An alumnus of Sherborne School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Hugh Bonneville is a successful film, television and radio actor, best known for his role as the Earl of Grantham in the award-winning ITV series Downton Abbey, as well as starring in the BBC comedy series Twenty Twelve. Here, he tells Hetty Chidwick which of life’s luxuries he can’t be without Illustrated by Christian David Moore
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My Cross fountain pen. A 40th-birthday gift from my mother, perhaps in an attempt to improve my appalling handwriting. I love it and, sometimes, only an ink pen will do. Townsend fountain pen,
£190, Cross (01582 422793; www.cross.com)
My Mulberry satchel, an end-of-shoot present, has travelled the world with me. Like me, it has started to show its age and now it sits quietly in the corner of my study writing its memoirs; I haven’t the heart to throw it out. Elkington briefcase, £695, Mulberry (01761 234230; www.mulberry.com)
My Bremont Solo watch is the perfect blend of classic and contemporary design. I’m not a watch nut, but this is quite simply beautiful. And, even better, it tells the time. Solo watch, £2,550, Bremont (020-3394 2680; www.bremont.com)
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From left to right
Transocean chronograph watch, £6,050, Breitling (020-7637 5167; www.breitling.com); Snail cufflinks, £265, William & Son (020-7493 8385; www.williamandson.com); Portuguese chronograph watch in 18ct rose gold, £12,500, IWC (020-7042 9997; www.beards.co.uk); Graham Chronofighter 1695 watch, £14,790, at William & Son (as above); Solo watch, £2,550, Bremont (0845 0940 690; www.bremont.com); Ladybird cufflinks, yellow gold with diamonds, £6,150, Cartier (020-3147 4850; www.cartier.co.uk); Violet flower cufflinks, £59, Thomas Pink (020-7498 3882; www.thomaspink.com); No02 watch, £1,620, MeisterSinger (01923 771188; www.meistersinger.net); Garden tools, The Chelsea Gardener (020-7352 5656; www.chelseagardener.com); Taxidermy snails and small insects, London Taxidermy (www.londontaxidermy.com)
Photographed by John Lawrence Jones. Styled by Hetty Chidwick
