SECONDS OUT A S T H E WAT C H I N D U S T R Y N AV I G AT E S A N U N FA M I L I A R B U T B U O YA N T P O S T- L O C K D O W N L A N D S C A P E , M AT E R I A L S A N D S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y H AV E P R O V E D L U C R AT I V E TA L K I N G P O I N T S . H E R E W E LO O K AT S O M E O F T H E M O S T I N T R I G U I N G R E C E N T R E L E A S E S
Words: Martin Williams
SCHOFIELD
The Bronze Beater B4 is Schofield founder Giles Ellis’ love letter to Japan, and a watch more densely packed with Japanese touches you are unlikely to find, well, anywhere really. On the reverse is a caseback etched with a traditional Japanese Durama-san doll, the Japanese symbol for luck emblazoned on its chest, while the design also includes the gingko and cherry blossom motif used on a Tokyo drain cover. The dial is made of Indigo-dyed Japanese Boro patchwork cloth, while the strap is made from Japanese Mudcloth. And the automatic movement inside the heavily patinated 44mm bronze case? That, at least, is Swiss. £3,280, schofieldwatchcompany.com
BALL
Ball’s Engineer Skindiver II Heritage offers the brand’s 1960s-inspired dive watch a covert, matte black makeover with a Titanium Carbide coating on its 42mm stainless steel case and bracelet. Paired with a black dial and a sapphire crystal-topped unidirectional bezel,
the only opportunity for colour comes from Ball’s signature, self-powered micro gas tubes. Hands and hour markers are rendered in a candycoloured assortment, while green tubes are inlaid into the bezel illuminating its minute scale. Limited to 390 pieces, the watch is water resistant to 200 metres. £1,750, ballwatch.com
