Casual Travel Luxury: Grand Trunk

By Austin Parker Published June 16, 2014

Whether you’re heading to the beach for the weekend, down the trail for a week, or roughing it in your favorite hotel, traveling without the best luxury comforts is a gamble you don’t want to make. The right set of campfire and beach accessories makes the difference between catching the perfect sunset from your hammock, and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. If you’re looking for that camp hammock, beach sun shade or just a few little extras to make your weekend a little more enjoyable, look no further than the summer line from our friends over at Grand Trunk.

Founded in 2002 by a couple of friends after doing some backpacking and hammock camping in Thailand, Grand Trunk quickly developed a reputation with their line up of “Goods For The Road”. The original travel hammock was the anchor in the beginning, and now more than ten years later it remains mostly unchanged from its initial simplicity. Made with parachute nylon, the Double Hammock ($65) easily packs into a built in stuff sack, and weighs in at twenty ounces. Paired with a set of Tree Slings ($20), you’ll be ready enjoy a campfire snooze with your favorite lady. Perfect California sunset not included.

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Their travel accessories are a little more suited for the urban adventurer. The Sleep Sack ($70) is perfectly built for business travelers spending a few nights on the road and in the occasional questionable hotel linen. It works as a sleeping bag liner for warm weather camping in a pinch as well. The Beach Pack ($130) provides a great package to keep in your car or gear closet for last minute weekend getaways or the summer festival scene. It features a nylon beach blanket, sun shelter, and eco friendly travel bag to keep it all organized. So forget about fighting the dreaded sand wedgie and second degree sunburn and get out there for some summer adventures with Grand Trunk.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…

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Fashion & Style

Why Aaron Taylor-Johnson may already be James Bond in everything but name

Luxury watches could reveal Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the next 007

Aaron Taylor Johnson attends the Madrid photocall for "ACQUA DI GIO" By Giorgio Armani at Matadero Madrid

Now that Daniel Craig has shaken and stirred his last martini as James Bond, the hunt for the next 007 has only intensified in recent months, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson emerging as a leading contender. With his movie star looks and commanding presence on screen in films both indie and blockbuster over the years, his recent appointment as an Omega brand ambassador might just be the biggest clue yet.

The British actor, whose career has quickly gone from indie to A-list, possesses all the traits necessary to front one of the industry’s longest franchises. Blending an understated sophistication, rugged charm, and casual cool that lies just below the surface, Taylor-Johnson has what it takes to step into Bond’s shoes as well as his wardrobe. Aside from his impressive filmography, however, lies a passion for luxury watches, and this is where the clues to the Bond legacy may be hiding in plain sight for all interested parties.

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Tissot celebrates swiss heritage with Jungfraubahn Alpine railway collaboration

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Tissot PR 100 Jungfraubahn

Tissot shows respect for Switzerland's mountain past by working with Jungfraubahn, a well-known cogwheel railway that takes people to the highest train station in the Bernese Alps. The partnership makes five special watches that show the blend of Swiss exact building, mountain grandeur, and watch skill.
The group of watches focuses on two models: the Tissot PR 100 Jungfraubahn and the T-Touch Connect Sport Jungfraubahn. Each watch shows different parts of the mountain railway trip. Snow-covered peaks, trains that run on time, and well-made watches show what Switzerland offers. This cooperation feels right for showing national identity.
The PR 100 Jungfraubahn comes in two sizes, with 40mm and 34mm cases—this makes them good for many wrist sizes while keeping the watch's usual shape. Two different color choices offer looks that show different mountain moods and train design elements.
One version has a dark blue face with nickel minute and hour hands, plus a yellow second hand that points to the Jungfraubahn train's distinct colors. That color mix makes a clear link to the railway trip while keeping the face easy to read—this is important for Swiss exact timekeeping.
The other design has a silver sun-ray face with blue hands. These colors aim to show the clear difference between clean mountain snow and bright mountain sky. This color scheme catches the look of high places and also makes sure you can read the watch in different light.
Both versions have fine Jungfrau mountain carvings right on the watch face. These turn mountain places into art on the watch. Such details add interesting textures and honor the specific mountain area that led to the teamwork.
The words "Jungfrau - Top of Europe" on the back of the case make the watches special. They connect the watches to this respected Swiss place. This writing changes each watch into a real tribute, not just a usual special edition.
The T-Touch Connect Sport Jungfraubahn extends the cooperation into smartwatches, though specific facts about it remain unclear. That addition shows that Tissot wants to respect old railway history through both classic and new watch styles.
The partnership shows how Swiss brands can work together well to celebrate shared culture. They also make products that sell and appeal to people in Switzerland and other countries. The railway is known for being exact and dependable, which fits well with Tissot's Swiss-made quality rules.
These special watches show the charm of mountain travel and respect the building success that makes Switzerland's mountain railways possible. This makes watches that show both nature's beauty and human cleverness.

Fashion & Style

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LeBron James Drops Limited Edition Richard Mille

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The watch honors the Lakers with a yellow rubber strap that lasts a long time and feels good when a person moves. James' personal logo sits at the 12 o'clock position in green with a yellow border, which makes the brand easy to see while keeping the watch looking good.
The watch case is black and has a rough feel. A yellow Quartz TPT middle case sits next to it, with green parts and a purple ring for the hour markers. This mix of colors puts the Lakers' purple and gold into a modern watch design.
Richard Mille makes sports watches, and this watch shows that focus. The company did not share specific details about the movement. The brand makes light and strong watches for athletes, which suggests that this watch uses advanced materials and building methods.
The yellow and green crown, along with the teal chronograph dials, add to the watch's look. These colors show the Lakers' identity and James' own taste that he developed from collecting luxury watches for many years.
James' signature appears on the case back, etched in purple. This makes the watch a collector's item, not just a regular luxury watch. The purple signature honors the Lakers' colors and helps identify this specific production run.
Richard Mille works with many good athletes—this collaboration comes after successful partnerships with Rafael Nadal and Bubba Watson. James helps the brand reach the basketball market and may cause younger people to like Swiss watches.
The $450,000 price puts this watch among Richard Mille's more costly items, but it costs less than the brand's most complex watches. The company only made 150 pieces, which means collectors will want it and its price might go up.
James showed the watch on social media, which gained much attention from watch fans and basketball fans. The broad appeal shows that famous people working with luxury brands can connect fine watches with popular sports.
This watch continues James' long connection with luxury timepieces—he owns watches from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. James helped design this Richard Mille watch, which sets it apart from simple endorsement deals and suggests a deeper connection with the brand.
The Lakers' look appeals to fans in Los Angeles and people who collect basketball items. The watch also keeps Richard Mille's good name for technical skill and exclusive nature.