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With watches, we are often curious about those that come from countries that are not particularly known for their watchmaking, or perhaps as a way of diversifying a collection to represent all those different countries. Estonia is a small Baltic country that really is not known for watches. We did review one a while ago, and now we have another one to add to the list of those you could be on the look for – the Wõitleja, by Estonia1918.

As you probably surmised from that title, I have a thing for alliteration. Well, several types of word play, but we have what we have on hand. Know what else I have a thing for? As it turns out, it’s watches with a slick vintage feel. Show me a watch with a thin case, minimal bezel, and a visibly domed crystal, and I am definitely paying attention. This is a style that we see pop up now and again, and I do not get tired of running across it. The latest iteration find itself with a Swiss-made heart, and goes by the name of the Vapaus Veli.

Hey, guys and gals, ready to hear about another new watch brand that’s starting up? Wait, wait, don’t run away. What if I told you it was all American-made (not just built in the States)? Ok, ok, well, how about if it managed to recycle not just old pocket watch movements (that’s how you can get an American-made movement), but also the material used for the case? Well, then, hopefully we have your interest, as the new Arcane Watches look to be interesting.

As you are no doubt aware, BaselWorld will be kicking off again here pretty soon, which means we will start seeing a lot more announcements about new models and versions. A lot of this comes from the luxury brands, and that is not really where we tend to dwell here at WWR. No, we like our watches affordable and interesting. Sure, the Junghans Meister Driver Handaufzug is not a sub-$500 indie watch, but this one certainly checks off a lot of boxes for me.

OK, you only have a few dozen hours to get behind the crowd-funded kick off of the Marloe Cherwell, but better late than never, am I right? The brand was nice enough to loan me black and white dial versions, and I really liked them. OK, I was probably predisposed, since the watches are hand wound minimalist watches without a date window, but just because a watch was built practically with me in mind, that does not mean I would love it, or does it?

I very rarely get excited about the packaging of a watch; hey it is a box… If there is an accessory in there, a watch roll, a tool, spare straps, then it is a very nice bonus. But when I pulled the Vortec Boston 48 out of it’s shipping box to reveal the out packaging, string wrapped and wax sealed, I was instantly feeling like I was unwrapping an old school product, even though it was shipped vial UPS next day from ½ way across the country.

Do you like large watches? Of course, you have to define what a large watch is, and that varies from person to person, but anything around 50mm for me qualifies as a large watch. The largest watch I own is a 47mm, and it is noticably larger than the rest of my collection. Well, now I may need to rethink my upper end. The IWC Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch comes in two flavors, with the smaller of the two sitting at 48mm. The larger one, a very robust 55mm.

I will be the first to admit – I am a sucker for watches that include tritium tubes. While many of them definitely hit more of a tool- or sport-watch feel, there are ones out there that take things in a more classic, or even dressy, sort of a style. I like that juxtaposition of a classic bit of watch styling mashed up with, well, atomic age technology for illuminating the watch at night. While they live in the luxury end of the segment, the watches from Ball certainly fit that bill, and their latest, the Ball Watch Trainmaster Cleveland Night Express, looks to be another interesting iteration.