All posts in “Gear”

You Can Buy the Watch Bracelet Used by NASA Astronauts

After shuffling off this mortal coil a while back, Massachusetts-based watch bracelet brand Forstner has been resurrected in the 21st Century — and the brand is celebrating its rebirth by recreating some of the most iconic styles of decades past. With the ongoing enthusiasm for vintage watch styles, it’s only surprising that more companies haven’t made this move sooner.

The “beads-of-rice” bracelet has seen a boom in popularity in recent years, but there are many more funky and charming bracelet types that’ll match that vintage or vintage-inspired watch on your wrist. From the Komfit style on which NASA astronauts wore their Omega Speedmasters to the oft-forgotten “bonklip,” Forstner is producing several archetypal vintage bracelets — and doing so for pretty reasonable prices.

Komfit

braclet

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There are many different types of mesh watch strap, from Milanese to shark. The Komfit in particular, however, is associated with NASA and the Omega Speedmaster — and when you spot a Moonwatch on NASA personnel in old footage, it’s often worn on this type of bracelet. Available in several variations, it’s not only uber-retro in looks, but as the name suggests, is meant to wear comfortably.

Price: $125

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Rivet

braclet

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Though this bracelet’s got a familiar three-link look when viewed dead-on, from the side the rivets give it a unique, mid-century feel that’s hard to find today. Originally produced by famed bracelet maker Gay Frères, Forstner’s Rivet comes with either “solid” links or stretchable links like those found on mid-century Rolex models.

Price: $125

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Beads of Rice

braclet

Courtesy

The beads of rice is an obligatory inclusion in an offering an assortment of vintage-styled bracelets. There are differing takes on the concept, but Forstner offers a non-tapering version in which the individual links alternate between brushed and polished finishes.

Price: $125

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Klip

braclet

Courtesy

The Forstner Klip is based on the “bonklip” style the company’s namesake produced in the 1940s. (It’s also called the “bamboo-” or “ladder-style.”) With a military background and unique look, this is one of the most distinctive bracelet types you can find.

Price: $125

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Flat Link

braclet

Courtesy

The Flat Link replicates a bracelet made specifically to fit the Speedmaster — a type which Omega has even offered on some of its modern remakes. It’s not only thin and comfortable, but it offers a spring-loaded stretch effect just like the vintage examples did.

Price: $150

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Want a Plush Green Lawn Without the Pesticides? Buy This

If you care for a yard, you probably know Roundup. If you use Roundup, it’s worth reconsidering for something like Sunday, which is now available to order through the brand’s website or at Walmart.

Roundup has had a rough few years, which reached a low point mid-2020 when it agreed to pay more than $10 billion in settlements from cases claiming the glyphosate, the foundation of Roundup, caused non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s cancer research arm deemed it a “probable carcinogen,” while the Environmental Protection Agency has held firm that glyphosate does not cause cancer.

Sunday’s, one of our picks for best new products of 2019, skirts this issue by avoiding glyphosate entirely, opting instead for natural materials that aren’t surrounded by safety question marks. The product lineup includes spot-cleaning weed killers, yard sprays, fertilizers, grass seeds and seasonal prep kits. Or, if you want gold course grass in your front yard, opt for a Smart Lawn Plan, in which Sunday harnesses weather data, satellites, geology and a soil sample from your yard to build a bespoke, non-toxic kit for your yard.

Assistant Editor, Home and Design Will Price is Gear Patrol’s home and drinks editor.

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Dyson Appliances Are Finally Affordable Thanks to These Massive Discounts

Looking for more of the best deals? Check out Today’s Best Deals, where we collect the best savings, discounts and promotions every day.


Dyson is synonymous with high-performance home appliances. However, it’s hard to dissociate Dyson gear with Dyson prices; a brand new Dyson vacuum can cost up to $700. But thanks to Walmart’s big discounts on refurbished Dyson products, you can save on some excellent products.

The discounts are made up of refurbished Dyson products, including the brand’s industry-leading stick vacuums, fans, and air purifiers. Luckily older Dyson models aren’t obsolete just because there are newer iterations out, so a V8 will work just as well as a V10, but for less money. And for those who are worried about buying refurbished gear, Dyson assures refurbished products work like-new, and any scratches or blemishes don’t impact the performance.

A few of our favorite items on sale include the V10 Total Clean ($91 off), the HP02 Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier ($70 off), the TP02 Pure Cool Link Tower Air Purifier Fan ($100 off) the V7 Animal Stick Vacuum ($60 off). Whichever you choose, though, you can be sure you’re getting a great deal.

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The L.E.A.D. YEZO Retreat Is Something Straight Out of Fantasy Fiction

Nestled in the northern mountain range of Hokkaido, Japan, you’ll find YEZO, a small retreat design and built by the Laboratory for Explorative Architecture & Design (aka L.E.A.D.), an international, multiple award-winning architecture design and…

The post The L.E.A.D. YEZO Retreat Is Something Straight Out of Fantasy Fiction first appeared on Cool Material.

The Simple Hi-Fi Accessory That Makes Your Turntable Sound (and Look) Better

A record stabilizer (also known as a turntable weight or clamp) is a puck-shaped object that you place on your turntable’s spindle. Its job is to add extra weight so that the record lies as flat and as still as possible. This helps the stylus read the vinyl more accurately so that, ultimately, your system sounds best.

If you have a turntable and you’re looking for affordable ways to make it sound better, buying a record stabilizer is a great way to do just that. (You can also buy a platter mat or isolation pucks, both of which can be pretty affordable.)

When deciding which record stabilizer to buy, generally the heavier the better. That said, you should also pick one based its material and how on its looks. It’s going to sit on top of your turntable, so treat it like a statement piece, too.

Hudson Hi-Fi LittleBen

hudson hifi littleben

Hudson Hi-Fi

Hudson Hi-Fi is one of our favorite makers of hi-fi accessories. Its LittleBen is made of metal and finished in chrome. It also has a leather pad that acts as a buffer between it and the record. It weighs 13 ounces.

Price: $22

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Clearaudio Souther Clever Clamp

clearaudio souther clever clamp

Clearaudio

The Souther Clever Clamp is a different kind of record stabilizer because it’s designed to lock the record in place without weighing down the record. The logic is that it doesn’t add extra drag on the motor which, according to The Turntable Lab, makes it ideal for low torque turntables. It’s made completely of plastic and weighs less than an ounce.

Price: $35

Audio-Technica AT618a

audiotechnica at618a

Audio-Technica

The AT618a is a slightly more substantial record stabilizer. It’s made of machine brass and has a protective rubber cover, which also prevents it from accumulating finger smudges. It weighs 21.2 ounces.

Price: $39

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Pro-Ject Clamp It

project clamp it

Pro-Ject

This is another lightweight record stabilizer that doesn’t actually add extra weight to the record. Instead, it has a clamping mechanism that grabs the center spindle and locks the record into place. It’s made of diamond-cut aluminum and nice leather leather accents. It weights 4.2 ounces.

Price: $99

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Pro-Ject Record Puck

project record puck

Pro-Ject

This is an extra heavy record stabilizer that’s best for high-end turntables. The metal puck has a beautiful brass finish along with leather accents. It weighs 1.7 pounds. (If shiny brass isn’t your thing, it’s also available in an all-black version.)

Price: $120

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The Sunne Brings The Sun Indoors At Night

The Sunne is a self-powered light source that harnesses the power of the sun. It captures and stores solar energy in the daytime to bring light indoors.

Award-winning solar designer Marjan van Aubel created this elegant piece of lamp using one long curved strip of aluminum that measures 85 cm. It mimics the shape of the horizon so the curve provides a larger surface area to store solar energy. What it does is capture the energy in the morning from one side of the panel. Then stores this energy in an integrated battery.

The Sunne does not require cable wires or plugs to connect to electricity. It automatically turns on when it’s dark. If you want to disable automatic power on, a simple touch on the top part of the panel works. It suspends in the air by two steel wires through a simple yet secure hanging system.

It’s best to hang this device in front of your window or where there is direct access to sunlight. This way, it can fully absorb the sun’s power during the daytime then provide ambient light at night. It has three light settings including sunne rise, sunne light, and sunne set. The first mimics the early morning sunrise shades of purple and yellow, the second provides warm light for relaxation, while the third gives off a fiery glow to help you unwind at the end of the day.

The Sunne works with a companion smartphone app to help you determine how much solar energy is available and the light’s battery level. It also allows you to conveniently control the light settings from your phone.

Get It Here

Images courtesy of Sunne

Woolmark and Prada Set Sail in the America’s Cup Final

Talking Points:

Luna Rossa Challenger Kit

The Woolmark Company and Prada have created a natural, eco-friendly kit to take on the seas. The revolutionary wool-based uniform designed for the Luna Rossa Challenger Team signals the emergence of a new breed of natural performance sailing wear. The first of its kind, the natural kit was designed to outperform its manmade rivals while mitigating the environmental impact of its activity.


woolmark prada jacket uniform

Woolmark

luna rossa team

Woolmark


Fit for Winners

The innovative wool kit that Prada and Woolmark have teamed up to create has taken the Luna Rossa through to the final of the America’s Cup — the world’s premier sailing competition.

Ideal for Sailing

Utilizing Merino wool, these garments enhance performance while also reducing environmental impact. Plus, superb breathability, the ability to wick away moisture and superior thermoregulation make the natural fiber ideal for sailing.

Made with the Environment in Mind

In a bid to protect the world’s oceans, the team has swapped its uniform made with synthetic fibers. With up to 35 percent of microplastics in the ocean coming from synthetic clothing, wool is a key solution to reducing environmental damage.

You can now own the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Official Sailing Team Uniform.


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To read more in the Talking Points series, click here.

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This Is How a Custom Watch Strap Is Made

A good strap can completely change the look and feel of a watch — even a crappy watch. Everybody knows this. (And if you didn’t, you do now.) Further, a good leather strap can really elevate a tired timepiece.

There are numerous tiers to the leather strap market: on the one hand, there’s the cheap, plasticky aftermarket crap that you can buy for $20 off of Amazon that you don’t want to touch with a 10-foot pole (it’s mostly uncomfortable, poorly made and not terribly attractive). Then, there’s the stuff you can buy for, say, $50-$100 from many vintage watch retailers that’s quite well made, handsome and will last you many years. And for between roughly $100-$200 you can buy yourself a seriously fancy, hand-finished strap that you won’t help but be thrilled with — something that will really complement the crap out of your investment-grade Rollie (or whatever).

alexander gravelle finished strap

Alexander Gravelle

But a tier above that and you’re dealing with bespoke strap making, largely at the $200+ mark. There are several smaller shops all around the world who specialize this (often, they’re one or two-person operations), many of which are fairly young companies who popped up the last few years to service the hordes of folks who are just getting into watch collecting — especially vintage watch collecting. One of these companies is Velle Alexander, the brainchild of Alexander Gravelle.

Based in Saint Paul, MN, Alex is fairly new to the strap-making game, but already has an impressive following and makes an incredible product. Having grown up in Arkansas making all manner of things with his hands, Alex was well poised to take on strap making following his first watch acquisition, a gift from his girlfriend. What was initially a hobby seemed like a natural fit for someone who loved building furniture with his father in college, and was now living in Minnesota, looking for something to do with his long winter evenings and limited in space. In 2018, he went on Youtube, watched some videos, bought some leather and tools, and got to work. By Christmas Eve 2018 he had finished his first strap, and by 2019 he made his first sale.

As is the case with many modern strap makers, many of Alex’s clients find him through his Instagram page. From there, he speaks with the client to ascertain the person’s unique vision. Sometimes, someone comes forward with a highly specific idea for a watch strap, while other times, Alex is large given carte blanche to do as he sees fit. In my case, Alex very kindly offered to make me a custom strap for a vintage watch that belonged to my grandfather, an old, solid yellow gold Longines hand-wound piece from 1947. We used the strap-making process for this leather band to document a prototypical project Alex would complete for a client — here’s how it works:

The Process

Client Consult

First, Alex speaks with the client to ascertain that person’s vision. He can offer non-standard sizing with respect to both width and length, full control over the design process, and myriad different materials. In my case, since I was going to be wearing the Longines strictly as a dress watch with a pair of leather shoes — and because I preferred brown leather to complement the honey tone of the watch — Alex suggested trying to match the leather color to the pair of shoes I’d likely wear the watch with, which we did.

alexander gravelle back of strap

Alexander Gravelle

After showing me samples over video chat, we settled on the following specs:

-An English Bridle leather upper: Produced by Wickett and Craig in Pennsylvania, this type of leather has been used in saddlery for centuries due to its durability, which comes from a hot wax-stuffing process used during tanning. This gives the leather a subtle sheen and makes it water- and sweat-resistant. Its vegetable tanning gives results with a unique patina that comes out over time.

-A Zermatt French Calfskin lining: Produced by the Tanneries Haas in France, this leather is made specifically for watch strap lining. Specially treated for water and sweat resistance, it’s a hypoallergenic calfskin that adds longevity to the strap, which has to deal with constant contact with the wearer’s skin.

-A Velodon inner lining: A stable material that prevents the watch strap from stretching. The presence of the Velodon provides a consistent fit over time.

-A 16mm (lugs) to 14mm taper

-No padding

    Templating

    alexander gravelle templating

    Alexander Gravelle

    After I provided Alex with a measurement of a 16mm lug width on my Longines and a 7″ wrist size, he created an electronic template in a vector-editing program to these specifications. (Alex also suggested a specific taper to the strap according to his expertise, which I agreed to.) After designing the template, Alex cuts it out from heavy card stock using an electronic cutting machine.

    Material Prep

    alexander gravelle templating

    Alexander Gravelle

    Alex then gathers his materials and cuts strips down to the appropriate dimensions. He glues the the stable inner lining (Velodon) to the top leather (English bridle), and heat presses his logo into the lining leather (French calfskin). He splits the top and lining leather down to 0.5mm for the 3-layer leather keepers.

    Cutting and Skiving

    alexander gravelle cutting and skiving

    Alexander Gravelle

    Alex follows up his material prep by tracing his template pattern onto the leather strips he’s prepared and cutting out patterns with a skiving knife. He then skives the leather where the lining will overlap the folded-over top layer such that one will material will smoothly transition to the other.

    Construction

    alexander gravelle construction

    Alexander Gravelle

    Following the cutting and skiving, Alex then glues the folded top leather around the spring bar attachment points and attaches the lining leather, which he trims with a skiving knife. He also cuts off small strips to use in the strap’s keepers.

    Stitching

    alexander gravelle stitching

    Alexander Gravelle

    Once the top leather is attached to the lining leather, Alex punches it with traditional slanted holes for saddle stitching using pricking irons. He hand-stitches the strap using the saddle stitch method, securing each stitch individually to prevent the thread from pulling through if one stitch breaks down over time.

    Edge Finishing

    alexander gravelle edge finishing

    Alexander Gravelle

    Alex bevels the hard edges off the top and bottom of the strap and adds a decorative crease to the perimeter. He then seals the edge with three coats of waterproof edge paint.

    Final Construction

    alexander gravelle final construction

    Alexander Gravelle

    At the end of the process, Alex punches holes in the long end of the strap for the buckle tang. (Note: in the case of my strap, he thoughtfully sourced a vintage gold Longines buckle to match my watch.) He then constructs the straps keepers and stitches them on to the buckle end of the strap; cuts a slot for the buckle tang and attaches the buckle; and punches hole for quick-release spring bars, which he affixes. And voila!

    Parting Thoughts

    I received my strap in a padded mailer with a personal note from Alex and immediately affixed it to my grandfather’s watch, to which it fit like a glove. Previously I had a cheap leather strap on this Longines that was unpliable, much too thick and downright uncomfortable — the Velle Alexander strap, however, was none of those things, and completely changed the look and feel of the watch. (It also happened to nearly perfectly match the leather of the shoes I’ll most often wear this watch with, which to my mind is miraculous considering all this was arranged over a Zoom call.)

    custom strap

    Henry Phillips

    Bespoke straps aren’t for everyone — indeed, I was only peripherally aware of this upper strata of strappage before Alex reached out to me late in 2020 — but if you truly care about craftsmanship, or you have a very particular idea about what the band on any particular watch should look and feel like, or you have a watch with unusual lugs or an unusual shape, you should absolutely consider this route. You won’t be disappointed.

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Fully Juiced: Storm 2’s 100W Fast-Charge Power Bank

The Storm 2 power bank is a compact, portable fast-charging power bank designed to reliably power up all your devices fast & travel light. To do that, it boasts 100W PD In/Out fast-charging, 27600mAh/99.36Wh of power for airline safe travel, pass through charging, and all the ports you need: 2X USB-C, 1X USB-A, & 1X DC output. Recharges in 1.5 hours.

Porsche Unveils a Pair of Premium e-Bikes

Porsche is not shy about putting its logo on lots of things that aren’t cars. This time it’s a pair of full suspension e-bikes. One for roads, the Sport & another for off-road riding, called the Cross. Both bikes feature carbon fiber frames, premium components, and disc brakes with power coming from a Shimano mid-drive EP8 motor. Pedal-assist power carries riders at up to 18MPH.

Today in Gear: The Best T-Shirts Money Can Buy, Why Porsche Should Be Scared of Kia & More

These 12 New Bikes and Accessories Push the Envelope Even Further

Sweet new MTBs, a revolutionary cycling shoe and, yes, e-bikes from Porsche.

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This Marine Chronometer Was the First Global Positioning System

The precision of this timekeeping breakthrough enabled the age of European exploration.

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One of the World’s Coolest Chronograph Watches Is Back

Little-known but highly valued, the Aquastar Deepstar is a vintage dive watch classic, and it’s returned in upgraded form.

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Kia’s New Car Could Outgun Porsche, and It Might Debut March 15th (Updated)

If the reported specs are accurate, the new Kia EV6 could scare the heck out of Porsche and Tesla.

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One of Our Favorite Retro-Styled Chronographs Just Wound Up Getting Better

The Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H brings a hand-wound movement to a beloved watch.

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If These Nissan 400Z Specs Are Correct, This Sports Car Will Be Mind-Blowing

The new Nissan 400Z has showed up (in a video game) with more power than anyone anticipated.

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The 15 Best Basic T-Shirts You Can Buy

The best plain t-shirts you can buy, from the multi-packs to the one-off grails.

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The 21 Best Office Chairs of 2021

Everything you need to know to find an office chair best suited to your needs, including ergonomics, price, aesthetics and features.

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Seth Rogen Is Launching a Weed Brand, and Life Is Starting to Make Sense Again

Houseplant is one of the few celebrity brands that we actually believe in.

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These New Tents Could Make You Want to Live Outside Forever

By taking an inventive approach to the design of every feature, Sea to Summit made its new tents some of the most habitable available.

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Today’s Best Deals: 33% off Your New Favorite Polo, Patio Furniture Deals & More

Welcome to Deals of Note, where Gear Patrol captures all the best deals of the day. You can also visit GearPatrol.com/Deals for constant updates on the latest deals discovered by our team.

EDITOR’S PICKS

The most rare or exceptional deals picked by Gear Patrol’s product experts.

OUTDOOR DEALS

FITNESS DEALS

STYLE DEALS

TECH DEALS

HOME & KITCHEN DEALS

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LUMI Keys is an Illuminated, Portable Piano

Designed for compact portability, Roli’s LUMI Keys keyboard measures just 11-inches but gives you the freedom to play plenty. Learn piano basics, sharpen your skills, or simply get creative & jam whenever/wherever you want. A sophisticated companion app offers lessons, tips, challenges, and tutorials to get you tickling those illuminated “ivories” in no time.

These New Tents Could Make You Want to Live Outside Forever

Tents don’t wind up being at the tip of the innovation spear as often as other outdoor gear does. Sure, we recently saw one tent that sets up in seconds and another that’s half-hammock, but both of these leave the tent’s core elements unchanged…and let’s face it, they have a hint of gimmick to them.

That said, Sea to Summit’s forthcoming Alto and Telos shelters — the company’s first tents in its 30 years of business — do too, but they improve on every single core element of a tent, as well.

The most apparent feature is an inverted crossbeam pole, which Sea to Summit calls “Tension Ridge.” Its effect is twofold: it draws the ceiling higher and pulls the walls closer to vertical. This effect, combined with an asymmetrical shape (the Tension Ridge is closer to the head end of the tent instead of in the center), works to make the new tents far more spacious without a weight penalty.

Sea to Summit Alto TR2 Plus

Courtesy

Sea to Summit Telos TR2

Courtesy

And the tents are indeed light — the ultralight two-person Alto is 2 pounds 15.3 ounces, while the two-person Telos is 3 pounds 10.4 ounces. That said, both also come in moderately beefed-up “plus” versions that feature slightly heavier fabrics.

They aren’t without their bells and whistles, either. Features include condensation-reducing vents integrated into the rainfly, a way to deploy that rainfly in the middle of the night without getting out of the tent, and “Hangout Mode,” which lets you set up the shelter without its insides like a giant umbrella for group hangs (this last one is Telos-only).

three components of a packed tent
Sea to Summit’s tents come in multi-part stuff sacks so hikers can share the load.

Courtesy

Even the stuff sack deserves note. Sea to Summit made it in three sections that come apart, so tentmates can share the load while hiking. When the tent is set up, two of these pouches have a second purpose as gear caddies that snap into the corners.

The Alto starts at $399 and the Telos at $499; both will be available for preorder on March 15 and ship in May.

LEARN MORE (ALTO TR2) | LEARN MORE (TELOS TR2)

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Seth Rogen Is Launching a Weed Brand, and Life Is Starting to Make Sense Again

2021 is here at least and the, ahem, high-minded lifestyle is getting a makeover — with none other than Seth Rogen leading the way. With his new (to the U.S. at least) marijuana brand, Houseplant, Rogen is bringing weed from out of your parent’s basement — and into the forefront of good home design.

Founded in 2019 by Rogen and longtime creative partner Evan Goldberg, Houseplant launched in Canada and quickly became one of the country’s leading marijuana brands. Now in 2021, the American weed smoker can toke on Houseplant’s three cannabis strains and enjoy the brand’s design-first smoking accessories.

gear
The Block Lighter sits on your table and doubles as an ashtray.

Courtesy

Speaking of the latter: many have been taken by Rogen’s foray into pottery, and now through Houseplant, you can (sort of) buy his work. Houseplant’s first round of home goods includes an ashtray set that looks like the one Rogen made by hand and featured on his Instagram; while the version you can take home was designed by Rogen, however, it was made overseas.

Also included in the brand’s house goods lineup is a tabletop lighter for those who too often misplace their light. And if you really want to elevate your smoking to an experience, Houseplant also has a vinyl set to complement your toking.

Rogen and Goldberg are also very aware of what it means for them to start a weed brand in a world where Black people are more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related charges than white people.

house plant
Houseplant’s Ashtray Set includes an ashtray with a notch to hold your joint and a complementing vase. The saucer can be used as a base for the ashtray or as a separate catch-all tray.

Courtesy

“Houseplant was born out of our love and passion for cannabis, design and art,” Rogen said in a press release. “Evan and I also recognize that our lifelong dream of starting a cannabis lifestyle brand like Houseplant comes with a commitment to changing the unjust and racist cannabis laws that still exist in today’s society. We understand our responsibility to help right those wrongs and are dedicated to creating a more diverse, equitable cannabis industry.”

In an interview with LA Weekly, Houseplant CEO Michael Mohr says the brand has an in-house mentee program and is currently helping two California-based entrepreneurs get through the hurdles of starting their own weed brand.

Houseplant may be helping to usher a new era for weed and the pot-smoking way of life, but it’s not the only brand that’s making marijuana for design-conscious millennials. Mister Green, based out of California, sells an assortment of weed-adjacent home goods alongside apparel you’d find in a streetwear blog; Old Pal is along the same lines, selling what it calls “elevated goods and gear” for people who like to smoke; and Summerland makes bongs and pipes that look like they belong in the Museum of Modern Art and not some tacky head shop.

gear

Courtesy

Rogen has been making his rounds on the press junket to promote Houseplant, and his appearance last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live had a lot of people pretty sure that Rogen was high on his own supply.

“This is the highest I’ve seen Seth on a talk show for a while ???,” one YouTube commenter wrote.

“This is so fun to watch lol whatever he’s smoking, I want it hahaha,” someone else posted.

If that’s not good marketing for your weed brand, I don’t know what is.

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Tyler Chin is Gear Patrol’s Associate Staff Writer.

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Stipfold Angular Blackbird Cabin

While we’ve all jotted down notes and sketches for projects during night’s out among friends, few of them turn into anything more than unfettered creativity with the free-flowing exchange of ideas. The Stipfold Angular Blackbird…

The post Stipfold Angular Blackbird Cabin first appeared on Cool Material.

One of Our Favorite Retro-Styled Chronographs Just Wound Up Getting Better

The Hamilton Intra-Matic collection has consistently excelled at capturing the handsome vibes of the 1960s. The three-hand model is one of the best examples of a retro-styled dress watch we can recommend, while the automatic chronograph has stood out with its striking “panda dial” and historical references. Now, a new version of that chronograph offers the same charm, but with a more mature style — and an interesting twist: it’s manually wound, just like the Sixties original.

Based on models from 1968 called the Chronograph A and B, the new Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H is 40mm wide. The movement in question here is notable: called the H-51, it offers 60 hours of power reserve and was developed especially and exclusively for Hamilton by its sister company ETA.

A hand-wound movement technically represents a reduction in the number of features compared to its automatic variation, as it requires regular winding from the wearer to keep it ticking. However, many enjoy the interaction required of the wearer. Another benefit of manually wound movements is, often, thinner case profiles — though this model is only around 0.3mm slimmer than its predecessor at 14.35mm, including a tall box-style sapphire crystal.

You’ll notice also that the date display has been jettisoned on the new watch, creating a cleaner look that’s popular with collectors. Reducing features and design elements can offer a more elegant experience, and many enthusiasts might find that such a watch feels more “authentic” to its mid-century inspiration. (Another bonus of manually wound movements is that they can offer a view of the movement unobstructed by an automatic rotor, but here it’s hidden behind a steel case back.)

The Intra-Matic Auto Chrono was received with enthusiasm when it debuted, in part, because there weren’t as many brands making vintage styled chronographs (especially with the popular style of contrasting subdials called a “panda dial”). Now, the market is more competitive — but Hamilton has stepped up with a product that feels not only more refined, but remains at the relatively affordable price point that brand is known for.

The Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H comes in two dial variations of white (“panda”) and black (“reverse panda”), each available on a leather strap for $2,045 or a mesh steel bracelet for $2,095. They’re available directly from the brand online now.

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This Marine Chronometer Was the First Global Positioning System

Welcome to Watches You Should Know, a biweekly column highlighting important or little-known watches with interesting backstories and unexpected influence. This week: the Harrison H4 Marine Chronometer “Sea Watch.”

In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…but he didn’t have a clue where — or more importantly, how far — he was going. He just aimed ‘er west and told the boys to floor it. He was headed to India, he thought, but he ended up in the West Indies; that’s how the Lesser Antilles got their popular name. Columbus had no idea how far west India lay, or how long it would take to get there. He just trusted they wouldn’t fall off the edge of the world — where there be dragons, you know.

The problem of longitude — where you are on the planet, east-west speaking — was the thorniest puzzle of the day, or really, of the 18th century. The way southwest from Great Britain to where the riches of the New World lay was really to go south to the correct latitude, which one could easily determine by observing the North Star, then head west until the guy in the crow’s nest yelled, “Land Ho!” Not really efficient.

Thus, in 1714, the British government offered the huge prize of £20,000 (roughly £2 million today) to anyone who could solve the longitude problem once and for all. The competition was to be overseen by a newly created Board of Longitude.

All manner of candidate solutions appeared: lunar tables, complex equations based on the sightings of the planets, and many more. The real solution, everybody knew, was to know the precise time where you were on the open ocean and also know the precise time at home. Then it was a simple calculation to figure out how far west — or east — you were. You could do this by sighting the sun at high noon where you were, and if you had a good enough clock for the time back home, you could compare the two and, with some simple mathematics, determine your position.

harrison watch

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

That was a big if. No one thought such a clock could be built. The best clocks could approach the necessary precision in a rock-steady parlor, but nothing of the kind would do while tossing and turning on a heavy sea. Pocket watches were out of the question, as they kept time to plus or minus a minute a day at best. To win the prize with a timekeeping solution, the watch would need to be good to at least plus or minus 2.8 seconds per day.

In 1714 the British government offered the huge prize of £20,000 (roughly £2 million today) to anyone who could solve the longitude problem once and for all.

Enter a self-trained carpenter from Yorkshire, John Harrison. In the 1720s Harrison was making nice, accurate clocks out of wood. He believed in his clocks strongly enough to toss his hat in the longitude prize ring. These days, we know Harrison’s five marine timekeepers (a uniquely significant term in Harrison’s day) as simply H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5 (note: these names did not come into common usage until 60 years ago, when Harrison biographer and clock restorer Rupert Gould coined them).

john harrison

Philippe-Joseph Tassaert

H1, H2, and H3 were fairly large clocks, ranging in height from 59 centimeters to 66 centimeters (roughly 23-¼-inches to 26-inches) high. Importantly, Harrison’s clocks needed no oil for lubrication. Instead, he designed roller bearings for contact surfaces.

Harrison built H1 between 1730 and 1735. It was essentially a portable version of his wooden clocks, though it was bigger and with several revolutionary improvements to increase precision. H1 proved promising on its trial run to Lisbon, Portugal in 1736; it wasn’t good enough to win the prize, but was encouraging to both Harrison and the Board of Longitude.

Harrison built H2 between 1737 and 1739. H2’s contribution to horology was the remontoir, a device designed to take the variability of the parts manufacturing process out of the timekeeping equation. However, H2 had other problems, and rather than chase his tail trying to fix them, Harrison abandoned H2 and set about building a third timekeeper.

H3 was to prove a major trial for Harrison. At over 700 parts, and subsystems for temperature compensation, a remontoir, and an isochroniser (a device to ensure the clock’s balance wheel swings each way in the same amount of time), the clock was too complex and idiosyncratic to ever work properly. Harrison labored for 19 years before abandoning H3 as the solution to longitude.

Here’s where the story gets interesting. In 1753, Harrison ordered a pocket watch from a London watchmaker. The watch was to be based on Harrison’s own design ideas. When he received the watch, he realized that with certain improvements, it could become the timekeeping answer to the longitude problem. His simple breakthrough discovery was that small, high-frequency oscillators (balance wheels) were much more stable during movement than were larger clocks.

harrisons drawing of watch

Ferdinand Berthoud

H4, just 13 centimeters in diameter, was the result of this realization. The improvements Harrison made included a balance wheel that was much larger than a typical pocket watch. It oscillated at a higher frequency, five times a second — or 18,000 beats per hour. The watch contained a refined version of the temperature compensation Harrison had included in H3, and it contained a miniaturized remontoir.

The one problem, if it could be called that, was that H4 needed oiling. However, Harrison followed a relatively new practice in friction reduction and installed jeweled bearings in several places to minimize friction.

Harrison’s breakthrough discovery was that small, high-frequency oscillators (balance wheels) were much more stable during movement than were larger clocks.

H4 was completed in 1759. The Board of Longitude sent it on two official trials to the West Indies. The timekeeper performed flawlessly on both voyages, but the Board of Longitude was not satisfied. It took until 1765 for the Board to award Harrison half of the prize, and that was conditional upon Harrison’s full disclosure of construction details.

Following Harrison’s disclosures, the Board commissioned a copy of the watch to be made by Larcum Kendall. This watch, known today as K1, was tested on multiple voyages to the South Pacific by none other than Captain James Cook. It too performed flawlessly, and two more were commissioned. One sailed on the Bounty with Captain William Bligh and ended up on Pitcairn Island, where it stayed until returned to the British government in 1840. The other also sailed with Captain Cook on his third voyage to the South Pacific.

Meanwhile, Harrison was getting desperate to “earn” the balance of the Longitude prize. He embarked on H5, a refinement and simplification of H4’s design. With this timekeeper, he sought the support of King George III. The King, a natural philosopher in his own right, tested H5 himself and promised Harrison his support. Ultimately, the King swayed Parliament, and the Board of Longitude capitulated and awarded Harrison the balance of the Longitude prize, plus expenses. The total came to £23,065, very roughly $4 million in today’s dollars. Not bad for a life’s work.

There is more to the story of marine chronometers, of course. They were precise instruments critical to shipping well into the 20th century. But a self-taught Yorkshire carpenter was there first. There is no denying that Harrison’s designs — most especially the large watch known as H4 — are the true forefathers of all modern precision watches.

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When It Comes to CBD, Kanibi’s Tinctures Are as Efficient as Can Be

CBD can be a beneficial addition to your health and wellness routine whether you’re an athlete, weekend warrior or are simply looking to up your wellness game. For those new to CBD, users note beneficial effects for managing your daily stresses, helping unwind or even more restful sleep. But it’s worth noting that, like other supplements, not all CBD is created equal. When shopping for CBD, it’s important to look for full-spectrum CBD oils, and Kanibi’s Full Spectrum CBD Oil tinctures fit the bill. They are sourced from organic PCR hemp and paired with MCT oil for the most efficient and bioavailable way to get CBD into your body. Plus, right now Kanibi is offering Gear Patrol readers 25 percent off all tinctures — simply use the code GP25 at checkout.

Price: $69 $51

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Any claims to health or wellness benefits are solely those of the advertiser and not those of Gear Patrol, LLC or Gear Patrol Studios. Always consult a physician before taking any new supplement or altering your wellness routine.

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Let Philips help you stop the noise with the Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band

While most folks prefer to spend their leisure time with various hobbies and more, others like to sleep. Given the chance, some would sneak in a quick nap or two which can energize our bodies and keep our mind alert. However, snoring can be a nightmare for those who share a room with you. Thankfully, gadgets like the Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band exist to help us out.

The problem with snoring is that the person who does so is not usually aware that they do. In fact, there are individuals who refuse to believe their friends or loved ones who tell them about it.

Philips is a leading brand when it comes to devices that can promote a good night’s sleep. Thus, they are presenting the Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band to help chronically snore.

The packing includes the sensor, a chest strap, and a charging cable/charger. The chest strap features a slot where you slip in the snoring relief sensor. After adjusting the fit for comfort, the user can then try to fall asleep on their side.

The sensors Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band will then detect if they move to lie on their back. Because the culprits here are our throat, soft palate, and tongue. As these muscles relax, it can cause an obstruction of the airways. Lying on our back makes it even more likely to happen.

Thus, the Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band gently nudges users to switch to their sides This often solves the problem, but its best to always check with your healthcare provider to rule out obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Buy – $199.95

Images courtesy of Philips