vintage

Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Vintage Chrono Mechanical Watch

Part of Victorinox Swiss Army's new mechanical watch collection for 2010 is this attractive Infantry Vintage Chrono Mechanical piece that comes in three varieties. Consider is a good mainstream automatic watch for people who are potentially first time buyers of watches that don't have batteries in them. With prices of about $1,700 - $1,900, the Infantry Vintage Chrono Mechanical watch falls into that sweet spot of about $2,000 which is a high performance area for entry level luxury watches in today's market.

The watches come in 44mm wide steel case which is water resistant to 100 meters. Two models in a polished and brushed case, with the third model in all PVD black. The visually stunning dials are well designed, but still functional. The level of detail and texturing is fitting due the Swiss Army brand. Each models has a slightly different dial, in addition to the different colors. The "Silver" and "Olive" versions arrive of black or brown leather straps, or rubber straps. The crystal is sapphire and AR coated, while the exhibition caseback is a mineral crystal. Inside the watch is the work horse Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 movement. The date indicator has been nicely integrated into the lower chronograph hours subdial. Like I said, these new Swiss Army Infantry Vintage Chrono Mechanical watches are a great stepping stone from slightly less expensive quartz watches into the fantastic world of mechanical timepieces.

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

Gallery: Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Vintage Chrono Mechanical watches

Tags: 7750, Chrono, Infantry, Mechanical, Swiss Army, Victorinox, vintage, watch

Hamilton 'Lady Hamilton' Vintage Watches For 2010

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Once, most ladies' watches use to look like this, delicate little things that felt like jewelry with watch movements in them. That was about 100 years ago, and while Hamilton was still American, it made lots of these. Today watches like this aren't common - at least not newly made ones. But with the throw-back kick that is so popular, Hamilton has decided to give it a shot. Maybe they will sell? There is always that post-modern flapper crowd to market to right?

'Lady Hamilton' was the name given to Hamilton watches... for ladies back them. So the new models are called the "Lady Hamilton Vintage" watches. Seems to make sense. Small, at 15mm wide by 28.55mm long, these watches are pretty true to their historic sizes. In steel, they come in either black or gold PVD coated tones as well. The dials come in black or white, complete with art deco inspired faces. Hamilton is even making a few of these available with diamonds on the case. Priced from $545.

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

Tags: hamilton, lady, vintage, watch

BMW Launches New Divisions Dedicated to Classics

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It has never been a better time to own or race a vintage BMW. The German automaker has announced two new divisions specifically aimed at assisting the proprietors of its classic vehicles.

The first is actually an expansion of what was previously known as the Heritage Workshop. Previously dedicated to maintaining the company's own fleet of classic automobiles and motorcycles, the division has been re-christened as the BMW Classic Center, opening its doors to the public in the process.

In addition to servicing, certifying and even dealing in classic BMWs, the company's classics department has also launched a dedicated Motorsport Division. The new initiative, headed by a former BMW sportscar racing director, has been established specifically to cater to vintage racing machines from BMW and Mini, preparing them for revival events and classics rallies.

BMW estimates that some 600,000 of its automobiles and another 70,000 motorcycles built up from its foundation through the 1980s are still on the road, representing 10% of its historic production.

Gallery: BMW Classic Center

Gallery: BMW Group Classic Motorsport Division

Tags: bmw, bmw classic center, bmw classics, bmw heritage workshop, classic, heritage, vintage

Giant Bordeaux Tasting Planned For London

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events

Londoners with a hankering to get an early taste of the 2009 Bordeaux vintage can get the inside oenological track at Lords Cricket Ground, St John's Wood on April 21. That's when Bibendum, one of the leading premium wine merchants in the UK, will hold a one-night-only tasting. The capital's largest Bordeaux tasting is a chance to preview more than 150 wines en primeur and to meet the winemakers and chateaux owners who created them. Over 85 chateaux including Lynch Bages, Leoville Barton, Montrose, Angelus, Pontet Canet, Cheval Blanc, and Pichon Baron will be pouring the 2009 vintage alongside more mature vintages to add context. Tickets are available from Bibendum and cost £30 each.

Tags: bibendum, bordeaux, london, vintage, wine, wine event, wine tasting

Johnny Depp's Secret Weapon of Style

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping, Men's Style

As we reported earlier this month, Johnny Depp was recently named the most stylish man in the world by GQ. He's not some louche designer's life-sized Ken Doll, but rather an "icon of eccentric cool" as the mag notes thanks to an offbeat and idiosyncratic wardrobe that's unique in the Hollywood hierarchy. The secret of his sartorial success? Kakkoii Mono, a vintage emporium in Bozeman, Montana that supplies the star with genuine vintage threads in mint condition which no one else is likely to turn up wearing at the same red carpet soirée. Of course much of the credit is due to his skillful stylist Samantha McMillen who is notified the minute KM founder Ellen Flanz turns up anything worthy of Depp's attention on one of her extensive buying sorties.

"Sourcing quality vintage is both labor-intensive and a labor of love," Flanz notes," and finding exceptional menswear is a challenge that I adore." Kakkoii Mono, which means "cool things" in Japanese, has just launched a new website so ordinary folk can get a bit of Depp's sprezzatura right from home, and now boasts the best collection of men's vintage clothing and accessories available anywhere online. The well-curated selection of men's suits is particularly impressive; Leonard Cohen, Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Dempsey are also big fans. Of course, KM stocks women's items as well, including many highly collectible pieces. Check it all out at kakkoiimono.com.

Tags: Johnny Depp, JohnnyDepp, Kakkoii Mono, KakkoiiMono, vintage, vintage clothing, VintageClothing

This Weekend's La Jolla Motor Car Classic features Rita Hayworth's Cadillac

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

As if you needed another reason to go to the beach, or another reason to go the beach in La Jolla, this weekend provides: La Jolla Cove will again host this weekend's La Jolla Motor Car Classic. And while the gathering will be doing its best to honor the works of the hands of some guy by the name of Carroll Shelby (yes, that one), it the honor accorded to Rita Hayworth that you might truly be interested in.

Or at least, that of her Cadillac. Understandably taken with the charms of Lady H, Prince Ali Khan bought her a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe that was custom built by Carrozzeria Ghia. There are only two of them in the world, and only one of them was owned by the woman who helped Tim Robbins swim through a mile of you-know-what (hint: Shawshank). And yes, it's purple.

There will be other cars there from other lands so you can get your vintage on – British, Italian, German marques, horseless carriages, vintage motorcycles, et al. And there's always that Shelby guy. But come now, we all know that you go for Rita, and stay for the rest. The show begins Sunday, January 10th, at 9:00 a.m.

Source

Tags: la jolla, la jolla motor car classic, LaJolla, LaJollaMotorCarClassic, rita hayworth, RitaHayworth, vintage, vintage cars, VintageCars

Montblanc Collection Villeret Vintage 1858 Chronographe Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is a peek at one of the new Montblanc watches due for release in a couple of weeks in Geneva. For 2010 comes the Montblanc Collection Villeret Vintage 1858 Chronographe Watch. A distinct homage to retro chronograph watches that exhibited the characteristic spiral or "snail shell" tachymetre scale. This was often done to allow for a telemeter scale to be placed on the periphery of the ring - two measuring devices so vintage themselves that most people have no idea how to use them or what they are to be used for. But who cares, they look pretty cool.

Dials should be more than lovely to look at being in a high-quality enamel that typically makes the numerals and scales pop in a crisp and colorful manner. Montblanc of course added their characteristic font for the Arabic hour markers. The hands are in blued steel. Inside the watch is a retro Minerva caliber 16-29 manually would column wheel chronograph movement. Note that the 30 minute chronograph is a monopusher operated via a pusher in the crown. Montblanc owns Minerva. There are two versions of the limited edition of 116 pieces watch - both are in large for the style 43.5mm wide cases. Half of them in 18k red gold (with brown alligator straps) and the other half in 18k white gold (with black alligator straps).

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

Tags: 1858, 2010, chrongraphe, chronograph, collection, limited edition, LimitedEdition, montblanc, sihh, villeret, vintage, watch

Gooding & Co Adds Another Day to Next Month's Barrett-Jackson Auction

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Gooding's regular yearly auction during Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale will take place January 23. Next year, though, Gooding will hold an additional auction the day before and it will be moving some delightful machinery. If you can't wait for Saturday's spoils, which include a 1959 Ferrari Series 1 Pininfarina Cabriolet, a Zagato-bodied 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport, and a 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, then you might find something you like among the Friday collection specialities:

1934 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe, Chassis No. 2490, Engine No. J-461:
The only Murphy-bodied Convertible Coupe in existence with rear-mounted spares, J-461 is renowned for its many concours awards including a Best in Class at the 1986 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, a First Place at the 1987 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance and its coveted Category One standing with the ACD Club. First owned by Sigfried Roebling, of the famed Brooklyn Bridge family, this magnificent Duesenberg possesses an impressive lineage from new.

1927 Bentley 6 1/2-Litre Sport Coupe, Chassis TW2713:
With coachwork by the Surbiton Carriage Company, this low-windshield, fabric-bodied 6 1/2-litre coupe bodied Bentley was first delivered to England-based S.E. Parkes in April 1927. After many years at the Manx Motor Museum on the Isle of Man, TW2713 was shipped to America in the 1980s in original, near-perfect condition. Now after 20 years of healthy driving by previous owners, the fully-restored 6 1/2-litre Coupe is a rarity even among its prestigious vintage peers, having retained its original "Surbico" body and unique elegant design.

1959 Costin Lister Jaguar Sports Racer, Chassis BHL 123:
Arguably the most historically important of the entire run of Lister sports cars, BHL 123 is one of only two Jaguar-powered Costin-Listers built following a factory fire at Jaguar Works in 1957. Originally purchased by legendary American sportsman, race car driver and manufacturer Briggs Cunningham, the Sports Racer earned its place in motorsport history when it captured the 1959 SCCA C-Modified National Championship. After many years of podium finishes, BHL 123 is a fully-restored and acclaimed vintage racer.

If any of those speak to you, have your bidding hand ready on January 22, 11 a.m., across the way from Scottsdale's Fashion Square Mall.

Gallery: Gooding & Co Friday Auction at 2010 Barrett-Jackson

[Source: Gooding & Co | Images: Pawel Litwinski]

Source

Tags: auction, barrett-jackson, barrett-jackson 2010, Barrett-jackson2010, Gooding and Company, gooding co, gooding company, GoodingAndCompany, GoodingCo, GoodingCompany, scottsdale, vintage, wheels

Zenith Vintage 55 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As predicted, here is yet another "vintage" watch model from a popular Swiss luxury watch brand (that is coincidentally French owned). Zenith underwent new direction recently and this may be one of the first models to stem from that change. There are high hopes for the brand that was for the last few years making interesting, but unbuyable watches that lacked soul or clear purpose.

This new model is certainly a change, but I don't think it is for the better. the Zenith Vintage 55 watch has all the right things in the right places but nevertheless feels uninspired. There are better options with a very similar design from brands such as Chopard, Union Glashutte, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and others. The Vintage 55 simply lacks the character that people are looking for when buying a new watch meant to evoke feelings of some amorphous "retro past." At least it is somewhat trendy with a now "in" vintage look and brown dial.

The watch is in a 40mm wide 18k rose gold case with matching hands and hour markers. A tasteful subsidiary seconds dial and dauphine hands meld logically with the arrow hour markers that have one of the watch's only unique features - center "cuts" in the indexes. A single Arabic numeral is used for 12 o'clock to orient the dial. Likely the most enticing aspect of the Vintage 55 watch is the Zenith caliber 689 automatic (with 22k gold rotor) in-house made movement that is very thin at just 4mm thick and is COSC chronometer certified. Unless the price for the Zenith Vintage 55 watch is particularly inviting, I just don't see what makes the watch differ from the competition unless you are a "Zenith only" person. As one more possible incentive (or realization on Zenith's behalf), the watch will be as a limited edition of 100 pieces.

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

Tags: 55, brown, chronometer, limited edition, LimitedEdition, rose gold, RoseGold, Vintage, watch, Zenith

The Ultimate Resource for Vintage Hermes Scarves

by Deb West (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags

While the economic slump may still be in full bloom, and some people are rushing to invest in gold, others are buying tangible assets of a different kind. Artcurial, a French based auction house and the only one to dedicate two sales annually to the Hermes label, recently pulled in over 1 million dollars during their latest sale held on November 10, 2009. Some items, including a Birkin bag sold for above the estimate and even the original retail price.

If you don't want to have to wait until spring and the next auction, Luxury-scarves.com has the most comprehensive collection of vintage Hermes scarves on the market. The site is the brain child of an antiques dealer, who began collecting the "carres" while scouring markets and secondhand shops for his other business. What began as a personal collection over ten years ago really has developed into an incredible resource for collectors and fashionistas alike.

There are plenty of dealers who collect and sell Hermes items. What makes this site so unique is not only the size and scope of the collection but the manner in which it is organized. One can search for a scarf based on name, color, size, condition, material or designer. Once a chosen item is located five different views of the scarf are shown along with its name, who designed it, when the scarf was first produced, subsequent reissues and available colorways and materials. The condition and any other point of reference, for example if the item has an "S" stamp is also noted. The price of the scarf is listed in both euros and dollars. There is in fact an on-line database of over 1,000 scarves with photos to be used for research and non-commercial purposes.

Should you desperately want a vintage Hermes bag to complement your scarf feel free to browse the sister site Luxury-shops.com which features all types of vintage designer items including several new and used Birkin bags ranging in price from $10,000 to over $50,000 for one made of matte alligator.

Gallery: Vintage Hermes Scarves

Tags: artcurial, auction, birkin, BirkinBag, hermes, hermes-birkin, scarf, scarves, vintage

Christie's Plans Website For Gucci Collectors

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Gucci collectors will soon have a new way to value and sell their objects. The NY Times reports that Christie's will be teaming up with Gucci on a new project to help Gucci fight online counterfeiting. A Gucci museum will open in Florence in 2011 and a website dedicated to evaluating Gucci goods will launch by the end of the year. The "Gucci Collector" site from Christie's, will include a section where people can upload vintage items and get an appraisal. Christie's and Gucci are both part of the luxury megagroup PPR. In addition to providing a service for collectors both the museum and the online website will help preserve the history of the brand. It may also help collectors research potential acquisitions and avoid getting taken in by counterfeits.

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Tags: gucci, handbags, vintage

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The wave of retro watches continues this year. Your favorite high luxury watch makers just keep em coming. If today's luxury watches aren't selling, maybe ones that look like yesterday's will? This is the new (but you thought it was old didn't you?) Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph is the next iteration of the 1966 watch style. It may say 1966, but 1945 telegramed and wants their watch back. Not that this is a bad thing, but that is mentally where I place this design. A neatly displayed bi-compax 30 minute chronograph with a overly intricate tachymeter that takes up seemingly most of the dial. Reminds me a bit of certain Patek Philippe Calatrava watches.

The watch case is in 18k pink or white gold and 40mm wide. This size seems to be the new de facto of new vintage styled watches from the haute luxury watch makers. Good news is that the movement is an automatic, the newer caliber GP030C0 in-house made Girard-Perregaux column wheel movement. Strap is alligator and done in that classic thin style. A nice looker but not likely a top choice for younger generation luxury watch buyers. The official announcement will be in January at SIHH.

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

Tags: 1966, 49539-53-151-BK6A, chronograph, girard-perregaux, vintage, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

The World's Best Collection of Vintage Luggage

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

We've written before about the allure of vintage luggage, expressing the glamour and decadence of a bygone era when journeying to a foreign land involved adventure, romance and style. While certain pieces do turn up at auction from time to time, the Germany-based Vintage Luggage Company has now amassed the world's greatest collection of classic travel items made by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Goyard, which they can have professionally crated and shipped worldwide. Among the prizes in their inventory are an amazing selection of bespoke trunks, including a 1920s Vuitton desk trunk which converts to a writing table complete with a typewriter. Another trunk from 1925 houses a full set of plates, cutlery and cooking equipment, each with its own bespoke leather case. Others contain a long evening's worth of champagne, a complete collection of hats, a portable library - pretty much anything you could wish for while on the road.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: Germany, Goyard, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, LouisVuitton, luggage, travel, trunk, vintage

Port Declares 2007 Vintage

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

It's been since 2005 (the 2003 vintage) since Portugal's Douro Valley declared a vintage port but Wine Spectator reports that the 2007 growing season's cool summer and sunny fall produced a superior product. The Port industry has made its biggest Vintage Port declaration. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto is in the process of approving 50 different wines. The 2007 Vintage Ports will be bottled in a few months and will be shipped to the trade this fall but futures are already being sold. Top names should sell for $65-$85 per bottle.

The declaring of a Port vintage may bring some attention back to the fortified wine which has been suffering declining numbers over the last few years. In February it was announced that Port exports had hit a five-year low. It's not the best time economically to declare a vintage but in the Wine Spectator article Paul Symington of the Symington Port Group compared the situation to the 1931 declaration saying that it is "mad to declare in the midst of a recession like this, but mad not to bottle such a lovely wine."

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Tags: douro valley, DouroValley, port, vintage, wine

The Classicist: The Timeless Luxury of Vintage Luggage

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Auctions, The Classicist

In a Classicist column last summer we reminisced about the the golden age of motoring when one would embark on an automobile journey with elegant picnic and cocktails cases carefully stowed in the boot of the car. On May 19th we'll get another glimpse into the bygone era of traveling in true style when Christie's London South Kensington branch auctions off an amazing selection of vintage Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Dunhill luggage. With the favorable exchange rates currently in effect it's an enticing opportunity to build a collection with lasting value, while truly timeless luxury items are more appealing than ever.

"Harking back to a golden age of travel, vintage luggage encapsulates the glamor and decadence of a bygone era when journeying to a foreign land involved adventure, romance and style," notes Christie's' Director of Textiles Pat Frost. "These exquisitely crafted pieces evoke a time when the journey was as important as the destination. With iconic names including Louis Vuitton, Dunhill and Hermes leading the field and remaining very collectible they not only functional but design objects in their own right."

Highlights of the sale include two cream colored canvas and leather suitcases by Hermès from the mid-20th century, monogrammed "APW", estimated at about $2,200 - $3,000; two fine black cases by Dunhill and T. Anthony, the first of black leather in semi-circular form with one fitted tray and gunmetal hardware, the second of black fabric with leather strapping, lined in moire with various pockets and gilt hardware, est. at about $1,200 - $1,500; and a monogram hard-side case and cover by Louis Vuitton (above) with a beautiful patina to the the leather handle, est. at about $900 - $1,200.

Gallery: Luxe Vintage Luggage