Dunhill: Shell Briar (5103) (2013) Tobacco Pipe

Widely considered by many to be the archetypal Billiard, Dunhill's "03" is a timeless shape marked by sturdy craftsmanship, well-balanced proportions, and an understated elegance. This particular rendition is presented in muscular Group 5 size, and features an upright bowl that's posed at the fore of an arrow-straight shank-and-stem arrangement. The overall form is sleek and streamlined, and it's handsomely presented in the dark, Shell Briar sandblast and fitted to a military mount of jet-black vulcanite.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipe-smoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.