The One Watch (Rolex)

It was 1989, dusk was approaching.  We were on the Star Ferry crossing over from Hong Kong to Kowloon.  The MTR would have been quicker but the rush hour crush was just too much to take.  Finally on the other side, we sliced our way through the huge Harbour City shopping complex and down onto Peking Road.  As we exited onto Nathan Road, known to the world as the “Golden Mile”, horns were blaring from the most number of Rolls Royces stuck in traffic I have ever seen.  After a moment’s hesitation, we crossed over to the other side and ducked into a basement arcade.

Sounds like the opening sequence to a spy thriller, but it isn’t.  It’s actually a pre-teen Me, being dragged around all over Hong Kong by my mother who was on a quest to buy a Rolex Submariner for my father.  Yes, we could have purchased the watch from any of the authorized dealers in the territory, but, it was the thrill of the hunt, and the store we were headed for provided the best deals in all of Hong Kong.

That first of several watches is the same one half-buried in the sand in the photograph.  My father handed it down to me back in university (probably as a reward for not getting kicked-out), and it has been the only watch I have owned since.  It is a classic.  The all steel construction ensures that it is robust.  Its double lock metal bracelet secures the watch to the wrist in all conditions and the white on black design of the watch face and the bezel is understated.  Not only does it look good worn with casual attire, this piece of steel peeking from under one’s shirt cuffs will get quiet looks of approval from those who know its true value.

If there is just one watch a man can own, this is it.

 

Colorful Staple (Paul Smith)

Shopping in Bangkok is an exciting experience.  The high-end malls and street side markets offer a plethora of choices.  People are everywhere and getting caught up in a crowd is not unheard of.  It did get tiring though and after a while we decided to catch a movie to cool off.

I’ve been told that the world standard for the temperature in a movie theatre is 21 degrees Celcius.  In tropical and humid climates, this is welcomed with open arms.  But, after baking in 35 degree mid-afternoon heat, a 14 degree sudden drop in temperature will be enough to give anyone hypothermia (women in tank-tops, cut-offs and flip-flops most of all).

Lest I dissapoint the regular male readers of this blog, I will not advocate nor encourage these women to wear more clothing.  Instead, I propose that they always carry scarves that will easily fit in their summer bags or act as an accent belt around their exposed mid-sections.

A scarf that would be just right for this kind of use is this iconic cotton Swirl Scarf from Paul Smith.  The multiple colors and the pattern of the scarf make it a good complement to many casual/summer outfits.  It is playful without losing its upscale appeal.  Its size is generous and the material used is light and soft against the skin.  Swaddling yourself in it makes you feel protected by a loved one’s embrace.

Excellent choice for a movie date.

 

Sleek (Salvatore Ferragamo)

I have a confession to make…  I like shoes.  I mean, I really like shoes.  This is not unheard of among males, but to actually confess it is something different.  It’s liberating to say the least.

Please don’t misunderstand.  I don’t have hundreds of pairs.  I just have a “few”.  And, it’s not an addiction because I do control myself.  I can go into a store and just browse the displays.  After a few minutes, I walk out.  The problem begins a couple of weeks later when I walk back in the same store and “browse” the same pairs.  At this point, I am hooked and the only way I pull myself out of the store is to think about all the bills I have to pay for.  This goes on for a number of times and after every “extraction”, I congratulate myself and give myself a pat on the back for having such discipline and self-control.

Then, one day, it just happens.  I walk into the same store, ready to do the “browse” and step-out routine as always, but it just feels different.  I can sense something is amiss.  I quickly turn to step out of the store, but it is too late.  The force exerted by the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique is too strong to resist.  With my weakened resolve, I am pulled back in.

The salespeople, sensing a kill, er, a sale, put on their best smiles and begin plying me with the most beautiful pairs of shoes they have.  Next thing I know, I am walking out of the store with 2 to 3 pairs of ridiculously expensive dress shoes that I will get to wear once or twice a year, thereby increasing my personal debt by several notches and helping Citibank hasten its way back to profitability.

One of those shoes is the pair in the photo.  It is called the “Amedeo” and it is just superb.  The design is clean and sleek.  The leather used is soft enough to be comfortable.  It also has a strap that adjusts to keep the fit snug and helps to maintain its slim profile.  Two things, though, stand out when viewing this shoe.  First is the hand-stitching, which must have been done by santa’s elves.  Second, and for me, the more important thing, is the absolutely marvelous smell of the calf-skin leather.

Recommended for male shoe addicts.

 

Exquisite (Prada)

We regular guys are usually one-dimensional about things, their uses and the way they should look – like the edge of a kitchen counter which is perfect for popping open a bottle of beer (what else should it be used for?).  When it comes to bags we consider the utility before anything else.  What will it be used for?  Is it big enough for the task?  Will it withstand continuous and daily usage?  After being satisfied with the answers to the previous questions, that is the time when we consider the aesthetic aspect of the bag.

The way a bag looks should not take anything away from its utility.  Metal components should be limited to the locking mechanism.  Material used should be strong, lightweight and should wear nicely over the years.  It should be resistant to scratches and it should not catch on sharp objects.

It’s clear then that the Prada Tote in the photo would repulse me, but, surprisingly, I actually like it.  Called the “Portafoglio” in the color “Nero”, it is exquisite.  There are too many metal bits.  The leather is soft and supple.  Plus, the Shar Pei like design will easily catch on anything.  It is like a beautiful woman fully decked out in her jewelry and dressed to the nines.  We all know that men can’t get enough of that.

I have to say that every woman should have this bag.

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Utility and Looks (G.H. Bass & Co.)

Try to remember the coolest characters in movies and you’d see that they all wore belts.  Knights had leather belts tied around their waists to secure their swords.  Cowboys drew their six-shooters from holsters secured to their belts.  Quentin Tarantino’s protagonists would tuck their guns into their belts.  Heck, even Batman had a really cool utility belt!

Anyway…  Though the previous paragraph may have no relation whatsoever to what may follow, the point is that belts are prized both for utility and looks.

The belt pictured here from G.H. Bass & Co. is one such item.  The brasswear of this belt is beautiful in its simplicity and robustness.  The high-quality leather is thick and tough.  Combined, the brasswear and leather give this belt a down-to-earth elegance that is difficult to match.  When wearing it, the size reassures me that it will always stay secure around the waist.  More importantly, it works well combined with a variety of outfits such as khaki shorts and leather sandals, denim jeans and cowboy boots, or even khaki pants and casual loafers.

This belt is quite a versatile accessory.

 

Immaculate Fragrance (Philosophy)

I remember during my university days walking from one building to another to make it to my next class.  The hallways would be packed with students jostling about, guys fondly remembering last night’s party and girls giggling among themselves (about what I have no idea).  Because of the few minutes between classes, everyone would be in a hurry and too busy to notice anyone else outside their circle, but every so often I’d get a whiff of the most immaculate smelling lady’s perfume I had ever encountered.

The scent was so clean, so pure, so feminine that I would stop in the middle of the crowd and be momentarily mesmerized.  I never did find out who that girl was who was wearing that scent, but recalling those moments would always put a smile on my face.

Recently, I was introduced to the scent Pure Grace by Philosophy.  The packaging and the bottle, though tasteful, was so simple that I couldn’t help but think that it would be another “run-of-the-mill” fragrance.  Boy, was I wrong.  If you’ve watched the movie “Ratatouille”, there was this scene where the food critic Antono Ego was transported back to one of the most memorable moments of his childhood upon tasting the Ratatouille.  It happened to me.  One whiff of this perfume transported me back to that moment in university.  I began to remember the clean, pure, feminine scent and, again, I was mesmerized.

Definitely something every woman should have in her arsenal.

 

Corduroy (Zara)

I was in a quandary about what clothes to pack for a trip we took to L.A.  It was at the tail-end of winter which meant that it would still be chilly but not cold enough to justify bringing along heavy fabrics.  After some consideration and a long look through my wardrobe, it was decided that the best recourse was to go shop for a couple of new pieces.

It was important for me to get clothes that use fabric which is soft and would do the job of keeping me warm.  But, as we were going to L.A., I also wanted these pieces to look sleek and sophisticated.  I scoured most of the shops but eventually decided on a brown corduroy two-button blazer from Zara.  I’ve never really been the corporate power dressing type which is probably the reason why this blazer called out to me.  I heard it say, “Buy me.  You’ll love the way I feel.”  And, yet again, with one fluid motion, my credit card made a Spaniard from Galicia a few euros richer.

This blazer was light enough to wear while browsing through the galleries of the Getty and it had enough sophistication for dinner and drinks in Asia de Cuba at the Mondrian in West Hollywood.  Time is also this blazer’s friend as regular wearing and washing gives it more character with its color retaining its deep brown.  Polo match? Taming of the Shrew playing at the theatre?  Or, just settling down with a latte and a good book?  No worries.  This blazer will do the job quite well.

 

Riviera Chic (Michael Kors)

Being a regular guy means that I’m not really into what is the latest design (as opposed to most ladies’ penchant for what is en vogue).  Its more of a timeless appeal that I am looking for.  And, I think that this Michael Kors Tote fits the bill for me.

This “Tote”, if I may call it that, reminds me of a film I once saw entitled “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” which was beautifully set in the French Riviera.  The entire feel of the film seemed to me to be embodied in this Tote.  I imagine elegant ladies dressed in their casual summer best exiting a high-end boutique then taking a leisurely stroll in their comfortable Espadrilles toward a seaside cafe overlooking a marina dotted with sail and motor yachts sitting peacefully in clear, calm, azure waters.  But, of course, I digress…

I think the ladies will appreciate this Tote because it is light.  The main material is canvas making it perfect for those sunny days.  And the size makes it roomy enough to carry the usual contents of a handbag with other essentials such as a bottle of Evian, a wide-brimmed hat, and a pair of large sunglasses.  It also helps that the brand and the design evoke an understated class that work well for those women who would rather be discreet.

If I were a woman, I’d be very happy to own one.

 

Blue Suede Shoes (Massimo Dutti)

Well, my shoes are not exactly suede.  But, they are blue and they are leather.  I was wandering around the mall before catching the last show of a movie and decided to browse around the Massimo Dutti store.  I’ve always been attracted by their window displays (Yes, men are very visual) of comfortable, yet sophisticated looking clothes.  Aimlessly, I stepped inside to while away the time.

Honestly, I no longer had any inclination to make a purchase as I already had a shopping bag full of books that would fill my bedside table with a reading pile good for a couple of weeks.  But, seeing the pair of blue nubuck leather sneakers (its called the “deportivo nobuck”) just made me drop all of my defenses.  It transported me back to my teenage years when my infatuation with suede and nubuck leather Cole Haan shoes began.  My vain attempt at walking out of the store proved useless as I just found myself walking into the other entrance.  Neither did it help that the last pair of large size shoes were a perfect fit.

With one, smooth, fluid motion, my credit card made it out of my wallet and into the hands of the sales person who had a huge smile on her face because she just made a sale right before closing.

I’ve had the shoes for a couple of months now.  As can be seen from the photo, they are well-worn.  These shoes just hug my feet.  I wear them with or without socks.  I prefer wearing them without socks as the leather is so soft and the texture feels great against my skin.  The nubuck is getting a bit worn down, but it just adds to its character.  I especially like the way the leather inner lining resembles the material of those deep, soft leather arm chairs that make one think of an african safari lodge or an english drawing room.

This is definitely one impulse purchase that I feel good about.