Pg Skies 1714
First, let's clarify the nomenclature. PG Skies was a boutique paragliding manufacturer based primarily in the Alpine regions of Europe, active during the late 1990s and early 2000s. While they never achieved the global scale of Nova, Advance, or Ozone, they were revered by connaisseurs for their meticulous attention to fabric stress-mapping and brake line geometry.
The 1714 is not a model name in the traditional sense. Rather, it refers to the project number and area code of their most successful tandem/solo high-performance wing. In internal factory documents, "1714" denoted the wing's projected surface area (17.14 square meters) combined with the engineering team's draft number (Project 17, variant 4).
To the average pilot, however, the PG Skies 1714 is remembered as the "Alpine Cruiser" — a wing that bridged the gap between the shaky, open-cell wings of the 90s and the modern, stable, shark-nose designs of the mid-2000s.
Let's talk money. This is a "microbrand diver." Generally, microbrands depreciate 30% the moment you open the box. pg skies 1714
However, the 1714 is behaving differently. Because production runs are tiny (50 units per batch) and the aesthetic is polarizing, flippers are active. A 1714 bought for $950 retail often sells for $1,400 pre-owned a week later.
Caveat emptor: This is a bubble. Once PG Skies increases production (as they have hinted for 2025), the secondary prices will crash. Buy this watch because you love the brutalist design and the underdog story, not because you want a second mortgage.
In the sprawling, often chaotic map of modern hip-hop, the Pittsburgh rap scene has carved out a distinct identity separate from the dominant coasts. It is a sound deeply rooted in the blue-collar grit of the city, but in recent years, it has morphed into something more introspective—what critics and fans often term "heartlandemo." Standing at the forefront of this movement is PG Skies, and few tracks encapsulate the ethos of this sub-genre better than his standout cut, "1714." First, let's clarify the nomenclature
While the mainstream charts often favor high-energy trap anthems or polished pop-rap crossovers, "1714" dares to be somber. The track is a masterclass in atmosphere. From the opening bars, the production immerses the listener in a sonic landscape that feels unmistakably like a Western Pennsylvania winter: grey, cold, yet strangely beautiful. The beat doesn't bang so much as it trudges, characterized by heavy, distorted bass lines and melancholic samples that loop like a memory you can’t quite shake.
Lyrically, PG Skies operates with a vulnerability that is becoming the hallmark of the Steel City sound. On "1714," he eschews traditional braggadocio in favor of diary-sheet confessionals. The song touches on themes of isolation, the weight of expectation, and the struggle to find solid ground in a shifting environment. His delivery is less about technical acrobatics and more about emotional resonance. He employs a flow that sits somewhere between rapping and singing—a melodic cadence that allows the pain in his voice to take center stage. It is reminiscent of the genre-bending paths laid by artists like Mac Miller or the late Jimbo World, artists who proved that toughness and sensitivity are not mutually exclusive.
What makes "1714" particularly compelling is its sense of place. There is a "rural-meets-urban" texture to the track. It sounds like a late-night drive down Route 51, passing through the tunnels and streetlights that dot the Allegheny County landscape. It captures the specific feeling of being young and stuck, looking out at a skyline that feels both protective and suffocating. Rated to 300 meters (990 feet)
In the broader context of PG Skies' discography, "1714" serves as a anchor point—a moment where the potential of his sound crystallizes into a concrete identity. It validates the "PG" (Pittsburgh) in his name, not just as a geographical marker, but as a stylistic one.
Ultimately, "1714" is not a track designed for the club; it is designed for the headphones. It is a piece of "sad boy" rap executed with a gritty realism that refuses to feel sorry for itself. It stands as a testament to PG Skies’ ability to turn regional malaise into universal art, proving that sometimes the most solid statements are the ones whispered in the dark.
Rated to 300 meters (990 feet). The 1714 features a double gasket system in the crown and a screw-down caseback that requires a specific 6-notch tool to open. While I did not take it to 300m, I swam in saltwater, showered with it, and submerged it in ice. No condensation. No issues.