The Best Chronograph Under $500 Is Now Even Cooler

Due to their more complex movements, chronograph watches are notoriously expensive. Opting for a quartz-powered chronograph over a mechanical one is a good way to shave off a significant portion of the cost, but it’s still quite difficult to find a desirable chronograph for less than $500.

But one brand that dominates in this challenging space is Brew, the coffee-inspired microbrand from New York City that was founded in 2015. Nearly all of the brand’s chronographs in its popular Metric and Retrograph lines are priced below $500, yet they’re still favorites among enthusiasts thanks to their unique and quirky design language and high-quality build.

Now, Brew has souped up its Metric with the aptly named Super Metric chronograph, and it may be the brand’s most attractive sub-$500 watch yet.

Brew

What makes this Metric super?

At its core, the new Super Metric is the same watch as the Metric. It has the same 36 x 41.5mm rectangular steel case, the same excellent faux-integrated bracelet, and it’s powered by the same Seiko Cal. VK68 meca-quartz chronograph movement.

So what’s so super about it?

The biggest and most obvious differences between the Metric and Super Metric chronographs are found on the dial. The Super Metric features a far more detailed and colorful dial than its predecessor, with new rectangular registers at six and nine, a colorful line art motif filling the space between the registers, and a new grain-textured dial.

Brew

The rehaut is now labeled with numerals from 00 to 55 to make it easier to track your chronograph seconds, and the indices have been redesigned with a new shape and improved luminescence. The “espresso shot timer” markings, a Brew signature, remain on the minute track between 25 and 35 — the optimal amount of time required to pull a shot.

There are a couple of changes outside the dial as well. The top pusher on the Super Metric is in anodized aluminum, bringing an unexpected pop of color to the case. The bracelet is now fitted with quick-release spring bars to make strap swaps a breeze. And the caseback now features a deeper and more minimalist engraving.

Brew

Pricing and Availability

With the Brew Super Metric’s improvements mostly being incremental and stylistic, the brand smartly kept the price of the watch nearly as low as the original Metric. Whereas the older watch is priced at $450, the Super Metric is priced just $25 higher at $475.

There are four colorways for the Super Metric — Burnt Orange, Electric Blue, Lumina Yellow and Royal Blue — all of which fully embrace the ’70s-inspired retro vibes and sense of fun the brand is known for. All four varieties are available to order now directly from Brew’s website.

Brew

Brew Super Metric

A more “super” version of Brew’s classic Metro chronograph, this watch boasts a redesigned and more dynamic dial, improved lume, a colorized pusher and a quick-release bracelet.

Specs

Case Size	36 x 41.5mm
Movement	Seiko Cal. VK68 meca-quartz chronograph
Water Resistance	50m

• $475 at Brew

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