Watches, Stories, and Gear: a WWII Era Panerai, Baby Yoda’s Outsize Influence, and Much More

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of some of our favorite watch content on Worn & Wound, great stories from around the web, and cool gear that we’ve got our eye on.

This installment of “Watches, Stories, and Gear” is brought to you by the Windup Watch Shop.

Worn & Wound
From War to the Auction Block: The Story of Sgt. Rowson’s Panerai Kampfscwhimmer

The big watch story this week was the immensely successful Phillips Auction in New York City, which saw Marlon Brando’s Apocalypse Now era Rolex GMT sell for nearly $2 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium. Jack Nicklaus’s iconic Rolex Day-Date also sold for over $1 million. In that spirit, we’re bringing back a story from the archives about a very special Panerai and its circuitous path to auction. Panerai is a brand that doesn’t get a ton of auction hype (at least compared to vintage Rolex) but WWII era watches like the one in this story are truly rare and, in our opinion, absolutely fascinating.

Read the full story here

The New York Times
Baby Yoda is Your God Now

Whether you’re watching The Mandalorian or not, your life on the internet is almost certainly consumed by Baby Yoda. The most meme-able TV character in ages is everywhere, and in this New York Times article, critic James Poniewozik wonders if social media ready moments built on an appeal to nostalgia represent the future of television. 

Read the full story here

The Verge
The Verge’s Gadgets of the Decade

The end of the decade means it’s officially peak list making time, and the Verge had a doozy this week, with their collection of the 100 most significant gadgets of the decade. From the fidget spinner, to the Apple Watch, the list is surprising and thorough, and will force you to consider just how much technology has changed us (for better or worse) over the course of the last ten years.

Read the full story here

L.L. Bean
Limited Edition Bean Boots

They might be an acquired taste, but the Bean Boot has become something of a cold weather icon. Each pair is made by hand by expert craftspeople in Maine, and these limited edition boots feature fully waterproof linings to keep your feet warm in the worst conditions you can imagine. These boots are not only comfortable, but made with a steel shank for extra stability, and have a way of gripping to icy surfaces that is unrivaled. There’s an old fashioned charm not just to the style of the boots, but in the way they’re crafted, which has contributed to the Bean Boot becoming a winter staple.

Shop L.L. Bean here

Hestra
Utsjö Elk/Fleece Gloves

If you live in a climate cold enough for the Bean Boots above to be a necessity, you’re going to need a good pair of gloves as well. These gloves from Hestra, who have been making gloves in an artisanal manner since 1936, are made from elk leather for ultimate flexibility and durability, and lined with fleece for warmth and comfort. This is a “dress glove,” so it’s plenty refined, but will stand up to the elements as well.

Shop Hestra here