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Aug 13, 2024

Vero Celebrates 80 Years of Smokey Bear

Founded in 2015, Vero Watch Company is dedicated to creating well-built, durable, and reliable watches at affordable prices. All of their watches improve on the models that came before them. In 2020, this continuous development led them to partner with trusted Swiss manufacturers held to the strictest quality control guidelines. They are passionate enthusiasts who meticulously create watches for dedicated collectors, and this passion also extends to their commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives. One of these initiatives involves protecting our forests. Last summer, Vero launched a pair of Smokey the Bear watches in stainless steel, with 10% of all sales benefiting the US Forest Service. Piggybacking on the success of these two sold-out models, Vero is releasing two new ones to commemorate Smokey’s 80th anniversary. However, these new ones are made of bronze instead of stainless steel. The story of Smokey is quite interesting. To understand his significance, it’s essential to know a bit about his history. Smokey’s origins can be traced back to World War II when there were limited numbers of firefighters due to wartime demands. This left communities to deal with wildfires as best they could. The U.S. Forest Service established the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) program to address this issue. The program aimed to educate the public about the dangers of forest fires. They selected a bear as the program’s mascot and drew inspiration from th...

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Victorinox Dive Pro When I Aug 13, 2024

Hands-On: the Victorinox Dive Pro

When I think of Victorinox, only one thing comes to mind: their iconic Swiss Army knife. Growing up in the scout program, I thought that a Swiss Army knife was the coolest thing ever, even if I couldn’t find one with the perfect tool set. Years later I’ve come to learn that Victorinox has an impressive line of products, ranging from iconic multi-tools, travel gear, fragrances, and of course, watches. When the Dive Pro landed on my desk, I was quite intrigued with its angular design and rugged appearance. Throughout this review, we’ll take a look at the technical specs and ultimately my opinion on the watches in general. The Dive Pro line from Victorinox is an extension of their dive watch offering with eight new references, bringing an increased depth rating of 300 meters, new case materials, and some bold colorways. While all of the new Dive Pro watches feature a 43mm case, faceted unidirectional bezels, and sapphire crystals, you have the option of two case materials: 316L Stainless Steel and Grade 2 Titanium. I feel that both of these materials were carefully selected for their unique properties they bring to the table. While titanium is a lighter material with more inherent corrosion resistance, these benefits come at a cost, literally. Stainless steel provides slightly less corrosion resistance but can be machined much easier allowing the material to be manufactured to the same quality at a cheaper price. Depending on the environments you expect to dive in, you ...

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Brew There are several tried-and-true Aug 13, 2024

Roundup: The Panels of Windup Watch Fair Chicago

One of the highlights of the Windup Watch Fair in Chicago last month was the plethora of amazing panels that took place throughout all three days of the event. Between our kick-off event with our friends at CD Peacock and a stellar panel and podcasting room at Venue West, we had no problem creating the kind of content that we’re fond of making here at Worn & Wound. Fortunately, we had a slew of incredible industry professionals on site to glean some great insights as well! Here’s a roundup of panels from the show. Kick-off Event at CD Peacock The festivities began with a kickoff party on the Thursday night before the show with our friends at CD Peacock. They were kind enough to open the doors and extend the hours of their stunning new retail environment located at the Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook, IL. Vice Chairman, Steven Holtzman joined Worn & Wound’s Co-founder Zach Weiss and Managing Editor, Zach Kazan for an in-depth discussion focused on watchmaking, the watch market landscape, and the importance of independent and niche brands in the marketplace. Rewriting the Design Language of Watches with Brew There are several tried-and-true watch designs that companies-new and old-draw from. This classic design language relies on very small alterations and nuances over time. The belief often is, do what sells. This panel, moderated by Zach Kazan, Managing Editor at Worn & Wound, featuring Jonathan Ferrer, Designer & Founder at Brew; Bradley Price, Owner at Autodromo; a...

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Citizen Introduces Aug 12, 2024

Citizen Introduces a Super Titanium™ Copilot for Your Weekend Drive Time with the Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer

Ask any auto enthusiast how important their weekend drive time is to them, and you’ll likely hear responses with adjectives like: special, critical, personal, and even sacred. It’s all about setting aside a moment to be one with the road. But it is also about making some time to reset yourself for the week ahead. This can certainly be accomplished behind the wheel of your favorite automobile, but this important ritual of resetting yourself each week can happen in various ways-as long as it clears the mind and revs the soul. Citizen is celebrating this special drive time with a new limited edition chronograph based on their original Bullhead from 1973. This time they’re leveraging that all important concept of strength-to-weight ratio to the world of racing by making it in their proprietary Super Titanium case material. The all-new Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer is that useful reminder and an ideal copilot for this vital weekly reset. The post Citizen Introduces a Super Titanium™ Copilot for Your Weekend Drive Time with the Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer appeared first on Worn & Wound.

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Rolex wore it best Aug 12, 2024

Opinion: Pedigree, Provenance and a Case for the Newcomers

History is a double edged sword for a budget conscious collector like me. The nerdy half of me loves to get caught up in the horological space race of 1969 and participate in the 1953 drama of debating if Smiths or Rolex wore it best on top of Everest. But while my romantic side finds joy in history, the frugal collector in me has some reservations. This side of me knows that the watch industry is in constant flux as it adapts to new technologies, reacts to wars and navigates economic shifts. It’s the side of me that acknowledges brands brimming with pedigree did not weather this history unchanged, and can’t help but notice the value from those shiny new microbrands with seemingly no history to offer. What is a collector to do when they have a romantic enthusiast on one shoulder telling them the story behind a watch matters and a frugal cynic on the other asking if a plastic chronograph is really worth a premium because its metal counterpart went to the moon? Personally, rambling blog-style until coming to some sort of conclusion aimed at making sense of an often nonsensical hobby has never steered me wrong. Provenance vs Pedigree: A Collector’s Dilemma Historical watch conversations often focus on provenance, which can most simply be defined as the story behind a specific watch. Provenance is what separates Paul Newman’s Daytona from every other “Paul Newman” Daytona. It’s what makes Buzz Aldrin’s out-of-this world, misplaced Speedmaster worthy of obsessio...

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Formex Fears Aug 12, 2024

Heinrich is the Latest Brand to Experiment with Stone Dials

Don’t look now, but it really does feel like stone dials are having a moment in the enthusiast watch space. This, I have to admit, is one of the most unlikely trends in our hobby recently, but I’m very much here for it. For a long time, stone dials were thought of by many as something rather cheesy, a bit of 1980s kitsch that time had passed by. But it only takes seeing one really nice stone dial to change your mind. Brands like Formex, Fears, and Nivada have all recently released stone dials in watches that would traditionally be defined as more sport oriented, and this mixing of formality with something more casual is also the basis for much of the appeal. The latest watches to pop up in this category come from Heinrich, a brand we’ve covered several times before, who have just unveiled a pair of stone dialed sports watches that fit right into the recent resurgence in this niche category.  The new watches are part of the Helicoprion line, which Brad Homes recently reviewed here. This platform, it seems, works well as a canvas for experimentation, as the watch that Brad looked at featured an unusual “Buzzsaw” pattern dial. The Helicoprion is a capable and well made sports watch that comes in at 40mm in diameter and measures a little over 47mm from lug to lug. Besides the dial, its defining feature is the brushed bezel with visible screws, evoking a very specific style of sports watch from the 1970s. Heinrich has built much of its reputation on the quality of th...

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Panerai owner Aug 10, 2024

Watches, Stories, & Gear: Artem’s PAM Style Straps, A Guide to the Alien Popcorn Buckets, and a Classic Porsche Hits the Auction Block

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear. Share your story ideas or interesting finds with us by emailing info@wornandwound.com. Artem PAM Style Straps For the discerning Panerai owner and enthusiasts of the 24 mm lug width watches, Artem fuses their distinguished synthetic, embossed surface with an underside of leather and natural rubber, known as caoutchouc, in their PAM Style strap collection. They’ve retained the iconic Panerai strap silhouette and infused a rugged look to match Panerai’s well established versatility. Suitable for water activities, every strap includes stainless steel tubes in lug holes for compatibility with OEM Panerai screws. The straps are available in 5 colors, Black, Grey, Khaki Green, Navy Blue, and Sand Beige, with even more combinations thanks to colored stitching and underside options as well as a choice between Stainless Steel Tang and DLC Black Tang buckles. Every strap also works with the OEM Panerai buckle as well. With a two year warranty, worldwide shipping, and a 30-day return window, check out the PAM style collection in Artem’s online shop today.  All the Info You Need on the New Alien: Romulus Popcorn Buckets   If you listened to our Dune Part Two episode of Tim...

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Cartier was certainly not lost Aug 9, 2024

The Three Watch Collection for $5,000: Tommy DeMauro

Editor’s Note: For this edition of The Three Watch Collection for $5,000, we turn to one of our newest contributors, Tommy DeMauro. Tommy has a deep appreciation and knowledge for a particular flavor of affordable vintage. Think ana-digi watches, under the radar and nearly forgotten references from big brands, and pure novelty. Tommy has a great eye and loves digging into the lost classics, and we’ll be bringing you his practical guides to these unusual watches in the coming months. But until then, here’s his 3 for 5k contribution, which ought to give you a sense of what Tommy is all about.  As someone who has firmly cemented themself in the affordable vintage market, the three-watch collection for under $5,000 challenge unlocked newfound territory for me.  Only owning watches with an initial cost of roughly $400 or less (before service or repairs if needed), I have no experience with luxury brands or any pieces whose market value exceeds my rather low price point. While the appeal of owning a Rolex, IWC, or Cartier was certainly not lost on me when deciding which watches to choose, I wanted to stick close to my roots and pay my respect to iconic brands often found within the affordable end of the market. Now, before I even begin to unpack my three choices, let me first explain my thought process here. I typically gravitate towards the obscure and unique because of my love for design and expression––why have what everyone else is having? That being said, yes, I...

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Furlan Marri Disco Volante Things have Aug 9, 2024

Review: the Furlan Marri Disco Volante

Things have changed an awful lot since the last time I reviewed a watch by Furlan Marri. That was all the way back in March 2021, and it was their debut release. It’s worth pointing out that at the time, the brand had virtually no public footprint, and I had to be somewhat cajoled into taking the assignment. But the humble, meca-quartz chronograph that put them on the map was genuinely impressive in the way it conveyed vintage watch design codes in an affordable package that, somehow, felt premium. I remember thinking that for the price Furlan Marri was asking for that watch (a pre-order deal of $330) you’d be hard pressed to find anything with better finishing or a more coherent point of view about what it’s trying to accomplish.  Just a few years later, and Furlan Marri is in a very different position. It happened fast. Those meca-quartz chronos hit the market and were an immediate sensation, getting the thumbs up from John Goldberger and other notable collectors. It put an immediate heir of legitimacy around Furlan Marri, something that the best small brands get eventually, but not typically with such speed. When your debut watch, a battery powered homage that costs a few hundred dollars, is selling for many times its retail price on the secondary market, heads start turning rather quickly.  $2780 Review: the Furlan Marri Disco Volante Case Stainless steel Movement Peseux 7001 Dial Celeste (blue/white), Verde (green/cream) Lume Yes Lens Sapphire Strap Leather Wa...

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Aug 9, 2024

Elevated EDC With CW&T;

CW&T; exists to create the things we want to see in the world. That is the first thing you read when you click “about us” on their website. In 2017, Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy founded a design practice in Brooklyn, integrating their backgrounds in architecture, film, and computer science. They were awarded the 2022 National Design Award for Product Design from Cooper Hewitt. In addition to their design work, they teach, contribute to open-source projects, and support independent design practices. Since their establishment, they have set guiding principles to steer them in the right direction. However, these principles are flexible and may change as they progress. STAY SMALL – In today’s world, two people can move mountains. They believe they can go from idea to creation much faster than a boardroom full of gremlins. SHARE EVERYTHING – When you purchase one of their products, you acquire all aspects of its creation process. BUY LOTS OF LOTTERY TICKETS – By this, they mean not to be afraid to take chances. Rely on your education and rely on your supportive family, but sometimes you must go for it. MAKE WHAT YOU WANT – Do not get married to any one process; stay open to new ways; if you want it, make it. THE PROOF IS IN THE PROTOTYPE – They rarely use renderings, as nothing feels and acts like the real thing except for the real thing. MAKE IT GOOD –Do not take shortcuts. Use the appropriate tools and craft it correctly. MAKE IT LAST – They believe their p...

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Farer Introduces Four New References Aug 9, 2024

Farer Introduces Four New References in their Cushion Case Collection

Farer has long been on my radar as a watch brand to trust not only for exceptional quality, but a distinct design language imbued into every new reference the British brand puts out. Take, for instance, the four new references from their latest Cushion Case collection. Already a favorite (or should I say favourite) of Farer fans, the cushion case is at once totally classic and modern. Because of this chameleon-like quailty, Farer has played with the coloring and design of each watch to make four distinct “personalities” to the series.  Let’s explore each model here. The new lineup features four distinct models, each offering a different style while maintaining the signature cushion case silhouette that has become a hallmark of Farer’s design ethos. First up is the Benham, which stands out with its bold cherry red dial, accented by horizontal grooves and a playful baby blue seconds hand on the sub-dial. The brushed bezel adds a sporty touch, complementing the watch’s contemporary look. Inspired by Gertrude Benham, an English explorer and mountaineer, this watch embodies adventure and boldness without veering too much into ostentation. On the other hand, the Mansfield Midnight offers a more refined and sophisticated aesthetic. Its deep inky blue dial is highlighted by polished rose gold batons and numerals, further complemented by its rose gold dauphine hands, for a classic look. This watch balances metallic tones with polished rose gold accents, making it a sligh...

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Aug 8, 2024

Discovering Hentschel Watches, One of German Watchmaking’s Best Kept Secrets

Hentschel has been on my radar for a while, and I followed the watch company casually for many years – until a mutual friend living in Berlin made the introduction. My curiosity level spiked, and I was ready for a deep dive into the background, manufacturing, watches, and everything that is Hentschel.  A Brief Overview of Hentschel Andreas Hentschel is the watchmaker and founder of Hentschel, based in Hamburg, Germany. Established in 1993, Hentschel has garnered a decent reputation for its craftsmanship and producing high quality mechanical wristwatches. A majority of the watches feature manual winding movements and sub-seconds on the dial. The design is reminiscent of classic pocket watches, but with complex case construction and colorful dials, they appear refined modern. Under the expert guidance of Andreas Hentschel, the family-owned workshop consists of a team of four skilled watchmakers that produce approximately 150 watches annually. According to Andreas, this limited production approach maintains the highest standards of craftsmanship and ensures that every Hentschel watch remains unique. In-House Movements Before I provide you my impression of two watches that I test drove for a month, I would like to address Hentschel’s in-house movements. Hentschel refers to the HUW 1130 S caliber as a “in-house manufactory movement.” Without going into the definition of in-house, Andreas is upfront about it being based on the Swiss A-Schild manually winding 1130 moveme...

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TAG Heuer Aug 8, 2024

Hodinkee Introduces their Third Limited Edition Collaboration with TAG Heuer, an Updated Seafarer Built on the Glassbox Platform

Among the many Hodinkee collaborative limited editions released over the years, the TAG Heuer releases have consistently been acclaimed. The “Skipper” Carrera has become something of a legendary watch in the niche world of limited edition collaborations, and the Carrera “Dato” released a few years ago was similarly praised and struck a very different register aesthetically. Hodinkee and TAG clearly have a close relationship, and the latest result of that partnership has just been revealed. Available today, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee limited edition feels like a natural evolution of the of watches that came before it.  The point of reference here is the Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer, a watch produced by Heuer for Abercrombie in the days before they became an apparel staple at your local mall, and were known primarily as an enthusiast’s sporting goods retailer. The Seafarer, like the Skipper and Dato, has become an extremely collectible vintage reference for Heuer aficionados. They were produced in relatively small numbers from the 1950s through the early 1970s, and for a long time these watches were a kind of inside-baseball grail for collectors. These days more people are aware of them, and the Seafarer’s aesthetic has directly and indirectly influenced new watches from brands both large and small. This is the first time, however, that TAG has returned to the classic Seafarer with real intention, so it’s a big moment for old-school ...

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Rado Some people if you Aug 8, 2024

Checking out the Mubadala Citi DC Open with Rado

Some people, if you were to ask them, would say that the most exhilarating moment in sports is the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the winning run at the plate. Others would say it’s penalty kicks at the World Cup, the final two minutes of a basketball game, or a last-minute Hail Mary. Ask me the same question, and you’ll get a different answer. For my money, the most exciting moment in sports comes at the end of a tennis match. Unlike soccer, football, or basketball, tennis isn’t a sport where you can run out the clock. To win, you have to earn the last point and, until that happens, a comeback is never out of the question. Despite matches sometimes lasting for hours, time isn’t explicitly a factor in tennis, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter, and there is no stronger evidence for that than the strong connection between some of the world’s leading watch brands and the sport of tennis. This past weekend, I got to experience that connection firsthand with a visit to the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where Rado was serving as the tournament’s official timekeeper. With Rado’s clocks tracking the passing time both on and off the court, there was no better host to welcome us to Rock Creek Park, or with whom to celebrate one of my favorite sports in one of my favorite cities. Though Rado’s relationship with tennis extends back much further (well over thirty years), this is only their second year partnering with the Mubadala Citi DC Open. But just because...

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Grand Seiko s there was one Aug 7, 2024

Bremont Introduces the Limited Edition Broadsword Recon Bronze

Readers, I’d like to invite you to step back in time. Let’s go all the way back to the middle of April of 2024, in the days following this year’s Watches and Wonders. Amidst much content creation by many a watch media figure, there was a single story for which a consensus view began to emerge. While opinions might have differed on the viability of the new Lange Super Watch or the retail pricing of those gorgeous manually wound Grand Seikos, there was one brand on which just about everyone shared a take. Coming out of the fair, just about all of us agreed that Bremont was in trouble. There’s no need to dwell here on what we’ve already covered, except to say that the reaction to the new look at Bremont was the rare occasion in the watch media landscape where it felt like (almost) everyone was getting their unfiltered digs in. That usually doesn’t happen in our space. The reason is simple, at least at Worn & Wound, and that’s because here we tend to cover stuff we like. We want to share our enthusiasm for the things that get us excited, new releases included. But Bremont rebranding as they did at the biggest watch event in the world was newsworthy in a way that couldn’t be ignored, and we had to (as we always do) cover it honestly. We saw the watches in the metal, and gave our reactions, as did many others, and the many stories that were filed speak for themselves.  It’s been several months since Bremont debuted their new look, and the storm has died down c...

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Aug 7, 2024

The Enduring Appeal of the Dunhill Rollagas Lighter

While the term “everyday carry” is broad enough already, I’d bet my money that a lighter which costs close to $1,300 would not be included in anyone’s list. But, for me, it’s hard to deny that a Dunhill Rollagas is the epitome of style and functionality – and here is where I’m willing to expand the definition of “EDC” just a little bit. For many of us who consider ourselves collectors – whether it be watches, pens, or knives – I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “My cheap X works just as well!” And while this may be true (and trust me, my house is littered with matchbooks and cheap Bic lighters), I know that I’m not just buying something for functionality. When I buy a luxury good, I’m buying into the brand itself and the history behind it. While the $5 Spongebob watch my nephew wears and my Datejust both tell time, sure, there’s an undeniable difference that exists beyond timekeeping. When a brand does it right, you can almost feel it.  I’d call it nearly talismanic while my more cynical peers may call it just plain ol’ good marketing. But whatever the case might be, I feel a little different holding a Dunhill lighter in my hands. When I run my thumb across the sparkwheel on a gas station Bic, I’m instantly brought back to when I was sixteen and trying my first cigarette. When I do the same with a Rollagas, I feel like a proper adult. I like who I am when I have one in my pocket. The History of Dunhill For a brand to have been on a...

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Aug 7, 2024

Watches you fly, travel, and swim with, along with EDC tools you write and cut with. We’ve got companions for you!

The Roundup is the Windup Watch Shop’s weekly overview of the newest and best watches, accessories, EDC, and other gear. We have carefully selected various items to suit everyone’s style and budget. Click the links below to find out more and make a purchase. The Windup Watch Team is available to advise you and address any queries. Furthermore, all these products qualify for free domestic shipping within the US. Watches you fly, travel, and swim with, along with EDC tools you write and cut with. We’ve got companions for you! The Roundup is the Windup Watch Shop’s weekly overview of the newest and best watches, accessories, EDC, and other gear. We have carefully selected various items to suit everyone’s style and budget. Click the links below to find out more and make a purchase. The Windup Watch Team is available to advise you and address any queries. Furthermore, all these products qualify for free domestic shipping within the US. Watches you fly, travel, and swim with, along with EDC tools you write and cut with. We’ve got companions for you! The post Watches you fly, travel, and swim with, along with EDC tools you write and cut with. We’ve got companions for you! appeared first on Worn & Wound.

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Blancpain Rolex Aug 6, 2024

Ollech & Wajs Recreates the Classic Caribbean 1000 Diver

Ever since humans began exploring the ocean’s depths, watch companies have been creating timepieces capable of withstanding the pressures of SCUBA diving. In the 1950s and 60s, companies like Blancpain, Rolex, and Omega raced to create watches with the greatest water resistance. However, a small collaborative brand outdid them all with a watch capable of reaching a depth of 1000 meters. It took Rolex well into the next decade before they made a watch that could go beyond that. One of those collaborators was Ollech & Wajs, and the legendary timepiece was named the Caribbean 1000. Roughly thirty years later, when the internet was still in its early stages, if you were searching the web for dive watches, there’s a good chance you came across New Old Stock (NOS) Caribbean 1000 watches by Ollech & Wajs or Jenny. In its heyday, O&W; produced nearly 10,000 watches per year. There were still quite a few unused watches available, and collectors were thrilled to have access to them. Despite barely surviving the quartz crisis of the 1970s, Albert Wajs remained in charge until 2017, when the brand was sold to Charles Le Menestrel. Since then, the brand has been revived with reimagined models from the past, such as the Caribbean. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, O&W; is launching the most authentic reproduction of the original Caribbean 1000 to date, the C-1000 A. From its short, triangle-shaped lugs, affectionately referred to as ‘Vampire fangs’ by collectors, to its narrow 12...

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Aug 6, 2024

Shop Heirlooms for Generations with 10Ten Labs LEs

The post Shop Heirlooms for Generations with 10Ten Labs LEs appeared first on Worn & Wound.

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Holthinrichs Announces their New Haute Aug 6, 2024

Holthinrichs Announces their New Haute Horlogerie Project

Earlier this year, when Dutch independent brand Holthinrichs announced their new Signature Collection, we thought it was one of the most impressive new projects in indie watchmaking. It represented a bold shift for the brand, moving from complex, bespoke watchmaking to something more easily repeatable and at a more approachable price point. With advances in manufacturing capabilities, the new and less expensive Signature Collection actually represents a vision of watchmaking far closer to what brand founder Michiel Holthinrichs had always intended. It was, and remains, an exciting story for fans of the brand, but after seeing Holthinrichs steadily create watches that are more and more ambitious in recent years, we’ve kept hope alive that the brand hadn’t completely abandoned their goals of creating something truly high end and in-house.  Now, on the heels of the Signature Collection comes word of a new project within Holthinrichs that would appear to fill the void of truly high end watchmaking that was left when the brand transitioned to their new model. Holthinrichs Haute Horlogerie provides an outlet for the brand’s most ambitious ideas, and the first watch under this new banner, the Ornament Nouveau, is unlike anything they’ve attempted previously.  Like every watch Holthinrichs has made, the defining characteristic of the new piece is its sculptural design. But with the Ornament Nouveau, those ideas have been manifested not just in the case and dial design, b...

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Grand Seiko s made just Aug 5, 2024

Introducing the Seiko Prospex SPB473, a Limited Regional Release for the European Market

A thing you discover about watch collecting after being involved in the hobby for a little while is that it’s a truly international endeavor. This manifests itself in a number of ways. The geography of the watchmaking industry is obviously something that’s discussed frequently, with Swiss, German, Japanese, and American styles of the craft all taking slightly different shapes. But even more than that, practical matters like the availability of watches to actually purchase has a lot to do with where you are in the world. Just last week, we told you about a pair of new limited edition Grand Seikos made just for the US market, and today we have a similar story about a Seiko diver for sale exclusively in Europe. Regional releases strike again. The Seiko Prospex SPB473 would have caught our eye regardless, but something about it being vaguely forbidden if you happen to live in America makes it all the more appealing. Now, realistically, this watch won’t be that hard to track down if you really put some effort into it. There are all kinds of ways an American customer can obtain a watch made for a foreign market. Proxy buyers, the pre-owned market, and simply calling up a dealer and asking if they’d consider an international sale are all viable options. But if it really is the thrill of the hunt that makes watch collecting exciting and rewarding, have those few extra hoops to jump through could actually be welcome for some.  The SPB473’s key feature is a beautiful grad...

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Aug 5, 2024

G-SHOCK Introduces the Two-Tone Utility Color Series

Whenever I see the words “two-tone” come screaming across my inbox I wince just a little bit. I feel like for as long as I’ve been interested in watches, people have been trying to tell me that two-tone is coming back. Sometimes I’ve wondered if there are people in the industry whose entire job is to publicly speculate on the status of two-tone among the larger watch collecting set. I tend to think that there’s so much conversation about whether or not it’s coming back, nobody would even notice if it arrived. So that’s the headspace I was in when I glanced at the latest press release from G-SHOCK, which heralded the arrival of the Two-Tone Utility Color Series.  It turns out that these watches aren’t really what you’d normally think of in a two-tone conversation. They are quite literally multi-toned, meaning they incorporate both the traditional black resin cases found across the G-SHOCK line with brown integrated straps (with dial accents in complementary shades of green and yellow, for the most part). So two-tone, in your grandpa’s Datejust sense of the term, is a misnomer here. Digging further into the press release, though, I found another buzzword heard less often in the watch community: “Gorpcore”.  Just for the hell of it, I decided to apply some statistical analysis here to see if gorpcore in the watch world is something I’ve simply missed out on. I searched for the term in my email, and retrieved exactly two hits. The first, of course, ...

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Furlan Marri goes Aug 4, 2024

A Week in Watches Ep. 86 - Flying Saucers and Heavy Metal!

In Episode 86 of A Week in Watches, we take a look at three exciting releases from the past couple of weeks. Yes, it’s summer, so things are slowing down, but there has been a surprising amount of cool stuff to keep us interested. Timex surprised us with a space-age recreation of the Enigma, a fun, stylish, and affordable timepiece. Omega plays a game of metals with their newest bronze gold (and silver) watch to celebrate the 2024 Paris Olympics. And Furlan Marri goes for a spin with a vintage case shape. Check it out below and be sure to like and subscribe. Worn & Wound invites you to an excellent event on Saturday, August 17th in Oceanside, California. We’ve teamed up with the James Brand for a summer pop-up hosted in the James Brand’s new retail location. Running from 12pm to 6pm, the pop-up will include a showcase of their signature modern, minimal everyday carry products, as well as the last 10 units of their recent automatic GMT collab with Timex. Several excellent watch brands will also attend, including Artefkt, Brew Watch Co., Belmont Watch Co., Citizen, Lōcī, and Zodiac. It’s free, open to the public, and going to be a great time. Once again thats Saturday, August 17th from 12pm to 6pm PST at the James Brand HQ – 426 S Coast Highway, Oceanside, California. We hope to see you there! The post A Week in Watches Ep. 86 – Flying Saucers and Heavy Metal! appeared first on Worn & Wound.

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Aug 3, 2024

Watches, Stories, & Gear: Robotic Pants that Help You Climb, Tactile Turn Goes Synthwave, and Doctor Doom’s Comic Legacy

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear. Share your story ideas or interesting finds with us by emailing info@wornandwound.com. Tactile Turn’s Latest Seasonal Release  If you read this column regularly, you know that we’re huge fans of Tactile Turn’s regular seasonal releases. There are special runs of their pens, often in whimsical colorways with fun themes, that aren’t limited, per se, but have open order windows for a given period of time, allowing anyone to get in on a pen that feels special. The newest release is actually a pair of pens under their side click platform, “Day” and “Night” versions of “Vice.” According to the brand, the inspiration here comes from the synthwave aesthetic often associated with Miami Vice (both the classic TV show and the underrated Michael Mann film starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrel). These pens have a ton of personality and they’re available now via the Tactile Turn website.  Motorized Pants to Help You Up (and Down) a Mountain  Gear Patrol had a story recently that you might think was meant to be posted on April 1, but it’s actually very, very real. Outerwear brand Arc’teryx and Skip, a startup out of the Google ecosystem, have introduced a ...

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Omega s Aug 2, 2024

eBay Finds: A Pair of Great Vintage Omegas, A Collectible Swatch, and a (Possibly) Issued Military Watch

eBay Finds is back! This bi-monthly installment will feature a selection of watches currently listed on eBay that have caught the eye of editor Christoph McNeil (@vintagediver). If you come across any hidden gems on the ‘Bay drop us a note at info@wornandwound.com for potential inclusion! Vintage Omega Seamaster  Going to start off this week with a nice vintage Omega Seamaster with the classic ‘fat lugs’ case. The seller states the case is 38mm, but that must include the original clover leaf Omega signed crown, making the case about 35mm, which sounds right. The whole watch exhibits some wabi sabi, but this survivor looks original and genuine to me. There is some patina on the two-tone bullseye dial and the steel dauphine hands, but if you’re a fan of that look this might just be for you. So often Seamasters like this are polished and redialed, which is such a shame. This one has a caliber 354 bumper automatic that looks clean and the seller states it runs. Really a nice, genuine and unmolested example of the classic 1950’s Seamaster. View auction here Swatch “Lancelot” Vintage Swatches must be making a comeback because I keep seeing them for sale! What a fantastic piece of 1980’s nostalgia they are. This model is the Lancelot from 1986, and it’s in great original condition. Complete with the original band and box. Seller states it has a new battery and runs well. If you’re a Gen X’er like me, these bring back so many memories! Neon clothes, spiky ...

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Worn & Wound

Aug 2, 2024

All Roads Lead to Art for Custom Porsche Builder, Visual Artist, and Watch Modifier Rich Gonçalves of ROCS

The post All Roads Lead to Art for Custom Porsche Builder, Visual Artist, and Watch Modifier Rich Gonçalves of ROCS appeared first on Worn & Wound.

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Aug 2, 2024

Mid-Sized Dive Watches For Small To Medium Sized Wrists

Dive watches have always been popular, and it is no wonder nearly every brand must have one in their repertoire. People love owning overengineered things. This could be a car capable of reaching speeds well over 100mph, even though the highest maximum speed limit in the U.S. is 85 (in Texas), or a watch with a water resistance rating of 200+ meters, despite the maximum depth for recreational diving being only 40. Not to mention that most dive watch owners rarely get their timepieces wet. The advantage of wearing a rugged dive watch is that it can withstand more than just water; it can also protect against dust, humidity, sweat, and even baby drool, prepared to handle any adventure. We have curated a selection of medium-sized dive watches suitable for small to medium wrists now that the trend for oversized watches has waned. We even believe that individuals with larger wrists may find them appealing. Dive watches have always been popular, and it is no wonder nearly every brand must have one in their repertoire. People love owning overengineered things. This could be a car capable of reaching speeds well over 100mph, even though the highest maximum speed limit in the U.S. is 85 (in Texas), or a watch with a water resistance rating of 200+ meters, despite the maximum depth for recreational diving being only 40. Not to mention that most dive watch owners rarely get their timepieces wet. The advantage of wearing a rugged dive watch is that it can withstand more than just water;...

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Worn & Wound

Aug 2, 2024

Delma Releases a Limited Edition Chronograph to Continue their 100th Anniversary Celebration

Earlier this year we told you about Swiss brand Delma’s 100th anniversary celebration, which kicked off with the release of a limited edition tourbillon. Of course, plenty of brands release tourbillons and they are a natural for a celebratory watch, but very few come in at under $10,000, which the Delma did during its pre-order period (the full retail price is $13,900, which is still quite affordable for a Swiss tourbillon). Their latest effort, announced last month, has also been released to coincide with the brand’s centenary, but it’s a bit more modest in its focus. The new Heritage Chronograph 100 Years Limited Edition pays tribute to Delma’s long history of making chronographs in a handsome package that’s a bit more under the radar (and more affordable) than their release from earlier in the year.  Delma traces their history of making chronographs to the mid 1940s when the brand’s focus began to shift to sport oriented watches. Over the years, they’ve made watches for just about every sporting discipline that a well rounded watch brand would ever attempt, including dive watches, timepieces meant for racing of all kinds, as well as travel watches. The new Heritage Chronograph has several clear vintage cues meant to tie this watch to the brand’s earliest sports watches.  Like many WWII era and later mid century chronographs, the Heritage Chronograph features both tachymeter and telemeter scales at the dial’s outer perimeter. Red accents within the te...

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Grand Seiko Bring Back Aug 1, 2024

Two U.S. Exclusives from Grand Seiko Bring Back the Popular “Kirazuri” Dial Texture

While Grand Seiko’s history stretches back to the 1960s, the brand’s story in America is quite a bit more contemporary. Grand Seiko, for years, was a true hidden gem in the watch world, an insider’s secret that you had to be fairly deep into the hobby to stumble across in the days before the watch collecting “boom” that we’re still living through. It wasn’t until the Grand Seiko Corporation of America was formed in 2018 that the brand really put down roots in the United States. Obviously, from that point forward, Grand Seiko’s footprint has grown considerably, and we’re way, way past the point where anyone could credibly claim they’re an under the radar enthusiast’s secret. But for those of us who can remember a time well before their flagship NYC boutique, and before these watches were easily accessible anywhere in the states, their periodic US exclusive releases carry special significance.  The latest US exclusive limited editions, references SBGA507 and SBGA509, come at a time when Grand Seiko is experiencing enormous growth and success in the United States. These watches have been designed as a tribute to the very first US exclusive Grand Seiko releases, a trio of limited editions inspired by kirazuri, a traditional method used in Japanese woodblock printing that incorporates mica powder for a sparkling effect. Those limited editions have proven to be quite popular and collectible, so the release of the pair seen here should please collectors who...

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Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Aug 1, 2024

(Video) Incredible Watch Engineering from a Brand You Need to Know - Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force

The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force is not like other watches. At a glance, it clearly doesn’t look like them, but more importantly, it also works a bit differently too, featuring a first in watchmaking. To be clear, it still tells time with three hands, is operated by a crown, and has all of the movement components one expects to find on a watch, from a mainspring to an escapement. But it hides a very cool secret. Something that sets it apart. Hidden within is a little mechanism that helps it be more accurate. It’s not a complication, per say, as it doesn’t add any functions beyond time-telling, rather, it makes for a better watch. The Gravity Equal Force is one of a small handful of watches that attempts to address a fundamental issue with mechanical timepieces: variations in accuracy across their power reserves due to changing torque. As the power reserve diminishes, the torque, or force, decreases, the amplitude of the escapement falls, and the timekeeping becomes less accurate. Watchmakers have addressed this issue in various ways over the last few hundred years, which are often grouped together and referred to as “constant force” mechanisms. The Gravity Equal Force uses a simple, though uncommon, mechanism compared to typical “constant force” systems such as fuseé, chains, and remontoirs called a Geneva or Maltese cross. This mechanism prevents the watch mainspring from unwinding to the point where the torque and, thus, the accuracy really drop off. Ho...

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