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High style + Cutting-edge tech = This

presented-by-fiat-manual-280x70Behold the first-ever content series between Digital Trends and The Manual. The Bromance has begun. Since there are a plethora of brands out there melding style and technology, we thought we would take this opportunity to profile one item per week for the month of October, breaking them down and offering each of our unique takes on their tech and style components.

Ray Ban Shama Shade manualYou’re too late, someone just invented phone-charging sunglasses powered by the sun

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Face, meet palm, because you were not the genius to think of putting a solar panel on your sunglasses and turning them into a phone batter – Sayaleee Kaluskar was.

Proof-NY-Surface-Pants-thumbYou can’t tell how high tech these pants are, and that’s the point

Proof NY is a purveyor of well tailored clothing designed to survive the apocalypse, and with their new Surface pant, you don’t need to be a bike commuter or a commuting biker to appreciate them.

Garmin FenixIf you drop this watch on a Rolex, it will crush it

You better hope your wrist is worthy enough to carry the Garmin fenix, a GPS-enabled watch that crunches serious data while looking seriously badass.

burton-ion-boots-manual-2Behold! A snowboard boot that helps you ride like a pro and look like a hipster

Let’s say you’ve just finished building the most high-performance snowboard boot available, but it’s missing a certain something – what do you do? Duh … wrap it in Red Wing Leather.

sennheiser-momentum-150-x-95What’s that Dre? I can’t hear you with these dope Sennheisers on

We’re not saying all celebrity-endorsed headphones are bad; we’re just saying that when an OG producer of quality cans makes a set that look this good, your search is over.

Stone Island jacket
Image used with permission by copyright holder

That jacket looks dope, but it’s hurting my eyes

Stone Island has a habit of making clothes that harness technology in unexpected ways, and its new Mesh Reflective down jacket is nothing if not unexpected.

leather-touchscreen-gloves-by-mujjo-manualThe future of wearable tech rests with Ethiopian lambs

Touchscreen gloves are not new; touchscreen gloves that look as good as Muijo’s black leather offering are a revelation.

Philips-Designline-TV-manualThat old thing leaning against the wall? It’s just my amazing TV

Respectably spec’ed, Philips Designline is notable less for its performance and more for it’s remarkable re-imagination of the television form factor.

Nike_Free_Hyperfeel_Mens_manualWe don’t care why Nike made these shoes, we just want them

Nike creates shoes for various kinds of runners, but their latest, the Hyperfeel, look like they were created for people who just like really cool-looking shoes.

Leica-D-Lux-G-Star-RAW-cameraThe Leica D-Lux wants to get into your jeans (and you should let it)

What do you get when an iconic camera company partners with a purveyor of really tight pants? We’re not sure, but whatever it is, it looks and works great.

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F1 legend Montoya gets fourth custom Rolex in rose gold
Swiss customizer creates fourth Montoya Daytona with Colombian flag-inspired dial
Juan Pablo Montoya Rolex Daytona

Juan Pablo Montoya's illustrious racing career has been captured in a new skeletonized Rolex Daytona in rose gold by customization specialist Artisans de Genève, marking the fourth collaboration between the Formula 1 legend and the Swiss workshop.
The Colombian racing icon competed for Williams from 2001 to 2004 and McLaren from 2005 to 2006, securing seven Grand Prix wins and multiple podium finishes during his F1 career. His success extended beyond Formula 1 to include race wins in the American NASCAR series, establishing him as one of motorsport's most versatile champions.
Montoya has worked with Artisans de Genève on a series of Daytona chronographs designed to highlight his most treasured racing memories. Previous editions in steel, platinum, and yellow gold have now led to this rose gold piece that features an openworked dial with subdials in the blue, yellow, and red of the Colombian flag.
The latest iteration introduces a forged carbon tachymeter bezel framed with rose gold for the first time in the series. This combination creates a striking contrast while maintaining the racing aesthetic that defines Montoya's custom timepieces.
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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JJJJound and PUMA drop two chic, dark suede Mostros
JJJJound and PUMA update the Mostro sneaker
puma x jjjjound sneakers

While the Mostro has become the star of Puma’s recent releases, it’s been hard to classify the sneaker as anything but a statement design. Made to be seen, the Mostro’s often chunky silhouette is far from the slim look of its competitor, Adidas’ Samba sneaker. However, in its newest release, Puma has partnered up with JJJJound for a new minimalist look that delivers a subdued design to this iconic silhouette. JJJJound is no stranger to remixing iconic shoes, having done so in the past with other iconic brands like ASICS and New Balance. True to their brand, JJJJound has introduced a new minimalist look for the Mostro, making it a versatile option for Puma footwear fans. 

JJJJound and Puma bring minimalism to the Mostro

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Oliver Peoples and Alex Israel release charity eyewear for L.A. wildfire relief
Oliver Peoples and Alex Israel unite for Los Angeles
pairs of oliver peoples x alex israel

After devastating wildfires that plagued the Los Angeles area in January 2025, it didn’t take long for brands to jump in on the action. These wildfires, which burned over 180,000 acres according to Cal Fire, brought massive destruction and fatalities to the areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, and more. While the wildfires are long gone, residents of these locations are still reeling to get back on their feet. 

In response to the devastation, Oliver Peoples has collaborated with contemporary artist Alex Israel on a special edition of the brand’s Oliver Sun frames. To help aid victims, 100% of sales will be donated to the Steadfast LA Foundation’s Modular Housing Initiative, which is currently assisting underinsured residents in getting back on track in their communities. With an accompanying campaign featuring Miranda Kerr, DJ Diplo, and Eric Nam, this project highlights what makes Los Angeles a home to these artists. 

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