This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear rounding up the most notable releases of 2021. For more stories like this, click here.
Sure, we’ve come a long way since 2020 — which seemed, in more ways than one, like the end of the world. But maybe you wanted to ease back into normality in 2021 and, you know, not spend all your hard-earned cash on a statement piece. Or maybe you have that statement piece and you just want something you can throw on and bang around? Well, that’s perfectly fine, and we’ve got you covered. These are some the best affordable watches of 2021.
Rec Watches TTT Great Escape
REC Watches
REC WatchesPresented by Rec Watches
Rec Watches is all about the three-pronged concept that shapes its name: “Recover. Recycle. Reclaim.” It’s that spirit that drives every watch it releases, including — in this case — its first-ever moto-inspired watch collection. This release is far from just any motorcycle watches however; the TTT Great Escape is built with a genuine piece of cinematic history. Recycling the original clutch plates and connecting rods from Steve McQueen’s signature 1962 Triumph TR6 Trophy from The Great Escape, Rec Watches’ TTT Great Escape uses one of the most memorable motorcycles in history to literally craft an entirely modern luxury timepiece. Building those salvaged materials from the Triumph bike directly into the dial, the team at Rec Watches also included nods to McQueen’s on-screen ride via the dark-green color scheme used on the dial, rotor and strap inner lining. Movie buffs will also spot the bike’s license plate (WH-13371) featured at 5 o’clock on the inner dial. Outside of homages to The Great Escape, Rec Watches’ TTT watches also feature a practical dual inner-outer case construction that lets the wearer turn the entire dial to switch between RIDE and DRESS modes; RIDE mode shifts the 12 o’clock marker 30 degrees for easy legibility even when on the go. As an exclusive to Gear Patrol readers, Rec Watches is offering 10 percent off with the code GEARPATROL10.
Price: $1,995
