Experience: Rob Montana The Strap Smith. Enhancing the Vintage Look of Watches.

Rob Montana the man behind The Strap Smith comes from a lineage of leather makers and son to a 4-H leather instructor. Rob is one of six children that grew up surrounded by the world of leather in a small town in northwest Montana and a man that enjoys the outdoors, racing motorcycles, sailing, traveling, backpacking, rock climbing and skiing and someone that became a full time strap maker in 2007 after quitting his day job.

Since he was a little kid he had been fascinated with watches but never thought he would be able to afford a really nice watch. Through his appreciation for high quality hand made items with great attention to detail he runs one of the most successful vintage strap businesses in the watch world and a name that is synonym for some of the best vintage aftermarket straps for Panerai, Bell & Ross, Rolex, IWC, U-BOAT, Breitling, Tudor and many others. Rob had even outfitted Jay Leno's watches with his straps.

Few leather straps come with so much passion as those from The Strap Smith handmade by Rob in Whitefish, Montana. Whitefish is a small town with a population of 6,357 and home to a ski resort on Big Mountain called Whitefish Mountain Resort right next to Glacier National Park. Rob Montana's name is not only very well known in the Paneristi community but also at the headquarters of Detroit based Shinola, whom he's been working with on everything leather related. Rob is an adventure seeker and watch collector that started his collection with a Fortis Chronograph and quickly grew into Panerai with a PAM 88. Today, the Panerai PAM 243 is his favorite and daily wearer.

Rob's vintage straps are made out of World War I vintage ammo pouches from Sweden. Even though, Rob offers a wide selection of custom straps through his website, nothing compares to the rugged and vintage nature of these straps with their particular musty smell that you can even notice when your watch is sitting next to your bed on your night stand.

All Rob Montana straps are hand cut, hand stitched and marked by Rob out of his workshop in Montana. What makes these straps even more unique —other than the interesting provenance of the leather— is that Rob is one of the few true full-time custom strap makers in the U.S.; therefore, every order is personal, from the first email a customer receives to the postage label that was placed with Rob's hands. All straps are custom made to order and you can choose everything from the the type of leather to be used for your strap to the length, the width, type of buckle, strap perforations and even the stitching. You could also just choose no buckle and use your own OEM buckle. In this case we wanted to add a little bit more character to the strap and decided to go with the PIG/SLC in negative relief.

If you are looking to enhance even more the vintage look of your your PAM 372 Luminor 1950 3 Days or any other Panerai from the historical collection, make sure you get one of these vintage straps fitted with a PIG buckle. As you can see, the color on the strap we fitted to the 372 is a perfect match to the luminova on the dial and with this change the watch became even more appealing and way more vintage looking.

On the wrist, the strap feels very solid, comfortable and the desired vintage look is just unparalleled. The strap is very thick but very supple at the same time and the contrast stitching is the cherry on top of the cake.

Sticker Price Starting at $200 USD. For more info on The Strap Smith click here.

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Panerai and tagged Panerai PAM 372 Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Rob Montana Straps The Strap Smith by Rob Montana 2013.

Insider: Micah Dirksen Vintager Mauser Straps. A True Outfitter to the Paneristi Community.

Few leather straps come with so much history, love and passion for watches as the Vintager Straps handmade by Micah Dirksen. Micah is a very well known name in the Paneristi community. Who knows how many Panerais out there are fitted with his straps, but one thing we know, is that when you order one of his straps you fully understand why his reputation is so impeccable.

Micah started collecting Swatch watches when he was a teenager and at that time he was also very fascinated by Rolex; however, money wasn't there to buy one. When finances allowed, he purchased his first Rolex to coincide with the birth year of his son and after many years collecting Rolexes, he found out that Panerai and Rolex had an intertwined history and became quite interested in them. Ironically, he was a "bracelet only" kind of guy, today, he outfits most Paneristi with his straps.

Micah's vintage Mauser straps are made out of vintage —from the 1900s thru the 1950s but mainly from the 1940s— Mauser ammo pouches from Switzerland and the former Czech Republic. The rugged and vintage nature of these straps is present all the way from their look to the musky smell of their leather. All straps are hand cut, hand stitched and marked by Micah out of his workshop in Napa Valley. To make a Mauser vintage strap, he uses one whole Mauser ammo pouch. As he says: "one pouch, one strap".

Many straps out there are made by guys that make these as a hobby and others just put their names on them after having someone make them on their behalf. What makes these straps even more unique —other than the interesting provenance of the leather— is that Micah is a full-time custom strap maker; therefore, every order is personal, from the first email a customer receives to the postage label that was placed with Micah's hands. All straps are custom made to order and you can choose everything from the the Mauser pouch to be used for your strap to the length, the width, type of buckle, strap perforations and even the stitching. You could also just choose no buckle and use your own OEM buckle just like we did.

If you are looking to add a true vintage look to your PAM 388 Radiomir Black Seal 3-Day Automatic or to any other Panerai with strong historical influence, make sure you get one of these Vintager Straps from Micah. As you can see, the watch obtained more character and the fit of the strap is just perfect. On the wrist, the strap feels solid, comfortable and the desired vintage look is unparalleled. For those of you that want to darken your strap since day one, Micah will send you a small can of Dr. J's paste to get the patina and greasy look going.

Now, since we know that many of you are already wondering why Micah chose an octopus as his logo, here's the answer: because he felt that the octopus clearly represents what the original Panerai watches were all about, a rugged durable diver's watch.

Sticker Price Starting at $210 USD. For more info on Micah Vintager Straps click here.

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Panerai and tagged Vintager Straps Micah Dirksen Napa Valley Watch Straps 2013.

Experience: La Martina Polo Shirts. As Traditional as Wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 During a Polo Match.

Just as traditional as wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 during a polo match, it is to wear a La Martina polo shirt. As most of you know, and as we discussed it here, the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was created for polo players looking to protect the dial of their watches. Jaeger-LeCoultre came up with a clever solution and created the Reverso, a watch where the side of the dial could be flipped to expose the case back and avoid the watch from getting damaged.

La Martina followed the steps of Jaeger-LeCoultre and created a brand that today is synonym of Argentina's third biggest passion —after 'fútbol' and tango— the game of polo. La Martina was founded in 1985 by Lando Simonetti an Argentinean born in Rome who started making bags and shirts for friends and relatives upon request. Today, La Martina is sold in the most exclusive cities around the world including Paris, Milan, Madrid, St. Tropez, Mykonos, London, Monaco and Zürich amongst others. If you are a watchlifestyler that travels around Europe frequently, we are 100% sure that you've seen their iconic double polo player logo numerous times and you probably own more than one of their shirts or bags.

Today, La Martina is to polo gear what Hermès is to ties. Purveyors and outfitters to some of the most exclusive polo clubs around the world, La Martina offers a wide selection of shirts, jackets, boots, saddles, travel bags, helmets and polo equipment. Even Prince Harry and Prince William have played wearing these polo shirts at the Eton College.

The easiest way to describe a La Martina polo shirt is by saying that it is not your run-of-the-mill polo shirt. Superior to Thomas Pink and Ralph Lauren, the attention to detail on these shirts is superb, their designs are as unique as it gets and the fit is just perfect. Often you will find patches or areas that appear as if it had been repaired, just to add more character to the garment.

Next time you are attending a polo match at Palm Beach's Wellington Polo Club, at 'El Metejon' in Buenos Aires or at the Polo Club de Veytay outside of Genève, make sure you are wearing one of these shirts. Even if you don't play or follow polo, wearing one of these shirts will make you look and feel like you are part of one of the fanciest sports in the world. Now, if you feel like going for the whole nine yards, then make sure you pair the shirt with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931.

Sticker Price $250 USD watch not included. For more info on La Martina click here.

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged La Martina Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 ref. 277.8.62 Lando Simonetti Prince William Prince Harry Eton College La Martina Polo Shirts Wellington Polo Club El Metejon Buenos Aires Polo Club de Veytay 2013.

Experience: Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H6 Headphones. Class, Distinction and Pure Sound Quality.

Last month, renowned Danish maker Bang & Olufsen —B&O— launched their newest headphone creation, BeoPlay H6 headphones designed by Jakob Wagner. B&O introduced their first set of headphones, the U70, back in 1978 which means that their design principles introduced nearly four decades ago have been further refined and developed ever since. These are not your run-of-the-mill Beats by Dr. Dre that everyone and their mother are wearing. These headphones are classy and distinguished.

These around-the-ear type headphones are the ultimate in design, fidelity, luxury and comfort. The BeoPlay H6 are fitted with the softest lambskin leather on the ear pads and the memory foam inside them adapts to the shape of your ears perfectly. The headband area is made of calfskin leather to guarantee durability and proper aging over time. Underneath the leather of the headband, there's the right amount of padding to provide ultimate comfort.

Something we love about the natural color leather is that over time it will start gaining patina becoming darker and evolving into a set of headphones full of character. If you are someone that appreciates Danish design —like on the Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Black Orange pictured here— then these headphones are a must have for you. Inside the ear pads you'll find the Left and Right indicators carefully imprinted.

The headphones come with a removable cable with 1/8'' tips and the ability to plug the cable to either side of the headphones. The unused side allows for the user to share his/her music with someone else by plugging their own headphones to the B&O BeoPlay H6. The cable includes a small built-in control that can be used to adjust the volume or to play/pause the music. The headphones also include a nice black travel bag.

The B&O BeoPlay H6 offer truly natural and authentic sound performance with focus on a clear mid-range with a balanced bass and treble performance. It includes a 40mm custom-designed driver with a neodymium magnet in a closed headphone design. The BeoPlay H6 has a bass port, which optimizes the bass performance, and drivers that are slightly angled to get the best distance and sound direction into the ears. The sound quality is way superior to other headphones we've used in the past including the Sennheiser or the Bowers & Wilkins.

If you don't want to be seen around wearing that huge red 'b' on your headphones, maybe its time for you to continue to embrace the best in life, just as you wouldn't want to be seen wearing a cheap watch. Headphones also available in black.

Sticker Price $399 USD. For more info on Bang & Olufsen Beoplay click here.

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged B&O Beoplay H6 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 Bang & Olufsen U70 Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Black Orange New B&O Headphones B&O Beoplay H6 Headphones Bang and Olufsen H6 Headphones 2013.

Experience: Lanvin Captoe Felt and Grenade Leather Sneakers. The Watchlifestylers' Choice.

Lanvin is the oldest French 'haute couture' house and was founded in 1889 by Madame Jeanne Lanvin as a hat boutique. Working out of her small apartment located at 22 Rue de Faubourg-St. Honoré in Paris, Jeanne started making such beautiful clothes for her daughter Marie-Blanche de Polignac that in 1908 she decided to branch out and launched a children's apparel line.

In 1909, Lanvin joined the 'Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture' which marked her formal status as a 'couturièr' and started making dresses for the Parisian female elite. By the late 1920s and in celebration of her daughter's 30th birthday, Jeanne launched the perfume 'Arpège' which quickly became a huge success. At the same time, Jeanne introduced her new logo —Jeanne as a mother dressed in a flowing evening dress holding her daughter's hand— on the bottle of 'Arpège'. This is the same logo that today is an icon and synonym of one of the most exclusive 'haute couture' houses in the world. In 1994, L'Oreal purchased the company and seven years later sold it to Shaw-Lan Wang, a Chinese media magnate. It was not until 2010 when Lanvin opened a boutique on Madison Avenue and a year later three boutiques in Moscow.

The Lanvin Captoe sneakers are not only the most iconic luxury sneakers in the market but also a sneaker that is extremely popular among celebrities and watchlifestylers. The Lanvin Captoe sneaker comes in a variety of types of leather, finishes, captoes and combinations. The most popular model to date is the one featuring suede with a patent leather captoe.

The Lanvin Captoe sneaker ref. AM5DBB1LANP7B is the newest model in the low sneaker captoe line. Featuring navy blue felt and a black grenade grain leather captoe, this is a shoe that will make an impression wherever you go wearing them, just like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver in our pictures.

The shoes are not only perfectly designed but also very well crafted and extremely comfortable. The shoes feature leather piping along the ankle area, by the shoe lace grommets and on the back of the heel.

These shoes are fully lined with dark brown leather and their interior is very soft and features extra cushion on the heel tab and the shoe tongue. The shoes feature ventilation grommets around the arch area and perfect length shoe laces in blue.

Opposed to the traditional full white soles on all other Lanvin Captoe sneakers, the felt model features white soles with a black inlay on the front, bottom and heel. This is a nice contrasting touch that sets this model apart from the others.

If you are a true watchlifestyler and you are tired of wearing what everyone else has on, run over to Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman or the Lanvin boutique and get a pair of these amazing shoes that look as good with a pair of jeans or with a suit. We promise you won't regret it.

Sticker Price $570 USD. For more info on Lanvin click here.

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Lanvin Captoe Sneakers Lanvin Captoe Sneakers Felt and Leather Lanvin Sneakers in Blue and Black Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 15703ST.OO.A002CA.01 Lanvin Captoe Sneakers Felt and Grenade Leather Navy Blue and Black Jeanne Lanvin Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Arpege Shaw-Lan Wang L'Oreal 2013.

Experience: Thomas Pink Polo Shirt. You Can't Go Wrong with the Cheeky Fox and an Omega Seamaster GMT.

Mr. Pink was an 18th century London tailor who designed the iconic hunting coat. The coat was made in red fabric but was always referred to as PINK in honor of its originator. Scrupulous attention to detail, exclusive fabric and exquisite craftsmanship were the hallmarks of a PINK coat. Today, Thomas Pink’s Cheeky Fox, audaciously resplendent in his own hunting PINK, serves as a reminder of Tailor Pink’s tradition of excellence which is carried on today in their meticulously crafted shirts. Just like the meticulous craftsmanship and design behind that Omega Seamaster GMT you have been wearing for years and that still looks very current.

Every Thomas Pink shirt is crafted to the impeccable heritage of London's Jermyn Street, home of traditional British shirt-making. While most watchlifestylers are very familiar with the Pink dress shirts, their short sleeved polos are still not as popular. The Pink casual polos are soft, luxurious and perfectly cut to guarantee the right fit.

Thomas Pink offers a wide selection of colors and designs with a small or big cheeky fox on them. In this case, we are showcasing the logo polo shirt that comes with a big cheeky fox and the super-sized PINK name across the chest. A true classic made only for those that like the very best.

The Thomas Pink polo shirt designs truly embody the essence of the polo shirt and will typically feature the polo team numbers on the chest and back, numbered from one thru four. Thomas Pink also offers other designs without numbers and with a black and white Union Jack flag where the chest number typically appears.

Next time you are taking that Azimut yacht out of the West Palm Beach Marina, make sure you are wearing one of this amazing polo shirts along with your Omega Seamaster for the ultimate combo and distinctive look.

Remember, these shirts are made for those those that don't like to wear what everyone else does and that enjoy the finer things in life.

Sticker Price $150 USD. For more info on Thomas Pink click here.

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Omega and tagged Thomas Pink Polo Shirt Thomas Pink Pink Cheeky Fox Omega Seamaster GMT Pink Scarlet Hunting Jacket 2013.

Experience: Tod's Fold Over Leather iPad Case. Perfect Protection in a Very Stylish Way.

Tod's is very well known for making some of the best and most iconic driving shoes in the world. Their leather goods along with their drivers hold a great reputation among watchlifestylers that enjoy the good life. Founded in Italy in 1920 by Dorino Della Valle as a small shoe making company out of his basement —just like other very reputable shoe companies—, Tod's has now become a synonym for the highest quality and superior handmade leather goods.

The Tod's fold over leather iPad case is an accessory that every watchlifestyler needs. Just like the beautiful Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch pictured here, this iPad case will make a statement wherever you go. Embossed with the Tod’s logo on the front and the inside, the case protects the iPad screen with elegance and style. Just like on all other Tod's products, the leather is of the highest quality with a nice full-grain texture.

The back of the case features a sturdy flap where one can insert the front folding panel and turn the protection case into a convenient stand. This is especially useful for when you guys are spending countless hours reading our content or posting on the online watch forums.

In case the irony of spending almost the same amount of cash on this case as you would to buy the device is the least of your worries, then it's time for you to get one of these cases and look good next time you are flying across the country on one of your business trips.

Available in a variety of colors. Sticker Price $495 USD. For more info on Tod's click here.

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Omega and tagged Tod's Fold Over Leather iPad Case Dorino Della Valle Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Omega Speedmaster Co-axial Chronograph Moonwatch ref. 311.30.44.51.01.002 Top Fashion 2013.

Experience: Hancock Hidden Placket Raincoat. A Handmade Scottish Classic with Timeless Design.

Thomas Hancock’s interest in rubber seems to have originated from a desire to make waterproof fabrics to protect the passengers on horse-drawn carriages. By 1819, Thomas Hancock began experimenting with rubber solutions and a year later he patented his first invention: elastication for use in clothing. In 1825, he began working with Charles Macintosh to manufacture his 'double textured' fabric and on November 21, 1843, Hancock took out a patent for the vulcanization of rubber using sulfur —8 weeks prior to Charles Goodyear in the U.S.

The Hancock Hidden Placket raincoat is a waterproof garment with a very classic shape. Handmade in Scotland with waterproof vulcanized rubber cotton, the Hidden Placket raincoat is a three-quarter length trench that features a hidden four button front closure and a 3-button opening on either side for convertible venting at the hips.

This raincoat looks good with any outfit and has a timeless design —just like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak on our wrist— that won't look outdated in a couple of years.

The lining features beautiful black and white illustrations of the 'Siphonia Elastica' plant giving tribute to the elastic, gummy substance obtained from the milky sap of several plants of tropical South America, especially the euphorbiaceous tree 'Siphonia Elastica'. The brand's labels are carefully stitched to the inside and all interior seams are covered with glue to waterproof them. Perfection is the only way to describe the craftsmanship behind this raincoat.

The attention to details on this garment is superb and it clearly shows the hard work that was put into its design and elaboration. From the beautiful branded buttons to the cuffs and every seam on it, this raincoat is just one of a kind.

The Hancock Hidden Placket raincoat is available in a variety of colors and it's a garment made to meet the refined and demanding taste of most watchlifestylers. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300ST and this raincoat are a perfect match and there's no other watch that we've worn with it that looks any better.

For those of you interested in learning more about how this amazing coats are made, below we have included a video that was produced by Hancock and that shows the careful and delicate handmade process that these garments go through. After watching this video, you will understand why these garments are so unique.

Only sold through a very limited number of retailers in the U.K, U.S., Hong Kong and Japan. Sticker Price $1,065 USD.

For more info on Hancock click here.

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Hancock Hidden Placket Raincoat Green Hancock Vulcanized Raincoat Hancock Vulcanized Coats Hancock Made in Scotland Charles Macintosh Thomas Hancock Rubber Cotton Clothing Rubberized Fabric Coats Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300ST 2013.

Experience: Vilebrequins and Audemars Piguet Timepieces. Royal Oak Offshore Diver and Royal Oak 15400 in Cancun.

Honestly, there's no better beach combo than wearing your Vilebrequins along with your Audemars Piguet watches by the sea. This time, we are reporting from the beautiful beaches of Cancun, Mexico. The only thing we could've wished for is that the weather had been better.

Vilebrequin was launched in Saint-Tropez in 1971 right before the iconic Royal Oak was launched in 1972. Inspired by surfer’s trunks, the design takes shape, very different from the traditional 'swim briefs' of the time. Colorful, original and made out of spinnaker canvas, these swimwear dries quicker than others in the sun and wind.

Every time we visit the Mexican beaches, the staple look among Mexican watchlifestylers are Vilebrequins and Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks –just like the ones pictured here.

For those that still think twice about getting their Royal Oaks wet in the pool or the beach, just relax and keep in mind that the Royal Oak 15400 is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters —good enough for a day at the pool or the beach.

Now, if you feel that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 might be too delicate for a day at the beach, you could always bring with you that gorgeous Royal Oak Offshore Diver that you also own –perfectly suited for the beach, the pool, snorkeling and serious offshore diving.

The classic 'Moorea' Vilebrequins —pictured here— are very comfortable and they feature side pockets and a handy back cargo pocket, just in case you want to bring your room key with you.

Next time you decide to take your APs to the beach, make sure you pair them with a few pairs of Vilebrequins for the ultimate beach look. No other swimming trunks will make you look better and classier than the iconic classic 'Moorea' Vilebrequins.

One last thing to mention, is that Vilebrequin is the only brand that offers a Father & Son collection for those watchlifestylers that have kids and want them to look like their 'Mini-Me'.

For more info click here.

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Audemars Piguet and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST.OO.1220ST.02 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 15703ST.OO.A002CA.01 Vilebrequin Moorea Trunks Vilebrequin Turtles on Map Vilebrequin Hibiscus Vilebrequin Fish and Turtles Vilebrequin Father & Son Collection 2013.

Experience: Hôtel Costes Red. As Parisian as Any Fragrance Gets.

If you consider yourself a real watchlifestyler, it is very likely that you love lounge music and especially the Hôtel Costes music collection mixed by Stéphane Pompougnac. This fantastic hotel is located in the epicenter of Paris along Rue St.-Honoré and around the corner from the Place Vendôme— right where the Richard Mille flagship boutique is located.

If you are visiting Paris, make sure you stop by the Hôtel Costes at night and enjoy one of their amazing cocktails at their bar. Right around the corner, you'll stumble upon the Richard Mille boutique.

The Hôtel Costes Red fragrance is as Parisian as any cologne gets and is a perfect reflection of the Parisian lifestyle with notes of gin and tonic and exotic spices including coriander, white pepper and juniper berries amongst others. The red accents on the Richard Mille RM028 Americas Limited Edition Diver, inspired us to write about the Red fragrance.

The fragrance is very manly with similar notes to some of Tom Ford's fragrances with strong character. The most noticeable notes include rosewood, incense, musk, laurel and lavender. This fragrance is not only very unique and sophisticated but one that only a handful of watchlifestylers wear. It's refined scents are magnetic, virile and captivating. A perfect fragrance for a crazy night out.

Hôtel Costes Red Fragrance Sticker Price starts at 50,00 € —Richard Mille RM028 not included in the price.

Richard Mille RM028 Americas Limited Edition Sticker Price $82,000 USD.

For more info on the Hôtel Costes click here.

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Richard Mille and tagged Hotel Costes Red Fragrance Hôtel Costes Red Stéphane Pompougnac Richard Mille Place Vendome Rue St.-Honoré Richard Mille RM028 Americas Limited Edition Diver 2013.

Experience: Elie Bleu Leather Case Humidor. Elegant, Functional and Beautiful.

This elegant leather carrying case by Elie Bleu is a must have for watchlifestylers and cigar aficionados. This pocket humidor comes with the same superior craftsmanship as other Elie Bleu products. The case features extra soft full grain leather with Elie Bleu markings in gold, an interior bakelite structure with enough room to fit two 'robustos' and a removable humidifying unit that slides completely out for easy refilling.

The carrying case is composed of two pieces that fit with one inside the other; therefore, the length of the cigars to be stored in it is not an issue as the sliding cover will adjust to the length as necessary. The case measures 6" long when fully closed and 2.25" wide. The interior of the case measures 1.6" wide x 0.75" deep, perfectly fitting two tubes of Habanos Romeo No. 1 by Romeo y Julieta.

The refillable humidifying unit is made of aluminum in burnt orange —color varies depending on the era of manufacture— with the traditional Elie Bleu markings. The unit measures 4.3" x 0.9" and it only takes 20-30 seconds to fully load it with distilled water after dipping. After fully moistened, the humidifying unit will maintain your cigars at an optimum humidity level for two to three days while traveling.

If you like to travel with your cigars in style or you are just looking to bring them along to dinner in a stylish carrying case, make sure you add one of these Elie Bleu cases to your cigar paraphernalia. Whether you are smoking cigars at the Cohiba Atmosphere Lounge in Cancun or at the rooftop of the Molino Stucky in Venezia, this is one little gadget that will be of great use. The case is also available in green, red and black.

Sticker Price $395 USD. For more info click here.

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Food Wine & Cigars, Fashion & Style and tagged Elie Bleu Humidification Carrying Case in Leather Blue Leather Cigar Carrying Case by Elie Bleu Elie Bleu Portable Humidifying Unit Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 Romeo No.1 Romeo y Julieta Habanos Romeo y Julieta 2013.

Experience: Hermès Courchevel Constance H Belt. A Must Have in Any Watchlifestyler's Wardrobe.

The Hermès Courchevel Constance H belt is a must have for watchlifestylers. This beautiful reversible belt in black and tan featuring the iconic signature 'H' buckle will add a touch of class and style to any outfit. Discreet, elegant and well crafted, this belt is a true synonym of style.

Established in 1837, Hermès has specialized in silk, saddles, leather, accessories, parfums, ceramics and prêt-à-porter with the highest quality and outstanding craftsmanship. Its logo, since the 1950s, has had a carriage pulled by a horse.

Born in Germany, Thierry Hermès was the son of a Frenchman. Thierry and his family relocated to France in 1828 and in 1837, he established Hermès as a harness workshop dedicated to serving noblemen in Paris. He created some of the finest wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade. Thierry's son, Charles-Émile Hermès, took over management in 1880 and established the well known shop at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré where it remains today and where the new leader introduced saddlery and retail sales.

The Hermès Courchevel Constance H belt is available in different color combinations and different buckle finishes, shapes and sizes. One great thing is that you can buy the buckle and belt strap individually. Our favorite combo —the one pictured here— is the reversible black and tan leather strap with the classic brushed finished buckle. The size of this particular buckle is 2.4" x 1.5". This belt looks great with jeans, dressed pants or a bespoke suit.

If you are a versatile watchlifestyler that enjoys wearing black or brown shoes, then you definitely need one of these belts to properly match your outfit of choice. The watch to go with this 'H' belt is up to you. The one thing that we can assure you is that this belt goes well with any watch and its very popular among Audemars Piguet collectors.

Sticker Price $1,100. For more info click here.

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400ST.OO.1220ST.02 Hermes H Belt Hermès Constance H Belt Hermes Courchevel Belt Hermes Courchevel H Belt Hermes Constance H Belt 2013.

Experience: Tiffany & Co. Watch Box. Perfect Box For Most Timepieces.

An important part of our watch collecting lifestyle is to find the right box or boxes to safely keep our precious timepieces at home or while traveling.

During our watch collecting life, we've owned several watch boxes in all shapes and forms and from several reputable brands. Nevertheless, the Tiffany & Co. watch box is one of the best that we've ever owned. This fine grain leather box made in Italy is available in two different sizes —with four and eight watch compartments— and in two elegant colors —black and brown.

This box is nicely crafted and quite light, making it the perfect travel companion for those watchlifestylers wanting to bring several timepieces with them. One thing that we absolutely love about this box over other boxes, is the fact that you can lock it. It comes with a very elegant Tiffany & Co. plaque lock —in palladium plated solid brass — and two handsome looking keys with a traditional Tiffany blue inlay.

This box features four compartments that are deep enough to keep an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and also wide enough to store over-sized watches like most Panerais, Zenith Pilots, IWCs and Bulgaris amongst other brands.

Based on our experience with these boxes, we would say that watches with a case size of up to 48 mm —like the Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 GMT— will properly fit with the pillows in the compartments. The width of the dividers between each compartment is a little bit over a quarter of an inch; therefore, there's no need to worry about over-sized crowns touching the case of the watch in the compartment next to it.

The interior of the box and the watch pillows are perfectly lined with a soft and nice ultra suede in light beige color and the sides of the pillows are covered with the same black leather as the rest of the box. The box also features a small pocket inside the closing lid where you can store straps or polishing cloths and there's plenty of room between the lid and the area where the watches are sitting. The lid also includes a Tiffany & Co. plaque at the very top and all hinges are not visible as they are fully covered by leather.

Lastly, it's important to mention that these boxes are a steal and you'll be paying a very reasonable price compared to other options out there.

The size of the four compartment box is 6" W x 8.75" D x 3.75" H.

Sticker Price $950. For more info click here.

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Tiffany & Co. Watch Box Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 25721ST Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 15202 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 5402 F.P. Journe Centigraphe Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 GMT Bulgari Octo Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Tiffany Watch Box 2013.

Experience: Salvatore Ferragamo Amos 3. Right Hue of Blue Matching Our Royal Oak.

The Salvatore Ferragamo Amos 3 shoes are the perfect balance between a casual and dressy shoe. Fitted with tassels —very trendy this season after being long gone for more than a decade— , these lambskin suede shoes are comfortable, classy and ready to make a statement on your next yacht or sailboat ride. Additionally, their color matches the blue dial on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300 perfectly. A match made in heaven.

Salvatore Ferragamo launched its shoe company back in the early 1900s. Salvatore made his first pair of shoes at age nine for his sisters to wear at their church confirmation. After studying the art of shoemaking in Napoli, he opened a small shoe store in his parent's home. In 1914, he moved to Boston —where one of his brothers worked at a cowboy boot factory— and then to Santa Barbara, California in 1919 to open his own boot shop, quickly becoming the 'Shoemaker to the Stars'.

In 1927, he moved back to Firenze, Italy and established the company as we know it today. Ferragamo is still a family owned business and is one of the most renowned luxurious shoemakers in the world. A synonym of comfort, design and luxury.

The Amos 3 shoes are richly colored loafers in decadent lambskin suede and adorned with front tassels. The shoes are fitted with a combination of leather and rubber soles and a boat shoe lace with grommet accents as a finishing touch. Sticker Price $495.

The shoes are perfect for boating or just relaxing 'al fresco', especially in the company of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with blue dial. For more info click here.

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Ferragamo Amos 3 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tassels Salvatore Ferragamo Salvatore Ferragamo Amos 3 Tassel Shoes Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300ST 2013.

Experience: Bally Freenew. Swiss Timepieces Go Better with Swiss Shoes.

Bally was founded in Switzerland in 1851 by Carl Franz Bally and his brother Fritz. Carl Franz was trained in the family ribbon-making business and expanded his focus to shoe making after being inspired by the quality of the Parisian shoe makers.

Carl Franz Bally dedicated his life to designing the perfect shoe and to giving back to the community of Schönenwerd —where his products were made. He was a champion of social projects; opening schools, parks and swimming facilities for workers and townspeople. During his lifetime, Schönenwerd was transformed from a sleepy farming village into a bustling town making up to two million pairs of shoes annually.

Considering that innovation has always played a very important role in the history of Bally, it's worth mentioning that they are responsible for developing a series of advanced materials —including rubber components— for the moon boots worn by Neil Armstrong during his first walk on the moon. Additionally, when Sherpa Tenzing Norgay took his final steps to conquer Mount Everest on May 29, 1953 he made the journey in a pair of Bally Reindeer-Himalaya boots, forever linking the Swiss brand to this amazing moment in human history.

After more than 160 years, the brand remains committed to rigorous Swiss craftsmanship, high quality, style, comfort and elegance.

The Bally Freenew sneakers are not only as comfortable as other Bally shoes, but they are also very stylish and modern looking. This shoes are leather lace-up sneakers with fabric stripes on the sides. The collar around the ankles is padded for superior comfort and the soles are made of high quality rubber with a wooden insert around the heel area. Something else to love about this shoes —besides the Swiss flag detail on the back near the heel— is how versatile they are as they can be worn with casual clothes or even a more formal attire. They are available in crocodile leather and in a variety of colors to meet the most demanding taste and match your Swiss fine timepieces.

Sticker Price $395. For more info click here.

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Bally Freenew Carl Franz Bally Schonenwerd Switzerland Bally Freenew Sneakers Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 25721ST Mountain Everest 60th Anniversary Conquest of Everest Sherpa Tenzing Norgay Top Fashion 2013.

Experience: Audemars Piguet, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier. The Perfect Rose Gold Trifecta.

Today, we decided to feature a rose gold trifecta composed by three amazing pieces that we know any watchlifestyler lady would love to own. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ladies 57th Street Limited Edition —with rose gold accents on the dial—, a set of Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra rose gold earclips and a Cartier Juste un Clou rose gold with diamonds bracelet.

Let's start with the elegant Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ladies 57th Street Limited Edition. This Audemars Piguet ref. 26282SK.ZZ.D101CR.01 was released in 2009 to commemorate the opening of the new New York City Audemars Piguet boutique and exclusively available at that flagship location. Available in a limited edition of 150 pieces, this stunning Ladies Royal Oak Offshore comes with a 37mm case in stainless steel, black alligator hornback strap with off-white contrast stitching, deployant buckle, rose gold accents and rose gold Arabic numerals on the dial and a diamond encrusted rubberclad bezel with 32 diamonds totaling 1.25 carats. The sticker price for this beauty, only $33,000. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.

In order to properly coordinate with the rose gold accents on the watch and with the rose gold bracelet, you also need to add a set of Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection earclips. The VC&A Alhambra collection, has been a synonym of class since the 1960s when it was launched. The Vintage Alhambra earclips ref. VCARN9T400 in rose gold, have a timeless design and go perfectly fine with just any outfit —casual or dressy. To find more about the earclips click here.

Lastly, let's talk about the Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet which is also another classic from a previous era. Originally designed in the 1970s, the Juste un Clou is the expression of a rebellious nature and the reflection of self-belief. Although this bracelet has been a classic for more than forty years, it's still very modern looking and quite trendy nowadays. The Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet is also available sans diamonds and in other precious metal variations. For more info on the bracelet click here.

Now, if you prefer an even more timeless look on your wrist, you could always go with a Cartier Love bracelet instead of the Juste un Clou. The picture below, shows how good it looks next to the Audemars Piguet watch. Maybe you can also give it a try.

Three timeless classic designs that make a perfect rose gold trifecta, don't you think?

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Boutique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ladies 57th Audemars Piguet ref. 26282SK.ZZ.D101CR.01 Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Earclips VCARN9T400 Cartier Juste un Clou Bracelet 2013.

Experience: NATO Straps or Rob Montana. Your Choice.

Change is always good. Fitting your watches with NATO or vintage leather straps adds versatility and creates a completely different look to coordinate with your attire. This time, we fitted different NATO straps to several 1675s and the result was very interesting.

The NATO strap adds some character but it also turns the strap into integral part of the color scheme of your attire. Additionally, NATO straps reinforce the overall vintage look of a vintage Rolex timepiece. When it comes to leather straps, one of our favorites due to its rugged appearance is Rob Montana. This rugged leather strap gives the watch a unique and outdoorsy look.

Now, which do you prefer? Are you a NATO type of guy or more of an urban woodsman?

Vintage leather or NATO is up to you and the personality of your vintage watch.

For more info on Rob Montana straps click here.

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Rolex and tagged Rob Montana Straps Rolex Vintage NATO Straps 2013.

Experience: Hermès Tricolor Kelly Bag and a Discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Date-Day-Moonphase in 18K Yellow Gold

TriColor Kelly bag in Jaune, Vert Cru and Blue Thalassa.

The Hermès Kelly bag renamed after actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly is a classic just as the now discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Date-Date-Moonphase triple complication ref. 25594BA.

This gorgeous Royal Oak in 36mm and solid 18K yellow gold is a perfect example of a watch that goes well with everything. One of our watch lifestylers wears this watch on a daily basis due to its versatility and the neutral color of its dial. Because of the smaller size of the case—when compared to today's standards—this watch has the perfect size for any female watch lifestyler wanting to make a wrist statement.

This watch originally fitted with caliber 2224/2825 will help you keep track of the day, date and lunar phases during your hectic monthly schedule.

Now, If you consider buying a Royal Oak like this one to turn it into your daily beater, just make sure that you have the matching Tri Color Kelly bag to go with it.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Hermès Hermes Kelly Hermes Bag Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Gold 2013.

Experience: Hermès Ties. The Blues.

When it comes to ties we know there's only one name and it's Hermès. Its silk, its designs and patterns, the shape and length of their ties and the way they look when knotted, is just unmistakeable. One can spot an Hermès tie half a block away. Just as one that knows can spot a Royal Oak in the distance.

Established in 1837, Hermès has specialized in silk, saddles, leather, accessories, parfums, ceramic and prêt-à-porter with the highest quality and outstanding craftsmanship. Its logo, since the 1950's has had a carriage pulled by a horse.

Born in Germany, Thierry Hermès was the son of a Frenchman. Thierry and his family relocated to France in 1828 and in 1837, Thierry Hermès established Hermès as a harness workshop dedicated to serving noblemen in Paris. He created some of the finest wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade. Thierry's son, Charles-Émile Hermès took over management in 1880 and established the well known shop at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where it remains today and where the new leader introduced saddlery and retail sales.

One of the many qualities of an Hermès tie is its timeless design, just like that of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Both have stood the test of time and today a 40 year old Hermès tie looks as good and as classic as a Royal Oak. For more info click here.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Hermes Hermès Ties Royal Oak 15300 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 2013.

Experience: Color Combos with Audemars Piguet

In case you were wondering how well checkered shirts go with Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore watches. Some of our favorite combos.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style, Audemars Piguet and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Royal Oak Jumbo 2013.