London men's luxury goods firm Dunhill is coming out with the ultimate alligator belt for the holidays, featuring a high-tech gold, steel and diamond buckle. The Mechanical Belt, which is being produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces globally at a cost of $10,600 each, is designed for ultra-precise adjustments of exactly 35mm - the "two thumb" measurement a tailor will traditionally build into a custom made suit for added comfort. The five-axel buckle contains a patented system of over 108 movable, mechanical parts including roller bearings, plates and levers.

The mechanics make perfect one-handed adjustments a cinch, so to speak, for instance while maneuvering into and out of a low-seated vintage British sportscar. Hand finished by expert artisans, it is comprised of stainless steel and 18 carat rose gold components ornamented with two inset diamonds. A choice of two alligator skin straps are supplied as well. The belt will only be available in Dunhills' flagship stores located in London, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo, with only a handful of pieces to be sold at each one.

In times of economic uncertainty luxury consumers looks to timeless classics they know will hold their value and last for years as opposed to flash-in-the-pan trends and glitzy impulse buys. Witness the sudden increase in Rolex sales as Iceland's financial markets tanked, or the way the traditional tailors of Savile Row are weathering the crisis, which we wrote about in this space last week. In fact, the very basis of this column as you may recall is timeless style, enduring elegance, and true, built-to-last luxury as opposed to mere extravagance.

We think that London-based men's clothier and luxury goods firm Dunhill, which dates back to the 1890s, is well situated to weather the storm in similar style thanks to their espousal of these same values. That's a very good thing as the company recently opened two new flagship stores, in New York City and London. The 7,000-sq.-ft. NYC store (above), on the corner of Madison and 55th, replaces the old shop at 711 Fifth Avenue.

It carries the full range of Dunhill's luxe merchandise, including menswear, leathergoods, accessories, writing instruments, watches, gifts and games. The lower level houses Dunhill's custom-made menswear and leathergoods offerings, as well as a display of one-of-a-kind pieces from the firm's illustrious history such as Truman Capote's Dunhill tuxedo worn at his famed Black & White Ball in 1966, and original sketches of a Dunhill bespoke suit made for Frank Sinatra.

London luxury goods maker Dunhill has teamed up with legendary auto marque Bentley on an exclusive new set of leather luggage for Bentley owners. Dunhill's craftsman designed the luxe pieces in collaboration with Bentley's Design & Styling team at the automaker's head office in Crewe, England. The set, made to fit the trunk of Bentley sedans, consists of five pieces: a large suitcase (above), small suitcase, briefcase, weekend bag, and wash bag.

Each is handcrafted in brown natural grain leather with matching interior trim, in a fluted design similar to that found on the leather seats of the $250,000 Bentley Arnage. The custom-designed hardware features a unique lock mechanism with a knurled edge and an inset Bentley "B". The entire set will run you about $9,000 and is now available to order from your friendly neighborhood Bentley dealer with a 2-4 week delivery time.

The hot cigar to get your hands on might just be the new offering from Dunhill. Per Cigar Aficionado, the Dunhill Anniversary Edition, which celebrates 100 years of the Dunhill cigar brand, will be limited to 20,000 cigars.
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The cigars will be made in Nicaragua by the Toraños and distributed by C.A.O. International Inc. So far all that is known is that the cigars will have a blend similar to the Dunhill Signed Range which uses Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos aged three years and bound in authentic African Cameroon leaf and a Cuban seed Nicaraguan wrappers. The new cigars will, according to Dunhill brand manager Bruce Lewis, have a little more finesse and sweetness. Want yours? They should be out mid-fall of this year.

As a side note to Bonhams' classic car auction at the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in Connecticut this weekend, the sale also includes some reminders of a more elegant age of motoring. In addition to the amazing automobiles on offer, there are a few rare examples of perfectly-preserved traveling cocktail, picnic and tea sets in leather cases from the 1910s and '20s.

More elegant and elaborate antecedents of the kind of picnic sets still produced by the likes of Dunhill - such as the one my colleague Rigel Gregg wrote about the other day - these are the sort of cases one's servants would put into the boot of the Rolls for a day's motoring along with a hamper of delectables from Fortnum & Mason (which are still available today - see the gallery for a picture of their $200 Regent hamper featuring champagne, truffles, paté and port).

Included in the Greenwich auction is this gorgeous Dunhill traveling cocktail set from the 1920s featuring a nickel cocktail shaker, four stacking tumblers, a glass bitters bottle with a silver plated top and three silver plated spirit flasks, in a monogrammed honey leather carrying case, est. $3,000 - $4,000. If these days it seems a bit odd that so much thought and effort went into ways of drinking and driving, remember that as often as not one's chauffeur did the actual work behind the wheel.

Think "luxury picnic set" and what kinds of things come to mind? A buffed buffalo leather picnic bag? Sure. Napkins, plates, and cutlery? Of course. A game of Twister complete with big inflatable dice? Why not!

It's the Poacher Picnic Bag Set by Dunhill and it totally comes with all those things, although the Twister game is what makes this set so unique and fun (literally!). The great part, though, is that when you're not in the mood (or seriously trying to be comfortable and eat) the game is printed on a wool blanket that can be reversed for a much more classic picnic vibe. $1385

Via ForbesLIfe

Don't get stuck with the same boring iPod speakers that you can buy just about anywhere. Instead, opt for the Alligator iPod Speakers that Dunhill is offering this Christmas. The made-to-order speakers are covered in real chocolate-colored alligator skin, giving your speakers a luxurious look that you won't be able to find anywhere else. Prices start at £500 and, because it is a part of the Exotics collection, it is probably possible to get the speakers done in Ostrich or Shagreen, instead of Alligator, as well.

[via TUAW]

An Anglocentric look like this could only come from British company Dunhill. The Parody Stone wristwach is done in 18K white gold and has a sapphire crystal with a gold protective grill over it. The grill was inspired by a suit of armor's helmet visor and the date window features the cross of St. George. The dial itself is obsidian and has the British symbol of three lions.

[via Time Zone]