Groovy New-Old Vintage Watch, Part I

Hello all. I've spoken before regarding the immense "cool" factor of a nice vintage watch. If you can find one in good condition, without yellowing on the dial and corrosion on the hands, a vintage watch can provide the look of a one-of-a-kind piece that will catch the attention of people you meet day to day.

My newest acquisition definitely fits the proverbial bill. In the 1950's, watchmaker Hamilton started making electronic watches, the most famous of which being the "Ventura" (photo 1). After its futuristic design and initial service problems served to bankrupt the brand, Hamilton was bought out by the Swiss company SSH in 1974 and the Hamilton Ventura design became a brand mainstay that is still produced today, now under the model name "505", which was the name of the original electronic movement. The watch was featured on the wrist of Elvis Presley in "Blue Hawaii", and more recently, the wrists of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in the "Men In Black" films. There are now different movements available in the 505. Most are quartz, and some are automatic.

Electronic watches were the first battery-powered watches, and though the movement still functions very much like a mechanical movement, a battery powers tiny transistors in the watch which regulate the time. The battery replaced the mainspring used in mechanical watches. The electronic watches were considered to be more accurate than mechanical watches had been.

Now, on to my watch! In the 1960's, Swiss brand Zodiac began making electronic watches to compete with those being offered by Hamilton and Bulova's Accutron. The Zodiac electronics boasted more reliable movements than their forebearers, and were able to be made thinner as well. My find is one of these Zodiac models, dubbed the "Spacetronic" (photos 2 & 3). Though originally made in 1968, this one has been very recently serviced and works flawlessly. A picture of the movement (photo 4) is shown as well. Notice that on the dial of the watch, there is no yellowing around the hour markers, which is often seen on older watches as the glue breaks down, and no corrosion on the hands. These are features one should look for when selecting a vintage watch.

A cool thing about the electronic watches is that like on mechanical watches, the second hand still sweeps around the dial, rather than ticking. Very cool. Get on the look out for a cool vintage watch. Ebay is a great source, but some small jewelry stores often have diamonds hidden in the rough.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

*P.S. As always, please click on photos to enlarge!*

Kathy Ireland

This has nothing to do with style. For that I apologize. I did, however, feel compelled to share it with you.

New Site Name

Thank you to all of this site's loyal readers. While readers can still reach this site from our blogger address, paulwaltersonstyle.blogspot.com, a new domain name should allow some ease of access. Our new web site is http://www.stylesite.us/. Thank you again for your continued patronage! Cheers,
Paul

Wardrobe Staple: The Black Neck Tie

If you ask any woman what item in her wardrobe is the least expendable (or the most versatile), she will probably volunteer without hesitation that her must-have item is her little black dress. It works for every imaginable event from a dinner date, to a wedding, to a funeral. Men are a little different. Some will claim their navy blazer, others that perfect pair of khakis. Other men will assure you that they must have a solid black neck tie in their wardrobes.

Don't worry; unless you wear it with a black suit, you will not be mistaken for an undertaker, hit man, or a chauffeur. Since black is considered a "neutral" color, most blazers in colors from khaki to navy can be worn with a black tie. It's plain enough to be worn with jeans, yet the dark color makes a black tie ideal for formal events, paired with a killer suit.

Many a man believe the black neck tie to be to funereal in nature, but I disagree. It can show that you mean business, or it can allow for a simple clean line to compliment your ensemble. Width is important. I think that a slim tie is the way to go. Don't be confused. By slim, I don't mean skinny. Reservoir Dogs was a great movie, but we're talking about style here.

My black tie is, at it's widest point, 2.75 inches, which is minimalist in nature, but not trendy. Too wide a tie and you'll look like you earn a second income waiting tables. Too narrow and you'll look like our Reservoir Dogs friends, bumping off jewelry stores. If the width is equal to or less than that of a dollar bill, you're in good shape. If  it's less than 2.25 inches, well... time to cue up the George Baker Selection's "Little Green Bag". Just remember: with the already "stripped-down" look of the black tie, maintaining simplicity is key.

Another tip is to add a little bit of decor to your simple black tie by wearing a tie bar. The tasteful silver flash sets the stark black canvas into relief, and draws attention in a good way. Solid color shirts pair best with the black tie, so think white, blue, or, for the dandies in our midst, pink.

For some extra ornamentation, add a pocket square. This can match the shirt, or for the daring, be the source of pattern for the ensemble. If you stuck with the solid shirt, pattern is good for your square. If your shirt has a pattern, keep the pocket square plain. Otherwise, the shirt-and-pocket square-busy to tie-plain ratio is going to look way off balance.

One can never go wrong keeping all three elements plain and simple, as pictured to the left.

Thanks for tuning in, and until next time,
Cheers!
-Paul

Required Listening: Robert Cray, "Moan"

One of my greatest inspirations. Not necessarily Robert Cray himself, but the raw, unadulterated emotion of his song, "Moan". Sorrow, rage, regret, and hope all drip from from Cray's voice and Fender Strat. The notes he doesn't play are just as important as those that he does. When choosing an ensemble for your next workday, do so with this playing behind you. Try to get into the groove of the music. Dance a little if you have to. Be open to letting "Moan" penetrate your bones and influence your clothing choices.
Just... trust me.
Cheers.
-Paul

The Thrill of The Thrift

Well here it is. The 100th post of Paul Walters on Style. Maybe there are a few things I would have done differently if I was starting this blog today. Perhaps I would have posted more often. Perhaps I would have come up with a more creative name. I guess all the shoulda-coulda-woulda's hold about as much weight as a fart in the wind, as now there are only the considerations to be made about going forward.

I hope to be able to offer more material more often. I do try to avoid as much uninteresting filler as possible, wishing to focus on more substantial and appreciable information. If any of my readers have any ideas concerning things you'd like to read about or blog names that snag more attention spans let me know. That being said... today's topic!

With the current economic situation falling like a lead balloon (I really don't believe it to be "getting Better"), it's time for all of us to tighten our belts and embrace the philosophy of frugality. The penny-pinching mentality can be a tough one, because like any growing boy I'm always yearning for cool new toys. And like any boy-turned-man, the toys I want today sure are more expensive than they were when I was a child. It's like 1 Corinthians 13:11 says; "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Sometimes I wish I still could get all warm and tingly inside by buying a Superman costume, but things are different now.

Now I'm thrilled by a new pair of Allen Edmonds, the fit of a tailored sport coat, or the way a Ralph Lauren Purple Label shirt feels against my skin. Sadly, these things don't come cheap, and in a recession, they usually just don't come... unless, one finds alternate methods of filling his materialistic needs. My mother has worked for Goodwill Industries for most of my life. She's an associate Vice President with the company, and needless to say, I've been in a lot of Goodwill stores. As a kid (restrained by my childish ways), it was easy to recoil at the thought of shopping at Goodwill. The stigma associated with being someone who shopped at Goodwill was supposed to be reserved for poor people, and not the upstanding upper-middle-class kid I was.

As an adult, however, struggling to become established in a time where everything is harder than it ever has been, I began to enjoy visits to the Goodwill store. Not only were the clothes inexpensive, but they were expendable. I began shopping for clothes that I could do back-breaking work in and not feel bad about throwing the clothes away when they became too heavily soiled. As time went on, I was able to afford (or at least make enough money to justify buying) nicer things like custom suits and shirts and expensive shoes. My Goodwill shopping, however, continued. I began looking for vintage pieces and rare finds. As the economy has been tanking, I have found some sweet deals.

The items featured here today are from only one visit to Goodwill, and here they are:

-Ralph Lauren Purple Label dress shirt. Approximate retail price $475 - $595 (shown at top with coat and tie, and at right)

-Armani Jeans sport shirt by Giorgio Armani. Approximate retail price $155

-Saks 5th Avenue Broadcloth buttondown. Approximate retail price $135.

Again, these items came from only one trip. I regularly find many garments from Brooks Brothers and Polo Ralph Lauren. Tommy Hilfiger items abound. Lacoste polos are not uncommon either. Regarding thrift store shopping, let me offer the following tips:

First of all, buy in your size. Don't buy a great shirt or pair of pants because of the brand or quality unless it fits you perfectly. An ill-fitting garment looks cheap, regardless of the quality. I have a couple of sport coats I've thrifted, and I always try them on and mentally add up how much tailoring will cost me. Depending on how much work needs to be done, certain purchases aren't worth it. A good rule of thumb with jackets is to get something that fits in the shoulders as closely as possible. Also pay attention to the length of the hem and how much fabric needs to be taken in. If a jacket needs to be taken in too much the pockets will inhibit the process at the seams.

Secondly, look it over well! I've gotten a great deal before on a perfect fitting shirt only to realize after getting home that there was a rather significant tear in the fabric that I had missed before. Do a thorough inspection. A third tip goes hand in hand: assume that stains will not come out. Don't confuse your drycleaner with a wizard. Stains that have been sitting for too long will not come out without risk of damage to the fabric, and we don't want that!

It's important to remember that we are in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Some say the current economy is even worse when one takes into account the effects of inflation. There is no pride to be lost by thrifting. If anything, consider your secret to be one that brings you enormous power. Christopher Lasch said, "Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success," and the appearance of success comes cheap, at only $3.79 per shirt.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-Paul

Back to Life. Thanks for Your Patience (A Letter From the Editor).

My dear readers, I have been absent from the web for too long. I offer my most sincere apologies and promise that I am back to stay. I thank those of you who follow this blog and I hope that you have not lost faith.
I blame my lapse of posting on several factors, including both a full-time day job and a second job at nights, playing music professionally at assorted venues, accompanied by the new "phases" that my two young children are putting into practice.
What can I say? Life can be a mutha. Obviously, my passions lie in the topics discussed here on this site and in the love of style that makes its dwelling in my bones. I appreciate your steadfastness.
My next post will be my 100th. The centennial will have to have been worth the wait. What better time to "turn 100" that right after my coming back to life. I will leave you with this video, and my promise that this farewell will be a brief one.
Until next time,
God Bless.
-Paul