Brew I Do: A True Story About FOMO…

As someone who writes about watches for a living, I thought I was an entirely rational person when assessing potential purchases. I know that my collection can be quirky (I have a lot of examples of eccentric 1970s designs), even so, my tastes are consistent (I generally favor time-only displays).

I also thought I possessed the critical thinking necessary to make judgments based on knowledge, not impulse and emotion.

However, ever since getting the embargoed news about the new Brew Metric Gold, I’ve been having a serious identity crisis.

Announced today, the Metric Gold is an updated, golden take on the retro-styled Metric, first launched in 2021. The following is a list of all the rational reasons I shouldn’t buy this watch. Even though, you know, I will.

Adding rarified examples of Haute Horlogerie to my exquisitely curated collection is not within my current budget, but even if they were, I still wouldn't be a massive watch snob. In fact, I have several G-SHOCKs and Swatches that bring me much joy. And if you know me, then you know I’m certainly not one to clutch my pearls when I see someone wearing an Invicta.
 

That said, I am a bit of a snob because I do prefer mechanical movements. I have always romanticized the idea of wearing a tiny, ticking heart on my wrist. In contrast, Brew’s Metric models are powered by a meca-quartz movement, which is an interesting amalgamation. So much so that I can’t stop thinking about the Metric.
 

In the past, the non-mechanical would be a deal breaker, but it still supplies a satisfying mechanical vibe – especially when activating the chronograph functions.

Tastes are in a constant state of flux; hence, the existence of fads. For instance, I used to lose my mind over complications (I still won’t rest until I get my hands on an alarm watch). But as much as I can appreciate the beauty of a tourbillon, in my everyday life, I’m team Time-Only.
 

In fact, I already have a handful of chronographs, though I have no use for the function. Many people have even tried to help me connect to this function by telling me that they use their chronos to time eggs, but I detest boiled eggs. Moreover, Brew’s colorful Metric Retro Dial, one of the first models in the collection to be released, even had a display designed to help baristas pour out a perfect brew. Did I mention that I also hate coffee?
 

Logically, given that all Brew watches are chronographs, the new Metric Gold should not be a watch that haunts my dreams.

Brew is a brand I’ve admired since the get-go. I like Founder John Ferrer’s story and energy. The watches themselves are well-made and thoughtfully designed. Plus, they are a great value proposition. As a result, I will happily be a cheerleader for this company. However, I never thought I’d actually buy one for myself because I generally stay in the second-hand lane.
 

Over the years, I have amassed a lot of watches, and I like to see them get equal wrist time. And because I don’t like upsetting that balance, it takes a lot for me to pull the trigger on a new, non-vintage purchase.

Despite all that, when the Metric first came out, I was enchanted by its retro styling. Still, I hemmed and hawed, the first limited editions of the Metric quickly sold out before I could make a decision. Then, frustratingly, I made the same mistake and missed out when the colorful Metric Retro Dial became available again in August 2022.
 

I was disappointed but figured that the universe was trying to tell me something. So, when the next Metric came out, I needed to strike while the proverbial iron was hot!

Well, today is that day. And luckily for me, it seems that fate wanted me to wait for the Metric Gold.

More and more, I have come to accept certain truths. When I was younger, I pictured myself more of a punk, and when it came to watches, that meant the toughness of steel. Now I want to embrace the warmth of PVD gold-coated steel (I’ve also been moving away to smaller case sizes in general).
 

And by updating the finish of the Metric from shiny silver to glowing gold, Brew has revealed yet another alluring facet of the Metric. Besides appealing to my alternative nature, the black dial-gold casing combo and irregular placement of its sub-dials make the display elements feel more integrated here than in their predecessors.

It also has a lot of wrist presence, but with a 36mm x 41mm case, it isn’t overpowering. Moreover, thanks to the hybrid VK68 Mecca-Quartz chronograph caliber, the whole package is really quite light.
 

I feel comfortable sharing this journey with you, dear reader, because I know many enthusiasts in the same situation – in love with something but not entirely able to unpack the reasons why. I do want to stick to my guns about reducing overconsumption. After all, I can’t have all the watches. At the same time, we shouldn’t have to justify the things we love.

So, even though the Metric Gold is priced at $475, I know for a fact that Brew does not make throwaway timepieces frivolously discarded once it requires servicing. Yes, I think I’m ready to switch to the Metric system.
 

For more information, visit the Brew website.

(Images © Brew)