Skip to main content

Worn Out Wednesday – Tanner Campbell

We assume a background in Counter Terrorism really can adjust one to the most irritable guest (or client) in the world of hospitality. Meet Tanner Campbell,  the Creative Director of the Sydell Group, which owns and develops such killer properties as The NoMad Hotel, The Saguaro, The Freehand in Miami and the upcoming Line hotel in Los Angeles. Campbell did indeed work in  intelligence before finding his way into the world of handsome hotel properties. We asked Mr. Campbell to give us a bit of background and dive deep into his personal style.

In his own words:

Recommended Videos

I got started in creative work back in 1999 in San Francisco where I co-founded a small creative agency that worked to reposition hospitality concepts – restaurants, clubs, hotels, etc. The idea was to help our clients gain back or earn a bit of credibility and identity in the San Francisco community just as the internet bubble was collapsing. We did a lot of collaborations and events-based projects with music labels like Loveslap! and DJ Kicks.

In 2001 I switched gears and moved back east to Washington, DC to begin work in Maritime Intelligence and Counter Terrorism.  In that line of work, I traveled a lot and spent a great deal of time in London which is where I became forever hooked on English bench-made shoes – Crockett & Jones and Edward Green to be exact. They got me on dress shirts as well – Hilditch & Key, Turnbull & Asser, and the like.  My different liaisons in that line of work found me a common patron of hotels and the discreet cocktail bar as places for discourse and building trust with one’s fellow man – ultimately inspiring me to go back into hospitality and more positively focused creative work.

In 2007, I moved to New York to attend graduate school at Columbia and upon graduating was hired by Andrew Zobler to join Sydell Group.

Here Tanner gives us some insight on his personal style:

Regarding gear/fashion: I like a uniform.  I am between New York and LA quite a bit so it’s easiest to keep things simple.

Jeans: APC and Acne. They are plain, crispy, and you break them in yourself.

Shirts: Thom Browne, Black Fleece and Hilditch & Key.  Drakes ties are my favorite neckwear.

Pants: Unis for cotton trousers, custom made dress gray slacks from Ned the Tailor in New York.

Suits: Paul Stuart makes the best suits off the rack and has a crack tailoring team onsite. My tuxedo is from Dunhill.

Shoes: Crockett & Jones (a lot of suede), Nike Air Max, Common Projects and Danner boots.

Accessories: My watch is a Breitling – a gift from my father who is my best friend and true mentor. I have worn it for 15 straight years everyday. I have it rigged up with one of their rubber strap setups currently.

I have a WANT – Les Essentiels reversible leather bracelet in the mix too. We (Sydell) collaborated on the Kitsune shop at The NoMad Hotel and I discovered these there.

Outerwear: I have a bunch of Barbour quilted jackets that I rotate and waxed cotton Beaufort for damper, colder situations. I wear an SNS Herning Cardigan sweater constantly. Founded in 1920, it’s a Danish brand with roots in fishing sweaters.  The product is insanely well made and is practically indestructible.

Your favorite app: Uber.

Favorite piece of technology: My new Fuji X-M1 and my iPhone.

Next tech purchase: Orange Lambo.

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…
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.

Read more
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.

Read more
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”

Read more