5 Watch Brands To Watch This Autumn

Words by Beth Pembroke

With the summer slowly drawing to a close there are certain changes that need to be made in terms of your accessories and your wardrobe. It’s now time to move away from the thin, dainty pieces and move towards thick, more statement likes accessories and clothing. Similar to clothing, watches can also be seen to have seasons, which will be based on technicality, appearance and of course what type of watch it is. Just to give you little guidance we have come up with 5 men’s watch brands to watch this autumn!

img_0164Daniel Wellington

We start our selection with none other than Daniel Wellington. Wellington is known as a fashion timepiece rather than one that provides technical brilliance, but with their simplistic appearance and timeless design, Wellington is perfectly suited to autumn. Whether you are looking to introduce a leather or NATO strap with your timepiece, your able to add a degree of customisation, not available with other watches. In a time whether watches are becoming more and more technical, Wellington is helping watches come back to the age of simplicity with their stunning and timeless aesthetics.

img_0165U-Boat Watches

U-Boat are a leading example of statement pieces in the jewellery. They can often be overlooked especially as they provide such a unique and orthodox appearance compared to traditional watches. Timepiece enthusiasts will appreciate the design and technical aspects of U-Boat watches, especially as they provide an Italian design married with Swiss movement. Their use of materials highlight the techniques used in order to create such illustrious timepieces, where they have included materials such as carbon, bronze, titanium and silver. If you’re truly looking for a statement piece, U-Boat watches are exactly what you need.

img_0166Bulova

Bulova are one of the leading timepiece manufacturers, providing excellent quality since 1875. The brands remain’s a focal point in the watch world, setting barriers since ‘America ran on Bulova time’. Similar to the brand U-Boat, Bulova use innovation and materials different from other brands in order to keep their designs contemporary compared to the rest.

img_016788 Rue Du Rhone

Many people are unaware that the 88 Rue Du Rhone brand has close connections with the one and only Raymond Weil. Elie et Pierre Bernheim, who are grandchildren of the famous watchmaker Raymond Weil, branched off to create a beautiful, yet sophisticated brand, staying true to Swiss brilliance and innovation. Coincidentally, this is what Raymond Weil also stood for, however 88 Rue Du Rhone arrives at an accessible and obtainable price compared to Weil.

img_0168Aviator

Aviator watches are completely based around aviation and the art of flying. Their designs are based on old aviator planes, but have recaptured them within a timepiece. Not only do they provide an exclusive appearance, but they provide one of the most reliable and accurate forms of measuring time. Pilots initially used pocket watches in order to measure their performances, splitting their concentration, however as technology began to become further and further advances, pocket watches moved to wristwatches. This helped establish the Aviator brand, proving to pioneers in the timepiece world and highlighting their reliability. With true class, history, tradition and aesthetically pleasing designs, Aviator maybe perfect for you.

 

B good to yourself – B.Men an Ethical Premium grooming range from a surprising source

img_0169We all know the sales of men’s grooming products show no signs of slowing down and with celebrities like David Beckham, Orlando Bloom and Gerard Butler championing skincare ranges specifically designed for men the demand and interest for these grooming ranges is just going to increase.

Now a range that seems to be bucking this trend for celebrity endorsements and is striping back the packaging, bumf etc is coming from a surprising source. B.Men offers a premium experience at a mainstream price. It’s a collection of premium skincare, created by industry experts to help men find the products that are right for them, clearing away any clutter and confusion, providing guidance and inspiration. B. offers efficacy in an accessible way. But from where ???? Well, none other than the High Street retailer, get ready for it, Superdrug.

Dave Cooke, Superdrug head of own brand, comments on the range, “B. Men products contain active ingredients with a high street price tag and include ingredients such as Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E that helps moisturise and protect skin from everyday shaving and transitional seasonal weather that can also affect sensitive skin”

Plus if that wasn’t enough to convince you, B. products are not tested on animals and all carry the leaping bunny symbol of Cruelty Free International (formerly BUAV) and the range is suitable for vegans and vegetarians as all products have been dermatologically approved and are paraben-free.

The range carries such hero products as the 8-in-1 Post Shave Balm, a product which is a clinically proven 12-hour moisturiser that smoothes, protects, energises, control shine and blemishes and can also help calm shaving irritation. The B. Men Anti-Ageing Cream.With SPF15 and Coenzyme Q10 antioxidant protection, this anti-ageing cream helps defend skin against UVA & UVB rays, moisturises and firms skin, while also targeting fine lines and wrinkles for younger looking skin.

Essentially Converse – Converse Essentials Range

img_0184Yep lets face the inevitable, it’s getting colder, the days are getting shorter and the clothes are going on.   Warm days leading into warm light evening are a thing of the past, for now people, let’s not get depressed, they will be back. But like we said, it is getting cold, so it definitely means we need to cover up.

If only one of our favourite, reliable brand would launch a range of essential pieces, you know easy to throw on hoodies, track pants, long sleeved T-shirts. Sorry, what do you mean they have !

img_0182Let us introduce you to The Converse Essentials collection, a range of timeless staples, designed to wear better with time. To provide unmatched comfort, with each detail being obsessed upon to cater to a lifestyle of maximum movement and mobility.

Obviously with Converse there is anod to their iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers, the Converse Essentials collection not only looks better with age and wear, but becomes even softer with each wear, I know enough to make you weep. Each piece includes fabric that fades naturally with long-term wear, durable stitching and a managed shrinkage fit that remains the same throughout its lifespan.

The new collection including a tee, crewneck, pant and pull-over hoodie. The pre-washed material allows for minimal shrinking with men’s pieces cut for a modern fit allowing for maximum movement and layering all crafted to be both stylish and flattering.

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Put your best boot forward – Merrell Heritage Range

imageLet’s face it Merrell have always had a reputation for the great outdoors, you know,”With my rucksack on my back”. Don’t get me wrong amazingly comfortable, but a bit weekend walker, hills and valleys. And there’s nothing wrong with that, cos for more more than 20 years, Merrell has been providing outdoor enthusiasts with quality performance footwear. The brand can trace its roots back to 1981 and a custom pair of cowboy boots – yes, cowboy boots. A custom cowboy boot maker by the name of Randy Merrell (I promise I’m not making this up) decided to branch out and test his abilities on hiking boots. He built high quality, custom-made hiking boots at his home in Vernal, Utah using the same last that he used to make his American cowboy boots. Painstakingly crafted one pair at a time, the first custom Merrell boots cost over $500 and had a six-month waiting period.

imageThings have changed a lot for the brand, today, Merrell products are designed and built to perform for all those who recognise “the great outdoors” as a lifestyle. Men, women and children look to Merrell footwear to combine outdoor function and performance, progressive style and an independent design concept. It is this unique product point-of-view that now balances and blends comfortably into both natural and now urban landscapes.

imageMerrells are not just reserved for getting down and dirty for weekend activities, this is now a piece of footwear for a seven day week and you can throw anything at them and they’ll come back for more. This is illustrated in this season’s Heritage range where they really have ‘Re-booted’ their boots. This range offers guys a new range of footwear in four new styles that are more ‘hipster’ than hiker; providing all the functionality and practicality, you’d expect, of a comfortable, hi-tech walking shoe but combined with a whole new stylish look – ideal for any inner-city adventure.

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The Crisp Freshness of Aspen from the White Company

img_0160The White Company might be perceived as a woman’s brand, that’s not for men, but all that’s about to change. Borne out of a quandary experienced by its founder Christie Rucker, over twenty one years ago, when she was unable to find well-designed, quality bed linen, principally in white, she established The White Company to make them herself. The brand is known, yes for their womenswear, where they promote a message of style not fashion, quality not quantity and an attention to detail that extends through everything they do. Plus of course, their iconic monochrome packaging and branding.

For one of their first exclusively menswear ventures we see them launching Aspen, a grooming range encompassing Shave gel, Aftershave balm, Hair and body wash and an Eau de toilette. The Aspen scent is wonderfully sensual and warming, a distinctly masculine aroma contains notes of rich sandalwood, amber, clove and cardamom, lifted with the freshness of green leaf and a twist of bright bergamot.

So throw out those misconceptions of the White Company and over the coming months call into one of their stores to see how you can share in this brand.

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