Since 2018, Lorier has not just made strides in breaching unwritten rules that state that quality timepieces have to be expensive, but has done so with a love and appreciation for vintage styles and performance. The New York-based microbrand has already impressed with its habitually sold-out line of sports watches that include the Neptune diver and Falcon sports watch. But until now, it had yet to add a dress watch to its lineup.
Lorier’s first-ever dress watch, the Zephyr, is a timepiece modeled after those from the 1920s and ‘30s when dress watches were just… watches. Harkening back to the era of Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller, the Zephyr sports an underused tonneau shape (French for “barrel”) and a guilloché dial in either white or black, with the white featuring authentic heat-blued hands. Lorier’s objective was to create a fancy timepiece that’s almost unceremonious when it comes to its opulence; one you can wear every day without looking like you’re trying too hard. It’s safe to say the brand has succeeded. The case is built with marine-grade 316L stainless steel and houses a Miyota 9029 automatic movement. Leather straps — another first for Lorier — are available in either black or tan.
Along with the Zephyr, Lorier has also updated the Neptune and Falcon. Lorier has given both watches redesigned hour and minute hands and repositioned the lug holes closer to the case’s center, eliminating the “strap gap” that plagued earlier references. The Neptune Series IV has also switched the bezel insert from aluminum to fully-lumed acrylic, and for the first time, there will be a date option for the diver featuring a roulette-style date wheel at 6 o’clock. The Falcon’s most notable update is the dial design, which now boasts a Rolex Explorer-style 3, 6, 9 layout. Finally, both sports watches feature a new bracelet with thinner, reshaped links.
What’s perhaps most impressive is that Lorier offers each of its new automatic watches at the modest $499 price point. While these watches won’t be made available until this coming August or September, you can subscribe for updates on the company’s website.
