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Worn out Wednesday – Kwesi Blair

By Cator Sparks Published August 6, 2021

If you want to know how to make it, get your mama to give you one hell of a memorable name. Take Kwesi Blair for instance.

Originally from South Carolina, Kwesi (a Ghanian name meaning conquerer, but his parent are Caribbean) went to Duke University and then headed to New York City where he landed his first job at the ode to all things gentlemanly, The Ralph Lauren Mansion. He then worked in PR a bit before becoming a shoe buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue before landing a job in 2006 at Robert Burke Associates where he is Vice President of Business Development and has worked with clients such as Bulgari, Saks and Vera Wang. As Blair explained to us, “We are the business behind the fashion. We provide strategies for brands and retailers while they are growing. We also help investors looking for assets in the fashion world and scout global markets to see what is happening and where.” Kwesi just got back from Nigeria to see if it is ready for key brand growth (Keep a look out for Lagos, people!). In the new year they will be working heavily in the Middle East with some partners to create several cool retail destinations.

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For such a fashionable man on the go we were curious to hear what brands he goes to for every day wear. Here is what Kwesi had to say:

Suits and Blazers – I am more of a traditional dresser. I like structured and tailored suits. Working at Ralph for so long I pivot a lot towards him. His Black Label is great and modern. I have purchased a few amazing Suit Supply suits in the last six months. Michael Bastian is very much aligned with my brand identity too. He loves structure but has fun with it. I am also a double breasted fan!

Khakis- I love Unis. They are very easy and basic.

Denim – I am a big Acne fan.

Shirts – I have a range from Ralph to Massimo Dutti, Hickey Freeman and Michael Bastian.

Shoes – Since I was a footwear buyer I love shoes. A favorite pair is from J.M. Weston; they are chocolate brown lace ups. Alden does great boots to dress up and down. Margiela has excellent basic sneakers in different colors. The past summer I wore lots of Superga’s.

I recently broke out a pair of Mark McNairy boots and I always have a pair of duck boots handy. Being from the South I know they are perfect for the rain.

Sweaters – I have a newly found love of Joe Fresh. They have great basic crew neck sweaters. Michael Bastian again and some good ones from J.Crew.

Outwear- I have a handsome Simon Spurr jacket that I bought a couple of years ago. It’s a black cashmere blend that fits well. Aspesi is Italian and they had a great basic bomber I got off of Mr. Porter. I have a Barbour which is kind of a go-to. I also have a couple of Uniqlo puffers that are lightweight and perfect when it is super cold.

Accessories- I went with my boss to J.J. Hat’s and bought a handsome fedora. I love it and it fits me well. It will be my winter go-to. My watch is from the Swedish brand Uniform Wares. My office gave it to me for my 30th birthday. I got married last year so I wear my gold band and that is the extent of my accessories.

Tech Accessory- I am going to say my Bose headphones. I take them everywhere and I wouldn’t be able to work without them!

Apps- There is a new app called Photos to Art. It is an art.com app and you upload your photos from your phone and art.com will put them on canvas and frame them for you. It was the perfect app after my trip to Nigeria.

Your next tech purchase- The new iPad Air! Maybe Santa will be kind to me this year.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…

Fashion & Style

H. Moser makes rose gold rival to Rolex’s Rainbow Daytona

60 baguette sapphires and a flying tourbillon: moser's new rainbow streamliner

H Moser Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow

H. Moser & Cie. has introduced its most ornate Streamliner so far with the new Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow edition. This watch directly competes with Rolex’s Rainbow Daytona in the very expensive sports watch category.
Available in rose gold (CHF 175,000) or stainless steel (CHF 125,000), the 40mm watch is a showcase of both watchmaking and jewelry skills. The bezel is set with 60 carefully selected baguette-cut colored sapphires.
The Streamliner’s cushion-shaped case created unique challenges for gem-setters. Each sapphire had to be chosen for its color to create a rainbow gradient around the bezel, and each one also had to be cut to a different size to fit the case design.
At the center of this watch is Moser’s skeletonized HMC 814 automatic movement, visible through the open dial. The large one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock serves as both a technical feature and a visual focal point.
A look at the back of the watch reveals similar attention to detail. The Moser-branded rose gold rotor is skeletonized, exposing the gears, wheels, bridges, and springs of the movement underneath.
Production numbers will be limited, not by a set amount, but by the time and complexity required to make each one. This highlights the skill involved in crafting every piece.
The Rainbow Streamliner stands apart from Moser’s usual simple design, which is known for its fumé dials and minimalist approach. Still, it maintains the brand’s focus on independent watchmaking, while entering a category associated with brands like Rolex and its Rainbow Daytona watch that has become highly sought after on the resale market.
With its integrated bracelet, movement finishing, and elaborate gem-setting, the Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow is a contender in the growing group of high-jewelry sports watches. These timepieces combine technical expertise with unmistakable luxury.

Fashion & Style

Pink pelagos joins Tudor collection for giro d’italia

Tudor's new chronograph rides with the giro: pink pelagos limited to 300 pieces

Tudor's pink pelagos

Tudor has released a new chronograph, the Pelagos FXD Chrono Pink, as part of the Pelagos line. This limited edition was created for Tudor’s partnership with the Giro d’Italia, the famous cycling race in Italy.
Only 300 pieces will be made, with a price of £4,650 (about $5,000 plus tax). The watch pays tribute to the Maglia Rosa, the pink jersey worn by the race leader during the three-week event. Pink-accented Tudor watches aren’t new-last year, the brand introduced a pink-dialed Black Bay Chrono in partnership with Inter Miami, the soccer club partly owned by Tudor ambassador David Beckham. However, the new Pelagos FXD Chrono Pink uses pink as an accent rather than covering the entire dial.
A notable feature is the tachymeter scale, which is calibrated for cycling speeds instead of the automotive speeds usually found on chronographs. This cycling-specific scale wraps around the dial, showing Tudor’s commitment as the official timekeeper of the Giro d’Italia, a partnership that began in 2023.
The watch measures 43mm and uses a black carbon composite case, making it lightweight and technical qualities important for sports watches. The crown and chronograph pushers are made of titanium for added durability and lightness. The case is 13.2mm thick.
Inside is the Calibre MT5813, based on the Breitling 01 chronograph movement. This COSC-certified calibre offers accuracy within 2/+4 seconds per day and has a 70-hour power reserve, so it can run for nearly three days without rewinding.
The watch features a solid caseback with special engravings, including the limited edition number (from 0/300 to 300/300) and an image of cyclists in action, emphasizing its connection to the race. It comes on a fabric strap with pink accents to match the dial, blending Tudor’s heritage-inspired design with modern materials and construction suitable for sports use.

Fashion & Style

Chrono24 reveals top luxury watches by age group

From datejust to calatrava: how watch preferences evolve with age

Chrono 24 Gen Z Millenial Boomer Watch

Chrono24, a luxury watch marketplace with headquarters in Karlsruhe, has made public some new information. This data shows clear preferences among different generations of watch buyers. Rolex is the most popular brand overall, but certain models appeal more to different age groups.
The company in Karlsruhe examined transaction information to determine which watches are bought more frequently by each age group. The results showed both expected patterns and some surprising exceptions.
Rolex models are in first place in four out of five age categories, but the specific choices change quite a bit. The Datejust is the top pick among buyers under 30. The Submariner leads with people aged 30-39. The Daytona is most popular with those who are 40-49, while the Sea-Dweller comes out on top with buyers aged 50-59. Only the group over 60 goes against this trend, showing a stronger preference for the Patek Philippe Calatrava.
Loyalty to Rolex seems highest among younger buyers. Three of the top five models for people under 30 and those aged 30-39 are Rolex. This drops to two Rolex models in the top five for buyers aged 40-59. For buyers over 60, only one Rolex-the Sky-Dweller-makes it into the top five.
The 40-49 age group shows the most variety in taste. Their top ten purchases include nine different manufacturers, such as Breitling, Vacheron Constantin, and IWC. By comparison, buyers over 60 are drawn to more expensive options, with three Patek Philippe models in their top ten.
Interest in Omega is especially strong among Gen Z watch enthusiasts (mainly the under-30 group). Three Omega models appear in their top ten, along with four Rolex watches, two from Cartier, and, somewhat surprisingly, a Grand Seiko Heritage Collection model. This Grand Seiko is the only one to appear in any age group’s top choices.
The data confirms the wide appeal of luxury watches across generations. Chrono24 reported that more than a third of Gen Z already own a high-quality watch or plan to buy one soon. With about 540,000 watches from around 3,000 dealers and 45,000 private sellers across more than 120 countries, Chrono24 offers a unique view of global watch market trends.