CeramicSpeed Driven Chainless Drivetrain Concept

Traditional chain and derailleur systems have been around for nearly 100 years. In the name of efficiency, the CeramicSpeed Driven scraps them completely. Developed in partnership with the University of Colorado's Mechanical Engineering department, this new system uses 21 CeramicSpeed bearings to transfer torque from the front ring through the drive shaft and onto the 13-speed rear cog. As a result, it eliminates all eight points of friction within a traditional chain drivetrain, reducing friction by 49% and letting the power from every pedal transfer to the road more effectively.

Soviet Spy Cameras

Digital technology has rendered film (mostly) obsolete, and modern surveillance has done the same to old-fashioned espionage. Thus this auction of Soviet-era spy cameras is a treasure trove of outdated-yet-timeless hardware. Ranging in age from 75 to 30 years old, most of the cameras still work, with examples including a gum pack-sized Minox Riga, a camera hidden in a dinner jacket, a camera disguised as an umbrella, and even a camera hidden inside... a camera. The auction will be held on July 12 and run by Aston's of England.

Below The Surface

When the River Amstel was drained for the building of a metro line, archaeologists got an exceedingly rare look into Amsterdam's past via the objects they found in the riverbed. Below The Surface is an online catalog of those objects. Varying greatly in size, age, and condition, these 11,279 items tell the story of this centuries-old port city through the lens of things either thrown away or lost to time. And while these objects, taken from Damrak and Rokin, seem to go on forever, their photographs represent just a sliver of the 700,000 total items pulled from the mud.

Dieter Rams Auction

Dieter Rams created some of the most iconic products of all time. Should you want to build a collection of them, you can scour eBay, EBTH, and everywhere else, or you can visit The JF Chen Collection Auction. Presented by Wright, the auction includes over 130 works from Rams and his colleagues. From sofas and lounge chairs to audio equipment and clocks, many of his most famous works will be available starting at Noon on July 12.

New US Dollar Concept

There are plenty of reasons for Americans to be envious of other countries. One of the easiest to remedy is our bland currency. The work of designer Andrey Avgust, this concept takes the US Dollar in a bold new direction. It tackles every bill in circulation — 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 — and replaces it with one made from multiple layers of transparent polymer. High-resolution graphics on the front and back play off one another thanks to the translucent nature of the material, and a unique PGP encrypted QR code for every bill makes counterfeiting nearly impossible.

Steve McQueen's Rolex Submariner Watch

It's not the first McQueen-owned timepiece to come up for auction, but it might be the best. This reference 5513 Rolex Submariner dates to 1964 and was gifted to McQueen's longtime friend and stuntman Loren Janes by McQueen. The watch was thought to be destroyed in a 2016 fire that engulfed Janes' home, but was recovered from the rubble and restored by Rolex U.S.A. Still bearing the inscription "TO LOREN, THE BEST DAMN STUNTMAN IN THE WORLD. STEVE", it will be auctioned off in New York on October 25 and arrives with an additional, period correct ref. 5513 dial and hand set, a letter signed by Loren Janes attesting to its provenance, a second letter from Rolex, and a copy of Steve McQueen: A Life in Pictures, which includes photos of the watch on the wrist of the legendary actor.

Screen-shot Death Star Section

It's easy to forget now, but the original Star Wars was shot using manual effects, not CG. Sadly, no one knew the importance of what they were doing at the time, and so few props remain. This section of the Death Star is one of them. Rescued from the trash heap by an ex-ILM employee, it measures 23.75" X 11.75" and exhibits the fine detail that made the film's final act so believable. It's been authenticated by two independent ILM employees and comes in a custom-made display case with a black wood base, removable acrylic top, and LED lighting.

GoldenEye 1965 Aston Martin DB5

No car is more synonymous with James Bond than the DB5, having appeared in seven 007 films. This particular 1965 model had a starring role in the opening scene of GoldenEye. At one point the most valuable piece of Bond memorabilia ever sold, we'd highly recommend against pitting it versus a Ferrari F355 in the hills above Monaco, but the center console does still work as a serving area for drinks on more relaxed outings.

Beethoven Emperor Concerto Manuscript

The fifth and final piano concerto composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, the "Emperor" concerto is also the most frequently performed. Which makes this Autograph Manuscript all the more important. These two pages, marked by Beethoven himself, provide sketches for the second theme of the first movement and ideas for the second and third movements, respectively. Created in Vienna in 1809, they're just the fourth such leaves to be offered in the past 40 years, making them a rare and highly desirable piece of musical memorabilia.

Terminator 2 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800, navigating a spillway in an attempt to rescue young John Connor from a semi piloted by the T-1000. It's one of the most iconic scenes in one of the most celebrated sci-fi movies of its time. Now you can own a piece. This 1991 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle was used during the filming of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, most likely with Arnold behind the wheel. Acquired directly from the production company, it has a few scrapes and dings, only 392 miles on the odometer, and a provenance most bikes can only dream of.

Mad Men Prop Auction

The costuming was essential to the period setting of Mad Men. So were the furnishings. This Mad Men Prop Auction lets you add some of these mid-century pieces to your own office or home. A huge range of items is available, ranging from simple table settings to Don Draper's 1964 Chrysler Imperial, meaning there's something to fit the space — and budget — of any fan.

Goodyear Oxygene Living Tire Concept

Most "green" automotive innovation is aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. The literally-green Goodyear Oxygene Living Tire Concept actively removes the compound from the air. Thanks to living moss growing within the sidewall, it inhales CO2 while exhaling oxygen via photosynthesis. The moss sits within an open structure that allows it to absorb water from the road and improve traction, and the form is 3D-printed using rubber powder from recycled tires, creating a lightweight, shock-absorbing tire that's puncture-free. In addition, the tire harvests the energy created during photosynthesis, using it to power onboard sensors and a light stip in the sidewall that changes colors to alert surrounding drivers and pedestrians of various maneuvers.

Steve McQueen's Persol 714 Sunglasses

The King of Cool had a well-known love for Persol sunglasses. Now you can own a pair worn by the man himself. This pair of Steve McQueen's Persol 714 Sunglasses comes from the estate of Dennis Roberts, known as glasses maker to the stars. As notable for their folding design as for their iconic silhouette, the black frames encase brown lenses and come with a carrying case as well as a certificate of authenticity.

BorromeodeSilva Monocoque Paddle Canoe

Mixing modern materials with old-world craftsmanship, the BorromeodeSilva Monocoque Paddle Canoe is a human-powered transport with the grace of a yacht. Its hull is composed of copper-woven carbon fiber and classic teak wood, hand-laid by artisans in Genoa. Hidden within the streamlined design are places to tuck the oars away, giving the rear of the boat a pair of "fins" similar to those found on vintage Cadillacs. Winner of a Land Rover Born award, the design is currently a one-off, although future production has not been ruled out.

Volt Car-Charging Drone

The advent of electric cars means you no longer need an enormous underground tank of fossil fuels to fill your car. You just need a battery, as the Volt Car-Charging Drone concept shows. Created by Korean designer 92 white, it looks much like other drones until it lands next to your car and you open the lid to access the charging cable. Service requests and payment are handled via an app, with the only limitation being the range of the drone itself.

Process: Bloom Farms

Enjoying the Bloom Farms x Uncrate Highlighter is easy: just bring the pen to your lips and breathe in. Creating the amber liquid inside is considerably more difficult.

It starts in Calaveras County, CA. Hit by a devastating fire in September 2015, it's there that Bloom Farms has been rebuilt from the ashes, and it's there that Adam, the brother of company founder Mike Ray, grows both Uncrate-selected strains that make up our CBD x Sativa blend — AC/DC and Jack Herer, respectively.

Started as a seedling, each plant takes roughly 3-4 months to mature. At harvest time, the plants are moved to a barn for drying. At the same time, a Procurement Manager grabs samples of the plants, which are then used to ensure quality via a process involving microextraction and independent testing. Once the go-ahead is given, the real extraction begins, using a CO2 process for both safety and efficiency.

In the end, the extractions are carefully blended for an ideal mix of CBDs known for their healing properties and the creativity associated with Sativa, then loaded into the cartridges which eventually find their way into our handsome PVD-coated black Highlighter and into your pocket.

Photos: Steven Clouse / John Walder / Uncrate