FIRESIDE Q & A | DUFFLE COATS/ WATCHES/ SCRIM SCARF

[@themoderndandy713]

I second another comment that you, Ash, are a great example of proper masculinity. Confident, but not abrasive. Stylish, but not excessively flex-y. Opinionated, but not overbearing. A healthy, well-rounded gentleman here.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thank you sir - that is my goal.

[@johnbunton9177]

Excellent advice all around, Ash, and spot-on when it comes to letting the job situation determine whether one should wear a prestige or utilitarian watch.

[@neil4701]

A classic black duffle coat with dark horn toggles and a tartan lining that's well-fitted (not too large) can definitely be stylish as well as practical.

[@James101]

I could not agree more with the comment on class and gentlemen not requiring a flashy watch (or car for that matter). Understated elegance and classic design in a quality well-built product is all you need.

[@damnjustassignmeone]

Thanks. Enjoy your videos.

[@TheChapsGuide]

You are most kind sir. Your support is much appreciated.

[@barriedavies7739]

I remember as a young officer I wore a scrim scarf in the Mess. I was awarded 5 extras by the Adj.

[@9er..]

The “what watch” job interview question is always interesting. I guess it really depends on the job that one is interviewing for in the first place. The same thing can be said about the necktie as well I believe.

[@Tijgerhaai_MTB]

For shaving 🪒 I do recommend the Henson razor in combination with a Derby Premium blade.

[@ludwigmises]

I think you’re spot on with the type of watch to wear in job interviews. It’s best to play it safe.

[@kevinbutler1968]

I have 4 duffle coats and absolutely love them. Several years ago I bought one from Burberry, expensive but made in England just up the road from where I live. My favourite duffle coat however is from Natic Marine, a Japanese brand and made in Japan, with several naval features. Ash, time for you to rediscover them and probably a good time given the Gloverall sale should be starting soon.

[@1971irvin]

Hi Ash, when you talk about Casio watches they come in all price ranges, I saw online that they can cost up to £6000. And with that said, I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

[@ZoomZoom-ng6sn]

I've only seen those duffle coats in classic old movies.

[@QV1010]

I have the gloverall duffle coat & I like it. I had it in mid length & if I haven’t gone with that length because the color I liked was only in that then I probably wouldn’t wear it since it was a good enough length for me to get into & out of vehicles & setting down. It’s a good coat & love wearing it into the snow. As for smart watches I do have an Apple Watch & you points stand. It feels like I need my phone in order to make it work. It basically more of a toy than a tool in some areas. Not to mention if you forget to charge it & it died boom your out of luck unlike. I find myself going to my quartz Victorinox( surprisingly battery isn’t dead after 3 years yet) or orient automatic.

[@mattd-p9720]

Many thanks for responding to my question Ash. I completely concur with your views on the matter. Best wishes to you and yours for the festive season and looking forward to your 2024 content.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Happy new year!

[@SteveMrW]

Excellent video, Merry Christmas Ash.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thanks, you too!

[@bigbadbith8422]

Hi! Just (0237!) got into the house after collecting my daughter. Yoive cheered me up no end.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Glad to be of service sir.

[@Dr.Sheffield]

Thanks and wish you merry Christmas and happy new year ✌️

[@TheChapsGuide]

Happy holidays!

[@Valera_Scotland]

I use Merkur 38C razor. Been using the same one for 7 years. Stunning

[@vrdrew63]

I'm a big fan of Merkur safety razors. Personally I've got a 34c Heavy Duty and a 23c (Long Handle) in my collection. Merkur hits a very good price/quality position. Most cost under $50/£50 and will likely last a lifetime with minimal care and maintenance. The key to any wet shave if blade sharpness. Any time you start to feel roughness or tugging, it's probably past time to put in a new blade. I buy mine in bulk: A pack of 100 Derby costs less than £6.00 and (changing twice a week) lasts me a year. The ability to cost-effectively put in a new blade at short intervals is one huge advantage of the safety razor over all other methods. Gillette Mach III cartridges cost almost £1.50 each - versus £0.06 for a top quality safety blade. At that price you can afford to keep a super sharp blade in your razor for every shave.

[@Valera_Scotland]

@@vrdrew63 absolutely agree. Gillette and any modern plastic cartridge razors are a rip off scam. And terrible for the planet. I buy a pack of 100 razors too. My current one has lasted over 3 years as I only shave a few times a month and keep a short beard... I'll never use plastic cartridges.

[@thegentledane]

I do purses a Gillette as shown and I can tell that the handel is very (too) heavy and very slippery in use .my choice is Mühle ( who actually make the head to the Gillette @@vrdrew63

[@danielschaeffer1294]

Merry Christmas to Ash and his family, and a peaceful and prosperous year ahead. And thanks for all the hard work you do, and the good advice you give.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Same to you!

[@douglasdietz7503]

Duffle coats are very warm and are great garments for cold weather. The look they provide is not too stylish. A reefer jacket in navy is the stylish way to go. The look is outstanding. Armour Lux from France makes the real deal. Cheers.

[@cv97035]

Was not aware of this brand. Checked them and they have some nice pieces indeed! Many thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Ash I haven't seen a Duffle coat here in the US since the 1970s. Really nice coats though. I purchased a scrim scarf a few years ago after seeing yours . I have found the holes trap air and keep you warm too. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas 🎄🎁. Best regards Ron

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thank you Ron, best wishes to you and the family too, I hope you have a happy and healthy start to 2024.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

@@TheChapsGuide about watches. I had to have a medical procedure the other day and the doctor came in to prep me and I noticed that he was wearing a Hanhart watch. I asked him about it and we had a nice chat. Cheers

[@jrandom2995]

Great video as always Ash. I’m really enjoying the extra efforts during this festive period. I agree with your comment about smart watches. I switched to one years ago, and have gone to lengths to have it fit smart fashion. I’ve picked up numerous bands (leather, metal, etc) in order to have it appear more in line with business attire. For my line of work I receive nearly constant communications from clients, and being able to see that at a glance of the watch helps me to avoid pulling out my phone when in meetings. While looking at the watch could be perceived as equally rude, I’m able to do so much more discretely. The fitness and health monitoring are also a plus. Keep up the great work Ash. Much appreciated.

[@palandi]

got myself a nice blue Paul & Shark duffle coat, gently used, some months ago and it's been my coat of choice for this winter. I'm really satisfied and I'm curious what would be the stylish alternative you favour. by the way, duffle coats are known as montgomeries in Italy.

[@alastairheptonstall7982]

Thank you for the fantastic content Ash! As others have commented I would recommend the Merkur Mk34c heavy duty short handle DE razor. A little more expensive than the Gillette, but it will last a lifetime and is very approachable for someone learning to use it. I’m now considering looking for another duffel coat as I enjoyed the one I used to own. Best wishes for the new year!

[@e-remes7029]

Good morning Ash I'm playing catch-up with your content again. Work is now done for the year but I still need to finish preparations. I enjoy your fireside chats. I too have a couple of scrim scarves, an issue one and a WW2 pattern one for re-enacting. Watches... I wear a smartwatch all the time. It too is a Garmin, it looks though, like a normal wristwatch not a brick. It goes with most things I wear in a majority of situations. Off now to watch more content... 🫡

[@mikemcgurren9407]

Ash, could you offer your thoughts on the Raymond Weil line of watches? I was gifted one of these years ago and find it yo be a very nice watch. Seems to be a lesser known brand compared to the Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, etc. Kind Regards from Mike McGurren in Minneapolis, USA

[@TheChapsGuide]

RW make a wide range of watches, some with quartz and some with in-house automatic movements. The prices are fairly high for the visual appeal of the pieces in my view (subjective) of their range. The only thing that holds me back from a more ringing endorsement of the brand is the question I keep asking myself - Why would I buy a RW over a Longines, Hamilton or even a Tissot watch? I think this is the real killer for RW, in that more established brands make superior watches at about the same price.

[@LuisMartinez-kg3nq]

Have you ever used straight razor.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Yes, I own one and have used it. I prefer a DE razor due to the ease of use , opposed to the straight razor, which demands a high level of attention and skill.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

I used a straight razor years ago. My grandfather taught me how to use it. His main advice to me was never shave in a hurry. I must say that they do give a close shave. I have a small collection of them but no longer use them as I sport a beard. Cheers Ron

[@Valera_Scotland]

I liked what you said about steering away from Rolex Ash.... after 5 years in the hobby and dreaming about Rolex, I found myself with an older pilot IWC (Mark XVI), and also have discovered watches like JLC, older Omegas, Zenith... I don't think my next pricey watch will be a Rolex... instead it's likely to be something thin, maybe a little Cartier or a Zenith chronograph even... there is a lot of beauty out there that won't be super flashy and also that the average folk won't judge you for and even try to steal off you! I think that maybe one Rolex is good in a collection (I would get an op36mm), but all these GMTs and Subs..... chunky, shiny, and too expensive in my opinion

[@michaelbrammer2483]

Sir. Could you tell me how often you replace the blade in your razor please ? I have shaved with a safety razor in the past but have been unsure when to replace the blade.

[@TheChapsGuide]

I change my Nacet blade after 5 shaves, but each blade will have a different level of longevity, based upon the users bristles and personal preference. My advice is to use the blade until you feel it tugging slightly against the bristles - then change the blade the day before that happens next time around.

[@kylec7924]

Do you still camp out at the lodge from time to time?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Yes sir - I've stayed a few days/nights when filming my mid-winter series currently being released over Christmas. I will be heading back into the woods for a few days in February, when the weather gets really cold. I love the woodland in deepest winter, it becomes an eerie and magical place.

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

Greetings Ash. Thanks for reading my question. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Unrelated question: Have you ever visited Vindolanda in Hexham UK?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Not yet - Do you recommend it?

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

I have studied it from a far but have not been there yet. I have always enjoyed Roman history.@@TheChapsGuide

[@danielmanor605]

Hi Ash, I personally shave my head with a cartridge razor (as my face). I have a slight worry to shift to DE razors due to the increased chance of seriously cutting the skin on my head. Do you think I should worry not or is there a significant different between face and head skin to be taken into account when shaving?

[@TheChapsGuide]

I personally do not shave my head, so I cannot reference actual lived experience, but I am a member of many shaving forums (yes.... I am that sad) and most head shavers swear by the DE option. In fact, many brands make specific head shaving models to assist with the process. Check out this video from my buddy Jim, it may illuminate you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXyQgpetnM2Cr6s

[@danielmanor605]

Thanks!

[@martindoyle7077]

If your goin of rolex try a gold one on your wrist there is nothing quite like it .i know its probly all in the mind but hay ho

[@chrisp3330]

Duffle coats were the only coats I had growing up as a kid - never cold or wet in winter. These days ‘technical wear’ has taken over for everyday when it simply isn’t required unless you are wearing it in the mountains etc… , which is what it was designed for. I own a successful business, so am an employer, and at no point would I even dream of judging someone’s ability to do the job based on a watch - I employ the best person for the job, simple. Just as a quick little ‘correction’ though, neither Rolex or Omega are ‘high end’ - they are both ‘mid tier’ and the only reason the majority buy Rolex is they have the marketing hype so second hand prices mean you won’t lose money if/when you sell. I’ll take my GO, JLC and Zeniths over a Rolex any day as, I believe, they are superior watches and I have no intention of flipping them. I’d even take my Bremonts over Rolex, even though I’ll take a bath if I ever sell them. You mentioned VC - would you ever buy something from the ‘holy trinity’ that they are part of? If so, what would be your preference? PP, VC or AP?

[@joshmiller7777]

You make an excellent point about judging one based on their watch. I completely agree, especially as in this day and age, few people wear a watch, and fewer spend money on one. Not to mention that people can be highly successful team members without purchasing flashy items.

[@TheChapsGuide]

AP Royal Oak in the smaller sizes. I find the bracelet intriguing, although otherwise it is essentially a bit 'industrial' in design, much like all of Genta's designs, which all look the same to me in varying degrees. I simply do not understand why he has amassed such a messianic following - as he seems to be a one-track designer to my eye.

[@CaldonianDude]

My experience is most people know very little about watches and wouldn't recognize a Rolex unless they looked very closely and saw the brand name - they do know Rolexes are expensive though. They might know Daniel Craig wears an Omega (as does Bond). If you were wearing a Tudor Black Bay they probably haven't even heard of the brand, and the vast majority of people have no clue of the difference between quartz and mechanical. I tend not to wear a watch to an interview, if I do I wear my Longines gold-plated, white dial, quartz - thin, very light and easy to wear, but classic and stylish with a black leather strap - not in your face. The only time anyone has commented on it in 22 years was at BKK back in 2003 - one of the airport staff, who turned out to be a watch buff was a fan of Longines. I do always complement someone wearing a nice watch though - that has led to lasting friendships believe it or not. I complemented a colleague on her Rolex (her Oyster Perpetual 32 with blue dial if memory serves) and she introduced me to another colleague who had picked up a Daytona (panda dial) on a whim, many years ago, while going through some godforsaken airport. We are friends to this day. I love the watch world. Good people mostly, although the flippers have ruined the higher end of the market...

[@ZoomZoom-ng6sn]

The smartwatch has no sartorial credentials or connections.

[@verykeen2please]

Sadly too many fake Rolex's to make a character judgment

[@Solaar_Punk]

If you're going for a computer programmer job you can wear a casio like Bill Gates does 😉