Two Broke Watch Snobs
One Watch for Everything: 14 Hands-on Reviewed Picks Under $1,500
Looking for one watch that can handle nearly everything? These 14 hands-on reviewed picks balance comfort, durability, versatility, and character.
22,158 articles · 216 videos found · page 47 of 746
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Looking for one watch that can handle nearly everything? These 14 hands-on reviewed picks balance comfort, durability, versatility, and character.
Hodinkee
Independent watch retailer Collective Horology LLC filed legal action against President Donald Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and a host of other government officials and departments, alleging the administration's new tariff duties are "unlawful," lack congressional approval, and harm American business. The Ventura, California company, in a lawsuit filed in the United States Court of International Trade on July 24, alleges Trump and his deputies, in imposing tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods imported into the U.S. under Section 301 of the Trade Act, exceeded the President's authority to unilaterally levy such measures. The lawsuit represents the most aggressive response yet by the watch industry that has been financially kneecapped by the levies that have exacerbated an economically challenging environment that includes a strong Swiss franc against the U.S. dollar and record precious metals prices, a key input in luxury watchmaking. Many of the most high-profile watch brands raised prices in response, while retailers have taken a hit on margins. Collective Horology co-founder and CEO Asher Rapkin. Photo courtesy Collective Horology. Founded in 2018, Collective sells independent watch brands including Armin Strom, Czapek, Fears, U.S.-based J.N. Shapiro and Ming, among others. The company has paid more than $160,000 in tariff duties under various schemes imposed by the Trump White House and U.S. Trade Representative Greer, says co-founder and Chief Exe...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Our review of the Nodus Sector II Field Titanium explores its lightweight titanium case, Sequoia dial, bracelet, and whether it redefines the modern field watch.
Worn & Wound
Long before the doors opened on Friday morning, a line had already formed outside Morgan MFG. Some attendees had traveled across the city, others across the country, all eager to see more than 70 watch brands, reconnect with friends, meet the people behind their favorite companies, and spend a weekend immersed in watch enthusiasm. By the time the doors closed on Sunday afternoon, one thing was clear: this was our biggest Windup Watch Fair Chicago ever. Over three incredible days at our new home in Morgan MFG, Windup Watch Fair Chicago welcomed its largest attendance to date, setting a new benchmark for the event. Thousands of enthusiasts, collectors, industry professionals, and first-time visitors filled the show floor, creating the unmistakable energy that has come to define Windup. The move to Morgan MFG proved to be the perfect next chapter for Chicago. The spacious venue gave us room to grow while maintaining the welcoming, community-first atmosphere that makes Windup special. Flooded with natural light and just steps from Fulton Market, it quickly became one of our favorite venues yet. More than 70 exhibiting brands brought hundreds of new releases, fan favorites, prototypes, and limited editions for attendees to experience firsthand. Whether someone was buying their first mechanical watch or comparing the latest releases from independent brands, every table offered the chance to discover something new. Incredible Partners Helped Make It Happen A weekend like this sim...
Monochrome
Recent financial statements by industry institutions and groups have been on the positive side, with what seems to be a comeback of growth, after a couple of rather difficult years for the watch industry. Indeed, Richemont reported sales up by 20% for its first quarter of 2026, the Swatch Group indicated sales up 8.5% in […]
Monochrome
There’s a new indie watch brand on the scene. It seems that we’re telling this story every week. Sometimes, or should I say rather often, these new ventures are coming with pretty fascinating inaugural watches. So is the case of Atelier Pieters, a company founded by couple Maarten and Jessica Pieters. Two watchmakers, one workshop, […]
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Skip watches that only excel in one setting. Find the best watches for people who want one watch to do everything, from office days to weekends away, and more.
Worn & Wound
Swiss indie BA111OD has introduced a new version of their Chapter 7 integrated bracelet sports watch featuring a skeleton dial. BA111OD has quietly been building a reputation these last few years for challenging long held conventions about value and what can be expected at certain price points (they make tourbillons starting at around $10,000). While the brand was founded in 2019, the family behind it has a watchmaking lineage that goes all the way back to the 18th century, so their perspective is shaped by both traditional Swiss watchmaking values and modern design sensibilities. I’ll be honest, my first reaction to the core Chapter 7 watches when they were initially introduced was essentially a shrug of the shoulders. Certainly there was nothing wrong with it, but it seemed to me to be yet another integrated bracelet design, an idea that has quickly become generic in these years following the Royal Oak and Nautilus boom. Somehow, though, with the skeleton version of the Chapter 7, first seen with an anthracite PVD treatment, the watch seemed to come together for me. I’m a sucker for a well executed skeleton treatment on a sports watch, and BA111OD’s approach, with cantilevered indices over a solid rehaut surrounding the open dial, makes for a legible and easy to digest presentation. Last week, BA111OD unveiled a new version of the Chapter 7 Skeleton with a natural steel finish that they say is inspired by the summer light in Neuchâtel, where the brand is based. ...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Our hands-on review of the KommandoStore Elektronika 55B Melody Watch explores its vintage-inspired design, melodies, comfort, and value.
Time+Tide
Every independent watch brand has an origin story, but few begin with a husband being told he owns too many watches. Santurce Collection was founded by husband-and-wife team José and Anita, united by a passion for watches and a desire to represent Puerto Rico through their own designs. Long before there was a brand, Anita … Continued
Two Broke Watch Snobs
The Lorier relaunch brings back the Neptune diver, Astra dress watch, Falcon field watch, and Hyperion GMT. Pre-orders July 27.
Fratello
Admit it: you have one too! The mythic grail watch lives rent-free in any watch enthusiast’s mind. It’s that one watch that would be the pinnacle of our collecting lifestyle, fulfilling our wildest horological dreams. Maybe it could even be the endgame watch, finally keeping our hungry bellies filled forever. Unfortunately, we’re fighting our biological […] Visit Grail Creep — The Myth Of The Endgame Watch to read the full article.
WatchAdvice
Vacheron Constantin have bolstered their 34.5mm collection, but is ‘small’ the new ‘mid-size?’ Let’s find out! What We Love: A compact but unisex sizing Remarkable quality-of-life features Gorgeous red dial What We Don’t: A big ask for a small watch No Geneva Seal on the movement Can 34.5mm be considered midsize? Overall Rating: 9/10 Value for Money: 8.5/10 Wearability: 10/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 8.5/10 The effects of a shrinking watch world have been felt across all brands. No, not ‘shrinking’ as in fewer watches, but rather the growing trend towards smaller case sizes. Everyone from the highest levels of luxury to the most obscure microbrands has shifted to accommodate the change, and, as a result, it has redefined what constitutes a ‘small’, ‘medium’, or ‘large’ watch. This isn’t an uncommon occurrence in the industry. In the past, even 40mm designs were often referred to as ‘jumbo’. As proportionality has become a greater priority for consumers, it has become just as important for watch brands. Vacheron Constantin, despite its age, has proven remarkably adept at responding to these shifts. In 2023, the brand introduced a new 34.5mm size to its flagship Overseas collection. Sitting between the significantly smaller 30mm models and the more traditionally masculine 41mm cases, the 34.5mm joins the collection as its ‘mid-size’ offering. It’s an unusual size for a watch, especially one positioned as the middle ground within...
Monochrome
Leica’s relationship with mechanical watches is still relatively young (even though some watches have existed during the 1990s), yet it has a solid foundation, as we explained in our article here, and in an interview with Dr Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG, who has been a key player in […]
WatchRider
I own both the Citizen Garrison and the TAG Heuer Autavia WBE5116.EB0173, and the difference between them goes far beyond price. The Citizen Garrison uses Citizen’s light-powered Eco-Drive movement and a remarkably light Super Titanium case, while the TAG Heuer Autavia is a Swiss automatic pilot watch with a COSC-certified Calibre 5 movement, a 42 mm steel case and a distinctive blue smoked dial. One is accessible and practical, designed for easy daily ownership. The other is a discontinued premium model with strong aviation heritage. That makes this an unusual but revealing comparison. Can an affordable Citizen Garrison provide the same wrist presence, legibility and everyday enjoyment as a significantly more expensive TAG Heuer Autavia? And how much do the Autavia’s automatic movement, finishing, heritage and premium positioning actually change the ownership experience? In this comparison, I will examine their design, comfort, materials, movements, readability and real-world value. For anyone searching for the best affordable pilot watches, or wondering whether an affordable pilot watch alternative can compete with a premium Swiss model, these two watches offer a fascinating answer. Case Size, Quality, and Comfort Both watches are very well made, but I sincerely prefer the Citizen’s case. The TAG Heuer Autavia has the solid construction and clean finishing expected from a premium Swiss watch. Its stainless-steel case feels substantial, and the transitions between i...
Monochrome
In 2024, German brand Hanhart went beyond its traditional pilot’s watches with the Aquasphere, a dive watch that combined robust specifications with the brand’s distinctive design. The new Aquasphere Matte Black, fundamentally unchanged, brings a darker, more restrained execution that emphasises functionality over flair. It swaps the original blue colourway with a black and white […]
Fratello
When I went hands-on with the Ulysse Nardin × Urwerk UR-Freak late last year, I walked away genuinely surprised, and that doesn’t happen to me much anymore. I never saw that partnership coming. Ulysse Nardin had never made a collaboration watch in its modern history, and Urwerk has always felt like a creative universe of […] Visit Five High-End Watch Collaborations I’d Love To See Happen to read the full article.
Worn & Wound
For the last several years, Islander has been a fan favorite at all the Windup Watch Fairs. Now, you can experience the same energy that Marc Frankel and his team bring to the Fairs right here in Brooklyn too. Join us and our friends from Islander on Thursday, August 6th from 6:30–8:30 PM in the […]
Teddy Baldassarre
An in-depth review of the Grand Seiko SBGH376 "Sakura-Wakaba" watch with original photos, analysis, and price.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Timex Deepwater Meridian 200 vs Rolex Submariner: a hands-on comparison of how much of the dive watch experience $260 really buys.
Hodinkee
Haim Watch Company, a Chicago-based microbrand, marked its fifth anniversary in 2025 by introducing an intriguing new timepiece called the Annum. I first saw the watch last fall at the WindUp Watch Fair in New York City, where the brand's founder, M. Zakir Miah, brought along a prototype that immediately caught my attention. Visitors at the event received a sneak peek of the Annum alongside previous creations like the Viajero worldtimer, a model I reviewed last year. Since that initial preview, the Annum has undergone a bit of an evolution, including a subtly redesigned case and a few small tweaks to the dial. In its final iteration, the Annum offers a compelling complete calendar watch that punches well above its weight and continues what Haim Watch Company has achieved with its Viajero: creative, supremely wearable takes on complications that stand out the price point. The Annum comes in three dial variations. "Dark Cobalt" and "Stone White" are solid-colored dials with a sunken-in CNC guilloché center section and applied hour markers on the grained outer dial ring. But when it was time to pick which variant I'd spend some time with for this hands-on, it was the semi-transparent "Fumée" dial that I wanted to see, and it wasn't even close. From afar, the Fumée iteration reminds me of the dials of great skeletonized perpetual calendars of old, thanks to the display of the module underneath the smoked PVC (plastic) dial. On this dial, the subdial rings and minutes track ...
Teddy Baldassarre
The Santurce Collection is a watch microbrand based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico and has gained a reputation for its tool watches around the $1,000 price.
Teddy Baldassarre
An authorized retailer of watches from TUDOR, Grand Seiko, OMEGA and more, Teddy Baldassarre is your destination to learn watches and discover your next watch.
Teddy Baldassarre Videos
An authorized retailer of watches from TUDOR, Grand Seiko, OMEGA and more, Teddy Baldassarre is your destination to learn watches and discover your next watch.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Entry-level dress watch or Swiss step-up? Our hands-on Timex Marlin Draper vs Mido Commander Datoday comparison shows where your money actually goes.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Our hands-on review of the Citizen Promaster Navihawk explores its wearability, Eco-Drive movement, and why it became a serious one-watch contender.
Fratello
In an age when luxury brands seem incapable of subtlety, there is something deeply seductive about a watch dial that says… nothing at all. Just form, texture, proportion, and confidence. Increasingly, some of the coolest watchmakers in the world are discovering that the ultimate flex is silence. It is a fascinating reversal of decades of […] Visit The Ultimate Flex: When Watch Brands Leave Their Names Off The Dial to read the full article.
WatchRider
If you’re a fan of cinema and horology, there’s a new collaboration that needs to be on your radar. Releasing right alongside Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated summer blockbuster, the Hamilton x The Odyssey limited edition watch is a masterclass in storytelling through design. Nolan and Hamilton have a legendary history together think of the famous “Murph” watch from Interstellar or the custom digital piece from Tenet. Designing for a Mythic Era The Khaki Field Auto “The Odyssey” Limited Edition takes Hamilton’s classic 42mm Khaki Field platform and completely reimagines it through the lens of ancient Greek mythology. Here is how Hamilton brought the ancient world to the wrist: The Material: The traditional stainless steel case is swapped out for warm bronze. Not only is this historically fitting for the armor and weaponry of the era, but it means the watch will develop a unique, personalized patina as it ages. The Dial: The vertically brushed black dial features a subtle bronze-toned pattern around the perimeter, directly lifted from the texture of Odysseus’ helmet (played by Matt Damon in the film). The Hands: Instead of standard pointers, Hamilton opted for bronze-colored, sword-shaped hands that reference the hero’s legendary blade. The 12 o’clock index is even modeled after a rivet found on his sword’s scabbard. The Caseback: Flip the watch over, and you’ll find a lightweight titanium caseback engraved with Odysseus’...
Worn & Wound
“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear. Digger Trailer is Here You really have to give it to Tom Cruise. Nothing – and I mean nothing – can get that man down. From teen hearthrob to divorcing Nicole Kidman to inexplicably being his own stuntman, this man has lived a lot of lives. And now, we see another side of Cruise as the trailer for his much anticipated upcoming film Digger dropped. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Digger stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, an oil baron trying to convince the world he can save it from a catastrophe set off by one of his own company’s projects. The film is set for release on October 2, 2026, with a truly stellar cast that includes Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D’Arcy. While Cruise will undoubtedly be praised for being classically good-looking and acting with prosthetics to look worse, make sure you don’t forget those heroes who have paved the way, like Charlize Theron in Monster and Eddy Murphy in The Nutty Professor. Twitter Turns 20 This week marks the 20th anniversary of Twitter which, like many, I refuse to refer to as X. Undoubtedly, Twitter has shaped the course of the 21st century in a variety of ways: culturally, p...
Monochrome
India is huge, as is its appetite for watches. The history of watchmaking in the country, whether on the production or distribution side, is relatively recent but rapidly growing. Helios Luxe, part of Titan, distributes 45 brands and targets the accessible luxury segment. We recently sat down with Diny Markose, the CEO of the group’s watch […]
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