As watch lovers, we spend our afternoons poring over watches both new and vintage. When a new timepiece comes across our radar, one that particularly resonates with our tastes, we can’t help but obsess over it. So, here’s a taste of that process — six timepieces that our watch-loving staff are obsessing over right at this very moment.
Mk. II Paradive G3 Fat Bar Date, 12-Hr Aluminum
Vintage military watches are fun to collect, less fun to maintain – they often feature mechanical movements that can’t be inexpensively serviced and less-than-ideal water resistance after all those years in the sun and sea. The Paradive Gen. 3 from Mk. 2 is an updated version of the Benrus Type I/II that features modern materials and appointments, and I can’t think of a better contemporary take on a classic model that was originally only available to military and paramilitary personnel. The watch is available with both 60-minute and 12-hour bezels and with or without a date, so there are plenty of choices for semi-customization. — Oren Hartov, Assitant Editor
Omega Speedmaster BC345.0802
After Andrew wrote that article on the Japan-exclusive Speedys to commemorate the 2020 Tokyo olympics I went down a bit of a rabbit hole. Specifically: the gold Omega Speedmaster rabbit hole. There have only been about a dozen of them (learn more: here) and some are fantastic (the classic 1980 345.0802 and the insane-o-rare and completely perfect black-dialed MIR 3197.50), but I love stupid shit, and the undisputed stupid-shit champion is reference BC345.0802, which is that same 1980s gold speedy but done in hilariously understated white gold. One of the 20 or so in existence hammered for $85,000 at Christie’s last year and if you bought it, I’d like to buy you a beer. — Henry Phillips, Deputy Photography Editor
Triwa Humanium Watch
I am by no means a “watch guy” — I merely own a Freestyle Tide Shark I wear surfing. But when Swedish watchmaker TRIWA launched a Kickstarter campaign this summer for a watch made with Humanium Metal, my ears perked up. Humanium Metal is melted down metal from illegal firearms confiscated in conflict-torn areas. A portion of the profits go back to where those firearms were collected to help the victims of armed violence. Not only does this watch strive to make a difference, but it looks crisp with contrasting metal treatments and punched dial indices. — Ryan Brower, Content Producer, Gear Patrol Studios
Unimatic U1-EN
Unimatic’s U1-EN is simple in appearance, but a durable workhorse when it comes to function. It’s waterproof to 300M and features Unimatic’s BGW-09 SuperLuminova lume. Each watch is made in Italy and limited to 300 pieces. Best of all, the watch warrants a four-figure price tag but slides in at only around $733. — AJ Powell, Assistant Editor
Grand Seiko SBGR253
Grand Seiko, for me, is one of those manufacturers that just gets everything right. I’ve been obsessed with some of the models the brand rolled out as collectors have been paying more and more attention to them over the past five years. But the one I’d maybe commit a crime for is the discreet, elegant SBGR253. It looks simple at first glance, but there’s a subtle depth in its design that gives the wearer a lot to discover. It has a beautiful combination of polished and unpolished stainless steel on both the case and bracelet that make it suitable for a pretty wide range of occasions. Plus, its movement boasts a pretty robust 72-hour power reserve. You could take this thing off Friday after work, and on Monday morning it’d still be ticking. — Justin Fenner, Senior Associate Editor
Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze 43mm Blue Edition
I’ve been obsessed with this watch ever since my wife gave me the Tudor Black Bay Bronze last year for our first anniversary. I was never a big “watch guy” despite having a couple of friends who really were. Leading up to my wedding, I got it stuck in my head that I needed to have a great watch for the wedding. Call it my version of the wedding dress. I looked at dozens of watches in several stores and online and just nothing popped, not from a price perspective and certainly not from a style perspective. Looking back, I am surprised Tudor never made it onto my radar. Thank god for my wife, though – she hit the nail on the head. I love this watch and now all I want is the special edition so I can have my summer/beach watch and my everyday watch. — Jason Davis, Sales Director
Rolex OysterQuartz DateJust
Yeah, nearly four grand on a quartz watch. I am all about that, seeing as this is, literally, the Rolex of quartz we’re talking about here. And though quartz never really proliferated throughout the rest of the Rolex lineup, The Crown did seem to acknowledge that the technology was the future. Nowhere is this more apparent on the watch than its sleek integrated bracelet and case profile. My (overwhelmingly positive) feelings on integrated bracelets are well-known at this point so it should be no surprise that I genuinely think this is one of the best-looking Rolex watches ever made. That’s reason enough to cop this battery-powered bad boy, regardless of how apprehensive the watch community is to the technology. — Andrew Connor, Staff Writer
Watches We’re Obsessing Over in June 2018
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