A well-designed object declares itself in its form. Its purpose doesn't have to be serious or even moral; it just has to be clear. The wood grain in a handmade canoe does nothing to propel the boat, for example, but it goes a long way toward propelling the dreams of the paddler. We've picked these 63 objects because we believe each one's form will always speak clearly to its intended use. Its design has endured, or will endure, because it will continue to evoke that principle, long after somebody has come up with a shiny new way to do it. In fact, if there is a common theme in these things, other than pure craftsmanship, ingenuity, and careful construction, it is that they, too, propel dreams: of outdoor adventure, of inner life, of quiet hours spent away from the push and hustle of modern days. In some ways, then, this list is a man's periodic table of the elements, a chart of the basic building blocks of a life well lived.

Swiss Rail Clock A990.16SBB by Mondaine In 1944 Switzerland asked Hans Hilfiker to create a unified look for the country's train station clocks. The Swiss-born industrial designer made the red spoon-shape second hand recall the old station master's paddle, which had previously signaled the train's engineer to leave the station. It was a genius idea: The hand is easy to read -- like while you're running to catch an Interlaken-bound departure. Sixty-two years later, more than 3,000 examples of Hilfiker's minimalist design still hang on Swiss train platforms ($150; swissknifeshop.com).
A Contractor's Best Friend DC900KL by DeWalt In theory cordless drills provide power when and where you want it. But in reality contractors still use corded tools to get the juice they need. Now, thanks to Massachusetts-based A123Systems, the battery on DeWalt's portable DC900KL puts out 36V and runs twice as long. Credit nanotechnology: A special nano-phosphate lithium-ion coating on the battery's electrodes stores and releases energy more effectively ($449; dewalt.com).
Spider-Inspired Stove MSR 11782 WhisperLite Before MSR introduced its WhisperLite more than 15 years ago, reasonably priced camping stoves did not balance well. The WhisperLite's spider legs, which collapse for portability and extend to create a solid cooking platform, changed that. It isn't the lightest, sexiest, or techiest of the stoves (it's made of stainless steel and brass) but it remains the standard for reliability and toughness ($70; msrgear.com).
Oceanfront Property Beachcomber by Cape Code Beach Chair A native Cape Codder can do two things incredibly well: eat clam chowder and sit on the beach. Fitting, then, that a company on this Massachusetts shoreline would produce a great beach chair. Each Beachcomber features weatherproof red oak frames, durable fabric, rustproof brackets and fittings, a rear pouch, and two extra-wide beverage holders. And it provides one of the Cape's cheapest views ($140; capecodbeachchair.com).
Theft-Proof Bike Lock Mastiff 5019 Beast Chain by OnGuard In Manhattan thieves steal as many as 60,000 bicycles each year. "But I've never heard of anyone stealing a bike locked with a Beast Chain," says Edlin Pitts of A Bicycle Shop. No wonder: The seven-pound Beast Chain's super-hardened hexagonal steel links protect your ride, then there's the laser-cut keys, waterproof nylon chain cover, and pick-proof, four-bolt lock that secures the shackle to the crossbar ($90; onguardlock.com).
Cleanest Shave Monaco Razor and Brush by Hommage Thousands of men may shave with a Mach III, but most of them don't know to hold the handle at a 90-degree angle, its proper position. The Monaco's gently curved handle accentuates the blade's shaving ability, and it attaches magnetically to its stand, which also holds a badger-hair brush. Used together, a daily chore becomes high art ($450; hommage.com).
Serious Head Case Syton Time Trial by Rudy Project Watch the Tour de France or any other European bike race, and you'll see the Italy-based Rudy Project is the brain bucket brand of choice in the peloton. One reason for its popularity: The company's unconventional designs, like on the teardrop-shape Syton, result in improved aerodynamism. The dovetailed back dissipates wind drag when a sprinting cyclist drops his head to hammer up long hills, the moment when most helmets lose their wind-shedding benefits. Everyday road riders without a yellow jersey at stake can still take advantage of the design's added performance and customize the helmet's fit with its micrometric retention system ($160; rudyprojectusa.com).
Kitchen Sword 8" Chef's Knife by Bob Kramer Damascus blades are made with an age-old technique originally used for swords; A master bladesmith repeatedly folds and forges steel upon itself. Hundreds of discrete layers thick, the finished knife resembles swirling wood grain and has remarkable strength and flexibility. Bob Kramer's Damascus steel blades, custom-fitted with exotic wood handles, are highly functional works of art that help chefs create great food (from $750; kramerknives.com).
BOOTS Rubber Boots Based on the first Duke of Wellington's leather boots, rubber "Wellies" were originally mass-produced during WWI. Hunter Original Wellingtons now have anti-bacterial linings, yet still retain the same toothy outsoles for fishing, gardening, or walking the estate ($98; hunterboots.com).
Spy Camera Minox TLX by Minox A camera needn't have an LCD screen, auto focus, and self-timer in order to distinguish itself. In fact, most modern feature-loaded digital cameras, especially the pocket-size variety, don't distinguish themselves. What impresses about this Minox, first sold in 1938, is that as soon as you hold it -- it's smaller than a Snickers bar -- you recall the drama of 1960s espionage. The 3.1-oz push-pull-winding device uses a tiny 8 x 11mm film stock, features a crystal-clear, fixed 15mm lens that picks up images as close as 8 ins, and has shutter speeds ranging from 1/2,000th to 15 seconds. No wonder the West won the Cold War ($1,400; www.minox.com).
Stargazer's Tent Skylight by Black Diamond The Black Diamond Skylight is the perfect tent not because it offers breakthrough technology but because it best fulfills the original intention of all campers -- to get outside, away from the four walls that define most of our days. Unlike other single-walled shelters, which ironically block the sky you sleep beneath, the three-person Skylight has a unique retractable roof. Rolling back the fly exposes mosquito netting, and your reward: a star-laden nighttime sky after a long hike through the backcountry. And if the rain clouds begin to dribble, unroll the roof in five seconds so that the tent's highly water-resistant fabric can go to work ($429; blackdiamondequipment.com).

To see the rest of "Timeless Design" pick up the SEPTEMBER 2006 issue.