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
Author Archives: howtobeswell
Omega Co-Axial Advertisement-A Journey Through Time
Omega recently released a fantastic and visually striking advertisement for their Co-Axial movement. Proof positive they have thrown their full weight behind the movement. The coaxial movement replaces a typical lever type escapement with a revolutionary wheel design which Omega claims reduces friction, improves accuracy, extends the time between service intervals, and is more durable.
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Mad Men Marketing Part II- Banana Republic Mad Men Collection
Okay I admit it, I am a sucker. I love cross promotion, I fall for product placements, and believe brand ambassadors. There are literally hundreds of examples of great partnerships and cross promotions out there; The James Bond Omega, Breitling for Bently, and Ball for BMW. Product placement has been around since Thomas Edison and Moving Pictures, and Mad Men is a show that is built perfectly for and flawlessly executes good product placement. For seasons Five and Six, the “Mad Men” creators are going at the idea of cross promotion and going at it hard. I admit they have some great ideas and it has worked on me yet again. That’s why I am writing about it here; a two-part series on Mad Men Marketing.
Part 2: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection Continue reading
Mad Men Marketing Part I: The Limited Edition Jaeger LeCoultre
Okay I admit it, I am a sucker. I love cross promotion, I fall for product placements, and believe brand ambassadors. There are literally hundreds of examples of great partnerships and cross promotions out there; The James Bond Omega, Breitling for Bently, and Ball for BMW. Product placement has been around since Thomas Edison and Moving Pictures, and Mad Men is a show that is built perfectly for and flawlessly executes good product placement. For seasons Five and Six, the “Mad Men” creators are going at the idea of cross promotion and going at it hard. I admit they have some great ideas and it has worked on me yet again. That’s why I am writing about it here; a two-part series on Mad Men Marketing.
Part 1: The Limited Edition Jaeger LeCoultre Continue reading
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King
My first foray into the world of Rolex is the simple, yet wonderful watch loaded with history. I have been acquainted with many of the Rolex models, and I have a few favorites, I mean who wouldn’t love a Daytona, and I can’t ignore a Submariner with or without a date, but for my entrance into the world of Rolex I chose a simple model with a rich history. The air king has been a part of Rolex for what seems as long as Rolex has been a part of horology.
Milk and Sugar
Here is another great post from my friends at the Cordial Churchman. I read it this morning on the first day of spring and I wanted share it with my swell readers as well. This post is about the seersucker bow-tie, the perfect accoutrement for your spring wardrobe. If you haven’t checked out The Cordial Churchman yet, I urge you too now. They make beautiful bow ties and will even convert and re purpose some of your old neck ties for you. In a word they are Swell!
Since this week has quickly become seersucker week after selling more seersucker bow ties than we thought possible, I thought I’d share a little about this special fabric. Maybe I’m a geek, but I think it is pretty cool. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say:
Seersucker is a thin, puckered, all-cotton fabric, commonly striped or chequered, used to make clothing for spring and summer wear. The word came into English from Hindustani (Urdu and Hindi), which originates from the Persian words “shir o shekar”, meaning “milk and sugar”, probably from the resemblance of its smooth and rough stripes to the smooth texture of milk and the bumpy texture of sugar.
During the British colonial period, seersucker was a popular material in Britain’s warm weather colonies like British India. When Seersucker was first introduced in the United States, it was used for a broad array of clothing items. For suits, the…
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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
Alabama Shakes
Here is some ear candy for you. I have discovered a relatively new band on the airwaves and they sure satisfy my sweet tooth for good music. They are called Alabama Shakes, I heard their single on the radio and did some searching and the entire album is fantastic. You want something different and new then listen up. Theirs is a great update on a vintage cool sound. Continue reading
Rolex Deepsea Challenge
Great and wonderous things happen when worlds of technology and exploration collide in pursuit of a common ambition. The catalyst of exploration has spurred technology many times in the past, and technological advances have paved the way for some fantastic voyages in history. This wonderous ballet has provided man glimpses of the most magnificent views on earth and in space, as well as some of the most complicated and ingenious gadgets you have ever laid eyes on. You will soon be able to see, on the National Geographic Channel, one such history making adventure. Continue reading
Baume et Mercier Capeland Flyback Chronograph
One year ago I shared my first post on my own Baume et Mercier Capeland, so I thought it proper for the one year anniversary of How to be Swell I would again write about a Baume Mercier Capeland, only this time one that unfortunately isn’t in my personal collection. The Capeland flyback chronograph was part of their re design the year before last. The flyback is at the top of the Capeland series that was redesigned to a more classic shape and dial design harkening back to the gilded age of horology. Baume & Mercier describes it as: The sport-chic Capeland epitomizes a relaxed lifestyle and strength of character. This charismatic series resolutely embodies shapes, colors and authentic functions that uniquely represent the brand’s universe of seaside living at its best.
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How to be Swell 