Retro and vintage have been the watch world’s prevailing winds for years now. Those timepieces from the ’60s and ’70s are cool and popular, but they were created to reflect the technology and spirit of their time — and sometimes it feels like our generation is lacking its own watch design and style. So where are modern watchmakers to take inspiration from?
In the last year (and even in the past week or so), there have been more examples of watches with video game, virtual reality or similar themes to the extent it might even smell of a mini-trend. Yes, some of them also play to retro nostalgia, but others are firmly futuristic. There’s a lot of creative possibility in the concept. Here are some new and recent examples that, at the very least, offer something you don’t see everyday.
CourtesyCD Projekt T‑2077 Cyberpunk 2077 x Błonie Watch
Polish video game maker teamed up with local watchmaker Błonie on a special watch for its Cyberpunk 2077 game. To watch nerds, “cyberpunk” evokes mechanical clockwork, while this style of digital LED watch feels straight out of the ’70s. And yet, it seems to fit right in to the game’s near-future universe.
CourtesyBrew Retrograph 8-Bit Watch
This week, our favorite coffee-culture-inspired New York watchmaker Brew introduced a playful new version of its Retrograph watch with a pixelated theme based on ’80s arcade games. Even the chronograph hands have a funky, pixelated execution unlike any you’ve likely seen before. You gotta smile at something like this, and the brand keeps it as affordable and wearable as ever with a Seiko Mecaquartz movement and 38mm diameter.
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