N/Review: The Iconic Rolex Submariner

A cool early-summer breeze kicks up specks of sand as I sit on the beach. Summer Shandy in hand, I watch as the second-hand gracefully makes its journey over the iconic black dial. The hour and minute hands perfectly framing the name and logo that has become synonymous with luxury over the last 99 years - Rolex. As I move my wrist around, letting the light hit the ceramic bezel at various angles, I begin to realize why this watch is so iconic. While it is a fairly common watch in most frequent-flyer clubs, a right of passage to anyone with an MBA, and owned by anyone who has “made it”, the watch remains pure. It is everything you want in a luxury item, yet still maintaining its original tool watch functions. While it is instantly recognizable as the epitome of watchmaking to the average person, this is an object that perfectly balances form and function.

It may be a bit dramatic, but this was a moment of realization I had while sporting the Rolex Submariner (ref. 114060) at the beach. Few items hold the legendary level of design status as the Rolex Submariner. To me, the watch is synonymous with the likes of the Porsche 911, the iPod, and the Eames chair. To be frank, I can think of a list of watches that cover all the same bases as the Submariner for half the money, and yet, if I had to pick one watch to wear for the rest of my life, this would be it.

After a month on the wrist, there isn’t much I haven’t felt comfortable doing in this watch. From sitting on the beach with a beer to throwing on a suit and heading into a business professional setting, this watch has been the perfect companion. The brushed finishes and clean design elements create an odd sense of rugged luxury I have seldom come across with watches outside of the Rolex brand. While Rolex has transitioned from the ultimate tool company to the world’s most recognized luxury brand, the stainless-steel version of the Sub still feels like an actual tool.

As you will have noticed by now, this isn’t the most famous version of the Sub, this is the No-Date variant. To me, this iteration of the Submariner (ref. 114060) is the purest, as the symmetry of the design is un-compromised by the lack of a date window/Cyclops. This watch is everything you need, with all other elements stripped away. With every rotation of the bezel, you receive a satisfying auditory click as it moves. While some pursuits have been slow to warm up to the larger maxi-case design, I feel it only adds to the structural integrity of the design and gives it a more beefy presence on the wrist. When comparing to the previous case design side by side, I found it to have a more robust overall feeling, while still maintaining all the classic design elements.

At the heart of this watch, there is a sense of adventure. While most see it as the ultimate sign of luxury and success, I see it as something else entirely. This watch is so much more than a simple means of telling the time, it is a companion. The design works so well because you never have to think about how it will pair with an outfit, it just works. Throughout the month of wearing it, I never felt like the watch was holding me back from doing anything. The taper of the oyster bracelet was perfectly complemented by the updated clasp with glide-lock technology. Simply click out an inner-clasp to make quick micro adjustments. Throughout the day as my wrist would swell when out in the sun I could easily adjust the bracelet to the perfect size.

In terms of how I was able to style the watch, I found very few limitations. Some might find the pairing of black dial/bezel with brown shoes less than ideal I feel it works well. The brushed elements of the watch give a sleek look that I complimented everything from a suit to jeans and a tee shirt. For those wishing to match the watch more closely to their outfits, it also looks fantastic when paired with a brown leather strap or a variety of Nato straps.

To summarize this time-piece, I would say it is the foundation on which most sports watches are created. The rugged nature of this diver will serve anyone well in almost any situation. For those craving something unique and different this isn’t the watch, however, but it isn’t supposed to be. This watch is the base level Porsche 911. It is everything you want from a Rolex, with a “no nonsense” approach. It carries all of the iconic design elements with nothing you don’t need. Overall, I found it met everything I needed on a daily basis, even though I typically like to have a date-window. The smooth glide of the second-hand is a therapeutic experience as you watch it make its way around. This watch has served as the benchmark for decades, and this version shows why Rolex is king in the watchmaking industry.

Huge thank you to the folks over at Crown & Caliber for lending me this watch, you can check out this watch and thousands of other great pre-owned pieces here.

N/Review: Bell & Ross V2-92 Aeronavale

The V2-92 Aeronavale by Bell & Ross may look familiar. I reviewed the chronograph version back in February and I love the watch then. But, as blue is my favorite color when given the opportunity to review the non-chrono version with blue dial/bezel I jumped at the chance. For the last few months I have been working my way through most of the $2,000-4,000 sports watches, and I will have to say as far as versatility goes, this watch is fantastic. The Aeronavale has a 41mm case that is only around 8-9mm thick (not an official number). On the bracelet I really liked how flat it sits on the wrist, because of that thinner case size. It easily fits under the cuff of most dress shirts, and if thrown on a rubber or nato strap could be perfect for more causal summer looks. 

With the contrasting gold markers on the dial, combined with the domed crystal the watch has almost a vintage feel about it. In a time of watches getting larger and larger this diver/sport watch has a refreshingly normal size and doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing an oversized wall clock on my wrist. 

From a styling standpoint, this watch goes with just about everything. While I think it goes best with a button down and loafers, I wore it with everything from a suit to a t-shirt. The classic design and that pop of blue from the dial make it an instant conversation piece and I received a lot of complements in the weeks I spent wearing it. On a practical level as someone who sits at a desk for the majority of the work week, I really apreceated how the clasp of the bracelet was not super thick, and uncomfortable to wear while typing. 

While I usually have at least one or two gripes with most watches, I really don't have any negative points about this watch. Bell & Ross did a great job with the design, and priced at around $3,300 it brings tremendous value as it could also be worn on a variety of straps. I love how subtle the date window is, sitting between 4 and 5. If you are looking for a great everyday watch this is something I would certainly recommend in it's price category. 

N/Review: Alton Lane

In today's internet age of #Menswear there are more made-to-measure online suiting companies than I can keep up with. These companies all claim to be "disrupting" the menswear space, yet in my experience all fall short, very short. So when someone from Alton Lane reached out, I was interested to see how they stacked up. I had seen several menswear bloggers post about them, yet I had also seen the same bloggers post about similarly branded companies who offer little to no value to the general consumer. 

What makes Alton Lane nice to me is they have several stores spread throughout the country so you have an element of human interaction when creating your suit. Living in Charlotte, I was able to conveniently drive down the street to my local showroom, and feel the fabrics and look through all the different lines that they carry. My suit was made from a beautiful Loro Piana navy, pin-stripped wool. The staff was increadibly knowledgable about the different fabrics and was able to educate me on how they are produced. 

What makes the process of how you are measured is the insane body scanner (swipe through gallery above to see). It takes over 300 measurements in less than 10-seconds and creates a 3D image of your body. In additional to this they still take the traditional measurements by hand also.  

After the initial meeting, it only took one additional fitting to get the suit perfectly fitted. It takes anywhere from four to six weeks to get your suit. The shirt they had made for me took a little over two which is fairly quick turn around. I was incredibly pleased with the fit and finish of the suit. Chris and Elizabeth from the Charlotte location took fantastic care of me, and really listened to what I wanted in the suit we were making. They addressed several problem areas I typically have (having more level shoulders I get some material pooling on my upper-back). It was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend them to anyone. 

To learn more about Alton Lane and their services head on over to their website @ altonlane.com

N/Review: Rolex Datejust 16013

For the last year I've lusted after this watch. The two-tone and steel variants of this vintage Rolex to me represent the perfect balance of dress and sport. While it certainly leans heavily more toward the dress watch side, put it on a nato or leather strap and it brings out a more causal look. In getting my hands on this watch from Ben at Windsor Jewelers, I was afraid I would end up finding something I didn't like about it, but I can honestly say it is, to me, perfect. 

Let's get into the design. It is 36mm in width, which by today's standards sounds quite small, but having worn it for a month, to me wears very nicely on the wrist. It comes on a jubilee bracelet. The jubilee bracelet was introduced in 1945 to celebrate Rolex's 40th anniversary. The design of the bracelet to me it very comfortable, and wears a bit more comfortable than most metal bands. It was not until the President bracelets introduction in the mid 1950’s, that the Jubilee was offered in two-tone, and eventually, stainless steel options. Previous to this, the jubilee was only offered in gold (facts via Bobs watches). To me it wears more comfortably than Rolex's oyster bracelets and comes off a bit more dressed-up. 

This watch has gone great with just about everything I have paired it with thus far. The ideal setting in my mind is with anything between a button-down and a suit. While I certainly have worn it with a t-shirt and jeans, the average person will more than likely see this as a more sporty dress watch option. 

To conclude, this watch in my eyes represents the perfect watch. While the vintage Rolex market is currently up, you can still pick up a very nice example of the Datejust 16013, 1601 or 1603 for easily under $4,000. This watch to me represents massive value as you can buy into the Rolex brand for a relatively low cost and wear what looks to be in most people's eyes a not-so-old watch.  

N/Review: Tudor Black-Bay 41

Having been a huge Rolex fan for the last few years, I finally decided to give their sister brand, Tudor, a try. I picked out the Tudor Black-Bay 41, which is the Rolex equivalent in my opinion of somewhere between the Rolex Explorer and Oyster Perpetual. For those of you who aren't watch geeks, Tudor is a brand that was created by Rolex's founder Hans Wilsdorf in 1926. Vintage Tudors used the same components as Rolex, going even so far as to boast the same cases and bracelets, but different movements.

This modern Tudor is an homage to Tudor models of the past, featuring a clean dial and their iconic "snowflake" hands. The case has a diameter of 41mm, as described by the name, and is also available in 36mm and 34mm sizes. In addition to the leather band pictured, the watch is also available with a steal oyster bracelet and up until this year has come with a complementary cloth strap. 

Having worn this watch everyday for the past month, it has proved versatile. While I think the metal bracelet is what I would personally opt for, the leather is a rich brown color that goes with just about anything. At 41mm, it wears a bit small in my opinion due to the slightly thicker bezel. In general if you dress business causal and above this would be a great daily watch. The dial is incredibly easy to read, and the lume shines brightly in the dark for a reasonable amount of time. While I'm not sure how it would have been executed I would love to have seen a date window with the classic Rolex cyclops. Aside from this however, the watch wears handsomly on the wrist. 

The overall quality of materials and finish used is nothing short of impeccable. I love that Tudor used a clasp closure on the leather version, and the Tudor shield design of that clasp, while a bit large, is a very nice touch. While most modern watches sit around the same thickness, I would love to see a slightly thinner case. The vintage design paired with a slim case would have made this the perfect watch in my opinion. 

So who is this watch for? While it is a fantastic watch for just about any guy, this watch to me is a either a great first, or second watch. I could easily see someone who is either getting into watches, or wants an upgrade from the $800-1,200 watch category. This watches strength are the clean dial design you could wear on the leather or metal bracelet to the office, then throw on a nato strap for a weekend at the beach or lake. It is a field watch that can be dressed up and still worn with pride. 

Another huge thanks to Ben at Windsor Jewelers for providing this watch. This exact watch will be available for sale at their Charlotte location, along with a wide variety of other Tudors. 

N/Review: Rolex Explorer 2

I remember when I was around 8 years-old I saw an ad for a Rolex Submariner. The two-tone watch, with a brilliant blue dial, caught my eye. Several years later when I got into watches, the allure of Rolex, though out of reach, was undeniable. So when I got the chance to wear this Rolex Explorer 2 ref. 216570 for a little over a month I jumped at the chance.  There is a reason Rolex is the most recognized luxury brand in the world. From the heft of the solid steel oyster bracelet to the smooth action of the clasp this watch was everything I could have imagined in a Rolex. Before we get into my specific thoughts, I would like to thank Ben Simon at Windsor Jewelers in Charlotte for loaning me the watch. Though I imagine it will go fast, click HERE to be redirected to their website, or click the link below. 

Link: http://windsor-jewelers.com/

Let's start with design. At 42mm, and solid links on the bracelet (as opposed to the hollowed out links on the pre-2011) the Explorer 2 feels commanding on the wrist. Not too heavy, but it feels like you could hammer some nails, then throw it on and head out to a nice dinner. The GMT hand was of little to no use to me, but as I do work with companies in the California time zone it was nice to have it set to that, so I could easily reference what time it was there. If you travel frequently and are looking for something a little more casual than a GMT Master 2, this is your watch. Other than that, this watch is pretty straightforward. A fixed bezel balances out the size of the case with the dial. My favoriate part of the design is the micro-adjuster that allows you in less than five seconds to expand the band by a could of millimeters so when your wrist swells throughout the day you can easily loosen it. 

So how versatile is it as an everyday watch? After all, a watch with the name "Explorer" doesn't scream sartorial refinement. Well, here is the deal, it's a Rolex. Yes, it is undeniably a sports watch in every sense of the word, but I wore it proudly with suits while it was in my possession. I think while either the Explorer (1) or Datejust are more astute to being worn more formally if you like a watch as must as I loved this one, just wear it. 

So, to wrap up this review I will say this; the Explorer 2 is a great watch. While I would personally opt for the white dial, pre-2011 version with red GMT hand and a slightly smaller 40mm case size this specific Explorer 2 has found a place in my heart (and hopefully my watch box at somepoint). 

N/Review: Bell & Ross BR-V2 Chronograph

After wearing the BR-V2 every day for the last month I have really come to love the watch. I typically prefer white watch faces, as I feel they are more versatile, but the black face of this chronograph has gone with just about everything. At 41mm, the watch feels very balanced on the wrist and because of the thin bezel, wears more like a 39mm or 40mm. I won't list off all the technical specifications on here, for that I will direct you to Bell & Ross's website by clicking HERE. Before we dive in, I would like to thank Ben Simon from Windsor Jewelers in Charlotte, NC for loaning me the watch. I have teamed up with Windsor to create some cool watch content for you guys over the next few months. 

One of the details I love most as a #watchnerd would have to be the sapphire case-back. At 41mm, the watch feels very nice on the wrist. The chronograph funciton is well laid out on the dial and does not seem to crowd the face as sometimes happens with chronographs. The date window is subtly placed to the right of the 6 o'clock marker. 

I want to touch on what I think could potentially be the only downside, which is no fault of the watch, that is the Omega Speedmaster. The watch that went to the moon, and some watch bloggers have said the B&R is a knock off of. To me, I take a watch a face value when reviewing and try to block out similar watches and really just look at what is on my wrist first. This watch to me, is for someone who likes the classic design of the Speedmaster, but maybe wants something different. When it comes down to it, this watch  is a great piece and something I could see myself purchasing someday when my own collection is a little more rounded out. 

Overall I have really enjoyed this watch.  As I said before, I have always preferred white dials on most of my watches, but having only worn this for a month it felt very natural with most out fits. The watch is incredibly versatile in how it can be worn. Because of the thinner bezel size, it wears slightly smaller in my opinion making it fit in with either a suit or my favorite jeans. I think, if paired with a nato or leather strap this really could be the perfect starter watch for someone looking to get into a new luxury watch. Check-out the gallery below to see how I styled the watch with a wide variety of outfits! 

N/Style: My Top 4 Watches Under $250

A question I get frequently is what my favorite watches are for the guy on a budget. While social media may make it seem like everyone owns a Rolex these days, there are plently of great watches for those not looking to spend thousands of dollars. 

Brands such as Daniel Wellington, MVMT and Vincero claimed to have "revolutionized" the watch game and bring massive value. While I have respect for Daniel Wellington, as they were one of the first brands to work with me, I will have to admit all three brands sell subpar watches for the price. The build quality and movements used are not reflective of the price at all in my opinion. 

What is a guy to do then? Let's get into my four recommendations for affordable watches, under $250. 

We will start with the cheapest, the Timex Weekend Chronograph. This watch can be found from anywhere between $60-$80 online and even cheaper if you get a used one. The watch comes in at 42mm and is great as a casual watch. I have owned this watch for over a year and have really come to love it. Its clean chronograph design(which takes cues from the Shinola Runwell, at $500+ watch) goes great with a denim shirt and your favorite beer. For well under $100 this watch is a steal.  

My second recommendation is the Frederique Constant Slimline with a quartz movement. This is a watch I found on Amazon for a little under $200 a few weeks ago. Depending on the specific dial and strap combination this watch ranges from $180 to $300 on Amazon. I would highly recommend this over a Daniel Wellington for two reasons. First, the brand. Frederique Constant is a fairly renowned brand and being able to buy into the Swiss brand for under $200 is a steal. Second, you can purchase this watch on a nato, buy a leather strap and come out with the same price as a typical Daniel Wellington, which wouldn't have a seconds hand. The watch to me is visually more appealing and takes elements from Patek Phillip and Ralph Lauren, making it appear far more expensive than it is. My only drawback on this watch would have to be the quartz movement. In a perfectly quiet room, if you put it about 6 inches away from your ear, you can hear the faint ticking noise of the second hand, but in normal conditions, it isn't something you will hear. Other than that, the watch is incredibly thin and works great for both dressy and casual outfits. The watch is 37mm, which I love. It gives it a very vintage feel on the wrist. 

My third recommendation is the Seiko SKX009. This diver watch brings design cues from Rolex, without coming off as a knockoff. The watch can take a beating and has been my go-to watch for the majority of the year. The automatic movement makes it a great watch for only around $200. The only potential downside is the standard metal bracelet that it comes on is a bit cheap feeling, but for less than $100 can be replaced by a nicer bracelet. For me, this a tool watch I have hiked with and worn in the ocean without fear of hurting it. Short of using the face as a hammer, this watch can take just about anything. 

Lastly, I want to touch on vintage watches. Here, we have my Longines Les Grandes Classiques. This is a funky watch, I found on therealreal.com for $230 several months back. It's 25mm width and odd oval shape make it a conversation starter. Most guys don't want what would appear to be a lady's watch, but I love it. It is a very retro design, but there are more modern versions that can be found on ebay in the sub $300 range if you dig. It's a great watch and yet again, you are buying into a Swiss brand that has lasted the test of time. 

N/Style: Behind the shot

I have in the past gotten several requests for showing the process behind what goes into an image. Check out this short vlog to see my process! 

N/Style: The Plaid Blazer

Blazer: Banana Republic, Pants: J.Crew, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Shoes: Johnston and Murphy, Glasses: Warby Parker. 

As we are finally transitioning into my favorite season of the year (Autumn) I thought I would start to talk about pieces to pick up as I start to transition my wardrobe for the cooler months. The first thing I have decided to start with is a staple piece that should be in every guy's closet and that is the patterened blazer. 

This slim, brown plaid Italian-cotton blazer from Banana Republics Fall 2017 line is the perfect example of what you should look for in your patterned blazer. What I really love about this piece is how soft the cotton they used is. In addition to that the more casual patch pockets, paired with a lightly padded shoulder give the blazer an over all more relaxed look and feel. In wearing this blazer out on a date I felt very at ease and that it falls into that perfect category of being smartly dressed without coming off as trying too hard.

To go even a step more casual try something like this; a smart leather trainer, grey henley and some light khaki trousers. This look is perfect if you work in a more casual enviroment and want to be a touch more comfortable or even a date. 

Overall, for a little under $300 this jacket is phenominal. I did not have to take it to the tailor as the fit is spot on. Also the light construction and materials used are some of the best I have seen from Banana Republic thus far. The lightly padded shoulders and patch pockets make it the perfect jacket for going into Fall. Click HERE to check it out. Check out the video I did on this blazer below!

N/Style: My Apartment

Hey Guys! So I recently moved into a new place while still going to School at UNC Charlotte. It has been a great upgrade from my first place in Charlotte. At a little under 800 square-feet it is just shy of 100 square-feet smaller than the other apartment, but I have loved every second of this new place. Checkout the video I recently did on my YouTube channel! 

N/Style: Common Projects, are they worth it?

For a little over a year now I have been lusting over Common Projects. From their sneakers to Chelsea Boots everything they make turns to gold. The flawless design and perfect silhouette of the Achilles low has long had my attention. So finally after several months of back and forth, I finally decided to pick a pair up. Common Projects like any luxury product is something you have to see and feel in person to understand why anyone would pay $400+ for a pair of leather sneakers. Honestly, I had decided to purchase several other items on my "fashion bucket list" before picking these up but it was love at first try-on. They are some of the most comfortable and beautiful (yes, they are beautiful) shoes I have ever owned.

So, with all that being said, are they worth it? To me, yes, yes they are worth it. I have a weakness for beautifully designed products so for me it was a no brainer. But for those who are simply looking to pick-up a pair of Italian made kicks? Maybe. The Achilles sneaker like any great product has been ripped off time and time again to within an inch of being an all out Canal Street special. Brands such as M. Gemini and Greats have incredibly similar shoes with noticeably decent quality and design. While they are great options for those who aren't as elitest as myself, I would reference my friend Wilson who once told me "buy what you want". Personally, at the end of the day, those are simply knock offs to me, similar to brands such as Cole Haan who constantly knock off the designs of brands such as Gucci (see any horse-bit loafer Cole Haan has ever made). At the end of the day the CP's will last me for years and the "cost per wear" goes down significantly if you think about the amount of use you get out of them. 

So to bring this post home, I would say this; if you have a well build wardrobe go for it. They are great shoes and will really be a great addition. However if you are still in the process of building your wardrobe basics hold off until you have all the basics down. 

N/Style: How to rip your pants like a gentlemen

Life always gives you the best source material. So here we go, the guide to how to rip your pants and come out of it with James Bond level smoothness. 

Backstory: Let's set the stage, me and my girlfriend were headed to a friends wedding on Saturday. We drove down from Charlotte and before the wedding visited my parents. When our visit was done, we walked out to the car my mother stopped me and declared to my horror that my suit trousers had ripped down the entire back. It was 5:15, and the wedding started at six, what was I to do? 

Not wanting to miss the reception(the open bar, gourmet dinner I had driven an hour for,  and the friends and family attending) I started the hunt for some replacement pants at a J. Crew Mercantile, Stein Mart and Banana Republic, then finally ending up at Belk, finally finding some white pants at Belk that would do the job. 

What to do: The first massive mistake three out of the four retail associates tried to do was match some navy pants to my suit. In their defense, they were trying to help, but never under any circumstances go this route. Attempting this will never work out and will look ultra tacky. Instead, if you are wearing a navy suit as I was, go for some tan, gray, or white(Spring/Summer only) dress pants in a similar fabric to the suit.

Wearing a gray or Khaki suit? Navy pants all the way.

Black suit: gray pants. 

In the end, I made it to the wedding reception with a great ice breaker story, and an outfit that still landed multiple complements. Sadly though the suit pants are ruined and my favorite suit of two years will now be laid to rest. Below you can see the carnage that once was my (too) slim navy suit from J. Lindeburg. 

N/Style: Spring Updates | Why you should be mixing your suits

When starting to build a wardrobe you want to get as much milage out of your suits as possible. Mixing the jacket and pants of some suits with others gives a whole new life to the pieces. For this look, I was headed to dinner with some friends on a Thursday evening and wanted to remain in a more buttoned-up look, while not coming off to stuffy. For this outfit, I simply removed the navy suit jacket, threw in the  more causal tan blazer and I was good to go. After dinner, we headed to a billiards hall where I lost the tie, and the look still came off as well put together without too much of a pretentious air. 

Shoes: Banana Republic

Jacket and pants: J. Lindeberg

Shirt: Twillory

Tie: Ledbury

Glasses: Warby Parker

Watch: Deutsche Uhrenfabrik 

N/Review: What I've learned after six months of owning a BMW

After owning my 2010 BMW 328i X-Drive coupe for six months now, and getting several questions along the way I thought I would do a short write up on my experience and what goes into to owning one of these cars. Before we get started I need to provide a few basic facts. First off I don't have the time, nor the patience to learn to work on my own car. Yes, I could probably save a boatload of money in maintenance (which we will get into later) but I simply enjoy driving cars and prefer not to go past that. Second, I did not want to buy this car mid-college, however, after my car was totaled (not my fault, and totally screwed up situation) the price of this car versus something like a Honda Accord wasn't much more and I had always wanted a BMW 3-Series coupe. Third, I had exactly four Infiniti G-37 coupes sold out from under me in the span of a month. And to finish it out at number four, I had a very limited amount of time to find a new car, and the majority of my research was focused on other cars. So now that you have some context let's get into my experience. 

From the second I got into the car to test drive it I was sold. The heavy, direct feel of the steering, the beautiful hum of the flat-six german engine all had such a euphoric effect on me. I had been looking for a car for almost a month and a half, and with no luck and this felt like the one. So in that moment, I made my first big car buying mistake; I bought it. Like actually just bought it on the spot an hour after the test drive. It had a clean carfax report (remember this) so I just went for it. With 39K miles on it and just under $20K it seemed like a great deal. I purchased the car from a reputable dealer (who will go unnamed). So things started to hit the fan a week later when I realized there was a crack on the front drivers-side fender. I had it inspected by my local BMW dealership and they confirmed that it had been in a wreck at one point. I took it back to the Honda dealership I bought it from and over the course of three months the entire fender was replaced, wheels straightened, front brakes and rotors replaced (they were warped), and the front grill had to be realigned (and still isn't perfect). In total it cost me nothing extra as the dealer had basically lied about the condition of the car and gotten around reporting it on the car facts. It's a common dealer trick and pretty easy to do quite honestly. Now onto the actual ownership part. 

Ok, so to recap the car was purchased in late October 2016 and now finally at the end of January 2017 I now had a fully repaired car. Everything else aside it really has been a very fun car with all the issues fixed. It isn't the fastest of cars but for an entry-level luxury coupe (not a sports car, let's be honest about that) I have loved owning it. In terms of maintenance if you can find a good third-party shop to work on it will save you a lot of money. In February I had a cylinder coil blow which through the dealership cost me around $400 to fix, I also had the spark plugs replaced which cost $135. An oil change will run you around $75-100 which isn't the end of the world by any means. I also had the brake fluid serviced which ran around $125. 

As for the car itself I have been nothing but happy with the driving experience. As mentioned before it is the X-drive version which is BMW's all-wheel drive system so it feels incredibly planted to the ground when going through corners at high speed. The design of the car itself doesn't scream 7 years old, and the car still has a modern look to it. The car gets pretty average gas milage at around 16-20mpg city and 26-30 highway. The downside of having the AWD system however is once you start to drive it more "spirited" (semi-reckless) it sucks down that premium gas like a runner who just did a 5k in mid-August. The cabin is reasonably quite, and comfortable. Being a bit more sport oriented coupe it isn't the most fluid ride in the world but it is comfortable overall. It comes with no spare tire, and I ran run-flat tires for quite sometime but gave up after they became noisy after a few thousand miles. I currently run Michelin A/S 3+ tires on it and have liked them far more. 

So now knowing all of that, you may ask if I would buy it again. The short(and annoying answer) is yes I would in a heartbeat. The car puts a smile on my face still when I walk up to it in a parking deck. Hold down the unlock button for a few seconds and all the windows lower and the sunroof opens up inviting you in. The smooth sound of the engine as you accelerate calms you, and brings you into the moment and out of whatever is happening around you. The all-wheel drive system makes the best use of the torque and horsepower available making the car seem much faster than it really is. While I only plan to keep the car for another year before upgrading, it has been such a pleasure to drive. While I regret the amount of stressed caused by the dealership I have truly loved the car ever since. It isn't the fastest, or best looking of the BMW line-up but it has a certain lovable nature about it when it isn't draining your pockets. It is well balanced and turns into corners hard enough to scare my girlfriend. Overall it is a phenomenal car, and owning any car comes with an amount of risk, so you might as well get one that brings you a little bit of happines every once in awhile. 

N/Style: Spring Updates | The Tassel Loafer

Loafer by Crosby Square SS17 collection. 

With Spring here and Summer not far behind it, the time for wardrobe updates has come. A pair of tassel loafers in a lighter color is perfect for everything from casual suits worn with no socks or more causal fits with jeans these are a great all around loafer for the season. I love this pair of suede loafers from Crosby Square's Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The more pointed toe and beautiful materials used make it the ideal loafer for Summer. I really prefer lighter colors for Spring because it feels a bit less heavy when pairing with light colored clothing (Aka those white pants you've been waiting to wear all Winter). Check out the images below for some of the ways I've paired it. Click here to view this shoe on Crosby Square's website. 

N/Exposed: Aston Martin DB11

I have a love of automotive photography. I rarely post about any cars on my blog, but after getting the chance to photograph the newest model from Aston Martin I couldn't help but throw a small gallery of images up. The car is absolutely stunning, and the overall design is next level for Aston Martin. Enjoy the images that were outtakes from a shoot for Mitchell Prime Properties, huge thanks to Foreign Cars Italia of Greensboro for supplying the car. 

N/Style: Maurice Lacroix Aikon

Coming towards the end of my college years, I am starting to focus on purchasing products for my wardrobe that lean on the side of quality versus quantity. After having worn this watch for several months now, it very rarely leaves my wrist. 

The Maruice Lacroix Aikon is the perfect first "nice watch" in my opinion. Priced at around $900 (for the model shown) the slim profile of the watch sits perfectly on the wrist and is not to overstated. The Aikon is available in a Chronograph model, as well as other variants click HERE to see the full collection. 

What I love about this watch is its versatility. When traveling this lately has been the only watch I take with me. Either on the beach, or when wearing a beautiful suit this watch complements both looks well. The slim profile fit nicely under a dress shirt, and does not cause the sleeve to bunch up. Yet when on a boat, or strolling down the beach I found that the watch was rugged enough to withstand being used more roughly. I would equate this watch to a new BMW 3-Series. The 3-Series is the introduction into luxury automobiles, and is a perfect fit for the emerging millennial workforce.

 While I won't get to deep into the technical features of this watch, I will say it they used fantastic materials when creating this watch. The Aikon Gents(shown here) is has a 42mm watch face, while the Chronograph is slightly larger at 44mm, and features a quartz movement. The quarts movement is a great baseline movement, which has proved itself reliable over the years and really allowed Maurice Lacroix to make such a beautiful watch for under $1,000. While there are countless other great pieces in the sub $1K price-range, this has been the best value I have seen thus far. 

N/Style: Mixing up your weekend style

I often find that on the weekends/when traveling I prefer to ditch the dress shirt when not called for, but love to wear my blazers. During the colder months, I love to wear a long sleeve polo under my blazers. The collar, while not usually a stiff as button downs gives some visual structure to the look as opposed to a crew-neck sweater. 

Polo/Belt: Ralph Lauren, Blazer/Socks: J. Crew, Pants: Brooks Brothers, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Glasses: Tom Ford, Watch: Maurice Lacroix. 

N/Style: Maurice Lacroix Christmas Guide 2016

A few months ago I had the opportunity to work on a really cool, and at the time secret project for Maurice Lacroix. They task me to shoot five looks, with five watches from their lineup for a Holiday gift guide. Now that the holidays are over I can finally post about it on my channels and show you guys the work I did. Below is a gallery of both screenshots from the finished project on their website, along with some of my favorite images from this project. Click HERE to see the post on their website.