- Watch Bites
- Posts
- ⌚Independent's Show Off!
⌚Independent's Show Off!
Some crazy releases from independent watch brands, Omega's new yacht piece, A new Hamilton release, and more!


Welcome watch nerds…
This is Watch Bites, where we give you the run-down on weekly watch news minus the fluff. This week, we’re talking about Minase’s unexpectedly cool new collaboration, the future of non-round watches, and much more!
🍿 5 min read
Here's what we got today:
Baltic perfects their Prismic range 🟠🔵🟢
A white-dial Murph breathes new life into Hamilton 🇺🇸
The new face of uncompromising design vision 🇨🇭🙌
A B&R made for the race track 🏎

The numbers above represent market trends in secondhand watch prices. The “Price“ column represents the average secondhand price for the top 30 watches of each brand. This data is sourced from Watch Charts.
Watch News
Berneron’s Mirage Represents The Future Of Watch Design

Among the wide variety of styles, layouts, and quirks that make up the aesthetic of wristwatches, both past and present, it’s not controversial to state that the asymmetrical case and dial remain an elusive pursuit for watchmakers the world over. Cartier’s Crash, or Gilbert Albert’s work for Patek, are perhaps the most present examples of asymmetry in horology, but these are exhibitionist at heart, with case design often detracting from technical ability. Berneron’s Mirage is something different, born of a desire to enhance the performance efficiency of a watch by doing away with the rigidity of a round case and thus creating space for a larger barrel. It sounds simple enough. Unnecessary, even. But it works. And the result is spellbinding.
The stone-dial Mirage 34 pair are inarguably the most appealing of all models, with 2 variations - Lapis Lazuli blue and Tiger’s Eye brown. The former is certainly more au fait but there is a devil-may-care sensibility to the Tiger’s Eye that will inspire more daring collectors. At just 34mm across, the case houses Berneron’s in-house movement, which allows for a stunning 72-hour power reserve due to its unparalleled efficiency.
Sylvain Berneron, the founder and company namesake behind this innovative idea of practical asymmetry, finds a great deal of purpose in not only creating something uniquely effective but in bucking traditional watch trends, which he sees as dogmatic ‘don’ts’ in his industry. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and for Sylvain to enhance the effectiveness of his watch movement, he’d have to invent a new housing to enable that. So, unlike Cartier’s offset cases, Berneron matched an outward design to a movement, not the other way around, which is nothing short of groundbreaking. For that reason alone, expect to see much more of this movement-led design in years to come, which should precipitate a drop in prices for such timepieces (from the current $48,000 that the Mirage demands). The future of the watch world, in many ways, is Berneron’s oyster.
Nivada Grenchen and Zodiac Give Life to The Sub-2K Market

Few watches under $2k spark as much joy or inspire as much interest as the most recent releases from 2 brands that have one thing in common - they’ve come back from near-death to reinvent entry-level luxury.
Nevada Grenchen, once a go-to for collectors seeking affordable reliability, was on its last legs until a few years ago when it was resuscitated by new owners. Likewise, Zodiac met dark days throughout the 90s and 00s after failing to capture the sport watch zeitgeist that it once so strongly represented. This isn’t a new story - bigger ships can weather the storm, while small boats often sink. The good news for both of these companies is that the darkest hour is behind them, and there may be no better time than now for micro brands, particularly if they’ve got great watches to boot.
Playing to their strengths (as they should), Zodiac teamed up with vintage dealer demigods Craft + Tailor to reissue the iconic Sea-Wolf diver ref. 691 in two dial colors, black and - you guessed it - white. With Arabic numerals for even numbers, a rotating bezel, sharp pointer hands, and an updated bracelet, this ‘Pre-Sea Wolf’ feels like the lovechild of a Rolex Explorer and an OG Grand Seiko, with unmistakable Zodiac cues. It’s limited to 200 pieces per color and is old-school to a T, measuring 38mm across and 12mm thick.
Grenchen’s latest Chronomaster is as impressive and certainly more fun, with interchangeable bezels, baton hands, and splashes of color across the dial that speak to the curated sense of playfulness imbued in all Nivada Grenchen tickers. Best of all is that it comes in two variations, the cream of which is given the Paul Newman treatment, with art deco-influenced black sub-dials on a white face. With roughly the same dimensions as the Zodiac, the choice comes down to the buyer’s taste. At $1,695 and $1,975 respectively, these are two of the best sports watches that can be had for less than two grand and above that, they’re timepieces that we’re likely to be fawning over far beyond their release dates.
Watch Fact

Every watch owner acutely understands the risk of wearing a watch in the sun: a pale strap of skin on one wrist by the end of summer. Believe it or not, that’s the main reason why over 40% of polled non-watch wearers choose not to wear a wrist piece at all!
3-Watch Collection
3 Watch Collection: Italian Edition
Italy may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about watch manufacturers - many of their national brands tend to be a bit Roman by design, which, being kind, isn’t for anyone everyone. Even so, a few watchhouses from the home of delicious carbohydrates will give any brand on earth a run for its money. That’s amore, I suppose…

Unimatic x Exquisite Timepieces U1S-T-GMT-ET (Sport watch) - Once a small-time watch startup with few fans and fewer models, Unimatic has quickly become Italy’s hottest micro brand. And for good reason. Clean-cut designs and playful partnerships enable them to craft collaborations like this GMT, which is undoubtedly sporty and unwaveringly reliable. Their pricing is on point, too - $1,489 for 300m water resistance and a titanium case? Sign me up.
Bvlgari Bvlgari (Dress watch) - On virtually any list of iconic timepieces, you’ll likely find Bvlgari’s self-titled dress watch, a design piece revered for encapsulating both simplicity and luxury. In the spirit of ‘doing it right’, the obvious choice here is the 18 kt yellow gold model that, with its deep black dial and solid gold case, speaks a dialect of classic Italian design that’s rare to find elsewhere. Brought to life by Bvlgari’s BVL 191 automatic movement, you can rest assured that the $13,200 price tag affords you both form and function.
Panerai Luminor Due Luna (Everyday watch) - While most collectors lean towards Panerai’s more well-known models, the underrated Luminor Due Luna represents the Italian brand at its most intriguing. It’s undoubtedly Panerai, with a signature crown guard that defines a rounded square case, but there’s a sense of poetry to the Due Luna’s dial that softens an otherwise utilitarian build, ushering it into everyday wear territory and rendering this Panerai far more playful than most. Safe to say, if you’re into a moon phase, this is a no-brainer. Grab one for $10,400.
Total Collection Cost (USD): $25,089
Watch News Bites
Quick Bites
Omega, for all of its gifts, has a unique tendency to blindside watch lovers once in a blue moon with an aesthetically insulting timepiece that usually does one thing very well. The new Seamaster Regatta is as ridiculous as it is useful (if you’re on a yacht).
For too long, Japanese underdog Minase has been overlooked in favor of larger brands from the eastern horological mecca. Perhaps now, with their fantastic new Fratello collaboration, we’ll see the limelight shift in their favor.
Straight off the set of Interstellar, Hamilton’s faultless Khaki Field Murph has been a quiet favorite since 2014. Now, Hamilton has released a cracking white dial version in a move that’s fittingly subtle in its ingenuity.
If you’re pessimistic, you’d swear that Baltic’s latest Prismic Stone collection is the result of poor sales of the original, far less inspired Prismic lineup. Whatever you believe, the updated range is gorgeous and, indeed, unchallenged in its class.
Although many would agree that it’s overpriced, one can’t help but marvel at the impressive instrumentalism of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Racing. High-tech, feather-light, and ultra-practical, this is sure to tug on the heartstrings of particular collectors.
Vintage Watches
Patek Philippe Gondola LapisLazuli (1970s)

Why It’s Worth It: So you’re into Patek but don’t have $30k to spend. Or you’re after something more unique than what the Grand Maison currently stocks. Perhaps you’re just a fashionista with unbelievably fine taste. Enter the Gondola LapisLazuli, a square watch capped on its 6 and 9 ends by vibrant blue Lapis Lazuli stone. Lug-less, numberless, and full of character, this ticker represents the best of the 70s. Better yet, it’s powered by Patek’s manual wound Calibre 177 which, you can rest assured, will outlast your children’s children. Expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 and $13,000 for a well-maintained model, if you can find one.
Pre-Owned Watch Deals
Watch Scout by Watch Bites
|
|
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
|
Watch Meme

Should We Keep the "3-Watch Collection" Section?We need your help! In the background, we're debating whether or not our readers enjoy the "3-Watch Collection" Section as much as the rest. We want to hear from you! |
We’re trying to make this newsletter better every week.
Reply to this email and share anything you’d like to see us change or add — we read and respond to every email.
PS: if you share this with friends, you get special rewards ↓
*Watch Bites does not provide financial advice. None of this is financial advice. This is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research!
Reply