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Worn Out Wednesday – Photographer Chris Burkard

Today we speak to photographer Chris Burkard.

I began my career with more of an art background. Shortly after I decided to pick up a camera, I knew it would be my weapon of choice. I interned for landscape photographer Michael Fatali, which definitely helped refine my eye. Growing up I wasn’t able to travel and always had an urge to see the world. I landed my first surf trip in 2004 slated to Dubai. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into but immediately got hooked. After that, I knew photography was the career path I would follow.

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Photography is a tough industry to establish yourself in. Like everyone else I started my career working long days and doing whatever it took to further my skills. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and that’s what helped me make the leap when I was 19. I owed it to myself to give it a shot. At the time I was working a job that I hated. I decided to give myself four years to pursue a career in photography and if it didn’t work out I would reevaluate after my four years were up. Driving long distances to unpaid internships and spending time sleeping and living in my car wasn’t great but I stuck through it and learned as much as I could from my mentors. Slowly my passion and hard work grew into a full on career. I was gaining recognition from companies and people within the industry that enabled me to take my work to the next level. In fact one of the pivotal moments in my career was winning the Red Bull Illume Contest in 2010.

As for my personal style:

Jeans: Simple. I like stretch. I hate the idea of function over fashion but it’s a part of my life. When you have to pack so little, I like to make sure every piece is multifunctional! Prana’s Theorem Jean is killer. Their dark indigo hides any stain you can throw at it.

Shirts: The Burbia Pocket Crew Tee, simple and super comfy.

Pants: I never leave home with out my Brion Pants.

Suits: The only suit in my life is a wetsuit. I’ve been rocking Axxe custom suits for a while.

Shoes: I’m a sucker for a good pair of Chelsea boots.

Accessories: Northwest Provider Ball Cap, Northern Lights Optics NL6 Sunglasses, Goal Zero Venture 30 Portable Charger, and the Cotopaxi Luzon Daypack. I love having a pack that is small and easily packable, it’s always great to work with a company that listens to your feedback and uses it to produce even better products!

Outerwear: Arteryx Atom LT, coyote brown. My favorite jacket hands down.

Favorite Cologne: This is the only smell I ever want to have on me, Big Sur Trail Resin Cologne.

Your favorite App: Instagram, it’s just pure fun. Sharing and interacting I really dig the way you can publish your work with one thumb.

Favorite piece of technology: Sony A7Rii – It’s my camera of choice from the mountains to big commercial jobs.

Next tech purchase: Probably a Petzl headlamp (I loose them all the time… it’s bad).

Cator Sparks
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…
Norqain makes Independence Skeleton smaller and smarter
Swiss watchmaker Norqain refines skeleton collection with transparent mainplate design
Norqain new slimmed skeleton promo

Norqain has added two new 40mm models to its Independence Skeleton collection, offering slimmer, more refined options than the earlier 42mm watches. The updated timepieces feature a transparent mainplate design that enhances visual depth while showcasing the brand's commitment to innovative skeleton watchmaking.
The first model features a classic stainless steel case with brushed, polished, and sandblasted surfaces, accented by subtle turquoise details. The second adopts a bolder aesthetic with a black DLC-coated case, khaki rubber strap, and vibrant orange accents, creating a stealthier and sportier appearance.
Both versions are powered by the Norqain Caliber NB08S, a mechanical automatic skeleton movement that has earned COSC chronometer certification. This high-performance movement features 26 rubies and a personalized oscillating weight bearing the brand's logo. It offers a 41-hour power reserve, with the balance frequency operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), ensuring precise timekeeping.
The standout feature of these new models is the transparent mainplate positioned above the anthracite openworked dial. This innovative design element adds visual depth while housing Norqain's logo, marking a significant improvement from the previous 42mm versions where the logo was printed on the sapphire crystal.
The dials incorporate faceted black-plated indexes and diamond-cut hands filled with white X1 Super-LumiNova for optimal visibility in low-light conditions. The second hand's tip comes in turquoise on the steel version and orange on the DLC model, providing distinctive color coordination.
Measuring 40mm in diameter and 12.05mm thick, both models offer 100-meter water resistance and feature double anti-reflective, scratch-proof sapphire crystals on the front and back. The reduced case size makes these watches more wearable while maintaining the collection's bold skeleton aesthetic.
The steel version is priced at $4,490 on a rubber strap, with the matching steel bracelet option increasing the price to $4,790. The DLC-coated model comes with a choice of black or khaki rubber strap, both priced at $4,690.
These new Independence Skeleton models represent Norqain's evolution in skeleton watch design, combining traditional Swiss watchmaking excellence with contemporary aesthetics. The transparent mainplate innovation demonstrates the brand's commitment to advancing skeleton watch construction while preserving the visual drama that defines the collection.

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Rolex Land-Dweller auction reaches $51,250 on eBay
New Rolex sports watch commands premium pricing in secondary market debut
Rolex Dynapulse promo image

The first publicly available Rolex Land-Dweller has sold for $51,250 on eBay Live, more than three times its $15,350 retail price and confirming the watch's status as a serious competitor to integrated luxury sports watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
The unworn 40mm stainless steel model, complete with box and papers, was listed by Tanner and Company with a starting bid of $15,000, just below the suggested retail price. However, intense bidding drove the final sale price to $51,250, just $2,000 shy of the combined retail prices of a Land-Dweller and Royal Oak "Jumbo."
Introduced earlier this year at Watches and Wonders Geneva, the Land-Dweller represents Rolex's most significant watch release in a generation. The timepiece features an integrated bracelet design inspired by 1970s sports watches and incorporates a revolutionary new escapement called Dynapulse, positioning it as a direct competitor to established luxury sports icons.
At retail, the Land-Dweller appears attractively priced compared to its competitors. The popular "Jumbo" Royal Oak in steel retails for $37,900, while the Patek Philippe Nautilus no longer exists as a three-handed men's model in stainless steel. The alternative 45mm Cubitus commands $43,263 at retail.
However, the secondary market tells a different story. The post-pandemic watch market has calmed from its highs but remains intensely competitive for hyped luxury sports watches. Both the Royal Oak and Cubitus command well into six-figure prices on used and gray markets, reflecting sustained demand that far exceeds supply.
The Land-Dweller's astronomical first sale price places it firmly in this rarefied territory, suggesting that Rolex's most hyped new model in years will follow similar secondary market trajectories to its Swiss competitors.
Two scenarios emerge for future Land-Dweller pricing. Either this first sale represents an inflated outlier that will normalize as more examples reach the market, or the extreme sale price will further inflate collector desire, driving values even higher for subsequent sales.
Given Rolex's history with secondary market pricing and the general trajectory of integrated luxury sports watches, the latter scenario appears more likely. The Land-Dweller's combination of revolutionary movement technology, integrated bracelet design, and Rolex's unparalleled brand recognition creates perfect conditions for sustained secondary market premiums.
The $51,250 sale price demonstrates that despite the Land-Dweller's relatively accessible retail pricing, actual market access remains limited to those willing to pay significant premiums. This reality reinforces the watch's position as a true competitor to the Royal Oak and Nautilus, not just in design and technical execution, but in market desirability and pricing power.

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This new Bell & Ross looks like it belongs on a fighter jet
French watchmaker creates ceramic skeleton watch inspired by stealth aircraft technology
BR-05-Skeleton-Phantom-Ceramnic. press shot

Bell & Ross has introduced the BR-05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic, a striking limited edition that continues the brand's tradition of creating timepieces inspired by stealth aircraft while showcasing the versatility of its integrated bracelet design first launched in 2019.
The latest release draws from Bell & Ross' long lineage of "phantom" watches dating back to 2007, inspired by the dark, radar-absorbing livery of stealth aircraft. The all-black aesthetic creates a sculptural, almost architectural design that emphasizes the BR-05's distinctive square case profile.
The 41mm case is crafted from black ceramic, featuring vertical satin brushing combined with highly polished elements on the case sides and center bracelet links. Ceramic offers practical advantages including exceptional durability and lightweight construction, making it ideal for a sporty bracelet watch.
To prevent the monochrome design from appearing monotonous, Bell & Ross has skeletonized the dial, revealing the Caliber BR-CAL.322-1 movement developed specifically for the brand. A tinted transparent dial plate provides clear visibility of the mechanical movement while maintaining the stealth aesthetic.
The prominent dial flange holds baton hour markers filled with grey Super-LumiNova, which produces a bright green glow in low light conditions. The hands feature matching luminous material, ensuring excellent readability while preserving the watch's tactical appearance.
The BR-CAL.322-1 automatic mechanical movement offers a 54-hour power reserve and displays hours, minutes, and seconds. The visible movement components add visual interest through the skeletonized dial while demonstrating Bell & Ross' commitment to developing its own calibers.
Measuring 41mm by 11.2mm, the case provides 100-meter water resistance suitable for daily wear. The watch is available with either a matching black ceramic bracelet or black rubber strap, offering versatility for different wearing occasions.
This release demonstrates how the BR-05 collection has evolved since its 2019 debut, when Bell & Ross surprised the market with its interpretation of an integrated bracelet sports watch. The refined square case has become increasingly important to the brand's portfolio, proving its adaptability across different materials and complications.
The Skeleton Phantom Ceramic shows Bell & Ross maintaining its core identity of square, function-focused watches inspired by aviation instruments while retaining contemporary appeal. The stealth aircraft inspiration connects directly to the brand's aviation heritage while offering a modern interpretation of military aesthetics.
Limited to 500 pieces, the BR-05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic continues Bell & Ross' exploration of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. The combination of ceramic construction, skeletonized movement display, and stealth-inspired design creates an appealing package for collectors seeking aviation-themed timepieces.
The release reinforces the BR-05's position as a strong competitor in the integrated bracelet sports watch segment while maintaining Bell & Ross' distinctive square case DNA.

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