Gallery: Good-Looking Gifts for the Design Nerd
01padron-vuelta
Padron Vuelta ------------- Wristwatches are no longer a necessity—stupid cell phones—so if you're going to wear one, it's worth finding something unique. And that means one with a backstory, like Leo Padron's hand-wound Vuelta 17 Pilot. Padron learned watchmaking by restoring old timepieces, starting with his grandfather's, and raised nearly $100,000 through Kickstarter to make this one from scratch. __$479__ | [Padron Vuelta](http://padronwatchco.com/m/index.php/padronwatches.html)
02evernote-smart-notebook-by-moleskin
Evernote Smart Notebook by Moleskin ----------------------------------- Notes on the morning tracking sheet. Notes on desktop stickies. Notes in a Google doc. Notes in my notebook. I'm drowning in notes! That's why I want this new notebook. I'll jot down my deep thoughts, add "smart stickers" that become searchable electronic tags, snap a shot with the app, and poof! Everything captured, ferociously organized, and available in the cloud and on paper—data management bliss. __$25 (for pocket edition, with a three-month Evernote Premium subscription)__ | [Evernote Smart Notebook by Moleskin](http://www.moleskineus.com/evernote-smart-notebooks.html)
03concrete-desk-set
Concrete Desk Set ----------------- You graduated from cinder- block-supported bookshelves years ago, but you still have a thing for concrete. This elegant molded-cement set from Areaware includes a tape dispenser, pencil holder, and tray for your phone or key card. __$60__ | [Concrete Desk Set](http://www.areaware.com/proddetail.asp?prod=mpcds)
04sideshow-sign-french-periodic-table
Sideshow Sign French Periodic Table ----------------------------------- The Tableau *Périodique des-léments*, as Madame Curie would say, is printed on black canvas and has hand-stained, hand-battered wooden rods that will lend a truly old-school vibe to your *laboratoire* or *salle à manger.* __$245__ | [Sideshow Sign French Periodic Table](http://www.sideshowsignco.com/products/30x40-french-periodic-table)
05miniot-wood-pouch
Miniot Wood Pouch ----------------- Your iPhone is made of glass and aluminum—not exactly the warmest materials to the touch. Enter the Miniot, a slide-on case that's carved in Holland out of a single piece of wood (choose from several varieties). __$77 and up__ | [Miniot Wood Pouch](https://www.miniot.com/webshop/)
06one-up-pencil-sets
One Up Pencil Sets ------------------ "The dude abides" and other unforgettable phrases, song titles, and pop-culture icons make these No. 2s from One Up Designs the hipster stocking stuffer of the year. __$6__ | [One Up Pencil Sets](http://www.one-updesigns.com/products.html)
07tag-heuer-monaco-39mm-automatic-chronograph
Tag Heuer Monaco 39mm Automatic Chronograph ------------------------------------------- Steve McQueen wore it in the 1970 film *Le Mans*, and Bryan Cranston has been sporting one on *Breaking Bad*. This is all by way of saying that if you geek out on timepieces and pop-culture badassery, this is your jam. __$6,300__ | [Tag Heuer Monaco 39mm Automatic Chronograph](http://www.tagheuer.com/int-en/home#/int-en-monaco-monaco-models)
Sensation Comics08white-white-digital-led-clock
White & White Digital LED Clock ------------------------------- I'm obsessed with timepieces. When the seven- segment LED display was popularized in the 1970s, it felt cool and futuristic—challenging the analog clock face for chronographic supremacy. But its limited form restricted its evolution, and by the turn of the century it was on the outs. Thankfully, trends always circle back, and with Kibardindesign's 4.3-inch-tall wall-hanging digital clock, what was once new is new again. __$222__ | [White & White Digital LED Clock](http://www.kibardindesign.com/en/shop/white-and-white-led-clock.aspx)
09eames-wire-base-low-tables
Eames Wire Base Low Tables -------------------------- Sure, an Eames Lounge would be nice, but if you're looking for a slightly more affordable midcentury mod gift, this low table (just 10 inches high) is a winner. Fun fact: The Eameses used them to host a tea ceremony with Isamu Noguchi and Charlie Chaplin. This Herman Miller special edition also pays homage to your inner design nerd by coating them in Ray Eames' favorite colors. __$294__ | [Eames Wire Base Low Tables](http://www.hermanmiller.com/products/desking-tables-and-furniture/occasional-tables/eames-wire-base-low-table.html)
10death-star-tea-infuser
Death Star Tea Infuser ---------------------- That's no moon. It's a stainless steel orb modeled after the onetime pride and joy of the Imperial fleet. We're still looking for the thermal exhaust port. __$20__ | [Death Star Tea Infuser](http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed08/)
Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ Becomes ‘Assisted Driving’ in Europe
The automaker has been criticized for misleading drivers with the feature’s name. Now it’s renaming it for European regulators.
Aarian Marshall
Book Publishers Are Quietly Using More AI. Staff Are Revolting
Workers at three major publishing houses tell WIRED that LLMs are being used for publicity, cover art, back cover copy, and emails, as some execs push junior staff to champion the tech.
Adam Morgan
NASA Just Made Nearly 1 TB of Artemis II Data Available to the Public
The data drop includes photographs, audio, video, and astronauts’ notes that will be used to study the moon and prepare for future human missions.
Jorge Garay
The DOJ Is Weighing Perjury Charges Against Cassidy Hutchinson
The Justice Department is considering a perjury and obstruction-of-justice case against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide who testified against Donald Trump to the January 6 committee.
Hugo Lowell
I’m Still Convinced the iPod Was the Perfect Gadget
Apple’s original music player got many things right. Chief among them: It didn’t connect to the internet.
Steven Levy
Dunking on Dating App Profiles Is Content Gold. People Are Getting Sick of It
Relationship coaches, TikTokers, and disgruntled singles alike frequently shame bad profiles, as more apps experiment with blocking screenshots.
Jason Parham
I’ve Tested the 3 Mac Desktops That Apple Makes, and There’s a Clear Winner
Apple’s Mac desktops have become some of the most sought-after computers this year, driven by surging interest in agentic AI. Here’s which model to buy depending on your use case.
Luke Larsen
The Best Battery-Powered Leaf Blowers for Taking Back Your Weekend
It’s finally time to ditch the gas canister—I tested these cordless leaf blowers on gravel, wood chips, and even a 5-pound concrete paver.
Sal Vaglica
Even Law & Order Is Terrified of AI
In its 26th season premiere, the procedural legal drama paints a damning picture of power-mad AI CEOs.
Ej Dickson
A New Mexico Community Was a Place to Build a Life. Then a Hypersonic Missile Factory Showed Up
Castelion—a next-generation defense tech company—is building a facility in Rio Rancho Estates that documents show could pose a major fire and chemical hazard to neighboring communities.
Yulia Almazova
America’s Hybrid Hype Has Hit the Used Market
Demand is so high that some used cars are selling for more than new ones.
Aarian Marshall
Top H&R Block Coupon: 25% Off DIY + Tax Pro Assist
Save over 25% when you opt for H&R Block’s free online offering, plus a tax pro review.
Molly Higgins