Bell & Ross’ New Watch Is Made for the City

For a watch company that is already known for breaking the mold, Bell & Ross is at it again with its latest design. Like the daring professionals they craft watches for, Bell & Ross is always looking to push the limits with the legibility, functionality, reliability and precision of its watches. In keeping with those points, we have a feeling you will find the new BR05 exciting and different.

The lines of the BR05 combine round and square, the basic geometric shapes that form an integral part of Bell & Ross’ identity. But rather than being a square peg for a round hole, the result is a new uniquely sleek and urban case. “The goal was to develop an intermediate model between the square – our utilitarian icon – and the round – which is universal and generic,” Bell & Ross Creative Director Bruno Belamich says. “The idea was to move from the professional world of the extreme to the urban landscape; a transition from the off-road to the in-road.”

The BR05’s confident style is designed to take on the energy of the city with its 40mm case, integrated bracelet and satin finish make it the ideal urban companion. “It is the ideal timepiece for the man about town eager to face the challenges of modern life — and in control of time and his own destiny,” suggests Belamich.

As with every Bell & Ross timepiece, there is meaningful inspiration behind it. Pulling on design cues from the watch world of the 70s, the BR05 is far from retro but captures the free spirit and exploration of the time. “The 1970s marked a turning point in the watch industry, both in terms of design and mechanism with the arrival of quartz movements from Japan,” says Belamich. “It was at this time that technology and design broke the codes and marked the beginning of a new wind.” You can easily picture a young Robert Redford with this watch strapped to his wrist.

Available in four finishes from steel to gold — and a limited edition run of 500 skeletonized watches — You will easily be able to find a BR05 that fits your style perfectly.

Bell & Ross’ new jewel of masculinity is full of character exudes strength and elegance, ready for any urban adventure. The BR05 is the start of a new era for Bell & Ross.

The World’s Most Spectacular Dive Isn’t in an Ocean

Set within Thingvellir National Park, the Silfra fissure is the only place in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates — the North American and the Eurasian. Without hyperbole, it is an utterly unique site. It’s frigid, rather regulated and requires a drysuit certification to view. At first glance, the parameters — and the rugged underwater landscape — seem to reserve this place for the steely adventurers only, but surprisingly, Silfra is genuinely accessible. We know because we did our due diligence. Read on to find all the details about the location, how to do it right and the gear that you’ll want with you for the journey.

The Setting
Translating to “Assembly Plains,” Iceland’s Althing, or parliament (the oldest surviving in the world), was established and convened in Thingvellir National Park from 930 until 1798. The park itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has deep historical significance beyond the incredible natural beauty found within its 22,907 acres.

The vastness of the park is interspersed with geysers and waterfalls and is anchored by Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest at 32 square miles. Situated about 100 meters above sea level, the lake has a maximum depth of 114 meters. The surrounding land and the earth under the water is rocky basalt with the lake itself being filled by runoff from the Langjökull glacier. To reach the lake, water flows through the surrounding lava-formed rock, a process that takes anywhere between 30 and 100 years — meaning what ends up here is ultra-pure and crystal clear.

Earthquakes in 1789 are responsible for the rift between the two tectonic plates at Silfra. The continents here continue to move about 2 cm per year and earthquakes have continued to shape the underwater architecture, making this very much of a living, changing dive site.

The Dive
With temperatures remaining between 35 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, diving in Iceland may not be for the faint of heart. Beyond mental preparation for the temperature, there are a number of things you’ll have to do to gear up for a visit. Firstly, you’ll want to partner with a guide service. There are a number of regulations within the park — for example, it’s not allowed to dive below 18 meters or to enter caves. And, no matter how experienced, divers are prohibited to venture out alone. Beyond keeping it legal, the right service can provide not only the gear you need but the right expertise to maximize your experience and understanding of this unique site.

We recommend starting with Dive.is based in Reykjavik. The dive center, operating since the 1990s, offers a number of services and has very skilled instructors. At the very base, if you are Open Water certified, you can book a one or two-day drysuit course to get quickly certified to dive at Silfra. Next, they will provide all of the essential gear needed for a dive here (which even if you are an experienced diver may come in handy as not everyone wants to cart a dry suit with them during air travel). Finally, and most importantly, Dive.is offers private tours. Silfra is a spectacle and it’s one that is best enjoyed without a large group. Due to its rightful popularity, that can be a challenge. The park starts to fill around 8:30 am so a private tour in the early hours of the morning is highly recommended. It is well worth waking before dawn.

To access the site is quite easy: There is a simple, metal platform and staircase that leads divers into the water at the fissure. But what you will see below the surface is truly like nothing else. The rift itself is a relatively small area, approximately 600 by 200 meters. Silfra has four main areas to traverse — the Silfra Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral and the Silfra Lagoon. The Big Crack spans the first 120 meters in length and is also the narrowest point between the two plates. Silfra’s incredible visibility is perhaps best appreciated at the Cathedral where the walls are some 100 meters long and 20 meters deep and where it’s possible to see to its farthest end, over 100 meters.

What else can you see? Due to the young age of the volcanic rock, the lake’s water is also rich in minerals allowing for diverse life. There is rich vegetation — a total of 150 types of plants have been found within the lake — as well as 50 kinds of invertebrates. Though algae aren’t typically exciting, in the summer you’ll find that it glows an eye-popping neon green. Fish are scarce in Silfra itself but there is a second permitted dive location nearby, Davidsgja, where it’s more likely to see trout and Arctic charr.

The Gear

Bringing a proper dive watch is our first priority. For this dive, we kitted up with Panerai’s Submersible Carbotech™. This Submersible comes with improved readability: Panerai used a new technique cutting markers out of solid blocks of lume, giving the markers a 3D quality and greater visibility in deep and murky waters. Beyond this, the proprietary material produces a timepiece that’s incredibly lightweight and highly durable. It’s an ideal companion for a dive as rugged as this one — especially with gear that’s already weighing you down. Not to mention, with an accordion rubber strap, it was an easy fit over a drysuit.

There are more than a few pieces of gear that are essentials on this dive. As mentioned, most can be provided by a local dive center so we will call out only some of the highlights. To dive at Silfra, we used Bare XCS2 Tech Dry Drysuits with C-200 undergarments. The hood and gloves were both 7mm Neoprene. For BCDs and Regulators, our team was equipped with the Aqualung Pro HD and Aqualung Core. Beyond these essentials, we recommend quick-dry long underwear, extra warm socks (plus a spare set) and anything that can help raise your body temp post-dive. While the dive itself takes only about 30 minutes, it can take some time to bounce back. It’s nothing a hot drink and some extra Vitamin C can’t conquer.

These Are the Best Backpacks for Back to School

Hard to believe it is that time of year again — the point in August when you need to face the reality that school is around the corner. No matter if it’s your last semester or your little one headed into elementary school, you have some shopping to do. And no matter what pencils, notebooks and calculators you end up with, the piece that matters most is how you will haul everything you need to and from the classroom. The backbone of your back to school kit is the backpack, and here are some of our favorite picks from our friends over at Under Armour that won’t let you down all school year.

UA Hustle

The UA Hustle is perfect for the active renaissance student who needs to hit the field and the library. The Hustle has a soft lined sleeve to protect your laptop, a large gusseted shoe or laundry compartment and two water-repellent front pockets to keep your stuff safe so you can go anywhere. It is also made using Under Armour’s Storm technology which is highly water-resistant and features extra comfy shoulder straps.

UA Scrimmage 2.0

First off, what an amazing name. It just makes you think of a couple of school kids throwing down their backpacks to form goal posts and kicking a ball around their makeshift pitch. The Scrimmage 2.0 could certainly take the abuse of being a makeshift goal post or anything else a kid could put it through with its UA Storm technology and hardwearing exterior. It also has room for a laptop and comes in a camouflage that will be sure to stand out.

UA Recruit 2.0

The biggest bag on the list — coming in at 13″ wide — The UA Recruit can carry it all for you. And with exterior compression straps, you can bring it in a bit if you have a light load that day. A laptop sleeve, two side bottle compartments and a water-repellent front valuables pocket keep you on track. In fact, the entire bag features a water-resistant finish so that water just rolls off. Lastly, a tough abrasion-resistant bottom panel rounds out the UA Recruit.

FILA’s New Collection Brings The Best of Outdoorsy Vibes

FILA just released a new, limited-edition collection inspired by the mountainside and well-suited for the concrete jungle. FILA Explore is tapping into the brand’s rich heritage of ski, hiking, alpine and trek collections dating back to the 1970s and 80s. The brand has a storied history in mountaineering and outdoor-wear — FILA even outfitted world-renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner when he climbed Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen in 1978. Pulling inspiration from archival silhouettes, colors and designs, FILA Explore is broken up into four categories of wide-ranging garments, all with their own specific color combination: Canyon, Woods, Mountains and Elements. Here are four standout products from the line — one from each category — we had to get our hands-on.

Elements Terrain Anorak

This is the perfect lightweight jacket to carry with you daily in case the temperature dips. Good thing this prism-tinted pullover packs down into itself and comes with straps, letting you throw it over your shoulder no problem.

Mountain Basecamp Pant

These pants are called Basecamp because the luxurious French terry will make you feel at home anywhere. The zippered pockets add a nice bit of practicality, and the internal belt adds a bit of color. These are what you slip into to hit the ski lodge.

Woods Tri Vest

Somehow FILA was able to create a down vest that doesn’t make you look like John Denver circa 1974 or a banker bro type. The FILA Woods Tri vest is perfectly modern (thanks to micro down) with a bit of retro (see the colorway). We’ve never been more excited for fall.

Canyon Windshear Short

These white wind-shear shorts are perfect for the end of summer as we transition to the coveted short and sweatshirt weather. The FILA logo on the leg looks like the glint of turquoise in a New Mexico desert canyon.

Master the Harshest Environment with the G-SHOCK MUDMASTER

When it comes to watches, you can’t get more hardwearing than a G-SHOCK MUDMASTER — built to be hard as nails and resistant to any kind of abuse. Within that already high bar, there is one model that is tougher than all the rest: The MUDMASTER GGB100. As the name may indicate, this G-SHOCK is engineered to handle the most rugged environments on land, and keep any mud you find on your adventures out of your timepiece. Available in three colorways, the GGB100 is made from a carbon fiber reinforced resin that can take anything you could bang your watch against. But that is just the beginning.

The MUDMASTER’s newly developed Carbon Core Guard case is made from lightweight and rigid carbon-fiber-reinforced materials to keep it protected from the roughest expedition. The bezel is also formed from carbon for increased ruggedness: It has three layers of fine resin with carbon fiber inserts — the top layer made to be transparent, which reveals the embedded carbon. This new dust-and mud-resistant Carbon Core Guard uses a filter between the case and buttons to keep everything out, ensuring a tight seal without using metal button pipes. All these features come together to form one of the world’s toughest watches that could go with you to the far edges of the world and confidently keep time.

The GGB100 also has Bluetooth mobile link functionality, connecting to the G-SHOCK Connected app, opening up a whole new world of possibilities. The app greatly simplifies the configuration of the watch settings, making it easy to change anything you need quickly from your smartphone. The app automatically provides a location indicator, taken from your smartphone’s GPS, allowing you to keep track of where you’ve been. With a mission log, you can keep a record of every journey and exercise with altitude measurements, step counts and a consumed calorie calculation. As for where you are going, you can set the MUDMASTER’s digital display to show the distance to your set target destination, so you will never be lost in the woods.

The MUDMASTER comes equipped with the built-in Quad Sensor which puts a compass, altimeter, barometer temperature gauge and a step counter, all in a compact configuration. And when the light fades, you can still read your dial with a double LED light for the face and digital display. All of these features are rolled into the timepiece, making it much more than just a watch — it’s an essential piece of kit that can change the way you take on any expedition. No matter what far-flung locale you adventure off to, the GGB100 will help you keep track of your environment without having to pack extra gear or even stop, allowing you to stay focused on what matters most, the task at hand.

OXO Is Making The Better Tools For Your Home

When you walk into the OXO Headquarters on the far West Side of Manhattan, the first thing you will notice are the gloves. A giant wall in the entry, maybe 20 feet wide, hosts dozens of single gloves, each one collected by OXO employees all over the world. Above each lone glove is a small data plate meticulously recording where and when the glove was found, “January 21, 1998, 71 Street & Columbus Avenue.” OXO, of course, is not in the glove business, but these lost gloves on the wall are about the hands that go into them, and how different they all are. And if there is one thing OXO is in, it’s in the business of designing for hands.

OXO’s wall of gloves collected over the years.

Everything OXO makes is designed to be picked up and used in your hands. The brand has a loyal following among the most discerning consumers, and for good reason. For nearly 30 years, OXO (pronounced OX-oh) has been making simply the best everyday tools you never knew needed an overhaul. Finding daily tools that can be made better, and working tirelessly to do so — and in turn, changing the way we interact with them, and the way we live every day — is an OXO specialty. It is how the brand came together in 1990 when Sam Farber set out to design a better peeler. When his wife Betsey struggled with a traditional metal peeler due to arthritis, he knew he could find a better way. Working with designers to make prototypes from clay, rubber bike handles and carved styrofoam, Sam and Betsey settled on the peeler you’ve probably seen — and hopefully used — the OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler. And from that love, OXO was born.

While most home goods and kitchenware companies design for the largest number of users possible, the average user, OXO discovered that if you make a product designed ergonomically for those who may struggle, the design is better for everyone. “Most brands design for the top of the bell curve and create products for the general population,” says Karen Schnelwar, VP of Brand Strategy and Marketing. “When OXO was founded they flipped that model completely; OXO’s universal design speaks to a broader, more inclusive audience. The result are better, more thoughtfully designed tools for every day.”

Early prototypes and final renditions of two iconic OXO products: the Pop Cereal Dispenser and Angled Measuring Cup

From the first Swivel Peeler to the heights of OXO ingenuity across categories — the brand’s signature POP Containers, its game-changing Salad Spinner — what makes OXO products stand out is the brand’s commitment to creating something better. This means everything needs to be thoughtfully designed and rigorously tested. All OXO products are designed in the spirit of its original peeler: recognizing a better way and working endlessly to make it happen.

OXO’s product teams are immersed in their categories, constantly searching for the next problem to solve. “Every OXO product is made by people who strive to know everything they can about a task and then make the best possible product experience to help a consumer with that task,” says Mike Delevante, OXO’s VP of Product Development.

Pop containers and the device OXO product engineers made to test for years of repeated use.

Part of the OXO philosophy means it is never done — even after a product launches, OXO engineers routinely go back to it; it’s a constant quest for better. Its iconic peeler has gone through several updates in its nearly thirty years. To get as close to perfect as possible, OXO spends serious hours observing how people use a product. How you pick up a cheese grater, how you pour liquids into a measuring cup, scrub a pot, or open a container. “We observe people using tools – the ones they use in their home, other products they may have never seen,” explains Delevante. “Sometimes we have testers take photos or videos of themselves to capture a more real-life experience since people might do something different with our teams present to observe.” Understanding how people use the tools they have, and how it can be made better is at the heart of the brand.

“It’s prototype, test, refine and repeat — over and over,” says Delevante. Product engineers work on OXO’s products from sketching designs to making Frankenstein models and 3D printing prototypes. For a simple product, this could mean 3 to 4 prototypes, but for larger, more complex tools the number could be much higher. OXO engineers often look to the world outside housewares for inspiration. Be it a rubber bike handle or even the spinning mechanism from a child’s spinning top (which powers the brand’s salad spinner), product engineers look everywhere to solve the everyday problems they beat.

To speed up the testing process of the Hand-Held Spiralizer, the product engineer added a drill bit attachment, allowing them to blow through vegetables to simulate years of wear and tear.

Once prototypes are made, then comes the rigorous testing. For many of OXO’s designs, the way to guarantee for a lifetime is by testing it over and over again. Mounds of zucchini, potatoes and cheese have met their ends at the hands of testing — all to be devoured by the office when the testing is done. To speed up the testing process of the Hand-Held Spiralizer, an OXO product engineer added a drill bit attachment, allowing them to blow through vegetables, simulating years of wear and tear. For the new POP Container design, a mechanical contraption was installed to open and close the container thousands of times. Even cleaning brushes are strapped and mounted on a constantly moving plane, simulating years of scrubbing. “The products have to perform and they have to be durable,” explains Delevante. “Our goal is to design products that last a lifetime – reducing the need to replace.”

Once the product passes muster and enters production, it finds its way into store aisles and kitchen drawers. If OXO did its job right, you’ll notice the thoughtful design elements but you won’t know the whole story of its development — it will just be a perfect tool, made for your hands. “Our goal is to make everyday tools that make everyday life better,” remarks Schnelwar. “We want to make things that fit comfortably in your hand, and in your life — every day.”

A Look Inside Artist Nick Kuchar’s Studio

You’re Invited: An Exclusive Night with Gear Patrol at FILA’s New NYC Pop-Up

Join Gear Patrol for In The Field: FILA Explore Edition at the brand’s new pop-up shop in Manhattan on the night of August 7th. We’ll be there celebrating FILA’s new limited-edition Explore collection, which draws from the brand’s legacy of ski, hiking, alpine- and trek-wear with heritage-inspired footwear and threads. Space is tight, but those who make it will have a chance to score a limited edition, 20mm Gear Patrol x FILA NATO watch strap, so be sure to bring your favorite timepiece along — we’ll even help you switch in the new strap, on the spot. Plus, we will have some light bites and a drink or two for a full evening. Space is limited, so be sure to get your name on the list below for a chance to attend.

What: An evening with Gear Patrol editors at FILA, complete with a limited number of free watch straps, photo booth, drinks, light bites and more.
When: Wednesday evening, August 7 (time revealed with confirmed RSVP)
Where: FILA’s NYC pop-up at 428 Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Fill Out the Form for Your Chance to Join Us

Photographer Michael Muller Shoots Sharks and People in the Same Light

Based in Los Angeles, Michael Muller is one of Hollywood’s most dominant photographers. His images regularly grace the cover of Entertainment Weekly, big-budget movies posters (think Iron Man, Aquaman and Captain Marvel) and album covers (see Rihanna’s Unapologetic). Juxtaposing this studio work, Muller spends as much time as possible in the outdoors, most recently through documenting ocean life, specifically, sharks in open water. Though these subjects could not be more different, Muller’s approach is constant. In all forms, through his vision and execution, he favors a vivid, unmistakably charged style that’s solely his own.

Today, Muller is most often found with a Leica in-hand (his preferred choice for the superior glass). But, before he had shelves stocked with his favorite German products, Muller got his first waterproof camera at 10 during his childhood in Saudi Arabia. “I remember taking a photograph of a photo in the National Geographic of a shark, then showed all my young friends,” he says. He eventually copped to the lie that it was his own image. “But I did see the power of photography just with that. I remember it really had an impact on me,” he says.

From his early days, Muller was hustling. When he relocated to Northern California as a pre-teen, he started documenting snowboarding and sneaking into rock concerts to shoot musicians. “I was in seventh grade and it was sort of the birth of snowboarding,” he says. “I started photographing friends snowboarding, which quickly led to shooting professionals and getting published.”

At 18, Muller moved to Los Angeles to kick-start his career as it’s known today. He began by shooting test shots for models. “They needed pictures, so I just shot people, sometimes four, five, six a day,” he recalls. “And I didn’t throw them up against a wall, bam, bam, in and out. I treated each one like it was the cover of Vogue.”

Though not linear, Muller’s success was no accident. From a ten-year-old snorkeling with a film camera to shooting pro-snowboarders and musicians, then actors, movie posters, album covers — and now great white sharks: it was gumption more than anything that got him here. “When I was making my book with Taschen, my editor turned to me and said, ‘Do you know what I notice about all of the photographers that we do books with? All of you, you’re all hustlers.’” Muller’s response: “You have to be.” That maverick style is infused in each of his photos.

Over the last decade or so, Muller’s personal attention has moved to focus more on the oceans. His work with sharks has culminated in his much-lauded simply-titled book, Sharks, released in 2018 as well as a years-in-the-making VR project. His mediums seemingly could not be more different — two contrasting species, in two opposite environments — but Muller has taken his rather electric style and applied it across the board. “I’m constantly searching to do something that I’ve never seen before,” he says. “I thought, ‘I want to shoot a shark like I shoot Iron Man.’ And so how do you do that? I can’t bring a shark in [a studio]. It’ll be dead. So I have to bring this to the shark.” That’s involved creating an entire studio underwater, strobe lights and all.

“I think all of my work sort of infuses on one another.” Being bold in life and art has been his throughline. “A really good, striking image, you can feel something when you look at it, whether it’s a shark or a person.” And it’s been his ability to breakdown his own fears and overcome the noise of his surrounding to create work that’s transcended norms.

The Beach Ready Sneaker You Need on Your Feet

OluKai is known for its impressively rugged sandals perfect for taking from surf to land. The island-born brand understands the need for versatile footwear better than most, combining aquatic durability, ocean lifestyle, comfort and craftsmanship, for rugged and laid back footwear. OluKai makes some of the best island ready adventure shoes you can get your hands on, and not just sandals.

The Huakai Li (hoo-ah-kah-ee lee) which roughly translates to “journey, lace” in Hawaiin, is OluKai’s handsome sneaker that can go anywhere without an issue. Looking to the raw natural beauty of the Waimoku Falls on Maui’s east side for design inspiration, the Huakai Li is crafted from waxed nubuck leather and is the perfect sneaker for the casual adventures.

The leather uppers will get better with age — like a well-loved baseball glove — breaking in and becoming even more supple to fit your feet just right. The leather extends into the interior of the shoe as well, lined with pebbled full-grain leather so you can throw them on with or without socks. Also in that department, the Huakai Li is equipped with a drop-in heel for easy on-off wear for those Hawaiian homes where you slip off your shoes before going in the house.

The footbed and outsole round out the comfort and versatility. Lightweight and super supportive, the footbed is anatomical for comfort and is covered in that soft full-grain leather for the smoothest of rides. The sneaker styling stands out on the white EVA midsole, but the addition of the stacked leather vernier heel give the Huakai Li a bit of elevation.

The Huakai Li is ready is more than capable of any place or any casual jaunt beachside to the home. Whether enjoying Hawai‘i’s raw natural beauty or just slipping them on to run errands on the weekend, the Huakai Li can do it all and then some.

The Best Products from HP’s Blowout 4th Of July Sale

If you head over to HP’s site, they are having a massive site-wide sale for 4th of July. But it’s the 4th of July, you don’t want to be holed up with your computer looking at your screen for amazing deals, you want to be outside enjoying the summer for yourself. That’s why we combed through this one to find the best bits of tech from beach-ready speakers to a laptop that can travel light all summer long. With up to 62% off and available free shipping, it was hard to find products we didn’t want to include, but here are our summer must-haves from HP’s Fourth of July sale that you’ll use all summer long and then some.

HP Tango X

Let’s be real, printers can be an eyesore — but not this one. That’s part of the reason why the furniture-grade design of the wireless-focused Tango X caught our eye. It isn’t a slouch under the hood either with plenty of technical capabilities from printing to scanning and copying and even voice-activated controls.

HP Spectre Folio Laptop 13t

The Spectre Folio is made with a magnesium frame that’s completely covered in a leather outer shell — save for the keyboard and screen — making it look like no other laptop. This stylish computer has a hybrid hinge allowing the touchscreen to fold making a versatile tool you can easily pack away for a weekend trip (or use all week long).

HP Bluetooth Mini Speaker 300

This little speaker is perfect for you to use all summer long, from the beach, to the pool, to your camping trip. With a built-in carabiner hook, it can go anywhere with you, while the dust tight design and water resistance means you won’t have to worry about taking everywhere this summer.

HP Sprocket 2-in-1 Camera Printer

We were a bit conflicted about putting another printer on the list, but this one is too neat to pass up. With a built in instant camera that fits in your palm, wireless and Bluetooth connected, the Sprocket 2-in-1 Camera Printer can print 2” x 3” photographs wherever you are from your smartphone or direct from the camera, making it perfect for summer grill outs or road trips.