Sylvester Stallone is simply associated with Officine Panerai; but since November 2011, he has to leave his Panerai collections at home. Why? It’s because Montegrappa – the Italian writing tools manufacturer in which Stallone is the ambassador, has just extend its line of product by releasing a luxury wristwatches – NEROUNO at this year’s Baselworld 2011 watch and Jewellery Show in Switzerland.

Produced in limited 999 pieces for each model, Montegrappa NeroUno Watch is characterized by:

• faceted black gemstones mounted at 12 o’clock position and  at the crown, symbolizing ‘NeroUno’ (in Italian means “Black One”);
• a conventional ‘small second’ sub-dial positioned at 6 o’clock;
• a ‘Skeleton Date’ where the date disk is visible through a transparent window at 3 o’clock.
• a luxurious wide leather strap with crocodile pattern plus a deployant clasp.

Montegrappa NeroUno Watch Steel Case White Dial

Montegrappa NeroUno Watch Steel Case Black Dial

Montegrappa NeroUno Watch Gold Case White Dial

Montegrappa NeroUno Watch Gold Case Black Dial

The timepiece features 42-mm case set with sapphire crystals and anti-glare coating. It is animated by world’s most successful and dependable calibers for three-hand watches: the revered ETA 2824. Water resistant is up to 5 ATM (50 meters).

Available in Ronda 6004 quartz movement and automatic movement as well as stainless steel or rose-gold PVD finish, the MONTEGRAPPA NeroUno Watch retails £665.00 - 965.00.

| Official | | Buy Montegrappa NeroUno|

My favorite designer, Christian Audigier does not only feature the Ed Hardy “Love Kills Slowly” design for the car accessories, but he also brings the graphics to the iPod cases. Check out the Official Ed Hardy online store – California Lifestyle Fashion Brand, and you will find four new designs of Ed Hardy crystal decals adorned with the Rhinestones.

The Ed Hardy Icing Rhinestone “Love Kills Slowly” decals comes for 4G iPod Nano -Black, 6G iPod Classic - Black, mobile phone/MP3 player and 4G iPod Nano – White. The prices are ranging from US $11.00 to $38.00.

Simply peel and stick it to your Apple iPod, then it will give your gear “instant bling” in your favorite Ed Hardy designs.

A rhinestone, also called paste or diamante, is a diamond simulant made from rock crystal, glass or acrylic. Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine. The availability was greatly increased when around 1775 the Alsatian jeweller Georg Friedrich Strass had the idea to imitate diamonds by coating the lower side of glass with metal powder. Hence, rhinestones are called Strass in many European languages.
Rhinestones may be used as imitations of diamonds, and some manufacturers even manage to capture the glistening effect real diamonds have in the sun.

Ed Hardy Love Kills Slowly Decal - White

Ed Hardy Love Kills Slowly Mini Decal - Black

| Via | | images are copyright of Official Ed Hardy online store |

The crest of the Football / Soccer Club mostly takes the shape of circle, oval, or shield. For instance, Juventus and AC Milan both have the oval shaped logo while Paris Saint Germain and Dynamo Kiev incorporate circle shaped logo; Arsenal FC and L.A. Galaxy ‘prefer’ shield-shaped crest.

But unlike the other teams, the Red Devil MANCHESTER UNITED has a unique shaped crest. And this time the uniqueness realizes in the form of men’s fashion accessories: CUFFLINKS which is specially designed for the biggest fans of Manchester United. Made of silver plated and enamel, the Manchester United Cufflinks sizes approximately 3/4″ x 3/4″. It has bullet backing and comes in a Limited Collector’s Edition Storage Box.

Oval Shaped Football team Crests - Juventus and AC Milan

Circle Shaped Soccer Team Crest - Paris Saint Germain and Dynamo Kiev

Shield Shaped Football Team logo - Arsenal and LA Galaxy

You’d certainly not to miss this cufflinks when welcoming Manchester United Asia Tour July 2009 in Jakarta – Indonesia (Gelora Bung Karno Stadium), Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia (Shah Alam or Bukit Jalil Stadium) and Seoul - South Korea (Seoul World Cup Stadium).

This cufflinks by cufflinks.com will complete your Manchester United style in glory. Maybe you already have the Man U cuff, Red Devil watches, and necktie; but yet this cufflinks will give you the detail look.

This MANCHESTER UNITED CREST CUFFLINKS prices US $49.95

| Buy |

Bamboo, staple food for Chinese Panda has been the useful materials for any purposes in human’s life. People of Sasak, Lombok – Indonesia have used bamboo as their house’s construction. Likewise, in Tola Rivas, Nicaragua, Arq. Maria Alejandra Flores designed a bamboo house “la vista” (She shows you how to do it on the video below). And the British Kangol applies this eco-friendly material in their hat collections.

This spring, the Apple cases and bags specialist – INCASE employs 40% recycled bamboo on their newest collections of iPhone 3G cases (the other 60% is polycarbonate construction). It’s inspired by the eco-friendly concept as the iSkin leveled competitor INCASE reclaimed bamboo shards of materials such construction scaffolding and chopstick to be transformed into the unique materials. This hybrid material provides the advanced protection while reducing the amount of plastic used.

INCASE Bamboo Slider Mushroom, the case for iPhone 3G

Available in four options of color: Mushroom, Olive, Beet and Eggplant, the BAMBOO SLIDER gives the durable protection and easy access to all controls and device features. Its fashionable design doesn’t sacrifice the functionality as it allows direct access to iPhone widescreen and charging while in case or bottom cover slides away for use with dock.

INCASE Bamboo Slider Olive, the case for iPhone 3G

INCASE Bamboo Slider Beet, the case for iPhone 3G

INCASE Bamboo Slider Eggplant, the case for iPhone 3G

This wonderful environment-friendly iPhone 3G cases by INCASE is worth US $34.95.

| Official | | images courtesy of Incase |

The video of bamboo house construction process in Tola RIvas, Nicaragua, by Arq. Maria Alejandra Flores

25th February 2009 was the day my son ARA born; he’s a cute healthy baby.

And the next day was the opening of the largest Louis Vuitton store in Indonesia, the first Indonesia’s global store with VIP room. Located in prominent shopping mall of Plaza Indonesia – Jakarta, the store design reflects the merging of Maison’s traditional European craftsmanship and heritage with the modernity, openness, space and light.

Ribbon Cut Ceremony of Louis Vuitton Plaza Indonesia

The Ribbon Cut Ceremony includes Mrs. Inka Utan (chairwoman of Louis Vuitton Indonesia), Mr. Rosano Barrack (President Director of Plaza Indonesia), Mr. Philippe Schaus (Senior Vice President, International Director of Louis Vuitton Malletier), Ms. Michelle Yeoh (International Celebrity), Mr. Fauzi Bowo (Governor of DKI Jakarta), Mr. Jean-Baptiste Debains (president of Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific), Mr. Franky Oesman Widjaja (President Commissioner of PT Plaza Indonesia Realty), Mr. Brice Baudoin (General Manager of Louis Vuitton South East Asia).

Louis Vuitton Special Designed Collection for Plaza Indonesia Store Opening

For the event, the French fashion desginer Louis Vuitton also presents Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Collection - specially designed for Plaza Indonesia opening, along with chale Mono Lurex, leather goods, and Monogram Lurex Shawl.

Exploring the Store

Amazing Artistic Facade of Louis Vuitton Plaza Indonesia Jakarta

The exterior of the store is featuring amazing artistic façade, combining the Maison’s traditional heritage with the contemporary style, openness, space and light. In my opinion, this surely is a nice move that gives new fascinating ‘breath’ to Plaza Indonesia as it has to compete with the brand new shopping mall across the street: Grand Indonesia Shopping Town.

Louis Vuitton Beijing Wall Luggage Plaza Indonesia

Located in the front – left, there is the ‘Beijing’ bag wall feature. Louis Vuitton claims it the unique concept of theirs that was first developed for Louis Vuitton in Beijing as a response to the dynamic vibrancy of a city and its architecture. No Wonder,…Beijing was the successful host of Summer Olympics 2008. To celebrate the event, many leading fashion brands released their design. (Besides Louis Vuitton, do you still remember the famous red bicycle by Gucci?)

Louis Vuitton Men’s Universe Plaza Indonesia Jakarta

Entering the store, guys must direct to the Men’s Universe. It’s the area featuring Louis Vuitton shoes, leather goods, Men’s Accessories, sunglasses and textile collection. The ceiling was finished with Aniegre wood in Mondrian pattern.

Louis Vuitton VIP Room Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta

The Louis Vuitton VIP Room seems extra cozy! It’s Indonesia’s first VIP room in global store.

“VIP Room is designed with touches solid teak timber screen in Louis Vuitton flower motif and Indonesian-designed furniture; finished in traditional Aniegre and polished plaster with timber floor.”

(Aniegre has been popular around the world and commonly used in America. Harvested from Africa, mainly from the Western or Ivory Coast area, the heartwood comes in cream to tan color with a pinkish tinge. It also produces a mottled figure and medium to fine texture.

Mondrian pattern was created by Dutch Painter, Piet Mondriaan. He evolved a non-representational form consisting of a grid of vertical and horizontal black lines. He termed it Neo-Plasticism).

Renowned Indonesia’s artists and socialites were part of the VIP guests as well as endorsing the Louis Vuitton collections. The celebrities include:

Luna Maya, Michelle Yeoh, Wulan Guritno,

Bunga Citra Lestari & Ashraff, Marsha Timothy & Fachri Albar,

Dian Sastro and Nicolas Saputra, Teuku Zacky and Sandra Dewi,

Mike Lewis, Richard Kevin,

Cathy Sharon, Jullie Estelle, VJ Daniel, Dewi Rezer & Marcellino, Agnes Monica, Shanty, Diah Permata Sari, Fira Sungkar & Rifat Sungkar, and Marini Zumarnis.

| Via |

CANARY YELLOW of JEWELTON PLASTERAMIC Collection represents “THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING.” Promo by TOYWATCH, the brand that has been big hits in U.S. since its first launching in summer 2006.

In Observance of Daylight Savings, TOYWATCH is offering Free Overnight Shipping on all orders placed between now and midnight on Saturday, March 7th

The promo also reminds you to set your clocks ahead Saturday night.

Apart from the promo, I myself cross on the Red “Pink Ruby” Jeweltone Plasteramic ToyWatch. Sizing 44 mm in diameter, The Jeweltone Plasteramic Collection features the signature Plasteramic bracelet, double crystal bezels, magnificent stone markers, and a mother-of-pearl chronograph; all in the richest colors. It also includes Date Window at 3 o’clock.

ToyWatch Red :Pin kRuby” Jeweltone Plasteramic

Inspired by precious gemstone, The Jeweltone Plasteramic Collection is available in 10 more choices of color with prices ranging from US $195.00 - $295.00.
They are:
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Lapis (Mother of Pearl Dial)
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Teal
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Moonstone

-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Lapis (Lapis Bezel)
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic - Toywatch Turquoise
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Moonstone (Double Crystal Bezel)

-    Jeweltone Plasteramic - Pink Ruby (Double Crystal Bezel)
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Amethyst
-    Jeweltone Plasteramic – Emerald

-    Jeweltone Plasteramic - Amethyst (Double Crystal Bezel)

| Official |

I covered this excellent Saint du Exuperry Watch some time ago. And now, the IWC watch reprises on the internet auction.

Between 8 and 14 December 2008, IWC Schaffhausen offers you the opportunity to bid for a watch that will never be available again - the Pilot’s Watch UTC Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry in platinum.

The last piece of watch, salute to the French pilot, author and adventurer will come with a copy of English edition of novel “Terre des Hommes” (”Wind, Sand and Stars”), hand-signed by the author, Antoine de Saint Exupéry.

The proceeds of the charity auction will go to the SIPAR organization, which works in Cambodia to fight illiteracy by publishing children’s books and setting up school libraries.

Limited Edition ICW Saint Exupery Watch, a tribute to Le Petit Prince

IWC internet auction was first held ten years ago on 1st of December 1998 as the model Mark 11, a veteran from the IWC’s own collection, was put on a bid for the benefit of the Red Cross. Since then the ICW’s wonderful idea has been an eagerly awaited event.

IWC Mark XI (Mark 11) was on the first watch auction on internet in 1998

In 1998, IWC chief executive officer Michael P. Sarp called the the first ever watch auction on internet “a breakthrough for the watchmaking industry” and one from which he expected “a lot of feedback.”

“The timepiece being auctioned was the 107th Mark XI to be made in 1957. Its movement, dial and case are original but have been cleaned and refurbished by IWC. The strap and clasp are replacements.”

| more details of the watch | | official |

I’ve ever covered a handmade leather goods producer from Florida, MAKR who’s renowned for their Herringbone Russet Angle Wallet. It’s a unique pocket cardholder with an angle cuts down to below the card line. That feature allows easy access to cards and folded cash.

This time, MAKR gives us a chance to have sneak preview to their new Tote Bag. It’s almost ready. The Tote has been in the works for a long time but due to random occurrences its release has been postponed. A tube bag/weekender bag will accompany the MAKR Tote Bag with the first release being in black wax wear and suede.

Pay attention and don’t miss it since the set will be out before holiday.

MAKR was founded by Jason Gregory who loves blending the tradition of handcraft with the contemporary. Four years ago while trying to make his own stylish camera bag; Jason experimented with laser and leather. He was working in an architectural firm owning an industrial laser to cut material for building models. Jason then developed his skill with laser and leather. He then constantly produced fashionable handcrafted wallet in only small quantities by smaller group of people in his family-owned-company, MAKR.

| Via |

This one is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Aqualand model. The Citizen JV0010-08E Watch is the first Aqualand to have incorporated with Citizen’s Eco Drive Solar Technology. It allows you to keep on time without need to change battery; thanks to sunlight absorb technology and the 6 month to 2.5 year power reserve feature.

The solar powered dive watch features both analog and digital time display. The stainless steel case measures 50 mm in diameter and 17 mm thick. Weighing only 135 grams, it’s a best stylish tool for dive since it is 200-meter water resistance.

Its dive measurement functions include:
-    digital depth display to 300 feet
-    depth and tome of dive measurement
-    current and lowest water temperature display
-    surface interval measurement
-    dive log memory for up to 20 dives
-    water and pressure sensor that switch automatically to dive mode when taken to depth under 4 meters

Its casual wear functions include:
-    29 time zone and 42 cities time
-    Three alarms
-    2/24-hour time display
-    electro-luminescent backlighting

With those functions, Citizen Eco Drive Men’s Aqualand 20th Anniversary Watch suits best for you, either the professional diver or stylish gentleman. How much is the price? US $450.00

| More |  | Buy |