Industry
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Raising the steaks
Omi beef from Japan’s Shiga prefecture is little known internationally. But its butter-soft consistency means that restaurateurs, meat producers and diners from New York to Australia are taking notice.
Time warp
As timepiece sales fall, watchmakers look to their archives, relaunching or emphasising classic, sober designs that represent long-term investments for customers and promoting consistency over crisis in a nervous market.
Show must go on
In the shadow of a retail slowdown, this year’s Pitti Immagine Uomo had an air of solidarity and optimism, with bright, playful clothing bucking the usual neutrals of ‘recession chic’.
Two-wheel deal
The car industry is in global disarray. So can the makers of affordable, greener scooters overtake the punch-drunk auto makers? At Honda’s HQ they are planning a two-wheeled revolution.
Pipe dreams
In Canada’s far north, the frontier lifestyle is alive in Yellowknife. First they struck gold, then diamonds, and now gas. Today, those frontier folk are just as likely to be from Somalia.
Back on the radar
Spanish shipbuilders have weathered the storms. Now, with booming global demand, their order books are full. But as they launch huge new vessels, could the tide turn again for this resurgent industry?
Fashion
We profile Japanese zip-maker YKK in our Workhorse series. Plus, a Q&A with Folk’s founder, new classics from Our Legacy and 10 Corso Como’s latest outpost in South Korea.
Under growth
With roads gridlocked, delivering goods in the world’s cities is a growing problem. One engineer believes the answer lies in underground Victorian-style pneumatic pipes and he has some powerful backers.
Gilt trip
Financial markets are gripped by gold fever, with prices potentially hitting $1,000 an ounce. Key to this secretive trade are the daily bullion flights between the world’s leading financial hubs.
Site seeing
Tokyo's Marunouchi district is in the latest stage of a 20-year transformation. The next phase includes Mitsubishi’s Marunouchi Park Building, a 34-floor office tower, shops, a rose garden and an art gallery.
