Brew Watches: Independent Brand Discussion

Jay (Eire) initiates a compelling discussion on Brew Watches, a brand that has garnered significant attention for its distinctive design philosophy. His post delves into his personal encounters with the brand, including a conversation with founder Jonathan Ferrer, an industrial designer whose background deeply influences Brew's aesthetic. Jay highlights the brand's journey and specifically points to the Metric - Retro Dial as a model that consistently captures his interest, inviting the community to explore this unique independent watchmaker.

I have a had a couple of encounters with Brew Watches in the last few months, including getting to chat with the founder. 

Jonathan, the founder, was also recently on Hodinkee Radio and talked through some of his story and how he got the brand to where it is today.  Jonathan is an industrial designer by training and had worked in the watch design space prior to launching Brew.  

I’d been aware of the watches since they launched and the Metric - Retro Dial has been the one that consistently catches my eye. 

You’ll note the main register for the chronograph is actually at the 10 position, a little quirky.  Also, the original inspiration for the watches and designs is coffee, coffee time, espresso machines and so you’ll see some of that expression in the watches.  

Honestly, I’m not sure if that is something that registers with me despite a decent familiarity with the subject of coffee shops, the morning coffee ritual and some home brewing too.  Honestly for any watch the design inspiration matters little to me, it being neither a positive or negative, all I care about is whether the end result is something that appeals to me.  

In this instance some of the watches appeal to me, others don’t.  Specifically for the Metric the case, both design and size (36mm), and the pops of colour on the dial definitely appeal to me.  It has that 70’s Omega vibe to me, but obviously a lot less expensive and maybe more playful with the colours. 

I haven’t bought one to date because I did not see them in person until somewhat recently and the reference which I like, the Metric - Retro Dial, is a meccaquartz.  

I don’t have an issue with the meccaquartz, or quartz in general, but I kinda promised myself that I wouldn’t buy any more quartz watches after the Furlan Mari watches (also meccaquartz) I purchased at launch a few years ago.  

And this restriction is only because I know what I will do (or not do actually) when the battery runs out.  I have numerous quartz watches and some end up sitting without replaced batteries for far too long.  

Anyway, a few days ago I happened to be in a regular place of mine and there just happened to be a box of Brew Watches sitting there.  Not as coincidental as it sounds, as both Jonathan and I utilize this same space from time, but a great opportunity for me to see several of the watches together. 

It reinforced my initial choice from pictures and social media of the Metric - Retro Dial being the one that sings to me.  But seeing them in the metal the Metric - Steel and the Metric - Black and Gold Carbon also appeal. 

Now, there also exists a non chronograph automatic (Seiko movement) Metric in PVD and without the date.  Right now, even though my preference is the Retro dial, I’d probably buy this version.  

The other model is the Retrograph, not something that sings to me at all.  And it doesn’t seem like a good match for my wrist either.  There were two versions in the box but I’ve only taken a wrist shot of the Retrograph - Technicolor.  The other model you see in the picture is the Retrograph - Espresso.

A few final words on the Retrograph.  

Brew recently launched a (now sold out) version of the Retrograph called the Relic.  This was done in collaboration with Alton Brown (of Iron Chef America, Good Eats fame among other things) and has a “espresso-esq”patina.  I didn’t see this version in person, only in pictures but it looks very cool if the patina vibe is something that appeals to you. 

The oxidation process on the Relic ensures each dial is essentially unique and so as with other projects like this which we have seen I will guess there will be some dials that really appeal to people and others not at all.  [Note : I did ask Jonathan (Founder of Brew Watches) about this and he told me that they actually photographed each dial and so buyers could see the dial (and choose among those available) prior to purchase.  Smart idea.]

The other cool little feature of this edition is the strap, a bund like strap, which is handmade in New Jersey.  Again, I’m not a bund guy but on this watch the combination looks very neat. 

Anyway, here are some pictures of the “box of Brew” I happened upon.  (Again, minus the Relic mentioned above). Also below are a few wrist shots from several weeks back when I bumped into Jonathan (the Founder) and some other Brew Watch owners.  One of the owners is wearing another automatic Brew Watch called the Retromatic, it is a release from a number of years ago.  

** Just to note.  I have no affiliation with the brand, but I like watches (like the rest of us) and I do appreciate and own several micro brands.  Most of what we share and discuss here is on the higher end, but the growth of the micro brand in the last decade or so has really been something to watch.  I think many of us own, wear regularly and appreciate watches across the price spectrum and Brew is one such offering.