The Friday Read: A New American Watch Brand Worth Knowing & The Best New Gear from Huckberry

VERO watches review.

Welcome back to this, the second Friday Read of 2025. It’s a worthwhile time to take stock of how your year has started and where you want it to go, in matters of New Year’s resolutions — menswear and otherwise — in matters of how you dress and the mindful thought that goes into some of your favorite menswear brands. Now, to be sure, I’m not just talking about tried-and-true, fan favorite brands like Huckberry.

We’ve already talked about the best Huckberry menswear in particular to start 2025, but let’s go beyond just that, shall we? In fact, in future editions of the Friday Read, you can expect the occasional spotlight on an unheralded yet truly excellent brand, like the USA-made timepiece manufacturer we’re about to discuss, Vero Watches.

As of late, my attention has been captured by some similar upstarts, the sort of brands that fall right in line with the rugged, adventurous, tastefully classic yet modern vibe of Huckberry (and Taylor Stitch, and Buck Mason and … well, you get the picture).

Best field watches for men.

And especially in the wristwear arena — as I cover watches frequently for Maxim.com and elsewhere — I’ve been impressed by the revamped takes on the “modern American field watch” coming out of Vero Watches. The brand was actually founded back in 2015, but has started to garner some buzz as of late, and I appreciate their outdoor-ready, rugged and yet crisply designed sensibility as far as watch design is concerned.

Vero men's watches review.

And to hear the company tell it, its timepieces are “inspired by grit, commitment and style,” with a true sense of intention behind each timepiece (like the Workhorse Chrono shown here). In fact, Vero Watches says they build timepieces “that are meant to live on your wrist,” rather than in a collector’s box. An admirable focus, yes?

Many of its watches are built with durable stainless steel, feature hearty water resistance and outdoor-minded features like canvas straps, and of course, production takes place in the good ole U.S. of A — Portland, Oregon, mind you.

Yessir, if you ask me, there’s a lot to love about this brand, including the beefy 44.5mm case build of the Workhorse Chrono (expect more in the weeks ahead on this particular watch, my friends).

Consider this your first intro to Vero Watches, a brand I’ll surely be circling back to here on the blog in good time. As it were, you very well might be able to spot a timepiece from the company sooner rather than later on my Instagram.

Best field watches for men.

For now, I’m going to wind down this Friday Read early — you’ve got some reading and shopping to do as far as your new favorite watch company is concerned, but if I can recommend one final piece, head over to yesterday’s blog post to revamp your weekend activewear and loungewear game from Huckberry. Cheers to a new year, a fresh weekend and some stylish recommendations to power the days, weeks and months ahead.

See Now, Buy Now: The Shinola Mechanic Watch is a Refined Timepiece for Everyday Wear

Shinola men's watch review.

The details often make the difference in putting together the best #OOTD for many a situation: The office, date night, a *day at the office into date night,* and so on. Accessories can take an outfit from good to great, especially a look centered around the classics — like an Oxford shirt and a navy blazer, for instance.

And as I put together a classically cool look of my own (check out my Instagram for more!), I often turn to a finishing touch via the best watches for men. In fact, I turn to one of my favorite brands: Michigan-based Shinola, a watchmaker that’s truly a lifestyle brand. There’s the Shinola Hotel in Detroit, plus an impressive array of Shinola furniture collaborations, but let’s talk about the Shinola Mechanic Watch as seen at the top of the page.

Shinola watch review

The best men’s watches needn’t be overly complicated or even overly expensive — and even something seemingly simple in terms of design can add a sense of sharpness to any look.

So it goes with the Shinola Mechanic Watch, so named for its hand-wound mechanical design — on a technical note, a series of gears and springs power the watch, without the need for a battery.

But we’ll leave more intricacy to watch blogs out there, since both the design and interior construction of this timepiece are still flawless enough to warrant your hard-earned cash (and time), and a place in your wardrobe.

When it comes to the Shinola Mechanic Watch, the difference really is in the details, and that includes a cushioned case design and domed alabaster dial, while pleasantly curved hours and minutes hands also lock in the tasteful throwback look of this timepiece. The dial exudes a mix of Art-Deco and Mid-Century Modern-esque charm, something I tend to appreciate about Shinola men’s watches.

In my book, the look of this refined timepiece is crisp and versatile enough to be dressed down (with a waffle henley and dark blue jeans) or dressed up (with a white Oxford shirt and a navy blazer, for instance). There’s simply much to love about a timepiece like the Shinola Mechanic Watch, which also boasts a dressy and retro-minded 39mm dial (keep this in mind if you favor a larger watch).

And while this watch might seem like a splurge at first, it’s a worthwhile purchase and even comes with some distinctive touches, like that toothed crown on the right for self-winding. A handsome leather strap rounds things out quite nicely for pairing with your favorite brown leather boots — if I were you, I’d look to pair up the Shinola Mechanic Watch with as many ensembles as possible this season (and beyond).

The Tuesday Steal: This Sleek Citizen Dress Watch is On Sale Right Now at Huckberry

Citizen men's dress watch review

As you well know if you read this Brooklyn style blog, the details surely make the difference when it comes to men’s style essentials. That goes for big-ticket items like your go-to chambray shirt or some of the best leather boots as much as it does for something like one of the best watches for men.

There’s already plenty of precision at play in the watch world, but you needn’t spend an arm and a leg to get one — just head over today to the Huckberry Sale section (while supplies last!) to find your new favorite watch from prestige watchmaker Citizen.

You see, the Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Dress Watch blends precision and quality with high-minded, versatile style, and it’s on sale right now for about 20 percent within the always-covetable Huckberry Sale section. The famed retailer calls this timepiece a “classic, everyday watch in a versatile 40mm case width,” the sort that should wear nicely and in dressy fashion most wrists.

The real key with the Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Dress Watch, however, lies within — that’s in addition to three stylish strap options, including the perfectly tailored gray dial option on a black leather strap (my personal favorite).

Best dress watches for men to buy now.

Yes indeed, the Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Dress Watch features the company’s ultra-exact Citizen Caliber 8322 automatic mechanism with a 60-hour power reserve, and the watch charges up and keeps time through only the movement of your wrist — no battery needed.

It’s an impressive bit of watchmaking prowess that I appreciate, and in my experience, the Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Dress Watch should prove crisp, dressy and seriously stylish — all at a very nice discount via the excellent Huckberry Sale section. Give it a closer look today before upgrading your wrist game with ease (again, while supplies last!).

The Tuesday Steal: This One-of-a-Kind Huckberry x Zodiac Watch Is Now 25 Percent Off

Huckberry x Zodiac watch review.

It’s often tough to find one of the best men’s watches on sale for a great deal — those sorts of deals tend to not come around all that often. But when they do, as I always say, the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot is too good to pass up, especially as far as Huckberry gear is concerned.

And it’s from the minds of Huckberry that we find our latest and greatest Tuesday Steal, the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver. It’s not the first time I’ve offered up a Huckberry review on one of the best watches for men (specifically this watch!), but it’s a rather timely one here.

At the time of my first review, you see, this rugged watch was 15 percent off. And yet now, the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver is now 25 percent for a very, very limited time (stock is moving extremely quickly via everyone’s favorite gear and menswear retailer).

And as one might expect, the specs on the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver are everything one needs in a rugged, stylish summer dive watch (or a dive watch in any season, for that matter). It boasts an aerospace-grade titanium case, a 1970s-inspired design and 200 meters of water resistance.

The tough-as-nails Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver dive watch aesthetic also extends to its rotating titanium bezel for keeping an eye on dives and water-ready excursions (or going anywhere else, for that matter). Your new favorite dive watch also features a 44-hour power reserve. On the dial itself, you’ll also find easy visibility through C3 SuperLuminova luminous paint on hands and dial indices.

The Friday Read: Trekking West to Arizona with Hamilton Watches

In my many freelance writing pursuits — covering everything from spirits to menswear to watches, trekking to Mexico with 1800 Tequila , visiting Boston with Joseph Abboud and more — I value tried-and-true essentials for my #OOTD.

Essentials like one of the best watches for men, of course, which just so happened to be the focus of my latest press trip. Suffice to say, staying on time in style, with rugged functionality top of mind, is the name of the game this Friday (and beyond), my friends. And it was a truly one-of-a-kind experience, which you very well might know if you follow me on Instagram.

The experience in question? Earlier this week, I had the chance to journey West with none other than Hamilton Watches, the legendary American producer of military and field timepieces (and an innovator in the timekeeping space since its founding in 1892).

The experience was unlike any other, as myself and fellow watch writers took the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition (this time on a new NATO strap) out into the field and the high heat of the Arizona desert.

On tap, aside from luxurious accommodations at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows? A thrilling desert off-road vehicle ride while wearing our Hamilton Watches timepieces, followed by a breezy and at times speedy river raft ride down the Salt River (once again, our Hamilton Watches timepieces proved mighty useful).

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical review.

The trip was capped off in thrilling fashion with a sunrise hot air balloon ride — and yes, once again, we trusted our Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition watches (my timepiece of choice) to get the job done.

Best field watches for men.

All the while, each of us found just about everything from Hamilton Watches to be tough, durable, easy to read in terms of legibility and timekeeping, and ready to stand up to the elements — be it dust, water or a hot day’s breeze. They even outfitted us with durable Hamilton caps, crucial in the Arizona desert.

I’ll have much more to come on Hamilton Watches via my many freelance writing pursuits, but for the price and the performance, this is a USA-made watch brand you can surely trust when you need it the most.

And of course, you can find Hamilton Watches and more at sites like Huckberry, which is also a tough thing to pass up. For powering your weekend, look to one of the best men’s watches — and look forward to two weekend style posts incoming on this very blog. As always, thanks for reading and stay stylish!

See Now, Buy Now: This New Shinola Runwell is One of the Best Dive Watches for Spring & Summer

Shinola Runwell watch for men.

There are certain men’s style picks, especially when it comes to men’s accessories like one of the best watches for men, that can pull double-duty (or rather, triple or quadruple-duty) in any season. While you might reserve a pick like one of the best short-sleeve henleys for spring or summer wear exclusively, the very best men’s watches shine through no matter what, particularly one from Detroit-based Shinola.

That’s especially true if the watch in question happens to be a rugged dive watch. Apt for spring and summer, certified “cool” no matter what — and now, easier than ever to buy via one of your favorite men’s watch brands.

The newest Shinola Runwell takes the brand’s penchant for Mid-century Modern design to the next level, particularly given its highly functional stainless steel build (and crisp, classic dial).

Shinola Runwell in stainless steel.

The Shinola Runwell (read more via my Shinola Runwell review!). is already an icon of the brand, a flagship model that represents versatility and the city of Detroit.

It’s not quite as sleek as a traditional dress watch, but it stands out pleasantly all the same whether worn with your favorite suit or a classic pocket tee – and this version of the Shinola Runwell 41mm gets the job done in that regard, too.

Best stainless steel dive watch for men.

And in this case, the dial itself is notable in another way, behind its retro-meets-modern look — it’s done up in a shade of alabaster that contrasts nicely against the handsome blue numerals and the seconds sub-dial at 6’o-clock.

Within the watch itself, the brand used its Argonite 1069 movement, while the three-link stainless steel bracelet delivers watersport-minded performance and a slick finish.

No matter where you take the newest Shinola Runwell — out on a weekend boating jaunt, to the boardwalk, to the beach bar or to a summer wedding — it can pass muster in matters of style and performance. Your new favorite watch awaits, my friends.

The Sunday Sale: Shop and Save Big on This Rugged Huckberry x Zodiac Dive Watch

We’re back in action here on The Style Guide, and spotlighting a stellar deal on one of the best watches for men, to boot. A rugged dive watch can be both a “beater watch” and an investment piece, and in the case of the Huckberry x Zodiac Titanium Dive Watch, it’s a bit of both.

Of course, it’s a Huckberry exclusive, and the great news is, you can get your new favorite dive watch for 15 percent off at checkout, no other bells and whistles required today.

The Huckberry x Zodiac Titanium Dive Watch carries on the Zodiac legacy of tough-as-nails dive watches, and this one is made from marine-grade titanium, with 200 meters of water resistance. Marine-grade titanium, in fact, is two times as light as stainless steel, and the 26-jewel Swiss-made STP 1-21 caliber automatic movement also boasts a rather impressive 44-hour power reserve.

In short, the Huckberry x Zodiac Titanium Dive Watch is hard-wearing and rugged as heck, with a striking blue dial and plenty of toughness built right in. And yes, again, it’s 15 percent off at checkout, and it belongs on your wrist ASAP.

The Tuesday Steal: Shinola Just Extended Its 10th Anniversary Sale on Stylish Men’s Watches

Best Shinola watches for men to buy now.

Some of the best menswear deals actually seem too good to be true, be it the recent onslaught of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals or something with a bit more longevity, like the watch shopping wonder that is the Shinola 10th Anniversary Sale.

Known formally as the Thank You Tenfold Event, it’s been running for some time, giving you the chance to get deals on a new all-black Shinola Runwell or even the special-edition Shinola Runwell 10-Year Watch. And now, the Detroit-based lifestyle brand — and one of my favorite online brands, period — just extended this sale, and it’s quite the doozy.

Best men's watches to buy now.

Take 25 percent off sitewide (with some exclusions, however) on the best watches for men, some of the best leather goods, top-notch holiday gifts and more (like a super-cozy Shinola blanket, for instance). The quick way to look at things is this: If you’ve been on the hunt for a new watch, or the perfect gift for the watch lover, the Shinola 10th Anniversary Sale is as good as it gets.

Since you’ve got quite a few selections to sort through online, go ahead and click on through right now — that’s all I’ve got today, since wonderful watch shopping awaits. As for me, I’d go with some savings (of more than $500) on the Shinola Bronze Monster GMT, but that’s just my personal take. Cheers, my friends!

See Now, Buy Now: The Shinola Runwell in Black is a Stylish, On-Sale Men’s Watch

Shinola men's Runwell watch.

If something feels off lately — if you’ve been feeling like you need a new timepiece to freshen up your rotation of the best men’s watches, then I’ve got quite the deal for you today. Shinola, the Detroit-based lifestyle brand that’s long made some of the coolest men’s timepieces on the market, is back at it again in a major way, all in celebration of the brand’s 10th anniversary.

The company introduced a special-edition 10-Year Runwell recently, and they’ve just upgraded the Shinola Runwell Collection in an even more elevated way. Witness the incredibly sleek, streamlined Shinola Runwell Blackout Watch, a crisply designed timepiece that sees the brand stepping out in monochromatic fashion for dressy holiday occasions. How’s that for a stylish men’s watch upgrade?

Shinola Runwell Watch.

It’s a change of pace from the famed watchmaker, normally known for contrasting dials and watch straps, but that’s not a bad thing in the slightest. Oh, and there’s even better news: For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Shinola is offering 25 percent off your purchase until November 27th. That’s no joke, and it’s a heck of a deal from one of the best men’s watch brands — a brand that doesn’t often go on sale, at that.

Shinola men's watches.

Of course, the Shinola Thank You Tenfold Event isn’t just about one watch: It’s about some of the best watches for men, plus accessories, going on sale for a very limited time, so if you’ve had your eyes on one of the brand’s pricier selections — like the Shinola Monster Automatic, for instance — it’s worth considering a purchase at a stellar discount.

Remember: This sleek new watch — and many others are now 25 percent off through November 27th at the Shinola Thank You Tenfold Event, and that’s something to be thankful for, indeed.

See Now, Buy Now: The Shinola 10-Year Runwell Watch Celebrates a Worthy Milestone

Shinola 10-Year Runwell Watch

It can certainly be tough to improve upon a classic in the world of the best men’s watches, and it can certainly be tough to mark a milestone like a decade of making the finest watches right in Detroit, but the new Shinola 10-Year Runwell marks the occasion quite handily.

At least, that’s how I’ve felt in my experience wearing the famed American watch brand, and perhaps you feel the same way. Like other modern Shinola classics (including the personal favorite Shinola Canfield), the Shinola 10-Year Runwell is packed with the brand’s DNA and only improves upon a classic.

The crisp dial features a commemorative printed 10-Year marking on the caseback, while the dressy-meets-casual, effortlessly versatile and rugged-yet-refined watch comes in a nicely sized 41mm dial or a beefier 47mm dial size. It’s limited to just 1,000 units, and accordingly, the watch is powered with the company’s first Detroit-built movement, the Argonite 1069.

It’s a stylish men’s watch worthy of celebration, it retails for the highly agreeable price of $550, and you can wear it about as often as you please with other menswear essentials. You really can’t ask for much more than that from a timeless watch.