September 2023 Lookbook // 5 Picks To Round Up September

For most of us watch enthusiasts, our collection of watches evolves. Some start with a lovely entry mechanical timepiece made in Japan and then extend towards a proper sports watch to withstand the ocean’s depth or simply at the swimming pool. Most of us have experienced a wide variety of watches in this world. Regardless of which path we take in watch collecting, most of us have evolved in our taste, accepting a more comprehensive range of watches in different shapes and forms. 

With that in mind, I tasked my marketing staff to imagine how she might choose her 5-watch collection, and the result was quite a refreshing take. It’s a good blend of mix that allows us (and our wallet) to wander into territories that we once considered undiscovered. Dig into her picks below, and be sure to be amazed by her vivid choices.

Seiko 5 Sports Naruto & Boruto Series “Boruto Uzumaki” – Ltd Ed 6500pcs – Ref. SBSA087

The first pick sets the tone for where this month’s lookbook is going. The Seiko 5 Sports has always been a collection from Seiko that caters to welcome both beginner and dye-in-the-wool veteran collectors into this hobby. The company has worked up some incredible partnerships from different genres and cultures to extend the likes of Seiko’s most affordable yet sturdy mechanical watch series. An example would be this SBSA087 “Boruto Uzumaki” edition. 

Based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by the talented manga artist Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto has become one of the best-selling manga series ever, with 250 million copies sold globally. The anime series Naruto was first broadcast in Japan in 2002, following the tale of a young ninja, Naruto Uzumaki, and his adventures to be acknowledged by his peers and one day become the leader of his village, the Hokage. Subsequently, the Boruto series focuses on Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki.

When Japan’s leading watch manufacturer meets one of Japan’s best-selling manga series, you get an impressive collaboration that will amaze both watch lovers and Naruto fans, bringing fascinating and unique design in tandem with a reliable sports model that packs a proper 100m water-resistant and mechanical 4R36 automatic movement.

Orient Star Mechanical Contemporary 42 Two-tone Blue – Ltd Ed 1000pcs Ref. RE-AU0406L

Like Seiko’s luxury line Grand Seiko, The Mechanical Contemporary 42 Two-Tone from Orient Star is considered the JDM luxury line of Orient Watches. She picked this particular one because of its two-tone colourway and the simplicity of design. The rose gold hue from the bezel, markers and crown match the sunburst dark blue dial. 

The blue dial and its stylish design further reflect the nightscape of the dynamic metropolis of Tokyo. What enlivened Orient Star watches its fan-shaped power reserve indicator at 12’o clock, showing how much juice is left on the watch. On the back, an in-house calibre F6N43 is the top-of-the-line automatic movement that solely fits on Orient Star timepieces. The Orient Star Contemporary features this incredible horology engine – a 22 Jewels, 50-hour power reserve F6N43 Automatic runs at a daily tolerance of +25 to -15 seconds per day, beating at 21,600bph.

Steinhart Ocean Vintage Military 39 – Gnomon Exclusive

This third pick needs no introduction, but I’m glad she picked one of our most coveted Steinhart pieces. The OVM 39 hits the right spot for both seasoned and new collectors who wants a nostalgic taste of the Mil-sub design from the late sixties and still packs modern specification for our daily wear.

From the 60-minute bezel to the military board-sword hands, the OVM39 stays true to the ethos while offering a sports bracelet and 300m water-resistant. There’s just nothing like a military-themed diver on the wrist.

Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Chronograph Red – Bracelet

The Rallygraf Meca-Quartz is another good entry into the world of watch collecting. Let’s start with its historical DNA. Graduating at the top of his class in the National Watchmaking School of Besançon, Belmont lives up to his title with exquisite timepieces that are out of this world, literally when the Yema Spationaute flew to space on astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien’s wrist. Recently this renowned French company brought us the Yema Rallygraf Ref. YMHF1580-LM draws inspiration from its very own racing chronographs. 

With a traditional vintage look, this watch celebrates racing with a tachymeter scale around its dial. The new Rallygraf Chronograph now runs with a Meca-quartz movement which seals a tasteful tribute to the 60s era in an affordable package. That’s quite some feat for someone who just dipped their feet into the lake of horology.

Squale 50 ATMOS Bronze Blue

The last pick got to lean more toward someone who has been collecting for quite some time. Well, at least to me and my teammate at Gnomon. The Squale 50 Atmos Bronze is an extension of its classic 500m skin-diver, popular in the sixties.

Now with its heritage design out of the way, what makes this particular model so different is the use of the bronze material, which will show signs of age and patina through one’s unique wearing experience, resulting in a unique vintage matte look. What made this more quirky is the 2’o clock positioning of its date display and windings crown. We haven’t seen anything quite like that in the market.