External Brain

A new dive watch from Oris is the Tubbataha Regulator. Being a regulator, the emphasis is placed on the minutes — thus on this watch the large, central-set hand which indicates the minutes; the hours and minutes are clearly indicated on the sub dials. The model name refers to the Tubbataha Reefs National Park in the Philippines, home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, and a percentage of every Oris Tubbataha Limited Edition model sold is donated towards the conservation of the reef and its astonishing diversity of marine life — via Perpetuelle

This Kawasaki W650, owned by Jérôme Pierre who runs the French moto blog Un Pneu Dans La Tombe (A Tire In The Grave, is Jérôme’s attempt to personalise and improve his bike without breaking the bank or compromising reliability — via Bike EXIF

Real estate developer Larry Hall is converting Cold War missile silos in Kansas into condos for preppers who are getting ready for total and complete societal breakdown due to natural disaster, terrorism, economic collapse, pandemic, or a good ol’ fashioned apocalypse. Several buyers have already paid $7 million for their luxury shelters inside the shaft of the silo — via Boing Boing

Frank McGoldrick is one of those people who seem to have a talent for everything they turn their hand to. An accomplished welder and fabricator, he graduated to designing and building bars, shops and restaurants throughout the UK. After selling his business five years ago, Frank moved to the French Alps and was finally able to return to his childhood passion—motorcycles. Finally getting some time on his hands, he decided to build his own motorcycle, with a style and individuality that most major manufacturers seem to neglect, he says.

After scouring eBay Frank found a 1977 BMW R 100/7 in the UK. It was low mileage, but had been stored outside on a busy London street with no cover. It was a rusty dirt ball of a bike, he says. But with a new battery and a quick service it seemed to run ok. It was simply a case of getting it back to France, an 800-mile journey. Two days later the BMW was in Frank’s mountain workshop. As the first snow of the winter settled outside, he readied his grinder for some serious work — via Bike EXIF

This is the Aviator Classic 2612/1421639. The 2612 designates the movement in use, which is a mechanical (manual wind) movement with 18 jewels. The most intriguing bit of this movement is the alarm complication. You do have a separate crown to use for winding and setting the alarm time, so you don’t need to be concerned that using the alarm will shorten the life on the power reserve (which is a respectable 42 hours) — via Wrist Watch Review

Well that’s it. It is off the frame. I didn’t realise while I was working quite how big it is. When Cy described it as a Bad Rain: A Double-Page Bedspread he was quite right. The picture doesn’t show all of it because it more than covers our king size bed. Of course it wouldn’t actually be any good as a bedspread, it’s too fragile and too heavy, but size wise it looks the part — via Ferret Fabricates

The ultimate in traditional luxury living in a historical resort makes reference to a subtle and refined traditional architecture.

Bensley Architects created this exclusive sanctuary of complete serenity in a subtle compound featured in Architectural Digest in the rustic natural beauty of Chiang Mai, Thailand — via Home Design Find