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Doxa Sub 200 Professional Review: No One Needs a Diver, but...
Doxa was founded in the famed Le Locle region of Switzerland by twenty-one-year old Georges Ducommun in 1889. I guess that’s impressive. When he was 21, he was a true watchmaker, and created a brand that would outlive him by almost an entire century. When I was 21, I was pushing a car up a mountain during a blizzard, but hey, it’s fine. Maybe in the next life, Georges can reach my level. Doxa initially distinguished itself through alarm watches, anti-magnetic watches
Jilliano Romano
Jan 26


Brew Watch Review: A Brand Built for the Coffee Break
As a coffee enthusiast, I was naturally excited when a brand called Brew appeared on the watch scene. Of course, “Brew” could mean almost anything — or nothing at all — as many brands choose names based compulsively on sound rather than meaning. After all, Rolex doesn’t have any inherent definition, but it certainly rolls off the tongue. In this case, however, Brew is very much a nod to coffee, as the company’s founder, Jonathan Ferrer, is a genuine coffee aficionado.

Bryan
Jan 19


Vacation Watches: Why Did We Choose Them?
It’s that time of the year, where a new year starts and we all venture back to the office for the classic 9-to-5. However, the weather is warming, the sun is out longer, and spring is just around the corner, and with it, the potential for a new vacation, if, of course, we have enough vacation days left.
It can be a surprisingly fun activity to choose watches specifically for your holiday, even if your non-watch collector friends think you’re completely insane. Going on a
thewatchbrief
Jan 13


Watches 0f 2025: F1, World Timers, Land Dwellers, and Wayward Tudors
As the year comes to an end, and our bank accounts briefly swell with our bonus before being emptied to purchase gifts for our loved ones, let’s take a look back at some of the watches that were released in 2025.
This list will be divided by our favorite releases, our least-favorite, and releases that made us go, “Huh, well, that’s… interesting.”
thewatchbrief
Dec 15, 2025


Minerva Flight Chronograph: A Vintage Treasure in Palermo
There was nothing ostentatious about it, yet something in the quiet dignity of that display made me stop. The glass was slightly dusty, the labels handwritten, but the aura was unmistakable: this was a place where time had chosen to linger.
And then my eyes caught it. A Minerva. A white enamel dial glowed softly behind slightly curved glass. The black Breguet numerals and blued hands seemed suspended in time; the typography alone could have been a study in restraint. I sto
thewatchbrief
Nov 20, 2025


Omega Seamaster 300M Review: Permanently in the Collection
I often think of luxury watches as time machines you carry on your wrist: they measure the passing of hours, yes, but more importantly, they preserve moments. My Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, ref. 212.30.41.20.01.003, bought new from an authorized dealer in 2012, doesn’t just tell time. It tells us that time once stood still.

Bryan
Nov 11, 2025


Interview with MINIM: A Rising Star in the Watch Industry
Like many other microbrands, Minim was created from an enthusiast’s desire to create watches for the most important customer of all - oneself. Chloe has a career she loves in Finance, so creating the brand is not a money grab. After all, if making an abundance of money was the ultimate goal, Chloe - and any other watch enthusiast - could probably tell you that starting your very own brand from scratch is not a great idea.
Jilliano Romano
Oct 22, 2025


Winter Watches: More Important than Summer Watches?
It is important for a winter watch to be slim, so that it can easily fit underneath a sweater sleeve or a thick jacket without protruding outward like you have something on your wrist that is very excited to see your significant other. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have a dress watch, but it does rule out a lot of great, somewhat thicker divers like a Seiko Monster, Seiko Tuna, Seiko Arnie, Seiko - wait, I promise this isn’t an Anti-Seiko article!
The next is
Jilliano Romano
Oct 17, 2025


Friendzoned Watches: It's Not the Watch, It's Me.
Imagine the “friend zone.” We’ve all been there. It’s that awkward place where you adore someone’s vibe, you laugh at their jokes, you even gush about them to your friends, and yet you know, deep down, they’re never making it past “platonic brunch buddy.”
Watches have their own friend zone, too. These are the brands and models we admire from a safe distance.
thewatchbrief
Oct 9, 2025


Watch News: New Baltic, Slow Nomos, Expensive Timex, & 39% Tariffs
It sometimes feels as if there is a brand new release from a major brand every week, which also means that there is a brand new release from a microbrand or a notable independent every other day. Unfortunately, we can’t keep track of all of these new watches, but we can at least highlight a few of our favorite releases, updates, or industry-related news.
Let’s start it off with one of our favorite microbrands.
thewatchbrief
Oct 1, 2025


Formex Essence vs. Reef: Living with Two of the Best
Being in the watch media and brand collaboration space, I often get the chance to handle some incredible pieces.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending time with two standout models from Formex: the Essence Chronometer (in that striking gamaret) and the Reef Diver Chronometer (in blue). While they share some DNA, they bring very different personalities to the wrist.
Let’s break them down.
thewatchbrief
Sep 26, 2025


My Grand Seiko White Birch: The Rollercoaster of Letting Go
Buying a new watch is an experience wrapped in both excitement and anxiety. Honestly, spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on something that’s “just a time-telling device” feels like a bit of a gamble. I catch myself wondering, Am I making the right call? Of course, logically, a watch, no matter how fancy, isn’t worth its price tag. But here’s the thing: logic rarely wins against passion in this hobby.

Bryan
Sep 20, 2025


Knis: The Japanese Microbrand That Deserves Your Attention
KNIS is a Kyoto-based Japanese microbrand founded by Niii Keisuke, offering high-quality automatic watches at affordable prices. With models like the KN001-RD, featuring a sunburst red dial, sapphire crystal, Miyota 8215 movement, and strong everyday wearability, KNIS proves that microbrands can compete with major players.
Jilliano Romano
Sep 12, 2025


Vostok Amphibia: How I Learned to Stop and Love the Watch
Switzerland, Germany, and Japan are often considered the holy trinity of watchmaking, each with a rich heritage and distinct style of horology. For over a century, enthusiasts have proudly sought out a “Made in” label from these countries, treating it as a badge of honor. Yet, there’s another nation with a surprisingly enduring presence in watchmaking - Russia.
Jilliano Romano
Sep 5, 2025


Watch Microbrands: Are They Worth it in 2025?
Are you frustrated with the games and tricks from Authorized Dealers? Tired of the new dial colours on preexisting models being the centerpiece of a brand’s yearly releases? Has your bank account finally given in under the strain of $1,000 or more watch purchases?
If the above resonates with you, a microbrand might be the right fit. Microbrands offer some of the greatest value in watchmaking, along with innovative designs and a great deal of novelty.

Bryan
Sep 1, 2025


The Yema Superman GMT 500: Heritage & Soda
This guest review of the limited edition Yema Superman GMT 500 was written by watch reviewer Robbie from RobbieandWatches, who has reviewed everything from obscure microbrands to brands that seem to produce grail watches exclusively. Learn more about this GMT diver from the French independent brand now!
thewatchbrief
Aug 29, 2025


Hamilton Khaki Titanium: The Only Titanium Watch You Need
The Hamilton Khaki Titanium is my first titanium watch, and it’s been an absolute dream except for one small issue. Is it a deal breaker?
Jilliano Romano
Aug 22, 2025


Vertex: The Revival of a Dirty Dozen Brand
An in-depth look at the revival of original Dirty Dozen brand Vertex, and how these over-engineered WWII field watches are poised to take the watch industry by storm.

Bryan
Aug 15, 2025


The Great Date Window Debate: Is Less Really More on a Watch Dial?
Watch lovers don’t always agree. That’s part of what makes this world of ticking hands and sweeping seconds so addictive. We argue about quartz versus mechanical, obsess over lug widths, and spend far too long wondering whether an exhibition caseback belongs on a dive watch. But one topic seems to split the room more than most: the date window.
Some see it as a practical touch. A little square of utility. Others see it as a design compromise, a blemish on an otherwise balanc

Bryan
Aug 8, 2025


Tag Heuer is on the Right Track
In March of 2025, Tag Heuer made the polarizing decision of re-releasing their extremely popular neo-vintage quartz Formula 1 watches to commemorate becoming the official sponsor of F1. If you can detect a touch of sarcasm behind that sentence, it’s because the writing had been on the wall ever since their limited edition collaboration with fashion brand Kith became a roaring success. However, the new and improved Tag Heuer F1 seemed to split the watch enthusiasts into two ca
Jilliano Romano
Aug 8, 2025






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