THE JOURNAL

As American brand Weiss lands on MR PORTER, we round-up its sharpest timepieces.
With so many watch brands on MR PORTER (we carry more than 20 at the time of writing), it can be difficult to decide which one is the right for you. Perhaps you’re a more traditional chap, and want something classic and Swiss. Maybe you prefer something a little more contemporary, to fit a more active lifestyle. Maybe you’re looking for something that borrows a little from both camps.
Today, we welcome Weiss to MR PORTER – an LA watch brand founded in 2013 by the hirsute California native Mr Cameron Weiss. Having benefitted from a stint at the Nicolas G Hayek Watchmaking School, where he emerged as a WOSTEP-certified watchmaker, he has also experienced extensive training at both Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. Using this knowledge of esteemed, traditional watchmaking, Mr Weiss’ mission is to restore prestige to modern American timepieces. In an attempt to champion US watchmaking techniques, he sources as many materials domestically as possible. It means Weiss is the only brand resurrecting industry practices that have not been active in the US for decades. Each watch is made by hand in Mr Weiss’s LA studio (a process which takes more than 35 hours per piece), merging traditional processes with modern technological advances. Below, we look in greater detail at the watches we have on offer on MR PORTER.
The classic
This Special Issue Field Watch features a Swiss caliber 1001 mechanical movement housed in a case from a solid piece of stainless steel: a prime example of how Weiss combines the traditional with the new. The brown Horween leather strap and simple, elegant off-white face have a classic, sophisticated feel – but the watch looks robust, compact and contemporary, making it a timepiece you could wear day-to-day without having to hide it away in a drawer for special occasions. Liven your wrist up further with a bracelet by Peyote Bird – replete with a sterling silver thunder bird charm, which symbolises “power, strength and nobility”.
The casual
If you like a more casual approach when it comes to telling the time, this canvas strap version might be more to your liking. With a more rough-and-ready feel, this 38mm Automatic Issue Field Watch is smaller than its cousin above, and includes Incabloc shock protection. It is also water resistant, meaning it can withstand a bit of wear and tear. To showcase the expert craftsmanship that goes into its creation, the watch has a stainless-steel case that is polished and set with sapphire crystal glass at the front and back to display the calibre 2100 mechanical movement. Continue the tough, masculine theme elsewhere in your outfit with this Filson jacket.
The contemporary
The storm blue face on this American Issue Field Watch makes it feel a little more up to date in comparison to the piece we featured above. And, limited to just 200 pieces, investing in this version means there is little chance of you spotting it on the wrist of anyone else – a bonus when you’re parting with so much money. A touch smaller in size, it has a US-made calibre 1003 manually wound mechanical movement with a 46-hour power reserve. A watch for a man on the move, you might say. And, given we see Weiss as a watch brand at the more rugged end of the spectrum – we recommend getting around in a pair of robust boots. If you agree, try these “Service” boots by Viberg – which, like your watch strap, are also made from quality Horween leather.