Bang Olufsen Pre Loved Demonstrates Commitment to Circular Production, or a Desire to Sell old and Refurbished Stock.

 

The re-utilisation of older tech devices is an extremely nuanced practice.  On the one hand there's the idea that high quality products should be able to be re-used, otherwise why bother paying a premium. Then there's the highly contentious environmental conservation argument.  Based around the principle that producing products requires energy, so using older ones is simply good use of limited resources. Weighing into this sector is Bang Olufsen's "Reloved" retail arm.

There's not much to say about the logistics here. It's a new Bang Olufsen department that sells refurbished items.  Presumably stuff that came in for repair and didn't have an issue, or had some other reason to come to the brands workshops that could be turned around and resold.

The website for these items speaks both overtly and covertly of the idea that this is a major step towards "circular" production methods.  This is not an entirely bad idea, as conceptually circular production really just means a product is manufactured with a view to it lasting longer.  However this directly contradicts with the brands approach to this, as they're constantly producing new colour ways to maximise profit with their Atelier range we often deride.

We don't entirely disregard the idea that hi-fi products can be reused and have longevity.  It is definitely one of the the categories of technological products that can last and last, and have real workmanship put into its production.  It certainly falls into the group of products such as cars and watches that can be handed down.  Yet Bang & Olufsen's approach here is pretty nakedly an attempt to profit unfairly by selling deadstock and repairs they have lying around.  Don't believe use?  Just take a look at their pricing; an M3 speaker discontinued around a year ago which sold for £300 are on their new website for £319.00.

You might disagree, and there is of course one counterpoint; that you can get designs you might like that aren't available any longer with a B&O warranty.  If that's for you head to https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/gb/home/reloved to browse the regularly updated selection.

Leica Shows Dichotomy of it's Position With M-EV1 and Leica Phone 3 Releases.

 Nothing better exemplifies the difficult position high-end luxury brands find themselves in than the two new releases from Leica.  We all know Leica, vertiginously expensive sport optics, and goal photography cameras.  A red dot attracts a well earned premium, and the M Series camera's cost tens of thousands, with  limited editions approaching six digits in some cases.

That might seem enough for them to focus on gravitating towards the same gilded age direction that many luxury brands are moving in of making their prices entirely out of reach to all but the very rich.  Such as Rolex for example which increased their prices by 15% against global 3%-6% inflation in 2025. Yet Leica is rather trying to straddle both worlds, and so continues releasing "affordable" products alongside ultra high-end pieces.

This split is demonstrated in the recent releases from them.  On the one hand we have the Leica M-EV1.  A classic Leica M Series which introduces a digital viewfinder to the M range.  This is a massive step forward, as it means the user can see centre view like other digital cameras, but with Leica's outstanding optics and operating system. On the other hadn't we have the Leica Phone 3, which is a mobile phone with a Leica lens on the back.    Anyone curious why this might warrant attention should consider the story of Vertu's mobile phone division.  They went out of business repeatedly, and old Vertu's sell 95% - 99% of the original retail price, or are simply sold for their precious metal weight, and the electronics are junked.

The reason for this should be obvious.  Certain items of technology are able to warrant high prices and can have longevity. Cars are pieces of technology, and they can last for lifetimes.  Along with audio equipment, and of course camera's like Leica's.  Yet mobile phones are inherently transient.  They simply are not capable of lasting for a long period of time because the technological networks and systems they operate on constantly evolve and develop.  Therefore they are not capable of being around longer than a year or two.  Together with their daily use profile, there's no way they can last a lifetime.  This is fundamentally antithetical to thinking in terms of high-end luxury.  But that won't stop Leica and other brands from trying!

In truth Leica have always made a nod to low-end high-end.  The D-Lux range, and Sofort's are example's.  Yet these are still camera's even if they're just reskinned Panasonic's and Fuji's.  Phone's aren't where it's at, and if that's doubted, check the sold prices on eBay for the Leica Phone 2.  Released in 2022 for £1,500.00.  One sold in December 2025 for £300.00.  While the D Lux 7 which retailed for £1,150 still sells in online marketplaces for £800 to £900.

It's a pity Leica is continuing to take this approach, as in our view these phone releases diminish the brand.  However, they are, and if you disagree, the Leica M-EV1 is available now from £6,840.00 without lenses or accessories, and the Leica Phone 3 will cost £1,700.00 when released next month.

Nike Air Force 1 Hardshell Luggage.

 

Nike has increasingly become a luxury brand in the sportswear sphere based upon the vertiginous prices it asks for its sneakers and clothing.  After all, when charging £250.00 at retail for running shoes such as the Vomero Premium when a de facto luxury brand such as Paul Smith charges £175.00 means you're firmly  entering the luxury realm. The latest example of this being Air Force 1 trainer themed hard shell luggage. 

This is the first time Nike have made luggage beyond gym bags and backpacks.  Which makes sense, as before their luxury pivot they were strictly a sporting brand.  The new pieces are available in black, and are made from polycarbonate, with one side having a Nike logo, and the other side showing the Nike Air Force 1 sole design.  The prices also display the direction the brand is moving in, with cabin and long haul versions costing £300 and £350 respectively.

In our view this is yet another demonstration Nike is shifting towards the luxury segment as it's simply another step luxury producers usually take of releasing multiple product ranges to capitalise on consumers as much as possible.  This is an unfortunate by-product of the general un-affordability of what previously would have been considered everyday items such as sportswear.  If the streetwear culture is considered, we see very casual clothing and sportswear.  However, this stems from this being previously affordable, and the people who wore that bought and styled it in a way that became desirable because that's all they could afford.  Yet in a world where only the wealthy can afford even everyday luxuries, and various factors are increasing supply chain costs, brands have little choice but to go upmarket to survive.  

Vertu Surprise With Vertu Meta No Subscription Smart Ring.

 

A stopped clock is right twice a day, and Vertu, if their marketing and press releases are correct, have managed to produce a product that isn't an insulting joke.

The Smart Ring has a relatively pleasing design, in either a transparent crystal showing the electronics, or a mild flowery design reminiscent of Louis Vuitton's flowers.  In respect of the technology, it tracks steps, sleep, and heart rate, and has a battery life of 10 days.  Therefore, it's relatively on par with most others.  But the way it offers its service makes it stand out.

What makes this surprising is that it entirely eschews the standard industry approach of a subscription service.  This is a buy once, all in, permanently functioning package.  We've given Vertu a lot of well justified hate for their offerings, however, this is impressive in our view.  One thing that prevent many people from getting a Smart Ring is the fact they require a monthly payment to use them.  This doesn't, and at £460.00, it's even priced reactively reasonably.  Available now.

Loro Piana Skiwear Capsule Begs the Question How Much is Too Much?

It's fair to say the Skiing is a luxury pursuit.  The entire practice of reaching a destination where one can engage in it is expensive, and these simply aren't destinations that you can idle without accommodation.  Sub zero temperatures kill, meaning that has to be factored in.  Furthermore, the equipment to take part in the active element of it is expensive.  Ski's, goggles, clothing.  The short point is, this is expensive stuff.

The question is however, how much is too much?  With Loro Piana to the rescue with an attempt to bravely answer precisely that question.  If anyone though Moncler's £1,300.00 salopette's were simply too cheap, or even that Cucinelli's £1,600.00 ones can't be taken seriously at that price, Loro Piana has a version now for £5,060.00.

The eye-watering prices don't stop there however, ski jackets from £5,650.00, gloves from £745.00, and ski helmets, a pure safety piece costing £400.00 even from high-end brands such as Porsche Design here retail for £2,245.00.

Some might say that if these prices make you wince, then it's not for you, and those people likely work for Loro Piana.  It's one thing to charge thousands for fine cashmere and vicuna garments, made from materials that are scarce, and difficult to obtain.  Whether that scarcity has been artificially created by monopolising a supply chain is frankly somewhat irrelevant, it still applies.  However, what's happening here is just pure over-inflation and speculation.

There is nothing but the Loro Piana branding to distinguish these cotton, nylon and polycarbonate items of functional skiwear from any from other brands.  In our view, rather than being for the Gstaad set, these should and would have those very types smirking quietly to themselves and looking away.  Because while marketing hype would have you believe that the truly wealthy utterly disregard the price of luxury goods, this isn't correct.  Even in the rarefied atmosphere of the Eagle Club and other environs a rat can easily be smelled, and in fact, a fool who has been parted from their money is far more easily spotted.  

Ressence TYPE 3 Marc Newson Edition.

As a concept and word, innovate is grossly overused in marketing speil.  The amount of times a new colour gets called an innovation is cringe inducing.  With Apple being a principal offender on this front.  Therefore when something truly innovate comes along it's a welcome reprieve from mundanity.  The Belgian watch brand Ressence has been innovating repeatedly since its inception, and continues to do so.

Started by a Belgian industrial engineer, the watches eschew all principles of design, and replace the traditional hour and minute hands with a series of dials, and rotating case tracking seconds.  The degree of precision and haute horologie required to create these pieces is remarkable, and the price reflects that, with pieces starting from £12,000m, and most costing well over £20,000.  This is a difficult pill for many to swallow, especially given the design language can be best described as "cutesy", and that they could easily be mistaken for a Casio G Shock to the untrained observer.

Now from this house of marvels comes the TYPE 3 Marc Newson edition.  With the TYPE 3 we have yet another innovation, and more worlds firsts.  These watches are filled with oil, which in conjunction with the full glass front, means they have unbeatable readably from any angle. Which makes them look even more like what they are not, a smartwatch.

The Marc Newson edition ups the special even more, with a colour way that harkens back to Newson's 1990's IkePod designs.  A fitting touch to make ultra high end watchmaking yet more whimsical.  Available now in limited quantities for £44,000.

 

Vertu AI Agent Q Phone for £100,000.00.

 

Just a few short weeks ago we wrote about the return of Vertu to the mobile phone space, and how pleased we were that the font of endless comedic content had returned.  No sooner than us saying that, Vertu has already released something which can only be described as faintly ridiculous.

The new Agent Q from Vertu manages to combine both an utter lack of taste, with gauche and gaudy exteriors, with the worst excesses of modern hyperbole, by featuring "AI", without any clear meaning of what it actually does.  According to the marketing guff it is exclusively for high net worth individuals, with a toolbox of of AI agents for all the needs of the users, yet just as with the laughable Amazon "AI" stores that turned out to be merely cameras connected to a call centre, this connects to a human concierge,  Thereby rendering the AI element as useless as it truly is.  Don't forget the useless "wings" on the back!

Available now starting from £7,000 up to over £100,000.00 for the most blinged out version. Buy now!  Or not if you have any sense.