Ray-Ban Introduces The Revamped General

By Beau Hayhoe Published April 10, 2017

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Ray-Ban Grand

Winter might not seem the ideal time to upgrade your sunglasses, but the new Ray-Ban launch just might make you change your mind. Even if you’re thinking more about buying a rugged pair of winter boots, the Ray-Ban General could be the shot in your arm your wardrobe needs in the chilly weather.

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It’s a reinterpreted take on Ray-Ban’s classic 1987 style 30 years after its debut, and there’s never been a better time to go retro — in a bold and modern way, that is. Add in your pick of either optical or sunglass styles, and you’ve heightened the bold style potential of these sunglasses considerably.

That’s only furthered by the four optical frame color options or eight color options for the sunglasses themselves. These certainly have the chance to be the most eye-catching pair of sunglasses — or glasses — you own.

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The General updates the brand’s iconic aviator shape with sharper lines and a crisp silhouette featuring a double bridge for eye-catching style (pun intended). The fact that the original silhouette was a tribute to the late, great General Douglas MacArthur is as fitting a style move if its gets, iconic, military-inspired and definitely classic — all at once.

And the colors are similarly militaristic in nature — snag yours in shades like classic black, military green or a particularly neat copper gold colorway.

It’s a unique and relatively affordable way to upgrade your sunglasses game — under $200 for iconic, updated shades isn’t a bad deal at all. And you can certainly never have enough stylish men’s sunglasses in your rotation, that’s for sure. The even better thing? With a classic, slick pair of sunglasses, you can do just about anything — and wear just about anything.

That goes for a rugged henley, dark denim and a slim bomber jacket on the weekends to a timeless Oxford and a thick-knit sweater this winter. And they’re a perfect match in warmer weather for a slub pocket tee and slim chinos, plus crisp white sneakers — all timeless essentials in their own right.

Of course, you’ll definitely want to keep them handy for spring and summer — they’re your new warm-weather (and year-round) sunglasses.

Former Contributor

Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…

Fashion & Style

Blancpain completes Fifty Fathoms collection with versatile 38mm additions

Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms collection spans 38-45mm for every wrist preference

Fifty Fathoms collection 38mm additions

Blancpain finishes the Fifty Fathoms Automatique collection with new 38mm pieces, creating a full three-size line for every wrist. After releasing the mother-of-pearl dégradé models in petal pink and smoky black, the company now offers classic 38mm options in stainless steel, grade 23 titanium, and 18-carat red gold, with blue or black sunburst dials.
The introduction of the 38mm model marks a notable shift for Blancpain’s dive watch, which began in 1953 under CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter. The first Fifty Fathoms set the standard for professional dive watches—featuring a locking rotating bezel, improved water resistance, a luminous and high-contrast dial, automatic winding, and anti-magnetic protection. These features remain important today.
Blancpain says, “This isn’t simply a scaled-down version,” about the new size. The company carefully designed the 38mm case to achieve balance, harmony, and presence on all wrist sizes, bringing new options while keeping the classic Fifty Fathoms look.
Market response shows the wide appeal of this format, moving beyond old gender limits. Demand is high among women who want sporty, well-made watches for smaller wrists, and the 38mm size also attracts men who prefer smaller, lighter cases. This fits with Blancpain’s idea of making “a line for everyone” instead of products for specific genders.
The Blancpain Manufacture Caliber 1150 demonstrates strong technical skill. It beats at 3Hz and offers a 100-hour power reserve. The movement, which winds automatically, features a silicon balance spring for improved anti-magnetic performance. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the fine finishing, including an 18-carat gold rotor with NAC coating, inspired by the 1953 watch.
The expanded collection now forms a clear family structure with 38mm, 42mm, and 45mm choices, ensuring the right size for different tastes and wrists. This broader approach reflects today’s market needs for sizing that includes everyone and goes beyond outdated gender ideas.
Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment (BOC) continues to support ocean exploration projects, connecting the brand’s watchmaking history with modern environmental awareness. The Fifty Fathoms story now goes beyond just telling time, extending to ocean conservation.
With three sizes now available, the Fifty Fathoms Automatique achieves Blancpain’s aim of making the collection accessible to all, while also honoring seventy years of dive watch progress. The collection shows how respected designs can evolve with smart sizing without losing technical skill or good looks.
This completion makes the Fifty Fathoms a truly complete dive watch family. Its definition no longer comes from wrist size limits but from its inclusive approach to luxury sports watch ownership.

Fashion & Style

Fellows auction spotlights platinum Rolex Daytona among 464 coveted timepieces

Auction spotlight: Fellows presents platinum rolex daytona with ice blue dial

Fellows rolex daytona spotlight

Fellows offers its latest online watch auction at 10 AM BST on Thursday, June 26. The auction features 464 selected timepieces, and a platinum Rolex Daytona with an ice blue dial stands out. This 40mm watch, listed as Lot 194, is estimated at about $74,000–$101,000. It gives collectors a chance to acquire a highly sought-after watch.
The platinum Daytona has small recorder dials at three, six, and nine o'clock, keeping the classic look that has defined the model since it began. It comes with its original box and papers. This example represents Rolex’s best chronograph watches, combining a precious metal case with the brand’s iconic race-inspired design.
Platinum Daytonas are important to collectors because Rolex produces very few of them, and they feature the special ice blue dial. Rolex uses this color combination only for its platinum watches, making it a unique feature. Along with the Daytona’s fame in car racing and popular culture, this often leads to strong auction results worldwide.
The auction includes much more than just the Daytona. There are watches from Omega, Cartier, Breitling, and other Rolex models, covering a range of styles and periods. Lot 198 is a Rolex "Batman" GMT-Master II, estimated at $8,000–$11,000. Lot 210 is a Rolex Day-Date, with an estimate between $27,000–$41,000.
Modern luxury sports watches are also featured. Lot 116 is an IWC Pilot Top Gun, estimated at $6,700–$11,000, showing the strong market demand for aviation-inspired pieces. Lot 110 is a Hublot Big Bang, estimated at $5,400–$8,000, demonstrating the auction’s reach across both classic and contemporary luxury segments.
Fellows’ online format allows collectors from around the world to participate. People can request online viewings, which has become an important part of luxury watch auctions, allowing collectors to take part even if they cannot attend in person. It also ensures the careful inspection needed for high-value watches.
The June 26 sale comes at a good time in the summer auction calendar, as collector activity often increases before the main international sales in autumn. With prices ranging from accessible luxury watches around $5,000 to six-figure special pieces, the auction appeals to a wide range of collectors.
With 464 lots spanning vintage classics to modern luxury, Fellows’ latest auction highlights the ongoing strength of the pre-owned luxury watch market and offers collectors opportunities at many price points and in various collecting areas.

Fashion & Style

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces Polaris Chronograph in signature ocean grey lacquer

Lacquer mastery: Jaeger-LeCoultre's polaris chronograph features 35-layer ocean grey dial construction

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph

Jaeger-LeCoultre adds a new chronograph to its Polaris collection, featuring the brand’s Ocean Grey lacquer dial. This dial is built with impressive complexity: 35 layers of lacquer are applied by hand, with three different finishes giving it depth and character. The 42mm sports watch continues the approach the collection began in 2018, redefining what a modern, sporty, and chic timepiece can be.
The Polaris collection pays tribute to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s diving watches from the 1960s, taking their athletic spirit and translating it into a refined, contemporary design. The Ocean Grey version keeps the line’s signature elements—straight lines, curved lugs, a thin bezel, a glass box crystal, and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The large crown and pushers are inspired by the original 1960s model, making them practical and easy to use.
The Ocean Grey dial itself is a showcase of craftsmanship, with a central disc, a middle ring for the hour markers, and an outer ring displaying a tachymeter scale. Sunray brushing on the central disc subtly contrasts with the polished hour ring, while the gradual color shift from light to dark adds visual depth across the dial.
Creating the dial requires meticulous handwork. It starts with a clear varnish base coat, followed by four layers of color and a black layer to create the gradient. Achieving a consistent gradient across the dial’s two main sections is a challenge, and then 30 more transparent lacquer layers are added to create the final sense of depth and richness.
The chronograph’s layout is designed for clarity. A central seconds hand provides precise measurement, with a 30-minute counter at three o’clock and a running seconds subdial at nine o’clock. Circular graining adds visual texture, contrasting with the polished central disc and the textured hour ring. Orange accents highlight key indicators and add a dynamic touch to the overall look.
Inside, the automatic Caliber 761 is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house chronograph movement, combining technical performance with mechanical elegance. Two barrels power the column wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, offering a 65-hour power reserve. The movement is finely finished, with blued screws, Côtes de Genève decoration, and an open-worked rotor bearing the ‘JL’ logo.
The entire movement is designed, produced, and assembled in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufactory in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, making it a true in-house creation. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement and maintains 10-bar water resistance, ready for adventure.
The watch offers versatility with two strap options: a blue-grey canvas and a textured black rubber strap. An interchangeable folding buckle system makes it easy to switch straps, allowing the watch to adapt from casual elegance to active sports use.

	
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