There’s something profoundly introspective about being lost in a brand-new city. For Rob and I, that happened just a few short weeks ago. Far from our leafy base in Sydney, in the cultural capital of gastronomy and bohemian architecture, we found ourselves adrift in a sea of horological endeavour. For us, the annual Watches & Wonders event in Geneva delivered more than a few surprises and knockout pieces, to go along with a healthy dose of jetlag and the all-too-common realisation that you hadn’t packed for the occasion. However, for those at the vanguard of design and innovation, it was all business.
Perennial industry favourite Rolex dropped a swathe of incredible timepieces, not the least of which being a bonkers 18-carat yellow gold Deepsea that was as perplexing as it was glamorous, while Hublot demonstrated an approach to contemporary watchmaking that can only be described as ‘new age’. From sapphire pieces that arrived near-translucent to bright orange stunners that caught the eye, the avant-garde architects ensured this year’s novelties would not soon be forgotten.
Closer to home, another revered brand was making history of its own. We caught a first glimpse at the all-important new 2025 Kia Tasman; the marque’s first all-purpose ute. While the jury is still out on the inner workings, journalist Ben McKimm noted that the gauntlet has firmly been thrown down and time could well be up on the Ford Ranger Raptor’s supremacy.
Of course, it wouldn’t be 2024 without a shake-up to the rich list, with a new (albeit familiar) face topping the totem pole of the world’s most wealthy this month. With the kind of dough he’s got to his name, purchasing Abu Dhabi’s proposed $1 billion Esports private island would be a drop in the ocean. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just trying to snag a Mother’s Day gift that doesn’t break the bank. Oh well, maybe one day we’ll win the lottery.
Editor-in-Chief, Man of Many
