Fall Forward: Reis-Nichols Guide To The Must-Have Watches Of 2020

This summer is one for the record books in more ways than one. So regardless of if you’re enjoying watches from home or during a socially distanced hike, Reis-Nichols has something for everyone.

By Josh Shanks

Contributor

As the home for fine jewelry and luxury timepieces in Central Indiana, Reis-Nichols holds the enviable position of serving one of the most unique watch markets in the United States. From being a TAG Heuer partner for the Indy 500 to serving renowned sports franchises like the Indianapolis Pacers and Indianapolis Colts, Reis-Nichols sees their fair share of high-profile clientele.

Reis-Nichols TAG Heuer sponsored car on track

I came to know Reis-Nichols during college when I used to peruse their watch aisles between working two jobs and going to school. Back then, owning a high caliber watch was just a dream, but Reis-Nichols' associates treated me as if I was an IndyCar star walking through their doors. It's this level of white-glove yet humble service that endears this retailer to so many.

Reis-Nichols Fall-Forward Picks

While it’s hard to narrow our picks to a handful of watches, we asked Reis-Nichols’ Watch Manager Cole Hale to give us some insights about the timepieces that pair with the unique ambiance of 2020.

Hale said, “Leading into summer, especially April/May, we didn't know what to predict as far as where the business was going to go. But as things have opened back up, especially in the Indianapolis market, we have noticed an upward trend in the watch industry. And we see that driven by a lot of different brands.”

Indianapolis Store ©Reis-Nichols

In this guide, you'll find our picks separated by three distinct categories. Each is hand-selected to show the diverse assortment of timepieces available at Reis-Nichols. For more information about any of the watches in this guide, visit the Reis-Nichols website, or call them at 317-255-4467.

Watches For A Zoom Meeting Or Outdoor Dining

There is perhaps nothing more fitting when you're trading business attire for a t-shirt and blue jeans than the Oris x Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five. Oris is a newcomer to Reis-Nichols, and the brand is quickly picking up a following in the Midwest. As Hale added, “I think Oris has been genius for their strategy over the last few years. Especially when they started reinventing themselves in their “Go Your Own Way” campaign, they’ve reached into their roots. And when I look at this Divers Sixty-Five, it's tough to find something comparable for the price point.”

The Oris x Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five ©Oris

Made in partnership with Japanese denim brand Momotaro, this Divers Sixty-Five is crafted from stainless steel with a contrasting bronze bezel. Its gradient green dial bursts with color and is smartly matched to a black Momotaro denim strap textured with the Japanese brand’s signature “battle stripes” pattern. Priced at $2,200, this Oris is both accessible and stylish.

The Oris x Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five ©Oris

Next up, we have the NOMOS Tetra Ode to Joy. A 29.50mm unisex watch made in the traditional methods of this well-known Glashütte manufacture. This square cased manually wound mechanical is priced at $2,320. Well-suited for the outdoors with its olive green dial, this watch is the perfect accessory for an afternoon stroll or an evening of al fresco dining.

The NOMOS Glashütte Tetra Ode to Joy

Watches For The Track

No stranger to a speedway, the third-generation owner of Reis-Nichols, BJ Nichols, is a gentlemen driver (read HERE) and can often be found at the nearby Putnam Park racetrack. There’s no better accompaniment to a day at the track than a good chronograph.

The Tudor Black Bay Chronograph collection was released in 2017 to much fanfare. It was an evolution of Tudor’s Black Bay collection that brought motorsports vibes to a much-loved, heritage-inspired lineup. And I know from personal experience that there’s perhaps none more retro than the Black Bay Chrono Steel & Gold on a bund-style strap (read HERE).

The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steel & Gold

This two-tone chronograph features a 41mm case with gold-capped pushers and crown and a gold-capped tachymeter bezel. Powered by Tudor's Calibre MT5813 movement and boasting a power reserve of 70 hours, this piece has vintage vibes that embody the 1970s racing scene. A watch befitting of A.J. Foyt and Johnny Rutherford, the Black Bay Chrono Steel & Gold is priced starting at $5,800 on bund or strap, and a $7,000 two-tone steel and gold rivet bracelet version.

The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steel & Gold on the wrist

Up next, we have the IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph. Released in 2019, the IWC Spitfire collection looks just as good speeding into turn one as it does soaring through the air. For our track day, we selected the Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph 41mm, a robust chronograph that Watchonista has covered previously (read HERE).

The IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph 41mm ©IWC

Sized at a respectable 41mm, the Spitfire Chronograph is powered by IWC's 69380 column-wheel chronograph and boasts a power reserve of 46 hours. With a vibrant black dial with a thoughtfully designed dial layout. Chronograph hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed via well-proportioned sub-dials while the day and date are shown at 3 o'clock. The Spitfire Chronograph is priced at $5,950 and available on a green textile or brown leather straps.

His And Hers

With everyone seeking a bit of normality, there's nothing more soothing than a date night, whether you're relaxing at home with a good film or dining out with your significant other. Reis-Nichols prides itself on offering a well-curated selection of timepieces for all genders and budgets.

One brand that has been on an absolute tear lately is Breitling. As Hale explained, “I'm going to say Breitling [read HERE] has been very impressive. We're getting a lot of requests. Pieces like the Chronomat [read HERE] have done very well, and even at the $3,000 price point with the new Endurance [read HERE] collection. We’re completely sold out with more on order.”

The Breitling Chronomat B01 42

For our date night, we selected the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44mm watch. A colorful adventure piece that looks as good tableside as it does for a day at the beach. With a water resistance of 1,000 meters (or 3,300 feet), this piece puts the “Super” in Superocean. Priced at a reasonable $4,000, it is available now at Reis-Nichols.

The Breitling Superocean 44mm

For her, we’ve selected the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31. A lineup of four 31mm pieces available in purple, green, black, or white dial variants. No matter her taste, Rolex's Datejust collection offers a timeless look to survive any future fashion trend. The best part? Like all Rolex models, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 is a mechanical timepiece that offers Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification. Priced starting at $6,850 the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 offers a wide variety of options for her.

Rolex Ladyjust 31 with purple dial ©Rolex

Final Thoughts

While this guide is by no means a complete list of the fall-forward watches available at Reis-Nichols, it’s certainly meant to inspire you to explore a theme or collection well-suited to your life. Based on my experience, Reis-Nichols sales associates would be more than happy to help you find the right watch.