Beaufort Permian Rift Snowflake Obsidian
I first saw a Snowflake Obsidian dial on a Cartier Panthère, which puts the Permian Rift from Beaufort in good company. Snowflake Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass, meaning every dial has a natural fractal pattern, and Beaufort pair it with small running seconds and polished hands and indexes – powered by a micro-rotor calibre with slim profile. It takes a familiar dress watch blueprint and quietly flexes with materials Cartier and Piaget have played with at ten times the price.
Price and Specs:
Available at Beaufort.
Aryon Minimal Enamel Automatic Green Limited Edition
Though it’s not enamel in the true vitreous sense, the dial on the Aryon Minimal Enamel Automatic Green has a distinctly Moser-esque vibe thanks to its dark green fumé finish. The dial is created using a lacquer technique fired at far lower temperatures than traditional enamel and produced by Berlac AG, the Swiss specialist behind surface finishes for several major brands. Paired with a 41mm steel case, matching green leather strap and an exhibition caseback, it nails the contemporary dress-watch formula.
Price and Specs:
Available at Aryon.
Feynman the Feynman VI
Singaporean microbrand Feynman has launched the Feynman VI in seven variations, four brushed dials, one onyx, one textured and one in Cigar Leaf because why not? The retro TV-case inspiration is clear, but what stands out is that this is their thinnest mechanical watch yet at just 8.64mm, with a compact 40mm x 38mm profile. Inside is the hand-wound ETA 7001, a movement that powered ultra-thin watches from Omega and Junghans before it became a microbrand favourite.
Price and Specs:
Available at Feymann.
Anders & Co AC2 Volcan
An ultra-slim quartz dress watch rendered in bronze or steel with plain or stone dials, including Lapis Lazuli, Tiger’s Eye and Jade. The AC2 Volcan from Anders & Co enters a crowded category but lands with a refreshingly Scandinavian restraint. The quartz Miyota 9T22 inside is barely thicker than a coin, letting the cases stay razor-slim.
Price and Specs:
Available at Anders & Co.
Eugene Kim x Tayeb Boussalia Vertixphere X1
Arguably Korea’s first true haute horology watch, the Vertixphere X1 from Eugene Kim and Radcliffe’s Tayeb Boussalia is a specs monster with indie charm. The in-house EKTB-01 brings a hyperactive retrograde second, open-worked bridges, a vertical escapement and a six-day reserve, all beneath a full sapphire dome for excellent visibility. With a crown at 12 o’clock for manual winding and only 30 pieces made we’re excited to see this brand’s future.
Price and Specs:
Available to pre-order at Eugene Kim.
Did you write this before the Aryon controversy broke? The issue with their “enamel” was so bad that they’re offering owners 60% refunds just to keep the watch.