Evolution of Motorcycle Fashion infographic

Hands-On With Three Of The Absolute Rarest Vintage Rolex Chronographs, Ever: The 4113 Split-Seconds, The Hermes Paul Newman, And The Zerographe
Basel World 2013 begins later this week. Will and I are already on the #roadtobasel, and both Stephen and Blake are packing their bags as we speak. What the arrival of Basel means is just an overwhelming amount of new releases coming your way. It's like Christmas for watch lovers. But, it also means you won't be hearing about the odd and interesting old watch, something that we love so much. So, before we go hard for a full week of the latest and greatest, here is a chance to see three amazing old watches - arguably three of the rarest vintage Rolex chronographs you will ever see. Read on for a detailed look at Rolex reference 4113 - massive, hyper rare chronograph built in the 1940s and the only split-seconds chronograph Rolex ever made (also the only Rolex to ever break $1 million at auction), the only known example of a Paul Newman Daytona retailed (and signed!) by Hermes, and a strange, but massively important Mono-pusher called the Zerographe, that was actually Rolex's first in-house chrono, and the first Rolex with a rotating bezel. No, we are not kidding around in this one, folks.

The Monoposto is produced in a Limited Edition of 500 pieces, with 250 Black dials and 250 silver dials. Each piece is individually numbered and lavishly presented in a numbered collector's box.

The Monoposto -- literally meaning "single seat" -- was created to recall a simpler era of Grand Prix racing, when the only information the driver had was contained in a few oversized dials and in the seat of his pants.

In this golden age, things were a little less mathematical than today. Since there were no rev limiters or electronic aids to keep the driver from blowing up his engine, well intentioned mechanics would commonly apply a strip of red tape, or a line of red paint on the glass of the rev counter to make sure the driver knew his engine’s limit at a glance. Autodromo pays homage to this humble practice with our own red line crystal.

The full grain, hand crafted Italian leather strap and polished roller buckle are inspired by the hood straps that would keep the car's bonnet in place at high speeds.

Brown Straps available. $875.

Individually Numbered Limited Edition of 500 pieces
Japan Made Miyota 821A Automatic Movement
Calendar Complication
Polished Stainless Steel Case with Exhibition Caseback
Custom Domed KI Glass front crystal With Sapphire Coating
Water Resistant To 30 Meters (3 ATM)
Hand Made Full grain leather strap
Case Diameter - 43mm
Case Thickness - 10mm
Strap - 20mm Width

Why have fitted luggage when luggage that fits does the job, plus they perform equally well outside the trunk.

"The Piranha Cuff™ is a truly unique design. Using 100% reclaimed car leather and lined with fine fabrics, fluff, or silk brocade.
A functional alternative to your old-fashioned wallet." source: http://platinumdirt.com/products/piranha-cuffs/

Manettino two-color screen print T shirt of Ferrari steering wheel. 25 Sterling.

A selection of nifty rings, take your pick! Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes, Audi.

Added Lightness T-shirt. Colin Chapman of Lotus was a pioneering innovator in Formula One. The revolutionary Lotus 49 was the first F1 car to feature the engine as a stressed member of the car – a typical example of his philosophy of 'Added Lightness'. From www.slickattire.com

August issue Vogue magazine 1956. Wearing a golden-brown leather jacket with a velvet collar with brown wool flannel driving pants, by Evan-Piccone.

Frye driving mocs, $148.00

LOOK OUT PEOPLE! (why didn't anyone tell me these old cars don't have power brakes or steering?!)

Schott leather jackets date back to the early 1900s. Many celebs including James Dean wore Schott.

Moreschi Monza Driving Gloves $395. Driving gloves have four identifying characteristics; leather construction, holes at the knuckles, snap wrist closures and ownership by drivers who believe 150 km/h is a moderate pace! Driving glove owners are most certainly automobile aficionados who, as an example, will wax poetic about the Ferrari 250 GT SWB as the last true GT and discuss Pininfarina styling with such passion you would be forgiven the belief that such discourse could supplant their need for Viagra, if only their wife loved cars.

As they say, if you don’t know the past, you don’t know the present and therefore the future. Driving gloves were originally conceived to counter unreliable heaters, ungraspable steering wheels and adrenaline fueled sweaty palms. While these may have been problems in classic automobiles, two of these issues have gone the way of the dodo, while the third has been relegated to first dates, interviews and hedge fund audits. Despite technological advances inside the car, social progression of vehicular couture is slower and as such there remains a place in every enthusiast’s wardrobe for Moreschi Monza driving gloves.

To make friends, focus on the the crux of the driving glove debate, color choice. This is where you can put yourself in the social driver’s seat. The rich can spend hours discussing the merits of aligning glove color with the interior appointments of their Bugatti Veyron versus matching to their Loro Piana jacket and Zegna trousers. This high brow debate will be spirited and if you want to blow their minds ask why one would stray from a single pair as performance favors consistency. You will receive a hearty “hear hear!” and the altercation will conclude with a gentleman’s agreement to disagree. The lesser B-type of the group, likely nicknamed “Big Pussy” since boarding school, will offer to buy a conciliatory round of 40-year old Macallans and you will be discussing summer homes in Montauk and the merits of live-in nannies faster than you can say Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction!

Porsche fashion for the road.

Biker fashion from a class photo session.

I just love this early advertisement for Longines watches, from the typeface to the careful assortment of killer timepieces. Like good shoes, a fine watch speaks volumes about the individual. ll