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.
Oris Aquis Date New York Harbor Limited Edition
We almost went two weeks without an Oris release. Almost. Oris is quickly approaching Grand Seiko’s pace for releasing special dials. This offering is made in partnership with the Billion Osyter Project, a non-profit looking to restore New York Harbor’s oyster population. The watch is a standard Aquis Date 41.5mm with a frosted bezel with raised polished markers. For the limited edition, the dial is green mother of pearl, and watch comes on a bracelet with an additional matching green rubber strap. The watch is powered by the Oris 733 (base Sellita SW200). Limited to 2,000 pieces at $2,700 from Oris.
Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex
The gents at Bremont have teamed up Bimini Shark Lab and Bremont ambassador, surfer Laird Hamilton, for a new take on its Supermarine Waterman. The 43mm Supermarine Waterman Apex is 16.5mm thick and modifies 2018’s Supermarine Waterman with a black bezel, black dial, and blue accents. The watch comes on a matching blue rubber strap or on bracelet. The watch is powered by the Bremont caliber BE-93-2AV (base ETA2893-2), which has a GMT hand tied to the hour hand (not independent). As with all Bremont divers, this is a thick watch; I love the styling, but the sheer height has always kept me away. Plus, given it’s a limited edition, I think Bremont should’ve offered a single option with both straps included. A percentage of the proceeds from each sale will go to the Bimini Shark Lab, which focuses on the study and conservation of sharks. Limited to 250 pieces at $5,095 or $5,595 from Bremont.
Kudoke Kudoke 2 in Blue
Independent watchmaker Stefan Kudoke has just rolled out a sixth dial color for his beloved Kudoke 2. The model that won the Petite Aiguille at 2019’s GPHG (essentially an award for the best “affordable” watch—priced between CHF 4,000 and CHF 10,000) has been available in a number of dials but blue has been conspicuously absent, given its broad appeal and popularity. The 39mm watch is a master class in refinement, with handmade components including the unique handset and the even more unique sun and moon 24-hour indicator at 12. The in-house handwound Kudoke 1 caliber has a 48-hour power reserve and is inspired by antique pocket watch movements, hand-finished with frosting and filagree. (This week, Kudoke also released a gold-dialed LE of this in collaboration with The Limited Edition UK). Available by special request at €9,718 from Kudoke.
Breitling Superocean Automatic
Breitling seems to have expanded the Superocean line, though the branding isn’t entirely clear. These new designs take inspiration from the brand’s historic Superocean Slow Motion from the 1960’s, with plenty of modern updates. Like most SOs, they are powered by the Breitling B17 (base ETA 2842-2) and will be offered in a range of colorways, with a range of strap and bracelet options, in sizes from 36mm to 46mm. There’s also a limited 1000-piece Kelly Slater version with a bright orange dial. I originally thought this model was replacing the current lineup, because there’s no branding to distinguish them, as there is with the Heritage subline; my response to that was rage (my first draft of this blurb categorized the new releases as “vintage-inspired, flavor-of-the-week nonsense”). Thankfully, they just seem to be an expansion, and a pretty fun one at that. $4,600 to $6,700 from Breitling.
Christopher Ward C60 Atoll Special Edition
After what’s seemed like a never-ending string of entirely new models, Christopher Ward has returned to its C60 line with the new C60 Atoll Special Edition. Featuring an azure-blue, lacquered dial apparently inspired by the atolls of the Indian Ocean, the watch seems timed perfectly for summer. It’s got a 40mm Light-catcher case, a Sellita SW200 movement, and top grade Super-LumiNova. The Atoll LE is available on a hybrid rubber, #tide recycled strap, or bracelet. It’s fun, it’s pretty, and I’m here for it. Limited to 350 pieces starting at $595 from Christopher Ward.