All types of watches and models for every occasion.

In this article we will discuss the different styles and types of watches as well as which are the most suitable for each occasion and the different types of mechanisms and operations. Illustrated with photographs of each variety of watch.

Wristwatch.

Click on the images to see them better.

James Bond lighters

The lighters of James Bond

James Bond is a character who has distilled elegance and style like few others. As a spy he may have been too flashy to be credible, but as a fictional character he has an undeniable charisma.

In the novels as in his first films we were shown a James Bond drinker and smoker in a magnitude that today would be politically incorrect, but Bond was like that and that is how we have to enjoy it.

What lighter James Bond used in the novels?

Ian Fleming was specific about which brand of lighters he used, the American Ronson, but he never made clear a specific model that he used 007.

In works like Casino Royale, Fleming describes the lighter as an oxidized Ronson and in Moonraker it is added that it is oxidized black. The oxide is just a test of the continuous use of this contraption.

In any case, although the Ronson model used by James Bond was never specified, the models of this British brand in the 50s of the 20th century, in which the novels are set, are limited, so the fans of the character have identified three possible lighters and all of petrol load.

Ronson Standard, 1928 

Ronson Standard.

(Click on the images to see them better)

Ronson Adonis, 1947. 

Ronson Adonis.

Ronson Whirlwind, 1941. This had an accessory windshield that made it very suitable for outdoor use, such as the golf courses that fascinated the character. 

Ronson Whirlwind with the windproof accessory.

Ronson Whirlwind without the windproof accessory.

As you can see, all the Ronson models on display, perhaps with the exception of Adonis, are examples of robust devices, not designed to impress but to withstand intensive use. We can see then that the Bond of the novels was something different from what the movies show us. Much more cynical and harsh than the character that shaped Sean Connery and Hollywood. 

Lighters in the James Bond movies.

The lighters that Bond has used in his multiple films have been varied until in the most modern films he has joined the prevailing fashion (and I do not blame him) for giving up the habit. However, until that moment we have left sample that the writers have not neglected the iconic value of this accessory. 

In Doctor No, the James Bond played by Sean Connery delights us with a magnificent Dunhill Broadboy Mk2 in black finish . The British brand Dunhill, has always stood out, as we have shown in this blog, for making mechanically reliable and very beautiful elements. In this case, they got a slightly "customized" model that was commissioned by a customer who did not pick it up. There are three sizes of the Broadboy, the highest being the one that seems to be used. 

Dunhill Broadboy (it is the model although the one of the film is personalized and in black color)

Note: Some sources say that it was not really a Broadboy but a Wideboy. I watch the frames with care I lean towards the Broadboy.

In my opinion, the Dunhill Broadboy is the one that best suits the cinematographic Bond.

In the License to Kill 1989, Timothy Dalton is presented with a beautiful Dunhill Unique 
Silver Lighter 

Dunhill Unique Silver Lighter

Frame of Panorama to kill. Credits for MGM.

James, 
Love Always 
Della and Felix

The inscription shows us that the lighter was a wedding gift for Bond from a couple friend.

In 1997, Pierce Brosnan in The Tomorrow Never Dies, goes back to using a Dunhill, specifically an expensive and gimmicky Dunhill Unique Sports Gold. They could be used as an explosive grenade.

Dunhill Unique Sports of gold.

In 2012, in the movie Skyfall, the character of Severine, (played by Bérénice Marlohe) plays a sensual Pierre Cardin Classic Black Lacquer.

Pierre Cardin Classic Black Lacquer.

The lighters inspired by Bond.

Taking advantage of the character, different firms have obtained permission to manufacture lighters inspired by the franchise but have never appeared in the movies. I do not consider them properly James Bond lighters and therefore I will not extend on them, but we found interesting specimens like ST Dupont Xtend James Bond Torch Flame Lighter '007', ST Dupont James Bond Gatsby Lighter, or aS.T. Dupont SPECTER Premium lighter.


Whether or not you are a smoker, a good lighter is an accessory that can be useful on multiple occasions. It is not necessary that it can be used as a grenade to enjoy it, it is enough for us to fire when we need it. The panoply used by the character of James Bond is a sample of how elegant these accessories can be.

James Bond is a character who has distilled elegance and style like few others. As a spy he may have been too flashy to be credible, but as a fictional character he has an undeniable charisma.

In the novels as in his first films we were shown a James Bond drinker and smoker in a magnitude that today would be politically incorrect, but Bond was like that and that is how we have to enjoy it.

What lighter James Bond used in the novels?

Ian Fleming was specific about which brand of lighters he used, the American Ronson, but he never made clear a specific model that he used 007.

In works like Casino Royale, Fleming describes the lighter as an oxidized Ronson and in Moonraker it is added that it is oxidized black. The oxide is just a test of the continuous use of this contraption.

In any case, although the Ronson model used by James Bond was never specified, the models of this British brand in the 50s of the 20th century, in which the novels are set, are limited, so the fans of the character have identified three possible lighters and all of petrol load.

Ronson Standard, 1928 

Ronson Standard.

(Click on the images to see them better)

Ronson Adonis, 1947. 

Ronson Adonis.

Ronson Whirlwind, 1941. This had an accessory windshield that made it very suitable for outdoor use, such as the golf courses that fascinated the character. 

Ronson Whirlwind with the windproof accessory.

Ronson Whirlwind without the windproof accessory.

As you can see, all the Ronson models on display, perhaps with the exception of Adonis, are examples of robust devices, not designed to impress but to withstand intensive use. We can see then that the Bond of the novels was something different from what the movies show us. Much more cynical and harsh than the character that shaped Sean Connery and Hollywood. 

Lighters in the James Bond movies.

The lighters that Bond has used in his multiple films have been varied until in the most modern films he has joined the prevailing fashion (and I do not blame him) for giving up the habit. However, until that moment we have left sample that the writers have not neglected the iconic value of this accessory. 

In Doctor No, the James Bond played by Sean Connery delights us with a magnificent Dunhill Broadboy Mk2 in black finish . The British brand Dunhill, has always stood out, as we have shown in this blog, for making mechanically reliable and very beautiful elements. In this case, they got a slightly "customized" model that was commissioned by a customer who did not pick it up. There are three sizes of the Broadboy, the highest being the one that seems to be used. 

Dunhill Broadboy (it is the model although the one of the film is personalized and in black color)

Note: Some sources say that it was not really a Broadboy but a Wideboy. I watch the frames with care I lean towards the Broadboy.

In my opinion, the Dunhill Broadboy is the one that best suits the cinematographic Bond.

In the License to Kill 1989, Timothy Dalton is presented with a beautiful Dunhill Unique 
Silver Lighter 

Dunhill Unique Silver Lighter

Frame of Panorama to kill. Credits for MGM.

James, 
Love Always 
Della and Felix

The inscription shows us that the lighter was a wedding gift for Bond from a couple friend.

In 1997, Pierce Brosnan in The Tomorrow Never Dies, goes back to using a Dunhill, specifically an expensive and gimmicky Dunhill Unique Sports Gold. They could be used as an explosive grenade.

Dunhill Unique Sports of gold.

In 2012, in the movie Skyfall, the character of Severine, (played by Bérénice Marlohe) plays a sensual Pierre Cardin Classic Black Lacquer.

Pierre Cardin Classic Black Lacquer.

The lighters inspired by Bond.

Taking advantage of the character, different firms have obtained permission to manufacture lighters inspired by the franchise but have never appeared in the movies. I do not consider them properly James Bond lighters and therefore I will not extend on them, but we found interesting specimens like ST Dupont Xtend James Bond Torch Flame Lighter '007', ST Dupont James Bond Gatsby Lighter, or aS.T. Dupont SPECTER Premium lighter.

https://www.amazon.es/Iconos-dise%C3%B1o-para-hombre-B-complementos/dp/1655216538/

The OMAS Paragon

The Omas Paragon

They say that there are few ways to make a fountain pen and that is usually said by those who only know how to make them in the form of a torpedo. There are, however, other ways of making fountain pens and the Italian Omas was able to create unparalleled beauty with a fluted shape. An impressive classic, the OMAS Paragon

Omas Paragon

(Click to enlarge the images

OMAS disappears

I write this entry with the sadness of knowing that this jewel is not going to be manufactured again. Omas, the legendary Italian brand of writing tools, closes in 2016. Founded in 1925 by Armando Simoni, it had recently fallen into the hands of Chinese "investors". According to rumors the Omas as a symbol of luxury were used to make prestigious gifts to officials of that country and an investigation against corruption made for this kind of gifts, which gave the coup de grace to a brand that only made high-priced pens . Today the field of fountain pens has a fierce competition and OMAS is the one that has fallen today.

OMAS logo

Returning to the Paragon, we are facing a large feather. Its dimensions are 14,224 cm with cap (5.6 inches) and 13,335 cm without cap (5.25 inches) and is notable for its beautiful and large gold nib. In recent times this nib was manufactured by the German Bock.

Its charging system is by piston. The OMAS pistons are reputed to be effective, although they are not as reputable as the Pelikan, but they still do not disappoint.

A good thing added about its mechanics. The entire pen is easily disassembled without using any other tool than your own hands.

When you have your celluloid body in your hands you can immediately notice that you have something special and the eyes of any amateur can not help but marvel at the beauty of its Roman fretwork that surrounds the cap.

The only bad thing about this pen is its high price but I sincerely believe that it is worth it. Of course it is not affordable for everyone, although there are those who kill the bug with imitations, which I find horrendous. I prefer an authentic cheap pen to an imitation. If you want a similar pen and also legendary I recommend the Inoxcrom Corinthian, a pen that deserves its own entrance and that although it is not a cheap pen, it is much more affordable.

Tips to buy an OMAS Paragon

If the new purchase of course will not fail, just be careful with the price. I advise you to negotiate with the seller asking him if he is sure that OMAS spare parts will remain in the future. I am sure that for a long time, but it is a way of tightening in the negotiation.

If you buy Omas Paragon second hand, make sure that the piston works and does not have a mass of dried ink inside that forces you to order the pen ipso facto, which is not going to be cheap. Another point to observe is obviously the nib, this should be with the hawks aligned and keep the irides in good condition. Finally, observe the celluloid state of the body.

Another interesting detail about the second-hand Paragon is that many fans say that those manufactured before 2000, when the company was acquired by the French LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, were better than the later ones.

In short, a timeless pen that distills Italian beauty in every stroke. A fantastic gift for a man with class.

https://www.amazon.es/Iconos-dise%C3%B1o-para-hombre-B-complementos/dp/1655216538/

How to invest in gold and precious metals: Basic Guide

How to invest in gold and precious metals: Basic Guide

Many people consider investing in precious metals both to obtain benefits and to get insurance in case of crisis or cover their retirement.

In this guide I am going to focus on how to invest to get that insurance to turn to in case of catastrophe.

Why invest in gold and precious metals?

Gold has been used as a luxury good since the human being is aware of his humanity. It has the quality that it does not oxidize and is different by color from the rest of metals that are gray (copper is also different but oxidizes) and has utility not only aesthetic but also industrial. Therefore, gold (and the rest of precious metals) will never stop having an appreciable value. You will never lose all the money that you invest in it and it will be revalued in times of crisis, which is when it is most needed.

Click on the images to see them in detail

1 oz Krugerrand

Does gold never lose value?

I have not said that, gold, like any good, is subject to the law of supply and demand. There will always be demand but in times of economic bonanza its price will fall and in times of crisis it will rise.

How much should I invest? A salary in gold

This is one of the most complicated questions but we are going to give you a reasoned answer. The logical thing is to think that the more gold you accumulate the better, especially if the crisis is just around the corner and this is what the typical gold accumulators will advise you.

Be clear and repeat despite the obvious that the more you have better and if you want to ensure something retirement is a good idea to make annual purchases to accumulate something that does not take inflation

Now, what happens if there is no crisis insured in sight and you just want to have a quantity to defend yourself against unforeseen events? If you invest a lot of money in gold you can find that you need that money for an emergency and the gold, even if it is very "liquid" will never be as quick to mobilize (in good times) as the usual money.

Therefore, how much do I have to accumulate at least in gold? Very easy, you have to have saved a salary in gold. What is a salary? Well, a salary is the money that you get (you get) in a month, whatever the amount is. With a salary is what you are used to survive in 30 days, reasonably enough time to escape from a country at war or find a solution to your problems. Having at least one salary accumulated in current money is a recommendation of the European Union to save you from unforeseen events, so I recommend that you make the effort to have that salary in normal currency and in gold (two salaries). If you have a high salary for sure you are used to more luxuries and if your salary is lower to more modest life. The measure of a salary fits all.

Alfonsina spanish gold coin

Do I buy all the gold in one go?

As the price of gold and other metals fluctuates, it is best to go buying little by little to go averaging. Think that in times of economic bonanza the gold goes down and in bad the gold rises.

Which metal is more convenient to invest to have that catastrophe insurance?

There are several precious metals such as rhodium, palladium, platinum ... which are still a good investment insurance (especially platinum) but make it easy for you not to have trouble buying it, of course the best is gold . Everyone knows it and knows it is valuable so it is easy to price (not like diamonds) and change it without problems. Its handicap, however, is that it is very valuable if, in case of crisis, its value rises a lot, you can find it in your hands with a piece that nobody can pay for, so silver pieces can be very useful for retail.

Platinum has less demand and is less known but many experts say it will be easier to sell as more platinum coins arrive on the market.

Do I invest better in bullion or coins?

Better the coins although both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to invest a huge amount it is best to have ingots for their greater weight, in addition, bullion tend to have lower premium or "Premium" (the cost of doing so and the benefit of the seller) on the price of gold (called this Spot). By contrast, ingots have less standardized forms which make them more easily fastable and therefore less demanded.

The coins have a well-known weight and dimensions (a one-ounce Krugerrand weighs always the same and always measures the same as another Krugerrand) and its drawing is also well known. To all this, many buyers prefer coins with a coined face (a king, etc.) because human beings are used to seeing faces and a fake face will have a somewhat different expression that will easily catch our attention.

Another thing, every time there are better fakes in terms of weight because of Tungsten, metal that weighs almost the same as gold and with which gold coins or ingots are sometimes covered with real gold. However, tungsten does not "sound" like gold and it is easy to tap a coin (with a wooden pencil so as not to damage it) and hear its sound; if Piiiiing sounds, it's solid gold.

Another advantage of the coins is that they can be sold in numismatic establishments, especially if they are historical coins, but this has also made their acquisition higher premium.

Do not buy damaged jewelry, your gold is with luck of 18 carats (75% of gold) and surely they will sell them as a jewel and you want to sell them as gold.There are jewelery with lower carat gold, make sure you buy

Coins and ingots large or small?

Better small since if the gold goes up in value we could have coins of much value and more difficult to change. Even so, a split gold coin still has value, although obviously in that case you have to weigh the fragment and it is not so easy to split a coin either.

What are the best gold, silver and platinum coins to invest-accumulate?

Choose coins known in your country as the Alfonsina of 25 pesetas of gold in Spain, but there are coins that are recognized in all countries

In these links you will find the entries I made specifically analyzing the best coins and precious metal bullion. I also explain the differences between 24 carat (pure gold), 22 carat (alloy with other metals and more resistant) or 900 (9 tenths) coins.

The best gold coins to invest

Best silver coins to invest

Best platinum coins to invest

Is it wise to buy gold jewelry then?

If you are going to enjoy them as decoration, yes, because you are giving them daily use, something that you do not do with coins and ingots, and if necessary, you always get money when selling it. In that case buying gold jewelry is very sensible but always bearing in mind that the gold it contains has been expensive to have paid the making of the jewel.

Where to buy gold and precious metals?

The best thing is always to buy in legal premises and obtain an invoice that will help us in case of selling them legally to understand us with taxes.

Some say that buying on a registered basis is bad in case one day there is a confiscation of gold by the state as occurred in the US during the Great Depression.

Where to sell my gold when I need to make it liquid?

In case of hyperinflation catastrophe as lived in Germany after the First World War, you can negotiate directly with him and take advantage of that you have a good that is more precious than paper tickets. If the company keeps you will get better prices of your coins in Numismatics stores (it is good to know what your coins are worth in advance) that sometimes also buy small bullion. There are pages of sale between individuals on the Internet and in case of despair you can go to a buy-gold that is where you are least going to pay but if you are desperate are a way out (bad) but a way out.

Is physical gold or gold in values ​​better then?

In case of catastrophe having a paper that tells you that you have gold in a Swiss bank may not help you at all and that if it is not a scam and your ounce of gold has not been sold to ten more people. Better for that the physical gold and in an accessible place that does not have to be in your house.

Be careful when saving the silver that has the tendency to rust, creating a dark oxidized or blackened.

Spanish silver coin of 12 euros.

This blog is dedicated to male accessories and will continue to do so. This entry on investment in precious metals is an exception at the request of visitors.