Happy Wednesday. We’re halfway through the week, so celebrate with some of these new stories:

• The latest watches from TAG Heuer: The Swiss chronograph specialist recently debuted a smattering of new watches — including an outrageously cool version of the Monaco.
• A whiskey lover’s dream getaway: This destination boasts an extensive collection of rare, coveted bottles — and offers tastings that cater to your whiskey preferences.
• A celebrity spirit done right: We review Meili vodka, co-founded by entrepreneur Blaine Halvorson and actor Jason Momoa in 2023.

Exploring TAG Heuer’s Latest Watch Releases

Earlier this year, it was announced that Frédéric Arnault — son of LVMH founder Bernard Arnault — would vacate his position as CEO of TAG Heuer in order to take up a new job as the top dog at LVMH Watches Division. Replacing him in the C-suite at TAG Heuer would be Julian Tornare, previously CEO of Zenith and an old hand at the watches game. Both men had left a significant imprint on their respective companies — Arnault by widening TAG’s reach through celebrity brand ambassadors and by taking the beloved Carrera collection in a distinctly modern direction; and Tornare by embracing Zenith’s heritage, releasing beautiful vintage reissues while simultaneously developing new models using the maison’s signature El Primero movement family.

Product cycles in the watch business are relatively long, however — meaning we won’t see the fruits of either man’s labor in their new positions for a few years. For 2024’s edition of Watches & Wonders, TAG Heuer released a crop of new pieces that were developed under Arnault’s leadership, including a split-seconds version of the Monaco; a panda-dial take on the “Glassbox” Carrera; a Skipper in solid 5N gold; and fresh versions of the Carrera Date in 36mm. Joining the handsome, blue-green Carrera Chronograph Dato and TAG Heuer Carrera Date Plasma Diamant D’avant Garde from LVMH Watch Week, these new pieces represent a wide swath of horological territory, both with respect to pricing as well as use case. Let’s take a closer look at each piece…

In yesterday's poll, we asked you about your favorite male friendship movies. Here are the results:

• In last place: Superbad, which only 9.8% of you voted for. Rough.
• In fourth place: I Love You, Man, with 11.5% of votes 
• In third place: Stand By Me, with 17.6% of votes. 
• In second place: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, with 18.3% of votes.
• And the overwhelming winner: The Shawshank Redemption, with 38.1% of votes.
• Honorable write-in mentions from the 4.6% of you who voted "Other": Brian's Song, Swingers and Step Brothers.

IN THE NEWS

LeBron rips into the NBA after a disastrous night for refs — and the 76ers are so angry with the league's officiating, they plan to file a grievance.

NASA just repaired Voyager 1 from 15 billion miles away.

Holland America is offering standby fares for some of its cruises.

The New York Jets’ Zach Wilson era is officially over.

No first-round draft pick? No problem for the Rams.

Check Into This Superlative Stay for Whiskey Lovers

The Inn at Little Washington is probably the most esteemed hospitality destination in the entire country. Located at the quaint crossroads of a tiny village 70 miles west of downtown D.C., it regularly hosts heads of state, Supreme Court justices, even Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. It’s the only establishment in the capital region to brandish three Michelin Stars. It holds five separate James Beard Awards for culinary excellence and has been a Relais & Châteaux property since 1987. Quite the journey for a restaurant that began its life 45 years ago in the garage of a converted gas station. Where is left to go from here? The answer is in the glass: a world class whiskey program befitting of its existing bonafides.

One’s a Conservative, One’s a Liberal. Here’s Their Secret to Friendship.

While many Americans have been struggling for years to navigate relationships with friends, family members and coworkers who have different political opinions — ones that frequently escalate to a tenor of life or death — Bob and Bruce stand out, not only because they’ve been able to successfully bridge the Republican-Democrat divide, but because their friendship flourished precisely because of that chasm.

Review: Meili Vodka Is a Celebrity Spirit Done Right

What we’re drinking: Meili, a new American vodka

Where it’s from: The sustainability-minded spirits brand was co-founded by entrepreneur Blaine Halvorson and actor Jason Momoa in 2023.

Why we’re drinking this: We’re unapologetically vodka fans — it’s versatile, offers a sense of place and has to work harder to stand out.

Admittedly, a new celebrity spirits brand will catch our eye pretty quickly, though usually with an exasperated sigh attached. But Meili (MAY-lee, meaning “the lovely one”) offers a fascinating history and identity (besides not being a celebrity tequila). Co-founded by Momoa and entrepreneur Blaine Halvorson, the process of creating the brand took seven years and a few false starts.

The Best Art Museums in San Francisco

For a relatively small city, San Francisco boasts a surprisingly high count of world-class art museums, catering to modernity lovers, antiquity enthusiasts and classic appreciators alike. While there are certainly more than what we covered on this list, we think these six have the best collections and exhibitions of all. From the Golden Gate Park to the Dogpatch, here are the top art museums the city has to offer.