Worn out Wednesday – Zachary Johnson

By Cator Sparks Published December 20, 2019

We love seeing family bonding in the workplace. The Johnson brothers grew up in Colorado together with three other siblings and about 30 cousins. Years later the boys decided to form a band, toured the country and after that, realized, ‘we can do anything together.’ Knowing they were all interested in design/architecture/illustration they formed Made Shop in 2006 and have been designing buildings, furniture, books and films ever since. As brother Zachary Johnson explains, “ It’s a design company, obviously, but it also sort of functions as an umbrella for the various projects we all work on — the idea was to provide a one-stop shop with specialists in a range of fields.”

Zachary went to acting school in New York but spent most of his time drawing and painting while waiting for calls and realized that was the direction he wanted to go. His first gig was illustrating posters for a cousin’s films Brick, The Brothers Bloom and Looper and now is working on 150 illustrations of New York for a book that Made Shop naturally designed (publish date TBD!)

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We caught up with Zach to hear more about his style or as he called it, ‘Hipster Meat & Potatoes’.

By this point I have kind of a uniform. When options are limited it reduces the stress is how I see it. I like jackets in many variations and I wear them over a basic tee usually from American Apparel. Levis are my go-to jean of choice. I spent lots of cash on Diesel and others in high school but came back to the classics.

I love my Lucchese cowboy boots and wear them daily.

I like Zara for a suit or if I need something nicer. It is a bit better quality than H&M and a bit better fit too. I’m always looking for a slim cut and Zara always has a great fit for me. I love a pocket square but I can never fold one crisply! Even if I iron them. I have to look into that.

I wear like a longer peacoat a lot in New York and I have a rust leather bomber from Zara too that is great for the fall with a toboggan hat I found at my parents house. God knows where it came from!

Embarrassing fact: When I moved to New York when I was 18 I used to wear spurs every day, even though I have never been on a horse. I had to walk down the subway steps sideways! But today I am more of a simple man.

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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Fashion & Style

Grand Seiko’s claw-inspired watch costs $16,400

Angular evolution: Grand seiko's tokyo lion tentagraph features brilliant hard titanium construction

Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion

Grand Seiko added a watch to its Tokyo Lion collection— the Sport Collection Tokyo Lion Tentagraph. This watch comes with the brand's first mechanical chronograph movement and holds to the angular design that has set the series apart since 2019. The watch costs $16,400 and will be available in August 2025. This 43mm watch shows a clear step forward for the collection.
The lion sign stays important to Grand Seiko's identity—it stands for how easy a watch is to read, how long it lasts, how comfortable it feels, and how good it looks. This symbol has been part of the brand's history since 1960. The Tokyo Lion collection turns this symbol into a bold, angular shape that copies a lion's paw through its geometric form and surface finishes.
The newest Tentagraph watch shows more of the feline idea. Its surfaces have hairline finishes that look like claws, and this design brings out cat-like shapes across the case. The watch measures 43mm across and 15.6mm thick—these large sizes catch the eye right away. The watch feels good to wear because of how it is shaped to the body.
Grand Seiko uses Brilliant Hard Titanium in the Sports Collection for the first time. This metal is twice as hard as regular stainless steel. The alloy looks brighter than common titanium and also resists rust and scratches better, which is needed for sports watches.
The chronograph buttons have a new shape—this change makes them easier to use when someone is active. The three small dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock look three-dimensional. A Lumibrite coating on them makes sure a person can read them in all light, from bright day to full dark.
A brown silicon rubber strap comes with the watch, it has a lion's paw design on the back that adds a subtle design touch. The strap bends easily, so it feels good to wear. The case back has a slight curve. These details make the watch comfortable to wear in many places, and the watch also holds out against water down to 200 meters.
The Tentagraph Caliber 9SC5 is the main technical feature. It has a chronograph part that works at 5Hz. This fast-moving part runs for 72 hours on one charge and also protects against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m—these are important features for a modern sports watch.
The chronograph functions add to the Tokyo Lion's sports appeal while keeping the collection's specific look. Grand Seiko's mechanical skill joins with its angular design idea, forming watches that go against how people usually think about sports watches.
People can get the watch in August 2025. It will be on Grand Seiko's website and at stores that sell its watches, this makes it easy for people around the world to buy good Japanese mechanical watches. The $16,400 price shows the better materials, the in-house movement, and the special design that set Grand Seiko's sports watches apart.
This Tentagraph shows Grand Seiko's continued step forward in expensive sports watches. It shows how old Japanese craftsmanship can take on modern design styles while keeping its technical lead and wearing comfort for demanding uses.

Fashion & Style

Gaming meets horology in Hamilton’s Death Stranding 2 timepiece

Hamilton's Kojima collaboration creates futuristic death stranding 2 timepiece

Hamilton Death Stranding 2 watch

Hamilton takes its first step into gaming by working with Kojima Productions to make a special watch for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. This work shows a change from the brand's well-known movie projects, such as Interstellar, Dune: Part Two, and Indiana Jones—it represents Hamilton's initial move into interactive entertainment.
The partnership joins Hamilton with game designer Hideo Kojima, whose studio works under the motto "From Sapiens to Ludens" while reshaping interactive entertainment. Death Stranding 2 continues the science fiction story of Sam—this story happens in a post-apocalyptic place where life and death mix through emotional plots, exploration, and strange pictures.
"Hamilton was a perfect choice as a partner to design and create a product set in the near future. Please take this watch in your hands and experience the product that connects the world of the game and the real world," explains Hideo Kojima, emphasizing the bridge between virtual and physical experiences.
The American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition displays a titanium case build with black PVD treatment that draws from Hamilton's original Boulton plan. The light, rust-proof structure shows smooth, curving lines that copy the game's distinct look while holding up well.
Seven sapphire crystals form the watch's most noticeable part. One main crystal sits in the middle, and six others pair along the case, this setup creates shifting light and a science fiction feel. The crystal layout shows the game's strange design ideas while helping people read the time.
The simple dial plan shows future plainness through grey hour markers, a bright orange seconds hand, and looped open hands that reflect the sapphire crystal pattern. A matching black PVD titanium bracelet finishes the rough, technical look suitable for post-apocalyptic journeys.
The watch includes a three-hand automatic movement with 25 jewels and an 80-hour power reserve. A Nivachron™ balance spring offers resistance to magnetism, shock, and temperature changes—these are necessary traits for surviving tough places, both virtual and real.
Art director Yoji Shinkawa worked on the design, combining Hamilton's movie history with the game's future setting. This work shows how classic Swiss watchmaking can adapt to current entertainment forms while keeping its technical quality.
The company produced 2,000 individually numbered watches. Each watch comes with special game-themed packaging that adds to its collector appeal. The work shows Hamilton's growth past traditional cinema projects into the growing gaming entertainment area.
This release puts Hamilton at the front of watch-gaming projects while honoring both brands' dedication to creative storytelling through their respective crafts.

Fashion & Style

The fan-favorite New Balance 992 returns in Marsh Green for summer

New Balance releases a new 992 sneaker

new balance 992 marsh green

New Balance is home to many archival favorites, and the brand is not shy about bringing them back into the spotlight. This time around, New Balance is remixing its retro 992 model with a brand-new colorway for a fresh take, ready for summer. With new premium materials and high-quality craftsmanship, the newest 992 silhouette offers a sophisticated take that is ready for a new generation. With a clean base and hints of color throughout, this new sneaker is a refreshing and versatile option for those still looking for their summer sneaker. True to New Balance’s style, the sneaker seamlessly merges its traditional elements with modern details, creating a shoe that’s sure to become a new favorite for many.

Step into the New Balance 992 in “Marsh Green”