The Obtainer - 4/10/24, Wednesday
Cory Ohlendorf
April 10, 2024
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Style Strategies
How the Watch Guy Shops
Quaid Walker likes building things. While still in college, he began coding and launching apps—a skill that eventually landed him a gig at Google. While working as a design lead there, he became one of the founding designers of Google TV and worked on the launch of Chromecast. “I've always been passionate about craft, mechanical objects, and hand-made stuff that lasts forever,” Walker tells me. “I grew up seeing the most interesting people marking milestones in their lives with watches and they always seemed like they uniquely held sentimental value.” On his daily bus commutes between San Francisco and the Mountain View office, Walker would research watches. Needless to say, he eventually dove in head first and got to work building a modern, technologically forward platform that allowed you to shop for authenticated luxury watches. He teamed up with his childhood best friend and a former Google coworker to launch Bezel.
Quickly, the concept took off with the likes of John Legend, Steve Aoki, Kevin Hart and J Balvin all investing in the platform. The marketplace now boasts more than $450 million worth of listings from brands ranging from Rolex and Audemars Piguet to Patek Philippe and Cartier. Second-hand watches are in more demand than ever these days, but countless fakes and sketchy repairs make their way onto the secondary market all the time. Bezel lets you browse with confidence and chat with their watch experts about specific watches on the platform—with the knowledge that every watch has been authenticated by their in-house team of specialists formerly from Sotheby's and Christie's. Walker is someone who appreciates the finer details, so we wanted to know more about his personal style and how he shops.
How many timepieces are in your personal collection at the moment? I like to really wear my watches. And I've found that I break that rule if my collection goes above four to five pieces. That's plenty. Describe your style in five words or less. Cool, coastal grandpa. The best thing you’ve bought under $20 recently? Has to be a new toy for my dog. What was the item that you thought about the longest before buying ... as in, what was the hardest item to pull the trigger on? It was definitely my first “big” watch, which is ultimately why we started Bezel. There was so much apprehension and concern about not getting something that was authentic, given I was so new to the hobby. It took most of the fun out of the transaction, which feels so wrong for something as memorable as a first watch purchase.
What city has the best shopping? New York. I always assume every city has the same weather as LA, so I've purchased a jacket in many major cities that regularly drop below 55 degrees.
The one thing you refuse to spend money on? I pretty much exclusively buy vintage or thrifted jeans. They happen to be cheaper, but they're also just cooler and more comfortable.
What’s one shopping hack that you can let everyone know about? It's not a hack, but you know when you really want something, right? Just buy it. |
Drop to Watch For |
 | Kith and Columbia Sportswear are back at it. The American outdoor wear company is getting a shot of Ronnie Fieg style, upgrading the function-focused designs with new technology and some streetwear-oriented silhouettes. Some of the fabrics are not only quick-drying and made to move, but also offer serious UV protection and the most advanced active cooling technology available, dubbed “Omni-Freeze ZERO Ice.” Available April 12, 11 a.m. ET |
 | The sales and discounts our team is currently watching. |
 Miansai is hosting a rare archive sale, offering big discounts on select items. This delicate ring, with longer link detailing is handcrafted from polished sterling silver, and now 30% off.
|  These Wallace & Barnes cotton twill chinos are cut with a relaxed, straight fit and are finished with hard-pressed creases that will stay sharp through washing and wearing.
|  Want a lighter sweatshirt for spring and summer? This one, from Ralph Lauren, is cut from a vintage-inspired cotton/poly blend with old school details and a wash that makes it extra soft.
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 Made from 100% Turkish cotton, these luxurious towels from Brooklinen offer lasting durability and incredible softness. And now, a set of two is currently half off.
|  You want top-of-the-line headphones with noise-canceling technology, but you don't want to have to shell out all that money. The answer? Get a certified refurbished version.
|  Make sure you're equipped for spring cleaning with a proper Dyson vacuum. This is the brand's slimmest, most maneuverable model and is especially good for hard floors.
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Want more? See all 41 sales » | ||
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