Nordgreen Pioneer Chronograph
Simple designs can be the hardest pull off effectively, but Nordgreen have had no troubles with the Pioneer Chronograph. Jakob Wagner, the internationally recognised designer, has managed to bridge the gap between function and aesthetics with a cleanly styled watch that has an uncluttered dial and a smooth 42mm case available in silver, gold or gun metal – winning the 2020 Red Dot award. However, it’s not only the design that’s clean, Nord Green is also committed to social and environmental responsibility, each sale supporting charities like Water for Good and Cool Earth.
The Specs
- 42mm stainless steel case with 50m water resistance
- Japanese quartz movement
- From £219, available at Nordgreen.
Atelier Jalaper AJ002-B
There aren’t many cars more iconic than the Aston Martin DB5 and none when it comes to British marques. You could certainly choose worse places from which to draw inspiration – and, for Atelier Jalaper, some of their watchmaking materials. The AJ002-B combines a dial made from the bonnet of a DB5 with a dashboard inspired layout and, in this version, a black PVD case and you have a distinctly modern twist on a distinctly British motoring legend.
The Specs
- 40.5mm stainless steel case with 30m water resistance
- Miyota 8285 automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve
- €1,150 EUR (Approx. £1,000), available at Atelier Jalaper.
Furlan Marri Havana Salmon
Rather than sit idly by through lockdown, Swiss designer Andrea Furlan and Middle Eastern collector Hamad Al Marri did the unthinkable: they started a watch brand. Enter Furlan Marri and their impeccably designed collection of vintage-styled chronographs. Aesthetically they hit the nail on the head – especially in the ludicrously lovely Havana Salmon – and in terms of accessibility their quartz movements make these the perfect impulse buy. Needless to say, they hit their Kickstarter goal worryingly quickly, but there’s still time to back them yourself.
The Specs
- 38mm stainless steel case with 50m water resistance
- Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement
- $485 USD (approx. £350) for Kickstarter backers, available at Furlan Marri.
Echo / Neutra Averau 39 Moonphase
When Italian Alpine watch designer Echo / Neutra launched their initial Averau model in 2019, it hit its Kickstarter goal in 40 minutes. A follow-up is overdue. This new 39mm model is relatively similar, yet the downsizing makes for a slightly more charming timepiece, particularly when it comes to their effortlessly modern moonphase. Powered by a Sellita SW280-1 automatic movement and particularly handsome in black, it’ll set you back just 790 Euros at full retail, less on Kickstarter. Sure the small seconds is a little more streamlined, but with prices like that why not go for the top-end version?
The Specs
- 39mm stainless steel case with 100m water resistance
- Sellita SW280-1 automatic movement with 38-hour power reserve
- €790 EUR (approx. £690), available at Echo / Neutra.
Bradley Taylor Paragon
One half of Canadian brand Birchall and Taylor, Bradley’s first solo watch venture is a horological heavy-hitter, at least where the finishing is concerned. The overall design is beautifully traditional with a couple of quirky dial colours in light blue and purple with lovely La Tornade guilloche. The secret though is that those dials are made by Comblémine, the studio of legendary finishing maestro Kari Voutilainen. With contrasting 2D, laser cut hands Vaucher movement, this is a serious piece right out the gate for Taylor. Definitely one to watch.
The Specs
- 39mm stainless steel case with 120m water resistance
- Vaucher 5401/32 automatic movement with 48-hour power reserve
- $22,000 USD, available at Bradley Taylor.
Vero Open Water
The States continues to be a hotspot for cool, modern Microbrands and Vero is a good illustration of just why that is. Their funky, sporty timepieces cut their teeth on the brand’s local Oregonian landscape and their latest release, the Open Water is no different. Split between the high contrast Crown Point, inspired by the Columbia River Gorge, and the monochrome North Coast with its fog-coloured matte case, they’re every bit as practical as your usual diving watch but with their own individual twists – a navy dial here, flashes of sky blue there. The North Coast is our favourite, but then we’re suckers for monochrome.
The Specs
- 40mm stainless steel case with 200m water resistance
- Sellita SW-200-1 automatic movement with 38-hour power reserve
- $875 USD (approx. £640), available at Vero.
