Seiko’s Most Accurate Watch Just Got an Ultracool Makeover

Named after its original quartz watch from 1969, Seiko’s modern Astron line still represents the pinnacle of the brand’s neverending quest for greater accuracy in watchmaking.

Today’s Astron models are the most accurate watches the brand makes thanks to their implementation of GPS technology that enables the watches to remotely sync to an atomic clock and automatically set themselves to the exact time. They were also the world’s first solar GPS watches, which means they draw their energy from light and rarely require a battery change.

The timekeeping prowess of Seiko’s Astron watches is impressive, but most people today aren’t buying a watch solely based on accuracy. If they were, mechanical watches probably wouldn’t even exist. In order for a watch to be desirable, it also has to look good, and Seiko just released a new pair of Astron models that look downright amazing.

a purple and black seiko watch
Seiko’s new Astron watches are among its most attractive yet.
Seiko

A Uniquely Japanese Inspiration

Japan’s cherry blossom trees are world-famous, but when we picture them, we typically think of their bright pink hues coming alive in the sunlight on a spring day. (Grand Seiko has previously used this for inspiration to great effect.)

But for its latest limited-edition watches, Seiko found a more unorthodox source of cherry-blossom inspiration.

I Didn’t Think This Tiny EDC Knife Could Get Any Better. I Was Wrong

Earlier this year, Vosteed released its Corgi Pup, an ultra-tiny EDC knife with a button lock, dual-flipper deployment and sub-six-inch total length. It was a compact everyday carry masterpiece I thought needed no improvements.

Thankfully, I was very wrong. The brand has since unveiled the Vosteed Corgi V, an evolution of the Corgi Pup that’s been refined with numerous functional and stylistic improvements.

Vosteed Corgi V on white counter surrounded by chocolate candy and macarons
I already loved Vosteed’s Corgi, but this version is even more gorgeous — and that’s to say nothing of its other upgrades.
Vosteed

A litter of improvements

While the overall silhouette of the original Corgi Pup remains, the Corgi V has numerous upgrades, some of which are more obvious than others. The biggest is probably its locking mechanism.

Whereas the older version had a button lock separate from its ceramic ball-bearing pivot, this new one combines them. The Vanchor lock (one of Vosteed’s proprietary systems) is a simple push-button housed in the pivot. Depress the button, and the blade will swing free. Deploy the blade fully, and it will lock into place. To disengage, you just push the button again.

To go with the new lock, the deployment has also changed. Instead of a dual-flipper, the Corgi V has a single top front flipper and a new Wheeler deployment on the reverse side. But the real beauty of the Wheeler is in how it pairs with the Vanchor Lock.

This Affordable Tool Watch Does Something No Other Chronograph Does

The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (CASD) from Nivada Grenchen ranks as one of the most versatile chronographs ever.

First debuting in the 1960s, the acclaimed “super chronograph” combined a hitherto unknown combination of features. It had the depth rating of a dive watch, a tachymeter for calculating speed, a dual-scale bezel capable of tracking elapsed time and a second time zone, and it even squeezed a regatta timer onto its chronograph minutes register.

When Nivada was revived as a brand in 2020 after decades of dormancy, it was the CASD that led the charge, and today the Chronomaster ranks as Nivada’s flagship line.

The Chronomaster has nothing left to prove, clearly, but Nivada recently made the watch even more versatile by introducing a very unique feature: interchangeable bezels.

a hand holds a nivada grenchen chronograph watch over some watch bezels
Wish your chronograph had a different bezel? Nivada has you covered.
Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

I should begin by saying that this is not the first time a watch has featured an interchangeable bezel system. Innovative Swiss independent brand Formex launched its own version for its Reef dive watch back in 2021, and Nivada itself had a ladies watch with a similar system back in the 1960s. That short-lived collection, the Colorama VI, served as the inspiration behind Nivada’s new take on the feature.

This is the first time I’ve seen such a feature used in a chronograph before, however, and it makes perfect sense that the CASD would be the chrono to debut interchangeable bezels. After all, the watch already does so many other things, might as well add this to the pile.

This Cool Affordable Watch Just Tapped Into the Year’s Hottest High-End Trend

Within a couple of weeks, 2024 will be over, and it will be time to reflect on all that’s happened over the past year in the world of watches.

Although the year hasn’t quite ended yet, I think it’s safe to say that one of the industry’s hottest trends in 2024 — if not the hottest — has been the triumphant return of natural stone dials.

The trend began in earnest last year in the luxury space, with Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Girard-Perregaux all launching new references featuring the types of exotic stone dials that were popular half a century ago. The high-end trend continued into this year, with watches like the $55,000+ stone-dial Mirage from newcomer Berneron drawing significant buzz.

But over the course of the year, a funny thing happened: stone dials became democratized. At seemingly record-breaking speed, a luxury watch trend found its way to the affordable market — and in an uncompromised form, no less. Brands like Baltic and Zodiac started throwing exotic natural stone dials on watches regular people can afford, and now Bulova has joined the party with its own unique trio of trendy stone-dial watches.

a bulova watch with a stone dial on a persons wrist
Bulova has hopped aboard the stone-dial train.
Bulova

Everybody must get stoned

Bulova’s stone dials are the result of its second collab with Complecto, a New York-based organization that aims to increase watch enthusiasm in underrepresented communities by helping brands reach more diverse audiences.

The collab consists of three new references of Bulova’s Super Seville, itself a new release that debuted only a few months ago. The Super Seville is already a very cool watch oozing with retro style thanks to its combination of an integrated bracelet with a fluted bezel and cyclops date window. The watch also features Bulova’s superb Precisionist quartz movement that beats at a whopping 262 kHz, giving the watch’s seconds hand a perfectly smooth sweep.

Welcome to the GP100, a Countdown of the Year’s Most Important Releases

Gear Patrol

These are the products that defined 2024.

Important products aren’t always good or bad. Often, they fall somewhere in-between, all the while offering perspective on where a particular industry has found itself … and where it might be going.

This is the spirit driving the 12th annual GP100, Gear Patrol‘s mighty, end-of-year roundup collecting the year’s most relevant releases from tech, motoring, style and watches, outdoors and more.

Gear Patrol 100 2024 GP100
The GP100 is our annual roundup of the most important products from tech, motoring and more.
Gear Patrol

Our team spent months filtering through thousands of new products, going hands-on whenever we could, to identify the innovations and updates that left the biggest marks on their respective industries. And no, not always to a better, let alone conclusive, end.

This year, we also decided to do something we’ve never done in more than a decade of publishing the GP100: rank our winners.

Admittedly, the process wasn’t scientific, or even always fair. How does one compare the significance of a car to a pair of sneakers? That said, our editors were indeed guided by a few basic tenets, including novelty, popularity and impact on culture at large.

You might not agree with our selections. You definitely won’t agree with the order. But maybe, just maybe, you might agree with us on this: products have never been so dynamic, exciting and downright important to our lives.

We will reveal the winners in batches of 20 over the course of the week. Bookmark the collection page to stay on top of the countdown or check back here daily for updates. To see last year’s winners, follow this link.

This Wild Blade Is What Happens When Two Designers Split a Knife in Half

These days, collaborative products are fairly commonplace, even in the EDC knife world. Whether it’s two brands, a brand and an artisan, or two artisans working together, the designers and craftspeople usually synergize on every facet of the product.

Bestech’s latest blade release, however, takes a very different approach. Instead of its designers working together throughout the process, the Bestech Excentric is what happens when they split the work right down the middle, literally.

Bestech Excentric knife open on stone and metal background
Despite the Excentric’s esoteric design approach, the blade and handle meld beautifully together.
Bestech

Blade meets handle

The creation of this knife began at this year’s IWA OutdoorClassics exhibition in Germany. There, Grzegorz Grabarski of Kombou Designs and Toni N. Tietzel of TNT Knives met and immediately hit it off.

They knew they wanted to work on a knife together from that moment. However, how they chose to approach their collaborative design was highly unorthodox.

Tietzel, a grind specialist, crafted the blade, giving it an unusual tanto shape and highly stylized compound grind. Then, he passed it off to Grabarski, who championed the handle, blessing it with biomechanical curves reminiscent of H.R. Giger’s artwork.

This Ceramic Sports Watch Just Fixed the Material’s Biggest Problem

One material that’s gained popularity in the watch industry over the last number of years is ceramic, with the material frequently being used to craft bezels, cases and occasionally bracelets.

The main draw for ceramic is its high scratch resistance and strong resistance to fading and corrosion. Because of these properties, a ceramic watch will show wear less than nearly any other material, meaning your ceramic watch will still look brand-new — unfaded and scratch-free — basically forever.

But ceramic, like other materials, isn’t perfect. Its biggest drawback is that it’s brittle. It won’t scratch, but it can crack or shatter, making it more susceptible to breakage than metal materials when dropped.

If someone could craft a form of ceramic that wouldn’t shatter, it just might be the perfect watchmaking material. And that’s exactly what avant-garde Swiss luxury brand Urwerk has created for its new UR-230 Polaris watch.

an urwerk ceramic watch on a mans wrist
This isn’t your average ceramic watch.
Urwerk

Ceramic, but better

To craft its proprietary new material, Urwerk encased sheets of woven ceramic interwined with layers of fiberglass in a polymer base, with the fiberglass providing the ceramic with the necessary shatter resistance without interrupting the other properties that make ceramic so great.

“The usual ceramics are hard, but it’s also what makes them a liability,” says Urwerk cofounder Felix Baumgartner said in a press release. “So we decided to develop a ceramic, by and for ourselves. Thanks to the glass fibers it contains, it doesn’t break.”

My Favorite Tiny EDC Knife Just Got a Huge Materials Upgrade

Regarding ultra-compact EDC, no knife hits like WESN’s aptly named Microblade. Not only is this incredibly small flipper blade built exceptionally — more like a full-sized knife than a novelty — but its design makes it much more useful than many other knives in its class.

In an exciting development, WESN has just given us yet another reason to love the Microblade. The brand has released a new, premium, limited edition called the WESN Ridgeback Microblade.

WESN Ridgeback Microblade on wood table surrounded by rope, watch, magazine
This version of the Microblade retains its signature size and silhouette, but the new hammered titanium handle helps it stand alone.
WESN

Still tiny, even more mighty

Thankfully, the Ridgeback Microblade retains the same silhouette and size specs as its less-premium counterparts. For reference, it has a 1.5-inch blade and 2.25-inch handle, which combine for a total length of 3.75 inches and a weight of only one ounce.

However, it does have some significant material and style swaps. For instance, the D2 blade steel is replaced by much higher-grade Böhler M390 steel, renowned for its wear resistance.

The most obvious change is the handle. This one still has a smooth titanium scale on the frame lock side, but the presentation side is now made from hammered titanium instead of smooth titanium or G10.

This Knife Should Be Illegal In California. Here’s Why It’s Not

California has some of the strictest knife laws in the country. Many styles of EDC knives, including OTFs (short for out-the-front), are banned outright.

Some brands, however, have found legal loopholes, skirting the regulations through clever design to produce completely California-legal knives. The Terrain 365 x Prometheus Design Werx CAS OTF is one such knife, and it is exceptional from tip to tail.

Terrain 365 x Prometheus Design Werx CAS OTF knives laying on a swim fin atop a topographical map
The CAS OTF has one of its class’s cleanest, most minimal designs.
Terrain 365

Legalize it

As mentioned, California Penal Code 21510 makes most OTF knives illegal. Possessing, carrying, or selling them can result in up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail.

So, how did PDW and Terrain 365 make the CAS OTF legal to sell, own, and carry? They kept its size below the legal limits.

Short for California Special Out the Front, the CAS OTF’s rustproof Terravantium blade measures up at just 1.925 inches, less than a tenth of an inch smaller than California’s 2.0-inch limit.

The 6 Best Apps of the Year, According to Apple

The winners of Apple’s annual App Store Awards have been crowned.

Apple App Awards 2024Apple

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Two weeks ago, Apple announced the finalists for its annual App Store Awards, which honors what it deems to be the best apps (and games) of the year across its various devices. There were 45 app finalists.

Fast forward to the present day, and Apple has finally selected the winners. Below, you can find the winning apps across Apple’s six major devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Vision Pro.

To learn more about the winning apps and the winning games (which we’ve omitted below) of the year, check out Apple’s news post.

iPhone App of the Year: Kino

Apple App Awards 2024Apple

iPhone App of the Year

Kino

Kino is a video app that allows you to record cinema-worthy videos thanks to color presets created by professional filmmakers. According to Apple, Kino is the iPhone App of the Year “for turning everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces.”

Apple Watch App of the Year: Lumy

Apple App Awards 2024Apple

Apple Watch App of the Year

Lumy

Lumy is a simple yet beautiful app for photographers and nature enthusiasts who want to track the sun’s and moon’s movements. According to Apple, Lumy is the Apple Watch App of the Year “for connecting users to the rhythms of the sun and moon.”

iPad App of the Year: Moises

Apple App Awards 2024Apple

iPad App of the Year

Moises: The Musician’s App

Moises is an app for musicians and music educators. It leverages AI to play music at different speeds and keys, as well as remove vocals or instruments from songs. According to Apple, Moises is the iPad App of the Year “for elevating music practice with AI-powered tools.”

Mac App of the Year: Adobe Lightroom

Apple App Awards 2024Apple

Mac App of the Year

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is a popular photo-editing app for creative professionals and photographers. According to Apple, Adobe Lightroom is the Mac App of the Year “for enhancing the photo editing process with AI-powered features.”

Apple TV App of the Year: F1 TV

Apple App Awards 2024Apple

Apple TV App of the Year

F1 TV

F1 TV is an app for Formula 1 fans. It allows them to stream every F1 race and access exclusive features, including the ability to watch onboard driver cameras, listen to team radios and see real-time race data — all live during the race. According to Apple, it is the Apple TV app of the year “for transporting fans straight into the cockpit of a race car.”

Vision Pro App of the Year: What If…? An Immersive Story

Apple App Awards 2024Marvel

Vision Pro App of the Year

What If…? An Immersive Story

What If…? An Immersive Story is an immersive experience for the Apple Vision Pro. It places you in Marvel’s Multiverse and has you interacting with (and fighting alongside your favorite Avengers. According to Apple, it’s the Vision Pro app of the year “for inviting players into a new kind of Marvel experience.”

From Our Partners

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This Minimalist Knife Is Hiding Some Extremely High-End Features

While they don’t come cheap, these material choices ensure The Catch will serve its owner faithfully and fastidiously for decades.

Quiet Carry The Catch knife closed on black background
The cross-hatched handle pattern harkens to the fishing nets common among coastal communities.
Quiet Carry

Inspired by the sea

While this knife’s name might have you thinking it’s too good to be true, it’s more straightforward than you might think. The Catch draws inspiration from the coast.

That means its moniker isn’t a reference to a hidden downside but to the concept of fishing. Looking closely, you’ll see that inspiration extending to the design.

The titanium handle scales, for instance, have a precision-machined cross-hatched grip pattern that resembles fishing nets. Furthermore, its gently curving silhouette harkens to the ebbs and flows of the ocean’s surface.

This subtlety exemplifies Quiet Carry’s exceptional, understated design language and overall production prowess.

The Most Unique Affordable Field Watch Just Got Even More Interesting

French microbrand Baltic consistently shows up in rankings of the best affordable watch brands on the market, and after recently checking out the brand’s handiwork in the metal for the first time at Windup New York, I see what all the fuss is about.

The brand’s styles are drop-dead gorgeous and its finishing and execution both feel elevated for the price point. After playing it safe with its early vintage-inspired pieces like now-iconic Aquascaphe and Bicompax, lately the brand has flexed its creative muscles with weirder releases like the difficult-to-categorize Prismic and micro-rotor-powered MR.

But perhaps Baltic’s most unique watch — and one of its best — is the Hermétique Tourer. Ostensibly a field watch, it looks like no other watch in its category with its bold floating markers made of solid lume, its integrated crown, and the polished steel “blades” encircling its multi-layered dial. First released in stainless steel last year, the Hermétique quickly stood out in a sea of same-same field watches.

Now, a year later, Baltic has introduced a new model to the Hermétique line that makes the quirky field watch feel even more original.

a bronze baltic field watch on a mans wrist
It turns out bronze is a perfect match for the Hermétique’s quirky style.
Baltic

Bronze Age

The Hermétique has officially entered its Bronze Age.

Baltic has rolled out three new versions of the contemporary field watch in blue, green and brown, each with a 37mm case made of bronze CuAl8 (a copper-aluminum alloy).

Is This the World’s Most Underrated Dive Watch?

High Horology Underwater

Compared to the robust, sports-watch-oriented movements produced by Rolex and Omega, the calibres that power Glashütte Original watches are a different animal. They’re not necessarily better or worse, just different.

They’re more traditional, more beautiful, and more associated with haute horology dress watches than divers. The SeaQ’s Cal. 36-13 movement is a jaw-dropper with its Glashütte three-quarter plate decorated with stripes, its snailed gears, its blued screws and the 21-carat gold logo on its skeletonized rotor.

When you look at this movement — which is a real treat that’s further amplified by the use of the most domed sapphire caseback I’ve ever seen — you’d never guess it was in a 300m-capable dive watch. But make no mistake, this movement is plenty suited for its task with an amagmentic silicon balance spring and a power reserve of 100 hours.

the automatic movement of a glashutte original dive watch seen through a display caseback
Yes, you can get this obscenely elegant movement in your rugged dive watch.
Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

My One Complaint

My loaner was on a textile strap, which was … fine. It’s a little rough and not really worth discussing in detail, and without having seen the available bracelet, I can’t really judge that aspect of the watch.

My one big complaint about the SeaQ, though, is its size. At 43.2mm in diameter and 15.65mm thick, it’s simply too big. The thickness is pretty manageable, as a lot of that comes from the massively domed sapphire crystals on the front and back of the watch — both of which I enjoyed immensely for the visual interest they provide — but the case diameter is a problem.

“Know Your Stuff” Episode 5: The Rise of Super Shoes

What makes some shoes “super?” And why have super shoes taken over running? Listen to our editors discuss.

black nike running shoe with a pink sole laying on a concrete surfaceJack Seemer

In this episode of Know Your Stuff, executive editor and marathoner Jack Seemer sits down with chief content officer Ben Bowers to discuss a topic dominating the running world: super shoes.

During the conversation, they touch on what, exactly, makes some shoes “super” and how technology has changed the game for elite athletes and casual runners alike. They also take a step back to dig into the broader implications for the shoe industry and other sports in the future.

Guest(s):

  • Jack Seemer, Executive Editor
  • Ben Bowers, Chief Content Officer

Background Reading and Referenced Articles

The podcast is produced by our director of video and platforms, Mykim Dang.

For more information on Gear Patrol or Know Your Stuff, visit the Gear Patrol Podcast Hub and our About Us page.

,

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7 Stylish Accessories That Elevate Any Man’s Wardrobe

In menswear, accessories are traditionally seen as the final pieces that elevate an outfit from good to great. Clothes provide the base for style, but strategically chosen accessories infuse character and zest for life. Whether your outfit is for casual, business, or a formal occasion, the right accessories will take it to the next level and send a powerful message. In this guide, we will look at seven accessories men must wear to look elegant and sophisticated.

The Classic Watch

According to fashionistas at Cosmopolitan magazine, a classic watch isn’t merely a timepiece; it is a dignified heritage(timepiece). The right watch can go with everything from a formal look to a casual outfit. Search for one that suits your style, be it an elegant minimalist timepiece, a sporty chronograph, or even a traditional leather strap watch. A good watch helps to elevate your image and acts as an icebreaker— a sign of good taste and attention to detail.

Leather Belt

A leather belt is one of those essentials that can complete your fit. Apart from functionality, it is equally important for fashion purposes too. Wear a belt that is coordinated with the tone of your shoes. Most outfits match nicely with a classic black or brown leather belt, while a textured or patterned belt can add an element of interest. Also, be aware of the buckle style. A simple, slick buckle works great for formal events, while a more decorative design can be an excellent pick for casual events. A stylish belt fits well and improves your overall shape, too.

Stylish Sunglasses

Not only are sunglasses a practical piece of equipment, but they are also a way to make any outfit pop! The right sunglasses can complement your features and outfit in a significant way. Apart from style, check out a good-quality lens. With glare reduction and UV protection, polarized lenses are a practical option for bright sunny days. Whether you are at the beach, on a drive, or heading to an outdoor event, a good pair of stylish sunglasses makes a great statement, making you look collected and never out of style.

Pocket Square

It may seem small, but the pocket square is an accessory that has a lot of impact. A classic addition to your suit jacket or blazer, it adds a touch of color and texture, turning your outfit up a notch in one simple move. They are also available in different styles of fabrics, prints, and colors allowing you to showcase your personality and take your outfit game to the next level.

When it comes to styling a pocket square, that depends a lot on the occasion and your entire look. A classic white linen pocket square is timeless and elegant, but a more colorful, bold patterned pocket square can add interest to a casual or fashion-forward look.

Quality Footwear

Many of us would agree that shoes are an essential part of any man’s attire. Nothing completes a great outfit like a well-chosen pair of shoes and the opposite is true as well. Whatever your taste be it loafers, brogues, or modern-day sleek sneakers, good shoes should exhibit the aspects of comfort and style. In that regard, search for designer footwear that has been crafted from the best materials, because such shoes will be more durable and even smart-looking.

Practicality stands out when selecting footwear as well. For instance, a well-tailored pair of brown leather shoes can be paired with both suits and smart-casual wear. On the other hand, clean and fashionable pairs of white sneakers would suffice for most casual wear. Whatever your option may be, make sure that your shoes are well-kept – a clean and polished pair of shoes leaves a very good impression.

Functional Messenger Bag

An elegant messenger bag is more than just a necessary item; it is also a fashionable accessory. There is always a perfect bag designed for your personal use, work, or weekend escapade that will make you look good and still offer adequate storage. Leather and other tough canvas materials are good if you want to look smart.

When one opts for messenger bags one should look into: size and organization. First of all, look for a room providing any pockets or compartments inside, which are most important for keeping a laptop or documents or personal items in order.

Statement Jewelry

Statement jewelry is something that allows men to showcase their personality and style. These items do not blend into the attire, like the typical additional objects they are worn, instead; they include magnificent rings, sculptural bracelets, and extravagant necklaces. They make a statement; that’s why they are called that. Each of them can be a very personal form of art, depending on how one wears it. An uncommon item will make all the difference in a plain-looking ensemble, as it will transform the most boring of attires into a spectacular one.

Statement accessories, such as sleek cufflinks or bold watches serve a similar purpose for men as Moissanite rings do for women. These pieces also serve as icebreakers – for many, it is an excuse or rather an opportunity to interact with other people. There is a reason why people go for bold declarations when it comes to accessories: such accessories tend to elicit lots of questions and compliments, creating a vacuum that the wearer will feel inclined to fill. It helps you not only to establish your physical presence in social events but also acts as a booster of your spirit as you will be able to make everyone hear your voice without any restrictions. Because it involves departing from the norms of dressing, statement jewelry also encourages one to take advantage of their eccentricities in the fashion world.

Final Words

Stylish accessories have always been effective in augmenting personal style. The seven accessories properly discussed here include classic watches, leather belts, beautiful shades, pocket squares, good shoes, office messenger bags, and fashion jewelry. These all help to achieve a polished look. So this holiday. upgrade your wardrobe in style!

Omega May Kill Off a Beloved Seamaster Diver. Blame James Bond

Is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M we know and love dead?

After the Speedmaster Moonwatch, Omega’s most recognizable model — by far — is the Seamaster Diver 300M. First launched in 1993, the watch rocketed to fame on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in the 1995 film Goldeneye, and it’s been associated with the character ever since.

The current generation of the watch debuted in 2018, introducing a bolder new aesthetic with a polished ceramic bezel with more symmetrical markings, a larger 42mm case size, a display caseback, a Master Chronometer movement, and a polished ceramic dial with laser-engraved waves. This ultramodern version has become a beloved icon itself and has consistently ranked among the best — if not the best — luxury dive watches on the market since its debut.

But it’s looking more and more like we’ve seen the last of this beloved generation of the Seamaster, as Omega keeps releasing new divers that leave the ceramic wave dial in the past.

a closeup of an omega seamaster dive watch
Omega’s newest Seamaster Diver continues to follow the recent 007-inspired trend.
Omega

It’s James Bond’s Fault

Omega launched another new Seamaster Diver 300M today, this time with a two-tone case made of titanium and the brand’s proprietary Bronze Gold alloy. The dial is colored green and made of sandblasted aluminum with no waves, while the bezel insert is also green aluminum. The dial has no date, the bracelet is titanium mesh and the crystal is a bulbous domed sapphire.

It’s largely the same design language we saw on the two new Seamaster Divers the brand released earlier this month, one of which featured a brushed steel dial and steel relief bezel while the other was in stainless steel with a black aluminum bezel and dial featuring smaller, ’90s-style waves. Both of those watches have no-date dials, mesh bracelets and domed crystals.

Böker Morphs an Iconic Tactical Blade into a Refined EDC Flipper

In fact, the thumb stud (which is actually removable, should you want to delete it entirely) actually serves as a wave opener — similar to the Emerson Wave — allowing you to deploy and open the knife in a single, fluid motion.

Closed Böker Hel Karambit on blue background
The removable thumb stud doubles as a wave opener, making deploying the Hel Karambit lightning-quick.
Böker

More than meets the eye

Penned by Italian knifemaker Alessandra De Santis of Hydra Design, Böker’s Hel sports plenty of traditional karambit features that are sure to instill confidence in the knife. However, it’s the differences that really help elevate and refine it.

The blade, for instance, has the signature Hawkbill curve to it, but not so much that it becomes unusable for daily tasks. In fact, the blade’s gentle belly arc is ideal for things like opening packages and cutting loose strings from apparel.

Furthermore, the handle’s G10 material has a textured finish to it, almost like a canvas Micarta, that gives the Hel a much more modern, urbane appearance, unlike its more aggressive, tactical siblings.

The Hel even comes with a removable wire pocket clip, which can be attached to either side for ambidextrous carry (the flipper and thumb stud also work ambidextrously).

I’ve Rarely Seen Reddit Praise a Product This Much

Many a product (and brand) has been torn limb from limb in the comments of Reddit threads, often for good reasons. But there are also pockets of positivity for products that truly stand out.

The Slow N’ Sear insert from SnS Grills is one of the most widely praised products I’ve ever encountered on Reddit across authoritative threads, including r/smoking and r/grilling.

It’s a simple accessory designed to work with most charcoal kettle grills of various sizes. They also make variants for kamado-style grills like the iconic Big Green Egg.

Every version is essentially a semicircle-shaped stainless steel charcoal basket. More advanced versions also include a reservoir for holding water.

And right now nearly every variant of it is on sale at Amazon.

Grilling Enthusiasts Praise the Slow N’ Sear Basket

A photo of a Slow N' Sear basket filled with charcoal sitting in a charcoal grill. The coals are hot and burning.
We’ve rarely seen a product that’s so universally praised on Reddit, especially among grilling experts.
SnS Grills

Here’s just a smattering of comments you’ll find about the Slow N’ Sear insert, all from different users, posted on a single thread in r/Smoking alone from just 5 months ago, which I’ve lightly edited in some cases for clarity.

“I love it. Really, really love it.”
“Worth every penny. Love mine.”
“Mine never leaves my kettle”
“I use it all the time”
“100% the best upgrade ever for a Weber Kettle.”
“I have it my 22 and love it.”
“Basically the only time I don’t use it is if I’m making a ton of hot dogs”
“It’s the best upgrade for the Weber Kettle.”
“Mine doesn’t leave the kettle. Invaluable”
“Worth the money. Use mine for everything except wings.”
“I use it for nearly every cook I do. Love it”
“Best purchase I made when it came to smoking on the 22”
“Love it, game changer. It caused me to love my Weber kettle more than my Traeger”

This AI-Powered Home Gym Looks (and Works) Unlike Any Other

Available for pre-order now, amp promises a more intelligent way to strength train in clean, simple form factor.

talking points man working out with ampamp

Welcome to Talking Points, a series that looks at what makes certain products worth talking about, brought to you by Gear Patrol Studios.

On the whole, home workout equipment has looked like, well, workout equipment since it first made the leap from gyms to our living rooms. Which is to say it doesn’t exactly fit in with that Herman Miller chair.

Add to that the fact that most machines are essentially “dumb,” and you start to see why the folks at amp saw a ripe opportunity to disrupt the category.

The brand’s inaugural product is a smart strength device promising an elegant user experience in a clean, simple form factor designed to compliment your home’s vibe, not detract from it. Here’s what you need to know about this compelling new device.

Fitness Appamp

The Backstory

The team at amp, which is made up of tech and fitness-industry veterans from brands including Apple, Nike and more, felt strongly that the home workout space was overdue for a shake-up. So, in 2021, they launched amp to reimagine the strength routine with a product defined as much by its considered, elegant design as the transformative, AI-powered fitness experience it could deliver.

The Gist

Functionally, amp says the device’s algorithms continually monitor and adjust workouts based on the user’s progress and build science-backed, gamified workout programs to power their progress. The device will feature smart modes to deliver variable resistance automatically and utilize live capture to track your reps so you can focus on your form instead of keeping count in your head.

The sleek, aluminum device was meticulously designed to both withstand the rigors of use while seamlessly integrating into the user’s environment. One design element we love? The lack of an integrated display. In conjunction with the amp app, the device instead leverages the screen you already have — your smartphone.

Our POV

When you consider everything this device offers, it’s easy to see why the team at amp is so bullish about it being the antidote to the underwhelming home fitness equipment currently on the market.

With so much tech packed into such a streamlined, modern-looking device, we think amp may have created the perfect all-in-one home strength system for those with an uncompromising approach to their fitness and home decor.

amp will retail for $1,795 and can be reserved today with a $99 deposit. Shipping begins in early 2025.

amp

amp, the AI-Powered Fitness Device

This Affordable Sports Watch Has a High-End Feature I Didn’t Expect at This Price

The movement measures just 3.7mm thick thanks to its tungsten micro-rotor — a feature normally reserved for far more expensive watches. It also beats at 4 Hz yet maintains an impressive power reserve of 70 hours, all the while maintaining a stated near-COSC accuracy -3/+7 seconds per day. This is all very impressive stuff for an in-house movement at this price.

the micro rotor movement on a yema sports watch seen through a display caseback
Yema’s in-house micro-rotor movement was always impressive, but now it has the premium looks to match its performance.
Yema

Yema has used this movement in several watches before, including in limited-edition Wristmasters, but the movements used were frankly pretty ugly with undecorated PVD-coated bridges. Here, the bridges have been decorated with Côtes de Genève in a sunray pattern that’s reminiscent of Omega’s “Geneva waves in arabesque” treatment. It’s gorgeous and looks quite luxurious, and is a far better fit for the micro-rotor.

Luxury for Less

In addition to the movement, the new Wristmaster has another trick up its sleeve — yet another feature borrowed from high-end watches. The butterfly clasp hides a micro-adjustment system that allows 1.5mm to 3mm of extra room in the bracelet.

It’s a feature first seen on the $20,000+ Vacheron Constantin Overseas but adapted earlier this year by Christopher Ward, a Yema competitor, for its own integrated sports watch, the Twelve. All three systems function very similarly: You simply pull and push the clasp to adjust it.