These Are the Watches We’re Obsessing Over in May 2019

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.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39

It’s easy to be a snob about “entry-level” when making a painful purchase. After all that sweat and creative budgeting, it’s hard to settle for the base model. The white dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 ($5,700) may be the least expensive introduction to the brand, but there’s nothing about it that feels basic. No date, arguably the best bracelet in the business, and the soft white dial highlights the height of the lumed indices. For me, it’s the OP39’s simplicity that showcases high level of finishing. –Brian Louie, Head of Commerce

Abercrombie & Fitch Oversize Vintage Chronograph

Ahhh, the pre-90s. You know, back when Abercrombie & Fitch was an American institution and one of the greatest outdoor retailers in the world. Well, those days are long gone, but, if you’re sentimental, you can pick up this Abercrombie-signed chronograph. With its 38mm case, Valjoux 22 3-register movement and gorgeous dial, it’s a beautiful reminder of another era. –Oren Hartov, Assistant Editor

Seiko Prospex Mini Turtle SRPC37J1

Like many watch fans, I love the Seiko Turtle. The Seiko “Mini Turtle” SRPC37J1 is also a dive watch that shares that chelonian case shape and resultant nickname, but it’s a bit different — and not actually that “mini.” Its slightly reduced size of 42mm nevertheless goes a long way in making it supremely wearable and versatile. It’s distinctive in other ways, inexpensive, and quite possibly a watch one could wear daily and exclusively for years. –Zen Love, Staff Writer

Lorier Falcon

Every time I see Lorier’s simple yet sleek Falcon sport watch show up in my feeds, I can’t help but pause and admire it. There’s something so elemental with this timepiece that places it squarely in that just-one-watch realm, which is endlessly alluring. And when you take into consideration its elegantly textured dial and flawlessly tapered bracelet, at that price point, I feel like it’s just an amazing find with all the right cues. –Kyle Snarr, Head of Marketing

Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacturer

Every category of my future watch collection has a grail piece, and of course, a more realistic iteration. Low-key FC style and an in-house complication combine with classic sizing to make this my front runner. The Green Dial is even more subtle in person, and in my opinion goes toe to toe with far pricier options. –Tim Murray, Account Executive

Grand Seiko Spring Drive Snowflake SBGA407 (Blue Dial)

If the Night King had a luxury timepiece it would probably look something like the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Snowflake, in all its glory – with a brand new ice blue dial. Shifting away from titanium for the first time, this iteration of the iconic Snowflake possesses a steel case and is slightly smaller than the original at 40.2mm versus 41mm. The crocodile strap option also gives it a more subdued look which makes for a dressier aesthetic. The watch is of course Powered by Spring Drive, Grand Seiko’s unique caliber, complete with a power reserve indicator and date function. I like it. –Alyx Effron, Account Executive

Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph

I remember seeing the original Divers Sixty-Five at Basel several years ago and thinking it was my favorite watch of the show, Pateks and Audemars be damned. The original’s combination of retro good looks, Swiss-movement (the Sellita SW200-based Oris Calibre 733) and thin profile — a manageable 40mm width and just 12.86mm thick — for a mere $1,900 made it an immediate contender for most stylish bang-for-your-buck daily watch.

Five years and countless Divers Sixty-Five iterations later, the new, series-produced Chronograh makes things bigger (43mm), more complicated (Oris 771/Sellita 510 chronograph) and notably more expensive ($4,000 on the leather strap, which is how you want it) — not typical selling points in my book. But the packaging and details are impeccable, from the beautifully proportioned bezel width to the applied rose-gold PVD indexes to the elegant domed crystal; it’s a handsome two-register design, eye-catching but clean, which is harder than it sounds.

The Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph is a different proposition entirely than the original that I still love so much. But in its own way, it’s an equally seductive execution of an inherently good design — almost, anyway.–Josh Condon, Deputy Editor

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