Perfect world: Introducing the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum March 5, 2015 Montblanc’s “heritage” as a serious player in watches dates back about a decade, which might make the moniker it’s chosen for its new collection a little bit rum, were it not for the fact that the star piece is such an absolute humdinger. This world timer has the clean-cut look of a classic mid-20th century [...]
Anatomy of a wristwatch: A master watchmaker explains what goes on under the hood March 5, 2015 Mechanical timepieces have the complexity and allure of tiny, self-contained universes. We asked a master watchmaker to explain what goes on under the hood. It was Jaguar’s founding father, William Lyons, who famously said “the car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive.” But the late, great virtuoso English [...]
Why Ferrari’s 458 Spider is a true Italian stallion March 5, 2015 I was in Paris the other week to attend the sale of France’s most talked-about barn find; the classic car collection of Roger Baillon, who made and lost a fortune building trucks. Discovered last year in appalling condition were about 100 of the rarest and most beautiful cars of the 20th century. For four-wheel aficionados, [...]
Alastair Campbell on winners: Are there any left in the Labour party? March 5, 2015 When the political satire In The Loop came out in 2009, the Culture Show did a segment in which the critic Mark Kermode watched the film with Alastair Campbell. Afterwards, a sourfaced Campbell delivered his verdict: “I didn’t find it terribly funny.” Kermode said he had sympathy with any representation of politics as venal and [...]
Cricket Comment: England need player like KP March 4, 2015 He’s a matchwinner and was unfairly let go but a comeback looks unlikely to me KEVIN Pietersen’s sacking last February was unfair and it was a shame for English cricket the way it happened but the timing of incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves seemingly handing him a lifeline has created an unwelcome distraction. England have [...]
Premier League: Gomis scare as Spurs maintain top four chase March 4, 2015 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 SWANSEA CITY 2 TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted a hangover from Sunday’s Capital One Cup final defeat to Chelsea had threatened to engulf the club before his side maintained their Champions League aspirations with victory over Swansea. There were concerns for Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis, a player with a history of fainting, [...]
Premier League: Mourinho reveals how Matic sustained a Wembley injury March 4, 2015 WEST HAM UNITED 0 CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho revealed midfielder Nemanja Matic twisted his ankle celebrating their Capital One Cup win after eking out three points at West Ham last night. Midfielder Eden Hazard’s goal kept the Blues five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand [...]
Australia crack record World Cup score in Afghanistan thrashing March 4, 2015 CO-HOSTS Australia smashed a World Cup record total of 417-6 during their 275-run mauling of Afghanistan in Perth yesterday. Opener David Warner smacked 178 while Steve Smith hit 95 and Glenn Maxwell 88 as Australia surpassed India’s 413-5 against Bermuda in Port of Spain in 2007. The winning margin was also a tournament high and [...]
City retain title challenge with tense triumph March 4, 2015 MANCHESTER City stayed on Chelsea’s tails with a nervy 2-0 victory over Premier League basement side Leicester to complete a midweek programme in which all the top seven won. Goals at the end of each half from midfielders David Silva and James Milner ensured City stayed five points behind the leaders, although the champions were [...]
Lancaster: You’re playing for your World Cup spots March 4, 2015 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has reminded his squad that they are playing not just for long-awaited Six Nations glory but also their Rugby World Cup places. A chastening defeat to championship leaders Ireland in Dublin on Sunday has left Lancaster needing to conjure a strong response from his team when Scotland visit Twickenham next [...]