retro

Hamilton Pan Europ Automatic Chronograph Watch

This retro-kick is getting sort of monotonous. It is like designers are literally flipping through old catalogs trying to figure out what they want to build (again). They then design it with modern dimensions in mind using modern materials, and then plop in a modern Swiss ETA automatic movement. Nostalgia and modern fashion sells it, and everyone celebrates a job well done, with money that would have otherwise went to R&D.

There is nothing wrong or unwholesome looking about this new "Pan Europ" watch that Hamilton will release this year. It looks neat, just as neat as a legion of other watches with the same look did when they came out about 40 years ago. There is literally no new design twist on the genre that I can find Hamilton adding - and that might be considered a good thing. Looking like 70s dive/sport/race watches, the Pan Europe is in a longer tonneau style steel case with a round dial and rotating bezel. The steel case is 45mm wide, with a metallic blue bezel and dial. The bi-compax chronograph looks nice, and the watch has 100 meters of water resistance and a sapphire crystal.

According to Hamilton the watch uses an "AutoChrono Calibre H31" movement. Though I am pretty sure this is just a modified Valjoux 77550 or newer Valgranges movement. The strap is porthole punched brown leather with a crocodile pattern on it. If you really wanted a watch of this style, for a decent price with today's manufacuting in mind, the Hamilton Pan Europ might be just what you are looking for. It will be commercially available in September of 2011, with a price of $1,900.

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

Tags: 2011, chronograph, Hamilton, Pan Europ, retro, watch

The iRetrofone Steampunk for iPhone

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

This is one of the first iRetrofone designs I've seen where the iPhone actually blends into the design and isn't immediately apparent or sticking out like a sore thumb. 'Fusing art with function' is the aim of artist Scott Freeland with this creation, which although it's awesome to look at will certainly require a very specific decor scheme to pull off. Each iRetrofone Steampunk is hand-sculpted, hand-cast in urethane resin and then hand-painted. They're each a fully functional iPhone dock complete with USB compatibility for syncing and charging and an enormous (but also functional) old-fashioned handset for conversing like grandma used to while reducing your radiation exposure. Get yours for $350 on Etsy.

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Tags: iphone, iphone dock, iretrofone, retro, steampunk

Movado Series 800 Datron Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

A little blast from the past here brought to you by Movado. This year's line up has a rich array of non Museum Watch styles including this admirable Series 800 Datron Chronograph in a 40mm wide steel case with an automatic ETA 2894-2 movement inside. The Movado Datron was originally a watch from 1970, and interestingly has a top mounted round date window that is similar to the "sun" dot on the iconic Movado Museum watch. The oblong case is exactly what you think of when you imagine watches from the era, and the chronograph pushers and crown are also retro in design. The watch is the first from Movado's Collector's Edition watches, so I anticipate more re-releases of classics from Movado's past.

The watch case and bracelet are in something called "Performance Steel" which is a trademarked term for probably some special alloy or steel with a coating to help keep it from scratching. I hope it is nothing like Old Navy's "Performance Fleece" as it is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the term. The dial comes in the shown black face with silver subsidiary dials, or the converse, which has a silver face and black subsidiary dials. Both are quite nice.

With a handsome retro look, high-grade ETA Swiss movement and utilitarian functionality, I think that the roughly $3000 price for this Movado Seires 800 Datron watch is a fair amount. Look for it in stores this month.

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

Tags: chronograph, collectors edition, CollectorsEdition, datron, movado, retro, series 800, Series800, watch

Jimmy Page Double Neck Electric Guitar

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Led Zeppelin fans this one's for you: the Jimmy Page Double Neck Electric Guitar. A "painstaking" recreation of the famous 1971 model, it features both 6 and 12 string necks with rosewood fingerboards, a weathered dark cherry mahogany body, chrome hardware and strap locks, a 5-ply pickguard, four Page pickups, and two volume and tone control knobs. Everything is period-correct. Available in a limited edition of only 250 (and according to the website there's only 2 left), each guitar comes with a Custom Shop case, a certificate of authenticity, and a customized care kit. Sorry, no free lessons on how to play it! $7999.95

Via Retro To Go

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Tags: double neck, DoubleNeck, guitar, jimmy page, JimmyPage, led zeppelin, LedZeppelin, music, page, retro

George Nelson Eye Clock

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

I'm usually pretty positive and like most of what I post on here, but I also get creeped out fairly easily and can honestly say this George Nelson Eye Clock design is not for me. I just don't need a large mechanical eye staring down at me while I'm trying to work, or relax and watch TV, or whatever. But designed in 1957 and reissued by Vitra, it's amazingly timeless (tacky pun intended!) in its appeal. Even if I'm not crazy about it I can appreciate the unique design and the fact that it really doesn't look like it was originally born 50 years ago. £196

Via Retro To Go

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Tags: clock, clocks, contemporary, eye, eyeball, george nelson, GeorgeNelson, modern, nelson, retro, time, timepiece, vitra

Predicta TVs

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

If colorful, retro designs are appealing to you, you don't have to limit your fascination to furnishings to express your tastes. Telstar has resurrected the vintage Predicta brand and makes a number of different, retro models that have the look of yesterday with the technological advances of today. Although the designs of the Predicta TVs are vintage, the sets are not. They are made with entirely new parts, are compatible with VCRs, cable and satellites, and come with a distinctive remote control (if you'd rather have your remote match the set than use a universal). There are a lot of color options, as well as different finishes for the cabinets and mounts, and custom designs are available.

[via cribcandy]

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Tags: Predicta, retro, television, telstar, tv, vintage

$500 Rotary Phone

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

If $500 seems a little steep for an old-fashioned phone, you can take some comfort in the fact that this one is well equipped with the same conveniences as most cell phones, though text-messaging will probably be quite difficult. The Port-O-Rotary is completely portable and works in almost any country (tri-band). Just insert your SIM-card and the phone is ready to go, using the number and memory from your mobile phone.

The product description of the phone is a little strange, as it describes it as being high quality, but tells you that the phone will not have sound quality that is as good as a "pocket phone. Other disadvantages include the fact that it may be difficult to store in a pocket or handbag, and the loud bell-ring may be annoying to some.

[via UnCrate]

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Tags: gadget, mobile phone, old fashioned, phone, portable, retro, rotary, rotary phone

Diane Von Furstenburg Maria Clutch, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Diane Von Furstenburg usually has people going crazy over her gorgeous dresses, and not necessarily the accessories, but the fact that there is a beautifully matching dress for this Maria Clutch is one of the reasons to love it. The clutch is liked with navy blue leather and has a red and cream print fabric with a bold, fan print. There is a gold-colored, sinuously woven metal decoration on the front flap, which unsnaps to reveal two inside pockets and a deep blue suede lining. Price: $390.

The dress ($475), by the way, is a knee-length strapless number with the same fan print all-over. It is fitted at the bust and waist, with a flaring skirt that creates a perfect silhouette.

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Tags: clutch, coordinate, Diane Von Furstenburg, DianeVonFurstenburg, dress, handbag, handbag of the day, retro

Push Reel Mower, Father's Day Gift of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Dad likes working out in the yard, doesn't he? While to some, a Reel Push Mower could be the Father's Day gift equivalent of getting Mom a vacuum, it's really a very neat gadget to have. Not only does it have an appealingly retro look to it, but it is incredibly eco-friendly. It requires no gas, oil or electricity to run and the flame-hardened steel blades offer surprisingly precise cutting. The mower is made of steel with a foam-padded ergonomic handle and requires little maintenance beyond periodic (every 4-8 years) blade sharpening. It makes next-to-no noise - unlike the neighbor's supercharged grass-cutting machine - and the mower weighs in at only 17 pounds. Dad may even burn off a few extra calories pushing it through the grass, though you may not want to mention that added health benefit on the gift card. Price: $198.50

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Tags: father's day, Father's Day Gift of the Day, Father'sDayGiftOfTheDay, gadget, lawn, mower, outdoor, retro, tool

Spectone Retro iPod Speaker

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Oh no, is avocado really coming back to appliances? The green tone so popular in the refrigerators and washing machines of your comes back in the Specktone Retro Tabletop Stereo speaker system . The Specktone is designed to make your iPod look not quite so new-fangled and comes also comes in black or white. It has a lacquered wood cabinet with a green backlit volume knob and 28-watt speakers. It sells for $149.95 and come with matching skins for your iPod.

[via Engadget]

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Tags: gadget, ipod, retro, speaker system, specktone retro

Betty One Piece Swimsuit

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Can't wait to see the Notorious Bettie Paige? You can definitely capture the look of the 1950's pin-up with this fantastic Betty One Piece bathing suit from Bondi Bathers. It's retro and sexy, with a low-cut neckline and full-coverage boy-cut legs. The cut of the swimsuit is very flattering due not only to its slimming black color, but to princess panels that create a very streamlined appearance. One trip to the beach in this and you might end up with more fans than Bettie herself. Price: $131.

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Tags: apparel, bathing suit, beach, bettie page, betty one piece, BettyOnePiece, bondi bathers, retro, summer, swimsuit, vintage

Cartier Love Collection

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

The Cartier Love Collection was recently reborn with a whole new line of pieces in addition to the classic Love bracelet. The original collection debuted in the 1970s and was designed to represent enduring love because it was fastened with a tiny, sturdy screw, which required an equally tiny screwdriver to open and close it. The screwdriver is disguised as a pendant. The current collection includes rings, necklaces, earrings, cuff links and wedding rings in metals ranging from pink gold to platinum. While all the pieces are engraved with the signature love "screw" emblem, which partially disguises the location of the real screw, many also feature diamonds or other precious stones.

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Tags: bracelet, cartier, cartier love, collection, gold, jewelry, love, love bracelet, love collection, necklace, new, platinum, retro, rings

Bel-Air Retro Faucets

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

There's probably aren't a lot of bathrooms that this would work in but it could be charming in a retro bathroom. The Bel Air faucet collection from takes its design cues from 1950s sci-fi comic books. It's the latest from Lefroy Brooks which specializes in all sorts of fixtures with vintage appeal.

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Tags: bath accessories, bel air faucet, BelAirFaucet, decor, design, home, home improvement, plumbing, retro, shopping, vintage

3.1 Philip Lim Victorian Jacket

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

I love how this Victorian Jacket by 3.1 Philip Lim fit Mena Suvari when she wore it to the Final Fantasy movie premiere. The fitted waist and short length of the jacket really hugged her curves. The jacket also has an old-fashioned, flared tail in the back. The cut would look amazing on anyone with a similar body type. The black and white of Mena's jacket was striking, but for a softer look, I prefer it in light pink. Price: $598.

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Tags: 3.1 philip lim, apparel, celebrity, coat, fashion, jacket, mena suvari, MenaSuvari, movie premier, old fashioned, pink, retro, spring, victorian

Sin in Linen Sheet Sets

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

If perhaps last week's high-thread-count sheets for Valentine's Day were a bit tame for you, check out the racy designs of Sin in Linen. The company is the brainchild of Sandy Glaze whose quest for peppy sheets led her to start her own company. The sheets and pillows feature imaginative designs that take their cues from vintage designs. There is the VIce bedset which celebrates tattoos, gambling and other decadence in bright red and black. The design shown here, Joie de Viv, features a retro pin-up girl and is100% cotton sateen with a 230-thread count. The King set sells for $104.

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Tags: design, fashion, retro, romance, sheets, valentine's day

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