“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.
Belhamel Doubles Down on Character with New Contra A39 Polar White and Forest Green Editions
Belhamel is back with two fresh takes on its cult-favorite Contra A39 — and they hit that sweet spot between heritage and modern tool-watch sensibility. The new Polar White and Forest Green editions keep the sharp 39mm proportions and no-nonsense specs (300m water resistance, Miyota 9039 inside, double-domed sapphire up top), but shift the tone entirely through color and texture. The Polar White channels vintage motorsport cool—bright, high-contrast, and a little daring—while the Forest Green goes the other way: matte, earthy, quietly confident. Both are limited to 500 pieces, individually numbered, with the same clever push-button clasp and engraved caseback that’s become part of Belhamel’s design DNA. It’s another reminder that this young London outfit knows how to make a watch feel both considered and alive. Pre-orders open later this year at belhamel.com, with early access for newsletter subscribers.
A Record Setting Comic
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve ever found stashed away in an attic? This is a common fantasy, fueled by viral “Antiques Roadshow” clips and hopes that our forgotten junk will someday signal a major windfall. Most of the time, though, it’s just forgotten clothes that have long since gone out of style, silverware in need of a good polish, or maybe, if you’re really lucky, an old watch of little actual value (but real sentimental value) that probably needs a service quite badly.
From the New York Times this week comes a story about one of the great attic finds we’ve ever heard about: a copy of Superman No. 1 in immaculate condition. This is truly a holy grail for comic collectors – the most iconic superhero of all time in his first published appearance. It’s remarkable to consider that any copies of this book are still out there, undiscovered, but that’s exactly what transpired for a California family who knew their mother and uncle had collected some comics through their lives, but not something approaching Superman No. 1. The book recently sold at Heritage Auctions for the eye watering sum of $9.12 million, making it the most expensive comic ever sold at auction. Feel free to return to Watches, Stories, & Gear after rummaging through your own attic.
An Impossibly Tiny New Knife From Small Carry
Pocket knives, of course, are a collecting rabbit hole, just like watches and so many other things we enjoy. But within every rabbit hole are smaller (literally) micro rabbit holes, and that’s where we come to the world of tiny knives, the kind that are more appropriate for a keychain than a pocket, and that make us wonder how functional they could actually be. A new knife from Small Carry, reviewed here by our friends at Gear Patrol, is among the smallest we’ve seen, and according to writer Steve Mazzucchi, it’s still quite capable. The knife is called the Pinner, and in a closed position it measures just 1.2 inches. The blade has a 0.45 inch cutting edge, which Mazzucchi says is great for box opening, tag removing and twine cutting. While this won’t replace more serious knives in your pocket or on your hip, it seems like it could be a great accessory for those little tasks we counter throughout the day where all you really need is an accessible, small blade.
Anyone Can Play (Kurt Cobain’s) Guitar
OK, maybe not anyone. You’re going to need millions and millions of dollars, and even then, maybe actually playing it isn’t the best idea – this might be in the “display only” category. From Uncrate, it looks like the late Kurt Cobain’s guitar, the one seen in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, is on the auction block at Christie’s next year. This guitar already has some auction history. It sold for nearly $5 million in 2022 to Jim Irsay, the late owner of the Indianapolis Colts. The sale is set for March of 2026.
A DIY Monochrome Digital Camera
From PetaPixel this week, photographer Malcolm‑Jay Wilson has built a very cool custom digital camera that looks like something you’d find in a darkroom back in the day. It sports a waist-level viewfinder, a full-spectrum monochrome sensor (a Sony IMX585), a Raspberry Pi 5 brain, 3D-printed body, and a modular build that’ll run around $1,000. If you’re into black-and-white photography, DIY builds, or just gadgets that have a specific kind of nostalgic pull, it’s worth checking out, and maybe building your own.
Worn & Wound
2025-11-22 15:00:00