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There’s a good deal of conversation around proper use of the terms “retro” and vintage” in many spaces—automotive, interior design, video games, etc. —and the watch world is no different. Is there a year cutoff? A need for tangible or mechanical connection to a model of the past?
Brew, the ever-more-popular New York-based watch brand, shirks all those insecurities and goes straight to the “vibe check” standard. Founded in 2015 by industrial designer Jonathan Ferrer, the brand obviously doesn’t have a back catalog of “vintage” designs to pull from or reinvent, but their new Metric Lite model is aimed squarely at the “retro-vintage” renaissance that’s hitting the watch world, mostly because, well, it looks the part. Is that all it takes to make a retro-vintage watch? Let’s dive in.
Brew’s self-described mission for the Metric Lite can also be found in the name; basically, they set out to create their most “compact and wearable” watch, without sacrificing utility or style. The Metric Lite comes in three variations: steel case and black dial, steel case and mother of pearl dial, and gold PVD case and black dial. All three are wrapped in cushion cases that measure in at 30mm—a mark of the vintage appeal and Brew’s proven understanding of the “everyday watch” category. Each reference additionally wears a hand-brushed flat link bracelet, which lends a sporty outline and 1970’s-type flair to the watch’s silhouette. Brew’s coffee bean logo sits on the bracelet clasp and crown for subtle branding.
Though the dials vary in color and material, each features raised “mountain-top” index markers—also in the case color—that reflect light and make time-telling (you know, the main function of a watch) easier at a glance. Each index is topped by a dot, and the railroad track features crisp, black markings at each minute around the dial. Another iteration of the bean logo appears at the 3 o’clock position, and is most noticeable on the mother-of-pearl variant—for the black dial versions, the bean, also in black, requires more effort to see. This clever obfuscation helps keep the Metric Lite’s dial free of obvious branding or text details, adding to its vintage-style appeal.
Inside, a Miyota 6T27 automatic movement keeps things ticking, and promises a 40-hour power reserve and 50 meters of water resistance. The movement is visible through a transparent caseback and additionally features a Brew-inscribed rotor, and another bean logo just above the circular viewing window.
With the Metric Lite, Brew is appealing to both fans of today’s trends, like mother-of-pearl dials and smaller sizes, and retro-vintage style hands, who will appreciate the cushion case and minimal branding. While the gold and black reference looks the most traditionally vintage to my eye, the steel and black version is a classy choice for a professional environment, and the mother-of-pearl model wields the most eye-catching pizzazz. Knowing Brew’s stellar reputation in the affordable watch world, the Metric Lite is sure to keep raising the New York watchmaker’s profile.
All three Metric Lite references will retail for $375.00. Brew
