A38 Arkitekter–aka A38 Architects–is a Norwegian architectural firm that’s been producing innovative spaces since their inception almost half a century ago. Their latest project “Annex Oppdal” was produced in collaboration with the local TV program…
The post Annex Oppdal Diamond Cabin first appeared on Cool Material.
Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
Feb 22, 2021
Jacket? Check. Pants? Check. Boots? Check. House shoes and throw blanket that you never thought you’d need? Check. If you’re looking to outfit yourself and your home from top to bottom, look no further than Huckberry. The retailer is one of our favorite places to shop for anything and everything we need, especially when it has a sale going — which rarely happens.
As of this morning, Huckberry has launched its winter sale, dropping prices on a ton of its best products, from an ultra-tough do-it-all jacket to a knit blanket that will keep you cozy while you read that novel you’ve been putting off. Either way, Huckberry’s sale has what you need to equip adventures as close as your couch and as far as the other side of the world (once it is safe, of course). The sale unfortunately ends today, February 22, so head to the website soon.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Lexus
The era of the V8-powered sedan is coming to an end. As if the inbound asteroid of electric vehicle mandates by governments and brand pledges to go all-in on EVs weren’t enough of a threat, the fabled eight-pot has been losing ground against ever-more-powerful forced-induction six- and four-cylinder engines, capable of matching or exceeding the performance of many V8s while weighing less.
Some of the first victims of this trend have been small sport sedans. The BMW M3 and Audi S4/RS 4 have all since exchanged their V8s for forced-induction six-pots, while the next-gen Mercedes-AMG C63 expected to arrive any day now will be ditching its explosive twin-turbo V8 for a turbocharged, hybridized inline-four.
But one brand isn’t letting the delightful, delightfully outdated idea of jamming a V8 into a teeny, tiny four-door go gently into that good night. Lexus — yes, Lexus — is giving the idea a chance to go out in a blaze of glory worth of William Bonney and Jon Bon Jovi in the form of the 2022 IS 500.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
We’ve all thought about if and how we’d be able to survive during the apocalypse or if we were transported to the past. What would happen to civilization? Would humanity survive? Would we have to…
The post ‘The Book’ Is the Ultimate Modern Guide To Rebuilding a Civilization From Past Knowledge first appeared on Cool Material.
This pandemic has us missing watching movies on the big screen with sound surround unless you’re one of the elite who has a theater room. For others, a projector is a good replacement but you don’t want just any. You want one that’s guaranteed to make viewing pleasurable and not a burden to the eyes just like what the WeMax Dice Portable Smart Projector provides.
This gear projects 1080P FHD pictures and even supports 4K videos to massive 120-inch display size. This is excellent for movie date nights in the backyard, garden, or anywhere you want. This device basically turns any part of your home into a mini-theater. What makes it even better than other portable projectors is its connectivity to both Android and iOS. This makes movie watching convenient as you can easily stream movies or videos stored on your phone sans the need for external supporting drives.
Moreover, the WeMax Dice Portable Smart Projector provides a bright, sharp, and clear display for both day and night use. It comes with built-in 700 ANSI lumens, TI DLP technology, and NTSC>85% for brilliant and enhanced color spectrum. It even has auto-focus and 40° keystone correction for crystal clear visuals at any angle.
This device also has Google Assistant ready on its companion remote control. It comes with 16GB of memory and over 5000 apps to choose from including Google Play, Spotify, YouTubeTV, and more. Its compact size with added carrying handle makes it ideal to bring to work for PowerPoint presentations or at family gatherings. The WeMax Dice Portable Smart Projector even doubles as a portable charger with its 3-hour battery pack.
Images courtesy of WeMax
The Levante is Maserati‘s midsize (and only, at least for now) luxury SUV. The Levante Trofeo is the top-of-the-line version, packing a 580-hp twin-turbo 3.8-liter Ferrari V8.
By Maserati standards, at least. Maserati debuted the Levante in 2016, then launched the Trofeo version for the 2019 model year. I drove the 2020 model; had scored the 2021 version instead, I’d have found an upgraded infotainment interface and wireless phone charging among other minor tweaks.
Maserati
Maserati
The Levante Trofeo is the closest thing we have to a Ferrari SUV, at least until the actual Ferrari SUV comes along. If you’ve been thirsting for a hulking crossover with a five-level adaptive suspension that can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 187 mph, the Maserati Levante Trofeo is your car.
Just be prepared to pay handsomely for it.
The Levante Trofeo is ferociously fast. Give it some gas and you’ll feel a glimmer of the raw power at your disposal.
Then you notice the roads are slick, you remember your infant daughter is fast asleep behind you and throwing it into super-racy Corsa 2 mode doesn’t seem that wise if you’re not on an actual corsa…and you wonder why a 4,800-pound SUV needs two track modes.
See, fast does not translate directly to fun. What the performance stats mask: the Levante Trofeo is not especially sporty. It’s plush, it’s heavy, and it’s tuned more for touring and being a family SUV than hell-bent destruction. Unlike, say, the physics-defying Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, the Levante Trofeo feels exceptionally beholden to Newton’s laws. And the Merc is $35,000 cheaper to boot.
Maserati
Maserati is a byword for fancy, so you would expect a glitzy Maserati trim level to be decked out like a Venetian doge’s illicit pleasure den inside. The Levante Trofeo, however, takes a surprisingly (and not altogether endearingly) minimalist approach. Besides the Trofeo badging, it’s not that much different from the GTS…which is not that much different from the regular Levante. You’ll have to explain what the Trofeo is to your neighbors, which you shouldn’t have to do with a six-figure Italian car packing a Ferrari engine.
Setting ornateness aside, the Levante Trofeo interior feels much like the Maserati sedan lineup. It has a large-leather-couch-in-a-small-room feel. Even though it’s a midsize SUV, it feels more like a compact inside; amazingly, you get less cargo space than a Kia Seltos.
Maserati
I asked my wife how much she thought the Levante Trofeo costs. Knowing it was a Maserati, she threw out what she thought was an extravagant figure: “$100,000.”
Nope. The Levante Trofeo starts at $149,990. And that’s how you end up complaining that an excellent and sophisticated SUV isn’t a Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, because the Levante Trofeo is nearly $40,000 more expensive. Hell, even if you insist on a Ferrari-powered, 500-plus-horsepower SUV, you have options; the Levante GTS is all but indistinguishable in everyday driving and costs about $25,000 less. You could also save around $70,000 and buy an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio that’ll be more fun than either of them.
Powertrain: Twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8; eight-speed automatic; all-wheel-drive
Horsepower: 580
Torque: 538 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway
Seats: 5
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you won’t find on the average About page.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is like the famous Submariner, only more so: it’s beefed up, specced out and all-around badass. While the Submariner is a capable dive watch, it’s so handsome and versatile that the vast majority of units sold will probably never get very wet. The Sea-Dweller, on the other hand, is resolutely made for extreme underwater use — it’s the OG hardcore dive watch.
When the Sea-Dweller debuted in 1967 it existed within the Submariner line. It was rated to go significantly deeper (610m) than the existing Submariner (200m water-resistant at the time) and it incorporated a helium escape valve — a feature created specifically for professional divers living underwater (or in pressurized environments) for extended periods. It was among the earliest watches to offer this niche feature, along with watches from brands like Doxa.
Though it offered generally badass appeal even to the casual consumer, the Sea-Dweller was developed for specific technical use. Various organizations at the time of its creation were experimenting with saturation diving, and watches were among the necessary equipment for that dangerous pursuit. The problem that the Sea-Dweller aimed to solve was that helium in the pressurized environment divers lived in would enter the watch and then pop the crystal off when decompression caused the molecules to expand. Rolex patented the valve designed to expel the gas, and this feature (along with an extreme depth rating) differentiates the Sea-Dweller from its dive watch sibling, the Submariner.
Whether you’re interested in collecting vintage Sea-Dwellers or just want the most solid modern Rolex dive watch you can get, you’ve come to the right place.
Single Red: The earliest prototypes had a single line of red “Sea-Dweller” text on the dial. They’ve become well known due to their rarity and resulting high auction prices.
Double Red: Also called DRSD for Double Red Sea-Dweller. The earliest production models had two lines of red dial text — they read: “Sea-Dweller” and “Submariner 2000” in reference to the watches’ water-resistance rating of 2,000ft or 610m. They’re not as unicorn-rare as Single Reds, but still tend to be very highly valued.
Mark Dials: Specifically, they are Mark 0 through 7, and they chronologically denote differences in Sea-Dweller dial variations. The lower numbers are older and typically more valued. Those designated 0 through 4 are original dials, whereas 5 through 7 are Rolex replacement dials.
Rail Dial: Now, look closer. Look at the two lines of text “Superlative Chronometer” and, below it, “Officially Certified.” Are the letter Cs of “Chronometer” and “Certified” aligned? If so, you’ve got a Mark 2 and a “Rail Dial,” which carries a premium. Why? Produced for a short time by the Stern Company, Rail Dials deviate from the typical configuration and are rare.
Triple Six: Another name for the reference 16660 (discussed further below).
Patent-Pending: In the context of Rolex Sea-Dwellers, this refers to certain early models that were introduced before Rolex’s helium escape valve patent was approved, and “patent pending” is denoted on the case back. It’s another feature that adds value for vintage Rolex collectors. (Models made after approval say “Rolex Patent.”)
Great White: The reference 1665 produced from 1977 to 1983 is called the Great White because its white text replaced red. (Also, it’s a dive watch so, ya know, the shark reference kinda fits.)
Comex: The French company Comex (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises) was one of the players that pioneered saturation diving, and they commissioned watches from Rolex. Sea-Dwellers that feature the Comex logo on the dial are now so rare that they’re probably too valuable to be worn. These dials are found on references 1665 (Great White), 16660 and 16600.
Gas Escape Valve: A valve which allows helium molecules in a watch case to be vented during decompressing from the pressurized environment used in saturation diving. Also called a “helium escape valve” or “HEV.”
Courtesy
The first Sea-Dwellers were produced in 1967, but not available to the public until 1971. They had the same look and 40mm case of the Submariner but with greater water resistance and the signature gas escape valve. The valve on the side of the case, the text on the dial and the lack of a magnifier lens (cyclops) over the date display would’ve been the primary ways to visually distinguish the Sea-Dweller from a Submariner of the time.
Diameter: 40mm
Water Resistance: 610m
Movement: Rolex 1575 automatic
Price: ~$40,000-$90,000
Courtesy
The “Great White” marks the Sea-Dweller losing its Submariner branding on the dial and in some sense becoming a distinct line. Other than that, the primary difference between the Double Red and Great White, as their nicknames indicate, is the dial text color — they share the same reference number, after all, so the basic specs and features are expectedly close. For some collectors, however, the difference is significant. A standard Great White might be less valuable than a standard Double Red, but this is where you’ll begin to find rarified variations that collectors covet like “rail dials” and “Comex dials.”
Diameter: 40mm
Water Resistance: 610m
Movement: Rolex 1575 automatic
Price: ~$18,000-$39,000
Courtesy
Some consider 1978 to mark the line between “vintage” and “modern” Sea-Dwellers. With the new reference number, the Sea-Dweller also doubled its water resistance, got a new movement and was one of the first Rolex watches to feature a sapphire crystal (replacing the previously used plexiglass). The new movement offered higher frequency and a quick-set feature for the date, and other small changes included a white date disk, as opposed to the outgoing silver one. The earlier Triple Six examples had the same matte-textured dial as their previous Sea-Dwellers, but later models got a glossy dial like modern Rolex watches, as well as white gold surrounds on the hour markers.
Diameter: 40mm
Water Resistance: 1,200m
Movement: Rolex 3035 automatic
Price: $10,000-$35,000
Courtesy
The 16600 got an updated movement, but was remarkably similar to its predecessor. Over its 20-year production, it also got a couple upgrades to its dial luminescence: dials that say “T Swiss T” at the bottom use tritium, while a “Swiss dial” means it uses LumiNova, and “Swiss Made” indicates the use of modern Super-LumiNova. This Sea-Dweller was discontinued in 2009.
Diameter: 40mm
Water Resistance: 1,200m
Movement: Rolex 3135 automatic
Price: ~$9,000-20,000
Courtesy
If the Sea-Dweller is like a souped-up Sub, then the Deepsea is a souped-up Sea-Dweller. The Deepsea upped the case to a beefy 44mm and its water resistance rating to an impressive 3,900m deep. Its lume is Chromalight, its bezel is now ceramic and its sapphire crystal is 5mm thick. Named in reference to the experimental Deep Sea Special watch Rolex made in 1960, this watch marks the Sea-Dweller evolving into a broader collection containing both standard Sea-Dwellers alongside Deepsea models.
There are four modern variations of the Sea-Dweller today, and two of them are Deepsea models. The first has a black dial, while a second model (released in 2014) has a gradient blue dial to commemorate the 2012 expedition in which James Cameron piloted a submersible craft called the Challenger Deepsea to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Rolex had made a special prototype Deepsea watch that it strapped to the robotic arm outside the vessel to prove its water resistance. That watch was a whopping 51.4mm wide and 28.5mm thick, but it survived down to 10,908m.
Diameter: 44mm
Water Resistance: 3,900m
Movement: Rolex 3135 automatic
Price: $12,900+
Manufacturer Info: rolex.com
Courtesy
Though the Deepsea seemed to have replaced the standard Sea-Dweller for a few years, Rolex brought it back in 2014. It was familiar and consistent with the previous size, depth rating and movement, but now it featured a ceramic bezel. The 116600, however, wouldn’t last long, perhaps because it was too similar an offering to the Submariner to stand out or justify its price premium to many buyers.
Diameter: 40mm
Water Resistance: 1,200m
Movement: Rolex 3135 automatic
Price: ~$13,300+
Courtesy
The current Sea-Dweller is a bold 43mm wide and is offered in two variations: one in a traditional steel case and the other with a two-tone steel and yellow gold case (Rolex refers to mixed steel and gold watches as Rolesor). The inclusion of red “Sea-Dweller” text on the dial is a nod for collectors to the earliest models. It also breaks with 50 years of tradition by including a cyclops (magnifier) over the date window — which is a controversial element on any watch, but more so on a Rolex icon, of course.
Diameter: 43mm
Water Resistance: 1,200m
Movement: Rolex 3235 automatic
Price: $11,700+
Manufacturer Info: rolex.com
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Casio G-Shock 5600, ~$43
Skip the heavy lifting and go straight to what’s best. Just Get This is our no-nonsense guide to the gear you need, now.
We’ll be the first to admit it — it’s tough to make the case for owning one of each type of watch we tend to cover at Gear Patrol. I mean, it’s 2021: you don’t need a pilot’s watch. (Hell, most people didn’t need one back in 1950.) You probably don’t need a field watch, or even a dive watch — though the latter are admittedly so versatile that we thoroughly recommend owning one. But what everyone really should have is a good digital watch.
Why? Again, it’s a question of versatility, though in this case, it’s also a question of price: for significantly less than $100 you can get yourself the type of watch that does just about everything a timekeeping device should possibly do, and that will do it while getting the absolute shit kicked out of it. The type of watch you can wear while skiing, running, swimming, and triathlon-ing, whatever. The type of watch that does exactly what it’s supposed to, and that you never have to worry about.
And what, pray tell, is the epitome of such a watch? For our money (and perhaps also for your money), we believe it’s the basic G-Shock 5600 series. Why? Because Casio’s famous watch for hard knocks is virtually indestructible, and it costs the equivalent of, like, three Manhattan cocktails. If you’re only gonna buy one digital watch, we truly think this one should be it. Here’s why (in more detail):
It’s shockproof. It’s waterproof. (“Water-resistant” — whatever.) It’s dust-proof. I mean, there’s a reason people take these things to war — they can withstand just about whatever you throw at them. And 200m of water resistance is nothing to scoff at — you could conceivably take this thing scuba diving in a pinch.
It’s a watch! It’s a stopwatch! It’s a calendar! It’s an alarm! It’s a tiny flashlight! Does your Rolex do all this stuff? Probably not! (Granted, you probably couldn’t trade your G-Shock for a flight in a small bush plane out of a country suddenly engulfed in civil war or sharknados, whereas this might be possible with your Rolex, but that’s neither here nor there.) Never underestimate the usefulness of a solid digital alarm, we tell you.
G-Shock
Considering the robustness of the case and all of the functionality packed therein, a 15mm case truly ain’t bad. This thing will fit under your sleeve and out of the way, no problem. For such a tough piece of kit, it’s really rather unobtrusive, and also weighs in at under 2 ounces. An integrated rubber strap is pliable, molds to your wrist and is comfortable enough that you’ll likely forget the watch is on your wrist.
Where else are you gonna get this degree of toughness in your life for under $50? Maybe, like, a pair of steel chopsticks, or a titanium spoon, but neither one of those will time things for you. Conceivably, if a 5600 ever broke, you could replace it without having to think much about the bottom line. But let’s be real: G-Shocks don’t break.
G-Shock
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Priority Ace of Spades
Body materials: Carbon fiber and Alloy
Belt: Gates Carbon Drive
Weight: 22 pounds (medium size)
Price: $799
In the fall of 1980, the great Motörhead unleashed a little ditty that blew people’s minds — and blew out their speakers. Clocking in just a bit under three minutes, “Ace of Spades” melds reliable rock, upstart metal, badass gambling lyrics and some of the fiercest bass and lead guitar riffs ever put to tape. It’s easily Lemmy and co.’s biggest hit.
Just about 40 years later, Priority Bicycles released a bike of the same name, with a similar blending of old and new plus general awesomeness. And if the past month I’ve spent testing is any indication, this Ace of Spades is yet another instant classic.
What’s special about it? First of all, it’s the only belt drive single speed with a Gates Carbon Drive and a flip-flop rear hub threaded for a track cog on one side and a cassette-style free hub on the other. This feature makes it dead simple to adjust gear ratios and even switch to fixed gear.
That has rad ramifications for both Ace models — there’s also a more recreational version called Ace of Clubs — because belt drive single speeds are typically quite tricky and pricy to tweak. But it really shines with what I’ve been riding: the lighter, faster Ace of Spades in fixie mode.
Full disclosure: you do need one more component — a 20t CDX Fixed Gear Sprocket ($80) that Priority also sells — to achieve this setup. But once that cog is in place (some $15 pedal straps didn’t hurt either), you’ll be stoked. I was, anyway.
Probably because I’ve suffered through my unfair share of issues with fixies. I love this style of bike for riding around New York City. The energy return you get from continuously moving pedals is so sweet, and the thrill of navigating traffic without stopping is something of a premium rush, even if you’re not wily enough to ditch both brakes.
But for best results, your chain has to be tensioned just right. If it gets too loose, you don’t get that rattlesnake-like coiled power; looser still and the chain just might detach mid-ride, which royally sucks. I’ve experienced both that and its soul-crushing opposite — a blissful city lap wrecked by a snapped chain.
Priority
With this bike, however, those worries quickly disappeared. Because I found myself atop a totally dialed-in ride with perfect tension fueling every pedal stroke. And unlike with a chain, no matter how hard or long I go, that tension will always remain — powerful and smooth, without any need for adjustment or lube. For literally years.
Of course, that’s not the only thing to love here. The Ace also looks killer. Beautifully simple geometry and a midnight paint job accented by white logos on the frame and Thick Slick tires, plus a dip of white at the end of the fork and around the hub.
The riding position is super comfortable, with sturdy flat bars that support standing up in the saddle when pumping over a hill or river-spanning bridge. Those climbs are made easier by carbon and alloy components that keep the weight at a relatively lean 22 pounds. It’s practical, too: during a food delivery service project a few weeks ago, I was able to quickly mount up a rear rack and panniers and tote a bunch of hot meals around Brooklyn.
What really endures, though, is what stood out the moment I got rolling. Throughout the bike boom, I’ve been reviewing all kinds of bikes, everything from snazzy commuters and fancy gravel bikes to rugged mountain bikes and all manner of e-bikes. And more than any other, this bike — the least expensive one I’ve tried — instantly brought back the pure joy of riding I had when I first hopped on some funky BMX-styled wheels as a kid.
Just racing around the neighborhood with a smile as wide as the bars, having a blast with friends for hours upon hours till the sun sets and it’s time to head home for dinner, all sweaty and exhausted and happy.
Even as slush invades the streets and avenues, I’m still excited to hop on this little ditty and rip around all over town. It’s just so bloody fast and fun. I can imagine British metal fans thought something similar in the fall of 1980. And I just realized the song I’ve gotta pull up on Spotify the next time I hit the road. Can’t wait.
Price: $799
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Whether you’re a newbie in the watch world or a die-hard watch nerd, the quest for horological knowledge is never-ending. In the age of the internet, there are copious online resources to help quench your thirst for learning. However, there’s still something immensely valuable about printed reference material that’s thoroughly researched and illustrated.
Think of the experience of feeling the weight of a watch and hearing the pulse of its heartbeat in the flesh — surveying watch specs online pales in comparison. Similarly, there’s a certain power in the touch and feel of a book that just can’t be replicated in a blog post. Over the past several decades, some pretty phenomenal publications about watches have surfaced. Here, we’ve rounded up great books that should be in every watch lover’s library.
Hodinkee is one of the foremost online resources for watch enthusiasts the world over — and their expertise is also available in physical print in the form of an impressive magazine and this hardcover book. First published in 2019, it’s penned by the site’s knowledgable editors and makes for an appropriately visual treat with illustrations galore. Hodinkee’s book covers a range of topics every watch lover should understand, from horological history to iconic models and complications. It’ll be as entertaining to the veteran collector as it is informative to the curious novice.
Price: $85
Many Rolex fans are religiously devoted to the brand — consider this the Rolex Bible. James Dowling and Jeff Hess’s unauthorized history tells the story of one of the most instantly recognizable names in horology. Broken up into two main sections, the “old testament” explores vintage Rolex and the “new testament” highlights modern Rolex. From an intimate biography of the brand’s founder, Hans Wilsdorf, to intricate images of Rolex models and ads, this book doesn’t miss a beat. Dowling and Hess are quite possibly two of the most knowledgeable Rolex experts of our time, and it shows. After you’ve combed through the 400 pages of Rolex bliss, display this handsome book on your coffee table for all to enjoy.
Price: $125
If you’re looking for a book to tug at your horological heartstrings, look no further than A Man & His Watch. Matt Hranek’s collection of watch memoirs proves that these little machines are far more than just fashion and function. Once you become a “watch person,” one of the first things you’ll learn is that the sentimental value of a timepiece often exceeds the monetary value. Hranek poignantly illustrates this idea through his compilation of narratives about men and their watches. From pop culture icons like Sylvester Stallone to watch industry influencers like Hodinkee’s Ben Clymer, every watch has a story. Amidst these personal essays, you’ll also find stories from the archives of top brands highlighting some of their most famous watches and their wearers.
Price: $25
In 2006, Gene Stone published the first edition of The Watch, and it quickly became one of the world’s best-selling horological books. In 2018, the title got a substantial update with the help of Hodinkee’s managing editor, Stephen Pulvirent. If you’re looking to dive deeper into any facet of horology, consider this book a one-stop-shop. It kicks off with a comprehensive history of timekeeping devices, from sundials to the modern smartwatch. Next, it chronicles 50 of the most significant watchmakers throughout history. The book rounds out with a set of intimate profiles on seasoned collectors. In addition, you’ll find practical advice on buying and caring for your watches as well as an extensive glossary of watch terminology.
Price: $39
Courtesy
Many of the fantastic books on this list manage some impressive depth despite being very broad in their scope. Sometimes, though, narrowing the parameters can help focus your interest. Author and collector of off-beat watches from around the 1960s Mitch Greenblatt does just that with a collection of over 100 watches from his own collection. Not only are the watches featured interesting and often surprising, but they reflect a side of vintage watches that’s often overlooked — as well as a link to the mindset of another era. If you’re captivated by funky, retro-futuristic design, the book is an affordable delight.
Price: $20
Rizzoli
The most popular types of watches today are those meant for action. Whether sport or military in origin, they’re commonly divided into the three categories of land, sea and air. This trilogy of books, which has come out one by one over the years, tackles each in its own volume: watches’ relationships with cars and racing in Drive Time, diving and sailing in Sea Time and, most recently, flying in Air Time. Together, they make a collection of their own worth amassing for anyone who considers themself a watch collector or enthusiast.
Price: $85
Within each treasured timepiece is a heart that gives it life: the movement. Once you dive under the hood of a watch, the technical aspects can become overwhelming, but don’t let intimidation stop you from understanding how your beloved timepiece works. Ryan Schmidt breaks down the components of this complex mechanism with the most accessible language possible in The Wristwatch Handbook. In-depth images of actual watches and detailed illustrations of the inner workings accompany each description. Let this be your tried-and-true reference guide to mechanical watches, from the most basic concepts to the most advanced complications.
Price: $66
George Daniels is arguably one of the greatest horologists of the modern era. From the invention of the co-axial escapement to the creation of one of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction, his work is a vital piece of horological history. His book, Watchmaking, is not for the faint of heart — get ready for a crash course on how to build a watch from the ground up using traditional tools and techniques. But this book goes beyond the making of a basic, time-only watch, describing the plans for complications like a tourbillon and more. Though it may sound like a dry read, Daniels breathes life into the manual with charming insights and bits of horological history.
Price: $62
Consider all the questions you never thought to ask about watches, answered. Louis Nardin addresses them all here in four parts: buying a watch, caring for a watch, learning the greatest horological masterpieces, and understanding the anatomy of a timepiece. This book uncovers each and every aspect of watches from the most basic to most intricate. Whether you need a quick refresher or want to dive deep into a specific facet of your timepieces, it’s all here. Get ready to become a student of horology — there’s even a section for notes in the back.
Price: $29
When you think of historically significant countries in watchmaking, Switzerland or Germany might immediately come to mind. However, the United States has its own storied watchmaking heritage that at one time rivaled that of the Swiss. With American watchmakers on the rise in the modern era, it’s only fitting to explore the country’s horological past. Here, you’ll find a chronicle of 50 years of American watchmaking, from innovations to influential figures. In addition to placing American watchmaking in historical context, you can marvel at over 600 color photographs that illustrate the evolution of the American wristwatch.
Price: $73
It’s hard to imagine a world without the wristwatch. However, as wild as it may seem, the wristwatch is a relatively modern development in the history of horology. Born out of function during WWI, the wristwatch quickly became a fashion item in the twentieth century and has grown in popularity ever since. In this book, you’ll discover a more in-depth account of just how the wristwatch came to be. Following this complete history, De Vecchi and Uglietti dive into the evolution or wristwatches produced by 55 top brands. At the end of the book, you’ll find a quick reference glossary of watch terminology.
Price: $130
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
If you love cars, chances are you also love anything car-related. These could range from cool floor mats, attractive rims, audio system add-ons, and dozens of other amenities. But what about the more essential, not-so-cool items that can either save your life in an emergency or make things easy when the going gets rough? For instance, if you’re stranded on a lonesome stretch of interstate in the dark, how with oncoming traffic see you?
Want to be seen when it matters? Make sure you have the three components of a roadside visibility kit, namely flares, light sticks, and several reflective triangles. Unfortunately, plenty of highway accidents happen simply because drivers can’t see stalled vehicles and crash into them. Carry high-quality flares, at least a dozen light sticks, and the large reflecting triangles like truck drivers use.
It’s not about emergencies but making sure you can clean and wax your car wherever you are, even after driving through muddy construction areas or in inclement weather. There are some excellent online resources where you can review a complete guide to adopting a routine for washing and waxing your car. Then, if you always have a basic wash/wax kit in the trunk, you’ll be ready to remove salt, debris, mud, and other gunk that eats away at paint, add a protective layer of wax, and continue your trip in a clean machine.
You don’t have to be a mechanic to use an on-board diagnostic (OBD) device. For less than $50, you can get the deluxe model called OBD II. It comes with simple instructions for hookup to your engine on the inside of your car, under the steering wheel. The device shows error codes you can look up in the instruction booklet and figure out exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle. It’s the best $50 you’ll ever spend.
Spend the extra money to replace your donut spare tire, the cheap one that came with your vehicle, with a full-size spare. This is an incredibly handy item if you suffer a flat in the middle of a long trip or in hazardous road conditions. Don’t forget to check the pressure in all five of your tires regularly so that your backup is good to go in anytime, anywhere.
We’re counting the big four as one item because they’re absolute necessities for safety and security while you drive. The four are a screwdriver, a set of jumper cables, a sharp utility knife, and a torque wrench. Often, a one-minute repair job can get you on your way, which is why the tools are a must. Likewise, jumper cables will save the day more often than you expect.
You can buy a complete kit at just about any auto parts store. Make sure your set includes a whistle and a reliable flashlight. What people often forget to do is read the instructions that come with the kit and learn how to use all the items before an emergency happens. Plus, toss in one or two sets up extra batteries for the flashlight.
Europeans love awesome camper cans, and German startup Vanderer just unveiled what may be the ultimate tiny pop-top one. Their modular van, which they describe as a “three-room apartment on wheels,” can transport up to seven, sleep up to four, and converts to a cozy lounge during the day.
Vanderer
Vanderer uses the Citroën Berlingo XL as the base vehicle. It’s 187 inches long and 75 inches tall with the roof closed. For perspective, that’s about an inch and a half shorter and an inch and a half taller than a four-door Jeep Wrangler.
When it’s time to camp, the rear seats fold to accommodate an L-shaped couch with an eat-in kitchen. The pop-top roof can provide room to stand, as well as a sleeping compartment with an integrated double mattress. The lounge area can fold into another sleeping berth for two more passengers. The sink has a 3.1-gallon water supply, and you can option the van with rooftop solar and a lithium-ion battery.
The modular components slide behind the second row of seats while driving. They can evenbe removed entirely to allow for complete utility from the van when you’re not camping.
Vanderer
The Vanderer’s base price is €28,990, which converts to a little above $35,000 — fairly reasonable for the camper world. It does not look as though it will be sold in the U.S. anytime soon, as we don’t currently get the Berlingo.
However, the Stellantis merger means we live in a world where anything is possible. The Berlingo design also does cross-brand duty for Peugeot, Opel and Vauxhall. We’d rate the prospect of it arriving in the U.S. at some point higher than a new Lancia sports car emerging.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
OK, we admit it: as running sneaker fiends, we are prone to getting overly excited about such products. And there’s no question that sending shoe materials to space is a rather over-the-top flex by Adidas.
But all hype aside, the brand’s Ultraboost line is a wonder — the perfect blend of socklike fit, ample support and responsive cushioning truly brings joy back to the act of running.
Now that the newest Ultraboost has dropped, the well-loved Ultraboost 20 is 28 percent off with the code EXTRA20. There are only a few colorways with full size runs, but they’re all worth checking out, just in case.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Polaris is a wireless, smart electric tripod head that enables photographers and filmmakers to frame-up perfect shots for nature, landscape, and astrophotography. Through the Polaris app, users can control all camera settings for dramatic, perfectly bracketed time lapse, panoramic, and sunrise/sunset shots. Built-In GPS allows for automatic star tracking. A funded Kickstarter.
To celebrate their 70th birthday in the business of baseball cards, Topps has created Project 70—a collection of commemorative cards created by global artists. Building on Topps Project 2020 card series, the first to merge sports and artists, this collection features one-of-a-kind cards from 70 different artists, including Ermsy, Action Bronson and Snoop Dogg (Snoop?!).
Born in the dusty campgrounds of 90s-era music festivals, Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) remains at the forefront of hammock innovation. For their newest, the SuperNest, comfort is the focus. It features a 3D-contoured design that improves stability and safety, plus it’s built for enduring outdoor performance with breathable, weatherproof fabrication & marine-grade hardware. it comes with 2 plush pillows & dual hanging side pockets to keep things handy.
Sonos announced that its new big hardware event is going to happen next month, with most rumors pointing to a new smaller portable speaker. Apple rolled out new replacement programs for malfunctioning MacBook Pros and Apple Watches. And, of course, Nintendo announced a bunch of new games coming to the Switch. On top of that, a lot of new gadgets were also announced — we’ve rounded up some of the most notable ones below.
Courtesy
BenQ announced the X1300i this week and it’s marketing it as the first true gaming projector that’s optimized for the PS5 or Xbox Series X. The 3,000-lumen projector will play 1080p content — so not true 4K content — at extremely low latency (8.3ms@120Hz), which is needed for competitive gamers. Additionally, it has built-in speakers and an Android TV operating system so it functions as any traditional smart TV — but it can create up to a 150-inch screen.
Price: $1,299
Courtesy
It seems like just yesterday that Wyze was known just for its $20 smart home camera, the Wyze Cam, but in the past year (or more) the company has pushed out a line of affordable smart home gadgets. This week it announced the Wyze Bulb Color, its first set of color-changing smart bulbs. It works exactly the same as the company’s existing Wyze Bulb, but now you can select from nearly infinite — or 16 million, according to the company —colors and temperatures to get your ambiance just right. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Price: $35 (4-pack)
Courtesy
Nomad, one of the most popular makers of smartphone cases, announced its first iPhone 12 cases that fully support MagSafe. This means they’re fully compatible with MagSafe accessories and can wirelessly fast-charge at up to 15-watts. There are two MagSafe cases that Nomad offers, which are essentially just MagSafe versions of the company’s existing and popular Rugged and Rugged Folio lines.
Price: $60
Courtesy
Microsoft announced a new wireless headset for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S this week. The aptly-named Xbox Wireless Headset is basically a way nicer gaming headset than the company’s existing Xbox One Stereo and Wired Chat headsets. The earcups are actually rotating volume control dials, similar to the company’s noise-canceling Surface Headphones, and there’s high-quality boom microphone. Additionally, the headset supports all the latest surround sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos.
The headset is available for pre-order right now and shipping set for March 16. (But beware, these things are selling out fast.)
Price: $100
Courtesy
This week, Amazon announced three new products — a cuckoo clock, a smart sticky note printer and a smart nutrition scale — that fall under the company’s new “Build It” program. You can’t actually buy these products yet, however, because “Built It” is essentially a Kickstarter-like program where if enough customers back a certain product, then it gets made. So, if interested, you can pre-order any one of the previously-mentioned products and, given that it’s Amazon and most of these products will likely be fully backed, it’ll ship to you in the coming months.
Price: $80
Courtesy
While technically not a gadget, this throw blanket is too cool not to mention. It’s made by Throwboy, a company that has made a name for itself making pillows and blankets modeled after classic Apple devices (like the first iPhone and iPad), and this specific throw blanket is modeled after Apple’s first Macintosh that was released in 1984. Too cool.
Price: $47
Courtesy
Satechi released a Bluetooth clicker that’s perfect for controlling presentations on your Mac or iPad. The R1 clicker looks similar to an Apple TV remote (which people admittedly have a love/hate relationship with) but has special buttons to control presentations on PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides and Prezi. It even an integrated laser pointer.
Price: $45
Courtesy
OWC announced a universal USB-C to USB-C cable that’s fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB 4, USB 3 and, most importantly, Thunderbolt 4. It can basically do anything you need out of a USB-C cable. It can connect and support any USB-C device, whether it’s a pair of headphones or a new laptop. It can deliver power up to 100 watts and transfer data up to 40Gb/s. And it can connect your laptop up to an 8K monitor.
Price: $28
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
The craft beer industry has a problem with a lack of diversity. In the Brewers Association’s 2019 survey, it found that 88 percent of brewery owners were white. From there, American Indian or Alaska Native owners were 4 percent, followed by Asian and Hispanic owners both at 2 percent, and Black brewery owners stood at just 1 percent. Hispanic employees make up about 7.5 percent of brewery service staff and Black employees sit at just over 4 percent of brewery service staff.
These numbers are not OK, and we start to change that by lifting up and supporting those who are forging paths for others to follow. In honor of Black History Month, we compiled a list of 15 breweries either owned by Black folk or led by a Black brewer. This is by no means a comprehensive list or a best of — the following is simply a collection of some notable Black-led breweries in the country that you should know and support.
Courtesy
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Green Bench is one of those rare, world-class breweries that’s able to brew any style of beer really, really well. That’s because of co-owner and head brewer Khris Johnson’s impeccable brewing prowess — he’s also a founding faculty member of USF St. Petersburg’s Brewing Arts Program. Khris’ vision and abilities have transpired to Green Bench being known for everything from IPAs to mixed-fermentation beers to lagers and everything in between.
Courtesy
From: San Antonio, TX
In 2020 it was the Black Is Beautiful initiative from Weathered Souls that made one of the biggest impacts on the craft beer world. Conceived by co-founder and head brewer Markus Baskerville, the collab brought together nearly 1,200 breweries from around the world, designed to raise awareness about the inequalities and injustices Black people face every day. Baskerville and Weathered Souls are rising stars in craft beerdom with deep stouts and thirst-quenching IPAs.
Courtesy
From: Inglewood, CA
Founded by Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter, Crowns & Hops has been focusing their work on closing the racial and gender gap in craft beer for years. Brewing beers that recognize historically Black colleges and universities or are done in conjunction with other Black-owned proprietors like Red Bay Coffee is at the center of what Crowns & Hops stands for. Their diverse portfolio of beers range from pilsners to West Coast IPAs and more. Crowns & Hops is currently building its first brewpub.
Courtesy
From: Orange, NJ
Founded out of Roger Apollon Jr.’s passion for home brewing, Four City Brewing Company aims to be a place where all can come to enjoy good beer. The microbrewery produces all kinds of delectable, citrus-forward IPAs and other styles that tie into the local Orange community — its flagship Citrus City is the epitome of this homage to home.
Courtesy
From: Harlem, NY
Celeste Beatty has been a true pioneer in the brewing industry since the ‘90s. She officially founded Harlem Brewing Company in November 2000 and has since established her three flagship beers (Sugar Hill Golden Ale, Renaissance Wit and 125 IPA) as staples for any New York City drinker. Weaving together the heritage of Harlem, Beatty has also expanded to a sister brewpub in Rocky Mount, NC, dubbed Harlem Brew South. If you can find it, Renaissance Wit is one of the best American Witbiers out there.
Courtesy
From: Sacramento, CA
Urban Roots Brewing has quickly asserted itself as a favorite among craft beer nerds and casual beer drinkers alike. That’s not just because they double as a Texas-style smokehouse, but it’s because of co-owner Rob Archie’s long-standing acumen in the craft beer. He’s also the owner of the Pangea Bier Cafe which helped establish Sacramento’s blossoming craft beer scene. Urban Roots excels at IPAs, pilsners and porters.
Courtesy
From: New Haven, CT
Rhythm Brewing Co.’s owner and founder Alisa Bowens-Mercado is a one-woman workhorse. She started Rhythm Brewing Co. in 2018 to focus on unfiltered craft lagers since lagers were the drink of choice of both her grandmothers. The flagship Rhythm Unfiltered Lager uses South African hops and is just what you’re looking for in a crisp, easy-drinking beer.
Courtesy
From: Baltimore, MD
As Union Craft Brewing says on its website, “Beer is the union of water, barley, hops and yeast. A brewery is the union of beer, its brewers and the community it serves.” This is the driving philosophy behind what director of brewing operations and co-owner Kevin Blodger has established (he’s also the chair of the diversity committee for the Brewers Association). Duckpin Pale Ale was the brewery’s first beer and continues to be the backbone of its offerings to the blossoming craft community in Baltimore.
Courtesy
From: Brooklyn, NY
While Brooklyn Brewery is not Black-owned, it has been Black-led from its very inception. That leader is brewmaster, James Beard Award-winning brewer and author of The Oxford Companion to Beer, Garrett Oliver. He has been a stalwart in the craft beer world for nearly five decades now and arguably is one of the best brewers in the world. His nuanced approach to brewing has not only established Brooklyn Brewery as an international icon, but he has also provided a path for others to follow. Oliver furthered this recently by launching The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling that aims to diversify beer and spirits.
Courtesy
From: Chula Vista, CA
Founded by Navy veteran Timothy Parker and his wife Dali, Chula Vista Brewery focuses on creating quality craft beer for its neighbors in Chula Vista and the surrounding San Diego County areas. Being a pillar in the community is key to what the brewery does, and that includes offering an inviting taproom where all are welcome to enjoy key American styles like IPAs and pale ales while building a stronger community together.
Courtesy
From: Atlanta, GA
Down Home Brewing Co. is an Atlanta-based blossoming brewery that is Georgia’s first Black-owned brewery. Founders Chris Reeves and William Allen Moore started production in 2017 and have aimed for diversity and innovation in craft beer. Currently, the brewery has three beers out in the Atlanta market (Georgia Hooch IPA is a go-to, and the T-Pom Pomegranate Wheat Ale sounds like a unique twist on a wheat ale) with plans on finding a pub location soon.
Courtesy
From: Montclair, NJ
Montclair Brewery, like most breweries really, was established out of a passion for home brewing. Leo Sawadogo and Denise Ford-Sawadogo founded the brewery in 2014 and officially opened the doors of its current location in 2018. Inspired by their diverse upbringings (Leo in West Africa and Denise on Long Island, as the first in her family to have been born outside Jamaica), the brewery offers eclectic brews like Hibiscus Dream (a pale ale brewed with hibiscus flowers). Since 2019, the brewery puts out a special Black History Month Beer Series inspired by African culture and prominent Black figures.
Courtesy
From: Woodinville, WA
It was a passion for beer and bicycling that led owner Rodney Hines to open Métier Brewing in 2018, thus becoming Washington’s first and only Black-owned brewery. The mission statement “to brew damn good beer and build stronger community to inspire bigger dreams for all” sits at the heart of everything Métier does — that includes sourcing materials and ingredients from minority- and women-owned businesses whenever possible. Some standouts from Métier include a Kölsch, a Coconut Porter and the Trail Blazer Pale Ale.
Courtesy
From: Oakland, CA
Hella Coastal aims to “build equity and ownership in the craft beer industry as producers and not just consumers.” Founders Mario Benjamin and Chaz Hubbard started Hella Coastal to also raise, address and educate the public on the historical, economic, social and health issues facing communities of color. They’ve not only done this through their own stable of beers, but also through collabs with other Black-owned breweries. Most recently, Hella Coastal released a Black History Month IPA four-pack with Full Circle Brewing, Oak Park Brewing and Hunters Point Brewing featuring civil rights activists on each of the cans.
Courtesy
From: Hammond, IN
Founder and president Drew Fox has grown 18th Street Brewery into the second largest brewery in northwest Indiana since opening in 2013 — he had started the label as a home brewer in 2010. Brewing everything from Saisons to double IPAs and everything in between at multiple locations, Fox is meticulous about recipe evolution and creation. Whether it’s a flagship beer like Devil’s Cup or a barrel-aged one like Silver Spoon, Fox and crew are a must-try from Indiana.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Enjoy freshly frozen treats in a snap with the ColdSnap. This machine makes yogurt, cocktails, ice cream, smoothies, and frozen coffee in under two minutes.
You don’t have to run to a cafe or a restaurant to satisfy your cravings for frozen food and drinks. This a cool kitchen gadget suited for personal, family, or office use since it takes up limited space on your kitchen pantry or snack bar. It measures 9″W x 17.25″H x 17.5″ D and weighs 50 lbs.
The ColdSnap machine works with shelf-stable, ambient temperature sterilized ColdSnap pods. It uses a proprietary, high-powered refrigeration system that rapidly freezes and dispenses the contents in the pod. It scans the QR code printed on the pod to determine the optimal freezing temperature and guides the user with the necessary steps through a built-in LED display.
What makes this machine different from its kind is it dispenses smaller ice crystal sizes. This means you get ice cream that is smoother and creamier than those bought from stores. The yogurt even has a velvety texture while cocktails (Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Pina Coladas) have a silky consistency. It also does not require cleaning and obviously lessens the preparation time to make frozen desserts and beverages. Best of all, it does not require a “re-cooling” phase so you can continuously create frozen confections.
The ColdSnap machine is very easy to operate too. There is no plumbing required, no cartridges, and no filters. Simply plug it in and follow the on-screen instructions on the LED display to start freezing. The pods are also recyclable, do not need to be refrigerated, and have a shelf life of up to a year.
Images courtesy of ColdSnap
