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deLaCour Liberata watch: That Much Harder To Tell The Time

Filed under: Timepieces


Oh how I appreciate novelty in luxury watches, but this one could almost be described as a prank for those who actually want any comfort in telling the time. The deLaCour Liberata watch has a watch that is actually free floating in the watch case. It is not a new watch line, but I felt it worth discussing. The independent smaller case simply moves and spins around freely being called upon do to so by gravity. The result is a watch face that can be all over the place and in any direction. Thus you can't rely on 12 o'clock being in any regular orientation.

Why do this? Why not? deLaCour doesn't really care about taking over Timex - there are plenty of other watch makers out there who simply display the time without regard to being different. There is a big game in the watch world of "we are the first to do XXX." Though sometimes it feels like an answer to a question no one asked, or alternatively a solution to a problem that simply didn't exist. "I was just so bored being able to tell the time with ease." Look deeper and you'll find that my sentiments may be wrong. While not a luxury watch maker like deLaCour, Japanese company Tokyo Flash thrives off the release of oddly designed watches where deciphering the time is like doing a math problem. So perhaps my feelings on the matter are isolated and many watch consumers DO want these types of "novelties."

Unlike Tokyo Flash, deLaCour is a luxury Swiss watch maker - so the privilege of having such an avant garde watch comes at a much more substantial price. The watch is likely to be considered "unisex" (though mostly for women) and comes in several colors (including, but not limited to, white, yellow, red, and black). The case is in steel either polished or in the shown black PVD. There are about 6 carats of diamonds on the two bezels and in the center of the actual watch face. The case is water resistant to 100 meters. There is the issue of setting the time of course. The smaller case with the time has a quartz movement and is likely set via opening up the back of the main watch case and removing the smaller case that can be adjusted on the back of the watch. This also allows you to change the battery. There are various different dial styles as well. Want to up it a notch? The timepiece can be ordered with up to three smaller watch cases inside the overall case - for multiple timezones. Price is about $12,000 - $25,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

How A Louis Vuitton Case Is Made

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Men's Style

Vintage Louis Vuitton from Bentleys LondonLouis Vuitton makes a case for everything. Really. If there's something you want to carry in a Louis Vuitton case, they will probably make one for you.

The only criteria-strictly enforced to honor the original spirit of the 150-year-old company-are that the item is portable and that its raison d'être is transport. "We are in the business of movement," says Patrick-Louis Vuitton, a fifth-generation member of the founding family who oversees all of LV's custom projects. "A special order is a compromise between desires and needs from the client and our aesthetic and technical requirements." - Men's Vogue

Louis Vuitton makes about 450 special-order cases every year at their Asnières, France workshop. The process of creating a perfect case for a client's needs can take four to five months, but their policy is to never exceed eight.

Over the years, cases have been created for everything from hookah pipes to a portable altar for a French priest heading to a desert archaeological dig in the 1920's.

Louis Vuitton won't make just anything, though. If they don't like your request (say, to put little LV's all over the interior of your car, a move similar to the one that ended up with Britney Spears on the losing end of a Vuitton lawsuit), they'll modify the idea and make a suggestion - their polite version of refusal.

[via Men's Vogue]

Luxury iPhone Cases from Orbino Italy

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style

Strada Tre Case in Brown Crocodile, $319The iPhone 3G is a beautiful accessory, yet to be properly attired...till now. Orbino Italy has designed three cases for your iPhone 3G, and each is lovelier than the last. Finally, you can protect and adorn your iPhone without cheap plastic or garish designs.

At right, you see the Strada:
"The Orbino Strada Tre Case transforms your 3G iPhone into a premium Italian accessory with a case entirely stitched by hand in gorgeous Tuscan leather. The case features an open face for easy access and includes Orbino's patented spring-loaded removable combination belt clip and desk stand in polished palladium metal. Prices start at $99."

This is the limited Brown Crocodile edition, available here.

Click below to see the other two new 3G iPhone designs, as well as other elegant, Apple-specific cases from Orbino.

Globe-Trotter For J. Crew

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Journeys, Men's Style

Globe-Trotter, a British company specializing in luxury luggage since 1897, has teamed up with J. Crew to bring you a beautiful line of travel cases.

Pictured at right is the Globe-Trotter Centenary, a 21" case at $1,800. The Centenary is made from the finest materials, including leather trim and straps and a Vulcan Fibre® shell.

The line also includes suitcases in other sizes and a vanity case. Don't miss the 26" suitcase in black!

Glashutte Watch for Rimowa

Filed under: Timepieces


The new Glashutte watch for Rimowa is more than just a watch in a case, it's practically a whole tool kit. The watch is a limited edition of 100 pieces in stainless steel with the the automatic Glashutte caliber 100. The watch comes in a sleek Rimowa case that contains a spare watch band and tools that enable you to change the watch from stainless steel to a sapphire display back. The watch is a limited edition of 100.

Outfit Your Nano in an $800 Titanium Case

Filed under: Gadgets


People are serious about their iPods, there's no doubt about that, but are they $800 serious? The FACTRON Re-Nano case is betting on it, made of pure titanium (titanium!) and ending up quite industrial-looking. Priced at just over $800, of all the iPod designs it will only fit the nano -- which doesn't make much sense to me. Either make a version for all the iPods, or if you only want to make one at least make it for the biggest and baddest of the iPods, not the younger brother version.

I love my nano, but believe you me I'm not spending five times more on the case than I did on the gadget itself! Not unless it's a heck of a lot cuter than this anyway.

Calder Laptop Cases

Filed under: Handbags


Very simple in design, Calder laptop cases are understated and classic inside and out. Crafted with full-grain leather made by one of England's oldest tanners, the cases also have a hand-laid carbon fiber shell that's amazingly strong while not being too heavy. A silk velvet lining and suspension system protect your laptop from damage in your travels, and the whole setup reminds very much of an instrument case as opposed to a shoulder or tote bag (which is no surprise considering they make guitar and violin cases as well). Available for £2020 through the Bill Amberg store.

The Gravity Powered Bookshelf

Filed under: Decor


Bookends can be cute, and they come in all different shapes and sizes, but what if you never needed them again to keep your books straight and standing up in the bookshelf? The Gravity Powered Bookshelf will do just that trick, no matter if you have 10 books, 2 books, or just a lone floppy magazine on the shelf.

The name makes it sound like it's got moving parts or something, but it's really just an interesting-looking bookcase that uses gravity to its advantage. And although I do like it, I also think it looks a little homemade (like in a college dorm room kinda way).


Via CribCandy

laptop@home

Filed under: Gadgets

laptop@home is a line of soft laptop accessories designed by Mike and Maaike that are intended to make using your laptop a bit more comfortable, especially if you prefer to actually work with it on your lap than set up at a desh. The PocketTop ($50) is a mobile workstation/laptop bag, with pockets for accessories. The CushTop ($35) is a lap desk that keeps the heat from the laptop from building up on your legs, as well as giving you a more comfortable angle for typing. The SleeveTop ($40) is the most streamlined of the line, very thin with built-in cooling pads for lap work.

Nicole Miller Cellphone Case

Filed under: Gadgets

Nicole Miller is a designer who usually plays it safe and puts out collections that are more refined and elegant, than funky. This cell phone case is a change from that traditional style, but it is a welcome one. The silk taffeta case is brightly colored and has a ribbon-laced corset detail on the front. It measures 3.8" x 2.2" x 1.2" and should hold a variety of different phones, as well as an iPod or a small digital camera. Price: $25.

[via shiny shiny]

Yves St Laurent Muse Document Case

Filed under: Handbags, Journeys

From the fall runway collection, Yves St Laurent's Muse Document Case is practical, but stunning to look at. You can see the craftsmanship from a distance on chocolate leather accented with bold topstitching and a gold D-ring tab on the flap closure. The bag is ideal for travel, especially on a business trip where you need to travel light. It has narrow pockets for tickets, passports, travelers' cheques and, of course, various documents. As long as you are using your blackberry - as opposed to a laptop, which would require a separate bag - on your trip, you should have absolutely no trouble staying organized and mobile with a case like this one by your side. Price: $495.

Suvretta Bookcase

Filed under: Decor

If you imagine this Suvretta Bookcase with full shelves, you can see that it will create a feeling of movement or flow in the books, as each shelf tilts in a different direction. The pre-set partitions make it easy to arrange books when your shelves are not full, as well. It is definitely a bookcase that should bet set up in a highly visible area, not banished to the back of the den. The case is made out of printed wood laminate and metal and measures 80 1/4" wide x 79 1/8" high x 13 3/4" deep. Price: $7,280.

Give Beauty Luggage

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

Fred Segal Beauty has a new selection of beauty luggage, cases made specifically for sorting and carrying your makeup and makeup accessories. This Give Leather Train Case measures 5.5 x 7.5 x 9.25 and is made of supple Italian leather, in either yellow or brown. It is full of pockets to keep everything in its proper place. Dubbed the "Bentley of beauty luggage," the bag has an elegant, timeless look to it and is sure to provide many years of use. The case doesn't have to be used for travel, although we are now permitted to take some things on planes again, and can instead be used to keep your things organized in the bathroom. Price: $300.

Think Pink Jewelry Portfolio

Filed under: Jewelry

During September and October, Red Envelope is donating 10% of the proceeds from their new pink-themed collection to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund, which makes the Think Pink Jewelry Portfolio and even more appealing piece. Styled after professional jewelers' cases, it is made with a textured pink leather and has a super-soft faux suede interior. The slim jewelry case measures 6.5" x 3/4" x 11" when closed, but folds out to reveal a spacious compartment for organizing all your accessories, from rings to necklaces. It's made for travel, but it would make a great gift, too. Price: $85.

Vaja Razr Cover

Filed under: Gadgets

I love the gadget cases from Vaja and so of course I am smitten with the customizable Razr covers from Vaja. Their service lets you chose from 33 colors of leather for both the body and the contrast color. The service takes 25 days since each case in handcrafted. They also sell single color Razr cases as well as a three-color rasta stripe model. The two-color case sells for $70.


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