Drake's Diary

Vintage Jewellery (and other paraphernalia)

We usually leave most of the jewellery to the ladies. Gentleman’s needs in that department are few: a good watch (wrist or pocket), discreet ring (monogrammed or wedding), and perhaps a bit of what we like to think of as shirt jewellery. A collar pin, tie bar, cufflinks, and of course a stud set for formal occasions. Smoking is so politically incorrect these days that cigarette and cigar paraphernalia of all sorts – cutters and cases and lighters – no longer serve, although they are rather lovely. Some men wear a pocket watch on a chain through their lapel boutonniere hole, a nice touch, and some younger dandies favour the more masculine varieties of bracelets.

Cufflinks is where we can shine a bit. Modest crested or monogrammed links are always good, simple stones, school and club links. Some men even swear by the coloured silk knots. But every man should have at least one pair of vintage cufflinks that bespeaks his own interests and personality. Something for special occasions, or even just as a conversation starter.

The categories are virtually endless: military insignias, vintage cars and ships, old coins, nationalistic flags and other themes, Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs, just to name a few. The most popular are sporting themes: boxing gloves and cricket bats, tennis rackets, golf clubs, and shotgun shells. In many ways the most handsome are the reverse carved and painted glass links of hunting dogs, fish and fishing flies, and horses. Today, I’m told, these can be reproduced in cheap imitations, but the authentic vintage ones are true works of art in themselves. Think of a purchase like this as one of those little personal luxuries one allows oneself as a nice little reward. Everyone should have a little reward now and again.