Watches, Stories, & Gear: More Flying Cars, Viking Ships, & The Dude

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear.

Share your story ideas or interesting finds with us by emailing our Managing Editor at [email protected]

This installment of “Watches, Stories, and Gear” is brought to you by the Windup Watch Shop, which is having a 4th of July Sale this weekend!

Mix Yourself A White Russian and Chill With This Wax Figure of His Dudeness

The Big Lebowski might be the ultimate cult movie, as it seems to fall deeper into our collective film consciousness year after year. There are a lot of reasons for this. It’s hilarious, has a great cast, and was a remarkably accurate period piece. But, of course, the main reason for this movie’s endurance can be chalked up to The Dude, Jeff Lebowski, the White Russian sipping, jelly sandal wearing, bowling enthusiast at the center of the film. Now, the folks at Sideshow Collectibles have created an astonishingly detailed figure of His Dudeness (if you’re not into the whole brevity thing), complete with the aforementioned sandals, drawstring pants, and that unforgettable sweater. It even has a stand that’s modeled after the Dude’s prized rug. We can’t think of a better keepsake for the Lewbowski fan who has everything. Check it out via Collider right here.

Using a 17th Century Illustration to Find Viking Ships

Courtesy of Ars Technica, we have this fascinating story of how a map dating to the 1600s is helping archaeologists locate Viking ships with the aid of modern technology. As the linked article explains, a Danish physician named Ole Worm conducted the first survey of the Viking burial site known as Kalvestone in 1650. The illustrations that came of that initial survey marked the Viking ships that were used to bury their dead, and that map, when compared to modern surveys of the same area, may have resulted in the discovery of two previously unknown ships. This is a major find for academics who have been studying Kalvestene for years, and an important reminder how the past can inform the present.

More Flying Cars

No, we’re not renaming this column “Watches, Stories, and Flying Cars,” although this is the second week in a row we’re bringing you a story that seems to be born from a Jetson’s fantasy. Unlike last week’s flying car, which was really more of a racing drone, this is actually, well, a flying car. Engadget is reporting that Klein Vision, a Slovakian company, recently completed a test of their AirCar, a hybrid vehicle that they hope will be deemed legal for flight and for road use in the coming years. The test flight involved a 35 minute trip via air between the Nitra and Bratislava airports, and when the flight was over, the vehicle simply drove away, with wings tucked safely into the car’s body. Even if it’s not a preview of the near future (there’s a lot of red tape involved in putting something like this into production and eventual widespread use) it’s an astonishing accomplishment, and the story and accompanying video are worth a look for car and aviation enthusiasts alike.

Get 30% Off At Taylor Stitch Through The 4th

Our friends at Taylor Stitch are throwing a hell of a sale through the 4th of July for their Peak of Summer Sale. We had co-founder Michael Maher on the podcast earlier in the year where he discussed just what makes them different, from sourcing sustainably, to craving their own fashion trends. Check out the full sale here and nab yourself some sunnies or shorts for the holiday weekend, and while you’re there scope the active projects in their workshop for even more good deals.

Disintegrating Lamborghini Miura by Fabian Oefner

I know I’m way late to the party, but if this was my first time coming across the work of Fabian Oefner, then it may be the first time for some of you. Fabian is a photographer, designer, sculptor and scientist, behind some of the most creative and mind bending pieces of artwork out there. In Fabian’s latest addition to ‘Disintegrating’, a series of artwork that depicts exploding high performance exotic cars, he meticulously photographs each individual dismantled part of a 1972 Lamborghini Miura, and then digitally puzzles them together to create a warped moment in space and time. Fabian is featured in Issue 4 of b500 (currently in its 7th edition), a free online automotive and design magazine, which I highly recommend; we learn how Fabian came across such an iconic car, how long it took to finish the ‘Disintegrating’ Lamborghini Miura and exactly how many dismantled car parts he had to photograph to complete this truly amazing piece. Check out the full spread, and the rest of b500 Issue 4, right here.

eBay Finds: Vintage Seiko Day Date

If you’re looking for bang-for-your-buck, look no further than this sweet vintage Seiko DX. You simply cannot go wrong with vintage Seiko, and this one is no exception. The serial number dates it to July 1969, so if that’s your birth month/year….bonus! The 36mm wide stainless steel case looks excellent and unpolished, with the original recessed crown at 4 o’clock. The classic Seiko silver crosshair dial with steel hands and markers is in superb condition as well. Day/date window at three, and a nice fluted inner bezel ring for a little extra flair. Seller states is runs well, but about a minute slow per day, not bad. This one shouldn’t break the bank either.

View auction here.