On 15 September, tucked behind the heavy steel door of one of the City’s most storied strongrooms, a select group of guests gathered for the inaugural Square Mile Whisky & Watches – an evening celebrating craftsmanship, heritage, and, naturally, a good measure of both whisky and horology.
Welcoming guests to The Vault – the subterranean bar hidden beneath The Ned – the event’s host opened with a nod to the exclusivity of the evening.
A Meeting of Masters
All photography by The Mindless Group
All photography by The Mindless Group
The night brought together two passions long championed by Square Mile and its sister publication HEDGE: fine whisky and precision watchmaking. While the two might appear worlds apart, the evening highlighted the parallels between them: both require an obsessive attention to detail, a reverence for tradition, and, above all, time.
Fittingly, the evening was held in partnership with two titans of their respective industries: The Macallan, fresh from celebrating its 200th anniversary last year, and Breguet, enjoying 250 years of horological innovation in 2025. Between them, they’ve crafted some of the most iconic whiskies and watches ever made – living proof that legacy and progress can pour very happily from the same glass.
Behind The Vault door
The setting was more than just atmospheric – it was historic. The Vault at The Ned once served as the main strongroom of the Midland Bank headquarters, designed by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens in the 1920s. Today, it’s one of London’s most unique cocktail bars, accessible only by descending into the bank’s original underground vault. Its 20-tonne circular door, made of solid steel and lined with 3,800 safety deposit boxes, remains fully intact and opens onto a space that feels equal parts luxury lounge and secret speakeasy.
It’s also earned its place in cinema history. The Vault was used as the filming location for the dramatic finale of Goldfinger, where James Bond foils Auric Goldfinger’s plan to raid Fort Knox. “So if you notice anyone in a bowler hat eyeing up a glass of Macallan,” the host warned with a smile, “please alert security.”
A Toast to Craftsmanship
As the evening unfolded, guests enjoyed drams of The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old and explored a curated selection of Breguet timepieces, including the recently released novelty the Breguet Type XX Chronographe – both houses offering a masterclass in heritage and innovation.
Whether sipping on a rare Scotch or strapping on a meticulously engineered watch, the message was clear: true luxury takes time, and it tells a story.
The evening concluded with expert opinion from Breguet’s UK Brand Director, Helen Kirkup, and The Macallan Brand Ambassador, George Michie, each sharing insights into the philosophies and histories behind their respective brands – and how, even centuries after their founding, they continue to shape the future of their crafts.
With iconic whisky, timeless watches, and a bar James Bond would approve of, it wasn’t a bad way to spend a Monday evening.
For more information about Square Mile events, sign up to our newsletter here.
