Man needs a watch.
Reason 1: Tells the time.
Reason 2: Shows attention to sartorial detail.
Reason 3: Shows your pride in Chicago.
Re: Reason 3, your correspondent would like to introduce you to Astor + Banks, the watch company that designs and assembles its timepieces right here in Chicago, taking orders now.
Made one-by-one in their workspace in the West Loop, every A+B wristwatch features Swiss-made movements and locally made sapphire crystal and dials.
Our favorite: the Chrono, a premium quartz ticker inspired by the pilot watches of yore and water-resistant to 100 meters. Devilishly sharp with a Horween leather strap (other options include Cordura and Kevlar).
There’s also the more formal AB1405 — a manual-winding beauty built from a 43-piece Swiss movement and a stainless steel open-back case that let’s you admire the nickel-plated mechanics.
Fully customizable, too. You can personalize the case, dial, watch hands and crown.
If you do go the custom route, you’ll meet for a personal style consultation. The turnaround? Three weeks.
So it’s just gonna take a little time.
Nota bene: Wanna see these tickers in person? The gents at Astor + Banks are throwing a shindig at Apartment Number 9 on May 15th. Expect Scotch and vintage watches galore.
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The world of men’s style, from the streets of NYC to the showrooms of Milan, run down weekly by writer and photographer Christopher Fenimore.
