The pleasure of fine things

[Kevin Peacocke]

This thread is directed at those of us who appreciate fine craftsmanship, who have either been gifted or collected fine items that bring them pleasure. Yes, we know OH that this is of no interest to you, so please don't bother to reply and spoil it for those who do appreciate these things.
Many years ago my daughters gifted me a Rolex GMT Master 2, which with their blessing I recently up traded for the much simpler and to me more pleasing Explorer 1 40mm. It is hardy, functional and elegantly simple, no date, no complexities, just quality.
In the past year I managed to acquire a Mitchell 408, and a DAM Quick Microlite, buth NIB from the 1960's. What a pleasure using these ultralight masterpieces on the Zambezi catching tiger and bream.
I also managed to get a Holland and Holland fountain pen. It is such a pleasure to write letters to friends and family with, affix stamps and post them.
The family have also gifted me Patrick Mavros silver figurines of the animals I hunt, real works of art.

 

[Franco]

Kevin,

Congratulations on the Rolex, the fact it came from your daughters speaks volumes.

So many of our younger generation are being swept away in the rising tide of liberalism, anti-hunting, anti-capitalism - pro-socialism; you should be very proud.

I hope you get many years of enjoyment fishing on the Zambezi.

 

[uplander01]

Kevin, read many of your post and commentary,…you sir seem like a fine gentleman that has good taste. Not surprising your kids turned out good. I’m with you on the finer things in life, have to enjoy what you can in this life. I can’t imagine never having a fine big game rifle, a fine timepiece, good binos, a good woman, a nice home…..and many other niceties,…fact is they don’t all have to be the most expensive, bespoke, new, or even nice to anyone else, just need to be special to you, and mean something. Just my opinion.

Well done on the Rolex, the explorer would be my choice as well.

 

[Rare Breed]

This thread is directed at those of us who appreciate fine craftsmanship, who have either been gifted or collected fine items that bring them pleasure. Yes, we know OH that this is of no interest to you, so please don't bother to reply and spoil it for those who do appreciate these things.
Many years ago my daughters gifted me a Rolex GMT Master 2, which with their blessing I recently up traded for the much simpler and to me more pleasing Explorer 1 40mm. It is hardy, functional and elegantly simple, no date, no complexities, just quality.
In the past year I managed to acquire a Mitchell 408, and a DAM Quick Microlite, buth NIB from the 1960's. What a pleasure using these ultralight masterpieces on the Zambezi catching tiger and bream.
I also managed to get a Holland and Holland fountain pen. It is such a pleasure to write letters to friends and family with, affix stamps and post them.
The family have also gifted me Patrick Mavros silver figurines of the animals I hunt, real works of art.
View attachment 723894

Love this post my friend!!! I too so appreciate fine things. As you note, each item you mention gives you personally such pleasure as you both view and use them!!! I am the same not really so much caring what others think given they usually don’t understand the value of the item. When I hold my Rigbys in my hands I feel such personal satisfaction with my family seeing them as “only any other gun” which is just fine to me given the satisfaction is mine !!

 

[Denvir Tire]

Yes, we know OH that this is of no interest to you, so please don't bother to reply and spoil it for those who do appreciate these things.

So true...

 

[Hunter-Habib]

My taste for expensive things is limited to high grade firearms & gourmet food. That said, I do appreciate many of the expensive things which my loved ones have gifted me over the years.

My former secretary & closest female friend gifted me this Rado watch. Sometimes, I subconsciously regret not pursuing a relationship with her when we were both young.

I rotate this watch along with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual & a Cartier Tank (which were gifted to me by my parents when I graduated from the University Of London in 1967 and by my daughter's father-in-law to me during her marriage).

My son gifted me this lovely Waterman fountain pen when I became a Member Of Parliament in 2000.

In terms of expensive food... I'm a real sucker for Beluga caviar, Fauchon goose foie gras & milk fed veal.

While my clothing choices aren't particularly expensive (I prefer Paul Fredrick striped button down collar cotton poplin dress shirts, Indochino pleated linen dress trousers & Albert Thurston elastic button-on suspenders) ... my dad is a very snappy dresser. He turns 95 in December & I bought him these two contrast collar double cuff dress shirts which he loves wearing.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My taste for expensive things is limited to high grade firearms & gourmet food. That said, I do appreciate many of the expensive things which my loved ones have gifted me over the years.
View attachment 723935
My former secretary & closest female friend gifted me this Rado watch. Sometimes, I subconsciously regret not pursuing a relationship with her when we were both young.

I rotate this watch along with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual & a Cartier Tank (which were gifted to me by my parents when I graduated from the University Of London in 1967 and by my daughter's father-in-law to me during her marriage).

View attachment 723936
My son gifted me this lovely Waterman fountain pen when I became a Member Of Parliament in 2000.

In terms of expensive food... I'm a real sucker for Beluga caviar, Fauchon goose foie gras & milk fed veal.

While my clothing choices aren't particularly expensive (I prefer Paul Fredrick striped button down collar cotton poplin dress shirts, Indochino pleated linen dress trousers & Albert Thurston elastic button-on suspenders) ... my dad is a very snappy dresser. He turns 95 in December & I bought him these two contrast collar double cuff dress shirts which he loves wearing.View attachment 723937
View attachment 723949

You have lead a wonderful life my friend. The greatest pleasure of all has been in the giving to my family and friends too. The word enduring sums it up, because quality lasts to be passed on.

 

[spike.t]

This thread is directed at those of us who appreciate fine craftsmanship, who have either been gifted or collected fine items that bring them pleasure. Yes, we know OH that this is of no interest to you, so please don't bother to reply and spoil it for those who do appreciate these things.
Many years ago my daughters gifted me a Rolex GMT Master 2, which with their blessing I recently up traded for the much simpler and to me more pleasing Explorer 1 40mm. It is hardy, functional and elegantly simple, no date, no complexities, just quality.
In the past year I managed to acquire a Mitchell 408, and a DAM Quick Microlite, buth NIB from the 1960's. What a pleasure using these ultralight masterpieces on the Zambezi catching tiger and bream.
I also managed to get a Holland and Holland fountain pen. It is such a pleasure to write letters to friends and family with, affix stamps and post them.
The family have also gifted me Patrick Mavros silver figurines of the animals I hunt, real works of art.
View attachment 723894

Mmm...just reminded me we used to have some of Patricks silver animals going down our kinda large dining table...Sat 24....nust have disappeared along with odd other thing courtesy of a certain female...oh well just as well I never went through with the ear rings I discussed with him to make...

 

[analog_peninsula]

A favorite aunt was kind enough to leave me this very elegant table. It’s easy to enjoy nice things.

 

[analog_peninsula]

That’s Revere silver by the way. She left me that too. Did I mention she was a favorite aunt?

 

[Josh P]

While just about any old pipe will work, I really appreciate the quality of a Savinelli Clark’s (and mine) Favorite with its smooth cool draw.

Also, my wife is pretty fine.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

You have lead a wonderful life my friend. The greatest pleasure of all has been in the giving to my family and friends too. The word enduring sums it up, because quality lasts to be passed on.

Speaking of quality, I bought a grey Brook’s Brothers linen suit in 1980. 45 years later, it still holds up really well. It’s one of my only 3 suits (I had one locally made on the same pattern in navy blue linen and received one locally made double breasted one in a light gray linen as a gift).

But modern day Brook’s Brothers is now garbage. Quality is an absolute joke. Which is particularly sad, because I practically exclusively wore Brook’s Brothers clothing during my student life. Their clothing was also worn regularly by American Ivy League students back in the good old days.

 

[Jefferry404]

Bought my first Rolex (GMT) in 1989, my 2nd one in 2015 (sea dweller) and thinking of my 3td but availability sucks

 

[Franco]

Love this post my friend!!! I too so appreciate fine things. As you note, each item you mention gives you personally such pleasure as you both view and use them!!! I am the same not really so much caring what others think given they usually don’t understand the value of the item. When I hold my Rigbys in my hands I feel such personal satisfaction with my family seeing them as “only any other gun” which is just fine to me given the satisfaction is mine !!

@Rare Breed,

I share your lack of concern about what others think - especially family; to the point where their disdain increases my level of satisfaction.

 

[Franco]

In terms of expensive food... I'm a real sucker for Beluga caviar, Fauchon goose foie gras & milk fed veal.

@Hunter-Habib,

Should our paths ever cross, I believe dinner is in order.

 

[Franco]

View attachment 724018

While just about any old pipe will work, I really appreciate the quality of a Savinelli Clark’s (and mine) Favorite with its smooth cool draw.

Also, my wife is pretty fine.

Never smoked a pipe, but Cuban cigars and an aged rum and I'm good. Ditto on the wife.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

@Hunter-Habib,

Should our paths ever cross, I believe dinner is in order.

Only on the condition that it’s my treat…

 

[Betterinthebush]

What a mundane, monotonous world it would be if there were no beautiful and finely crafted things to admire and enjoy. My wife is the artist in the family. She has filled our home with so many lovely little touches of beauty both antiques and modern. I pass them and smile. I’m reminded that the hands that created that certain piece were committed to precision and his/her name would forever be known for the work long after he/she was dust.

Imagine if everyone were like that.

 

[CJNJ]

My taste for expensive things is limited to high grade firearms & gourmet food. That said, I do appreciate many of the expensive things which my loved ones have gifted me over the years.
View attachment 723935
My former secretary & closest female friend gifted me this Rado watch. Sometimes, I subconsciously regret not pursuing a relationship with her when we were both young.

I rotate this watch along with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual & a Cartier Tank (which were gifted to me by my parents when I graduated from the University Of London in 1967 and by my daughter's father-in-law to me during her marriage).

View attachment 723936
My son gifted me this lovely Waterman fountain pen when I became a Member Of Parliament in 2000.

In terms of expensive food... I'm a real sucker for Beluga caviar, Fauchon goose foie gras & milk fed veal.

While my clothing choices aren't particularly expensive (I prefer Paul Fredrick striped button down collar cotton poplin dress shirts, Indochino pleated linen dress trousers & Albert Thurston elastic button-on suspenders) ... my dad is a very snappy dresser. He turns 95 in December & I bought him these two contrast collar double cuff dress shirts which he loves wearing.View attachment 723937
View attachment 723949

Your father's shirts remind of my late father, an attorney who also was a very sharp dresser right to the end. He loved this exact style of shirt. Among the many things he gave me, (in addition to showing me the way to practice law while standing for what's right) is a Montblanc fountain pen. After my service in the Coast Guard, I acquired a Steiner Commander binocular, which were the same type we carried on the boats. I think its probably one of the top marine binoculars made.

 

[Franco]

Only on the condition that it’s my treat…

I look forward to it, and the next one will be on me.