The brand new Lorier × Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer is the most recent limited-edition collaboration from the New York Metropolis-based publication. The partnership is near dwelling as Lorier, a well known microbrand, additionally hails from the Huge Apple. They’ve created an inexpensive, very cool watch that ought to promote sooner than the latest SoHo clothes drop.
I’m an enormous fan of Worn & Wound. It’s one of many founding titles in watch media, and I like the location’s protection of small, unbiased manufacturers. The parents there have put their love of those microbrands into motion with many collaborative releases. I nonetheless bear in mind a titanium piece with Boldr that dropped in the course of the holidays a number of years in the past and kicking myself for not shopping for it! The watch was nice and very inexpensive. In the present day’s new Lorier × Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer, with its contemporary new design and approachable price ticket, is likely one of the coolest watches I’ve seen. Promoting watches isn’t as straightforward because it was a number of years in the past, however this piece ought to transfer shortly.
The Lorier × Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer
Let’s begin with some primary specs as a result of we’ll spend more often than not on the star of the present (pun supposed), the dial. The Astra Stargazer is a 36mm by 44mm stainless-steel watch with a 100m depth ranking and a screw-down crown. It’s simply 11mm thick together with the domed acrylic crystal. This collab makes use of Lorier’s Astra case, one of many model’s hottest choices. The only real strap is a grey suede 20mm one with a stainless-steel pin buckle.
A dial impressed by the area age
Worn & Wound despatched us the PR info for the Astra Stargazer, and it mentions the mysteries of the universe, the area age, and the celebrities because the inspiration for this watch. With out wanting on the watch, one thing funky and digital involves thoughts, however the precise result’s one thing much more cohesive. The dial appears to be like planetary. However the way in which it really works and the usage of luminous materials together with the design is improbable.
Picture: Analog:Shift
Earlier than shifting on, I wished to deliver up a classic watch that immediately got here to thoughts after I noticed the Astra Stargazer. The early ’60s Landeron-powered Wittnauer Electro-Chron was a wild piece that continues to be standard at this time with collectors. Sadly, like most non-mechanical actions from this era, it’s liable to breakage. However wow, is it cool! Fortunately, the great of us at Worn & Wound have given us a globular central hand and a mechanical powerplant.
A wildly cool dial
The Astra Stargazer blends grey, seafoam inexperienced, and white components. A grey outer monitor with white minute hashes surrounds a ridged, luminous ring. Then, the dial’s heart is a rotating grey disc with 12 sectors and a luminous arrow for the hours. If these particulars aren’t particular sufficient, the 2 remaining “palms” are wildly completely different. The minute hand is a big circle with a luminous triangle that factors towards the minute’s monitor. A central three-spoke seconds hand incorporates a lume pip on the finish of every spoke. Two glow blue, and the opposite lights up inexperienced in low-light environments.
The watch is enticing within the gentle, nevertheless it comes out to play in darkness. C3 and C9 Tremendous-LumiNova create a transparent distinction with their blue and inexperienced tones. Finally, this makes the watch straightforward to learn and visually attention-grabbing.
A strong automated motion
Beneath the engraved screw-in case again, the Astra Stargazer makes use of the acquainted Miyota 90S5 automated motion. This 24-jewel caliber has a frequency of 28,800vph and 42 hours of energy reserve. It additionally has hacking to assist line up the distinctive seconds hand.
Straightforward on the eyes and the wrist
The Lorier × Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer ought to put on effectively on account of its enticing dimensions. Some might need for a bigger footprint, however I’d be proud of a watch that ought to really feel just like a classic Datejust. In fact, the dial design is a distinct idea altogether. Nonetheless, the watch, with its mix of polished and matte particulars, ought to work effectively with many straps to decorate it up or down.
Pricing and availability
The brand new Astra Stargazer is offered immediately from Worn & Wound’s Windup Shop site for US$499. A run of 200 items shall be out there, and delivery will happen throughout December 2024. Lorier has an awesome fame with followers, so the construct high quality ought to be on level. Mix that facet with a very distinctive design, and this can be a winner. Plus, it may make an awesome vacation present! Simply make sure you don’t sleep in your shopping for resolution like I did a number of years in the past.
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