273 for Men (1989)
by Fred Hayman

Way more than you would expect for $13.

I understand why people compare 273 to Antaeus - there's something in 273's cedar/oakmoss/smoke accord that has the same weird mintiness as Antaeus' beeswax. This is much drier and less complex than Antaeus, but it's shockingly good for the price.

Dry, almost burnt herbs sweetened with a very cinammony cedar drive this smoky fragrance. As Bigsly points out it's not too far from Jacomo de Jacomo, though I find 273 more pleasant. There's a kind of candied, floral softness to the smoke in 273, and at least a little incense. Again, as Bigsly said this is a very niche-y scent, not what you would expect for something so inexpensive. Because it is so unusual I find it pleasantly unisex - it's certainly not girly and flowery, but it's definitely not conventionally masculine.

273 has some layers to it - it flickers back and forth between something very bitter and smoky and something very sweet and smoky. Really a nice surprise. Kind of a wearable spin on what Mugler was going for with B*Men.

10th October, 2011. (Last Edited: 17th December, 2011.)

This is something of a traditional, dry, herbal fougere. Don't think you are getting a fragrance that is very close to Antaeus with 273. I don't find there to be much of a similarity at all, actually. The top notes could be similar (both may have a strong lavender note, for example), since I avoid top notes as much as possible, but the rest is very different. Antaeus features strong beeswax and castoreum notes, which are totally absent in 273. Instead, it is closest to Jacomo de Jacomo (1980), once the strong clove note in JdJ dissipates (note that 273 is woodier). 273 is a simple fragrance, but it does a lot with a little, and doesn't have a "synthetic" or "chemical" quality. For the first hour or so, there is a smokey and almost phlegm-like quality, but it's quite interesting once you get used to it, and a nice change of pace when you are in the mood for it. It takes quite a while for the cedar to emerge, and it's not that strong. The amber and oakmoss continue for a long time. Longevity and projection/"sillage" are very good, but you have to be careful with olfactory fatigue with this one. You can buy this one very cheaply now, so unless you don't like the notes listed, it's definitely worth considering. What I find interesting about it is that it has an almost "niche"-like quality, in that it focuses on a small number of notes and is natural smelling. Moreover, I'm not sure for what social occasion this is intended, if any. It's a bit harsh at first, so many wouldn't want it as an "office fragrance." It's clearly not "romantic," nor is it for partying. I guess it could be good for some sort of leader or boss who wants everyone to know who is in charge.

7th May, 2010. (Last Edited: 25th April, 2011.)

A giant cedar and oakmoss spritz that fades into a musk.

26th July, 2008.

I bought this blind (for $10) because of the reviews that said it smelled like Antaeus. It was not a lie, the top notes do smell like Antaeus. But, upon the drydown it becomes too floral and powdery for my taste.
It's not a bad cologne, great value, but it just doesn't work with me. I'll stick with Antaeus.

28th April, 2007.

Funky, Deco-ish bottle on top of a deep, warm, smoky floral scent. The poor man's Antaeus, indeed! Good stuff -- well worth every penny and then some. Perfumania has the best price I've found.

27th March, 2007.

FYI - this smells almost exactly like Antaeus by Chanel

8th July, 2004.