Material Interest | 1970's Rolex Red Submariner

Want | MKII x Omega Seamaster 300 Limited Edition

Omega Seamaster 300 x MKII

If your not familiar with the MKII custom watch company, I am about to drop some knowledge on you.  The MKII company is the first of it's kind, customizing and hacking watches of all brands.  In particular, what perhaps put MKII on the map was the Seiko Diver x MKII collaboration in which they had used a Type II dial, sword hands, black day/date and the hardened and engraved bezel.  This gave the watch a real utilitarian look that stood out from an ordinary diving watch.  Though, the Seiko watches are somewhat of the past, MKII has recently released a limited edition 300 piece run that celebrates the "Omega Seamaster 300."   A truly stunning piece I can't wait to get my hands on.

Essential Store | Alltiques

In one of the most unsuspecting places in the city lies one of the most interesting stores to be found.  Located on the Bowery in Chinatown, NYC, is Alltiques, quite possibly the most thoughtfully curated 10 feet of space in the city.  The store is simply a counter within a jewelry exchange but the selection of rare watches, lighters, art, currency, and baseball cards is truly eclectic and amazing.  

If the selection doesn't amaze you, the knowledge that John Criscitiello possesses will.  As the curator and owner of Alltiques, John turned his love for collecting rare watches, and oddities into a job back in 1982 and continues to expand his collection of curios, antiquities and rarities.  You'll find things like the late 50’s James Bond Rolex Sub 6200 to the Art Deco Cartier clock from the 1939 NY Worlds Fair, and on the slightly less expensive side, he carries trays and trays of watches that are affordable to you and I.

Make a trip over to 88A Bowery, New York, NY, and take a look for yourself.  Tell him Tim sent you!

An Essentialists Wants | Reissued Lee, Timberland, Panerai

Lee 101B dry jean- The Original Cowboy Jean

- Based on Lee's all-time classic 1944 model

- LH Green Cast Gold Selvedge Denim 13.25 oz

- 100% Cotton

- U-shaped crotch, coin pocket and cinch back

- Vintage cut

- Made in Poland

Panerai Radiomir Egiziano

- Reissued diving watch commissioned by the Egyptian navy modeled after the 1956 model                                                                                                                                                           -  60mm in diameter 

Timberland Abington Hiking Boot

- Limited edition hiking boot from Timberlands Abington Collection - a tribute to the company's start as the         Abington Shoe Company in the 1950s. - Premium full-grain leather uppers, sourced from Chicago's Horween Leather Company- Quilted leather lining at the tongue- Hinged D-ring lacing - Authentic oil-resistant Vibram sole.

Essential | Timex Watch

So for all you who don't know, I love watches, especially collecting them.  I love it even more when I come across something so unusual and rare that most do not see as a collectible.  I guess you can say "what is one man's trash, is another man's treasure," completely applies to me. 

In my search for unique items at the Portebello Market, I came across this rare specimen.  This here is a vintage winding Timex made in Great Britain.  There are some still around but very rare to come across.  Goes to show Timex's are true workhorse watches.  I love this thing!

Essential Pieces | Book, Shoes, Watch, Sunglasses, etc.

Shoes: Opening Ceremony | Saddle Shoes
Watch: Military Watch Company | Military Watch
Book: The Art of BMW 85 Years of Motorcycling Excellence | Gantriis, Von Wartenberg, Jakobs
Bandana: 45 RPM | Blue Bandana
Shades: Persol | 714's

Essential | Grand Seiko

Seiko | Grand Seiko

A lot of you may not know because of the rarity of these watches (produced between the 60's and 70's), but Japanese watchmaker Seiko produced a line of watches that rivaled top Swiss brands like Rolex and Omega. In an effort to prove to the world that Japanese watchmaker Seiko could roll with the big dogs, and offsett the idea that Swiss watchmakers were the best, they produced a line of watches called the Grand Seiko (GS). The GS exudes quality and attention to detail, both in the case and the beautiful movement (said to be more accurate than Rolex). Made with careful screening of materials and the use of only the highest quality parts. People say that Seiko disregarded profit structure and pursued the highest technology available at the moment in order to create the Grand Seiko.

This is truly an amazing line of watches. Im hoping to save enough money to pick this up. One day!

Throwback | Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Rolex Ad from 1945

Essential | Sport Watches

Breitling Superocean | Breitling 
Rolex Submariner | Rolex
Omega Seamaster | Omega

Luminor Panerai Tourbillon | Luminor Panerai

Burn Notice

Big fan of the show Burn Notice?  Well if you are, and as big of a fan as I am, Im sure your wondering what type of watch Michael Westen is wearing.  And, if this is completely irrelevant to you and you have no idea what Burn Notice is, I suggest you click below to find out.  For those who do, the answer is pictured above, made by Chase Durer, the Air Combat Team Special Forces Chronograph is probably the most unique watch to date.  Completely functional, this timepiece is truly worn by combat teams.  So if it is good enough for the armed forces, it is good enough for me. Here are the specs and the link for all you who have never seen an episode.

Burn Notice Webisodes 

• 22 jewel precision SWISS ETA 251.272 Quartz movement.
• Chronograph: 1/10th second, 60 second, 30 minutes.
• Case in black PVD solid 516L stainless steel.
• Screw-lock crown & screw- in back.
• Crown shoulder guard.
• Unidirectional, ratcheted bezel with 12-hour graduation.
• Tritium/SPO advanced illumination system on hands & indexes glow continuously for 20 years.
• Hardened mineral crystal.
• Calendar date window.
• Water resistant to 200m/660 feet.
• 3 year battery.
• Diameter 38mm.
• Military nylon strap.
• Serial numbered.
• 2 year Chase-Durer Manufacturers Warranty.