poached aperitifs, crayﬁsh ice cream, snail porridge and salmon poached in liquorice. There are many other restaurants and gastro pubs, all combining to re-inforce Bray’s reputation. They include The Hinds Head, The Crown and Caldesi. Nearby there is also The Royal Oak, owned by Bray resident Sir Michael Parkinson and his son Nick, and the Greene Oak and White Oak, owned by Sir Terry Wogan’s daughter.

Photographed above, Alain Roux at The Waterside Inn. Photograph by In-Press Photography.

The Fat Duck - Heston Blumenthal Photograph by Martin Brigdale

Caldesi in Campagna

Two of the four UK restaurants that hold the coveted three Michelin stars are located in Bray Places to stay in Bray...

The Concierge Service

Bray Cottages are a collection of perfectly beautiful English cottages, each furnished with love, care and ﬂair, each just steps away from the Waterside Inn, the Fat Duck and Caldesi. Other delicious options are also just a stroll away.

The Bray Cottages team offers a complete concierge service. They can arrange everything from restaurant bookings and champagne to boat trips on the Thames and airport transfers. That way, you can concentrate on the business in hand: some of the world’s most inspired food, in one of England’s most coveted spots. Bon appetit.

• Christmas Cottage • Clematis Cottage • Tiggers Cottage

Bray Cottages - Christmas Cottage

For more information on an unforgettable experience in Bray, please visit: www.braycottages.com or call 01628 583505. READER OFFER • READER OFFER • READER OFFER • READER OFFER

Visit Bray for a Gourment Weekend Receive a FREE Bottle of Champagne for all bookings taken before the 31st December, simply call 01628 583505 and quote ‘The Gent 2011’

Fustic House, Barbados Idyllic meets mesmeric

THE GENT MAGAZINE // PRIVATE LABEL WORLDWIDE

The Caribbean has its fair share of dreamlike residences. They set the bar high in this part of the world so it takes something very special to rank as one of the region’s finest. For a sophisticated, yet informal residence with an ambience of colonial indulgence, Fustic House is one of the ﬁnest of all. Although dating back to 1740, this coral stone estate was completely transformed in the 1970’s by the British theatrical designer Oliver Messel who instilled an effortless fusion of relaxed Barbados charm, together with reﬁnement and luxury. Couple this with complete privacy and a full complement of professional staff, and heaven on earth doesn’t get much closer. Fustic House’s 10 spectacular acres, complete with a lagoon swimming pool, are gently fanned by the cooling trade winds on this north-west coastline of Barbados. The house actually comprises of three discreet wings - The Great House, Messel Wing and Plantation House, each with two bedrooms, spacious living areas and all equipped with everything from air-conditioning to Bose music systems. The 7th bedroom is housed in a ‘private pavilion’, complete with living room and home cinema.

Each wing is connected through winding paths of beautiful, tropical vegetation leading to pretty courtyards and numerous areas to stretch out and relax. Indeed, at every turn, a breathtaking vista opens up before you. Take breakfast in a tranquil corner of the tropical gardens, lunch at the poolside and dine in the enchanting courtyard with cocktails and canapés served at twilight to the captivating sounds of the tropics. Each memorable dining experience is unique at Fustic House, with exceptional creations presented by one of the most highly regarded chefs in the Caribbean. Backed by a team of 14 dedicated staff, the Estate Manager and Butler ensure that every guest’s wish is expertly fulﬁlled. The beauty of Fustic House is that family and friends can enjoy all the privacy of their own special retreat yet the beaches and main attractions of the island are just minutes away. Continued >

FIFTY ONE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // PRIVATE LABEL WORLDWIDE

Fustic House is a member of the exclusive Private Label Worldwide portfolio – a collection of the ﬁnest private islands, villas and unique holiday experiences around the world, complemented by an exceptional concierge travel service. // FIFTY TWO

THE GENT MAGAZINE // PRIVATE LABEL WORLDWIDE

Private Label Worldwide Fustic House is a little known “gem”, discovered by Private Label Worldwide who have arranged several very happy family and celebratory gatherings at this enchanting residence. Private Label’s portfolio includes a superb range of unique destinations, and our concierge services are automatically included in every holiday arrangement - from transfers by private chauffeured car, detailed meal planning and pre-organising your favourite food and drinks, to organising sports and leisure activities and ensuring your children are well taken care of. Last but not least, we will share our exceptional knowledge on each and every aspect of your chosen destination, to ensure you experience the very best from your stay. If you would like to know more about Fustic House or any of the other beautiful residences offered by Private Label Worldwide please call 01628 77 11 71 or visit our websites : www.privatelabelww.com www.mustiquebyprivatelabel.co.uk

THE GENT MAGAZINE // BAC MONO

BAC MONO. By enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all been car designers at some point in our lives. Normally it happens around the age of 7, armed with a box of Lego. But then we get it out of our systems and move on to being train drivers, astronauts or scoring the injurytime winner at Wembley.

// FIFTY FOUR

THE GENT MAGAZINE // BAC MONO

Not so the Briggs brothers from Runcorn, Cheshire. But then they have certain qualities the rest of us lack. These include passion, drive, belief and – rather important, this – the automotive qualiﬁcations and inspiration that can turn fantasy into a stunning reality. The result: the Briggs Automotive Company’s MONO, a car so fast it reaches 60mph in just 2.8 seconds, while you’re still lifting the lid off that Lego. Better still, this isn’t a concept car; you can actually buy one. BAC has geared up to produce between 60-100 of these blisteringly fast machines each year.

Take a seat. The only seat. MONO refers to ‘monoposto’, or ‘single seat’ just like an F1 car. But the key difference here is that it’s designed to take the thrill of performance and race-car handling to ordinary public roads. Or, indeed, to track days, racing schools, as a one-make series racer, and so on.

At 520 bhp/ton, its power to weight ratio surpasses that of the Bugatti Veyron. From 60mph in 2.8 seconds you’re on to 100mph in 6.7, and onwards and upwards to a maximum speed of 170mph. But this car is about more than just velocity: it’s the cumulative knowledge of the brothers’ 15 years of experience. In that time their company Adaptive Space has handled design and engineering consultancy projects for the Ford Motor Company, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. And it shows.

Partners in power This proudly British creation has harnessed the very best of ingenuity from all over the automotive world. Its aerodynamics were optimised in partnership with Stuttgart University, while its list of suppliers reads like a Who’s Who of the international motorsport industry. The vehicle is constructed in carbon ﬁbre with a tubular steel driver safety cell, complete with FIA-compliant rollover protection system; it has echoes of a DTM race car. Power comes from a 280 bhp, normally-aspirated 2.3-litre Cosworth unit. It’s mounted longitudinally and mated to an electronically-controlled, paddle-shift, sixspeed sequential Hewland transmission with limited-slip differential.

The rose-jointed, aero profiled pushrod suspension features adjustable Sachs Racing dampers derived from the heat of competition. The braking is by AP Racing, the bespoke HRT alloy wheels by OZ Racing, the purposedeveloped, street-legal track tyres by Kumho, and the vehicle electronics and instrumentation by GEMS. You are secured by a full six-point racing harness by Willans, and when you’re parked there’s a secure locker for a helmet and the detachable steering wheel. The seat is ﬁxed for safety and optimum weight distribution (48/52 front to rear), and drivers of varying shapes and sizes can be readily accommodated thanks to the fully adjustable pedal box and steering column. There is even the option of an F1-style fully-proﬁled seat.

Making the dream yours Ian Briggs comments: “MONO is the culmination of a 12-year dream for us – the car we wanted to own but nobody else made.” At £79,950 (including UK taxes), many will ﬁnd BAC MONO is not only highly desirable but surprisingly affordable.

For further details, log onto www.bac-mono.com.

FIFTY FIVE //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // WATCHES

WEAR YOUR ART ON YOUR SLEEVE THE HOTTEST WRIST WATCHES OF 2011 IN AGE OF MOBILE PHONES AND HAND-HELD COMPUTERS, YOU DON’T STRICTLY NEED A WRIST WATCH TO TELL YOU TIME. BUT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED OBJECTS, THE NEED FOR SOMETHING MAGNIFICENT TO ADORN YOUR WRIST IS AS ACUTE AS EVER. HERE ARE SOME EXQUISITE MODELS FOR 2011/12.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 Perhaps the original sports watch, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was ﬁrst produced in 1931 for British colonial polo players in India who wanted to avoid having their watches smashed during matches. Obviously they could have just taken their watches off, but that wasn’t the way things were done in colonial India in the 30s and a superb engineering solution was created - the Reverso. The Reverso collection comes in many forms, but each watch has one characteristic in common: a hinge that allows it to be reversed. In the original form this was to display the protective stainless steel case back. This year marks 80 years since the original Reverso. In order to commemorate the event, Jaeger-LeCoultre has released the ‘Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931’ in both a steel version with black dial, and a limited edition of 500 with a pink gold and white dial. Our favourite is the steel, which, like both versions, comes with the hand wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822 movement. With minimalist features and a thin proﬁle, this watch strikes the perfect balance between style, presence on the wrist and classic looks. It would look great with any suit, summer or winter, and be at home in all but the most sporty of situations. Although this isn’t a limited edition, this truly timeless classic has been popular on pre-order. You can join a waiting list for the retail price of around £5,600.

// FIFTY SIX

THE GENT MAGAZINE // WATCHES

Christophe Claret 21 Blackjack This ‘haute horology’ masterpiece doubles as a mobile casino. The 21 Blackjack allows the wearer to play blackjack, dice or roulette, all on the watch, all using the mechanical movement. Forget Angry Birds on the iPhone; this is what you should be playing if you’ve got time on your hands. On the side of the watch, at 4 o’clock, are two dice for a game of craps. On the reverse is a roulette wheel, which uses an arrow, instead of a ball, to mark the winning number. The main event, Blackjack, is played out on the dial of the watch. The player’s cards are shown on the lower part of the dial and the dealer’s cards on the upper part. The pushers on the side of the watch allow the player and dealer to ‘hit’ for an extra card. A beautiful detail is the bell that rings to indicate that

an extra card has been taken - the hammer and bell are visible through a side window on the case. The game is all played out using rotating discs that spin on ceramic ball bearings before randomly stopping on one of the 4,096 card combinations for the player and 216 for the dealer. All this means there are a total of 884,736 ways to win or lose. It is perhaps no surprise that the 21 Blackjack just won the Couture Time 2011 prize for innovation. The 45mm 21 Blackjack is being produced in 5 different material combinations, all of which have titanium that is mixed with either white gold, pink gold, platinum, or more titanium. There will only be 21 of each style, so you need to be quick if you want to add one of these amazing watches to your collection. Prices for this truly individual watch start at around £130,000 and vary depending on the case material.

FIFTY SEVEN //

THE GENT MAGAZINE // WATCHES

Bremont Limited Edition P-51 Bremont is a relatively young British watch brand that is characterised by the high level of engineering that goes into each of their watches. In the brand’s short history they have produced some wonderfully unique and innovative concepts. Their latest watch is no exception. The ‘Bremont P-51’ is being built with original aluminium metal from a 1944 Mustang aircraft called ‘Fragile but Agile’. The aluminium from the aircraft’s fuselage is integrated into both the dial and the movement of the timepiece. The styling of the watch is inspired by the original clocks found in the P-51 aircraft. As with all Bremont watches the attention to detail is superb and the words ‘Fragile but Agile’ are written on the movement, which can be seen through the sapphire crystal back. The styling is certainly unique and eye catching, although this is probably more suited to relaxed and sporty environments than to formal occasions. This 43mm watch will be produced in a limited edition of 251 and is priced at £7,450. But you’d better hurry: we have heard that pre-orders have already been taken for the ﬁrst 160.

Rolex Explorer II Part of the appeal of Rolex is the consistent styling that they maintain from year to year across most of their collection. The Rolex sports watch collections have been particularly constant in this respect and the Explorer II is no exception. The original Rolex Explorer was released to celebrate Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay reaching the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Later, in 1971, Rolex released the ﬁrst Rolex Explorer II, which included the addition of the date and a 24-hour hand. The success of the original Explorer II was instant and now an original 70s Explorer II is an incredibly sought-after addition to any vintage watch collection. Now, forty years after the original release, Rolex has put a modern twist on the original design. The orange hand is back, but the case and dial take on a larger, more contemporary feel. The 42mm case and ‘maxi’ dial greatly increase its presence. The watch, which comes in white or black dial, has been given a brand new movement and the new highly acclaimed Rolex Oysterlock bracelet with folding clasp and 5mm ‘easylink’ extension. The white dial (pictured) has a ‘go anywhere’ appeal and will look as perfect with jeans as it will with a suit. The black dial, which looks stunning, is similar to the original watch and is likely to be the most popular both now and with future collectors. Both dial colours will be very popular when they go on general release later this year for around £4,700.

// FIFTY EIGHT

Mark Todman can be found on twitter @thewatchgeek and/or info@thewatchgeek.co.uk

THE ROLEX SPORTS WATCH COLLECTIONS HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY CONSTANT IN THEIR STYLING AND DESIGN THE EXPLORER II IS NO EXCEPTION.

FOUR ALL SEASONS

THE NEW GRANCABRIO BY MASERATI. EXPERIENCE MORE With the GranCabrio, Maserati has moved the open-top grand touring experience onto a new level. You expect the elegance of the Pininfarina design and the dynamic ability derived from the 4.7 litre, 440 horsepower, V8 engine, but the GranCabrio offers another dimension; spacious seating for four people. You and your passengers are guaranteed the highest level of comfort thanks to the use of sumptuous materials, including Poltrona Frau® leather, a fully insulated fabric roof and Skyhook active suspension. The Maserati GranCabrio is priced at £98,250 on the road, including 3 years/unlimited mileage warranty.

For more information on the Maserati GranCabrio or Maserati events, call 0161 955 5575 Car shown with optional metallic paint at £564, coloured dashboard/tonneau cover at £720, titanium-coloured brake calipers at £432 and BOSE® Surround Sound system at £1,440. Ofﬁcial fuel consumption for the Maserati GranCabrio in mpg (litres/100km): urban 11.8 (23.9), extra urban 27.2 (10.4), combined 18.3 (15.4). CO2 emissions on combined cycle 358 g/km.

Stratstone Maserati Wilmslow Road, Wilmslow, SK9 3HW Tel: 0161 955 5575 www.maseratidealers.com/stratstone/manchester

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