What A Find...

While scrounging through an Army/Navy Surplus with my friend Nick, we came across this watch...

It is a Breitling Chronomat from the Windrider series.

The watch was hidden in a pile of "scrap" watches, and was covered in gunk. Also the band was not in great condition. The man working the counter did not know anything about the watch, except for the price and that it had been the owner of the stores until he passed away. After examining the watch for authenticity, Nick made the purchase and has been happy ever since.

Nick cleaned the watch thoroughly, and eventually the watch was in perfect running condition. The bezel, which previously would not turn, began to rotate smoothly. There were no scratches on the face of the watch, thanks to the sapphire crystal glass. After replacing the original steel bracelet with a more comfortable nylon band, the watch looked brand new.

The Cafe Racer's

(Old-School Cafe Racers, riding their Cafe racers)

The term Cafe Racer stems from the 1960’s counterculture group (the Rockers or the Ton Up Club) found in Brittan, Italy, Germany, and other European countries. Rockers were a young and rebellious Rock and Roll sect that wanted a fast, personalized, and distinctive bike to travel between cafes along the motorways in and around European towns and cities. The goal of many was to be able to reach 100 miles per hour (called "the Ton") while racing from the cafe to a predetermined place and then back before a single song could play on the jukebox. Doing so was called “record-breaking.”

The basic design for a Cafe Racer motorcycle is a bike that has been modified for speed and good handling. A Cafe Racers' bodywork typically feature an elongated fuel tank and a rearward mounted humped seat. A signature trait were the low, narrow handlebars that provided more precise control at high speeds and allowed the rider to "tuck in," to cut down on wind resistance.

My favorite are the Honda CB's from the 60's and 70's.

Honda CB750 1972

Honda CB450 1969 (Ebay find)

Honda CB750 1974 (Craigslist find)

Quoddy Trail Moccasin Company

Quoddy Trail Moccasin Company
Made in Maine

Operating as fifth generation shoemakers, Quoddy’s attention to detail and quality is a rarity in market of cheaply made shoes. According to Quoddy, experts hand-craft all of the shoes from start to finish. Quoddy's method for constructing moccasins is an old Maine tradition, and takes place in a 100-year-old barn on the St. Croix River. The time honored techniques and quality materials are apparent in every pair made, ensuring comfort and durability in every pair of Quoddy handsewn shoes.

As the story goes:"The Shorey family has been making moccasins for generations, beginning with Harry Smith Shorey, a handsewer for L.L. Bean in the early 1900s, who also had his own shop in Burlington-Lowell. Today, we continue his fine tradition on the Quoddy Trail. In Downeast Maine, near the shores of the Passamaquoddy Bay, we make our traditional moccasin styles using the same time-honored techniques and quality materials. Each process is done by hand — cutting, skiving, stitching, and handsewing.


All of our styles have in common a one-piece vamp, which wraps around the entire foot. This is handsewn to the "tip" with locked stitches to ensure comfort and durability, the two most important benefits of moccasin construction. All styles have full leather sock liners (not just half) and heel padding for added comfort and cushioning. With Quoddy, you receive a genuine handmade moccasin. While leather properties vary slightly with every hide, each pair demonstrates our philosophy: Attention to detail and no shortcuts. Also, many of our moccasins can be made in special widths or sizes without an over-sized pricetag."

- Kirsten & Kevin Shorey, of Quoddy Moccasin Trail Company

Persol 649S

(Havana frame with Brown lens)

The Persol 649S, created in 1957, was originally designed to protect Italian tram drivers from air and dust.

(Steve McQueen in a vintage Persol Ad)

A favorite of Steve McQueen’s both on and off the screen; he also wore the folding edition of the 649S. (the Persol 714)

(Honey Tortoise frame with Brown lens)

According to the Persol website, the 649's "represent the symbol par excellence of Persol design."

(Black frame with G15 Polarized lens)

This is truly a classic. Retro, timeless styling, a definite head turner, and made in Italy

(Tortoise frame with G15 lens)

Stylish Spots - Sid Mashburn (Atlanta, GA)

Sid Masburn's store is laid out as a modern-day gentleman’s club, with shelves lined with A.P.C. denim, Levis 501S, Ralph Lauren, Tretorn footwear, and handpicked Brunello Cuccinelli cashmere sweaters. Sid’s own feature line includes dress shirts made from Italian, English, or Japanese cloth, completed with bleached mother of pearl buttons from Italy. There are exquistie suits (oh and there is an in-house tailor for custom sizing), timeless furniture, casual wear, accessories and the handmade Globe Trotter luggage for sale is sure to last a lifetime.

You’ll find yourself shopping amongst a diverse selection of discerning young men as well as more seasoned, older ones who shop with an air of easy- going confidence in the trustworthy products and staff. Voted as one of GQ’s 100 best men’s stores in America, this men’s specialty clothing boutique located in Atlanta, GA is a perfect blend of all- American tradition, southern charm, and metropolitan chic. And if you become a regular, you might even find yourself sitting around with Mashburn (pictured second from left) and the employees, talking about well… guy stuff, because that’s just the kind of welcoming environment that these gentlemen have created.

"Our inspiration draws from Gordon Parks and Steve Mcqueen, from Johnny Cash to Belle & Sebastian, from the 1971 BMW 3.0DCS to the Audi A6 - a fresh interpretation of old standards."

- The Great Sid Mashburn, acclaimed Haberdasher

Sid Mashburn's website

Stylish Strangers

Man standing outside a Ralph Lauren show before it starts....

via The Sartorialist

Jimi Hendrix - Castles Made of Sand

Rolex Daytona

The stainless steel Daytona has become one of the most sought after watches of all time. There is a limited number of the steel Daytonas due to the higher profits of the precious metal editions. Due to this rarity, each authorized Rolex dealer is allocated only one, or perhaps two of the coveted stainless steel models each year. Most Rolex dealers maintain quite extensive waiting lists of people who want to buy the Daytona.
Despite the innovative design, the popularity of the Daytona really only started to increase with the introduction of a particular Daytona model, the "Paul Newman". This model featured square markers on the subsidiary dials, and an outer track the same color as the subsidiary dials. Although the origins of this nickname for the dial are obscure this is the easiest term to refer to this watch. This unusual dial colorful and deco in appearance was only in production for a short period of time.This is a Rolex Cosmograph (Daytona) reference number 6263 (very sought after), that was sold through Tiffany & Co back in the 1970's. This watch is a manual wind chronograph and without the Tiffany co-branding, an already extremely collectible and expensive watch. With the Tiffany & Co face, this watch is an absolute dream.
Eric Clapton’s 1971 Albino Rolex Daytona recently sold for $505,000. (pictured directly above)

Majority of information and photos can be found at HODINKEE

The Helio Sequence - The Harmonica Song

Flying Sun USA Aviators

Unissued vintage USA Airforce aviators sunglasses

Available Here