TBWS on YouTube
The Citizen Eco-Drive Photon Might Be My Favorite Unexpected Release
I’ve been a fan of Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology for years, and I’ve owned several watches powered by it along the way. We’ve also recommended plenty of Eco-Drive models here at TBWS, and my blue Promaster Diver BN0151-09L is still one of my favorite watches of all time. With Citizen celebrating 50 years of Eco-Drive in 2026, I’ve been keeping an eye on some of the new releases, particularly the Photon.
Casio Nails Tudor Ranger Vibes With Its New Affordable Titanium Watch
I never really expected to see Casio making watches like this. The company has spent decades building its reputation around quartz movements, digital displays, and some of the most affordable watches you can buy. Now we’re looking at the new Casio CMK-100, a 38mm titanium automatic with a sapphire crystal and some pretty obvious Tudor Ranger vibes. Prices start at around $320, and I think there’s quite a bit to like here.
Grand Seiko Influence Shows Up in Christopher Ward’s New Automatic Watch
I’ve always found it interesting how much personality a dial can give an otherwise familiar watch. Grand Seiko has practically built an entire design language around the idea, with textured surfaces inspired by everything from snow to the bark of a birch tree. Now Christopher Ward seems to be exploring similar territory with the new C63 Sealander Yalos. And I think it’s a pretty sensible direction for a collection that has traditionally leaned toward straightforward, everyday sports watches.
Timex and WM Brown Give the Affordable Dress Watch an Art Deco Twist
I’ve always appreciated a good rectangular watch (make fun of me all you want for my Reverso opinions), especially when the proportions feel right. It’s a format that can be difficult to execute without getting carried away with the case dimensions or dial design. The latest collaboration between Timex and WM Brown, the lifestyle publication founded by Matt Hranek, caught my attention for those reasons.
Our Favorite Seiko Watches of 2026
Back in May, I picked the five best Seiko releases of 2026 so far and came away thinking Seiko had started listening to enthusiasts again. The rest of the year mostly backed that up. Seiko pushed its 8L45 movement into watches that blur the line with Grand Seiko, gave the Speedtimer two very different updates, and spread its 145th anniversary across nearly every collection. It also kept frustrating me in familiar ways, with Hardlex on watches that should have sapphire, region-locked references, and prices that keep creeping up. This list covers the whole catalog, from a $400 Seiko 5 to a $3,900 Marinemaster, and every watch on it has a confirmed US price. Here are our 10 favorite Seiko watches of 2026, in the order they arrived.
