Great Expectations: 10 Gifts Guaranteed to Impress This Holiday Season
This holiday season, ten classic gifts—a mink coat, board game, bicycle, a pair of hiking boots—have been elevated to the extraordinary. Centurion editors have assembled this selection of one-of-a-kind ideas, all made by hand in storied ateliers across the world. We think you'll find them to be very give-able. Or, perhaps, keepable.
Fendi and Rimowa joined forces to create a carry-on—and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Rimowa's signature aluminum luggage. The new trolley collaboration combines Rimowa's ergonomic durability with Fendi's Cuoio Romano leather accents (and, of course, the double-F logo).
Aluminum Suitcase with Leather Handles and FF Logo Belt, $2,350.00; available in limited quantities at selected Rimowa and Fendi locations worldwide; rimowa.com.
In the hands of Italian cobblers, the classic hiking boot gains handmade-in-Italy panache. And, as with all things Brunello Cucinelli, comfort is as paramount as aesthetics. Constructed from 100-percent calf leather, an added microlite welt layer is sewn to the upper base of the shoe to make that hike (or walk around the city) comfortable.
Waxed Calfskin “Mountain” Walking Boots, $1,345; brunellocucinelli.com.
Cut like a hotel bathrobe, Salomon's long-haired natural mink coat literally slips on. The Vigne Wrap Coat is handmade in Paris at the historic Maison Yves Salomon, where furriers concentrate on pushing the traditions of fur coats in more modern and lighter ways.
Vigne Mink Wrap Coat, $15,490; Yves Salomon Boutique at 790 Madison Ave., New York; 212-988-8145.
Twenty years ago Tiffany & Co. introduced this understated cufflink style. Like a lot of Tiffany's judicious design work, the links quickly became a new classic. Made from 18-karat gold, the engine-turned oval cufflinks can also be personalized with initials—one, two, or three letters per cuff.
Engine-turned Oval Cuff Links in 18k gold, $3,400; tiffany.com.
This ribbon of 1,140 diamonds and 18-karat white gold from Van Cleef & Arpels holds a little secret. Underneath the bow is a simple watch face, which can be hidden away with a flick of the wrist. So-called “secret watches” have been a tradition at the Paris-based jewelry house since the 1920s.
Ruban Secret Watch, price upon request; vancleefarpels.com.
This giant Samarcande chess set is new to the collection of Hermès board games. The leather board is handmade in the rue Faubourg métier alongside the storied Birkins and Kellys, making this a gift perfect for a chess or Hermès superfan.
Samarcande Chess Game, $23,400; hermes.com.
A bike gets the made-to-measure treatment. Soldered by hand in Italy and with a limited run of only 200, the Montane-Maserati collaboration is the classic Maserati experience, just on two human-powered wheels. (Like other Maserati products, there's at least a two-month wait while the bike is built to your specifications.)
Montante for Maserati, 8CTF Bicycle, $4,026; maseratistore.com.
Cut from agate, this one-of-a-kind decorative bowl features a five-carat peacock feather with diamonds and sapphires. Bonus: the feather is detachable and becomes a brooch or extremely festive hair ornament.
Résonances de Cartier High Jewelry Bowl, price upon request; available by appointment only at select Cartier boutiques nationwide; 1-800-227-8437.
In a season of logo mania, this may be the ultimate—with perhaps the most storied of logos. Louis Vuitton revisits its legendary monogram, this time inlayed on contrasting mink.
Monogram Mink Scarf, $2020; available at select Louis Vuitton stores; 866-884-8866; louisvuitton.com.
Brooks Brothers' set of two slim-cut sport shirts can be mixed, matched, and gift wrapped together. For the holidays, the classic American brand turns to cozy flannel supplied by Thomas Mason.
Regent Fit Flannel Sport Shirt, $336 (for two); brooksbrothers.com.
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