With bonus season upon us, recipients may find themselves at a critical juncture, evaluating how best to allocate their newly available funds. The current climate – marked by substantial market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty – makes this decision particularly challenging. The once-celebrated “Magnificent Seven” U.S. tech stocks have fallen out of favour, indicating some misreading of American exceptionalism since early 2025.
During a recent trip to the U.S. we’ve observed from friends and new acquaintances a mild state of shock, mixed with genuine concern in reaction to current market conditions. Interestingly, some even mentioned considering remote properties in destinations like New Zealand as insurance against potential global disruption – a telling reflection on the scale of prevailing anxiety among sophisticated investors.
A growing number of wealthy Americans are already exploring residency and investment opportunities outside the United States, particularly in Europe, and more specifically Switzerland. A recent report from Finews claims the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented boom in investment migration, underlining Switzerland’s appeal as a stable safe haven.
One asset class capturing widespread attention at present is gold. Some Swiss companies are profiting handsomely from melting gold bars due to standard differences between the UK and the U.S. (UK bars weighing 12.5kg must be converted to U.S. standard 1kg bars). While this market is flourishing, its substantial recent gains make it an already mature trade. Enter our consideration of alternative long-term stores of wealth, such as fine wine.
The unique offering of 1275 – investing in timeless, tangible assets safeguarded in Switzerland – was met with great interest in the U.S., a sign that the investment case is compelling no matter on which side of the Atlantic you reside.
Over the last two years, the fine wine market has faced considerable pressure (following its Covid price bubble). Top Bordeaux now trades 25% below its mid-2022 peak, positioning it significantly beneath its historical 35-year appreciation trend line. This correction represents an attractive entry point for patient investors happy to accept compounded rewards in the long-term, rather than speculative, short-term traders.
Readers should not pigeon-hole the term “investment” in this proposition as purely financial. Wine as a real asset certainly ticks the box of defensive diversification, but it also provides a meaningful source of enjoyment that must be planned, should you wish to experience the very best in years to come. At 1275, we take great comfort in passing on such a tangible asset – transformable into experience or liquidity – to future generations. In an era where man’s purpose is rapidly being redefined by the AI takeover, there is perhaps nothing more human than sharing a long-awaited special bottle with friends and family.
So, if you’re contemplating how to allocate your bonus, we encourage you to explore this distinctive and rewarding collectible, bound to further rarefy with the growing onset of climate change. With the passing of time, it will generate wealth of all kinds.