This history of supporting envelope pushers started with themselves as the company introduced innovation after innovation to catapult to the upper echelon of Swiss watchmaking. First came the Oscillating Pinion (whatever the hell that is) in 1886, then quickly followed up with the first automotive/aviation timer in 1911, and 1916 saw a breakthrough in accuracy with the first handheld timer capable of measuring 1/100 of a second .This last development especially paved the way for Heuer’s entry into the worlds of upper-echelon sport and contest.

While the technological firsts kept coming, TAG Heuer quickly gained a reputation for who whore them as much as why. John Glenn wore a Heuer into space during NASAs first manned orbital mission (they were beaten to space by a Russian watch, but no one knows quite which one. So win by default?). Both Obama and Mitt Romney wore one (each, they didn’t trade the same one back and forth or anything) during the ’12 campaign. And of course, they still sell the watch worn by Steve McQueen in his movie Le Mans (they even named it after him after the incredible interest received).

If you’re shopping for your first TAG Heuer and looking to keep your bank account intact, the aforementioned Monaco ($3,900) is a great place to start. But we recomment you venture off the well-beaten and expected path and check out the Aquaracer ($2,600). With echos of Rolex’s classic Submariner, the Aquaracer is a subdued and classy timepiece that will remain in fashion long enough for you to pass on to great-grandchildren. Finally, for a little racing pedigree go with the Formula 1 Calibre 16 ($2,800) and wear it proud like Lewis Hamilton. Granted, two and half grand ain’t cheap for a timepiece, but there’s always vintage finds that can get you into a swiss watch for a discount (although not much of one…). However you get into a Heuer, you’ll be wearing a hard-won pedigree and joining a long list of discerning wearers. We can’t ask much more than that of our watches…

The post A History of TAG Heuer appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

In 1961, a young Dieter Rams becomes Head of Design. His approach of “less, but better” helps reinvent how we interact with everyday objects ranging for razors, kitchen appliances, coffee makers, radios, audio systems, and most notably, watches. No matter how arbitrary a product may seem, Rams is able to create a visual language that has inspired the likes of Jonny Ive at Apple. The ability to create timeless design is visible with such Apple products as the iPod, calculator, or Mac, all drawing inspiration from the young Rams, and his work at Braun many decades earlier.

In 1989, Dieter Rams brings the AW 10 wrist-watch to market, a product that embodies Rams’ mantra of a product having “as little design as possible” and irreversibly influences modern minimal design. The Braun Classic timepiece utilizes Quartz 3-hand movement contained within a stainless steel case, water resistant to 50 meters, with leather straps in brown and black. It’s subdued, yet striking appearance exquisitely compliment any outfit –

from your girlfriend’s friend’s wedding, to blasting down the canyon much faster than you tell her you’re going on your Harley, a Braun timepiece is the perfect choice. With its elegance being secondary to function, the watch is never too bulky, or difficult to read at a glance. It satisfies its core objective of presenting the time (and date, depending on model), with clear no nonsense “German-ness”. No matter if tuxedo, vintage leather Ducati jacket, or simple black t-shirt, this classic is always called for.

Below are additional examples of Dieter Rams’ work for Braun, and how his influence on product and industrial design is still very much alive half a century later.

The post The Apple before Apple: Braun. appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Known as Model 16610 to the afflicted, the Submariner was and is equal parts quality construction and marketing genius. Originally created and sold in 1953 at the bequest of Rolex Director Rene P. Jeanneret, who himself was an amateur diving enthusiast, the timepiece quickly found it’s way into the hands of Jacque Cousteau. Developed to withstand depths of 100 meters – an unprecedented feat at the time – and featuring several features designed for underwater use, Rolex made sure the watch was on messeur Cousteau’s wrist for his Oscar-winning and populace captivating film The Silent World.

With this advertising win under their belts, Rolex quickly pursued other leading men, real or imaginary, to throw it’s newfangled sports watch on. Sean Connery’s 1962 Bond performance in Dr. No needs no introduction here, but the Submariner was also provided to the British Navy and explorer Thor Heyerdal of Kon-Tiki fame.

Over the decades, Rolex has continually updated the Submariner both technically and aesthetically. Now available in a kaleidoscope of colors and materials, the classic Sub is also now good for depths up to a laughable 300 meters – three times the depth it originally started at.

From technical achievement in dive depth and ease of use through a wetsuit, to product placement on the wrists of tastemakers and heartthrobs the world over, Submariner has become a fashion mainstay and an easy way to proclaim your arrival at Success. Despite the fact that cheap quartz timepieces are undoubtedly more accurate day to day, a minute lost here or there is a small price to pay to carry such a legacy on your wrist.

The post History of the Rolex Submariner appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Korbata Bow Ties

It takes a certain kind of man to rock a bow tie. A confident man. A well dressed man. A man who knows what he’s doing. You are that man.  Korbata ties are clearly a new breed and won’t leave you looking like a middleschool science teacher. Their bold colors and modern fabrics combine to drag the bow tie into the 21st century and deserve a place on your neck this year. And they are handmade in Guatemala, so you can be sure what you are rocking is unique.

Neon Bandits Socks

Socks, like Hansel, are so hot right now. The look of bold socks has transitioned from business down to casual late last year. Now they are everywhere and Neon Bandits are bringing prime examples that walk the line between too boring and too loud. Their patterns and styles are equally at home for a day on the basketball court as they are for just lounging around the park. Leave your all white, or heaven forbid all black, socks at home and start wearing out something with a bit more flavor and sass. Your stinky shoes will thank you.

Ab Aetterno

While everyone is still fawning over fabric strapped watches, take a bolder direction by picking up one of Ab Aeterno’s wooden watches. These time pieces stand our on your wrist in the best way possible. I’ve gotten more complements on mine, and they almost always lead to conversations about the watch and how it is made. It’s a friend-maker and date-getter is what I’m saying…

Ray Ban Caravans

Leave round aviators to cops and old men living out their Top Gun fantasies. Ray Ban Caravans are where the real action is. These squared off aviators are pure style, and will set you apart from the pack. Protect your eyes and bring the fashion with Caravans or any number of their knockoffs.

Nose Piercings

Piercings are becoming more and more commonplace. A good piercing for guys? A simple nose piercing. The good news with these is that, as long as you have your piercing done by a reputable piercer and you keep it clean at all times, you can always change your mind and remove them without anything being too noticeable down the line. Find stylish nose piercing men and give some different styles a try!

The post 2015 Summer Accessory Roundup appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Warby Parker’s 2015 line of glasses shows this trend by pairing their retro designs with new materials and finishes that eschew vintage tortoise shells for clear plastic and iridescent sheens. Their Haskell Crystal will soon find a home on my dumb face, but damn if that turquoise isn’t tempting. But we’re not done beautifying your noggin yet…

The V-MODA XS line of headphones are the anti-Beats. First off, they actually sound great. Secondly, they are styled more interestingly than simple circles and domes. Lastly, all the materials and accessories are top-notch and they feel great whether around your ears or around your neck. These foldable headphones make a clear statement that you value audio fidelity just as much as you do high style – and the XS line aces both.

Railtek Belts might not look like anything next level on the outside, but their ratcheting system is all about bringing the future to the function of the belt rather than the form. Instead of relying upon misplaced holes that leave you muffin-topped or slacking, Railtek’s infinitely adjustable system allows you to dial in exactly the amount of cinch you need without cutting off any circulation.

Zeniick Watches are a favorite here on FactoryTwoFour, and they are looking good this year. Their modern, minimalist faces bury the over-complicated watches of the past and gives you exactly what you need to tell the time, and get on with your day. At $50 a pop, these watches don’t break the bank while pimping out your wrist. Zeniick was founded to give the modern gentleman a sleek and modern option outside the stodgy european brands, and they are succeeding at that in spades.

Accessories are the keystone to your look, and make the difference between having style and having your own personal style. Add in these pieces to your 2015 look, and you’ll be strutting right.

The post Your 2015 Accessories Have Arrived appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

I’m confident this is the heaviest watch I’ve ever worn. The Breil is so heavy that in just a few days of wearing it I’ve doubled the size of my bicep. In my left arm. Now people I meet aren’t sure what to stare at first, my mismatched arms or my comically garish watch.

Why is this case so thick? It is 44.5mm across, and at least half that in height. Of course the thinner a luxury watch is, the higher the quality it generally is, but I’ve seen watches made of Lego that are thinner than this monster. The strangest thing is that the problem seems to lie in the hands. On the face of the watch, the hands are so spaced apart from each other on the central spindle that it adds several millimeters of height to the watch. They shouldn’t need that much clearance from each other and removing the extra case height required to accommodate this ridiculous spacing would also help reduce the preposterous weight.

You know what, screw it. Let’s weigh this sucker. Time to bring science into how bad this watch is. Wow. 6.78 ounces. Now for the biggest, chunkiest, fattest watch I actually own – a Sottomarino Pilotare. Bam. 2.18 ounces. I could wear three Sottomarino’s and still not equal the weight of the Breil. Pro tip: watches shouldn’t weigh so much that they require special postage to ship. I just invented that rule, but I think it’s a good one I’m going to start living by.

Quality-wise, the Breil seems to be on point. Over the last few days it has suffered no scratches or time loss, and every complication is functioning as designed. Any thinner watches that Breil has I would certainly consider. I like the design, the combination of polished and brushed stainless steel, and the rose gold accents. It’s just too damn thick and heavy for it’s own or anyone’s good. And at $425, you’re paying dearly for this garishness. If you’ve got an Affliction collection, a wrist the size of a tree trunk, and curl abandoned cars on your warmup, you should certainly check the Breil Capital out. Everyone else, stay clear.

The post The Worst Watch I’ve Ever Tried appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Off the bat, it’s a basic watch that is built right.  It is easy to wear, easy to clean, and has a bit of fashion to it.  The watch I added to my collection has a orange nylon strap, which can quickly and easily be swapped out for another one of their affordable strap, paired with a black face and orange numbers.  A bit more on the flashy side of watches than I am used to, I have learned to love it for a daily watch.  The watch itself has a titanium body, and even after months of wear, has shown very few scuffs and marks that often come with titanium jewelry.  Overall, it’s a watch that looks great.

It’s the functionality that really sells it for me though.  I have a watch that can so easily pair with daily outfits, or even the off chance of a suit with a similar colored tie, while also being durable enough to put up with outdoor adventures.  I like that I can replace the straps for a very affordable price (around $10) and even swap them out quickly with other patterns and materials for a different look.  And maybe that’s what we need to start looking for.  While my collection is growing, maybe looking at a watch as a more functional daily item would be key for ensuring that value.  The Bertucci Nautical does provide that, and for now, I can’t see that impression changing.

FEATURES

• High polish or blue ION case finish
• Rugged U.S. patented DX3® solid titanium case
• Swiss made all-metal jeweled quartz analog movt.
• Scratch-resistant hardened mineral glass crystal
• Titanium screw-down case back
• Durable titanium screw down crown (setting knob) is ergonomically offset at 4 o’clock
• Integrated unbreakable titanium band retention lug bars
• 1″ Long lasting and comfortable band
• 5 year battery life
• Fits most to larger wrists

The post A Field Watch For Everyday appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Jewelry falls into two categories. The first of these is “sentimental” or “personal”. These pieces include things like wedding rings, heirlooms, religious objects, and so forth. Frankly, if something has meaning to you, and you want to wear it, then do so. Far be it from anyone to tell you not to wear your grandfather’s watch because the band is starting to wear out. The key to all fashion is confidence, so be proud in wearing something that has significance to you.

The second category revolves completely around style, meaning what looks best on you. Obviously we all have differing tastes, but there is something to be said about a baseline that can be built off of. The baseline is as follows. Firstly, your jewelry should really only be gold, silver, or plain metallic in color. I find that niches like rose gold are incredibly difficult to match with other facets of your style, and tend to get lost in most people’s skin tone. The next key is to keep in mind that jewelry exists to show off what you already have, meaning if your ring is so flashy that it draws all the attention, it shouldn’t be on your hand in the first place. Lastly, jewelry should go with what you’re already wearing. Don’t base an outfit off of a bracelet, select jewelry that enhances the aesthetic you’ve already built.

Let’s start from the top, and work our way down. Firstly, ears. Some guys love them; some guys hate them, and just like every other part of fashion, its subjective. What I will say is that that they can be done very well, or extremely poorly. To correctly wear earring(s), the first decision is to decide what part of the ear you want to pierce (and yes, there is more than one). If you decide on the lobe, then pierce both. The middle school stigma about which ear has certain connotations is over, and piercing one just looks juvenile. In my opinion, the best way to pull off this look is to forget studs, and go as soon as possible to thin hoops that hug the bottom of your lobe. Often, these aren’t noticed outright from a distance and really draw attention to your face up close. In addition to this, they suit absolutely everyone. The only other place I can truly say a man should pierce is the cartilage slightly below the point of the ear. If this is your choice, then only pierce one ear, and again use a small hoop in one of our three cardinal colors.

What you wear around your neck says a lot about you, and people pick up on it very quickly. Some basic rules include no dog-tags unless you are in the military or they have very significant meaning to you. No chains that have links large enough to have a pattern. Leather or cord should not be worn with anything remotely formal. No chokers. If you can feel the weight of a pendant or amulet, and it’s significant, don’t wear it. Lastly, if you have a necklace made of twine/hemp with some kind of glass ornament, people will assume you are a stoner. Other than that, do whatever your heart desires, and keep in mind that sometimes it’s best to tuck it under your shirt.

Wrist jewelry is complex because it is broken up into two separate categories, watches and bracelets. As far as watches go, everyone has their own taste (even more so than any other specific piece of jewelry). One remark that I would have is to avoid digital unless you are in the great outdoors. If you want to disregard that for a smart-watch, that’s your prerogative; but for the most part go analog. If you decide to wear a bracelet or bracelets, avoid leather cuffs at all costs. They’re not edgy, just ugly. Leather, if worn, should be thin, or braided. Easily the most versatile look that I’ve seen is the use of plain wooden beads, which can even be stacked and look good. They can be dressed up (to a point), and dressed down with ease; but make sure to keep them on one wrist, and opposite from your watch. If you decide to stack them, keep in mind that one more loop can be the difference between stylish and tacky. Please, unless you are in the wilderness, leave paracord at home with your digital watch.

Last but not least, rings. If you’re not married, these exist solely to show off your hands, and or prove you won a Super Bowl. If you haven’t the latter, stick to bands that are either plain, or have a subtle design etched into the band itself. For the most part, stay away large stones, noticeable mountings, and general gaudiness. That means leave the class rings at home, unless you need to prove you went to high school. Furthermore, if a ring is uncomfortable on your hand, it’s usually a good indicator that it’s too big, or looks out of place.

When buying jewelry, keep these rules in mind, but more importantly, do what feels right. As we know, fashion is subjective. If you don’t feel comfortable in something, don’t wear it, and if you have a piece that isn’t on the list but you love, by all means, wear it. This is a baseline, meaning you should build off it. The goal isn’t to dictate what you should wear, but to help you develop the look that works best for you.

The post The Gentleman’s Guide to Jewelry 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.

Available in six different color combinations I think COGITO nailed the look aspect of the watch. It’s not high-fashion and not for those, say, over 30, but they’re flashy and fun for the youths who can actually tell time on an analog watch still. The band is a very comfortable rubber which along with the housing makes the watch waterproof.

Enough about the “fashion” side of the watch since the COGITO POP’s looks alone do not warrant the $130 price tag. The connected side of the watch is…interesting. Once the proper app is downloaded to your phone the watch pairs very easily and you’re ready for the fun to begin, but the fun never shows. The watch has a few main functions: push notifications, camera control and music control. Push notifications worked great. My wrist was buzzing and beeping with every text and Facebook message, but so was my phone in my pocket. This feature would be great if the watch told you who the sender was, but it doesn’t and I don’t have the will power to not immediately take my phone out to see. Additionally, the camera control from the watch only works within the camera function in the watch app. I could live with this assuming I ever could come up with a reason to trigger my camera from my watch. The music control worked flawlessly, but would only control iTunes. This isn’t terrible, but I like to use streaming services for my music and would like control of those as well.

I see the camera and music functions being updated and new features being added via the app once the watch is available for the public in the coming days/weeks, but even then don’t think that will be enough to sell me on it. Music and camera controls are cool, but nothing my headphones can’t do better and as for the text/call/social notifications it’s basically just a pager for your phone if you’re out of ear shot, but in range of the Bluetooth. COGITO has the tech and desire, but is just lacking one function with COGITO POP that dazzles.

The post COGITO POP: A Fashion Connected Watch appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.