March 4, 2022March 3, 2022 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: New Buck Mason Spring Gear, Sustainable Shirting & The Best GMT Watches

As we launch into Friday, I’ve got my sights set on rugged new spring gear — even if the temperature in NYC leaves a little something to be desired. I’m specifically loving the standout new Buck Mason Western Denim Shirt, made from handsome yarn-dyed indigo cotton in a slim fit, and made to break in over time the more you wear it this season. If you’ve read the blog, you know I love Buck Mason menswear, especially its go-anywhere versatility heading into a very early spring weekend — a new season marks a time for new wardrobe upgrades, wouldn’t you agree? And you can’t go wrong at all with Buck Mason.

Shop Buck Mason menswear

As luck would have it, I’ll be wearing some of my favorite Buck Mason essentials this weekend, seeing as I’m back in Brooklyn from a Florida trip (as you saw on my Instagram) and I need to layer up accordingly. In fact, I’m heading out this evening to indulge one of my other passions — music, of course (perhaps you saw my latest story for SPIN?). I’m seeing the legendary, long-running indie rock band Guided By Voices at NYC’s iconic Irving Plaza — a show that’s been pushed back twice for me since last September! I’m going to outfit myself accordingly, and for your own weekend pursuits, I suggest you do the same — here are a few of my top selections to keep your Friday rolling.

I talked in my last Friday Read about needing to shop the new Billy Reid Spring Menswear Collection, and I’m back in full force recommending you check out the famed Alabama designer’s wares. The offering includes breezy cotton tees, a rugged trucker jacket, lightweight sweaters, durable jackets and overall, well, some of the best new spring menswear to amp up your wardrobe. Go to it, folks.

How’s this for making an impact beyond menswear? Known as the “Gangsta Gardener,” Los Angeles legend Ron Finley debuted the Ron Finley Project to bring vibrant nature and healthy, locally grown food to the people of South Central Los Angeles back in 2010. Now, he’s partnering up with San Fran’s Taylor Stitch on the Taylor Stitch x Ron Finley Capsule Collection, updating some of the brand’s most iconic and rugged staples with his own vibrant, nature-filled spin — the collection is up for pre-order right now, folks.

Shop Taylor Stitch now

Functional style is the name of the game with a GMT watch — known as Greenwich Mean Time. These watches, seemingly complicated on the surface, offer both bang for your buck and go-anywhere dependability, and they can do an awful lot to upgrade your watch collection. On that note, I wrote for SPY.com on the best GMT watches, so consider adding one to your collection ASAP.

Head to SPY.com now

Here’s one final style move to get your weekend started off the right way. Just yesterday, I wrote about one of the most sustainable shirts on the market from Outerknown — it’s your new go-to spring layer, so read all about it here on the blog. Have a great weekend and as ever, thanks for reading!

February 7, 2022January 26, 2022 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Shinola Duck Watch Is the Toughest Watch You Can Buy For Winter (And Beyond)

SuperLumi-Nova glow-in-the-dark numbers and hands

There comes a time in every season (like right now, in the depths of winter) when even your accessories, right on down to one of the best men’s watches, start to take a beating. No matter if you’re bundled up with a pair of the best gloves for men or if you’re wearing some of the toughest winter pants, again, yes, even your accessories need to stand up to winter, and that’s where the Shinola Duck Watch comes in mighty handy in your collection of the best watches for men. You hopefully already know Shinola from this very blog and as makers of one of the best dive watches on the market, not to mention a stunning, stylish brown leather watch.

Shop your new Shinola watch now

And the remarkably tough and well-designed Shinola Duck Watch is but the latest and greatest purchase you need to add to your wrist game when the going gets tough. It’s as if the lauded, Detroit-based brand had both winter adventures and coastal summer days (on or off Michigan’s Great Lakes) in mind when they designed the Shinola Duck Watch, complete with more than 660 feet of water resistance. It only gets better from there, to say the least. Before we go any further, note that this exceptional timepiece is priced just right at $650.

The key with the Shinola Duck Watch is its toughness and durability, combined with a surprisingly elegant design. Yes, the Shinola Duck Watch is a surf-rated watch, but it should also prove mighty tough and legible when trying to navigate your way through a winter storm. SuperLumi-Nova dial and hand markings amp up the visibility, while the durable rubber strap will brush off water (and sleet, and snow) with ease). The Shinola Duck Watch clocks in at an agreeable 42mm in terms of case diameter, making this a watch built for work or play. You can snag this handsome dive watch in a range of colors to suit every palette, including Bay Blue, Canary Yellow and Gunmetal, plus a Stainless Steel Gift Set that could just be one of the best gifts for the watch fan.

Shop the Shinola Duck Watch now

And again, this watch is built for work or play: Wear it right now with a chambray shirt and a shawl cardigan, plus your favorite pair of blue jeans, alongside tough-as-heck leather boots for winter weekend (or casual work day) pursuits. When the time comes to step into some of the best lined pants to shovel the drive, throw on the hard-wearing, hard-working Shinola Duck Watch to stay on time throughout the day. If there’s one watch that can do it all for winter and beyond, it’s the Shinola Duck Watch — shop accordingly.

January 15, 2022December 26, 2021 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic Watch – The Best Investment-Level Watch to Shop Now

I’d wager that if you’re reading this blog, you’re willing to do your research when it comes to investing in, for example, one of the best men’s watches from a brand like Shinola, right? In fact, I’d bet you’re willing to dig in and do the work when it comes to tracking plenty of the best gear for men, be it finding the best leather boots for men or layering up with a best-selling men’s shirt jacket. This approach will certainly serve you well when it comes to finding and selecting the perfect watch to wear on your wrist every day, with just about every single ensemble you can dream up. Allow me, then, in that case, to introduce you to the iconic, expertly crafted, dressy-yet-rugged Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic, an exceptional watch with a price tag to match (it retails for $1,650 at Shinola, as it were).

Shop the Bronze Monster Automatic

Now, if you’ve read the blog, you know that I’ve shared a Shinola review or two singing the praises of the Detroit-based brand. That trend isn’t going to let up any time soon. The Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic, like all Shinola men’s watches, is made with exacting attention to detail and incredible materials befitting of the higher price tag (most Shinola watches for men retail for under $1,000).

While with some luxury watches, you’re really paying for the designer name as much as the watch itself, the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic defies convention and packs in a whole lot of excellent technical specs to go along with the now-iconic Shinola name. Designed as an homage to the 1920s and Michigan rumrunners during Prohibition, it’s an elegant yet hard-wearing watch that looks incredible and performs just as nicely. The Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic features an intricate 26-jewel automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. This is a very good thing: The power reserve allows the watch to keep running accurately even when you’re not wearing it, because an automatic watch like this one winds according to the wearer’s wrist movement. In short. the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic, without getting overly technical, is carefully designed, hard-working and supremely stylish.

Pick up a new Shinola men’s watch

About those style points, though. The Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic features a handsome brushed bronze case and a visually striking, slightly larger 43mm case diameter. That means it stands out more on your wrist and is less of a dress watch, and more of a watch to wear with rugged menswear like one of the best men’s chambray shirts, dark blue denim and brown leather boots. Of course, the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic looks great with just about anything you pair it up with (even a worsted wool suit!, That’s true whether you rock it with the additional leather strap (shown here) or the khaki nylon field watch strap. In either iteration, the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic is a wearable work of art befitting of the heftier price tag. It’s one of the best watches for men and one of the best investment-level timepieces to consider adding to your collection.

December 2, 2021November 23, 2021 by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Shinola Vinton Watch is the Classic Timepiece You Need Now

There are some men’s accessories that are so timeless and sharp, it’d almost be foolish not to invest in them. That’s the case, at least, with the best watches for men as produced by Shinola, a full lineup from the Detroit-based watchmaker and luxury goods brand, and that especially applies to the seriously cool, super-sharp Shinola Vinton Watch. If you’re a fan of the brand (new or old!), then you know that Shinola can do it all, from making one of the best weekender bags on the market to delivering one of the coolest dress watches for your wrist. It’s with that blend of classic and modern style that they’ve added the Shinola Vinton Watch to the brand’s ever-expanding and yet carefully curated lineup of watches. The Shinola Vinton Watch hits on all the right notes if you want a watch (particularly heading into the holiday season) that you can wear to the office and to holiday gatherings without missing a beat.

Learn more at Shinola now

It features classic stainless steel construction found in durable dive watches, but the Shinola Vinton Watch really stands apart (quietly, of course) thanks to its crisp dial design and a nice, dressy 38mm case diameter. It’s a solid change of pace from the ever-so-slightly more rugged Shinola Runwell Collection, which boasts options with case diameter measurements of up to 47mm. Yes indeed, the Shinola Vinton Watch just gets the details (big and small) correct.

The specs on the Shinola Vinton Watch, of course, hold up to scrutiny, and they do so at a price that’s lower than expected ($550 at Shinola, to be exact). The dial is both crisp, timeless and refreshing, as all Shinola watch dials tend to be, and the option to get something as sharp as a blue dial against a smooth stainless steel case makes the Shinola Vinton Watch just the right blend of tailored and laidback. The Shinola Vinton Watch is the kind of watch to pair with casual staples (like a thermal crewneck and dark blue denim) as well as more business casual offerings, like tailored chinos and your favorite cardigan.

Shop for your new favorite watch at Shinola

Other watch design options include a visually striking Midnight Blue paired with handsome PVD gold hardware, right down to the bracelet itself. It’s a worthwhile option to consider the most versatile offering for your own wardrobe with the Shinola Vinton Watch, but it’s almost hard to go wrong with any option (this is Shinola we’re talking about, after all). The best men’s watches also beat the rest of the field with small touches, like a date window at 3 o’clock, set against that well-done dial design you only get at Shinola. When you want to upgrade what’s on your wrist, the choice is clear: Make it Shinola, and make your next purchase the Shinola Vinton Watch.

July 21, 2021July 1, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Watch is the Perfect Summer Timepiece

Just as you’ve got your go-to pair of summer sneakers and your lightweight stretch jeans for hot days, so to should you have one of the best men’s watches for summer on your wrist. That’s right: In my book, there are absolutely stylish men’s watches that are practically made to be worn in the summer heat. It’s your lucky day as we dive into our latest See Now, Buy Now entry, because the visually striking new Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Sport Watch is one of the best watches for men to wear starting this summer and moving well beyond that. It’s the go-to pick when it’s too hot to wear a leather watch, which, news flash, is frequently the case in the summer months.

This watch, an exclusive to the good folks at Huckberry, first debuted to great fanfare last year, and for good reason. Again, the fact that you can only get this watch at Huckberry means that competition is steep to add this timepiece to your collection. It very well could claim that lofty spot as your new favorite watch, but the crucial first step is buying it right now. The Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Sport Watch has all the proper bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from extraordinarily durable and yet fairly priced Timex watches, for starters, including that red-and-black design (hence the “cola” name, of course).

SHOP: The Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Sport Watch

This nicely priced men’s watch for summer (it retails for $189 at Huckberry) is entirely unique, designed from scratch by both companies and using military inspiration plus ’70s and ’80s Timex and watch trends. So while Timex has an extensive archive that designers like Todd Snyder frequently use for inspiration (to great effect!), this creation is even more unique, and just as covetable. It features a striking red-and-white military crosshair dial with luminescent markings, along with an aluminum bezel with a sharp red accent. It’s these design touches that help the Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Sport Watch stand out from the pack as far as the best watches for men are concerned.

The dial is also a fitting throwback as far as size is concerned: It’s a nice, sharp 38mm in diameter, making this a watch you can wear with a Huckberry T-shirt and hybrid shorts as readily as you can team it with a classic men’s polo and lightweight summer pants (loafers sold separately). The great news is that the Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Sport Watch is durable enough to wear with those outfits on consecutive days, and you can keep on wearing it all week long if you so please. At a price like that (again, it’s $189 at Huckberry), why wouldn’t you want to make this your go-to summer timepiece? The answer to that question is up to you.

SHOP: The Huckberry x Timex “Cola” Sport Watch

May 23, 2021May 16, 2021 by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Get 20 Percent Off This Spinnaker Watches Dive Watch

Folks: I’ve got good news, and I’ve got even better news for you. Your go-to watch for summer adventures is up for grabs, and there’s a very good chance it could be the Spinnaker Fleuss Watch, a durable dive watch you can wear in the water and back on land with ease. And that “even better news” right now? Use the code SPIN20 to get 20 percent off any full-priced watch at Spinnaker Watches, and trust me when I say this is a deal that you won’t want to miss. In fact, that drops this rugged dive watch down to $280, from $350 — not bad at all, right? But really, this code is agreeable any way you slice it if you’re in search of your new favorite watch, seeing as Spinnaker Watches stocks everything from refined leather dress watches to durable stainless steel dive watches.

Whether you’re a longtime watch aficionado or a newfound enthusiast, 20 percent off a new watch for summer is a deal that’s not to be missed. If you keep up with the blog, you know that timepieces like the Spinnaker Watches Bradner Watch are surely not to be missed, with the perfect blend of style and functionality. As for me, I’m always on the hunt for a great deal on a new watch — check out this post for a Timex watch under $100, too — and really who can pass up any discount offer, ehh?

SHOP: The Best-Selling Watches On Sale at Spinnaker Watches

Of course, the specs on the Spinnaker Fleuss Watch are everything you could ask for in a go-anywhere summer watch. The 43mm case diameter is sturdy and substantial, while the lens is made from scratch-resistant sapphire crystal (the good stuff, in short). It’s water-resistant down to 150 meters, all the better to really get out there and hit the, well, water. It also helps that this stainless steel dive watch is pretty stylish, right on down to the crisp dial design itself.

The contrasting black bezel is a nice touch that makes for easy legibility in adverse conditions, and it helps that, overall, this is a watch you can wear with everything from your favorite T-shirt and light wash jeans to a crisp Oxford shirt and tan chinos. The list goes on, of course, but the Spinnaker Fleuss Watch is just about ready for anything and everything you can throw at it. Bear in mind, though: The most important thing to remember is that, in addition to all of this, you can ue the code SPIN20 to get 20 percent off any full-priced watch at Spinnaker Watches, this one very, very much included. Are we on the same page? Time to gear up accordingly and get out there.

SHOP: The Best-Selling Watches On Sale at Spinnaker Watches

April 14, 2021April 21, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Spinnaker Watches Bradner Watch is The Coolest Watch to Buy For Spring

A rugged-yet-dressy, durable leather watch you’ll find yourself wearing daily.

The time is upon us, quite literally, for you to find your new favorite watch for spring and summer. The kind of watch you can wear nearly anywhere, the kind of timepiece you can pick up and throw on at a moment’s notice with just about anything. Ladies and gentlemen, that watch is the Spinnaker Watches Bradner Watch, one of the best new men’s watches I’ve seen in some time (and that you’ve seen, I’d wager). Trust me when I say you’re going to want to pre-order this one. Spinnaker Watches, if you’re unfamiliar, is assuredly a watch brand worth having on your radar, and that’s an understatement. They’re based in Hong Kong and specialize in affordable dive watches, along with making some of the best watches for men in general, all with durability, adventure, functionality and style in mind.

It’s a lofty goal to achieve, and to do so at a relatively affordable price point, but achieve it they do. Through stainless steel dive watches to dressy and bold leather and stainless steel watches like the Spinnaker Fleuss Collection, it’s a rare blend of accessibility, performance and great looks that you’re getting. These are all very good things, and that brings me back to the Spinnaker Bradner Watch. It features a Japanese automatic movement (this means the watch winds itself as the wearer moves their wrist) and is nicely sized at 42mm, a good fit for most wrists. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, folks.

SHOP: The Spinnaker Bradner Watch

A rough-and-tumble watch you can wear with outdoor gear or casual spring and summer style staples in equal measure.

The Spinnaker Bradner Watch has plenty going for it when it comes to stylish design, too. That makes it one of Spinnaker’s best-selling watches — note how nicely the tidal blue dial stands out with those gold accents. And helpfully, the Spinnaker Bradner Watch is set on a waterproof leather strap for functionality and handsome contrast alongside the blue dial. It’s also worth noting that this rugged leather dive watch is water-resistant to 180 meters. Go ahead and pick up a Spinnaker watch strap to give yourself even more versatility.

All things considered, it’s easily your new favorite watch for spring and summer, and it seems to me like it’s calling out to be worn with subtly stylish looks, like your favorite T-shirt and light wash jeans. The crisp blue dial and contrasting leather strap on the Spinnaker Bradner Watch also make it more than wearable with your favorite Oxford shirt and dark blue jeans for high-low, casual office style (or Work-From-Home style, if you will). When you want a watch that can do it all and look more than great in the process, you want the Spinnaker Bradner Watch, easy as that.

SHOP: The Spinnaker Bradner Watch

November 8, 2020November 2, 2020 by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: This Iconic Timex x Todd Snyder Watch Is 30 Percent Off

Possibly your new favorite watch — and at a stellar discount, too.

If it’s Sunday, which it is, it must be time for another Sunday Sale, and crucially, another Sunday Sale featuring Todd Snyder. We’ve talked in the past about how to get a great deal on a new crewneck sweatshirt from the lauded NYC designer, and we’ve also talked about how to get great deals on boots and much more. Let’s shift gears a bit and tak about a stellar sale on one of the best men’s watches of the moment. It’s a casual timepiece that nearly needs no introduction, because the Timex + Todd Snyder Military Watch has been a fan favorite since its 2017 release (and of course, a favorite of this blog, as well). Keep in mind that the Timex + Todd Snyder Military Watch is a very hot seller, so there’s a chance it might have already been snapped up … but, know that other Timex + Todd Snyder watches are every bit as covetable, durable and affordable.

SHOP: The Timex + Todd Snyder Military Watch

A classic watch for daily wear in these casual times.

It certainly makes sense that it’s a hot-selling item, because now, you can get your new favorite watch for 30 percent off (31 percent, in fact), dropping its price tag below $100 to a very easygoing $94 in total. How’s that for adding to your watch collection in time for the transition from fall to winter? Not bad, ehh? It’s got all the proper bells and whistles you need in an affordable casual watch, from the military-inspired design and rugged NATO strap to the fact that it’s got all the durability you’d expect from a Timex watch. It’s the kind of watch you can easily wear with a Todd Snyder crewneck sweatshirt and your favorite pair of blue jeans, and you can also rock it with a classic Oxford shirt, a shawl cardigan and black denim for a bit of everyday fall and winter style. If that sounds like it checks all the right boxes for you, hurry up and get a great deal on one of the best watches for men ASAP.

SHOP: The Timex + Todd Snyder Military Watch

September 19, 2020August 10, 2020 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph Watch

A perfectly rugged leather field watch to wear all fall.

Folks, quickly — look at your right or left wrist. Are you missing one of the best watches for men? Even if you’re wearing a watch (a great style move to start, to be sure), I’d bet that it’s not anywhere near as stylish, rugged or dependable as the Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph as shown above (no offense, though!). It’s an investment-level watch that, thanks to its rugged build and durable design, happens to be both one of the best leather watches and one of the best watches for fall. How does that work out? A rugged watch that wears especially well in the fall months? Yes, you bet. Luminox has a sterling reputation making tactical and military-approved watches, and this leather field watch blends both hearty design specs and plenty of style points. Now, this particular watch retails for $940 via Luminox … but it’s assuredly worth it.

You see, the cooler weather of fall naturally calls for harder-wearing, tougher gear with plenty of texture and dependability for chilly fall weather, wind and rain. Think a waxed trucker jacket, slim selvedge denim, tough leather boots and of course, a reliable leather watch for men — one that’s got the design and toughness to pair up more than readily with each of those fall style essentials. Still with me? Right on.

SHOP: The Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph

A durable leather field watch that looks great with, well, just about anything.

The specs on this rugged leather field watch are, quite simply, very impressive. The 45mm stainless steel case design is beastly and made for fall and winter adventures off trail, and the screw down crown adds another touch of resistance to the elements. This Luminox watch has plenty going for it on the style front, too — the midnight blue sunray dial is eye-catching and visually appealing, and luminescent dial markings help light the way when conditions get tough out there.

Elsewhere, the Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph features three chronographs and alarm functionality, all the better to stay on time on the trail (and back home). It’s one of the coolest leather watches I’ve seen in some time, and design details like ivory contrast stitching and a handsome honey tan leather strap drive that point home nicely, too. You can rock this stylish leather watch with just about any gear you’d like, but for real fall excursions, my best bet would to pair the Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph with a rugged henley, a denim shirt, your favorite trucker jacket, hard-wearing chore pants and of course, leather lace-up boots. Just like that, you’ve figured out your new favorite fall ensemble — starring your favorite leather watch. Good luck out there this fall, folks.

SHOP: The Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph

April 11, 2020March 11, 2020 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Momentum Watches Steelix Black Ion Watch

A rugged watch for each and every spring adventure.

The right spring ensemble calls for the right spring watch — a rugged, tough watch made for the everyday, the unexpected, and then some. That’s where today’s Style Pick of the Week enters the equation. The Momentum Watches Steelix Black Ion Watch is strikingly designed, truly one-of-a-kind and made to be worn with other spring style essentials with ease (a rugged waxed jacket comes to mind, but we’ll get to more on that in a moment). It can be seen as a somewhat bold style move to go for an all-black, murdered-out watch — especially if you, like me, have an affinity for brown leather watches — but the Momentum Watches Steelix Black Ion Watch delivers the right kind of introductory style to switching up your watch game (not to mention, the right kind of functionality to be worn all spring). Available for a downright steal at Huckberry ($295 for a cool-as-can-be military field watch), this is the tough watch you’ll want to wear all day and all night — again, the all-black design with a contrasting dial makes this a unique addition to your daily carry (and the casual-yet-rugged look you need for your next night out). But why should you consider adding this watch to your rotation when you’ve got other field watches that get the job done? Friends, I’m glad you asked.

SHOP: Momentum Watches Steelix Black Ion Watch

Designed to be worn with other rugged spring style essentials, no doubt about it.

It’s the sort of hybrid style that really makes it tick (pun intended), from the military field watch styling to the dependable 44mm case size, which should wear nicely if you pair it with hearty gear like, again, a waxed trucker jacket. And because it’s sold at Huckberry, it’s got all the bells and whistles that go along with the tough gear you expect from the brand, such as 200 meters of water resistance and a no-fuss quartz movement. It’s a watch that’s easily made for the open road — it’s got a battery life of three-to-five years, which is stupendous bang for your buck when you take into the account the price (again, $295 at Huckberry). Lest you think it can only be worn with adventure-minded gear, think of the styling potential of the Momentum Watches Steelix Black Ion Watch just as you would a classic stainless steel dive watch. Try it with a short-sleeve henley and faded black denim, add your favorite chukka boots (yes, you can pair black-and-tan!), or else go with a hemp polo, tan chinos and white leather sneakers — those are just two of the ways in which the Momentum Watches Steelix Black Ion Watch is going to work for you. You’ll have to pick up this watch to figure out the rest.