1. Wings III sunglasses, RAY-BAN

Straight out of the '80s, the Ray-Ban Wings sunglasses were favoured by pilots due to the look and quality. The brand has since brought back the style in a number of iterations, with this latest one being a combination of the original and the Wings II. It maintains the squarish frame of the latter with an elongated taper that extends slightly towards the sides for more coverage. The brow bar remains a key fixture, making the style ever-enduring.

2. Soul Trunk East West bag, LOUIS VUITTON

Pharrell Williams has a penchant for softness in Louis Vuitton’s bags. His Soul Trunk East West bag is a new supple take on the Maison’s trunk-making heritage; featuring reinforced corners and a duo of straps for maximum versatility of wear. The main compartment is secured with a zipper but there’s also a magnetic closure (fashioned to look like a trunk’s clasp) for quick reach into the interior while keeping the bag closed.

3. EVOA Z luggage, SAMSONITE

The sleek appearance of the second-generation EVOA Z is a Trojan horse for the top-tier functionality that the Samsonite luggage is known for. Some of the nifty design elements: a small but mighty hanging hook is integrated right below the pull handles to hang light items, zipper pullers are fixed with magnets so that they bind together to prevent theft, and the wheels glide with maximum smoothness and manoeuvrability.

4. Cap, POLO RALPH LAUREN

The signature embroidered Pony logo of Polo Ralph Lauren makes for a subtle statement. It calls to mind the preppy aesthetic steeped in the brand’s history. Created using precisely 982 individual stitches, the logo sits front and centre on this BetterCotton twill cap. We don’t have to tell you just how indispensable a good cap is but just know that with this particular piece, the pairings are almost limitless.

5. Dyson OnTrac headphones, DYSON

Listen, we get that the Dyson Zone headphones (you know, the one with the air purifier attachment) seemed like a joke. And to be fair, perhaps Dyson knew that too. The brand’s latest audio device removes the extraneous feature and focuses solely on the audio quality and ANC. What we got: the Dyson OnTrac that's customisable wth a range of colours for its caps and cushions.

6. Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, 47mm pink gold case with leather strap, JAEGER-LECOULTRE

The Reverso is a revolutionary icon that stood the test of time. This latest iteration is a throwback to earlier models including a classic chemin de fer, applied hour markers and dauphine hands. Both sides of the timepiece feature a sunray dial—one lacquered in blue and the other in silver—for a classically elegant look whichever way you choose to turn to.

7. Triple Stitch Monte shoes, ZEGNA

The Zegna Triple Stitch is a definite winner in our books. Already traipsing the line between casual and dressy, the brand takes it up a notch with an iteration that is tailored for more outdoor pursuits. The Triple Stitch Monte (Italian for “mount”) is fitted with Vibram soles for increased traction, all the while retaining the look and silhouette of the original.

8. Dior Sauvage Eau Forte, DIOR

For better or worse, the Dior Sauvage has quite the reputation—you either love it or don’t quite fancy it. The Dior Sauvage Eau Forte however, would easily satisfy both camps. The essence of Sauvage is still present but reimagined in an alcohol-free formula that’s light and fresh while having the intensity of a parfum. In other words, you probably won’t be assaulting anyone’s nose with this.

9. Elsa Peretti Bone ring in yellow gold, TIFFANY & CO.

The distinctive Bone ring, a reincarnation of Elsa Peretti’s iconic 1970 Bone cuff design, has to be experienced first-hand to be appreciated. Its sinewy contours make for a subtle statement, but it is also sculpted to conform to one’s finger or knuckle. There is no restriction of motion despite its size and fits comfortably like second skin.

10. Extreme 3.0 duffel, MONTBLANC X ZINÉDINE ZIDANE

Everyone needs a throw-all duffel in their arsenal. This collaboration piece between Montblanc and football legend Zinédine Zidane runs high on the list of the perfect duffels. For starters, it’s incredibly roomy yet lightweight at the same time. The inside is thoughtfully designed with organisation compartments and loops, and of course, the exterior is as handsome as they come with Montblanc’s subtle Extreme 3.0 motif.

Photography: Jaya Khidir
Styling: Asri Jasman
Photography Assistants: Aliy Alam and Nowo Kasturi

Shirt, OUR LEGACY. Shorts, LOEWE. Loafers, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI. #MY4810 cabin compact trolley, MONTBLANC

Much can be said about style and functionality. They're often two sides of the same coin, yet to be able to exist harmoniously in a way that makes perfect sense requires equal parts technical know-how and a great sense of taste. Montblanc has both.

The brand known for its artistry in crafting writing instruments, has made a name for itself translating the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail onto timeless style accompaniments. Luxurious bags and leather goods, travel and tech accessories, as well as timepieces are designed to not only last, but be part of one's journey through a life well-lived.

South Korean actor Lee Jin-wook—most recently starring in Netflix's Sweet Home as well as a new cast member of the much-awaited second season of Squid Game—showcases just how well Montblanc crafts pieces that are meant to be classic mainstays. Paired with equally classic menswear silhouettes, you'd be hard-pressed to not be able to find a Montblanc piece you wouldn't be able to integrate into your own style.

Shirt and trousers, LEMAIRE. Loafers, LOEWE. Extreme 3.0 backpack with M LOCK 4810 buckle, MONTBLANC

Photography: JDZ Chung
Fashion Editor: Kim Yujin
Styling: Lee Hajeong
Grooming: Gu Hyeonmi
Production: TwelveSixteen
Styling Assistant: Zoe Lee
Assistant: Sin Dongju
Art Designer: Kim Daeseon

Two design icons together. A Meisterstück pen and a replica (miniature) Tulip chair designed by Eero Saarinen in the 1950s. JOE LINGEMAN

A fountain pen is like a tie these days. It is not a necessity but an expression of taste—and a chance to snatch a little extra joy from the grip of everyday existence. Given the choice, would you rather scratch out a note with a cheap plastic ballpoint or glide a finely tuned 18k-gold nib over a sheet of paper? No contest.

This brings us to Montblanc. Founded in 1906 with the catchy name Simplizissiumus-Füllhalter, the company pioneered modern, easy-to-use fountain pens. And the Meisterstück—German for “masterpiece”—has been the pinnacle of its lineup since it was introduced in 1924. It’s the fountain pen elevated to an art form. Combining superior engineering and materials, the century-old Meisterstück takes the writing experience to another level by ensuring that the ink flows in an unbroken stream from reservoir to nib to paper without the slightest pressure from the user. It’s a simple pleasure but a profound one. And sometimes—more often than you might expect—that is precisely what you need.

Originally published on Esquire US

After Montblanc launched its Iced Sea Collection in 2022 (y'know the ones with the glacier dials), the brand gives us the newest addition: the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810. That is a very specific number, you might say. But "4810" is a mainstay of the brand—that is the height in metres of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. For this venture, the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 holds claim to being water-resistant at the depths of 4810 metres. (For context, this is almost half of the depth of the Mariana Trench at 10,909m.)

Given that it's able to withstand the depths, it makes sense that the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 is housed in a titanium case and shielded screw-down crown.

Like the other Iced Sea timepieces, the dial of the 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 is inspired by the Mer de Glace, a valley glacier. According to the presser, the dial showcases an "interlocking network of crystals that have been frozen in time for millennia". Like the Iced Sea line, the dial's look is brought about via gratté-boisé—a tedious polishing effect that doesn't remove any of the material.

While the dial is a sight to behold, the caseback reveals a 3D-engraving of what you see under a sheet of ice. Created by a laser-generated oxidation that gives the caseback an otherworldly glimpse, a contrast of colour and texture.

If you're attempting to explore the ocean depths, illumination is a must. White Super-LumiNova acts as photoluminescence on the hands, indexes and a dot at 12 o'clock. Montblanc's COSC-certified automatic MB 29.29 movement, ticks away inside; with five days of power reserve. The Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 joins the ranks of Montblanc's “Zero Oxygen” timepieces that are made without any oxygen to ensure a more precise and longer performance; as well as the elimination of fogging.

Rounding up the watch is an interchangeable black rubber strap that's tapered in a V-shape and can be easily adjusted directly on the wrist.

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