Here is an interesting post on gentlemen’s jewelry I “borrowed” it from my Alma Mater, the Gemological Institute of America. The text is theirs, but the photos are mine. You may have seen one or two of these photos in my post called Real Men Wear Pearls. I wanted to share this with my readers so I am re-blogging it here, because as with all things GIA, it is totally swell. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Jewelry
How to Buy an Enagement Ring
You’ve been courting this girl for some time now, and things have progressed to the point where you know what is next… She has probably looking at you with arms folded and tapping her foot in anticipation for some months now. Uh Oh what do you do?! You have been wanting to buy her a ring and make her an honest woman, but where on earth do you begin? Being a Gemologist, I can’t believe it took me this long to post about this. Continuing the Every Swell man should learn series, here it is all you swell gents, a crash course in buying an engagement ring. Now, put on some antiperspirant, and wipe the sweat from your brow, it can be complicated, but I will help you through it. Continue reading
The Cartier Roadster
This may not be a new and exciting timepiece for everyone, but for me it is an all time favorite, that I have yet to write about. The Cartier Roadster had been a “Holy Grail” watch for me for a long time. You know the type, that piece that you would want to acquire using any means necessary, but has always been just out of reach. Rest assured my crusade was not in vain, I’ve made my conquest and this watch rests in my personal collection. I didn’t consider this to be a grail watch because of some technical prowess, or revolutionary complication, the feeling was purely about style and design. Being the car aficionado that I am, when I first laid eyes on this watch and understood its nuances, I was captivated. I knew that I would have to have this object of beauty. It was unmistakably the most interesting watch that I had ever seen.
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Chopard and the Mille Miglia….II
This is the second of a two-part piece about the storied Mille Miglia Race- the exhibition of speed and machinery, the most important auto-cross event in the world, and the Chopard watch that bears its name.
Part 2:
The Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph. Chopard is a Swiss-based luxury watch, jewelry, and Accessories Company founded in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard. Chopard initially concentrated on developing precision pocket watches and chronometers. Chopard is regarded as a manufacture, in other words that they make many of their watches and movements in-house rather than using the base movements (ebauches) of other manufacturers.
Don Draper’s Omega Watch
After five seasons now, many watch enthusiasts have been wringing their hands in anticipation for a good enough glimpse of Don Draper”s wrist. We have all wanted to see what watch this 60s leader in style has chosen to wear. Well, all of our patients paid off, and last night (Season 5 , Episode 6) we were rewarded. In a scene where Don was waiting for his wife, he took a nice long look at his watch. In what I am sure was a product placement for Omega, we had a unobstructed view of a beautiful early 60′s omega seamaster with a cross hair dial. A gorgeous watch in gold over stainless steel on a black leather strap.
When I saw the camera pan across the watch I paused the screen and admired it for a moment. Then I did some searching on the Omega Vintage database and discovered what I believe is the correct model. The cross hair is not a common model so it was easier to distinguish against other watches of that vintage. I believe this piece is a Seamaster De Ville reference number 166.0020, it is an automatic with the 24 jewel caliber 565. This is a beautiful example of an Omega as the brand was becoming one of the top quality manufacturers in the world. 
You can still find this watch and similar models online, if you are looking for that vintage look. Sites such as Ebay list many for under $1000. Know what you’re looking for, use the Omega database if you want to be sure of what you’re getting. When you find just the right one, just like Don Draper and his Seamaster cross hair, you’re going to look swell.
Real Men Wear Pearls
Okay, before I begin, I have to say I LOVE PEARLS, and Real Men do wear Pearls. Now I am not talking about your grandmother’s nice white strands. I am talking about masculine, funky (yes funky), cool, eye-grabbing, and trendy styles.
Steven Tyler wearing Pearls
The other week, I saw a great validation of my belief that men do wear pearls, and make them cool. On American Idol in San Diego, judge Steven Tyler of Aerosmith had on a fantastic leather and pearl necklace with nice big Tahitian pearls.Steven Tyler is a rock icon, so admittedly he can pull off a lot, but, he is also quit the stylish guy. So I have to think if he can wear something hip like a black pearl strand , well then you can too. Weather a rock star or an average Joe, they look great. I have seen them more and more lately in the media and in jewelry, check out what Andre 3000 is wearing in the new Gillette commercial.
