Valextra Premier Briefcase

[nmprisons]

Does anyone here use the Valextra Premier briefcase? I'm looking for a modern briefcase to carry a laptop, legal pad, and possibly a small redwell of documents. I like this design very much, but want to hear whether folks who own it like it before I pull the trigger and have one made up.

Also interested in similarly designed alternatives.

(I posted this without success in the briefcase Appreciation thread.)

 

[dieworkwear]

I do, but find soft-sided briefcases to be much easier to use. I think you have to live in a certain city and have a certain lifestyle where that kind of distinctive briefcase makes sense. I found it wasn't really right for the relaxed environment of the Bay Area, although I do love the design.

For suits and sport coats, I like Hermes' Sac a depeche. It's expensive, although I think in the ballpark of the Premier, but easy to use, goes well with tailoring, and looks elegant. Otherwise, for something more affordable, I really like my Frank Clegg satchel. Much more low key than both the designs above, but again elegant and very classic looking.

 

[nmprisons]

I do, but find soft-sided briefcases to be much easier to use. I think you have to live in a certain city and have a certain lifestyle where that kind of distinctive briefcase makes sense. I found it wasn't really right for the relaxed environment of the Bay Area, although I do love the design.

Many thanks for the reply. I'm in a less relaxed, but somehow quirkier, city (Houston) and a less relaxed profession (commercial litigation). So I think I can get away with a hard case. And I don't care if I can't, as it'll just be for hearings and depositions (never in front of a jury, unless it's a trial in Manhattan).

It's the design and quality that I most concerned about. So glad to hear you like the former. What about the latter? Has it aged well? How is the leather quality? What color did you select and are you happy about that choice?

 

[dieworkwear]

Many thanks for the reply. I'm in a less relaxed, but somehow quirkier, city (Houston) and a less relaxed profession (commercial litigation). So I think I can get away with a hard case. And I don't care if I can't, as it'll just be for hearings and depositions (never in front of a jury, unless it's a trial in Manhattan).

It's the design and quality that I most concerned about. So glad to hear you like the former. What about the latter? Has it aged well? How is the leather quality? What color did you select and are you happy about that choice?

It's machine sewn, not handsewn, if that makes a difference to you. But in terms of durability and all that, it's lasted just fine. The only "flaw" to the design is that, since it's a completely hard case with hard details, the top handle is basically a stiff piece of plastic. If you happen to treat the case in a certain way -- say, throwing it into a compartment bin for a long time or storing it improperly -- you can bend the handle out of shape. I imagine in some cases, you can also knock it off. But properly stored and taken care of, it's fine.

Having never been to Houston, I don't know how hot it gets down there. If you're likely to leave this case in your car during a hot day, I would be somewhat worried of it warping. But I haven't put it through such conditions and can't say. The Bay Area doesn't get that hot.

 

[nmprisons]

It's machine sewn, not handsewn, if that makes a difference to you. But in terms of durability and all that, it's lasted just fine. The only "flaw" to the design is that, since it's a completely hard case with hard details, the top handle is basically a stiff piece of plastic. If you happen to treat the case in a certain way -- say, throwing it into a compartment bin for a long time or storing it improperly -- you can bend the handle out of shape. I imagine in some cases, you can also knock it off. But properly stored and taken care of, it's fine.

Having never been to Houston, I don't know how hot it gets down there. If you're likely to leave this case in your car during a hot day, I would be somewhat worried of it warping. But I haven't put it through such conditions and can't say. The Bay Area doesn't get that hot.

Many thanks. Houston is permanently hot and humid. (I say that to keep people from moving here. The climate is fine and the city is rad.) But I'm way too OCD to ever leave anything in my car, so warping won't be a problem. Nor will the handle thing (again, OCD for the win).

My sense is that it's probably overpriced for the labor/materials required. But I'm prepared to overpay at this point because I've yet to identify another briefcase that I find equally attractive.

 

[dieworkwear]

Many thanks. Houston is permanently hot and humid. (I say that to keep people from moving here. The climate is fine and the city is rad.) But I'm way too OCD to ever leave anything in my car, so warping won't be a problem. Nor will the handle thing (again, OCD for the win).

My sense is that it's probably overpriced for the labor/materials required. But I'm prepared to overpay at this point because I've yet to identify another briefcase that I find equally attractive.

I would say: don't worry about the quality, but consider the fact that you'll be carrying around a very formal looking, mid-century modern design. That can be cool if you live in a certain environment and have a certain lifestyle. I work in an old building and the Bay Area is fairly relaxed. My neighborhood is also a bunch of Craftsman-style homes. If you live in a very modern building with glass and steel, and that kind of MCM briefcase makes sense with the rest of your lifestyle, I think it's a great briefcase. But the world does feel increasingly more relaxed, which is another issue. Briefcases in general also seem like an anomaly. I don't know if I'd use a Premier if I worked in one of the Bay's tech companies. Just something to think about.

 

[nmprisons]

For posterity:

They discontinued the larger size. They will make you the smaller size and quote a 6 month lead time. I've asked for swatches.