The Peak (Singapore)

DOUBLE THE PLEASURE

VINTAGE EXPERIENCE MEETS MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

- TEXT LUI SI YING AND LOW KA WEI

Vintage experience meets modern technology.

For pre-millennial­s with a nostalgic bent, it’s terribly easy to romanticis­e the past. Yet, old is not always gold. While a classic car might impress with elegant vintage stylings and a back-to-basics driving experience, the technology of this bygone era comes with its fair share of splutterin­g engines. So, if you could enjoy the tactile experience of turning a knob on the stereo without compromisi­ng on hi-fi aural pleasures, the prospect of marrying digital hardware with an analogue aesthetic seems all the more appealing. Below, handsome products that ingeniousl­y pair retro stylings with sleek, contempora­ry performanc­e.

FINE-TUNED FOR PLEASURE

The Tivoli Audio Model One BT is a tribute to old radios, minus the crackling reception. The familiar knobs and dials are the antithesis to today’s sleek, shiny interfaces, while the handmade wooden body makes an acoustical­ly sound case for the art of slow craft. The set streams music from radio stations and playlists via other Bluetooth- enabled devices, so users can blast the latest Ed Sheeran album along with their archived Supremes. www.tivoliaudi­o.com

A CAT, BACK ON ITS FEET

For the past 30 years, Jaguar E-Types have been restored by British engineerin­g fi rm Eagle. The process starts with a customer consultati­on, followed by a complete disassembl­y of the donor car. The body shell is reconstruc­ted, structural­ly reinforced, and treated with an anti-rust coat. Standard upgrades and optional extras are fitted. These include a more powerful engine, new wiring, switches and improved brakes, down to the mundane such as better windscreen wipers. The result: a car from 1961 that can keep up with 2017’s supercars. www.eaglegb.com

TOUCH APPEAL

Touchscree­n keyboards may have replaced typewriter­s, but many old souls still enjoy tapping on keys that go clickety-clack. Enter the Qwerky writer: a mechanical typewriter-inspired keyboard that connects wirelessly with the user’s laptop or desktop. Its vintage-looking key caps are a throwback to the days of yore – perfect for those channellin­g their inner Hemingway. www.qwerkywrit­er.com

BACK TO BASICS

Amid the sea of smartphone­s flooding the market, Punkt’s MP 01 “dumb phone” is an elegant solution for those looking to sign out of a hyper-connected world without going cold turkey. The beauty of this phone lies in the fact that it fulfi ls only two functions – make phone calls and send texts. Trumping the allure of the phone’s simple, utilitaria­n design is a battery capable of powering the phone for days. www.punkt.ch

RETRO RIDE

Electric bikes are all the rage now. While most are uninspired contraptio­ns of steel and exposed motors, Vintage Electric Bike’s Cruz model combines a California cruiser aesthetic with up to 57kmh of pedal power. Fitted with an artfully concealed 52-volt battery, the handsome steed boasts an alder wood frame inlay, handsome Brooks leather saddle, and powerful LED lighting – giving stylish cyclists a good reason to head out for a spin. www.vintageele­ctricbikes.com

OLD- SCHOOL GAMING

For gamers who can’t bear to part with their collection of Nintendo and Famicom game cartridges, the Analogue NT Mini is a welcome throwback to the past of eight-bit gaming – sans annoying lags in gameplay. The new-and-improved hardware of the console channels razor-sharp pixels, resurrecti­ng an entire era of Nintendo’s history with an outstandin­g level of clarity. www.analogue.co

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