Five of Ricardo’s favourites from Windup Watch Fair NYC 2022
Ricardo SimeThis past week, New York City became the centre of the watch world as it hosted two major watch events. One of those, Windup Watch Fair, was hosted by our friends over at Worn & Wound. Spread across 14,000 square feet, dozens of brands displayed their creations, offering guest first looks and a direct buying experience that is quite rare in today’s digital age. After spending hours roaming the space, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight five watches that stood out to me.
Lorier Zephyr
An affordable modern classic. Those are the words I would choose to describe Lorier’s latest offering. The tonneau-cased Zephyr has Art Deco vibes written all over it, with its blued hands and guilloché-patterned dial.
Seeing as Windup Watch Fair was my first chance getting some one-on-one time with the reference, I really wanted to get it on my wrist. The crown, something I usually lament as being too small on watches similar to this, is easy to manipulate. And the dimensions are perfect (even on my 7.5inch wrist) with the fit and finishing definitely standing out beyond its price range. Overall, Lorier has created a very compelling piece.
| Brand | Lorier |
| Model | Zephyr |
| Case Dimensions | 31mm x 8mm x 42mm |
| Case Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire 7 Layer AR-coated underneath |
| Dial | White (pictured), Black, Red |
| Straps | Leather 18mm |
| Movement | Automatic Miyota 9029 |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available Now |
| Price | $499 USD |
Serica 8315 GMT Chonometre
The Serica 8315 gets as much chops for what it isn’t when compared to what it is. It isn’t another GMT making use of those all too familiar colours. Instead, the 12-12, day-night ceramic bezel breathes fresh air to the GMT complication, creating an aesthetic that is unique while still remaining versatile. Move in to the dial, and you’re still met with all the trademarks of Serica design that makes them popular, placed on top of a glossy and attractive enamel dial.
Overall, the 8315 is a perfect example of a brand interpreting a complication perfectly through their own design. And I’m all for it.
| Brand | Serica |
| Model | 8315 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm x 12.3mm x 46.5mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel in regualr or Destro configuration w/ Ceramic Bezel |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
| Crystal(s) | Double Domed Sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Black Enamel Dial |
| Straps | 20-14 Leather Strap |
| Movement | Automatic Soprod C125 |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours (hours, minutes, seconds, second timezone) |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | 1 575,00€ |
Abingdon Co Amelia Watch
What if I told you there was a 15-year-old, female-run (and owned) watch brand that caters to female pilots, racers and divers? Would you believe me or would you think I’m lying because you haven’t heard of them? Well, I’m not lying. Abingdon Co. has been around since 2006 and has a repeat customer base that would make some Swiss companies blush. Run by Abingdon Mullen, the brand is a classic example of creation coming from need. When she couldn’t find a pilot watch that suited her needs and wants, she decided to create her own watch brand.
My favourite piece from her would have to be the Amelia. It’s a classically styled, well-built, pilot’s watch with a flight computer. Copious amounts of lume. Touches of pink. Putting this on the wrist and knowing that a bunch of pilots actually wear this adds to the cool factor.
| Brand | Abingdon Co |
| Model | Amelia |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 13.2mm x 48mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Black, White or Steel |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Strap | 20mm leather with Stainless Steel bracelet option |
| Movement | Ronda 505.24H Swiss Quartz |
| Power Reserve | 45 months |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second timezone, slide rule |
| Availability | Available Now |
| Price | $419 USD on Strap, $485 on Bracelet |
William Wood Fearless Collection
The guys at William Wood London really know how to translate their design ethos to a watch, while still making it wearable. The new Fearless collection – their version of a field watch – really shows this off. The dimensions are on point while design cues like the charcoal-textured dial and upcycled strap really drive home the fireman theme. In hand and on the wrist, the watch feels well-built and tough. The best way I can describe the overall experience is that the Fearless feels like it would run into a burning building to save other watches.
| Brand | William Wood |
| Model | Fearless |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel with IP Stealth black plating |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 13.8mm x 45mm |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dials | Textured Charcoal Black with Red, Orange or Yellow trim. Rose Gold hands and applied indices. |
| Strap | 20mm made with upcycled firefighter gear |
| Movement | Automatic SeikoNH35 |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, Date |
| Availability | Available Now |
| Price | $1057 USD |
Fears Brunswick 40 Blue
Everyone seems to be trying their hands at a sports watch. But not everyone is Fears. Translating their “elegantly understated” design into a sports watch could not have been an easy task. Yet with the Brunswick 40, that’s exactly what they did. From the sharp and faceted highly polished hands to the “catch even the smallest amount of light” numerals, the watch is still unequivocally Fears. But add to that the five-link bracelet and extra 50 metres of water resistance when compared to the 38mm models, and a sports watch star is born.
| Brand | Fears |
| Model | Brunswick 40 Blue |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 11.06mm x 11.06mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Fears Blue, Pink or Silver |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Strap | 5 Link Stainless Steel Bracelet |
| Movement | Automatic Top-grade ETA 2824-2 |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available for preorder |
| Price | $4200 with Vat $3500 without |
Honorable Mention – The Atelier Wen Perception
Though Atelier Wen wasn’t an exhibitor at Windup Watch Fair, the brand benefitted from those who were in attendance. For many, this was the first time we got to lay hands on their recent creation, the Perception. Our very own Fergus Nash reviewed the collection back in April, yet with shipments right around the corner, this gave me a chance to revisit this integrated sports watch. And the experience did not disappoint.
The biggest takeaway from my time with the Perception is how hard the brand is working to make sure the final shipped watch is exactly what they want. We were shown an earlier sample, with it being compared to something more recent. Fit and finish had been meticulously inspected. Even their micro adjust clasp received some further refinements.
So if you made the leap and preordered the Perception, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the final watch.