Car lovers love cars above all else. But the same
attributes that make us love cars leads many to appreciate timepieces as well –
automotive-inspired watches especially.
Unfortunately for those of us who've yet to make
millions, most of the automotive timepieces we come across are expensive often very, very expensive. But there are some out there that won't break the
bank, like these latest from Roue Watch.
The new brand takes its name from the French word
for “wheel,” and offers some of the sleekest car-inspired watches we've seen.
But they don't cost hundreds of thousands, or even thousands. They range, quite
reasonably, from US$ 160 to US$ 230. That's even less than what Autodromo (quite
reasonably) charges for its slick wristwatches. And while that might not be
pocket change for most people, it's entirely reasonable for a cool watch you
dig.
Now for that kind of money, you don't expect a
mechanical Swiss movement, with all sorts of complications, rare metals or gems
(or branding from a high-end automaker, for that matter). Roue's watches are
built around Japanese quartz movements sourced from Miyota or Seiko, which make
solid machinery that'll reliably keep time as least as well as more expensive
chronometers.
They're encased in steel with either a brushed or
black PVD finish, and measuring 41.5 millimeters across, they're of a good size
without going overboard. They also feature scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
(usually featuring on more expensive watches), five atmospheres of water
resistance, and interchangeable straps made of leather, nylon, or rubber.
They're stylish, too: sleekly minimalist, not
overdone, drawing inspiration from motorsport, classic timepieces, and German
design. There's twelve different versions to choose from, including one with a
calendar function, another with a seconds sub-dial, and of course a
chronograph. Whichever you choose, though, you won't have to take out a loan –
or sell your car – to buy it.
