Dunhill: Dress (3203) (2023) Tobacco Pipe

For many people, the Billiard is the archetypal pipe shape, the one that instantly comes to mind when one thinks of a pipe and one that has withstood the test of time for well over a century. Dunhill's "03" is that traditional profile distilled to its purest form, with this "3203" example pairing the timeless shape to a rather lengthy saddle stem, making for an extremely sleek silhouette. This stem balances the visual weight of the bowl quite well thanks to its reach, and sits at the aft end of a fairly trim shank. The bowl here is pert and slightly plump, taking on a slight taper from the rounded heel to the smooth rim, while a gentle forward cant adds a touch of dynamism.

One of the most fashionable finishes in all of pipe making and one that inspired an entire aesthetic, Dunhill's Dress finish was first introduced in 1973 as the Black Briar — renamed "Dress" in 1979 with the addition of silver — and is meant to elegantly complement a tuxedo or similar formal wear, perfect for a night on the town. Characterized by its glossy, jet-black stain and sterling silver accent band, the Dress finish exudes class and imbues each pipe it adorns with a sense of refinement and sophistication. It's the progenitor of the term "dress pipe," now used to reference any black-and-silver pipe, and is one of the most distinctive finishes in all of pipedom.