Each and every month in the Boss Hunting office we’re lucky enough to sample, find, taste, explore, and curate some of the coolest stuff the world has to offer. As the final Favourite Things of the year, we’re wrapping up the very best of the best, From watches and hotels to coffee machines and fragrances, these are Boss Hunting’s favourite things of 2022.
Curated by Nick Mayor, Nick Kenyon, Randy Lai, James Want, and Chris Singh
RELATED: Boss Hunting’s Favourite Things: November 2022
Aimé Leon Dore x Drake’s Casentino Half-Zip
Being a dyed-in-the-wool Londoner, designer Michael Hill knows a thing or two about transitional layers. The Drake’s creative lead has recently applied that savvy in aid of Aimé Leon Dore, both of whom have joined forces for another well-timed capsule collection to close out 2022.
The latest ALD x Drake’s collaboration is laden with gear that is perfect for the current climate on Australia’s eastern seaboard; as blokes from Bondi to the Central Coast battle weather conditions which feel more like an ode to this January’s floors than the hot’n’balmy Christmas we’ve all been chomping at the bit for.
Still, it’s a good pretext to wear cosy, lightweight layers – much like this half-zip, made from the durable and much-revered wool of the Casentino valley in Tuscany. A favourite of discerning clotheshorses since the 16th century, the fabric has a ‘bobbly’ handle that adds to its warmth and weather resistance, making it ideal for a garment you can throw on at a moment’s notice – without compromising on a smart, sporty aesthetic. Best dad cap in hand, this is a design you’re bound to eek a bit of use out of well into the new year. – Randy
Patricks’s WE2
I’ve been looking for a moisturizer that would energize my face in the morning and after purchasing Patricks’s WE2 I needn’t look any further. This product is everything I could have wanted and more, leaving my forehead and under my eyes rejuvenated and plump. It also smells incredible. – James
Forestis, The Dolomites
I stayed at some of the most incredible hotels across Italy in October and it’s hard to choose just one. However, wellness-based resort Forestis, standing so proudly while surrounded by The Dolomites, would have to be my number one pick. Sure, Mandarin Oriental Lake Como, Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence and COMO Castello Del Nero in Tuscany were easy standouts as well, but Forestis is pure perfection.
The little said about it the better – we’ll save that for a full review in January – but just know that it’s worth saving up for this new luxury hotel, which is themed around clean eating and forest bathing with uninterrupted views of The Dolomites’ jagged teeth from each balcony. Pure bliss. – Chris
Tudor Pelagos 39
I’ve thought about hundreds, if not thousands of different watches over the last few years and the Tudor Pelagos 39 is up there with the very best of them. When it was first announced a few months back, I was immediately interested as Tudor had taken its professional-grade titanium dive watch and just dialled back the specs enough for it to be a perfect everyday tool watch.
With a 39mm titanium case and matching bracelet, 200m of water resistance, brushed ceramic bezel, COSC-certified movement and perhaps most compellingly – no date window – I was enamoured. I can’t think of another watch that has so immediately and totally captured my attention and I’m very fortunate to have added one to the collection. – Nick Kenyon
Breville Barista ‘Express Impress’
The Breville Barista ‘Express Impress’ might have the lamest name in coffee but let me reassure you it’s a bloody brilliant product. Unlike the oracle touch which tamps automatically the express impress allows you to press your own puck via a lever that notifies you about the pressure applied. It’s a red dot design winner in 2022 and somehow not a gimmick. I’m making coffee every morning and it’s delicious. It’s a quarter of the price of the oracle touch and I like it more. – James
IWC’s Formula 1 Racing Simulator
If there was ever a reason to venture out to Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre – a popup Formula 1 racing simulator might just be it. Until January 31st, IWC Schaffhausen is giving the average punter a chance to sharpen their aspiring Lewis Hamilton abilities with a free session on this sim, which has been flown in from Europe, especially for this event. Nick and I were lucky enough to dabble in a session last week and I can confirm that the sensory experience really is the closest thing anyone will ever get to an F1 car. Head to our article on the popup for more information and how to book. – John
Kilian Rolling in Love
Being in charge of Boss Hunting’s weekly fragrance column, I had to include a fragrance as I reflect on my favourite things of 2022. It’s hard to choose just one, my collection is pretty ridiculous now and makes me look like a massively creepy fragrance dork.
I have plenty of favourites that I’ve gone hands-on with this year, but my number one pick would have to be the very distinctive and buttery Kilian Rolling in Love. It was released in 2019 as a unisex fragrance, full of these rich, satisfying biscuity notes that come together in somewhat of a red velvet-esque profile.
I’m big on gourmand fragrances but to me, that usually just means vanilla bombs. I appreciate that Kilian was able to bring something different to the dinner table, so the speak, and focus on that very seductive cake-like smell that is just as much made for men as it is for women. – Chris
Hobbiton
Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Waikato sits a paradise familiar to fans of one of the biggest film franchises ever made. I am, of course, talking about Hobbiton. The movie set turned tourist attraction turned Airbnb stay holds real estate in many Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit fan’s hearts. Hidden within the Alexander family farm, the attraction has now become somewhat of a necessity amongst NZ travellers, and this month, I was lucky enough to visit myself. Whether you are a lover of the films or not, Hobbiton does have magic to it.
Between the famous Hobbit holes, the charming The Green Dragon pub, and the lush greenery that glues everything together, Hobbiton is objectively delightful. If you’re on the North Island of NZ or a fan of the movies, you’ll regret not stopping by Hobbiton for a tour and an ale. – Nick Mayor
Grand Seiko SBGA413 ‘Shunbun’
For the not-inconsiderable duration of time I’ve spent covering the watch industry – gosh that sounds wild when I say it aloud – I’ve been fortunate enough to handle some pretty crazy stuff. In that regard, 2022 was no different; and yet the designs that left the most meaningful impression were, by and large, the simplest.
As any seasoned collector invariably knows, it’s the seemingly ‘trivial’ stuff that’s easiest to fumble – which is why, for every Maison operating at the calibre of Chopard and Cartier there are about 100 Brick Watch Companies. C’est la vie.
Whether you’re talking dress watches or sportif ‘daily wearers’, Grand Seiko is among the handful of brands that (like those names aforementioned) have what it takes when making a superlatively simple timepiece. Cliche as it sounds, their Ref. SBGA413 – nicknamed ‘Shunbun’ by diehard GS fans – is a watch that ticks every box with flying colours.
The brand’s legendary knack for textured, visually arresting dials is fully on display; the Spring Drive movement offers a near-perfect mixture of beauty and practicality; and, finally, the iconic 62GS design language is invigorated with modern detail – courtesy of the titanium case and bracelet. Put simply, even after wearing it for months on end, this here’s a watch that continues to ‘spark joy’. For yours truly, that’s a damned sight more useful than having a tourbillon. – Randy
1990 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
While I’ve always enjoyed the odd glass of bubbly, it wasn’t until I tasted this remarkable 1990 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne that I really got it. Comprised of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, it has a deep golden hue to it that’s only punctuated by streams of finely winding bubbles. Offering a rich palate preempted by floral and fruit notes, there’s a distinct structure to it that is as balanced as it is morish. It’s not exactly a weeknight bottle, but if you’ve ever wondered why folks spend thousands of dollars on champagne, this should give you an idea. – Nick Kenyon
Bellroy Tokyo Tote-Pack
With Sydney weather being the way that it is, unpredictable, I have recently found the need to always have an umbrella on me. Ya kidding yourself if you think I’m walking around with the big boy umbrella daily – no, I’ll take one of the collapsable ones and pop it in the ol’ faithful Bellroy Tokyo Tote-Pack.
Honestly, this piece of kit is a game-changer. I researched far and wide for a bag with a low profile, plenty of storage and was built to last. Time after time, I came across the Tokyo Tote-Pack.
Versatile as anything and stacked with thoughtful design – this has got to be the best option on the market. It’s been three months, and I can genuinely say that this bag is the real deal. If you’re looking for a new everyday bag, do not hesitate to consider Bellroy’s Tokyo Tote-Pack. – Nick Mayor
Elden Ring
Elden Ring was released for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on February 25, 2022. While I didn’t have nearly enough time or patience to 100% complete the game, I managed to beat the final boss on December 14, 2022.
Yes, I didn’t dedicate nearly enough continuous time to it as I would have if I was 15 years younger, but still stretching it out for that long wasn’t because I’m some incompetent gamer or that I, in gamer’s terms, refuse to “git gud.” It’s because I spent just too damn long exploring and admiring the immersive medieval world FromSoftware has created for this truly exceptional game. It’s a deeply rewarding gaming experience and should influence big-name games for many years to come. Elden Ring is quite simply the best game I have ever played, there’s just no other way to put it. – Chris
