Here’s your digest of all the new watches released this week. Instead of boring you with spec-by-spec descriptions of every release and trying to dazzle you with deep thoughts and insights, this simple digest gives you the basics plus our two cents—sometimes so brief it’ll seem like just one cent. You’re welcome.
Yema Superman 500 with Yema Calibre 2000
Yema has announced big upgrades to its Yema Superman 500 collection (we’ve got one on hand and will have a review soon). Available in blue and black dials (the latter of which has cream-colored lume), the Superman 500 now features the brand’s in-house Yema 2000 caliber and a robust 500m water resistance. On top of that, there’s a new double-domed sapphire crystal and the crown action has been improved (I can say it’s one of the smoothest winds I’ve ever encountered). The Yema Superman 500 is available in 39mm or 41mm and comes on your choice of bracelet, rubber strap, or leather strap. The first 200 pieces of each color will be numbered, but the models are not limited. Available June 29 at $1,049-$1,219 from Yema.
Laventure Automobile Chronograph
I have to say it: This release was a huge disappointment. When Laventure announced that it was working on a chronograph, it was exciting to think about what they might come up with—and then we got this. The brand had already taken heavy inspiration from the Patek Philippe Nautilus for its cases. Why then so blatantly incorporate the subdials of another iconic watch, the Rolex Paul Newman Daytona (to say nothing of the out-of-place screwdown crown and pushers)? There’s no question about the high-quality finishing and with a 40.5mm diameter and 14.4mm thickness, it’s sure to wear well for an automatic chronograph (it features a movement developed for Laventure by Chronade, with a Debois Dépraz chronograph module on top). But this release makes you wonder: is it inability or an unwillingness that keeps Laventure from creating its own designs? Limited to 99 pieces at CHF 8,200 from Laventure.
Damaska DC76/2 and DC86/2 Chronographs
Damasko has released new versions of its existing DC76 and DC86 models. The new /2 models are cleaner versions of the originals, with shorter hour markers, and no white circles around the subdials. The DC76/2 has a fixed steel bezel, while the DC86/2 has a 12-hour bezel. Both watches feature 100m of water resistance, are powered by the mostly in-house automatic Damasko C51-6 (based on the ETA 7750) and are available on black or brown leather. Look closely at the subdials and you’ll see running 24-hour indicator at 3, 12-hour counter at 6, and running seconds at 9. What makes the 42mm watches special is their use of central chronograph hands for both seconds and minutes. The DC86/2 is priced at €3,841 (incl. VAT) while pricing for the DC76/2 is TBD, from Damasko.
Delma Montego Chronograph
Delma writes that its updated Montego Chronograph is thinner than the preceding iteration, but at 16.2mm, it’s still quite the beast. The tonneau case with a slight chamfer won’t help it wear any slimmer on the wrist, so this 42mm steel case is probably best left to the large-wristed…or those who laugh in the face of traditional notions of fit. The watch is powered by the automatic ETA 7750, which accounts for some but not all of the thickness (there are other 7750 chronos out there that are under 14mm). The watch comes on Cordura or a five-link steel bracelet. $2,650-$2,750 from Delma.
MeisterSinger Neo Green and Neo Plus Green
The MeisterSinger Neo and Neo Plus are now available in a brilliant sunburst green dial. At 36mm, the Neo is the brand’s smallest watch, featuring its usual 12-hour, single-hand display with the addition of a date window at 6 (for the Neo Plus, the window sits above the ‘6’ instead of replacing it as on the Neo). Both watches run the automatic Sellita SW200 with 38 hours of power reserve. As mentioned in our recent review of the MeisterSinger N°01, these watches aren’t for everybody, but can provide a break from the ultra-precise, set-to-the-second watches that normally find their way onto our wrists. The new Neos will be available at the end of June. €1,150-€1,250 from MeisterSinger.
Corum Bubble Skull X-Ray
Corum released the Bubble Skull X-Ray last year to celebrate the Bubble’s 21st anniversary—its “coming of age,” as they said. The only thing that’s new this year is the addition of a green seconds hand and the luming of the minute track. It remains 18.5mm thick with 24mm lugs, and is powered by the automatic CO 082 movement (base Soprod A10). What’s cool about the watch? The skull, the chapter ring, and the green stitching on the strap are all lumed. Limited edition of 666 pieces at $4,000 from Corum.
Fears Brunswick 40 Topper Edition
Watch forum advertiser, authorized dealer for all the brands, and collaboration kings Topper Fine Jewelers have teamed up with British brand Fears for a special edition of the Brunswick. The Topper Edition enlarges the case from 38mm to 40mm and features a California dial with applied lumed indices. The watch comes in white or black, with the black featuring yellow accents, including the seconds hand. Topper has also switched from the handwound ETA 7001 to a top-grade automatic ETA 2824-2. For my part, I think the black and yellow version is a bit cheap looking and inconsistent with Fears’ aesthetic, but I find the white dial quite lovely—that said, collaborations like this allow for brands to step outside their usual design constraints. The bump in size and the change to an automatic movement are sure to draw a lot of new customers in, and I hope this builds greater overall interest in Fears. Limited edition of 25 pieces in each color at $3,900 exclusively from Topper Fine Jewelers.
Norqain Independence 22 Skeleton
Norqain is looking to establish a more permanent Independence collection. To date, the collection has consisted of two limited editions. One of those was a DLC skeleton, which sold out almost immediately. That’s the watch from which the new Independence 22 Skeleton has evolved. Now with a solid stainless steel case, the 42mm watch features a chronometer-certified, skeletonized NN08S movement (base Sellita SW200-1 S) and Super-LumiNova® C1 X1 lume on the hands, hour markers, and chapter ring. The watch comes on Norqain’s steel bracelet. While this release is certainly a cool one—300 are available at launch but it won’t be limited—what’s more exciting is the establishment of the brand’s third permanent collection and what they’ll do with it. $3,990 from Norqain.
Nomos Ahoi Atlantic and Ahoi neomatik Atlantic
Nomos has given its Ahoi Atlantic line up a face lift. The dials have all received a bluer blue, as well as now having lume on the hands, numerals, and hour markers. The hour markers now appear as orange blocks with a green frame. As with the entire Ahoi line, the watches are water resistant to 200m, the most of any Nomos. The 40mm Ahoi Atlantic is available with or without a date via in-house movements (DUW 5101 and 5001), while the Ahoi neomatik Atlantic features the in-house automatic Neomatik movement with Nomos’ swing system. All are available on a nylon strap or the brands steel bracelet. This update brings not just a nice bit of color, but with the added lume, more utility for those seeking a bit of adventure. $4,060-$4,660 from Nomos.