CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
/

Back by dope demand – Gen Z turns against smart watches – traditional watches making a comeback

According to an influential recent report by Watchfinder & Co and endorsed by luxury watch insurance specialist Stanhope, Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) has turned against smart watches. The report reveals a striking shift in Gen Z preferences, from smart watches to classic mechanical models.

When smart watches were first introduced, many feared it would be the beginning of the end for mechanical timepieces because a traditional watch, even a luxury one, would not be able to compete with a supercomputer worn on the wrist. The report, commissioned by pre-owned watch specialists Watchfinder & Co, which made waves in the timepiece community when it was released, shows that Gen Z are now the biggest endorsers of luxury, traditional timepieces and have distinct preferences when it comes to luxury brands with their top three favourites being Rolex (43%), Cartier (25%) and Omega (16%).

The report also found that Gen Z are major players in terms of the money they are prepared to spend in the luxury watch market.  Their average spend is now over £8,234, more than double that of millennials at £4,033 and four times more than baby boomers at £1,993.

According to the report, 41% of Gen Z people came into possession of a luxury watch in the last twelve months and they now favour fashion watches, dress watches and vintage inspired watches from the 1990s. They now see watches as jewellery and a good investment and are quite happy to buy pre-owned luxury watches, which they see as a more environmentally friendly option.

Matthew Ashton, Director at Stanhope, believes that the trend toward more traditional luxury watches will continue: “Sales of traditional watches are showing upward trends in recent times and it’s no secret that Gen Z are more interested in stylish, traditional designs.  They are also markedly more eco and socially conscious than previous generations. Watchfinder & Co.’s report shows that they bring their values with them when purchasing luxury timepieces.  It finds that 54% of Gen Z-ers prioritise sustainability when it comes to fashion, with luxury watches no exception.”

/

Happy 75th Birthday to Clarks Desert Boot !!!

imageThe Brogue, Monk Shoe and Oxford are all easily recognisable names of different types of footwear but none of these are celebrating their 75th Birthday this year and there is definitely no sign of this style of shoe being put out to pasture or drawing its pension. The Desert Boot has to easily be one of the most iconic and recognised forms of footwear ever produced.

It was inspired by Nathan Clark’s(see above), yes he of the Clark’s well heeled Dynasty, time in Burma during the war when off-duty soldiers wore a similar casual suede boot picked up in the bazaars of back town Cairo. First sold back in 1950, the first, and the true Desert Boot, is still crafted using the ‘Hand of Clarks’ detailing which stands it apart as the real deal; including leather from an English tannery named Charles F. Stead, still used today. The boot also includes authentic techniques such as ‘stitchdown construction’ where the upper is unusually turned outwards rather than ‘lasted-in’ under the insole.

Over the years such influential dapper figures as Bob Dylan, Steve McQueen, Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher have all been known as lovers of the crepe soled wonders and even figures within state Parliament and Royal establishments have been known to partake in the wearing of them.

 

/

Shhhhhhh don’t tell the girlfriend – Bio Oil it’s not just for her

I’m still a little unsure as to why I’m writing this and not the great Mrs Mc, but there you go. Why do I question, myself writing this post ? Here’s why, the product under discussion in today’s post is held up by my better half, like some mystical, sacred oil seen in the same light as the Ark of the Covenant, Excalibur or the fountain of youth best thing since she discovered flexx labs. And in Amanda’s eyes Bio Oil can help, heal or cure many of life’s ailments, and do you know what I’m starting to believe her !

Bio-Oil is a multi-tasking skincare product that can be used for shaving, moisturising, treating scars and stretch marks caused by rapid growth or muscle gain. The Bio-Oil formula combines a number of natural oils with PurCellin Oil to ensure the product is fully absorbed and doesn’t leave any greasy residue on the skin.

It can be used in countless ways and for different grooming dilemmas including;
As an After shave – Try using Bio-Oil to shave to help reduce dryness and irritation. It contains chamomile oil which has a soothing and calming effect on the skin
As a Moisturiser – Bio-Oil is quickly absorbed into the skin where its unique combination of natural plant oils and vitamins help to improve skin tone, texture and moisture levels. Used regularly, Bio-Oil can help improve the appearance of sagging and wrinkled skin
To help in healing Scars – From shaving nicks to injury-related scars, Bio-Oil can be applied as soon as the skin has healed to reduce the appearance of new and old scars
To reduce Stretch marks – Periods of rapid growth or muscle gain can result in stretch marks. Bio-Oil can be used over the entire body to help prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks

It’s formulation combines some of the most important ingredients for skincare. These include vitamin A and E with Calendula, Lavender, Rosemary and Chamomile oils, plus, unique to Bio-Oil, PurCellin Oil, to ensure they are easily-absorbed deep into the second layer of the skin where they can provide targeted treatment. PurCellin Oil dramatically lowers the viscosity (stickiness and density) of the formulation to create a “dry” oil which is non-greasy.IMG_1760.JPG

/

Bags of Talent – Chapman Bags

No one can dispute the UK have an incredible reputation the world over for quality and craftsmanship whether that be in Car Production with the likes of Rolls Royce or Jaguar. In the service industry some of the best hotels in the world are based here in the shape of Claridges or the Dorchester. But one industry is still seen as a British world class market leader and that dear friends is in the style stakes, whether it be the sartorial suiting of Savile Row or the envious creativity of the Great British High Street Brands, every nation under the Sun looks to the UK, no matter if they are looking for Creative Directors, Editors or plain and simple good quality brands whose produces will last.

One such brand that very definitely falls into this category is Chapman who pride themselves on the craftsmanship which goes into each and every accessory they produce in their Tannery and factory still based in Cumbrian Border region. In fact many of their employees are Cumbrian born and bred. While some have been with the Company for much of their working lives, we are also committed to taking on and training young people, an investment essential to maintaining the technical and craft skills required to manufacture in England. We recently launched three new apprentice programmes.

Every Chapman bag is manufactured at the company’s factory in Carlisle, Cumbria, from where products are shipped to clients worldwide. The company uses traditional hand crafted manufacturing techniques; including hand cutting all their bags from original patterns, hand machining and traditional saddlery work. This combination of traditional manufacturing techniques and high quality, natural materials, produces a unique finish quite unlike mass produced items.

However, it’s not all about tradition and age old techniques, a component of their new website is a new feature offering the ability to design and order a classic Chapman bag online using a wide range of materials and colours, enabling customers to create a bespoke bag to their own specification. The site contains rich and varied content as well as new product photography, including styled and modelled sizing shots of each bag.

Celebrating over 40 years of creating, the new Chapman brand identity draws on the Company’s origins as a field sports company, deeply rooted in the local Borders community. The new logo features two crossed fishing hooks, a reference to the Company’s historical association with the manufacture of fishing bags and accessories. The new branding also features stunning landscape photography of the Borders region in which Chapman is based, focusing on the 2,000 year old monument of Hadrian’s Wall, which runs the whole width of the Borders from coast to coast.

/

Ideal Uniformity – Uniform Wares Watches

Uniform Wares designs and produces timepieces based around a philosophy that is firmly rooted in contemporary British design and engineering. Its wristwatches are intended for everyday use by individuals with an eye for meticulous detailing and a passion for diligent, modern design. Established in 2009 by product designers, Oliver Fowles and Patrick Bek, the Uniform Wares aesthetic has been tailored with longevity in mind and a firm belief in design with a practical and visual permanence. Each collection is intentionally pared down and characterised by distinct form, considered use of materials and unique combinations of traditional horological details with robust engineered surface finishes. While the movements are handpicked from the best Swiss manufacturers, every other component part of a Uniform Wares timepiece, from the CNC- machined cases to the hand drawn font on the back of each case, is conceived, developed and designed in the company’s London offices.

With six Primary collections and some super limited Editions thrown in for good measure, to choose from, they range in price to suit pretty much any pocket, there is something to put a smile on anyone’s face.


image104 Series collection – Unmistakably Uniform Wares, the 104 Series is the latest update in the 100 collection. The design is refined from the original 100 Series, which is the cornerstone from which the company has grown.Its uncluttered, straightforward design is inspired by the simplicity and utilitarian functionality of mid-century factory wall clocks made by British manufacturers such as Smiths Sectric and Gent of Leicester. A classic in the making, the original 103 Series, the forefather of the 104, is part of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Architecture + Design permanent collection.

image
152 Series collection – The 152 Series is a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic dress watch and has a refined, ultra-thin silhouette offset by defined, angular contours. The update sees the introduction of a Swiss-made Ronda 4 jewel movement, re-designed lacquered or shimmer- plated dials and a modern size, unisex 35mm case. Especially flattering on a more slender wrist, this elegant watch is complemented by a tapered genuine goatskin or Italian cashmere calf leather strap.


image203 Series collection – The 203 Series continues to pay reference to the design and engineering of thickness gauges and industrial equipment used in the leather working process, but has been updated to include a re- designed dial with hour appliqués, a larger aperture date display and a two-part, chamfered bezel case that resembles a billet of milled steel. The 203 Series’ easily legible open face and lug-less design offers a clean, minimal aesthetic and is available in PVD-coated or natural steel case finishes and fitted with premium sliced, British or Italian calf leather straps.

image251 Series collection – The 251 Series takes inspiration from the simple, legible elegance of mid-century gentlemen’s wristwatches. Contemporary touches, including the baton-style hands and 39mm case update this classic design, resulting in an extremely wearable modern dress watch. Notable features include scratch-resistant sapphire glass and a premium British or Italian leather strap.

image302 Series collection – In the world of horology nothing is simpler in operation or interpretation than a mechanical stopwatch and the 302 Series has been designed to echo this utilitarian beauty. This timepiece emphasises the elegantly balanced symmetry of the Swiss-made, 23-jewel movement at its heart. The watch delivers 7 indications: three hands for standard time in hours, minutes and seconds, three hands for the split chronograph functions, plus the date aperture window at 4 o’clock. Despite the density of information that the dial provides,this chronograph watch remains true to the Uniform Wares signature of legible, minimal detailing.

image351 Series collection – The latest member of the Uniform Wares family of watches, the 351 Series timepieces are defined by their signature wide, PVD-coated and coloured ceramic set bezels adorning each design.