PLUS: The best men’s undershirts, leaf blowers, and tech gifts.
This week:
- “Cheap” watches are better than ever. Jeremy White handpicks four stellar pieces.
- First reactions to Apple’s new HomeView.
- A Kindle upgrade that’s actually worth it.
- Kirkland Signature men’s undershirts are an incredible value buy.
|
There’s never been a better time to get into affordable watches. Ask Jeremy White, our resident expert, who recently fooled Rolex when he brought in a well-made dupe for servicing. Turns out, it’s comically boring to spend half a grand on counterfeit luxury when you could score something truly unique for even less. Little-known microbrands and vintage heritage finds, often with a distinctive design pedigree and horological history, have made the sub-$400 space more vibrant than ever. Luxury brand names used to be synonymous with taste. But to me, there’s nothing cooler than unearthing a hidden gem with a story to tell—no matter how little it costs.
I’ve narrowed down my own rotation to three pieces—the weekend-ready Casio (now 16% off); a 1950s Omega Seamaster, sourced from Chen’s in NYC; and a funky, affordable ’60s tool watch from Arrows Vintage—but this is a dangerous hobby, and suddenly I’m eyeing styles for each day of the week. So I challenged Jeremy to find me my next watch for under $400.
|
COOPER FLEISHMAN
Executive Commerce Director, WIRED
|
|
All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more.
|
Four timeless watches that won’t break the bank—curated by Jeremy White, Senior Innovation Editor.
|
DIVE DEEP Caravelle Sea Hunter | $300 Caravelle has absolutely no right to make a mechanical dive watch as attractive and capable as this at this price, but here it is all the same. So elegant and stylish, it’s practically a GADA (“go anywhere, do anything”) watch. But 200 meters of waterproofing, a unidirectional bezel, and a 42-hour power reserve make the Sea Hunter an ideal sports watch too.
|
|
Orient Bambino 38mm | $295 Unquestionably one of the best-value automatic dress watches you can buy today, the $295 Orient Bambino boasts a timeless 38-mm design that pairs beautifully with a leather strap. You can view the automatic Japanese movement inside via the exhibition case back, and there’s even 30 meters of water resistance—not that you should be swimming with such a watch. Feeling less traditional? Go for the pink dial with a stainless steel bracelet.
|
|
Citizen Tsuyosa | $396 Pickings are slim for genuinely automatic GADA watches under $400, but the Citizen—with its classic black dial, 50 meters of water resistance, 42-hour power reserve, date window, and integrated stainless steel bracelet—will see you right from beach to boardroom. We recommend the more wearable 37-mm range. Or, venturing above $600, park Citizen and go for the Lorier Falcon or Trasker Commuter 36 instead.
|
|
Sea-Gull 1963 “International Edition” | $269 Looking a little further afield can pay off in the watch world. A great example of this is the Sea-Gull 1963, a hand-wound mechanical chronograph based on a vintage pilot's timepiece originally built for the Chinese Air Force in 1961. The 38-mm size is perfectly wearable—and there’s no arguing with the price tag. It’s a gateway drug into collecting. Get it on a green NATO strap.
|
|
“These are the softest T-shirts you’ve ever had,” said my wife, Ellie, folding laundry while our 16-month-old bulldozed her piles. “Where are they from?” The answer might shock you: Costco! I’ve tested dozens of men’s tees, but now, thanks to a tip from Reddit, Kirkland Signature makes my go-to undershirt. If you don’t have a membership, the tees are on Amazon too.
|
|
|
|
|
LIFE-TESTED, EXPERT-APPROVED
|
From our homes to yours: two curated picks.
|
|
|
The Best Kindle
Don’t buy the fancy new Kindle (though I’ll admit the aluminum frame might be tempting). For just $10 more, you can get our top pick.
|
|
|
|
|
The Best Coffee Grinder
Finally, a coffee grinder that gets everything right. I own it—it’s $199 very well spent.
|
|
|
|
The best new stuff on WIRED.
|
|
|
Breville’s $300 Eye Q toaster has a lot of tech. Too bad about the bread.
|
|
|
|
|
First reactions to the Apple HomeView.
|
|
|
|
|
Ignore the brand claims. Here’s what won our battle.
|
|
|
|
|
Everything comes WIRED-recommended.
|
|
|
This email was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), Please add our email address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.
View our Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe
Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment