Feel Good Friday – Mission Belts

By Cator Sparks Published December 21, 2019

Micro Lending. It is something of a buzz word these days; and for good reason. Take Mission Belt Company’s micro lending story for example:

Brothers Nate and Zac Holzapfel and old friend Jeff Jensen had a friend in Panama named Luis who got hurt on the job. He was sent walking (rude) and needed a new job. The bus he took into Panama City from his village had long lines and was overcrowded so his friends at Mission Belt gave him a micro loan to buy a bus. One bus turned into three and now Luis has a booming business taking people back and forth from his town to Panama City!

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Founded in the summer of 2012, Mission Belt Company realized how much they helped Luis and decided to take a dollar from the sale of each belt and use it to help people in their fight against hunger and poverty. Since incorporating this into their business plan, Mission Belts has sold thousands of belts and raised plenty of funds to help more people in need. To read about more of their projects, take a look here at the map of the world showing where they are donating as well as how many projects there are per country.

Now for the belt! It is a no holes belt so you can wear it with a higher waist or lower waist trouser and not have to worry about too many or few holes to keep them trousers from sagging. They are also customizable so you can cut off the excess leather and have it fit just right. What is unique to these belts are the ridges on the underside that keep it tight. Note: There is a release lever on the bottom to take off your belt. This writer didn’t see that, pulled it too tight and nearly had a panic attack trying to get it off whilst going online for help.

Mission belts are great for travel since they are very versatile and can work with a suit or shorts. Go on, be a part of the mission. Father’s day is coming soon.

Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual

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

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F1 legend Montoya gets fourth custom Rolex in rose gold

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The eye of a Formula 1 engineer has been applied to every detail of the watch, including the sandblasting of the chronograph hand to prevent glare during use. This attention to functional details reflects Montoya's professional racing background and his understanding of precision timing requirements.
The ref. 116505 Daytona's 4230 movement has been completely disassembled, with each component beveled, sandblasted, and polished by hand. Artisans de Genève has fitted a newly designed triangular rotor in 22-carat gold, which is displayed through an exhibition case back following current fashion for Rolex chronograph customizations.
"The more you look at it, the more you like it," Montoya commented on the finished timepiece, reflecting his satisfaction with the intricate craftsmanship and personal touches incorporated throughout the design.
The collaboration between Montoya and Artisans de Genève demonstrates the growing trend of personalized luxury timepieces that celebrate individual achievements and heritage. The incorporation of Colombian flag colors provides a patriotic element while the technical modifications reflect Montoya's professional racing standards.
This rose gold edition completes a comprehensive collection spanning multiple precious metals, each representing different phases of Montoya's racing career. The progression from steel through platinum, yellow gold, and now rose gold showcases the evolution of both the partnership and the customization techniques employed by Artisans de Genève.
The meticulous attention to engineering details, from anti-glare treatments to precision finishing, demonstrates how high-end watch customization can merge aesthetic appeal with functional performance requirements developed through professional motorsport experience.

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