Style.com has just posted a story detailing thirteen new timepieces introduced at this year’s Basel show. Though this list of thirteen includes the utterly ridiculous Titanic Watch, there are at least a few models of note.

The Glashutte Original pictured above, for example — a stunning combination of timeless details and cutting edge technology. My other favorites include the Panerai Radiomir chronograph and the Richard Mill 012 Tourbillon (at $450,000, how could you pass it up).

If you’re in the market, there are many, many wonderful options all inhabiting the world beyond Rolex. Have fun exploring.

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Just as lovers of ‘imperials’ and ‘pencils’ are disappointed when their creations are simply described as ‘moustaches’, so must those brandishing classic afros be upset when their styles are described as, well, simply ‘afros’.

To help our curly African brethren (oh, and of course, our similarly-blessed Jewish friends) educate the less enlightened, this hair care products advertisement from a 1970s copy of Ebony magazine shows you every afro you’d ever need to know.

Are you a Jet Setter or a Perfecto?

Hairstyle Names From 1970s Ebony Ad [Meathaus via Boing Boing]

Although unlikely to sway man bag haters, dispatches from the runways of Europe are promising for those who prefer totes to pockets.

Trends this season (and whoever thought we’d be discussing trends and man bags side-by-side) are broad and accessible. Fabrics, colours, styles – many major houses are designing a wide range, including Paul Smith, Valentino, Balenciaga and an Italian big-bag specialist…

Prada
Prada has them in updated styles with soft leather in a soft, squishy duffle shape. Held on the runway almost like a clutch, straps hanging down, it’s a totally manly accessory for any businessman with an edge. Paired with a slim gray suit, it’s just the look for the season.

If you’re still a little unsure about throwing a bag strap around your shoulder everyday, Prada might not be your brand of choice for now (you can instead opt for something manlier, like a shooting bag from Bill Amberg), but for those who are a little tired with the army surplus canvas satchel, maybe a designer man bag is the way to go this year.

Trend Watch: Man Bags [Men’s Flair]

It’s often the case that the simplest answers are often the most likely. It’s bright outside because of the sun. It’s dark at night because there’s no sun. Porsches are so damn expensive because the profit margins are outrageous.

So says a report from Germany’s Welt an Sonntag newspaper, which claims the average Porsche profit is $28,000.

$28,000! Audi and BMW both manage with less than $5000 per unit while Volkswagen and Chrysler net less than a grand for each car sold!

Report: Porsche profits $28,000 per car [Left lane news via New Launches]

Once a permanent fixture on the heads of playboys and presidents alike, the once proud Panama hat is in danger of extinction.

The rise of the baseball cap, a decline in the number of skilled weavers in Ecuador, an increasing risk from cheap international knock-offs, especially from China, and other factors have all conspired to make the Panama a fashion relic, and its production as unpopular as ever.

But there may be hope for the hat, from an unlikely source.

Intermon Oxfam has set up the Chordeleg Artisan Centre where weavers are producing small number of Fairtrade Panama hats. The women are receiving training so that they can perfect techniques, weave higher quality hats with better finishes, and improve production and marketing. They have been able to increase the quantity and the price so that they can now make a living and maintain their traditions.

A fair trade Panama hat? Could milinery so beautifully mix politics and headwear? Regardless, its time for a Panama revival.

Artisan Center Chordeleg (translated) [Oxfam via Treehugger via Financial Times]

With the future approaching us at a rapid rate, it’s time for us to start demanding the gadgets we were promised in the past.

It’s 2007, which means the world has eight years to make good on the 2015 presented to us by Back to the Future Part II. Hoverboards, flying cars, fashion that dictates two ties instead of one and, of course, Nikes with powerlaces.

In fact, why wait? ‘The McFly Project’ (also known as ‘Operation McFly’) are petitioning Nike to get with the powerlaces, already.

You can sign the petition or, if you’re in need of convincing, check out their powerful political advertisement.

Okay, so we usually try to give rather broad coverage of things, but today we have to admit we’re obsessed with bags. Put it down to the fact that everyone’s returning to work after the holidays and some of us, for the moment, are without a briefcase.

Bill Amberg made the manbag manly last year, and now it looks like Mullholland Brothers have thrown us a similarly rugged briefcase/overnighter, in the guise of their angler’s bag.

Handmade in San Fransisco out of “rich leathers, solid brass fittings, polished zippers and the highest quality threads”, this falls under the category of accessories that will probably outlive their owners. Or heirlooms, as our grandfathers called them.

At $485, you can take it out of your future grandson’s inheritance. He’ll appreciate it.

Mulholland Brothers Angler’s Bag [Product Dose]

Embraced by everyone from academics to cowboys to shabby indie musicians, corduroy trousers (or ‘cords’, as absolutely everyone refers to them) are ignored at one’s peril.

More formal than denim, with perhaps a little more ‘cred’, but still casual enough to slip on between a t-shirt and trainers, no men’s wardrobe can really function without them.

From the sleekness of Kenneth Cole’s Destroyed Cords and Tassa Elba’s Luxury Micro Cords, to the traditional cut of Ralph Lauren and Nautica to the green, hemmed, roughish eccentricity of Joseph Homme, this list of what’s hot in corduroy will put the uninitiated on track and satisfy the hunger of the aficionado.

Buy: Corduroy Pants [Men’s Flair]

Okay, so it’s outrageously unfair of us to report (the otherwise famously well-dressed) Wilmer Valderrama’s move into the fashion world by calling him ‘Fez from That ’70s Show‘, but how else would we get the chance to run this picture beside a label launch story?

Anyway, anyway. The word is that the 26-year-old actor has decided it’s time the man maketh the clothes which, in turn, maketh the man:

…Wilmer Valderrama is looking to do more. It’s reported that he will launch a men’s fashion line called Calavena this February.

Calavena is said to be a clothing line that is a mix of Latino-inspiration and Diesel. The line will consist of jeans, t-shirts and jackets.

Despite the atrocious fashions draped on him during his stint as Fez, or perhaps to spite them, Valderrama has always been quite the snappy dresser off-screen.

It’s probably important to dress well if you want to share some/any photographic attention with the women on your arm, which, in Valderrama’s case, have included Hollywood starlets Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba and Mandy Moore.

Forget a clothing label, we need a fragrance. Or a tell-all guidebook. Or anything, man, just tell us how you do it!

Wilmer Valderrama: Calavena Clothing Line [Pierce Mattie Fashion PR Blog via Digg]

Sweden isn’t necessarily known as one of Europe’s fashion powerhouses. But now a century-old menswear label is earning a solid reputation across the continent for, fittingly enough, its sleek, classic pieces.

Reserving their best work for suits and outerwear, Tiger of Sweden’s timeless cuts bear enough contemporary detailing to seat them well amongst then other ‘new classics’, sweeping the men’s fashion world.

This certainly isn’t your father’s label; Tiger of Sweden clothing isn’t for every man. But if you have a penchant for classic clothing with a sleek twist, Tiger’s collection of business and casual wear will certainly meet your day-to-day needs.

Finally, the Swedes get noticed for what they’re wearing, rather than what they’re not.

Tiger of Sweden [via Ask Men]