Latest Review
September 5, 2023 
Normal is boring. Normal is not original. Normal is never pushing boundaries. People are not normal. People are unique. People are all limited editions of one.
Not being normal has always been in the DNA of Brew Watch Company, founded by Jonathan Ferrer. This is why we’ve covered Brew on Worn & Wound since its launch back in 2015. When other brands were sticking to round cases, Brew went rectangular. When other brands were focused on mid-century divers, Brew made watches inspired by the joy of coffee. Brew didn’t zig when others zagged, because they were never on the same road to begin with.
We’ve been such big fans of Brew that our third limited edition, back in 2017, was with them. We only made 25 of those, so if you have one, consider yourself very lucky. In the years since, Brew has flourished, becoming a must-have for enthusiasts with an eye for design and a desire for something different. From the HP-1 to the Retrograph to the Metric, Brew has been a hit factory with no end in sight.
Today, we’re beyond excited to announce our newest collaboration, the Brew x Worn & Wound Metric Chrono Regulator. It’s not a normal watch, but it’s also not for normal people. It’s full of contrast, texture, and color. It doesn’t work quite like other watches. It’s for people who find joy in trying something different. It’s for those who want to express themselves.
Please note that the Brew x Worn & Wound Metric Chrono Regulators will go on sale at 1pm EDT on September 5th.
As the name indicates, the Brew x Worn & Wound Metric Chrono Regulator begins with the Metric model. A standout in the world of modern watches, it’s a sleek 36mm rounded square, or cushion if you’re so inclined, with a bracelet that flows like that of an integrated sports watch. Its vibe is 70s but its look is its own. Compact and thin, it’s also a great size for all wrists. Powering the Metric is the Seiko Instruments VK68 meca-quartz which combines the reliability of quartz with the feel of a mechanical chronograph.
When approaching this collaboration, the goal was simple in concept, if challenging to achieve – “make it memorable”. With an infinite amount of possible directions to go, we started by looking at what wasn’t there. The VK68 movement comes standard with three subdials – active seconds, a 60-minute chrono counter, and a 24-hour dial linked to the time – positioned in such a way as to create a triangle about the center. The current line of Metric watches forego the 24-hour dial for an attention-grabbing asymmetry.
But why bring it back? Just adding it for difference’s sake seemed hollow, so we devised a concept. By removing the center hour hand the 24-hour hand gains purpose as it’s needed for reading the time. As such, the watch effectively becomes a regulator – a watch with hours, minutes, and seconds on separate axes, and nothing to do with the Warren G track of a similar title. An uncommon arrangement, it has been utilized in clocks since the 1700s, and first made its debut in wristwatches in the 1980s.
While regulators have had some level of resurgence in the last few years as part of the renewed general interest in watches, chronograph regulators are still extraordinarily rare. With a concept set, the actual design was the next challenge. Why do something different and then not have fun with the design?
With the intention of keeping the DNA of the Metric alive, we built from the 24-hour sub-dial out. A new focal point, it features a contrasting band of color around a split surface indicating, generally, day and night. The contrasting band contains numerals for all of the odd hours, separated by lines for the even hours. A new lollipop hand points to the hour, and is immediately distinguishable from the other sub-dial hands at a glance.
Emanating from the sub-dial are rings of texture on the dial surface. A subtle nod to the LE from 2017, the rings are like gravitational waves, pulling the eye into the sub-dial, while also pushing it out, breaking against the sub-seconds at six, and the 60-minute counter at ten. Both muted and matched to the dial color so as not to distract unless in use. The circular motif is also extended to the surface surrounding the dial, engaging the case in the new design.
The applied markers from the original Metric remain, adding a little 70s flair back into the picture, now highlighting intervals of five for the minutes and chronograph seconds. Indexes on the chapter ring and outer edge of the lower dial surface add markings for the individual minutes, chronograph seconds, and 1/5th seconds. With a renewed emphasis on the minute hand as the sole time-telling hand about the center of the dial, the double indices and applied markers make it readable at a glance.
With a layout in place, the question of color was next. Not inclined to settle on a single option, we created three distinctive palettes to reinforce the unique personality of the Brew x Worn & Wound Metric Chrono Regulator. The first is a clever combination featuring a pale, moss green as its primary tone, covering much of the surface and chapter ring. For a stark contrast, dark cool gray provides the background for the 24-hour and minutes/chrono-seconds indices. Tangerine orange is used to highlight significant marks and numerals, as well as give certain hands visual weight. Accenting the case, we made the start/stop pusher anodized orange, and the reset pusher black.
For those who’d rather have something with more punch, the next version is a vision in bright cool tones. The dial surface is a shimmering sky blue surrounded by dark teal with accents in magenta and white. The 24-hour index also utilizes white but as the backdrop to magenta numerals for high contrast. The chapter ring is also blue, but a slightly more subdued hue so as to not overwhelm, and features dark red numerals and markings. The start/stop pusher has been anodized teal, adding color to the case.
Finally, we have the wild card. A vibrant mix of colors both warm and cool, it’s definitely a statement maker. The dial surface is ruby red – rich, and saturated. A rust orange index with white and red accents adds a slightly softer break before hitting a dark teal chapter ring. Blue, white, and mustard standoff of the cool, darker tone for both a dynamic and legible result. The 24-hour index is rendered in mustard yellow with teal and red markings, taking center stage. Multi-colored hands add even more texture to the overall composition. Once again, the start/stop pusher has been colorized, this time in dark teal for a subtle glint of cool tones.
Eccentric watches for eccentric people, the Brew x Worn & Wound Metric Chrono Regulators are sure to stand out in a collection and on the wrist. Unlike anything else currently out there in look or function, they are watches designed to be memorable, to add personality to outfits, and to bring joy when looked at.
The Brew x Worn & Wound Metric Chrono Regulators are limited to 200 units per color and priced at $549. Pre-order today through the Windup Watch Shop for delivery beginning in early November 2023.
Lifestyle photography by Kat Shoulders
