Vintage SOTD Thread for March 2023

[PStoller]

Magnum

My expectations were set rock-bottom for this, which has inured to its benefit and mine. Yes, it comes in a box and bottle that evokes Quorum. No, it doesn’t smell anything like Quorum (which suits me fine). It also doesn’t smell like the powerhouse the macho bottle implies.

So, what does it smell like? Kinda like a vintage cologne with everything distinctive removed: a grudging fougère. Sillage, modest. Longevity, positively self-effacing. But, dang if it don’t smell like the dumbest dumb reach ever. It may never be anyone’s favorite, but it’ll never smell wrong. And at $30/100ml shipped, still arguably a value.

For a decidedly contrary POV, my wife woke up on the sofa next to me and mumbled, “that smells weird.”

Sure glad it was cheap!

NOTE: I’m not sure how BN determined this was a Jovan product. There’s no Jovan branding anywhere. The current version is marketed by Fragrance Couture, an obvious clone house. This bottle has all the hallmarks of a vintage frag: short ingredient list, no barcode, yada, yada, yada. And it’s labeled made in France, while Jovan product was generally produced in the US. I don’t think Magnum was ever Jovan, but it may have predated the current brand.

 

[Professor Value]

My spring-break-is-over-back-in-the-classroom #SOTD 🤎

YATAGAN

 

[CookBot]

L'Uomo R, Roberta di Camerino. 1993.

View attachment 327149

Love that bottle. Is it actual metal? Took me a minute to realize that it's meant to be a screw.

My spring-break-is-over-back-in-the-classroom SOTD.

Well, that seemed brief. (Probably more so to you than to me.)

 

[Bavard]

Patou Pour Homme Prive is on a good run.

This was a Basenotes favorite at one time. I don't see it mentioned much anymore.

My wife had an extra positive reaction the first time I wore it around her back in 2018, which seemed to confirm its celebrated status on here. I used it sparingly until I had a backup. Soon after, I was hearing comments such as "Hmm, I'm not sure about that one." And that's pretty much where we are today.

For my part, I'm a fan, but it doesn't have a never-ending base in the style of Polo and Jules that might make it a favorite.

 

[Jean-Sté]

Love that bottle. Is it actual metal? Took me a minute to realize that it's meant to be a screw.

The whole line from L'Uomo R has the shape of a screw. The cap is made of plastic, and the bottle is made of glass. It's very well made, though !

 

[Ali AD]

 

[WarmJewel]

Christian Dior - Jules, Eau de Toilette.

 

[speedyrabbit]

BOOM

 

[RCavs]

 

[motorcade]

SOTD: Cartier Pasha

 

[aero58]

Hermes Bel Ami

 

[cologne connoisseur]

Aramis Gold

 

[CookBot]

Soon after, I was hearing comments such as "Hmm, I'm not sure about that one." And that's pretty much where we are today.

All honeymoons have to end sooner or later.

Have you two really been together for five years? It seems like only yesterday you were regaling us with tales of your dating adventures and the perfumes they involved.

 

[Redfish365]

Signoricci 1 / Signoricci (original) (1964)

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Balenciaga Ho Hang

 

[Opiate]

Polo (Cosmair)

 

[speedyrabbit]

BOOM

 

[Bavard]

Have you two really been together for five years?

Well, five years in April (Shalimarch 2018 had come and gone). I remember you thought a Chanel wearer could be a good match. At the time, she did have Coco Mademoiselle. She also had one of the modern Miss Dior's. Fast forward nearly five years, here's the current spread:

From left, (1) Ralph Lauren Tuxedo, (2) Le Lion, (3) Cuir de Russie edt, (4) No. 5 cologne, (5) Dior Dior, (6) Miss Dior, (7) L'Heure Bleue, (8) No. 5 parfum, (9) No. 19, (10) Cuir de Russie parfum, and (11) Coromandel. She's a keeper - we don't even need to get along!

 

[CookBot]

Well, five years in April

Hard to believe.

At the time, she did have Coco Mademoiselle. She also had one of the modern Miss Dior's. Fast forward nearly five years, here's the current spread:

Clearly you are an excellent enabler.

From left, (1) Ralph Lauren Tuxedo,

Tuxedo! That is an extremely rare bird, and I'm VERY envious. Was it your idea, or Julie's? Which of you found it? How do you like it?

She's a keeper - we don't even need to get along!

Between the perfumes and the poodles, I'd say you've got a firm foundation going.

 

[Bavard]

Tuxedo! That is an extremely rare bird, and I'm VERY envious. Was it your idea, or Julie's? Which of you found it? How do you like it?

I bought Tuxedo and Lauren. She liked Tuxedo but didn't like Lauren. I like both. She says Lauren smells like ironing starch in a bad way, which only made me more interested in it.

Tuxedo makes me think of Calvin quite a bit - and they are both discontinued - it makes me think they used the same aroma-chemical that turned out to be controversial. I think of Tuxedo as a cross between Calvin and vintage Diorama. I can't remember Julie trying vintage Diorama - but I bought a bottle of the modern stuff. On her own, she told me that Tuxedo smells like Diorama, which was a surprise (I can hardly smell a connection between vintage and modern Diorama).

And Tuxedo is a major developer. When she leaves in the morning, it has the overripe fruit smell that, for me, is easy to imagine not everyone liking. And when she comes back home, it is quite different, still fairly strong, and interesting. One of her co-workers likes it on her, so it has been a smashing success.

 

[LiveJazz]

Tuxedo makes me think of Calvin quite a bit - and they are both discontinued - it makes me think they used the same aroma-chemical that turned out to be controversial. I think of Tuxedo as a cross between Calvin and vintage Diorama. I can't remember Julie trying vintage Diorama - but I bought a bottle of the modern stuff. On her own, she told me that Tuxedo smells like Diorama, which was a surprise (I can hardly smell a connection between vintage and modern Diorama).

And Tuxedo is a major developer. When she leaves in the morning, it has the overripe fruit smell that, for me, is easy to imagine not everyone liking. And when she comes back home, it is quite different, still fairly strong, and interesting. One of her co-workers likes it on her, so it has been a smashing success.

Incidentally, I'm sampling Calvin for the first time today (I assume you are referring to Calvin, the discontinued masculine, and not Calvin Klein, the discontinued feminine?). Anyway, very nice...reminds me mostly of Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui, with more earthiness and warmth in the base, like there are dashes of a few other things from the period in there which are more int the earthy-musky zone...thinking of Jacomo Eau Cendree, Quorum and a little of the saltiness of Azzaro Pour Homme.

I'd never heard to RL Tuxedo until today. Your description, the notes and some of the reviews are making me think of a soapier Rochas Femme. Accurate?

 

[hednic]

SOTE: Jules by Dior

 

[Bavard]

Incidentally, I'm sampling Calvin for the first time today (I assume you are referring to Calvin, the discontinued masculine, and not Calvin Klein, the discontinued feminine?). Anyway, very nice...reminds me mostly of Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui, with more earthiness and warmth in the base, like there are dashes of a few other things from the period in there which are more int the earthy-musky zone...thinking of Jacomo Eau Cendree, Quorum and a little of the saltiness of Azzaro Pour Homme.

I'd never heard to RL Tuxedo until today. Your description, the notes and some of the reviews are making me think of a soapier Rochas Femme. Accurate?

Correct about Calvin being the masculine fragance. I'm a fan. The first time I wore it, with my wedding a few months away, I thought it might end up being the scent of the day - eventually Antaeus held out. As a consolation prize, I've been calling it my favorite fougere (I don't have much in the way of fougeres, but this one - if it really is a fougere - is one I like).

Rochas Femme - probably, yes. I struggle with Rochas more than most people I think, especially those who don't struggle at all - I have trouble remembering which is which, and bring up Madame Rochas when everyone else is taking about Rochas Femme, etc. But, yes, one of them is a related perfume to Diorama, I seem to recall, and I think it was Femme (and not Madame).

 

[LiveJazz]

But, yes, one of them is a related perfume to Diorama, I seem to recall, and I think it was Femme (and not Madame).

I think that is probably right, as they are both Roudnitskas, and his style is quite distinct (i.e. rotting fruits). Not sure I've smelled Madame, off hand.

 

[nosey74]

View attachment 327160

Magnum

My expectations were set rock-bottom for this, which has inured to its benefit and mine. Yes, it comes in a box and bottle that evokes Quorum. No, it doesn’t smell anything like Quorum (which suits me fine). It also doesn’t smell like the powerhouse the macho bottle implies.

So, what does it smell like? Kinda like a vintage cologne with everything distinctive removed: a grudging fougère. Sillage, modest. Longevity, positively self-effacing. But, dang if it don’t smell like the dumbest dumb reach ever. It may never be anyone’s favorite, but it’ll never smell wrong. And at $30/100ml shipped, still arguably a value.

For a decidedly contrary POV, my wife woke up on the sofa next to me and mumbled, “that smells weird.”

Sure glad it was cheap!

NOTE: I’m not sure how BN determined this was a Jovan product. There’s no Jovan branding anywhere. The current version is marketed by Fragrance Couture, an obvious clone house. This bottle has all the hallmarks of a vintage frag: short ingredient list, no barcode, yada, yada, yada. And it’s labeled made in France, while Jovan product was generally produced in the US. I don’t think Magnum was ever Jovan, but it may have predated the current brand.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

There is a Jovan fragrance called Magnum that looks different (photo courtesy of @Ali AD):

 

[nosey74]

Well, five years in April (Shalimarch 2018 had come and gone). I remember you thought a Chanel wearer could be a good match. At the time, she did have Coco Mademoiselle. She also had one of the modern Miss Dior's. Fast forward nearly five years, here's the current spread:
View attachment 327208
From left, (1) Ralph Lauren Tuxedo, (2) Le Lion, (3) Cuir de Russie edt, (4) No. 5 cologne, (5) Dior Dior, (6) Miss Dior, (7) L'Heure Bleue, (8) No. 5 parfum, (9) No. 19, (10) Cuir de Russie parfum, and (11) Coromandel. She's a keeper - we don't even need to get along!

I didn't know Coromandel came in that presentation?

 

[Bavard]

I didn't know Coromandel came in that presentation?

Coromandel got a parfum version in 2019 (which means a 15-ml splash). The edp is the other option, from 2016 (75-ml and 200-ml sprays). The edt from 2007 was discontinued in 2016 when the edp was released. I'm a bit torn over how significant the differences are - not so a few others including my wife who doesn't like the edp. The parfum is almost like her signature scent (in competition with Le Lion), and I just had her try the old edt of Coromandel, from a mini, and she seems to really like that version, too. I blind bought the parfum for her for Christmas in 2021.

I'm wearing some Coromandel edt, now, too. I thought about buying it for myself when it was still available, but decided against it. I have not worn the parfum (it's so expensive!), but smelling it in the air, it's the version I like the most. Again, though, from my point of view, the edp is fine and quite similar to the edt.

 

[nosey74]

Coromandel got a parfum version in 2019 (which means a 15-ml splash). The edp is the other option, from 2016 (75-ml and 200-ml sprays). The edt from 2007 was discontinued in 2016 when the edp was released. I'm a bit torn over how significant the differences are - not so a few others including my wife who doesn't like the edp. The parfum is almost like her signature scent (in competition with Le Lion), and I just had her try the old edt of Coromandel, from a mini, and she seems to really like that version, too. I blind bought the parfum for her for Christmas in 2021.

I'm wearing some Coromandel edt, now, too. I thought about buying it for myself when it was still available, but decided against it. I have not worn the parfum (it's so expensive!), but smelling it in the air, it's the version I like the most. Again, though, from my point of view, the edp is fine and quite similar to the edt.

I blind bought this version in 2014 or 2015 but thought it was too sweet for my taste.

 

[PStoller]

There is a Jovan fragrance called Magnum that looks different (photo courtesy of @Ali AD):

Oh, yeah, this came up lately. I guess we need that Magnum photo in the directory for the Jovan, and a new listing for the one I wore.

 

[mrcologneguy]

SotE: Lagerfeld Cologne Spray Naturel

It’s a vintage bottle of Lagerfeld Classic. My dad gave it to me in the late 1980s. Still in great shape. I don’t wear it very often. Broke it out tonight because I bought the new Lagerfeld biography. I feel like I just need a little luxury in my life.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Hermes Bel Ami

 

[Ali AD]

Oh, yeah, this came up lately. I guess we need that Magnum photo in the directory for the Jovan, and a new listing for the one I wore.

More than happy to take proper pics if the Mods are interested

 

[PStoller]

SOTE: Michael Storer - Monk

 

[Jean-Sté]

Ténéré, Paco Rabanne. 1988. Pierre Wargnye.

Layering after-shave with eau de toilette.

 

[perfaddict]

Baldessarini (Hugo Boss)

 

[Avecesar]

 

[Professor Value]

Sprayed #3, EA Fragrances Jeff Gordon version, for my #SOTD 🤎

Z-14

 

[WarmJewel]

Caron - Le 3e Homme. Aftershave.

 

[Redfish365]

Monsieur de Givenchy (1959)
(Perfection... bottled)

 

[Franco65]