Watches, Stories, & Gear: Reaching New Depths with the Ocean+ App, Celebrating 50 Years of Porsche Design, Indiana Jones Returns, & More

“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].

Presented by

This week’s WSG is sponsored by Whatnot. Whatnot is a live stream shopping platform that allows collectors and enthusiasts to connect with their community to buy and sell verified products on a safe and secure platform. Founded in 2019 by Grant Lafontaine and Logan Head, Whatnot has become the biggest live stream shopping platform in the US by purchase and has quickly become the go-to meeting place for enthusiasts, collectors, and shoppers alike. 

Whatnot’s live stream shopping platform captures the excitement of the in-person collector experience, allowing communities and fandoms to connect in real-time. Auctions on the platform have included a wide ranging list of collectibles including the likes of comic books, popular trading cards, and more recently, watches, straps and other accessories. With Whatnot, you have a chance to get deals on specially curated vintage items every day and get this, many auctions start at just $1. 

Whatnot is the future of shopping and the new standard marketplace forum for the collecting community.

The Apple Watch Ultra Becomes A Dive Computer With The Launch Of The Oceanic+ App. 

A robust titanium case, dual-frequency GPS and an improved battery life has made the Apple Watch Ultra a relatively decent option when it comes to outdoor-adventure smart watches. But the one feature that really made a “splash” upon the release was the partnership with the Oceanic+ App, turning a regular ol’ smart watch in the Apple Watch Ultra into a dive computer specifically for recreational diving use. The app includes a dive planner where users can indicate their surface time, depth, and gas to determine their no-decompression time. Additionally, the planner includes current up-to-date dive conditions where the user can track tide levels, water temperature, visibility and current information, all in real-time.

The draw here is that you could easily access your dive catalog and information whenever, wherever you want, while still having a nicely designed, everyday wearing watch on the wrist, without it screaming, “I just got off a dive boat!” To access these features on the Apple Watch Ultra, the Oceanic+ App offers up a few subscription options ranging between $4.99 per day, $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. For more information on the Oceanic+ App, head on over here.

Porsche Classic Celebrates 50 Years Of Porsche Design 

The connection between watch and automotive design has always been ingrained into the Porsche brand. Just last month we saw a tandem release from Porsche and Porsche Design with the off-road, rally capable Porsche Dakar 911 and Porsche Design’s Chronograph 1 911 Dakar. The watch was clearly inspired by the Dakar 911 release through its dial design and titanium carbide case.

In a recently opened auction by RM Sotheby’s, we see the traditional design inspiration flip. To celebrate 50 years of Porsche Design, Porsche Classic has restored a 911 S 2.4 Targa from 1972 – the exact year Porsche Design was founded. The classically restored 1972 911 Targa pays tribute to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche by adorning the 911 in the same color as the Chronograph 1, a watch that he designed. The one-of-a-kind car gets a black interior and exterior, along with an upgraded engine and chassis that’s up to S-Edition spec. Either you’re curious, or have the spare change to make a bid, the auction is currently open and ends on December 14th.

Erchana Murray-Bartlett Just Ran 100 Consecutive Marathons … And She’s Not Done Yet

You read that title correctly. Last weekend, Erchana Murray-Bartlett finished off her hundredth consecutive marathon. That’s 2,620 miles she’s logged in already, but she’s not quite done yet. Murray-Bartlett is not only aiming to tie the current Guinness Book of World Record for consecutive completed marathons, which is at a “light” 107, she’s looking to obliterate it with the hopes of accomplishing 150 consecutive marathons. The entire journey has evolved into a project called Tip to Toe, where all of Murray-Bartlett’s efforts will raise money for The Wilderness Society and to bring awareness to Australia’s extinction crisis. It seems that Murray-Bartlett has a passion for outdoor conservation, and her epic run has only strengthened that passion, as she’s already made her way up, down and through the varying terrains of her home-country. The hopeful culmination of Tip to Toe will occur on January 16th of next year, when Erchana Murray-Bartlett will run into Port Melbourne, Victoria. Follow her journey to 150 consecutive marathons here.

The LEGO Story 

One lap around the Worn & Wound office will give you an insight into what we’re all collectively interested in other than watches. Pens, knives and cameras are all within our scope of enthusiasm in some form or another. But the one thing that we can all come to an agreement on as far as what we love at the office are LEGOs. Fully assembled models (and partly assembled) take up space at our desks and shelves, and we’re sure that’s the same for many of you. A book about the brand’s history and innovation recently came across our radar and it’s called The LEGO Story: How A Little Toy Sparked The World’s Imagination. If your enthusiasm for LEGOs is as strong as ours, this might be a no-brainer to add to the library.

All The Bokeh

We also love cameras too. TTArtisan’s recent release of their standard length 35mm/f0.95 prime lens definitely caught our attention this week. The new TTArtisan lens is compatible with a wide range of systems including Sony (E Mount), Fujfilm (X Mount), Canon (RF & EOS/M Mount), and Leica (L Mount). The 35mm full-frame focal length translates to approximately 52.5mm when attached to an APS-C camera. The lens itself weighs 267 grams, is fully manual, and constructed of seven elements. The best part, the aperture range from f0.95 through f/16 producing the dreamy bokeh effect. The lens currently retails for $210 on Amazon.

Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny

Our favorite intelligent, witty and hard-hitting archaeologist is back for the fifth and final installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. The film is entitled Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and takes place against the backdrop of the 1969 Space Race. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones, Jr and is joined alongside the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Thomas Kretschmann and more. This will be the first film that won’t be directed by Steven Spielberg or use a story written by George Lucas. Instead, both are serving as Executive Producers to James Mangold who will be directing the film. The trailer is full of action-packed scenes and nods to previous films that Indy fans will for sure pick up. Indian Jones will put on his signature hat one last time as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny releases in Summer of 2023.