Category Archives: What to see

Swell Film and Television and Exhibitions

Top Ten Watches of Historical Significance

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I was searching on the internet the other day, stopping at my usual haunts and watch blogs. I was reading all of these great stories of watch histories and it struck me, where can I find the top watches that have really made a mark in history? I did a quick search and I didn’t find any satisfying list compiled, so I took it upon myself to do it.

Here it is; the first thing you’ll notice is that there are more than ten here. Well I took some liberties, and I can, because its my list. I wanted to choose pieces that made an impact, that was he first at something, or contributed something to its legend. I didn’t want to base it on popularity, although the two #10 watches kind of are. Continue reading →

Chopard and the Mille Miglia….II

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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.

 

Continue reading →

Chopard and The Mille Miglia

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This post is a two-part piece About the storied Mille Miglia Race, and the Historic watchmaker Chopard- the world sponsor and the official timekeeper of Mille Miglia since 1988.

Part 1:

 

Today is the finish of The mille Miglia, It is Italy’s historic 1,000-mile race which was run annually from Brescia to Rome and back, from 1927 through 1940, and from 1947 through 1957. Hundreds of drivers,and cars have traversed this course, in its day it was the measure of a man and a showcase for a car manufacturer. It was a stage for showing off a drivers prowess, and the beauty and technology of a machine he was piloting.  This year is the 35th that the Mille will be run as a vintage racing event. There are a number of automakers whose classic models participated in the original event who have entered vehicles to relive former glories. Continue reading →

Take a Kid to a Car Show

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The spring weather is here, and where I live it has been for a while. What that means for people like myself, car enthusiasts, there will be plenty of swell events to see throughout the summer. I am talking about classic car shows. I can not think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than strolling through a lush green park, admiring all the beautiful machines of days gone by. I own a classic car and, I love to spend the day with my family and other car enthusiasts, all the while admiring each others cars. Car shows are fun, family events that any one can enjoy, and range from small neighborhood celebrations to full-fledged invitation only extravaganzas of elegance and machinery. One of my favorites is a well known event in the mid- Continue reading →

Don Draper’s Omega Watch

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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.

Dick Clark

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I wouldn’t normally post like this, but I saw this news today and I had to share. Dick Clark was a class act, an icon in music and television. He was the long-running host of the shows  ‘American Bandstand’ and ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ which brought rock and roll music into many people’s homes for the first time. He has launched and promoted the careers of myriads of artists in his years in the industry.

Long dubbed “the world’s oldest teenager” because of his boyish appearance, he was still relevant to people all ages well into his advanced years. Born Nov. 30, 1929 in Mount Vernon, N.Y., Clark began his long music business career at age 17 as a radio announcer. He went on to become the host of ‘American Bandstand’ from 1956 to 1989. In 1993 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A stroke in 2004 left Clark unable to host ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ for the first time in 32 years, he returned in a co-hosting role the subsequent year and every year following. On April 18th he has died of a “massive heart attack” at age 82. Clark leaves behind his wife, Kari Wington, a son, Richard Augustus II, with first wife Barbara Mallery and two children, Duane and Cindy, with second wife Loretta Martin. Dick Clark certainly knew how to be swell.

Empire of One

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This is one of the greatest bands on the rock scene that I have heard in quite a long time. Empire of One is a California-based band with a smooth, fresh, rock sound. I listen to their song “Roam” and imagine myself on a warm evening cruising up the 101 in a drop-top, staring at the ocean with no particular place to go. They have a mellow contemporary sound with some great hooks that will stick with you and you’ll never tire of. They are steeped in the alternative rock genre and definitely have a west coast, almost Seattle sound, but they are much better than whats been coming out of that area lately.

The band has performed and written together for less than a year, yet seem to have a kinship that has lasted a lifetime. They call it a brotherhood, separated at birth. All of the members come from a diverse musical backgrounds. The lead singer is Wil Seabrook, a veteran of indie and major label deals has a long history in the industry. Luke Thomas on guitar and vocals has written and recorded solo and with a number of groups as a session artist, and also is a music instructor. Darwin Johnson on bass & vocals studied at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles. Alexander E. Gonzalez on drums is also president, musical director and producer at G-Man Musical Services. Wil describes the band this way “With this group of guys I’m spending time with some of my best friends who also happen to be the most talented musicians I know”, and you can hear it in their music.

Empire of one plays all over California, and hopefully more places than that soon. Right now you’ll often find them at Witzend in Venice, CA. For other show dates look here. Of course if you’re not in the So-Cal area you can find their EP on iTunes. They are continuing to write new music and perform, and I for one am looking forward to what els they have to delight our ears. Of course in the interest of full disclosure one of the band mates is a close personal friend of mine, so all the more reason to support this band. So, go now and check out Empire of One, because dude, they are swell.

Roger Waters-The Wall Tour

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Pink Floyd is arguably the most commercially successful and influential rock music groups of all time. They have sold over 230 million albums worldwide, including 74.5 million in the United States, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Founded in 1965, Pink Floyd originally consisted of students Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and Syd Barrett. The band began by playing in London’s underground music scene in the late 1960s. Under Barrett they released two singles, “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play”, and a successful début album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Guitarist and vocalist David Continue reading →

Zou Bisou, Bisou-Jessica Pare

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Mad Men had their season premier Sunday night, and it was quite entertaining. The styles were cool, the martinis were flowing, and the look was spot on. Something grabbed my attention during this episode that was quite cool. The producers, capitalizing on a catchy French pop tune, had Jessica Pare sing the song  “Zou Bisou, Bisou”. Jessica plays Megan Draper, the main character, Don Draper’s, wife. For his 40th birthday she sang and danced for him at his surprise party:

“Zou Bisou Bisou,” which roughly means “Oh, kiss, kiss” in French. It was originally recorded by Gillian Hills, a teen pop star from 1960’s France. There’s also an English version, sung by Sophia Loren for the movie “The Millionairess.” The production company for Mad Men, announced Monday that it has released Pare’s version of the song on iTunes, with a special limited edition vinyl to be sold here. With the season premier, Matthew Weiner nailed it. He chose a song to capture the flavor of what’s going on at that period in the 60’s, and as you pan around the room in the party scene there are some swell dressed characters as well. I will say it again, Mad Men is worth a viewing, and no one can argue, if you were serenaded with that song by your sultry wife, that sure would be swell.

Mad Men Season 5

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Don Draper

If you think that Donald Draper is a swell dressed guy, then you have Janie Bryant to thank. Janie is the costume designer for award-winning show, Mad Men. Takes place in the mid 1960’s the show follows the lives and goings on of a team of Madison Avenue advertising execs. This show has been on an extended break giving its fans ample time to build up excitement for season 5 beginning on March 25th on AMC at 8pm central time. The writers and designers have done a fantastic job of recreating that vintage feel in the show. There are incredible sets and costumes for the show all through out. The story is pretty captivating, even though I am not promoting the behavior of some of these characters (how not to be swell). It’s worth a watch, its well written and will immerse you in that period, if only for an hour.

I have been watching Mad Men since its inception and I will definitely be watching season 5. I will be on look out for some of the styles in the show and sharing them with all of you as advice on how to be swell