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So here’s what we’re going to do: Each month, we’re going to take a look back at the most relevant goings on in the world of horology — for the most part, this will just mean new watch releases and not, like, insidery industry news no normal people care about. We’ll try our best to cover watches at various price points because, while we would all no doubt like to drop $50k on a watch, it’s just not possible for everyone.
Oh, and we know lots of new watches were announced at SIHH this month. We wrote about the best of those here.
Without further ado, then, let’s get on with it.
Ball Watch Company Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II
Ball is not the most widely known watch manufacturer in the world, but we promise, if you stick around here long enough, you’ll become familiar real quick. Why? Because their watches are absurdly well made, totally unique and a relative bargain. For the past year or so, they’ve been introducing new models online and offering discounted prices when you pre-order. Their most recent launch is the AeroGMT II, which follows the design language of other popular GMTs out there, with the bi-color bezel, but it also features some touches that are classic Ball: the chunky crown protector, the tiny logo on the short side of the seconds hand, and, of course, the best lume in the business. It’s 40mm, so it’ll fit lots of wrists, but if it’s anything like other Ball divers we’ve worn, it’s got some serious heft to it.
Shinola Vinton Collection
In some ways, Shinola’s new line serves the same purpose as the Club Campus — it’s a perfect first “nice” watch for a recent grad whose parents can’t, or won’t, drop thousands on a gift. With its simple dial and manageable 38mm, it won’t draw too much attention but it’ll convey a certain level of put-togetherness. As a nice bonus, the back of the case can be engraved. We recommend the version with the tan leather strap.
Nomos Club Campus Neomatik Series
Since being unveiled during Baselworld 2017, the Campus series has been a huge win for Nomos, serving as a perfect entry-level offering for young creative professionals who value style and good taste over flashy statement pieces. They’ve just announced three new additions to the line, featuring the brand’s in-house neomatik caliber DUW 3001 movement. There’s a 39mm version with a midnight blue dial and a textile strap that is a total looker, and two white-dial versions (36mm and 39mm) that come on Nomos’s first-ever steel bracelet.
Unimatic U1 for Mr. Porter
The Italian company Unimatic has a reputation for hard-wearing, rugged watches that are good looking, surprisingly original in their design, and affordable, to boot. Their popular U1 line of divers is updated here with a Mr. Porter exclusive in a really cool bright blue. It’s extremely wearable at 41mm, and it comes with a matching extra leather strap for when the nylon is a bit too casual.
Pharos Sentinel
It’s not often we throw our support behind Kickstarter campaigns for new watches, but we’ve really taken a liking to this one. With a design inspired by lighthouses, the Sentinel features a fully lumed dial with what almost looks like a spider web overlay. We’re loving the white-dial version on the brown leather strap, but they all look pretty great. At the current price of $539, it’s a hell of a deal, considering it packs an automatic Sellita SW209 movement. And the luminescent logo on the crown is a nice touch.
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