We've written about the clothing and custom watches from Bamford & Sons before; now the bastion of top-drawer British style is launching its first dedicated accessories collection for fall. The standout piece is this collectors' edition backgammon set (above) in a lockable calfskin case with signature perforation detail on the leather and metal hardware. Individually hand-finished using the finest responsibly-sourced materials, including traceable skins from French tanneries, it's priced at for $4,995. The set incorporates elements of the new collection's two themes; the first, Concours d' Elegance, represents the alluring world of sports cars and racing, with calfskin finished in black and Ferrari red. The second, Wooton, is dedicated to an active country lifestyle and its many pursuits, from work to leisure, rendered in unlined suede and leather associated with equestrian pursuits.

In our technology driven lifestyle, I can't remember last I sat still and played a boardgame that had no rings, buzzers, computerized cash register, credit card swiping sounds or batteries to it. When I was a kid I could play a board game for hours on end. I remember when my dad first taught me how to play chess and backgammon and even though I had no idea what I was doing, it was fun just to play with my dad. Or when I got Monopoly and Life and my "too cool for anyone" older brother and sister actually played with me. Or when my friends taught me how to play the card game Spit and we would have fierce competitions during recess. Dominos was the best to play solo because you could build with them or line them all up in a pattern and watch them fall one by one.

Don't get me wrong, I am a strong supporter of video games, so much so that my husband and I have been training our 8 year old daughter for the past 3 years on how to play all the video game systems possible, but nothing beats the old school board games that have created fond memories from your childhood. If I could have the ultimate gaming room with no thought to cost, this chess set by Grahame Fowler ($1,725) would be the first purchase. It's made from 6061 U.S. Aircraft-grade aluminum and has such a sleek and modern design aesthetic that you might as well have this displayed as a piece of art. Take a look below for other memorable board games.

There's something classic about of backgammon, it's easy to play but hard to master and can be emotionally revealing as you watch your opponent's strategy. The simple board game lends itself to luxury, it's a game to be played on lazy Sunday afternoons whether you are at the beach house in the summer or tucked in next to a fire in the winter. The Dal Negro boards from Zontik games are the perfect medium for a backgammon afternoon. The handsome set comes with a bag of iridescent mother-of-pearl finish stones, two backgammon cups, one double die, and four standard dice. It sells for $250.

Want this game on your shelf? We are giving away one backgammon set in a random drawing. To win leave a comment on your favorite board game.

Some other important details:

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before Friday, March 20 2009 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive the Zontik Games Dal Negro backgammon set, valued at $250.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete contest rules here.

This contest has ended. Thank you for your participation.

A couple of years ago we saw the creation of diamond-covered chess and backgammon sets by Bernard Maquin. The sets have surfaced again, this time they are part of a Tzoffey's 1818 Auction House sale, to be held during the International Colored Stone Association (ICA) Congress on May 9 in Dubai. The Magnificent Jewels auction features diamond and colored stone jewelry as well as unmounted stones such as a rough ruby, necklace-ready sets of matched emeralds and sapphires and large loose stones such as a 22.23-carat tsavorite from Africa. The auction items will be on display at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel and Suites in Dubai's business district during the week of the congress.

The backgammon set uses 61,082 black, white and yellow diamonds with a total weight of 2071.48 carats. The diamond, gold and silver set took over 10,000 hours of labor to complete and is estimated to sell for $650,000-950,000.

[via National Jeweler]