I always put a little more sartorial effort into my Italy packing—more “looks,” nicer jackets, accessories like scarves, ties, and pocket squares from Drake’s, and of course, more shoes than usual or needed. It’s a culture that values these gentlemanly details. On my most recent trip, I headed to Puglia to test-drive the latest Ferrari, the Portofino. There was snow and rain expected (yes, in Puglia), and we stayed at the elegant Masseria San Domenico, a magical place that was one of the first estates in Puglia to accept guests. It's definitely a place with old-world charm, with a small hotel bar that serves flawless Italian cocktails. My watch on this trip is, appropriately, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 18 carat pink gold. This AP design made its debut in the early '70s and, thankfully, not much has changed. This elegant and classic time piece was the perfect choice to accommodate me on this Ferrari test drive in one of my favorite destinations in the world.
'Time and Place' is Matt Hranek's regular dispatch on the latest watches from around the globe for Condé Nast Traveler. #watchwednesdays @wmbrownproject