The Uwerk 103 collection enters its last and final run for a while. Production on the 103 is halting at the end of the year according to Timezone. As Martin Frei stated, “Our 103 collection is entering its seventh year. It has reached its maturity and fullness. It was Urwerk’s first masterpiece, one of audacity and challenge. In my opinion, it is the one that symbolises to this day the perfect balance between elegance and technicity…The ‘Mexican Fireleg’ comes in a limited edition of 60 pieces and, for the Shining T version, inspired by the world of Manga, a limited edition of 33.”

More looks at the Urwerk UR-103T Mexican Fireleg Watches after the click.

Reviewed in yesterday’s NYT, the FDR Suite Restoration Project at Harvard University. It’s a fascinating premise – exposing turn of the century college life through a period room and not just any period room, President Roosevelt’s room – even if it isn’t entirely new.

The website hits a personal nerve. While a graduate student, my then girlfriend (now a highly decorated doctoral candidate in Cambridge) produced a thesis on dorm life in women’s colleges. Her focus was on Smith, and we ended up spending some time researching male counterparts. That this room was FDR’s hardly matters, it is wickedly indicative of upper crust scholastic life during the period. And, as such a rich and wonderful addition to some other fantastic house museums surrounding campus (including the Longfellow home).

Nothing has built the idea of the dorm room as snapshot of college life as fully as the FDR Suite Restoration in digital form, and in my humble opinion it is a fantastic public history outlet. Spend a little time with it over the weekend and take a trip to Harvard, circa 1900.

The Balenciaga collections arguably appeals to a very strict European sensibility, but we we think Spring 2010 may have you browsing for a while.  The French line pulls through with some great looks which have even raised the eyebrows of our Snob editors. Well worth a viewing.

More looks from the Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2010 Men’s Collection after the click.

A great pair of military inspired pants mixing with the great outdoors. OAK is moving these Harmon Amry Fisherman Pants. “Classic fisherman style pant in a new spring color. Army woven cotton pants with a low, dropped crotch and loose fit. Wide buttoned waistband has two levels of belt loops to wrap and tie at will. Light pleating along front seat seam for added fullness. quilted stitching at pieced knee cap.”

More looks at the Harmon Army Fisherman Pants after the click.

It’s tough to get a men’s magazine off proper, but when you focus in to a market which is looking for another angle on covering their lifestyle, well, you’re sure to get people thinking. That was the selling point when Kiya invited me to preview England’s Men’s File Magazine. He was correct in many ways. Here’s how he puts it. “Men’s File loves American retro but also covers Britain, Europe and Japan: in fact anywhere that classic style exists. You also find revival skateboarding, surfing, travel, work-spaces, cycling, fashion and products.” Revival is the key word. With a mix of vintage style men’s studies on women and motorbikes, and excellent photography, you’ll be in for a surprising classy experience. Selfedge has it local in the States.

More looks inside of Men’s File Magazine #2 after the click.

Contributing Editor is back with a new photo essay on J.W. Anderson’s line. “Jonathan William Anderson ( J.W. Anderson) graduated in the summer of 2007 and quickly made his debut at London Fashion Week that September. He is one of London’s hottest young talents pushing the boundaries of menswear, which this season has earnt him the prestigious NewGen Men Award by the British Fashion Council.”  Be sure to check out last look at J.W. Anderson as well.

Our HSb editor sent over these Tyvek sneakers from Civic Duty. While the textile is about as durable as it gets, what took me by surprise is how well they looked when crackled onto the silhouette of the shoe. The sneakers are also said to be breathable. We’ll have more on them as we get it. The chukkas look most interesting.

More looks at the Civic Duty Spring 2010 Sneakers after the click.

Legend gets batted around with frightening frequency. My cousin, for example, maintains that Robbie Savage “is legend.” Complete bollocks.

In severe contrast, Alexander the Great is indeed legend. He is subject of many and varied legends (as in a particular type of narrative) and subject of a new book by Richard Stoneman. Stoneman himself might be an academic legend – he is widely recognized as the world expert on myths pertaining to Alexander. Stoneman’s new book Alexander the Great: A Life in Legend
assesses and compiles a wealth of stories about the man as iconic symbol of his time (and beyond). Richly illustrated, the book may overtly be about Alexander but its also about the power of myth making and the potential for one man to stand as symbol of the heroic ideal to many others.

From Yale University Press. Available now from Amazon.

Don’t be fooled by the timing of this post – we’re not saying you should wear these right now – you don’t wanna be one of those people who wear sunglasses the second the sun shows up. This is more of a ‘heads up, you could be rocking these come summer’ kind of post. These are a little harder to pull off than, say, a pair of aviators, but at least you won’t be wearing the same shades as everyone else come summer. (Oi Polloi)

Take a leap, see those shots