The Reach – September 2015

A man can dream. And sometimes having a tangible reward to chase can help someone achieve a lofty goal. Sometimes reaching outside the normal Dappered price range for a reward is called for. Nobody panic (not that you would), “The Reach” is not the new normal. It’s supplemental. And while some prices will be eye-popping, they won’t come near exospheric, Robb-Reportish levels. Plus, if/when there are more affordable alternatives available, they’ll be suggested. Predictable self-hatred for desiring such stupidly expensive things will be unavoidable. At least for the author.

 

Bonobos “The Mainline” Grey Plaid Topcoat – $598

Italian wool, peak lapels, half lined with Bemberg, and a big pattern on a subtle color so it doesn’t go over the top. Topcoat season is a comin’, and that’s mighty fine for many of us. Fingers crossed that this thing hits the sale section long before the winter ends, but, don’t count on it.

The Less Expensive Alternative: You won’t get quite the pattern, and the construction is a little stiffer with a full lining, but JC Penney’s Stafford Wool topcoats are usually a bargain for around a hundred bucks. They do have a charcoal glen plaid, as well as a peak lapel donegal.

 

Jameson Gold Reserve Irish Whiskey – $75 – $95

Smooth. Almost foolishly so. Jameson’s Gold Reserve mellows any of the edges that regular Jameson has, and seems to add a little more warm oak to the flavor profile. Not peaty like Scotch, not super sweet like Rum or Canadian, and hardly any spice compared to most Bourbons. A really nice, mellow, but still flavorful sipping whiskey.

The Less-Expensive Alternative: Teeling. They age that stuff in rum casks, and the slight infusion of a sweeter rum characteristic seems to do the mellowing job quite well. Or, you could always just go with regular Jameson. 

 

Brooks Bros. Saxon Wool Textured Mock Neck Cardigan – $298

Well at least it was down to $223.50 during the Friends and Family sale? *cough*. Ouch. Right. Even when on sale it’s insanely expensive. Italian Mother of Pearl Buttons, raglan sleeves, and a mock neck that doesn’t reach up too high, and will be easier to layer under a coat than a shawl neck. And that waffle stitch looks fantastic. Made from their Saxxon wool.

The Less Expensive Alternative: It’s got a zipper instead of a button front, but GAP makes a waffle stitch mock neck cardigan in their terrific Lambswool/Nylon blend. If a zipper cardigan is a little too Mr. Rodgers for you, GAP’s big brother, Banana Republic, makes a charcoal waffle knit mock cardigan for $140. The one review says it sheds like a mother, but maybe that’s just on the initial try-on, and that’ll wear off, literally, over time?

 

Audi A5 Coupe – $40,500+

More subtle than a 4-series or a C-Class. And unlike the American pony cars (which to their credit, have done a nice job balancing the new stylings with heritage looks), the A5 has curves for days. And the newest incarnation of their LED daytime running lights are some of the prettiest around. Makes a brief appearance in Skyfall. Quattro all wheel drive too, which makes a huge different when winter rolls around and the weather turns to crap. The 4-cylinder turbo won’t ever blow any real muscle away, but it’s got enough zip when combined with its capable handling of all the zags.

Meanwhile… Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, is up to their necks in a real scandal. Now, the A5 has no diesel option. Just gasoline. But still. They might want to consider a change to their slogan from “Truth in Engineering.”  So. Um. Tesla anyone?

The Less-Expensive Alternative: No AWD, and while it has some curves there’s more sharpness to it, but the Subaru BRZ starts at $25k. Rear wheel drive, super lightweight, and 0-60 times are close. More of an affordable alternative to the Jaguar F-Type than the A5. 

 

Christopher Ward C9 Moonphase Automatic – $1,780

That dial is something. And the thing about a moon-phase watch, is that the dial’s look is always changing. Just got released on the C. Ward site for pre-order, with mid-November delivery expected. Most moon-phase watches keep that particular complication much smaller. Say, the size of a normal chronograph sub dial. Not here. Gorgeous guilloche texture too. 40mm in diameter and available with either the matching deep-blue dial, or a white dial that contrasts to the blue of the night sky on the complication.

The Less-Expensive Alternative: Sea-Gull, makers of the Nomos homage Rodina, produces a moon-phase automatic for under $300. Then there’s the Orient Sun & Moon, but that’s just an AM/PM indicator, not an actual moon phase complication.

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