walnut

Cartier Roadster XL Watch In Gold & Walnut Aging Well

How is a classic born? It needs to look good from birth and then age nicely overtime retaining its reputation for having good looks. A classic thus, must survive the test of time. In the watch world, there are instant classics, ones discovered over decades, and those still memorable after just a few years in existence given the many luxury models they must compete with. So I look at this special Cartier Roadster XL in 18k pink gold that was announced in 2008 (also arrived in 18k white gold). Two years in the luxury watch world can be a long time for an "experimental" model, and most of them end up looking silly just a year after being released. Not here. What was different about this Roadster? Certainly not the fact that it is a Roadster, but rather the use of polished and lacquered walnut wood. A design taken from roadster cars, the combo of Cartier and wood is gorgeous. Use of wood isn't reserved for classic roadster cars, but other luxury automobiles, as well as watches from time to time. Most other watches that use wood do so in the case, and as a nod to boats, not cars. Cartier mixed wood with gold so well, this piece certainly qualifies as a classic.

Beautifully grained walnut is used as the dial, as well as center links in the gold bracelet. According to Cartier, the wood links in the bracelet are so well treated and coated, they are totally water resistant. The dial is printed to be extremely legible, just like in standard Roadster fashion. Technically, there isn't too much special in the watch, just an ETA Swiss automatic movement (likely a 2892). Though the Cartier name on this impressive watch makes for a solid (gold) timepiece. Quite possibly the best watch to wear while spending time in your Rolls Royce or Bentley with a matching wood interior. Pricey at about $40,000. Also limited to 250 pieces (I believe). Click on "READ MORE" below for additional images. By the way, this piece was molested by me at the San Francisco Cartier boutique store.

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

Tags: Cartier, gold, limited edition, Roadster, timepiece, walnut, watch, XL

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Union Jack Collection from Viscount David Linley

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Decor, Men's Style

The latest design from bespoke cabinetmaker (and nephew of the Queen of England) Viscount David Linley is a line of elegant accessories featuring an inlaid Union Jack motif. Consisting of a humidor, jewelry box, tea caddy, cufflink box, and large and small picture frames, the exquisite and extremely British pieces pieces are finished in walnut with the flag artfully rendered in a marquetry of burr oak, burr walnut and ripple sycamore. Like Linley himself, the Union Jack boasts a royal lineage; the flag originated in 1606 after King James I of England was crowned, uniting the kingdoms of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The humidor, for about $2,000, is lined with Spanish cedar wood and has a built-in humidifier and hydrometer to preserve cigars. The jewelry box, for about $1,800, is lockable and lined in red faux suede with a compartmentalized, removable tray. The tea caddy, for about $1,000, is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces, and comes complete with a supply of Fortnum & Mason Royal Blend loose leaf tea. The cufflink box, for about $650, is lined in beige faux suede. The picture frames come in a large and small size for about $440 and $400.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: bespoke, British royalty, David Linley, England, Fortnum Mason, humidor, jewelry, Queen of England, tea, UK, Union Jack, Viscount Linley, walnut, wood

Wud Bookcase

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Shelving units do not normally take center stage in any room. In offices, the focus is on the desk and even in libraries, the focus is on the books, not the bookcases. This compartmentalized bookcase, designed and manufactured by Wud, deserves to be at the center of attention. It looks a bit like a Tetris construction, although the way that it is sectioned makes it extremely useful for storing many things, in addition to books. The unit has a drop-down desk, two large filing cabinets and several closed cabinets. It can be made of cherry, maple or walnut and measures 94"l x 22" x 96". Price: $8,500.

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Tags: bookcase, bookshelf, cherry, hardwood, library, office, walnut, wud

Seniora Fork Chair

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Ignacio Ruiz Gutierrez H. is only 20 years old and already seems to be heading towards something great if his fans are to be believed. His works show a lot of creativity and have a smoothness to them that makes each piece very pleasing to the eye. The Seniora Fork Chair is one that would make a fantastic set of dinner chairs, though the design does not yet seem to be available for that purpose as of yet. The chair is made of wood and is, essentially, a giant curved fork. It took 3rd place at the 2006 Andreu World International Design Competition, so as the designer gains recognition, we should start to see more of his works available for purchase.

[via Popgadget]

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Tags: chair, chairs, dinner, dinner table, fork, forks, walnut

Bentley Humidor

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The Bentley Collection has many beautiful pieces in it, built to the exacting standards that most associate with the brand, and their Bentley Humidor is exceptional. The handmade humidor has a solid walnut body, with walnut veneer and ebony beading. All the accents, including the lock plates and even the hinges are silver and it is equipped with the 'Credo' humidifier and hydrometer to maintain the ideal environment for your cigars. Price: £3,617.02 ($6,780).