As New York Watch Week brings a fresh wave of timepieces flooding enthusiast feeds, the real treasures often emerge from the special editions debuted by independent brands at the annual Windup Watch Fair. Last year, horology fans caught the eye of Jonathan Ferrer at the Brew table, where he introduced a special New York Edition Metric Chrono featuring dials inspired by the distinctive, geometric patterned flooring of New York City subways. It was an eccentric, playful release that immediately captured the imagination of collectors, leaving many to wonder what Ferrer would cook up next for his follow-up appearance at the fair.
Turns out, Brew is once again drawing inspiration from an unmistakable mode of New York City transportation for its latest special edition launch: the ubiquitous yellow cab. Appropriately titled the Brew Metric Chrono Taxi, the brand’s familiar mecaquartz chronograph receives a high-contrast black, white, and yellow livery. It is a dial design that directly reflects the motifs of the iconic vehicles that define the city’s chaotic streets—cars that locals alternately love and despise, depending entirely on whether they are hailing a ride from the curb or dodging traffic as a pedestrian.
Familiar Proportions and Mechanical Foundation
While the color palette undergoes a dramatic transformation, the foundational architecture of the Metric Chrono remains intact. The watch features a distinctively angular, cushion-style stainless steel case that measures 36mm across with a slender thickness of just 10.75mm. Because of the square case geometry, the lug-to-lug distance measures slightly longer, though it remains exceptionally compact and wrist-friendly at 41.5mm.
The watch is presented on a matching stainless steel bracelet equipped with quick-release spring bars for effortless strap changes, and it offers a practical water resistance rating of 50 meters. Tucked securely behind a solid caseback featuring a checkered flag motif is the reliable Seiko VK68 mecaquartz chronograph movement. This hybrid caliber combines the accuracy and low-maintenance nature of a quartz timekeeping module with the tactile, mechanical crispness of a mechanical stopwatch module, complete with a satisfying snap-back reset.
A Busy, Character-Driven Dial
The dial is where the Metric Chrono Taxi truly comes alive, embracing a maximalist aesthetic that pays homage to its namesake. A broad checkered stripe runs horizontally right through the center of the dial, temporarily interrupted by the yellow and white chronograph minutes subdial positioned at the ten o’clock mark. Just above the six o’clock position and directly below the yellow running seconds subdial, a crisp printed marking spells out "New York," anchoring the design firmly to the city that inspired it.
Additionally, a discrete date window is neatly tucked away at approximately the 4:30 position. The striped chronograph hand echoes the high-contrast black and yellow coloring found throughout the busy minutes track, which extends inward from the dial perimeter all the way out to the rehaut itself. While it is undoubtedly a busy and densely packed dial layout, the exuberant design language feels entirely appropriate given the frantic, energetic subject matter.
Availability and Collecting Context
The Brew Metric Chrono Taxi will be made available both online and directly in person at the Windup Watch Fair New York, with production strictly limited to 1,000 pieces total worldwide.
Though undeniably on the nose, the Metric Chrono Taxi succeeds by leaning into a lighthearted, bright, and colorful design philosophy. It serves as the ultimate impulse buy for collectors browsing the bustling aisles of an event like Windup. Visitors walking the floor are advised to tread carefully near the Brew table; once you start talking shop with Jonathan Ferrer, it becomes remarkably difficult to walk away without adding one of his idiosyncratic creations to your collection.
Between last year’s subway-themed editions and this current taxi-inspired release, an unmistakable civic theme is beginning to emerge among these New York-centric special editions. That naturally leaves enthusiasts speculating about the future. Perhaps collectors will eventually see an MTA bus-inspired edition, or even Brew’s first dedicated dive watch styled after the Staten Island Ferry. While those concepts remain purely in the realm of speculation, watching Ferrer’s urban-inspired horological journey unfold promises to be an entertaining ride.
Specifications
Brand: Brew
Model: Metric Chrono Taxi
Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 10.75mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Black, white, and yellow
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Steel bracelet
Caliber
Caliber: Seiko VK68 Mecaquartz
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date
Winding: None
Pricing and Availability
Price: $495
Availability: Online and at Windup Watch Fair New York
Limited Edition: Yes, 1,000 pieces total
