Aura Watches Steel Skeleton 001, £279
Aura Watches are an American brand that bring impressive value to their watches. The standard Aura Date 001 is equipped with a Seiko NH35A automatic movement for just £239. This is the Steel Skeleton 001, featuring the skeletonised Hangzhou 7500A with 80-hour power reserve for £279. In terms of style, the industrial influences of Gerald Genta are readily apparent. It has a porthole shaped bezel, decorative screws and an integrated bracelet. You could certainly call it an homage, but it’s executed very well and that value makes it all worthwhile.
Available at Aura.
Genius Watches Genius Hommage, €2,950 (approx. £2,520)
Genius Watches pay homage to the iconic designs and geniuses of the watch industry who have come before, paying particular tribute to the works of Gerald Genta. The Genius Hommage is a fusion of ideas, with the top half inspired by the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the lower portion based on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. It’s powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement. The versions pictured here are the Dubai edition with a golf green dial, the Roma with a black dial and the Cannes with a salmon dial..
Available at Genius.
Riley Watch Co. Howard Hughes Chronograph HH01, £129
The Howard Hughes Chronograph HH01 is inspired by an iconic plane in the history of aviation, the Hughes H-1 Racer, which broke the world speed record in 1935. The watch commemorates this historic occasion with its retro style bi-compax chronograph display and curved square case – a shape commonly referred to as squircle. There are several variations available including this sage green and white variant which is very elegant and calming to look at. It’s powered by the Seiko VK64 Meca-Quartz movement.
Available at Riley Watch.
Ichnos Capo Testa Corallaro, Pre-order €1,395 (approx. £1,175)
Ichnos are in a special position as a watch brand being based on the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s not exactly a watchmaking hotspot, but the Italian island provides heaps of inspiration for the microbrand’s watches and the Capo Testa is testament to that. There are a few colourways and this is the Corallaro with its white dial and coral bezel. It’s powered by the La Joux- Perret G100 automatic calibre with 68-hour power reserve and +/-7 seconds per day accuracy.
Available at Ichnos.
Montford Watch Company The Rubus, £350
Montford Watch Company are a relatively young brand inspired to create watches that support the charities and foundations close to the founder’s heart. Their first timepiece is The Rubus, a 40mm stainless steel watch housing the Miyota 8215 automatic movement. And 44% of the sale price of each watch is being donated to the Tusk African conservation charity (that’s £154 for each £350 watch). To match the theme of the charity the dial is Elephant Grey with striated etching that looks like the folds in an elephant’s skin. Limited to 100 pieces.
Available at Montford Watch Co.
