Brew has had quite a run with their Metric chronograph. When the watch first appeared in the summer of 2021, it was clear that the brand had a hit on their hands, but it’s grown into what I think could fairly be called full fledged phenomenon status. Brew founder Jonathan Ferrer has found nearly endless ways to change up the look of the watch with different dial colors and coatings to the case and bracelet, and an automatic version was released last year that could prove to be a jumping off point for a slew of new more complicated Metrics. Through all of these releases, the Metric has become something of a calling card in indie and microbrand watch circles. It’s kind of the ultimate approachable insider’s watch – wearing one immediately makes it clear that you are part of the enthusiast world, and not just wearing a watch to tell the time (or time an espresso shot).
The latest Metric, released just in time for Windup New York City, is the Metric Star, which is meant to evoke a more refined aesthetic, according to the brand. The new Metric Star has a gold tone dial with a brushed, sunray finish, and accents in red and blue. The outer scale for chronograph seconds is particularly clever, with a blue section highlighted against the remainder of the scale in red in the proper place for that perfect espresso shot. It’s another very nicely executed dial from Brew. This one in particular, I think, gives off a classic 70s sports watch energy. It’s the gold dial, clearly, but red and blue are giving an important assist.
A big part of the reason these watches read “1970s sports watch” is the excellent case and bracelet, two factors that I think get kind of lost when discussing the Metric. These conversations rightly focus on the great dial designs, but they mated to a pretty fantastic modern version of a type of sports watch that really thrived in the 70s, and even into the 80s. Whenever I put on a Metric, my mind immediately goes to my beloved (and dearly departed) vintage Zenith Defy, and other Defys that are similar in size and style. This is a truly compact (36mm) case that feels vintage, and it’s designed in such a way that it communicates robustness, style, and a certain predilection for the avant-garde all at once. Not an easy feat.
This Metric is once again powered by the VK 68 Meca-Quartz chronograph movement, a Seiko made caliber that keeps time with a quartz oscillator and runs on a battery, but has chronograph functionality that is mechanical. This is a cost effective way to get an approximation of what a vintage (or modern) mechanical chronograph feels like in its operation, and when you consider that many luxury brands (including IWC and JLC) have used movements like this in some of their riskier designs, it adds another layer of appreciation to what Brew is doing with the Metric. Meca-Quartz isn’t just a cost cutting measure, it’s a legitimate way to experiment and achieve a very specific design vision.
The new Brew Metric Star is available to order now from Brew with a retail price of $450. Brew
