Dior VIII Watch

While Dior probably doesnt like people saying it, the design of watches like this VIII watch are probably more than likely inspired by the Chanel J12. Both are mostly ceramic, but Dior tends to prefer a more avant garde twist to their watches. The VIII is actually incredibly straight forward in its design and execution.

The name of the watch as well the number of letters that make up the name of the watch is 8, though done in Roman numerals. Eight is a very lucky number in Asia, and likely the reason for the name of the watch. How do I know this? Because watch brands attempt to include the number 8 whenever possible in watches that may be marketed in Asia. That is fine, but here in the Western world we are a bit eighted out. For instance, the watch dial would be much better in my opinion if the VIII was removed in favor of a more simple hour indicator. Still, at the same time Dior does happen to have some uncanny connection to the number 8, so there are some other fun reasons for the name of the watch aside from pleasing Asian customers.

The attractive looking case comes in two sizes, 38mm and 33mm wide. While some men will certainly be able to pull off this look, I would say Dior can count on mostly female wearers for this piece. There are about 8 versions of the watch (of course), with both 33mm and 38mm wide sizes coming without and with various levels of diamond decoration. There are also options for quartz or mechanical movements. The steel and ceramic cases use unique pyramid shaped ceramic blocks that give the watch that unique Dior look. This is especially true on the dial, and help the VIII concept looks especially edgy. Over all a good collection from Dior that will add a little zest to the world of  Chanel J12 love.

 

 

Ten more new straps from Simona di Stefano

I’ve posted several times before about Simona di Stefano’s Panerai straps. The last post in February this year was about her new and amazing Saddle straps. These have absolutely been my favorites ever since, I own a black 24mm version for my 243 and a 26mm one for my Fiddy. I’ve been wearing the one on my 243 a lot and I’m happy to say that the quality absolutely lives up to my expectations as it still looks great and it shows only minimal signs of wear. I think it’s worth mentioning that the Saddle straps are now also available with screw-in buckles so that you can easily order the straps with a buckle finish of your choice – including black and brown PVD!

New Di Stefano Straps

This time Simona sent me a number of her other new creations. I’m starting with the Gamekeeper straps. The below photo shows the standard (brown) version on the left and the mustard version on the right.

Simona di Stefano Gamekeeper straps

The Gamekeeper strap has great looking and unique texture. The leather is exceptionally comfortable. As always, the quality of these straps is just great. The straps are clearly made with great eye for detail. The photo below shows the Mustard Gamekeeper strap on a Panerai PAM360. I like how the color matches with the color of the indices on the dial of this watch. I received this strap with a black PVD buckle but it can of course be ordered with other buckles as well.

The Mustard Gamekeeper strap on a Panerai PAM360

The standard version of the Gamekeeper is brown with beige stitches. If you own a Simona strap yourself, you’ll probably notice that the strap in these pictures has a new style screw-in buckle.

Shown here on a Panerai PAM00002 (2A)

Simona di Stefano Gamekeeper

Next up are two alligator straps, a burgundy strap in 24mm and a light gray gator strap in 26mm for 47mm Panerai watches.

Burgundy and light gray alligator straps

The inside of the straps have the Simona di Stefano Firenze logo embossed. I own several alligator straps that I bought from Simona over the years and I still believe that no one makes better alligator straps. In my opinion, her gators have the perfect balance between formal and casual looking straps, especially the cut edge versions.

The company logo on the inside of the straps

Below are a few photos of the light gray gator strap mounted on a Panerai PAM127 aka Fiddy. The sample in these pictures came with a bent brushed steel buckle.

Light gray gator on a Panerai PAM127

The edges are so-called “cut edges” as opposed to rolled edges. Gator straps with rolled edges are generally a bit more expensive because it requires more work and more hide, but I personally prefer the cut edges.

This version came with a bent brushed steel buckle

Gator straps come in many varieties and with different finishes. The light gray gator has a semi gloss finish.

The strap has a great semi gloss finish

The next strap is called Mosaic. The leather of these straps is truly amazing, very supple and comfortable on the wrist with a great texture. The picture below shows two different Mosaic straps, the one on the left is called Mosaic Gold and the one next to it is called Mosaic Stone. If you scroll down you’ll see that there’s also a version called Mosaic Plum and another one which is called Mosaic Blue.

The Mosaic Gold (L) and the Mosaic Stone

The Mosaic Gold is my favorite of the straps in this post. I just love how it looks on the PAM360. Perfect. Like the other straps, you can order these with any buckle in any finish – screw in or sewn in.

Mosaic Gold on a Panerai PAM360

Mosaic Gold with a PVD buckle

Here’s a last picture of the Mosaic Gold on the PAM360.

Mosaic Gold – my personal favorite

The strap on the PAM233 below is yet another version of the Mosaic strap, it’s called Mosaic Plum.

Mosaic Plum on a Panerai PAM233

Mosaic Plum with a brushed steel buckle

The Mosaic Stone has a very nice light color, one that you don’t see often. Great for Summer.

The Mosaic Stone shown here on the PAM360

Mosaic Stone – click the photos for a larger version

The last Mosaic strap in this post in the blue version shown below. If I still had my PAM252 North Pole – with its blue dial, I would have definitely wanted to buy this strap. I can imagine that it will also make a great combination with a PAM87.

The Mosaic strap in blue

Hand stitched straps

The last two top quality straps in this post are hand stitched straps. The one showing in the first picture is called Rooster Cogburn – True Grit and the second one is called Polar Expedition.

I haven’t taken any pictures of these straps mounted on a watch, but I think that the photos clearly show the amazing quality of the leather. The one below is actually the softest strap of all the straps in this post.

Rooster Cogburn – True Grit

The final photo shows the new Polar Expedition strap. The one shown below is 26mm – for 47mm Panerai watches. Like the strap above, this is a hand stitched strap made from the best quality leather.

Polar Expedition strap

There are a few more photos available on .

You can order Simona’s straps from her new website . Most straps are ready made and available immediately. The hand stitched straps are limited.

D.Efect S/S 2012 Collection

Baltic brand D.Efect has been around since 2009 and has come a long way since then. With a mission of trying to achieve the “effect of the defect” they create garments that take conventional ideas of dress and apply assymetric or deconstructive formulas to get really beautifully constructed and unique pieces. Though brands focus remains in outerwear, the have managed to introduce full looks that give a really well rounded idea of the brands aesthetic. I really love the palette they worked with for SS 2012, it is the palette I am working with this summer for my personal wardrobe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.Efect is currently only available within Europe. You can find it in the UK, France, Scandinavian Countries, Switzerland, Ireland, Russia.

Visit D.Efect Online

Jessica Alba is very pregnant in some very tall shoes

Ive never been pregnant, which is probably a net win for both me and society at large, but I would imagine that being really pregnant would throw off your sense of balance. When you add a flowing dress and massive platform sandals to the equation, Id probably fall flat on my face before I even go outside of my house. Its to Jessica Albas credit that she has yet to topple over.

And although her choice of footwear for such a physically demanding phase of her pregnancy worries me (although, lets face it, we know she can pull it off), Im right on board with her choice of dress and handbag. A flowing maxi like her patterned yellow number from Tibi is the perfect choice when you want to be comfortable by dont want to wear maternity clothes, and although Id prefer it with a wedge or flat sandal, I dont think the shoe detracts from the dress too much. My endorsement of her Gerard Darel Woodstock 24 Hours Straw Tote, however, isnt quite as enthusiastic. Although its cute and season-appropriate, its not the greatest summer bag Ive ever seen.