These Are the Watches We’re Obsessing Over in September 2020

As watch lovers, we spend our afternoons poring over watches both new and vintage. When a new timepiece comes across our radar, one that particularly resonates with our tastes, we can’t help but obsess over it. So, here’s a taste of that process — seven timepieces that our watch-loving staff are obsessing over right at this very moment.

Grand Seiko SBGE205

Grand Seiko

Earlier this year, just as we were beginning to understand just how bad things were going to be, I wrote about my obsession with GMT watches. My west-coast family was on my mind, and it struck me as romantic to have some physical reminder of it and that three-hour difference on my wrist. Months later, with social feeds populated with anxious stories of evacuation, photos of a blotted out sun, and maps showing an encroaching fire line threatening homes — it still very much is. The only difference is I’ve been eyeing Grand Seiko more these days after learning about Spring Drive technology. -J.D. DiGiovanni, Associate Editor, Editorial Operations

Tudor Date-Day ref. 9540

Those Watch Guys

If you want a Rolex Day-Date, you’re gonna have to fork over thousands and thousands for a model that only comes in precious metals. Not so for the Tudor version, which is available in various steel iterations. This beautiful ref. 9540 from the ’70s comes on a Rolex-signed Jubilee and features a slightly patinated silver dial with tritium lume. At under $3k, it’s a bargain compared to, say, a Rolex ref. 1803. -Oren Hartov, Associate Editor

Seiko 5 SNKL88

Amazon

I wanted to keep my first automatic watch purchase on the inexpensive side, and I landed on this Seiko 5 model. I like that the gold-toned stainless steel is kind of flashy in a gaudy way, but the black dial is genuinely beautiful to look at. The movement is fantastic, and I’ve spent plenty of time admiring it through the clear case back. It’s hard to go wrong with a Seiko 5, and I absolutely love wearing this particular model. -Scott Ulrich, Editorial Associate

G-Shock GMW-B5000TB

G-Shock

My attraction to this over-$1,000 titanium G-Shock made to look like a circa $100 plastic G-Shock is, admittedly, odd. You probably either already get it or never will. With Tough Solar (solar charging) and a proper positive (dark on light) display, this is essentially the perfect, though basic, G-Shock in its classic form. But sapphire crystal along with a titanium case and bracelet with a matte black treatment to mimic the look of the original “resin” seem like the tribute and respect this iconic watch deserves. Though it spares no cost for premium features, it’s still lightweight, comfortable and as unpretentious as the original. -Zen Love, Staff Writer

Junghans Meister Classic Terrassenbau

Junghans

Minimalists go gaga over Junghans. Now they have something new to gawk at. The Junghans Meister Terrassenbau manages to incorporate a number of references to its namesake, the brand’s renowned Terrassenbau building in Germany’s Black Forest. The minute markers are an homage to the building’s wall decor and the dark green strap evokes the colorway of the stairways’ wall tiles. The most obvious reference to the brand’s former manufacture is the depiction of the building on the case back. For a minimalist watch, there are a lot of significant details. -Tyler Chin, Associate Staff Writer

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