I tend to think I look good in a variety of pairs, because A: I hate my face and sunglasses cover a good majority of that mess of flesh, and B: because my beard also masks a lot of the imperfections so covering more square inches is always accepted. Make sense? Whenever I look for new ones I always try and go for a style I don’t have yet, or a frame color that might work with a certain look I’m going for (read: somewhat matching), or maybe a new lens material that cuts down glare without affecting what the image actually looks like. I take a lot of photos and sometimes polarized lenses can change the way an object looks, which is why I tend to keep the polarized lenses only for driving. It’s science.

So when I heard that there was a brand on the opposite side of the planet using a different type of lens material I haven’t tried and also some nicely styled pieces, I figured it was time to see (puns baby) for myself. I like Australia, or at least the idea of it, so I figured I’d give them a try as new headwear for my dome-piece.

Otis uses mineral glass—which has a high optical clarity and is also endlessly recyclable—that they tout as being some of the best in the world for scratch resistance and distortion free performance. Basically like the sea glass you’d find in a large body of saltwater (yes, the ocean). I’m not sure how they stack up against scratches, but each pair is polished and treated with chemical curing agents and thermal hardening, which can apparently take abuse. And for me that’s good, because even the name Reckless Abandon is fitting since as much as I try and train myself not to bend over when my sunglasses are in my chest pocket, it never a fails that they’ll fall out and come crashing to earth. I think my dog can be trained more efficiently. And at 9.8 meters/second, it happens fast, so having that piece of mind that they might survive the plunge without a forever eyesore on the lens, you can rest a little easier.

While Otis’ Reckless Abandons aren’t the cheapest glasses at $180 for non-polarized lenses, I don’t find them too bad because like I said I use them for photography when I want to keep my glasses on, and for normal street glasses it’s right in the wheelhouse of other high-end brands. They feel solid in the hands and the hinges have a nice steady action to them. You can’t open them up by flicking and you don’t have to muscle them closed; it’s a nice mix of tension. As for the visual cues, the logos, or lack thereof, are a refreshing change from some companies who feel the need to make sure the boldest and most in-your-face font is available for advertising. Honestly, that’s held me back from purchasing Smith glasses in the past.

I like wearing brands that aren’t “the norm” and haven’t had the foothold in the market for as long as established brands. So the fact that Otis is trying to come into a saturated sunglass market with some new tech and style, the Reckless Abandon glasses aren’t a bad place to start.

The post Otis Reckless Abandon Sunglasses appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Weiss doesn’t just source their components from a variety of manufacturers and then assemble them in America—sure the 17-jewel movement is made in Switzerland (some things you have to leave to the tried and true experts)—they design, engineerand use in-house manufacturing techniques to make their own cases, dials and even maintenance tools and birch boxes to decoratively house the watch. Dials made of brass with hand painted numerals and indices stand out among the contrasting dial (either in black or white).

The black Standard Issue Field Watch review unit we received had a hefty, but not overly wrist-degrading weight and size. At 42mm (think IWC Portuguese for comparison) it’s not too big or too small. Some watches out now have become laughingly big, and luckily this isn’t one of them. Simple to read layout with a minute and second hand offer hassle free operation and readability in literally seconds.

While automatic caliber movements are a nice, worry free addition to any timepiece, there’s an intrinsic value to a wound watch. Weiss uses a Caliber 1001 movement—hand-finished and assembled in Los Angeles—that feels much like an Omega Speedmaster in tactile feel and action. Waking up every morning and winding your watch is refreshing and harks back to the early days of watch making.

I remember when I used to wear my Mickey Mouse watch with moving hands, literally, and it was the coolest thing at the time (no pun intended!) I had in my arsenal of striped shorts, Indian Jones t-shirt and most likely Keds. And while the MM watch will always live in my memory as my first “timepiece”, my short-term memory thinks of the Standard Field Watch as a wristwatch that can earn the respect of the watch snobs (that you’re bound to run into) with a beautifully utilitarian 17-jewel Swiss movement enclosed in a clear caseback and a simplistic design. Weiss offers the experience of a much larger company, they offer the exclusivity and craftsmanship of a much smaller one.

Commoner & Co. Stingray Strap

Just under 3,000 miles away in a Brooklyn studio, Commoner & Co. is also redefining personal goods and accessories. While the Weiss does come with a canvas strap, we wanted to pair it with an equally beautiful stingray strap made with the same passion as their West Coast counterparts who are also making incredibly well rounded handmade products. Commoner was started because they were searching for a better product that would hold its own against life’s unexpected moments, and we sought out Commoner to make us a custom strap we felt would suit the watch equally. You gotta customize even the minute details, right?

Commoner uses military-grade thread, hand sewn and finished edges and kangaroo leather, which might be overkill, but if you’ve ever bought a strap from a “respected” company (I could name at least one but I won’t out of respect and decent customer service) expecting a quality product that will last, when your watch falls off in the middle of Manhattan because of a failure, there’s a need, and a want for a product that goes to 11.

While strap is extremely stiff at first, and I’m sure it will take months of wear to settle onto your wrist, it’s not uncomfortable; it’s just like a new baseball glove that needs to be worn in. Not a fan of shagreen? Don’t worry because like I said, Commoner & Co. will work with you on hundreds of leathers, exotic hides and thread color combinations guaranteed to make you a bespoke product to exacting specifications. Hey, they did it for me in less than a week.

For more information about Weiss Watch Company and their Standard Field Watch go to weisswatchcompany.com; and for Commoner and Co.’s bespoke offerings check out commonerco.com

This story by Michael Crenshaw was originally published by Scout.com.

The post Weiss Field Watch and Commoner & Co. Strap appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

If you were ever looking for people to ride with around the City, and develop some more motorcycle skills, this is your chance. Since living in this grand ole city is very sketchy at times (okay, all times) on a motorcycle, it’s nice to be able to escape the Taxi Cab Death Squads to the mountainous regions of the north. And at a reasonable $45 with meals included, it’s not going to take fuel out of your tank.

While we try and wrangle up an actual bike for the ride (We’re looking at you Ducati!) check out the event page below for more information. And if you sign up, drop us a line and show us what kind of iron you’re riding.

http://www.aetherapparel.com/journal/2014/04/11/urban-adventure-nyc-escape-from-new-york/

The post Aether Apparel Escape New York Motorcycle Ride appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

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Glass Backwards (glassbackwards.net) might seem like a contradictory idea at first. Film a drink being made, edit it so it views like a countdown clock back to the start and throw some music to it. But it’s much more than that. It’s a furnished story about the make up of a libation made by skilled craftsmen who don’t care about how fast you can funnel a beer (though they had to get their start somewhere, right?). It’s a cocktail of typefaces, hand-picked music and alcohol. We spoke with creator Jude Goergen about the inspiration, the process, curating the right music, and how shot-gunning beers got the creative juices flowing.

Jasmine Milk Punch from Jugoe / GlassBackwards on Vimeo.

How did Glass Backwards start?

It was a combination of a few things, but one 4th of July I was at party with some college friends of mine and they are notorious for shot-gunning beers and I happened to film it. I slowed it down a lot and played it back in reverse. It was pretty interesting.

Interesting transition from college partying to underground speakeasies.

I talked to a friend of mine who owns a bar here in Chicago and I was explaining to him this video and I was like this might be cool for a cocktail video. I borrowed one of his bartenders and when we started sharing it with other people in the industry, I could tell that it was something that can be a little bit more than just a singular video, but perhaps be an actual series.

So you’re not only showing people elegantly shot videos, but also educating them on how a cocktail is made?

I think more and more people are getting the gist of it but a year or two ago, and still now, people would get really angry because of how long it would take for them to get a cocktail. You don’t really realize how much effort is going into this process.  It’s not like they’re just popping off beer caps. Sure visually it’s a fun thing to watch, but you learn how to make a drink and it promotes the bartender.

These must take awhile to film and edit, where do you find the time?

I started out of boredom because I hated my current job. I was just looking for a more creative outlet and something fun to do. Since, it’s snowballed and I have gotten some other work out of it. And I actually went to school for audio production, so this is all self-taught but it allows me a lot of freedom of expression.

How do you curate the music associated with the videos?

I feel the music is one of the most important parts of these videos. I actually ask all the bartenders to provide me with what they consider would be a good pairing musically. I obviously have veto power so if something works then awesome, if it doesn’t then I’ll go and find something. And to be quite honest, that’s probably the most time consuming part of the whole process.

Is their music pairing as good as their drinks?

There is a little bit of give and take there, a little bit of compromise but at the same time some of their suggestions are 100-percent awesome and perfect. I really enjoy that process. Then again, some are way off.

You’re like a drink DJ.

You factor in not only the type of cocktail but the name of the cocktail and the venue. So trying to encompass all of these things and represent that with music is really fun and challenging but it’s really fun when it works out.

So you probably wouldn’t order a Long Island Ice Tea at TGI Fridays?

That I would do. I would order a Long Island Iced Tea at TGI Fridays. I haven’t one of those in probably 15-20 years and it’s probably been almost as long since I’ve been in a TGI Fridays. I figure I might as well marry the two together. Nothing says long island like TGI Fridays.

Do you see Glass Backwards expanding?

I like the direction that it’s going in right now. The fact that I was able to shoot a couple places in New York in a very organic way and see the results shared on Twitter is cool. I’m not getting paid for any of these videos; legally I can’t specifically because of the music. It’s just a very natural, organic concept, which is fun.

Check out more at glassbackwards.net and congrats to Jude on receiving a second place in the ‘Best Use of Video’ category from Saveur Magazine’s awards!

The post Q/A With GlassBackwards.net appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Glenmorangie 10 Year Old that’s sitting in front of me is a reminder of her. For me at least, this Glenmo right out of the bottle didn’t have the complexity I was looking for; or maybe the adult in me was looking for feelings, while the young adult with her was looking for something quicker. Anyway, I removed the amber liquid from the original bottling and put it in my favorite decanter (yes, I have a preferred decanter) to sit for the night. Try holding back on drinking scotch when you know it’s sitting on the liquor cabinet.

I wanted to find if this relationship would be worth the wait, but unlike my personal life, my alcohol relations have a longer shelf life.

Things to know: Though this is the least expensive and youngest single malt in the family’s lineup, it’s aged beyond its years. Maturing for 10 years in bourbon casks from good ole Missouri, “The Original” is anything but too young for its own good. It’s a symbiotic relationship with the scotch from the Highlands and the American cask.

Nose: Strong alcohol, and fumy pungency hit first immediately after the pour. Once that initial release settles, there is a faint wine aroma. Then I got a hint of honey graham crackers. Maybe it was the alcohol talking but the Glenmo opened up quite easily.

Taste: Vanilla with a sour splash of flavor and complexity. My tongue isn’t as matured as it should be to decipher the complete profile. But there is no wincing or overwhelming flavors, which could—with some scotches—make for a forceful drinking experience, instead of a pleasurable one.

Finish: This is as smooth as you’ll get with a single malt. Once you develop the taste on your tongue, the rest is history. Either neat or with a cube, it’s a pleasant drinking experience that only makes the next glass that much more worth the wait.

Total value: For a bottle with this much taste and enjoyment for roughly $45 on average, the Glenmorangie Original can either be a quick pickup for a weekend or an esteemed bottle which can sit on your shelf for months to come.

P.S.: If you’re looking for a killer gift for the important people in your lives, Glenmorangie and Thomas Pink have joined forces for the ‘perfect pairings’ sets of Glenmorangie scotch and Thomas Pink shirting. Three options are available at http://www.reservebar.com//Glenmorangie-Thomas-Pink and you can purchase your choice of pairing. And just think, no one will know that you didn’t choose the exceptionally crafted gifts separately and on your own.

The post Glenmorangie Original Scotch Whiskey appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

This winter has been one for the record books. The northeast has received record amounts of snowfall, parts the south have been incapacitated due to ice and bad planning, and the Great Lakes have frozen solid. With all this perilous weather causing damage, delays and downright misery, it’s good to have Buick’s responsive and impressive 2014 Regal GS AWD at your disposal.

Part of the rock solid feel the Buick maintains in inclement weather, is its front-biased AWD system that constantly calculates changes in road surfaces and also driver inputs. If you’ve ever been nervous the rear’s gonna come around on you, fret not. With the GS’s new Haldex system, only the most barbaric push on the throttle would cause the Buick to oversteer—with the ability of the system to send 90-percent of the power to the rear wheels if front wheels lose traction.

Buick’s Torque Transfer Device (TTD) is the heart of the AWD system by preemptively applying torque and splitting it dependent on what conditions you are driving in by making millisecond adjustments in real-time; and completely seamlessly. Combined with the electronically limited-slip differential (eLSD), which controls both front/rear and side-to-side actions, the GS AWD is impressively suited for ice and snow. Two performance modes, Sport and GS, increase suspension feel and engine mapping with the GS mode taking characteristics a step sportier while also increasing steering feel.

Navigating the 1.4-kilometer ice and snow covered track at Toronto’s ICar complex, the Regal’s driving dynamics begin to expose themselves when pushed to the limit. With an also brand new, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (borrowed from the Cadillac ATS) the Buick is quick and nimble thanks to a wide torque curve and 24 psi of boost from the 259hp, 295 lb.-ft torque turbo. Long-winded drifts, left-foot braking and modest acceleration left me, to be honest, quite impressed at this outlier in the Buick name. (Granted, I haven’t driven other current Buicks, but based on what I was going into the review expecting, I came out shocked.) The constantly changing conditions of the surface of the track allowed for Buick’s HiPer Strut front suspension to get a workout testing the camber control and impact isolation when trying to realistically put power down in a extremely low-friction environment. I left the Buick in ‘GS’ mode to increase effectiveness of the suspension and also engine mapping.

HiPer strut really helps with the front-biased GS by splitting the steering and suspension functions instead of having the front suspension handle both loads simultaneously, often ending in nasty torque steer. Basically, there’s more of the contact patch of the tire on the road even with side-to-side steering inputs and acceleration: The system is complicated in theory but works flawlessly in execution.

The Buick GS takes a few moments to really digest what you’re looking at, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s a very handsome car with subtle bits of distinction that highlights its passive aggressive demeanor. Certain angles it takes on a 5 Series and others it reminds me of the Pontiac G8, just more svelte. It’s a looker, especially with the optional 20-inch alloys on 255 series tires all around. Subtle touches such as the integrated lip spoiler, hood vents, front fascia inlets and even the—what I would refer to as—black-chrome grille add flair to the once ho-hum brand’s mid-size sedan.

Inside, the new 8-inch configurable gauge cluster adds to the GS’s modern feel by offering two modes: Touring and Sport. Steering wheel controls allow adjustments on the fly: mobile phone, radio, GPS; while also allowing complete control of the optional Adaptive Cruise Control lane departure warning, forward collision alert and following distance indicator. Seats were pretty good, though I wish there was a little bit less inflation on the standard bolster. American cars, particularly GM, often seem to pump air bladders on high into the seats, which can make long drives somewhat uncomfortable: You feel on the edge of your seat most of the time, and that’s not even because of frantic driving by yours truly.

There are some downsides. The touch sensitivity for the climate controls aren’t nearly sensitive enough. I often found myself repeatedly pushing the buttons to make sure it was working. And when driving, you don’t want to have to second guess yourself. Standard hard buttons would work wonders and with the right design wouldn’t look out of place. The price is a bit of a hard pill to swallow at first, but you are getting a lot for the $45,500 price on my tester. For some of the Germans, you’re looking at over $50k for a similarily equipped unit and based on the testing I’ve done with the other brands, Buick stands ground firmly in the technology space. Ride and handling is another thing. Not that the GS is bad, it’s actually very capable, but it’s just not as fine tuned and rock solid as the other competitors.

Granted Buick will have to win over the masses that still might believe Buick is set in their ways. They’ve won me over. They’ve proven that they aren’t sitting still and living in the past where they merely skated along, they are providing worthy cars of the storied Buick name, and in the future the competitors are going to have a tough time outrunning the GS.

The post Weather Proof—2014 Buick Regal GS AWD appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

At the beginning, there’s a quick, seriously it’s a quick taste of vanilla followed by mesquite mixed with pork. It’s a flashbang of flavor that slowly trickles down your throat eventually coating your stomach, bringing warmth in layers and smooth satisfaction. There’s eloquence to the process from glass to gut. This is not for the novice scotch drinker. Your palette needs to adapt to the complexity of this peaty and intense blast of flavor. Besides, with its 57.1% alc/vol (which means that like your author) it will only take one glass to feel the warmth in your head as well as your stomach.

Established as a commercial distillery in 1815, Ardbeg was a product of the distillery boom of Islay during the first quarter century in the 1800s. Known for some of the peatiest scotch in the world, Corryvreckan doesn’t disappoint. Even the name, Corryvreckan, sounds like it should be either yelled from the top of a hill in defiance to some English dandies or charted on a map as a destination in Braveheart. In fact, it’s actually named after a famous whirlpool north of Islay. I had never heard of Ardbeg until about a month before receiving the bottle. Being a Lagavulin, Talisker and Laphroaig supporter, I was astonished I had never been exposed to such a fine liquid until a visit to Los Angeles unearthed a bottle during a Photoshop lecture-turned-scotch-experience with friends.

After a glorious (yes, glorious) day of Ferrari seat time, nude models and a dry lakebed in the Mojave Desert combining all three into a blender of sexual frustration and red-blooded Italian passion, I was introduced into the world of Ardbeg hours later in the LA loft I would thankfully visit. Fast forward until that first twist of the cork which brought forth that smell and eventually the taste that really made me thankful for the slow process of how scotch whiskey is made. I’m not a religious man, but God bless this black magic.

In summary, this scotch, its name, the experience, should be an event. Celebrate something, or find a reason to enjoy what you have in your hands. I repeat; Johnny Walker Red or Black doesn’t hold a candle to this fine libation. Hide this from your acquaintances and keep it for your best man because the Ardbeg Corryvreckan deserves recognition and not some late night foray into the liquor cabinet. Get it from Masters Of Malt for $99.

The post Ardbeg Corryvreckan Single Malt Scotch Whiskey appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

It wasn’t until I heard from a friend about Icebreaker, a New Zealand-based purveyor of merino wool. So I thought, “Okay, a different kind of sheep but the same nemesis to my skin.” All I had known was the frilly and irritating qualities of a more robust and un-wearable clothing, especially without anything other than a long sleeve shirt underneath.

Now I’m wearing wool closer than I ever thought possible. Hugging my peaches in a cocoon of lightweight merino wool, the Icebreaker Anatomic Boxers are stylish, highly breathable and you know what; they don’t itch! You can wear these and your sweat literally doesn’t absorb in the way cotton does. If you were ever searching for a pair that could be worn two days in a row—after physical activity—and not smell like the inside of Guy Fieri’s belly-button, the Anatomica line of boxers (and briefs) combat stank better than a hit of pow-pow.

After spending a night, and a day, in the same boxers—for testing purposes, of course—in Atlantic City during a bachelor party and coming home to my fiancé who was none the wiser, I’d have to say they worked in concealing whatever lurked beneath. Some old-school things are cool: vintage signs, classic cars, and old guitars, but we’re thankful that modern merino wool exists for the sake of comfort and technology.

You can scoop up some anti-smelly Anatomica boxers from Icebreaker directly on their site here.

The post Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers Are Bachelor Proof appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.