I Put On the GEAR’D HARWARE Juggernaut & PROCEEDED TO WALK THROUGH WALLS
50 mm, about a mile high, and made to break through walls. The Juggernaut is some of these things, but not all.
Quartz/Electronic
Karl-Leimon Classic Pioneer Triple Calendar Moonphase
Karl-Leimon’s first watch model is the Classic Pioneer, a modestly sized and conservatively-styled dress watch. It proudly boasts its “Made in Japan” credentials, and that is part of what helps differentiate the Classic Pioneer from many of its quartz-powered microbrand peers.
On My Wrist: Akerfalk First Season
Akerfalk watches is a fashion-centric microbrand watch company based out of Sweden. The First Season, currently their only model, comes in many flavors and rings in at a reasonable $248 direct from their website.
My time with the First Season has been enjoyable for a number of reasons, in part because of its classic minimalist aesthetic and tasteful size. Another enjoyable part of my experience with the First Season is its personality, which is polished but quirky. Despite being a 40mm dress piece, I noticed that the watch caught the eye of a number of my friends and colleagues when I wore it to the office. It seems to be a hit- let’s check out why.
Timex Expedition Scout Review: Go On An Adventure!
Since 2013 I’ve reviewed almost every line Timex has released, but absent from the list has been the Expedition Scout. Finally, in a Black Friday inspired impulse buy, I decided to change that.
The Expedition Scout comes in many flavors, all of which are a variation of field watch theme. Military-inspired styling is evident as well, but especially so in some of the darker color schemes. The blue dial and tan leather combination I have here offers a taste without going whole-hog on the austere often associated with military style.
Hands-On: Nordgreen Philosopher Collection
There’s a place in every wardrobe for items of great design, and I’d posit to you that such a description is fitting for the Philosopher collection by Nordgreen. Styled by notable Scandinavian designer, Jakob Wagner, Nordgreen watches are meant to embody excellent design with an overarching focus on sustainability and social responsibility.
Nordgreen is a young microbrand with three collections: Infinity, Native, and Philosopher. All share a similar design language, though each is subtly unique in their own way. The two Philosophers I have here – sized 36mm and 40mm – are indeed quite attractive. Let’s check them out in more detail.
On the Wrist: Raymond & Pearl Horizon Aventure Green
In a competitive marketplace, upstart brands have a brief opportunity to get consumer attention. Whether it’s through brilliant advertising, word-of-mouth, or just via traditional reputation development, there must be something to make someone interested in you. In comes Raymond and Pearl, and they’re hoping to earn your business via the Horizon, a series where classic design mixes with the bold usage of color.
Let’s explore the Horizon together and see what this watch has to offer.
Photo Feature: MQT Horlogère Suisse Essential Four Ladies
Instead of my usual review, which I feel would be a rehash of my thoughts of the Gent, I thought we’d do something a bit different and snap a few lifestyle photos. My wife, Melissa, is a part-time model and full-time beauty and so it was her wrist I felt best to showcase this timepiece.
Review: MQT Horlogère Suisse Essential Four Gent
Priced at $229 USD as of the time of this review, the Essential Four Gent affords its wearer versatility via sapphire glass, a clean and minimal face (surprise!), and a quick-release leather strap. Style is conscious and reserved, boasting a good degree of attractiveness. Also worth noting is the use of the Swiss-made ETA 955.412 quartz movement, which alone allows the Essential to stand out compared to other microbrand watches following a similar formula.
So, while the Essential Four Gent is similar in nature to others, it stands above the majority due to its attainable price, excellent construction, and affordability. Let’s dive in and check it out in more detail.
Wearing the Timex Command Shock
Timex is one of my favorite watch brands and it’s with that context that I write this review of the Command, a 54mm wrist-dominating plastic and camo digital watch from the American king of digital watches.
Long guarding its pervasive position as the “tough watch” segment leader, Casio now finds itself directly in the crosshairs of Timex. The Command is Timex’s answer to the G-Shock, and there’s no mistaking that Timex clearly has the G-Shock in its sights.
Hands-On: BOLDR Venture
BOLDR Supply Co. is releasing the Venture – a sub-$100 Swiss-quartz powered watch – with an expected ship date of November of this year. Pre-orders are taking place right now. They asked if I’d be interested in showing the Venture to my readers, and after assessing the watch hands on, I am happy to give you a look.
This is a pre-production unit, but if it’s representative of the final product, the Venture will be a good watch to buy.
Scurfa Watches Diver One
Several weeks back a reader emailed me asking if I’d ever seen a watch from Scurfa Watches hands-on. Scurfa, a microbrand based out of the UK, is owned by Paul Scurfield. A North Sea pressure diver, Paul created Scurfa in order to build dive watches that gave divers high-end capability… but at an affordable price.
Scurfa is a two-person brand – my favorite kind of company – and so I decided to buy a Diver One Blue and get my feet wet. Let’s dive in.
Undone Urban Tropical Sahara
UNDONE is an independent brand that has taken a unique approach to their watches: customers can customize their watch – changing cases, dials, casebacks, and even engraving initials – via UNDONE’s website watch builder. Fans of customization rejoice!
Priced at $345, the Urban Tropical Sahara is within the scope of what most would consider a “nice watch”. This is the first UNDONE I’ve seen hands-on, so let’s not waste any time in having a closer look.
Citizen Promaster “EcoZilla”: One Serious Diver!
Powered by an Eco-Drive quartz movement, and with styling only an underwater welder could love, the Promaster BJ8050-08E is one of the few watches I’ve come across where the photos do not at all demonstrate the entirety of it.
Hands-On With the James McCabe Heritage Retrograde
Six weeks back I received an e-mail from Drew Meyer, who represents several watch brands. Among them is James McCabe, a highly-stylized microbrand that is doing what brands like Lucien Piccard should have done. Not long after that e-mail, the Heritage Retrograde arrived at my doorstep – courtesy of Drew – and it has commanded my interest ever since.
As the photos within this review will undoubtedly show, the Heritage Retrograde – a sub-$300 quartz casual watch – is among the most excellently styled (and stylized) watches I have come across in a good long time (if not ever). The real question is: is it a good watch? I suppose you’ll have to read on to find out.
Timex Waterbury Classic in Rose Gold
The Waterbury collection is Timex’s dressier line of affordables, with timeless styling and a multitude of options in terms of sizes, straps/bracelets, and color schemes. On my wrist here is the is the Classic 36mm in rose gold and brown crocodile-grain leather (model: TW2R72500VQ), which is a unisex dress suitable for most occasions.
With an MSRP just north of $100, the Waterbury Classic is an affordable and upscale looking watch that fits in most circumstances. Thanks to its size, it’s also a unisex watch that is equally comfortable on the wrist of a man or a woman (as Melissa and Don demonstrate here).