I don’t know what it is about these sneakers but once you've seen them you simply have to have them. I remember first seeing them at Barneys and wanting a pair until I got scared away by the hefty price tag. I finally caved in a few weeks ago though and bought a pair in the color I’ve always wanted (light grey). These sneakers have really become a modern classic, probably because of their refreshingly understated aesthetic. The minimal, almost mundane design is only broken by a set of golden numbers stamped on the sides of the shoes. They reference the model number, size, and color of the shoes. It’s a small detail but it completes the shoe, and make them really memorable. It’s branding at its best. The Original Achilles are made in Italy and the build quality is excellent, although that should be expected with its price. There are many variants but my shoes are made from super soft grey leather, which is attractive but will likely be harder to keep free of scratches. It does make them very comfortable to wear, and I found them to require no break-in time; my feet felt completely at home from day one. My only major complaint is that the laces aren't that great, and tend to bunch up and lose their shape over time. I've been wearing them everyday and I still can't figure out why I wanted these shoes so badly. It’s complex I suppose, like a girl you’ve always wanted to get with. I’m just happy I have her now.