I know that you’re going to say that watches with metal straps are commonplace. Well, I hope you will agree that some of the watches I will show you in the follow-up to this article are a little out of the ordinary!

So let’s see them. From left to right:

• Paul Smith “PS20”: Sky €575
• Alessi “di Piero Lissoni AL5011”: £135
• Starck “PH4002”: €250
• Nixon "Murf": White €399

The unusual thing here is not so much the straps as the faces. Note however, by pure chance, none of these watches have a strap with links, and they’re all fairly similar.

If you are interested: have a look at this site which shows the different types of metal straps available.

As I’m trying to make you understand, watches are not just everyday objects. The watches I will show you today are unusual, in that they use wood in their construction.

You will agree that the watches I have chosen do not reflect the tribal trend with its one-size-fits-all ethnic mix that you’re quite frankly better off avoiding once you’re no longer a teenager.

So wood, yes, but here used more like with certain aftershave bottles, because it’s sort of masculine and refined… (OK, the one in the middle isn’t very masculine, but I hope you get the picture). I’ve also chosen wood for another reason: you don’t expect to see it on your left arm, it draws the eye.

Let’s get acquainted. From left to right:

• Vestal “Plexi” Wood Gold €319
• Paul Frank “That’s Good”: Green €140
• Nixon “Murf” Dark Wood €399

My selection is most certainly not exhaustive. It’s worth noting that Nixon do a lot of wood watches, particularly the Rotolog styles that I like best.

See you soon.

For many, watches are the best way for men to wear jewellery. Definitely a much better way than a bracelet, chain or pendant, signet ring or leather wristband.

However, choosing a nice watch is not the easiest of tasks. The range of products available is very wide, and this is a purchase that must be looked upon as an investment. Particularly for those who don’t want to, or can’t afford to buy several.

My aim is not to help you choose a nice watch but to give your wrists a breath of fresh air this summer. In order to do so, I will over you several selections over the coming days. However, I won’t tell you which watches not to buy, there are too many, and of course: it’s a question of taste!

I’ve deliberately decided to show you a few unusual styles, which aren’t necessarily tasteful or stylish, but that set themselves apart from the rest. As an introduction, and to make you wait a little:

Definitions: Watch

• 1. Box fitted with a face, containing a clock movement, that one wears to know the time. A definition that makes you think that dictionary compilers have strange habits, and wear watches in order to know the time.
• 2. Case worn by a person that contains a stored energy mechanism that propels a mechanism that measures time and shows the time as it passes. That’s more like it.

To be continued… (at the end I’ll give you a good adress, and we might talk about automatic watches).

The opening of the April 77 did happen, as we said it would, and I decided to go and have a look. It’s at 49 rue de Saintonge, at the top of the Rue de Turenne, on the corner of a fairly quiet crossroads (Nearest métro station: filles du calvaires)

From the outside: The slim angle of the seven-storey red-brick building draws the eye, as do the white and green marble slabs above the windows.

Inside: Steven Thomas’s design works really well.

A few neon lights, furniture with beautful curves, a few old magazines, some vintage vinyl, a turntable…You wind your way through the world of April 77 like through a museum. Or maybe, you might say, like through a dressing room! This is perhaps because of the confined feel to the place, the shelves and the open wardrobes.

However, the design, impressive as it may be, is not all. This summer’s collection gives a real feeling of depth. On one hand, the influence of rock from, say, the 50s to the 80s is more noticeable than ever. It’s far from basic polo shirts with plectrum pockets on the chest and skinny jeans, which are undeniably popular, but are not really different from other brands. On the other hand the materials and details have been worked on, and some of it is really beautiful.

• Great looking, light, very soft, black-and-off-white cardigans with gold edging.
• Short-sleeved shirts and polo shirts with breast plates and/or black-and-white tuxedo shirts with unusual buttons.
• Some blazers, a silver Perfecto motorcycle jacket, and some very straight-cut trousers, that you might call well-cut, according to taste.
• Very retro “Supra” sunglasses in all colours.

All this work and investment comes at a price and the beautiful styles are as expensive as they are numerous, unfortunately. Even so, not all April 77 garb is to be praised, and you’d probably have trouble decking yourself out from head to toe in the store. All the assistants are very friendly except, perhaps, the store’s manager. Dont’ forget April 77 is also available from Printemps de l’Homme and Noir Kennedy. Even so, I recommend you go and visit their store. All the items are there (will be) and the ambiance makes the trip worthwhile!

The latest news from the brand is that a new online store, April 77 Market, will open soon. Along with a music label: April 77 Records! (see our Fashion Guide in Paris)