There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
Thanks for your interest in our Harness Belt collaboration with The British Belt Company! Harness belts have been one of the most popular product categories on Massdrop. We’ve shipped thousands over the last few years, and we’ve seen tens of thousands of posts discussing what could make them better.
What Massdrop enthusiasts love about harness belts:
1. The durability, harness leather will last a lifetime if properly cared for 2. The patina characteristics, harness leather is generally vegetable tanned so it’ll darken in the sun and absorbs the natural oils from your hands, resulting in an aesthetic unique to you. 3. The understated aesthetic of deep brown leather and brass that goes with denim or dark fabric.
What Massdrop enthusiasts don’t love about harness belts:
1. The thickness, this applies to the leather as well as the hardware. Many harness belt makers go really go for the “so rugged wow” reaction that comes from ¼” thick leather and fat metal buckles. Thick hardware is always uncomfortable, and thick leather is uncomfortable until it’s through the break-in period which can be many months long. 2. Hardware design and finish. Many harness belt makers use buckle assemblies that are not only structurally overbuilt, but also aesthetically overbuilt. 3. The height, many harness belts are too tall to fit through belt loops on anything but your heaviest raw denim. There’s aesthetic value to the height, but a balance has to be achieved, and many makers never get there.
With such a clear mandate, it was easy to work with the British Belt Company to create this belt. The leather is sourced from a legendary tannery in Tuscany, the hardware is solid brass in a carefully proportioned buckle design and stitched to the belt. The proportions of the belt have been optimized for versatility with a height and thickness appropriate for pants ranging from raw denim to chinos.
Respond to this post with your pressing questions and I’ll do my best to answer quickly. Your interest and discussions are what make these collaborations possible.