In this week’s edition of Good Finds, we’re inadvertently championing collaborations, like this rather handsome collaboration from two British powerhouses; another stellar release from arguably my favourite designer working today (and just a short trip to Torres del Paine to get the word out); and Timex joining forces with New York mainstay Noah to knock the sports watch well and truly out of your regular rotation.
Writing The Check
Burberry and Smythson have made a collection of leather notebooks and travel games together, and it’s the first time the two have collaborated.
It’s a sensible match. Both are British, both have an exploring past, and Smythson made the diaries and logbooks for Ranulph Fiennes’ Transglobe Expedition in the 1970s.
The notebooks are handmade in Hertfordshire, with weather-themed British phrases on the covers and blue Featherweight paper inside. The end pages carry either the House Check or a London map print. The games are playing cards and roll-up chess and backgammon boards in Panama crossgrain leather, with zip pockets lined in House Check. Every piece can be gold-stamped with up to three initials for free. Game on.
Prices vary at int.burberry.com
Neat Handling
Glenfiddich has once again celebrated its enduring partnership with the Aston Martin Formula 1 team with another limited edition release.
The 28 Years Old is a limited single malt at 43.7% ABV, built from American oak finished in virgin oak, Oloroso sherry hogsheads and ex-bourbon casks. Expect toffee, vanilla shortcake, and marmalade, followed by a long, oaky, spicy finish.
The box comes in Podium Green with copper detailing. The spirit went into cask in the late 1990s, around the time Aston was working on Project Vantage and the V12 DB7 Vantage.
That’s a tidy bit of timing, whoever in the marketing dept. noticed it. It goes on sale in January 2027, in the US and global travel retail only, so for us that means the airport. Buy it in duty-free, then drink it somewhere you won’t need the car keys. Just don’t dram and drive.
More info at aston-martin-f1.glenfiddich.com
Down and Out in Patagonia
Haider Ackermann is my favourite designer this year, hands down. His FW26 Snow Goose by Canada Goose collection is called Axis of Endurance, and it launched, like his past few collections, with a bucket-list-worthy group trip to Torres del Paine.
Past expeditions have included active volcano and glacier tours. It’s perhaps my life mission to make it on a future one – this one included hiking, kayaking by Grey Glacier, and horseback riding. Everyone wore sweatshirts reading “Together in the middle of nowhere,” which is a fair summary of the location.
The pieces to look at are the 3-Layer Jacket, the Quilted ¾ Zip Top and the Diamond Down Trousers. There are two firsts for the label: leather, via a reworked Chilliwack Bomber, and footwear, in the form of a Rainboot. The palette is earthy, with flashes of Acid Orange, Flaming Rose and Goldenrod. It’s still fur-free, with faux trims on the Ferron, Vega and Zion Trapper Hat. The new collection will be available in the Westfield Sydney flagship, opening in early November, which is perfect timing for a winter break abroad. For now, I’ll be wishlisting the next Ackermann expedition.
Double Time
Timex has two collabs out, and both are easy to like. Noah’s latest is the Boatswain, a 31mm gold oval dress watch with a 1960s shape and a quartz movement. It has already sold out.
Then there’s WM Brown, the publication Matt Hranek runs, which also wrote A Man & His Watch. His Timex is a 27mm tank-style Rectangle with a two-tone dial, Arabic numerals, a small seconds at six, and a faint sundial pattern in the middle. The US$349 gift set comes with a steel bracelet and a brown leather strap, and it was listed as out of stock on Timex’s US site soon after the 27 October announcement. Not too shabby.
Both waitlisted at timex.com