Christopher Ward C11 MSL Black Manta MK1 Automatic

C11 MSL Black Manta MK1 Automatic

http://www.christopherward-usa.com/new-arrival/c11-auto-kkk.html

I like watches. A lot.  I like well made automatic timepieces the most. Especially ones with Swiss movement.  Usually, those go hand in hand with a heavy pricetag.  In is case, this is a wonderful watch that won’t break the bank, and would look great with anything from a black suit to a pair of blue jeans.

I came across Christopher Ward while searching around one of my favorite watch forums randomly.  I saw some pictures, and loved the vintage military style, along with the quality of the components built in each piece.

They made a number of different models, but my new favorite in their new lineup is the C11.  It features a 26 Jewel automatic Swiss movement, Lume dial, and many other features, see below:

Features

1. > Swiss made
2. > 316L PVD Black Stainless steel
3. > 25 / 26 Jewel Swiss automatic movement
4. > Black date calendar
5. > Screw-in back plate
6. > Anti-reflective museum grade sapphire
7. > Adjustable Italian leather strap
8. > Hand polished case with unique engraved serial number
9. > Luminous hands and Indexes
10. > Water resistant to 10atm

Technical

1. > Diameter: 42mm
2. > Height: 10.7mm
3. > Weight: 108g
4. > Calibre: ETA 2824-2 / Sellita SW200-1
5. > Strap: Leather Strap – width 22mm
6. > Vibrations: 28800 per hour

2012 Strider ST-3

http://shop.stridersports.com/2012-STRIDER-ST-3-No-Pedal-Balance-Bike-GREEN/productinfo/ST-3GN/

 

Kids love bikes.  Adults who like to act like kids love bikes.  I’m lucky that I consider myself a kid and also have one.

The Strider ST-3 is a perfect step between tricycles and a 12.5″ kids pedal bike.  Some kids don’t understand the concept of pedaling at an early age, and ultimately choose to scoot around on a trike (most of the time hitting their shins on the pedals).  Luckily, my son enjoys both, but has gotten to the point that he’s getting a little tall for most tricycles.

The Strider allows kids of most heights to push around and coast on a sturdy little bike.  The seatpost is adjustable, and you even have the option to swap in a 22mm adult size seatpost and a kid’s bike saddle if/when they outgrow the bike.

One thing I like the most is that before kids commit to a peal bike, they are able to become familiar with the balance and stabilizing portion of upright riding well before they used to be able to.

It comes in 6 different colors, so no matter your child preference, they’ll be able to pick their favorite color of the day.  Mine enthusiastically cried “GEEN.”

Hey, maybe we’ll be able to skip the training wheels after-all.

Leigh Wall Coat Rack

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/home-accents/leigh-wall-coat-rack/s660577

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Crate and Barrel is one of my favorite furniture stores.  Especially for the smaller things.

They offer nicely designed items for almost everything you could need in your home.

As far as coat racks are concerned (I know exciting) there really aren’t many options in terms of things I would actually put in my home.

Stands are clumsy and have a tendency to fall over, especially with a two year old boy and an overactive dog.  Hooks placed on the wall… you might as well go with a 3M adhesive hook.

I came across this option passing through the mall one day, and instantly liked it.  It matched the urban-modern-rustic-chic aesthetic that I’ve come to love and employ in my own home, mounts easily and will hold more than enough coats than I should have at my entry.  It also keeps the dog leash handy, and neatly stored.

At $69.95 and mounting in 5 minutes, I’m happy.

Mophie Juice Pack Boost

http://www.mophie.com/mophie-Juice-Pack-Boost-p/2026_jpu-boost-2.htm

From Mophie:  With a new innovative design, the juice pack boost is a sleek, pocket-sized backup battery and a convenient stand all in one! The low-profile boost is ultra slim and slips right in your pocket.

For those of you that travel frequently, having your beloved iPhone die is a nightmare that you likely don’t want to experience.  Once again, the selection for external batteries, chargers and cases is endless.  I needed something that I could easily carry in my pocket or travel bag that wouldn’t add bulk or weight… since I already travel with a 17″ laptop and an iPad2.

For me, the mophie is stylish, compact and really does charge my iPhone quickly and easily… chord free.

The price is right, the style is right and the useability is flawless.

Quad Lock – iPhone Case

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Kickstarter is one of my favorite sites to watch for new material.  It constantly offers innovative designs for a number of different things.  One of the most common to show up on the site are things that can be used alongside your ever trusty iPhone4/4s.

As far as mounting options are concerned, there are way too many options available.  Some of which are great, some really could use to be destroyed by an untimely factory fire.

What makes this case / mounting system unique, is the system in which you actually attach your phone.

The quad lock mounting system is essentially a case, and a base that your phone locks to.  The attachments can be used in your car, on your bike, kayak, helmet, cabinets, desk or wherever else you want your phone to be hands free and readily available.

I like that you never have to remove your phone from the case, and the mounts can stay put where you need them.

Pretty nifty if you ask me.

Tsovet Watch

https://www.tsovet.com/Automatic_p_59.html#

As far as watches are concerned, I’m very picky.  There are so many manufacturers in the world with either a level of pedigree that I essentially don’t want to be associated with or they’re cheap.

Luckily, I have access to a brilliant watch maker within a rocks throw of my office that I am able to field any timepiece I may have my eye on.

The Tsovet is a beautiful piece, and to a keen eye, you will be able to see the crown is on the opposite side.  For us lefties, finding a beautiful timepiece with right-handed controls is nearly impossible.

The limited edition provides automatic Swiss movement which I am biased towards.

It’s a little higher on the price side for not having a name like “Rolex” or “Patek” but those of you familiar with luxury watches, this is very reasonable for the specs is packs.

Samsung HDTV

Tags

television

http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/UN40D6420UFXZA

Like many of the things that you will read about on my posts, I was completely unbiased as far as brand was concerned when I began the search for a new HDTV.

My requirements were; full 1080P HD, at least a 480HZ refresh rate, Smart TV enabled and it had to be nice looking.  I always leaned towards an LED display due to their reliability and energy consumption as well as their color rendering.

I quickly narrowed it down to a few and eventually landed on this model.

It’s super slim bezel and performance really caught my eye early on.  I went to multiple stores to see them in person, and the picture really was substantially better than anything else I looked at.

Price wise, it was inline with everything else, and honestly has been worth every penny.

If you are going to get this TV and not have HD service, or a way to play HD movies, it would be a shame because this TV really shines in full HD.

Energy RC Micro 5.1 Speakers

Tags

energy speakers, gadgets, home theater systems, satellite speakers, size speakers, technology

http://www.energy-speakers.com/home-theater-systems/?sku=1009856

To say I looked in to getting some speakers for use in my home, would be the understatement of the century.  I reviewed, previewed, sampled and tortured countless numbers of speakers.

Luckily, my house is pre-wired for a 5.1 surround sound system, so narrowing that down was the easy part.

I was primarily looking for a high performance, nice looking speaker that could handle anything from Thomas the Train to the Super Bowl.  Aside from that, I consistently lean towards the smaller size speakers due to their versatility in mounting and configuration as well as their tendency to not completely bastardize the architecture and decor in a room.

I narrowed it down to 3 very different speakers.  The things they had in common were; all satellite speakers, black and small.  Finally… I went with these.

They perform flawlessly, installation was a piece of cake, and they fit well within my bungalow.  No huge towers or need to cut in to my plaster in order to “hide’ their enclosures, they were perfect.

I went with a larger sub woofer from Klipsch insetead of going with the full set.  I have the center, LR and surrounds currently installed.

BOAT Watch

http://www.beoptimisticandthankful.com/store.php

This watch caught my eye based on looks alone.  I’m traditionally a mechanical / automatic Swiss movement guy, and this is quartz.  For those of you looking for a high-end, executive watch, stop reading now.  For those of you looking for a unique piece at a reasonable price, you may continue.

Aside from being my second choice in movement, the watch itself is truly unique.

Their process is what sets this watch apart in my mind.  The face itself… is wax.  Yes, wax.  And, you select everything… dial color, case color, hand color, band color… literally everything.  They are truly one of a kind watches, made by hand.

I personally went plain.  Those of you who know me… yes, I’m plain.  I went with a silver case, brown band… and white (everything else).  Those of you who are more adventurous, I’m sure they have an option for you as well.

Once you have developed your own individualized Sealed Watch, you can proceed to the check out and follow the step-by-step instructions to complete your order. A detailed order form will be sent to us right after your order is made.

The dial, hands, strap and movement are assembled
by hand with care and passion. The assembled watch is checked for quality and functionability.

At $85USD, I’d be hard-pressed to find another watch that got me this excited since my first Iron Man Timex when I was 10.

Libratone Beat

http://www.libratone.com/

Unfortunately for me, I purchased this wonderful speaker long before it came to our shores.  Thus, I paid in Euros and had to buy the ever-attractive US adapter for that thing they call a plug across the pond.

Anyways, you can now purchase the wireless (and amazing) speaker in our homeland.

The speaker itself comes with a USB adapter and an Apple adapter as well.  All you do is plug the adapter in, power up the speaker, and stream your music, movies, or whatever other noise you want to hear on a flawless and incredible speaker.

The design itself I found more attractive than any other speaker on the market.  The Scandinavian design is covered in cashmere felt, in a number of different colors for any palette you may have in your home.

Some specs for the gorgeous speaker:

1×5″ bass, 2×3″ midrange and 2×1″ ribbon based tweeter

 

Doesn’t come cheap… but it sounds amazing and truly does fill the room with amazing, unsurpassed melodic beauty.