Luxury items that stand the test of time?

[LostInTime]

Diamonds are forever.

[Boopie]

I'm a woman, so I can't say shoes, purses, and clothing...I have some of each that I purchased over 20 years ago, and while they may be in great condition they are out of style. I have some very nice double-breasted-with-shoulder-pads early 1990s women's skirt suits that I'm hanging on to only because they were expensive, and they have to come back at some point, right?

The only exception to the wardrobe category are formal clutch purses (e.g. what I would carry with a formal gown). I even have one that mother used in the early 1960s.

My husband's dress shoes and cufflinks have lasted. Of course our Rolex watches are fantastic, and will never go out of style. I have my mother-in-law's 1979 gold lady DateJust (President bracelet) that looks brand new.

We have owned our 1929 Spanish house for 20 years...I think classic architecture never goes out of style, because the design concept was centuries old when the house was built. This was by far the most expensive thing we've ever bought.

Also: my Mark Cross leather portfolio...I received it as a graduation gift over 20 years ago and it's perfect; fountain pens and Waterman rollerball pens (the latter being more practical than a fountain pen); fine silverplate and crystal picture frames (silver is classier, but it tarnishes terribly). Cheap picture frames look, well, cheap.

I don't own a single Hermes scarf, but I know those who do and they look fantastic. My own scarfs are also great after decades.

We received a Tiffany mantle clock for our wedding 25 years ago. It was a very generous gift, and we keep it in a prominent part of our kitchen, and look at it every day. Other than our china and flatware, it is probably the only wedding present still in use.

[Gnomon]

I have a 1958 Leica M3 and collapsible Summicron 50 which still function as well today as the day they left the factory. Considering that combo would have cost as much as a family car back in 1958, it's just as well.

Perhaps not a luxury item, but lying on my desk is a Galba Denarius. So it dates from either AD68 or 69. Most likely AD68. Seems to have weathered the ages with aplomb.

[jon_jon]

This is an interesting thread. But a timeless question is - what is quality and what is luxury? Do they overlap and are they mutually exclusive? Is there a standard definition or is it purely a concept that depends on the eye of the beholder?

Is Rolex a luxury watch brand or makes quality watches - or are they both? I think they are both. To most people, a Rolex or even a wristwatch is not a necessity, but people spend thousands and tens of thousands of dollars on them, which in my mind is a luxury item. But Rolex makes watches that last and so they are quality items.

With shoes, handbags, clothes, etc, I think the margins are more blurred. Allen Edmond shoes - quality and John Lobb - luxury. But what about Church's or Alden or Ferragamo? I guess they can be both quality and luxury or just luxury depending on how you look at them.

[1William]

Mont Blanc pens.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Saddleback Leather briefcase and wallet. That's about it.

[OmegaJJH]

Mont Blanc pens.

[goin camping]

Armand Svensen worked Colt Commander.

[sco]

My Mont Blanc pen and my Bose Wave Radio that I've had since 2002... Still works perfectly...

[El Cascarrabias]

Originally Posted by azguy

Attachment 694213

A 1967 Camaro Super Sport Convertible!

Gorgeous!

[ShoreGuy]

My Ashland shell cordovan wallet, less than a year old but should last decades as evidenced by its surviving in perfect condition an incident in the washing machine several months ago. Of course it had to be lovingly treated numerous times with leather conditioners.

[srtown]

Bianchi bicycles. I sold two and still have three. Greatest bicycles in the world.

[KrismanX]

My Brompton P6R. It's the cream colored one on the right. This thing is a beast. I have ridden the 50mile Rosarito to Ensenada bike ride, commuted through all Los Angeles public hubs. This photo in particular is from a Florida-California road trip I took with a buddy of mine February 2015. Two friends, two backpacks, two Bromptons and a Honda Fit. Best road trip ever. FL-AL-LA-TX-NM-CA.



Handmade and customized TO ORDER in Brompton, England. Favorite purchase hands down beside my 116520.

That, and a bottle of Jameson 18yo Irish whiskey.

[Gnomon]

^------ What he said.

+1 for Bromptons. Don't look like much on specs, but they sure grow on you when you start zipping around on them!

(I've got an S6R-X in British Racing Green)

[KrismanX]

Originally Posted by Gnomon

^------ What he said.



+1 for Bromptons. Don't look like much on specs, but they sure grow on you when you start zipping around on them!



(I've got an S6R-X in British Racing Green)

Just got my dad and stepmom to buy them as retirement gifts for each other!

[BigAl72]

Bullhide belts
Schott brother's leather coats
Hartman briefcase

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[rouxeny]

Lucchese boots
Koaloha ukulele

My biggest luxury expense tends to be travel. Although I really consider that a necessity.

[Chadridv]

my Barbour jackets, my Frye Boots and as the doc said, some other stuff I can't talk about ;)

[enjoythemusic]

Very rare cigars, yet the problem is after five to ten years of additional aging they seem to have a knack for highly isolated, individual, slow-burn fire 'damage'. A total loss one by one, basically.

Yet before the 'damage' they do indeed gain in value. Have had some 'crazy offers' for some over the years.

[jsavoie88]

Originally Posted by BLACKHORSE 6

Saddleback Leather briefcase and wallet. That's about it.

+1

I have them both and they only get better with age.

[c.rod]

IMO Standing the test of time can be purely judgemental. Usually what most people mean, is if it will still be popular, in style, or generally appeal to the masses in some way shape or form. Typically IMO I think clothing and any sort of purse, bag etc. will never stand the test. You rarely see someone using an 80's luggage or purse if ever. I think the trendy purses will come and go. Most will collect dust at some point when they "wouldn't be caught dead" with them anymore once they fall out of fashion.

In that same note, regardless of brand I do believe a lot of the higher end watches will stand the test of time. Meaning they generally still look the same as they did 30+years ago. Also my wife's #1 gripe with divers inspired watches. They all look the same as she says. To a point she is somewhat right. It's a classic style.

[Etschell]

300sl gullwing mercedes benz.

[JasH]

Various fountain pens. A classic Ferrari. A classic Lotus.

[Swearengen]

I just love my Nikon F2 a true tool and '70s classic

[Charlie_pace]

I haven't read this whole thread, but kind of surprised to see Redwing boots here. They are definitely more expensive than the average boot, but I don't think I'd put them in a "lux" category. Have you been to a Redwing store? That's likely the last word you'd use to describe it. Regardless, if they weren't such a pain to get on and off, I'd own a pair. =)

For me (many items here are like the Redwings [debatable luxury])

Common Projects Sneakers
Rayban Wayfarers
Creed Cologne
Tom Ford Private Blend Cologne
Fender Custom Shop Telecaster
Vox Handwired Amplifier

[gulfstream69xr7]

My wife and I have a B & O Beomaster 2400 pushing a set of Bose 201's in our library.

The B & O is almost 40 years old. The 201's are close to 30.

[kneedeep]

Gibson and Fender guitars.

[GMTMasterII44]

Cartier love collection.....

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by kneedeep

Gibson and Fender guitars.

Martin Guitars, more so.

[Trurolexer]

Louis Vuitton is really strong