The gig is unpaid but you’ll have access to cool gadgets and watches and you’ll be able to reach an audience of 60,000. I’d love to chat with a few folks about how much they’d like to write and even restart our podcast when the time comes. If you’ve been reading WWR for any length of time, I encourage you to reach out.

Drop me a line by responding to this email or ping me at john@wristwatchreview.com. Thanks!

A new study suggests that Switzerland remains the world’s most luxury-obsessed country, a finding that should not surprise anyone who follows the watch industry.

The report, released by vintage handbag marketplace Fashionica, ranked 20 countries using a “Luxury Love Index” that combined annual spending on luxury goods, online searches for luxury brands, and market growth over the past five years. Switzerland topped the list with a score of 96, ahead of Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

Read more

Vario’s VERSA line featured a reversible case that gives you two looks without turning the watch into a novelty. Their original concept, which featured two quartz movements inside the case, was cool but this latest, the Reversible Single Time Automatic, streamlines the watch and turns it into something special.

The headline change is the movement. Vario is using the Miyota 6T28 automatic with a custom rotor, running at 28,800 bph with a quoted 40 hours of power reserve. Vario also leans into the fact that the watch is still reversible while staying relatively slim for the format, with the case listed at 41.5mm long, 28mm wide, and 10.5mm thick. That shape lands in a sweet spot if you like rectangular watches but do not want something tiny.

Design-wise, the “Tuxedo” models come in black or white and use a two-tone mirrored stripe dial treatment. The case is 316L stainless steel, with a flat sapphire crystal and inner anti-reflective coating, plus 5 ATM water resistance. Vario ships it on a vegetable-tanned Italian leather strap that tapers from 22mm to 18mm with a deployant clasp. They also note that the included strap may not fit wrists 7.5 inches and above, and offer a longer strap option for that range.

Price is set at $498 for the White Tuxedo and Black Tuxedo versions. If you liked the idea of the VERSA but wanted a mechanical version that feels more like a daily watch and less like a special-purpose travel piece, this is the cleaner entry point. You still get the flip-case party trick, but the rest of the spec reads like a normal, well-thought-out rectangular automatic. Given Vario’s amazing work in classic watches, I think this is another winner from this Singapore microbrand.

How pretty is this watch? The B&R S.T. Dupont Chrono is a brown and gold chronograph that pays homage to the great lighter and smoking accessory maker, S.T. Dupont. The watch comes with a cigar cutter and a lighter and is limited to 150 pieces.

Read more

Belfast-based Nomadic watches has announced an update to their workhorse Maraí 401 model, a 2026 upgrade that turns these unique timepieces into something resembling a luxury tool watch.

Originally launched in 2021, the Maraí 401 was Nomadic’s first release. The name means “sea farer” in Irish, and the 401 hearkens back to the Titanic’s production number, a historical callback that adds a bit of coolness to this piece. This 40mm model, new for 2026, has a new case design, a new face and hand set, and runs a Sellita SW200-2 movement.

The SW200-2 is particularly interesting because it was just launched in February 2026 and has 65 hours of power reserve and an improved winding system. The use of the new movement definitely sets this piece apart from other standard three-handers.

More interesting is the number of color ways available, including black out — completely dark — to green, blue, and even a black and white panda style.

The watch is priced at $1,500 online and comes with a steel bracelet. They also offer a 36mm model at the same price. Given the pedigree and movement, that’s a solid price for what amounts to a solid dive watch with plenty of Irish charm. Most interesting is that the company offers a lifetime warranty and offers regular checkups for all of their watches, something very few manufacturers could ever offer. With plenty of styles, lots of pedigree, and handsome looks, the Maraí 401 is worth checking out.

Specs

CASE SIZE

40/36mm

CASE MATERIAL

316L Stainless Steel

MOVEMENT

Sellita SW200-2

POWER RESERVE

65HRS

BRACELET

Stainless Steel

A $129 DAC doesn’t sound like it could do very much to your music. The iFi Zen Air DAC 2, however, is something different and, dare I say, well worth the price.

Basically, this is a USB-C DAC for your desktop. It supports RCA out for speakers as well as 1/4-inch and balanced headphone outputs. When you plug in a pair of good headphones or monitors you essentially get a surprisingly good audio system with lots of headroom and plenty of detail.

Housed in iFi’s familiar curved desktop chassis, the ZEN Air DAC 2 strips away some of the premium materials found in the company’s higher-end models while retaining the core audio technology that made the original ZEN series popular among headphone enthusiasts. Basically it’s a plastic box clad in rubber which doesn’t give a premium vibe but is definitely cool looking.

At the heart of the ZEN Air DAC 2 is a Burr-Brown True Native DAC chip paired with a 16-core XMOS USB processor. This combination allows the unit to handle PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD256, DXD, and MQA content. Unlike many entry-level DACs that convert everything to a single format internally, the Burr-Brown architecture preserves the original data stream, helping maintain the character of the source material.

The ZEN Air DAC 2 functions as both a standalone DAC and a headphone amplifier. A front-mounted 1/4-inch headphone jack is paired with an analog volume control, while rear RCA outputs allow the unit to feed powered speakers or an external amplifier. PowerMatch gain adjustment helps users match the amplifier output to different headphones, whether they are using sensitive in-ear monitors or more demanding over-ear designs.

One of the most useful features is XBass+, iFi’s analog bass enhancement circuit. Rather than using digital signal processing, XBass+ adds low-frequency weight through an analog circuit that can help compensate for headphones that sound thin or lack extension in the lower registers. The effect is subtle enough for daily listening and can add welcome warmth to smaller headphones without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range.

In use, the ZEN Air DAC delivers the smooth, slightly warm sound signature that has become associated with iFi products. Vocals sound natural, instruments retain good separation, and the presentation avoids the harshness sometimes found in budget DACs. While it lacks the outright power and refinement of more expensive desktop amplifiers, it offers a substantial improvement over the audio outputs built into most laptops, desktop computers, and gaming systems.

I compared the Zen Air with the Fosi Audio ZH3 and there was honestly no contest. Bass was deeper, resolution was better, and, as you’d expect, the ZH3 was $100 more expensive than the Zen Air. That said, the Zen Air performed admirably in comparison to the ZH3 and an older tube DAC I use but, in the end, you get what you pay for.

The ZEN Air DAC is aimed at listeners taking their first steps into dedicated desktop audio. It combines broad format support, solid headphone performance, and useful analog features in an affordable package. For anyone looking to improve their listening experience without building a complicated audio system, it remains one of the strongest values in the entry-level DAC and headphone amplifier category. The bottom line? Plugging this into your computer and adding a nice pair of entry-level headphones will change your life when it comes to digital audio. It’s a great first step for anyone wondering what the fuss is about when it comes to dedicated audio hardware and it’s well worth the price of admission.

Specs

DAC

Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown

DIMENSIONS

158 x 117 x 35 mm
6.2” x 4.6” x 1.4”

DNRLine Section:
>113dB(A) @ -60dBFS
FORMATS SUPPORTED

44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384kHz PCM

2.8/3.1/5.6/6.2/11.2/12.4MHz DSD

353/384KHz DXD

MQA

INPUT

USB2.0 B Socket

INPUT VOLTAGE

DC 5V/2.5A

NET WEIGHT

315 g
0.694 lbs

H. Moser & Cie. has introduced the Endeavour Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Date, a watch that combines three useful complications, a flyback chronograph, a second time zone, and a date display, without turning the dial into a crowded mess. That’s harder than it sounds.

The new model uses a 42mm steel case and a turquoise fumé dial with a darker central disc that carries the second time zone display. Instead of relying on traditional chronograph subdials, H. Moser and movement partner AGENHOR moved everything to the center of the dial. A red hand tracks chronograph seconds while a rhodium-plated hand measures elapsed minutes. The result is a cleaner display than most chronographs, and one that remains easy to read at a glance.

The second time zone is handled with similar restraint. A white arrow mounted on the central fumé disc points to the home time indication without dominating the dial. Around the edge sits a tachymeter scale, adding a slightly more technical look without overwhelming the design.

The real story is the movement. The hand-wound HMC 730 caliber was developed with AGENHOR and is based on the architecture of the automatic HMC 902. By removing the automatic winding system, the designers created space for both the dual-time display and date complication while preserving the movement’s chronograph architecture.

The movement features a column wheel chronograph, horizontal clutch, double barrels, and a 72-hour power reserve. It contains 383 components and 49 jewels. One unusual feature is the minute counter mechanism, which uses a retrograde-style system that allows the chronograph minute hand to jump instantly to the next minute rather than creeping forward gradually. The date can also be adjusted forward or backward, a convenience rarely found on watches with this level of mechanical complexity.

The case measures 42mm wide and 13.2mm thick. It includes a screw-down crown at four o’clock, chronograph pushers at ten and two, and a sapphire display back that reveals the anthracite-finished movement and partially skeletonized bridges. Water resistance is rated to 30 meters.

The turquoise fumé dial remains the star of the show. Moser continues to lean into color while resisting the temptation to overdecorate. The leaf-shaped hands, Super-LumiNova treatment, and simple minute track keep the watch legible despite the number of functions packed inside. A grey nubuck-finished alligator strap completes the package.

Travel watches often force buyers to choose between functionality and elegance. The Endeavour Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Date tries to offer both. It is a complicated watch that rarely looks complicated, which may be the most impressive complication of all.

Specs

Reference 1730-1200, steel model, Turquoise fumé dial, Blackor fumé central disc, grey alligator leather strap with nubuck finish

Case

Steel

Diameter: 42.0 mm

Height: 13.2 mm

Chronograph push-buttons at 10 and 2 o’clock

Screw-down crown at 4 o’clock adorned with an engraved “M”

See-through case-back

Water-resistant to 3 ATM

Dial

Turquoise fumé with sunburst pattern

Blackor fumé central disc with sunburst pattern and white arrow with Super-LumiNova® tip

Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands, filled with Super-LumiNova®

Minute track for the elapsed seconds and minutes

Tachymeter on the flange

Movement

Calibre HMC 730 developed with AGENHOR for H. Moser & Cie., hand-wound movement

Diameter: 34.4 mm or 151/4 lignes

Height: 7.2 mm

Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour

Double barrel

Column wheel chronograph

Two-stage chronograph mechanism

Horizontal clutch with friction wheel; smooth wheel equipped with micro-teeth to avoid any issues when the teeth intermesh and reduce unwanted jerks when starting the chronograph

Tulip yoke allowing the chronograph to be triggered or released

383 components

49 jewels

Power reserve: minimum 72 hours

Anthracite finish with Moser double stripes

Partially skeletonised bridges

Functions

Hours and minutes

Chronograph with central display and indication of the elapsed minutes and seconds

Flyback on the minutes and seconds

Dual Time

Date

Power reserve indicator on movement side

Strap

Grey alligator leather with nubuck finish

Steel pin buckle, engraved with the Moser logo

Gaming headsets usually look like gaming headsets. They’re usually made of glowing plastic, features odd angles and enough visual clutter to make you embarrassed wearing them outside the house, and sound like something a bomber pilot would user in 1945. The $199 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 avoids most of that nonsense. It looks restrained, is surpri…

Read more

Last month, we talked to you about a new collection from Marathon (seen here) that actually crossed over a few of their different models. If you were interested, but wondered how it was hands-on, wonder no more. While we didn’t go hands-on with the Anthracite series, the Marathon 41mm Arctic GSAR is function (if not aesthetically) the same.

Marathon 41…

Read more

Swatch and Audemars Piguet broke the Internet last week by teasing something called the Royal Pop, a mashup of Swatch looks and Royal Oak class that had everyone confused. Similar to their work with Omega and Blancpain, the Royal Pop was supposed to be a collab that brought the design language created by the horologers at AP into the world of fast, Swatchy fashion.

The result is something that has everyone either scratching their heads or lining up at Swatch stores.

First, a bit about the Pop line. Swatch released the first Pops in 1986. The gimmick was simple: you could wear the watches on a strap or on a necklace and they were big and bold, unlike the traditional Swatch watches folks were used to. Basically, they looked something like this:

Read more

The Swatch SCUBAQUA collection feels like the company remembering what it does best. To understand what that means, let’s talk a little about the history of Swatch.

Swatch was born in 1983, at a moment when the Swiss watch industry looked close to collapse. Cheap quartz watches from Japan, especially from brands like Seiko and Citizen, had gutted the tra…

Read more

If you’re not familiar with the Bulova Lunar Pilot you’re probably not frequenting the affordable yet cool watch groups. Originally built around the same time as the Speedster, the Lunar Pilot has an interesting and often-overlooked back story.

During the Apollo 15 mission, commander David Scott wore a Bulova chronograph on the lunar surface after his is…

Read more

I like throwback clothing. Not costume pieces, not Go Go boots or Nehru jackets. I mean gear that pulls from old workwear and military issue, things that were built for a job and still carry a little cool. The Fieldworth Type 45 Flight Jacket fits that mold. It looks like something you would dig out of a dusty Army Navy store, but it lands with cleaner …

Read more

Nomadic is a Belfast-based brand and it tends to stay close to home. This release, the Apex NW200 Chronograph, makes that clear. The NW200 is tied to the North West 200, one of the fastest road races in the world, and now Nomadic sits at the center of it as official timing partner.

Read more

The Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical reaches back to a moment when chronographs demanded daily attention and looked great with a linen suit. Before the late 1960s, you wound them each morning. Then came the El Primero, one of the first automatic chronograph calibers, running fast at 36,000 vibrations per hour. The A384 was part of that first wa…

Read more

Storz & Bickel sounds like a Swedish law firm, but they’re best known for making some of the best and most rugged vapes around. Their flagship, the Venty, is a $449 behemoth with huge batteries and a clever LCD readout. The $249 Veazy, on the other hand, is a lower-cost but not lower-quality solution for the discerning paper.

The Veazy sits in the middle of the Storz & Bickel lineup, and it feels designed for people who want the company’s engineering without the bulk or price of its flagship devices. It is smaller, lighter, and more direct in how it works. You load it, press the front button, and inhale. You can boost and super-boost the temperature by clicking the button twice after each increase in temperature.

Buy Now

Read more

Ulysse Nardin is marking 25 years of the Freak with what it calls the [Super] Freak, a watch that pushes the concept to its limit. The brand frames it as the most complicated time-only watch ever made, which sounds like marketing language until you look at what is actually inside. This is still a watch that shows hours, minutes, and now seconds, but it …

Read more

Mondaine has added a new seasonal color to its Numeri line, introducing the 42 mm model in what it calls BlueLake. The update does not change the underlying watch, but it shifts the tone of the piece. The Numeri has always leaned toward a structured, almost architectural design, and this version softens that slightly with a blue dial meant to reflect water.

The case remains 42 mm in 316L stainless steel, with a brushed top surface and polished sides. The defining feature is still the 12-sided fixed bezel, which gives the watch its identity. It is not a rotating dive bezel but a faceted frame with engraved numerals, more about form and legibility than function. That shape, paired with the blue dial, creates a contrast between rigid geometry and a more fluid color palette.

Read more

Swatch has expanded its SCUBAQUA line with four new models that lean into the brand’s mix of color, material experimentation, and everyday utility. The new watches arrive in aqua green, midnight blue, fuchsia, and solar orange, bringing the total SCUBAQUA lineup to nine pieces. Two of the new models, the aqua green MEDUSEA PAY and the midnight blue SEA WASP PAY, add Swatch Pay contactless payments, a feature that continues to show up across the brand’s more casual lines.

Read more

Bulova has put real details behind its Sail4th 250 release, and the result is a straightforward sport watch with a strong visual hook. The reference is 98B474. It ties into the July 2026 tall ship events around New York and New Jersey, organized by Sail4th 250, and marks the brand’s 150th year.

The case measures 41 mm and uses a white hybrid ceramic cons…

Read more