POY Chairman Rick Willoughby has done it again. Obviously! Here's what Rick has to say:
An inexpensive quartz movement or luxury mechanical time piece. What does this have to do with pipes?
One of my favorite pipes is a Stanwell lovat. It smokes very well, is one of my favorite shapes and it's relatively inexpensive. Actually... it was cheap. But, to get snobby about it, it was Denmark made.
Another favorite but long gone pipe, was a Former Dublin (the maker... not it's fate) that I lost in Chicago. Classically shaped. Hand made by a master and impeccably finished. A great smoker, too. Marty Pulvers referred to it as "Platonic". I didn't understand what that meant until it was gone. I still miss it.
So there you are. A tale of two watc... pipes. Both great. In case you are wondering, the Stanwell smokes just as well. If I lost it I wouldn't be writing about it, though. Not some two or three years later. I probably would just forget it.
To my point. A man should have an artifact of his existence. Something fine. Something hand made that he uses often and finds pleasure in owning. Something of beauty and substance. Sexist? Maybe, but women have their jewelry and shoes. In fairness, some women have their pipes, too.
In homage to my departed Former Dublin, may I introduce the D.R. Franc, Seattle Pipe Club 25th Anniversary, Pipe of the Year. Dark blast with aubergine stem.
Dustin Franc is one of those rare pipe makers whose creations offer the distinctive shapes and colors that make his pipes identifiable from a distance. Make this special pipe one of your personal artifacts.
Order deadline June 26th 2026. Pipes MUST be prepaid and will be delivered in September. Want to order your new Dustin Franc 25th Anniversary SPC POY? Just click the BUY NOW button on this page and Presto!
The DR Franc Dublin:
- Sandblast
- Birdseye smooth rim
- Special SPC 25th Anniversary engraving
- Storage bag
Dimensions are approximately:
Group 4-ish
Length 5.2"
Weight 26 g
Chamber ID .74"
Chamber depth 1.5"
Bowl height 1.8"
Bowl width 1.5"
Group 6-7 AKA Craig Watness Thumb size
BIG available at the price of $500
Member's Only Price:
$375 Group 4
$500 for Craig Watness Thumb Size aka Group 6-7
Order deadline June 26, 2026
NOTE: SHIPPING IS NOT INCLUDED! You can pick up your pipe at the Club meeting. Need other arrangements? Contact Matt or Rick.
IMPORTANT ORDERING INFORMATION: Click the BUY NOW or Order button,